Improvements in or relating to Power Driven Capstans.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Power Driven Capstans.
We, WILLIAM ELLIOTT, Engineer, and ELLIOTT & GARROOD LIMITED, Engineers,
of Ingate Iron Works, Beccles, in the County of Suffolk, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:
-
This invention relates to power driven capstana The object of the invention
is to economise space and weight as much as possible, and also to facilitate the
fixing of the apparatus to the deck of the vessel or other place where 16 18 to be
used The apparatus is constructed substantially as follows:-
To the deck of the vessel is secured the pan or foundation which is made cir-
cular and of the same diameter as the bottom of the barrel or capstan proper, 80
that if the 1ope falls off the capstan the coils will merely slide on to the founda-
tion instead of becoming jammed underneath the rotating portion of the capstan.
A central vertical pillar extends upwards from the foundation, and is practically
a portion of the same casting or forging, and upon it the barrel is carried and
1otates Near its lower end the barrel has openings through which the foundation
bolts and pawls can be passed so that the capstan can be placed in position and
the foundation bolts applied and secured without dismounting the capstan or any
of its gear
The pillar is provided with a central opening preferably of an oval or elongated
form in cross section, so that it may accommodate say two pipes, the steam and
the exhaust without weakening the column so much as would be the case if a
circular bore were employed.
Also in the lower end of the capstan are mounted any desired number of pawls,
say for example two, which engage with a suitable annular rack formed in or
upon the foundation Recesses are made in the barrel to receive the gudgeons of
the pawls; the openings into these recesses are smaller than the recesses them-
selves, and the gudgeons are flattened so as to pass through the reduced openings,
the flats on each pawl being substantially parallel with a longitudinal line drawn
through the centre of the pawl so that the latter can only be applied and with-
drawn when in a vertical position, its normal working position being approxi-
mately horizontal, in which position it cannot be removed from its seat The
pawl is made flat ended and both edges alike, so that it can be turned over to work
in either direction The centre of the end may be recessed
The top of the barrel has a toothed ring lying nearly in a horizontal plane, with
which geais a bevel pinion upon a shaft driven by the engine Above this toothed
ring lies the engine bed-plate, which is suitably shaped to protect the ring and
has a depending flange for this purpose, is dished to accommodate pipes or
mechanism and provided with suitable brackets, bosses, or beds to receive respect-
ively the lower guide bars of the engines to which the cylinders are secured the
plummer blocks for the engine shafts and for the lay shaft or shaft driven by the

page_text: engine or by hand
A portion of this bed plate is removed to make room for the
before mentioned bevel pinion which engages with the barrel ing
The clutch which connerts a toothed wheel loosely carried on the lay shaft
with the shaft, may be operated by hand or lever, and 18 retained in either its
engaged or disengaged position by a plate spring, one end of which may be
secured to the engine guide bars or to the bed-plate, extending up to it, appro-
priate position where it takes a sharp bend and lies in its appropriate position
the clutch with its free end extended, and if necessary curved for convenience of
access By this means when it is desired to shift the clutch it is only necessary
to lift up the end of this spring, which can be done by slightly twisting the first
straight portion of it, move the clutch to its required position, and allow the spring
to return to its normal position
Dated this 8th day of June 1898
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants
Improvements in or relating to Power Driven Capstans.
We, WILLIAM ELLIOTI and ELLIO11 & GARROOD LIMITED, Engineers, both of
Ingate Iron Works, Beccles, in the County of Suffolk, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement,-
This invention relates to improvements in power driven capstans or similar
apparatus and has for its objects; to effect a more efficient working of the appart-
tus, to economise space and weight, to facilitate the fixing of the upparatus to
the deck of the vessel or other place where it is to be used and also to render
possible the removal of certain of the parts without dismounting the banel.
