Improvements in Apparatus for Casting Ingots.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 30th July, 1890-Accepted, 13th Sept., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Casting Ingots.
We, THOMAS BRADY, Foreman of Steel Works, THOMAS CHARLES POWERS, Vessel-
man of Steel Works, MICHAEL JOSEPH QUINN, Justice of the Peace, ALBERT JULIUS
MAHER, Real Estate Dealer, all of the City of Chicago. Cook County, Illinois, United
States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for casting ingots; and it has for
its object to provide a device for receiving and supporting a ladle of molten metal,
which by this my invention is so arranged as to be longitudinally and transversely
adjustable, so as to enable the molten mutal to be poured or discharged in the moulds
or flasks arranged in rows upon movable cars, whereby the usual pit, as well as the
cranes and derricks other than those which receive the molten metal from the con-
verters and the distributing frame are dispensed with, and whereby the output of the
mill may be greatly increased.
The frame of my improved apparatus is preferably constructed of I beams and it
comprises four vertical posts, which I shall describe, respectively as the front and rear
posts and which are mounted upon suitable foundations of masonry. The front posts
are connected to the rear posts by longitudinal beams, and the upper ends of the front
posts and rear posts are connected, respectively, by transverse beams. These said
transverse beams serve as tracks to support a transversely-movable carraige which is
provided with supporting wheels or rollers, and which is constructed with horizontal
track beams to support a longitudinally movable carraige or ladle carrier, the sides
of which have contrally located bearings for the trunions of the ladle. The trans-
versely movable carraige is provided with longitudinal platforms adjacent to the track-
boams to accomodate the men who are to handle the ladle. The frame of the device
is provided with suitable stops to limit the movement of the said laterally movable
carraige, and the latter is provided with suitable eyebolts sliding upon guides which
serve to retain the said carraige securely upon the track-beams without danger of its
being displaced.
The carraiges are operated by suitable hydraulic mechanism provided for that
purpose.
A suitable runner and ladle (which is of ordinary construction) are provided, and
also suitable carrying cranes by means of which the inaterial is moved to and from the
apparatus.
By the arrangement of the carriers or carraiges bereinbefore referred to, and the
hydraulic mechanism for operating the same, the movements of the ladle may be
perfectly controlled and regulated and are always in sight of the lever-man.
Dated this 18th day of December 1889.
HORN & SON,
Applicants' Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Casting Ingots.
We, THOMAS BRADY, of South Chicago, in the County of Cook, and State of Illinois,
United States of America, Foreman, Steel Works, and THOMAS CHARLES, POWERS,
Vesselman, Steel Works, and ALBERT JULIUS MAHER, Real Estate Dealer, and
MICHAEL JOSEPH QUINN, Justice of the Peace, all of same place, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This invention relates to devices for casting ingots; and it has for its object to

page_text: provide a device for receiving and supporting a ladle of molten metal, which shall be
so arranged as to be longitudinally and transversely adjustable, so as to enable the
molten nietal to be poured or discharged into the moulds or flasks arranged in rows
upon moveable cars, whereby the usual pit, as well as the cranes and derricks other
than those which receive the molten metal from the converters and the distributing-
crane, shall be dispensed with, and whereby the output of the mill may be greatly
increased.
With these ends in view the invention consists, mainly in an improved construction
and arrangement of the carrier supporting the ladle, in the mechanism for tilting the
ladle for the purpose of pouring the metal or discharging the slag, and in the con-
struction and arrangement of a so-called "runner," which in the case of chilled
heats may be used for conveying the molten metal into the moulds or flasks, all
substantially in the manner which will be hereinafter described, and particularly
pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of an ingot-plant equipped with our inven-
tion. Figure 2 is a plan view of our improved device. Figure is a longitudinal
vertical section of the same. Figure 4 is a side elevation. Figure 5 is a transverse
vertical section view taken on the line in Figure 2. Figure 6 is a detail per-
spective view of the carriage supporting the ladle and showing the latter in position.
Figure 7 is a top view with the ladle-carrier removed and parts of the framo brokon
away for the purpose of better showing the construction. Figure 8 is a perspective
detail view of the runner used in connection with my invention, with the bracket and
slag-spout removed. Figure 9 is a detail view in perspective, showing the rod or bar
connecting the bell-cranks by which the transversely-moveable carriage is operated,
the pitman connected centrally to said connecting-rod, the rock-shaft, and links for
steadying the runner and adjacent parts of the frame.
The saino letters refer to the sanie parts in all the figures.
