Improvements in Apparatus for Handling or Working Molten Substances, such as Metal and Glass.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Handling or Working Molten
Substances, such as Metal and Glass.
A communication by ROGER S. PEASE, of Rose, in the County of Ramsey and
State of Minnesota, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E. of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool and 6 Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists in a novel apparatus for handling or working molten
substances, such as metals and glass, whereby the purest and most fluid portion of
the material may be separated from the less pure portion, and the same delivered
from the melting or containing tank or vessel without forming holes through the
walls or bottom thereof, and without tipping the same.
The invention is applicable generally to metal casting or founding, to glass
manufacture, and to like purposes, and possesses peculiar advantages in connection
with glass working, as hereinafter explained.
In the accompanying drawings,-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a simple form of apparatus embodying the
invention, parts being broken away to show the interior construction;
Figures 2 and 3 are vertical sectional views, at right angles to the axis of the
pouring drum or shell:
Figure 4 a vertical sectional view on the line of the axis of said drum; and
Figure 5 a sectional view illustrating a modified form of drum.
It is well known that in metal founding, glass making, and like operations, dross
and impurities arise to the top of the molten mass, while the purest and most fluid
portion settles to the bottom of the melting or containing vessel. To secure this
desirable pure portion, it becomes necessary either to skim off the dross, or to
draw off the purer portion through openings at or near the bottom of the vessel
or tank.
In the case of metals it is feasible to draw the molten material from the bottom
of the receptacle, though difficulty is experienced in preserving the walls of the
opening and in effectively sealing said opening. With molten glass, however, it is
found that the glass combines chemically with the material constituting the linings
or walls of outlet openings, and passages, and causes a rapid wearing away and
change of form. For this reason the plan of drawing off the molten glass through
a hole or opening at or near the bottom of the receptacle is rarely attempted in
practice, though frequently proposed in patents and publications, and resort is had
to ladling, to tipping the entire tank or receptacle, or to like means for withdrawing
the material from the receptacle.
The difficulties heretofore encountered are obviated and the very best of the
material secured by means of the apparatus shown in the drawings, which receives
its supply at a point beneath the surface of the mass, carries it upward, and
discharges it clear of the mass, as will now be explained.
A indicates a chamber, which may be made of or lined with fire brick or other
refractory material of sufficient resisting capacity, which chamber is designed to
contain the molten metal to be poured, whether the same be soft metal, hard metal,
molten glass or other. This chamber A may constitute the melting chamber, in
which case it may be built over or connected with a suitable furnace, or, as is
preferred, it may be provided with burners or nozzles a for the introduction of gas

page_text: or vapour fuel in the manner now well understood in glass-making and iron and
steel working. Extending through the chamber A-from side to side, and carried in
suitable bearings on the portion outside of said chamber, is a shaft B, preferably
made hollow for the passage through it of air, water or other cooling medium.
This, however, will not be necessary in all cases. The shaft B is preferably formed
with one or more wings or ribs, as shown in Figure 2, in order to make fast upon it,
and hold against independent rotation, the hollow shell or cylinder C, which con-
stitutes the pouring vessel.
When intended only for soft metals and alloys, as lead, tin or spelter, pewter,
type metal and the like, the vessel cr cylinder C may be made of metal, and the
journals or bearings made integral therewith instead of separate, as herein indi-
cated, but the construction shown is that intended for metals and materials of
higher fusion point, for which the cylinder or vessel C will need to be made of fire
clay or other highly refractory material. The vessel or cylinder C comprises, as
shown in Figures 1 and 2, a hollow or circular shell or drum with closed ends, the
circumference of which is concentric with the shaft B, the walls of the shell being
connected with the central portion (which latter surrounds and is made fast upon
shaft B), by means of a diaphragm or partition & extending from end to end of the
drum and carried outward at one side to produce the pouring lip c, which is formed
with side walls or flanges d to prevent the lateral escape of the material poured.
