Improvements in Converters.
Year: 1887

page_text: The decision of the Comptroller-General, of the 24th day of October 1895, allowed,
under Section 18 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883, an Amendment of this
Specification.
Improvements in Converters.
A communication from abroad by GUSTAVE LOUIS ROBERT Director of the Société
Anonyme des Forges of Stenay (Meuse) France.
i, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention which forms the object of the present application for a patent consists
in a new movable converter for the manufacture of fine iron and cast steel.
In carrying out the invention, the converter, the cross section of which may be
rectangular or of other convenient shape, receives a swinging motion on journals
supported by pedestals. This motion can be obtained by means of any mechanisu,
such as that used for the manipulation of oscillating converters.
The tuyères through which the blast is introduced, are arranged in a straight line on
one side only of the converter, and they open into a box or chamber into which the
blast enters through a supply pipe. This box is provided with sliding glazed sight-holes
preferably the same in number as there are tuyères.
The side of the converter chosen for the application of the tuyères is preferably the
one presenting greatest surface to the metal, and its plane is parallel to the axis of
rotation of the converter, so that, whatever the inclination of the latter and the height
of the metal in fusion may be, the head of pressure on the orifices of each of the
tuyères is always the same.
The cross section of the tuyère orifices is a rectangle having its corners rounded off,
thus injecting the blast in thin rectangular currents or sheets. This form gives to the
air current a greater force of penetration than if it had a circular section; it gives
also with the same sectional arca a greater surface of contact between the air and the
liquid metal.
In another arrangement of the improved converter the shape is elliptical, but with a
straight face parallel to the axis of rotation on which the tuyères are disposed as before
on a horizontal line parallel to the axis of the apparatus.
The tuyères placed thus horizontally, form with the straight face on to which they
open, unequal angles, the magnitude of which varies with the form given to the cross
section of the apparatus. The object of this disposition of the tuyères is to facilitate
the imparting of a gyratory motion to the metal in fusion, which motion brings
the molecules of metal successively to the oxydizing action at the surface of the
fused metal.
All the tuyères open into a box which receives the blast through a supply pipe which
branches off one of the trunnions of the converter.

page_text: The flattened elliptical shape given to the converter is considered to be the best,
because of the gyratory motion which is to be obtained and because of the necessity of
having a flat face, but it is to be understood that the right of employing the rectangular
form as at first set forth, and of applying the row of tuyères to any other form of
converter possessing the same properties from this point of view, is reserved.
The advantages resulting from a converter constructed according to one or the other
of the methods hereinbefore described, are the following,
1. The possibility of stopping the operation almost instantaneously, by simultaneously
freeing all the tuyères from the molten metal, this being done by causing the
apparatus to describe the minimum angle of rotation. These arrangements obviate
the necessity of employing the tap-hole plug used in a fixed apparatus; they avoid the
disadvantages attendant on the use of movable converters with circular cross section,
in which, as soon as the converter leaves its vertical position, the charge of molten
metal above the tuyères varies, said tuyères getting uncovered successively, thus causing
a diminution of pressure in the wind box, and obstructions of metal in these tuyères
which are uncovered last of all.
2. The possibility of watching the state of the tuyères during the operation, through
the glazed sliding sight-holes, and of cleaning them without having to open the wind
box and of replacing them without having to empty the apparatus, as in the case of a
fixed apparatus.
3rd. The possibility of treating in the same apparatus, varying volumes or weights
of substances, while still keeping the pressure on the tuyère orifices constant, and
consequently obviating the necessity of altering the pressure of the blast at the
blowing engine.
4th. Facility in repairing and economy in the removal of the inner lining and of
the tuyères, owing to the special arrangement of the latter and the peculiar shape of
the furnace of the converter.
5th. Constant parallelism between the horizontal axis of rotation and the line which
passes through the centres of the orifices of all the tuyères; whatever the position the
converter may assume.
6th. The use of small blowing machinery in consequence of the relatively feeble blast.
pressure required by the maximum height of the molten metal above the tuyères, this
height not exceeding 2 to 24 inches or thereabouts.
7th. The gyratory motion of the molecules, which takes place from the surface to
the bottom and vice versa (under the influence of the injected air and in consequence
of the arrangement of the tuyères and of the reduction of pressure in the orifices of the
latter), and causes each of the said molecules to be subjected several times to the
refining action of the blast at the surface.
Sth. The slag does not mix with the metal; it floats on the top of the molten
metal.
