IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MALLEABLE IRON AND STEEL
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Bessemer, of Queen Street Place, New
Cannon Street, in the City of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF MALLEABLE IRON AND STEEL."
Sealed the 4th July 1862, and dated the 8th January 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Bessemer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th
January 1862.
1. HENRY BESSEMER, of Queen Street Place, New Cannon Street, in the
City of London, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF MALLEABLE IRON AND STEEL," to be as follows:-
These improvements consist in certain modifications and arrangements of the
machinery and apparatus employed in manufacturing malleable iron and steel
from crude or pig iron by forcing atmospheric air below the surface of the
fluid metal under treatment.
When it is desired to operate upon crude metal that has been formed into
pigs, I employ a reverberatory furnace similar to those employed in melting
iron for founding, but differing from them in having a second bed or hearth
placed beyond the ordinary hearth or bank of the furnace and below the
chimney, by which means two charges of metal, differing from each other in
quantity and quality, may be melted in the same furnace without becoming
mixed with each other. The chimney of the said furnace I prefer to consist
of two vertical concentric cylinders made of boiler plates with a water space
between them. the inner cylinder being of a diameter much beyond that

page_text: required to carry off the products of combustion, the inlet at the bottom and
the outlet at the top of the said inner cylinder being contracted in size and
lined with fire-bricks, so that the highly heated vapours of the furnace are
prevented from impinging forcibly on the metal surface of the boiler, whereby
its durability is increased, while the utilization of the heat escaping from the
melting furnace will lessen the cost of manufacture by furnishing steam for
driving the blast engine or other machinery employed.
The "converting vessels" in which the melted pig or crude iron is con-
verted into malleable iron or steel, are provided with axes, on which they move
when required; through one of these axes the air is conducted from a fixed pipe.
It is of great importance to the successful working of the apparatus that the
admission of the air to the vessel, and its exclusion therefrom, should never
fail to take place whenever the vessel assumes certain positions, both in its
upward or downward movements, otherwise the tuyeres may become stopped up
with fluid metal, or the metal may be blown out at the mouth of the vessel.
To render the operation certain I employ a valve in the air pipe near the axis
of the vessel, and I fix on to the axis a cam, which acts on a lever so placed
as to open or shut off the air by the vessel's own motion, instead of moving
the valve by the hand of the workmen, as hitherto practised.
The "tuyere box" or chamber forming the lower part of the converting
vessel has hitherto been made so as to gain access to each of the tuyeres
through one opening, each tuyere communicating with one air chamber
common to all, it has therefore sometimes happened that the failure of one
tuyere has allowed the fluid metal to descend into the tuyere box, and thus for
the time prevent all further use with either of the other tuyeres, and thus
rendering the completion of the process impossible, as well as rendering cach
tuyere unfit for further use.
Now my present improvement in this part of the apparatus consists in
forming several small tuyere boxes, each containing a single tuyere with any
suitable number of openings in it, or in forming one tuyere box with several
separate compartments, so that a failure of one of the tuyeres may not prevent
the continuation of the process with the other tuyeres, the faulty tuyere being
stopped by a plate of iron coated with loam, or it may be removed and the
full efficiency of the apparatus insured by the insertion of a fresh tuyere in its
place; the tuyeres being made conical and occupying separate compartments will
give great facility for their removal and replacement with new ones, either
before the completion of a charge of metal under operation, or after it has been
converted and run out of the vessel and previous to a repetition of the process.
When the converting vessels are of a size sufficient to convert several tons

page_text: of molten iron at a single operation, the power required to move them on
their axes sufficiently quick renders the direct application of manual labor
unsuitable for this purpose, I therefore prefer to effect such movement of the
vessel by hydraulic power, because the varying speed of the vessel's motion,
and the stopping or starting of it at irregular intervals, is most conveniently
effected by such means. The apparatus by which I carry into effect this part
of my improvements consists of a bed plate or frame, on which a hydraulic
cylinder is fixed in a horizontal position; the piston rod moving in this
cylinder is formed into a rack at one end, which gears into a spur wheel keyed
on to a short intermediate shaft supported on two strong standards affixed to
the said bed plate; a third standard on the same bed plate supports one axis
of the converting vessel, the end of the axis being formed into a clutch; a
similar clutch piece is also formed on one end of the before-named inter-
mediate shaft, and is so arranged as to transmit the semi-rotary motion of the
spur wheel to the vessel whenever the piston is acted upon with sufficient
hydrostatic pressure on one side, while the other side of it is relieved of its
pressure by a suitable valve or cock.
It is sometimes found desirable to form ingots or castings of a greater
weight than can be produced in a converting vessel of a given size. To effect
this object without the necessity of erecting larger vessels, I place two or more
converting vessels in such a position with reference to each other and to the
crane which supports the casting ladle, that two separate charges of metal
may simultaneously be converted, and be afterwards poured one quickly after
the other into the same casting ladle, and thereby be made to produce an
ingot or casting in one piece equal in weight to the produce of the two
vessels, the position of the said vessels with reference to each other being
also such as to render it convenient to repair either of them while the other
one is in active operation. For this purpose I place the vessels several feet
apart and opposite each other, each one having a separate chimney to take off
the flame and products of combustion, the chimnies being in a line with the
two vessels, which are placed between them, and at a small distance from the
wall of the melting house, the axes of the vessels being parallel to each other,
and at right angles to the plane of the said wall. The chimnies are built on
open arches, from under which the workmen may have ready access to the
The
tuyere boxes when the vessels are turned into a horizontal position.
space above the arches may be lined with iron plates, and thus form recep-
tacles for the splashes or slags thrown out during the converting process. The
casting crane occupies a position midway between the two converting vessels,
the centre of it being further from the melting house wall than the converting

