An Improved Combined Hoisting Engine and Friction-clutch.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1891-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Combined Hoisting Engine and Friction-clutch.
I, OTTO FLOHR, of 557 Masten Street, Buffalo, in the County of Erie and
State of New York, United States of America, 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:-
My invention comprises a combined hoisting engine and friction-clutch and has
for its object, first-to provide an improved hoisting engine in which the parts are
simplified and in which the handling of steam, both live and exhaust is controlled
by one valve, enabling the engine to be run both ways without the employment of
double eccentrics and other mechanism commonly used to operate the same;
second-to provide a friction-clutch which, by means of improved gearing, may be
used either as a friction-clutch, or positive geared hoisting machine; or, by the use
of two winding drums, it can be used as both friction-clutch and gear hoisting
machine at the same time.
With these and other objects in view I will proceed to describe my invention,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which similar letters of
reference indicate like parts in all the figures:
Figure 1 is a front elevation partly in section of my improved hoisting engine.
Fig. 2, is a side elevation partiy in section, of the same.
Fig. 3, is a plan view of the cylinders, also valve chests, the piping being cut at
line 1-1 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4, is a side elevation partly in section of one of my improved eccentrics.
Fig. 5, is a detail view of the rocker valve removed.
Fig. 6, is a cross sectional view of the engine frame, taken on line 2 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 7, is a central vertical sectional view of my improved double-drum friction-
clutch and multiple gearing therefor, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 8.
Fig. 8, is a plan view showing one of the winding drums and friction-clutch in
section.
Fig. 9, is a detail view of one of the toggles, showing the bracket used for
retaining it in position.
Fig. 10, is an inverted plan of the circular plate used for protecting the toggles
and interior mechanism of the friction-clutch.
Fig. 11, is a central vertical sectional view of the driving device of the friction-
clutch.
Fig. 12, is a central vertical sectional view of my improved friction-clutch
showing the manner in which the toggles are connected with the driving device, also
the tension-springs.
Fig. 13, is a side elevation of my improved spur wheel.
Fig. 14, is a central vertical sectional view of my improved single drum friction-
clutch and multiplied gearing therefor, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 15.
Fig. 15, is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 16, is a plan in detail of the bracket containing the pinions and gear wheels.
Fig. 17, is a side elevation, partly in section of another form of my improved
eccentric.
Fig. 18, is a central vertical sectional view of my improved friction-clutch,
showing another way of attaching the rollers to the driving device, and
Fig. 19 is a central vertical sectional view of the driving device and rollers.
A indicates the cylinders, B the valve chests, C the guide ways into which the
cross heads D work, and on the back of said guide ways are cast flanges a for

page_text: bolting the guide ways C and cylinders A to the frame E of the engine by means
of bolts b. It will be seen by the drawings that the cylinders and valve chests,
excepting the cylinder heads, are, together with the guide ways, cast in one piece.
In this way a perfect alignment of the engine is obtained. On the inner side of
each of the cylinders A and guide ways C are cast additional flanges c for connecting
the said cylinders and guide ways together. The engine frame E, back of the
bolting flanges a has inwardly projecting flanges d which embrace the flanges a at
their outer edges, preventing any lateral movement whatever of the cylinders.
Openings e are formed in the back of the frame E to allow of easy access to the
cranks and connecting rods, for oiling, or in case of accident.
By the use of a valve F of peculiar construction hereinafter described, the
engine can be run in either direction or brought to a stop without the aid of double
eccentrics and other mechanism connected therewith, heretofore commonly used.
Reversing is only necessary when the engine is run at its highest power for
lifting purposes.
In order that the valve F may be more fully understood, I will describe its
functions, referring to the different parts by letter.
