US2439776A

US2439776A - Apparatus for forming solidified particles from molten material

Info

Publication number: US2439776A
Application number: US663652A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold L Klein; John L Courtright
Original assignee: STEEL SHOT PRODUCERS Inc
Current assignee: STEEL SHOT PRODUCERS Inc
Priority date: 1946-04-20
Filing date: 1946-04-20
Publication date: 1948-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 1965-04-13

Description

April 13, 1948. H. 1.. KLEIN ETAL.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING SOLI DIFIED PARTICLES FROM MOLTBN MATERIAL 3 Sheets-Sheet l v Filed April 20 Harold L. Klan John L. Courfrlght ATTORNEY:

Aprii 13, ms.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING SOLIDIFIED PAR Filed April 20,

H. L. KLEIN ETAL TICLES FROM MOLTEN MATERIAL 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEKS April 13, 1948. H. L. KLEIN ETAL 2,439,776

APPARATUS FOR FORMING SOLIDIFIED PARTICLES FROM MOLTEN MATERIAL Filed April 20, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS Harold L, Klei n. By John L.Courfr|ghf.

W, M7; M4. ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 13, 1948 APPARATUS FOR FORMING SOLIDIFIED PARTICLES FROM MoLTEN MATERIAL Harold L. Klein and-John L. (lourtright, Columibus, Ohio, assignors, by mesne. assignments, :to Steel Shot Producers, Ina, Butler, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application April 20, 1946, "SBIMI'NO. 6633-652 (Cl. 18-.*-t2;6)

IGLGIaimS. 1

Our invention relates to apparatus for-forming solidified particles from molten material. Ithas to do, more particularly, with apparatus that is especially useful for disintegrating molten metal into comparatively small droplets or globules which are solidified into solid particles or pellets that are relatively spherical, -nonoxidized, and of desirable hardness. The apparatus described herein is elfective for forming shot from molten metal, especially steel shot,

although it is not limitedtothis application.

The apparatus of this present application is designed to perform the method disclosed in the copending application of James T.-Gow, Ser. No. 660,623, filed on the Qthday of April, 1946. The apparatus of this invention is an improvement over the apparatus disclosed in said copending application for performingthe process disclosed therein.

According to the method disclosed in said 100-, pending application, the molten material is discharged, from a pouring funnel or'the like, in

the form of a streaminto a dish-shaped receptacle which is rotating about its own vertically disposed axis at a high rate of speed and "which will throw the metal 'fromits periphery in the form of small globules. By regulating the rate of delivery of the molten material to the receptacle relative to the speed of rotation of the receptacle, the size of the particles produced may be varied. The diameter of the spinning dish and the speed of its rotation are also factors which may be varied to produce particles of desired size. Surrounding the spinning dish, there is provided a revolving container which-contains a suitable cooling or quenching liquid such as water. This container is so shaped and-ofsuch size that when his revolved at a proper speed, the cooling liquid contained therein will be formed into a revolving body of liquid having a vertical inner surface into which the globules of molten material, thrown 01f substantially horizontally by the spinning dish, after traveling unsupported through the ambient atmosphere a short distance, Will be thrown. Inpassing through the atmosphere unsupported, the globules are formed into more perfect spheres. Because the inner surfaceof the body of liquid is vertical, the particles thrown horizontally against it from the dish will enterthereinto rather than glance from such surface. Furthermore, be-- cause the body of liquid is revolving, further spinning of the globules, 'as-they strike such surface, results and thereby offsets the tendency for the globules to flatten upon striking the coolquenching liquid is critical. This distance must be-such' that t-he globules will enter the liquid before they have had a chance to solidify or oxidize. "The wall --of quenching. :li'quid must be of su-mcientextent in the direction of travel of the globules, which enter 'thereinto, that the globules :will be cooled by the liquid to the solidification point before they strikethe outwardly and downwardly slopin side wall of the revolving liquid container. Thiswalliserves to guide the pellets or particles to a suitable collecting point. Thus, the globules will-enter the quenching liquid before they can 'be harmed by oxidationand upon-entering the wall of liquid, they will be fully quench hardened.