9th. The diminution of the contact between the liquid metal and the nose of the
tuyères, which last longer in consequence.
10th. The possibility when impure irons are being treated, of injecting into the
molten metal, by means of a suitable arrangement, either gases or powdered quick
lime, or any other solid substances of a like nature used for purifying purposes.
11th. The reaction at the surface of the molten metal, and the immediate transmission
of the products of this reaction into the slag without acting on the metal or on the
lining of the furnace.
12th. The possibility of supplying under a pressure capable of being varied at will,
similarly varying quantities of air which are needed in the different stages of the
operation. This is a chief advantage if it be viewed from the stand point of the
qualities of the products to be obtained, and of the residuals resulting from
the operation.
Dated this 204, 2... of Lul. 1987

page_text: A communication from abroad by GUSTAVE LOUIS ROBERT Director of the Société
Anonyme des Forges of Stenay, (Meuse), France.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign Patent
Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street, Manchester, both in the
County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
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 :-
The invention which forms the object of the present application for a patent consists
in a new movable converter for the manufacture of homogeneous metal and cast
steel.
For the better comprehension of my invention I have shown on the annexed drawings
as examples, two arrangements of my converter.
Figures 1 and 2 show respectively a vertical section and a horizontal section through
line 1, 2, 3, 4, of one of the arrangements while figures 3 and 4 show in the same
manner another arrangement of my converter.
In these figures like letters refer to like parts.
In figures 1 and 2 the converter, the cross section of which is rectangular and has
its corners rounded receives a swinging motion on journals A and A' supported by
pedestals. This motion can be obtained by means of any mechanism such as that
used for the manipulation of oscillating converters.
The tuyeres a through which the blast is introduced are arranged in a straight
line ry on one side only of the converter and they open into a box or chamber C
into which the blast enters through a supply pipe, T. This box is provided with
sliding glazed sight holes which are carried by the removable back plate and all
preferably the same in number as there are tuyeres a whereby the state of the tuyeres
can be watched during the operation and whereby also they can be cleaned or
replaced with ease and through which lime or other re-agent can be inserted if
required.
The side P chosen for the application of the tuyeres is preferable the one presenting
greatest surface to the metal and the plane in which the tuyeres are formed is parallel
to the axis of rotation A A' of the converter so that whatever the inclination of the
latter and the height of the metal in fusion may be the head of pressure on the orifices
of each of the tuyeres is always the same.
The cross section of the tuyere orifices is a rectangle having its corners rounded off
(figure 5) thus injecting the blast in thin rectangular currents or sheets. This form
gives to the air current a greater force of penetration than if it had a circular section ;
it gives also with the same sectional area a greater surface of contact between the air
and the liquid metal.
In figures 3 and 4 the converter is of elliptical form but with a straight face P
parallel to the axis of rotation A A' on which the tuyeres a are disposed as before on a
horizontal line ay in a plane parallel to the axis of the apparatus. The placing of
all the Luyeres in one horizontal line in a plane parallel with the axis enables the
operator at any time to stop the operation almost instantaneously by simultaneously
freeing all the buyeres from the molten metal this being done by causing the apparatus
to describe the minimum angle of rotation (Figure 1). These arrangements obviate
the necessity of employing the tap hole plug used in a fixed apparatus they avoid the '
disadvantages attendant on the use of movable converters with circular cross section
in which as soon as the converter leaves its vertical position the charge of molten
nietal above the tuyres varies, said tuyeres getting uncovered successively thus causing

page_text: a diminution of pressure in the wind box and obstructions of metal in those tuyeres
which are uncovered last of all.
The tuycres placed thus horizontally form with the straight face,P on to which they
open unequal angles the magnitude of which varies with the form given to the cross
section of the apparatus. The object of this arrangement of the tuyeres is to facilitate
the imparting of a gyratory motion to the metal in fusion which motion brings the
molecules of metal successively to the oxidising action at the surface of the fused
metal. By this means, and the circumstance that all the tuyeres are in one horizontal
line a comparatively feeble blast and an immersion of the tuyeres in the metal of only
a few inches are sufficient to oxidise the mass and the reaction takes place at or near
the surface. The products of the reaction are therefore transmitted at once to the
slag instead of acting on the metal and the lining of the furnace below.
All the tuyeres a open into a box C which receives the blast through a supply
pipe T which branches off one of the trunnions of the converter by this means
there is a possibility, when impure irons are being treated, of injecting into the
molten metal, by means of a suitable arrangement, either gases or powdered
quick-lime or any other solid substances of a like nature, used for purifying
purposes.
