Improvements in Hydraulic Lifts.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 8th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 21st Jan., 1893
INUTIDIUNAT DEVIFICATION.
Improvements in Hydraulic Lifts.
1, ROBERT CAREY, of 43, Arlingford Road, Brixton, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My present invention relates to improvements in hydraulic lifting or hoisting
machinery, in which the lift, or weight, to be lifted is raised by the admission of
water to one or more suitable cylinders containing pistons or plungers connected
with the lifting gear, and more especially to the forms of such hydraulic lifting or
hoisting machinery for which I obtained Letters Patent dated November 11th
A.D. 1890, No. 18148.
In the Specification of the said Letters Patent I described and shewed an
arrangement (amongst others) by which the position of the distributing valve for
the water is arranged and determined, in which arrangement a weighted lever
actuated by the load in the cage or lift brings a sliding stop or its equivalent, with
steps corresponding to the number of different powers of the machine into position
as the load is put into or taken out of the cage, or attached to or taken from the
chain in the case of cranes. One part of my present invention consists of a novel
device by which the stepped sliding stop or its equivalent is brought by the weight
in the lift into the proper position to cause the correct adjustment of the valve in a
position dependent upon the weight which is being raised, so that only a quantity
of water under pressure is used proportioned to the amount of such weight, a larger
quantity being used for a greater weight and a smaller quantity for a less weight,
and economy of water being thus effected.
1 arrange the pulley over which the rope or chain passes from which the lift is
suspended and by which the weight is raised and lowered, so that its axle revolves
in bearings carried by a frame or beams, supported upon the upper end of small
rains which descend into corresponding fixed cylinders, with the intervention of
suitable packing of the usual kind. These cylinders are kept charged with water,
oil, or other suitable fluid and from the pipes pass which communicate with another
cylinder fixed in a suitable position, and fitted with a ram which is forced down by
a properly proportioned lever the outer end of which is pressed down by a spring of
sufficient length of stroke or play, or by a series of weights which are raised in
succession by the lever, as the pressure in the several cylinders increases in propor-
tion to increased weight in the lift or cage.
The outer end of the lever forms, or is connected with, a stop by which the
movement of the sliding stepped stop already referred to is arrested when it bas
travelled through a distance dependent upon the height to which the lever has been
raised.
When therefore, a greater or less weight is to be raised the small plungers which
support the bearings of the pulley round which the lifting rope or chain passes are
forced down with a force proportionate to the weight in the lift and this force is
transmitted to the plunger which adjusts the stop lever (by compressing the spring
or raising a greater or less number of weights) so that the latter is brought auto-
matically to the proper position.
A regulating valve of the kind described in the Specification of my said former
Letters Patent is thus set in movement and continues to move until stopped by the
lever adjusted as described, in which position the valve admits water to the proper
lift rams or pistons to lift the particular weight which is to be raised.
For the lightest weights insufficient to raise the lever at all the sliding stepped

page_text: stop would be arrested in the lowest position of the lever, in which position therefore
the valve should be arranged to admit water suitable for the lightest weight.
The valve is caused to change its position, and the graduated or stepped stop to
travel simultaneously with it, as described, by means resembling those explained in
my former Specification a small cylinder being used having a piston with a piston
rod of considerable diameter connected with the valve. Water under pressure is
retained constantly in the annular space surrounding the piston rod, and the other
end of the cylinder can also be opened to pressure or exhaust by a valve operated
by an attendant in charge of the lift.
If opened to pressure the piston is forced slowly outward and moves the distributing
valve until its travel is arrested by the stop at a point depending upon the weights
in the lift. If opened to exhaust, the piston is forced inward and brings the
distributing valve back to its normal position.
In another form of arrangement the plungers which support the pulley bearings,
may be arranged to operate the distributing valve directly.
Two or
more such supporting plungers may be used in the arrangements
described, or one only if the bearings are carried upon a lever which depresses the
plunger when a weight is in the lift.
