IMPROVEMENTS IN PUDDLING IRON AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN.
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
"
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of
" IMPROVEMENTS IN PUDDLING IRON AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREIN. -A communication from abroad by William
Sellers, of the City and County of Philadelphia, in the State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Sealed the 2nd February 1872, and dated the 3rd October 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 3rd October 1871.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County
5 of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUDDLING IRON AND IN THE MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN, a communication to me from abroad by
"
.

page_text: William Sellers, of the City and County of Philadelphia, in the State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to that class of mechanical puddlers in which
the process is effected by revolving the chamber or vessel which contains
the iron to be operated upon, and consists essentially in delivering the
frame into and discharging the products of combustion from one and the
same end of a revolving puddling vessel.
This vessel has its axis substantially horizontal, and is provided with a
single opening through which the flame and products of combustion enter
and leave the chamber in the direction of its axis, flues being combined
therewith for that purpose. This revolving puddling vessel is supported
on a traversing frame, which by preference vibrates through an arc of a
circle on a vertical axis, the axis of the vessel being tangential to the arc
of vibration of the frame, which frame is capable of both vertical and
horizontal adjustment, the object being to enable the vessel to be swung
round so as to bring its charging mouth into a convenient position for
charging or discharging the same. This traversing supporting frame
serves also to carry the mechanism by which the puddling vessel is
rotated on its axis, the power required being transmitted through the
vertical axis of the traversing frame.
It is preferred to make the revolving puddling vessel of a spherical form,
with a large mouth or circular opening, and it is provided on its exterior
with a series of bosses or projections opposite the opening so arranged as
to serve for securing a worm wheel to the vessel. To this worm wheel
a hollow trunnion is attached, which supports the vessel at that end. The
object of the bosses and the hollow trunnion is to provide for a circulation
of air, which will prevent the overheating of the journal.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 2nd April 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.`
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of October, in the year of.

page_text: our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the 35th
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said John Henry Johnson, Her special license that
I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors,
administrators, or 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 make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUDDLING
IRON AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," a com-
munication to me from abroad by William Sellers, of the City and
County of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, United States
of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
John Henry Johnson, my executors or administrators, 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 Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:―
The said Invention relates to that class of puddling machines in which
the process is effected by revolving the chamber or vessel which contains
the metal to be operated upon in such a manner as to present a
constantly changing surface of the contained metal to the action of
flame.
Heretofore in all machines in which puddling has been thus effected
the flame has been passed into, through, and out of the chamber or vessel
in the direction of the axis of the vessel, the respective openings for the
entrance and the exit of the flame being opposite to each other. In the
improved machine, on the contrary, the flame passes into the puddling
chamber or vessel in the direction of its axis; but instead of passing

page_text: Figure 1 of the Drawings is a sectional view of a puddling furnace
embodying the said improvements; Figure 2 is a plan of the puddling
machine, furnace, flues, and chimney, shewing in dotted lines the vessel
or chamber in position for being charged or discharged; Figure 3 is an
elevation of the parts shewn in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a sectional
view of a furnace combined with the improved puddling machine.
The chamber or vessel A has by preference a spherical form, with a
large mouth or circular opening B, and has on its exterior a series of
bosses or projections c, c, opposite the opening B so arranged as to serve
for securing a worm wheel D to the chamber. To the worm wheel D the
hollow trunnion C is attached, which supports the chamber at that end
(the axis of this trunnion being substantially horizontal and passing.
through the centre of the opening B). Motion is imparted to the vessel
through the worm wheel D by means to be presently described.
The object of using a hollow trunnion and bosses on the chamber is to
provide for a circulation of air which will prevent the overheating of the
journal. A steel band or tire F is to be shrunk upon the vessel A near
its open end and concentric with the trunnion C. This vessel should be
lined with some refractory material such as is technically known in the
art as a "fix" which will withstand the heat and the chemical and
mechanical actions involved in the process. A tap hole q passing
through the vessel and through the lining serves for withdrawing the
cinder from the vessel. This tap hole is of course plugged up properly
during the operation of the vessel and at all other times except when
opened for the purpose of withdrawing the cinder.
A suitable floor plate j is provided in the proper relation to the
delivering and discharging flues and of sufficient area for the traverse of
a large hollow frame H, H, H, which has three points of support upon
the floor plate, namely, at what I may call the inner end of this frame a
pin h resting in a step bearing I, about the axis of which the traversing
frame moves in carrying the chamber or vessel A from one to the other
of the two positions shewn in Figure 2, and at the outer and rear ends
respectively of the frame the two truck wheels i, i, running upon the
floor plate j. The axles k, k¹, of these truck wheels are placed radially to
the axis of the pin h and have their bearings in vertically adjustable
boxes 1, . The pin h is also made vertically adjustable in this instance
by being provided with a large screw thread, which enters a corresponding

