US1940021A - Reciprocating metal working apparatus - Google Patents

Description

1933. J. SCHMELLER. sR 1,940,021

RECIPROCATING METAL WORKING APPARATUS Filed March 51. 1930 i My -'/4 F' 39 37 2:7

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ATTORNEY-S.

Patented Dec. 19, 1933 PATENT OFFICE? r 11,940,021 ,RECIPROCATING METAL wommvo APPARATUS John Schmeller, Sr.,Lakewoo d, Ohio, assignor to Schmeller Holding Company, Cleveland, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application March 31, 1930. Serial No. 440,507

7 Claims. (01. 263 -23) This application is a continuation in part of my application, Serial No. 252,738, filed February 8, 1928. The invention, asindicated, relates to a reciprocating metal working apparatus.

5 More particularly the apparatus is adapted for the refining and deoxidizing of the morereadily oxidizable metals such as aluminum, and the like, but it is not intended to limit this application to'such uses inasmuch as it may be found equally applicable to metals of other character.

In the refining and deoxidizing of metals such as aluminum, and particularly those which are recovered from secondary materials including borings, turnings, filing, and the like, it is neces sary to carry the oxide coatings within which the metal is encased into the'body of the collector bath of the metal within the furnace and to sub-divide the metal bath into a number of portions which, through friction and impact, react upon each other under suitable thermal conditions to disrupt the oxide coatings and permit the metal particles to coalesce and to permit the residue of the oxides to rise to the surface of the molten bath to be removed by skimming 26 from time to time. Inapplications copending herewith I have set forth .in detail various methods of bringing about the desired treatment of the raw material and in the present application I am disclosing a still further type of appa ratus which may beutilized for this purpose. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of variousmechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.v

In said annexed drawing: r

Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view taken longitudinally of a furnace chamber and apparatus associated therewith, for carrying out the' principles of my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, partially in section; and Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the grids used for agitating the molten metalbath.

As is' clearly shown in Fig. I, the furnace 1, comprises an elongated substantially rectangular chamber 2 preferably formed of brick of suitable character and being associated at either side with ' chambers 3, 4, having communicating passageways 10, through which heated metal may betaken-into or discharged from the agigrids, extends.

tating chamber 2, in carying out various metal treatments. Thefloor of the agitating chamber preferably is curved adjacent either'end5, 6, and the furnace is enclosed by a roof 7, shown as arched, which serves to confine the reducing.

gases provided above the hot metal ,bath.

At each of the outside walls 8, 9, of the fur nace vertically elongated openings 11, 12, are provided through which a shaft 13, carrying the agitating members, preferably in the form of The shaft in the form illustrated is provided with three grids 14 which comprise a pair of complementary metal sections preferably formed of apertured cast iron plates 15, 16, and having complementary extensions 17, 18, at their upperedge adapted to be secured together bysuitable bolts 19 after the grids have been-assembled about the shaft. The shaft is provided with a pair of lugs 21, 22, on its upper side spaced from each other a suitable distance to permit the rocking of the grids from side to side as the shaft is reciprocated back and forth through the furnace chamber. .The grids'may be mountedloosely upon the shaft and be both, positioned, and limited as to their degree of motion, by the lugs 21, 22, referred to. If desired pivot pins 23 may be engaged throughthe shaft at spaced points to serve as pivots for the reciprocating grids. The grids as illustrated, areprovided with a series of rectangular apertures 20 separated by longitudinal and transverse ribs 24,

25, and the lower edge of the grid may have extension flanges 26, 27, on each side, 'to take up wear and to divert the heated -metal within the chamber through the apertured portion of the grid. No positive means for individually moving the grids is provided, but as the shaft is reciprccated through the furnace, the contact of the grids with the molten mass of metal within the chamber will incline the grids first in one direction and then in the other as the direction of motion of the shaft is changed.

When the grids are thus disposed at an angle to the molten bath, the'metal will be forced through the apertures thereof and will be separated into individual portions which will be directed in a'general direction from the surface of I the molten bath toward the base thereof during the greater period of movement of the grids, and will be reversed in angular relation to the baS Cf the furnace as the grids are moved in the opposite direction.

