Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec, 1883--
-Complete Specification Left,. 7th Feb., 1889.
Complete Specification Accepted, 16th Mar., 1889
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in furnaces oscillating type for melting
metals and has for objects to better support the melting crucible within the furnace by
the aid of supporting walls or divisions and to better utilize the fuel by employing the
hot gases and products of combustion to effect a preliminary heating of one charge of
metal in a special or heating crucible whilst a previous charge is being melted in the
ordinary or melting crucible.
When the melting of this latter charge is completed the crucible is emptied by
causing the furnace to oscillate or partly turn on trunnions and when the furnace has
been returned to its normal position the heated chargo in the heating crucible is
caused to pass into the melting crucible to be melted therein.
In the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings
Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively a vertical section and a horizontal section of a melting
furnace according to this invention.
The ordinary or melting crucible A in which the melting of metal is effected is
carried above the furnace grate by supports B of refractory material and is closed
at its upper part by another or heating crucible C the bottom of which is formed with
an opening D that is normally closed by a plug E of refractory material. This plug
may be removed and replaced from its seat by any suitable means such as a rod coated
or covered with refractory material. This heating crucible is further provided
at its lower part with a number of openings F. The heating crucible C is placed
upon and within the top of the melting crucible A as shewn in Fig. 1 after the
latter crucible has received its charge, the heating crucible at the same time
closing the upper part of the furnace.
Into it a second charge is inserted to receive a preliminary heating, after the plug E
has been placed in position to close the opening D, and the heating is afterwards
commenced.

page_text: The air to effect combustion and which may advantageously be under pressure is
led under the furnace grate by a conduit V.
The hot gases and products of combustion which envelope the melting cruciblo A
ascend to the upper part of the furnace and pass through the openings F into the
heating crucible C thereby preparing the charge contained therein for treatment in
the melting crucible by heating it to a certain temperature. When the charge in the
crucible A is melted the heating crucible C is raised to a sufficient extent to allow of
the furnace being partly rotated on its trunnions G so as to enable the crucible A to be
emptied. The furnace and crucibles are then returned to their original positions and
the plug E is raised to allow the heated charge in heating crucible C to pass into the
melting crucible A in which it is subsequently melted. The opening D is again
closed by the plug E and a fresh charge introduced into the crucible C to be subjected
to a preliminary heating as before whilst the previous charge is being melted in the
melting crucible, the operations being repeated as often as desired. By the arrange-
ment described much time is saved as compared with the ordinary method of
melting and a considerable economy in fuel is effected in consequence of the better
utilization of the hot gases and products of combustion. The supports B of refractory
material which may be four in number as shewn and are formed to fit the extorior of
the crucible must be sufficiently strong to bear the weight of the melting crucible with
its charge, and yet be so thin as not to impede the descent of the fuel in the
furnace.

page_text: 1 CHARLES ALBERT PLAT, of 85 Rue St. Maur, Paris, France, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following.
statement:
This Invention relates to improvements in furnaces of the oscillating type for
melting metals and has for object the utilisation of the fuel in the best manner by
causing the furnace gases to effect a preliminary heating of the charge of metal in a
special crucible or heater. The charge is thus melted and flows from the heater
into an ordinary crucible arranged within the furnace.
When this crucible is full it is emptied by tipping the furnace, and when the latter
has returned to its original position, the charging of the materials to be melted, into
the upper crucible is continued.
Figure 1 of the drawing filed with my Provisional Specification is a vertical
section of the improved furnace. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same.
In the opening of the upper refractory plate of the furnace, there is arranged,
during the process of melting, a special crucible G which enters slightly into the
crucible A and constitutes a heater."
This crucible is provided with an opening D in its base or lower part, and with
openings F in its lower periphery. All holes by which the furnace gases might
escape are slightly luted especially the discharge hole d.
The furnace, having been previously filled with coke, is then blown at V until the
crucible A is very hot. At this moment the materials to be melted are charged into
the heater in as great a quantity as possible.
The furnace gases are obliged to pass through the holes F and play about these
materials and in this way they soon inelt them.
These materials then flow through the hole D into the crucible A, where they are
maintained at the desired temperature.
When the crucible A is full, the heater is withdrawn by means of tongs or other
suitable means, and the discharge hole d having been cleared, the furnace may be tilted
and emptied in the ordinary manner.
The quantity of coke which is placed as a preliminary charge into the furnace is
more than sufficient to effect the melting of the materials.
Much time is thereby gained and as fuel is better utilized a considerable saving is
effected.
In some cases it may be advisable to dispense with the stand or bed of graphite
on which the crucible A rests.
With this object the said bed is replaced by four supports B of refractory
material shaped to fit the crucible and built together with the inner lining of the
furnace. They are thin enough not to interfere with the descent of the coke around
the crucible A. A furnace according to this invention may be either fixed or
mounted on a carriage.

page_text: 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 1
claim is:-
1. In an oscillating furnace for melting metals, a crucible such as G having an
aperture in its base and other apertures around its lower periphery substantially as
described and for the purpose specified.
2. In an oscillating furnace for melting metals the combination of a heater G and
a crucible A, the materials being melted in the former by the furnace gases and flow-
ing into the latter where they are maintained at the desired temperature substantially
as described.
3. In an oscillating furnace for melting metals, providing four supports B of
refractory material formed in one with or connected to the internal lining of the
furnace and serving the purpose of the ordinary bed or seating of graphite, sub-
stantially as described.
4. The improved furnace for melting metals, constructed and operated substantially
as described and illustrated in the drawings.