"The apparatus --d-isclosed-l'n said copending application, is effective for performing .the process described therein. It is not only of small size compared to pr-ioruart apparatus, but is of simple and-inexpensive structuraand is easy and economical to operate-and-maintai-n. However, there' is a need in theart-f'or apparatus of this general type which will operate continuously to form the solidified particles and discharge them continuously without interrupting operation of the machine.

In additiont-o providing uninterrupted operation by continuously removing the solidified particles orpellets, it is also desirable to separate such par-ticles or pellets from the liquid cooling mediumas soon as practicable, because in certain instances, the material of the particles may-react with the liquidcool-ing medium. Also, it 'is -desirable-to-elfect the-separation of solidified particles and liquid-cooling medium in the apparatns T n-which the particles are formed in order to reduce'the---tota1 number of steps in the manufacture ofthe finished product.

ZEt isptherefore; an object-of our invention to provide apparatus for forming solidified particlesirom molten material which is continuous in operation to -form the particles, collect them, and --discharge th'em from the apparatus into a suitable receptacle.

Another object 0f our invention is to provide acontlnuously operatin :apparatus of the type indicated which will separate the particles quickly after solidification from the liquid in which they aresolidified to precludereaction of the material of the-particles with the "liquid.

Another -o'bjost of our invention is to provide continuouslyoperatingapparatusofthe type indicatedwliichWill discharge thesolidified par- 3 ticles therefrom relatively free from the liquid medium in which they are quenched.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description.

According to our invention, we provide apparatus for forming solidified particles from molten material which comprises a spinning dish for receiving the molten material and for disintegrating it and throwing it outwardly therefrom in the form of small globules. This spinning dish is surrounded by a revolving container which'is adapted to contain the liquid cooling medium into which the globules are thrown. The revolving container is so shaped and is rotated at such a speed, that the liquid cooling medium contained therein will be formed into a revolving body of liquid which closely surrounds the spinning dish and which has an inner vertical surface substan- 4 sageways for the liquid and the solidified particles.

The unit I (Figure 1) may be of any suitable type for receiving molten material and feeding it downwardly in the form of a thin stream. It preferably is provided with means (not shown) for varying the size of the stream of molten material fed therefrom and the velocity of the stream issuing therefrom.

All of the other units of the machine are supported bya suitable frame I (Figures 1 and 6). The container 3 is supported adjacent the upper end of this frame. This container includes an upper section'B and a lower section 9 of cylintially normal to the path of travel of the globules thrown from the periphery of the spinning dish. Within the container and within the revolving body of liquid therein, we provide an outwardly and downwardly sloping guide wall for guiding the solidified particles, formed in the liquid body, to collecting points which are disposed at circumferentially spaced points around the container. Associated with each of these collecting points, is a novel collecting and discharge unit which collects the solidified particles, separates them from the liquid cooling medium, and discharges them from the apparatus, all being accomplished without interrupting operation of the apparatus.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description and appended claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views and I wherein:

Figure 1 is a View partly in vertical section and partly in side elevation of apparatus constructed according to our invention. v

Figure 2 is a plan view, partly cut aw y, of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a perspective view, partly cut away, of a main portion of the machine shown in Figure'l.

