Improvements in Operating and Controlling Electrical and other Cranes and Hoisting Machinery.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 31st Jan., 1896-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Operating and Controlling Electrical and other
Cranes and Hoisting Machinery.
We, JOHN GEORGE FIEGEHEN of The Bedford Engineering Co. Bedford and
EDWARD GEORGE FIEGEHEN Stafford Lodge Ampthill Road, Bedford
Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
-:
Our invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described in operating
and controlling electrically driven or other cranes and hoisting machinery, the
parts of which are constructed, combined and operate in the manner hereinafter
described. Our improvements are especially applicable to overhead travelling
cranes, but are also applicable to other kinds of cranes, lifts, hoists and winding
machinery, whether primarily worked by hand, steam, electricity or any other
motive power.
For the purpose of describing our invention, we will take as an example an
overhead travelling crane driven by electric motors placed thereon in convenient
positions, and usually operated and controlled by means of ropes, chains or levers
worked by hand power. In this crane we use a crab or winch which travels from
end to end of the moveable framing upon rails laid upon the top members of the
main girders; upon this crab is fixed an electric motor which drives, by means of
a belt or other suitable contrivance, a shaft upon which are placed two sets of
friction cone reversers for controlling and reversing the hoisting gear, and also
the motion for moving the crab along the rails. This crab is also provided with an
automatic combined ratchet and brake of the usual type, and an arrangement for
shifting the purchase of the lifting gear from single purchase to double purchase,
or entirely throwing out of gear both purchases. The motion for propelling the
crane longitudinally in either direction upon the gantry is given from an electric
motor placed in a convenient position at one end of the crane framing, and com-
municating power to a cross shaft geared up to one travelling wheel in each end
cradle, by means of a set of friction cone reversers placed on a countershaft.
Having now described the main features of an overhead travelling crane iu
which electricity is used as the motive power, we proceed to set forth in detail our
improved method of operating and controlling the various motions of this crane
by electricity.
For the purpose of operating and controlling this crane, as hereinafter described,
we either sling a framing or cage at one end of the girders of the crane for the
accommodation of the attendant and place within this framing or cage a switch-
board with the necessary switches or place or group the switches in any other
convenient position.
Each set of friction cone reversers namely, those for operating the hoisting
gear, cross traversing the crab upon the main girders, and propelling the entire
crane along the longitudinal gantry, is provided with a bell crank having a suitable
fork and cod pieces for sliding the muff of the friction cone reverser along its
shaft, the end of this bell crank being fitted with a polarised armature working
between the poles of an electro-magnet, the polarity of which can be reversed

page_text: by a suitable switch placed in the before mentioned cage or other convenient
position.
"
Upon the first motion shaft of the crab, carrying the spur pinions for actuating
the hoisting gear in either single or double purchase, a double claw clutch slides
upon a feather, engaging at either end of its travel with corresponding claw
clutches cast in one with each of the before mentioned spur pinions, the teeth of
these claw clutches being of such a form as to throw the sliding clutch close into
gear with the clutches cast to the spur pinions whilst driving, and out of gear
when the revolution of the first motion shaft is reversed in lowering the load;
these sliding clutches are so arranged upon their shaft that, whilst in a central
position, they are quite out of gear with the clutches cast in one with the spur
pinions.
For the purpose of sliding the before mentioned claw clutches into gear in either
direction, we employ a forked lever suitably connected to a groove in the claw
clutches, and pivotted at its lower extremity; this forked lever is so constructed as
to constitute a polarised armature working between the poles of an electro-magnet,
the polarity of which is reversed by a suitable switch placed in the before-
mentioned cage or other convenient position.
As a means of automatically locking the sliding claw clutches in either single
purchase, double purchase or out of gear, we provide a spring catch, placed in a
suitable position and having upon its upper surface notches for the reception of a pin
or stud fitted in the forked lever, the action being as follows:-We assure the sliding
claw clutches to be in the central position out of gear, current is passed round the
magnet for the purpose of throwing the clutch into gear, the magnet being excited
at once performs the double function of attracting the polarised armature of the
forked lever to one side or the other as desired, and at the same moment depresses,
by attraction, the before mentioned spring catch allowing the clutch lever to travel
to the full extent; immediately, however, the current is withdrawn the spring
catch resumes its normal position and receives in the appointed notch the stud
upon the forked clutch lever, thus locking it until such time as the rotation of the
clutch shaft is reversed, when the automatic sliding of the clutch claws out of
gear is sufficient to depress the spring catch and throw the clutch lever back to its
central position, where the spring catch again automatically locks it.
