Improvements in and connected with Apparatus for Opening and Closing Bulkhead and other Doors, Hatches, Ports, Valves, Gates, and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 23rd Oct.,
1897
COMPLETE SIEUITIATION
Improvements in and connected with Apparatus for Opening and
Closing Bulkhead and other Doors, Hatches, Ports, Valves,
Gates, and the like.
A communication from abroad by the LONG ARM SYSTEM COMPANY of Cleveland, Ohio,
United States of America.
I, PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, England,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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 :--
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for opening and closing
bulkhead doors, hatches, ports, valves, gates and other such devices, and while
designed especially for use on ship board, it may be used advantageously in factories,
large buildings, or any other place where such a system is necessary or desirable.
The objects of the invention are, first, to construct an apparatus which shall be
simple, durable, positive in its action, reliable, and not likely to get out of order, by
means of which a series of mechanical devices situated at a distance from the
operating point may be all operated simultaneously in case of an emergency, second,
to provide a system in which the power for operating a number of mechanical devices
will be supplied to the said devices through a single main pipe, and will be maintained
at a predetermined pressure therein, and third, to provide means at each device to be
operated whereby the said device may be controlled at will.
Reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which the same parts are
indicated by the same letters throughout the several views.
Fig. 1 represents a diagrammatic view of the primary system connected to an
accumulator for supplying fluid pressure to the main line and its branches.
Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of a vertically sliding bulkhead door, with
the improved means for opening and closing the same applied thereto.
Fig. 3 represents a vertical section made by the plane 3, 3 of Figures 2 and 5,
shewing the means for tightening the door upon its seat.
Fig. 4 represents a section made by the plane 4, 4 of Figure 2, and further
illustrates the means for tightening the door upon its seat.
Fig. 5 represents a horizontal section through the door and the closing and
tightening devices thereof made by the plane 5, 5 of Figures 2 and 3.
Fig. 6 represents a vertical section through the cylinder, piston and hollow piston
rod, made by the plane 6, 6 of Figure 5.
Fig. 7 represents a side elevation of the operating valve at the door, parts being
shewn in section.
Fig. 8 represents a section through the operating valve made by the plane 8, 8 of
Figure 7.
Fig. 9 represents a section through the automatic shut off device on the said valve,
taken on the line 9, 9 of Figure 7.
Figs. 10, 11, and 12 represent the application of the primary system shewn in
Figure 1 directly to the operation of a door, with a releasing valve shewn in the system.
Referring now more particularly to Figure 1, A represents a steam or other fluid
pressure accumulator of any well known form, A¹ being the steam or other fluid

page_text: Pressure cylinder and A² the ram cylinder thereof. This accumulator may be called
"he central station, or source of power and control, hereinafter referred to.
t,
Steam or other fluid pressure is supplied to the steam cylinder A' through a pipe a
from any suitable source. For convenience of description the pipe a and cylinder A¹
will be hereinafter called the steam pipe and steam cylinder, although any other
suitable fluid under pressure, such as compressed air, may be admitted to the
same.
This pipe a is preferably provided with reducing valves al and a before entering
the steam cylinder. The first reducing valve a' is set to reduce the steam pressure
to a predetermined limit, as for instance, a pressure of one hundred pounds to the
square inch, and the second reducing valve is set to reduce the steam pressure to
about one-half the pressure allowed to pass through the first valve, or about fifty
pounds to the square inch, which latter is the usual pressure for working the
system.
The accumulator pumps A³ are supplied with steam through a pipe a³ from the
interior of the steam cylinder A¹, and the supply of steam to the pumps may be
automatically regulated in any well-known way.
These pumps A3, when in operation, are supplied with fluid through the pipe a³,
which fluid is forced through the pipe a' into the ram cylinder A2, whence it is forced
through the distributing main B, and its branches b, to the several doors or other
devices to be operated.
A branch pipe a leads from the steam pipe a, between the two reducing valves a¹, a²,
to the pipe a³, thus serving as a "by-pass" from between the reducing valves to the
cylinder and pumps.
A valve a is placed in the pipe a, and when this valve is closed, the steam
entering the cylinder and pumps must pass through both of the reducing valves a¹
and a², where its pressure is reduced in two steps to theusual working pressure. When
the valve a is open the steam will be admitted to the cylinder and pumps at the
pressure with which it leaves the first reducing valve, thus immediately increasing,
generally doubling, the fluid pressure in the main B and its branches b. The object
of increasing, or doubling, the pressure in the main B is to close all the bulkhead
doors at once, as in case of accident to the ship, or in any other emergency, and the
means for closing the said doors by this increase of pressure will be hereinafter
described. The valve a' is opened or closed by means of a power cylinder C which
forms a part of a primary system such as is shewn and described in Specification of
Letters Patent of Great Britain, dated July 20, 1896, No. 16,013, and may be briefiv
described as follows:-
The two cylinders C and C₁ of equal piston displacement are connected with each
other by the pipes c c which pass through the six-way valve C* located in the circuit
between said cylinders. These cylinders and pipes are filled with fluid under pressure
from the supply pipe c, connected either to the ram cylinder A2, as shewn in dotted
lines in Figure 1, or to any other source of fluid pressure. c' represents the discharge
pipe. The piston of the cylinder C is connected with the lever of the valve a', and
when this piston is operated to open or close the said valve the fluid forced from one
end of its cylinder will cause a corresponding travel of the piston in the cylinder C¹,
which travel may be indicated by a pointer c attached to the piston rod and
moving over a scale c². The six-way valve C2 is provided with a lever C³ and
handle C, by means of which the valve may be turned to admit fluid pressure to
either end of the power cylinder C, to open or close the valve a, the piston in the
tell-tale cylinder C¹ moving at the same time to indicate that the power cylinder is
doing its work.