The flattened elliptical shape given to the converter is considered to be the best
because of the gyratory motion which is to be obtained and because of the necessity
of having a flat face P, but it is to be understood that the right of employing the
rectangular form as at first set forth and of applying the tuyeres a to any other
form of converter possessing the same properties from this point of view is
reserved.
Among the advantages resulting from a converter constructed according to one
or other of the methods hereinbefore described are the following.
1st. The possibility of stopping the operation almost instantaneously by simultane-
ously freeing all the tuyeres from the molten metal, this being done by causing the
apparatus to describe the minimum angle of rotation (figure 1).
These arrange-
ments obviate the necessity of employing the tap hole plug used in a fixed apparatus ;
they avoid the disadvantages attendant on the use of movable converters with circular
cross section in which as soon as the converter leaves its vertical position the charge
of molten metal above the tuyeres varies, said tuyeres getting uncovered successively
thus causing a diminution of pressure in the wind box and obstructions of metal in
those tuyeres which are uncovered last of all.
2nd. The possibility of watching the state of the tuyeres during the operation
through the glazed sliding sight holes band of cleaning them without having to open
the wind box and of replacing them without having to empty the apparatus as in the
case of a fixed apparatus.
3. The possibility of treating in the same apparatus varying volumes or weights
of substances while still keeping the pressure on the tuyere orifices constant and con-
sequently obviating the necessity of altering the pressure of the blast at the blowing
engine.
4th. Facility in repairing and economy in the renewal of the inner lining and of the
tuyeres, owing to the special arrangement of the latter, and the peculiar shape of the
furnace of the converter.
5th. Constant parallelism between the horizontal axis of rotation A A¹ and
the line ay which passes through the centres of the orifices of all the tuyeres whatever
the position the converter may assume.
6th. The use of small blowing machinery in consequence of the relatively feeble
blast pressure required by the maximum height of the molten metal above the tuyeres
this height not exceeding 2 to 2 and a half inches or thereabouts.
7th. The gyratory motion of the molecules which takes places from the surface to
the bottom and vice versa (under the influence of the injected air and in consequence
of the arrangement of the tuyeres and of the reduction of pressure on the orifices of
the latter) and causes each of the said molecules to be subjected several times to the
refining action of the blast at the surface.

page_text: 8th. The slag does not mix with the metal it floats on the top of the molten
metal.
9th. The diminution of the contact between the liquid metal and the nose of the
tuyeres which last longer in consequence.
10th. The possibility when impure irons are being treated of injecting into the
molten metal by means of a suitable arrangement either gases or powdered quick
lime or any other solid substances of a like nature used for purifying purposes.
11th. The reaction at the surface of the molten metal and the immediate trans-
mission of the products of this reaction into the slag without acting on the metal or on
the lining of the furnace.
12th. The possibility of supplying under a pressure capable of being varied at will
the similarly varying quantities of air which are needed in the different stages of the
operation this is a chief advantage if it be viewed from the standpoint of the
qualities of the products to be obtained and of the residuals resulting from
the operation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention as
communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the same is to
be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The swinging converter constructed in the manner described having its tuyeres
in a single-row on one-side of the converter-and in a plane-parallel with the
swinging-axis-whereby all-the-tuyeres enn be swung out of action at the same
moment:
2. The combination of the tuyeres such as a-all in one straight line parallel-with
the swinging axis and-common air-chamber C-substantially in the manner and for the
purpose-described.
3. A swinging converter such as is herein described having a range of tuyeres with
their orifices in one horizontal line parallel with the swinging axis and capable of
being so placed in relation to the fluid metal forming an ordinary charge as to have
only a few inches of metal above them and to blow down into the metal when in
such position whereby the reaction takes place close to the top and the products of
the reaction mix at once with the slag instead of passing through a long column of
metal the buyeres being arranged obliquely substantially as illustrated in Figure 4 whereby
a gyratory motion is given to the liquid metal causing it to repeatedly return to the front
of the tuyeres.
4. The combination with a converter such as is herein described of a series of
tuyeres-arranged obliquely substantially as illustrated in figure 1 whereby a gyratory
motion is given to the liquid metal causing-it to-repeatedly return to the front of the
tuyeres.
-The combination of the tuyeres-such-as-a-chamber-Cand removable-back plate '
whereby the tnyeres can easily be got at for repair-or-cleaning all substantially as
described.
