IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY PUDDLING AND HEATING FURNACES EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Danks, of Cincinnati, Ohio, United
States of America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, London,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY PUDDLING AND HEATING
FURNACES EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN
APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.'
""
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Danks at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th April 1872.
I, SAMUEL DANKS, of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America,
now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY PUDDLING AND
HEATING FURNACES EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL, AND
IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH," to be as follows :-
My said Invention relates chiefly to improvements in the furnace
described in the Specifications of former Letters Patent, bearing date the

page_text: -
6th day of February, A.D. 1869 (No. 370), and September 2nd, A.D. 1870
(No. 2397), by which improvements I obtain a more perfect construction
of various parts of these furnaces, as herein specified.
The said Invention relates partly to the construction of the revolving
cylinder or chamber. The said cylinder is formed of a number of staves
or plates properly fitted together, and rivetted or bolted at the ends to
rings or hoops of wrought or cast iron. I cast upon or in one piece
with the said staves the hollow ribs described in the said former Specifi-
cations, and inside each of these hollow ribs I place a bar of wrought
iron whose ends are dovetailed and secured by casting them in the stave.
These wrought-iron bars strengthen the staves and retain them in place
if they should be fractured. One of the aforesaid rings or hoops has
formed or fixed on it. the toothed wheel whereby the cylinder is rotated.
If the wheel is not cast upon the ring the latter is formed with a flange
or collar to which the wheel is attached by bolts or otherwise. Both of
these rings or hoops have an inclined flange to hold the cylinder ends,
which are made of wrought or cast iron pressed or otherwise worked
into the proper shape, and each end is preferably made of one plate or
sheet of iron. These ends are somewhat of a dished form, that is to
say, they have an inclined or sloping portion whereby they are secured
to the flanges of the rings and a flat portion square or perpendicular to
the cylinder's axis, and to this flat portion I attach facing or abrasion
rings made of either wrought or cast iron. To the inside of the end
pieces I secure channel pieces or pieces of angle or other iron to hold
the material with which the furnace is lined.
Another part of my Invention relates to the combination of these
abrasion rings with fixed abrasion rings on the shiftable or movable
piece and on the bridge. The abrasion rings on the cylinder are fitted
to turn freely against the faces of the said fixed rings while forming
with the same a tight joint. The fixed rings are provided with a pipe
or channel for water, steam, or other fluid, to keep the adjacant parts
cool. I also arrange perforated pipes or other similar contrivances to
throw jets of water upon the cylinder ends to keep them and their
lining cool. I prefer to arrange the water pipe or channel to conduct
the water down on both sides of the ring; and I also prefer to divide
the latter either at the top or bottom, or both, into two portions to
prevent its fracture by unequal expansion. The said abrasion rings are
readily removed when worn, and replaced by new rings.

page_text: The upper part of the shiftable piece is lined internally with fire-
bricks, but the lower portion of the said piece is exposed to the action
of the molten metal which sometimes flows into the same from the
cylinder; it must therefore be lined or fettled with the compound
> described in the Provisional Specification filed with my application for
Letters Patent, April 9th, A.D. 1872, No. 1053, or with some other
suitable refractory material.
And another part of this Invention relates to providing the interior of
the said shiftable or removeable piece with a shelf on each side. These
shelves carry the internal brickwork, and permit the lower part of the
said piece to be suitably lined or fettled, and the lining to be readily
repaired or renewed when required.
Another part of this Invention relates to
props for supporting the
aforesaid movable or shiftable piece against the cylinder and flue in
such a manner as to allow of its adjustment to compensate for the wear
of the aforesaid abrasion rings or other parts, and the expansion and
contraction of the cylinder, while it permits the ready removal or adjust-
ment of the said piece to one side of the cylinder. These props are
rods or bars of iron or other suitable metal, one resting against the front
and the other against the side of the said piece. At their upper end
they have jaws which rest against studs or projections on the said shift-
able piece. At their lower ends they also have jaws which take hold of
pins on the side of ratchet wheels. The latter are supported in blocks
firmly bolted down upon the floor or foundation, and are provided with
pawls which allow them to turn only in one direction. I prefer to use
double ratchet wheels with the teeth of one alternating with those of
the other. By turning these ratchet wheels the props are made to press
forcibly against the shiftable piece, which is thereby forced into close
contact with the cylinder. It may be released therefrom when required
by raising the pawls and turning back the ratchet wheels. Instead of
ratchet wheels and pawls I may use eccentrics, screws, or other similar
contrivances for adjusting the props. The said shiftable piece is sus-
pended by chains or rods from a crane or overhead track, and is moved
to or away from the cylinder and flue by a handle or winch through the
medium of a rack and pinion or other suitable apparatus. The revolving
cylinder or chamber is supported upon rollers which are carried in
blocks or brackets secured to the foundation or floor.

