Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 20th July, 1886.
✓ Complete Left, 20th Apr., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 20th July, 1887
I, JAMES DIXON CHURCHILL, of 37 Alexandra Road, Finsbury Park, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
This invention has reference to hoisting machinery such as may with advantage be
used in lieu of hand labor for "whipping" coal from the holds of vessels, but it may
be used also for other purposes. For the purpose of hoisting say coal it is necessary
to provide for lowering of the basket or vessel to greater and greater depths as more
and more coal is discharged from the hold; also that the raising of the charged
basket or vessel should commence slowly and its speed be gradually increased to its
maximum as it ascends and afterwards gradually reduced towards the conclusion of its
upward travel so as to avoid too sudden arrestation.
The machine resembles in the main a winch, the barrel or drum of which is driven
by steam cylinders through any suitable gear; it may be spur gear or wheels
and chain.
In one
In order to start the machine slowly to lower the basket or vessel and to increase
the speed gradually a throttle or steam controlling valve is provided in connection
with the steam supply. This valve is caused to admit more and more steam as the
engine continues to turn the barrel or drum for lowering the basket or vessel, for which
purpose the valve is moved through suitable gear actuated by the shaft carrying the
barrel or drum; on the return or upward stroke the reverse action occurs.
arrangement a suitable valve, it may be of double taper or double-conical kind, is used
connected to a lever mounted on the same shaft as a wheel or segment I will call the
valve controlling wheel provided with adjustable projections or catches. This wheel
is driven through suitable gear from the shaft carrying the barrel or drum so as to be
caused to make only a part of a rotation as against several rotations of the barrel or

page_text: drum. A spring or equivalent tends to cause the throttle valve to keep the steam
supply full open. The valve controlling wheel also operates a cut off and reversing
valve in connection with each cylinder. The office of these cut off and reversing
valves is to automatically stop the engines and to enable them to be reversed at the
required times. The action of the valve controlling wheel is adjusted to requirement
by changing the positions of the projections or catches that operate or arrest the levers
in connection with the respective valves.
In some cases a brake is provided so arranged as to lock the barrel or drum at the
conclusion of each raising or lowering operation.
Dated this 20th day of July 1986
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hoisting Machinery.
I, JAMES DIXON CHURCHILL, of 37, Alexandra Road, Finsbury Park, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, 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 reference to the construction of hoisting machinery in such a
manner that (1) lowering of a basket or vessel may take place to greater and greater
depths or raising of it to greater and greater heights as more and more material is
transferred (2) the raising or the lowering, as the case may be, of the charged basket
or vessel will commence slowly and its speed will be gradually increased to its
maximum as it ascends or descends (as the case may be) and afterwards will be
gradually reduced towards the conclusion of its travel so as to avoid a too sudden
arrestation, and (3) over-winding will be prevented.
The machine, which can be constructed in various forms and employed for a variety
of purposes, resembles in the main a winch, the barrel or drum of which is driven
from steam cylinders through any suitable gear; it may be spur gear or wheels
and chain.
In order to start the machine slowly to lower the basket or vessel and to increase
the speed gradually, a throttle or steam controlling valve is provided in connection

page_text: with the steam supply. This valve is caused to increase the admission of steam after
the engines have been started and whilst they continue to turn the barrel or drum for
lowering or raising the basket or vessel, for which purpose the valve is moved through
suitable gear actuated from the barrel or drum or its shaft; on the return stroke the
reverse action occurs. There is a cut off and reversing valve in connection with each
cylinder. The office of these cut off and reversing valves is to automatically stop the
engines and to enable them to be reversed at the required times. A brake is provided
so arranged as to lock the barrel or drum at the conclusion of each raising or lowering
operation.
Referring to the accompanying sixteen sheets of illustrative drawings,
Figs. 1 and 2 are end elevations,
Fig. 3 is a side elevation, and Fig. 4 a plan or top view of a hoisting machine
according to my invention.
Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are to an enlarged scale, Fig. 5 representing a vertical section
of one of the steam cylinders and attached parts together with a cut off and reversing
valve and a main valve, Fig. 6 a horizontal section on the line A. B. Fig. 5, and
Fig. 7, a transverse section on the line C. D. Fig. 6, of the cut off and reversing
valve.
Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively side and end elevations illustrating a modification of
my hoisting machine.
Figs. 10 and 11 are similar views of another modification.
Figs. 12 and 13 are side and end elevations respectively of part of a hoisting
machine fitted with a steam brake.
Figs. 14 and 15 are similar views to Figs. 12 and 13 illustrating a modified
arrangement of steam brake.
Figs. 16 and 17 are longitudinal sections drawn to an enlarged scale and at right
angles to each other through the steam brake cylinder, and valve and valve chamber,
a spring within the cylinder being shown in elevation.
Fig. 18 is an end view showing the steam brake cylinder and valve chamber.
In the arrangement illustrated by Figs. 1 to 7 there are two steam cylinders 1, the
pistons of which operate crank discs 2, through piston rods 3, and connecting rods 4.
5 is the driving shaft fitted in bearings carried by the standards 6, 6*. 7 is a barrel
or drum with gear wheel 8; it is driven from the driving shaft 5 either direct by
means of a pinion 9, or by means of intermediate gearing 9. 10 is a throttle or
steam controlling valve with double conical parts 11 (or there might be doubly
tapered parts); it is fitted to slide in a valve case 12, and is operated by the shorter
arm of a lever 13, mounted on the same shaft that carries the wheel 14 which is a
valve controlling wheel. 15 is a bye-pass for steam in the valve case 12. 16 is a
screw plug (or a valve might be used) for regulating the sectional area of such bye-
pass. 17 is a steam admission pipe to the valve case 12, and 18 is a steam outlet pipe
in communication with the valve chests of the cylinders 1. The valve controlling
wheel 14 is provided with segmental teeth 19, and is driven from the barrel or drum
shaft 20 by gear wheels 21, 22, and 23, the arrangement being such that the wheel 14
only rotates through part of a circle for the total movement of the winch barrel
or drum.
The valve controlling wheel 14 is also formed with slots 24 and 25, in which are
fitted adjustable projections or catches 26 and 27 respectively. 28 is a fixed stopping
pin on the valve controlling wheel 14. 29 is a pin or stop fixed in the end frame 6.
30 is a spring that tends to keep the longer arm of the lever 13 in contact with the
stop 29. 31 is a lever fitted to the frame 6. Its shorter arm is so arranged as to be
operated at the desired times by the projection or catch 27 and stop 28. The longer
arm of the lever 31 is connected by a link 32 to a lever 33 pivotted upon a shaft 34,
and by other links 35 with the valve rods 36 of cut-off and reversing valves 37. The
cut-off and reversing valves 37 (one of which is shown clearly by Figs. 5, 6, and 7,)
are arranged to slide each within a chamber 38, and each is located between its steam
cylinder I and the main valve 39; each of these valves is formed with two sets of

page_text: ports, one of which-namely, ports 40, 41, and 42, (Fig. 5) is for hoisting, and
corresponds in position with the steam and exhaust ports in the cylinder face; the
ports 43, 44, and 45 (Fig. 7.) constitute the second set of ports and are for lowering.
The ports 43 and 44 cross each other as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 7, and admit
steam to the reverse ends of the cylinder to that admitted by the ports 40 and 41
(Fig. 5.) respectively, and when they are in position over the ports in the cylinder
face the reversing of the engine is effected. The ports 42 and 45 are exhaust ports.
