Improvements in Hydraulic Lifts.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 18th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 5th Feb., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hydraulic Lifts.
I, HENRY CLAUDE WALKER of the Newington Iron Works Falmouth Road
London S.E. Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has
been communicated to me from abroad by Norman Selfe of Balmain, New South
Wales, Engineer, to be as follows :-
:-
My invention relates to improvements in hydraulic lifts and has for its object in
the first and second parts to provide simple means for equalising the lifting power of
direct-acting ram elevators by compensating for the loss by displacement as the ram
rises from its cylinder, and in the third part to provide a simple and efficient form
of controlling valve which will permit of new packing being introduced without
disconnecting any of the pipes.
The first and second parts of my invention are more particularly applicable when
the supply water actuates the main ram of the lift through the medium of differential
rams or pistons or both, forming an "hydraulic balance."
In carrying out the first part of my invention I arrange the "hydraulic balance"
in such a manner that its crosshead rises as the main ram of the lift falls and rice
versa. To this crosshead I attach a tank connected by a flexible pipe with a fixed
tank containing water. The effect of this arrangement is that as the main ram of
lift rises the crosshead of "hydraulic balance" falls and water flows from the
fixed tank into the moveable tank attached to this crosshead and by its weight
increases the pressure of the water supplied to the main ram thus compensating for
the loss of direct pressure thereon due to the diminution of the head or effective
column of water immediately under the main ram.
In carrying out the second part of my invention I provide, instead of the moveable
tank with water, a suitable dead-weight or balance one end of which I connect directly
to the crosshead and support the other end upon any convenient fixture. I construct
the dead-weight or balance of such a form that its centre of gravity is above the
centre of the imaginary line drawn from the point of support to the point of fixture
to the crosshead and place the support in such a position that when the crosshead is at
the bottom of its stroke the greater portion of the weight acts on the crosshead

page_text: and when it is at the top of it's stroke the greater portion of the weight is carried
by the fixed support. The effect of this arrangement is the same as the first
part of my invention.
The third part of my invention consists of an improved form of controlling valve
which may be used either in conjunction with an "hydraulic balance"
or without it.
It may be placed with it's axis vertical horizontal or inclined. For simplicity of
description I will assume it to be placed vertically the supply being admitted to the
upper portion. The central portion is in direct communication with the "hydraulic
balance or the cylinder, and the lower portion connected to the waste pipe. The
water is controlled by a plunger having tapered ends. The lower end of this plunger
when down fits closely into the lower end of cylinder and is provided with a suitable
cupping leather. The upper portion of plunger when up fits closely into the
partition between the upper and central portions of valve casing and is kept tight
by a cupping leather fixed to the partition. I do not as is generally done form this
partition in one piece with the valve casing but make it separate so that it may be
easily withdrawn for the purpose of renewing the cupping leather and I provide
suitable cupping leathers or other packing to make a tight joint between the
partition and body of valve. The plunger may also be withdrawn for the purpose
of renewing the packing at its lower end. This form of valve controls the water
and is operated in the usual manner but it allows of all the packing being easily
and speedily renewed without disconnecting the pipes.

page_text: I, HENRY CLAUDE WALKER of the Newington Iron Works, Falmouth Road,
London S.E. Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication
to me from abroad by Norman Selfe, Engineer of Balmain. Now South Wales) and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in hydraulic lifts and has for its object in
the first and second parts to provide simple means for equalising the lifting power
of direct-acting rain elevators by compensating for the loss by displacement as the
ram rises from the cylinder and in the third part to provide a simple and efficient
form of controlling valve which will permit of new packing being introduced without
disconnecting any of the pipes.
The first and second parts of my invention are more particularly applicable when
the supply water actuates the main ram of the lift through the medium of differential
rams or pistons or both forming an "hydraulic balance."
In carrying out the first part of my invention I arrange the "hydraulic balance'
in such a manner that its crosshead rises as the main ram of the lift falls and rice versa.
To this crosshead I attach a tank connected by a flexible pipe with a fixed tank
containing water.
In carrying out the second part of my invention, instead of the moveable tank with
water I provide a suitable dead-weight or balance one end of which I connect directly
to the crosshead and support the other end upon any convenient fixture. I construct
the dead-weight or balance of such a form that its centre of gravity is above the
centre of the imaginary line drawn from the point of support to the point of fixture.
to the crosshead and place the support in such a position that when the crosshead is
at the bottom of its stroke the greater portion of the weight acts on the crosshead.
and when it is at the top of its stroke the greater portion of the weight is carried
by the fixed support.
The third part of my invention consists of an improved form of controlling valve
which may he used either in conjunction with an "hydraulic balance or without it.
It may be placed with its axis vertical, horizontal, or inclined. For simplicity of
description I will assume it to be placed vertically, the supply being admitted to the
upper portion. The central portion is in direct communication with the "hydraulic
balarce" or the cylinder, and the lower portion connected to the waste pipe. The
water is controlled by a plunger having tapered ends. The lower end of this
plunger when down fits closely into the lower end of casing and is provided with
a suitable cupping leather. The upper portion of plunger when up fits closely into
the partition between the upper and central portions of valve casing and is kept
tight by a cupping leather fixed to the partition. I do not as is generally done
form this partition in one piece with the valve casing but make it separate so that
it may be easily withdrawn for the purpose of renewing the cupping leather and I

