Improvements in Hydraulic Elevators and in Valves for Operating the same.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 7th Sept., 1891-Accepted 6th Nov. 1891
5
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hydraulic Elevators and in Valves for Operating
the same.
1, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me from abroad by Cofran I. Hall, of San Francisco,
California, United States of America, Engineer) to be as follows:-
This invention relates to hoists for raising or lowering passengers or goods by
means of rams or pistons, acted upon by water or other inelastic fluids under pressure;
and also indirectly acted upon by means of air or steam, to cause compression of the
inelastic fluid.
The invention consists in certain improvements in valves and attendant apparatus
for controlling the flow and application of inelastic fluids alone, and also in the
application of both inelastic and elastic fluids in combination with each other. For
inclastic fluids alone there is employed a sliding cylindrical valve moving in two
stationary packing leathers and so arranged as to be wholly withdrawn from the
water ways or ducts, permitting a free flow equal to their whole area, when the
boist is making its upward stroke.
In descent or downward stroke, this cylindrical valve is moved so as to open free
communication through its interior, between the ram or piston and the waste pipe.
The valve itself requiring only one packing ring and being balanced in all positions
by reason of equal pressure on the ends. This valve place in an articulated
chamber, the sections of which can be turned about their axis to accommodate the
position of inlet and outlet nozzles, and between which are placed the packing
collars of the valve.
This invention also includes, in connection with valves of the larger sizes, a
hydraulic cylinder and piston to operate them by pressure, the hand gearing being
in that case applied to a supplementary valve controlling the hydraulic piston.
This supplementary valve corresponds to a common slide valve with considerable
lap on both the induction and eduction ports. The hydraulic cylinder has also in
its centre exhaust ports that are covered by the piston when in its central or neutral
position. If the supplementary valve is moved either way, water enters at a
corresponding side of the piston, and it moves until it covers its own waste port,
stopping in the centre. If the supplementary valve is moved farther, it opens
another exhaust way through its interior, and the piston goes on to complete its
stroke, thus providing an automatic neutral point for all motions.
In the case of employing both an elastic and an inelastic fluid, I place near the
cylinder of the hoisting ram or piston, a receiver or intermediate chamber to hold
enough water for one full stroke of the piston or ram, and then by means of suitable
valves admit steam to the receiver and water from the receiver to the piston or ram
of the hoist. These valves are moved simultaneously by means of the usual
handling gearing, the steam one being opened directly, but the water not passing
until the static pressure in the ram or piston cylinder, is balanced by the pressure
n the receiver. To attain this the water valves are made compound in the following
nanner:
There are two valves facing each other and sliding on ported seats in the usual
anner, and in these valves again are two others that are hinged and operate
utomatically. So that when either of the sliding valves is opened the water is free
flow through the hinged flap of the other one, but not to return.
In this way
ommunication is not opened between the receiver and the main cylinder of the ram
r piston until pressure is equal or nearly equal in each, and there is consequently
TD 1173

page_text: no false movement of the hoist up or down, such as occurs when the steam and water
valves are opened simultaneously and when the pressure is not balanced.
Dated this 6th day of November 1890.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hydraulic Elevators and in Valves for Operating
the same.
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me from abroad by Cofran L. Hall, of San Francisco,
California, United States of America, Engineer), and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to hoists for raising or lowering passengers or goods by
means of rams or pistons, acted upon by water or other inelastic fluids under pressure;
and also indirectly acted upon by means of air or steam, to cause compression of the
inelastic fluid.
The invention consists in certain improvements in valves and attendant apparatus
for controlling the flow and application of inelastic fluids alone, and also in the
application of both inelastic and elastic fluids in combination with each other. For
inclastic fluids alone there is employed a sliding cylindrical valve moving in two
stationary packing leathers and so arranged as to be wholly withdrawn from the
water ways or ducts, permitting a free flow equal to their whole area, when the
hoist is making its upward stroke.
In descent or downward stroke, this cylindrical valve is moved so as to open free
communication through its interior, between the ram or piston and the waste pipe.
