IMPROVEMENTS IN CONVERTERS, AND PLANT AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH TO BE EMPLOYED IN MAKING BESSEMER STEEL
Year: 1882

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the
County of Middlesex Gentleman for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
CONVERTERS, AND PLANT AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH TO BE
EMPLOYED IN MAKING BESSEMER STEEL" A communication from abroad
by William Murray Henderson of Steelton Dauphin County Pennsylvania
United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th January 1882.
CONNECTED
33
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONVERTERS AND PLANT AND APPARATUS
THEREWITH ΤΟ BE EMPLOYED IN MAKING BESSEMER STEEL
A communication from abroad by Willian Murray Henderson of Steelton Dauphin
County Pennsylvania United States of America
This Invention consists Firstly of certain improvements fully described hereafter,
in Bessemer steel plant, the object of the said improvements being to economize
time and labor by affording facilities for promptly removing from its working
position, a converter for relining and repairs, and for as promptly replacing it with
a converter in good working condition.
Secondly. The Invention consists in so constructing a converter that it will
afford an extended passage for heating the air before it reaches the base of the
converter; and for keeping the body of the converter comparatively cool.
Thirdly. The Invention consists of certain appliances, described hereafter, for
withdrawing the gases from the molten metal in the ladle of a Bessemer steel
plant.
The converter may be constructed in substantially the same manner as ordinary
converters but its trunnions instead of turning in fixed bearings are provided with
flanged wheels adapted to a track consisting of girders which are supported on
columns. The object of this arrangement it to permit the converter when it has to

page_text: be relined or otherwise repaired, to be wheeled away on the track, and onto any
siding or turn out communicating therewith so as to make way for a converter
which can be prepared for immediate use, and which can be at once wheeled to the
working position previously occupied by the temporarily discarded converter.
The importance of this arrangement will be best understood by referring to the
fact that while a converter for conducting the ordinary Bessemer process requires
renewal of the lining about every three months, a converter for the "basic"
process which is now coming into use, must be renewed about every 30 hours;
and as the relining of a converter for the basic process which has hitherto been done
while in its working position, cannot be accomplished in less than twelve (12) hours,
the importance of providing the trunnions of the converter with wheels, so that it
can be moved out of the way, and be replaced at once by another in good working
condition, will be understood.
When the improved converter is in its working position each flanged wheel is
confined between a fixed stop on the girder and a stop so secured to the said girder
by keys bolts or otherwise as to be easily detached therefrom.
When the stops one to either wheel are in place the wheels become the bearings
in which the trunnions can turn when the converter has to be tilted.
The tilting of the converter is accomplished by a vertical rack of the hydraulic
cylinder usually provided for the purpose, the rack gearing into a pinion on one of
the trunnions. A blast pipe passes through a stuffing box into one of the trunnions
of the converter and provision must of course be inade for detaching this pipe when
the converter has to be wheeled away from its working position.
The converter can be traversed along the girders by suitable tackle operated by
steam or other power, but it is much preferred to employ the following plan.
A truck is provided with two axles, each having a pair of flanged wheels adapted
to the track formed by the before mentioned girders into a cog wheel on each axle,
gears a pinion on a shaft carried by frames on the truck and provided at each end
with a crank handle. The side beams of the truck project from each end of the
same the projecting beam at either end of the truck being arranged to abut against
projections on the converter and a hook on the latter being adapted for coupling by
means of a link to a pin in the truck.
In order that the projecting beams of the truck may be caused to bear hard
against the converter I prefer to connect the coupling link to a lever pivoted to
the truck so that by forcing the lever in the direction of the arrow while the link
is attached to the hook on the converter the track must be caused to bear hard
against projections on the same and this should be the case before the coupling pin
can drop into its place.
When the truck has been thus coupled to the converter, the former becomes
essentially a part of the latter, which may be hauled away from its working position ;
the stops previously referred to having been first removed.
A small locomotive may be used in place of the truck but the truck operated by
hand-power will serve the desired purpose.
The following is a system of tracks and turn-tables which it is preferred to use
in connection with the wheeled converters and truck.
Two converters are mounted upon two parallel or adjacent tracks composed of
the above mentioned girders and supports and continued to any desired points.
Another track intersects these two tracks and at the intersections are turn tables.
By this arrangement a converter can be transferred with great facility from either
of the two parallel or adjacent tracks to the intersecting track and replaced by
another converter in working condition.
While a system of tracks with switches and turn-outs might be used in place of
the intersecting tracks and turn-tables, the latter is preferred.
It is usual in constructing converters to make the central or air-belt portion on
which are the trunnions, of cast iron, a short passage being formed in the casting to
convey the blast which enters one of the trunnions directly to a pipe or passage
which communicates with the usual perforated base or tuyere box.