In the arrangement described and shewn in my former Specification already
referred to, a spring may be conveniently used in place of the series of weights
which are taken up in succession as the weight in the lift increases and by which
the extent of movement of the stepped stop and of the distributing valve is
accordingly determined.
Or, instead of a lever carrying the rope or chain pulley, as described in the said
Specification, the bearings for the said pulley may be fixed, and the other or tail
end of the hoisting rope or chain attached to a lever, the end of which actuates a
spring or raises successive weights according to the weight in the lift, and thus
determines the extent of movement of the distributing valve, as in the arrangements
already described.
Another part of my present invention relates to a very simple form of hydraulic
lift, by which seven different degrees of lifting power can be obtained, the corre-
sponding position of the distributing valve for each power being preferably
determined automatically by apparatus of the kind just described, and described in
my former Specification, according to the weight in the lift.
Below the lower frame which carries the multiplying sheaves or pullies round
which the hoisting chain or rope is passed, I fix a ram descending vertically
downward and through a stuffing box in the upper end of a cylinder fixed below.
Parallel with and at the same height as this cylinder are fixed two other cylinders
closed above and having stuffing boxes at their lower ends through which pass two
rams or plungers of different areas fixed at their lower ends to a cross head connected
to the upper pulley frame or block by suspending rods. The cross head also carries
a sufficient weight or weights.
The distributing valve is arranged so that by its means water under pressure
can be admitted into or allowed to escape from any or all of the three cylinders.
If now all the cylinders are open to exhaust, the band is lifted by the weight of
the pulley frame, cross-head, rod, plungers, and weights.
If the upper cylinder (which contains the smallest ram) and the one containing
the smaller of the two lower rams be opened to pressure, the weights are assisted
by the pressure acting upon the difference of the areas between the two rams.
If the upper ram and the larger of the lower ones be open to exhaust, and the
smaller lower one to pressure, the full area of the last named operates in aid of the
weights.
If the upper ram and the larger lower one be open to pressure and the smaller
lower one to exhaust the weights are aided by the pressure upon the difference of
area between the two first named.
If the larger lower ram be open to pressure and both the others to exhaust, the
weights are aided by the pressure upon the area of the first named one.

page_text: If all three rams are open to pressure, the weights are aided by the pressure upon
the two lower ones, less the upward pressure upon the upper one.
And, seventhly, if the two lower rams are open to pressure and the upper one
to exhaust, the weights are aided by the pressure upon the areas of the two
lower ones.
In the case of lowering instead of raising loads, for light loads the upper ram is
opened to pressure and both lower ones to exhaust. For heavier loads, all three
are opened to exhaust. In both cases the water in the two lower cylinders has to be
forced out, and the speed of lowering can be determined by regulating the opening
of the exhaust valve.
When the plungers are leaving their respective cylinders, without the admission
of water under pressure into the latter, the cylinders are allowed to fill through
valves opening inward whilst the discharge is through the regulating valve. The
machine is therefore always under complete control, as one or other of the rams
must be forcing water out of its cylinder through a valve which can be opened and
closed as desired.
In order to ensure the stopping of the movement of the distributing valve as
soon as the latter has reached a position where the power is sufficient to lift the
load and the latter begins to rise, I sometimes use the following arrangement.
Upon or connected with the piston rod of the distributing valve I make a rack
consisting of angular teeth as many in number as the different powers to be used.
A pall is arranged to fall into the rack and stop the movement of the latter (and
of the valve) at any particular point. The pall is connected, preferably with the.
intervention of a spring, with a lever, to which is pivotted a vertical arm or tooth
the lower end of which rests upon and is supported by the periphery of a wheel
which is made to rotate slowly when the lift is in motion, by connection with the
hoisting rope or pulley or other moving part.
When the hand rope is pulled for the purpose of stopping the lift the lever is
lifted by it so that the pall is withdrawn from the rack, and when the lift is to be
started the pivotted tooth is freed but rests upon the wheel retaining the pall out
of gear with the teeth. The valve moves and continues to move until it reaches a
position when a sufficient power is reached to lift the load.