The shell C is of such size, or its shaft B is located in such position with reference
to the front wall of chamber A. as to cause the lip e to rest upon the lower edge or
wall e of an opening D made in the front wall of chamber A, as shown in Figures 1
and 2. To prevent the escape of heat, the opening D is normally closed by the
door E, hinged at its upper end and thereby caused to assume normally the position
shown in Figures 1 and 2. As the cylinder is rotated, the edge e coming in contact
with the door E forces the same slightly outward until the lip passes below the
horizontal plane of the axis of the cylinder, when the door again swings inward.
Directly in front of the opening D, and mounted upon suitable supports, is a shelf or
table F, over which the molten metal pours from cylinder C, and by contact with
which it becomes sufficiently set to enable it to be drawn forward by tongs, rolls or
other appliances, in the case of certain metals.
As shown in Figure 1, the fire clay of the cylinder C is caused to encircle and
surround the shaft B in the direction of the length of the latter, to points beyond
the inner walls of the chamber A, or, in other words, said shaft is provided with
concentric coverings of fire clay projecting into recesses in the walls of
chamber A. These recesses are of such depth as to effectually prevent the
passage of molten metal between their inner walls and the circumference of the
coverings in chamber A. The shaft B is extended at one or both ends beyond
the pillow-block or bearing in which it rests, and turns, to receive a handwheel G,
or other appliance for turning the cylinder. The space within the cylinder on the
side of the diaphragm & opposite that at which the pouring-lip is located is
advisably left closed, but it may, in some cases, be provided with openings either
at its ends or through the circumference of the cylinder so as to permit the
entrance of the molten material into the space. It is, however, preferred that it
remain closed, for the reason that, when this is done, the molten material in the
chamber A tends to float the cylinder and relieve its bearings of the weight which
would otherwise be put upon them.
When used with molten substances of greater specific gravity than the material
of which the cylinder is composed, it will be unnecessary to make the cylinder
hollow except on that side of the longitudinal wall or diaphragm on which the
containing and pouring chamber is located, though it may be made so if
preferred.
As a consequence of this construction and arrangement, the cylinder may be
turned with great ease and facility. Except when the pouring operation is. to be
performed, the cylinder may stand either in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2,
or in that shown in Figure 4, but, preparatory to pouring, it is caused to assume

page_text: the position shown in Figure 3, so that the molten matter of chamber A may flow
through the opening 7 into the space between the partition or diaphragm 6 and the
wall of the cylinder. The cylinder being then rotated and gradually carried
toward the position indicated in Figures 1 and 2, the molten matter contained
within said space is gradually lifted above the axis of the cylinder C, and, as
the lip c descends, the contents of the cylinder begin to pour over the same in a
broad sheet the full width of said lip, and, if the movement of the cylinder be
properly timed or graduated, in a stream of uniform thickness. This stream,
falling upon the bed or table F and becoming thereby partially set or hardened,
forms a sheet of sufficient tenacity to be drawn forward over the bed or table F,
whence it may be passed between rolls, if desired, to give that uniformity of
thickness which is now attainable only by a succession of rollings with inter-
mediate heatings or annealings.
While it is practicable to use the invention in the manner above set forth, that
is to say, for the direct production of sheets, it is manifest that the pouring vessel
is susceptible of use for the pouring of all kinds of molten material where it is
desired to thus pour them without removing the cylinder from the chamber A, and
the contents may pass directly into moulds or be delivered upon moulding tables,.
or to any point or receptacle desired, in which case the lip c may be of any desired
form.
In order to facilitate the removal of the cylinder in case it be desired to take it
from the chamber A for any reason, the walls of chamber A may be provided
with removable filling pieces H, of a width equal to or slightly greater than the
diameter of the coverings of the shaft, so that, upon removing or throwing back a
section of the top of chamber A, and withdrawing the blocks H, the cylinder may
be lifted out by any convenient hoisting mechanism.
If preferred, and where it is desired only to provide for renewing the cylinders
in case of breakage, the walls of chamber A may simply be provided with vertical
grooves or recesses f¹, of a width equal to the diameter of the projecting covers f,.
so that, by first withdrawing the shaft B, the cylinder shall be made free to be
lifted vertically from the chamber, a new one being lowered to its place, and the
shaft B being inserted end wise through the wall.
