US758498A - Charging apparatus for blast-furnaces. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED APR. 26, 1904.

, K. BAGKLUNDAXAIB. F. BURMAN. CHARGING APPARATUS FOR BLAsT FURNACES. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 1, 1903. N-O MODEL. N 6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PVITNESSES INVENTORS.

A TTORNEK Tns NORRIS PETERS co Pnqmumm. wAsuma-rw, n. c.

PATENTED APR. 26, 1904. K. BAGKLUND& B. F. BURMAN, CHARGING APPARATUS FOR BLAST FURNACES; APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 1903. 20

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No. 758,493- PATBNTED APR. 26, 1904. K. BAGKLUND & B. F. BURMAN.

CHARGING APPARATUS FOR BLAST FURNACES.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 1. 190a.

N0 MODEL. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 3- JNVBNTORS;

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No. 758,498. v PATENTBD APR. 26, 1904. K. BAGKLUND & B. F. BURMAN. CHARGING APPARATUS FOR BLAST FURNACES.

APPLICATION FILED JUISY 1; 1903.

H0 MODEL. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

. INVENTORS,

By AEZ 407772017 A WITNESSES:

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I No. 758,498. v PATENTED P .'26,1'904.

K. B'AGKLUND & B. P. BURMAN.

CHARGING APPARATUS FOR BLAST. FURNACES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 1903.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5- H0 IODEL.

WITNESSES:

INVENTORJ menu/a,

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' ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES Patented April .26, 1904. I

PATENT OFFICE.

CHAQF'ZGING APPARATUS FOR BLAST-FURNACES.

-fiPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 758,498, dated April 26, 1904. Application filed July 1, 1903. Serial No. 163,915. (No model.) i I To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, KNUTE BAoKLUNDand 7 BIRGER F. BURMAN, subjects of the King of Sweden and Norway, residing at Baltimore, State of Maryland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Charging Apparatus for Blast-Furnaces, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in charging apparatus for blastfurnaces and similar metallurgical furnaces; and its object is to provide a novel form of apparatus by means of which one or a series of furnaces may be charged when desired from a single hoist.

A further object is to provide a charging-A machine which is movably mounted in a plane extending over the receiving ends of the furnaces, said machine being adapted to move into position over any one furnace of a series. Another object is to provide mechanism within the charging-machine for discharging the stock into the furnace and distributing the same equally therein.

Another object is to employ a device which is located in the charging-machine and is adapted to automatically operate to equally distribute this stock in the machine and to preventthe escape of the gas from the furnace during the charging operation.

A further object is to provide a seal which serves to normally close the tunnel-head of the furnace upon which it is arranged, said seal being provided with means for preventing it being blown off in the event of explosion.

Another object is to construct furnaces which dispense with the use of the ordinary hoppers and charging-bell, thereby increasing the cubic capacity of the furnaces without proportionately increasing the height of the v furnaces.

. 5 vents the escape of gases under normal condihv l tions. Tracks are arranged upon the bridge and platforms, and movably mounted upon them is a charging-machine propelled by a suitable motive power and having arranged therein a hopper and charging-bell substantially similar to those ordinarily employed within the tunnel-heads of furnaces. This charging-machine comprisesa stock-chamber, which is supported upon a bell of the usual form, said bell being suspended from a rod which is adapted to be moved in a vertical plane by a suitable mechanism- A hopper extends into the stock-chamber, and at the lower end thereof is an outlet normally closed by a counterbalanced bell. The charging-machine is adapted to be moved into position below the upper end of the hoist,- where stock is discharged into the hopper, thereby causing the counterbalanced bell to automatically open and permitting the material to pass into the stock-chamber and upon the dischargingbell at the lower end thereof. When a desired quantity of stock has been deposited in the machine, the same is moved to position over the furnace to be charged and immedi ately prior to its arrival in such position the seal of said furnace is removed from closing position. The distributing-bell and the stockchamber and the hopper supported thereby are then lowered until said stock-chamber rests upon a seat arranged within the tunnelhead. The downward movement of the bell is then continued, and the stock will pass automatically through the opening formed-beltween said bell and the stock-chamber.