The above described two sets of ports are so arranged that when the valve is at half
stroke, the admission of steam to the cylinder is closed, notwithstanding that the
valve 39 may be in a position to admit steam to its cylinder. The valves 37 and 39
are arranged to work at right angles to each other as shown. 46 is a starting lever
fixed on the shaft 34. 47 is a friction strap that partly encircles one end of the barrel
or drum 7. It is connected at one end to a pin 48 fixed to the frame 6, and at its
other end to a rod 49 connected to one arm 50 of a lever pivotted at 51. The other
arm 52 of this lever carries an anti-friction roller that works within a cam groove 53
formed in a cam plate 54 that is fixed to the shaft 34. The operation of the just
described hoisting machine is as follows
The parts in Fig. 1 show the machine stopped at the top of its lift. To lower the
hand lever 46 must be depressed. This action brings the reverse ports 43 and 44 in
the valve 37 into communication with the ports in the cylinder face and the engines
begin to lower. The rotation of the wheel 14 causes the lever 13 that is in contact
with the projection or catch 26 to return in the direction of the arrow under the
action of the spring 30 the lever operating the controlling valve 10 to admit steam
gradually at first to the steam chests of the engines. As the load approaches the
limit of its travel the valve 10 gradually lessens the supply of steam. When the
projection or catch 27 comes in contact with the short arm of the lever 31, this lever
is forced into the position shown, thus placing the valves 37 in position to cut off
the supply of steam to the engines and applying the brake 47 through the brake
lever to stop the machine. To reverse the motion of the machine, the hand lever 46
must be raised.
Referring to the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, 55 is a plate pivotted
upon the shaft that carries the valve controlling wheel 14. It is formed with a
slot 56, and carries a projection or catch 27 that is adjustable within the slot 25 of
the cam plate 14. 28 is a stopping pin. 13 is the valve operating lever pivotted on a
stud 57 secured to the frame 6; its longer arm is formed with a slot 58 within which
works a block 59 that may be adjustably fixed within the slot 56 of the plate 55 and
the slot 24 of the wheel 14 by means of a nut 60. The object of this arrangement is
to enable the same amount of travel to be imparted to the throttle or steam controlling
valve 10 notwithstanding change in the distance through which loads are to be raised
or lowered by the winch. The arrangement of the valve is such that a slow motion
is given to the engine at the commencement and termination of each lift, and on
each return of the barrel or drum. The plate 55 may be formed with a pointer 61
arranged to travel over a scale 62 on the valve controlling wheel 14; it serves as an
aid in adjusting the positions of the projection or catch 27 and the block 59 in their
respective slots. In this arrangement the throttle or controlling valve 10 is placed
vertical, and is driven from the shorter arm of the lever 13 through the intervention
of a link 13. In other respects the construction of this hoisting machine is similar
to that described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7, and corresponding parts are similarly
lettered.
The operation of this modification is as follows:-
The parts are in the positions they would occupy when the machine has been
stopped at half stroke. To hoist, the lever 46 must be raised, this action operating
the valve 37 and placing the main ports 40, 41, and 42 (Figs. 5, 6, and 7,) into
communication with the ports in the cylinder face, and the engines begin to raise.
The rotation of the wheel 14 causes the block 59 to slide in the slot of the lever 13
and thus to operate the valve 10 to maintain the supply of steam to the steam chests

page_text: of the engines. As the load approaches the fixed limit of its upward travel, the valve 10
gradually lessens the supply of steam. When the stopping pin 28 comes into contact
with the lever 31, this lever will be again forced into the position shown in the
drawings operating the cut-off and reversing valves 37 to cut off the supply of steam,
and applying the brake as before. To reverse the motion of the machine, the hand
lever 46 must be depressed.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, the valve controlling wheel 14 is
adapted for high lifts, for which purpose it is driven from the barrel or drum shaft 20
through spur wheels 21 and 22, bevel wheels 23 and 23ª and worm 63. The bevel
wheel 23 is arranged to slide endwise on its shaft to disengage it from the bevel
wheel 23ª when it is desired to use the winch as an ordinary winch. The worm 63
is fixed on a shaft carried in bearings 64 secured to the frame 6. 28 is the stopping
pin arranged at the left hand side of the lever 31. 27 is the projection or catch in the
slot 25 as before; it is carried by an extension of the plate 55. The lever 13 is
mounted and operated substantially in the same manner as that described with
reference to Figs. 8 and 9.