page_text: provide suitable cupping leathers or other packing to make a tight joint between the
partition and body of valve. The plunger may also be withdrawn for the purpose of
renewing the packing at its lower end.
In the accompanying drawings the first part of my invention is illustrated by
fig. 1, the second by figs. 2 and 3 and the third by fig. 4. In these different
views the same letters indicate the same parts.
Fig. 1 is a section of a direct-acting lift elevator with "hydraulic balance" and
water counterpoise.
Fig. 2 is a section of an "hydraulic balance," suitable for a direct-acting lift
elevator, with dead-weight counterpoise.
Fig. 3 is a section of an
hydraulic balance," similar to fig. 2 in some respects
but with the cylinders arranged differently.
Fig. 4 is a section of the controlling valve.
A is the cylinder of lift with lifting or main ram a and pipe al connecting it to
the hydraulic balance."
(+
>
B is the balancing cylinder with ram b, this cylinder is in constant communication
with lift cylinder A through pipe a¹.
C is the operating cylinder with ram c. In figs. 1 and 2 this cylinder C forms
also the balancing ram b but in fig. 3 it is separate. The controlling valve com-
municates with the operating cylinder C by means of pipe c¹. The operating ram is
connected either to the fixed cylinder or to the bed plate by stays c³.
In fig. 1 D is a fixed tank containing water or other liquid in constant com-
munication with tank E through pipe d. The water line when tank is in its
lowest position is indicated by I and when in its highest position by f. The tank E
is secured to the balancing ram by means of crosshead e and rods e¹ and rises and
falls with it. The combined weights of balancing ram and crosshead with its
connections together with the weight of tank E and the water in tank shown by
water line, are arranged to balance the cage and lifting ram a when in its lowest
position. To lift the cage the pressure water is admitted through pipe c¹ to the
operating cylinder and acting on the operating ram e forces the balancing ramb
down and so causes the lifting ram a to rise. As this ram rises and the crosshead e
therefore falls, water flows in to tank E through pipe d from tank D and by its
weight increases the pressure of the water supplied to the lifting or main ram a and
thus compensates for the loss of direct pressure thereon due to the diminution of the
head or effective pressure of the column of water immediately under ram a. In a
similar manner the compensation is effected when the ram a falls, by the water in
tank E flowing back to the fixed tank D.
In figs. 2 and 3 the compensation is accomplished by dead-weights instead of
oscillating water.
1
Gare the dead-weights shown in their lowest position, the intermediate position
being indicated by G and the highest position by G². These weights have arms g g
by means of which they are supported. The arms are pivotted to the crosshead e
or some other part of the moving machinery, and the arms g¹ are provided with
rollers g² running on rails g³ secured to the fixture g¹. The combined weights of
moving cylinders and rams with their connections and counterweights H are arranged
to balance the cage and lifting ram a when in its lowest position, and the effect
of these parts and of the dead-weights G is analogous to the various parts of
fig. 1.
I do not bind myself to the method of supporting the arms g¹ but might use
bridle rods or any other arrangement which would give a similar result, nor do I
bind myself to the form of weights G, nor do I confine myself to the arrangement
of balancing cylinders shown on the drawings, the first and second parts of my
invention being limited to the methods for compensating the pressure on lifting ram.
Fig. 4 shows my controlling valve, I being the inlet, J the outlet, and K
the communication to the cylinder or "hydraulic balance."
L is the body or casing of the valve constructed of suitable material. M is the
valve or plunger the lower end of which is provided with cupping leathers m which

page_text: fit tightly into the lower portion of valve casing when plunger is down. The upper
part of this plunger when up fits into the partition n which forms part of the cover N
of valve casing and is made water-tight by cupping leathers n' which also make a
tight joint between partition n and valve casing L. The upper portion of plunger
is provided with a piston O which works water tightly in a cylinder n² forming part
of the valve cover N, this piston being for the purpose of balancing the downward
pressure on plunger due to the pressure of the water. The valve is operated by
the rack P which is driven by a pinion and drum in the ordinary manner.
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
I claim is
"
1. In "Hydraulic Balances i or Balance Accumulators the combination of two
rams, and two cylinders or their equivalent working one inside the other with a
tank or reservoir suspended from the large ram or its equivalent, a fixed or detached
tank and a connecting moveable, jointed, telescopic, or flexible pipe, so arranged that
water flows from the fixed tank to the moveable as it descends and returns to the
fixed tank as the moveable one rises to counteract the varying pressure on the
lift ram, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
"
2. The attachment to the "Hydraulic Balance or Balance Accumulator of a lift
or elevator, of a moveable or jointed weight so constructed that its centre of gravity
noves in such a manner as to increase the load on the "Balance as the lift rises and
vice versa as it descends in order to counteract the varying pressure on the lift ram,
substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
3. In valves for Hydraulic Lifts, Elevators, or otherwise controlling the flow of water
or other fluids, the arrangement of the inner and outer parts with joints made
water-tight by means of cupping leathers so as to pack the plunger and also enable
the whole of the internal parts to be withdrawn without disconnecting the branches,
substantially as set forth and described.
4. The arrangement of compensating balance weight as shown in fig. 2 and as
hereintofore described.