page_text: According to this Invention the air belt portion of the converter is made of two
annular concentric plates of substantial wrought iron, the plates being at a
sufficient distance apart to form an air passage and being connected together above
and below by substantial rings of wrought iron. In traversing this passage the air
becomes heated and the belt portion of the converter is maintained in a comparatively
cool condition.
In order to firmly secure the trunnions to the two annular plates a hollow flange
is cast on each trunnion equal in thickness to the distance between the two annular
plates, through which and through the flange pass rivets, each rivet passing through
a boss which bosses are cast between and join the two plates together.
I will now proceed to describe the appliances by which the gases are withdrawn
from the molten metal in the ladles of Bessermer steel works.
Two cranes carrying ladles are arranged in proximity. The ladle cover is so
situated that the ladle of either crane can be brought beneath it; this cover is
secured to the lower end of an exhaust pipe the upper end of which is secured to
and communicates with the chest of an ejector. The nozzle of the ejector commu-
nicates with a steam pipe which is provided with a valve the latter being operated
by an endless chain or other appropriate appliance. The cover and exhaust pipe
are counterbalanced by a weight attached to a chain passing over pulleys so that
the cover can be depressed or raised to the limited extent required by the exercise
of a comparatively slight effort. The exhaust pipe is arranged to slide in a guide
at its upper end which guide is secured to the roof or other part of the building.
Plastic fire clay is placed on the flange of the ladle after which the crane is swung
round until the ladle is beneath the cover when it is raised by the hydraulic
pressure provided until the clay on its flange is in contact with the underside of
the cover after which the valve is opened.
The first effect of the action of the ejector will be to reduce the pressure beneath
the cover and consequently the forcing of the cover down tight on the ladle by
atmospheric pressure, the balance weights yielding freely. The continued action
of the ejector produces a vacuum within the ladle the air bubbles and confined
gases will come to the surface and will be expelled through the outlet of the
ejector. The object of this part of the Invention may be explained as follows:
In the manufacture of Bessemer steel, after the blowing of air through the mass
of molten metal in the converter has ceased, there remain in the metal carbonic
acid gas and air charged with oxygen. At this stage of the proceedings the
Spiegeleisen is added to the molten metal so as to give the equivalent of carbon
necessary to convert the metal into steel and the charge is poured into the ladle.
A violent ebullition and disengagement of gases now takes place and this frequently
continues after the metal is poured into the mould as exhibited by a violent
frothing: the result of this is a want of homogeneity in the ingot, the metal being
in streaks of different character, interspersed with air and gas bubbles; the latter,
as the ingot cools concentrates towards the centre of the ingot where the metal
retains its fluidity longer than other parts.
To obviate these defects is the object of this part of the Invention, by which the
air and gases tending to produce imperfect ingots are withdrawn before the inetal
is poured.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th July 1882.
אן
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONVERTERS AND PLANT AND APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITII ΤΟ BE EMPLOYED
MAKING BESSEMER STEEL"
A communication from abroad by William Murray Henderson of Steelton, Dauphin
County, Pennsylvania United States of America
This Invention consists Firstly of certain improvements fully described hereafter
in Bessemer steel plant, the object of the said improvements being to economise
time and labor by affording facilities for promptly removing from its working
position a converter for re-lining and repairs and for as promptly replacing it with
a converter in good working condition.
Secondly. The Invention consists in so constructing a converter that it will
afford an extended passage for heating the air bofore it reaches the base of the
converter and for keeping the body of the converter comparatively cool.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings the saine letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figures 1 and 2 are a side view and front view of a converter showing one
feature of the Invention.
Figures 3 and 4 are a side view and a plan of the hand power truck by which a
converter may be traversed along a track;
Figure 5 is a plan drawn to a reduced scale, of a system of tracks and turn-tables
used in connection with the converters and traction truck.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 are views drawn to an enlarged scale shewing my improve-
ments in the construction of converters, and
Figure 9 a sectional plan of a converter drawn to a reduced scale.
A is the converter which may be constructed in substantially the same manner
as ordinary converters but its trunnions & instead of turning in fixed bearings are
provided with flanged wheels B B adapted to a track consisting of the girders C C
which are supported on columns in the usual manner. The object of this arrange-
ment is to permit the converter when it has to be re-lined or otherwise repaired to
be wheeled away on the track and on to any siding or turn-out communicating
therewith so as to make way for a converter which has been prepared for immediate
use, and which can be at once wheeled to the working position previously occupied
by the temporarily discarded converter.
61
The importance of this arrangement will be best understood by referring to the
fact that while a converter for conducting the ordinary Bessemer process requires
renewal of the lining about every three months, the lining of a converter for the
'basic' process which is now coming into use must be renewed about every
30 hours; and as the re-lining of a converter for the basic process which has
hitherto been done while in its working position cannot be accomplished in less
than twelve hours, the importance of providing the trunnions of the converter
with wheels so that it can be moved out of the way and be replaced at once by
another in good working condition will be understood.
When the improved converter is in its working position each flanged wheel B is
confined between a fixed stop K on the girder and a stop L so secured to the said
girder by keys bolts or otherwise as to be easily detached therefrom.