To run the engine in the forward direction the throttle or valve lever G is pushed
back, causing the valve proper to assume a position at the angle of 45 degrees (not
shown in drawings but indicated by arrows in Fig. 2) when steam will be allowed
to pass through the valve F from pipe H, passing in the direction of the arrows
through pipe I and entering the top of the valve chests, where it takes a downward
course, passing through the central opening of the slide valve J. The steam
being evenly distributed in the valve chests B, is allowed by the action of the
valve J to enter the cylinders, through the ports g. The exhaust steam returns
through the ports g around the exterior of the slide valve J, thence out through
the opening in the back of the valve chests, through the pipes K, entering
the back of the valve F and exhausting through pipe L from the bottom of said
valve.
To reverse the engine the throttle or valve lever G is pushed forward, when the
steam will be permitted to pass in the opposite direction through pipe K, entering
the valve chests at the back thereof, passing around the outside of the slide valve.),
and is then allowed to enter the cylinder under control of said valve J. When
desirable to stop the engine, the lever G is allowed to hang plumb in a line
perpendicular with the valve stem, the valve F then assuming the horizontal position
shown in Fig. 2, causing steam to be shut off.
As will be seen the valve F, is constructed in such a manner as to admit of live
steam entering, and dead steam exhausting from the cylinders, in whichever position
the valve may stand, other than horizontal.
Also, the slide valves J as shown are of such a configuration as to receive and
admit the steam to the cylinders at any time, without the use of other mechanism
than that contained in the valve F.
Referring now to the eccentrics, the straps are closely fitted together and bolted
in the usual manner. Cast integral with the upper eccentric strap are cups h,
provided at their tops with screw-plugs ¹, to allow of their being filled with oil.
At the bottom of the cups are drilled holes h" into which I place a thick piece of
felt i, the said felt i answering several purposes, first-to keep the eccentrics free
from dust, second-to afford an even distribution of the oil and positive lubrication
to all parts of the eccentric, and third-to serve as a filterer of the oil or other
lubricant.
When my improved eccentric is applied, as it may well be, to horizontal engines,
the oil cups may then be cast integral with both of the straps, as shown in Fig. 17.
The guide-ways are kept clean and constantly oiled, by employing a piece of oil-
soaked felt about three quarters of an inch thick, said felt being the exact width
of the guide-ways, and firmly attached to the upper surface of the cross-heads D
by means of a small plate j, held in position by screws j". By this means of oiling
it is only necessary to soak the felt with oil about once a week.

page_text: My improvements in friction-clutches are substantially as described hereunder.
Referring to Figs. 7, 8, 14 and 15, M represents the drum shaft, N the driving
gear connected thereto, O the winding drum mounted loosely thereon, and P the
fixed frame work of the engine.
In using the machine for hoisting purposes, in single gear, the driving gear N is
coupled direct with pinion k journalled on the engine shaft and independent of
pinions, and gear, receiving motion only from the pinion k. The drum O is
connected to the driving gear N, by means of bolts ", and is rotated by the said
gear N, independent of the friction-clutch. As here shown, the machine is
represented as used for hoisting, being provided with my improved multiple
gearing.
The pinion k meshes with pinion and the said pinion 4" with the gear l' which
is journalled on the shaft m, in the bracket m'. The pinion is also journalled on
the shaft m, close up to gear l', and the pinion 1, in turn meshes with the driving
gear N. By the use of my improved gearing a greater power is obtained, than by
the use of any other machine now in use.
When used as a friction machine, the bolts are removed from the driving
gear N, and drum O, when the said drum will be operated entirely through the
medium of the friction-clutch, which is constructed in the following manner.
Referring to Figs. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18 and 19 represents the driving device of
the clutch loosely journalled for lateral movement on the driving shaft M and
rotated thereby. The said driver has situated on its sides or at its ends, rollers n²
for the purpose of enabling the driving device to be readily released from the
friction-ring.
The
The friction ring Q is formed as shown, in two parts o o, and is provided with
pockets o' for the reception of the toggles o" and the ends of the driver n.
pockets o' which receive the ends of the driver are provided with flat pieces of
hardened steel o, to prevent the wear which would otherwise be caused by the
action of the rollers n'.
