IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William John Clapp, of Nantyglo, Surgeon, and Thomas
Griffiths, of Blaenavon, both in the County of Monmouth, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William John Clapp and
Thomas Griffiths at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
28th March 1881.
WILLIAM JOHN CLAPP, of Nantyglo, Surgeon, and THOMAS GRIFFITHS, of
Blaenavon, both in the County of Monmouth. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR
APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL."
The Invention has for its object improvements in means or apparatus employed
in the manufacture of iron and steel.
For this purpose we dispense with the costly convertors now in use and obviate
the danger incurred in pouring metal therefrom, together with the risk of the metal
running back into the tuyeres, whilst by our Invention we obtain facility of
manipulation, an effective treatment of the metal, a cheaply constructed apparatus,
and less waste than that incurred by the use of the ordinary convertor.
In carrying our Invention into effect we employ an upright convertor formed in
three parts, the upper one forming the stack and an intermediate part forming a
chamber for the circulation of water therein, and the fittings are permanently fixed
in position, whilst the lower part, which is to receive the metal to be treated, is
mounted upon a frame capable of being raised and lowered upon another frame
provided with wheels to run on a railway.
The lower part or convertor is provided with tuyeres fixed in the side thereof, and
with a tap hole at the bottom to permit of the metal after treatment being run out
therefrom. Another aperture fitted with a door is also provided above the level of
the fluid metal to permit of the slag and other impurities being raked off the top
of the metal and removed from the convertor.
Each tuyere is provided at its rear end with a seat to receive a plug or stopper
when it is required to shut off the blast, and such plug or stopper is fixed to a rod
provided with a disc or piston roughly fitting a steam tube or cylinder, so as to
enable the steam when admitted to the back of the piston to press the stopper to
its seat. The said steam tube or cylinder is formed of a piece of common gas pipe

page_text: or other similar tubing provided with a cover at one end, the other end thereof
being passed through a stuffing box attached to a box, to which is also connected a
steam pipe and an air blast pipe provided with a valve capable of closing against
the air blast when steam is admitted into the box.
Thus we are enabled at will to send a blast of air or steam into the metal in the
convertor, and to shut off either or both of such blasts, as may be required. When
the stopper is pressed against its seat at the rear end of the tuyere by the steam
acting on the back of the piston, a portion of steam escapes past the piston and
creates a pressure in the box sufficient to close the air blast valve and to prevent
the metal running back into the tuyere, whilst when the steam is shut off from the
back of the piston, and only compressed air is admitted to the box, the pressure of
air acts against the front of the piston of the plug or stopper in the contrary
direction, and thereby removes the plug or stopper from its seat, thus enabling the
air blast to enter the tuyere. If it be desired to send a combined blast of air and
steam into the fluid metal the valves will require to be specially arranged and
controlled for the purpose, but in any case the plug or stopper will be forced to its
seat when required in the manner above described.
The middle part of the apparatus having a circulation of water therethrough is
intended to keep the upper portion comparatively cool, and such middle part may be
flush on its inner face with that of either the upper or lower portion, or with both,
or it may be caused to project somewhat into the interior of the apparatus, in which
case it will serve as a ledge to catch the slag and other solid impurities boiling
up out of the liquid metal.
The lower part of the apparatus being mounted on a frame capable of being
raised and lowered, as before described, can be raised into position under the upper
parts and lowered away therefrom and removed, and by being fitted to run on rails
it may be readily conveyed to the mills or other desired position and to the
repairing and drying shed when required. Instead of forming the lower moveable
part of the apparatus to fit closely up against the middle part, it may be formed
and arranged to rise up concentrically a short distance within the upper portion or
stack, leaving an annular space between the two, by which means the necessity for
closely fitting the parts is avoided, and the slag and other solid impurities boiling
up from the fluid metal are discharged over the edge of the vessel and fall down
through the space between the two parts, a suitable aperture provided with a door
being provided, as before described, above the level of the fluid metal to enable the
slag to be scraped off.
Our Invention also consists in dispensing with the tuyeres ordinarily employed
in the bottom or in the side of the convertor and employing in lieu thereof broad
channels or necks fitted at their upper parts with means for introducing a blast of
air or steam, or a combination of both. These broad channels or necks are open at
their lower ends to the interior of the convertor, and the fluid metal has free access
thereto, whilst they are of such capacity that the fluid metal is not likely to cool
and set therein; we also preferably form these broad channels curved upwards from
the bottom of the convertor, and slightly inclined to the convertor, in order to
cause the blast to produce a better effect upon the fluid metal.
