IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WORKING OR THE MANIPULATION OF METAL OR OTHER MATERIALS SUBJECTED TO OPERATE AND IN APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED THEREFOR OR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JOSEPH, STOKES WILLIAMS of Riverton New Jersey United States of America,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE WORKING OR THE MANIPULATION OF METAL OR OTHER MATERIALS SUBJECTED
TO OPERATE AND IN APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED THEREFOR OR IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH to be as follows:-
•
་
My invention consists in improvements in the preparation and the moulding
shaping or casting of metal or other materials and in apparatus or means employed
therefor or in connection therewith. I provide means for producing a vacuum
within the moulds prior to the admission thereto of the molten metal so as to
enable me to produce therein with or without subjecting the molten metal to
The said
pressure compact and clearly defined castings devoid of porosity.
invention comprises the combination with such moulds of various devices for
regulating the creation of the vacuum therein, controlling the flow of the metal
or material theroto regulating the temperature of the moulds prior to the inflow of
the molten metal or other material regulating the temperature of such molten
metal or other material and regulating and proportioning the consumption or
utilization of fuel power or material employed for heating the same or for
operating devices used therewith in accordance with the conditions of the various
parts or the work done or being done and for various other purposes all as more
fully hereinafter described. In carrying the said invention into practice I employ
in combination with the air tight moulds or vacuum pump or pumps which may be
driven by steam power or by a gas engine or electric motor or by other suitable
means the speed or action of which is regulated in accordance with the work done
or being done that is to say I employ means to throttle the steam or other supply
of power so as to facilitate the working or action of the pump or pumps in
accordance with the rarification or exhaustion of the air or the extent of the vacuum
produced. This can be effected by the employment of throttling devices operated
electrically, or through a vacuum guage or both and I may combine therewith devices
or means to operate upon clutch mechanism so as to disconnect the pump or pumps
from its or their operating device or motor when the desired vacuum is produced

page_text: or so as to provide for reducing the speed of the motor or both when the desired
vacuum is produced or approximately produced. Such throttling devices or the
vacuum guage or both can be combined with devices adapted to operate between
the gas liquid fuel or other source of supply and the motor or the inlets for the
admission of air or both to the furnace or the inlets for the supply of water or
the like and such devices can be combined with other apparatus for accumulating-
or using electrically or mechanically or both the power converted.
One or more vacuum pumps may be connected with an exhausting pipe or pipes
extending from the air tight moulds or from a vacuum-chamber in which a
vacuum is produced by such pump or pumps or means for creating a vacuum
and in some cases the means for creating the vacuum and also the vacuum-
chamber can be connected in series or in multiple connection so as to operate in
unison or independently at the same time for exhausting the air from the moulds.
I employ automatic check valves or cut-off in the pipes to prevent the admission
of air into the vacuum chamber when the pumps or vacuum creating devices are
not in operation or when the force exerted by the pump is not sufficient to actuato
the check valve. I also employ manually operative check or cut-off valves in such
pipes so as to cut off one or more or all of the pumps or vacuum creating
devices. I also in some cases employ one or more automatic check-valves or one
or more manually operative cut offs or both in the pipes extending from one or
more of the air tight moulds so as to provide for the disconnection of the mould
or moulds from the vacuum chamber or the pump or pumps or both at the will
of an operator or for automatically disconnecting such mould or moulds when
filled with molten metal or material supplied through suitable air tight inlets
or pipes connecting such moulds with the chamber containing the molten metal
or material or the furnace in which the metal or material is reduced to a molten
or fluid state by coal liquid fuel combustible gas heated air or gas electrically or
otherwise. Manually operative cut off's with or without automatic cut off's are
adapted to operate in the pipes between the chamber containing the molten
metal or material and the moulds so as to prevent the flow of such molten metal
into the latter until the desired vacuum is produced therein as indicated by a
vacuum gauge or until the molten metal or material has reached some prede-
termined degree of heat and preferably until the moulds themselves have been
heated to some predetermined degree of heat. The automatic devices may be so
arranged as to prevent the metal or material passing into the mould or from the
heater or converter or cupola until such conditions are realized notwithstanding
any movement of the manually operative cut off by the operator. One or more
automatic cut offs in such pipe can be connected either electrically or mechanically