page_text: i
thread in the frame H, H, H, so that by turning the pin within its screw
socket the frame may be raised or lowered at will, and this pin is fixed
in its vertically adjusted position by a set screw. The bolt holes
provided in the floor plate j and in the flange of the step bearing I for
the holding down bolts o, o, o, of the step bearing are made oblong in
directions at right angles to each other so as to admit also of an adjust-
ment of the frame horizontally in every direction by moving the step
bearing. Upon the axle k¹ of the truck wheel ¹ there is fastened securely
a bevel wheel m, into which gears the pinion n securely fastened upon
the vertical shaft M, which is supported by the box and case G, and
upon the upper end of which there is placed the band wheel N. The
frame H, H, H, can be readily moved into either of the positions shewn
in Figure 2 by rotating the hand wheel N in the requisite direction,
thereby causing the truck wheel to revolve, the frictional contact
between this wheel and the floor plate j being sufficient to vibrate the
frame H, H, H, about the pin h. In the front cross piece of the frame
H, H, H, there are mounted the guide wheels f, f, and at or near the
rear of the frame there is mounted a casing G, in which a bearing is
provided for the trunnion C and also a bearing for the shaft e of a worm
E which engages in the worm wheel D on the chamber A. This casing
G encloses both the worm wheel D and the worm shaft e, protecting
them from dust and admitting of their being kept thoroughly
lubricated.
The vessel A is placed upon the frame H, H, H, with its trunnion
resting on its bearing in the casing G, and thus supporting the rear end
of the vessel, while the guide wheels f,f, upon which the band or tire F
rests and turns, support the forward or open end of the vessel in a
position always substantially horizontal, and the vessel thus supported
is free to be revolved upon its points of support through the worm
wheel. Motion is communicated to the vessel A from a steam engine
having the axis of the cylinder horizontal and over the axis of the pin.h.
The connecting rod from this steam cylinder takes hold upon a crank pin
in the face of the balance wheel O upon the outer end of the worm
shaft e.
Steam is carried to this engine by a vertical steam pipe in the
line of the axis of the pin h, and the exhaust is carried off through this
pin so that the vibrations of the frame H, H, H, cause no disturbance to
either the steam or the exhaust pipe.

page_text: I have not shewn this steam engine in position as neither it nor its
arrangement forms any part of my claim, and as it will be ovious to a
skilled mechanic that by various methods other than the one described
the vessel A may be rotated, the axis of vibration of the frame H, H, H,
still serving as a point at which to introduce the power.
It will also be evident to the skilled mechanic that the frame which
carries the puddling vessel and the mechanism for revolving the same
may be arranged in many other ways to perform the function of moving
the puddling vessel to and from the flues without disarranging the
driving mechanism; thus it may be mounted upon wheels on a track
either straight or curved, which may carry the vessel to a convenient
point for charging and discharging, or the track may be upon a turning
table so that the vessel may be moved first at right angles to the plane
of the flues and then turned around to a convenient position for charging
and discharging; and it is contemplated to arrange this frame to traverse
in such various directions as the exigencies of the case may require
without disturbing the connection between the driving mechanism upon
the frame and the motive power.
The course by which the flame enters and is discharged from the
revolving puddling chamber A is very clearly exhibited by the arrows in
Figures 1 and 4. A door W is provided at the back of the flues through
which the chamber when in position may be fettled or its charge rabbled,
and a spy hole v is also provided in this door to observe when the charge
of metal is in condition to have the cinder withdrawn.
0
The mode or means by which the requisite flame used in the puddling
process is to be produced forms no part of this Invention, and I need not
therefore describe herein the furnace represented in Figure 4; but in all
cases the openings through which the flame or gaseous fuel and the
products of combustion are respectively delivered into and discharged
from the vessel should be so arranged relatively to each other that they
may be encircled by a flat ring R. The surface of this ring is made
sufficiently broad to correspond with the surface of the open end of the
vessel A, so that when the vessel is brought up to the ring these broad
surfaces without being in actual contact will be so close together as to
prevent the escape of flame between them. The back of the ring R is so