Our Invention also consists in an improved plug to be used in connection with
the aforesaid apparatus and with other descriptions of apparatus employed in the
treatment of iron and steel.
For this purpose we mix brick material with asbestos, and submit the compound
to considerable pressure in a mould, after which it is fired in the usual way; we
mount this improved plug on the end of a screwed rod, which by being rotated
within a nut is caused to close or open the aperture to which it is applied, as may
be required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William John Clapp and Thomas Griffiths in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 28th September 1881.
WILLIAM JOHN CLAPP, of Nantyglo, Surgeon, and THOMAS GRIFFITHS, of
Blaenavon, both in the County of Monmouth. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR
APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL."
This Invention has for its object improvements in means or apparatus employed
in the manufacture of iron and steel.
For this purpose we dispense with the costly convertors now in use and obviate
the danger incurred in pouring metal therefrom, together with the risk of the
metal running back into the tuyeres, whilst by our Invention we obtain facility of
manipulation, an effective treatinent of the metal, a cheaply constructed apparatus,
and less waste than that incurred by the use of the ordinary convertor.
In carrying our Invention into effect we employ an upright convertor formed in
three parts, the upper one forming the stack, and an intermediate part forming a
bosh or chamber for the circulation of water therein, and the fittings for the steam
and blast are permanently fixed in position, whilst the lower part, which is to
receive the metal to be treated, is mounted upon a frame capable of being raised
and lowered upon another frame provided with wheels to run on a railway.
The lower part or convertor is provided with tuyeres fixed in the side thereof,
and with a tap hole at the bottom to permit of the metal after treatment being run
out therefrom. Another aperture fitted with a door is also provided above the
level of the fluid metal, which serves as a charging aperture, and also to permit of
the slag and other impurities being raked off the top of the metal, and removed
from the convertor.
Each tuyere is provided at its rear end with a seat to receive a plug or stopper
when it is required to shut off the blast, and such plug or stopper is fixed to a rod
provided with a disc or piston fitting a steam tube or cylinder, so as to enable the
steam when admitted to the back of the piston to press the stopper to its seat.
The said steam tube or cylinder may be formed of a piece of common gas pipe or
other similar tubing, or it may be of cast or wrought metal provided with a cover
at one end, the other end thereof being passed through a stuffing box attached to
a box, to which is also connected a steam pipe and an air blast pipe, provided
with a valve capable of being closed against the air blast when from any cause it
is desired to shut off the action of one of the tuyeres.
Thus we are enabled at will to send a blast of air into the metal in the convertor,
and to shut off such blast, as may be required. When the stopper is pressed against
its seat at the rear end of the tuyere by the steam acting on the back of the piston
the metal is prevented running back through the tuyere, whilst when the steam is
shut off from the back of the piston, and compressed air is admitted to the box, the
pressure of air acts against the front of the piston of the plug or stopper in the
contrary direction to that of the steam, and thereby removes the plug or stopper
from its seat, thus enabling the air blast to enter the tuyere.
The middle part of the apparatus having a circulation of water therethrough is
intended to keep the upper portion comparatively cool, and such middle part may
be flush on its inner face with that of either the upper or lower portion, or with
both; or it may be caused to project somewhat into the interior of the apparatus,
in which case it will serve as a ledge to catch the slag and other solid impurities
boiling up out of the liquid metal.
The lower part of the apparatus being mounted on a frame capable of being
raised and lowered, as before described, can be raised into position under the
upper parts, and lowered away therefrom and removed, and by being fitted to run
on rails it may be readily conveyed to the mills or other desired position, and to
the repairing and drying shed when required.
Instead of forming the lower moveable part of the apparatus to fit closely up
against the middle part it may be formed and arranged to rise up concentrically a

page_text: short distance within the upper portion or stack, leaving an annular space between
the two, by which means the necessity for closely fitting the parts is avoided, and
the slag and other solid impurities boiling up from the fluid metal are discharged
over the edge of the vessel, and fall down through the space between the two
parts, a suitable aperture fitted with a door being provided, as before described,
above the level of the fluid metal to enable the slag to be scraped off.
Our Invention also consists in dispensing with the tuyeres ordinarily employed
in the bottom or in the side of the convertor, and in employing in lieu thereof
broad channels or necks fitted at their upper parts with means for introducing a
blast of air. These broad channels or necks are open at their lower ends to the
interior of the convertor, and the fluid metal has free access thereto, whilst they
are of such capacity that the fluid metal is not likely to cool and set therein; we
also preferably form these broad channels curved upwards from the bottom of the
convertor, and slightly inclined to the convertor, in order to cause the blast to
produce a better effect upon the fluid metal.