For trolling the automatic combined ratchet and brake, instead of using a
ordinary balance wight upon the brake lever which entul the brake stray we
adopt a serial form of weight feither alone or in conjunction with a suitable
spring ring cast upon its upper race projections which eater into
ammer to the
the casting. During the processing the fol the
before stolene weight fall by vity to
tion,
tightening the trap surrounding the brake wheel sufficiently to prevent the
hoisting gear ruming back when the hoisting power is withdrawn but, upon the
electro-ugnet being excited, the weight is lifted by attraction and the brake
thereby released.
For the purposes of operating and controlling the various motions of this crane,
electrical leads of suitable form are fitted on either or both sides of the gantry
upon which the crane travels, and are connected in a suitable manner to the switch-
board placed in the cage slung at one end of the crane or other convenient
position; upon this switch board are provided switches, so connected up to the
main circuit as to shunt a suitable portion of the current flowing in the main
circuit (and to commute it where necessary) for the purpose of passing a current
in either direction-by means of suitable connections-round the coils of the
electro-magnet and armature of the selected motion or motions. We also provide
suitable resistances connected with the beforementioned switches, for the purpose of
gradually applying the energy for actuating the various motions on to avoid
Phock or breakage of the gearing.
The application of our improvements in operating and controlling electrically

page_text: driven or other cranes and hoisting machinery differs in no essential respect from
their application to an overhead travelling crane as herein before described.
Dated this 30th day of April 1895.
JOHN GEORGE FIEGEHEN.
EDWARD GEORGE FIEGEHEN.
Improvements in Operating and Controlling Electrical and other
Cranes and Hoisting Machinery.
We, JOHN GEORGE FIEGEHEN of The Bedford Engineering Co., Bedford, and
EDWARD GEORGE FIEGEHEN of Stafford Lolge Ampthill Road, Belford,
Mechanical 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:-
Our invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described in operating
and controlling electrically driven or other cranes and hoisting machinery, the
parts of which are constructed combined and operate in the manner hereinafter
described. Our improvements are especially applicable to overhead travelling
cranes, but are also applicable to other kinds of cranes, lifts hoists and winding
machinery, whether primarily worked by hand steam electricity or any other
motive power.
For the purpose of describing our invention, we will take as an example an
overhead travelling crane driven by electric motors placed thereon in convenient
positions and usually operated and controlled by means of ropes, chains or levers
worked by hand power.
In this crane we use a crab or winch which travels from
end to end of the moveable framing upon rails laid upon the top members of the
main girders, upon this crab is fixed an electric motor A which drives by means of
a belt A' or other suitable contrivance a shaft upon which are placed two sets of
friction cone reversers for controlling and reversing the hoisting gear and also the
motion for moving the crab along the rails. This crab is also provided with an
automatic combined ratchet and brake of the usual type and an arrangement for
shifting the purchase of the lifting gear from single purchase to double purchase
or entirely throwing out of gear both purchases. The motion for propelling the
crane longitudinally in either direction upon the gantry given from an electric
notor placed in a convenient position at one end of the crane framing, and com-
municating power to a cross shaft geared up to one travelling wheel in each end
cradle, by means of a set of friction cone reversers placed on a countershaft.
Having now described the main features of an overhead travelling crane in which
electricity is used as the motive power, we proceed to set forth in detail our
improved method of operating and controlling the various motions of this crane by
electricity.
For the purpose of operating and controlling this crane as hereinafter described
we either sling a framing or cage at one end of the girders of the crane for the
accommodation of the attendant and place within this framing or cage a switch
board with the necessary switches or place or group the switches in any other
convenient position. Each set of friction cone reversers, those for operating
the hoisting gear, cross traversing the crab upon the main girders, and propelling
the entire crane along the longitudinal gantry, is provided with a bell crank having
a suitable fork and cod pieces for sliding the muff of the triction cone reverser
along its shaft, the end of this bell crank being fitted with a polarised armature
working between the poles of an electro-magnet the polarity of which can be

page_text: reversed by a suitable switch placed in the beforementioned cage or other convenient
position.
Upon the first motion shaft of the crab carrying the spur pinions for actuating
the hoisting gear in either single or double purchase, a double claw clutch slides
upon a feather, engaging at either end of its travel with corresponding claw clutches
cast in one with each of the beforementionel spur pinions, the teeth of these
claw clutches being of such a form as to throw the sliding clutch close into gear
with the clutches cast to the spur pinions whilst driving, and out of gear when
the revolution of the first motion shaft is reversed in lowering the load. These
sliding clutches are so arranged upon their shaft that whilst in a central position,
they are quite out of gear with the clutches cast in one with the hoisting spur
pinions.
For the purpose of sliding the beforementioned claw clutches into gear in
either direction, we employ a forked lever suitably connected to a groove in the
claw clutches and pivotted preferably at its lower extremity; this forked lever is
so constructed as to constitute a polarised armature working between the poles of
an electro magnet, the polarity of which is reversed by a suitable switch placed in
the beforementioned cage or other convenient position.