The frame of our improved device is proferably constructed of I-beams, and it
comprises four vertical posts, which we shall describe, respectively, as the front
posts 11 and rear posts 2 2, which latter are somewhat higher than the front posts,
and which are mounted upon suitable foundations of brick or masonry. The front
posts are connected to the rear posts by longitudinal beams 3, and the upper ends of
the front posts and rear posts are connected, respectively, by transverse beams 4 and 5.
The said transverse beams serve as tracks to support a transversely-moveable carriage 6,
which is provided with supporting wheels or rollers 7, and which is constructed with
the longitudinal horizontal track-beams 8 to support the locgitudinally-moveable
carriage or ladle-carrier 9, the sides of which have centrally located bearings 10
for the trunnions 11 of the ladle 12. The transversely-moveable carriage 6 is provided
with longitudinal platforms 13 adjacent to the track-beams 8 to accommodate the
men who are to handle the ladle. The frame of the device is provided with suitable
stops 14 to limit the movement of the said laterally-moveable carriage, and the latter
is provided with suitable eyebolts 15, sliding upon guides 16, which serve to retain the
said carriage securely upon the track-beams without danger of its being displaced.
To operate or manipulate the carriages 6 and 9, we prefer to avail ourselves of
hydraulic power, which is applied and manipulated in the manner which we shall
now proceed to describe. One of the longitudinal frame-beams 3 at one side of the
device is extended rearwardly and provided with a bracket 17, upon which is
mounted a hydraulic cylinder 18, to the ends of which pipe-connections 19 are made
from the valve-casing 20. The latter is arranged below the platform 21, mounted upon
suitable supports 22 and affording a convenient support for the lever-man, who
manipulates the valve contained in said casing by means of a crank-shaft 23,
extending through said platform. The piston-rod 24 of the cylinder 18 is connected
by a pitman 25 with a longitudinal rod or bar 26, the ends of which are connected
pivotally with the laterally-extending horizontal arms 27 of a pair of bell-cranks 28
which are mounted in suitable bearings upon the frame-beam 3 and its extension,
and arranged, respectively, near the front and rear ends of the fraine.
longitudinal arms 29 of the bell-cranks are connected by means of pitman 30 with
The

page_text: the transversely-moveable carriage 6 at points near the front and rear ends of the
latter, respectively. It will be seen that by this arrangement, when the piston-rod of the
cylinder 18 is operated, either in a forward or rearward direction, the power will be
applied equally to the front and rear ends of the transversely-moveable carriage,
thereby causing the latter to operate evenly and without danger of binding upon its
track without regard to the point at which the load is located upon the said carriage,
which might seriously interfere with the operation if the motive power were applied
directly to the centre of the said carriage.
The carriage 6 is provided with a rearwardly-extenling bracket 31, supporting a
hydraulic cylinder 32, the piston-rod of which 33 is provided at its front end with a
yoke 84, having downward-extending brackets 35, which may be arranged to slide
upon the track-beams 8 for the purpose of supporting the said yoke. The bracket 35
may be provided with castors or rollers; but this is "not essential. The front ends of
the arms of the yoke 34 are to be connected detachably with the rear end of the
5 carriage or ladle-carrier 9, which latter may be provided with bails or staples 36,
adapted to enter horizontal recesses 37 in the ends of said arms, which are provided
with vertical perforations 38 to admit the connecting-bolts 39. It will be seen that
in this manner the ladle-carrier may be casily and quickly connected with or detached
from the yoke of the piston-rod 33.
40 is a valve-casing arranged below the lever-man's platform and connected_by
means of pipes 41, respectively, with the front and rear ends of the cylinder 32. The
valve contained in the casing 40 may be manipulated by means of a crank-shaft 42,
extending through the lever-man's platform. The pipes 41 extend vertically to a
point near the level of the cylinder 32, where they are connected to elbows 43, in the
vertical arms of which are swivelled the ends of horizontal pipes 44, the outer ends of
which are provided with elbows 45, in the vertical arms of which are swivelled the
horizontal pipes 46, the outer ends of which are connected by swivel-joints with
elbows 47 mounted upon the cylinder 32 and connected with its front and rear ends,
respectively.
to
The particular construction of the swivel-joints herein referred to forms no part of
my invention; but it will be seen that by the arrangement of the pipes and joints as
herein described the carriage 6, carrying the cylinder 32, may be moved transversely
any desired point without disturbing or interfering with the flow of fluid through
the pipes 41 and their connections, thus enabling the piston-rod 33 to be operated at
any point independently of or simultaneously with the piston-rod 24, as the case may
require. By means of the piston 33 the ladle-carrier may be moved longitudinally to
any desired point upon the supporting-carriage 6, while the latter, by means of the
piston-rod 24 and its connections, may be moved transversely to any desired point
upon the frame. It will also be seen that the movements of both carriages are at all
times in sight and under the control of the lever-inan, who is stationed upon the
platform 21.
