IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE. MELTING, OR REFINING OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PUDDLED STEEL AND WROUGHT IRON."
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Tooth, of Spring Terrace, Wands-
worth Road, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE.
MELTING, OR REFINING OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
PUDDLED STEEL AND WROUGHT IRON."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Tooth at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd
February 1860.
I, WILLIAM HENRY TOOTH, of Spring Terrace, Wandsworth Road, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE MANU-
FACTURE. MELTING, OR REPINING OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
PUDDLED STEEL AND WROUGHT IRON," to be as follows:-
This Invention of "Improved machinery or apparatus to be employed in
the manufacture, melting, or refining of iron, and in the manufacture of
puddled steel and wrought iron," relates to a novel construction of apparatus in
which the iron or material to be operated upon is placed in a horizontal
rotating cylinder or barrel, into. which is directed the flame and heated or
combustible gases from a fire or furnace or gas generator placed at one end of
the rotating cylinder. The rotating cylinder is mounted upon rollers or rails,
or suspended by chains, and rotary motion is communicated to it by means of
Price 8d.1

page_text: any suitable gearing, so that the materials inside may roll over and over as the
cylinder rotates. The fire-place or furnace is mounted on a moveable frame, so
that it may when required be moved away from the rotating cylinder; or, if
preferred, the fire-place or furnace and gas generator may be stationary and
the rotating cylinder be mounted on a moveable frame, so that it may be
moved away from the fire-place or gas generator for the convenience
of charging and discharging. The flame and gases from the furnace or gas
generator are directed into the rotating cylinder, where they will act upon the
iron or materials placed therein; and after so doing the gases will pass out at
the opposite end of the cylinder into the flue or chimney, which may be pro-
vided with a damper or other suitable contrivance for regulating the draught
It will be necessary that the entrance to the rotating cylinder from the fire-
place should be much larger than the exit aperture into the flue, in order to
prevent the heat from passing too quickly into the flue and so as to keep the
heat in the rotating cylinder. By making the opening into the rotating cylinder
of large size or dimensions the workman will also be enabled to get out the
charge with facility. The moveable fire-place or furnace is adapted to the
rotating chamber in such a manner as to admit of atmospheric air being
allowed to enter all round the joint when required, so that the air by com-
mingling with the gases will greatly increase the heat by promoting the
combustion of the gases. Sometimes, for greater convenience, I find it advisable
to construct the exit flues in such a manner as to cause the gases to descend
when they pass out of the cylinder, or to pass to the right or left, and in order
to utilize the heat that passes into the flue from the rotating chamber the
gases are caused to enter a chamber in which the metal for the next charge is
placed and thereby becomes heated by the waste gases previous to being placed
in the rotating chamber. That part of the flue which is nearest the exit
aperture of the rotating cylinder is sometimes provided with a moveable cap or
cover, whch admits of the cylinder being charged and discharged with facility.
The rotating cylinder is by preference to be constructed of sheet iron or of a
strong iron framing, which may be perforated or made hollow at some parts,
for the purpose of allowing a circulation of air, whereby the framing will be
kept cool. The cylinder is to be lined with fire-stone or clay, or other material
or composition that will vitrify or glaze by the application of heat, and will
therefore be able to resist the action of molten metal. The rotating cylinder
is mounted and made to rotate horizontally, and its inner side or lining is
parallel to the axis, so that as the cylinder rotates the contents will roll, over
and over, but will not be moved laterally or from side to side. In constructing
this cylinder I find it advisable to make the bricks or stones hollow, so as to

page_text: have a free circulation of air through them, so as to reduce the heat on the
outside; and I sometimes find it convenient to form the lining bricks or stones
with protuberances or projections thereon, which, when the apparatus is used
for puddling, will have the effect of causing the puddled balls to roll over.
Instead of a furnace or fire-place of the ordinary construction, with fire-bars,
as above described, I sometimes propose to make use, of a gas-generating
furnace, to which a blast may be adapted for blowing the gases therefrom into
the rotating cylinder. By this means I am enabled. to regulate the quantity
and quality of the gases employed and the intensity of the blast, and thus have
the operation entirely under control.
