IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC LIFTS DRIVEN BY WATER FROM A LOW PRESSURE MAIN, BUT APPLICABLE ALSO TO LIFTS DRIVEN FROM A HIGH PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Sanders Stevens of Janus Works Queen's Road
Battersea in the County of Surrey and Charles George Major of 34 Freke
Road Battersea in the County of Surrey for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS
IN HYDRAULIC LIFTS DRIVEN BY WATER FROM A LOW PRESSURE MAIN, BUT
APPLICABLE ALSO TO LIFTS DRIVEN FROM A HIGH PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Sanders Stevens and
Charles George Major at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
14th September 1882.
JOHN SANDERS STEVENS of Janus Works Queen's Road Battersea in the County
of Surrey and CHARLES GEORGE MAJOR of 34 Freke Road Battersea in the
County of Surrey IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC LIFTS DRIVEN BY WATER FROM
A LOW PRESSURE MAIN BUT APPLICABLE ALSO TO LIFTS DRIVEN FROM A HIGH
PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR
The object of our invention is
(First) in that form of lift in which the cage is carried on a ram the full length
of the travel, to balance the weight of the ram and cage without the use of the
usual weights and chains and to obtain compensation for the varying immersion of
the ram.
(Secondly) to produce the same results in lifts fitted with telescopic rams and in
such lifts to prevent the jerking action which occurs upon each successive telescopic
section coming into action; and
(Thirdly) in that class of lifts fitted with cylinders and rams of short stroke the
motion obtained from which is increased by chain multiplying gear--to diminish
the friction caused by the movement of the ram
In our first arrangement we secure the cage or car upon the head of a continuous
ram equal to the height of travel of the lift, working in a cylinder of corresponding
depth sunk in the ground. This ram is supported and actuated entirely by the
water beneath it without the assistance of overhead balance weights and chains
[Prins 31

page_text: A second (balance) cylinder is provided of the same capacity as lift cylinder but
of much shorter stroke-fitted with a suitable ram and fixed vertically. The
balance cylinder is always in free communication with the lift cylinder. Imme-
diately beside the balance cylinder is a third (driving) cylinder, fitted with a ram
working vertically, but in an inverted position. The rams of the driving and
balance cylinders are connected in any convenient manner with the end of a rocking
lever or beam having its fulcrum at the opposite end to the cylinders. The space
between rams of balance and lift cylinders is filled with water which constantly
oscillates from one cylinder to the other as the lift is worked. The driving cylinder
is placed in communication with the water main, or the drains alternately by
means of a threeway starting valve. When this valve opens communication with
the pressure main, the pressure of the water drives down the driving ram-travelling
out of its cylinder-and carries with it the beam and the balance ram-the latter
being driven into its cylinder. The water in front of the balance ram is driven
from the balance cylinder into the lift cylinder and forces upwards the lift ram
and cage. If the threeway valve is reversed the opposite motions take place-the
lift ram and cage descend, their weight forcing up the balance and driving rams,
and the charge of driving water flows away to the drains
The driving and balance rams with their beam always travel together in the
same direction, which is always the opposite to that of the lift ram. The weight
of the former group will in some cases balance that of the rain and cage. If it is
insufficient for this purpose, we load the beam or either ram or all of them to the
requisite extent. The water drawn from the mains is therefore that only which is
required to raise the actual load and overcome friction.
The capacity of the driving cylinder and the position of its attachment to the
beam will depend upon the pressure of the driving water. If the attachment is
farther from the fulcrum it will exert a greater thrust upon the balance ram than
if it were nearer. As the lift ram is forced out of its cylinder a continually
decreasing portion of its length is immersed and the water behind it loses effect to
the extent of the pressure of a column of water equal to the rise of the ram.
As
the ram descends it meets a continually increasing resistance from the same cause.
This variation may be compensated by increasing the effective driving pressure as
the lift rises, and decreasing the resistance as it descends. We obtain these results
by making the connection of either of the rams to the beam by means of a slide ;
and by the introduction of a bell crank and link motion cause the connection to
take varying positions in accordance with the motion of the lift ram-thus altering
the leverage upon the beam and therefore the effective pressure under the lift ram.
The fulcrum of the beam may be made to slide in the same way with practically
the same result.
