IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES AND APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH, AND IN THE MODE OF TREATING SOLID AND FLUID SUBSTANCES USED IN SUCH LIKE FURNACES DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF MALLEABLE IRON AND STEEL.
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Burch, of Adswood Grove, Stockport, in the
County of Chester, Consulting Mechanician, and William Evans, of Manchester,
in the County of Lancaster, Newspaper Proprietor for an invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES AND APPLIANCES
CONNECTED THEREWITH, AND IN THE MODE OF TREATING SOLID AND FLUID
SUBSTANCES USED IN SUCH LIKE FURNACES DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF
MALLEABLE IRON AND STEEL.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Burch and William
Evans at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd March 1882.
JOSEPH BURCH of Adswood Grove, Stockport, in the County of Chester,.
Consulting Mechanician, and WILLIAM EVANS of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Newspaper Proprietor. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
FURNACES AND APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH, AND IN THE MODE OF
TREATING SOLID AND FLUID SUBSTANCES USED IN SUCH LIKE FURNACES DURING
THE MANUFACTURE OF MALLEABLE IRON AND STEEL.
"
One of the objects of our invention is the saving of labour, but our chief object
consists in the production of pure malleable iron and steel of uniform and superior
quality, and without having to depend upon the constant attention of the workmen,
or subjecting them to that amount of wearisome and exhausting labour required
in the working of ordinary puddling furnaces. And, although we save labour,
we do not propose to employ those who are unskilled or inexperienced, as both
judgment and ability are required in the management of our furnace, in order to
insure successful and unvarying results.
1st. To this end we employ a furnace of the reciprocating class of special con-
figuration, and constructed in two parts, (viz), a fire chamber which is fixed and
immovable and wherein the combustion of the fuel takes place, and a reverberatory
chamber wherein the purification and oxidation of the metal in process is effected.
This reverberatory chamber by means of certain suitable mechanical appliances,
71

page_text: we cause either regularly or fitfully to swing or oscillate to and fro sidewise, it
having (partly for such purpose) two large hollow cylindrical trunnions respec-
tively attached, one to each end. Each trunnion rests on an annular series of
antifriction rollers carried by suitable upright frames rigidly fixed to a base plate
that may be made adjustable or otherwise. These hollow trunnions serve also as
passages for the flaming gases and fiercely heated products of combustion, one
being placed coincident with and in communication with a similar opening
leading out of the fixed fire chamber into the reverberatory chamber, and the
trunnion at the opposite end forms the exit passage through which the hot draught
is conducted, and which may be further utilised or carried direct to the chimney.
The ends of our reverberatory chamber have somewhat the form of a sector, the
chord of its arc forming the hearth or floor, and in transverse section internally it
may be called semi-ovate. It is furnished with a suitable door or doors and a
taphole, and is lined with firebrick or other suitable refractory material, the hearth
being levelled, prepared and fettled in the usual way. The trunnions are also
lined with refractory firebrick or material, such linings being for the purpose of
protecting the external cast iron or other casing of the reverberatory chamber and
of the trunnions respectively from the effects of the extreme heat.
2nd. The invention further consists in our mode of working a furnace having a
reciprocating or oscillating reverberatory chamber, into which either in a solid or
molten state, cast iron, containing more or less sulphur, phosphorus, carbon, silicon,
etc. is introduced for the purpose of eliminating all such substances when the
production of pure malleable iron is required, the reverberatory chamber during the
,operation, as soon as the metal therein is reduced to or approaching a molten state
and whilst it is boiling on the floor or hearth of the chamber, is set in motion, and
made to slowly swing or oscillate to and fro sidewise, so as to cause the hearth or
floor to incline alternately first to one side and then to the other, and by this
means without the manual aid of the puddler, the metal is kept in constant motion
running over the floor alternately in opposite directions from side to side in a
shallow stream, thereby exposing the constantly changing surface of the boiling
metal to the action of the flaming products of combustion, and by this means all
the impurities are thoroughly eliminated. In some cases in order to prevent loss
of metal by sublimation, and when making steel or malleable iron, with a view in
the latter metal to hasten its oxidation and more quickly reduce it to a pasty state,
we introduce in a special manner or otherwise into the reverberatory chamber
during the ebullition of the metal, streams of either cool, warm or heated atmospheric
air, more or less compressed and charged or not (according to the quality and
nature of the metal in process) with either superheated steam, pure oxide of iron,
or any of the numerous other substances known and used as oxidizing and purifying
agents in the manufacture of malleable iron and steel.
