US2159433A - Method of disintegrating metal into shotting - Google Patents

Description

May 23, 1939. 'J. F. ERVlN I 2,159,433

I METHOD OF DISINTEGRATINQ MET AL INTO SHOTTI NG Filed Jan. 5, 1938 HP uqu/o smmM SWING flWI/STHENT CONTROL T0 PUMP JOHN fifRw/v Patented May 23, 1939 V l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mrrnon or msm'raoasmc mama m'ro sno'r'rmq John F. Ervln, Ann Arbor, Mich. Application January 5, 1938, Serial No. 183,539

12 Claim. (CI. 88-91) This invention relates to methods and means tends to supportively roll the formed particles of disintegrating molten metal in the production thereon as they drop into a quenching water pool of metal spherulate or shot, having reference beneath, from which they are later gathered more particularly to the break-up or dissection when properly cooled and hardened. of special hard-composition alloys into vary- Both of these methods are effectual in producsized globules or grit intended for use as metallic ing shot and substantially improve upon the prior abrasive and'blast cleaning, cutting or polishing method of simply dropping molten globules from material and the like. a height into water. However, the disintegrat- The object is to provide an improved method, ing action in both is quite violent, due tothe or process, and appllcative means for disintegratkinetic energy of the steam or water in striking 10 ing or shottlng" the metal with improved results the hot molten stream, and an explosive effect not only in the disintegration accomplishment, occurs at the impact point of the two streams. or action itself, but also in the nature or state of The formed metal particles are scattered widely the material produced. with a vigorous impellation and are diversified in 16 One of the principal aims in this objective is size a great deal more than is desirable. Much to attain a more quiescent, regular and steady of it is purefragmentation, or ragged lumping, break-up or dissection of the metal so that the and more is mere dust in fineness. Moreover, spherulate or grit particles produced will be more the openness to possible oxidation of the metal is perfectly formed and more uniform or less diobjectionable, as this results in defect in the g0 versified in size, thereby reducing the amount of product, especially if it is to be used as a blast 20 pure fragmentation and dissipation into mere cleaning or polishing medium.

dust. The present invention combines the two said Anotherv primary purpose is to accomplish or earlier methods, together with a substituted eleperform the disintegration free of oxidation inmeat in one of the same, and results in an imfiuence or result upon the metal and in such a provement upon both. To a considerable extent 25 medium and manner as to substantially eliminate the above stated objections and imperfections of if not entirely exclude the possibility of such delethe production are thereby reduced although they terent action occurring either during or immediadmittedly are not eliminated and it is probable ately following the break-up of the metal. that they cannot be eliminated entirely. In ad-' Incident to the first of these aims, it is also dition, the invention includes an effective provi- 30 intended as an important factor to afford a consion against the ility of oxidation and so trol, within possible limits, of the rate, force and affords a marked improvement over each of the degree or sizing of the disintegration, so as thereearlier methods described. by to produce the globular particles of the desired The full particulars as well as the general concharacter and to maintain a proper uniformity cent and special advantages of the invention will in their formation. be understood from the following description Further included aims and purposes of incident made with reference to the attached drawing, nature will be evidenced hereinafter. illustrating one practical embodiment of the same Complete understanding of the invention and in a somewhat elementary form. what it seeks to accomplish will be facilitated by In said drawin 40 first explaining that in the ordinary production Fig. 1 is a fra men e side-elevational p of metal shot or grit, a downward flowing stream ,sentation of an apparatus for applying or carry. of the metal is struck by a jet .of steam directed the claimed method into effect; and v thereagainst with high-pressure size or force. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective end-view of This steam jet disintegrates the metal into small one of said apparatus parts. globular particles thrown off from the point of In the claimed invention a Stream 3 0f the impact and simultaneously solidifying as they molten metal is fed downward from its melting drop into a quenching pool of water below, from furnace l as through a discharge pipe or nozzle which they are later taken when fully cooled and 5. This stream is of a size or thickness proper hardened. 1 for the size of shotting or grit desired to be pro- 50 A newer process, which improves upon the duced, and is controlled as by a regulating or other, consists in discharging a stream of the shut-oil valve 6! placed in its feed or discharge metal downward upon a flat stream of water proline. It is intended to be continuous through an jected under high-pressure force. Said water operating or production period and may of course stream similarly disintegrates the metal and be so maintained for as long as desired, or as 55 line connection with a high-pressure or pump source (not shown). This latter stream consists of a liquid other than water and of a non-volatile oil or oily character, such for instance as an oil emulsion. Its nature is such that, as distinguished from water, both its fiow and. its action upon the metal stream dropping upon it are smoother and its tendency to break up and vaporize under heat is less or slower. One of various possible liquids found to be very satisfactory for the purpose comprises an oil-fat emulsion having a flash-point of 167 (3., a fire point of 243 C. and a specific heat of 025 C., with a specific gravity of 1.4. Said liquid is spouted forth in a flattened stream of definite or substantial thickness by a tipping of the nozzle end with an elongate discharge opening 8' as illustrated in Fig. 2. A valve 9 inserted in or very nearly under the point of the metal, streams discharge thereonto, at an upward inclination of approximately 30 degrees which is however of course variable. It thereby tends and serves not only to support said liquid stream below said point and subsequently beyond the same, but also to raise the surface of said stream at that point so as to give it a mound or knoblike formation I, such as represented. A valve I2,in its feed line from the forcingsource or boiler controls the fiow of said gaseous stream or jet, which may if desired be flattened out like the liquid stream.