To the deck of the vessel 19 secured a circular foundation which 13 of the same
diameter as the bottom of the barrel or capstan proper, the cucumferential sui-
face of this foundat on may form substantially a continuation of the cucumferen-
tial surface of the barrel and in case of the coils of rope sliding from off the latter,
they will be able to pass without hindrance on to the foundation and will not
become jammed between it and the rotating barrel
Upon the foundation is a vertical pillar or column which 1otatably supports the
barrel. The pillar has a central passage to accommodate the supply and return
pipes for the motor, the passage is of an oval or elongated form in cross section,
so that the pillar is not weakened so much as would be the case it a cucular bore
were employed
The foundation is secured to a deck or other flooring by means of bolts or the
like which are preferably disposed at points within the curcumference of the fou.1
dation so as to be well within the circle of rotation of the barrel and not to inter-
fere with the rope should it slide on to the foundation To allow of the insertion
and withdiawal of the foundation bolts. apertures are formed in the inclined sides
of the barrel and opposite to these upon the base or lower end of the barrel, other
apertures are formed in such a position, as to afford fice access to the bolt holes
when it is desired to insert or remove the bolts
In slots formed in the lower end of the barrel, pawls are mounted and these
engage with an annular lack or "pawling" secured or formed upon the founda-
tion Recesses upon either side of each slot are provided to receive the gudgeons
of the pawls. The openings into the recesses are smaller than the diameter of the

page_text: latter and the gudgeons are flattened in such a manner as only to pass through
the reduced opening when the pawl is brought to a vertical position The pawls
are adapted to be turned upon their gudgeons, to work in either duection and the
noi mal position being approximately horizontal the major axis of the gudgeon
will be across the reduced openings to the recesses and the pawls cannot therefore
be removed from then seats by shock or vibration
A toothed ring is secured to or formed upon the banel-head and lies in the
horizontal plane. A bevel wheel keyed upon a shatt, duiven by the motors, gears
with the ring to rotate the barrel. The motor bed plate is supported upon the
hollow column hereinbefore described and lies above this toothed ring and is suit-
ably shaped to act as a guard for the same The bed plate 18 also dished so 88 10
allow of the fly wheels and gearing to be mounted within its circumference There
are thus no overhanging parts and a great saving in space is effeoted. Bosses and
brackets are formed upon the bed plate to accommodate the bolt holes for securing
the various portions of the motors.
The motors may be rendered operative or inoperative by means of a clutch moved
by hand or by lever and connecting or disconnecting a toothed wheel to or from
a shaft This clutch 18 held in either position by means of a plate spring.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a cap-
stan constructed according to this invention the motors and gearing and a portion
of the bed plate being shown in elevation
Figure 2 is a plan of the same
Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken upon the line 3–3 Figure 1
Figure 4 is a plan of the bed plate with the motors and gearing removed.
Figures 5 & 6 are perspective views of an improved pawl and its supports illus-
trating the method of securing the pawl
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings
The foundation A of the apparatus is constructed of a diameter equal to that
of the lower portaon B₁ of the barrel B and forms substantially a continuation
thereof. The foundation is secured to the deck or the hike by means of bolts A₁
The barrel B rotates upon the vertical pillar or column C which is fixed upon, or
formed integral with the foundation A The pillar C is adapted to support the
rotatable bariel B by means of a step bearing C, and a journal C, upon which
rotates the sleeve B, supported by webs within the barrel.
'
Upon the periphery of the head of the barrel B 18 secured or formed an annu-
lai bevel rack B, by means of which the barrel is rotated as hereinafter described
The bed plate D of the motor E 18 disc shaped, supported centrally by the pillar C
to which it is fixed, it is constructed with an annulai inclined portion D. and a
flange D, which constitute a guard for the rack B. The inclined portion D
and the Hange D, are broken at D, to permit of a bevel wheel B. gearing with
the rack The bed plate D is secured upon the pillar by means of a nut D, or by
other suitable means.
In order to allow of the removal of the bolts from the foundation without dis-
mounting the barrel B, apertures B, are formed in the inclined sides of the
barrel B, and at places opposite to these apertures, other apertures B,, ale formed
(see Figure 3) in the base B, of the barrel When the barrel is 1otated, so as to
bring these apertures B, B, over the bolt holes, as shown in dotted lines, free access
18 afforded for the removal or insertion of the bolts As shown in Figure 3
slots B, are formed in the base Be of the barrel B for the pawls F to pass through
The pawls engage with the pawl-ring or annular rack F₁, upon the foundation A
and are provided with gudgeons F which are seated within recesses: B, in the
base Be which is thickened at these points to allow of the formation of such re-
cesses The gudgeons F, have flate F, substantially parallel to a line drawn long-
itudinally through the centre of the pawl The gudgeons can be inserted into or
withdrawn from the recesses B, through the reduced opening Bo only, when the
pawl has been brought into a vertical position, and the flats F, caused, to coincide
with the sides of the openings B10 When the pawls F are in the operative posi-

page_text: tion, which is approximately horizontal, the flats F, and consequently the major
axis of the gudgeons, will lie across, or be at night angles to the reduced open-
ing B₁o thereby rendering it impossible for the gudgeons to be caused to leave
the recesses B, by any shock or vibration The pawls are adapted to be turned
upon then gudgeons to work in either direction. Fiee access is afforded by the
apertures B for the purposes of turning and of removing or inserting the pawls.
