IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1875

page_text: IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," dated the 24th September,
1875, and sealed the 21st March, 1876, No. 3353.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be
entered and filed by the said Samuel Richard Smyth and The Standard Iron
and Steel Company, Limited, whose registered office is at No. 96, King Street,
Manchester.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, J, SAMUEL RICHARD
SMYTH, of Gorton, near Manchester, in the County Palatine of Lancaster, Engineer,
on behalf of myself and The Standard Iron and Steel Company, Limited,
whose registered office is at No. 96, King Street, Manchester, aforesaid, joint owner
with me of the Invention and Letters Patent, send greeting:
abovo
WHEREAS Her present Majesty by Letters Patent dated the Twenty-fourth
day of September One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, and numbered
3353, and which were sealed on the Twenty-first of March One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six, granted unto me, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, especial license, full power, sole priviledgo
and authority of making, using, exercising, and vending within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man,
my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND MANIPULATION OF
IRON, STEEL, AND OTHER METALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN,"
to have, hold, exercise, and enjoy the same unto and by me, the said Samuel
Richard Smyth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, for the term of fourteen
years:
And whereas I, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, in pursuance of a proviso in the
anid Letters Patent contained, did by an instrument in writing dated the Twentieth
day of March One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six, under my hand and
seal, particularly describe the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
Poins A1

page_text: same was to be performed, and did cause the same instrument to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the Twenty-second of March One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six :
And whereas by a deed dated the Twenty-sixth day of May One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six, and made or expressed to be made between me, the
said Samuel Richard Smyth, of the first part, and Henry Whitworth, of the second
part, and The Standard Iron and Steel Company, Limited (hereinafter referred to as
the said company), of the third part, for the considerations therein expressed, I, the
said Samuel Richard Smyth, assigned unto the said company (inter alia) all that
undivided moiety, or half part, or share of and in the said Invention and Letters
Patent, Numbered 3353, and dated the Twenty-fourth day of September One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-five:
.
And whereas since the date of the said Letters Patent and the filing of the said
Specification I have discovered that part of the said Invention and Letters Patent
as described in the said Specification is not a necessary or useful part of the said
Invention, and cannot to be used or usefully applied having a due regard to economy
in the manner described in the said Specification, and I, on my own behalf and on
behalf of and with the consent of the above-mentioned company, am therefore
desirous for the aforesaid reasons of disclaiming and amending the said Specification
so as to confine the Invention to the subject matter of the first, third, and fourth
claiming clauses, numbered respectively. (1st), (3rd), and (4th).
NOW KNOW YE that I, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, by' and with the
leave of Her Majesty's Attorney-General and for the reasons aforesaid, on behalf of
myself and the said company, alter the said Specification and Drawings in manner
following, that is to say :-
Referring to page 7 of the said Specification as printed I strike out that part of
line 11 and line 12 commencing with the words "To the," and ending with the
word "tool." In line, 183 I strike out the words "and thirdly."
Referring to page 8, in line 13 I strike out the words "with my improved," I
strike out lines 14 and 15, commencing with the word "refractory," and ending
with the word "or." In line 16 I strike out the word "other; in line 18 I strike
out the words "my improved," and substitute therefore the word "an."
"
Referring to page 9, in line 13 I strike out the words "my improved refractory
material before referred to or with;" in line 14 I strike out the words "any
other;" in line 19 I strike out the words "my improved," and substitute therefor
the word "an."
Referring to page 11, in line 32 I strike out the words "my improved," and
subtituto therefor the word "The;" and in line 34, after the word "metal," I add
the following "but to the use of this agitator no claim is made as forming part of
the present Invention."
Referring to page 12, in line 20, after the word "thereof" I add the following,-
"To this construction no claim is made as forming part of the present Invention."
Referring to page 13, I strike out lines 9 to 14 inclusive, commencing with the
figure and letters" 2nd," and ending with the word "Invention;" in line 15 I
substitute the figure and letters "2nd" for "3rd," and in line 21 I substitute the
figures and letters "3rd" for "4th."
.
And I, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, do further declare that the above written
Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration are not, or are either of them respec-
tively, or any part thereof respectively, intended to extend the exclusive right
granted by the said Letters Patent, and that these presents shall not extend the
said exclusive right in any way whatsoever.
And in order that the effect of this Disclaimer and Memorandum of, Alteration
may be clearly seen, I append a copy of the Specification and Drawings as they will
appear when such Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration is made as aforesaid,
the preamble and testing clause being omitted.
This Invention has for its object,―
• Firstly. A certain combination and arrangement of furnaces having three alter-