The invention also consists in providing means whereby explosion of gases w thin the furnace or within the charging-machine will not result, in injury to either, normally closed I apparatus. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the A T 0 apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 and showing the manner in which stock is conveyed from the traveling scale-car to the charging-machine. Fig. 3 is afront elevation of the charging-machine in position upon the tunnel-head of a furnace subsequent to the removal of the seal, but prior to the lowering of the stockchamber. Fig. 4 is a central'longitudinal section through the charging-machine in the position illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a seal in closing position and showing one form of mounting the same. Fig. 6 is a central longitudinal section through the seal and showing in dotted lines its position when removed from closing position. Fig. 7 is a view showing in side and end elevation a bracket employed for preventing the displacement of the seal from position upon the tun nel-head; and Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11 are sections through tunnel-heads and showing various forms of seats for the seals used in connection with our apparatus and also illustrating the saving of space through the dispensation of the hoppers and charging-bells ordinarily employed.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 1 are blast-furnaces of suitable form and the tunnel-heads of which are provided with tubular seats 2, having parallel annular flanges'3 at their upper ends, which are connected by means of webs 4 or other suitable strengthening devices. The lower flange 3 of each seat bears upon a furnace, while the upper flange forms a seat for a seal, such as will be hereinafter more fully described. The tubular seat extends into the tunnel-head of the furnace and is preferably tapered in crossseetion, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and where the chamber within the tunnel-head is enlarged, as shown in Fig. 9, an annular flange 5 may be formed at the lower end of the seat for the purpose of supporting the brickwork of the overhanging tunnel-head. While the seat is preferably formed of a single piece of material it may, if desired, be constructed in two parts, as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. In Fig. 10 the seat 6 is substantially similar to the seat 2, but rests upon a metal lining 7, which extends into the tunnel-head and has a flange 8, which forms a bearing for the lower flange 9 of the seat. In Fig. 11 the lining 7 is shown provided with an annular flange 10, formed at its lower end, which is employed where the chamber in the tunnel-head is enlarged, this flange serving to support the brickwork. If desired, the seat 11 shown in this figure may be extended downward into the chamber in the tunnel-head and inclosed by brickwork 12, which is supported by an annular flange 13. It will be seen that by providing furnaces of this character all of the space therein is utilized for the stock and none of it is given up to apparatus for use in charging the same.

Two or more furnaces such as herein described may be connected by a bridge 14, and said bridge is provided with a track 15, which extends longitudinally thereof and to opposite sides of the seats 2, 6, or 11. A tower 15 is located at a suitable point adjacent the bridge, and an inclined hoist 16 extends therefrom downward to a point below the level of a track 17 which may extend under a suitable number of storage-bins. A desired number of skip-cars 18 may be arranged upon the inclined hoist 16, and these cars are adapted to work in pairs. The cars of each pair are connected to opposite ends of a hoisting-cable 19, which extends over a pulley 20, journaled in the upper end of tower 15 and thence downward to a drum 21, which is adapted to be operated by a suitable motor. (Not shown.) These cables are of such length that the skipcars will move in opposite directions and will reach the upper and lower ends of the hoist, respectively, simultaneously. The track 22 upon the hoist 16 is curved inward at its upper end and serves to guide the forward ends of the skip-cars inward, so as to cause said cars to assume dumping positions, as illustrated in Fig. 2. It will be understood that any desired number of hoists and skip-cars may be employed, and we do not limit our selves to the alternative operation of said cars as herein shown and described. Moreover, if the storage-bins are in a position above the upper ends of the furnaces it will be understood that the hoisting apparatus may be dispensed with by moving the charging-machine, which will be hereinafter described, into position under said bins for loading. Furthermore, the charging-machine itself may be hoisted from the ground-level to the furnacetop level. Traveling scale-cars 23 are arranged on the track 17 for the purpose of conveying stock from the bins to the skip-cars. We have shown the scale-car diagrammatically in Fig. 2.