With reference to the drawings, we have illustrated apparatus which comprises in general (Figure 1) a unit I for supplying the molten material, a spinning dish 2 into which the stream of molten material is discharged and which disinte grates it into the form of globules, a revolvin container 3 concentric with the spinning dish and adapted to contain the quenching liquid in the form of a revolving body of liquid having a vertically disposed annular inner wall into which the globules are thrown after flying from the spinning dish, a guide wall 4 which is disposed within the container 3 and surrounds the dish 2 and which is so shaped that after the solidified particles are formed in passing through the liquid they strike this wall and are guided thereby outwardly and downwardly to a plurality ofcollecting pockets which are spaced circumferentially oi the container, a collecting rotatable discharge conveyer 5 at each of these collecting pockets and adischarge funnel unit 6 provided withseparate pasdrical form, which are provided with peripheral flanges I0 at their meeting edges. Secured between these flanges is the peripheral edge of a horizontally disposed disk or partition II. This partition I I is provided with a large central aperture I2. The top of the upper section 8 of the container 3 is provided with a centrally disposed large aperture which is surrounded by a bearing collar I3. This collar I3 rotatably fits within a bearing I4 which is carried by a top plate I5, attached to the top of frame I, and is concentric with the bearing collar I3. Disposed within the central aligning openings in the plate I5 and the top plate of the section 8 is a water supplying unit I6 of annular form. This unit is provided with a pcripheral flange I! on its upper edge which will rest on the top surface of plate I5. This unit I extends below the top plate of section 8 and is provided with outlet openings I8 at its lower edge and spaced circumferentially in its inner wall. These openings IB are adapted to supply liquid into the container 3 and are directed radially outwardly thereof. The upper edge of unit I6 is provided with an upstanding fitting I9 for connecting it to a water supply pipe 20. The interior of the unit I6 is provided with a plurality of battles 2I which are vertically disposed and which are provided with apertures 22. These baflies aid in providing uniform distribution of the water around the unit IS. The unit I6 will remain stationary and extends freely through the opening in the top of the container section 8 to permit relative rotation of the container 3.

The guide wall 4 is supported by the partition II in the container 3 and all portions of the wall are spaced a substantial distance from the center of the partition. This guide wall is of the unique outline shown in Figure 2. It is shown as being provided with three collecting pockets 23 although this number may be varied. Each of the pockets 23 is formed by a section of the wall 4 extending between the two points 24 spaced around the axis of the container 3 and being the points of wall 4 closest to said axis. At these points 24, the wall 4 is vertically disposed. Midway between these points or along the dotted line 25, shown in Figure 2, the wall 4 slopes outwardly and downwardly at an angle of preferably less than 45 from the horizontal. Thus, the angularity of the section of the wall 4 from the position 24 to the position 25 changes from to less than 45. As will later appear, this causes the solidified particles to be guided to the center or outermost extremity of the pocket 23. The lower edge of the wall 4 rests upon and is secured to the horizontal partition II. Secured to the upper edge of the wall 4 (Figures 1 and 6) is a disk-likeplate 26. This plate 26 is provided with an upstanding annular flange 21 at the center thereof which extends upwardly and loosely within the water supplyeases-ea ing unit Ht so as to be freeto rotate relative thereto-..

one of the colle'cting and 'dis'ch'arg'ing conveyor units is. associated with each, of the collecting pockets 23. The conveyor 5, as shown best in Figures 1 and 4, is disposed directly below the horizontal partition ll; It isof annular form and isimounted for rotation about the axis of a'ver'tically disposed shaft 28. As indicated in Figure 2, the axis of the shaft 28 is disposed in the same vertical planeas the line which extends radially from the center of the container 3-: through the'midpoint of the section of the wall l which-forms the pocket 23.

