IMPROVEMENTS IN PUDDLING FURNACES
Year: 1873

page_text: ETTERS 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 PUDDLING FURNACES."-A com-
munication from abroad by Leven Shreve Goodrich, of Waverly, in
the State of Tennessee, and John Hartwell Hillman and George
Washington Goodrich, both of Trigg Furnace, in the State of
Kentucky, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward
Newton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 8th January 1873.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declaro
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUDDLING FUR-
NACES," to be as follows:-

page_text: The first part of the Invention consists in the use of a portable
fire-box or grate for supplying heat and flame to the puddling or
desulphurizing furnace, whether the latter be a rotating one or not.
The Invention also consists in making the revolving furnace for
puddling or other furnaces readily portable by combining therewith a
turntable and tracks, whereby increased facility is afforded for moving
either the fire-box or grate or the furnace itself out of the way when
these parts are detached, and of replacing it or another grate, or of
replacing the furnace as required.
The Invention furthermore consists in providing in a smooth, simple,
and practicable manner for rotating the furnace in opposite directions,
as is often necessary, and for supporting the furnace and holding it
steady during rotation; also relieving it of racking strain or vibration
on the telescopic flue joint or joints of the furnace. Excessive wear,
too, incidental to the great weight of the rotating furnace is avoided,
and the destructive effect of heat and friction upon the telescopic tube
or flue leading from the fire-box to the furnace is materially reduced.
The means for rotating the furnace consists in adapting an endless screw
and spur gear to the furnace, so that the furnace may be revolved in
either direction by means of the screw. The furnace may be readily
disconnected from its operating device at pleasure.
The special means provided for preventing to a great degree the
destructive influence of heat and friction upon the telescopic tube leading
from the fire-box to the rotating puddling chamber or furnace consists in
a reciprocating and revolving ring applied to the outer side of said flue,
and corresponding with the inner wall of the passage through which it
enters the rotating furnace. The furnace is held in position by its own
gravity, and revolves steadily and freely by means of a combination of
wheels supported by fulcrum devices, which make them self-adjusting
with an annular track upon the furnace.

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 8th July 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
5 EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lanc, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred' and seventy-three, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, givo
and grant unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Her special
licence that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Edward
Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
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
“IMPROVEMENTS IN PUDDLING FURNACES," being a communication to me
from abroad by Leven Shreve Goodrich, of Waverly, in the State of
Tennessee, and John Hartwell Hillman and George Washington
Goodrich, both of Trigg Furnace, in the State of Kentucky, United
States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said William Edward Newton, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly 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 Edward Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawing here.
unto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked theron (that is to
say) :-
This Invention mainly relates to what is known no the novalving

page_text: puddling furnace. One of the objects of the Invention is to overcome
the difficulties heretofore experienced in operating or rotating such
furnaces. To explain this it should be observed that in furnaces of this
description the fire-box is stationary, and the gaseous products of com-
bustion therefrom are caused to enter the centre of the puddling furnace
or chamber through a cylindrical flue which rotates in common with the
puddling chamber, and which forms a telescopic joint or union between
the fire-box and the puddling chamber or furnace. A similar flue is
attached to the opposite end or side of the puddling chamber to carry
off the spent gascous products of combustion to the chimney, and to
provide for draught. This flue has also been made to serve as the
opening for charging. the furnace, and for discharging it. The first-
mentioned of these flues meets with frequent injuries, both from the
excessive heat to which it is exposed and from fragments of broken
cinder and other substances which find their way between the outside of
the flue and the inside of the opening through which it passes. This of
course grinds away the exposed surfaces, and creates much friction.
The only practicable way to overcome this difficulty is to make either
the puddling furnace or its fire-box portable, so that the flue and passage
within which it fits may be separated for the purpose of clearing away
the obstacles, and afterwards be readjusted with but little trouble and
delay. Such flue should be adjustable, so as to admit of its easy
removal in case of necessity.
:
The first part of the Invention accordingly consists in the use of a
portable fire-box or grate for supplying heat and flame to the puddling
or desulphurizing furnace, whether the latter be a rotating onc
or not.
The Invention also consists in making the revolving furnace for
puddling or other furnaces readily portable, as hercin-after described.
The Invention likewise consists in a certain combination of a turntable
and tracks with a revolving furnace, whereby increased facility is
afforded for moving the fire-box or grate out of the way when detached
from the furnace, and of replacing it or another grate, or of replacing
the furnace as required.
"The Invention furthermore consists in various methods and means or
combinations of means for overcoming other difficulties incidental to
revolving furnaces, namely, to provide in a smooth, simple, and prac