A
I provide brackets p, a detail of which is shown in Fig. 9, for keeping the
toggles o in position. Springs p', of suitable strength are employed for keeping
the two parts of the friction-ring o o, in a closed position, when not in use.
circular plate p", is screwed or otherwise fastened to the face of the drum O,
retaining the friction-ring Qin place, and protecting the interior of the clutch
generally. Holes p1 are formed in said plate ", for receiving a bolt. Q¹ (shown
in Fig. 8), when it is desired to hold the load at any given point.
The operation of the friction-clutch is as follows:
The friction-ring is carried by the driving device n and toggles o", and the
sections of the said ring are drawn together by the springs pp', and are forced
apart by the toggles o".
The said toggles abut at their outer ends against the friction-ring and at their
inner ends against the driver n.
As the said driver n is forced to the right it straightens the toggles and expands
the parts of the friction-ring o, thereby locking the drum O, and causing it to
revolve with the shaft M, until the load is raised to the desired height.
When it is desired to lower the load, the friction clutch is partially released, and
the drum is thereby permitted to be revolved backward by the descent of the load,
the rapidity of its backward revolution being governed by the clutch, which then
acts as a friction brake.
The working parts of the single drum machine shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 16, of
the drawings are substantially the same as those of the double drum machine, and
bear the same letters of reference.
The swinging frame m' is loosely journalled on a pivot q, which is either cast
integral with, or firmly affixed to the engine frame P. The outer end of the
swinging frame m¹ is free, and allowed to move vertically using the pivot g as an
The said frame m¹ carries the pinions " and I and gear and is operated
by a camr journalled in the frame P.
axis.

page_text: When using the machine with my improved multiple gearing, either for friction
or hoisting purposes, the cam r enables the operator to throw the machine in or out
of gear without stopping the engine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. The hoisting engine as described, comprising an improved throttle valve
for controlling the steam, a valve chest provided at its top and rear sides with
openings for admitting and discharging steam and containing a cylindrical slide
valve adapted to receive and admit steam to and from the cylinders by the use of
a single eccentric, each cylinder together with the slide being cast in one piece
and provided with bolting flanges for connecting together the cylinders, slides and
the engine frame; an oil cup cast on the upper half of the eccentric strap and
provided with openings packed with felt through which the oil percolates in
lubricating, the cross heads also provided with pieces of felt held in position by
screws and adapted for lubricating purposes; and the engine frame cast in one
piece with inwardly projecting flanges for embracing bolting flanges on the guides
at their outer extremities.
2. The hoisting and friction machine as described, comprising a suitable frame
work carrying the engine, a shaft mounted in brackets, a driving gear secured to
said shait, and a winding drum mounted loosely thereon; the said gear meshing
either with a pinion on a shaft rigidly secured in a swinging frame, the said frame
being loosely journalled to the engine frame, or meshing with a pinion mounted on
and keyed to the engine shaft, said pinion meshing with another pinion journalled
in one end of the swinging frame, and this pinion in turn meshing with a gear wheel
which is on the same shaft with the pinion which meshes with the driving gear;
also a cam journalled in the engine frame supporting the swinging frame, and
adapted to throw the pinion which meshes with the driving wheel, in or out of
gear, substantially as shown and described.
3. In a hoisting engine an improved throttle valve consisting of a cylindrical
shell or casing having four equidistant side openings for the reception and discharge
of steam, a rocker valve adjusted within said casing, supported by the valve stem
in the heads of the casing, one head being provided with a stuffing box to prevent
leakage, and a lever for controlling the valve.
4. In a hoisting engine, the combination with a throttle valve consisting of a
cylindrical shell or casing having four equidistant side openings for the reception
and discharge of steam, of a rocker valve adjusted within said casing upon the
valve stem, the said valve forming a segment of a circle at its ends and being
provided with flanges to prevent leakage of steam, together with a lever for
operating the said valve; the valve stem being provided with a flange on its upper
side at or near its inner end, adapting it to be embraced by a groove in the upper
face of the valve, substantially as described.