page_text: And another part of my Invention relates to the provision of a
separate block or bracket for each roller, so that the rollers or blocks
may be readily adjusted to compensate for wear, and the cylinder thus
maintained in its proper position. I prefer that the cylinder of each
· furnace should be driven by a separate double crank engine to allow.
the speed to bo conveniently varied as required, and the motion of the
said cylinder to be readily reversed. The employment of a separate
engine permits the attainment of these objects much more advanta-
'geously than if a number of cylinders were connected to a single large
engine, which would necessitate a complicated and costly arrangement
of gearing.
My said Invention also relates to a squeezer which has a cam arranged
in combination with a pair of rolls. The balls taken from a puddling
furnace are placed upon the said rolls and compressed thereon by the
cam, which is supported in suitable bearings above the said rolls. At
one end of the said rolls I place a steam ram, which is arranged to
strike the end of the bloom lying on the rolls. The said ram has a
slide valve connected with a hand lever, whereby the admission and
exhaust of the steam are regulated to drive forward and withdraw the
hammer. In the cylinder at the back of the piston I place a diaphragm
behind which steam is admitted to form a cushion which prevents the
pistons striking the end of the cylinder if driven back rapidly or forcibly.
To effect the removal of the blooms from the squeezer in a con-
venient and expeditious manner I employ a peculiarly constructed lifter.
This lifter is formed of a bar of iron or other suitable metal which has
a straight portion shaped to lie between the two rolls at or near the
centre thereof and under the bloom resting on the same. From this
straight portion of the lifter extend two side pieces which are curved to
fit and rest upon two necks formed at the ends of one of the rollers. At
one side the said lifter is provided with a lever extending upward in a
convenient position. By means of this lever the lifter can be manipu.
lated to raise the bloom from between the rolls and into such a position
that it will roll upon and over one of the said rolls and be thereby
ejected from the squeezer.
In connection with the above-described furnace I use a ball fork
which has two long curved prongs fixed on an iron bar or rod. The
said rod is provided with a hook or neck whereby it is supported from
a ciane or overhead traveller, and it has a cross bar or handle by which

page_text: it is guided and controlled in removing the balls. I use a similar
implement in connection with the heating furnace for putting the bloom
or slabs into the furnace or removing the same. I also use a scoop for
throwing the metal or other material into the furnace, the said scoop.
being supported by a crane or otherwise.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Samuel Danks in the Great Scal Patent Office on
the 10th October 1872.
4
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SAMUEL
DANKS, of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America, now of No. 8,
Southampton Buildings, London, send grecting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her.
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Samuel Danks, Her special licence, that I,
the said Samuel Danks, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Samuel Danks, 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 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 ROTARY PUDDLING AND HEATING
FURFACES EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AID STEEL, AND IN APPARATUS
TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I; the said Samuel Danks, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and.
seals, 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 Samuel Danks, do hereby declare
the nature. of my said. Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the

page_text: following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing
forming a part of this Specification :-
My said Invention relates to rotary puddling and heating furnaces,
and more especially to improvents in the furnace described in the
Specifications of former Letters Patent, bearing date the 6th day of
February, A.D. 1869 (No. 370), and the 2nd day of September, A.D.
1870 (No. 2397), by which improvements I obtain a more perfect
construction of various parts of these furnaces as herein specified. The
said Invention relates partly to forming the revolving cylinder or
chamber of a number of staves or plates fitted together and rivetted or
bolted at the ends to rings or hoops of wrought or cast iron. These
rings or hoops have an inclined flange to hold the cylinder ends, to
which ends I attach facing or abrasion rings.
1
Another part of this Invention relates to the combination of these
abrasion rings with fixed abrasion rings on the shiftable or movable :
piece and on the bridge. The upper part of the shiftable picco is lined
internally with fire-bricks; but the lower portion of the said piece is
exposed to the action of the molten metal which sometimes flows into
the same from the cylinder; it must therefore be lined or fettled with
the compound first described in the Specification of Letters Patent
granted to me, dated April 9th, 1872, No. 1053, or with some other
suitable refractory material.
And another part of this Invention relates to providing the interior
of the said shiftable or removable piece with a shelf on each side for
carrying the internal brickwork and permitting the lower part of the
said piece to be suitably lined or fettled, and conveniently repaired when
required.
Another part of this Invention relates to props for supporting the
aforesaid movable or shiftable piece against the cylinder and fluc in
such a manner as to allow of its adjustment to compensate for the wear :
of the aforesaid abrasion rings or other parts and the expansion and
contraction of the cylinder while it permits the ready removal or adjust-
ment of the said piece.
Such being the nature of my said Invention, I will proceed by
reference to the accompanying Drawing to describe in what manner
the same is to be performed.