or both with the vacuum-gauge. Such automatic cut off or cut offs may be
adapted to be rotated in or to move across the chanuel of flow in the pipe by an
electro magnetic or electric translating device and armature the circuit of whose
magnet is completed through contact plates and a movable part of the vacuum
gauge or a lever or crank may be combined with the vacuum gauge and the cut off
device so that when some predetermined limit of exhaustion is obtained the cut off
device will be operated so as to leave the channel free. One or more automatic
cut off devices can also be operated in such pipes or connections and be con-
trolled by the temperature of the metal or material in the furnace or receiving
or heating chamber. In order to accomplish this these cut off devices are con-
nected with or adapted to be operated by electrical or mechanical appliances as
described in connection with other cut offs the actuating medium preferably being
a thermo or thermo electric device arranged in a suitable heat resisting casing or
part in the furnace or chamber or the lining thereof so as to indicate the temperature
thereof or of the material therein and cause the adjustment or operation of the
cut offs combined with or controlled thereby either by the completion of an
electrical circuit from some source of supply in which is included the electro-mag-
netic or electric translating device before referred to or by mechanical means. Such
thermo regulating devices can be also advantageously connected with or adapted

page_text: to operate in combination with throttling devices for controlling the admission of
air to the furnace or heater or the consumption or admission of fuel material or
power therein or thereto for heating the metal or material and thereby if desired
regulate the consumption to raise the material to and maintain it at some predeter-
mined degree of temperature with or without absolutely stopping the consumption
when such degree of temperature is attained or when the cut off device in the
discharge pipe or the thermo regulator thereof or an independent thermo regulator
indicates some predetermined temperature.
In order to ensure the moulds being raised to and maintained at a prede-
termined temperature prior to the admission of the metal or material thereto.
I employ means whereby I force heated air or gas therethrough and during such
operation I disconnect or throttle the connections between the moulds and the
vacuum pump or pumps or vacuum-chamber or both and the connections between
the molten metal or material chamber or heating chamber or furnace The heated
air or gas for heating the moulds may be obtained from pipes or a heat accumu-
lator heated in the furnace or by the heated gases emanating therefrom. Such..
heated gases may be forced into the accumulator under high pressure and drawn
therefrom at the will of an operator and in order to heat the moulds gradually
and control the temperature thereof I employ cut-off devices or pressure regulators
automatically or manually operative or both. By such means the passage of the
heating medium through the moulds or in a chamber containing them or both.can
be regulated and controlled in accordance with the temperature of such moulds
and when some predetermined degree of temperature is attained (which temperature
may be indicated by a thermo or thermo electric device adapted to operate upon or
in conjunction with the throttling device between the source or reservoir and tho
moulds) the throttling devices will be operated so as to close the pipes or channels
and form an air-tight joint. These throttling devices may be adapted to have
their position varied as the temperature of the moulds varies or increases so as
to graduate the quantity of heated gas or heating medium utilized for heating the
moulds thereby provide for gradually increasing the temperature of the same until
the predetermined limit is reached-Such throttling devices can be operated
electrically or mechanically or both electrically and mechanically, through the
medium of a thermo indicating or regulating device combined with or adapted
to indicate the temperature of the moulds the operation thereof being understood
from the description of similar devices described as applicable for other purposes.
Such devices for indicating and controlling the temperature of the moulds may be
combined with the pipe or channel (or a branch therefrom) between the chamber
containing the molten metal or material and the moulds,
I preferably employ a reverberatory furnace or convertor or means for forcing in
air or gases to oxidize or purify some metals for instance iron or for converting iron
into steel or in other words the molten metal such as iron is mechanically puddled
or agitated or oxydised by forcing in air or gas which. preferably supply from
reservoirs in which the air is contained under high pressure with or without such
air being heated in such chamber or as it passes therefrom into the furnace or
convertor I also employ means to regulate the admission of such air, and the
temperature thereof automatically and use means for automatically testing or
indicating the condition or purification of the metal and when some predetermined
condition is attained such means are adapted to operate with or upon throttling
devices so as to stop the admission of the air and such means can be combined
mechanically or electrically or both with the regulating and throttling devices for
controlling the admission of air or combustible gas or both to the zone of combustion
in the furnace herein described.