To prevent the molten metal from following along the surface of the portions f
to the joint, it is advisable to curve said portions, as shown in Figures 1 and 4.
In Figure 5, the drum is represented as having two containing chambers,.
each furnished with its pouring opening. When thus constructed, the drum may
be turned always in one direction and made to discharge practically without
intermission for any desired length of time. Of course, the structure will be
adapted to the nature of the materials to be melted, both in design and
material.
The lip c may be made to project abruptly from the circumference of the
shell, or it may be given any desired curve or angle. When used, it will, by
forcing back the molten metal with which it first comes in contact, crowd away
the dross and impurities floating on the top, and enable the opening g to.
descend below the surface of the mass before the metal begins to flow into its
interior.
By turning the cylinder back somewhat quickly, its mouth will be carried
below the surface of the fluid mass before the fluid can enter its interior, and,
being then allowed to come to rest, it will fill, and can be turned forward to
discharge. In this way, the cylinder is with certainty charged with the pure-
fluid from below the surface.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In combination with a receptacle to contain material in a fluid condition, a
drum journaled in or above said receptacle and provided with a diaphragm or

page_text: partition, and with an opening through the circumferential wall, substantially as
described, whereby the drum is adapted to dip into the fluid material, receive a
charge or supply thereof, carry the same above the axis of the drum, and
discharge it, substantially as set forth.
2. In combination with chamber A, drum C provided with longitudinal
diaphragm or wall b, opening gat one side of said diaphragm or wall, and pouring
lip c in front of said opening, the drum being adapted to rock or turn substantially
as described.
3. In combination with chamber A, drum C mounted within said chamber and
provided with longitudinal wall or diaphragm b, circumferential opening g and lip c
in front of said opening; and shaft B extending through said drum and serving to
support the same and as an axle upon which it may turn.
4. The combination of chamber A provided with wall-opening D, shaft B
extending through said chamber, and drum C mounted upon said shaft, provided
with longitudinal wall or partition b, circumferential opening g, and lip c in front of
said opening and adapted to rock or turn substantially as described.
5. In combination with chamber A, having recessed walls; shaft B extending
through said chamber; and drum C mounted upon said shaft and having the
portion encircling the shaft B, and extending into the recesses of the walls, said
drum C and extensions being made of refractory material and adapted to rock or
turn substantially as described, and the drum being provided with an internal
chamber and with a circumferential opening g into said chamber.
6. In combination with chamber A provided with opening D in its wall, door E
covering said opening, and shelf or table F extending outward from the lower side
of said opening,-drum C, mounted and adapted to turn within the chamber A close
to opening D, and provided with longitudinal wall or diaphragm b, circumferential
opening g, and pouring lip c in front of the opening y, all substantially as set
forth.
7. In combination with chamber A and pouring drum C having longitudinal wall
or partition b and circumferential opening g, shaft B extending through the walls
of the chamber and through the cylinder, and removable therefrom, whereby the
shaft is adapted to be withdrawn longitudinally and the cylinder is thereby
permitted to be removed from the chamber A.
8. In combination with a chamber to contain molten matter, a pouring drum
mounted within said chamber and supported by axial journals, said drum being
constructed with a diaphragm or partition and an opening through the walls of the
drum into the space between the partition and the inner wall of the cylinder at one
side of the diaphragm, the space on the opposite side thereof being closed, sub-
stantially as described, whereby the drum is adapted to be floated by the contents
of the chamber and the bearings are relieved of pressure due to the weight of the
cylinder and its contents.
9. The herein described method of withdrawing from a mass of molten metal the
finer material below the surface, which consists in immersing in the mass a drum or
receptacle having an opening in its circumferential wall, carrying said opening to a
point considerably below the surface of the mass, permitting the material to enter
said opening and fill the internal containing space of the drum, and rotating or
moving said drum to carry its contents above the level of the mass and discharge
the same through said opening to a point outside the mass.
Dated this 5th day of December 1892.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.