page_text: When the two stops L one to cither wheel are in place the wheels become
the bearings in which the trunnions can turn when the converter has to be
tilted.
This tilting of the converter is accomplished by a vertical rack H of the
hydraulic cylinder usually provided for the purpose the rack gearing into pinion G
on one of the trunnions. A blast pipe E passes through a stuffing box F into one
of the trunnions of the converter and provision must of course be made for
detaching this pipe when the converter has to be wheeled away from its working
position.
The converter can be traversed along the girders by suitable tackle operated by
steam or other power but it is much preferred to employ the plan which I will now
proceed to describe reference being had to Figures 3 and 4.
A truck D is provided with two axles each having a pair of flanged wheels R
adapted to the track formed by the girders C; into a toothed wheel on each axle
gears a pinion on a shaft carried by frames on the truck and provided at each end
with a crank handle. The side beams d d of the truck project from each end of
the same the projecting beam at either end of the truck being arranged to abut
against projectious ee on the converter, a hook f on the latter being adapted for
coupling by means of a link to a pin in the truck.
In order that the projecting beams of the truck may be caused to bear hard
against the converter I prefer to connect the coupling link to a lever N pivoted to
the truck so that by forcing the lever in the direction of the arrow while the link
is attached to the hook on the converter the truck must be caused to bear hard
against the projections ce on the same and this should be the case before the
coupling pin can drop into its place.
When the truck has been thus coupled to the converter the former becomes
essentially a part of the latter which may be hauled away from its working
position; the stops L previously referred to having been first removed. For
bauling four men may be stationed on the truck one at each handle.
A small locomotive may be used in place of the truck but the truck operated by
hand power will serve the desired purpose.
Figure 5 shows a system of tracks and turn-tables which it is preferred to use
in connection with the wheeled converters and truck.
In this view A A¹ are two converters and V, VI, two tracks composed of the
above mentioned girders C C and continued to any desired points.
Another track W intersects these two tracks and at the intersections are turn-
tables hh. The facility with which a converter can be transferred from either of
the tracks V, VI, to the intersecting track W and with which it can be replaced by
another converter in working condition will be understood without further
explanation.
While a system of tracks with switches and turn-outs might be used in place of
the intersecting tracks and turn-tables, the latter is preferred.
It is usual in constructing converters to make the central or air-belt portion (A²
(Figure 6) on which are the trunnions) of cast iron a short passage being formed
in the casting to convey the blast which enters one of the trunnions directly to a
pipe or passage t which communicates with the usual perforated base or tuyere
box the latter not being shown in the Drawing as it is similar to those in ordinary
use.
According to this Invention the air-belt portion A2 of the converter is made of
two annular concentric plates m m' of strong wrought iron the plates being at a
sufficient distance apart to form an air passage y around the part A² the said
plates m m being connected together above and below by strong rings p p of
wrought iron. In traversing this passage y the air becomes heated and the belt
portion A of the converter is maintained in a comparatively cool condition.
In order to firmly secure the trunnions a to the two annular plates a hollow
flange 8 (Figure 8) is cast on each trunnion equal in thickness to the distance
between the two annular plates through which and through the flange pass rivets

page_text: each rivet passing through a boss which bosses are cast between and join the two
plates together as shewn in Figures 7 and 8.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect
I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is :-
First. The combination of the flanged wheels B with the trunnions a of a
converter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
Drawings.
Second The combination of a converter and flanged wheels adapted to the
trunnions thereof with girders constituting a track for the said wheels, and with
fixed and removable stops K and L on the said track adapted to the wheels
all substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
Drawings.
Third The combination of converters and their wheeled trunnions with main
and intersecting tracks and turn-tablos substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth The combination of the converter and its wheeled trunnions, with a
power truck having flanged driving wheels and mechanism for operating the
samo substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
Drawings.
Fifth The combination of the projecting beams of the truck and projections
ee and hook f on the converter with a coupling link and coupling pin and a
lever N for operating said coupling link substantially as herein before described
with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Sixth In a converter the combination of an air-belt composed of two concentric
plates of wrought iron connected together with trunnions having flanges confined
between and secured to the said plates all substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Seventh The combination in a converter of an air-belt composed of two
concentric plates of wrought iron with a hollow trunnion provided with a hollow
flange confined between and riveted to the said plates and forming a communication
between the hollow trunnion and interior of the belt substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof I the said John Henry Johnson have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal this Seventh day of July One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)