page_text: native systems for obtaining the necessary heat, and may either be fired in the
.ordinary manner with coal or other fuel, or by the waste gases from blast or other
furnaces, or by gas specially generated in a gas works, as may be most desirable.
Secondly. To the construction and use of an improved squeezing, shingling,
shaping, and forging press, whereby I am enabled to manipulate large masses of
metal at a single operation, thus effecting a great economy in time and labour, and
an immense economy in the cost of manufacture.
I will now proceed with the aid of the accompanying Drawings, whereon similar
letters of reference and Figures represent corresponding parts, to describe the various
features of my Invention in detail.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, shews a part side elevation and part sectional elevation; and
Figure 2 on the same Sheet shews part end elevation and part sectional elevation;
and Figure 3 shews part plan and part sectional plan of my combined arrangement
of furnaces with their movable ladle bottoms, flues, and pipes; they also shew
similar views of my heating or annealing furnace and the boiler.
To carry out this part of my Invention I proceed as follows:-I construct one or
more furnaces (A) of cast or wrought-iron plates bolted or rivetted together, and
formed either square, round, or octagonal, and of any suitable size. I bolt these
plates on to any suitable number of upright pillars (B), such pillars being secured
to sole plates (C) which are fixed on brickwork; such sole plates I rabbet to a
certain depth so as to admit of strong cast or wrought iron tables (D) being
affixed thereto for the plates (C) to rest on; such tables (D) serve to lift the
movable bottoms (F) of the furnace (A). Beneath such tables (D) I place hydraulic
rams and cylinders (E) which I work by accumulators or force pumps having all
the necessary guages and cocks, or if preferred such tables (D) may be raised either
by wheel or screw gear. These tables (D) are furnished with rails and guides, and
also with guides for the side pillars in order to regulate the lift. I line the lower
parts of the furnaces with suitable refractory material securely kept in position by
broad rims or flanges formed around the furnaces.
The bottoms (F) of the furnaces (A) are movable on low wheels, and are in tho
shape of a truck, having its top bevelled at the sides. The lower parts of the
furnaces are formed of a corresponding shape and bevel, so that when the movable
bottoms (F) are raised by the lift they fit into and close the furnaces, which I then
hermetically seal by luting the bevel edges with fire-clay or other suitable
material.
.
I line both the furnaces and the ladle bottoms with any suitable refractory
material.
I form a hole or aperature (a) in each of the furnace fronts, so as to allow of the
insertion of an automatic agitator, herein-after more particularly described, and I
close such hole or aperture by means of a door or otherwise.
On the crown of each of the furnaces I construct a flue (b) strongly encased with
iron, on which I place a flap valve with pedestal and lever to act as a relief valve
to the furnace, or for the introduction of fuel or other substances.
Outside the furnace top I erect a strong cast or wrought-iron pipe (G), hereafter
referred to as the main pipe, and into such main pipe (G), which leads from furnace
to furnace, I force carburetted hydrogen and other gases and compounds. Descending
from this pipe are two or more pipes (H) leading into each furnace, and skewed to
the requisite angle, and bolted to the side plates of the furnace. Holes are formed
to the top line of metal through the refractory lining, and such holes are skewed
downwards towards the centre of the furnace bottom for the purpose of impinging
upon the surface of the metal under treatment.
At the upper end of the descending pipes (H) I fix stop valves (c) so as to regulate
the supply of compounds which enter through a cone or perforated cap into the pipe
beyond, and at this part of the pipe I form a number of holes (d¹) to allow of the,
admission of the atmospheric air or oxygen in sufficient quantities to produce com-
bustion. These pipes (H) I furnish with sliding metal collars (c) which can be.
slipped on or off the holes at pleasure, and by so doing the supply of air or oxygen
"