As a means of automatically locking the sliding claw clutches in either single
purchase, double purchase or out of gear, we provide a spring catch, placed in a
suitable position and having upon its upper surface notches for the reception of a
pin or stud fitted in the forked lever, the action being as follows:-We assume the
sliding claw clutches to be in the central position, out of gear, current is passed
round the magnet for the purpose of throwing the clutch into gear; the magnet,
being excited, at once performs the double function of attracting the polarised
armature of the forked lever to one side or the other as desired, and at the
same moment depresses by attraction the beforementioned spring catch, allowing
the clutch lever to travel to the full extent; immediately, however, the current is
withdrawn the spring catch resumes its normal position, and receives in the
appointed notch the stud upon the forked clutch lever, thus locking it until such
time as the rotation of the clutch shaft is reversed, when the automatic sliding of
the clutch claws out of gear is sufficient to depress the spring catch and throw the
clutch lever back to its central position, where the spring catch again automatically
Incks it.
+
For controlling the automatic combined ratchet and brake, instead of using an
odinary balane weight upon the brake lever which controls the brake strap, we
adopt a special form of weight (either alone or in conjunction with a suitable spring
or springs) having ent pon its upper surface projections which enter into
corresponding recesses in the pole pieces of an electro magnet seemed in
manner to the brake bracket casting. During the process of lifting the bol the
Beforementioned balance weight by pity inter
tightening the strap surrounding the brake wheel sufficiently to prevent the
Titing running back when the hosting power is within it, upon the
electromagnet being excited, the weight is lifted by attraction and the brake
thereby released,
For the purpose of operating and controlling the various motions of this crane,
electrical leads of suitable form are fitted on either or both sides of the gantry
upon which the crane travels, and are connected in a suitable manner to the switch-
board placed in the cage slung at one end of the crane or other convenient
position; upon this switch board are provided switches, so connected up to the
main circuit as to shunt a suitable portion of the current flowing in the main circuit
(and to commute it where necessary) for the purpose of passing a current in either
direction by means of suitable connections-round the coils of the electro
magnet and armature of the selected motion or motions. We also provide suitable
rometed with the beforementioned switches, for the purpose ot
plying the enemIAN
: !

page_text: The appication OL OUT
ovements in operating and contro
electrically
driven or other cranes and hoisting machinery differs in no essential respect from
their application to an overhead travelling crane as herein before described.
We will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings
our improvements as applied to an overhead travelling crane electrically driven.
Figs. 1 and 2 represent a plan and end elevation of the said crane.
Figs. 3 and 4 shew the girders and end cradles of the said crane in elevation and
plan.
Figs. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 and 10 represent parts of Figs. 1, 2 & 4 detached, drawn to a
larger scale as hereinafter particularly described.
Fig. 11 an automatic switch for use in connection with the polarised armatures
of the electro magnets.
Fig. 12 switch board with diagram of wiring.
Figs. 13 and 14 front and side elevation of a commuting switch.
The same letters and numerals indicate the same parts in the several figures of the
drawings.
We will now describe the application of our improvements:-
Figs. 1 and 2 3 and 4 shew a form of overhead travelling crane in which the
motions for lifting, cross traversing and travelling longitudinally are obtained by
the use of electric motors placed in convenient positions. These motors receive
the current by means of leads a and b running parallel with the longitudinal rails
as shewn Figs. 3 and 4, and the various motions are generally operated and con-
trolled by means of levers, ropes, chains, or belts. Our improvements consist in
utilizing the electric current by the use of electro magnets in place of the said
levers, ropes, chains or belts, for manipulating or throwing in or out the various
motions of the crane from one or more switch boards placed in convenient positions
either upon the crane as shewn c in Figs. 3 and 4 or otherwise.
d is the main shaft of the crab from which power is taken by means of friction
cone reversers e and f for lifting the load and also for moving the crab along
the girders; the motion for moving the crane along the gantry rails is also
given by a set of friction cone reversers g Fig. 4.
Each set of friction cone reversers is provided with a bell crank or lever h having
a suitable fork and cod pieces for sliding the muff i along its shaft, the end of this
bell crank or lever is fitted with a polarised armature working between the poles
of an electro magnet the polarity of which can be reversed by a suitable
switch Figs 13 and 14 placed upon the traveller as shewn or in other convenient
position.
m is the brake upon the second motion shaft of the lifting gear fitted with an
ordinary strap with lever and weight thereon for sustaining the load in any desired
position. This brake is usually released by means of chains, ropes or levers, but in
our improved method we use a special form of weight either alone or in con-
junction with a spring or springs having preferably upon its upper surface
projections o which enter into corresponding pole pieces of an electro magnet
secured to the brake bracket casting or other suitable position. During the lifting
of the load the balance weight falls preferably by gravity to its lower position
tightening the strap surrounding the brake wheel sufficiently to prevent the hoisting
gear running back when the motive power is withdrawn, but directly the electro
magnet y is excited the balance weight and lever is lifted by attraction and the
brake is released.