Longitudinally under the frame of the device, and between the sides of said frame,
are laid the tracks 48, for the support of the car 49, carrying the moulds or flasks 50.
Being thus mounted, the said moulds or flasks may be conveniently carried to the
most convenient point for filling them with the molten metal.
The ladle 12 is constructed in the usual manner with the nozzle 51, through which
the molten metal may be discharged, said nozzle being normally closed by means of
a vertically-moveable plug or stopper 52, which may be operated by means of
suitably-arranged levers 53, in the particular arrangement of which no novelty is
herein claimed.
A trunnion is provided with a worm-gear 55, adapted to mesh with a worin 56,
which is mounted in brackets 57, forming part of a frame 58, one end of which is
provided with an ear or lug 59, connected pivotally to one of the side beams of the
ladle carrier or carriage 9. The frame 58 is provided with a lever or handle 60. by
means of which it may be conveniently manipulated, so as to bring the worm 56 into
or out of mesh with the gear 55, and the side of the carriage 9 is provided with studs 61,

page_text: between which the ends of the lever 60 may be inserted for the purpose of retaining
it in any desired adjustment.
62 is a ratchet-lever mounted upon the worm-shaft 56, for the purpose of rotating
the latter.
It will be seen from the foregoing description that when the worm 56 is in mesh
with the gear 55 it may be manipulated by means of the ratchet-lever 62 in such a
manner as to tilt the ladle and, if desired, entirely invert the latter. In order to
restore the ladle to its normal position it is merely necessary to disengage the worm-
shaft from the gear-wheel 55 thereby avoiding the necessity for slowly working the
ladle back by means of the worm-gear to its vertical position. The advantage of this
construction will also be apparent when at the end of each heat the slag is to be
discharged from the ladle. This is usually done by hooking an eye formed at the
bottom of the ladle on to a crane or derrick, and then inverting the ladle so as to
dump the slag. By the construction which is usually employed at the present time
the worm-gear meshes with a worm which is journalled in rigid bearings, and the
worm-gear comprises only the segment of a circle. Before the ladle can be inverted
by means of the tackle used for this purpose it is therefore necessary first to work the
gear clear of the worm by rotating the latter a sufficient number of times. By my
improved construction the delay cansed in this manner is avoided, inasmuch as the
worm may be instantaneously swung clear of the gear and the ladle tilted. Again, in
case of the crane being broken or out of order, the ladle may by our improved
mechanism be completely inverted for the purpose of discbarging the slag.
We shall now proceed to describe the runner which is sometimes used in connection
with our invention for the purpose of conveying the molten metal to the moulds or
flasks. This consists of a longitudinal trough 63, provided at its front end with a
dam 64 to prevent the molten metal from overflowing, but only of such a height as to
permit the slag to escape over the said dam. The trough or runner 63 is provided at
its rear end with a bracket 65, extending through and supported by a bail or U-shaped
frame 66, which is suitably secured to the rear cap-beam 5 of the frame, and which is
of such a width as to admit of the lateral movement of the trough or runner 63.
The front end of the latter is provided with a downwardly-extending bracket 67,
from which extonds the slag-spout 68, the front end of which is supported in n
U-shaped bracket 69, which is suitably attached to the front cap-beam 4 of the
frame, and which is also of sufficient with to admit of the lateral movement of the
device. One side of the runner is provided near its front and rear ends with staples 70,
secured, respectively, to the body of the runner and to its rearwardly-extending
bracket 65, and which are connected by links 71 with arms 72, extending at right
angles from a rock-shaft 73, which is journalled in suitable bearings upon the adjacent
frame-beam 3, and serving to steady the movement of the runner when the latter is
operated. The runner is manipulated by means of a lever 74, connected pivotally to
one of its sides and fulcrumed in a staplo 75 upon the frame-beam 3, whereby the
said lever 74 may be used not only for the purpose of moving the trough or runner
transversely, but also for the purpose of adjusting it longitudinally, as the case may
require. It will be seen that when the runner is manipulated by the lever 74 its front
and rear ends will be kept in alignment and its movement steadied by the links or
rods which connect its front and rear ends with the arins 72 of rock-shaft 73.
the same time the freedom of movement of the runner, either longitudinally or
transversely, will not be impaired. This construction enables the runner to he
manipulated by the single lever 74, fulcruined loosely in the staple 75. The slag-
spout is provided at its front end with a downward-extending stud 76 to limit the
longitudinal movement of the device.