The moulds or forms in which the metal or material is to receive shape can be
detachable and composed of metal or some refractory material not affected by the
heat. These detachable moulds, can be adapted to fit closely in the chamber from
which the air is to be exhausted and have a projection of indestructible or heat
resisting material extending into the inlets to and outlets from the mould as herein

page_text: described or instead of such mould projecting into such channels detachable pieces
can be employed to fit closely the lining of the pipes and the material. of the
mould The metal chamber containing the mould can also be lined with some
refractory heat resisting material. The chamber in which these moulds are adapted
to fit are made with air-tight lids firmly bolted or clamped in position as described.
The moulds can be made of gannister, magnesia, fire-clay, plaster of Paris, graphite,
plumbago or any suitable basić material or an accumulation of such cut or moulded
into the desired shape and in some cases I employ metal moulds cut or cast to the
desired shape and adapted to fit in the air tight chamber described. I can mould
.or cast the indestructible or refractory material into the desired shape or form a
compound of graphite or plumbago and pitch with or without the admixture
therewith of asbestos kaolin magnesia calcium or the like such being preferably
moulded the desired shape in metal moulds under high pressure.
These improvements are also applicable for casting metals in chilled moulds
for railway wheels pulleys and other rubbing or wearing surfaces-The heating of
the moulds in such case being omitted and a reverse process employed if desired.
Such apparatus and method of working cau be adapted to operate in connection
with the well known forms of apparatus for melting or purifying metals such as
the Siemens producer the Bessemer convertor or other apparatus for reducing
metals or metallic alloys or materials such as phosphor bronze, aluminium bronze,
silicon bronze, manganese bronze or glass.

page_text: I JOSEPH STOKES WILLIAMS of Riverton New Jersey United States America
Engineer do hereby declare the nature, of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND RELATING TO CASTING OR FORMING METALS AND OTHER MATERIALS AND
IN APPARATUS USED FOR OR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH," and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
My Invention consists in improvements in the. preparation and the moulding
shaping or casting of metal or other materials and in apparatus or meaus employed
therefor or in connection therewith.
.
In processes for. the working and shaping of metals or other materials in air
tight moulds: or chambers containing the same. I provide means for producing a
vacuum within the said moulds or chambers prior to the admission thereto of the
molten metal or material to be cast therein which is supplied thereto from any
suitable receiver connected with the moulds and by such means I am enabled to
produce (with or without subjecting the. molten metal or material to pressure)
compact and clearly defined castings devoid of porosity..
I provide means for use in combination with such moulds or the connections
thereof or the parts employed therewith for facilitating and safeguarding the
operations as hereinafter described......
For instance 1 I employ devices combined with the exhausting apparatus or
exhaust reservoir or the channels of conduction thereof to regulate and control the
exhausting of the moulds as hereinafter described more fully.
2nd I'employ devices for controlling the flow of. the metal or material thereto
for instance by the employment of means for varying the resistance in the
channels from 'the receiver to the moulds as hereinafter described more fully.
"
3rd I employ devices and means for heating and regulating the temperature of
the moulds prior to the introduction or inflow of the molten metal or other material
from the supply receivers or inlets connected with the moulds as hereinafter more
fully described.
4th I employ devices or means in combination with the apparatus for regulating.
the temperature of such molten metal or other material and also if desired I employ
either independently thereof, or in conjunction therewith devices or means for
regulating and proportioning the consumption or utilization of the fuel or means.
employed for heating the same or for operating throttling devices used therewith
in accordance with the conditions of the various parts or the work done or being
done as more fully hereinafter described.
Having stated in general terms the nature of my Invention I will proceed to
describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings means whereby it may be
effected..