For altering or changing the purchase of the lifting gear either from single to
double purchase or che cercú or for throwing both purchases entirely out of gear
we employ an improved arrangement of claw clutches as shewn in the enlarged
views Figs. 5 and 6. Upon the first motion shafts of the crab carrying the spur
pinions t for actuating the hoisting gear we provide a double claw clutch sliding
upon a feather and engaging at either end of its travel with a corresponding claw
clutch a cast in one with the spur pinions t, the teeth of these claw clutches being
so inclined as to throw the sliding clutch close into gear with the claws cast to

page_text: the required pinion whilst driving and out of gear when the revolution of its shaft
is reversed. We also arrange the sliding clutch r in such a manner that when it is
at the centre of its travel upon the shaft it is entirely out of gear as shewn in
Fig. 5.
For operating and sliding the double claw clutch along its shaft we use a forked
lever suitably fitting by means of cod pieces a groove w turned in the centre of
the clutch and pivotted preferably at its lower extremity a.
This forked lever is constructed to constitute a polarised armature working
between the poles of an electro magnet y the polarity of which can be reversed by
means of a suitable switch or switches placed upon the crane or other suitable
position.
For locking the sliding claw clutch in either of its required positions we provide
an automatic arrangement particularly shewn in Fig. 7 consisting of a spring
catch having notches in its upper surface for the reception of a pin or stud z in the
forked lever v and springs a¹ to support it in its normal position.
The operation of the change purchase gear is as follows:-We assume the
sliding clutch to be in the central position, as shewn Fig. 5, out of gear-we pass
an electric current round the magnet y for the purpose of throwing the clutch into
gear with either of the corresponding clutches u, the magnet y being excited
attracts the polarised armature and at the same instant depresses by attraction
the spring catch c¹ thereby allowing the clutch lever v to travel to its limit in the
desired direction, immediately however the current is withdrawn from the magnet
the spring catch resumes its normal position and receives in the appointed notch
the stud upon the forked lever and locks it.
In order to throw the polarised armatures out of circuit when not required and
to economise the use of current we fit the electro magnets with a special arrange-
ment of automatic switch d¹ Fig. 11 having an iron piston f1 enclosed in a wooden
or other suitable non-conducting case e¹ and held in position by a spring as shewn.
The piston which is connected to one branch of the armature circuit by means
of a screw clamp ' has upon its lower face a contact piece directly below which a
similar contact piece is provided connected by means of a brass strip and screw
terminal to the other branch of the armature circuit. Whilst the piston f' remains
in the position indicated in Fig. 11 current is not flowing through the armature
circuit, but immediately the electro magnet is excited the piston is drawn down
by attraction and completes the circuit around the armature--directly, however,
the magnet ceases to be excited the urine of scorts it the piston returns
to its nord position.
Fig. 1 show the it
the neury rates eti
ent of wing we prefer onlinelles
fee my ying current to the meters for driving the
conting the various motinas
as well as those for operating
Having now particularly
tion and in what
i
o driven
se them.
tu be pertoned we declare that we
claim as our invention of "Improvements in operating and contrallu 7
and other cranes and hoisting inchinery
de trical
First. In operating and controlling electrically driven or other cranes, the
means of manipulating the various motions by electricity as herein before described
and illustrated in the several figures of the accom; anying drawings.
Secondly. The arrangement and combination of an electro-magnet and polarised
armature for the purpose or purposes set forth.
Thirdly. The application of an automatic switch or switches in combination with
an electio magnet or magnets and polerised armcture or eatur for the purpose
of electric current
of preventing the waste
1. describe zul
ascertaine 1.
-tantially
Fourthly. The arrangement and combination of prate constituting
magnetic Datore despr
cecomumnying drawings.
יז
an detro
h of the

page_text: Fifthly. The arrangement for imparting reciprocating motion to a combined
lever and polarised armature by means of an electro magnet or magnets for the
purpose of sliding clutches as set forth and illustrated in Figs. 5. 6 and 7 of the
accompanying drawings or other purpose.
Sixthly. The arrangement of a spring catch as shewn operated by means of an
electro magnet or magnets for releasing or locking a clutch or other lever
substantially as set forth.
Seventhly. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting an electro-
magnetic change purchase gear as describe: and set forth in Figs. 5. 6 and 7 of the
accompanying drawings.
Eighthly. The arrangement of a suitable switch board or boards and switches
either upon the crane or in other convenient position for the purposes set forth.
Lastly. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting an electrically
coutrolled crane substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this 30th day of January 1896.
JOHN GEORGE FIEGEHEN.
EDWARD GEORGE FIEGEHEN.