page_text: in the pipe is easily regulated, so as to ensure the necessary application of the
gases, &c., to the metal under treatment. Outside the furnace a pressure guage is
fixed to register the pressure, and also a pyrometer to register the internal heat.
I take the waste gases from the improved vacuum exhaust furnace described in
the Specification of the aforesaid Patent, No. 3840, of 1874, or from any blast or
other furnace wherein fuel is used, and convey them by means of iron pipes or flues
placed in any convenient position, and lined with suitable refractory material to the
main flues (K, Figure 2), and from thence through the iron pipes (L) which are
the main pipes for the waste gases to the fire-grate of each furnace, which is kept
supplied with fuel at a red heat; such fuel serves to ignite these waste gases which
from thence are conveyed to the metal in the ladle bottom where an automatic
ngitator is kept working in the manner herein-after described, and from whence
these gases are conveyed to the heating or annealing furnace (M), and thence passes to
the boiler (N) constructed above such furnaces, and from whence they may be again
conveyed to any other furnace or furnaces as may be desired.
Suitable dampers and valves are provided to regulate the action of the furnaces
and to control the admission and exit of the gases into and out of the flues. This
arrangement is equally applicable to one or any number of furnaces for the melting
of pigs, the puddling, or welding, or balling up of scrap iron, or for beating ingots,
blooms, or uses, or in conjunction with the improved apparatus referred to and
_described in the Specification of the said Patent, dated 7th November, 1874,
No. 3840, or the metal may be taken into the ladle-truck bottom, either from the
blast furnace or the cupola direct, or from the improved purifying metal receiver or
trunnion ladle, as described in the Specification of the aforesaid Patent, No. 3840,
of 1874, or from any furnace or converter whatsoever, and wherein any size, weight,
or mass of metal may be completely manipulated, and when finished the ladle-truck
bottom can be lowered, and its contents delivered on to squeezers, rollers, or hammers,
and another ladle bottom may then take its place and the operation be repeated.
Figure 2, Sheet 1, is a view in part section of the aforesaid combination and
arrangement of furnaces, and boiler; (A) are the furnaces; B, the pillars; C, the sole
plate; and D, the tables on which the furnace ladle bottoms F are lifted up by the
hydraulic rams E; G is the main pipe leading from furnace to furnace, into which
carburetted hydrogen or other gases are forced as before described, and pass into the
furnaces through the descending pipes H; d are the regulating sliding collars;
K are the main flues from which the waste gases pass to the furnaces by the
main pipes for waste gases L; and N is the boiler constructed above such
furnaces.
Figure 3, Sheet 1, shows another view in part section of the aforesaid combination
and arrangement. A are the furnaces; O, the furnace fire-grates; G, main pipe ;
H, descending pipes; L, the main pipes for waste gases; M, annealing furnace;
and N, boiler; a, furnace doors; c, valves for descending pipes H; and b, flues of
the furnaces A.
Sometimes in conjunction with the before-described arrangement I construct a
furnace or furnaces with or without fire-grate surfaces and ash-pits, such furnaces
being formed of iron plates or pillars attached thereto.
These furnaces may be fired either with coke or coal, and may be used as furnaces
are now used, or they may be used with the compounds specified in the Specification
of the aforesaid Patent, No. 3840, of 1874, in conjunction with coke or coal.
To act in conjunction with the aforesaid furnaces I erect my heating, annealing,
and manipulating retort ovens, which are constructed exactly the same
as the
furnaces before described, excepting that the bottoms are not movable. These ovens
are to act with the aforesaid furnaces, which have the ladle truck bottoms, or with
any other description of furnace, and by their use I am enabled to oxidise or
deoxydise, carbonise, or decarbonise the metal at will.
Where the material requires rabbling or mixing and balling I construct an
upright iron mechanical agitator, or mixer, or rabble, to do away with the present
manual labour. For this purpose I fix below the floor line of my arrangement of

page_text: furnaces, in the position indicated by dotted lines P on Sheet 1, Figure 2, an iron
shaft placed horizontally on plumber blocks and on carrying piers.
Opposite each furnace hole there is fixed an upright pillar, on the extreme end of
which there is a round iron pin, ball, or cup, to which the agitator is fixed. The
pillar is in a line with the furnace hole, and is fixed on the iron shaft below by a
clutch, having a groove on it and lever, which projects up the said pillar, and is held
in or out of work by a slip collar. When it is not in work, the pillar is lowered
below a floor plate placed on the floor, or I key such pillar to the shaft. One shaft
will carry a number of pillars, which obtain their motion from the shaft rocking right
and left to the proper length of stroke required for the furnaces. The motive power is
conveyed by a small steam engine or by gear from power working on to a pinion,
thence to a spur wheel below the floor line, having a crank pin on its boss working
in a slot in a lever or levers connected and keyed to the horizontal shaft carrying
pillars for each furnace; or sets of furnaces may be placed on each side the small
engine and gearing, which will then drive both sets at once; or I apply the power to
work the pillar or pillars, which carry the agitator by a small steam cylinder and
its gearing, and connect thereto by a connecting rod to the pillar, thus making each
furnace independent in itself, one of my objects being the application of this part of
my Invention to any ordinary furnace.
The agitator bar has a slot hole and a curved boss or a round cup or ball, which
allows a side motion being given to the agitator. The agitator requires a T shaped
end, so as to enable a man or boy to guide it whilst the pillar moves it backwards
and forwards. The bar of the agitator, if preferred, is made hollow, and the end of
it is provided with a block of the improved refractory material, specified and set
forth in the Specification of the said Patent, No. 3840, of 1874.
The agitator may be changed, as is now done in puddling furnaces, but the
labour of the puddler is no longer required, as sufficient mechanical power is pro-
vided to work large masses of metal.
The agitator acts as an automatic mechanical puddler, and it can be applied to
any description of puddling furnace in use for the manufacture of iron, steel, or
other metal. But to this agitator no claim is made as forming part of the present
Invention.
Another part of my Invention relates to an improved squeezing, shingling, or
shaping press. This press I make of iron, steel, or any other suitable metal formed
somewhat in the shape of an ellipse A, and I fix it either horizontally or vertically
upon suitable foundations. I fix one end to the face B of the casting which forms
a strong abutment or face piece, on to which I key a fluted or hollow face B' which
serves as an abutment for a ram C, which has a similar face C¹ attached thereto
and is furnished with guides or rollers to carry its weight. To this ram I apply
hydraulic power either from accumulators, pumps, or other suitable gear in order
to propel it, and for the purpose of withdrawing it I construct a piston and
cylinder D of suitable dimensions, to which I apply the requisite motive power, and
by means of which I draw such ram or press backwards.
Figure 1, Sheet 2, shews an elevation and part section of the said squeezing
press; and Figures 2 and 3 on the same Sheet shew part sectional end view and
plan of the same. A is the foundation placed either horizontally or vertically; B, the
face piece with its hollow face B¹; C, the ram with its face C¹; and D, the piston.
Figure 4 shews another construction of my squeezing press placed vertically on
the same principle as already described; A is the face piece with its face A¹, such
face piece being secured to the upright pillars; B and C is the ram with its face C¹.
Figure 5 shews a part section plan thereof. To this construction no claim is made
as forming part of the present Invention.
Drawing No. 3 represents my improved shaping or forging press. This press is.
made of iron and steel fixed vertically upon suitable foundations (A); one end is
fixed to the face of the casting, forming two strong face pieces (B), to which are
keyed two hollow faces (B¹) serving as an abutment for two rams (C) which have
similar faces (C) attached thereto, and which rams are furnished with guides and