3rd. We introduce the compressed air in fine streams through tuyeres or passages
made in the fire brick lining of the reverberatory chamber along the lower part of
its opposite sides or otherwise, but preferably a little above the level of the hearth
or floor at a descending angle, either continuously or intermittently, so that in the
latter case, when the metal flows over the hearth from side to side, at each
successive reversal of motion, it meets the air streams and also runs over a freshly
aerated bed or surface; but when the air is admitted continuously, it then also
forces a passage through the molten inetal when the latter collects alternately at
the lowest side for the time being of the reverberatory chamber before and whilst
the hearth of the chamber is being again brought to a level, and then made to
incline or tilt in the contrary direction, in order to cause the metal to flow to the
opposite side and also meet in both directions (as stated above) the fine streams of
air that issue from the sides. After, in the making of malleable iron, the metal is
reduced to a pasty state, it is gathered by the puddler into separate masses or
balls. These are successively removed to the shingling hammer, which beats them
into ingots, and thence they are taken to the rolls employed to reduce them to
puddle bars of malleable iron. But when the product is intended for steel, a

page_text: sufficient quantity of spiegeleisen in a molten state, or other richly carburetted
metallic substance is poured into the reverberatory chamber, the motion whereof
quickly brings the latter metal or metallic substance into intimate commixture
with the purified metallic products therein; the addition of the spiegeleisen restores
the carbon, and the amalgamated mass then possessing the quality of steel, is
afterwards run out or discharged through the taphole into suitable ingot moulds.
4th. This part of our invention consists in imparting to the reverberatory
chamber a differential movement, which may be done mechanically in various
ways, but which we prefer to effect by the use of a revolving cam or cams, whereby
we are enabled after each successive depression of either side of the reverberatory
chamber, to bring its hearth to a level position when manufacturing malleable iron
more suddenly, and then tilt it slowly whilst the metal runs to the opposite side,
or in the manufacture of steel, we either cause it to cease motion for a limited time
whilst the compressed air etc. is being blown through the metal, or we first raise it
very slowly and then accelerate its movement whilst the metal runs over the
hearth to the opposite side of the reverberatory chamber, and so on, repeating such
movements until the process is finished or otherwise.
We so interrupt the direct course of the flaming gases and heated products of
combustion within the reverberatory chamber by the configuration of its upper
lining or roof, that they are beaten downwards upon the hearth and upon the
molten metal as it flows crosswise from side to side, the flames and burning products
reverberating in all directions.
A damper or dampers are employed to either check or accelerate the draught
through the furnace, and thereby regulate the heat.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Burch and William Evans in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 21st September 1882.
"
JOSEPH BURCH, of Adswood Grove Stockport, in the County of Chester,
Consulting Mechanician, and WILLIAM EVANS, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Newspaper Proprietor. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
FURNACES AND APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH, AND IN THE MODE OF
TREATING SOLID, AND FLUID SUBSTANCES USED IN SUCH LIKE FURNACES DURING
THE MANUFACTURE OF MALLEABLE IRON AND STEEL."
+
One of the objects of our invention is the saving of labour, but our chief object
consists in the production of pure malleable iron and steel of uniform and superior
quality in less time than is usually required, and without having to depend upon
the constant attention of the workmen or subjecting them to that amount of
wearisome and exhausting labour required in the working of ordinary puddling
furnaces. And, although, we save time as well as labour, we do not propose to
employ those who are unskilled or inexperienced, as both judgment and ability
are required in the management of our furnace, in order to insure successful and
unvarying results.