page_text: vessels. I prefer to sink the casting pit several feet below the floor level, and
also to sink a semicircular space around the front of the casting pit, so that
the workmen may conveniently get to the moulds at the time of casting. When
the converting vessel requires to be reclined the upper part of the vessel
should be removed, and after the old lining of stony matter is broken out of
the iron shell the new material is to be rammed in, and the two parts again
carefully put together, and so as to avoid the displacement of any portion of
the new lining, which possesses very little coherence until it has been fired; to
effect this separation of the vessel and its after union the vessel should be
inverted or turned mouth downward. Below its centre, and beneath the
floor of casting pit, I fix a small vertical hydraulic cylinder and ram, the
upper part of the ram being provided with a forked piece so made as to
embrace the moveable part of the vessel, and retain it in its proper position.
By this means one part of the vessel may be lowered down vertically beneath
the other portion, which is still retained in position by resting on its axes;
after the vessel is relined it may be steadily raised into its former position,
and be there united by bolts to the other part.
"
In the conversion of crude iron into steel or malleable iron by forcing air
therein, it has been found that some kinds or qualities of iron are converted
much more rapidly than others, this is especially the case with some of the
purer kinds of charcoal pig iron. It has also been fonnd that some irons
thus rapidly converted require a higher temperature if blown into by hori-
zontal tuyeres, having a larger orifice and less pressure of air than has been
generally employed when blowing vertically upwards into the metal. Now, in
order to obtain the high temperature producible under such circumstances,
and to retain the advantages derivable from the axial motion of the vessel,
I construct a vessel mounted on trunnions, and provided with a ring of tuyeres
either extending horizontally around or nearly around the lower part of the
vessel, the part where the tuyeres are situated being of a somewhat less dia-
meter than the cylindrical body of the vessel. I also make the vessel of less
height in proportion to its diameter than the moveable vessels hitherto con-
structed, while the back part of it is curved outward so as to contain the metal
when it is turned up, and prevent too great a pressure over the orifices of those
tuyeres which are situated at or near the back part of the vessel.
I have before shewn how two charges of metal simultaneously converted
may be poured into one casting ladle. The extra weight of metal to be dealt
with in such cases renders some modification of the casting crane and ladle
desirable, the great weight is also thrown on one arm of the hydraulic crane.
I prefer to neutralize by placing on the other arm of the crane a counter-

page_text: balance weight, moveable on four flanged wheels which run on the side cheeks
of the crane arm, the wheels receiving motion by means of a handle and worm
wheel, the latter being fixed on the axle of one of the pairs of wheels, whereby
the weight may be moved so as to balance the varying quantity of metal con-
tained in the ladle. The head of the crane which carries the ladle and
counterweight is suspended on a ball joint formed on the top of the ram, to
which ram a spur wheel is keyed, a pinion gearing in this wheel also carries
on its axis a bevilled wheel, through which motion is communicated from a
horizontal shaft, which passes through bearings in the side cheeks of the
crane arm, and is provided with handles on each end, by turning which a slow
and steady motion of the head of the crane takes place. The casting ladle is
supported on trunnions formed thereon, and rests in bearings formed near the
ends of the crane arm, the axis of the ladle being at right angles to the cheeks
of the crank. The motion of the ladle on its trunnions is effected by a worm
and wheel, to which motion is communicated by a shaft and handles; the shaft
works in bearings formed in the crane arm, and a pair of bevilled wheels
serve to communicate its motion to the worm which moves the ladle; the
valve or stopper used for running out the fluid metal is placed on the side of
the ladle furthest from the centre of the crane. In some cases I form on the
exterior of the casting ladle, and near to or below the bottom of it, a small
chamber, bowl, or receptacle lined with loam, and also provided with a valve
or stopper, with a suitable handle for working the same; this valve is fitted to
an orifice or nozzle formed in the lowest part of the receptacle, and is for the
purpose of regulating the supply of metal to the moulds, the molten metal in
the ladle being supplied to this receptacle by a valve or stopper similar to
those now in use, so that the receptacle may be kept full up to a certain level
during the casting operation, the use of this receptacle being to lessen the
pressure of the fluid over the escape orifice into the mould, and by that means
cause the column of fluid to enter the mould with a velocity lessened in pro-
portion as the head of metal in the receptacle is less in perpendicular height
than the head of metal in the casting ladle. The cylinder in which the ram of
the crane works I prefer to make in two parts, the lower one being cast with
a closed bottom, and the upper one open at both ends, and having ribs pro-
jecting inwards, which fit close to the ram, the spaces between these ribs
giving ingress and egress to the water by which the ram is put in motion, and
thus enabling the water pipe to be conected to its upper end.
In order that the different hydraulic apparatus employed in the process of
manufacturing malleable iron and steel may be efficiently worked, I have
arranged a series of four plunger pumps standing vertically on a bed plate,