Each of the-conveyor units 5, as'shown best in'Ffgu'rs3-and 4, comprises a horizontally disposed plate 291" This plate is provided with a centrally disposed hub 38' which is keyed tothe vertical shaftlii. The upper end of the shaft 28'is' rotatably disposed in an inverted bearing cup 31* that is disposed in an opening formed in the partition I! and which is bolted to such partition; The shaft 28 extends downwardly through a-- bearing sleeve 32 which is disposed substantially fluid-tight in an opening in the bo'ttomt plate of the lower section 9 of the containerJS; Attached'to the periphery of the plate 29- areconcentric inner and outer rims 33 and 342 The rimss i's inclined inwardly and down wardly, while the rim 1% is vertically disposed and has an inwardly extending ledge or flange on it'supper edge. A plurality of particle re ceiv-ing -compartments 36 are formed between the rims 33and 34 by means of the vanes 31 which extend almost tangentially from the rim 33 and outwardly to the rim 35 in a direction opposite to-th-edirection of rotation of the conveyer unit 5; asshown best in Figure 3. The bottom wall of each compartment 36 is provided with a discharge aperture 38 adjacent the inner rim 33 andiat the trailing surface of the vane ill. At the-outer side of the pockets 23, a plurality of dischargeslots Stare formed adjacent the lower edge of the-guide wall 4. These slots are formed in the partition ll directly over the conveyor 5 andare concentric with the conveyer. As shown in'-Fi'gure 4, the particles will be guided through these discharge slots 39 by the outwardly sloping guide wall l. Attached to the lower surface of thepartition ll; outwardly beyond the slots 39, is a guide baiile id which extends circumferentially beyondthe outer ends of the endmost slots 39: This guide baflle all slopes downwardly and outwardly and is, in effect, a continuation of the-guide wall t. The upper edge of each of the vanes 3i is notched, as indicated at ll, suffioi-ently to prevent interference with the baiiie ill.

Asshown'inl igure 4, the particles which contact 'theguide wall t will be guided outwardly andldownwardly through the discharge slots 39 and will be guided by baffle til into the comp'artments 35 in the conveyor unit 5, this travel being caused by centrifugal force created by revolving'thecon'tainer 3 at a high rate of speed. The particles discharged into each of the successive compartments 38 will be held against the rim -tl thereofby centrifugal force created by revolving the'container 3; However, the conveyor 5-will beslowl'yrotatedto move each successive compartment'tfi from its loading point, adjacent the periphery of the revolving container 3 to its discharge point substantially at the center of the container 3; During this travel through sub stantially: 180, the particlesin the compartment 36 :will shift" from the outeri rim 34' to the inner force;=created by rotation of the containers;-

1 The inwardlys'lopihg'rim will act as a guide fordi'recting 'these particles downwardly through theap'ert'ure 38 whenthe conipartmentst-t reaoh the discharge point ad jacenlfi the center of the container 3. It is preferred that this rir'n -tt be at an -angle=relative to the-horizontal so that the particles will be forced downwardly: through the discharge aperture 38 and to preventpiling up of the particles 'against the riml The particles discharged from the conveyor units 5 drop-into the central funnel '42 of-the funnel unit 5; Theupper'end ofth'is funnel e2 projects upwardly through a" centrally disposed opening" 43 formed in the bottom plate of the lower section S'ofthe container 3; v The Tunnel 32 is concentric with the container 3; The opening deserves asa water discharge opening for thec'ontainer 3, the edge ofthe-opening being the innermost limit of the-body of water which can be formedin the container 3; Surrounding the opening 33'- is an outwardly and downwardly stantially free of water.

sloping flange 44; This flange 44" overlaps an inwardly andnpwardly" extending lip d5" which is formed on the upper edge of a water receiving funnel it. The funnel is concentric with the particle receiving funnel42; Thus, it will'be apparent that the conveyer units 5' extendinwa'rdly closely adjacent the center of the container Sand almost to the center of the funnel 42'. Consequently, as each compartmenttli of each conveyer unit moves beyond the edgeof opening 43, which willbe the innermost limit of, the body of water in container 3, water willflow from the compartment and by the timetheparticles are discharged into the funnel 42 they will be sub Thefunnels Q'Z'and lfi are provided with concentric downwardly eXtending tubular extensions 41? and 48, respectively. The lower end of the extensions 47 is provided with an angularly directed dis charge'endell which will direct the solidified-particles into a suitable receptac1e. The lower endlof. the extension 48 is provided with a pipeSD- leading therefrom to conduct the excess water toa suitable point.

The members and 46 and the extensions ill and d8 thereof are all stationary. As previously indicated, the container 3 is so mounted that it can be revolved at-a high-rate of speed. To stationarily support the extensionAB ofthe funnel 46 a collar 5! is fastenedto thelower end, thereof (Figure 1). This collar is rigidly secured to transverse beams 52 which form a part of the frame 7. Th member 41 is held within the member 48 in spaced relationship therewith by being passed through an .opening-in-the closed bottom of the tubular member 48' and being welded thereto, as at 53.