page_text: ticable manner for rotating the furnace in opposite directions, as is
often necessary, and for supporting the furnace and holding it steady
during rotation; also relieving it from racking strain or vibration on the
telescopic flue joint or joints of the furnace. Excessive wear too
(incidental to the great weight of the rotating furnace) is avoided, and
the destructive effect of heat and friction upon the telescopic tube or
flue leading from the fire-box to the furnace is materially reduced by
certain features or devices pertaining to the Invention, as hercin-after
described.
In revolving furnaces as heretofore constructed owing to the absence
of means, such as above referred to, and the stationary or non-portable
character of such furnaces, there has been but very imperfect provision.
to meet necessary requirements, such as for replacing injured parts or
doing necessary repairs, and it has been incumbent to charge and dis-
charge the furnace while the heat and flame are passing through from
the fire-box, which adds to the discomfort of the operator. This..
Invention obviates these defects. One part of the Invention includes.
simple and positive means for rotating the furnace, and consists in,
adapting an endless screw and spur gear in connection with the furnace,
in such a manner that the furnace may be revolved in cither direction,
or bo readily disconnected from its operating device at pleasure.
The special means provided for preventing to a great degree the
destructive influence of heat and friction upon the telescopie tube leading
from the fire-box to the rotating puddling chamber or furnace consists
in a reciprocating and revolving ring applied to the outer side of the
flue, and corresponding with the inner wall of the passage through
which it enters the rotating furnace. The furnace is held in position by
its own gravity, and revolves steadily and freely by means of a com-
bination of wheels supported by fulcrum devices, which make them
self-adjusting with an annular track upon the furnace.
In the accompanying Drawing Fig. 1 represents a front elevation of a.
revolving puddling furnace constructed according to the Invention, or
certain features of it; Fig. 2 is an end view of the same from the sight
hole; Fig. 3 is a vertical section thereof taken on the line x, x, in
Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a view of a countershaft and its attachments for,
rotating and reversing such furnace; and Fig. 5 is a plan of the bed or:
track upon which the furnace and its fire-box rest..
.:

page_text: Fig. 6 is a partially broken or sectional side elevation of a modification
of the improved revolving furnace with its pertaining fire-box, in illas-
tration of certain other features of the Invention; Fig. 7 is a view in
detail of the telescopic flue and its attachments belonging to the furnace;
and Fig. 8 is an end view of the furnace from its draught opening or
UL
tration of certain other features of the Invention; Fig. 7 is a view in
detail of the telescopic flue and its attachments belonging to the furnace ;
and Fig. 8 is an end view of the furnace from its draught opening or
outlet.
Referring in the first instance to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, of the
Drawing A is the rotating puddling chamber or furnace which is heated
by the flame or gaseous products of combustion issuing from the fire-
box B and passing through the flue C, which latter is a flanged ring
lined with a suitable non-conductor and adjusted upon the outer casing.
The fire-box B is mounted on wheels and is consequently portable. Its
movement in the opposite direction from the furnace A causes the ring
or flue C to follow, and accordingly disconnects the fire-box from the
rotating chamber or furnace A, leaving a large open space through
which the furnace A may be charged or discharged at pleasure, while no
fire is connected therewith, and the heat therein produced by previous
operations, is conveyed in an opposite direction from the operator by the
chimney draught connected with the other end of the furnace. To
better carry out this important design, there is arranged directly under-
neath the fire-box B a turntable J, upon the track or rails D, D, of
which the fire-box rests and is capable of moving over by wheels E, E.
These rails D, D, connect by a suitable rotation of the turntable with
a track or rails F, F. By these means the fire-box, after being drawn
out of connection with the puddling furnace may be removed or disposed
of with but little trouble or labor, and be as readily readjusted or
replaced, and in case it has been withdrawn for the purpose of repair,
another fire-box may be substituted for it. The puddling furnace A is
also mounted on wheels E', E¹, arranged to run upon the same track or
tracks, and can be easily transported to any part of the works for repair,
while its place may be supplied by another furnace without changing
the fire-box if the latter is in good condition. Accordingly stoppage of
production by delay for repairs may in the largest works be avoided by
simply having on hand a few extra puddling chambers or furnaces, and
fire-boxes. K is a stationary end cap or connection between the back
flue Land the chimney, and is provided with a sight hole M through
which the working of the charge in the furnace A may be observed;
N, N, are iron or other cables which give partial support to the puddling'

page_text: furnace A, and revolve the same by the motion of grooved pulleys O, O,
around which the bands N pass. Each of the pulleys O is divided
transversely of their axis into separate portions or halves, one of
which is fastened to the shaft P, while the other half is made adjustablo
upon the shaft by removing or slackening bolts 6, b, used to unite the two
halves together. By this construction of the pulleys the cables N, N,
may be slacked off when it is necessary to move the furnace A, the
pulleys O, O, in such case parting in their centre and the cables falling
as low as the shaft P; S, S, are friction rollers or wheels fast on the
shaft P and resting on friction driving wheels R, R, secured to a shaft T
which is provided with suitable bearings to sustain the weight of the
shaft P and connections; U is a grooved pulley attached to the shaft P;
and V a grooved pulley attached to the shaft T, from which an endless
cable X connects with another grooved pulley Y, secured on a shaft W.
that carries another and similar grooved pulley Y', which connects by an ·
endless belt or cable X' with the pulley U. The pulleys Y, Y', are both
hung loose on their shaft W, which may be supposed to be the driver,
but are connected thorewith alternately as required, according to the
direction in which it is required to rotate the furnace A, by means of a
friction pulley or clutch Z in key or feather gear with the shaft W, so
that by moving the clutch to couple either the pulley Y or Y' with it,
the furnace A is rotated in opposite directions by or through the
pulley.V and friction wheels R, S, or (to produce an opposite rotation)
by the pulley U without changing the direction of the shaft W, whereby
the use of a cross belt or cable is dispensed with; G, G, are antifriction
supporting wheels or rollers arranged directly under the furnace A, and
serving to sustain a portion of its weight which is conveyed by
bearings & connected with the rollers to bell-cranked levers H, H,
having their fulcrums at e, c. The upper ends of the bell-cranked
levers H, H, are provided with further antifriction rollers I, I, which
are brought up against the sides of the furnaco by the weight of the
latter resting upon the rollers G, G, of the lower arms of the levers.
This device ensures a perfect adjustment of the furnace A, which is
provided with an annular track to fit between the flanges of the
rollers G, I, whereby the furnace is caused to revolve truly and steadily.
Referring in the next instance to Figures 6, 7, and 8, A³ is a
revolving puddling furnace or chamber provided or surrounded with

