IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC CRANES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO HYDRAULIC MACHINERY FOR FORGING AND STAMPING, AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES."
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Beverley Fenby, of Yardley, in the County
of Worcester, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN HYDRAULIC CRANES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO
HYDRAULIC MACHINERY FOR FORGING AND STAMPING, AND FOR OTHER LIKE
PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Beverley Fenby
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 15th October 1875.
I, JOSEPH BEVERLEY FENBY, of Yardley, in the County of Worcester,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC CRANES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO
APPLICABLE TO HYDRAULIC MACHINERY FOR FORGING AND STAMPING, AND FOR OTHER
LIKE PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
:-
My said Invention consists of the improvements in hydraulic cranes
and hydraulic machinery herein-after described, the said improvements

page_text: having for their object the economizing of power in hydraulic machinery
by introducing into the said machinery appliances whereby a differential
action may be secured within certain limits, and the expenditure of
power thereby adjusted at pleasure to the work to be done.
According to one of my improvements I arrange two hydraulic
cylinders in the same line and gear their pistons together, so that the
said pistons can only move simultaneously. The cylinders arc of
different diameters, and each piston has a piston rod, the sectional area
of which has a definite ratio to the sectional area of its piston. For the
sake of illustration I will suppose the area of the larger piston and its
cylinder to be 8, and the area of the small piston to bo 4. The area of
the piston rod of the larger piston to be 2, and that of the piston rod of
the small piston to be 1, but I do not confine myself to any particular
ratios. Each piston rod works water-tight through a stuffing box at the
end of its cylinder.
By suitably arranged valves the cylinders can be put into communi-
cation with a hydraulic accumulator, or with an exhaust cistern into
which the exhaust water is delivered. The exhaust cistern is fixed at a
some that higher level than the cylinders, so that the cylinder on the
exhaust side of the piston is always kept filled with water.
: By an arrangement of valves such as is herein-after described, the
water under pressure in the accumulator can be made so to operate upon
the pistons in the two cylinders described as to produce a series of
powers from 1 to 12. Thus when the under surfaces of both pistons are
in connection with the accumulator, and the exhaust sides open to the
exhaust cistern, the power by which the pistons are moved is the sum of
the two powers of the pistons singly, that is, 8 plus 4, or 12. When the
large piston only is brought into operation, the power is 8; when the
small piston only is brought into operation, the power is 4.
Intermediate powers are obtained by suitably connecting the ends of
the cylinders with the accumulator and exhaust cistern, the effective
power obtained being represented by the powers underneath the pistons,
less the powers on their upper sides, which powers on the upper sides
are reduced respectively in the case supposed to two and one by the
sectional areas of the piston rods. Thus, if a power of 9 be wanted, it
may
be obtained by putting in communication with the accumulator the
under sides of two pistons representing 8 and 4, or 12, and also the

page_text: upper sides of the pistons in connection with the accumulator. These
give a back action of 2 and 1 respectively, or 3, which diminishing the
direct action of 12 by 3 gives an effective power of 9.
By different combinations an arithmetical series of powers of from
1 to 12 may be obtained, and in each case the amount of water under
pressure delivered from the accumulator is in exact proportion to the
power obtained.
By different arrangements of the areas of the cylinders, pistons, and
piston rods, any other required combinations of powers in regular or
irregular progression may be obtained.
Another of my improvements consists in arranging three single-acting
cylinders in a line, the said cylinders having different sectional areas so
as to give by different combinations seven varying powers. The
arranging of the cylinders in a line permits of greater variety of com-
binations than can be obtained when they are arranged side by side, and
removes difficulties which exits in the ordinary arrangement of hydraulic
cylinders.
Although I have described the first part of my improvements as
carried into effect with two cylinders, and my second with three, yet I
do not limit myself in either case to the number of cylinders described,
as a greater number may be employed in either case, but the numbers
described are sufficient for all ordinary purposes.
In order to work the arrangement of cylinders herein first described
with facility, I employ a series of valves arranged and worked in the
following manner:-Each end of each cylinder is in connection with
two valves, one opening and closing communication with the accumu-
lator, and the other opening and closing communication with the
exhaust cistern. These four pairs of valves are contained in a valve box
in which they are arranged symmetrically. A rotating shaft or drum
carries a series of cams or rises which act upon and open or close the
valves respectively. By means of an index finger or other indicator the
position of the cams or rises is pointed out. By moving the shaft or
drum through the required angle the required power may be obtained,
the position of the finger on the dial plate or the other indicator
employed showing when the required cams have been brought to operate
on the valves. This arrangement of valves is applicable to the single-
acting hydraulic cylinder.