page_text: A
in which passages are formed for the inlet and outlet of the water. At one
end of the bed plate I fix a steam cylinder, which gives motion to a crank
shaft running horizontally over the pumps, this crank is formed by turning
down a solid steel or iron cylinder at four different parts, each excentric to
the axis on which it revolves; to these excentric parts connecting rods.are
attached, and at their lower ends are jointed to the plungers of the pumps.
At the end of the bed plate opposite the steam cylinder a plunger is made to
work in a stuffing box or hydraulic leather, and is kept down by a strong
spring, which is capable of yielding to the pressure of the water beneath it,
and by its elasticity acting as a regulator, and lessening the shocks produced
by the unequal speed of the plungers at different parts of their stroke.
partially balanced and loaded escape valve is also provided for the purpose of
allowing all surplus water to escape. In order that the movement of the
vessels and crane may be under perfect control, and that the workman who
directs the process may readily effect all such movements of the apparatus
without loss of time, it is preferable that the several valves by which these
movements are effected, as well as by the ari valves, should be arranged near to
each other, and in such a position that the workman may observe from that
place the operations that are going on. For this purpose I form a long
rectangular trunk or box, into the central compartment of which the air from
the blast engine is conducted by a pipe.
a pair of double beat balance valves, with
through slots in the table, before which the
valves admit air in such quantities as is found desirable to each
of the vessels, a pressure guage on the table shewing the pressure of the air,
and indicating to the workman the effect he is producing by each movement
of the air valves. On each side of the trunk or box a passage
is formed, one to receive water under pressure from the force pumps, and the
second one to receive the waste or back water, and return it to the cistern,
this supplies the pumps mounted over these passages, and communicating with
them are a pair of four-way cocks, which are turned by spur gearing. Two
vertical shafts rising above the table are provided with a small fly wheel and
handle, so as to allow the workman to operate readily on the cocks whenever
any movement of the vessel on its axis is to be made. A three-way cock is
similarly mounted with spur gearing and handles, for the purpose of controlling
the motions of the hydraulic crane, and enabling the workman to raise the large
ladle with facility above the level of the moulds into which the fluid malleable
iron or steel is to be passed.
On the upper side of the box I fit
suitable lever handles passing
workman places himself, these

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henry Bessemer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
July 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
BESSEMER, of Queen Street Place, New Cannon Street, in the City of London,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Henry Bessemer, Her special licence that I, the said Henry
Bessemer, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Henry Bessemer, 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
THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MALLEABLE
IRON AND STEEL," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Henry
Bessemer, 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 Henry Bessemer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
These improvements consist in certain modifications and arrangements of
the machinery and apparatus employed in manufacturing malleable iron and
steel from crude or pig or refined iron, by forcing atmospheric air below the
surface of the fluid metal under treatment.
When it is desired to operate upon crude metal that has been formed into
pigs of iron in the usual manner, or which has previously been refined, I
employ for the remelting of such metal a reverberatory furnace similar to those
employed in melting iron for founding, but differing from them in having a
second bed or hearth placed beyond the ordinary hearth or bank of the furnace,

page_text: and below the chimney, by which means two charges of metal, differing from
each other in quantity and quality may be melted in the same furnace without
becoming mixed with each other. The chimney of the said furnace I prefer
to consist of two vertical concentric cylinders made of boiler plates with a
water space between them, the inner cylinder being of a diameter much beyond
that required to carry off the products of combustion, the inlet at the bottom
and the outlet at the top of the said inner cylinder being contracted in size and
lined with fire-bricks, so that the highly heated vapours of the furnace are pre-
vented from impinging forcibly on the metal surface of the boiler, whereby its
durability is increased, while the utilization of the heat escaping from the
melting furnace will lessen the cost of manufacture by furnishing steam for
driving the blast engine or other machinery employed.
And in order that this arrangement of a steam boiler in connection with the
melting furnace may be fully understood, I have shewn a vertical section of
the same on Sheet A of the Drawings hereunto annexed, where a represents
the end part of the reverberatory furnace, on which is placed the vertical
cylindrical boiler b, its lower end being made flat, and stayed by vertical radial
plates (not seen in the Drawing), for the purpose of enabling the lower part
to sustain the great internal pressure to which it is subjected. The contracted
part of the flue tube is lined with fire-bricks d, as shown, so as to conduct
the highly heated products of combustion into the enlarged part of the flue
tube b*, without allowing the flame to impinge forcibly upon the metallic sur-
face of the boiler; the upper part of the flue tube is also contracted and
lined with fire-bricks e, so that no part of the metal of the boiler flue which is
surrounded by steam shall be in contact with the flame or heated vapours of
the furnace. The boiler should be provided with the usual steam pipes, water
supply pipe, and safety valve, (not shewn in the Drawing); and the outer and
inner shell may be connected at intervals with stay bolts in a manner similar
to that employed in the construction of the fire-boxes of locomotive engines.
Access to the interior of the boiler may be had through a manhole in the usual
manner. The space between the flue tube and the outer shell of the boiler I
prefer to be such as will admit a workman to clean the whole interior of the
boiler when required.
The "converting vessels" in which the melted iron is converted into
malleable iron or steel are provided with axes, on which they move when
required; through one of these axes the air is conducted from a fixed pipe.
It is of great importance to the successful working of the apparatus that the
admission of the air to the vessel, and its exclusion therefrom, should never fail
to take place whenever the vessel assumes certain positions, both in its upward