די
In reducing iron from such ores as the red hematite or iron sand, consisting
principally of the black oxide of iron or other rich ores, which are of a
refractory nature and difficult to reduce in the ordinary manner, I find it
advisable to first introduce a charge of pig iron, and melt down the same; I
then introduce in small quantities at a time the ore pulverized or reduced
to small pieces, and mixed, if desired, with slag; cinder, or any suitable flux or
carbonaceous matters, or some solid or liquid hydrocarbon. The blast from
the fire or furnace or gas generator is then directed into the cylinder until the
charge has become melted or partially so. The cylinder may then be set in
slow rotary motion, or, if preferred, it may be set in motion when the charge is
first introduced and before it has become melted or got heated to the above
extent, and by this rotatory motion the particles of metal as they melt will
agglomerate together, and the whole mass will be quickly reduced to a fluid
state, when it may either be run out in the form of pig iron, or it may be at
once worked or puddled in the cylinder by causing the same to rotate until the
metal is sufficiently decarbonised to convert it either into refined iron, puddled
steel, or wrought iron, as may be required. For melting pig or cast iron for
foundry purposes, the charge of pig is introduced and melted down during
the rotation of the cylinder, and when the metal is sufficiently fluid the
rotation of the cylinder is stopped, and the molten metal is run out into ladles
For
or moulds in the ordinrry manner by tapping a hole in the cylinder.
refining cast iron the rotation of the cylinder is continued after the metal is
melted until the refining operation is complete, and then the cylinder may be
If, however, it be desired to
tapped, and the contents run out as before
convert pig iron into puddled steel or wrought iron, the rotation of the cylinder
must be still further continued until the well-known changes in the metal
indicative of the conversion of the cast iron into steel or wrought iron make
their appearance, when the puddled balls must be taken out of the apparatus
and treated as-is usual in such manufactures.

page_text: My improved machinery or apparatus may also be used for the manu-
facture of wrought-iron shafts, rollers, and other cylindrical or polygonal
articles. To this end the rotating cylinder is constructed of a length exceeding
that of the shaft, cylinder, roller, or other article intended to be produced, and
the wrought-iron bars of which the article is to be formed are introduced into
the cylinder and brought to a welding heat, and as the cylinder rotates they
will roll over together, and be caused to adhere and form a kind of rough
cylinder, which when sufficiently worked in the rotating cylinder, may be
removed therefrom, and submitted to the ordinary processes of hammering or
forging.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Henry Tooth in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 2nd August 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
HENRY TOOTH, of Spring Terrace, Wandsworth Road, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS
Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-third year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
William Henry Tooth, Her special license that I, the said William Henry
Tooth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
William Henry Tooth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 "IMPROVED
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE, MELTING. OR
REFINING OF IRON AND STEEL. AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PUDDLED STEEL AND
WROUGHT IRON," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Henry Tooth, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should par-
ticularly 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Henry Tooth, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be

page_text: performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):--
This Invention of "Improved Machinery or Apparatus to be employed in
the Manufacture, Melting, or Refining of Iron and Steel, and in the Manu-
facture of Puddled Steel and Wrought Iron," relates to a novel construction
of apparatus, in which the iron or material to be operated upon is placed in a
horizontal rotating cylinder or barrel, into which is directed the flame and
heated or combustible gases from a fire or furnace or gas generator placed at
one end of the rotating cylinder. The rotating cylinder is mounted upon
rollers or rails or suspended by chains, and rotary motion is communicated to
it by means of any suitable gearing, so that the materials inside may roll over
and over as the cylinder rotates. The fire-place or furnace is mounted on a
moveable frame, so that it may when required be moved away from the
rotating cylinder, or, if preferred, the fire-place or furnace and gas generator
may be stationary, and the rotating cylinder be mounted on a moveable frame
platform, or turntable, so that it may be turned round or moved away from
the fire-place or gas generator for the convenience of charging and discharging
or for repairs. The flame and gases from the furnace or gas generator are
directed into the rotating cylinder, where they will act upon the iron or
materials placed therein, and after so doing the gases will pass out at the
opposite end of the cylinder into the flue or chimney, which may be provided
with a damper or other suitable contrivance for regulating the draught.