page_text: rollers to carry their weight. To each of those two rams I apply hydraulic power,
.either from accumulators, pumps, or other suitable gear to propel them, and for
the purpose of withdrawing them I construct a piston (D) and cylinder to each
ram of suitable dimensions, to which I apply the requisite motive power, and by
which means I draw such rams backwards.
Figure 1 shews an elevation and part section of such shaping or forging press;
and Figures 2 and 3 are side elevations and plan of the same. A is the foundation;
B, the fixed face pieces; B¹ their hollow faces; C, the rams with their faces C¹; D,
the piston worked by hydraulic power; E is the hydraulic cylinder.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it under-
stood that what I claim and desire to be secured by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. The combination and arrangement of the furnaces with movable ladle
bottom flues and pipes and heating or annealing furnace and boiler, substantially in
the manner and for the purposes herein-before set forth and described.
Second. The construction and use of my improved squeezing, shingling, or shaping
press in the manner and for the purposes herein-before set forth and described; but in
making this claim I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
precise details of construction herein-before described, as the same are capable of
modification without departing from the principle of my Invention.
Third. The construction and use of my improved shaping or forging press in the
manner and for the purposes herein-before set forth and described; but in making
this claim I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the precise
details of construction herein-before described, as the same are capable of modifica-
tion without departing from the principle of my Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, on behalf of myself
and the said company, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth
day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-seven.
I hereby grant my fiat giving leave to the above-named Samuel Richard Smyth to
file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with the Specification to which the same
relates, the above-written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.
JOHN HOLKER.
3

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Richard Smyth, of Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE AND MANIPULATION OF IRON, STEEL, AND OTHER METALS, AND
Sealed the 21st March 1876, and dated the 24th September 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Richard Smyth
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 24th September 1875.
I, SAMUEL RICHARD SMYTH, of Manchester, in the County of Lan-
caster, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND MANIPULATION OF IRON, STEEL, AND OTHER
METALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as follows:-
―:
This Invention relates to a combination of furnaces so arranged that
the waste gases which are now ordinarily blown into the atmosphere are
economically and profitably utilized therein; it also relates to an
improved automatic agitator, and to an improved squeezing, shingling,
or shaping press.

page_text: r
I proceed as follows:-I construct one or more furnaces of cast or
wrought-iron plates bolted or rivetted together, and formed either square,
round, or octagonal, and of any suitable size. These plates are bolted
on to any suitable number of upright pillars, such pillars being secured.
to a sole plate or plates fixed on brickwork. Such sole plates are rab-
betted to a sufficient depth so as to admit of a strong table or tables
of cast or wrought iron being affixed thereto for the sole plate or plates
to rest on. Beneath such table or tables is placed an hydraulic ram
and cylinder, or hydraulic rams and cylinders, which may be, worked.
by accumulators or force pumps having all the necessary guages and
cocks, but if preferred the said table or tables may be raised either by
wheel or screw gear; such tables are furnished with two or any other
suitable number of rails, and also with guides for the side pillars in
order to regulate the lift. The bottom part of the furnace is lined with
suitable refractory material which may be kept in its position by pro-
viding the furnace with a broad rim or flange.
The bottom of the furnace or furnaces is movable on low wheels, and
is in the shape of a truck having its top bevilled at the sides. The lower
part of the furnace or furnaces is formed of a corresponding shape and
bevel, so that when the movable bottom is raised up by the lift it fits
into and thus closes the furnace or furnaces; it is then hermetically
sealed by luting-the bevil edges.
Both the furnaces and the ladle bottoms are lined with the refractory
material described in the Specification of a Patent granted to me and
one Joseph Simpson, such Patent being No. 3840 of 1874, or with any
other suitable refractory material.
↓
A hole or aperture is formed in each of the furnace fronts for the
insertion of the agitator herein-after more particularly described, such
hole being closed by means of a door or otherwise.
On the crown of each of the furnaces is constructed a flue strongly
encased with iron, on which is placed a flap valve with pedestal and lever
to act as a relief valve to the furnace.
'
Outside the furnace top a strong cast-iron pipe is erected leading
from furnace to furnace, into which carburetted hydrogen and other
gases and compounds are forced. Descending from this pipe are two
or more pipes leading into each furnace and skewed to the requisite
angle and bolted to the side plates of the furnace. Holes are formed to