Our Invention also consists in an improved plug to be used in connection with
the aforesaid apparatus, and with other descriptions of apparatus employed in the
treatment of iron and steel.
For this purpose we mix brick or other material with asbestos, and submit the
compound to considerable pressure in a mould, after which it is fired in the usual
way; we mount this improved plug on the end of a screwed rod, which by being
rotated within a nut is caused to close or open the aperture to which it is applied,
as may be required.
.
And in order that our said Invention may be more clearly understood and
readily carried into effect, we will proceed, aided by the accompanying Drawings,
more fully to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents a vertical section and a vertical elevation of parts of an
upright convertor constructed according to our Invention; Figure 2 represents
partly a plan and partly a horizontal section; Figure 3 represents a vertical
section drawn on the line 1, 1, of Figure 2; and Figure 4 represents horizontal
sections drawn on the lines 2, 2, and 3, 3, of Figure 3; Figure 5 represents a
slightly different construction of some of the parts; Figure 6 represents a
vertical section; and Figure 7 horizontal sections of apparatus employed in the
manufacture of iron and steel constructed according to our Invention, with broad
channels or necks to serve as ducts or passages for the blast. In all the Figures
like parts are marked with similar letters of reference.
We will first describe the arrangement of apparatus represented at Figures 1, 2,
3, 4, and 5.
In carrying our Invention into effect we employ an upright convertor formed in
three parts A, B, C, the upper one A forming the stack and being supported on
fixed pillars or on a fixed framing (not shown), the intermediate part B forming a
bosh or chamber for the circulation of water therein; the steam and blast pipes
D, E, are permanently fixed in position, whilst the lower part C which is to receive
the fluid or molten metal to be treated is mounted upon a frame capable of being
raised and lowered upon another frame provided with wheels to run on a railway,
as will be readily understood.
The lower part or convertor proper is provided with tuyeres a fixed in the side
thereof, and with a tap hole 6 at the bottom to permit of the metal after treatment
being run out therefrom. Another aperture c fitted with a door c¹ is also provided
above the level of the fluid metal which serves as a charging aperture, and also to
permit the slag and other impurities to be raked off the top of the fluid or molten
metal and removed from the convertor.
Each tuyere a is provided at its rear end with a seat for a plug or stopper ƒ to
enable the blast to be shut off when required, and such plug or stopper fis fixed
to a rod f¹ provided with a disc or piston f2 fitting a steam tube or cylinder g, so
4

page_text: as to enable the steam when admitted to the back of the piston f2 to press the
stopper fto its seat; and in order to enable the said stopper f to be drawn back
from its seat when from any cause the pressure of the blast against the piston ƒ³
is unable to remove it, we carry the rod f' through a stuffing box g², and provide
the end thereof with a handle fs by which it can be readily pulled away from its
seat when required.
The steam tube or cylinder g may, as shown at Figure 5, and as described in our
Provisional Specification, be formed of a piece of common gas pipe or other similar
tubing provided with a cover g¹ and steam pipe d at one end, the other end thereof
being passed through a stuffing box g³ attached to a box g', to which latter is
connected an air blast pipe e provided with a valve e¹ capable of being closed
against the air blast when from any cause it is desired to shut off the action of one
of the tuyeres, in which case the tube e connected with such tuyere is removed
from the apparatus, and a block of wood or metal placed in position to press the
valve e¹ to its seat.
We prefer however to form the steam tube or cylinder g as shown in Figures 1
to 4 of a bored tube or bush gx fixed in the outer cylinder or box g.
We are by the means above described enabled to send a blast of air into the
metal in the convertor C, and to shut it off, as may be required.
When the stopper f is pressed against its seat at the rear end of the tuyere a by
the steam acting on the back of the piston f; the fluid or molten metal is
prevented running back through the tuyere, whilst when the steam is shut off
from the back of the piston f' and compressed air is admitted to the box g¹ the
pressure of the air acts against the front of the piston 2 in the contrary direction
to that of the steam, and thereby removes the plug or stopper f from its seat, thus
enabling the air blast to enter the tuyere a.