page_text: secured to the casing of the flue as to prevent the escape of gas on that
side. This ring may be kept cool by the introduction of water into pipes
cast within it, or may be simply cast hollow and water introduced at the
bottom and allowed to flow off at the top. It is obvious that instead of
the plane surfaces above described the surface of the ring and the face
of the open end of the vessel might be made in various corresponding
forms to effect the same object.
Assuming the vessel A to be in the position shewn by dotted lines in
Figure 2 the crude iron may be charged into it either cold or in a state
of fusion; the vessel is then brought around with its open end against
the ring R and the flame or gaseous fuel admitted to the vessel. If the
iron is charged in cold the vessel remains stationary until the charge is
brought to a state of fusion. Assuming the iron to be in a state of
fushion the vessel is revolved slowly whilst a continuous volume of flame
is discharged into it through the delivery flue S. This flame sweeps
over the interior surface of the vessel and impinges upon the metal (the
surface of which is being constantly changed by the revolution of the
vessel) the products of combustion continuously passing through the
discharge flue T. In Figure 1 the arrows shew the directions of the flame
into and of the products of combustion out of the vessel. The successive
changes of the condition of the metal during the process are readily
observed through the spy hole in the door W, and controlled by
regulating the volume and intensity of the flame and the speed of
rotation of the vessel. When the balling is completed the flame is
checked, the frame H, H, H, with its revolving chamber A is swung
away from the ring R by means of the hand wheel N, and its driving
gear and the ball are removed; a new charge of crude iron being supplied,
the open end of the vessel is again brought against the ring, and the
operation of puddling is repeated.

page_text: the puddling vessel alone, whilst with these improvements the provision
against the escape of gas and all the adjustments required are confined
to the single surface of the open end of the vessel. There being but one
opening the chance for escape of gas is diminished at least one-half,
and there being but one surface all the adjustments required may be
made without any adjustment of the furnace or flue relatively to each
other. The flame is also more perfectly reverberated and utilized, and in
its peculiar sweeping action over the whole interior surface of the
revolving chamber operates more effectually upon the charge of metal
than it could in passing directly through the vessel as heretofore.
Charging and discharging the puddling chamber without having to lift
it, and without having to remove a portion of the flue for this purpose;
having the step which carries the vertical axis of the vibrating frame
adjustable horizontally in every direction, and the frame adjustable
vertically upon the axis about which it vibrates; and the wheels which
support the vibrating frame at other points than the axis also adjustable
vertically; all of these movements and adjustments being made without
disturbing the connections between the vessel, the frame, the revolving
mechanism, and the power are severally and collectively advantages
which must be readily appreciated.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to
be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,—
First. The delivering the flame into and discharging the products of
combustion from one and the same end of a revolving puddling vessel,
substantially as herein-before set forth.
Secondly. A revolving puddling vessel having its axis substantially
horizontal and provided with a single opening, through which opening
the flame is delivered into and the products of combustion are discharged
from the said vessel in the direction of its axis, substantially as herein-
before set forth.
Thirdly The combination of a revolving nuddling vessel herring its

page_text: flame is delivered into and the products of combustion are discharged
from one and the same end of the revolving vessel, substantially as
set forth.
Fourthly. The combination with a revolving puddling vessel of a
traversing supporting frame, substantially as herein-before set forth.
Fifthly. The combination of a revolving puddling vessel and a
traversing supporting frame with flues through which respectively the
flame is delivered into and the products of combustion are discharged
from one and the same end of the revolving vessel, substantially as
herein-before set forth.
Sixthly. The combination of a revolving puddling vessel, a traversing
supporting frame, and mechanism by which the frame may be adjusted
vertically and horizontally in every direction, substantially as set
forth.
Seventhly. The combination, substantially as herein-before set forth,
of a revolving puddling vessel, a traversing supporting frame, and
mechanism for revolving the vessel, such revolving mechanism being
mounted upon the traversing supporting frame.
Eighthly. The combination of a revolving puddling vessel, a traversing
supporting frame, mechanism for revolving the vessel (such revolving
mechanism being mounted upon the traversing supporting frame, and
flues through which respectively the flame is delivered into and the
products of combustion are discharged out of one and the same end of
the revolving vessel, substantially as hercin-before set forth.
Ninthly. The combination of a revolving puddling vessel having its
axis substantially horizonal, a traversing supporting frame, mechanism
by which the traversing supporting frame may be adjusted vertically and
horizontally in every direction, mechanism for revolving the vessel such
revolving mechanism being mounted upon the adjustable traversing
supporting frame), an axis about which the adjustable traversing sup-
porting frame vibrates and through which the power for revolving the
vessel is transmitted, and flues through which respectively the flame is
delivered into and the products of combustion are discharged out of one
and the same end of the revolving vessel in the direction of its axis,
substantially as herein-before set forth.

page_text: Tenthly. The combination with a revolving puddling vessel of the
bosses and hollow trunnion, substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this
my Specification set my hand and seal, the Twenty-sixth day of
March One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)