The primary system just described constitutes the emergency portion of the
whole system, the six-way valve C2 is placed on the bridge, in the conning-tower,
or in any other suitable place, and when it is desired to close all the doors, a
simple movement of the lever C³ will cause the power cylinder C to open. the
valve and throw the double pressure into the main B and its branches, and
close all the bulkhead doors, as will be hereinafter described.

page_text: In the device shewn in Figure 10, the primary system is connected directly to the
door or other object to be operated. The door D° is swung by the mechanism F
operated by the piston of the cylinder C, as shown in the British Specification
No. 16,013/96 aforesaid; but in this system in order to provide a means of escape
from or access to a closed compartment while the pressure is on, a releasing valve K',
is provided, which consists of a tubular casing bored out in the direction of its axis to
receive the valve plug Iº, and provided with a flange secured to the bulkhead in any
suitable manner as by bolts through holes to make a water-tight joint, an opening
being formed in the bulkhead for the end of the valve plug to extend through."
The casing has three vents or apertures opening through the sides into the
central opening, which apertures are all tapped to receive the screwthreaded ends of
the pipes c, c, and H2.
The valve plug I° is bored through at right angles to its axis as at and bored in
from one side, opening into the passage at right angles thereto, as at 100 Figure 12.
These passages are arranged to register with the vents in the casing, and when the
valve is in its normal position, the passage will forn a continuous passage through
the pipes cc, and the passage will be turned to the opposite side of the casing,
thus closing the pipe H2, as shewn in Figure 12.
in
When the valve is in its norinal position; i.e., with the passage open through the
pipes cc, the fluid will be free to pass through these pipes to the power cylinder to
close the bulkhead door and hold it in its closed position. In this position the
handles of the valve will be preferably vertical, as shewn, and held by the tension of
the spring nº, which is connected with the said handle and extends to a suitable
holding device n2, on the bulkhead. Stops n³ and n' are also provided for the handle
to strike against when the passages 2° or 20 register with the vents in the casing.
The operation of the device is as follows:
When the releasing valve is in its normal position, the system can operate to open
or close the bulkhead doors without interference. But should it be necessary to
prevent the door from closing, as for instance, when persons are passing through, one
can turn the handle of the valve to hold the door open. This movement will cut off
the pressure from one of the pipes c and open the other pipe c into the pipe H² which
is open to the atmosphere. This will relieve the pressure on the side of the piston
for closing the door, and the back pressure in one of the pipes c will tend to move
This back pressure on
the
the piston in the direction for opening the door.
piston will be duplicated on the piston in the tell-tale cylinder C at the central
station, and the operator, when starting to close the door will know from the
non-response of the tell-tale piston that someone wishes the door to remain open a
while longer, and will act accordingly.
When the door is closed, which is the normal position of the bulkhead doors, and
someone wishes it opened, that person will turn the handle I³ or I, which will, as
before, cut off the pressure from one of the pipes c and open the other pipe c to the
pipe H2, thus relieving the pressure in the power cylinder which tends to hold the door
closed, and allowing the back pressure to move the piston in the direction to swing
the door open.
This movement of the piston will be repeated by the piston in the
tell-tale cylinder at the central station, which may have a signal device attached
thereto to notify the operator when such movement takes place so that he can turn the
proper valves to cause the door to swing open.
In Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the drawings is illustrated a vertically sliding bulkhead
door as the preferred form of door for use with the present system, but it will be
obvious that this system may be readily adapted to operate various forms of doors,
gates, ports or valves, other than those herein specifically described.