Second Arrangement. In all previous telescopic lifts the individual sections of
the ram have been retained within each other by means of external collars at the
base engaging with internal collars at the top. The effective area of each section
was then the annular area of section of the tube plus the annular area of the upper
internal collar. The combined area was always greater than that sufficient to raise
the section, and the surplus pressure caused it to press upwards upon its predecessor,
and that upon the next and so on till all assisted the centre ram upwards; but
when the outer section had completed its travel, the remaining group lost its
assistance, and there was a check or jerk repeated for every section. We avoid
this by making the various sections fit each other almost closely without the collars
beforementioned and thus reduce the effective area of each. The sections are
prevented from blowing out, by telescopic stops sliding within each other and within
the centre ram-the last stop being fixed to the bottom of the outer ram and each
section of the stops having at the top an external collar engaging with an internal
collar in its corresponding ram and also with an internal collar at the bottom of
the next length of stop. If the sections of the ram still present to the pressure,
surfaces disproportionate to their weight, we load each till the water pressure is
just sufficient to raise it without leaving a surplus upward pressure.

page_text: We drive these lifts with the same apparatus of two outside cylinders with rams
and a beam as described in the first arrangement and provide compensation for
varying immersion in the same manner.
By modifying the amount of this compensation we have a second method of
compensating for the want of constant relation between the weight and effective
area of the telescopic sections. In this case the loads on the heads of the sections
could be wholly or in part suppressed.
In another device for preventing the sections from being blown out we provide
on each head a pair of lugs extending horizontally beyond the outside of cylinder-
from which lugs depend tie bolts sliding freely through corresponding lugs on the
next section below and acting as stops to excessive travel. These lugs and bolts
are ranged in a circle outside the cylinder in such a manner as to travel clear of
each other.
Our third improvement is in respect of those lifts in which a short hydraulic
ram working horizontally makes a stroke several times shorter than the travel of
the lift-but with proportionately great power and by suitable chain gearing has
its motion multiplied to the amount required for the lift. At the back or closed
end of the cylinder and at some height above it we mount in bearings a spindle
carrying two chain drums or wheels, one as much larger in proportionate diameter
than the other as the lift travel is greater than the stroke of ram. Wound round
the smaller drum is a chain attached to the head of a ram sliding in the cylinder.
This chain will assume a line inclining upwards toward the back of cylinder.
Another chain is wound around the larger barrel-passes up to the top of the lift-
and has the cage suspended from it. When the ram is forced outwards by water
pressure the chain is unwound from the smaller drum and so gives motion to the
larger drum, which winds up the lifting chain and so raises the load.
As the ram is protruded the upward inclination of its chain supports the outer
end of the ram and relieves the guides of a large amount of its weight-thus reducing
the friction

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 Great Seal
Patent Office on the 8th March 1883.
JOHN SANDERS STEVENS, of Janus Works Queens Road Battersen, in the county
of Surrey and CHARLES GEORGE MAJOR of 34 Freke Road Battersea, in the
county of Surrey IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC LIFTS, DRIVEN BY WATER FROM
A LOW PRESSURE MAIN, BUT APPLICABLE ALSO TO LIFTS DRIVEN FROM A HIGH
PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR
The object of our Invention is first, in that form of lift in which the cage is
carried on a ram; the full length of travel, to balance the weight of the ram and
cage; without the use of the usual weights and chains, and to obtain compensation
for the varying immersion of the ram; Secondly to produce the same results in
lifts fitted with Telescopic rams, and in such lifts to prevent the jerking action
which occurs upon each successive telescopic section, coming into action. Thirdly
in that class of lift, fitted with cylinders and rams of short stroke the motion of
which is increased by chain multiplying gear, to diminish the friction caused by
the movement of the ram. We will proceed by means of the drawing to explain
our invention in detail. In our first arrangement we mount the cage or car upon
a parallel rigid ram equal to the height of travel of lift, working in a cylinder
of corresponding depth sunk in the ground, A Fig 1 is the ram cylinder, and B
the ram, carrying the cage, which together with the ram is supported, and actuated,
entirely by the water beneath it, without the assistance of overhead balance weights
and chains. A second balance cylinder E see plan Fig. 2; is provided having same
capacity as lift cylinder, but being of shorter stroke. It is fitted with a suitable
ram B and fixed vertically, and is always in free communication with lift
cylinder A by means of pipe D. Immediately beside the balance cylinder, is a
driving cylinder F fitted with a ram, and working vertically but in an inverted
position, the rams B", B of the driving and balance cylinders, are connected by
means of two connecting rods G, G shewn in dotted lines, with the beams H, H,
which are pivotted to the shoe or bracket I fixed in the wall. The space between