To this end we employ a furnace of the reciprocating or swinging class of
special configuration internally; and the first part of our invention relates to the
construction and internal form of the hearth or refining chamber and to the
preparatory mode of heating and melting the succeeding charge; the second part
relates to the mode of working, and the introduction during such time of fluid,
comminuted or solid substances; the third part relates to the manner and means
employed for introducing compressed air into the hearth or refining chaniber
whilst the metal is under process, with a view to change the nature of the product
either to pure malleable Iron or to steel ;-and the fourth part of our invention
relates to the special mechanism employed for imparting to the hearth or refining
chamber the requisite reciprocating or swinging motions either regular or
intermittent, as best suited to effect the required change upon the metal in
process.
On the drawing annexed, Fig. 1 represents an end view of the reverberatory
hearth or refining chamber; Fig. a section showing the hearth chamber with
bridge above, the heating crucible and details. Fig. 3 is a side view; Fig 4 a
plan; Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are details.
The letters and figures of reference employed in the following description to
distinguish the several parts and details, are correspondingly marked on the same
parts and details as shown in the different figures on the drawing.
1st. The construction and internal form of the reverberatory hearth or refining
chamber which as before stated is of the réciprocating or swinging kind A marks
the metal casing of the puddling or refining section B shows the reverberatory
refining chamber, and B¹ marks its level hearth or floor on which the purification
and Oxidation of the metal in process is effected. This section of our furnace by
means of certain suitable mechanical appliances herein-after more particularly
described is caused either regularly or fitfully to swing or oscillate sideways being
supported by two large hollow trunnions marked C and C¹ respectively attached,
one to each end. Each trunnion rests upon an annular series of anti-friction
rollers D and D' mounted, for the purpose of keeping them apart, in ring frames D².
see also Figs. 5. These frames are free to revolve, the rollers resting in semi-
circular grooves formed on the upright standard frames E and E¹, which support

page_text: the whole weight and may be firmly fixed to an adjustable bed plate or otherwise.
The hollow trunnions serve also as passages for the flaming gases and fiercely
heated products of combustion, the one marked C being coincident with and in
direct communication with a similar opening that is shown in section at F and
forms a portion of the fire chamber, (which being of the ordinary kind is not
shown in the drawing), the direction of the arrow indicating the hot draught way
through the trunnion into the hearth or refining chamber; and the trunnion Cat
the opposite end forms the passage that communicates with the chimney or other-
wise, the part in section marked F2 being fixed thereto. Between the annular
flange plate C¹ of the trunnion C and the fixed flange plate F' that forms a portion
of the fixed fire-chamber there is a narrow space left, in order to allow for the
expansion that takes place when the furnace is heated and this space is covered up
by an annular band of silicate cotton or of asbestos marked G which prevents the
ingress of cold air or the escape of the heated gases, and there is a similar space
between the trunnion plate Cs and the fixed plate F3 which space is covered up in
a similar way.
The direct course of the flaming gases through the swing hearth or refining
chamber is, when necessary, interrupted by a low arch H which extends across the
middle of the chamber from side to side, and may be, in some furnaces, made solid
up to the roof, which is marked H'; but in furnaces wherein time is saved in the
working by the preparatory heating and melting of the metal before it is admitted
to the hearth chamber, instead of being made solid, the arch has the form of a
bridge as shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and by this means two passages are formed for
the flaming gases, one marked H₁ above the bridge, and the other H below it.-
On the upper side or surface of the bridge a shallow trough-like recess marked I is
formed from side to side, which recess answers the purpose of a crucible, wherein
through I which marks a door in the roof above, the fresh charge is introduced
and heated, and melted, whilst the previous charge is undergoing the refining
process in the hearth chamber beneath, I² is a hole made through from the outside
for the purpose of introducing a clay plug and for removing such plug when the
Channel Is is required to be opened so that the prepared charge of newly melted
metal may run through it down upon the hearth of the refining Chamber beneath.