page_text: Figure 1 is a plan partly in section of my improved puddling furnace.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section on the lines y, y, and z, z;
Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a front elevation of the said furnace.
Figure 5 is a section of the end of the revolving cylinder shewing
modifications in its construction.
Figures 6 and 7 show apparatus for manipulating the balls and
blooms as herein-after described. Like letters indicate the same parts
throughout the Drawing.
a is the grate or fire chamber communicating by the aperture a' with
the revolving cylinder or chamber b which forms the puddling chamber
or refinery. At the lower side of the said aperture is the bridge c, pro-
vided with pipes c', through which water or other cooling fluid is kept
flowing. The said revolving cylinder is formed of a number of staves or
plates b' fitted together as shown in the Drawing, and rivetted or bolted
at the ends to rings or hoops b, b³, of wrought or cast iron. These rings
and the ends 6' may be cast in one piece as shown in Figure 2, or the
ends may be of wrought iron rivetted on the said rings as shown in
Figure 5. I cast upon or in one piece with the said staves the hollow
ribs 65 which serve to hold the fettling or lining. Inside each of these
hollow ribs I place a bar 6º of wrought iron whose ends are dovetailed
and secured by casting them in the staves. These wrought-iron bars
strengthen the staves and retain them in place if they should be
fractured. The ring or hoop 63 has cast on or attached to it the toothed
wheel d whereby the cylinder is rotated.
the said ring, the latter is formed with a
wheel is attached by bolts or otherwise.
pinion d' on the shaft &, which is driven by a steam engine or other
motive power. Both of these rings or hoops when not cast in one piece
with the ends have an inclined flange to hold the cylinder ends 6*, which
are made of wrought or cast iron pressed or otherwise worked into the
proper shape, and each end is preferably made of one plate or slicet of
iron. These ends are somewhat of a dished form as shown, that is to
say, they have an inclined or sloping portion whereby they are secured
to the flanges of the rings and a flat portion square or perpendicular
If the wheel is not cast upon.
flange or collar to which the
The said wheel gears with the

page_text: to the cylinder's axis, and to this flat portion I attach the facings or
abrasion rings e, made of either wrought or cast iron. To the inside
of the end pieces I secure channel pieces ƒ of angle iron or other
suitable iron to hold the lining or fettling.
As described in my former Specifications the portion 7 of the fluc
immediately in front of the cylinder is made removable, so that it may
be adjusted to close the mouth of the cylinder during the operation of
puddling or balling, and may be removed to allow convenient access. to
the cylinder in taking out a ball or throwing in a fresh charge. The
removable or shiftable piece 7 is suspended by rods g' from rollers on an
overhead track or is otherwise supported in such a manner as to permit
its adjustment to be conveniently effected.
In combination with the abrasion rings e on the cylinder ends I arrange
fixed abrasion rings h and i on the shiftable or movable piece 9 and on
the bridge c. The abrasion rings on the cylinder turn freely against
the faces of the said fixed rings while forming with the same a tight
joint which prevents the escape of any molten metal from the furnace.
The said abrasion rings when worn are readily removed and replaced by
new rings. The fixed rings h, i, are provided with a pipe 1 or other suit-
able channel for water, steam, or other fluid to keep the adjacent parts
cool.
I prefer that the water pipe or channel 1 should be arranged to conduct
the water down on both sides of the rings, and I also prefer to divide
the latter either at the top or bottom, or both at the top and bottom,
into two portions to prevent their fracture by unequal expansion; and
I arrange perforated pipes or other similar contrivances to throw jets
of water upon the cylinder ends 6' to keep them and their lining cool.
I sometimes use a fixed casing surrounding the revolving cylinder to
form an air or water chamber for cooling the said cylinder.
The upper part of the shiftable piece 7 is lined internally with fire-
bricks g, as shown, but as the lower portion of the said piece is exposed
to the action of the molten metal which sometimes flows into the same
from the cylinder, as herein-before explained, I line or fettle the said
lower portion with the compound first described in the Specification of
the aforesaid Letters Patent, No. 1033, or with some other suitable
refractory material. I provide the interior of the said shiftable or remov-
able piece with a shelf 9' on each side. These shelves carry the internal
brickwork.g, and permit the lower part of the said piece to be readily