page_text: When my improvements are applied to a hydraulic crane, the power
of the cranc can be quickly and readily adjusted to the work to be done,
and loss of hydraulic power is thereby prevented on the working of the
crane.
My Invention is applicable to hydraulic machinery for raising heavy
bodies, as well as to hydraulic machinery for forging and for stamping,
and for other like purposes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Beverley Fenby in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th April 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
BEVERLEY FENBY, of Yardley, in the County of Worcester, Civil
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Joseph Beverley Fenby, Her special
license that I, the said Joseph Beverley Fenby, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph Beverley
Fenby, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time.
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC CRANES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS
ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO HYDRAULIC MACHINERY FOR FORGING AND STAMPING, AND
FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Joseph Beverley Fenby, my executors, or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six

page_text: calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Beverley Fenby, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
5 is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
My said Invention consists of the improvements in hydraulic cranes
and hydraulic machinery herein-after described, the said improvements
having for their object the economizing of power in hydraulic machinery
by introducing into the said machinery appliances whereby a differential
action may be secured within certain limits, and the expenditure of
power thereby adjusted at pleasure to the work to be done.
According to one of my improvements I arrange two hydraulic
cylinders in the same line, and gear their pistons together so that the
said pistons can only move simultaneously. The cylinders are of
different diameters, and each piston has a piston rod, the sectional area
of which has a definite ratio to the sectional area of its piston. For
the sake of illustration I will suppose the area of the larger piston and
its cylinder to be S, and the area of the small piston to be 4; the area
of the piston rod of the larger piston to be 6, and that of the piston rod
of the small piston to be 3; but I do not confine myself to any par-
ticular ratios. Each piston rod works water-tight through a stuffing box
at the end of its cylinder.
By suitably arranged valves the cylinders can be put into communica-
tion with a hydraulic accumulator or with an exhaust cistern, into
which the exhaust water is delivered. The exhaust cistern is fixed at a
somewhat higher level than the cylinders, so that the cylinder on
the exhaust side of the piston is always kept filled with water.
By an arrangement of valves, such as herein-after described, the
water under pressure in the accumulator can be made so to operate
upon the pistons in the two cylinders described as to produce a scries
of powers from 1 to 12. Thus when the under surfaces of both pistons
are in connection with the accumulator and the upper sides open to the
exhaust cistern the power by which the pistons are moved is the sum
of the two powers of the pistons singly, that is, 8 plus 4, or 12. When
the large piston only is brought into operation the power is 8; when
the small piston only is brought into operation the power is 4.

page_text: Intermediate powers are obtained by suitably connecting the ends of
the cylinders with the accumulator and exhaust cistern, the effective
power obtained being represented by the powers underneath the pistons,
less the powers on their upper sides, which powers on the upper sides
are reduced respectively in the case supposed to two and one by the
sectional areas of the piston rods. Thus if a power of 9 be wanted, it
may be obtained by putting in communication with the accumulator the
under sides of the two pistons representing 8 and 4, or 12, and also
the upper sides of the pistons in connection with the accumulator.
These give a back action of 2 and 1 respectively, or 3, which diminishing
the direct action of 12 by 3 gives an effective power of 9.
By different combinations an arithmetical series of powers of from
1 to 12 may be obtained, and in each case the amount of water under
pressure delivered from the accumulator is in exact proportion to the
power obtained.
By different arrangements of the areas of the cylinders, pistons, and
piston rods, any other required combinations of powers in regular or
irregular progression may be obtained.
Another of my improvements consists in arranging three single-acting
cylinders in a line, the said cylinders having different sectional areas so
as to give by different combinations seven varying powers. The
arranging of the cylinders in a line permits of greater variety of
combinations than can be obtained when they are arranged side by side,
and removes difficulties which exist in the ordinary arrangement of
hydraulic cylinders.
Although I have described the first part of my improvements as
carried into effect with two cylinders and my second with three, yet I
do not limit myself in either case to the number of cylinders described,
as a greater number may be employed in either case, but the number
described are sufficient for all ordinary purposes.
In order to work the arrangement of cylinders herein first described
with facility I employ a series of valves arranged and worked in the
following manner:-Each end of each cylinder is in connection with
two valves, one opening and closing communication with the accu-
mulator, and the other opening and closing communication with the
exhaust cistern. These four pairs of valves are contained in a valve box,