D represents the door which slides vertically in the ways or guides E, bolted as at e
to the bulkhead X, and have secured thereto the seat E', against which the inner side
A cylinder F is secured
of the door is adapted to be pressed when the door is closed.
to the door D as by means of the plates f and bolts f, and extends the whole length
of, and a little above, the door. Within this cylinder is arranged a hollow piston F¹,
Figure 6 from which a hollow piston rod F2 extends through the upper cylinder
201

page_text: head F, which is provided with the usual packing f', and the said pipe is secured to the
bulkhead some distance above the door by the bracket and socket X', which latter is
bolted to the bulkhead as at x. The hollow piston rod F2 opens into the cylinder
above the piston through the vents or ports f. Within the hollow piston rod or
pipe F is arranged a smaller pipe F3, leaving an annular space between the inner
and outer pipes, and the latter pipe F3 extends through the piston and opens into
the lower part of the cylinder as at f³. The upper ends of the two pipes F2 and F3
are secured in a double elbow G, shewn best in Figure 6, which also receives the ends
of the two pipes H, H¹, which convey the fluid pressure to the cylinder F, and
conduct the fluid from the pipe H through a passage g to the inner pipe F³, and the
fluid from the pipe H¹ through the passage g¹ to the outer pipe F. Thus when the
fluid under pressure is admitted to the pipe H it will pass through the inner pipe F
to the lower part of the cylinder F, thus forcing the said cylinder down, and causing
the door which is secured to the cylinder to close. While if fluid be admitted
through the pipe H¹ and not through the pipe H, it will enter the cylinder F above
the piston rod, and will raise the door. The flow of fluid through the pipes H, H¹, is
controlled by the operating valve K and the parts connected thereto, and shewn in
Figures 2, 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings.
This operating valve K consists of a casing K¹ bored out in the direction of its axis
to form the valve chamber ko, to receive the valve plug I, which latter is made to fit
snugly in the valve chamber 4°. One end of the casing K¹ is fitted water tight within
the opening a in the bulkhead X and the casing is held to the bulkhead by bolts k
passing through boltholes 41 in the casing.
The ends of the valve plug I have spindles or stems I' and I extending through
stuffing boxes and provided with handles I³ and I', one on each side of the bulkhead,
by means of which the valve plug can be turned to open or close the door from either
side.
The several pipes are connected to the casing by the couplings L. The pipes H
and Henter opposite sides of the casing respectively and open into passages h, h¹,
leading to the valve chamber k°; the branch pipe b from the pressure main B enters
through its coupling L and opens into the passage b' in the valve casing leading into
the valve chamber at right angles to the openings h, h'. The exhaust passage h² opens
into the valve chamber on the opposite side to the passage 61 and communicates
with the exhaust pipe H' which is connected by its coupling L to the lower side of
the casing K on one side of the pipe H'. On the other side of the pipe H¹, a
pipe H3 opens into a passage h³ in the valve casing leading into the passage 1. The
pipe H2 leads to a reservoir M into which the fluid from the cylinder F is discharged
after having done its work, and this reservoir M provided with an overflow pipe m
leading to the bilge or to any other convenient place. The pipe H³ leads to an
auxiliary source of supply, such as a hand pump M¹ of any suitable construction,
which may be used to force the fluid from the reservoir M through the pipe H³ the
valve K to the cylinder F to open or close the door by hand power from either side of
bulkhead should the inain line become disabled.
The valve plug I is provided with two ports or passages i, it, which open through
the sides of the valve plug, the said openings being at a distance of ninety degrees
apart, as shewn in Figure 8 of the drawings, so that when the plug is turned to one
position, one of the ports, as i, will form a communicating passage between the
passage b¹ and h, and the other port will form a communicating passage between
the passage h¹ and h².
In this position the fluid from the main B will pass through the pipes H and F³ to
the lower part of the cylinder to close the door, while the fluid from the upper part of
the cylinder will escape through the pipes F2 and H1, the passage h¹ in the valve
casing, the port ' in the valve, and the passage h² to the exhaust pipe H2, and thence
to the reservoir M.
When the plug is turned the other way the passage b1 from the main B will be
opened into the passage so that the fluid will pass through the pipes H¹ and F2 to
the top of the cylinder above the piston F1 and thus force the said cylinder upward

page_text: and open the door, the fluid from the lower part of the cylinder passing through the
pipes F3 and H, the passage h, port i, and passage h² to the exhaust pipe H and
reservoir M.
The handle I' on the opposite side of the bulkhead from the casing K is provided
with an extension I carrying a pin which extends into a slotted block N arranged
to slide in a suitable casing Ŏ secured to the bulkhead.
The block N is provided with a stud n on each side forming supports for the ends
of two coiled springs n' n' which tend to press the block N toward the middle of its
stroke. These springs are preferably supported at their opposite ends on studs O' O'
projecting from disks 02 0, which latter are swiveled on the ends of compression
screws 03, 03 which pass through the ends of the reduced portions 00* of the casing 0,
and the said compression screws are provided with lock nuts 0% 0%. By means of
the said compression screws the springs 'n' may be so adjusted as to balance each
other when the block is in the middle of the casing, which will hold the lever I* in a
vertical position, as shewn in Figure 9. This position of the lever I will hold the
valve plug I in the position shewn in Figure 8, with the passages b', h, h¹ and h²
closed, which position will prevent any fluid from passing into or out of the cylinder F
and thus hold the door in the locked position, whether open, closed, or only partly
open.