The valve itself requiring only one packing ring and being balanced in all positions
by reason of equal pressure on the ends. This valve I place in an articulated
chamber, the sections of which can be turned about their axis to accomodate the
position of inlet and outlet nozzles, and between which are placed the packing
collars of the valve.
This invention also includes, in connection with valves of the larger sizes, a
hydraulic cylinder and piston to operate them by pressure, the hand gearing being
in that case applied to a supplementary valve controlling the hydraulic piston.
This supplementary valve corresponds to a common slide valve with considerable
lap on both the induction and eduction ports. The hydraulic cylinder has also in
its centre exhaust ports that are covered by the piston when in its central or neutral
position. If the supplementary valve is moved either way, water enters at a
corresponding side of the piston, and it moves until it covers its own waste port,
stopping in the centre. If the supplementary valve is moved farther, it opens
another exhaust way through its interior, and the piston goes on to complete its
stroke, thus providing an automatic neutral point for all motions.
In the case of employing both an elastic and an inelastic fluid, I place near the
cylinder of the hoisting ram or piston, a receiver or intermediate chamber to hold
enough water for one full stroke of the piston or ram, and then by means of suitable
valves admit steam to the receiver and water from the receiver to the piston or ram
of the hoist. These valves are moved simultaneously by means of the usual
handling gearing, the steam one being opened directly, but the water not passing
until the static pressure in the ram or piston cylinder, is balanced by the pressure
in the receiver. To attain this the water valves are made compound in the following
manner :-
There are two valves facing each other and sliding on ported seats in the usual
manner, and in these valves again are two others that are hinged and operate

page_text: automatically. So that when either of the sliding valves is opened the water is
free to flow through the hinged flap of the other one, but not to return. In this
way communication is not opened between the receiver and the main cylinder of the
ram or piston until pressure is equal or nearly equal in each, and there is
consequently no false movement of the hoist up or down, such as occurs when the
steam and water valves are opened simultaneously and when the pressure is not
balanced.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a diagram of a ram or piston elevator with a valve constructed according
to the first part of my invention applied thereto, and
Fig. 2 is a vertical section through such valve.
Fig. 3 is an elevation of a hydraulic elevator constructed according to the second
part of my invention.
Fig. 4 a transverse section on line a-b, of Fig. 3, showing the position of the
main valve and ram.
Fig. 5 a detail view showing the mechanism employed in operating the valves
from the cage of the elevator.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through the main valve, Fig. 3.
Fig. 7 is a detail view of Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a central vertical section through the auxiliary valve which distributes
water to the main valve, and
Fig. 9 is a detail view of Fig. 8.
Fig. 10 is an elevation of an elevator constructed according to the third part of
my invention, and the mechanism through which hydraulic pressure is applied to
actuate the elevator cage.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical section of the steam valves and mechanism for
actuating same, and
Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical section of the water valves and the mechanism for
operating same.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the ram or piston 1, is provided with
a platform 2, on which is erected a cage for passengers or goods, as the case may be.
The ram 1, descends in the cylinder 3, which is usually set in the earth for a depth
corresponding to the stroke or length of the ram 1.
The inlet pipe 4 is connected with some source for water under pressure, either
the service of a city, a reservoir, supplied directly by a pump, or from tanks set
high enough to give the desired pressure by gravity. The water enters through
the pipe 4, and passes under the valve when raised, and thence through the pipe 5,
into the cylinder 3. When the valve 11 is lowered, the water is exhausted or
escapes through the same pipe 5 and up through the centre of the valve 11, to the
chamber 27, and the waste pipe 6, and thence to the open air or to a waste sewer.
The valve 11 is formed of two parts 12 and 13, held together and operated by
the stem 14, which is screwed into a boss 15, of the upper section 12. The lower
section of the valve 13 is held by the stem 14, passing loosely through the boss 16,
to receive the nut 17, which holds the two sections 13 and 12 together.
The stem 14 passes through a packing gland 18, of the usual construction, and is
fastened to the rack 19, operated by the pinion 20 and cord wheel 21, as shown.
