Patent GB-1111642-A (GB)
Title: Bedplate for internal-combustion engine
Inventor: STANSFIELD FRANK MELVIN
IPC: F16M1/02
Filed: 1964-02-13
Abstract: 1,111,642. I.C. engine bedplates. RUSTON & HORNSBY Ltd. Dec.14, 1964 [Feb.13, 1964], No.49468/63. Heading F1B. In an I. C. engine bedplate having transverse plates supporting the crankshaft journals, each plate comprises a part-circular web portion 11 with a rim portion 12, the thickness of the web 11 decreasing substantially linearly with increasing radius so that the part cylindrical area of any crosssection a, b through the web concentric with the crankshaft axis over an arcuate distance of one radian is constant at whatever radius the section may be taken, and the rim 12 having a radial cross-sectional area substantially equal to the constant cross-sectional area through the web. The cross-sectional profile of the rim 12 may be circular, triangular, square or pear-shaped. respective relay contacts 30a-33a, and three further relays 70-72 which have contacts 70a-72a for breaking the holding circuits of relays 30, 31. In order that the support may be advanced towards or away from the mine face a switch (not shown) having contacts 60a-60f is provided. As shown the contacts 60a-60f are in the position corresponding to forward advance. To initiate an automatic advance a starting switch 80 is depressed whereby the relay 30 is energized and maintained energized via its holding contact 30c and contact 60b. The energization of relay 30 closes contact 30a to thereby energize the solenoid 20 which causes the front prop 10 to retract. When the prop 10 has completed its downward stroke the resulting pressure build-up operates the switch 50 to energize the relay 32 and consequently operate the solenoid 22 to cause the ram 12 to extend and thus advance the front prop 10. Extension of the ram 12 causes the pressure switch 52 to operate the relay 70 whereby the contacts 70a open to deenergize the relay 30 so that the front prop resets against the roof. Re-setting operates the switch 40 and since the relay 70 is still energized, the relay 31 is operated and hence the solenoid 21 which operates the valve 15 to cause the rear prop 11 to lower. Lowering of the prop 11 ultimately operates the pressure switch 51 whereupon the relay 33 is energized and hence the solenoid 23. The valve 15 is therefore operated so as to retract the ram 12 and thus draw the rear prop up to the front prop 10. Initial retraction opens the pressure switch 52 on the ram 12 de-activating the relay 70, the rear relay 31 remaining energized through its holding contact 31b. At the end of the retraction stroke of the ram 12 the pressure switch 42 closes to energize the relay 71 and thus contacts 71a open to de-energize the relay 31 and solenoid 21 to cause the rear prop to re-set against the roof and thus complete the advancing sequence. The support unit may be advanced manually-by operating a selector valve 90 to disconnect the valves 14, 15, 16 and connect manually operable valves 95, 96, 97 to the supply and return lines 91, 92. The valves 95-97 are maintained in their central off positions shown during automatic operation by pressure fluid supplied from the line 18 through the dotted lines shown. Each prop is provided with a pressure responsive safety valve 26.