In the Drawings we have represented the rod f1 as being formed of a tube with
an opening fx to the box g, and we have also represented the plug fas being.
formed with a small aperture at the centre thereof; this construction is to enable
a small blast of air to enter the tuyere a when the plug or stopper fis forced to
its seat, thereby preventing the metal cooling within the tuyere a, such small
blast having no injurious effect on the fluid or molten metal during the short
period of its action.
The middle part B of the apparatus having a supply of water is intended to
keep the upper portion or stack A comparatively cool, and such part B may be
flush on its inner face with that of either the upper or lower portion of the
apparatus, or with both, as shown at Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, or it may be caused to
project somewhat into the interior of the apparatus, in which case it will serve as
a ledge to catch the slag and other solid impurities boiling up out of the fluid or
molten metal.
The lower part or convertor proper C being mounted on a frame capable of
being raised and lowered, as before described, can be raised into position under the
upper parts A, B, and lowered away therefrom and removed, and by being fitted
to run on rails it may be readily conveyed to the mills or to other desired position,
and to the repairing and drying shed when required. And in order to facilitate
such adjustment in position for use and removal of the lower part or convertor C,
we cause the air blast tubes e to fit and slide in and out through stuffing boxes e
attached to the tube E, and we form the steam tubes d with flexible parts d¹
capable of being connected and disconnected with the other part or parts by
means of union joints, as will be readily understood.
Instead of forming the lower moveable part C of the apparatus to fit closely up
against the middle part B, it may be formed and arranged to rise up concentrically
a short distance within the upper portion or stack A, and to leave an annular
space between the two, as will be readily understood, by which means the
necessity for closely fitting the parts is avoided, and the slag and other solid
impurities boiling up from the fluid or molten metal are discharged over the edge
of the vessel C and fall down through the space between the two parts, a suitable

page_text: aperture c fitted with a door c¹ being provided, as before described, above the level
of the fluid or molten metal to serve as a charging aperture, and to enable the slag
on the surface of the fluid or molten metal to be scraped off.
In the arrangement of apparatus represented at Figures 6 and 7, the tuyeres
ordinarily employed in the bottom or side of the converter are dispensed with, and
broad channels or necks C¹ are employed in lieu thereof; these channels or necks C¹
are fitted at their upper ends with means for introducing a blast of air, as shown,
and at their lower ends they are open to the interior of the convertor C to enable
the fluid or molten metal to have free access thereto, whilst they are of such
capacity that the fluid or molten metal is not likely to cool and set therein after
the suspension of the blast; we also preferably form these broad channels curved
upwards from the bottom of the convertor C and slightly inclined to the convertor,
in order to cause the blast to produce a better effect upon the fluid or molten metal.
Our improved plug or stopper is formed of asbestos mixed with brick or other
material, preferably graphite, in quantity sufficient to consolidate the same.
mixture is submitted to considerable pressure in a mould, after which it is fired in
the usual way; this improved plug or stopper h is, as shown in the Drawings,
mounted on the end of a screwed rod i, which by being rotated within a nut j is
caused to close or open the aperture to which it is applied, as may be required.
This plug or stopper and the method of working it may be applied to other classes
of apparatus employed in the manufacture of iron and steel.
This
We would here remark that if for any purpose it should be thought desirable to
introduce steam or a confined blast of steam and air into the fluid or molten metal,
and such can be effected in the manner described in our Provisional Specification,
as will be readily understood, but as we do not now propose to use steam for such
purpose we have given no further description thereof.
The apparatus herein described may be employed in the manufacture of steel
and homogeneous metal, or in treating fluid or molten metal for other purposes.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention and the mode in which
we carry the same into effect, we would have it understood that what we claim is,-
First. The general arrangement and construction of apparatus employed in the
manufacture of iron and steel, substantially as herein shown and described in
respect to Figures 1 to 5.
Second. The employment of a plug or stopper f acting against a seat formed at
the rear end of the tuyere, and provided with a disc or piston f2 capable of being
acted upon by steam or by the air blast to close or open the passage through the
tuyere, substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
Third. Constructing apparatus employed in the manufacture of iron and steel
in three parts A, B, C, substantially as herein shown and described and for the
purpose stated.
Fourth. Constructing apparatus employed in the manufacture of iron and steel
with broad channels or necks C' open at their lower ends to the interior of the
convertor, and curved upwards and slightly inclined to the convertor, and of such
capacity that the fluid metal is not likely to cool and set therein after the
suspension of the blast, substantially as herein shown and described and for the
.purpose stated.
In witness whereof, we, the said William John Clapp and Thomas Griffiths,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty second of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.