page_text: or downward movements, otherwise the tuyeres may become stopped up with
fluid metal, or the metal may be blown out at the mouth of the vessel. To
render the operation certain I employ a valve in the air pipe near the axis of
the vessel, and I fix on to the axis a cam, which acts on a lever so placed as to
open or shut off the air by the vessel's own motion. instead of moving the valve
by the hand of the workman, as hitherto practised.
In order that the construction and mode of working this valve may be fully
understood, I have shewn the same in elevation in its proper place on Sheets
B. and C of the Drawings hereunto annexed, and in vertical section in the
detached Figure 2 on Sheet C. In each Figure, A represents the stand pipe,
which conducts the air upwards from the main pipes Z; below the floor B is
the valve box, which consists of a cylindrical chamber with an inner cylinder C,
forming a continuation of the vertical pipe A; the cylinder C is bored truly
and has fitted to it a piston valve E, having an elastic metallic packing. Slots
are formed in the cylinder C, which allow the air to pass from the pipe A into
the annular space D formed between the two cylinders, and from thence into
the axis F of the converting vessel; the piston E, when lowered down covers
the slots and shuts off the communication with the main blast pipe. It will be
observed that the piston valve has openings through which the air may pass
to its upper side, in order that the pressure of the air may be equalized on both
sides of it, and thereby allow the weight G to retain it in place when lowered
down. A cam H is keyed on to the axis of the vessel, and above it there is a
lever I, jointed at one end, and at the other it passes through a slot in the rod
of piston valve E; a projecting piece from this lever rests on the cam, so that
the cam may, by means of the inclines formed on its periphery, cause the
lever I to rise and fall, and with it the piston valve, and thus by the motion of
the converting vessel the air may be let on or shut off at any point required,
and which will depend on the configuration of the cam, as is well understood.
The "tuyere box" or chamber forming the lower part of the converting
vessel has hitherto been made so as to gain access to each of the tuyeres
through one opening, each tuyere communicating with one air chamber common
to all, it has therefore sometimes happened that the failure of one tuyere has
allowed the fluid metal to descend into the tuyere box, and thus for the time
prevent all further use with either of the other tuyeres, and thus rendering the
completion of the process impossible, as well as rendering each tuyere unfit
for further use.
Now my present improvement in this part of the apparatus consists in
forming several small tuyere boxes, each containing a single tuyere with any
suitable number of openings in it. A single tuyere box so formed is shewn in

page_text: section at Figures 8 and 9, Sheet A; it is of a cylindrical form, and has a
bevilled opening J at one end, into which the conical end of the tuyere K is
fitted; the box is closed by a lid L, and the tuyere box is closed with an
outer flange M, by which it is bolted to the lower side of the converting vessel;
any convenient number of such separate tuyeres boxes may be grouped together
and be connected to the blast pipe by separate branch pipes communicating
with an opening made in the side of the box, as shown at N.
My improvements also consist in forming one tuyere box with several
separate compartments, so that a failure of one of the tuyeres may not prevent
the continuation of the process with the other tuyeres, the faulty tuyere being
stopped by a plate of iron coated with loam, or it may be removed, and the
full efficiency of the apparatus insured by the insertion of a fresh tuyere in its
place; the tuyeres being made conical and occupying separate compartments
will give great facility for their removal and replacement with new ones either
before the completion of a charge of metal under operation, or after it has been
converted and run out of the vessel and previous to a repetition of the process.
This mode of combining several separate compartments, each containing a
tuyere, admits of the several tuyeres being placed nearer to each other than can
conveniently be done when separate tuyere boxes are used.
The mode of construction which I prefer is represented on Sheet A of the
Drawings hereunto annexed, where Figure 10 is a vertical section through the
lower part of the vessel and tuyere box; Figure 11, a plan of the under side;
and Figure 12 a' section taken through the box on the line G, H, of Figure 10.
The tuyere box Q, as here represented, consists of an iron casting having seven
circular chambers W formed therein, into each of which the tuyeres R are
fitted and made air-tight by a luting of clay smeared upon the lower conical
part of the tuyere at the time of fitting it into the box; the conical opening
into which it fits having rings or grooves formed around it the better to hold
the luting in place. A bar of iron S with a screw passing through its centre is
fitted across the circular chambers for the purpose of forcing the tuyere tightly
into its seat and retaining it there. T, T, are covering plates for the purpose
of closing the several compartments of the tuyere box by means of slotted studs
having cotters passing through them, as shown, the joints of the covering plates
are rendered tight by a gasket of hemp covered with very soft clay or lime
and water in a semi-fluid state. The air is forced into the tuyere box by the
pipe U, and passing into the closed space between the circular chambers enters
them through lateral openings X, and from thence through the orifices of
the tuyeres into the fluid metal. The tuyere box is attached to the converting
vessel by bolts, which pass through the flange Q* of the tuyere box.