The lift then commences to move and the wheel to revolve, throwing over the
pivotted tooth, and allowing the pall to drop between the two teeth below it, and
so to prevent the valve from moving further and thus supplying additional power
beyond that which is now operating and is sufficient for the load.
For instance,
This method of arrangement may be modified more or less.
instead of a pall being released to engage with the teeth of a rack, a valve may be
closed by which the further movement of the distributing valve is stopped. Or,
especially in the case of cranes, instead of the pivotted tooth and wheel an ordinary
governor may be used, which on attaining a certain speed given it by the movement
of the lift, either closes a valve or allows a pall to come in gear with a toothed
rack, as in the arrangements already described.
Or the pall may be controlled by a piston in a small supplementary cylinder,
the piston being actuated by water from another principal cylinder a piston in
which is caused to move in one or other direction by the up or down movement of
the lift to which it is connected by ropes, levers, or other suitable means.
Each end of the principal cylinder is connected with the small cylinder by a
separate pipe, containing valves which allow the water to pass into the principal
cylinder but not to return from it, and each pipe is also connected with a small
tank of water above by a pipe provided with an adjustable stop-cock or valve.
The piston in the small cylinder is raised and the pall withdrawn from the rack by
a weighted lever or spring.
When the main regulating valve has travelled so far that enough power is supplied
to cause the lift to move in either direction, the piston in the principal cylinder
just described also moves in a corresponding direction, and forces water into the

page_text: small cylinder the piston of which is forced out and brings the pall into gear with
the rack, thus preventing any further movement of the distributing valve.
Water
at the same time enters behind the principal piston from the cistern through the
non-return valve. When the lift has come to rest the weighted lever raises the
small piston, the water above which passes into the cistern through the nearly
closed adjustable cock or valve, which allows it slowly to pass.
.
This arrangement may be modified more or less.
For instance, a weighted lever or spring which tends to keep the pall out of
gear with the rack, may be connected to a piston valve in the exhaust pipe which
conducts the water from the ram cylinders through the distributing valve.
When
the lift commences to move, the piston valve rises to allow the water to pass and
the pall is consequently lowered into gear with the rack and stops further movement
of the distributing valve.
Or, the water in one of the pipes used both as an admission and an exhaust pipe
may be made to pass into and out of a cylinder through openings in the side of
the latter, not exactly opposite to each other, a piston in the cylinder serving
ordinarily to separate them so that the water cannot pass directly through from one
opening to the other. The piston rod is connected with a lever actuating a double
pall gearing with a double rack upon the distributing valve so that if the piston
moves in one direction one pall gears with one rack and if in the other direction
the other pall gears with the other rack, so that in whichever direction the piston
moves the movement of the distributing valve is arrested.
When the lift is stopped, a weight or spring brings the lever and piston back to
their central position, a small hole through the piston allowing the water to pass.
The piston opens a communication between the openings in the side of the
cylinder as soon as it has travelled a short distance in either direction.
The methods described of causing the movement of the distributing valve to
cease as soon as the lift begins to move, when the exact power required has been
reached may obviously be varied more or less.
Dated this 7th day of March 1905
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hydraulic Lifts.
1, ROBERT CAREY, of 43, Arlingford Road, Brixton, in the County of Surrey,
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 and accompanying drawings, that is to say :-
In machinery actuated by water pressure, such as motive power engines, pumping
apparatus, hydraulic hoists and lifts, in which the same quantity of water is used
whether the quantity of work to be done by it is great or small, it has long ago
been proposed to economize the water by automatically varying the quantity of
water used, as the work to be done varies, and within the last twenty years various
ways of effecting this object have been adopted, such for instance as varying the
length of stroke of the hydraulic rams or pistons used, or the number of such rams
or pistons where more than one is used.
My present invention relates to improvements in hydraulic lifting or hoisting
machinery, in which the lift, or weight, to be lifted is raised by the admission of
water to one or more suitable cylinders containing pistons or plungers connected
with the lifting gear, and more especially to the forms of such hydraulic lifting or
hoisting machinery for which I obtained Letters Patent dated November 11th
A.D 1890, No. 18148.

