Improvements in or connected with Hydraulic "Lifts."
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Feb., 1893-Accepted, 29th Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Hydraulic "Lifts."
We, CHARLES MUSKER and ARTHUR MUSKER, both of Dundas Street,
Bootle, in the County of Lancaster, Hydraulic Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
--
This invention has reference to that class or kind of hydraulic lifts wherein the
cage is balanced, or partially balanced, by what is known as a Balancing-cylinder
and ram; and it has for its main objects, amongst other things, to provide or
construct lifts of this kind which shall be economical as to water used, and which
also shall be simple in construction and conveniently and simply arranged and
worked.
66
For convenience we will describe the nature of our invention with special
reference to hydraulic lift"-balances, but it is to be understood that the
features specified in this description will also be applicable to analogous apparatus.
In a hydraulic lift-balance according to our invention, there is employed a
balancing cylinder and ram connected with the lift cylinder; two or more lifting
or power rams and cylinders disposed outside said balancing cylinder and adapted
to be worked separately or in conjunction, and to thereby regulate the power
applied to the lift; and a weight or weights on or connected with the balancing
cylinder by which a pressure on the water in the balancing cylinder and parts
connected with it is maintained, and the balance of the lift-cage and parts con-
nected with it, effected. In connection with these parts there is provided a valve
or valves adapted to admit water to one or more of the lifting or power cylinders,
according to the weight to be lifted, and to exhaust it therefrom.
:
According to one arrangement of the above parts under this invention, the
balancing ram may be disposed at the lower part of the apparatus and suitably
fixed in a vertical position, whilst the balancing cylinder is movable and inverted,
and works or moves up and down on the ram; and formed on or connected to the
outside of this balancing cylinder, are the lifting or power cylinders, the rams or
pistons of which are stationary and suitably fixed by their upper ends to a cross-
head secured to the base or other suitable part. The balancing weights are fixed
or placed on or in connection with the said cylinders, and tend normally to force
such cylinders down. In connection with these cylinders and rams, we may use
pillars or bars which connect together the base and an upper crosshead, to which
the upper ends of the lifting or power rams are fixed, and by which they are held
stationary; these pillars or bars may also serve as guides in some cases.
balancing ram also serves as a guide to the moving parts.
The
In operation, when a small weight only is to be lifted, water is admitted from
the main or other source of supply to one of the lifting cylinders (say through its
piston or ram), and the balancing and lifting cylinders are forced down together,
and thereby force water into the "lift" cylinder and raise it; whilst when a
greater weight is to be lifted, water is admitted to two (or more) of said lifting
cylinders; thus the quantity of water used is in proportion to the load to be
elevated. In descending the water from the two (or more) lifting cylinders is
exhausted simultaneously.
In some cases, say for instance when a load is to be lowered, one or more of the
lifting cylinders may have its outlet valve or valves, so arranged and adapted, that
the said load may cause the water in the said one or more cylinders to be forced
into a tank, accumulator, or pressure main, and so render that water available for
re-use.

page_text: The lifting cylinder or cylinders, as the case may be, which may be idle, for the
time being, may be arranged and adapted to allow water to pass to and from it or
them, from and to a suitable tank, the lifting and lowering valve, or a special valve
or valves, being employed for this purpose.
The lifting or power cylinders are made in some cases of the same size; whilst
in other cases they are made of different sizes to give differential powers.
The controlling valve or valves of the apparatus may be operated by a rope or
ropes as usual, or automatically.
The valves, which say are flat or piston valves, are in one arrangement adapted
to open the water ports to the different lifting cylinders at different times as
desired say by giving the actuating rope less than its full movement or stroke for
one cylinder, then a further movement for the next, and so on; but when the rope
is moved in the reverse direction to stop, the ports of all the lifting cylinders are
adapted to be closed simultaneously, and again when descending the said parts are
all opened simultaneously.