page_text: When the converting vessels are of a size sufficient to convert several tons
of molten iron at a single operation the power required to move them on their
axes sufficiently quick renders the direct application of manual labor unsuitable
for this purpose, I therefore prefer to effect such movement of the vessel by
hydraulic power, because the varying speed of the vessel's motion, and the
stopping and starting of it at irregular intervals, is most conveniently effected by
such means.
The apparatus by which I carry into effect this part of my improvements
consists of a bed plate or frame, on which a hydraulic cylinder is fixed in a
horizontal position; the piston rod moving in this cylinder is formed into a
rack at one end, which gears into a spur wheel keyed on to a short inter-
mediate shaft supported on two strong standards affixed to the said bed plate;
a third standard on the same bed plate supports one axis of the converting
vessel, the end of the axis being formed into a clutch; a similar clutch piece is
also formed on one end of the before-named intermediate shaft, and is so
arranged as to transmit the semi-rotary motion of the spur wheel to the vessel
whenever the piston is acted upon with sufficient hydrostatic pressure on one
side, while the other side of it is relieved of its pressure by a suitable valve
or cock.
This hydraulic apparatus is shown with the cylinders broken off on Sheets C.
of the Drawings hereunto annexed, and in connection with the converting
vessel, and is also shewn separately in vertical section at Figure 2, Sheet B.,
where is the frame or bed plate on which the cylinder 2 is bolted, and which
also serves to support the standards 3, in which the shaft 5 works; within the
cylinder 2 is a piston 4, having double-cupped leathers to render it water-tight;
there is also a pipe attached to each end of the cylinder, which pipes lead under-
ground to a convenient distance, where they are united to a suitably arranged
four-way cock, and by means of which the workman can cause water under
pressure to be delivered by the pipes to either end of the cylinder, while the
pipe at the opposite end of the cylinder will allow the water to be discharged,
thus the workman may from a distance control the motion of the piston, the
rod of which is formed into a rack at 6, which is in gear with the spur wheel 7,
keyed on the axis of the vessel, and through the agency of which mechanisin
the workman who operates upon the four-way cock before referred to may
cause the vessel to move partly round in either direction at a speed dependent
on the extent to which he opens the cock, or by entirely closing the said cock
he may retain the vessel in any desired position. I have before employed an
hydraulic cylinder to give motion to the axes of converting vessels when
the same have been mounted on a revolving frame or turntable, and I mention

page_text: this fact in order to show that I do not herein claim the use of hydraulic
apparatus for giving motion to converting vessels, except when such vessels
are supported on fixed standards or foundations, and when the bed plate or
foundation of such hydraulic apparatus is also fixed.
It is sometimes found desirable to form ingots or castings of a greater
weight than can be produced in a converting vessel of a given size. To effect
this object without the necessity of erecting larger vessels I place two or more
converting vessels in such a position with reference to each other and to the
crane which supports the casting ladle that two separate charges of metal may
simultaneously be converted and be afterwards poured one quickly after the
other into the same casting ladle, and thereby be made to produce an ingot or
casting in one piece equal in weight to the produce of the two vessels, the
position of the said vessels with reference to each other being also such as to
render it convenient to repair either of them while the other one is in active
operation. For this purpose I place the vessels several feet apart and opposite
each other, each one having a separate chimney to take off the flame and
products of combustion, the chimnies being in a line with the two vessels
which are placed between them, and at a small distance from the wall of the
melting house, the axes of the vessels being parallel to each other and at right
angles to the plane of the said wall. The chimnies are built on open arches,
from under which the workmen may have ready access to the tuyere boxes
when the vessels are turned into a horizontal position; the space above the
arches may be lined with iron plates, and thus form receptacles for the splashes
or slags thrown out during the converting process.
The relative position of the converting vessels and the construction of the
chimneys will be seen by reference to Sheets B. and C. of the annexed
Drawings.
At Figure 1 on Sheet B., I have shown the chimney 8 and vessel 9 in
vertical section, and on the opposite side of the Drawing I have shewn the
chimney 10 and the converting vessel 11 in elevation; the general arrange-
ment of the several parts may also be seen in plan on Sheet C., Figure 1. A
portion of the floor of the converting house is sunk below the general level;
the sunk part, which forms the casting pit, is represented at 12, and the upper
or general floor level at 13; a further portion 14 is also sunk to an inter-
mediate depth, free access to which is given by the steps 15 and 16; this
curved space 14 extends partly around the casting pit, and is for the purpose
of allowing the workmen free access to the moulds at the time of casting the
ingots, the moulds being arranged in a semicircle in the casting pit and near
to the curved wall which bounds the casting pit on the side where the the sunk

page_text: space 14 is formed. The chimneys are built on open arches 17, the piers of
which are shewn in plan at 17 on Sheet C.; above the arch an iron plate 18
forms a sort of shelf on which the splashes of slag thrown from the vessel are
received, there being an arched opening into the chimney at 19 with a projecting
hood 20 the better to collect the flame and heated gases from the vessel and
cause them to ascend the chimney, which contracts in width by a series of
"sets off" in the brickwork, above which it is square, and passes up through
the roof of the building to any convenient height. An iron door 22 will
enable the workman to enter and clean out the chimney, and will also afford
access for the purpose of putting fuel into the vessel when it is required to heat
the vessel prior to commencing work. On reference to Sheet B. it will be seen
that when either of the vessels are being used that the splashes thrown out of
one will be in an opposite direction to the other vessel, so that the repairs of
one vessel or setting or renewal of tuyeres may be going on in one vessel while
the other vessel is in operation, or both vessels may be worked at one time,
and their respective charges of metal be poured into one ladle, and thence
transferred to a single mould when large masses are required. The vessel 9
is shewn in the position necessary to afford free access to the tuyere box, the
workman standing for that purpose beneath the open arches 17 of the chimney.
Metal is supplied to these vessels through openings 23, a gutter being tem-
porarily placed to convey the fluid iron from the melting furnaces, which I
prefer to place on the opposite side of the wall of the converting house, and at
such a height above the general floor level as will admit of the metal flowing
from the furnaces direct into the mouth of the vessel; the doorway and steps
shown at 24 serve to communicate between the converting house and the
furnace room adjoining. It will be seen that the converting vessels are
mounted on axes resting at one end on a standard supported by the bed
plates 1 of the hydraulic apparatus, and at the opposite ends are supported on
standards 25 bolted firmly down to the foundations; the casting crane occupies
a position midway between the two converting vessels, the centre of it being
further from the melting house wall than the converting vessels. When the
converting vessel requires to be reclined the upper part of the vessel should
be removed, and after the old lining of stoney matter is broken out of the iron
shell the new material is to be rammed in, and the two parts again carefully
put together, and so as to avoid the displacement of any portion of the new
lining, which possesses very little coherence until it has been fired. To effect
this separation of the vessel and its after union the vessel should be inverted
or turned mouth downward. Below its centre and beneath the floor of the
casting pit I fix a small vertical hydraulic cylinder and ram, the upper part of