page_text: The accompanying drawings are in illustration of my invention.
In the Specification of the said Letters Patent I described and shewed an
arrangement (amongst others) by which the position of the distributing valve for
the water is arranged and determined, in which arrangement, a weighted lever
actuated by the load in the cage or lift brings a sliding stop or its equivalent, with
steps corresponding to the number of different available powers of the machine into
position as the load is put into or taken out of the cage, or attached to or taken from
the chain in the case of cranes. One part of my present invention consists of a novel
device by which the stepped sliding stop or its equivalent is brought by the weight
in the lift into the proper position to cause the correct adjustment of the valve in a
position dependent upon the weight which is being raised, so that only a quantity
of water under pressure is used proportioned to the amount of such weight, a larger
quantity being used for a greater weight and a smaller quantity for a less weight,
and economy of water being thus effected. This arrangement is illustrated in
Figure 1.
I arrange the pulley a over which the rope or chain passes from which the lift
or weight c is suspended and by which the weight is raised and lowered, so that its
axle revolves in bearings carried by small rams or plungers d (only one of which is
seen in the drawing) which descend into corresponding fixed cylinders e with the
intervention of suitable packing of the usual kind. These cylinders are kept
charged with water, oil, or other suitable fluid and from them pipes pass which
communicate with another cylinder g fixed in a suitable position, and fitted with a
ram which is forced down by a properly proportioned lever i the outer end of
which is pressed down by a spring k of sufficient length of stroke or play, or by
a series of weights which are raised in succession by the lever, as the pressure
in the several cylinders increases in proportion to increased weight in the lift or
cage.
The outer end of the lever i forms, or is connected with a stepped stop the
movement of which ceases when it has travelled through a distance dependent upon
the height to which the lever has been raised.
When therefore, a greater or less weight is to be raised, the small plungers d
which support the bearings of the pulley a round which the lifting rope or chain
passes are forced down with a force proportionate to the weight in the lift and
this force is transmitted to the plunger which adjusts the stop lever 1 (by
extending or compressing the spring or raising a greater or less number of
weights) so that the stop 7 is brought automatically to the proper position.
A regulating valve of the kind described in the Specification of my said former
Letters Patent (and actuated by the constant pressure of water from the supply
pipe) is then set in movement and continues to move until a rod m connected with
it is stopped by the stop or the lever adjusted as described, in which position
the valve admits water to the proper lift rams or pistons to lift the particular
weight which is to be raised.
'
For the lightest weights insufficient to raise the lever at all the stepped stop
would remain in the lowest position of the lever, in which position therefore the
valve should be arranged to admit water suitable for the lightest weight.
In a slightly modified form of arrangement, the axle of the pulley a revolves in
bearings carried by a frame or beams supported upon the upper end of the small
rams. The valve is caused to change its position, and the graduated or stepped
stop to travel simultaneously with it, as described, by means resembling those
explained in my former Specification a small cylinder being used having a piston
with a piston rod of considerable diameter connected with the valve.
under pressure (from the supply pipe) is retained constantly in the annular space
surrounding the piston rod, and the other end of the cylinder can also be opened
to such pressure or to exhaust by a valve operated by an attendant in charge of
the lift.
Water
If opened to pressure the piston is forced slowly outward and moves the
!

page_text: distributing valve until its travel is arrested by the stop at a point depending upon
the weights in the lift. If opened to exhaust, the piston is forced inward and
brings the distributing valve back to its normal position.
In another form of arrangement the plungers which support the pulley bearings,
may be arranged to operate the stop directly.
Two, or more such supporting plungers may be used in the arrangements
. described, or one only if the bearings are carried upon a lever which depresses the
plunger when a weight is in the lift. In the arrangement described and shewn in
my former Specification already referred to a spring k may be conveniently used
(as illustrated in Figure 2) in place of the series of weights which are taken up in
succession as the weight in the lift c increases and by which the extent of
movement of the stepped stop and of the distributing valve rod m is accordingly
'determined.