The pulley 21 is operated by the cord 22 passing over the idle pulleys 23 and 24,
and also around the pulley 21, as shown in Fig. 1. In this way the valve 11 can be
operated from the platform 2, in any position of the latter.
Referring more fully to the operation of the valve 11, if it is raised, com-
munication is opened between chambers 25 and 26, and water flows freely from the
inlet pipe 4, and through the pipe 5 into the cylinder 3, and raises the ram 1. In
this operation there is no reduction of the capacity of the inlet pipe 4, or through
the chamber 25, the valve 11 being in that case moved out of the way and serving
only to close the waste chamber 27. In lowering ram 1 the valve 11 is depressed
until the upper end passes into the chamber 27, then the water in the cylinder 3 and

page_text: pipe 5, flows freely through the valve into the chamber 27, and escapes at the waste
Pipe 6.
The ram 1 is stopped on either the upward or downward stroke by moving the
valve 11 to its central position, as shown in Fig. 2, and closing the chamber 25.
On the upper stroke of the valve 11, it is balanced by the water pressure passing
freely through its centre from chamber 25, to chamber 28 at the top.
The main casing of the valve, consisting of the chambers 7, 8, 9 and 10, is held
together by the bolts 28*, and the joints being all cylindrical, the different sections
can be set in any position relatively, so as to accommodate the inlet pipe 4, or the
waste pipe 6, and also permit the operating gearing at the top to be set at any angle
to the axis.
The cup-leather packings employed are three in number; two of them, 29 and 30,
being stationary and attached to the main casing. The one 31, moves with the
valve 11. The one 29, packs against pressure in the chamber 28, the two 30 and 31,
against pressure in the chamber 25.
It may be noticed that the cup leathers 29 and 30, besides forming a packing
around the valve 11, also form fixed packing between the radial joints in the valve
casing; also that in use the cup-leathers do not pass over ports or perforations
to cause wear and leakage. It may also be noticed that in mounting and holding
these cup-leathers, they are inserted in, and held by, joints required for other
purposes.
To cause a gradual flow of water at starting and stopping, I form two or more
curved notches 32 and 33, in the ends of the valve 11, so that the flow of water, and
consequently the movement of the ram 1, will be without shock. The only portion
of the main casing requiring a finished bore is the lower section 7. This i form by
means of a lining of non-corrosive metal 34, melted and cast in a shallow recess, as
shown. In this manner I am able to employ tin or any kind of alloy found most
suitable.
The rack 19 has on one side a spur pinion 20, and on the other side a bearing
roller 35. These two are mounted in the frame 36, the journals being of the same
size, so that the pinion 20 and the roller 35 can be exchanged, permitting the
rack 19 to face either way, and the wheel 21 to be turned in either direction, as
may be most convenient in erecting the gearing and connecting the cord 22.
Referring to Figs. 3 to 9 inclusive of the drawings, illustrating the second
feature of my invention, A. is the cylinder and B the ram or piston of a direct-
acting elevator, and D a section of the floor of a cage for passengers or goods.
At E is the main valve that controls the admission and escape of water from A.
F is the supply pipe containing water under pressure, and G the exhaust or waste
pipe, through which the water escapes after acting on the ram B, and during the
descent of the cage.
At H is shown an auxiliary valve for moving and controlling the main one at E,
by means of direct water pressure, the supply passing from F, through the pipe I,
and other connections, as will be hereinafter explained.
The movement of the auxiliary valve at H, permits the pressure to act on either
end of the main valve at E, by means of the two pipes J and K, connecting to the
ends of the casing or chamber E, at e and ex, as shown. The waste water from
the ends of the valve at H, after performing its functions there, escapes through
the pipes Land M at O, into the main waste pipe G. The construction of these
valves will be explained in connection with enlarged detail views to be hereinafter
referred to.
The auxiliary valve at H, is operated by the lever P, which is in turn moved by
the cords Q and Q, attached to the ends of P, as shown. The cord Q passes over
an idle pulley R, under a pulley R2, thence up to the idle pulleys S, and is attached
to the weight T. The other cord Q, passes similarly in an opposite direction, first
over R, then under R, and so on to the weight T, the same as cord Q.