In cases in which two or more valves are used to control the supply and discharge
of water to and from the lifting cylinders, said valves may be adapted to open
the ports at different times, and close them simultaneously, and open the exhaust
simultaneously, by arranging the actuating part of one or more of them with play
or slackness, or by giving differential port opening, or by analogous, or equivalent
means.
In some cases when two or more controlling valves are employed, in order to
enable the operator to gauge, by means of the actuating rope (or its equivalent),
when the second, third, or other lifting cylinders are about to have water admitted
to them, a spring or weight may be so used in connection therewith or with the
valve or valves, or said valves so adapted, that an increment of pressure has to be
exerted upon the rope at these times to give admission of water, and this increment
or these increments will be readily felt by the operator.
In some cases, if desired, the multiple arrangement of cylinders herein specified
may be so adapted as to give only one power, ie., they would be adapted as a non-
variable power "lift" or apparatus.
It is to be understood that the invention herein described is not confined to the
constructions, herein more particularly specified; and it may be applied to different
hydraulic lift apparatus for which it may be serviceable.
Dated this 2nd day of May 1892.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Hydraulic "Lifts."
We, CHARLES MUSKER and ARTHUR MUSKER, both of Dundas Street, Bootle,
in the County of Lancaster, Hydraulic Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has mainly reference to that class or kind of hydraulic lifts
wherein the cage is balanced, or partially balanced, by what is known as a
Balancing cylinder and ram; and it has for its main objects, amongst other things,
to provide or construct lifts of this kind which shall be economical as to water
used, and which also shall be simple in construction, and conveniently and simply
arranged and worked.
For convenience we will describe the nature of our invention with special
reference to hydraulic "lift" balances, but it is to be understood that the
features specified in this description will also be applicable to analogous apparatus.
In a hydraulic lift according to our invention there is employed a balancing

page_text: cylinder and ram connected with the lift cylinder; two or more lifting or power
rams and cylinders disposed outside said balancing cylinder and adapted to be
worked separately or in conjunction, and to thereby regulate the power applied to
the lift; and a weight or weights on or connected with the balancing cylinder by
which a pressure on the water in the balancing cylinder and parts .connected with
it is maintained, and the balance of the lift-cage and parts connected with it,
effected. In connection with these parts there is provided a valve or valves
adapted to admit water to one or more of the lifting or power cylinders, according
to the weight to be lifted, and to exhaust it therefrom.
According to one arrangement of the above parts under this invention, the
balancing ram may be disposed at the lower part of the apparatus and suitably
fixed in a vertical position, whilst the balancing cylinder is movable and inverted,
and works or moves up and down on the ram; and formed on or connected to the
outside of this balancing cylinder, are the lifting or power cylinders, the rams or
pistons of which are stationary and suitably fixed by their upper ends to a cross-
head secured to the base or other suitable part. The balancing weights are fixed
or placed on or in connection with the said cylinders, and tend normally to force
such cylinders down. In connection with these cylinders and rams, we may use
pillars or bars which connect together the base and an upper crosshead, to which
the upper ends of the lifting or power rams are fixed, and by which they are held
stationary these pillars or bars may also serve as guides in some cases. The
balancing ram also serves as a guide to the moving parts.
In operation, when a small weight only is to be lifted, water is admitted from the
main or other source of supply to one of the lifting cylinders (say through its
piston or ram), and the balancing and lifting cylinders are forced down together,
and thereby force water into the "lift" cylinder and raise it; whilst when a
greater weight is to be lifted, water is admitted to two (or more) of said lifting
cylinders; and thus the quantity of water used is in proportion to the load to be
elevated. Before descending, the water from the two (or more) lifting cylinders
is cut off simultaneously.
In some cases, say for instance when a load is to be lowered, one or more of the
lifting cylinders may have its outlet valve or valves so arranged and adapted, that
the said load may cause the water in the said one or more cylinders to be forced
into a tank, accumulator; or pressure main, and so render that water available for
re-use.
The lifting cylinder or cylinders, as the case may be, which may be idle for the
time being, may be arranged and adapted to allow water to pass to and from it, or
them, from and to a suitable vessel or tank, the lifting and lowering valve, or a
special valve or valves, being employed for this purpose.