The container 3 is supported for rotation by means of a frame 54. This framehas a plurality of vertically disposed arms 55-(Figure l) the upper ends of which are fastened to the bottom plate of the lower section 9 of the container. The frame is provided with a similar number of horizontally extending arms 56; the outer end of each of these arms being attache'dto the lower end of one of the vertical arms 55. The inner ends of these horizontal arms 561 are secured to a bearing 51 which rotates on the member t8. The arms 56 rest upon and are fixed to a large pulley 58; This pulley 58 is rotatably supported onthe collar 5l= by" means of a thrust bearing 59. The pulley 58 is of a multipl groove type and is driven by a set of belts 60 which extend horizontally around a smaller multiple groove pulley Bl. The pulley 61 is carried by the vertically disposed drive shaft of a variable speed electric motor 62 which is attached to the frame 1. Thus, the motor 62 will drive pulley Bi and the large pulley 58. This will rotate the frame 54 about the tubular member 58 and will, consequently, revolve the container 3 about its own axis. The collar 13 attached to the top wall of the container will rotate in bearing 14.

For rotating each of the conveyer units 5. a speed reduction unit 63 is associated with each of the vertical shafts 28 which carries theconveyer unit. Each unit 63 is secured to one of the vertical arms 55 of the frame 54. The unit 63 is driven by a multiple groove pulley 64. A single driving belt 65 (Figure passes around each of the pulleys 64 and around a large pulley .66 which is mounted on the tube 48 is fixed position. Thus, when the frame 54 and container revolve, the pulley 64 will revolve about the stationary pulley 66. Therefore, the pulleys 64 will be rotated around their own axes. Consequently, the various speed reduction units 63 will be driven and they, in turn, will drive the various shafts 28 at a comparatively low rate of speed. This will serve to rotate the conveyor units 5 at a low rate of speed. As shown by the arrows in Figure 3, the container 3 is preferably rotated counterclockwise and the conveyor units 5 are rotated clockwise.

Disposed centrally within the tubular member 4'! and the funnel 42 is a vertically disposed spindle 61, as shown best in Figure l. The upper end of the spindle is rotatably supported by means of a bearing sleeve 68 supported centrally within the funnel 42 by means of a spider 69 attached to the funnel. The lower end of the spindle extends downwardly through a bearing leeve 10 carried by the lower end of the tubular member $1. The upper end of the spindle 61 carries the spinning dish 2. The lower end of the spindle has a pulley H splined thereto. This pulley is driven by a belt 12 which passes around a smaller pulley 13. The pulley 13 is keyed to the vertically disposed drive shaft of a, variabl speed electric motor 14 which is fastened to the frame 1. The spindle 61 is, thus, driven by the motor 14 at any selected speed. It will be apparent that the spinning dish 2 and the container 3 are driven independently of each other and the speed of one can be regulated independently of the speed of the other.

The spindle 51 is not only rotatable in the bearings 6'8 and 10. but is also vertically movable therein. For movin the spindle vertically, we provide a bellcrank lever 15 which is pivoted to the frame, as at 16. The inwardly extending arm 11 of this lever extends beneath the lower end of the spindle 6'! and is provided with an end portion 18 which engages the lower end of the spindle. By operating the lever 15, the spindle may be moved vertically. Thereby, before the molten l material is initially fed into the dish 2, the dish may be raised vertically to a. position above the top of unit IE to allow it to be preheated by a torch. Normally the spindle 61 is in its lowermost position so that the dish 2 in its lowermost position with its upper edge intermediate the height of the guide Wall 4. At this time the unit i will be disposed concentrically of the container 3 and will extend down into the unit Hi.

The dish 2 is provided with a boss 19 which removably fits on the upper end of spindle 6?.- Thus, the dish 2 may be replaced readily. The dish is provided with a refractory liner which has a dish-shaped inner surface upon which the stream of molten material is directed.