The idle pulleys R and R2, are supported on a swing frame U, controlled by the

page_text: lever V, and are mounted on and travel with the platform D, as shown in Figs. 3
and 5. As the platform D moves up or down, no lineal movement of the cords Q
and Q takes place, unless the lever Vis moved to the right or left; then such
movement acts on these cords and on the lever P, the same as if the cage
D was
5 standing still, thus giving control of the valve at H, in all positions and movements
of the cage.
5
C
Referring next to the operation of the valves and machinery, the auxiliary
valve ",
shown in Fig. 8, is moved up or down by the stem b, which is attached to
the lever P, Fig. 3, as before explained. The chamber c is all the time filled with
water under pressure, entering at d, from the pipes F and I. If the valve a is
raised, the water from flows into the chamber, and out at g, into the pipe K, and
thence to the chamber, Fig. 6, acting on the piston W. If the valve a is
depressed, then water flows from c, into the chamber i, and out at j, through the
pipe J, into the chamber k, acting on the piston W2, Fig. 6.
When the valve a is brought to a central position, as shown in Fig. 8, both
chambers and k, of Fig. 6, are in communication with the waste pipes, by means
of the perforations m, and through pipes L and M, so that the pistons W and W2,
with the valves X and X2, assume automatically the position shown in Fig. 6.
Referring to Fig. 6, the main shell or casing E, is composed of three sections E', E
and I, held together by bolts, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This shell may consist
of two parts containing independently the induction and eduction valves X and X2,
with their pistons W and W2, but the construction shown is preferable. On the
two end sections E2 and E³, are formed inlet and waste nozzles and G³, and on
the central one E, a nipple Z, connecting with the cylinder A, as seen in the plan,
Fig. 4.
The central section E, is fitted with a shell or bush a, in which move the valves
or pistons X and X2. This shell, has two outlets of oblong form, as shown in
Fig. 6, communicating with the chamber Y, and this in turn with the cylinder A.
The two pistons W and W2, are connected rigidly with the valves X and X2, by
the hollow stems t, so that they move together, as shown. Referring first to the
operation of the induction valve X, the chamber Y being filled with water under
pressure, the force on W2 exceeds that on X2, as the difference in their area,
forcing W2 back into the position shown, cutting off communication between the
chambers Y2 and Y³.
To raise the ram B, the auxiliary valve a, Fig. 8, is depressed, permitting the high-
pressure water from F to flow through d, c, and J into the chamber k, balancing
the pressure on each side of W2. The valve or piston X, is then driven forward
by the pressure in Y2, opening communication between Y2 and Y³, through the
aperture at Z. The water then passes on to the cylinder A, raising the ram B.
To stop the motion of the ram, the valve a is moved back to its central position,
as shown in Fig. 8, relieving the pressure in chamber k, and on the outside of the
piston W. The water in & then flows back through the pipe J, to the chamber ¿,
through the holes m, and escapes into the waste pipe L. The differential pressure
on W and X, from the chamber Y, then closes X², shutting off communication
between Y and Y³. To lower the ram B, the valve a, Fig. 8, is raised, permitting
water to flow from c into f, and thence through the pipe K, into the chamber h,
cting on the piston W. The valve or piston X, sustains at the same time the
pressure in Y, due to the pressure caused by the weight of the ram and cage, but
he difference in area between W and X, causes them to move forward, opening
ommunication between Y and Ys, through Z, permitting the water in A to escape
hrough Y3 and Y, to the nozzle G, and the ram B to descend. To arrest the
ownward motion of B, the valve a is returned to its central position as before,
elieving the
pressure in h, and permitting the piston W to move back by the
ressure on X, from the chamber 1, thus closing communication between Y and Y³,
nd the flow of water from A, to the waste pipe G.
In stopping the motion of the ram B, whether in ascending or descending, it is
ot necessary to reverse the supplementary valve a, its functions ceasing when it

page_text: comes to a central position, and the main valve X and X2, closing automatically by
water pressure and independent of the attendant, and permitting a neutral range
of any desired extent for the auxiliary valves at H. In the movements of X and X,
it will be observed that the apertures at Z, by reason of their oblong form, permit
a gradually increasing flow of water, as the valves move forward, and consequently
the motion of the ram B is gradually started or arrested without shock. This
gradual starting and stopping of elevators being a matter of much importance, I
provide in addition to the oblong apertures at Z, other means of attaining the
object, so arranged as to permit of adjustment and control.
