Reduction kiln having distribution system

Claim 2

An ore reducing kiln comprising; an elongated rotary cylindrical chamber having a charge of ore to be reduced contained therein; fluid distribution means; a first fluid passage connected in fluid communication to said fluid distribution means; a second fluid passage connected in fluid communication to said fluid distribution means; a nozzle supported by said kiln for rotation with said cylindrical chamber, said nozzle being in fluid communication with said elongated cylindrical chamber and with said fluid distribution means; and control means associated with said fluid distribution means, one of said means supported by said cylindrical chamber for rotation therewith, said control means adapted automatically upon rotation of said cylindrical chamber to operate said fluid distribution means to alternately connect and disconnect said fIrst and second fluid passage means to said nozzle.

Claim 3

A rotary ore reducing kiln comprising; an elongated cylindrical chamber having a charge of ore to be reduced contained therein; fluid distribution means supported by said kiln for rotation therewith; first fluid passage means supported by said kiln and connected in fluid communication to said fluid distribution means; second fluid passage means supported by said kiln and connected in fluid communication to said fluid distribution means; a nozzle supported by said kiln in fluid communication with said elongated cylindrical chamber and with said fluid distribution means; and control means associated with said fluid distribution means adapted automatically upon rotation of said kiln to operate same to alternately connect and disconnect said first and second fluid passage means to said nozzle.

Claim 4

A rotary ore reducing kiln comprising; an elongated cylindrical chamber having a charge of ore to be reduced contained therein; fluid distribution means supported by said kiln for rotation therewith; first fluid passage means supported by said kiln and connected in fluid communication to said fluid distribution means; second fluid passage means supported by said kiln and connected in fluid communication to said fluid distribution means; a nozzle supported by said kiln in fluid communication with said elongated cylindrical chamber and with said fluid distribution means; and control means associated with said fluid distribution means adapted automatically upon rotation of said kiln to operate same to alternately connect and disconnect said first and second fluid passage means to said nozzle.

Claim 5

The rotary ore reducing kiln set forth in claim 2 wherein said fluid distribution means is at least one valve and said control means is a cam plate connected to said at least one valve and stationary trip means are positioned to selectively engage said cam plate to operate said at least one valve.

Claim 6

A rotary ore reducing kiln comprising: an elongated cylindrical chamber having a charge to be reduced contained therein; a nozzle supported by said kiln in fluid communication with said chamber, said nozzle rotating with said kiln and alternately passing beneath and above said charge; a rotary valve having first and second inlets and one outlet and capable of alternately connecting each inlet to said outlet; first and second conduit means supported on the exterior of said kiln and connected respectively in fluid communication to said first and second inlets; transfer conduit means connecting said outlet in fluid communication to said nozzle; a cam plate supported on said kiln and operatively connected to said valve, said cam plate having at least two cams; and trip means supported about said kiln for selective engagement by said cams, said cams and said trip means being arranged to cause said valve to connect said first conduit to said nozzle when said nozzle is beneath said charge and alternately to connect said second conduit to said nozzle when said nozzle is above said charge.

Claim 7

A rotary ore reducing kiln comprising: an elongated cylindrical chamber having a charge to be reduced contained therein; a nozzle supported by said kiln in fluid communication with said chamber, said nozzle rotating with said kiln and alternately passing beneath and above said charge; a rotary valve having first and second inlets and one outlet and capable of alternately connecting each inlet to said outlet; first and second conduit means supported on the exterior of said kiln and connected respectively in fluid communication to said first and second inlets; transfer conduit means connecting said outlet in fluid communication to said nozzle; a cam plate supported on said kiln and operatively connected to said valve, said cam plate having at least two cams; and trip means supported about said kiln for selective engagement by said cams, said cams and said trip means being arranged to cause said valve to connect said first conduit to said nozzle when said nozzle is beneath said charge and alternately to connect said second conduit to said nozzle when said nozzle is above said charge.