IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY PUDDLING FURNACES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents, 66,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY PUDDLING FURNACES." A communication
from abroad by Henri Eugène Adolphe Schneider, of Creusot, in the Republic
of France.
Sealed the 15th October 1878, and dated the 20th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th May 1878.
WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY PUDDLING
FURNACES." [A communication from abroad by Henri Eugène Adolphe Schneider,
of Creusot, in the Republic of France.]
The present Invention has for its object various improvements in the construc-
tion of rotary puddling furnaces.
i
The apparatus is composed of four principal parts, namely:-(1), the fire-place;
(2), the rotary puddling chamber; (3), the smoke box; and (4), the arrangement
for driving or actuating the moving parts.
The fire-place is enclosed within an envelope or casing of shoet iron of a cylindrical
form, and therefore is not likely to be put out of shape.
The exit of the flame takes place through a cylindrical opening in the side, and
in which is placed a fire-bridge formed of a water chamber constructed of metal,
and protected on one side by a mass of oxide of iron, and on the other by fire-brick.
A lateral opening is made in this exit passage for the purpose of obtaining access to
and repairing the fire-bridge and adjoining parts without stopping the puddling
operation.
The exit aperture of the fire-place on the side of the puddling chamber is
provided with a hollow ring containing water for the purpose of protecting the
arch above the fire-bridge. This arch rests upon metal supports connected with the
fire-bridge and the foundation plate, and is kept cool! by means of a stream of

page_text: water. To this plate is attached a hollow brass ring, through which water circulates.
It is provided with a steel ring, which may be easily renewed when it becomes
worn by the friction of the end of the rotary puddling chamber. The face of the
arch over the fire-bridge is inclined towards the puddling chamber, and a diagonal
hole is made in it in order to admit a current of air to increase the oxidizing action
of the flame. Another hole or air passage for a like purpose is made at the rear
part of the fire-place. Above the arched roof of the fire-place is a metal envelope,
thus forming above the roof a space with which the air holes above mentioned
communicate. This space receives air from a pipe provided with a suitable valve.
The ash-pit is provided with doors, which may be opened when it is required to
clean out the ash-pit, but at other times constitutes a close chamber.
The door or opening whereby the fire-place is supplied with fuel is of a peculiar
construction.
There is a hopper for holding a supply of fuel, which passes down an inclined
passage on to the grate or fire-bars, but the hopper and passage are closed externally
by a valve or door, leaving a space above the fuel; this space communicates with
the ash-pit or with one of the chambers which is supplied with air under pressure,
so that instead of the smoke, flame, and gaseous products of combustion having a
tendency to pass through the mass of fuel and escape out of the fire-place, they are
driven back by the pressure of the air, and carried forward into the puddling
chamber.
A similar arrangement is adapted to the stoking hole and other openings into
the fire-place, so that only air can escape therefrom into the atmosphere by
leakage.
It will be understood that water is supplied to the hollow metal rings and spaces,
which it is required to keep cool, and that the water is kept constantly flowing
through in order to carry off any excessive heat.
The rotating puddling chamber is surrounded with or enclosed within a metal
casing, between which and the inner chamber is a space, in which water is allowed
to flow through an annular metallic fitting, in which are made a series of openings
all round the ring, which is fixed and is fitted to a groove made in the metal
envelope. This annular metallic fitting being fixed is stationary, while the puddling
chamber and its envelope is made to slowly rotate on its axis. Water under
pressure is supplied to the annular fitting at its lowest part, and passes from thence
through the openings or holes made therein into the space between the metal
envelope and the inner chamber, and after circulating in this casing, and thus
keeping the metal envelopo cool, passes again into the annular metallic fitting, and
from thence out at the top thereof, and is conducted away from the apparatus.