Referring still to Fig. 6, the water entering at e, e, to move the pistons W
and W2, is admitted through holes s, in the perforated nozzles r, shown in Figs. 6
and 7, so arranged that the amount of water and the consequent movement of the
ram B is gradual and cumulative. At first only a single row of holes is opened,
but as the pistons W and W2, move toward the centre, more holes are uncovered in
an increasing ratio, causing the ram B to start slowly without shock and with a
gradually increasing speed until a maximun is reached. The same effect is pro-
du ed in both the ascent and descent of the ram B, the valves X and X², with
their pistons W and W², moving with a gradually reduced speed, permitting the
ram B, to stop without shock.
By increasing or diminishing, cither the number or size of the holes 8, I gain
complete control over the starting and stopping movements of the cage D, and its
load. When the valves X and X are placed in one shell, as shown in Fig. 6, and
operate in conjunction, the movement by water pressure is supplemented by
mechanical connections, as follows:-An extension is formed on one of the
valves X or X, so that in case of delayed action of either, it will be closed by
the movement of the other, thus preventing bcth from being open at the same time.
This extension y, also constitutes a stop and governs the range or stroke of the
valves X and X, and their attached pistons, so that they will not exceed the
required range of movement.
At n, n, m, n, Fig. 8, are cup-leather packing rings, which it may be observed, do
not move with the piston a, but are stationary and thus avoid the wear to which
such packing is exposed when it moves with pistons over perforated or grated
surfaces. The several pistons of the main valve, Fig. 6, have also leather packing
moving with the pistons, except in the case of X2, but not moving over perfora-
tions except in the case of X. The piston X2, and also the inner ends of the
auxiliary valve a, which pass out of the packing, are made with rounded or beveled
edges so as to re-enter without abrading the leather or unduly wearing it.
I have shown my improvements applied to a direct-acting or ram elevator,
but it is obvious that they are equally applicable to any other type moved by
hydraulic force.
ram
Referring to Figs. 10 to 12 inclusive of the drawings, illustrating the third feature
of my invention, I have shown same as applied to what is known as the
elevator," in which the cage is raised and lowered by a piston moving vertically in
the line of travel of the cage itself, but it will be manifest that it may be applied
to elevators having short cylinders, with multiplying connections for operating
the cage.
A is the elevator-cage, which is supported upon the head of the piston B, this
piston moving in a vertical cylinder into which water is admitted through the
pipe C to operate the piston and raise the cage, and when the cage is to descend
the water is allowed to escape through this pipe.
D is the casing containing the valves through which water is admitted and
allowed to escape, which valves will be more fully described hereinafter.
E is a pressure-chamber, which is here shown as made cylindrical in form, having
a conical top, and the area of this chamber is a little more than is necessary to
supply the amount of water necessary to raise the cage to its highest elevation
and to receive said water from the cylinder when the cage is allowed to descend
to its lowest point. A connection between the valve-chamber D and the chamber E

page_text: is made through the pipe F, and may be entirely cut off at any time by means of
a valve or gate at G. The upper end of the chamber E is connected by a pipe
and suitable appliances, as shown at H, with a valve-chamber I, containing valves
through which steam is admitted from the pipe J and source of supply into the
upper part of the chamber E, so that it may press upon the water contained within
this chamber and force the water through the valves in the chamber D and into
the elevator-cylinder with such pressure as may be necessary to raise the load
upon the elevator.
Kis the rope passing through the elevator-cage within reach of the operator, by
which the valves are opened and closed. This rope passes around a pulley Lat
the upper end in the usual manner, and around the pulley or pulleys M at the
lower end to give it the proper direction. This rop engages with a pulley N by
making a turn around said pulley, or in any other suitable way, so that the move-
ment of the rope will rotate this pulley in either one direction or the other, as the
case may be.