the rams of balance cylinder E, and lift-cylinder A, is filled with water which
continually oscillates from one cylinder, to the other as the lift is worked. The
driving cylinder F is in communication with the water main, or drain alternately
by means of the pipe and 3 way valve at C, when the valve opens communication
between pressure main and driving cylinder F, the pressure of the water drives
down the ram B carrying with it, by means of connecting rod G, the beam H and
balance ram B the latter being forced into its cylinder, driving the water under it,
into lift cylinder A, and so actuating the lift ram and cage; If the 3 way valve C
be reversed the opposite motion takes place the lift ram B, and cage descend their
weight forcing up the balance, and driving rains, and the charge of driving water
flows away to the drains. The driving ram B" and the balance ram B1 always
travel together, in the same direction, which is always opposite to that of the lift
ram and in some cases the weight of the balance and driving rams will balance
that of the ram and cage. If it is insufficient for this purpose, we load the beam or
either of the rams or both of them to the requisite extent as shewn at J, the guide
framing being carried up clear of the rams and beams. The water drawn from the
mains is therefore only that which is required to raise the actual load, and overcome
friction. The capacity of the driving cylinder, and the position of its attachment

page_text: to the beam, will depend upon the pressure of the driving water If the
attachement is further from the fulcrum, it will exert a greater thrust upon
the balance ram than if it were nearer. As the lift ram is forced out of
its cylinder a continually decreasing portion of its length is immersed and the
water behind it loses effect to the extent of the pressure of a column of water
equal to the rise of the ram. As the ram descends it meets a continually
increasing resistance, from the same cause; The variation may be compensated
by increasing the effective driving pressure as the lift rises, and decreasing the
resistance as it descends. We obtain these results by inaking the connection of
either of the rams to the beam, by means of a slide and by introducing a bell crank
and link motion we cause the connection to vary in position in accordance with
the position of the lift, thus altering the leverage upon the beam. Reference to
Fig 1 will make this quite clear. It will be seen that connecting rod G is
fastened to link K, & to a block sliding in slot L the link K is connected to
crank M, and as the ram B sinks in cylinder E, the link block will by means of
the crank M be drawn nearer the fulcrum or pivot at I, thus giving the driving ram
and beam H a greater leverage upon the ram B, in balance cylinder as the main
ram is forced upwards, so compensating for the varying immersion of the ram.
The fulcrum of the beam can be made to slide if desired with practically the same
result, Figs 3 and 4 shew two other methods of effecting the same end, In Fig 3
the radius rod, or link K, has a length equal to the mean distance of slide block
from fulcrum I, It is pivotted at If the position of which is so arranged that the
opposite end of link K, will describe a path which connects the two extreme
positions of such slide block, these positions being at the outward extremity of the
slot in the beam, when the latter is at its upper position, and at the inner extremity
of slot, when the beam is in its lower position, and so bell cranks and links are
avoided Fig 4 shews another method of arranging the cranks, and links. The
link O is pivotted to the wall plate, and as the ram B¹¹ descends into cylinder E,
the connecting rod G is forced towards the fulcrum end I of beam H the bell
crank being pivotted to beam. Second arrangement. In all previous telescopic
lifts, the individual sections of the ram have been retained within each other, by
means of external collars, at the base engaging with internal collars at the top.
The effective area of each section was then the annular area of section of the tube
plus the annular area of the upper internal collar. The combined area was always
greater than that sufficient to raise the section, and the surplus pressure caused it to
press upwards, upon its predecessor and that upon the next, and so on till all
assisted the centre ram upwards, but when the outer section had completed its
travel the remaining group lost its assistance and there was a check, or jerk,
repeated for every section. We avoid this by making the various sections fit each
other almost closely, without the collars above mentioned, and thus reduce the
effective area of each. Figs and 6 shew sections of a telescopic lift the sections
being marked Q. R S T Each ram section, excepting the top las secured to its
bottom end an internal tube, each of these tubes carrying at its upper end an external
collar V sliding within the next internal tube above it, and engaging with an
internal collar U fixed at the bottom of that tube. To the bottom of the external
cylinder is secured a rod, similarly fitted with a collar at upper end, the topmost
internal tube has an external collar engaging with an internal collar fixed at the
bottom of the top length of ram, reference to the drawing will shew that this
system of collars and tubes, will prevent the blowing out of any of the sections. If
the various sections of the ram present pressure surfaces disproportionate to their
weight, we load each with weights placed at the top of each section, as shewn at W,
until the water pressure is just sufficient to raise it, without having a surplus
upward pressure. These Telescopic lifts are driven with the same apparatus of
two outside cylinders with rams and a beam as described in the first arrange-
ment compensation being provided for varying immersion in the same manner.
