IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC LIFTS. PRESSES AND ACCIIMILLATORS "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Sanders Stevens of Janus Works, Queens Road,
Battersea, in the County of Surrey and Charles George Major of Freke Road
Battersea in the County of Surrey for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
HYDRAULIC LIFTS. PRESSES AND ACCIIMILLATORS "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Sanders Stevens and
Charles George Major, at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
20th October 1883.
JOHN SANDERS STEVENS of Janus Works Queens Road Battersea in the County
of Surrey and CHARLES GEORGE MAJOR of Freke Road Battersea in the County of
Surrey "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC LIFTS, PRESSES AND ACCUMULATORS
"
The objects of our invention are, first, to construct direct acting ram hydraulio
lifts in which the weight of ram and cage shall be balanced by water pressure.
beneath the ram instead of by overhead weights and chains--and, second, to com-
pensate for the variation of head of water above and below hydraulic rams of all
kinds due to their vertical movement and also to compensate for the variation of
the load to be lifted as for instance in the case of a crane chain being gradually paid
over from the ascending to the descending side of the wheel.
Our invention as it relates to compensation is applicable to hydraulic rams and
presses under many different conditions and constructed in diverse forms. The
following are representative cases:―
(1). In that class of hydraulic ram lift in which the weight of ram and cage is
balanced by water pressure beneath the lifting ram to the exclusion of weights and
chains overhead, and in which the. driving pressure of water is lower than the
pressure within the lifting cylinder, the increase of pressure, being obtained by
means of differential driving rams and cylinders working vertically. We are by
our invention herein after described enabled to obtain compensation for the varying
immersion of all the rams without being tied to any particular proportions of the
strokes and diameters of the rams among themselves and quite independently of the
Price 1071

page_text: difference of pressure between the opposite ends of the differential cylinders which
may be any convenient quantity.
(2) In the same type of lift, where the pressure of the driving water is greater
than that within the lifting cylinder, the pressure being reduced by means of
differential driving cylinders, we are enabled to obtain compensation for varying
immersion of all the rams without the introduction of an extra cylinder and ram,
or piston, working under a lower driving pressure for the purposes of compensation
and without being tied to any particular proportions.
(3). In the preceding cases it is assumed that the weight of ram and cage is
balanced by weights attached to the differential driving ram. But in either arrange-
ment a subsidiary ram attached to the driving ram and subjected to any pressure
of water, may be used for the purposes of balancing, instead of the weights. Here
also we obtain compensation for varying immersion independently of the proportions
of any of the parts. A group of any number of driving, or driven, rams would be
compensated according to our invention.
The arrangement of compensating apparatus is applicable whether the driving
pressure is exerted in an upward or downward direction.
(4). The differential driving cylinders' and 'rams of the preceding cases may be
worked horizontally instead of vertically and the driven ram or rams only are
then subjected to varying immersion. This is compensated for equally by our
invention.
4
(5). In that type of hydraulic lift actuated by a hydraulic press of the
multiplying class, giving motion to a suspended cage, we apply our invention to
compensate for the varying immersion of the press ram if placed vertically, and also
for the added or subtracted effect of the varying length of 'chain between the cage
and the overhead wheel.
J
دعا
4.
(6). In case 5 the press ram and cylinder may be placed horizontally, we then by
our invention are enabled to compensate for the varying length of chain alone.
(7) In pairs of simple hydraulic ram lifts coupled together so that the descending
weight of ram and platform or cage of one balances the ascending weight of the
other. we apply our invention to compensate for the varying immersion of both
rams.
(8). In hydraulic accumulators either simple, grouped, or differential, we apply
our invention to compensate for the varying immersion of all the rams.
We effect the compensation in each case either approximately or accurately by
means of an auxiliary counterpoise weight which we connect with the balancing
ram either directly or indirectly and in such manner that the uniform movement of
the ram imparts a varying vertical movement to the auxiliary weight such that
the desired compensation is obtained, that is to say, the force which has to be
applied to move the cage will be approximately the same in all parts of its travel.