The lifting or power cylinders are made in some cases of the same size; whilst
in other cases they are made of different sizes to give differential powers.
The controlling valve or valves of the apparatus may be operated by a rope or
ropes as usual.
The valves, which say are flat or piston valves, are in one arrangement adapted
to open the water ports to the different lifting cylinders at different times as desired
say, by giving the actuating rope less than its full movement or stroke for one
cylinder, then a further movement for the next, and so on; but when the rope is
moved in the reverse direction to stop, the ports of all the lifting cylinders are
adapted to be closed simultaneously, and when or before descending the said ports
are all opened.
In cases in which two or more valves are used to control the supply and discharge
of water to and from the lifting cylinders, said valves may be adapted to open the
ports at different times, and close them simultaneously, and open and exhaust
together when lowering, by arranging the actuating part of one or more of them
with play or slackness, or by giving different port opening, or by analogous, or
equivalent means.
In some cases, if desired, the multiple arrangement of cylinders herein specified

page_text: .
may be so adapted as to give only one power, i.e. they would be adapted as a non-
variable power "lift" or apparatus.
It is to be understood that the invention herein described is not confined to the
particular constructions, herein more particularly specified; and it may be applied
to different hydraulic lift apparatus for which it may be serviceable.
In the drawings hereto annexed and which form part of this Specification,
we shew or illustrate the features or constructions of this invention. In these
drawings;
Figure is an elevation shewing a balanced lift constructed according to the
present invention and Figure 2 is a plan of same.
Figure 3 is an elevation illustrating another application of our invention.
Figure 4 is a plan; and Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of a valve under this
invention; and Figure 6 is a cross section of same.
Figure 7 illustrates a means for operating the valve shewn in Figures 4 to 6.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal section shewing a modified form of valve of the nature
shewn in Figures 4, 5, and 6.
The same letters of reference are used throughout the Specification to denote the
same, corresponding, or equivalent parts wherever they occur.
Referring in the first instance to Figures 1 and 2, a and b represent the two
power cylinders, which work down and up upon the rams a and b, said rams being
fixed in the crosshead c, which is held in position, and to the bed-plate or base-plate d,
by columns e. fis the balancing cylinder, and is the ram on which it works,
said ram being fixed on the baseplate d. The cylinders a, b, and f, in the example
shewn, are cast in one piece (this however is not essential) and they are arranged
side by side, or in the same vertical plane. are weights mounted on and round
the cylinders a, b. f, by which mass is added to said cylinders, and the weight of the
lift carriage and ram nearly counter-balanced. The cylinders a, b, f, are guided at
the upper and lower ends by the columns e, in connection with which they work.
h is the lift cylinder, h¹ is the lift ram, and 2 is the lift carriage or cage.
Water from the hydraulic main, or other source of supply, is conducted to and
from the cylinders ab by pipes a² 3, through the crosshead c, and rams a¹ b'; and
to and from the cylinders and h, liquid passes by a pipe f³, which connects the
upper part of h with through the base d, and ram f'.
action, when the load is a light one, liquid is admitted to only one of the
cylinders a b, say a; whilst when it is a heavy one, it is admitted to both a and b.
In either case, the water admitted to said cylinder or cylinders forces them down,
forcing down at the same time the cylinder f, so displacing water from, and forcing
it, by way of the plunger, base d, and pipe 12, into the lift cylinder h, and raising
the lift ram h¹. When the cylinders a bare exhausted and the lift falls, the reverse
action to that just described takes place. Accordingly, then, as are the loads on
the lift to be lifted, so will be the quantity of water used, and economy in this
.respect promoted.