Or instead of a lever carrying the rope or chain pulley, as described in the said
Specification, the bearings for the said pulley may be fixed, and the other or tail
end of the hoisting rope or chain attached directly as shewn at n (Figure 3) or
with the intervention of a lever to an adjustable spring (or made to raise
successive weights according to the weight in the lift) and thus determines the
position of the stepped stop and the extent of movement of the distributing
valve m as in the arrangements already described.
In the different figures of the accompanying drawings ✗ represents the pipe
supplying water under constant pressure, and Y those which serve as exhaust
pipes.
Another part of my present invention relates to a very simple form of hydraulic
lift by which different degrees of lifting power can be obtained (illustrated in
Figure 4, in which seven different powers are obtained) the corresponding position
of the distributing valve for each power being determined automatically by
apparatus of the kind just described, and described in my former Specificationi,
according to the weight of the lift.
Below the moveable frame 1 which carries the multiplying sheaves or pullies 2
round which the hoisting chain or rope 3 is passed, I fix a ram 4 descending
vertically downward and through a stuffing box 5 in the upper end of a cylinder 6
fixed below. Parallel with and at the same height as this cylinder are fixed two
other cylinders 7 and 8 closed above and having stuffing boxes 9 and 10 at their
lower ends through which puss two rams or plungers 11 and 12 of different areas
in cross section fixed at their lower ends to a cross head 13 connected to the pulley
frame or block by suspending rods 14. The cross head 13 also carries a sufficient
weight or weights 15.
The distributing valve m (of a kind analogous to those described and shewn in
my former Specification already referred to) is arranged so that by its means
water under pressure can be admitted into or allowed to escape from any or all of
the three cylinders.
If now all the cylinders are open to exhaust, the load is lifted by the weight of
the pulley frame, cross-head, rod, plungers, and weights.
If the cylinder 6 (which contains the smallest ram) and the one 7 containing
the smaller of the two lower rams be opened to pressure, the weights are
assisted by the pressure acting upon the difference of the areas between the two
rams 4 and 11.
If the upper ram 4 and the larger 12 of the lower ones be open to exhaust, and
the smaller lower one 11 to pressure, the full area of the last named operates in aid
of the weights.
If the upper ram 4 and the larger one 12 be open to pressure and the smaller
lower one 11 to exhaust, the weights are aided by the pressure upon the difference
of area between the two first named rams 4 and 12.
If the larger lower ram 12 be open to pressure and both the others to exhaust
the weights are aided by the pressure upon the area of the first named one 12.

page_text: If all three rams are open to pressure, the weights are aided by the pressure
upon the two lower ones 11 and 12, less the upward pressure upon the upper
one 4.
And, seventh, if the two lower rams 11 and 12 are open to pressure and the
upper one 4 to exhaust, the weights are aided by the pressure upon the areas
of the two lower ones 11 and 12.
upper
In the case of lowering instead of raising loads, for light loads the
ram 4 is opened to pressure and both lower ones to exhaust. For heavier
loads, all three are opened to exhaust. In both cases the water in the two lower
cylinders 7 and 8 has to be forced out and the speed of lowering can be deter-
mined by regulating the opening of the exhaust valve.
When the plungers are leaving their respective cylinders, without the admission
of water under pressure into the latter, the cylinders are allowed to fill through
valves 16, 16, 16x, opening inward whilst the discharge is through the regulating
valve. The machine is therefore always under complete control, as one or other
of the rams must be forcing water out of its cylinder through a valve which
can be opened and closed as desired.
In order to ensure the stopping of the movement of the distributing valve
at m as soon as the latter has reached a position where the power is sufficient
to lift the load and the latter begins to rise, I sometimes use the following
arrangement (illustrated in Figure 5).
Upon or connected with the piston rod m of the distributing valve I make a
rack consisting of angular teeth 17 as many in number as the different powers
to be used. A pall 18 is arranged to fall into the rack and stop the move-
ment of the latter (and of the valve) at any particular point. The pall 18 is
connected with a lever 19, to which is pivotted a vertical arin or tooth 20 the
lower end of which rests upon and is supported by the periphery of a wheel 21
which is made to rotate slowly when the lift is in motion, by connection with
the hoisting rope or pulley or other moving part.