page_text: the ram being provided with a forked piece, so made as to embrace the move-
able part of the vessel and retain it in its proper position; by this means one
part of the vessel may be lowered down vertically beneath the other portion,
which is still retained in position by resting on its axes; after the vessel is
relined it may be steadily raised into its former position, and be there united
by bolts to the other part. On Sheet B. this small hydraulic ram is shewn in
vertical section. 26 is the cylinder, which fits accurately to the ram ог
plunger 27 for a sufficient distance to cause the ram to rise and fall steadily;
an hydraulic leather keeps a water-tight joint in the usual manner, and the
pipe 28 is connected to a reservoir of water under pressure, or to force pumps,
so that by means of a cock the ram may be raised and lowered when
required; a forked piece for the upper part of the vessel to rest on, and shewn
by dots, is made to fit into a socket, shown at 29, in the head of the ram,
the forked piece being removed when not required for lowering the top of the
vessel.
In the conversion of crude iron into steel or malleable iron by forcing air
therein, it has been found that some kinds or qualities of iron are converted
much more rapidly than others; this is especially the case with some of the
purer kinds of charcoal pig iron; it has also been found that some irons thus
rapidly converted acquire a higher temperature if blown into by horizontal
tuyeres, having a larger orifice and less pressure of air than has been generally
employed when blowing vertically upwards into the metal. Now, in order to
obtain the high temperature producible under such circumstances, and to
retain the advantages derivable from the axial motion of the vessel, I construct
a vessel mounted on trunnions and provided with a ring of tuyeres, either
extending horizontally around or nearly around the lower part of the vessel,
the part where the tuyeres are situated being of a somewhat less diameter than
the cylindrical body of the vessel. I also make the vessel of less height in
proportion to its diameter than the moveable vessels hitherto constructed,
while the back part of it is curved outward, so as to contain the metal when
it is turned up, and prevent too great a pressure over the orifices of those
tuyeres which are situated at or near the back part of the vessel.
The form and construction of this modification of the converting vessel is
represented on Sheet A. of the Drawings hereunto annexed, where Figure 2
is an elevation; Figure 3, a vertical section on the line A, B, of Figure 4;
and Figure 4, a horizontal cross section on the line C, D, of Figure 3. The
position into which the vessel is turned when receiving its charge of melted
iron is also shewn at Figure 5 on the same Sheet. This form of converting
vessel is, by preference, constructed of plate iron, having a trunnion band f

page_text: passing around its largest circumference, and secured by rivits or bolts to the
vessel; it has also one solid trunnion and one hollow trunnion for the passage
of the blast, as in other converting vessels now in use. The upper portion of
the vessel g is bolted to the trunnion band, and may be removed when the
vesse! requires relining; but the lower part g* of the vessel is rivetted or
otherwise firmly secured to the trunnion band, and has a channel h extending
around it; this channel is provided with a number of openings both on its
internal and external circumference; it is through these openings that the
tuyeres are inserted. The outer openings are secured by plates / screwed on
over them, the lining of the vessel and the setting of the tuyeres being effected
in a similar manner to those now in use. A pipe m from the hollow trunnion
will allow the air to pass down on the outside of the vessel, and enter the
hollow annular channel h, and down the tuyeres, which may have one or any
other number of holes in them, as at present practised. I have before shewn
how two charges of metal simultaneously converted may be poured into one
casting ladle.
The extra weight of metal to be dealt with in such cases renders some modi-
fication of the casting crane and ladle desirable, and in order that the general
construction and mode of operating with this improved form of crane may
be fully understood, I have shewn the same in elevation on Sheet B., and in
plan on Sheet C., of the Drawings hereunto annexed; the great weight of
the double charge of metal is also thrown on one arm of the hydraulic crane.
I prefer to neutralize by placing on the other arm of the crane a counterbalance
weight moveable on four flanged wheels which run on the side cheeks of the
crane arm, the wheels receiving motion by means of a handle and worm
wheel, the latter being fixed on the axle 40 of one of the pairs of wheels 41
and 42, whereby the weight 43 may be moved so as to balance the varying
quantity of metal contained in the ladle. The head of the crane which carries
the ladle 44 and counterweight 43 is suspended on a ball joint formed on
the top of the ram at 46, to which ram a spur wheel 47 is keyed, a pinion 48
gearing in this wheel also carries on its axis a bevilled wheel 50, through
which motion is communicated from a horizontal shaft 51, which passes
through bearings in the side cheeks 52 of the crane arm, and is provided with
handles on each end, by turning which a slow and steady motion of the head
of the crane takes place. The casting ladle 44 is supported on trunnions
formed thereon, and rests in bearings formed near the ends of the crane arm,
the axis of the ladle being at right angles to the cheeks 52 of the crane.
The motion of the ladle on its trunnions is effected by a worm and wheel 54,
to which motion is communicated by a shaft and handles; this shaft 55 works