page_text: I will now explain the various combinations which the arrangement,
Figure 1, is capable of, and whereby pressures or powers of from 1 to 12,
both inclusive, may be obtained.
It must be understood that the pressures on the under sides of the
pistons A and B are direct, that is, tend to raise the respective pistons
in their cylinders, while the pressures in D and E are counter pressures
or pressures to be deducted from the direct pressures in A. and B.
In order to obtain a power equal to 1, water under pressure is admitted
into the spaces B, D, and E. The pressure in B is equal to 4, which,
being diminished by the pressures D equal to 2, and E equal to 1, leaves
a resulting pressure of 1. To obtain a power of 2, water under pressure
is admitted into B and D. The pressure in B equals 4, which is
diminished by the counter pressure in D equalling 2. There is thereby
left a resulting pressure equal to 2. Similarly, by combining the pressure
in B with the counter pressure in E, a power of 3 is obtained. The
pressure in B alone is equal to 4. The pressure in A, combined with
the counter pressure in D and E, gives a power of 5. The pressure in A,
combined with the counter pressure in D, gives a power of 6. The
pressure in A, combined with the counter pressure E, gives a power
of 7. The pressure in A alone gives a power of 8. The pressures in
A and B, combined with the counter pressures in D and E, give a power
of 9. The pressures in A and B, combined with the counter pressure in
D, give a power of 10. The pressures in A and B, combined with the
counter pressure
in E, give a power of 11. The pressures in A and B
combined give a power of 12.
in
Figure 2 is a diagram of an arrangement of my Invention in which
the two pistons are joined together by means of the piston rod of the
smaller piston. This arrangement possesses the advantage of occupying
a shorter length than that shown in Figure 1. As the acting or effective
area on the under side of the piston A², Figure 2, is diminished by the
sectional area of the piston rod of the piston B², it is necessary to make
the piston A, Figure 2, and its cylinder of larger diameter than the
piston A² and its cylinder, Figure 1. The required difference of diameters
is represented in the said Figures 1 and 2. The required combinations
of the pressures in A and B, and the counter pressures in D and E for
producing a series of powers from 1 to 12, both inclusive, are the same
as those already described with reference to Figure 1.