Each furnace used in connection with our improved charging apparatus is preferably provided with a seal, such as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, and this seal comprises a body 24, having casings 25 at the sides thereof, in which are journaled wheels 26, which are mounted on rails 2'7, provided therefor at opposite sides of the seat on the furnace. A circular downwardly-extending flange 28 is formed upon the .lower surface of this body and is equal in diameter to the diameter of the seat of the furnace upon which the seal is used, and'that portion of the body which is inclosed by the flange 28 is preferably eoncavoconvex, as shown at 29, and provided at its upper surface with strengthening ribs or webs 30. Apertures 31 are formed within the body intermediate the webs 30, and these are normally closed by weighted doors 32 of any suitable form and which are adapted to automatically open when undue pressure is brought to bear thereupon, such as is produced by the explosion'of gases within the furnace.. A third rail 33 is interposed between the rails 27 and is parallel therewith, and upon this rail is mounted a wheel 34, which is journaled within a casing 35, formed at the center of one end of body 24. Where three or more furnaces are used in connection with one charging-machine, each seal is provided with independent means for removing it from or replacing it upon its seat upon thefurnace. In Fig. 1, in which four furnaces have been shown in connection with one charging-machine, we have shown the seals provided. with rack-bars 36, which are engaged by gears 37 revoluble with larger gears 38,and theselast-mentioned gears are in turn rotated by a suitable motor 39. Where not more than two furnaces are supplied by one charging-machine, the seals may be removed automatically by saidymachine. In Figs. 5 and 6 we have shown seals arranged to be operated in this manner. In these figures the rails 27 and 33 are inclined,as shown more particularly in Fig. 6, and at the outer end of each rail is arranged a buffer 40. comprising longitudinally movable plungers 41 and buffer-springs 42, engaging the same. The lower ends of the rails 27 and 33 are recessed, as shown at 43, said recesses being so located as to receive the wheels 26 and '34 as soon as the flange 28 arrives in position over the seat of the furnace, and said flange will thus promptly fall into position and seal the furnace. A roller 44 is mounted in brackets 45 at the forward end of the seal and is adapted to be contacted by the charging-machine, and said machine will during its movement thus force the seal up the inclined rails 27 and 33 and into contact with the bufiers 40 and will hold it in such position during the operation of chargingthe furnace. The seals, whether operated in the manner illustrated in Fig. lor in the manner illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, are provided with brackets 46 at the sides thereof, which engage angle-irons 47, extending alongside the rails 27, and these brackets serve to hold the seal against upward movement after the same has been brought into position over the seat of the furnace.

Mounted on the track 15 is a charging-machine which is adaptedto convey stock-from the hoist 16 to any one of the furnaces used .in connection with the apparatus. This charging-machine comprises a truck 48, having wheels 49, which are adapted to travel on the track 15. Upon this truck are arranged columns 50, which support a top frame 51, and suitable brace-beams 52 are located at suitable points between the truck, columns, and top frame. Rollers 53 are journaled in brackets 54, arranged on the truck, and these rollers engage ribs 55, which, are arranged on the outer surface and extend longitudinally of a cylindrical stock-chamber 56, having an annular flange 57 at its lower end. This stockchamber is of the same internal diameter as the seats ofthe furnaces used in connection with the apparatus. Apertures 58 are formed in the sides of the stock-chamber, near the upper end thereof, and are normally closed by means of explosion-doors 59. A conical hopper 60 extends into the stock-chamber from the upper end thereof and has a cylindrical extension 61 at its lower or discharge end, which is normally closed by means of a bell 62. This bell is arranged at the-lower end of a tubular hanger 63, which is connected, by means of a link 64, to a lever 65. This lever is fulcrumed at a point between its ends upon a bracket 66, arranged upon the stock-chamber 56, and aweight 67 is adjustably mounted thereon and serves to counterbalance the bell 62 and hold the same normally closed. Ar ranged on cross-beams 68 ,on the upper frame 51 of the machine is a gear 69, which is revo-' lubleupon but secured to said beam and is adapted to rotate upon the threaded end 7 Ojof a rod 71. in the tubular hanger 63 and is pivoted atits, lower end to a'distributing-bell 7 2. This bell is recessed along its edge, as shown at7 3, and fitted within the recess is the upper end of a frusto-conical ring 74, which forms practically a, continuation of the'bell and the great- This rod is slidably mounted with.

est diameter of which exceeds the diameter of the conical bottom 75 of the stock-chamber.