page_text: in bearings formed in the crane arm, and a pair of bevilled wheels 56, serve
to communicate its motion to the worm which moves the ladle. The valve
or stopper used for running out the fluid metal is placed on the side of the
ladle furthest from the centre of the crane as seen at 57; the desired motion
upward and downward of the crane is effected by the admission or discharge
of water under pressure to the cylinder 58, by which means the ram or plunger
which supports the head of the crane is put in motion and the height of the
ladle adjusted to suit the height of the moulds. The motion of the ladle on
its axes affords facility for the discharge therefrom of fuel put-there. to dry it,
also the slags or other matters left after it has been used; it also allows the
ladle to be inverted over a fire, when that mode of heating is preferred. The
cylinder in which the ram of the crane works I prefer to make in two parts,
the lower one being cast with a closed bottom, and the upper one open at
both ends, and having ribs projecting inwards, which fit close to the ram, the
spaces between these ribs giving ingress and egress to the water by which
the ram is put in motion, and thus enabling the water pipe to be connected to
its upper end.
In some cases I form on the exterior of the casting ladle, and near to or
below the bottom of it, a small chamber, bowl, or receptacle lined with loam,
and also provided with a valve or stopper, with a suitable handle for working
the same; this valve is fitted to an orifice or nozzle formed in the lowest part.
of the receptacle, and is for the purpose of regulating the supply of metal
to the moulds, the molten metal in the ladle being supplied to this receptacle
by a valve or stopper similar to those now in use, so that the receptacle may
be kept full up to a certain level during the casting operation; the use of
this receptacle being to lessen the pressure of the fluid over the escape orifice
into the mould, and by that means cause the column of fluid to enter the
mould with a velocity lessened in proportion as the head of metal in the
receptacle is less in perpendicular height than the head of metal in the casting
ladle. A vertical section of this form of casting ladle is shewn at Figure 6,
and in plan at Figure 7, Sheet A., of the Drawing annexed. The whole of the
vessel may be constructed of plate iron, and be lined with loam or other
suitable slow conductor of heat, the orifices through which the metal flows
being by preference formed in small pieces of well-burned fire-clay, retained
in their places by the loam or other lining. The valve rod V may be made of
iron, and defended with a coating of loam, as practised with the valve rods
generally employed in such casting ladles.,
In order that the different hydraulic apparatus employed in the process of
manufacturing malleable iron and steel may be efficiently worked I have

page_text: arranged a series of four plunger pumps standing vertically on a bed plate,
in which passages are formed for the inlet and outlet of the water. At one
end of the bed plate I fix a steam cylinder, which gives motion to a crank
shaft running horizontally over the pumps, this crank is formed by turning
down a solid steel or iron cylinder at four different parts, each excentric to the
axis on which it revolves; to these excentric parts connecting rods are attached,
and at their lower ends are jointed to the plungers of the pumps. At the end
of the bed plate opposite the steam cylinder a plunger is made to work in a
stuffing box or hydraulic leather, and is kept down by a strong spring, which is
capable of yielding to the pressure of the water beneath it, and by its elasticity
acting as a regulator, and lessening the shocks produced by the unequal speed
of the plungers at different parts of their stroke. A partially balanced and
loaded escape valve is also provided for the purpose of allowing all surplus
water to escape.
In order that the arrangement of these force pumps and the mode of
working them may be fully understood, I have shown on Sheet D. of the
annexed Drawings, a side elevation of the same at Figure 1, a plan at
Figure 2, and an end elevation of the regulating valve at Figure 3. a is the
foundation plate on the under side of which two passages are formed, one
to receive water from a tank or other source of supply, and the other
passage to convey the water under pressure by a suitable pipe to the
several hydraulic apparatus herein-before described; b, b, b, b, are four
plunger pumps cast with inlet and discharge passages on the sides of them,
both passages opening downwards, these pumps are bolted down to the bed
plate, the inlet passages of the pumps being placed over the supply passage
formed on the under side of the bed plate, and communicating therewith
through openings in the bed plate made for that purpose, the discharge passages
of the pumps also communicating with the discharge passage formed on the
under side of the bed plate. The pressure to which water may be forced by
these pumps is regulated by a partly balanced valve c, through which it may
escape when the pressure exceeds the desired limits. In order to prevent the
concussions which such pumps are liable to, and to regulate the pressure without
employing an air vessel I fix on to the bed plate at one end a cylinder d, in
which the plunger e works through a stuffing box. Through the head of the
plunger I fix a stout steel spring f, similar to those employed in locomotive
engines; to the ends of this spring I fit two jointed rods g, g, having a right
and left hand coupling screw in the centre, by which means the tension of the
spring may be adjusted, the strength of the spring being such that the pressure
of the water on the lower end of the plunger e will cause it to vibrate or yield