In the operation of this apparatus, the container 3 and the spinning dish 2 are driven at suitable speeds. Water is supplied into the container by means of the unit [6. The amount of water supplied depends upon the extent, in a horizontal direction, of the revolving body of water to be formed within the revolving container 43, The container 3 is revolved at such a speed that the water supplied thereinto will be formed into an annular body which will have an inner surface S which will be substantially vertical. The maximum extent of this body of water in a horizontal direction will be the radial distance from the edge of opening 43 to the side wall of container 3, inasmuch as any excess will flow out of the container through the opening 43.

As previously indicated, the machine is particularly useful in the shotting of metal. If it is used for this purpose, the molten metal is supplied from the unit I and is discharged in the form of a small stream into the spinning dish 2. The speed of rotation of the spinning dish is regulated according to the size of shot particles desired and is proportional to the rate of delivery to it of the molten metal from the unit I and to the fluidity of that metal. When the molten stream strikes the bottom of the dish which is spinning at a high rate of speed, it will be caused by centrifugal force to travel up the inclined wall of the dish and will be thrown outwardly from the upper edge of the dish in a path substantially tangential thereto. By the time the molten metal leaves the dish, it will be in the form of globules which will travel in a horizontal path unsupported through the ambient atmosphere until they enter the revolving wall of liquid. Because this wall of liquid is substantially normal to the path of travel of the globules, they will enter into the water without glancing from the surface thereof. Furthermore, because the wall of liquid is spinning, when the globules strike the surface thereof, the spinning action imparted to the globules will offset the tendency for them to become flattened upon striking the liquid By providing the wall or body of water with its inner cylindrical surface S positioned about the spinning dish and extending essentially vertically for some distance above and below the dish, the distance between the edge of the dish and the surface of the water can be regulated very closely and this distance can be very short. In this manner, the fine globules of metal enter the Water almost instantaneously after being thrown from the periphery of the dish and, consequently, are given practically no opportunity to ignite or burn to metal oxide. The distance between the spinning dish and the water is such that the globules of metal will enter the water before they have solidified. This distance can be regulated merely by varying the amount of Water in the container 3 after the container reaches a minimum speed of rotation sufiicient to cause the inner surface of the water to be substantially vertical. Thus, to control this distance it is merely necessary to control one variable.

The wall or body of water must be of sumcient extent in the direction of travel of the globules which enter thereinto that the globules will be cooled by the water to the solidification point be- 9 fore they strike the outwardly sloping guide wall 4. As the, globules enter and pass through the water they traverse a somewhat lengthened arclikepath, asshown in Figure 4, from their .point of :entry'into the water. For this reason, a rela- I tively small amount of water is required to obtain sufiicient cooling of the shot particles before they hit the slopingsguidewall 4. As a result, less water for cooling "may be employed and, consequently, less poweris required to rotate the container 3 and the apparatus may be made much smaller than prior art apparatus.

Before the particles strike the guide wall 4 even atits innermost points 24, the particles are in solidified form. The particlesare quenchhardened during their passage through the water. When the particles do strike the wall 4,, they are moved by the action of centrifugal force and the slopeof the guide wall outwardly and downwardly towards the partition H. the wall 4 adjacent the midpoint of each pocket 23 will be moved downwardly only towards the discharge slots 39. However, particles striking the guide wall 4 of each side of the midpoint of the pocket will not only be directed downwardly thereby, but will also be directed laterally in both directions towards the midpoint of the pocket which is the outermost extremity thereof. Thus, centrifugal force created by rotatlonxof the container 3 not only causes the guide wall 4 to direct the shot particles toward the bottom of the pocket formed by partition I l but also toward the outermost extremity'of the pocket where the discharge slots '39 are located.