We put our invention into practice in the follow manner:-
(1) (a). In case 1 to the moving ram of the vertical driving cylinder, two pins
are attached in any convenient position upon which swing freely two levers each
with two arms making a suitable angle with each other. One end of each lever is
secured against vertical movement and to the other end is suspended a weight,
When the ram makes a stroke the levers swing upon the fixed end and the weights
are carried up and down through a greater distance than the stroke of the ram in
proportion to the arms of the levers.
The levers are so formed that when the rams are at the topmost position the
weight is sustained almost entirely by the pins in the ram and the reaction on the
tied end of the lever is very small; but as the ram descends the weight is thrown
outwards, the reaction on the tied end of the lever increases and the effective
pressure on the ram is altered to suit the requirements of compensation for all
positions.
Compensation for cases (2) and (7) is effected in same manner. Under some
circumstances cases (3) and (5) would be compensated in this way.

page_text: In case (8) accumulators would be compensated by the same apparatus attached
to the head of loaded ram.
(1) (6). It may be that in case (1) the driving pressure may be of such an amount,
or the stroke of driving rams of such a length that the combined varying immersion
of the latter will more than counterbalance the varying immersion of the lifting
ram. We then by swinging levers so suspend the weights that, they give a
decreasing effect as the driving ram descends.
In case (6) compensation can be applied in this way and so in some
circumstances cases (3) and (5).
(1) (c). The preceding lever arrangements are not perfectly accurate though
sufficiently so for many cases. The compensation is correct for the two extreme
and the main positions, but in the other intermediate positions it is disturbed by
the curved path described by the weighted end of lever.
When perfect accuracy of compensation for all positions is requisite we obtain it
as follows:-The arm of the lever which as previously described was tied so as to
prevent vertical movement is now cut shorter, say to half its length or to a point
which would have a vertical movement equal to half the stroke of the ram.
From the shortened end is carried upwards a curving suspension rod, the upper
end of which is jointed to one limb of a bell crank, fulcrumed at some point above
the cylinder. This bell crank has another arm depending at an angle with the
vertical and slotted for a pin attached to the vertical ram to travel in it.
When the ram moves it gives an oscillatory movement to the bell crank by
means of its pin and the inclined slot in the latter. The other arm of the bell
crank is then caused to lower the tied end of the weighted lever.
Now it is obvious that by accelerating or retarding the motion of the curbed
end of the weighted lever at various points any compensating effects may be
obtained. Thus if the curbed end is allowed to travel as fast as the ram the
weight has always the same effect on the ram. If it is checked the weight is
thrown outwards and becomes more effective in approximate proportion to the
retardation. Any effect of acceleration or retardation may be obtained by suitably
curving the slot in the inclined arm of the bell crank; and in this way we obtain
a means of correcting the disturbance of compensation in the intermediate
positions.
The bell crank may be placed beneath or in any convenient position.
(1) (d) In some cases we dispense with the bell crank and use in its place a
differential drum. Round the larger diameter is wound a chain or rope attached
to the ram and round the smaller diameter a similar chain or rope attached to the
curbed end of weighted lever.
By varying the diameter any proportion of travel may be given to the curb of
lever. By making the periphery of either drum of irregular form any correction
or alteration of compensating effect is obtained.
(4) (a) If the driving cylinder in case (4) is arranged in simple form to provide
power to lift the load and overcome friction only, without balancing the weight of
ram and cage, this latter duty is performed by a heavy weight attached to the
horizontal arm of a bell crank, the vertical arm of which is actuated by the moving
ram and a vertical movement is thus given to the weight. The same effect is
gained by attaching a chain to the horizontal rams, carrying it over two guide
pulleys, and suspending a weight at the other end.
In either case compensating apparatus as in (1) (a), or (1) (c), or (1) (d) may
be applied to the moving weight, as. previously described for the vertically moving
rams.
(4) (b) In case (4) the driving ram may have secondary rams grouped with it,
for the purpose of balancing the dead weight of lift ram and cage. No balance
weights are then required and the bell crank or the chain and pulleys. are also
dispensed with.
We then apply to the moving rams a similar apparatus to that described for
1573

page_text: weighted lever is bent at right angles, so that its normal or mean position is
vertical instead of horizontal. All the other parts retain their positions.
(6) (a). Case (6) can be compensated by apparatus as described in paragraph
(1) (b) with the weighted lever modified to suit the horizontal position.
