IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF MELTING OR FUSING IRON OR OTHER METALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Ireland, of Leek, in the County of
Stafford. Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MODE OR METHOD OF MELTING OR FUSING IRON OR OTHER METALS,
AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
Sealed the 16th January 1854, and dated the 25th July 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Ireland
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 25th July 1853.
J, WILLIAM TRELAND, do hereby declare the nature of the said In-
vention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF MELTING OR
FUSING IRON OR OTHER METALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN,"
to be as follows:-
Firstly, in melting or fusing pig iron and scrap, I obtain very
great advantages by filling the furnace or cupola with fuel to about two
feet above the twyer previous to putting any metal in, and then by
arranging the pigs, or portions of them, one upon another crosswise, so
that all the ends shall face the twyer, and then filling up the interstices
so made by the small parts of scrap metal.

page_text: Secondly, in making the furnace of a peculiar shape or construction,
by which I am enabled to melt or fuse a greater quantity in a given
time than by any of the furnaces now in use, and at a less cost of fuel.
I make the furnace or cupola much higher than has hitherto been
adopted; and by giving it a taper form in the inside above the con-
traction, I prevent the fused metal from sticking or crusting to the
sides; and also by the peculiar form of the contraction, and the large
space below it, I have room for a very large quantity of fused or
melted metal, as much as has hitherto been accomplished by several
furnaces, and if the said space for the fused metal be larger than is
required, I introduce a false bottom in segments, so that the parts can
be put in through the mouth of the furnace.
Thirdly, I introduce hot air by means of a common fan or blower,
with suitable pipes and communications, as any practical mechanic will
know how to fit up.
These my said improvements will be easily understood by reference to
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Ireland in the Great Seal Patent Office,
on the 24th January 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
WILLIAM IRELAND, of Leck, in the County of Stafford, Gentleman,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of July, in
the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in
the seventeenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said William Ireland, Her
especial licence that I, the said William Ireland, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Ireland, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might

page_text: make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF MELTING OR FUSING
IRON OR OTHER METALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Ireland, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Royal Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Ireland, do hereby
declare the nature and particulars of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement (that is to say):
My Invention consists of,-Firstly, an improved method of feeding
the furnace or cupola, by which I prevent any flame appearing at or
above the charging door during the time of charging, and until the
time of blowing down, which I accomplish by filling the furnace or
cupola with fuel to about two feet above the twyer, previous to putting
in any metal, and then by arranging the pig metal or portions of the
same, one upon another crosswise, so that all the ends shall face the
twyer, filling up the interstices so made with the small parts of scrap
metal and coke. Secondly, of an improved shape or construction of
the furnace or cupola, by which I am enabled to melt or fuse a greater
quantity of metal in a given time than by any of the furnaces now in
use, and at a less cost of fuel. I make the furnace or cupola much
higher than has hitherto been adopted, and give it a taper form in the
inside above the contraction, to prevent the metal sticking or crusting
to the sides. I also make the contraction of a peculiar shape, and give
a large space below it, so that I have room for a very large quantity of
fused or melted metal, as much as has hitherto been accomplished by
several furnaces; and if the said space for the fused metal be larger
than is required, I introduce a false bottom in segments, so that the
parts can be put in through the mouth of the furnace. And, thirdly, 1
introduce hot air by means of a common fan or blower, with suitable

page_text: pipes and communications. These my said improvements will be
clearly understood by reference to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings,
in which the same letters of reference are used to represent similar
parts where different views or diagrams are shewn.
Fig. 1, is a sectional elevation of my improved furnace or cupola,
shewing the interior shape and contraction and the large space below it.
Fig. 2, an elevation of the same. Fig. 3, a plan at C, D; and Fig. 4, a
plan at A, B. a, represents the mouth or charging door;. b. the spout;
c, the twyers; and d, the peculiar shaped contraction before referred to.
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of my said
Invention, and the manner of carrying the same into practical effect, I
desire it to be distinctly understood that I do not confine myself to the
exact details herein set forth, as they may be varied or modified
without departing from the principle, thereof. But I claim as of my
Invention, and which, to the best of my knowledge and belief, has not
been hitherto used within this.realm,―
Firstly, the improved method.of feeding or charging the furnace or
cupola, so as to prevent the flame appearing at or above the charging
door during the time of charging, and until the tinie of blowing down;
secondly, the improved shape or construction of the same; and thirdly,
the introduction of hot air by means of a fau, as all the said improve-
ments are herein described, and illustrated in the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Ireland, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of January, One thou-
sand ĉight hundred and fifty-four.
WILLIAM IRELAND. (L.S.)
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
within-named William Ireland in
the presence of
E. J. HUGHES,
Patent Agent, Manchester.