In connection with the power cylinders a b, we use on the exhaust pipe i¹ a closed
tank, vessel, or enlarged part i, which vessel is at least of sufficient capacity as to
hold a quantity of water, equal to the space displaced by one of the rams thereof,
in one stroke. This vessel is disposed above the level of the cylinders a, b. The
exhaust pipe is connected to the cylinders through the valve bereinafter
described, which is connected with said cylinders by the supply and exhaust
pipes a² 2.
a
In the apparatus-shewn in Figure 3, the two power cylinders, a b, are supported
vertically to the lift well wall w, and the rams a bare forced downwards instead of
the cylinders ab as in the arrangement shewn in Figures 1 and 2. In this case the
cage or carriage is raised and lowered by a rope h', and the balancing weights g are
mounted on the lower end of the ram head e, which is movable in this case, and
.carries the pulleys c², over which the lift rope passes. The guiding coluinns e
in this case are fixed to the head of the cylinders ab above, and to the brackets e¹

page_text: с
below; and the ram head c is guided thereby by projecting. parts c¹ thereon, through
which the rods e pass.
The action in this case is as follows:-The rams a¹ b' are held up to their top
position by the weight of the lift cage (which is not shewn in this drawing and is
suspended in the ordinary way), but is partly balanced by the weights 9. To lift
the cage, water is admitted to one or both of the cylinders a b, accordingly as a
small or large load is to be raised, and the rams a b₁ are. forced downwards, so
forcing the chain pulleys downwards, and gathering in the rope /!. A's previously
set forth with reference to Figures 1 and 2, a water storing vessel would be used on
the exhaust, so that when only one cylinder is being used, the other cylinder would
have a supply of water to draw from, and fill, in its idle.stroke..
In some cases the two power cylinders and rams a band a' b may be made. of
different diameters, and arranged side by side as herein set forth; in which case,
the power water would be arranged to be admitted to the smaller cylinder; or, to
to the larger one; or, to both at once; and so three different powers could be
obtained and applied at will. For this purpose, when applying the first power, the
supply to the first or small cylinder would be opened. When putting on the second
or larger power, the supply to the first cylinder would be closed, and the second
opened; and for the third power both the cylinders would be opened to the power
.water. To supply these cylinders as described, two separate valves worked by two
ropes may be used, as will be understood.
Or, in some cases, three cylinders and rams may be used, in which case, the
controlling device or valve shewn in the drawings may have three moving valves,
two of which are actuated by or through the main or first valve in a similar manner
to the valve n above described.
The controlling device or valve shewn in Figures 4, 5 and 6, by which one or
two cylinders (a or b, or a and b) are supplied with water separately, or both at
once, comprises a base k with supply and exhaust ports and branches; a cover or
case; two moving valves m and n, one of which is worked from the other; and a
valve rod o connected with and working the valve m. The rod o is operated, that
is moved to and fro longitudinally in the valve case l, by a wheel p, to which the
actuating rope of the lift (which is arranged in the ordinary way) is connected,
and over the flanged periphery p' of which it passes. This wheel has an internally
screw threaded boss or hub p², which works on and is supported by a threaded
spindle g supported by the brackets on the base r, and between which brackets
it is rotated by the actuating rope. One end of the spindle q is rectangular in
cross section and works, that is slides, in a bracket bearing, by which it is
prevented from turning, and can only move longitudinally. To this end of the said
spindle, the valve rod o is fixed, as shewn in Figure 7. In action by rotating the
wheel p in one direction, the spindle q and rod o receive longitudinal movement in
one direction, and by rotating it in the reverse direction, the reverse longitudinal
movement is imparted to said spindle and rod.
The valves m and n work on a face plate k¹, the surface of which is at differential
levels. On the upper one, the main valve m works, and on the other the second
valve n works. This construction prevents the. adjacent sides of said two valves
from touching each other, and so prevents the movement of the main valve effecting
or moving the other by frictional contact. In this face plate k' are five ports; one, k³
is the power water supply port having a branch k³; another k, is a supply port to
the second cylinder (say b) of the rams; and a thread he is one of the exhaust
ports, being the exhaust branch thereof, which common to this exhaust port
and the other hereinafter specified. The two ports * and * are controlled by the
secondary valve n.