When the hand rope is pulled for the purpose of stopping the lift the lever
is lifted by it so that the pall 18 is withdrawn from the rack 17 and the
tooth 20 is raised from contact with the wheel 21, and when the lift is to be
started the pivotted tooth 20 is allowed to rest upon the wheel 21 as shewn,
retaining the pall out of gear with the teeth. The valve moves and continues
to move until it reaches a position when a sufficient power is reached to lift
the load.
The lift then commences to move and the wheel 21 to revolve, throwing over
the pivotted tooth 20, and allowing the pall 18 to drop between the two teeth 17
below it, and so to prevent the valve and rod m from moving further and thus
supplying additional power beyond that which is now operating and is sufficient
for the load.
This method of arrangement may be modified more or less. For instance, instead
of a pall being released, to engage with the teeth of a rack, a valve 22 (as shewn at
Figure 6) may be closed by which the further movement of the piston 23 actuating
the distributing valve is stopped. 24 is the hand rope in the lift. 25 is a rod
communicating with the starting valve. 26 is a cam by which when the rope 24 is
pulled the lever 27 is turned on the centre 28, and the valve 22 opened and the
lever 19 raised so that the pall 20 takes the position shewn resting on the wheel 21.
Or, sometimes, especially in the case of cranes, instead of the pivotted tooth 20 and
wheel 21 an ordinary governor may be used (as shewn in Figure 7) which on
attaining a certain speed given it by the movement of the lift operating the driving
pulley 29 either closes a valve 22 as shewn, or allows a pall to come in gear with &
toothed rack, as in the arrangements already described.
Or the pall may be controlled by a piston in a small supplementary cylinder, the
piston being actuated by water from another principal cylinder a piston in which is
caused to move in one or other direction by the up or down movement of the lift to
which it is connected by ropes, lévers, or other suitablé means.

page_text: a
Each end of the principal cylinder is connected with the small cylinder by
separate pipe, containing valves which allow the water to pass into the principal
cylinder but not to return from it, and each pipe is also connected with a small tank
of water above by a pipe provided with an adjustable stop-cock or valve.
The piston in the small cylinder is raised and the pall withdrawn from the rack
by a weighted lever or spring.
When the main regulating valve has travelled so far that enough power is
supplied to cause the lift to move in either direction, the piston in the principal
cylinder just described is also moved in a corresponding direction, and forces water
into the small cylinder the piston of which is forced out and brings the pall into
gear with the rack, thus preventing any further movement of the distributing valve.
Water at the same time enters behind the principal piston from the cistern through
the non-return valve. When the lift has come to rest the weighted lever raises the
small piston, the water above which passes into the cistern through the nearly closed
adjustable cock or valve, which allows it slowly to pass.
This arrangement may be modified more or less.
As for instance in the form shewn in Figure 8, in which a weighted lever or
spring 31 which tends to keep the valve 22 open, or the pall 18 out of gear with the
rack 17 (as illustrated in Figure 9) may be connected to a piston valve 32 in the
exhaust pipe 33 which conducts the water from the ram cylinders through the dis-
tributing valve. When the lift commences to move, the piston valve 32 moves to
allow the water to pass and the valve 22 is closed, or the pall 18 brought into gear
with the rack 17 (Figure 9) and further movement of the distributing valve is
stopped.
The pipe 33 may be a pressure pipe instead of an exhaust pipe.
Or, the water in one of the pipes used both as an admission and an exhaust pipe
may be made to pass into and out of a cylinder through openings in the side of the
latter, not exactly opposite to each other, a piston in the cylinder serving ordinarily
to separate them so that the water cannot pass directly through from one opening
to the other. The piston rod is connected with a lever actuating a double pall
gearing with a double rack upon the distributing valve so that if the piston moves
in one direction one pall gears with one rack and if in the other direction the other
pall gears with the other rack, so that in whichever direction the piston moves the
movement of the distributing valve is arrested.
