AN IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR LADING AUTOMATICALLY CARRIAGES, WAGONS, AND SHIPS WITH ORES, COALS, AND OTHER GOODS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Firmin Lemut, of the Firm Simon
Lemüt et Cie., of Closmortiers (France), Iron Manufacturers, at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 1st June 1877.
FIRMIN LEMUT, of the Firm Simon Lemut et Cie., of Closmortier (France); Iron
Manufacturers. "AN IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR LADING AUTOMATICALLY
CARRIAGES, WAGONS, AND SHIPS WITH ORES, COALS, AND OTHER GOODS."
This Invention relates to the transfer of materials of any description from a
higher level to a lower one without shocks, and to means or appliances for delivering
the same automatically.
The Invention is applicable with advantage to loading carriages, wagons, and
vessels with heavy dense materials, such as minerals, which could not without
damage be precipitated from a height of several nietres, or with articles of inerchian;
dize; such as coal or coke, which are greatly impaired in quality and value by rough
manipulation.
L
In carrying this Invention into effect, I employ an automatic lowering apparatus
consisting essentially of a case or frame equilibrated by counterweights, the move
ment of which can be regulated by means of a fall or head of water.
The counterweights tend to keep the case or frame at the top of its course. when
empty. As soon as it has received its normal charge it lowers slowly to the desired
level, then opens, empties itself, recloses, remounts as slowly as it decended; and
lastly presents itself in a condition to receive a fresh charge.
The
All these actions are accomplished in a completely automatic manner.
material is deposited as gently, that is to say, as near the bottom as desired, and is
distributed over a sufficiently large surface to avoid the necessity of after clearing
or "trimming.'
»
The employment of one of these lowering apparatus enables a vessel of 200 tons
o be laden in less than 6 hours.
•

page_text: which movse in a cylinder in communication with a reservoir or head of water. The
pipe which establishes this communication contains a sluice valve or cock manipu-
lated from the outside to permit the regulation of the speed of the apparatus.
A little valve opening outwards allows the escape of any air which may
accidentally have got into this cylinder, and which would interfere with the action
of the water.
The valve is covered with water, which occupies the basin surmounting the joint
of the piston so as to render the latter tight. This water is renewed without
requiring attention from any one simply by the action of the little valve.
Different methods of closing the case automatically may be employed, according
to different circumstances.
One successful method of carrying out the Invention consists of two leaves,
which form the bottom of the case or frame, and are movable round an axis passing
through-the-centre of the said case or frame. The jointed pieces which hold
these leaves closed are commanded by a sliding rod which acts upon the movable 1
central axis.
When the case or frame rises under the action of the counterweights, one end of this
rod meets a projection which stops it. The case continuing to rise, the jointed
rod lifts leaves. These are very soon closed, and at the same time the axis on a
level with the plan of the two other axes. As soon as it has passed this position it 2
is stopped by the slide which has arrived at the limit of its course, and it preserves
a stable equilibrium, whatever shocks may be imparted to the case or frame by the
fall of the heaviest bodies.
The opening of the case at the lower level where it is desired to empty it, is
determined by means of a lever acting upon the axis to raise it. If upon a vessel, 2
for example, the lever comes in contact with the gunwale and its progress is arrested,
the case continuing to descend, the arrangements are such as that it empties at the
distance from the bottom desired, a distance which does not vary whatever with
the depth of the slip in the water.
If it be preferred that the unloading take place at a constant level independent 3
of that of the surface upon which it is to act the lever is fastened to the frame of the
apparatus which stops it, and opens the leaves or flaps at the desired height.
Instead of rendering the bottom movable, it may be formed of two inclined planes
with two opposite movable faces.
The piston of the hydraulic cylinder is arranged like that of a force pump. This 3
system leads to the employment of a counterweight chain destined to compensate
for the variations which the weight of the plunger is subject to, according as it is
more or less immersed.
An ordinary piston rod passing through a stuffing box may also be used, which
dispenses with the counterweight chain. The diameter of the piston may be much 4
reduced, for the suction produced behind it, which is limited to one atmosphere,.
is added the resistance which the water opposes to it in front, and this may--be
several atmospheres.
It is sometimes-convenient to arrange the cylinder horizontally and entirely in
the water, which screens-it-from all entry of air.
The ropes
which fasten the piston to the frame of the movable-case simply pass-
over guide pullies if the couses of the piston and of the case must be equal; or else
they travel over pullies arranged in blocks, or over differential drum cylinders if it be
desired to obtain-different courses.
4
The weight of the charge received by the case being the cause of its descending 50
movement; it may happen if the emptying not accomplished in a sufficiently
short time that the descent commences before the charge is complete. When this
occasions inconvenience it is sufficient that the rod which actuates the action of the
water is within reach of the person charging the case or receptacle. He will keep

page_text: the head closed during the charging, and will not open it till it is convenient for
the descent to commence.
The head of water also permits the stopping, retarding, or accelerating of the
movement of descent or of ascent, whether it be manipulated by hand or actuated
by a cam or other transmitted of movement.