It will be necessary that the entrance to the rotating cylinder from the fire-
place should be much larger than the exit aperture into the flue, to prevent the
heat from passing too quickly into the flue. By this means the heat will be
kept in the rotating cylinder, and by making the opening into the cylinder of
large size or dimensions the workman will also be enabled to get out the
charge with facility. The moveable fire-place or furnace is adapted to the
rotating chambers in such a manner as to admit of atmospheric air being
allowed when required to enter all round the joint between the moveable fire-
place and the rotating cylinder, so that the air by commingling with the
combustible gases will greatly increase the heat in the rotating cylinder by
promoting the combustion of the gases that are directed from the fire-place or
gas generator into the rotating cylinder. Sometimes, for greater convenience.
I find it advisable to construct the exit flues at the opposite end of the rotating
cylinder in such a manner as to cause the gases to descend when they pass out
of the cylinder, or to pass to the right or left, and in order to utilize the
heat that passes into the flue from the rotating chamber or cylinder the gases

page_text: are caused to enter a chamber in which the metal for the next charge is placed,
so that previous to being placed in the rotating chamber the charge will
become heated by the waste gases which are passing to the flue. That part
of the flue which is nearest the exit aperture of the rotating cylinder is some-
times provided with a moveable cap or cover for the convenience of charging
and discharging the rotating cylinder.
The rotating cylinder is, by preference, to be constructed of sheet iron, or of
a strong iron framing, which, if thought desirable, may be perforated or made
hollow at some parts, for the purpose of allowing a circulation of air, whereby
the framing will be kept cool The cylinder is to be lined with fire-stone or
clay, or other material or composition that will vitrify or glaze by the appli-
cation of heat, and will therefore be able to resist the action of molten metal.
The rotating cylinder is mounted on antifriction rollers, and is made to rolate
horizontally, and its inner side or lining is parallel to the axis, so that as the
cylinder rotates the contents will roll over and over, but will not be moved
laterally or from side to side. By the rotation of the cylinder the molten iron
will be agitated under the covering layer of cinder, and the decarbonization
of the metal will take place without any deleterious amount of oxydation
taking place at the same time, as is now the case. In constructing the
rotating cylinder I find it advisable to make the bricks or stones, or some of
them, hollow, as shewn in the sectional views, in order to have a free circula-
tion of air through them, so as to reduce the heat on the outside of the cylinder;
and I sometimes find it convenient to form the lining bricks or stones with
protuberances or projections thereon, which, when the apparatus is used for
puddling, will have the effect of causing the molten iron and puddled balls to
roll over care, however, must be taken that these protuberances be not made
too high, otherwise the metal will, while being agitated, be too much exposed
to the oxydizing influence of the flame.
Instead of a furnace or fire-place of the ordinary construction, with fire-
bars, as above described, I sometimes propose to make use of a gas-generating
furnace, to which a blast may be adapted for blowing the gases therefrom into
the rotating cylinder. By this means I am enabled to regulate the quantity
and quality of the gases employed, and the intensity of the blast, and thus
have the operation in the rotating cylinder entirely under control.