page_text: to the irregular supply obtained during different parts of the stroke of the
pumps. A frame h, h, is bolted down to the bed plate, carrying at its upper
part the crank shaft i, which gives motion to the connecting rods i and
plungers k. One end of the crank shaft carries the fly wheel 1, and on the
other is keyed the crank m, to which motion is communicated from the steam
cylinder n, by the connecting rod p in a manner well understood.
In order that the movement of the converting vessels and crane may be
under perfect control, and that the workman who directs the process may
readily effect all such movements of the apparatus without loss of time, it is
preferable that the several valves by which these movements are effected, as
well as the air valves, should be arranged near to each other and in such a
position that the workman may observe from that place the operations that
are going on. And in order that the arrangement of these valves may be
fully understood I have shewn the same in elevation at Figure 4, in plan at
Figure 5, and in end elevation at Figure 6 on Sheet D. of the Drawings
annexed, where Figure 7 is also a plan of the index plate of the valves, and
Figures 8, 9, and 10, details on a larger scale. It is desirable to place these
valves near to each other, and for this purpose I form a long rectangular
trunk or box A, into the central compartment of which the air from the blast
engine is conducted by a pipe B; on the upper side of the box I fit a pair of
double-beat balance valves C, with suitable lever handles D passing through
slots E in the table F, before which the workman places himself; these valves
admit air in such quantities as is found desirable to each of the vessels. A
pressure gauge may be fitted on the table shewing the pressure of the air, and
indicating to the workman the effect he is producing by each movement of
the air valves on each side of the trunk or box A. The passages G and H are
formed one to receive water under pressure from the force pumps by the
pipe G*, and the second one to receive the waste or back water, and return it
by the pipe H* to the cistern that supplies the pumps. Mounted over these
passages, and communicating with them, are a pair of four-way cocks I and J,
which are turned by spur gearing K; two vertical shafts L rising above the
table F are provided with small fly wheels M, M, and handles, so as to allow
the workman to operate readily on the cocks whenever any movement of the
vessel on its axis is to be made. A three-way cock N is similarly mounted
with spur gearing O and handles P, for the purpose of controlling the motions
of the hydraulic crane, and enabling the workman to raise the large ladle with
facility above the level of the moulds, into which the fluid malleable iron or
steel is to be passed. In operating with these valves the workman stands on
the plate Q, which is raised a few feet above the general floor level of the

page_text: building, the table F being at a convenient height, so as to enable him to have
full control over the several handles before him. The lever handles D are
made with an angular projection at their lower ends, which enter slots formed
in the spindles of the balance valves C; this lever handle is shewn more
clearly at Figure 8; the vertical section Figure 10, and cross section Figure 9
shew the internal form of the valve box C, and the manner in which the
valves R balance each other, and thus admit of their easy movements by the
lever handle; two small cocks S, S. are also mounted on the trunk A, and
are made to communicate with the pressure and escape passages G and H;
these cocks have a square formed on their keys, in order to move them when
required; they are made to communicate with the small hydraulic cylinders
employed to raise and lower the upper part of the converting vessel when a
new lining is required. The blast pipe T and water pipes V communicating
with the several cocks are carried underground to the different apparatus for
which they are required, and thus allow one workman to have the movements
of the vessels and crane as well as the supply of air under his control.
Having described the manner in which the several parts of my Invention
may be carried into practical operation, I desire it to be understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise details herein-before described; but what I
claim,-
First, in the manufacture of malleable iron and steel when forcing currents
of atmospheric air through the fluid metal is the combined arrangement herein
described, whereby the steam employed for forcing such air is generated by
means of the heat escaping from the reverberatory furnaces that are
employed in melling the iron to be so converted.
Second, I claim the opening and closing of the passage conducting air into
converting vessels by means of the rotatory motion of such vessels acting on a
suitable valve.
Third, I claim in the construction of converting vessels in which the air is
forced vertically upwards through the molten metal the employment of
several separate tuyere boxes attached to the under side of such vessels.
Fourth, I claim the construction and employment of tuyere boxes with
separate compartments for the several tuyeres employed, as herein described.
Fifth, I claim giving rotary or semi-rotary motion to converting vessels
that are supported on fixed standards or foundations by means of hydrostatic
pressure operating in the manner herein described.
Sixth, I claim employing a pair of converting vessels placed in such a
position with reference to each other that the flame and splashes emitted
therefrom shall be projected in opposite directions, the said vessels being

page_text: capable of discharging the converted metal into a ladle placed between
them.
Seventh, I claim the employment of chimnies constructed with an open
space beneath them, for the purpose of giving access to converting vessels
employed in the production of malleable iron or steel by forcing air through
the fluid metal.
Eighth, I claim the combination and use of apparatus consisting of two
converting vessels with separate chimnies and one hydraulic casting crane,
grouped together in the position shewn in the Drawings annexed.
Ninth, I claim the employment of hydraulic cranes in casting malleable iron
or steel, constructed in the manner herein-before described.
Tenth, I claim in the construction of converting vessels that are moveable
on axes the employment of tuyeres placed horizontally or through the sides of
the vessel, as herein described.
Eleventh, I claim the employment of ladles for casting malleable iron or
steel when formed with a second chamber or receptacle attached thereto for
regulating the supply of metal to the moulds, as herein described.
Twelfth, I claim the employment of force pumps, constructed as herein-
before described, for giving motion to the hydraulic apparatus employed in the
conversion of malleable iron and steel.
Thirteenth, I claim the combination and arrangement of valves and cocks
moved by gearing, and operated on by handles, in the manner herein-before
described and represented on Sheet A. of the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Bessemer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
HENRY BESSEMER. (L.S.)