Upon the shaft of the pulley N is a sprocket-wheel O, around which passes a
chain P, this chain also passing around another sprocket-wheel Q, through which the
steam-valves are actuated. The chain R is also driven by a sprocket-wheel on
the shaft of the pulley N, and through it the wheel or disc S is actuated to operate
the water-valves.
Upon the shaft of the sprocket-wheel Q is a disc T, having a crank-pin U pro-
jecting from its face.
The steam-valves within the case I consist of an inlet-valve V and an outlet-
valve V, with suitable passages, arranged, as shown, so that when the inlet-valve
is opened steam will be admitted through the valve-passages in the pipe H in the
upper part of the water-chamber E, and when the steam-valve is closed and the
exhaust-valve is opened the steam will be allowed to escape through the exhaust-
valve and the exhaust-passage W.
In order to operate these valves, I have shown the heads X, X', fixed upon the
upper end of the valve-stems Y, so as to travel in suitable guides and in such
positions that their inner ends extend a little past each other, overlapping in front
of the disc T, so that the crank-pin U may engage the slots or forked ends of the
heads X, as shown.
The operation of this machanism will be as follows:-When the sprocket-
wheel Qis turned in the direction shown by the arrows for the purpose of raising
the elevator, the pin U, travelling within the forked end of the head of the exhaust-
valve stem, will, in performing its half-circuit from its lowest to its highest point,
raise the head, and with it the valve-stem. This closes the exhaust-valve, which
would have been left open by the previous descent of the elevator-cage, and thus
closes the exhaust-passage. The pin U, continuing its movement, then engages the
forked end of the head X and the steam-valve stem, and as it continues its move-
ment from the highest to its lowest point it will move this head, the valve-stem, and
the valve downward, thus opening the steam-valve and allowing the steam to pass
through the various passages into the upper part of the chamber E, and thus press
upon the water within the chamber. The water-gates within the valve-chamber D
are at the same time operated by the rotation of the sprocket-wheel S, and the
corresponding disc fixed upon the shaft of this wheel with a similarly-arranged
pin a projecting from the disc and engaging the heads and of the inlet and
outlet valves or gates, so that these valves are opened and closed by raising the
valve-steins. These water valves are shown at c and c', and are so constructed as
to slide up and down, the one being closed before the other is opened. To these
valves are hinged the supplemental flat valves and d³, which may move inde-
pendently of the main valves, and which open outwardly, as shown in Fig. 12.
The object of these supplemental valves is as follows:-In this class of elevators
where the pressure of steam or other elastic medium upon water contained within
vessel or chamber, such as is shown at E, is employed to raise an elevator-cage,

page_text: certain difficulties have arisen from the variation of elastic pressure and load, the
principal difficulty being the temporary movement of the cage in the wrong
direction when it is either desired to ascend or descend. This occurs as follows:-
If the cage is to be raised from some point with a considerable load, as, say, one ton,
upon it, a certain pressure must be applied within the chamber E, and when this
load is removed the clastic pressure within the chamber E will remain considerably
greater than is necessary to counterbalance the cage. Therefore, if the valves be
opened for the purpose of allowing the cage to descend, instead of the water
escaping directly from the elevator-cylinder into the chamber and allowing the
cage to gradually descend, the first action will be to force more water out of the
chamber into the elevator-cylinder, and thus temporarily raise the elevator a short
distance on account of the superior pressure within the chamber E, which remained
after the weight upon the cage had been removed, and the elevator will thus be
forced up until this pressure is reduced by this temporary rising of the cage and
the escape of the elastic medium through the exhaust-valve V, so as to allow it
to descend. In the same manner, when the cage has been allowed to descend to
any point and is stopped there, all the pressure will be exhausted from the
chamber E, and when the valves are opened for the purpose of again raising the
elevator the cage will drop a short distance until the pressure within the cylinder
has reached a point sufficient to again counterbalance and raise it. The supple-
mental flat valves d and d', which I have here described, serve to counteract this action
in the following manner: It will be understood that when the elevator is stopped all
the valves are closed by bringing all the valve-operating devices to the centre of
their movements. If the cage has been raised to some point with a heavy load and
this load is removed after the valves are closed, it will be manifest that the pressure
necessary to raise the load will still remain in the chamber, and when it is desired
to descend the valve c' is opened by means of the operating mechanism previously
described, the valve e remaining closed. When these valves are brought to the
above-described positions, the fluid is free to flow from the elevator-cylinder to the
chamber E, but not in the opposite direction. Therefore the elevator cannot react
upward, no matter what pressure there is remaining in the chamber E, and when
the pressure is sufficiently reduced the elevator will de rend as desired. It will be
manifest that the superior pressure within the chamber acting upon the back of
the flat valve d, will prevent the water from escaping fron. the cylinder until this
pressure has been reduced by the opening of the steam-exhaust valve, and until
the pressure within the chamber E is reduced below that in the elevator-cylinder.