The ends of the rotary puddling chamber are made conical, and are provided with
metallic fittings, which are made to bear against the fixed parts of the apparatus in
such a manner as to form water-tight joints. The rotary puddling chamber is
supported on two parts of friction wheels, and rotary motion is imparted to the
chamber by means of a toothed pinion which gears into a toothed ring fixed on the
outer casing or envelope.
The shaft on which the pinion is mounted is actuated by toothed gearing driven
by a small engine, which forms part of the apparatus.
As this class of puddling furnace is capable of actuating upon large masses of
molten metal at a time it becomes necessary to provide some means of subdividing
the mass so that puddled balls of convenient size and of about the same weight
should be produced. This is effected by dividing the chamber into two or more
compartments by means of transverse partitions or bridges which project up into
the interior of the chamber at certain parts. These partitions are made of copper
or sheet iron, and are hollow for the purpose of receiving water, whereby they are
kept cool in the same way as the other parts of the chamber. They are suitably
protected from the action of the heat or of the molten metal by being covered with
fire-clay and oxide of iron or other suitable substance, as is well understood,

page_text: The smoke box is made moveable for the purpose of allowing the puddled balls
to be removed from the rotary puddling chamber. To this end the smoke box is
mounted on a strong shaft which is capable of turning in bearings, and also carries
a toothed wheel which gears into a vertical rack secured to the upper end of the
flanged rod of a hydraulic pump. Upon setting this pump to work the vertical
rack will act on the pinion on the axle of the smoke box, and will thus lift the
latter away from the end opening of the rotary puddling chamber. This smoke
box, like the other parts of the apparatus is enclosed in a metal envelope in such a
manner as to leave a space between the parts to receive water which is made to
circulate therein for the purpose of keeping the parts cool. At the end of the
smoke box is a peep hole, through which the attendant can watch from time to
time the progress of the puddling process in the rotary chamber. A hollow metal
ring and other devices such as those used at the fire-box end of the chamber are
employed to make the parts fit at the smoke box end, and these parts are kept cool
by the constant flow of water through them.
The puddling chamber is actuated by means of a two-cylinder steam engine
which has no dead points, and motion is transmitted therefrom by a system of
toothed gearing acting on a large toothed ring fixed outside the cylinder, as already
mentioned. It is found convenient to have two sets of toothed gearing, but they
may be connected by means of a clutch arrangement when required, as will some-
times be the case.
The journals of the axles of the wheels which support the rotary cylindrical
chamber are made with a series of projecting rings, which take into corresponding
grooves made in the plummer blocks, so that these wheels are effectually prevented
from being moved laterally out of their place.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th November 1878.
WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY PUDDLING
FURNACES." A communication from abroad by Henri Eugène Adolphe Schneider,
of Creusot, in the Republic of France.
The present Invention has for its object various improvements in the construction
of rotary puddling furnaces.
The apparatus is composed of four principal parts, viz., one, the fire-box; two,
the rotating puddling chamber; three, the smoke box; and four, the arrangement
for driving or actuating the moving parts.
In the accompanying Drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a rotary
puddling furnace constructed according to the present Invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the furnace as seen from above.
Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the smoke box end of the furnace.
Fig 4 is a transverse vertical section taken through the rotary chamber or furnace
at the line 1, 2, of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is another transverse section of the rotary
chamber, but taken at the line 3, 4, of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the bridge end of the fire-box; and Fig. 7
is an elevation of the inner end of the fire-box.
The fire-box (Figures 1, 2, and 7) is enclosed within an envelope or casing of
sheet iron a of a cylindrical form, and therefore is not liable to get out of shape.
The exit of the flame takes place through a large cylindrical opening b, in which
is placed a fire-bridge, formed of a water chamber d, which is protected on tho
puddling chamber side by an oxide of iron covering g, and on the fire-box side by
fire-brick. A lateral opening is made in this exit passage at c, Fig. 2, for the pur-
pose of obtaining access to and repairing the fire-bridge and adjacent parts without
necessarily disturbing the continuity of the work.