page_text: Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating another arrangement of the parts of
my Invention, having a still shorter length than that represented in
Figure 2. In the said Figure 3, A represents the larger water space,
and B, the smaller one; A² is the larger piston, and B³, the smaller
piston. The arrangement, Figure 3, will give 12 different powers by the
combination of the pressures in A and B with the counter pressures in
D and E as already explained with reference to Figure 1.
Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating arrangements whereby three
and six powers respectively may be obtained. In Figure 4 the acting
area of the space A equals 8, and the acting area of the space B equals 4.
When A and B are combined, a power of 12 is obtained, the said
arrangement, Figure 4, thus giving the several powers 4; 8, and 12.
B
In Figure 5 the space A has an active area equal to 8,
and the space
an active area equal to 4. The counter pressure in the space C equals 2.
This arrangement of my Invention gives, by combining the pressures in
A and B, a power equal to 12. By combining A and B with the counter
pressure C, a pressure of 10 is obtained. The pressure in A gives a
power of 8; the pressure in A, with the counter pressure in C, gives a
power of 6; the pressure in B gives a power of 4; and the pressure in
B, with the counter pressure in C, gives a power of 2.
Figure 6 represents in side elevation partly in longitudinal section,
and Figure 7 in cross section taken through the line X, Figure 6, the
hydraulic mechanism of a hydraulic crane or other hydraulic lifting
apparatus, constructed according to my Invention. The said Figure 6.
shows the details necessary for the carrying into practical effect tho
arrangement of my Invention, illustrated by the diagram Figure 3. The
letters A, A, B, B2, represent in the said Figure 6 parts corresponding
to those similarly marked in Figure 3. The water spaces D, E, in
Figure 6, also correspond with like spaces in Figure 3, and the areas
of the several moving parts are the same in both Figures. The water
under pressure enters the slide valve chest G at the point P, and is per-
mitted to enter the required spaces 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or is shut off therefrom
by means of the slide valve H, all the said spaces being in connection
with one another. When the valve 6 is raised from its seat the water
under pressure passing through the said valve enters the compartiment b³,
and from thence passes along the pipe b into the compartment B, the
water after leaving the external pipe 6 passing along the pipe or

page_text: passage in the piston rod to reach the compartment B (see Figure 7).
The raising of the valve e admits water into the compartment e³ from
whence the water passes along the pipe e to the passage or pipe e in
the piston rod I (see Figure 7), which passage opens into the aunular
space E. In like manner the valve a when raised admits water under
pressure to the compartment a³ from whence the said water passes along
the pipe a to the annular space A. The valve d when raised admits water
under the pressure to the compartment d³, from whence it passes along
the pipe to the annular space D. By means of these valves b, e, a,
and d, water under pressure may be admitted into the respective spaces
B, E, A, and D, separately or into any required combination of the said
spaces B, E, A, and D, simultaneously. When the valve is closed the
compartment 63 is cut off from communication with the water under
pressure. The raising of the valve ¹ places the compartment ³ in
direct communication with the exhaust passage J. In like manner
when the valve e is closed and the valve e¹ opened, the compart-
ment es is shut off from the water under pressure, and is put into com-
munication with the exhaust passage J; so also the compartments a
and can be cut off from the water under pressure, and put into com-
munication with the said exhaust passage J by the closing of their
respecture pressure valves a and d, and the opening of their respective
exhaust valves a¹ and d¹.
By means of the slide valve E the compartments 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5,
can be put into communication with either the pressure or exhaust.
For the better understanding of the functions of this hydraulic
machinery, I will proceed to describe the course and action of the water
in obtaining different powers. I will commence with the case illus-
trated by the arrangement represented in Figure 6 of the Drawing.
The slide valve II is shown as admitting water under pressure into the
compartments 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and as the valves b, e, and d are raised,
the water under pressure is entering the respective spaces B, E, and D,
and the hydraulic pressure is causing the crane to make an outward
stroke in the direction of the arrow k. The space A is being filled with
water from the exhaust passage J, the said passage J being constantly
kept filled from a tank at a slightly higher level than the valve chest,
as before mentioned. The water under pressure entering B is exerting
a forward pressure equal to 4, and the water under pressure entering
D and E is exerting counter pressures of 2 and 1 respectively. There-