In the accompanying Drawings I have shewn various views of the improved
machinery and apparatus which forms the subject of the present Invention.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a revolving furnace constructed according to my
improvements; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same; Fig. 3 is
a transverse vertical section taken through the rotating cylinder in the line

page_text: A, A, of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an end elevation, shewing the chamber into which
the gases escape from the rotating cylinder, and by their waste heat heat the
pig or cast iron that is placed in the chamber, ready to charge the rotating
cylinder a second time; Fig. 5 is a transverse section of one end of the waste
heat chamber and exit flue taken in the line B, B, of Fig. 4. In the several
Figures the rotating chamber or cylinder is seen at a, a. It is lined with
fire-bricks made of fire-clay and potters' clay, or other suitable materials, in
such proportions as will cause the bricks to vitrify when subjected to the heat
of the furnace Some of these bricks are made with protuberances, or are
caused to project inwardly beyond the others, as at 1, 1, and some of them are
made hollow, so that air may circulate through them, and keep the exterior of
the furnace moderately cool. The rotating cylinder is supported on the anti-
friction rollers b, b, b, to which rotory motion is communicated by means of
the toothed gearing c, c, and the cylinder a, a, is caused thereby to rotate slowly
on its axis. The fire-place d supplies the heated gases to the rotating cylinder
through the open end thereof, as seen at Fig. 2. The open end of this fire-
place is made to coincide with the open end of the cylinder a, and it is
mounted on rollers resting on a moveable frame or platform d', also provided
with rollers e, which run on rails e¹, so that the fire-place may be moved away
from the open end of the rotating cylinder with facility when required, as when
getting out the puddled balls. It will be seen on referring to the sectional
view, Fig. 2, that the fire-place end of the rotating cylinder is provided with a
removable mouthpiece a', which is formed of a wrought-iron ring, in which
is set a ring of fire-bricks, as shewn in the Drawings. The face of the mouth-
piece is formed of a solid iron ring f, which retains the mouthpiece in its
place by means of bolts, as shewn at f', f'; Fig. 2. This mouthpiece is made
removable with facility, as it has been found by experience that the fire-bricks
at this end of the cylinder burn out or are destroyed more quickly than at
other parts; and in order to prevent delay or loss of time I find it convenient
to have two mouthpieces, one of which will be in use, and the other will
always be kept ready to be applied, so that when the bricks of the one in
use have been burnt out, it will only be necessary to loosen the bolts f', f',
and remove the damaged mouthpiece, and replace it by a fresh one.
similar mode of constructing the other end of the rotating cylinder may be
adopted, if desired.
A
The heated gases escape from the rotating cylinder into the chamber g, 9.
which forms part of the exit flue, as shewn by dots in the end view, Fig. 4.
The gases after descending from the exit aperture of the rotating cylinder into
the waste heat chamber g, pass in a horizontal direction to a descending flue

page_text: g¹, shewn in section at Fig. 5, and from thence are conducted to the chimney
stack. Opposite the descending flue g¹ is a door g2, through which the pig
iron for the next charge of the rotating cylinder is introduced into the flue to
undergo the preliminary heating from the waste gases The inclined part of
the chamber g, opposite the exit opening of the rotating cylinder a, is provided
with a door h, as seen in Figures 1, 2, and 4, through which the progress of
the process in the cylinder may be watched. This inclined part is capable of
being lifted up bodily by means of a chain or hook passed through the eye i
(Figures 1 and 2), when it is required to charge the cylinder with the heated
pig iron that is on the floor of the chamber g below. When the rotating
cylinder is employed in the manufacture of wrought-iron shafts, it will be
convenient to construct or arrange the chamber or flue g, g, in such a manner
that it may be movable, so that both ends of the rotating cylinder may be left
open and exposed, in order that the interior may be more accessible when it is
required to introduce or remove a shaft or forging. In Fig. 1 the part g of
the exit flue is represented as mounted on rollers f, which are arranged to
run on rails f. For some purposes, however, it will be found more convenient
to make the fire-place d and exit flue and chamber g stationary, and to place
the rotating cylinder a on a moveable frame or platform, which is made to
turn on a central pivot somewhat like a railway turntable, the platform being
supported from below by antifriction rollers which bear against circular rails.
When this arrangement of parts is adopted, the faces of the mouthpieces at
each end of the rotating cylinder must be curved according to the radius from
the central vertical turning point of the platform of the rotating cylinder. It
will now be understood that by simply turning the platform one quarter round
the axis of the rotating cylinder will be brought at right angles to a line
passing through the fire-place, the rotating cylinder, and the exit flue, when
all the parts are in their working position, and consequently access may then
be easily obtained to the interior of the rotating cylinder.