"
(a) In carrying this invention into practice I'employ in combination with the air
tight moulds a vacuum pump or pumps B B (Figure 1) arranged as either a simple

page_text: t
or compound vacuum or exhausting pump These pumps or exhausting apparatus
can be driven by steam power (for example by an engine as shewn at C) or by a
gas engine or electric motor or by other suitable means-The speed or action of the
exhausting apparatus B can be regulated in accordance with the work being done
by throttling the steam or other supply of power to the apparatus or to the
engines C combined with the. pumps B B so as to regulate the working or action of
the pump or pumps or exhauster in accordance with the rarification or exhaustion
of the air or the extent of the vacuum produced in the moulds e¹ or the chambers e
containing the said moulds which latter are provided with outwardly opening
valves as at to allow of withdrawal of air.
(b) Such regulation can be effected by electrical or mechanical means or a com-
bination of both for example by the employment of the throttling valve & operated
or controlled through the connection f' and float f by the vacuum guage F. the
fluid therein being influenced by the degree of vacuum within the mould e' or
chamber e containing the same or a similar gauge may be used in connection with
the exhaust reservoir G instead as shewn at F. Figure 2 shews how the controlling
device can be operated electrically. The conducting fluid in the vacuum guage F
is put in conjunction with the throttle valved through the medium of any suitable
arrangement of electric circuits as at fif¹ and contact pieces or plates f 11 adapted
to complete and break the circuit when the fluid t in the gauge F is varied in
height by the variation of the pressure of the fluid t. When the circuit is com-
pleted the valve is operated by the attraction of the core g¹ by its coil g.
(c) Figure 3 illustrates the way in which the vaccuum guage F may be employed
in combination with, a clutch & the lever J of which is controlled by constituting
an armature of the magnet J' so as to disconnect the pump or pumps B from its
or their operating device or motor when the desired vacuum is produced or
approximately produced or so as then to provide for reducing the speed of the
motor or both.
(d) Figure 4 shews an arrangement when the throttling devices d and the vacuum
guage F. are combined with a device L adapted to operate between the gas liquid
fuel or other source of supply or the heater and the motor or the inlets for the
admission of air to the furnace in other words with means (hydraulic pneumatic or
otherwise) for regulating or varying the consumption of combustibles by the
The making of the circuit by the rise of the fluid in the gauge F
magnetizes the magnet g and draws down the armature to operate the valve d so
as to release the fluid in the vessel q or admit it under pressure and so operate the
⚫ furnace
*valve.
(e) One or more vacuum pumps B. may be connected with the air tight moulds e¹
or vacuum chamber G in which a vacuum is produced through the medium of ono
or more air tight pipes or connections m as shewn in Figures 1 and 5. In such
combination the pump or means for creating a vacuum can be connected in series
as in Fig. 5 or multiple so as to create the required vacuum in the moulds e¹ or
chambers e containing the same and also the exhaust reservoir or vacuum chamber.G
can be employed and connected in series or in multiple with or from the moulds or
'chambers containing the moulds so as to operate on all at the same time or if desired
independently for exhausting the moulds by the employment of separate channels m
and valves n for each mould or chamber.
(f) When I employ the check valves or cut offs n' in the pipes m² it is for the
purpose of preventing the admission of air into the vacuum chamber G when the
'pumps or vacuum creating devices B are not in operation or when the force exerted
by the said pumps is not sufficient to actuate automatic check valves controlling
the channels of conduction.
(g) I may employ manually operative check or cut off valves n. n² in the pipes
or channels m m² of the exhaust punips B or exhaust reservoirs G so as to cut off
one or more or all of the pumps or vacuum creating devices B or reservoir Gas
may be desired for instance so as not to affect the action or working of other parts
of the apparatus and I may employ one or more automatic check valves or one or

page_text: more manually operative cut off (valves such as those at n n' n²) or both in the
pipes m. m² extending from one or more of the air tight or vacuo moulds a¹ so as
to provide for the disconnection of the mould or moulds e' from the vacuum
chamber G or the pump or pumps B or both at the will of the operator or for
automatically disconnecting such mould or moulds when filled with molten metal
or material supplied through suitable air tight inlets or pipes (as at o) connecting
such moulds with the chamber P containing the molten metal or material treated
as herein set forth or the furnace in which the metal or material is reduced to a
molten or fluid state by coal liquid fuel combustible gas heated air or gas electricity
or otherwise.