page_text: fore as the water from the exhaust passage J exerts no effect by filling A
the effective pressure exerted is 1, or the difference between 4 as a
forward pressure and the counter pressures 2 and 1. This explanation,
together with that already given with reference to the diagrams, Figures
1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, will, I believe, sufficiently illustrate the way in which
any power from 1 to 12 may be obtained by different workings of the
several valves.
Figure S is a diagram illustrating all the changes in opening and
closing the valves b, b', e, e¹, a, a, d, d', required for bringing into
action the several powers which the hydraulic machine shown in
Figure 6 is capable of affording. For sake of distinction the pressure
valves b, e, a, and d, are indicated by circles in the diagram, and the
exhaust valves b', e', a, and d¹, by squares. The open circles and
squares indicate open valves, and the black circular discs and black
squares indicate closed valves. The line numbered 1 in Figure 8 corre-
sponds with the arrangement shown in detail in Figure 6, where the
valves b, e, and d, are open in the pressure series, and a¹ in the exhaust
series. The numbers 1 to 12 in Figure 8 indicate the respective powers
exerted by the hydraulic machinery shown in Figure 6, when the valves
are respectively open and shut in the order shown on the line corre-
sponding to each said number.
"
Figure 9 represents a scries of cams suitable for effecting in a rapid
and certain manner the opening and closing of the valves for any given
power. The letters b, b¹, e, e¹, a, a¹, and d, d', indicate respectively to
which valve each cam belongs. The rises of the cams open the
valves and the depressions allow the closing of the said valves. Each
of the cams is divided into 12 equal parts, the said parts being numbered
from 1 to 12, the several numerals 1, 2, 3, and so on, indicating the parts
of the cams which must be brought into position to operate upon the
levers of the valves to produce the powers 1, 2, 3, and so on in the
hydraulic machine. When the shaft L is turned through a semicircle
so as to bring the parts 1 of the several cams to their lowest points, that
is, to the positions marked 7, the said parts 1 will in that position all
operate upon their respective levers, and so operate the valves as to
produce an effective power of 1 in the direction of the arrow k, Figure 6.
If the shaft L be turned through such an angle as will bring the
numeral 12 to the lowest point, that is, the point represented as occupied
by the number 7 in the cams Figure 9, then an effective power of 12 in

page_text: the direction of the arrow k, Figure 6, will be exerted. Similarly if the
numerals 3, 4, 5, or any of the others be brought by the turning of tho
shaft L to the lowest position, that is, to the position occupied by the
numerals 7 in Figure 9, then a power of 3, 4, 5, and the like will be
produced in the direction of the arrow k, Figure 6. The cams, Figure 9,
are all keyed to the shaft L in Figure 6, and the said cams operate the
valves by means of the links m and suitable levers attached to the said
links. These levers work upon a common fulcrum placed at or about
the middle of their length. One end of cach lever is attached to one
of the links m, and the other lies under the proper cam. The shaft L
is worked by a hand wheel, and is connected with an indicator showing
numbers corresponding to the powers of the hydraulic machine.
Although I have described the hydraulic machinery shown in
Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, especially as applied to raising and hauling
weights, it will be evident that the same variable hydraulic powers can
be applied to any other suitable purpose. For instance, a hydraulic
rivetter constructed according to the arrangement shown in Figure 6
would give 12 different powers of blow, and be therefore suited for
widely different sizes of work. In like manner this Invention may be
applied to stamping and forging, and to compressing goods for packing
or for any purpose to which hydraulic pressure is applicable, and the
resistance to be overcome liable to variation.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do
not limit myself to the precise details herein described, as the same 2
may be varied without departing from the nature of my Invention;
but I claim as my Invention of improvements in hydraulic cranes,
which improvements are also applicable to hydraulic machinery for
forging and stamping, and for other like purposes,―
First. Combining or arranging in the same line two or three hydraulic 3
cylinders provided respectively with pistons and piston rods and gearing
together the pistons of the said hydraulic cylinders, so that the said
pistons can only move simultaneously the sectional areas of the piston
rods of the said pistons having any desired ratio to the areas of the
pistons, so that when water under pressure is made to act on the under 3
sides of the pistons a direct power equal to the combined areas of the
said pistons is obtained, and when water under pressure is made to act

page_text: on both sides of the pistons a power will be obtained equal to the
pressure on an area equal to the difference between the effective areas of
the two sides of the pistons, the two hydraulic cylinders with pistons
and piston rods constructed and arranged and worked as herein described
and illustrated giving twelve different powers as herein-before described
and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
Secondly. Combining or arranging hydraulic cylinders, pistons, and
piston rods, in the several ways herein described and illustrated in
Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying Drawings, so as to obtain by the
direct and differential action of the said arrangements 3 and 6 powers
mancstinal..
5
Witness,
GEORGE SHAW.
JOSEPH BEVERLEY FENBY. (L.S.)