At
The trough or runner 63 is provided on each side with a number of spouts 77,
corresponding in number and location to the moulds or flasks 50, mounted upon the
cars 49. These spouts are provided with dams or skimmers 78, under which the
molten metal may flow into the moulds or flasks while the slag is retained and caused
to flow over the dam 64, to which reference has herein before been made. The dams

page_text: or skimmers may be constructed of sand or other refractory material, and when not
in use the openings through the said dams corresponding with the spouts are to be
closed by means of suitable plugs of clay, which when the runner is to be utilized
may readily be opened by means of an ordinary poker.
In Figure 1 of the drawings, hereto annexed, we have illustrated an ingot-plant
equipped with our various improvements. 79 79 designate the converters of which
there may be any convenient number. 80 designates the receiving-cranes which are
arranged to convey the ladles from the converters to the distributing-crane 81, which
is arranged concentrically with the frames of our improved pouring devices, which
radiate from the said centre or distributing-crane, as clearly shown in Figure 1. A
slag-pit is also provided, over which is provided a frame or support 82, upon which
the ladle-carrier may rest while the ladle is being inverted for the purpose of dumping
or discharging the slag.
The operation of our invention will be readily understood from the foregoing
description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed.
The receiving
and distributing cranes are used for the purpose of conveying the Indle with its load
of molten metal from the converters and to the carriages or carriers which form a
part of our invention. The cars 49, loaded with empty moulds or flasks, are then
run into position upon their respective tracks between the sides of the frame, and the
moulds are now ready to be filled. This is, under ordinary circumstances, accomplished
through the nozzle with which the ladle is provided, by adjusting the ladle over the
moulds or flasks-one after another and permitting the molten metal to flow out
through the nozzle 51, the runner 63 being meanwhile drawn out of position, so as
not to interfere with the direct pouring of the metal. It sometimes happens, however,
that the ladle is burned out adjacent to the nozzle, thus permitting the molten metaĺ
to escape in streams too large or too far apart to enter the mouths or openings of the
flasks. When this is the case, or when the steel chills and refuses to run out through
the nozzle, we avail ourselves of the runner 63, herein described. The said runner is
first adjusted in such a manner as to bring the spouts on one side thereof directly
above the mouths of the corresponding row of flasks. The dams in said spouts are
then opened, and the ladle being first adjusted directly over the runner, may now be
tilted, so as to cause the metal to flow into the runner 63 and thence into the moulds.
This, of course, is only in case the steel chills and refuses to run through the nozzle.
The dams or skimmers will prevent the slag from escaping into the moulds, said slag
being caused to run over the dam at the front end of the runner and through the
slag-spout into a pit specially constructed for its reception. After the moulds on one
side of the runner have been filled the spouts on this side may be plugged or closed
and those on the other side opened and the pouring proceeded with. In this manner,
and by the employment of our improved runner, we have found that much valuable
steel may be saved which is under the present system and mode of operation permitted
to go to waste. Again, the runner will be found useful at the conclusion of pouring
each bent, inasmuch as the ladle may then be inverted for the purpose of allowing the
slag to escape through the runner and into the slag-pit, thereby saving time and
disposing of the slag in a most convenient manner.
By the arrangement of the carriers or carriages as herein described, and the
hydraulic cylinder for operating the same, the movements of the ladle may be
perfectly controlled and regulated and are always in sight of the lever-man.
The construction and arrangement of the operating parts are simple and con-
venient, and our improvement is of such a nature that it may be applied to existing
plants without excessive expense.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. In an ingot-plant, the combination of the converters, the receiving cranes, the
centre or distributing crane, the frames arranged concentrically with said centre

page_text: and means for adjusting the latter, substantially as and for the purpose herein
set forth.
