Designing Phase Part 4

The first line appeared almost effortlessly.

A broad, swelling curve of graphite. Another balancing it on the opposite side. Then two thick, heavy circles intersecting the midsection of the pear-shaped body.

Trunnions.

Ernest paused, shading in the heavy cylindrical pivots on either side. Unlike a stationary blast furnace, which sat like a monolithic stone chimney, this machine had to be dynamic. It needed to move, tilt, and rotate on a central axis. One angle for charging the liquid pig iron, another upright position for blowing the air charge, and a downward tilt for pouring off the finished heat into a ladle.

The entire thermodynamic cycle depended on movement.

He dragged the trunnion shafts outward, extending them beyond the vessel wall, and sketched giant cast-steel bearing blocks to cradle them.

"...Heavy," Ernest muttered, tapping his pencil against the frame. "Unbelievably heavy."