When the handles are turned to open the valve to admit fluid to the cylinder the
block N will be noved against the tension of one or the other of the springs 1 n',
and when the said handle is released the spring which has been compressed will push
the said block back to its middle position where it will balance between the two
springs, thus closing the valve.
The foregoing description shews the effect of moving the valve plug I by hand;
but to provide for the operation of the system from the central station, as by the
lever C³, the valve casing is provided with two chambers K² and K³, one of which K2
communicates with the passage 61 through an opening 2, which opening is kept
normally closed by a check valve K' held upon its sent by a spring, the tension of
which spring is sufficient to hold the said check valve closed against the usual pressure
in the inain B and its branches b, but is not strong enough.to resist increased pressure
should it be turned on in case of emergency. A passage connects the chamber K
with the passage h, so that should the increased pressure be turned on, while the
valve K is closed, the check valve K+ would be forced open and the increased fluid
pressure would pass through the chamber K2 to the pipe H and thence to the
cylinder F and close the door. The chamber K³ communicates with the passage h¹
through an opening closed by a check valve K' held upon its seat by a spring /
which spring is strong enough to hold the check valve closed against the usual
pressure in the system but not strong enough to resist the increased pressure when
thrown on, so that when the increased pressure is exerted in the lower end of the
cylinder to close the door the increased pressure in the exhausting end of the cylinder
will force the check valve K5 open and allow the exhaust fluid to pass into the
chamber K3 which is open to the exhaust pipe H² as shewn in Figure 8.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the normal position of the valve plug I is
as shewn in Figure 8, i.e., with all it ports closed, thus holding the door from move-
ment. When it is desired to open or close the door, one of the handles 13 or I' is
turned to the right or left as the case may be, thus admitting the pressure to the
Upon the release of the handle the valve will
cylinder F to open or close the door.
be closed by the action of the springs n' n¹and will hold the door from movement; but
should it be desirable to close all the doors in case of an emergency, the increased
fluid pressure is turned on at the accumulator, as hereinbefore described, and this
will force the check valve K* open and passing to the cylinders F will close the doors,
the exhaust pressure forcing the check valves K5 open and escaping therethrough.
Should it be necessary to check the movement of one or more of the doors, or to
5 open one while being closed by the increased pressure, to allow the attendants to
escape from the compartment, one of the handles I³ or I may be turned in the usual
direction for opening the door and held in this position; this will open the ports in the

page_text: valve plug I and will turn the whole pressure into the upper end of the cylinder F to
open the door. During this short interval for liberating an attendant, caught by the
einergency closing action, a slight amount of fluid will escape through the valves K
and K5, for both at this time have their upper sides in connection with the overflow
pipe H2 but this cannot prevent at least the ordinary pressure being available to open
the door and the slight amount of waste fluid can do no harm. When the attendants
have all passed from the compartment, if the handle be released or be turned in the
opposite direction, this will turn the whole pressure into the lower end of the cylinder,
and the door will be closed. A case X is secured to the inside of the bulkhead over
the handle 14 to prevent the contents of the compartment from injuring or interfering
with the said handle. This is especially desirable for coal bunkers or compartments
in which freight is packed.
The seat El at the side of the opening in the bulkhead forms a part of the guides E,
and the seat pieces E2 and E³ at the top and the bottom of the door may or may not
be formed integral therewith, and the whole seat is bolted securely to the bulkhead
to form with the door a water-tight joint.
A flange D¹ is bolted to each side of the door D, and to the outer side of each of
the said flanges is secured, by screws or otherwise, a strip D2 having a series of
bevels d, which terminate at their lower ends in shoulders or lugs d', through which
lugs the screws are passed to hold the strips to the flanges.
Within the guides E opposite to the strips D2 are arranged corresponding strips P
having bevels p opposite to the bevels d² of the strip D³. The strips P are arranged to
slide vertically in the guides E and are provided with slotted lugs P1 at their upper
ends, into the slots of which project pins from toes R, which toes are pivoted to
brackets D3 bolted to the door and extending siightly above the same.
The toes R have their ends beveled as at r¹ to engage the underside of adjustable
stops E bolted to the guides E. On one side of the toes Rare formed cains R¹ which
are adapted to engage rollers journalled in brackets E5 bolted to the guides E, in
such a position that the rollers will be just above the top of the door when the latter
is closed. The pivoted toes R hang in the position shewn by the dotted lines R° in
Figure 4, during all upward or downward movement of the door outside of the short
tightening interval at the extreme bottom end of travel; and the toes R are held in
this position by the beveled ends 1 bearing against and sliding under the projecting
lipse of the upper guides. When the door descends to the tightening interval
the beveled ends 1 pass below the projecting lips of the upper guides and
below the adjustable stops E* and the toes R are caused to swing outwardly and
upwardly in the direction of the arrow, by the cams R¹ engaging the rollers es, until
the beveled ends bear on the adjustable stops E at which time the door is
completely closed and tightened. When the door ascends from its closed position
the above described operation of the toes R is reversed; the beveled ends being held
by the stops E* until the toes are swung into the dotted position R° at which time the
door is entirely released and free from the action of the tighteners. During the
tightening interval while the door is either descending or ascending as above
described, the pins r remain nearly stationary and hold the strips P stationary on the
guides E. After the door has been released and the toes R have assumed the position
shewn in dotted lines at R°, the said toes, and the strips P, will travel with the door.