2. In an ingot-plant, the combination of the converters the receiving-cranes. the
centre or distributing crane, the frame arranged concentrically with the latter and
supporting the longitudinally and transversely adjustable ladle-carriers, the tracks
arranged between the sides of the respective frames, and the cars or carriages
supporting the moulds, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
3. The combination of the supporting-frame, the transversely-moveable carriage,
the hydraulic cylinder arranged longitudinally with relation to the frame, the bell-
crank levers mounted in bearings attached to the frame, the rod or har connecting
the laterally-extending arms of said bell-crank levers, the pitman connecting said.
rod or bar with the piston-rod of the hydraulic cylinder, and the pitman connecting
the longitudinal arms of the hell-crank levers with the transversely-moveable carriage
at points near the front and rear ends of the latter, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
4. The combination with the supporting-frame, of the transversely-moveable
carriage, the ladle-carrier arranged to move longitudinally upon said carriage, the
hydraulic cylinder mounted upon said transversely-moveable carriage, the piston-rod
having its front and connected detachably with the ladle-carrier, and the flexible or
swivel-jointed pipes connecting the front and rear ends of the said cylinder with the
stationary valve-case, substantially as herein described, and for the purpose set forth.
5. The combination, with the supporting-frame, of a transversely-moveable carriage,
a hydraulic cylinder mounted upon said carriage and connected by swivel-jointed
pipes with the stationary valve-case, the ladle-carrier arranged to move longitudinally
upon the transversely-moveable carriage, the piston-rod provided with a yoke at its
front end and having downwardly-extending brackets adapted to ride upon the track
of the ladle-carrier, and means, substantially as described, for connecting the said
yoke detachably with the ladle-carrier, as and for the purpose set forth.
6. The ladle-carrier provided with bearings for the trunnions of the ladlo and
having a pivoted frame in which is journalled a worm-shaft equipped with a ratchet-
lever, in combination with the ladle, one of the trunnions of which is provided with a
worm-gear, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. The combination of the ladle-carrier, a frame mounted pivotally upon one of the
side beams of the same and provided with a lever or handle and a pair of laterally-
extending brackets, a worm-shaft journalled in the said brackets and provided with a
ratchet-lever, a pair of studs extending from the side beam of the ladle-carrier to
retain the lever or handle of the pivoted frame in position, and the ladle having a
worm-gear attached to one of its trunnions, substantially as and for the purpose
herein shown and specified.
8. The combination, with the ladle mounted in a carrier longitudinally adjustable
upon a transversely-moveable carriage, of a trough or runner mounted adjustably on
a horizontal plane below said ladle and having a series of spouts adapted to register
with the moulds or flasks, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
9. The combination with the tilting ladle mounted upon a longitudinally and
transversely adjustable carrier, as herein described, of the trough or runner mounted
adjustably below the said ladle and provided at its front end with a dam and an
inclined slag-spout, substantially as herein described, and for the purpose set forth.
10. The berein-described runner, consisting of a longitudinal trough the sides of
which are provided with spouts having dams or skimmers, said trough being provided
at its front end with a dam for the overflow of slag and with a downwardly-extending
bracket to which is connected an inclined slag-spout, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
11. The combination of the supporting-frame, the U-shaped brackets attached to
the front and rear cap-beams of the same, the runner supported upon the said
brackets, and a lever connected pivotally with the said runner and fulcrumed in a
staple upon one of the side beams of the frame, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.

page_text: 12. The combination of the supporting-frame, the U-shaped brackets attached to
the front and rear cap-beams of the same, and the runner supported in said
brackets and having downward-extending studs to limit its longitudinal movement,
substantially as set forth.
13. The combination of the supporting-frame, the U-shaped brackets attached to
the front and rear cap-beams of the same, the runner mounted in the said brackets
a rock-shaft journalled in bearings upon one of the side beams of the frame and
having laterally-extending arms, links connecting the ends of said arms with one side
of the runner, and a lever pivoted to the side of the latter and fulcrumed in a
staple upon one of the side beams of the frame, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
14. The combination, with a ladle and adjusting mechanism for the same, sub-
stantially as herein described, of the longitudinally and transversely adjustable runner,
the lever for manipulating the same, and the cars provided with moulds or flasks
arranged in position to correspond with the spouts extending laterally from the sides
of the runner, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
15. The combination of the supporting-frame, the transversely-moveable carriage
having the longitudinally-moveable ladle-carrier and provided with staples or eyes
apon its under side, and the guides attached to the supporting-frame and extending
through the said eyes or staples, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown
and specified.
Dated this 30th day of Inl. 1800
•
THOMAS BRADY.
THOMAS CHARLES POWERS.
ALBERT JULIUS MAHER.
MICHAEL JOSEPH QUINN.
By their Agents,
Horn & Son.