The three described streams are brought together preferably quite close to or only slightly beyond their feeding conduit ends. In some instances it might be desirable to bring them together almost immediately beyond said ends to a single point, but ordinarily a definite distancing beyond is preferred. Advantageously, the metal stream 3 drops a mere four to five inches from its-nozzle 5 onto the liquid stream; the liquid stream 1 under-meets said metal stream approximately four inches from its nozzle 8; and the gaseous stream Ill strikes said liquid stream approximately the same distance from its nozzle ll, immediately below or perhaps a quarter of an inch in advance of the liquid streams contact with the metal stream.

As the said three streams come together; the metal stream is disintegrated in much the same way as by a steam or liquid stream alone. However, the oil or oily character of the liquid stream is much more quiet and smooth in its action upon the hot molten metal and the disintegration takes place with less violent and explosive efi'ect and with greater regularity and uniformity of result. The metal strikes and enters into. the liquid with subdued response to its break-up and quenching effect, and the "shotting or reading into globular particles is produced with less fragmentation, dissipation and diversification in size. The liquid also tends somewhat to roll the formed and simultaneously solidified particles so as to make them more perfectly spherical. During this action, the gaseous stream or the like of steam supportively augments and sustains the liquid stream, raising its surfaceat the point (I) of metal contact so as to present a mound upon which the break into particles will occur, and carrying it a farther distance forward than would otherwise be the case. The said gaseous stream also tends to pierce the liquid and contribute its quenching qualities thereto, surrounding the whole operation with vapor as the liquid disperses and the globular particles drop therethrough.

The formed particles thus produced drop into a further quenching pool I! of the liquid, or the same as the liquid, or containing.v the liquid, in a receptive space below, where they are cooled and hardened and are later gathered and thereafter dried by a special process or treatment preventing oxidation and giving them a desired finish.

The disintegrating action may be regulated and perfected or refined to a considerable degree by a proper control of the respective stream flows. That is, the extent (size and volume) and uniformity of disintegration may be maintained or varied by suitable adjustment or changed adjustment of the respective valves 6, 9 and I2 controlling the flow of these streams. A uniform fiow of each in relation to the other of course produces the best and most perfect result. Any appreciable variation in the fiows is liable to change the character of the shotting. For

- tered fiow. On the other hand, a regulation to change the character of the disintegration may be made by readjusting any one or all three of said valves, or by altering the pressures of the liquid and gaseous fluid streams.

In the last mentioned connection, the liquid stream is supplied under pressure up to 50 or more pounds from the pump source, and the gaseous fiuid or steam stream is supplied under pressure up to or more pounds from the boiler or other forcing source.

In this instance the operation is performed within the confined space of a closed chamber represented by the dome structure I. This chamber desirably has an observation and handhole window l5 through which the operation may be viewed and access may be had to the nozzle parts. It also has a stack l6, controlled by a suitable valve l'l, through which air and present gas may be expelled. The said controlling valve Continued supply of the steam or gaseous fluid, along with the functioning of said valve. during the operation, maintains the chamber with an inner predetermined pressure greater than atmospheric, with said gaseous or steam vapor filling the entire inner space above the liquid pool l3 contained in its bottom. This inner greaterthan-atmospheric pressure may amount toone or two. pounds above atmospheric. or to as much as three or more atmospheres, depending upon conditions and the results to be obtained. Ordinarily, operation will be conducted under an internal pressure of perhaps three or four pounds above atmospheric and said operation is performed free of possible oxidation influence upon the metal by complete exclusion of air.