This ring projects below 'thebottom 75 and serves to support the stock-chamber. The gear 69 is adapted to be rotated in any suitable manner, as by. means of a motor 76. Rods 77 are secured to and extend upward from the stock-chamber and are-slidably mounted within casings 78, in which are arranged buffer-springs 79. A head 80 is'formed at the upper end of each of these rods, and these rods and springs serve to prevent injury by j ar ring to the stock-chamber and its connections when the same are quickly lowered into position upon the seat ofa furnace. is arranged at the upper end of the stockchamber and above hopper 60, and this chute is adapted to direct material from a skip-car at the upper end of tower 15 into the hopper.

In the use of the apparatus herein described 'the stock to be charged into the furnace is stored in bins located at any suitable points removed from the same, and traveling scalecars 23 are adapted to convey the stock from these bins to points above the lower skip-cars 18, into which it is discharged. The cars are carried up the hoist 16 and dumped'automa'tically, as ordinarily, into the chute 81, extending from the charging-machine, which. has first been placed in position at the upper end of the tower. The stock will be directed by the chute 81 into hopper 60 and will press bell 62 downward. This bell will distribute the stock evenly upon bell 72 within the stockchamber 56. passed from the hopper into the stock-chamber bell 62 will move back automatically into A chute 81 As soon as all of the stock has v closed position. Subsequent to the storage of the stock within chamber 56 the chargingmachine is propelled by any suitable power along the track 15 toward the furnace to be charged. 'VV here only one or two furnaces are adapted to be charged by means of this machine, the seals of said furnaces are mounted in the manner illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. Therefore when the charging-machine reaches the furnace it will contact with the roller 46 of the seal thereon and force said seal up the inclined rails 27 and 33 until it comes in contact with the rods 41 of the buffer 40. The charging-machine follows immediately after the seal, as is obvious, and is stopped when the stock-chamber thereof arrives in position above the seat on the furnace. By means of the motor 7 6 the gear 69 is rotated so as to lower rod 71, and bell 7 2 is thus moved downward and deposits the stock-chamber upon the seat on the furnace, the annular flange 57 upon said chamber serving to support it on the seat. After the downward movement of the stock-chamber 56 ceases the bell 72 continues to move downward, thereby forming an aperture between it and the bottom 7 5 of the stock-chamber. The stock will thus be discharged into the furnace at the sides thereof, and any gas escaping from the furnace into the stock chamber will be prevented from passing into the open air by bell 62, which, as heretofore explained, closes automatically after the stock-chamber has been filled. Should the gases within the furnace or within the stock-chamber explode during the charging operation, the explosion-doors 59 will open to permit of the expansion of the exploding gases, thereby preventing injury to the furnace or to the charging-machine. The rollers 53 serve to guide the stock-chamber during its vertical movement, and the buffersprings 79 are provided for preventing injury to the vertically-movable parts of the charging-machine when the same are brought to a sudden standstill during the lowering operation. After the furnace has been charged the charging-machine is returned and the seal 24 will, as is obvious, roll automatically down the inclined rails 27 and 33 until the wheels 26 and 34: drop into place within the recesses 43 and said seal assumes its proper position upon the seat on the furnace. This return movement of the seal is limited by the buffers 40, arranged at the ends of rails 27. The weighted doors 32 are adapted to open automatically when the gases within the furnace explode. Injury to the furnace through this cause is thus prevented.

