IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN FURNACES EMPLOYED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Hale, of Wigan, in the County of Lancaster, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL,
AND IN FURNACES EMPLOYED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Hale at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th May 1879.
EDWARD HALE, of Wigan, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN FURNACES EMPLOYED IN SUCH MANU-
FACTURE."
This Invention relates to the manufacture of iron and steel from cast iron in the
molten state as it leaves the cupola or blast furnace, and consists principally in the
employment for such purpose of a suitably shaped furnace constructed with a
chamber provided with a revolving wheel or metal agitator made of or covered
with refractory material.
The molten cast iron from the cupola or blast furnace is run into the converting
chamber of this furnace to a sufficient depth to cover the revolving wheel or agitator
which turns on horizontal axes, and is by preference hollow, being caused to revolve
by steam, water, or other power, the furnace being maintained at a sufficient heat
to keep the metal in a molten state.
The wheel or agitator being set in motion causes the liquid metal to be constantly
flowing up towards the surface, and thus all its particles become exposed to the full
action of the great heat of the furnace, thereby removing all impurities and
objectionable portions and producing the desired effect.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Hale in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th November
1879.
EDWARD HALE, of Wigan, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN FURNACES EMPLOYED IN SUCH MANU-
FACTURE."
This Invention relates to the manufacture of iron and steel from cast iron in the
molten state as it leaves the cupola, blast, or other furnace, and consists principally
in the employment for such purpose of a suitably shaped furnace constructed with
a converting chamber provided with a revolving wheel or metal agitator made of
or covered with refractory material.
The molten cast iron from the cupola, blast, or other furnace is run into the
converting chamber of this furnace to a sufficient depth to cover the revolving
wheel or agitator, which turns on an axis, being caused to revolve by steam, water,
or other power, the furnace being maintained at a sufficient heat to keep the metal
in a molten state.
The axis of the revolving wheel or agitator may be placed either in a vertical,
horizontal, or inclined position, and the form of the wheel or agitator may be varied
to a considerable extent; for example, it may be formed of a hollow drum having
projections on the periphery; or it may consist of one, two, or more arms projecting
from a central axis; or it may be of any other convenient form so long as its
character of a revolving metal agitator is maintained.
The wheel or agitator being set in motion causes the liquid metal to be kept
constantly in a state of agitation and flowing up towards the surface, and thus all its
particles become exposed to the full action of the great heat of the furnace, thereby
removing all impurities and objectionable portions and producing the desired effect.
In the annexed Drawing I have, for the sake of illustration, represented three
views of a furnace constructed according to my Invention, Fig. 1 being a side
elevation; Fig. 2, a longitudinal vertical section; and Fig. 3, a sectional plan view
of the same.
a, a, are the walls of the furnace; b, b, the crown or top; and c, c, the converting
chamber, which is made in the form of a circular basin, and is situated behind the
bridge c*, cx, of the furnace. From the centre rises a hollow projection of fire
clay d, d, the top of which is above the level of the metal.
Through this passes a vertical shaft e, e, carrying at its upper end in a squared
socket the central square foot f of the agitator g, g.
The agitator in this case is shown as formed with two arms, and may be made of
bar iron, in which case it must be removed from time to time as it gets too hot, and
be replaced by another.
This can easily be performed through the opening h, h, as the foot f is merely
dropped into the square socket.
If preferred the arms may be made of or covered with refractory material. The
shaft e, e, is caused to revolve by steam, water, or other power.
The molten cast iron may run direct from the cupola or blast furnace into the
converting chamber c, c, by the opening i, i; or it may be first run into the shallow
basin k, k, and when in a proper molten state it may be run thence into the
converting chamber c, c. . Or pig iron may be introduced by the opening 1, l, and
being first melted in the basin k, k, may then be run off into the converting
chamber c, c.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention, firstly, the

page_text: manufacture of iron and steel by agitating the molten cast iron by means of a
revolving wheel or agitator in the converting chamber of a furnace, substantially
as hereinbefore described; and
Secondly. I claim the construction and application for such purpose of a furnace
having a converting chamber provided with a revolving wheel or agitator, substan-
tially in the manner and for the purpose herein before particularly described and
illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Hale, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
EDWARD HALE. (L.S.)