The arrangement (4) (b) is equally applicable to case (4) (a).*
Another way of carrying out our invention is as follows:-
In case (1) we hinge to the vertically moving rams two pendulums with heavy
weights. When the rams are at the highest position, two fixed pins in the frame
support the pendulums in a horizontal position. The outlying weights then acting
on the pins as fulcra, exert an upward pressure on the rams. When the latter
descend they draw the arms of the pendulums along the guiding pins giving them
a constantly increasing inclination, thereby constantly reducing the effective
leverage of the weights. Finally the pendulums assume an inverted vertical
position and all their weight presses the rams downwards, instead of resisting their
descent as at the first. The arms of the pendulums may be made of any shape so
that as they slide along the pins the varying effect on the rams may be graduated
as desired.
Or to suit case (1) (b) the pendulums may start from a vertical position
(pendant) and be gradually thrust into a horizontal position by fixed guiding pins.
The effect would then be continually increasing resistance to the descent of the
driving rams.
This compensation may be applied to horizontal rams by means of bell cranks
or chains and pulleys.
An obvious modification of the first method is to fulcrumn the weighted lever to
a fixed point instead of on the ram and to attach to the ram that end of the lever
which is not loaded.
In some types of hydraulic balance lifts, in some telescopic lifts, and. in most
accumulators there is no positive stop to limit the travel of the ram. The stoppage
is effected by an automatic valve arrangement worked by tappets-chains or levers.
Should the valve gearing fail in any part the ram must continue to travel till
thrust completely out of its cylinder.
We provide against this danger by cutting large vertical grooves, several inches
down the side of the gland, and similar grooves at the point of the ram. When
the tops of the grooves in ram arrive at the foot of grooves in the gland a free
escape of water occurs and prevents farther movement,
The grooves may be omitted from either ram or gland being cut in one piece
only.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Sanders Stevens and Charles George Major in the Patent
Office on the 19th April 1884.
JOHN SANDERS STEVENS of Janus Works Queens Road Battersea in the County.
of Surrey and CHARLES GEORGE MAJOR of Freke Road Battersea in the County of
Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC LIFTS, PRESSES AND ACCUMULATORS
The objects of our invention are first to construct direct acting ram hydraulic
lifts in which the weight of ram and cage shall be balanced by water pressure
beneath the ram instead of by overhead weights and chains and second to
compensate for the variation of head of. water above and below hydraulic rams of
all kinds due to their vertical movement and also to compensate for the variation
of the load to be lifted as for instance in the case of a crane chain being gradually
paid over from the ascending to the descending side of the wheel.
Our invention as it relates to compensation is applicable to hydraulic rams and
presses under many different conditions and constructed in diverse forms.
We effect the compensation in each case (either approximately or accurately) by
means of an auxiliary counterpoise weight which we connect with the ram either
directly or indirectly and in such manner that the uniform movement of the ram
imparts a varying vertical movement to the auxiliary weight such that the desired
compensation is obtained. The following are representative cases.
cage
Case 1. In that class of hydraulic ram-lift in which the weight of ram and
is balanced by water pressure beneath the lifting ram to the exclusion of weights
and chains overhead and in which the driving pressure of water is lower than the
pressure within the lifting cylinder, the increase of pressure being obtained by
means of differential driving rams and cylinders working vertically, we are by our
invention, enabled to obtain compensation for the varying immersion of all the
rams, without being tied to any particular proportions of the strokes and diameters
of the rams among themselves and quite independently of the difference of pressure
between the opposite ends of the differential cylinders which may be any
convenient quantity.
In this case we put our invention into practice in the following manner.
To the moving ram of the vertical driving cylinder, two pins are attached in any
convenient position upon which swing freely two levers each with two arms
making a suitable angle with each other. One end of each lever is secured against
vertical movement and to the other end is suspended a weight. When the ram
makes a stroke the levers swing upon the fixed end and the weights are carried' up
and down through a greater distance than the stroke of the ram, in proportion to
the arms of the levers.
The levers are so formed that when the rams are at the topmost position the
weight is sustained almost entirely by the pins in the ram and the reaction on the
tied end of the lever is very small, but as the ram descends the weight is thrown
outwards, the reaction on the tied end of the lever increases, and the effective
pressure on the ram is altered to suit the requirements of compensation for all
positions.
Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a hydraulic lift of this class,
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
a is the cage which is moved vertically within the chamber 6 by means of
the lifting ram c. d. is the lifting cylinder; it is connected by means of a pipe é

page_text: with the balancing cylinder f which receives the balancing ram g. In this case the
cross-head of the ram g is loaded with counterpoise weights h. This load is so
proportioned as to allow the cage to descend and lifting the counterpoise except
when a downward pressure is applied by means of the driving ram- is this ram;
it is rigidly connected to or is in a piece with the ram g. k is the driving cylinder
which receives the ram i. is a pipe by which water under pressure is admitted
to the cylinder k, when it is desired to raise the cage and the water is allowed to
escape from this cylinder by a pipe m when it is desired that the cage should
descend. n is a wheel operating a valve by which the flow of water into and from
the cylinder k is controlled.
In the arrangement here shown the ram i is of larger area than the ram g, and
the pressure needed within the driving cylinder is comparatively low.
· This being the arrangement, it will be seen that as the cage a. rises the lifting
ram c. in consequence of its emergence practically increases the load on the cage
side. At the same time. the balancing ram entering its cylinder ƒ becomes
progressively less efficient to counterpoise the increasing load. The lifting ram i.
descending out of its cylinder k at the same time becomes progressively more
efficient but not as it is assumed to the extent necessary to neutralize the increase
in the load on the one side and the decreased efficiency of the counterpoise on the
other side.
The compensation is effected, by means of levers o. o. which have their fulcra o¹ o¹
on the sides of the ram i. These levers are connected at one end by links p. p.
with a stationary beam or girder q and from the other ends of the levers the
auxiliary weights 8. 8. are hung.
When the cage is raised and the counterpoise ram g is down near its lowest
position (as represented by the full lines in the Drawing) the weights s exert a
tensile strain upon the links p which is equivalent to other weights applied to the
ends of the levers to which the links are attached and this forms a portion of the
load sustained by the ram g in its lower or least efficient position.
The dotted lines in Figure 1 represent the position of the parts when the
balancing ram g is in its highest and most efficient position, there it will be seen
that the weights &. are directly over the fulcrum o¹ and little or no strain falls upon
the links p. p. Hence the effective load on the ram is less than it was in the former
position. By applying a suitable weight at 8. 8. things may be so arranged that the
preponderance of the cage may be the same in the upper as in the lower position.
It may be that in case (1) the driving pressure may be of such an amount, or
the stroke of driving rams of such a length, that the combined varying immersion
of the latter will more than counterbalance the varying immersion of the lifting
ram. We then by swinging levers so suspend the weights that they give a
decreasing effect as the driving ram descends.
Figure 3 shows the arrangement for compensation which we adopt when the
increase in efficiency of the driving ram is more than equivalent to the simultaneous
increase in the load and decrease in efficiency of the balancing ram and cylinder.
In this Figure f is the balancing cylinder, g the balancing ram, h the counterpoise,
and k the driving cylinder as before.
The auxiliary counterpoises 8. 8. are now suspended from compensating levers o.
differing in form from the levers o represented in Figure 1. The fulcra of the
levers is are [sic] at o' upon the balancing ram and links p connect the arms of the
levers o with the fixed beam or support q. In this case the weight 8. applies a
tensile strain to the links p when the driving ram is in the higher position
indicated by full lines but no such strain when it is in the lower position indicated
by the dotted lines that is to say the auxiliary counterpoise 8, now operates in the
reverse way to that in which it operates in Figure 1.
•
Case 2. In the same type of lift where the pressure of the driving water is
greater than that within the lifting cylinder the pressure being reduced by meaus
of differential driving cylinders we are enabled to obtain compensation for varying
i

page_text: immersion of all the rams without the introduction of an extra cylinder and ram
or piston working under a lower driving pressure for the purposes of compensation,
and without being tied to any particular proportions.
Figure 4 is a side elevation and Figure 5 is a plan shewing an arrangement
which is suitable when a high pressure is available for use in the driving cylinder;
As in Figure 1e is a pipe connecting the balancing cylinder f with the lifting
cylinder the ram of which carries the cage-g is the balancing ram and h the
counterpoise.