In puddling iron in my improved apparatus it will be found desirable
occasionally to admit a regulated supply of atmospheric air in the rotating
cylinder to commingle with the combustible gases therein; this object is
effected by so arranging and constructing the fire-place d that it may be
drawn back slightly from the mouthpiece a', or entrance to the rotating
cylinder, so that by admitting a thin stream or film of atmospheric air at the
point where these gases are entering the rotating cylinder, the air may be
made to intimately commingle with the gases, and the combustion of the
latter may be completely effected. On referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that
the fire-place d is mounted on rollers d, which run on rails on the top of the

page_text: platform d¹. A screw shaft i, provided with a winch handle, passes through a
screwed socket in the standard k, which is firmly bolted or secured to the
platform. It will be evident, therefore, that by simply giving to the screw
shaft one or two turns in its socket, the fire-place will be drawn a short
distance away from the mouthpiece, thereby leaving a narrow annular space
all round. An adjustable metal ring is adapted to the open end of the fire-
place for the purpose of making the junction between the fire-place and
rotating chamber more complete and air-tight, and it will be seen, on referring
to Fig. 1, that this ring is adapted to the fire-place by means of screw
bolts n, n, passed through inclined slots so that by loosening the screw bolis n,
and moving the ring slightly round, the latter will be drawn back slightly,
and will leave an opening for the admission of air. Fig. 6 is a sectional view
of a self-feeding furnace adapted to be used in conjunction with my other
improvements The fuel is placed in a hopper m, which is provided with a
moveable regulating slide or door m', whereby the quantity of fuel supplied
to the fire is regulated. The bottom of the furnace is formed of an endless
chain of fire-bars, which are kept in regular slow motion as in a Juckes'
furnace; this, however, forms no part of my Invention, and is only shewn in
order to indicate that this contrivance can be combined with my other
improvements, if desired.
Air to support combustion in the fire-place d, and to form a blast to carry
the gases into the rotating cylinder a, is forced into the fire-place by a fan
or blower, and is admitted either under the fire-bars or direct into the body
of the fuel.
In the furnaces above described the heat employed for melting or heating
the iron in the rotating cylinder is obtained from a supplementary fire placed
adjacent to the rotating cylinder, but I sometimes propose to make use of the
combustible gases obtained from the coking of coal for this purpose. To this
end I employ an apparatus of peculiar construction for generating these gases.
Fig. 10 represents a longitudinal vertical section, and Fig. 11 a cross section,
of a gas-generating apparatus, which consists of an arched vault s, constructed
of fire-brick, and enveloped in a wrought-iron casing s¹. Openings t, t, are
made in the sides and roof of the vault for the purpose of charging the same
with coal; u is a furnace for heating the contents of the vault, and is charged
with fuel through the opening u' at the side. Atmospheric air is admitted
through the valve into the air chamber w, from whence it passes through
The heated
the openings into the furnace u, as indicated by the arrows.
vapours arising from the fire in the furnace u pass into the hot air chamber u*,
from whence they pass through the holes w2 into the lower part of the mass

page_text: of coal in the vault, and by so doing will act on the coal, and will drive off
therefrom certain gases, which by passing through the mass of coal will be
converted into carbonic oxide or other useful combustible gases that will be
drawn off by the exhausting apparatus z (Fig. 10), and be conducted to a
purifier, from thence they will pass into a gasometer, so as to be ready for use
when required. An obvious modification of the above described arrangement
is to force air through the mass of coal in the vault s, and allow it to pass out
at the other end through a suitable pipe, as at y, to the purifier, and from thence
to the gasometer. When this arrangement is used it will be advisable to
provide the exit tube y with a valve opening outwards, as shewn in the
Drawing. When generating gas in this manner, I find it advisable to divide
the mass of coal in the vault by the interposing of layers of fire-tiles or hollow
bricks arranged as shewn in the Drawing, for the purpose of allowing air to
penetrate into the interior of the mass. Fig. 12 is a partial sectional view of
a modification of the above apparatus The heating furnace u in this instance
communicates direct with the vaulted chamber s. Air is supplied to the
furnace through the opening u², and fuel through the opening u¹.
Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rotating cylinder heated by gas
either obtained from the gas generator above described or otherwise. The
cylinder a is intended to be rotated by means of a chain passed round it, as
shewn in Fig. 14, which is a cross section of the cylinder, and Fig. 15 is a
partial plan view of the same. The rotating cylinder a is supported on anti-
friction rollers b, as in the former instances; but instead of a fire-place d, the
combustible gas and air to support combustion are supplied to the furnace
from the main tubes o (Figures 13 and 15), and conducted by the branch
pipes p, p, p, to the jets q, q, q, whereby the gas is distributed throughout the
interior of the cylinder; and in order to support the combustion of the gas,
atmospheric air is also supplied to the jets q, q, by the pipes p. p, but the air is
conducted along distinct passages, in order to prevent it from mixing with the
gas until it enters the cylinder. The branch pipes rotate with the cylinder,
and the jets will throw the mixed gases into the centre of the cylinder,
whereby they will be ignited and generate a great heat.
When the furnace is intended to be employed for making wrought-iron
shafts, it will be found convenient to make the rotating cylinder in sections or
short lengths or rings, and by assembling a number of these together, and con-
necting them firmly together in any convenient and suitable manner, a rotating
cylinder long enough to make wrought-iron shafts of considerable dimensions
may be constructed.
Fig. 16 represents in section another mode of supplying the gases to the

page_text: rotating cylinder, and Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the rotating cylinder;
which it will be seen is composed of a number of rings or sectional parts.
In this instance the branch pipe and jets for the gas are not attached to the
rotating cylinder a, but the jets q are jointed on to fixed horizontal pipes p in
such a manner that the nozzles may be inserted into openings r, made in the
sides of the cylinder, through which the gases and air to support combustion are
blown until the proper heat is got up in the cylinder. This arrangement of fur-
nace is intended to be employed more particularly for making wrought-iron shafts
or forgings from bars of iron of suitable dimensions, which are laid regularly
along the bottom of the cylinder, as seen in the furnace shewn at Fig. 14, and
already described; and when the heat has been got up by the combustion of the
gases in the cylinder for a sufficient length of time, the jets q are drawn back as
indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 16, and after the openings r have been
closed by suitable plugs the cylinder may be set in slow rotory motion until
the bars or pieces of iron of which the shaft or forging is to be composed are
welded together by the heat, when the piece may be taken out, and the welding
operation completed in the usual way by rolling or hammering
Fig. 16 is a cross section, and Fig. 17 a side elevation, of a modification
of the furnace just described. The principal difference between the two plans
is that in Figure 16 and 17* the heated gases are obtained direct from a
furnace or fire-place, and are blown or forced into the cylinder a by means of
a suitable blast applied to the under side of the fire-place d, but not shewn in
the Drawing. The gases from the fire-place or furnace d are forced into the
cylinder a through the openings r, r, which when the cylinder is set in motion
may be closed by suitable doors.
In reducing iron from such ores as the red hematite or iron sand, the
latter, consisting principally of the black oxide of iron or other rich ores which
are of a refractory nature and difficult to reduce in the ordinary manner, I
find it advisable first to introduce a charge of pig iron into the furnace, and
I melt down the same. I then introduce in small quantities at a time the
ore pulverized or reduced to small pieces, and mixed, if desired, with slag
cinder, or any suitable flux or carbonaceous matters, or some solid or liquid
hydrocarbon. The blast from the fire or furnace or gas generator is then
directed into the cylinder until the charge has become melted or partially so.