Where more than two furnaces are o be charged, it is, as hereinbefore explained, necessary to employ independent means for operating the seals. This means we have shown in Fig. 1. These seals are of such size as to permit the charging-machine to pass thereover without moving them from their positions upon the furnaces. Therefore when the machine approaches the furnace to be charged the seal is moved from its closing position by means of the motor 39, which rotates gears 38 and 37 and imparts longitudinal movement of the rack-bar 36 and the seal. As hereinbefore stated, these seals are arranged on horizontal tracks, and in order to return them to their positions upon the furnaces it is necessary to reverse the operation above described. By providing a detachable ring 7 4 for bell 7 2 it is obvious that the size of the bell can be varied if it is deemed necessary to discharge the stock in the furnace farther from or nearer to the center thereof.

It will be understood that the charging apparatus herein described possesses many advantages over the form ordinarily employed and in which the distributing-bell and the hopper are arranged within the tunnel-heads of the furnaces. As but a single hoist is employed, a great saving is made in the first cost of the plant, and the expensive distributing bell and hopper ordinarily used in connection with each furnace is dispensed with and a single bell and hopper employed for either one or several furnaces. Moreover, in view of the fact that the bell and hopper are not located in the upper end of the furnace the height of said furnace can be reduced without diminishing its cubic capacity,or, if desired, the height may be retained and the cubic capacity increased. By using a single central hoist the number of storage-bins for raw materials can be reduced and the same can be arranged within a limited space at points adjacent the hoist, thereby facilitating the conveyance of stock to the furnaces. Because of the simplicity of the apparatus but few attendants are required to operate the various parts, and all danger of injury is reduced to the minimum. In the event of the breakage of the distributing-bell it is unnecessary to shut down any one of the furnaces, as a new one can be quickly substituted for the one carried by the charging-machine. The continuous running of the furnace is thus practically assured and shut-downs rendered practically unnecessary. By providing seats, such as illustrated in Figs. 8, 10, and 11, the same can be readily removed or replaced when desired.

In the foregoing description we have shown the preferred form of our invention; but we do not limit ourselves thereto, as we are aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the sprit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and we therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of our invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A charging-machine for furnaces comprising a movable truck, a stockchamber thereon, an inlet to the stock-chamber, and an automatically-operated closure for said inlet.

2. In a charging-machine for furnaces, the combination with a movable truck; of a stockchamber thereon having an outlet in the bottom thereof and an inlet, a distributing-bell within said outlet and adapted to support the stock chamber, an automatically operated closure for the inlet, and means for imparting vertical movement to said bell and chamber.

3. A charging-machine for furnaces comprising a movable truck, a stock chamber thereon having an outlet in the bottom therevof, a hopper having an outlet, means for normally closing said outlet, and a distributingbell within the outlet of the stock-chamber and movable therewith in a vertical plane.

4:. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a vertically-movable distributing-bell mounted thereon, and a stock-chamber supported upon the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby and an inlet, anld an automatically-operated closure for the in et.

5. A charging-machine for furnaces com prising a movable truck, a vertically-movable distributing-bell suspended thereon, a stockchamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, and a normally closed inlet to the stock-chamber.

6. In acharging-machine-for blast-furnaces, the combination with a movable truck; of'a vertically-movable distributing-bell suspended thereon, a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, a hopper opening into the stockchamber, and a bell normally closing the outlet of the hopper.

7. A charging-machine for blast-furnaces comprising a movable truck, a vertically-movable distributing-bell suspended thereon, a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, a hopper opening into the stock-chamber, a bell within the outlet of the hopper, and means for holding said bell normally in closing position.

8. In a charging-machine for blast-furnaces, the combination with a movable truck; of a vertically-movable distributing-bell, a stockchamber supported thereby and having an outlet normally closed by the bell, a hopper having an outlet into the stock-chamber, and a counterbalanced bell within said outlet and normally closing the same.

9. In a furnacecharging machine of the character described, the combination with a movable truck; of a vertically-movable distributing-bell suspended thereon, a stockchamber mounted upon and supported by the bell, said chamber having an outlet normally closed by said bell, a hopper having an outlet opening into the chamber, a weighted lever fulcrumed upon the hopper, a bell normally closing the outlet of the hopper, and a connection between said bell and the weighted lever.