The exit aperture of the fire-place for the flame and gases of combustion is
provided with a hollow ring e, containing water for the purpose of protecting the
brick arch fabove the fire-bridge from the destructive action of the heat. This
arch rests upon metal supports connected with the fire-bridge and the foundation
plate, and is kept cool by means of a stream of water passing through the metal
ring e. To this ring e is attached a hollow brass ring h, through which water cir-
culates, and this ring his provided with a steel ring i, which may casily be renewed
when it becomes worn by the friction of the end of the rotary puddling chamber.
The face of the roof is slightly inclined towards the puddling chamber, and a
diagonal hole j is made in it in order to admit a current of air to increase the
oxidizing influence of the flamme. Another hole or air passage is made at the rear
part of the fire-place, and the atmospheric air thus brought into the furnace is
introduced by a special passage n, which is regulated by a valve O, Fig. 2, and
circulates between the arch and metallic cover m fixed upon the cylindrical
envelope of the fire-box.
The grate t is supplied with air forced in beneath it.
The air passage is furnished with a valve rand opening u, placed under the
fire-bridge.
The ash-pit v is provided with doors, which may be opened when it is required to
clear out the ash-pit.
The door or opening y, Fig. 6, whereby the fire-place is supplied with fuel, is of
a peculiar construction.
It often happens in furnaces supplied with air under pressure that the pressure
in the combustion chamber being greater than the outside pressure will thus
cause the flame and the smoke to escape by the feeding aperture. In a caso

page_text: like this a door is generally dispensed with, as the door and its accessories do not
fit so well as to prevent the escape of the smoke, and it further causes a useless
complication. Instead of a door a hopperis generally employed, this is filled with
coal, through which the smoke and combustible gases escape into the workshop.
In this arrangement the incline d' is retained, and also the hopper z, Fig. 6, but
this latter is closed by a sheet-metal door a¹, behind which the blast of air is con-
veyed through an opening b¹, Fig. 6. The pressure in the hopper being thus stronger.
than the pressure on the hearth, a portion of the air that is conducted into the
chamber passes down the inclined, over the fuel, and so prevents the escape of
either smoke or gas through the joints in the door. The same arrangement is
adapted to the stoking aperture f¹, Fig. 1, that is to say, that the rear sides of
the valves garo in communication through h¹ with the air blast, so that air and
not gas could only escape through g', the whole of the combustion chamber is firmly
secured by angle irons to the foundation plato i¹³, and thus forms a firm and stablo
construction.
The water, which is supplied to the furnace for the purpose of keeping it cool, is
conducted in a cold state through the pipe 1, Fig. 7, and enters the passage d of
the bridge at k¹, from which it passes at ; it then follows the bent pipo m',
Figures 2 and 7, so that it may enter the ring h at n', from which it passes
at o'; it then enters the ring e at p', from which it passes at q, and finally escapes
at r, Figures 2 and 7.
The rotary puddling chamber S¹ (Figures 1 and 2) is surrounded by or enclosed
within a metal casing, between which and the inner chamber is a space in which
water is allowed to flow. The interior of the chamber is fettled with oxide of iron t',
of sufficient thickness to admit of raising the temperature. It is upon this fettling
that the transformation of the crudo iron into malleable iron takes place.
Owing to the cooling effects of the water which circulates through the double
envelope the apparatus does not become distorted, and the mechanical part of it
is enabled to act in a satisfactory manner.