(h) I may employ manually operative cut offs or valves or automatic cut offs or
valves or both for controlling the pipes or channels o. between the chamber P.
containing the molten metal or material and the moulds e¹ so as to prevent the
flow of such molten metal into the latter until the desired vacuum is produced
therein. The aforesaid guages F can be combined with or adapted to operate upon
cut offs or valves as at n Figure 6 to open or close the channels between the
moulds and the chamber P or furnace containing the molten or fluid metal or
material. The magnet g when the gauge F completes the circuit attracts the
armature g¹ on the lever g₁ which operates the valve n¹ I may employ a scale fil
on or near the vacuum gauges arranged to indicate the barometric conditions within
the moulds e¹ or moulding chamber e as shewn in Figure 1.
11
(i) Fig. 7 illustrates at r means to indicate the temperature of the molten metal
the device being such that when any degree of temperature for which it is adjusted is
reached the electrical contact is made to complete the circuit from the gauge F-
n is a throttling device as herein before described to prevent the molten metal or
material from being passed into the vacuo mould until it has reached the pre-
determined degree of heat at which the contact r is made or until the moulds
themselves have been heated to the predetermined degree of temperature.
8
(j) The automatic devices r. F. 8. may be relatively arranged to prevent the metal
or material passing into the mould or from the ladle receiver furnace convertor or
cupola until the required conditions of heating are attained and this notwith-
standing any movement of the manually operative cut off 8. by the operator this
can be readily accomplished by combining or interlocking the manually operative
device s with the thermic indicating device either electrically or mechanically or
both with the vacuum gauge F; for example the electro-magnet g when excited
may withdraw a catch which previously obstructed the movement of the lever of
the valve n¹ It will be readily seen that a lever or crank combined with the
vacuum guage and the cut off device g. gl as shewn in Figure 6 enable me when
some predetermined limit of exhaustion is obtained to cause the cut off device n¹¹
to be operated so as to leave the channel o. free.
(c) The thermo or thermo electric device Fig. 7 may be arranged in a suitable
heat resisting casing and be situated in the furnace or other place the heat of which
is to cause the making of the contact so as to indicate the temperature of the
furnace or of the material therein and cause the adjustment or operation of the
cut offs or valves combined with or controlled thereby by the completion of an
electrical circuit (as at f111 t) from some electric source of supply in which circuit is
included an electro magnetic or electric translating device g. g¹ before referred to.
Or mechanical means can be employed instead of the electrical and be operated by
the moveable piece in through the medium of suitable levers.
(l) In Figure 4 the thermo regulating devices r is shewn connected with or
adapted to operate in combination with the throttling devices L for controlling the
admission of air or gas to the furnace or heater or for controlling the consumption
or admission of fuel material or power therein or thereto for heating the metal or
material as herein before described and such devices can be graduated and adapted
to regulate the consumption in such a manner as to raise the material to be heated
to and maintain it at some predetermined degree of temperature with or without
absolutely stopping the consumption when such degree of temperature is attained
"

page_text: or when the cut off device in the discharge pipe or the thermo regulator thereof or
an independent thermo regulator is adjusted to a position to operate at any requisite
predetermined temperature.
(m) In order to ensure the moulds being raised to and maintained at any required
predetermined temperature prior to the admission of the metal or material thereto.
I employ means for instance as shewn at V in Figure 1 whereby I heat air or gas
and force it through the moulds or apply heat thereto and during such operation
I disconnect or throttle the connections n. n' between the moulds and the vacuum
pump or pumps B or vacuum chamber G or both and the. connections n between
the molten metal or material chamber P or heating chamber or furnace.
(n) The heated air or gas for heating the moulds may be obtained through pipes
or from heat accumulators heated in the furnaces or otherwise or by the heated
gases emanating therefrom. Such heated air or gases can be forced or drawn into
à heater and accumulator or reservoir a of any suitable or well known construction
and the air or gases so heated be drawn or forced therefrom at the will of the
operator through the medium of the valves operating in the channels between the
heaters and moulds.