As here shown the balancing ram is hollow and itself constitutes the driving.
cylinder and it receives within it the driving ram i which is rigidly fixed overhead
and serves also as a pipe to lead water under pressure into the driving cylinder
when the cage is required to be raised, o is the compensating lever, o' its fulcrum
on the balancing ram, p a. link connecting the lever o to a fixed point q and & the
auxiliary counterpoise. More compensation will in this case be required than in
Figure 1 where the compensation is assisted to some extent by the driving ram.
The counterpoise in this arrangement it will be observed is partially supported by
the link p when the ram g is in its highest position.
Case 3. In the preceding cases it is assumed that the weight of ram and cage is
balanced by weights attached to the differential driving ram. But in either
arrangement a subsidiary ram attached to the driving ram and subjected to any
pressure of water, may be used for the purposes of balancing, instead of the weights.
Here also we obtain compensation for varying immersion independently of the
proportions of any of the parts. A group of any number of driving, or driven
rams would be compensated according to our Invention.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of an arrangement similar to that shown by.
Figures 1 and 2 but without the counterpoise h and in place thereof two hydraulic
rams tt are applied. The cylinders in which these rams work are constantly open
to the accumulator or elevated cistern from which water under pressure is drawn
to work the apparatus the rams t consequently exert a continuous downward
pressure upon the ram g.
In the arrangement here shown the ram of the driving cylinder h is less than
that of the balancing cylinder f, the pressure at which the water is admitted to the
driving cylinder being supposed to be higher than in the case indicated by
Figure 1. The compensating arrangement is the same as in the arrangement
already described but the weights & will require to be increased because the partial
compensation effected by the driving ram i is less than it is in the arrangement
represented in Figure 1.
Figure 7 shows an arrangement similar to Figure 4 but the balancing pressure in
place of being applied by rams t as in Figure 3 is obtained by a constant water
pressure applied to the upper side of a piston working in the balancing cylinder f..
The arrangement of compensating apparatus is applicable whether the driving
pressure is exerted in an upward or downward direction. When the driving
pressure is exerted upwards the counterpoise whether dead weight or hydraulic.
raises the cage and the cage is lowered by the action of the driving ram against
the counterpoise.
Case 4. The differential driving cylinders and rams of the preceding cases may
be worked horizontally instead of vertically and the driven ram or rams only are
then subjected to varying immersion. This is compensated for equally by our
Invention.
If the driving cylinder is arranged in simple form to provide power to lift the
load and overcome friction only, without balancing the weight of ram and cage,
this latter duty is performed by a heavy weight attached to the horizontal arm of
a bell crank, the vertical arm of which is actuated by the moving ram and a.
vertical movement is thus given to the weight.
"
Figure 8 shows an arrangement in which the hydraulic cylinders, with the
exception of the lifting cylinder, are placed horizontally. The lifting cylinder is ina

page_text: free communication by a pipe A with the cylinder B in which works the balancing
ram C.
D is the driving cylinder and E the driving ram.
When water under pressure is admitted to the cylinder D, the ram C is forced
in and the cage is raised. On the contrary when water is allowed to escape from
the cylinder Ď the cage descends by gravity.
F is a heavy counterpoise which partly balances the weight of the cage; it is
suspended from one arm of the lever G which has its fulcrum at G' and the lower
arm of this lever is linked to the ram C.
In this arrangement it will be seen, that as in Figure 1 the load to be sustained
is greater when the cage is up than when it is near the lower part of its course.
To compensate for this difference, means are used similar to those already described.
A lever o having its fulcrum upon the weight F and carrying on one of its arms an
auxiliary counterpoise a is connected by its other arm to a link p attached at a
fixed point q. Then when the cage is down and the ram C is out (which is the
position represented by the drawing) the auxiliary counterpoise s is exerting little
or no strain upon the link p but as the ram C enters the cylinder B the link p is
subjected to a tensile strain which is equivalent to an additional weight attached
to the lever o and supported by the main counterpoise F.
The same effect is gained by attaching a chain to the horizontal rams carrying
it over two guide pulleys and suspending a weight at the other end. This arrange-
ment is represented by Figure 9.
The driving rain may have secondary rams grouped with it for the purpose of
balancing the dead weight of lift ram and cage. No balance weights are then
required and the bell crank or the chain and pulleys are also dispensed with.