In this manner enclosing envelopessof oxide will be given abrupt and violent impact by contact with thegrids and the adjacent portions 11% of the metal and also will be carried into the purer metal of the collector bath adjacent the base of the chamber where thermal conditions are favorable to the coalescense of the freed particles of metal within the oxide envelopes and will absorb the same, freeing the residual matter so that it may rise to the surface of the molten bath. In order to permit of the skimming ofthe bath from time to time, the agitating mechanism is supported so that it may be adjusted vertically, and also, so that the grids may be lifted free of the bath when desired, to permit them to be cooled.

The means for vertically positioning the agitating apparatus within the-furnace is clearly shown in the drawing and comprises a pair of standards 31, 32, each carrying at their upper ends a pair of pulleys 33, 34, over which is engaged a cable 35, carrying adjustable weights 40 at its free end, the other end being suitably attached to a supporting frame member 36 surrounding the column and carrying rollers 37 upon which the shaft 13 is supported. At one side the supportingframe carries an extension plate 38 upon which is mounted a fluid pressure cylinder 39 which may be of either the air or hydraulic type and which is connected by means of a fluid pressure line (not shown) to a suitable source of power and controlling device. The supporting frame members are provided at their ends adjacent the furnace with vertical extension plates forming doors 41 to cover the vertically elongatedopenings 11, 12, in the outside walls of the furnace. These doorsare thus freely suspended and may act as explosion doors in case of emergency, or separate explosiondoors may be provided elsewhere in the outside walls. Thus, when the shaft is elevated to its point of greatest elevation, the doors 41 will be lifted above the lower portion of the openings at either side so that skimming through the same'may be readily carried on. Suitable arrangement may be made to adjust one or both of the doors vertically of the frame, so as to permit one of the doors to be kept closed while the other is opened.

When only one adjacent furnace chamber is provided, a skimming door may be provided in the additional outside wall. In the form of furnaceillustrated, two chambers 3, 4, are provided adjacent the agitating or puddling chamber, one of which chambers, may be used as a melting chamber at one side of the agitating chamber, in which the metal is melted, and the heat applied to the bath, and the chamber on the opposite side may be used as a casting chamher into which metal is withdrawn from the agitating chamber, to have a higher degree of heat applied thereto for casting purposes.

When finely divided material, such as borings, turnings, skimmings, and the like are to be incorporated in the bath, .the same may be charged directly into the agitating chamber, thegreases and oils contained thereon serving to provide a blanket of reducing gases and to assist in maintaining the necessary temperature for continuing the action of the furnace. The gases formed within the furnace chamber are in a state of incomplete combustion owing to the furnace being closed and without flues.

When the furnace is started, it is necessary to apply a high degree of heat to one'of the adjacent chambers and the heat is ordinarily applied thereto by means of oil burners which providev hot gases in the chamber wherein they are located and also permit the combustible mixture of gases to enter the agitating chamber and heat the walls thereof preliminary to the melting of raw stock in the first-mentioned chamber and the flowing of the molten metal tl n'ough the apertures 10 adjacent the base of the chamber into the agitating chamber. During this process of starting the furnace, the agitating apparatus is lifted to a position adjacent the roof of the furnace so that it will be free from any injurious effects from the heat entering the base of the furnace.

As the cylinder reciprocates under the action of a suitable controlling device, the shaft 13 is moved back and forth sliding freely on its supporting rollers, and as this motion swings the grids through the mass of molten metal, it will cause any light material, positioned in the upper portion, or on the surface of such bath to be carried in a direction downwardly from the surface of the bath toward the bottom of the furnace'chamber and at thesame time will mechanically draw out the fibres of molten metal and eliminate-therefrom-all entrapped particles of "oxide residue. This action will also rupture the oxide envelopes covering any tiny particles of metal and permit such metal to become a part of the main body ,of molten material in the furnace.