page_text: the top line of metal through the refractory lining, and such holes are
skewed downwards towards the centre of the furnace bottom for the
purpose of impinging upon the surface of the metal under treatment.
At the upper part of the aforesaid descending pipes stop valves are
fixed so as to regulate the supply of compounds, which enter through
a cone perforated cap into the pipe beyond. At this part of the pipe
a number of holes are formed for the admission of the atmospheric air
or oxygen in quantities necessary to produce combustion; these pipes
are furnished with sliding metal collars, which can be slipped over or off
the holes at pleasure, so as to regulate the supply of air or oxygen in
the pipe, and which supply can thus be easily controlled so that an
accumulating force may be created capable of agitating the metal.
Outside the furnace a pressure gauge is fixed to register the pressure,
and also a pyrometer to register the internal heat.
The outlet flue for waste gases is formed in or near the upper portion
of each of the furnaces, and leads to the main flues; or I take the
waste gases from the improved vacuum exhaust furnace as described in
the Specification of the aforesaid Patent, No. 3840, of 1874, or form any
blast or other furnace wherein fuel is used, and convey them by means
of iron pipes or flues placed in any convenient position and lined with
any suitable refractory material, and provided with valves so as to form
a junction with the fire-grate of cach furnace which is kept supplied
with fuel at a red heat; this fuel serves to ignite such waste gases,
which from thence are conveyed to the metal in the ladle bottom or
bottoms in which my improved automatic agitator is kept working in
the manner herein-after described; from such ladle bottom or bottoms
these gases are conveyed to the heating or annealing furnace or furnaces,
from whence they pass to the boiler or boilers constructed above such
furnaces, and from whence they may be again conveyed to any other
furnace or furnaces as may be desired.
Suitable dampers and valves are provided to regulate the action of the
furnaces, and to control the admission and exit of the gases into and
out of the flues; this arrangement is equally applicable to one or any
number of furnaces for the melting of pigs, the puddling, or welding, or
balling up of scrap iron, or for heating ingots, blooms or uses, or in
conjunction with the improved apparatus as particularly set forth in
the Specification of the said Patent, dated 7th November, 1874,

page_text: No. 3840; or the metal may be taken into the ladle truck bottom
either from the blast furnace or the cupola direct, or from the improved
purifying metal receiver or trunnion ladle, as described in the Specifi-
cation of the aforesaid Patent, No. 3840, of 1874, or from any furnace
or converter whatsoever, and wherein any size, weight, or mass of metal
may be completely manipulated; and when finished the ladle truck
bottom can be lowered and its contents delivered on to squeezers, rollers,
or hammers, and another, ladle bottom may then take its place and
repeat the operation.
In conjunction with the before specified arrangement I also con-
struct a furnace with or without fire-grate surfaces and ash-pits, such
furnaces being formed of iron plates on pillars attached thereto;
these furnaces may be fired cither with coke or coal, and may be
used as furnaces are now used, or they may be used with the compounds
specified in the Specification of the aforesad Patent, No. 3840 of 1874
in conjunction with coke or coal.
•
To act in conjunction with the aforesaid furnaces I erect my heating,
annealing, and manipulating retort ovens, which are constructed exactly
the same as the furnaces before described excepting that the bottoms.
are not moveable; these ovens are to act with the aforesaid furnaces,
which have the ladle truck bottoms, or with any other description of
furnace, and by their use I am enabled to oxydise or deoxydisc, carbonise.
or decarbonise the metal at will.
Where the material requires rabbling or mixing I construct an upright
iron mechanical agitator or mixer to do away with the present manual
labor. For this purpose I fix below the floor line an iron shaft placed
horizontally on plumber blocks and on carrying piers. Opposite each
furnace hole there is fixed an upright pillar, on the extreme end of
which there is a round iron pin, ball, or cup, to which the agitator is
fixed. The pillar is in a line with the furnace hole, and is fixed on the
iron shaft below by a clutch having a groove on it, and lever, which
projects up the said pillar, and is held in or out of work by a slip collar.
When it is not in work the pillar is lowered below a floor plate placed
on the floor, or I key such pillar to the shaft. One shaft will carry a
number of pillars, which obtain their motion from the shaft rocking
right and left to the proper length of stroke required for the furnaces.
The motive power is conveyed by a small steam engine, or by gear from