The circulation of the water in the double envelope is effected in the following
manner-The puddling chamber S¹ is surrounded by an annular bar or rail u
which is grooved on its periphery, and is pierced at the bottom of the groove with
holes V, which communicate with the double envelope (Figures 1 and 5); into this
groove is fitted a collar or flat ring a', which is fixed to lugs y', y², projecting from
the main framing. This ring is packed to make a water-tight joint between it and
the collar u¹. Following the movement of the puddling chamber the ring u¹ will
slide over the stationary collar x', which surrounds the puddling chamber. Water,
at a certain pressure, is admitted through the collar by an opening a² (Figures 1
and 5) made in its lower part. This water passes through the collar, circulates
from the bottom of the groove, and enters through the holes v¹ into the double
envelope at 6, Fig. 1, and rising up circulates through the space between the
envelopes, and after circulating around the cylinder is discharged through the
holes V into the passage c³, whence it is conducted by the overflow pipe ď² to a
suitable receiver. This latter is hollowed out or enlarged towards the outside in
order to admit of being stuffed with greased hemp; this hemp or other packing e
employed is pressed in between the ring and the collar by means of segmental
glands of cast iron f2 (Figures 1 and 8). Each segmental gland is maintained in
its place by curved bolts g². The segments taken together therefore form 2 rings h²,
Fig. 2, one on cach side of the collar; by pressure they are forced nearer to the
centre of motion, and thereby diminish the diameter.
Before being subjected to pressure the segments are separated from each other,
and in order to prevent the packing from escaping at the joints cach joint is covered
by small covers, Fig. 8, made of sheet metal. The segments and the groove are
serrated on their faces, against which the packing presses so as to maintain this
latter in its place, notwithstanding the friction of the collar, which might tend to
derange it.
☐ Another important point in the construction is the mode of connecting the interior

page_text: and exterior envelopes. The ends of the interior drum, Fig. 1, are formed in one
circular piece, made of bronze or brass with rebated edges, and arranged so as to
bear against the skin of the second envelope, and the joint is so arranged as to
be outside the furnace and out of contact with the flames. This part has attached
to it a steel ring 2, Fig. 1, which may be changed when it is worn out by the
friction caused by rubbing against the corresponding steel rings k³ of the smoke box
at one end and of the fire-box at the other.
It may be remarked that the opening of the rotary puddling chamber is smaller
on the side of the fire-chamber than on that of the smoke box. This narrowing of
the opening raises the level of the joint with respect to the fluid metal, and prevents
it from running out; it further assists in making it work easily; it also combines
with the slope of the bridge and the hollow of the arch.
The division of the charge into two or more balls is one of the characteristic
features of this furnace. It is well known that the size of the balls is one of the
difliculties in mechanical puddling, and it has been usual hitherto to limit the
maximum weight about half a ton. Now instead of making only one ball every
time the furnace is charged two may be made, and as the consumption of fuel is not
sensibly greater it necessarily follows that in charges amounting to a ton in weight,
the economy must be considerable. This subdivision of the of the metal is effected by
dividing the puddling hearth or chamber into two or more parts by means of trans-
verse partitions or bridges which project up into the interior of the chamber in
certain parts. This partition m³, Figures 1 and 5, which is made of copper or soft
sheet steel, and protected by fire-clay, is hollow, and filled with water by being in
direct communication with the double envelope. These partitions may be composed
of superposed pipes, either of a cylindrical or a flat shape, instead of being of the
segmental form shewn.
The smoke box n², Figures 1, 2, and 3, which serves a means of communication
between the hearth and the chimney, is pivotted on a horizontal axle which carries
a toothed pinion u³, made of steel, which gears into a rack ² secured to the plunger
rod of an hydraulic pump; is an hydraulic cylinder, and y, the piston rod
attached to the rack. The smoke box is so arranged as to have a constant
circulation of water through it. The water entrance and exit is placed in a joint
forming part of an elongation of the axis of motion. Before the water fills the
casing of the smoke box it enters the abutment ring that is attached to it, the
exhaut pipe is placed on the upper part of the double envelope in such a manner
that neither air nor steam can accumulate. The water enters the box at the joint o³,
Fig. 2, and flows along the pipe d³ on the side of the abutment ring 7; it leaves
this ring at es, and flows along the pipe ƒ³, through which it is conducted to the
lower portion of the double envelope, which it quits at g³, and down which it
descends; then it passes along h³ to the joint c³, and finally leaves at 13 (Figures
1 and 2).