Rollers or balls Q are placed between the bevels p and d², as shewn in Figure 3, and
during the tightening interval, as the door and strip D' descend, the strip P being
held by the action of the toe R, the rollers Q will tighten between the two bevels p
and d and thus force the door tightly against its seat at the sides. Should there be a
small obstruction between the door and its seat the rollers would not fall so low in the
space between the two bevels but would remain in about the position shewn in. dotted
lines at Q in Figure 3, but in any event will tend to force the door closely against its
seat.
When the door is forced home the end of the toe R will rest beneath the
stop E as shewn in Figures 3 and 4. When the door begins to move upwardly the
end of the toe R being retained beneath the stop E will hold the strip.P down,

page_text: the said toe turning about the pin as a pivot until the parts assume the position
shewn in dotted lines in Figure 4, by which time the rollers Q will have been
carried above the bevels p by the lugs d³ which will release the door and allow it to
slide freely in the guides E.
One
Journalled in suitable lugs S on the lower seat piece E³ is a shaft S¹ on which is
mounted a flap piece T which is rounded at the lower outer edge t, and bent inwardly
at the top as at t to lie close against the seat piece E³ when the door is open.
or more springs S2 are coiled around the shaft S¹ in suitable recesses formed for that
purpose in the flap piece T, indicated by the dotted line to in Figures 3 and 4, one
end of each spring being secured to the flap piece and the other end being bent under
the seat piece E³ so as to press the flap piece against the seat piece when the door is
open. This prevents the collection of dirt, coal or other solid matter at the base of
the door way, which would prevent the door from being forced down on its seat.
Arranged at intervals along the upper side of the flap piece T are lugs or toes T¹
which also press against the seat piece E³ when the door is open, and journalled in
these toes T¹ are rollers t¹.
The lower edge of the door is beveled as at D to form a wedge, which, when the
door descends will enter between the rollers t¹ and the seat piece E3 and thus force
the rollers and flap piece Toutwardly against the tension of the springs S², allowing
the wedge-shaped bottom D' of the door to enter behind the said flap piece. The
flap piece T is provided with a rib T2 along its lower inner edge, which when the door
has entered behind the upper portion of the flap piece will strike the bottom of the
seat piece F³, preventing further movement of the upper portion of the flap piece thus
pressing the lower portion of the door firmly against the lower seat piece E³. In
place of the rib T2 a series of lugs may be used, which would allow a larger opening
for dirt or other foreign matter to fall through.
The top tighteners consist of hooks U beveled as at u¹, bolted to a flange D on the
door, and provided with strengthening ribs u. These hooks enter beveled openings e
in the top seat piece E2, and wedge the upper part of the door against its seat.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that during the last part of the downward
movement of the door. the sides are forced against the seat by the action of the
rollers Q between the bevel strips D and P, the bottom is forced against the bottom
seat piece F by the action of the wedge-shaped lower edge of the door as it enters
behind the flap piece T, while the top is forced against the top seat piece E² by the
action of the beveled hooks U in the beveled opening e of the upper seat piece, thus
pressing all four sides of the door firmly against their respective seats, and forming a
water-tight door.
It will be obvious that various modifications might be made in the hereindescribed
system and apparatus, which could be used without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is =
1. The improved hydraulic system for closing bulkhead doors and for like purposes
substantially as hereindescribed and shewn in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings
hereunto annexed.
2. The primary hydraulic system for closing bulkhead doors and for like purposes, in
combination with a releasing valve, substantially as hereindescribed and shewn in
Figure 10 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
3. The construction and combination of parts constituting the releasing valve
herein described aud shewn in Figures 2, 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings hereunto
annexed.
4. The combination with a hydraulic system such as is shewn in Figure 1, of a
plurality of doors operated by said system, substantially as and for the purposes described.
5. The combination with a hydraulic system such as is shewn in Figure 1, of a

page_text: plurality of doors operated by said system, and a releasing valve in each of the door
controlling circuits, substantially as and for the purposes described.
6. The hydraulic mechanism for moving a sliding door or other reciprocating body,
substantially as hereindescribed and shewn in Figure 2 of the drawings hereunto
annexed.
7. The automatic means for tightening the door on its seat in combination with
means for moving the door longitudinally, substantially as hereindescribed and
shewn in the drawings hereunto annexed.