Apart from the reduction of readily oxidizable metal particularly aluminum and its alloys, the device will be found valuable in deoxidizing other metal, and working the fibres or grain thereof so as to produce a metal of superior tenacity to that produced without such puddling action.

The grids, it will be noted, practically fill completely the space transversely of the furnace chamber so that they preventthe accumulation of oxides on the walls and bring about a series of cross streams throughout the bath as the metal streams are forced through said, grids, there be? ing, as stated, but small clearance between said grids and the bottom and side walls of the furnace. This insures the application of friction and impact to substantially the entire mass of molten metal and the production of a product of fine grain, and excellent physical characteristics.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus of the character described having in combination a furnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal, a horizontal member positioned above the level of said bath of molten metal, means for moving saidhorizontal member in the direction of its length, means for moving said horizontal member toward and away. from said bath of molten metal, and means associated with said horizontal member for partial submergence in said metal bath 7 to sub-divide the mass of molten metal into a plurality of substantially independent portions spaced from each other at the point of separa tion, when said horizontal member is moved endwise.

2. An apparatus of the character described having in combination, a furnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal, a horizontal member positioned above the levelof. said bath ,of molten metal, adjustable means for L50 varying the spacing of said horizontal member above the bath, means to move said member endwise in a position substantially parallel to the surface of said bath carried by said adjustable means, and means associated with said horizontal member for partial 'submergence in said metal bath to sub-dividethe mass of molten metal into a plurality of substantiallyindependent portions spaced a substantial distance from each other at the point of separation and reuniting beyond said point at an angle to each other, when said horizontal member is moved endvn'se.

3. An apparatus of the. character described having in combination a furnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal, a horizontal member positioned above the'level of said bath of molten metal, means for moving said horizontal member in the direction of its length, means for moving said horizontal member toward and away from said bath of molten metal, a plurality of apertured grids, positioned at spaced points along said horizontal member and freely" movable to inclined positions thereon, when said horizontal member is moved endwise to sub-divide the mass of molten metal into a plurality of substantially independent portions spaced from each other at the point of separation, and to direct the various portions of said metal bath toward the bottom of said furnace chamber.

4. An apparatus of the character described having in combination an elongated furnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal and having substantially straight bottom and side walls throughout the greater portion of their extent, a grid positioned transversely of said bath and partially submerged therein and having small marginal clearance from said side and bottom walls, means for reciprocating said grid in a direction longitudinally of said furnace chamber, and means for elevating said grid and its reciprocating means with reference to the liquid level of said bath of molten metal.

5. An apparatus of the character described having in combination an elongated furnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal and having substantially straight bottom and side walls throughout the greater portion of. their extent, a grid positioned transversely of saidbath and partially submerged therein and having small marginal clearance from said side and bottom walls, means for supporting said grid for free swinging movement back and forth,

means for reciprocating said grid in a direction longitudinally of said furnace chamber and in angular relation to the bath of molten metal induced by the retarding effect of said molten metal bath on the lower portion of said grid, said grid serving to direct subdivided portions of the material in said bath in a direction toward the bottom of said furnace chamber, and means for elevating said grid with reference to the liquid level of said bath of molten metal.

6. An apparatus of the character described having in combination an elongated furnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal and having substantially straight bottom and side walls throughout the greater portion of their extent, a grid positioned transversely of said bath and partially submerged therein and having small marginal clearance from said side and bottom walls, means for supporting said grid for free swinging movement back and forth, means for reciprocating said grid in a direction longitudinally of said furnace chamber, and means for elevating said grid and the means for reciprocating the same, with reference to the 5 liquid level of said bath of molten metal.

7. An apparatus of the character described having in combination an elongated furnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal and having substantially straight bottom and side walls throughout the greater portion of their extent, a plurality of grids positioned at spaced intervals transversely of said bath and partially submerged therein and having small marginal clearance from said side and bottom 1 walls, means for reciprocating said grids simultaneously in a direction longitudinally of said furnace chamber, and means for elevating said grids with reference to the liquid level of said bath of molten metal without interfering with .20 said reciprocating means.

JOHN SCHMELLER, SR.

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