page_text: 3.
a gear or worm gear B which connects with an endless screw C²
on a shaft D that is suspended by bearings 0%, 0%. M³, M³, are
annular tracks surrounding the furnace A³, as shewn, and rest upon
rollers I, I, L, LP, which are carried by beams J, J³, that oscillate
upon fulcrums f, f. By this means the weight of the furnace A2
is first caught or borne by the rollers L³, L2, which throws the
wheels I, I, against the track, thereby keeping the furnace in its
proper position at all times as the whole weight finally rests upon.
the fulcrums ff. E is the telescopic fluc entering the centre.
of the rotating furnace A, and through which the flame passes from
the fire-box F. G is an annular wedge or conc capable of motion.
backwards and forwards in the direction of its length and of revolving
upon the flue E³. The object of this wedge or cone is to more perfectly
close the orifice necessarily existing between the exterior of the flue E*
and the passage through which it enters the furnace A2, in order to
lessen the indraught of air, thereby preventing the reduction of
temperature and consequent waste of iron under operation within
the furnace. By the use of this wedge or conc a close adjustment
can be effected sufficient to meet all practical requirements without
producing objectionable positive contact with the passage, thereby
avoiding that excessive friction and consequent abrasion at such parts
as is experienced in the use of an ordinary telescopic fluc. This wedge
or conc G² may be freely withdrawn while the furnace is in operation
to facilitate the removal of any foreign substance that may get between
it and the passage within which it fits. It is formed with an annular
groove which provides for reciprocating it lengthwise by means of a
lever N or other suitable device. The outlet fluc S2 of the furnace
may be fitted with a similar wedge or cone to protect such flue also
against abrasion at its connection with the fluc leading to the chimney.
The bearings 0, 0%, are rigidly attached to the foundation and remain
stationary, but the furnace A³ is portable, being sustained by wheels
or runners P³, P. The movement of the furnace away from the
bearings 02, 0%, disconnects the gear wheel B2 from the endless
screw C² on the shaft D³ carried by the bearings. The shaft D³ may
be rotated by an engine in direct connection with it, as shewn; or any
other suitable driving means may be employed. Having thus described.
the operation of disconnecting the furnace A from its rotating driver,
it is only necessary to add that the same or another furnace of similar

page_text: construction may, as required, be moved up to properly engage the
gear B with the screw C when the furnace may be rotated in either
direction according to the rotation of the shaft D².
To facilitate removal or adjustment of the furnace, the wheels or
runners P², P2, which are carried by a truck R² connected with the
furnace, may rest on rails attached to the foundation. The fire-box F
may be similarly supported by wheels resting on the same or other rails,
to provide for its portability also.
Having now described the Invention which has been communicated
to me by my foreign correspondent, I claim as the Invention secured
to me by Letters Patent, as aforesaid
First. The portable fire-box or grate constructed, arranged, and
operating as herein described for the purpose of supplying heat and
flame to a revolving or other furnace, as specified.
Second. The revolving furnace constructed and arranged for puddling
or other purposes when made portable, as hercin set forth.
Third. The turntable J and tracks F, F, in combination with the
portable furnace B, as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Fourth. The pulleys O, O, constructed in two parts, substantially as
described for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The combination of the grooved pullies U, V, and Y, Y¹,
shaft W, as described and shewn for the purposes hercin set forth.
and
Sixth. The combination of the portable fire-box B, the furnace A,
and its fluc G with the turntable J; rails or tracks F, F; the cables
N, N; the grooved wheels O, O; the shaft P; the friction wheels or
rollers R, S, and shaft T; the antifriction rollers G, G, and I, I; the
bell cranks H, H; the grooved pulleys U, V; and the shaft W; all
arranged substantially as described and shewn in the Drawings for the
purposes specified.
Seventh. The combination of an endless screw and worm or gear
wheel with a revolving puddling furnace for the purpose of rotating the
latter, as described.
Eighth. The annular wedge or cono G² in combination with the
telescopic flue E, as described for the purposes specified.