8. The improved means for tightening the sides of the door, substantially as
hereindescribed and shewn in Figure 3 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
9. The improved means for tightening the base of the door and for preventing the
base of the door frame from clogging up, substantially as hereindescribed and
shewn in Figures 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
10. The improved arrangement of hollow piston and cylinder shewn in Figure 6, in
combination with the releasing valve and the hydraulic system shewn in Figure 2,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
11. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a ram
cylinder adapted to contain a body of fluid under pressure, and a steam cylinder for
exerting pressure upon said fluid, with valves for regulating the said pressure, of au
emergency cylinder, with piston therein and emergency mechanism operated by said
piston, pipes respectively connected to each end of said cylinder and adapted to
contain fluid under pressure, a fluid pressure pipe and an exhaust pipe, and a six-way
valve for connecting the pipe from one end of said cylinder to the fluid pressure pipe
and from the other end of the cylinder to the exhaust pipe, or vice versa, substantially
as described.
12. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a ram
cylinder adapted to contain a body of fluid under pressure, and a steam cylinder for
exerting pressure upon said fluid, with valves for regulating the said pressure, of an
emergency cylinder, with piston therein, pipes respectively connected to each end of
said cylinder and adapted to contain fluid under pressure, a fluid pressure pipe and an
exhaust pipe, and means for connecting the pipe from one end of shid cylinder to the
fluid pressure pipe, and from the other end of the cylinder to the exhaust pipe, or vice
versa, a fluid pressure main leading from the ram cylinder, brauch pipes leading from
said main, mechanism operated by the fluid in said branch pipes and mechanism
operated by the fluid in said branch pipes and mechanism operated by the piston in
the emergency cylinder for regulating the pressure in the steam cylinder and so
controlling the pressure in all of said branch pipes, substantially as described.
13. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a ram
cylinder adapted to contain a body of fluid under pressure, and a steam cylinder for
exerting pressure upon said fluid, with valves for regulating the said pressure, of an
emergency cylinder, with piston therein, pipes respectively connected to each end of
said cylinder, and adapted to contain fluid under pressure, a fluid pressure pipe and
an exhaust pipe, and means for connecting the pipe from one end of said cylinder to
the fluid pressure pipe and from the other end of the cylinder to the exhaust pipe, or
vice versa, a fluid pressure main connected to said ram cylinder, branch pipes leading
from said main, door opening and closing mechanism operated by the fluid in said
branch pipes and mechanism operated by the piston in the emergency cylinder and
controlling the pressure in all of said branch pipes, and a hand operated releasing
valve connected to each of said branch pipes and adapted to control the flow of fluid
through said branch pipe and to control the door opening and closing mechanism
operated thereby, substantially as described.
14. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a
source of fluid pressure, of an accumulator adapted to contain fluid under pressure
and itself operated by fluid from the source of fluid pressure, means for regulating the
pressure of the fluid in the accumulator, a fluid pressure main leading from the
accumulator, a branch pipe from said main, mechanism operated by the fluid in said
branch pipe and a releasing valve located in said branch pipe and operated by hand

page_text: at low pressures and automatically operated at high pressures, substantially as
described.
15. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a source
of fluid pressure, of an accumulator adapted to contain a body of fluid under pressure,
a plurality of reducing valves for regulating the admission of fluid pressure from said
source to said accumulator, a bye-pass opening from between said reducing valves
into said accumulator, a valve controlling said bye-pass, means for operating said
valve, a fluid pressure main connected to said accumulator, branch pipes connected
to said main, and mechanism operated by the fluid pressure in said branch pipes,
substantially as described.
16. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a source
of fluid pressure, of an accumulator adapted to contain a body of fluid under pressure,
a plurality of reducing valves for regulating the admission of fluid pressure from said
source of said accumulator, a bye-pass opening from between said reducing valves into
said accumulator, a valve controlling said bye-pass, means for operating said valve, a fluid
pressure main connected to said accumulator, branch pipes connected to said main,
and door opening and closing mechanism operated by the fluid pressure in said branch
pipes, substantially as described.
17. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a source
of fluid pressure, of an accumulator adapted to contain a body of fluid under pressure,
a plurality of reducing valves for regulating the admission of fluid pressure from said
source to said accumulator a bye-pass opening from between said reducing valves into
said accumulator, a valve controlling said bye-pass, means for operating said valve, a
fluid pressure main connected to said accumulator, branch pipes connected to said
main, and a hand operated releasing valve in each of said branch pipes, substantially
as described.
18. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a source
of fluid pressure, of an accumulator adapted to contain fluid under pressure, means
for regulating the pressure of the fluid in the accumulator, a fluid pressure main
leading from the accumulator, a branch pipe from said inain, a sliding door, a cylinder
and piston, one of which is fast to the door and the other to the framework or bulk-
Lead surrounding the door, and the movable part being operated by the fluid in said
branch pipe, and a releasing valve located in said branch pipe and operated by hand
at low pressures and automatically operated at high pressures, substantially as
described.
19. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a
source of fluid pressure, of an accumulator adapted to contain fluid under pressure
and itself operated by fluid from the source of fluid pressure, means for regulating
the pressure of the fluid in the accumulator, a fluid pressure main leading from the
accumulator, branch pipes from said main, mechanisin operated by the fluid in said
branch pipes, and releasing valves located in each of said branch pipes and separately
operated by hand at low pressures and simultaneously automatically operated at high
pressures, substantially as described.
20. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a
source of fluid pressure, of an accumulator adapted to contain fluid under pressure
and itself operated by fluid from the source of fluid pressure, means for regulating
the pressure of the fluid in the accumulator, a fluid pressure main leading from the
accumulator, branch pipes from said main, door opening and closing inechanism
operated by the fluid in said branch pipes, and releasing valves located in each of
said branch pipes and separately operated by hand at low pressures and
simultaneously automatically operated at high pressures, substantially as described.
21. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a
source of fluid pressure, of an accumulator adapted to contain fluid under pressure
and itself operated by fluid from the source of fluid pressure, means for regulating
the pressure of the fluid in the accumulator, a fluid pressure main leading from the
accumulator, branch pipes from said main, a sliding door, a cylinder attached to said
door, a fixed piston, and a hollow piston rod connected to said branch pipe and
R

page_text: opening into the cylinder, whereby the door is operated by the fluid in said branch
pipes, and releasing valves located in each of said branch pipes and separately
operated by hand at low pressures and simultaneously automatically operated at high
pressures, substantially as described.
22. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a
source of fluid pressure, of an accumulator adapted to contain a body of fluid under
pressure, a plurality of reducing valves for regulating the admission of fluid pressure
from said source to said accumulator, a bye-pass opening from between said reducing
valves into said accumulator, a valve controlling said bye-pass, means for operating
said valve, and door opening and closing mechanism operated by the fluid pressure
from the accumulator, substantially as described.
23. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a
source of fluid pressure, of an accumulator adapted to contain a body of fluid under
pressure, a plurality of reducing valves for régulating the admission of fluid pressure
from said source to said accumulator, a bye-pass opening from between said reducing
valves into said accumulator, a valve controlling said bye-pass, a hydraulic system for
operating said valve, and door opening and closing mechanism operated by the fluid
pressure from the accumulator, substantially as described.
24. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a
source of fluid pressure, of an accumulator adapted to contain a body of fluid under
pressure, a plurality of reducing valves for regulating the admission of fluid pressure
from said source to said accumulator, a bye-pass opening from between said reducing
valves into said accumulator, a valve controlling said bye-pass, a hydraulic system
operated by pressure from the accumulator for operating said valve, a fluid pressure
main connected to said accumulator, branch pipes connected to said main, and door
opening and closing mechanism operated by the fluid pressure in said branch pipes,
substantially as described.
25. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a
fluid pressure main and a branch pipe leading therefrom, and means for raising and
lowering the pressure in said main, of mechanism operated by the pressure in said
branch pipe, and a releasing valve located in said branch pipe, and adapted to he
operated by hand at all pressures and to be operated automatically at high pressures
only, substantially as described.
26. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a fluid
pressure main and a branch pipe leading therefrom, and means for raising and
lowering the pressure in said main, of door opening and closing mechanism operated
by the pressure in said branch pipe, and a releasing valve located in said branch pipe,
and adapted to be operated by hand at all pressures and to be operated automatically
at high pressures only, substantially as described.
27. A releasing valve, for use in apparatus of the character described, comprising a
valve casing with two passages therethrough crossing at right angles, and a perforated
plug at the intersection of said passages, the said passages being also provided with
lateral ports or openings, spring operated valves closing said lateral ports against
normal pressures but yielding to high pressures, passages and pipes leading from the
rear of said spring operated valves to the mechanism to be operated, and pipes
leading from the valve casing to the source of pressure and to the exhaust,
substantially as described.
28. A releasing valve, for use in apparatus of the character described, comprising a
valve casing with two passages therethrough crossing at right angles, and a perforated
plug at the intersection of said passages, a hand lever for turning said plug and
ineans for automatically returning said hand lever to the initial position, the said
passages being also provided with lateral ports or openings, spring operated valves
closing said lateral ports against normal pressures but yielding to high pressures,
passages and pipes leading from the rear of said spring operated valves to the
mechanisin to be operated, and pipes leading from the valve casing to the source of
pressure and to the exhaust, substantially as described.
29. The combination with a frame secured to the bulkhead and provided with

page_text: guides for the edges of the door, of a door sliding in said guides and provided with a
plurality of inclined bearing surfaces with projections at the base of said surfaces, a
plate sliding between said inclined surfaces and the frame and itself having inclined
surfaces oppositely disposed to those on the door, balls or rollers interposed between
the inclined surfaces on the door and on the said plate, and means for starting the
door before said plate, in opening the door, and for stopping the door after said plate,
in closing the door, substantially as described.
30. The combination with a frame secured to the bulkhead and provided with
guides for the edges of the door, of a door sliding in said guides and provided with
a plurality of inclined bearing surfaces with projections at the base of said surfaces,
a plate sliding between said inclined surfaces and the frame and itself having inclined
surfaces oppositely disposed to those on the door, balls or rollers interposed between
the inclined surfaces on the door and on the said plate, and a pivoted toe' adapted to
lock said plate against motion when the door is in the early stages of opening or the
late stages of closing, substantially as described.