The water can then by its own pressure raise the valve d and flow back into the
chamber E but until the pressure in the chamber E has been reduced below that
in the elevator-cylinder it will be manifest that this valve d will remain closed, and
will thus prevent any pressure from the chamber E being transmitted to the
elevator-cylinder so as to raise the cage in the manner previously described. In
the same manner, when the cage is at the bottom, or at any point from which it is
desired to raise it, the movements of the valve-operating mechanism will open the
If the pressure within the chamber E has been reduced by condensation
of steam below that necessary to counterbalance and raise the load in the elevator,
it will be manifest that the flat valve will in a like manner remain closed against
any pressure from the elevator-cylinder which would tend to force water into the
chamber before the pressure within that chamber had become sufficient to
counterbalance and raise the cage. By this construction I am enabled to provide
a perfect check against those undesirable movements which usually take place in
this class of elevators. The valves c and are locked in either of their positions
by means of the semi-circular lug e, which projects from the face of the disc, and
which, when turned so as to lie within either of the corresponding curved channels
of the valve-stem heads, will securely lock them and hold them in place.
valve c.
"
I have here described the checks as connected with the main valves c, c', but it
will be manifest that the same results can be attained by having two pipes leading

page_text: from the chamber E to the elevator-cylinder, each having an operating-valve
and a check-valve of common form, one operating to raise the clevator and the
other when it descends.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a hydraulic elevator valve, the main casing containing the valve, made in
three or more sections, with packed joints between, and longitudinal clamping bolts
joining the sections together, so that the inlet and escape nozzles, and also the
operating mechanism to move the valve, may be turned about its axis and be
set at any angle, relatively, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
described.
2. In a hydraulic elevator valve, a main casing, consisting of sections 8, 9, 10,
capable of adjustment about their axis; a hollow cylindrical valve sliding therein;
and cup-leather packings forming water-tight joints between the sections, and also
around the valve, arranged and operating substantially in the manner and for the
purposes specified.
3. In a hydraulic elevator valve, a hollow cylinder valve 11, composed of two
sections 12 and 13, joined and held by means of a central stem 14, and cup-leather
packing interposed, forming a water-tight joint between the two chambers 25
and 26, arranged substantially in the manner and for the purposes specified.
4. In a hydraulic elevator valve, a hollow cylindrical valve, its central bore
communicating with the clevator-cylinder 3, and the chambers 27 and 28, so as to
balance the valve on its outward streke, and permit the escape water to pass
through the valve on its inward stroke, substantially in the manner and for the
purposes as herein specified.
5. In a hydraulic elevator valve, the main casing composed of adjustable
sections 8, 9 and 10, a supplementary section 7, bolted thereto, and lined with
soft metal to form a close-fitting parallel cylinder to guide and support the
valve 11, sliding therein; arranged and operating substantially in the manner and
for the purposes herein specified.
6. In a hydraulic elevator valve, the adjustable sections 8, 9 and 10, with cup-
leather packings interposed between, a parallel guiding section 7, bolted thereto,
with a hollow cylindrical valve sliding therein, the ends of the latter scalloped or
cut away to produce a gradual opening and closing of the valve, substantially in
the manner and for the purposes specified.