page_text: power working on to a pinion, thence to a spur wheel below the floor
line, having a crank pin on its boss working in a slot in a lever or levers
connected and keyed to the horizontal shaft carrying pillars for cach
furnace; or sets of furnaces may be placed on each side the small
engine and gearing, which will then drive both sets at once; or I apply
the power to work the pillar or pillars which carry the agitator by a
small steam cylinder and its gearing, and connect thereto by a con-
necting rod to the pillar, thus making cach furnace independent in
itself, one of my objects being the application of this part of my
Invention to any ordinary furnace:
The agitator bar has a slot hole and a curved boss, or a round cup or
ball, which allows a side motion being given to the agitator. The
agitator requires a T shaped end, so as to enable a man or boy to guide
it whilst the pillar moves it backwards and forwards. The bar of the
agitator if preferred is made hollow, and the end of it is provided with
a block of the improved refractory material, specified and set forth in
the Specification of the said Patent, No. 3840 of 1874.
The agitator may be changed, as is now done in puddling furnaces,
but the labour of the puddler is no longer required, as sufficient
mechanical power is provided to work large masses of metal.
My improved agitator acts as an automatic mechanical puddler, and
it can be applied to any description of puddling furnace in use for the
manufacture of iron, steel, or. other metal.
Another part of my Invention relates to an improved squeezer,
shingling, or shaping press. This press is made of iron, steel, or any
other suitable metal, somewhat in the shape of an ellipse, and is fixed
cither horizontally or vertically on suitable foundations. One end is
fixed to the face of the casting, which forms a strong abutment or face
piece, on to which is keyed a fluted or hollow face, which serves as an
abutment for a ram, which has a similar face attached thereto, and is
furnished with guides or rollers to carry its weight. To this ram I apply
hydraulic power, either from accumulators, pumps, or other suitable
gear, in order to propel it, and for the purpose of withdrawing it
I construct a piston and cylinder of suitable dimensions, to which I
apply the requisite motive power, and by means of which I draw such
ram or press backwards.

page_text: By the use of my Invention I ensure a certainty that the work it
performs will be accompanied with results hitherto unattainable; it
does away with piling or reheating; it saves many heats, as by my
Invention the iron may be taken direct from the blast furnace to my
improved furnace, and may be finished as wrought iron of the purest
quality, inasmuch as it is unnecessary for the metal to be cooled from
its first melting from the ore until it is finished, and it may be manu-
factured in any masses which are required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Samuel Richard Smyth in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 22nd March 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SAMUEL
RICHARD SMYTH, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in
the thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Samuel Richard Smyth,
Her special license that I, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, my exc-
cutors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Samuch
Richard Smyth, 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 MANUFACTURE AND MANIPULATION OF
IRON, STEEL, AND OTHER METALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN,'
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Samuel Richard
Smyth, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and scals, 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.
"

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object-
Firstly. A certain combination and arrangement of furnaces having
three alternative systems for obtaining the necessary heat, and may
either be fired in the ordinary manner with coal or other fuel or by the
waste gases from blast or other furnaces, or by gas specially generated
in a gas works, as may be most desirable.
Secondly. To the construction and use of an improved automatic
agitator or balling tool.
And, Thirdly. To the construction and use of an improved squeezing,
shingling, shaping, and forging press, whereby I am enabled to mani-
pulate large masses of metal at a single operation, thus effecting a great
economy in time and labour, and an immense economy in the cost of
manufacture.
I will now proceed with the aid of the accompanying Drawings,
whereon similar letters of reference and figures represent corresponding
parts, to describe the various features of my Invention in detail.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, shews a part side clevation and part sectional
clevation, and Figure 2 on the same Sheet shews part end elevation and
part sectional elevation, and Figure 3 shews part plan and part sectional
plan of my combined arrangement of furnaces with their movable ladle,
bottoms, flues, and pipes; they also shew similar views of my heating
or annealing furnace and the boiler.
To carry out this part of my Invention I proceed as follows:-I
construct one or more furnaces (A) of cast or wrought iron plates bolted
or rivetted together, and formed either square, round, or octagonal, and
of any suitable size; I bolt these plates on to any suitable number of
upright pillars (B), such pillars being secured to sole plates (C), which
are fixed on brickwork; such sole plates I rabbet to a sufficient depth
so as to admit of strong cast or wrought iron tables (D) being affixed
thereto for the plates (C) to rest on; such tables (D) serve to lift the
movable bottoms (F) of the furnaces (A). Beneath such tables (D) I
place bydraulic rams and cylinders (E), which I work by accumulators

page_text: or force pumps having all the necessary gauges and cocks; or if pre-
ferred such tables (D) may be raised either by wheel or screw gear.
These tables (D) are furnished with rails and guides, and also with
guides for the side pillars in order to regulate the lift. I line the lower
parts of the furnaces with suitable refractory material securely kept in
position by broad rims or flanges formed around the furnaces.
The bottoms (F) of the furnaces (A) are movable on low wheels, and
are in the shape of a truck having its top bevilled at the sides. The
lower parts of the furnaces are formed of a corresponding shape and
bevil, so that when the movable bottoms (F) are raised by the lift they
fit into and close the furnaces, which I then hermetically seal by luting
the bevil edges with fire-clay or other suitable material.
I line both the furnaces and the ladle bottoms with my improved
refractory material described in the Specification of a Patent granted to
me, and one Joseph Simpson, such Patent being No. 3840 of 1874, or
with any other suitable refractory material.
I form a hole or aperture (a) in cach of the furnace fronts so as to
allow of the insertion of my improved automatic agitator herein-after
more particularly described, and I close such hole or aperture by means
of a door or otherwise.
On the crown of each of the furnaces I construct a fluc (6) strongly
encased with iron, on which I place a flap valve with pedestal and
lever to act as a relief valve to the furnace, or for the introduction of
fuel or other substances.
Outside the furnace top I crect a strong cast or wrought iron pipe (G),
hereafter referred to as the main pipe, and into such main pipe (G),
which leads from furnace to furnace, I force carburetted hydrogen and
other gases and compounds. Descending from this pipe are two or
more pipes (H) leading into each furnace, and skewed to the requisite
angle and bolted to the side plates of the furnace. Holes are formed to
the top line of metal through the refractory lining, and such holes are
skewed downwards towards the centre of the furnace bottom for the
purpose of impinging upon the surface of the metal under treatment.
At the upper end of the descending pipes (H) I fix stop valves (c) so
as to regulate the supply of compounds, which enter through a conc or
perforated cap into the pipo beyond; and at this part of the pipe I form