The regulating screw t is for the purpose of adjusting the distance of the smoke
box from the puddling chamber; the door a³ is in two parts; 6³ is a spy hole,
Figures 1 and 3.
The rotary motion of the puddling chamber is given by a doublo cylinder
steam engine, Fig. 2, having no dead centre, and acting through gearing upon a
large toothed wheel which surrounds the puddling chamber, and which gears into
the motive pinion 7³ (Fig. 2.)
It has been found convenient to provide a double arrangement of driving gear,
either of which may be brought into action by means of the clutch q³, the object
being to regulate the relative speeds of the engine and the puddling chamber.
The gear wheels o³, 23, are usually employed for driving the puddling chamber,
but in case of abnormal resistance, such as when the balling up takes place, the
other pair of gear wheels m³, m³, will be brought into requisition; these latter are
used whenever it is desired to rotate the furnace slowly.
The rotary puddling chamber is supported in its rotation by four flanged
bearing wheels, which are made of cast iron, with steel tyres. The bearings us

page_text: of the axles of these wheels are made in such a manner as to take the lateral thrust
of the axles, and thereby to prevent any endway motion of the puddling cylinder.
To this end the bearings are grooved so as to receive collars formed on the axles,
Fig. 1.
³, is the side part of the foundation plate; and y³ is the front part of the plate;
3,3, Figure 4, are the girders which support the rollers t³.
The foregoing description and the accompanying Drawings give in an accurate
manner the various details of the improved puddling furnace, but it must be under-
stood that the details admit of considerable modification, for instanco the envelopes
may be constructed of cast iron or sheet steel instead of sheet iron; the connecting
pieces of the two envelopes may be made of cast iron, wrought iron, steel, or copper,
instead of being of brass, and their shape or design might be different provided that
the joint be placed outside the puddling chamber.
The friction rings may be of case-hardened iron, and the abutment rings may be
of hard brass or white metal instead of being of steel.
The gear wheels may also be made of steel or bronze instead of cast iron.
Having now described the Invention of "Improvements in Rotary Puddling
Furnaces"
as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and having
explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood
that under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim as the Invention secured
to me,-
First. The general construction and arrangement of the parts of the furnace as
herein set forth; I do not claim the exclusive right to cylindrical rotary puddling
furnaces or chambers except when constructed and arranged as herein set forth.
Second. The cylindrical form of the outer envelope of the fire-box, and the
adaptation to the fire-box of the means above described for preventing the smoke
from issuing therefrom; I also claim constructing an air passage in the roof above
the bridge, as and for the purpose herein set forth; I further claim the use of the
friction rings cooled by water, substantially as described.
Third. I claim the mode shewn of providing for the circulation of the water
through the apparatus.
Fourth. I claim constructing the rotary furnace or chamber with a transverso
partition or partitions for the purpose of dividing the charge into two or more
puddled balls as described; I also claim connecting the interior or hollow spaces
of the transverse partition with the exterior envelope, as and for the purpose herein
set forth; I further claim the mode herein set forth of attaching or adapting the
friction rings to each end of the puddling chamber for the purpose described.
Fifth. I claim the mode shewn and described of constructing the narrow opening
leading from the furnace to the puddling chamber; I would here remark that I do
not claim the exclusive right to adapt to the exit aperture of the rotary puddling
chamber a moveable smoke box, but I do claim,―
Sixth. The mode herein set forth of opening the hearth by the removal of the
smoke box, which is mounted on a horizontal axle so as to be capable of being
removed by hydraulic or other power, as horein shewn and described.
Seventh. I claim the adaptation to the rotary puddling chamber of an alternative
arrangement of gearing for the purpose of varying the speed of rotation of the
puddling chamber when required.
I further claim the employment of thrust rings on the axles of the supporting
rollers, as and for the purpose herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Nineteenth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
NOWMAN