6.-The-combination of the tnyeres a chamber C and sight holes-6-in line with said
tuyeres whereby any tuyere can be freed by a red-passed through-the-sight-hole
and-the-condition-und-nction of the tuyeres can be watched substantially-as
described.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.
Agents.

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1887
Complete Left, 1st Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 6th Apr., 1888
A communication from abroad by GUSTAVE LOUIS ROBERT, Director of the Société
Anonyme des Forges, of Stenay (Mouse), France.
I, WILLLAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention which forms the object of the present application for a patent consists
in a new movable converter for the manufacture of fine iron and cast steel.
In carrying out the invention, the converter, the cross section of which may be
rectangular or of other convenient shape, receives a swinging motion on journals
supported by pedestals. This motion can be obtained by means of any mechanism,
such as that used for the manipulation of oscillating converters.
The tuyères through which the blast is introduced, are arranged in a straight line on
one side only of the converter, and they open into a box or chamber into which the
blast enters through a supply pipe. This box is provided with sliding glazed sight-holes
preferably the same in number as there are tuyères.
The side of the converter chosen for the application of the tuyères is preferably the
one presenting greatest surface to the metal, and its plane is parallel to the axis of
rotation of the converter, so that, whatever the inclination of the latter and the height
of the metal in fusion may be, the head of pressure on the orifices of each of the
tuyères is always the same.
The cross section of the tuyère orifices is a rectangle having its corners rounded off,
thus injecting the blast in thin rectangular currents or sheets. This form gives to the
air current a greater force of penetration than if it had a circular section; it gives
also with the same sectional area a greater surface of contact between the air and the
Hamid matal

page_text: In another arrangement of the improved converter the shape is elliptical, but with a
straight face parallel to the axis of rotation on which the tuyères are disposed as before
on a horizontal line parallel to the axis of the apparatus.
The tuyères placed thus horizontally, form with the straight face on to which they
open, unequal angles, the inagnitude of which varies with the form given to the cross
section of the apparatus. The object of this disposition of the tuyères is to facilitate
the imparting of a gyratory motion to the metal in fusion, which motion brings
the molecules of metal successively to the oxydizing action at the surface of the
fused metal.
All the tuyères open into a box which receives the blast through a supply pipe which
branches off one of the trunnions of the converter.
The flattened elliptical shape given to the converter is considered to be the best;
because of the gyratory motion which is to be obtained and because of the necessity of
having a flat face, but it is to be understood that the right of employing the rectangular
form as at first set forth, and of applying the row of tuyères to any other form of
converter possessing the same properties from this point of view, is reserved.
The advantages resulting from a converter constructed according to one or the other
of the methods hereinbefore described, are the following.
1. The possibility of stopping the operation almost instantaneously, by simultaneously
freeing all the tuyères from the molten metal, this being done by causing the
apparatus to describe the minimum angle of rotation. These arrangements obviate
the necessity of employing the tap-hole plug used in a fixed apparatus; they avoid the
disadvantages attendant on the use of movable converters with circular cross section,
in which, as soon as the converter leaves its vertical position, the charge of molten
metal above the tuyères varies, said tuyères getting uncovered successively, thus causing
a diminution of pressure in the wind box, and obstructions of metal in these tuyères
which are uncovered last of all.
2. The possibility of watching the state of the tuyères during the operation, through
the glazed sliding sight-holes, and of cleaning them without having to open the wind
box and of replacing them without having to empty the apparatus, as in the case of a
fixed apparatus.
3rd. The possibility of treating in the same apparatus, varying volumes or weights
of substances, while still keeping the pressure on the tuyère orifices constant, and
consequently obviating the necessity of altering the pressure of the blast at the
blowing engine.
4th. Facility in repairing and economy in the removal of the inner lining and of
the tuyères, owing to the special arrangement of the latter and the peculiar shape of
the furnace of the converter.
5th. Constant parallelism between the horizontal axis of rotation and the line which
passes through the centres of the orifices of all the tuyères; whatever the position the
converter may assume.
6th. The use of small blowing machinery in consequence of the relatively feeble blast
pressure required by the maximum height of the molten metal above the tuyères, this
height not exceeding 2 to 2 inches or thereabouts.
7th. The gyratory motion of the molecules, which takes place from the surface to
the bottom and vice versa (under the influence of the injected air and in consequence
of the arrangement of the tuyères and of the reduction of pressure in the orifices of the
latter), and causes each of the said molecules to be subjected several times to the
refining action of the blast at the surface.
8th. The slag does not mix with the metal; it floats on the top of the molten
metal.