During the introduction of a fresh charge, the dampers J and J¹ are lowered, and
by this means the hot draught-way over the bridge is completely stopped. By
the aid of these dampers the amount of heat required to pass downwards over the
hearth of the refining chamber can be regulated, as also the heat to the fresh
charge in the preparing crucible, by more or less raising the damper J, and when
both dampers are raised a direct passage is open from trunnion to trunnion,
through which, when necessary the greater portion of the flaming gases will pass,
instead of being beaten down and sent through the hearth chamber J³ are the
damper frames.
The hearth or refining chamber is furnished with a suitable door marked K and
a tap hole L, and is lined throughout with firebrick or other suitable refractory
material marked M, the flat hearth B¹ being levelled, prepared and fettled in the
usual way. The trunnions are also lined in a similar manner, all such linings
being for the purpose of preventing the escape of heat and of protecting the outer
metallic casing.
2nd. This part of our invention relates to the mode of working and to the
introduction during such time, of fluid and of comminuted solid substances into the
refining bearth chamber, into which cast iron containing more or less sulphur,
phosphorus, carbon, silicon, etc. and either, in a molten state from the bridge
crucible, or in a solid state when no preparing crucible is employed, is introduced
for the purpose of eliminating all such substances when the production of pure
malleable iron is required.
The furnace or refining chamber is then set in motion, swinging either regularly
or intermittently, and the melted metal flowing in a shallow stream from side to
side, soon begins to boil, the slow swinging motion being continued until the metal
k

page_text: is thoroughly oxidised and purified, without the constant stirring usually performed
by the puddlers' rabble. In some cases in order to prevent loss of metal by
sublimation, and when making steel or more particularly malleable iron, with a
view to hasten the complete, purification and oxidation of the charge, and more
quickly reduce it to a pasty state, we introduce, in a special manner or otherwise,
into the hearth chamber, streams of either cool, warm, or heated atmospheric air
more or less compressed and charged or not (according to the nature of the metal
in process) with either superheated steam, pure oxide of iron, or any of the
numerous other substances in a comminuted state that are known and used as
oxidising and purifying agents, in the manufacture of malleable iron and steel.
3rd This part of our invention relates to the manner in which the compressed
air, combined or not with other substances is introduced, by means of tuyeres,
marked N, inserted through passages made slanting downwards from the service
pipe O, which pipe may be placed either in the position shown in the Fig. 2, or
it may be fixed outside the metal casing, which is then perforated to admit the
tuyeres, four of which at an equal distance apart are shown at each side of the
chamber, placed low down at such an angle that the streams of air are delivered
direct upon the hearth, either continuously or intermittently so that as the boiling
metal flows to and fro over the hearth from side to side, it meets the air streams
and runs over a freshly aërated bed or surface. In the making of steel the motion
of the furnace for a limited time is caused to cease after each time the metal flows
to the sides, and during this cessation of motion, the furnace being tilted either on
one side or the other, the points of the tuyeres are completely covered by the
boiling metal, with which the streams of air are then brought into more intimate
contact by being blown through it.
In the making of malleable iron after the purified metal falls and comes to a
pasty state the mechanical motion of the furnace is stopped, and the metal is
gathered in the usual way into separate lumps called puddle balls, which are in
succession lifted out and taken first to the shingling hammer to be beaten into
ingots, and thence to the rolls to be reduced to puddle bars. But when the product
is intended for steel, a sufficient quantity of spiegeleisen, or other richly carburetted
metallic substance, in a molten state, is poured into the furnace, the motion
whereof quickly brings the latter metal or metallic substance, into intimate
commixture with the purified metallic products therein; the addition of the
spiegeleisen restores the carbon, and the amalgamated mass, then possessing the
quality of steel, is afterwards run out, or discharged through the tap hole L into
suitable ingot moulds or otherwise.