The liquid pool I! contained in the bottom of said chamber is, as previously stated, the same as the liquid supplied in the liquid stream I, or contains the same liquid in strata, and may therefore be drawn off to the supply source for reuse, although a straining and reflnement or reconditioning is first advisable, due to the soiling by dust from the metal and to the dilution by steam from the jetting in a disintegrating operation. For such purpose a draw-oil pipe II is shown in proposed connection with the liquid-stream supply or some other pump source, the same being provided with a valve I! by which to control the flow therethrough.

In operation, the liquid stream is started before the metal stream is released to discharge thereonto, it being assumed that air has first been excluded from the region as above described.

The steam or gaseous fluid stream, alreadyin I operation from the air excluding operation or newly brought into play, is adjusted to cooperate supplementally with it in the proper way so that the two work smoothly together. The metal stream is then released in proper flow and the disintegration immediately begins.

As the smooth oily stream is met by the hot metal flow, it breaks the same up into small globular particles which are carried along briefly with it with something of a rolling or turning motion, while at the same time dropping toward the liquid pool below. Some of the metal of course fiys oil with a certain explosiveness 1diversely and some of it breaks into pure fragments or dissipates into mere dust, but less of-this intense action occurs than in the case of a mere water or steam stream alone. Thegreater number of the particles form in the stream and all are enveloped either in said streamor in the vaporof the gaseousfiuid or steam which augments it. Many of them are conveyed well forwherein 3 indicates the formed metal globules falling to place while other dots indicate other particles thrown off divergently; X indicates the combined liquid and gaseous fluid or steam flow; and Y indicates the area of vapor arising from the hot metal contact therewith.

For better control and regulation, the liquid and steam gaseous fluid nozzles land ll may line pipe. On opposite sides of the nozzles also brace-rods 22 are provided, with a slide or slippage movement through one of them. These brace-rods have arms 23 supporting a'slightly arcuated rack 24 horizontally between the nozzles and a pinion 25 on the end of a tum-shaft 2O actuates said pinion against said rack to swing the nozzles a slight distance toward either side. The turn-shaft extends through a packing to the outside of the chamber and a hand-wheel 21 on its end provides for its manipulation. Thus the nozzles are maintained in the adjusted relation and are enabled to be swung in unison horizontally so as to follow and properly retain their ejecting streams under the metal stream should the latter waver or shift to either side.

The advantages of this method and the means provided to carry it into eifect will be appreciated by those familiar with the difliculties and imperfections of "shotting or the production of metal s'pherulate and grit by the methods already known and in use. While it is not claimed that this new method .attainsperfect results or eliminates all of the objections and defects or inadequacies of prior methods, it is claimed to produce improved results and to substantially reduce and moderate said objections and defects.

It will be understood that the invention may be modified or varied in its practice andthat the applicative means disclosed may be embodied in quite diflerent constructions without departing from the full scope and concept of the invention. For instance, the liquid stream, other than water, of the character defined may be used alone or without the stream of gaseous fluid or steam, or the gaseous fluid stream might be reduced proportionally greatly in its force. Under certain conditions also the gaseous fluid stream with steam alone or without the liquid stream might be used. The confining chamber might in a case of the liquid stream use alone be eliminated, although in thecase of the steam stream use alone it would have to' be employed under an inner pressure exceeding atmospheric substantially or by alew pounds greater than that necessary merely to exclude air as set forth in a prior application by this same inventor co-pending herewith. Obviously various changes in the actual apparatus and arrangement of parts for conducting or accomplishing the method can be made with full equivalency. in result. Therefore, the appended claims are not intended to limit the invention to the actual practice and the actual means described and shown.

The use hereinbefore of the word "steam in conjunction or synonymous connection with the term gaseous fluid is intendedonly to indicate steam as the preferred medium or example of gaseous fluids usable for the purposes of this invention. The term gaseous.fiuid" as used hereto be used neither with the intention of claiming more than the actual invention involved, nor with Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pat- ..ent of the United States is:

1. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metal shot or grit, which consists in discharging a molten stream of the metal onto a stream of liquid other than water and of an oil or oily character projected with pressure force thereunder, and supporting said liquid stream by a stream of gaseous fluid directed at an angle upwardly thereagainst also with pressure force.

2. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metal shot or grit, which consists in discharging a molten stream of the metal downwardly onto a stream oi! liquid other than water and of an oil or oily character projected horizontally thereunder with high-pressure force, and directing angularly up against said stream under the point of the metal stream discharge thereonto a supporting stream of gaseunder approximately the point of. the metal stream'discharge thereonto and in the same :flow direction a stream of gaseous fluid projected also under pressure force.

4. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metal shot or grit, which consists in discharging a molten stream of the metal onto a stream of liquid other than water and of an oil or oily character projected with pressure force thereunder, and supporting said liquid stream by a stream of gaseous fluid such as steam directed at an angle upwardlythereagainst also with pressure force, the surrounding space being meanwhile evacuated of air and other oxidizing gas,

5. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metal shot or grit, which consists in discharging a molten stream of the metal onto a stream of liquid other than water and of an oil or oily character projected with pressure force thereunder, and supporting said liquid stream by a stream of gaseous vapor such as steam directed at an angle upwardliy thereagainst also. with pressure force, the surrounding space being meanwhile evacuated of air and other oxidizing gas and a medium of vaporous gas being maintained in said space enveloping the three streams.

6. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metal shot or grit, which consists in discharging a molten stream of the metal onto a stream of liquid other than water and of an oil or oily character projected with pressure force thereunder, and supporting said liquid stream by a stream of gaseous vapor such as steam directed angularly upward thereagainst in the same' general direction thereto also with pressure force, the surrounding space being meanwhile evacuated of air and said space being filled with the vapor of the medium from the gaseous vapor stream.-

7. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metal shot or grit, which consists in discharging within an-air'excluded space a molten stream of the metal onto a stream of liquid other than water and oi an, oil

or oily character projected horizontally there-.

under with high-pressure force, directing angularly up against said stream under the point of the metal stream discharge thereonto in the same general direction thereof a supportingstream of a gaseous fluid such as steam projected likewise with high-pressure force, and filling said space 'with vapor from said gaseous fluid stream.

8. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metal shot or grit,'which consists in discharging within a chamber excluded of air a molten stream of the metal onto a stream of liquid other than water and of an oil or oily character projected with pressure force thereunder, supporting said liquid stream by a streamoi a gaseous fluid of the character 0! steam directed angularlyupward thereagainst in the same general direction also with pressure force, and maintaining the air excluded from said space during the contacting operation of the three streams.

9. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metal shot or grit, which consists in first excluding air from a closed chamber space, discharging a molten stream of the metal within said space onto a stream. of liquid other than water and of an oil or oily character projected with pressure force thereunder, supporting said liquid stream by a stream of gaseous fluid such as steam directed at an angle upwardly thereagainst in substantially the same general. direction also with pressure force, and

maintaining the air exclusion from the said space during the time said three streams are projected into contact with each other.

10. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metal shot or grit, which consists in discharging within a closed air excluded chamber space a molten stream of the metal downwardly onto a stream of liquid other than water and of an oil or oily character 'projected horizontally thereunder by pressure force, the said stream being flattened by nozzling through an elongate discharge from its force supply line and said closed chamber being maintained air excluded.

11. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metal shot or grit, which consists in first expelling air from a closed chamber space by a medium of internal pressure greater than atmospheric, discharging a molten stream of the metal within said space onto a stream of liquid other than water and of an oil or oily'character projected with pressure force thereunder, supporting said liquid stream by a stream of gaseous fluid such as steam directed upwardly thereagainst at an angle in the same general flow direction also with pressure force, and maintaining within said closed chamber space a pressure substantially greater than atmosphericby the said internal pressure medium downwardly into said space from a source of supply above, means for discharging a force pressure stream oi! liquid horizontally under the stream 01' downwardly discharging metal, means for discharging a force pressure stream of steam upwardly against the liquid stream under approximately the pointlat which the metal stream discharges thereontonmeans for controlling and regulating the three stream flows independently, and means maintaining said liquid and steam stream discharges in fixed relation to each other but adapting them to be swung in unison in opposite side-wise directions exteriorally of the chamber, said chamber having in its bottom a pool of or the same as the liquid supplied in said liquid stream.

JOHN F. ERVIN.

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