10. Inafurnace-cliarging machine, the combination with a movable truck; of avertically movable distributing-bell suspended thereon, a detachable ring inclosing and extending from the bell, a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, a hopper having an outlet opening into the stock-chamber, a counterbalanced bell normally closing said outlet, and means for imparting vertical movement to the distributing-bell.

11. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a frame supported thereby, a vertically-movable distributing-bell suspended'from the frame, a stock-chamber within the frame and supported by the bell, said chamber having an inlet, an automaticallyoperated closure for the inlet, and explosiondoors to said chamber.

12. A furnace-charging machine of the character described comprising a movable truck, a frame supported thereby, a vertically-movable distributingbell depending from said frame, a stock-chamber within the frame and supported by the bell, said chamber having an inlet, an automatically-operated closure for the inlet, and an explosion-door to said chamber.

13. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a frame supported thereby, a vertically-movable distributing-bell supported by the frame, astock-chamber within the frame and supported by the distributingbcll, a hopper opening into the stock-chamber, a counterbalanced'bell normally closing the outlet of the hopper, and an explosiondoor to the stock-chamber.

14. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a frame supported thereby, a vertically-movable rod depending from the frame, a distributing-bell connected to said rod, a stock-chamber within the frame and mounted upon the bell, a hopper having an outlet into the stock-chamber, a bell loosely mounted upon the rod and normally closing said outlet, a weighted lever, and a tubular connection between the lever and bell, said connection inclosing the rod of the distributing-bell.

15. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a frame supported there' by, a vertically-movable rod depending from the frame, a distributing-bell pivoted to the rod, a frusto-conical ring extension to said bell, a stock-chamber supported by the bell, a hopper having an outlet into the stock-chamber, and a counterbalanced bell normally closing said outlet.

16. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a frame supported thereby, a vertically-movable rod depending from the frame, a distributing-bell connectedto the rod, a vertically-movable stock-chamber supported by the bell, guide-strips thereon, and guide-rollers mounted upon the truckand engaging the strips.

17. A machine for charging furnaces comprising a movable truck, a frame supported thereby, a vertically-movable distributingbell supported by the frame, a verticallymovable stock-chamber within the frame and supported by said bell, said chamber having an outlet normally closed by the bell, a hopper having an outlet into the stock-chamber, a counterbalanced bell normally closing said outlet, headed rods extending from the stockchamber, and bufier-springs upon the frame and adapted to limit the movement of the rod.

18. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a frame supported thereby, a gear journaled upon the frame, a verticallymovable threaded rod engaged by the gear, a bell pivoted to the rod, a stock-chamber supported, and having an outlet normally closed, by the bell, guide-strips upon the stock-chamber, guide-rollers upon the truck and engaging said strips, and means for rotating the gear for imparting vertical movement to the bell and stock-chamber.

19. In a furnace-charging machine, the combination with a movable truck having a frame thereon, a revoluble gear upon the frame, and means for rotating the gear; of a threaded rod engaging the gear and depending therefrom, a distributing -bell connected to said rod, a stock-chamber supported by thebell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, explosion-doors to said stock-chamber, a hopper having an outlet into said chamber, a counterbalanced bell normally closing the outlet, rods extending from the stock-chamber, buffer-springs therefor, guide-bars upon the stock-chamber, and guide-rollers therefor.

20. The combination with a furnace having a cylindrical seat arranged in the inlet end thereof; of a charging-machine comprising a movable truck, a vertically-movable bell supported thereby, a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, and an inlet, an automatically-operated closure for the inlet, and means for imparting vertical movement to the bell and stock-chamber and depositing said chamber upon the seat.

21. The combination with a blast-furnace having a tubular seat in the inlet end thereof; of a movable furnace-charging machine adapted to extend over said inlet and comprising a truck, a distributing-bell suspended thereon, a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, means for depositing the stock-chamber upon the seat and opening the outlet thereof, a normally closed hopper opening into the stockchamber, and an explosion-door to said chamber.