9th. The diminution of the contact between the liquid metal and the nose of the
tuyères, which last longer in consequence.
10th. The possibility when impure irons are being treated, of injecting into the
molten metal, by means of a suitable arrangement, either gases or powdered quick
lime, or any other solid substances of a like nature used for purifying purposes.

page_text: 11th. The reaction at the surface of the molten metal, and the immediate transmission
of the products of this reaction into the slag without acting on the metal or on the
lining of the furnace.
12th. The possibility of supplying under a pressure capable of being varied at will,
similarly varying quantities of air which are needed in the different stages of the
operation. This a chief advantage if it be viewed from the stand point of the
qualities of the products to be obtained, and of the residuals resulting from
the operation.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: A communication from abroad by GUSTAVE LOUIS ROBERT, Director of the Société
Anonyme des Forges, of Stenay (Meuse), France.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign Patent
Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street, Manchester, both in the
County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
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 :—
The invention which forms the object of the present application for a patent consists
in a new movable converter for the manufacture of homogeneous metal and cast
steel.
For the better comprehension of my invention I have shown on the annexed drawings
as examples, two arrangements of my converter.
Figures 1 and 2 show respectively a vertical section and a horizontal section through
line 1, 2, 3, 4, of one of the arrangements while figures 3 and 4 show in the same
manner another arrangement of my converter.
In these figures like letters refer to like parts.
In figures 1 and 2 the converter, the cross section of which is rectangular and has
its corners rounded receives a swinging motion on journals A and A' supported by
pedestals. This motion can be obtained by means of any mechanism such as that
used for the manipulation of oscillating converters.
The tuyeres a through which the blast is introduced are arranged in a straight
line ay on one side P only of the converter and they open into a box or chamber C
into which the blast enters through a supply pipe, T. This box is provided with
sliding glazed sight holes which are carried by the removable back plate and all
preferably the same in number as there are tuyeres a whereby the state of the tuyeres
can be watched during the operation and whereby also they can be cleaned or
replaced with ease and through which lime or other re-agent can be inserted if
required.
The side P chosen for the application of the tuyeres is preferable the one presenting
greatest surface to the metal and the plane in which the tuyeres are formed is parallel
to the axis of rotation A A¹ of the converter so that whatever the inclination of the
latter and the height of the metal in fusion may be the head of pressure on the orifices
of each of the tuyeres is always the same.
The cross section of the tuyere orifices is a rectangle having its corners rounded off
(figure 5) thus injecting the blast in thin rectangular currents or sheets. This form
gives to the air current a greater force of penetration than if it had a circular section;
it gives also with the same sectional area a greater surface of contact between the air
and the liquid metal.
In figures 3 and 4 the converter is of elliptical form but with a straight face P
parallel to the axis of rotation A A' on which the tuyeres a are disposed as before on a
horizontal line-y in a plane parallel to the axis of the apparatus.. The placing of
all the tuyeres in one horizontal line in a plane parallel with the axis enables the
operator at any time to stop the operation almost instantaneously by simultaneously
freeing all the tuyeres from the molten metal this being done by causing the apparatus

page_text: to describe the minimum angle of rotation (Figure 1). These arrangements obviate
the necessity of employing the tap hole plug used in a fixed apparatus they avoid the
disadvantages attendant on the use of movable converters with circular cross section
in which as soon as the converter leaves its vertical position the charge of molten
metal above the tuyeres varies, said tuyeres getting uncovered successively thus causing
a diminution of pressure in the wind box and obstructions of metal in those tuyeres
which are uncovered last of all.
The tuyeres placed thus horizontally form with the straight face P on to which they
open unequal angles the magnitude of which varies with the form given to the cross
section of the apparatus. The object of this arrangement of the tuyeres is to facilitate
the imparting of a gyratory motion to the metal in fusion which motion brings the
molecules of metal successively to the oxidising action at the surface of the fused
metal. By this means, and the circumstance that all the tuyeres are in one horizontal
line a comparatively feeble blast and an immersion of the tuyeres in the metal of only
a few inches are sufficient to oxidise the mass and the reaction takes place at or near
the surface. The products of the reaction are therefore transmitted at once to the
slag instead of acting on the metal and the lining of the furnace below.
All the tuyeres a open into a box C which receives the blast through a supply
pipe T which branches off one of the trunnions of the converter by this means
there is a possibility, when impure irons are being treated, of injecting into the
molten metal, by means of a suitable arrangement, either gases or powdered
quick lime or any other solid substances of a like nature, used for purifying
purposes.