The brake strap 47 in this modification instead of being connected to a fixed pin,
as in the hereinbefore described arrangements, is connected to a disc 65 mounted
eccentrically upon a pin 43, and provided with a hand lever 66.
With this arrange-
ment the brake strap 47 may be operated by hand.
The steam cylinders 1 are arranged close together, and their pistons are connected
to and operate the cranks 6ª of the driving shaft 5. In other respects the arrangement
of the apparatus is substantially like that described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9.
The operation of this modification is substantially the same as that hereinbefore
described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9, but the stopping pin 28 is arranged to
operate the cut-off and reversing valves 37 and apply the brake when a load has
reached its lowest fixed point.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, 47 is the brake strap connected
at one end to a fixed pin 48, and at its other end by means of a rod 49 to one arm 50
of a brake lever pivotted at 51 as hereinbefore described with reference to the
arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7. The other arm 52 of the lever is connected
to a piston rod 67 of a steam operated piston 68 arranged to work in a cylinder 69
(Figs. 16 and 17.) The brake lever is provided with a hand lever 70. 46 is a starting
lever as before. It is provided with an arm 71 connected by a link 72 to a lever 73
that operates a cock or valve 74 situate at one end of the cylinder 69. The cock or
valve 74 is provided with a passage 75 that establishes, when it is in the position
shown in Fig. 17, communication between one end of the cylinder 69 and a steam
pipe 76; it is also provided with ports 77 that place the steam end of the cylinder 69
in communication with the exhaust when the valve is moved to either of the positions
indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 17. The piston 68 is single-acting, being forced by
the pressure of steam in the direction of the arrow to apply the brake, and in the
reverse direction by the spring 78 when the valve 74 is operated to exhaust the steam
from the cylinder 69. The admission and exhaustion of the steam to and from the
cylinder 69 can be controlled by the lever 46 operated by a valve controlling plate 14
according to either of the arrangements herein before described.
With the modified arrangement of steam brake shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the
brake strap 47 instead of being applied directly to the barrel or drum 7, is applied to
a friction pulley 79 fixed to the driving shaft 5. The two ends of the brake strap
are connected to a plate 80, mounted upon a fixed pin 81. The plate 80 is connected
by a link 82 with the arm 50 of a brake lever, the other arm 52 of which is operated
by the piston of the brake cylinder 69. In other respects this arrangement of steam
brake is similar to that described with reference to Figs. 12, 13, 16, 17, and 18-In
each of these arrangements the action of the steam upon the brake lever to apply the
brake may be assisted or reduced by suitably operating the hand lever 70, as will be
readily understood.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner it is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :—
1. In a hoisting machine a throttle or steam controlling valve actuated from the
barrel or drum or its shaft in such a manner as to increase the supply of steam after
the engines have started and to reduce the supply before it is entirely cut off
substantially as and for the purposes hereinabove indicated.
2. In a hoisting machine a throttle or steam controlling valve actuated as referred
to, and for the purpose mentioned in the preceding claim, the arrangement being
such that the stroke of the said valve is constant notwithstanding variations in the
lift, substantially as described.
3. For the purpose of stopping the engines in a hoisting machine in an automatic
manner and enabling them to be reversed at the required times providing in connection
with each cylinder a cut off and reversing valve and means for operating the same
substantially as described.
4. In a hoisting machine providing in conjunction with cut off and reversing valves
such as referred to in Claim 3, a brake operated or brought into action by the
mechanism that actuates the said valves, substantially as described for the purposes
indicated.
5. My improved hoisting machines substantially as hereinabove described with
reference respectively to and illustrated by Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive; Figs. 8 and 9;
and Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings annexed, whether without or with steam
brakes.
Dated this 20th day of April 1887.
J. D. CHURCHILL.
W. Lloyd Wise,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.