page_text: lined or fettled, and the lining to be readily repaired or renewed when
required. The outer end of the shiftable piece 9 is provided with an
outside channel g' for the passage of air, water, steam, or other fluid to
protect it from the heat. * is a stopper hole which permits the inspection
of the metal in the furnace.
k
་
In connection with the aforesaid movablo or shiftable piece g, I
employ props j, k, whereby the said shiftable piece is supported against
the cylinder 6 and the stationary part g³ of the flue in such a manner,
as to allow of its adjustment to compensate for the wear of the aforesaid
abrasion rings or other parts and the expansion and contraction of the
cylinder. These props moreover permit the ready removal or adjust-
ment of the said piece 7 to open or close the mouth of the cylinder.
These props are rods or bars of iron or other suitable metal. The prop j
rests against the front and the prop against the side of the said piece,
as shown in Figure 4. At their upper end they are formed to take hold
of studs or projections on the said shiftable piece. At their lower ends
they have jaws which take hold of pins on the side of ratchet wheels 7.
The latter are supported in blocks firmly bolted down upon the floor
or foundation, and are provided with pawls which allow them to turn
only in one direction. I prefer to use double ratchet wheels, the teeth of
one alternating with those of the other. By turning these ratchet wheels
when the shiftable piece 9 is adjusted to cover the cylinder mouth, the
props j, k, are made to press forcibly against the said shiftable piece,
which is thereby forced into close contact with the cylinder and flue,
as shown in Figure. 4; but by raising the pawls and turning back the
ratchet wheels the piece 7 may be released and moved away from the
cylinder's mouth, as shown in dotted lines in the same Figure. Instead
of ratchet wheels and pawls I may use eccentrics, screws, or other
similar contrivances for adjusting and securing the props. The shiftablo
picce g as above stated is suspended by chains or rods from a crane or
overhead track, and is moved to or away from the cylinder and flue by
a handle or winch through the medium of a rack and pinion or other
suitable apparatus. The pipes 9, 9, which conduct the water to and
away from the shiftable piece are jointed to allow them to follow the
said piece in its adjustment.
"
The revolving cylinder or chamber is supported upon rollers™ m,
which are carried in blocks or brackets m³ secured to the foundation or
floor. I provide a separate block or bracket for cach roller, so that tho
"
:

page_text: rollers or blocks may be readily adjusted to compensate for wear, the
cylinder 6 thus being conveniently maintained in its proper position.
Where a number of furnaces are used I prefer that the cylinder of
each furnace should be driven by a separate double crank engine to
allow the speed to be conveniently varied as required and the motion
of the said cylinder to be readily reversed. The employment of a
separate engine permits the attainment of these objects much more
advantageously than if a number of cylinders were connected to a single
large engine, which would necessitate a complicated and costly arrange-
ment of gearing..
In connection with the above-described furnace I use a hall fork u,
Figure 6, which has two long curved prongs u¹ fixed on an iron bar or
rod . The said rod is formed with a neck u³, whereby it is supported
by a chain from a crane or overhead traveller, and it has a cross bar
or handle u* by which it is guided and controlled in removing the balls.
I use a somewhat similar implement, Figure 7, in connection with the
heating furnace for putting the blooms or slabs into the furnace or
removing the same. I also use for throwing the metal or other material
into the furnace a scoop supported by a crane or otherwise.
Having thus described my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I wish it understood that I do not claim as of my
Invention or the exclusive use of the several or separate parts of the
apparatus herein-before described and referred to, except where the same
are applied in combination and for the purposes herein-before mentioned ;
but I claim,-
First. Constructing the cylinder of a rotary puddling or heating
furnace of separate staves 6', with hollow ribs and wrought-iron bars
cast in the said ribs, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein described.
S
Secondly. In the cylinder of a rotary puddling or heating furnace a
the end rings 6 for securing the said staves, constructed in one piece
with the end plates 6', as shown in Figure 2, or secured to the said end
plates by bolts or rivets, as shewn in Figure 5.
Thirdly. Constructing the cylinder of a rotary puddling or heating
furnace with the gear wheel d either cast upon the ring 6' or attached 3
to a flance thercon substantially as boroin sot fouth

page_text: Fourthly. In a rotary puddling or heating furnace the fixed rings
e, h, i, constructed as shown, and provided with a pipe or channel for
keeping them constantly supplied with water or other cooling fluid, as
herein set forth.
Fifthly. Protecting the interior of the shiftable piece 7 partly with
fire-brick and partly with the lining or fettling, as herein described.
Sixthly. Constructing and adapting the adjustable props j, k, to be
used in combination with the said shiftable piece of the rotating
puddling or heating furnace, for the purposes herein particularly
described.
Lastly. Adapting to the rotating cylinder of puddling and heating
furnaces the adjustable blocks or brackets m³ for carrying the rollers m,
as and for the purpose herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Danks, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Witness,
W. ROBT. LAKE,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
SAMUEL DANKS. (L.S.)