The particles discharged from each of the pockets 23 pass downwardly through the slots 39 into the successive compartments 38 carried by the conveyer unit 5. As previously explained, this conveyor unit rotates slowly and conveys the particles through substantially 180 of rotation before they are discharged into the funnel 42. During this travel the particles are shifted from the outer side of each compartment 36 to the innor or discharge side thereof by the action of centrifugal force, produced byrotation of the con tainer 3. When they 'reach'the funnel'42, they are discharged by centrifugal force, created by rotation of the container 3. through the discharge Th particles striking apertures 38 adjacent the'inner rim 33. The con- I of the particles from the conveyer units. As pre-.

viously indicated, when the particle-containing compartments 36 of theconveyor units 5 are moved beyond the'inner surfacesof the revolving body of waten'any water in the compartments 3? willflow therefrom. Thus, by the time theparticles are discharged into the funnel 42, they will be substantially free: of water.

Itwill be apparent from the above description that we have provided apparatus for forming solidified particles from molten material which is:- continuous in operation and which is capable of an increased production. The apparatus forms the particles, collects them, separates the particles fromthe liquid quenching medium, and discharges the particles, all during the continuous operation of the machine. The apparatus is especially useful for the shottin'g of metals which tend to react with the usual: liquid medium, such as water, becaus the metal: shot is quickly removed from contact with the liquid cooling m dium.

10 Various other advantages will be apparent from the preceding description, thedrawings, and the following claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. Apparatus for forming solidified particles from moltenmaterial comprising a member rotatable about a vertical axis upon which a stream of themolten material is'discharged and which is adapted to disintegrate the stream into globules, and throw them outwardly therefrom a liquid container surrounding said member and adapted to contain quenching liquid for said globules, said container being rotatable about a vertical axis, means for rotating said member and a guide wall at the interior or the container surrounding said memberand being spaced outwardlytherefrom, said guide wall having its lower edge disposed'ata level "substantially below the globule discharge level of said member so that globulestnrownoii said-member will strike said guide wall and be guided thereby, said guide wall being so formed as'to provide a particle collecting pocket, and a conveyor unit associated with said pocket for removing the collected particles therefrom and discharging them from the container during the'cohtihuoiisrotation thereof.

2. Apparatus for forming solidified particles from molten material comprising a. member rotatable about a vertical axis upon which a stream of the molten material is discharged and which is adapted to'disintegra-te the stream into globules and throw them substantially horizontally therefrom, a liquid container surrounding said member and being rotatable so that when rotated at a selected speed a revolving body of liquid will be formed which surrounds said member and which receives the globules thrown therefrom means for rotating said member and said container, a guide wall at the interior of the container surrounding said member and being spaced outwardly therefrom, said guide wall having its lower edge disposed at a level substantially below the globule discharge level of said member so that globules thrown from said member will strike said guide wall and be guided thereby, said guide wall being s'o'formed as to provide a plurality of particle collecting pockets at points spaced along the periphery of saidcontainer, and a conveyer ur'nt associated with each of said pockets for removing the collected particles and discharging them from the container during the continuous rotation of the container.

3. Apparatus for forming solidified particles from molten material comprising a member rotatable about a vertical axis upon which a stream of the molten material is discharged and which is adapted to disintegrate the stream into globules and throw them substantially horizontally therefrom, an annular liquid container surrounding said member and being rotatable about a vertical axis so that when rotated at a selected speed a revolving body of liquid will be formed which surrounds said member and which receives the globules thrown therefrom, means for rotating said member and said container, a, guide wall at the interior of the container surrounding said member and being spaced outwardly therefrom, said guide wall having its loweredge disposed at a level substantially below the globue discharge level of said member so that globules thrown therefrom will strike said guide wall and be guided thereby, said guide wall beingso'iormed as to provide a plurality ofp'article collecting pockets at points spaced circumferentially of said container,

each of said pockets having a discharge outlet adjacent the outer side thereof, a conveyor unit disposed in said container and associated with each of said pockets for receiving the particles discharged from said pocket, said conveyer unit being rotatable about a vertical axis spaced outwardly from the axis of said container and being adapted to transfer the particles from the discharge point of the pocket through substantially 180 to a discharge point where the particles are discharged from the container, and means for rotating each of said conveyers upon rotation of said container.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of said pockets is formed by a section of the guide wall which is substantially U shape in horizontal cross-section so that the pocket has a mouth directed towards the axis of the container and which is substantially vertical at its inner ly at an angle of less than 45 intermediate its ends.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein means is provided for limiting the inward extent of said body of liquid so that its inner surface will always be spaced from said rotatable member.