7. In a hydraulic elevator valve; in combination with the valve stem 14, the
bracket 36, constructed with duplicate bearings to permit interchange of the
pinion 20, and roller 35, so that the wheel 21 may be arranged to turn to the right
or left, in the manner substantially as and for the purposes specified.
8. In a hydraulic elevator, a double-ported auxiliary valve as shown at H, con-
sisting of an open ended perforated piston a, sliding through fixed packing glands,
and so arranged that when in its central position both ends of the valve will be
open to the waste or exhaust connections; operating substantially in the manner
and for the purposes set forth and described.
9. In a hydraulic elevator, the main valves X and X*, as shown in Fig. 6, cach
moving independently by means of pistons connected therewith, and a supple-
mentary distributing valve H, combined and operating substantially in the manner
and for the purpose herein specified.
10. In a hydraulic elevator, main distributing valves X and X2, arranged in two
parts, independently opening by means of a supplementary valve H, and closing by
lirect pressure of the supply, or confined water, substantially in the manner and
for the purpose herein set forth and described.
11. In a hydraulic elevator, the pistons W and W2, acting on and controlling
the main valves X and X2, by means of differential areas exposed to direct
ressure in the chamber Y2, and by maintained pressure in the chamber Y³; a

page_text: valve H, a lever P, and connections to the cage; arranged and operating substan-
tially in the manner herein set forth and described.
12. In a hydraulic elevator, main distributing valves, as shown in Fig. 6,
arranged to open by means of a supplementary valve H, operated by an attendant
and from a cage, and closing automatically by water pressure independent of the
hand-controlling devices, when the auxiliary valve a is in its central or neutral
position, substantially as herein explained and for the purpose specified.
13. In a hydraulic elevator, the induction and eduction valves X and X2, s0
arranged as to act independently in respect to water pressure, but provided with a
tappet y, so that one will move and close the other in the case of tardy action, and
so that both cannot be open at the same time, operating substantially in the manner
explained and described.
14. In a hydraulic elevator, the perforated inlet nozzles r, arranged to graduate
the direct supply behind the pistons W and W, so as to prevent sudden move-
ment or shock in opening and closing the valves X and X, arranged in the manner
and operating substantially as herein described and explained.
15. In a hydraulic elevator, the cage with the hydraulic cylinder and piston,
a pressure-chamber containing water, a valve mechanism operated from the cage-
rope so as to open and close steam supply and exhaust valves, whereby pressure may
be admitted upon the surface of the water within the chamber, and water-valves
connecting the bottom of said chamber with the elevator-cylinder, with a mechanism
whereby said valves may be opened or closed, and independent automatically-
operating check-valves connected with said water-valves, substantially as herein
described.
16. In a hydraulic elevator, the water-cylinder and piston moving therein and
connected with the cage of the elevator, a pressure-chamber containing an inelastic
liquid, and valves whereby an elastic medium may be admitted to press upon the
upper surface of the water within the chamber, in combination with water-valves
through which communication is made between the bottom of the chamber and the
elevator-cylinder, mechanism whereby one of said valves is closed and the other
opened, and automatically-operating check-valves acting in conjunction with the
main valves and closing in opposite directions, substantially as herein described.
17. The water valves controlling the admission and escape of the water between
the pressure-chamber and the elevator-cylinder, the mechanism consisting of the
rotary disc actuated from the cage-rope, the semicircular projecting lug, and the
yokes or heads fixed to the valve-stems so as to be engaged by said lug when
the disc is rotated, said lug acting as a lock to retain the valves in position, sub-
stantially as herein described.
18. In a hydraulic elevator, the water-cylinder and piston moving therein and
connected with the cage of the elevator, a pressure-chamber containing an inelastic
liquid, valves whereby an elastic medium is admitted to press upon the upper
surface of the liquid, and a system of valves including the supplemental valves d
and, controlling the flow of water between the pressure-chamber and the
elevator-cylinder, so as to prevent any flow of water to or from the elevator-
cylinder in a direction which will move the cage in the opposite direction from that
which is intended, substantially as herein described.
nis 7th Joe of Contombon 1001
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.