We then apply to the moving rams a similar apparatus but with this difference :-
the curbed or tied end of the weighted lever is bent at right angles so that its
normal or mean position is vertical instead of horizontal.
Figure 10 shows such an arrangement.
The vertical lifting cylinder is connected by the pipe A with the balancing
cylinder in which is a piston exposed to a constant water pressure sufficient to
nearly balance the empty cage.
D is the driving cylinder the ram of which applies additional pressure when it
is required to raise the cage. o is the compensating lever, it has its fulcrum at o¹
on a fixed standard. One arm of the compensating lever carries the auxiliary
counterpoise s and the other is connected with the driving ram and as will be seen
the compensating apparatus assists the driving ram as the load against it increases
in consequence of the rise of the cage.
Case 5. In that type of hydraulic lift actuated by a hydraulic press of the
multiplying class giving motion to a suspended cage we apply our Invention to 4
compensate for the varying immersion of the press ram if placed vertically and also
for the added or subtracted effect of the varying length of chain between the cage
and the overhead wheel.
Figure 11 represents such an arrangement.
The cage H is suspended by a chain I which is in a well known way led several 4
times around the driving cylinder and ram K over pulleys at their ends. The ram
descends and becomes more efficient as the cage rises and by the paying over of
chain lightens the load.
Compensation is effected by the lever o link p and auxiliary counterpoise &
When the driving ram is up a tensile strain is exerted on the link p in aid of the 5
descent of the ram but when the ram is down in the position indicated by the
dotted lines the link p relieves the ram from a portion of the weight of the auxiliary
counterpoise.
F
Case 6.-In Case 5 the press ram and cylinder may be placed horizontally, we
then by our invention are enabled to compensate for the varying length of chain 5

page_text: Figure 12 shows this arrangement; the driving cylinder and ram are as before
marked K, the compensating lever o has its fulcrum on a fixed standard and one of
its arms is so connected as shown with the ram that as the ram issues from its
cylinder and consequently chain is payed over the auxiliary counterpoise & operates
against the ram.
Case 7.-In pairs of simple hydraulic ram lifts coupled together, so that the
descending weight of ram and platform or cage of one, balances the ascending
weight of the other we apply our invention to compensate for the varying
immersion of both rams. This we do in the manner already described in respect to
Figure 1.
Case 8. In hydraulic accumulators either simple, grouped or differential, we
apply our invention to compensate for the varying immersion of all the rains. Thus
by the application of a compensating lever and auxiliary weight as in Figure 1 to
the ram of an accumulator the pressure may be uniformly maintained whatever be
the position of the ram.
The preceding lever arrangements are not perfectly accurate though sufficiently
BO for many cases and some of them for example the arrangement shown by
Figures 4 and 5 admit of a close approximation. The compensation may be made
correct for the two extreme and the mean positions, but in the other intermediate
positions it is disturbed by the curved path described by the weighted end of
lever.
When perfect accuracy of compensation for all positions is requisite we obtain it
as follows. The arm of the lever which as previously described was tied so as to
prevent vertical movement is now cut shorter say to half its length or to a point
which would have a vertical movement equal to half the stroke of the ram. From
the shortened end is carried upwards a curbing suspension rod, the upper end
of which is jointed to one limb of a bell crank, fulcrummed at some suitable point.
This bell crank has another arm depanding at an angle with the vertical and
slotted for a pin attached to the vertical ram to travel in it.
When the ram moves it gives an oscillatory movement to the bell crank by
means of its pin and the inclined slot in the latter. The other arm of the bell
crank is then caused to lower the tied end of the weighted lever.
Now it is obvious that by accelerating or retarding the motion of the curbed
end of the weighted lever at various points, any compensating effects may be
obtained. Thus, if the curbed end is allowed to travel as fast as the ram the
weight has always the same effect on the ram. If it is checked the weight is
thrown outwards and becomes more effective in approximate proportion to the
retardation. Any effect of acceleration or retardation may be obtained by
suitably curving the slot in the inclined arm of the bell crank, and in this way
we obtain a means of correcting the disturbance of compensation in the intermediate
positions.