The other two ports are provided in the other half of the valve face plate k², and
are controlled by the primary or main valve.m. These consist of the supply port k
communicating with a supply branch ³, and the exhaust port 410 which commu-
nicates with the common exhaust branch k'. The two admission ports ** and A³ are

page_text: angular at the leading edge thereof, which edge is first uncovered by the ends of
the two valves m and n (which are formed as shewn) in supplying water to them.
The valve m is moved longitudinally by the valve rod o, a part o¹ of which is
reduced, forming a neck which lies in an open collar m' at the back of the valve m,
against the ends of which the shoulders of the rod o abut. The valve n is actuated
by a projection m² on the side of m, which comes in contact with projections n¹² on
the valve n at certain times, as hereafter specified. The, valves m and n are
provided with an exhausting recess m³ and n³, respectively, (the leading edges of
which are angular as shewn in dotted lines in Figure 4); by the recess m³ the
supply and exhaust ports and 410, controlled by the valve m, are put in communi-
cation with each other when it is desired to exhaust water from the first of the
power cylinders; whilst the recess n³ of n forms communication between the
ports kª and kª when the second of the power cylinders is to be exhausted.
a,
which
In action, when the valve rod o and valve m are moved in the direction of the
arrow P, Figure 4, from the position shewn in said figure, the supply port k³ will
be uncovered by the valve m, and water will be admitted to the cylinder
is in communication with said port by the branch and the pipe a². This valve
may be moved in the direction P until the port is fully opened or uncovered,
without affecting the position of the valve n. By a further movement, however, of
the valve, the projecting part m³ will come in contact with one of the pro-
jections n', and will so move the valve n in the same direction, and open the port k*,
and admit water to the other of the two power cylinders, which is in communication
with said port by the pipe 6 and branch. This further movement of the valve m,
and operation of the valve n, is only made when the load required to he lifted is
greater than that capable of being lifted by one power cylinder in the manner
required. In this position, then, water will be supplied to both power cylinders,
and the full power of the lift will be applied.
.
To close the supply ports k and k³, and to put them, and the cylinders with
which they are connected, in communication with the exhaust ports and 10, the
motion of the valve rod o is reversed, and the valve m moved in the opposite
direction. The movement of this valve, however, will not again begin to close the
port until the projecting part m² comes in contact with the projecting part n' at
the opposite end of the valve n to that formerly acted upon, when both ports k
and will be closed simultaneously, and will, by the further movement in the same
direction of the valves, be put in communication with the exhaust ports 10, by
way of the exhaust recesses m³ and n³, respectively, of the valves m and n. Thus,
it will be seen, that the supply of water is given to either one power cylinder only,
or to both; in the latter case such supplies being made one after the other, whilst
the closing of the supply parts of said cylinders takes place simultaneously.
Moreover, after the cylinders have been exhausted, the valve a will remain with
.its exhausting recess n³ covering, and forming communication between, the port k
and the exhaust port during the first part of the return stroke of the valve m,
when it is being operated to open the supply port of the first power cylinder ;
and it will maintain this position until said port is practically fully open, so that
free entrance of water is admitted to the second cylinder froin the reservoir vessel i
(with which port and the branch are connected) while one cylinder only is
being employed; and if one power cylinder only is employed for operating the lift,
the valve n will remain in a position in which it forms, by its exhaust passage n³,
direct communication between the second cylinder and the exhaust pipe it.
The valves are adapted to be placed horizontally at the base of the building, lift
well, or other part where convenient, and secured thereto; whilst the actuating
wheel p is disposed in a convenient position to be operated in the ordinary way by
the lift rope or equivalent means.
The modification of the valve shewn in Figure 7 consists in arranging the valve n
for controlling the supply of water to the second power cylinder upon the back of the
valve m, and in arranging the ports in the valve face k¹ to suit such arrangement,

page_text: .e. by disposing the two supply ports ** and ** and the exhaust port 10 in-
line or in a sequence.