6. Apparatus accordingto claim 3 wherein said container is provided with a centrally disposed opening which limits the inward extent of said body of liquid and wherein each of said conveyer units extends inwardly beyond the edge of said opening so that the particles conveyed thereby will be separated from the liquid before being discharged therefrom.

Al paratus according to claim 3 wherein said conveyer unit comprises inner and outer rims which are spaced from each other. vanes extending between said rims for forming particle receiving compartments therebetween, said compartmgnt having discharge outlets at their inner s1 es. 1

8. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said conveyer unit comprises inner and outer rims which are spaced from each other, vanes extending between said rims for forming particle receiving compartments therebetween, said compartments having discharge outlets at their inner sides, said inner rim being inclined inwardly and downwardly towards the center of the conveyer so as to direct the particles from said compartments through said discharge outlets.

9. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said container is provided with a centrally disposed opening which limits the inward extent of said body of liquid and wherein each of said conveyer units extend inwardly beyond the edge of said opening so that the particles conveyed thereby will be separated from the liquid before being discharged therefrom, a funnel unit disposed beneath said opening, said funnel unit comprising an outer funnel for receiving the liquid and an inner funnel for receiving the particles from each of said conveyer units.

10. Apparatus for forming solidified particles from molten material comprising a container for will strike said wall and will be guided thereby, said guide wall being so formed as to provide a particle collecting pocket, said pocket having a discharge outlet in the bottom thereof adjacent the outer side thereof, a conveyer unit disposed in said container below said pocket for receiving the particles discharged from said pocket, said conveyer unit being rotatable about a vertical axis spaced outwardly from the axis of said container and being adapted to transfer the particles from the'discharge point of the pocket through substantially to a discharge point where the particles are discharged from the container, and means for rotating said conveyer upon rotation of said container.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said pocket is formed by a section of the guide wall which is substantially vertical at its ends and which slopes outwardly anddownwardly at an angle of less than 45 intermediate its ends.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein means is provided for limiting the inward extent of said body of liquid.

13. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said container is provided with a centrally disposed opening which limits the inward extent of said body of liquid and wherein said conveyer unit extends inwardly beyond the edge of said opening so that the particles conveyed thereby will be separated from the liquid before being discharged therefrom.

14. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said conveyer unit comprises inner and outer rims which are spaced from each other, vanes extending between said rims for forming particle'receiving compartments therebetween, said compartments having discharge outlets at their inner sides.

15. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said conveyer unit comprises inner and outer rims which are spaced from each other, vanes extending between said rim-s for forming particle receiving compartments therebetween, said compartments having discharge outlets at their inner unit extends inwardly beyond the edge of said opening so that the particles conveyed thereby will be separated from the liquid before being discharged therefrom, a funnel unit disposed beneath said opening, said funnel unit comprising an outer funnel for receiving the liquid and an inner funnel for receiving the particles discharged from said conveyer unit.

' HAROLD L. KLEIN.

JOHN L. COURTRIGHT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 447,511 Goetz Mar. 3, 1891 1,115,321 Lessing Oct. 2'7, 1941 1,671,683 Podszus May 29, 1928 1,782,038

Haak Nov. 18, 1930 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,439,776. April 13, 1948.

HAROLD L. KLEIN ET AL.

It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 8, line 13, for the numeral 43 read 3; column 10, line 11, claim 1, after the syllable ules strike out the comma; same line after therefrom insert a comma; line 15, after member insert the-Words and comma and said container,; line 16, strike out and; line 70, claim 3, for globue read globule;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of February, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

' Assistant Commissioner of Patents.