Figure 18 is a side elevation and Figure 14 is a plan of an arrangement in which
exact compensation is obtained in the manner described.
The parts are lettered to correspond with the description given in respect to
Figure 1. The link p in place of being connected with a fixed point q is attached
to a second lever u supported at ul by a stationary bearing. The other arm u³
of this lever is slotted and receives at u³ a pin upon the ram g. The pin as the
ram rises passes along the slot in the lever and imparts to it any movement desired
according to the form given to the slot.
The bell crank may be placed beneath or in any convenient position.
In some cases we dispense with the bell crank and use in its place a differential
drum. Round the larger diameter is wound a chain or rope attached to the ram
and round the smaller diameter a similar chain or rope attached to the curbed end.
of weighted lever.
By varying the diameter any proportion of travel may be given to the curb of

page_text: lever. By making the periphery of either drum of irregular form any correction
or alteration of compensating effect is obtained.
This arrangement is illustrated by Figure 15, here w and w¹ are the two drums
and is the chain which being wound and unwound from the drums controls the
lever o and auxiliary counterpoise 8.
Another way of carrying out our Invention is as follows:-
In an arrangement such as is represented by Figure 1 we hinge to the vertically
moving rams two pendulums with heavy weights. When the rams are at the
highest position, two fixed pins in the frame support the pendulums in a horizontal
position. The outlying weights then acting on the pins as fulcra, exert an upward
pressure on the rams. When the latter descend they draw the arms of the
pendulums along the guiding pins giving them a constantly increasing inclination,
thereby constantly reducing the effective leverage of the weights. Finally the
pendulums assume an inverted vertical position and all their weight presses the
rams downwards, instead of resisting their descent as at the first. The arms of
the pendulums may be made of any shape, so that as they slide along the pins
the varying effect on the rams may be graduated as desired."
This arrangement is illustrated by Figure 16. Such parts as are common to
both figures are lettered as in Figure 1.
yy are the weighted inverted pendulum levers jointed to the balancing ram
and are pins which passing through slots in them support them in a nearly
upright position when the ram g is down but allow the levers to fall to a horizontal
position when the ram is up to suit cases in which compensation in a reverse sense
is required as in Figure 3.
The pendulums may start from a vertical position (pendent) and be gradually
thrust into a horizontal position by fixed guiding pins. The effect would then be
continually increasing resistance to the descent of the driving rams.
The arrangement is illustrated by Figure 17. The weighted pendulum levers
y, y, are here suspended from the driving ram and descend with it. The pins 2, %,
cause them to assume a horizontal position when down.
This compensation may be applied to horizontal rams by means of bell cranks
or chains and pulleys.
An obvious modification of the first method is to fulcrum the weighted lever to
a fixed point instead of on the ram and to attach to the ram that end of the lever
which is not loaded.
In some types of hydraulic balance lifts, in some telescopic lifts, and in most
accumulators there is no positive stop to limit the travel of the ram. The stoppage
is effected by an automatic valve arrangement worked by tappets, chains or levers.
Should the valve gearing fail in any part the ram must continue to travel till
thrust completely.out of its cylinder.
We provide against this danger by cutting large vertical grooves several inches*
down the side of the gland and similar grooves at the point of the ram. When the
tops of the grooves in ram arrive at the foot of grooves in the gland a free escape
of water occurs and prevents further movement.
The grooves may be omitted from either ram or gland being cut in one piece 1
only.
The arrangement is illustrated by the Figures 18 and 19.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention and the manner of
performing the same we would have it understood that we claim
.
First Connecting by a lever or levers with an hydraulic ram (or system of 5
rams) a counterpoise so that the counterpoise moves with the ram but at a rate
in relation to the movement of the ram which changes with the position of the
ram and in such manner as to compensate or partially to compensate variations in
the efficiency of the ram or in the load, dependent on the position of the ram in its
stroke substantially as described:
3

page_text: Second. Compensating the varying efficiency of the rams and the varying loads
in bydraulic lifts dependent on the changes of position of the ram or rams and the
cage by the several arrangements of mechanism herein described and substantially
as illustrated by the annexed drawings.
In witness whereof I, the said Charles George Major have hereunto set my hand
and seal this seventh day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.
CHARLES GEORGE MAJUK, (L8)