In this case, in the position shewn in the figure, the two-
valves are in a position in which water is admitted to both power cylinders, the
ports and being open to the water in the valve casing to which water under
pressure is supplied. The movement of the valve n is effected by frictional contact
with the valve m, and its limits of movement are controlled by the stops n' on the..
cover of the casing 1. The port 8 is opened by being uncovered by the end of the
valve m2, while the supply of water to the port k, is effected by way of a port kl
in the top loose valve n, and a port " through the valve m. To reverse this.
position, and exhaust the water from the ram cylinders the supply ports must also-
in this case, be closed simultaneously from the two power cylinders, and the valve m
is moved in the direction Q, and carries the valve n with it, until it arrives against.
the back stop n', when it is held. The power cylinders will be first put in com--
munication with the exhaust port 10 by the exhausting passage m³ of the valve m ;-
and by the further movement, the port will be put in communication with the
exhaust port, the port in passing over the port being shut off from the
interior of the valve chest by the metal of the valve n; and the exhausting of both
cylinders would be effected through the valve exhaust recess m³, and the exhaust.
port klo
In the reverse operation, to supply the first power cylinder with water, the
valve m in going back, first moves the valve n up to the other stop n', and then
brings the port 1 in line with or opposite to the first port k¹ in the slide n, and
the port ; and then, to supply both cylinders, it is moved up to the position
shewn in the figure, when the port is supplied through the other port k", and the
port whilst the port is uncovered by the valve m, and water enters it past.
the end of said valve.
As an alternative or equivalent construction of the valve shewn in Figure 7, the
upper valve may be moved directly by the valve rod o, the lower one being loose.
and held by stops on the face k, similarly to those on the valve chest cover.
Valves constructed after this method may be modified in various ways to effect.
the ends and modes of supply and exhaust just specified.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we.
claim is:-
1. A hydraulic lift wherein two (or more) power cylinders and rams are disposed.
in combination with a balancing cylinder, and different powers applied, arranged
and operating substantially as herein set forth, and as shewn in Figures 1 and 2 of
the drawings, for the purposes specified.
2. In a hydraulic lift, the combination of two (or more) power cylinders and
rams, one or both (or all) of which is or are adapted to be used, and different.
power applied, and a valve constructed and adapted to be positively actuated by
the attendant or user of the lift by giving to the actuating means of said valve, a.
greater or less amount of movement, substantially as described for the purposes.
specified.
3. A hydraulic lift having two (or more) power cylinders and rams, and adapted
to apply varying powers thereto, and a water reservoir or vessel i on and forming-
part of the exhaust pipe thereof, whereby when one cylinder (or more cylinders) is
or are not being used, water is free to pass to and from said cylinder (or cylinders).
from or to said reservoir or vessel; as described with reference to and shown in the
drawings.
4. The variable power hydraulic lift having its parts arranged and adapted to-
operate as set forth with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.
5. A hydraulic lift having two (or more) power cylinders and rams, one or both
(or all) of which is or are adapted to be used, and variable powers applied, and
pulleys connected therewith and operating a rope or chain; arranged and operating
substantially as set forth with reference to Figure 3 of the drawings.

page_text: 6. A hydraulic lift having two power cylinders and rams arranged side by side,
as set forth, and of differential sizes to give differential powers, that is to say, to
give three different powers; substantially as herein set forth.
7. In a hydraulic lift having two power cylinders and rams, one or both (or all)
of which are adapted to be used separately or conjointly, and to apply variable
powers, a controlling device therefor, operating substantially as set forth, com-
prising two valves, one of which is operated mechanically by the attendant or user
of the lift, and the other by said mechanically operated one.
8. A hydraulic lift controlling device or valve, constructed and adapted to
supply and discharge water to two (or more) power cylinders to obtain variable
powers, as set forth with reference to Figures 4, 5, and 6 of the drawings.
9. A hydraulic lift controlling device or valve, constructed and adapted to
supply and discharge water to two (or more) power cylinders to obtain variable
powers, as set forth with reference to Figure 8 of the drawings.
Dated this 2nd day of February 1893
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.