4th. This part of our invention consists in imparting to the reverberatory hearth
chamber a differential movement, which may be done mechanically in various
ways, but which we prefer to effect by the use of a revolving cam or cams,
whereby we are enabled after each successive depression of either side of the
reverberatory chamber to bring its hearth to a level position, when manufacturing
malleable iron, more suddenly, and then tilt it slowly whilst the metal runs to the
opposite side, or in the manufacture of steel, we either cause it to cease motion for
a limited time whilst the compressed air etc. is being blown through the metal, or
we first raise it very slowly and then accelerate its movement whilst the metal
runs over the hearth to the opposite side of the reverberatory chamber, and so on;
repeating such movements until the process is finished or otherwise.
These cams
P marks one of the actuating cams and Q another of different form
are loose upon the shaft R which rotates in the pedestal bearings S and S¹. and is
actuated by the motive power. The configuration of the cams differ, one having
the shape of the cam shown by Figs. 6. which form of cam causes the motion of the
furnace to cease when tilted or swung over to either side alternately and the cam
shown by Figs. 7 gives a more regular continuous motion like a crank, when,
according to the work in hand, either of them is set in motion by the clutch T,
which slides on a projecting feather or key fixed in the shaft R. Whichever cam
is set in motion rotates between the small rollers U, or the rollers.U¹., engaging

page_text: alternately with them, and causing the furnace to swing, so that the molten metal,
whilst the motion is continued, flows alternately from side to side.
V and V mark the two strengthening girders that support the hearth, and the
bosses W in which the strong fixed studs on which the rollers U and U¹ are
loosely mounted, are carried by those parts of the girders that project downwards.
Having now in compliance with the conditions of the Letters Patent fully
disclosed the nature of our invention, and described the mode in which it is to be
operated, we wish it to be understood that we do not confine ourselves, to any
special size, forin, material, or arrangement, as in all such particulars our invention
is capable of modification without any departure from its nature or character; and
although we have described and shown our invention as adapted to a swinging
furnace, most of our improvements are applicable to other movable furnaces, and
so far as regards the arch or bridge crucible, and dampers, to most of the stationary
furnaces at present known. Therefore what we claim as our invention and believe
to be new consists in as follows:-viz:-
1st We claim for the construction crosswise within such a furnace as we have
described or within any movable or other furnace to which it may be applicable, of
an arch or bridge, and the forming on the upper surface of such bridge, a recess to
answer the purpose of a crucible, wherein to prepare, heat, and melt the succeeding
charge of metal, in the manner and for the purposes described.
2nd We claim by the construction of a bridge crosswise within a puddling
furnace, the formation of two ways, or passages for the flaming products of com-
bustion, and by means of two dampers the obtaining the control over both ways in
the manner and for the purposes described.
3rd We claim the induction into the hearth or refinery chamber of compressed
air charged or not with steam or solid substances in a finely divided state through
tuyeres disposed in the manner and for the purposes described.
4th We claim the adaptation to the trunnions of swinging or rocking furnaces,
of two annular series of anti-friction rollers so resting in semi-circular grooves
formed on the fixed upright standards, which support the furnace, that the
trunnions move on the rollers without friction.
5th We claim the formation in the roof of any furnace to which the bridge and
crucible may be adapted, of an opening with a closing door, to be employed in the
manner and for the purposes described.
6th We claim the giving by means of revolving cams either an intermittent or a
differential movement, to swinging, rocking or oscillating furnaces, by modifying
the form of such cams for the purposes herein described.
7th We claim the use of incombustible bands of silicate cotton or bands of
asbestos for covering the openings or crevices left between the movable trunnion
plates that are fixed, one to the back of the fire chamber, and the other at the
entrance to the chimney as herein described.
In witness whereof I the said Joseph Burch on behalf of myself and the said
William Evans have here-unto set my hand and sealt his Twentieth day of
September in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
eighty two
In presence of
THOS. W. EVANS
3 Cross Street
Manchester.
JOSEPH BURCH (L.S.)