In order to provide a neat and compact means of communicating power to the
motor E, the pillar or column C is made hollow and accommodates the supply and
return pipes or conduits of the steam, electric or other motor that may be em-
ployed To accomplish this without umpaning the strength of the pillar C the
bore C, is of an oval or elongated figure in cross section and of a size just sufficient
to contain the two conduits. The conduits being so encased by the pillar are
thereby protected from injury
The bed plate D for the motors, shown separately in plan in Figure 4, 18 dished
and has a central hole to mass over the head of the pillar C, which is of such a
height as to be clear of the motors and gearing Bosses or thickened portions (
MN are adapted to receive the various fastening bolts of the motors, M, being
the holes for the bolts for securing the plummer blocks for the motor crank
shaft, N, the holes for the bolts for securing those for the lay shaft J, and G, are
holes for the bolts which retain the cylinders of the motor E D is the opening
for the gear wheel B. which drives the rack B, and D. D₁ are the inclined portion
and flange respectively constituting a guard for the rack.
The central portion of the bed plate D (Figure 1) is dished at D, to such an
extent that it will allow the cranks, wheels, and all other moving parts to be
mounted within its circumference so that there are no overhanging parts or
wheels as in similar apparatus heretofore constructed and a great economy in space
is thus effected To further support the motor cylinders a web D, Figure 1 may
be formed upon the bed plate in addition to the bosses herein before described
The motors E drive a crank shaff H the motion of which is communicated to a
lay shaft J through the medium of gear wheels H₂H₂ Upon the end of the lay
shaft J is keyed the bevel wheel B, which drives the rack upon the barrel head
A clutch K of any suitable construction is provided upon the lay shaft in order
to allow of the gear wheel H, being uncoupled and the motors to run idle A plate
spring L is bolted to the framing and bears against the clutch K to retain it in
either its operative or inoperative position If it is desired to move the clutch,
the plate is sprung up and the clutch moved by means of a lever or by hand to
the required position when the plate 18 allowed to spring back to hold the clutch
in such position.
The capstan is brought to the required spot and is secured to the deck or floor
by means of bolts or screws in the holes A, to which access is afforded by means
of the apertures B, B, Assuming the clutch to be in the operative position and
the power connections to have been made with the conduits contained in the
pillar C, the operation of the motors will causes the revolution of the lay shaft J
through the median of the gear wheels H, and H₂, and this motion will be rom-
municated to the barrel through the medium of the bevel wheel B, and the annular
rack Bg.
As hereinbefore stated should the coils of rope slip from off the barrel B they
will merely slide on to and over the foundation A and in doing so will not be
liable to jam between the barrel and foundation, and will not be caught by lugs,
bolt heads or the pawl ring, these being all situated within the circumference of
the foundation.
If desired the circumferential configuration of the foundation may constitute a
continuation of the curve of the barrel instead of having a vertical face as shown
in Figure 1. The dotted lines in the same figure indicate a casing which may be
employed to cover the motors, and in this way the whole of the working parts may
be encased, the engine bed plate constituting a guard for the rotating rack as
hereinbefore described.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:
1 In capstan or similar apparatus the combination with the pillar of a central
bore or passage of substantially the shape in cross section shown at C Figure 3
whereby the supply and return pipes can be accommodated in the pillar without
unduly weakening it as would be the case if a circular passage of a diameter equal
to the major axis of the passage C, were employed
2. In capstan or similar apparatus the combined pawl and its bearing con-
structed and operating substantially as and for the purpose described.
8 In capstan or similar apparatus the combination with the barrel of a bed
plate or cover such as D so constructed or arranged as to protect the teeth of the
barrel_excepting at the part where the operating pinion engages with those teeth.
4. In capstan or amilar apparatus an engine bed plate such as D dished as
at D, and with or without a projecting cover or flange such as D. and D₁
6. In capstan or similar apparatus the combination with one or more openings
such as B in the sides of the barrel of one or more openings such as
B in the
base thereof substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
6. In capatan or similar apparatus the combined clutch and its retaining spring
arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose described
7 The power driven capstan substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.