5. A throttle valve consisting of a cylindrical shell or casing having four
equidistant side openings for the reception and discharge of steam, a rocker valve
adjusted within said casing upon the valve stem, the said valve being constructed
to shut off steam from the cylinders when in a horizontal position, and admitting
steam to the cylinders when standing at an angle of 45 degrees, the valve being
hollowed at the under side to allow dead steam to exhaust through the bottom
opening, substantially as described.
6. An improved valve chest having openings at its top and rear sides for receiving
and discharging steam, and a cylindrical valve having a basket end to receive a
valve stem for actuating the valve, substantially as shown and described.
7. A cylindrical valve of the configuration shown and purposes substantially as
described.
8. An improved eccentric having cast on one or both straps thereof oil cups,
said cups being provided at their lower extremities with openings packed with felt

page_text: or other suitable material; for affording a positive lubrication to all parts of the
eccentric, the felt or other material also acting as a filter for the lubricant, sub-
stantially as described.
9. In a hoisting and friction machine, an improved frame cast in a single piece
for supporting the cylinders and guide-ways, the guide-ways adapted to be bolted
to the frame, inwardly projecting Hanges on said frame for embracing the flanges
on the guide-ways, openings in the frame allowing of easy access to the crank
shaft and connecting rods, and a foot or base for holding the frame in place
substantially as shown and described.
10. In a hoisting and friction machine each cylinder cast integral with the valve
chest and guide-way, the cylinders and guide-ways having flanges for bolting the
cylinders and guide-ways together, and additional flanges on the backs of the
guide-ways for connecting them to the frame, substantially as shown and described.
11. In a hoisting and friction machine the combination, with the friction ring
and toggles, of a bracket connected by screws or otherwise to said friction-ring for
retaining the toggles in position, substantially as described.
12. In a hoisting and friction machine, the combination with the friction-ring,
toggles and driving device, of rollers situated in the sides, or on the ends of said
driving device, to facilitate its being released from the friction-ring, together with
hardened steel plates, to prevent wear upon said friction-ring substantially as
described.
13. In a hoisting and friction machine, the combination with the drum shaft and
winding drum, loosely journalled thereon, the said shaft being mounted in brackets
and adapted to rotate therein, a driving shaft having a pinion journalled and keyed
thereto, the said pinion meshing with a pinion mounted in a swinging frame, a gear
wheel carried by said swinging frame and adapted to mesh with said pinion, and a
pinion carried by the swinging frame fastened to said gear wheel and adapted to
mesh with the driving gear on the drum shaft substantially as described.
14. In a hoisting and friction machine, the combination with the drum shaft and
winding drum loosely journalled thereon, the said shaft mounted in brackets and
adapted to rotate therein, of a driving shaft having a pinion journalled and keyed
thereto, the said pinion meshing with a pinion mounted in a swinging frame; a
gear wheel carried by said swinging frame, and adapted to mesh with said pinion,
and a pinion carried by said swinging frame fastened to said gear wheel and
adapted to mesh with the driving gear on the drum shaft, the said gear on the
drum shaft being provided with four equidistant holes for the reception of screw
bolts for securing the drum to said driving gear substantially as described.
15. The combination with the drum shaft and winding drum loosely journalled
thereon, the said shaft mounted in brackets and adapted to rotate therein, of a
driving shaft having a pinion journalled and keyed thereto, the said pinion being
adapted to move longitudinally on said driving shaft by disengaging the keys, thus
permitting the said pinion to mesh direct with the driving gear on the drum shaft,
substantially as shown and described.
16. In a hoisting and friction machine consisting substantially of the parts
bereinbefore set forth, a swinging frame pivoted to the frame of said machine and
adapted to move vertically using its pivot as an axis; and a cam journalled in the
machine frame for operating said swinging frame, substantially as described.
17. The improvements in hoisting engines and friction clutches substantially as
and for the purposes hereinbefore described, set forth and fully illustrated in the
annexed drawings.
Dated this 21st day of December 1891.
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.