-
The flattened elliptical shape given to the converter is considered to be the best
because of the gyratory motion which is to be obtained and because of the necessity
of having a flat face P, but it is to be understood that the right of employing the
rectangular form as at first set forth and of applying the tuyeres a to any other
form of converter possessing the same properties from this point of view is
reserved.
Among the advantages resulting from a converter constructed according to one
or other of the methods hereinbefore described are the following.
1st. The possibility of stopping the operation almost instantaneously by simultane-
ously freeing all the tuyeres from the molten metal, this being done by causing the
apparatus to describe the minimum angle of rotation (figure 1).
These arrange-
ments obviate the necessity of employing the tap hole plug used in a fixed apparatus ;
they avoid the disadvantages attendant on the use of movable converters with circular
cross section in which as soon as the converter leaves its vertical position the charge
of molten metal above the tuyeres varies, said tuyeres getting uncovered successively
thus causing a diminution of pressure in the wind box and obstructions of metal in
those tuyeres which are uncovered last of all.
2nd. The possibility of watching the state of the tuyeres during the operation
through the glazed sliding sight holes and of cleaning them without having to open
the wind box C and of replacing them without having to empty the apparatus as in the
case of a fixed apparatus.
3rd. The possibility of treating in the same apparatus varying volumes or weights
of substances while still keeping the pressure on the tuyere orifices constant and con-
sequently obviating the necessity of altering the pressure of the blast at the blowing
engine.
4th. Facility in repairing and economy in the renewal of the inner lining and of the
tuyeres, owing to the special arrangement of the latter, and the peculiar shape of the
furnace of the converter.
5th. Constant parallelism between the horizontal axis of rotation A A¹ and
the line -y which passes through the centres of the orifices of all the tuyeres whatever
the position the converter may assume.
6th. The use of small blowing machinery in consequence of the relatively feeble
blast pressure required by the maximum height of the molten metal above the tuyeres
this height not exceeding 2 to 2 and a half inches or thereabouts.

page_text: 7th. The gyratory motion of the molecules which takes places from the surface to
the bottom and vice versa (under the influence of the injected air and in consequence
of the arrangement of the tuyeres and of the reduction of pressure on the orifices of
the latter) and causes each of the said molecules to be subjected several times to the
refining action of the blast at the surface.
8th. The slag does not mix with the metal it floats on the top of the molten
metal.
9th. The diminution of the contact between the liquid metal and the nose of the
tuyeres which last longer in consequence.
10th. The possibility when impure irons are being treated of injecting into the
molten metal by means of a suitable arrangement either gases or powdered quick
lime or any other solid substances of a like nature used for purifying purposes.
11th. The reaction at the surface, of the molten metal and the immediate trans-
mission of the products of this reaction into the slag without acting on the metal or on
the lining of the furnace.
12th. The possibility of supplying under a pressure capable of being varied at will
the similarly varying quantities of air which are needed in the different stages of the
operation this is a chief advantage if it be viewed from the standpoint of the
qualities of the products to be obtained and of the residuals resulting from
the operation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention as
communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the same is to
be performed I declare that what 1 claim is :—
1. The swinging converter constructed in the manner described having its tuyeres
in a single row on one side of the converter and in a plane parallel with the
swinging axis whereby all the tuyeres can be swung out of action at the same
moment.
2. The combination of the tuyeres such as a all in one straight line parallel with
the swinging axis and common air chamber C substantially in the manner and for the
purpose described.
3. A swinging converter such as is herein described having a range of tuyeres with
their orifices in one horizontal line parallel with the swinging axis and capable of
being so placed in relation to the fluid metal forming an ordinary charge as to have
only a few inches of metal above them and to blow down into them metal when in
such position whereby the reaction takes place close to the top and the products of
the reaction mix at once with the slag instead of passing through a long column of
metal.
4. The combination with a converter such as is herein described of a series of
tuyeres arranged obliquely substantially as illustrated in figure 4 whereby a gyratory
motion is given to the liquid metal causing it to repeatedly return to the front of the
tuyeres.
5. The combination of the tuyeres such as a chamber and removable back plate 6¹
whereby the tuyeres can easily be got at for repair or cleaning all substantially as
described.
6. The combination of the tuyeres a chamber C and sight holes in line with said
tuyeres whereby any tuyere can be freed by a rod passed through the sight hole
and the condition and action of the tuyeres can be watched substantially as
described.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.