By modifying the amount of this compensation we have a second method of

page_text: compensating for the want of constant relation between the weight and effective area
of the telescopic sections, and by adopting this method the load at the heads could
be wholly or in part dispensed with: Fig 6 shews another method for preventing
the sections being blown out. Each head is furnished with a pair of lugs extending
horizontally, See plan Fig 7 beyond the outside of cylinder marked Vo. Vo. from
which depend tie bolts X. sliding freely through corresponding lugs in the next
section below which act as stops to excessive travel. These lugs and bolts are
ranged in a circle outside the cylinder in such a manner as to travel clear of each
other Our third arrangement, refers to those hydraulic lifts, in which a short
hydraulic ram working horizontally, makes a stroke several times shorter than the
travel of the lift, but with proportionately great power and by suitable chain
gearing has its motion multiplied to the amount required for the lift. Figs 8 and 9
shew side views and plan of such a lift, At the back of the ram cylinder A
at some height above it, we mount in bearings a spindle I, carrying two chain
drums Y Y one as much larger than the other, as the lift travel is greater than
the stroke of the ram. Wound round the smaller drum Y¹ is a chain attached to
head of a ram B sliding in the cylinder. This chain will assume a line inclining
upwards towards the back of cylinder. Another chain is wound round the larger
barrel Y and passes to the top of lift, and has the cage and load suspended from it.
When the ram is forced outwards, by the water pressure the chain is unwound from
the smaller drum, and the larger drum at the same time winds up the chain and
raises cage and load. As the rain is forced outwards the upward inclination of its
chain, supports the outer end of the ram, and relieves the guides of a large amount
of friction.
We have now described our Invention by means of the drawings, and shewn the
We wish it understood that what we
manner of carrying the same into effect.
claim is
1st In an hydraulic lift in which the cage is carried on a ram the full length of
travel, the method of balancing such ram and cage by means of an independent
balancing cylinder, connected by beam, or levers, to a driving ram and cylinder
substantially as described.
2nd The combination in an hydraulic lift of a balance, and driving cylinder such
cylinders being coupled by connecting rods and beams, the latter being provided
with a slot, in which the block connected to the connecting rod travels.
3rd In or with an hydraulic lift, the combination of beams, links, cranks, levers,
and connecting rods in connection with balance, and driving cylinders and rams
substantially as shewn in Figs 1. 2. 3. 4 for the purpose of compensating the
varying immersion of the ram, in the way and manner described.
4th In a Telescopic hydraulic lift. The combination of balance, and driving
cylinders, levers, cranks, and links whereby compensation for varying immersion is
obtained, in the way and manner described.
5th In a Telescopic hydraulic lift, the combination of balance and driving
cylinders levers, cranks, and links whereby the varying effective area of rams due
to one or more sections going out of action, is compensated by varying pressure
beneath them.
6th In a Telescopic hydraulic lift, the arrangement of sections, in combination
with a series of internal tubular stops, to prevent ram sections from being driven
out too far, substantially as described.
7th In a Telescopic hydraulic lift, the arrangement of horizontal lugs and tie
rods, which act as stops and prevent the sections being blown out as described.
8th In a Telescopic hydraulic lift, the arrangement of weights, so placed as to
render the weight of external section of ram proportionate, to that of the centre one,
substantially as described.
gth In a multiplying chain hydraulic lift working horizontally, the arrangement

page_text: shewn and described whereby the inclination of the chain connected to the ram,
assists in reducing the friction of such ram and in counterbalancing its overhanging
weight.
In Witness whereof We the said John Sanders Stevens and Charles George
Major have hereunto set our hands and seals this 1st day of March in
the year of our Lord 1883.
Witness
ALFRED LANE
3 Swiss Villas
Newlands
Peckham Rye
HARRY HURWOOD
22 St Philip's Cottages South
Queens Road
Battersea S.W.
JOHN SANDERS STEVENS
CHARLES GEORGE MAJOR
(L.S.)
(L.S.)