31. The means for tightening the sides of a sliding door which consists in providing
oppositely inclined surfaces on the door and next the framework, with balls or rollers
interposed between the said oppositely inclined surfaces, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
:
32. The means for tightening the bottom or edge of a sliding door comprising a
wedge shaped heel piece on the door, and a pivoted flap piece adapted to engage the
said heel piece, with inclined inner face, and spirngs normally pressing said inner
face against the door sill when the door is open, substantially as described.
33. The means for tightening the bottom or edge of a sliding door. comprising a
wedge shaped heel piece on the door and a pivoted flap piece adapted to engage the
said heel piece, with inclined inner face, and springs normally pressing said inner
face against the door sill when the door is open, and rollers engaging said heel piece
and pressing said flap piece back against the action of said springs as the door descends,
substantially as described.
34. In a hydraulic system for opening and closing sliding doors or moving other
bodies, the combination with a supply pipe from the source of fluid pressure, and an
exhaust pipe, of a fixed hollow piston rod with separate passages therethrough to the
upper and lower sides of the piston, respectively, a cylinder secured to the door or
other body to be moved, double pipes connecting the passages in the piston rod, to
the supply pipe, and a four way valve for connecting one of the passages in the piston
rod to the supply pipe, and the other to the exhaust, or vice versa, substantially as
described.
:
35. In a hydraulic system for opening and closing sliding doors or moving other
bodies, the combination with a supply pipe from the source of fluid pressure, and an
exhaust pipe, of a fixed hollow piston rod with separate passages therethrough to the
upper and lower sides of the piston, respectively, a cylinder secured to the door or
other body to be moved, double pipes connecting the passages in the piston rod to
the supply pipe, and a four way valve for connecting one of the passages in the
piston rod to the supply pipe, and the other to the exhaust, or vice versa, with means
for operating this valve by hand at all pressures, or automatically at high pressures
only, substantially as described.
36. In a hydraulic system for opening and closing sliding doors, the combination
with a door and rigid guides therefor, of a supply pipe from the source of fluid
pressure and an exhaust pipe, a fixed hollow piston rod with separate passages there-
through to the upper and lower sides of the piston, respectively, a cylinder secured
to the door, double pipes connecting the passages in the piston rod to the supply
pipe, a four way valve for connecting one of the passages in the piston rod to the
supply pipe, and the other to the exhaust, or vice versa, and tightening devices
automatically operated by the motion of the door, substantially as described.
37. In a hydraulic system for opening and closing sliding doors, the combination
with a door and rigid guides therefor, of a supply pipe from the source of fluid
pressure and an exhaust pipe, a fixed hollow piston rod with separate passages

page_text: therethrough to the upper and lower sides of the piston, respectively, a cylinder secured
to the door, double pipes connecting the passages in the piston rod to the supply
pipe, a four way valve for connecting one of the passages in the piston rod to the
supply pipe, and the other to the exhaust, or vice versa, and tightening devices
automatically operated by the notion of the door, with means for operating this
valve by hand at all pressures, or automatically at high pressures only, substantially
as described.
38. In a hydraulic system or the character described, the combination with an
operating cylinder, a piston therein, and mechanism operated by said piston, of pipes
adapted to contain fluid under pressure connected to each end of said cylinder, a
device for indicating the flow of fluid through said pipes, and a hand-operated
releasing valve contained in said circuit, substantially as herein described, and shewn
in Figures 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
39. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with
operating cylinder, provided with a piston therein, and mechanisin operated by said
piston, of means for injecting fluid under pressure into one end of said operating
cylinder, and means for registering the fluid expelled from the opposite end of said
cylinder, and a hand-operated releasing valve contained in said circuit, substantially
as herein described, and shewn in Figures 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings hereunto
anuexed.
40. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a fluid
circuit, of an operating piston with mechanism operated thereby, an indicating piston
moving synchronously with said operating piston, and a hand-operated releasing valve
contained in said circuit, substantially as described.
41. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a fluid
circuit, an operating cylinder in said circuit, with a piston operated by the fluid, a
signalling device for indicating the motion of said piston, and an independently
operated releasing valve for controlling the flow of fluid in said circuit, substantially
as described.
42. In a hydraulic system of the character described, the combination with a
cylinder and an operating piston of a door, and mechanism operated by said piston
for moving said door, an indicating cylinder, a double system of pipes connected
thereto, a pipe for supplying fluid pressure and an exhaust pipe, a six way valve
located between said cylinders and adapted to connect said supply pipe with either
end of said operating cylinder, to connect the opposite end of the operating cylinder
with one end of the indicating cylinder, and to connect the opposite end of the
indicating cylinder with the exhaust pipe, and a hand operated releasing valve
contained in said circuit, substantially as described.