(o) In order to heat the moulds gradually and control the temperature thereof
I employ cut off devices or pressure regulators (as at n³) automatically or manually
operative or both whereby the passage of the heating medium through the moulds
or chambers containing them can be regulated and controlled in accordance with
the temperature of such moulds through the inedium of a thermo device such as
that at combined with the mould or chamber containing the same by such means
combined electrically or mechanically or both electrically and mechanically with the
cut off when some predetermined degree. of temperature is attained when the
thermo or thermo electric device r operates upon the throttling device n between
the source or reservoir and the moulds. The aforesaid. devices for indicating and
controlling the temperature of the moulds may be combined with the pipe or
channel (or a branch therefrom) between the chamber containing the molten metal
or material and the moulds.
.
(p) In combination with vacuo moulding apparatus or in the conduction of
vacuo moulding processes I in some cases employ reverberatory furnaces or
convertors or means for forcing in air or gases to oxidize or purify some metals for
instance iron or for converting iron into steel or in other words the molten metal
such as iron is mechanically puddled or agitated or oxidized by forcing in air
or gas which I preferably supply from reservoirs in which the air is contained
under high pressure as is usual and.well known with or without such air being
heated in such chamber or as it passes therefrom into the furnace or convertor the
vacuo-moulds can be supplied through the medium of air-tight-channels-direct-
from the convertor or furnace or the special receiver p supplied therefor.
(g) To regulate the admission, of air or gas and the temperature thereof auto-
matically in order to treat the metal under known and uniform conditions any
of the hereinbefore described means for automatically operating for example when
a predetermined temperature is reached and conséquently when the condition or
purification of the metal has reached any predetermined degree can be employed
and arranged to operate as hereinbefore set forth and when the said predetermined
degree is attained the said means will operate the throttling devices so as to stop
the admission of the air and such means can be combined mechanically or
electrically or both with the regulating and throttling devices for controlling the
admission of air or combustible gas or both to: the zone of combustion in the
furnace all substantially as hereinbefore described.
:
(7). The moulds in which the metal or material is cast or moulded can be
detachable from the vacuo chamber or. support therefor and be composed of
metal or some refractory material not affected by heat-These detachable moulds
can be adapted to fit in the chamber from which the air is to be exhausted and
have a projection of the indestructible or heat resisting material. extending into
the inlets. to and outlets, from the moulds as herein described or instead of such.

page_text: mould projecting into such channels detachable pieces can be employed to fit
closely with the lining of the pipes and the material of the mould.
(8) The chamber or chambers containing the mould or moulds can be lined with
refractory heat resisting material and be made with air tight lids firmly fitted or
clamped in position through the medium of any suitable arrangement.
(t) The moulds can be made of ganister magnesia fire clay plaster of Paris
graphite plumbago or any suitable basic material or a combination of such cut or
moulded into the desired shape or I can employ metal moulds lined with refractory
material and cut or cast to the desired shape and adapted to fit or be secured in
the air tight vacuo chamber or chambers described.
(u) The moulds may be moulded or cast of indestructible or refractory material
such as compounds of graphite plumbago asbestos kaolin magnesia calcium or the
like (or mixtures of two or more of them) with pitch or other cementing material
or hydrocarbon moulded into the, desired shape in metal moulds under high
pressure or otherwise. I do not limit myself to any particular proportions of the
materials employed which may be varied in accordance with the heat resisting
properties required in the material produced.
(v) I employ the vacuo moulding apparatus or processes as set forth for the
casting of. metals in chilled moulds for car wheels pulleys and other rubbing or
wearing surfaces The heating of the moulds in, such case being omitted and a
reverse process employed if desired.
с
(w) The well known form of apparatus for melting or purifying metals such as
the Siemens producer, the Bessemer convertor for working iron and steel or other
apparatus for reducing metals or metallic alloys or materials such as phosphor
bronze aluminium bronze, silicon, bronze, manganese bronze or glass can be
connected with and adapted to operate in combination with vacuo moulding
apparatus or in the conduction of vacuo moulding processes as set forth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in, what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
In processes of effecting vacuo moulding the employment of means substantially
as hereinbefore described in the respective paragraphs indicated by marginal
letters whether any or either of such means be used alone or in combination with
any one or more of the other of such means.