22. The combination with a furnace having a detachable tubular seat in the inlet end thereof and extending therefrom; of a furnacecharging machine adapted to extend over said inlet and comprising a movable truck, a distributing-bell supported thereon, a stockchamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, means for imparting vertical movement to the bell and stock-chamber and for projecting the bell into the furnace, a hopper having an outlet into the stock-chamber, a counterbalanced bell normally closing said outlet, and an explosiondoor to the stock-chamber.

23. The combination with a furnace having a removable tubular seat in the tunnel-head thereof; of a movable truck adapted to extend over the seat of the furnace, a distributing-bell supported by said truck, a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby,means for imparting vertical movement to the bell and stockchamber, whereby said chamber is deposited upon the seat and the bell projected into the tunnel-head, and a normally closed hopper projecting into the stock-chamber.

24. The combination with furnaces having a bridge connection therebetween, and seats projecting into the tunnel-heads of the furnaces; of a furnace-charging machine movably mounted upon the bridge and adapted to extend over any one of the seats, said machine comprising a truck, a frame supported thereby, a distributing-bell suspended from the frame, a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, anormally closed hopper projecting into the stock-chamber, and means for imparting vertical movement to the bell and hopper, Whereby said chamber may be deposited upon the seat of a furnace and the bell projected into the tunnel-head of said furnace.

25. The herein-described apparatus for charging blast-furnaces comprising a bridge adapted to extend over a series of furnaces, a stock-conveyer at a point intermediate the ends of the bridge, and a movable furnacecharging machine adapted to receive stock from the conveyer and comprising a truck, a bell suspended therefrom, a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, a hopper having an outlet into the stock-chamber, a counterbalanced bell normally closing said outlet, and a chute for directing stock from the conveyer to the hopper.

26. The combination with a series of furnaces, having tubular seats extending into the tunnel-heads thereof, a bridge connection between the furnaces, and a stock-conveyer at a point intermediate the ends of the bridge; of a furnace-charging machine adapted to extend over any one of the seats and comprising a movable truck, a distributing-bell supported thereby, a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, a hopper having an outlet into the stock-chamber, a bell normally closing the outlet, a chute for directing stock from the conveyer to the hopper, and means for imparting vertical movement to the distributingbell and the stock-chamber, whereby said chamber may be deposited upon one of the seats and the bell projected into the tunnelhead thereof.

27. The combination with a series of furnaces having tubular seats extending into the tunnel-heads thereof, means outside the furnaces for normally closing the tunnel-heads, and bridge connections between the furnaces; of a furnace-charging machine adapted to extend over any one of the tunnel-heads and comprising a movable truck, a distributing-bell supported thereby,a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, a normally closed hopper projecting into the stock-chamber, and means for imparting vertical movement to the bell and stock-chamber, whereby said chamber is deposited upon the seat and the bell projected into the tunnel-head.

28. The combination with the rails of furnaces having inlets, tubular seats extending into the inlets, and bridge connections between the furnaces; of inclined recessed rails adjacent the inlets, seals extending thereover and each comprising a body, wheels journaled within the body and mounted upon the rails, a flange extending from the body and adapted to normally inclose the inlet adjacent thereto, and means for removing the seals from the seats.

29. The combination with a furnace having an inlet; of rails adjacent the inlet and having depressed portions, a seal extending over the rails and comprising a body, wheels journaled therein and mounted on the rails and adapted to be seated in the recessed portion thereof, a flange extending from the body and adapted to inclose and seal the inlet, an explosiondoor upon the seal, and means for removing the seal from the inlet.

30. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, and inclined rails adjacent the inlet; of a seal comprising a body, wheels journaled therein and mounted upon the rails, said wheels being normally seated in recesses in said rails, a flange extending from the body and normally inclosing the inlet and adapted to seal the same, and buffers for limiting the movement of the wheels upon the rails.

31. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, a tubular seat extending into the inlet, and a bridge; of a movable seal normally closing the inlet and comprising a body, wheels journaled therein, inclined rails forming bearings for the wheels, a flange extending from the body and normally bearing upon the seat to seal the inlet, and a movable charging-machine adapted to contact with and displace the .seal upon the inlet.

32. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, a tubular seat extending into the inlet, inclined rails adjacent the inlet and having recesses, and a bridge; of a seal mounted upon upon the bridge and adapted to contact with the seal and remove it from the inlet.

33. A blast-furnace having a clear inlet end, a tubular seat projecting into said end, parallel annular flanges at one end of the seat and outside the furnace, and webs interposed between and integral with the flanges.

34. A furnace-charging machine comprising-a movable stock-chamber having an inlet, and an outlet, 2. distributing-bell within the outlet, an adjusting-rod extending therefrom, and a closure for the inlet slidably mounted upon the rod.

35. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable stock-chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a distributing-bell within the outlet, an adjusting-rod projecting from the bell, and a counterbalanced closure within the inlet and slidably mounted upon the rod.

36. A furnace-charging machine comprisinga truck, rollers thereon, a vertically-movable stock-chamber within the truck, and guide-strips thereon engaging the rollers.

37. A charging-machine for furnaces comprising a movable truck, rollers thereon, a vertically-movable stock-chamber within the truck, guides thereon engaging the rollers, and means for adjusting the stock-chamber vertically within the truck.

38. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a vertically-movable stock-chamber therein having an outlet, guides for the stock-chamber, a distributing bell within the outlet, and stock-chamber supporting and adjusting devices connected to the bell.

39. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a vertically-movable stockchamber within the truck and having an outlet, guides for the stock-chamber, a distributing-bell within and normally closing the outlet, stock-chamber supporting and adjusting devices connected to the bell, and cushion devices connected to the truck and stockchamber.

40. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a Vertically-adjustable stock chamber therein having a normally closed outlet, rods extending from the stockchamber, and buffer-springs inclosing the rods and mounted on the truck.

41. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a vertically-adjustable stock-chamber therein having an inlet and an outlet, a distributing-bell within and normally closing the outlet, a detachable ring supported by and forming a continuation of the bell, and stock-chamber supporting and adjusting devices connected to the bell.

4:2. The combination witha furnace having ITO an inlet, and inclined rails adjacent the inlet; of a seal movably mounted upon the rails and normally seated upon and closing the inlet, and buffer-springs for limiting the movement of the seal upon the rails.

4:3. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, and inclined rails adjacent the inlet, said rails having recesses; of a buifer-spring at one end of each rail, a seal comprising a body, wheels journaled therein and mounted upon the rails, said wheels being normally seated in the recesses, whereby the seal is seated upon the inlet, and means for binding the seal in closing position.

44. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, and inclined rails adjacent the inlet; of a seal movably mounted upon the rails and adapted to be automatically seated upon and close the inlet, buffer-springs for limiting the movement of the seal upon the rails, a roller journaled upon the seal, and amovable charging-machine adapted to contact with the roller and remove the seal from the inlet.

45. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, and stationary rails secured to the furnace at opposite sides of the inlet; of a seal comprising a body, wheelsv journaled within the body and mounted at all times upon the rails, and means for automatically moving the seal longitudinally upon the rails and into position over the inlet.

46. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, and stationary rails secured upon the furnace at opposite sides of the inlet; of a seal comprising a body, integra casings, wheels journaled within the casings and mounted at all times upon the rails, means for automatically moving the seal longitudinally upon the rails and into position upon the inlet, and buffers for limiting the movement of the seal.

47. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, and stationary rails adjacent the inlet; of a seal comprising a body, casings integral therewith, wheels journaled within the casings and mounted at all times upon the rails, explosion-doors upon the body, a flange extending from the body and adapted to normally inclose the inlet and seal the same, and means for automatically moving the seals longitudinally from the rails and into position upon the inlet.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

KNUTE BAOKLUND. BIRGER F. BURMAN. Witnesses:

THOS. KELL BRADFORD, AUG. W. BRADFORD.

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