page_text: a number of holes (d¹) to allow of the admission of the atmospheric air
These
or oxygen in sufficient quantities to produce combustion.
pipes (H) I furnish with sliding metal collars (d), which can be slipped
on or off the holes at pleasure, and by so doing the supply of air or
oxygen in the pipe is easily regulated so as to ensure the necessary
Outside
application of the gases, &c., to the metal under treatment.
the furnace a pressure gauge is fixed to register the pressure, and also a
pyrometer to register the internal heat..
I take the waste gases from the improved vacuum exhaust furnace
described in the Specification of the aforesaid Patent, No. 3840 of 1874,
them
or from any blast or other furnace wherein fuel is used and convey
by means of iron pipes or flues placed in any convenient position and
lined with my improved refractory material before referred to, or with
any other suitable refractory material, to the main flues (K, Figure 2),
and from thence through the iron pipes (L), which are the main pipes
for the waste gases to the fire-grate of each furnace, which is kept
supplied with fuel at a red heat. Such fuel serves to ignite these waste
gases, which from thence are conveyed to the metal in the ladle bottom,
where my improved automatic agitator is kept working in the manner
hercin-after described, and from whence these gases are conveyed to the
heating or annealing furnace (M), and thence pass to the boiler (N)
constructed above such furnaces, and from whence they may be again
conveyed to any other furnace or furnaces, as may be desired.
Suitable dampers and valves are provided to regulate the action of the
furnaces and to control the admission and exit of the gases into and out
of the flues. This arrangement is equally applicable to one or any
number of furnaces, for the melting of pigs, the puddling or welding or
balling up of scrap iron, or for heating ingots, blooms, or uses, or in
conjunction with the improved apparatus referred to and described in
the Specification of the said Patent, dated 7th November 1874, No. 3S40;
or the metal may be taken into the ladle truck bottom either from the
blast furnace or the cupola direct, or from the improved purifying metal
receiver or trunnion ladle, as described in the Specification of the
aforesaid Patent, No. 3840 of 1874, or from any furnace or converter
whatsoever, and wherein any size, weight, or mass of metal may be
completely manipulated, and when finished the ladle truck bottom can
be lowered and its contents delivered on to squeezers, rollers, or hammers,

page_text: Figure 2, Sheet 1, is a view in part section of the aforesaid combina
tion and arrangement of furnaces and boiler. A are the furnaces;
B, the pillars; C, the sole plate; and D the tables on which the furnace
ladle bottoms F are lifted up by the hydraulic rams E; G is the main
pipe leading from furnace to furnace, into which carburetted hydrogen
or other gases are forced, as before described, and pass into the furnaces
through the descending pipes H.; d are the regulating sliding collars;
K are the main flues, from which the waste gases pass to the furnaces
by the main pipes for waste gases L; and N is the boiler constructed
above such furnaces.
Figure 3, Sheet 1, shews another view, in part section, of the aforesaid
combination and arrangement. A are the furnaces; O, the furnace
fire-grates; G, main pipe; H, descending pipes; L, the main pipes for
waste gases; M, annealing furnace; and N, boiler. a, furnace doors;
c, valves for descending pipes H; and b, flues of the furnaces A.
Sometimes in conjunction with the before described arrangement I
construct a furnace or furnaces with or without fire-grate surfaces and
ash-pits, such furnaces being formed of iron plates or pillars attached
thereto.
These furnaces may be fired cither with coke or coal, and may
be used as furnaces are now used, or they may be used with the com-
pounds specified in the Specification of the aforesaid Patent, No. 3840
of 1874, in conjunction with coke or coal.
To act in conjunction with the aforesaid furnaces I crect my heating,
annealing, and manipulating retort ovens, which are constructed exactly
the same as the furnaces before described, excepting that the bottoms
are not movable. These ovens are to act with the aforesaid furnaces
which have the ladle truck bottoms, or with any other description of
furnace, and by their use I am enabled to oxydise or deoxydise, carbonize
or decarbonize the metal at will.
Where the material requires rabbling or mixing and balling I construct
an upright iron mechanical agitator, or mixer, or rabble to do away
with the present manual labour. For this purpose I fix below the floor
line of my arrangement of furnaces in the position indicated by dotted
"