The cylinder may then be set in slow rotory motion, or, if preferred, it may be
set in motion when the charge, is first introduced, and before it has become
melted or got heated to the above extent; and by this rotary motion the
particles of metal as they melt will agglomerate together, and the whole mass
will be quickly reduced to a fluid state, when it may either be run out in the

page_text: form of pig iron. or it may be at once worked or puddled in the cylinder by
causing the same to rotate until the metal is sufficiently decarbonized to con-
vert it either into refined iron, puddled steel, or wrought iron, as may be
required. For melting pig or cast iron for foundry purposes, the charge of
pig is introduced and melted down during the rotation of the cylinder, and
when the metal is sufficiently fluid the rotation of the cylinder is stopped, and
the molten metal is run out into ladles or moulds in the ordinary manner by
tapping a hole in the cylinder. For refining cast iron the rotation of the
cylinder is continued after the metal is melted until the refining operation is
complete, and then the cylinder may be tapped, and the contents run out as
before. If, however, it be desired to convert pig iron into puddled steel or
wrought iron, the rotation of the cylinder must be still further continued until
the well-known changes in the metal (indicative of the conversion of the cast
iron into steel or wrought iron) make their appearance, when the puddled
balls must be taken out of the apparatus and treated as is usual in such manu-
factures. It is, however, preferable that one rotating cylinder should be used
for melting the iron and reducing the ore, and a separate one for puddling or
converting the cast iron into puddled steel or malleable iron.
It will be understood from what has been said that either of my improved
rotating furnaces may be employed for the manufacture of wrought-iron shafts,
rollers, and other cylindrical or polygonal articles, but for obvious reasons I
prefer those arrangements above mentioned in which the rotating cylinder is
heated by gas. The rotating cylinder when used for this purpose must of
course be constructed of a length exceeding that of the shaft, cylinder, roller,
or other article intended to be produced, and the wrought-iron bars or scraps
of wrought iron of which the article is to be formed are introduced into the
cylinder and brought to a welding heat, and as the cylinder rotates they will
roll over together, and be caused to adhere and form a kind of rough cylinder,
which when sufficiently worked in the rotating cylinder may be removed
therefrom, and submitted to the ordinary process of hammering or forging.
When the wrought-iron shafts or rollers are of considerable length, I find
it advisable not only to heat the mass by injecting jets of gas and air at the
sides, as shewn in the Figures already described, but I also inject gas and air
at the end of the cylinder, for which purpose I mount the door which closes
the end of the cylinder on hinges or joints, which turn on or form part of a
hollow vertical post or pillar, as shewn in Figures 18 and 19. The door is
made of a wrought or cast iron frame filled with fire-bricks, through which an
opening is made to receive the nozzles of the gas jets g, g
The air and gas
pass up the vertical stand pipe and along the branches p, p, to the nozzles, as

page_text: in the other instances. It will be seen that by this means I am enabled to
open and close the door with facility, and to gain access when required to the
interior of the rotating cylinder. It is obvious that this construction of furnace
may be also employed for puddling iron, if desired.
Having now described my Invention of "Improved Machinery or Apparatus
to be employed in the Manufacture, Melting, or Refining of Iron and Steel, and
in the Manufacture of Puddled Steel and Wrought Iron," and having explained
the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would observe that I am aware
that it has been heretofore proposed to melt or work iron and other metals in
furnaces, vessels, or chambers to which rotary motion is communicated, so
that the metal may be dashed about or thrown from side to side or end to
end of the vessel; I do not therefore mean or intend to lay any claim to the
broad principle of working metals by communicating motion to the vessel
containing the same; but what I consider to be new, and therefore wish to
claim as the Invention secured to me by Letters Patent as aforesaid is, the
improved apparatus or machinery herein set forth for keeping the molten
metal in motion for the manufacture, melting, or refining of iron and steel.
I also claim the use of my improved machinery or apparatus for smelting
or reducing rich ores by adding them gradually in a pulverized state to molten
cast iron as above described.
I also claim the mode or modes herein set forth of adapting the furnace or
fire-place and the exit flue or waste heat chamber to the moveable or rotating
cylinder, so that access to the latter may be obtained with facility when required,
I further claim the mode or modes herein set forth of heating the moveable
or rotating cylinder by means of combustible gases with atmospheric air; and
also the use in combination therewith, of the apparatus for generating such
gases for the purpose herein set forth.
Lastly, I claim the mode of and apparatus herein set forth- for manufac-
turing shafts and other articles of wrought iron or puddled steel.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Tooth, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Second day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
WILLIAM HENRI TOOTH.