page_text: lines P on Sheet 1, Figure 2, an iron shaft placed horizontally on plumber
blocks and on carrying piers. Opposite each furnace hole there is fixed
an upright pillar, on the extreme end of which there is a round iron
pin, ball, or cup to which the agitator is fixed. The pillar is in a linc
with the furnace hole, and is fixed on the iron shaft below by a clutch
having a groove on it and lever which projects up the said pillar and is
held in or out of work by a slip collar. When it is not in work the
pillar is lowered below a floor plate placed on the floor, or I key such
pillar to the shaft. One shaft will carry a number of pillars, which
obtain their motion from the shaft rocking right and left to the proper
length of stroke required for the furnaces. The motive power is
conveyed by a small steam engine or by gear from power working on to
a pinion, thence to a spur wheel below the floor line having a crank pin
on its boss working in a slot in a lever or levers connected and keyed to
the horizontal shaft carrying pillars for each furnace; or sets of furnaces
may be placed on each side the small engine and gearing, which will
then drive both sets at once; or I apply the power to work the pillar or
pillars which carry the agitator by a small steam cylinder and its
gearing, and connect thereto by a connecting rod to the pillar, thus
making each furnace independent in itself, one of my objects being the
application of this part of my Invention to any ordinary furnace.
The agitator bar has a slot hole and a curved boss, or a round cup or
ball, which allows a side motion being given to the agitator. The
agitator requires a T shaped end so as to enable a man or boy to guide
it whilst the pillar moves it backwards and forwards. The bar of the
agitator if preferred is made hollow, and the end of it is provided with a
block of the improved refractory material specified and set forth in the
Specification of the said Patent, No. 3840 of 1874.
The agitator may be changed as is now done in puddling furnaces,
but the labour of the puddler is no longer required, as sufficient
mechanical power is provided to work large masses of metal.
My improved agitator acts as an automatic mechanical puddler, and
it can be applied to any description of puddling furnace in use for the
manufacture of iron, steel, or other metal.
Another part of my Invention relates to an improved squeezing,
shingling, or shaping press. This press I make of iron, steel, or any other
suitable metal formed somewhat in the shape of an ellipse A, and I fix

page_text: it either horizontally or vertically upon suitable foundations. I fix one
end to the face B of the casting, which forms a strong abutment or face
piece, on to which I key a fluted or hollow face B', which serves as an
abutment for a ram C, which has a similar face C¹ attached thereto,
and is furnished with guides or rollers to carry its weight. To this ram
I apply hydraulic power, cither from accumulators, pumps, or other
suitable gear, in order to propel it, and for the purpose of withdrawing it
I construct a piston and cylinder D of suitable dimensions, to which I
apply the requisite motive power, and by means of which I draw such
ram or press backwards.
Figure 1, Sheet 2, shews an elevation and part section of the said
squeezing press, and Figures 2 and 3 on the same Sheet show part
sectional end view and plan of the same. A is the foundation placed
either horizontally or vertically; B, the face piece with its hollow face B¹ ;
C, the ram with its face C'; and D, the piston.
Figure 4 shews another construction of my squeezing press placed
vertically on the same principle as already described. A is the face piece
with its face A', such face picce being secured to the upright pillars ;
B and C is the ram with its face C'; Figure 5 shews a part section plan
thereof.
Drawing No. III. represents my improved shaping or forging press.
This press is made of iron and steel fixed vertically upon suitable
foundations (A). One end is fixed to the face of the casting forming
two strong face pieces (B), to which are keyed two hollow faces (B¹)
serving as an abutment for two rams (C), which have similar faces (C')
attached thereto, and which rams are furnished with guides and rollers
to carry their weight. To cach of those two rams I apply hydraulic
power, either from accumulators, pumps, or other suitable gear, to propel
them, and for the purpose of withdrawing them I construct a piston (D)|
and cylinder to each ram of suitable dimensions, to which I apply
the requisite motive power, and by which means I draw such rams
backward.
Figure 1 shews an elevation and part section of such shaping or
forging press, and Figures 2 and 3 are side elevations and plan of the
same. A is the foundation; B, the fixed face pieces; B', their hollow
faces; C, the rams with their faces C'; D, the piston worked by hydraulic
power; E, is the hydraulic cylinder.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I
would have it understood that what I claim and desire to secure by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. The combination and arrangement of furnaces with movable
ladle, bottoms, flues, and pipes, and heating or annealing furnace and
boiler, substantially in the manner and for the purposes hercin-before
set forth and described.
2nd. The construction and use of a mechanical agitator, puddler, or
rabbler, in the manner and for the purposes herein-before set forth and
described, but in making this claim I- would have it understood that I
do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein-before
described, as the same are capable of modification without departing
from the principle of my Invention.
3rd. The construction and use of my improved squeezing, shingling,
or shaping press, in the manner and for the purposes herein-before set
forth and described, but in making this claim I would have it understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein-
before described, as the same are capable of modification without
departing from the principle of my Invention.
4th. The construction and use of my improved shaping or forging
press, in the manner and for the purposes herein-before set forth and
described, but in making this claim I would have it understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein-before
described, as the same are capable of modification without departing
from the principle of my Invention.
In witness whercof, I, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of March, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
SAMUEL RICHARD SMYTH. (L.S.)