When the lift is stopped, a weight or spring brings the lever and piston back to
their central position, a small hole through the piston allowing the water to pass.
The piston opens a communication between the openings in the side of the cylinder
as soon as it has travelled a short distance in either direction.
The methods described of causing the movement of the distributing valve to cease
as soon as the lift begins to move, when the exact power has been reached may
obviously be varied more or less.
66
For instance, Figure 10 illustrates the valve gear which may be used for the
seven-power machine already described. It consists of a starting valve G moved
by hand and so arranged that it either admits water under pressure from the supply
pipe above the two adjusting or power setting" valves C and B and at the same
time connects the port under the "power-setting" valve A, through the pipe I and
starting valve to exhaust; or it opens the power setting valves C and B to exhaust,
whilst the pipe I is shut off altogether.
The three power setting valves A, B, and C, are all operated by levers actuated
by cams, which are shewn separately for clearness, but are really all fixed upon
the same shaft s which is caused to rotate by means of a pinion K driven by a
toothed rack J which is made to move backward and forward by the plunger 34
carrying the piston 35. Water under pressure from the supply pipe is constantly
present round the plunger 34 and tends to force the piston in when the other side
of the latter is open to, exhaust, whilst when the same pressure is also admitted
outside the piston the plunger is forced out.
The piston 35 is caused to move out, every time the lift is required to work

page_text: either up or down, by means of the valve H worked by haud and which may be in
the same box as the starting valve G, as shewn. When the lift is stopped (as
shewn in the drawing) the valve H opens a communication between the outside
of the piston 35 and the exhaust, so that the piston moves in, to the position
shewn.
When the piston commences moving out, the shafts and the cams are. rotated,.
and the valves A, B, and C (which normally when the lift is at rest, are in the
position corresponding with the action of the plungers which gives the lowest
power) are adjusted into successive relative positions so as to set the valves first
for the second power, then for the third, and so on up to the seventh. When
however they have rotated so far that a power is produced sufficient to commencé!
raising the particular load in the lift, the governor or other device will be set in
motion in the manner already described by the action of which a pall 18 is caused
to engage with one of the teeth 17 at the back of the rack J and so arrest any
further movement of the piston 35. Consequently no greater power is supplied,
and water is economized. The same applies to lowering.
The power setting valve A is an ordinary slide valve the pressure from the
supply pipe being always above it. If the lever connected to it is raised by the
cam the pipe to the ram cylinder 6 (Figure 4) is opened to pressure, whilst when
the lever is not raised the cylinder 6 is open to exhaust through the pipe I.
Practically therefore whenever the valve is in the position shewn, the cylinder 6
is always open to exhaust whilst the lift is working, as when the lift is lowering
the exhaust water follows in through the retaining valve 16x (Figure 4) although
the pipe is shut off during lowering by the starting valve. The object of cutting
off the pipe I as described by the starting valve is to have the lift under control
so as to prevent the weight 15 (Figure 4) from raising the empty cage when the lift'
is stopped.
The power setting valves B and C are open to pressure during the lifting process
described. If however the cams continue to rotate until the lever connected with'
the second valve B communicating with the cylinder 7, rises, pressure is admitted
to the cylinder 7.
If the valve be closed as shewn, water can fill the cylinder as the ram 11 descends,
through the corresponding valve 16 (Figure 4).
1
When lowering, the tops of the valves B and C are opened to exhaust and water
flows past the valves as in ordinary retaining valves.
When the lift is stopped, the water is cut off from the tops of the valves B and C,
by the starting valve.
By proper arrangement of the cams it is evident that the increasing powers are
successively obtained.
The pipes from below the valves A, B, and C, proceed to the cylinders 6, 7,
and 8, respectively.
Of course instead of seven, any desired greater or less number of powers may
be provided for in the improved lifts, the different details of the apparatus being
modified accordingly.
The improved apparatus described for stopping the movement of the adjusting
valve when the proper amount of power has been obtained, and the lift accordingly
coinmences to move may be applied to different kinds of hydraulic motive power
machinery, hoists, or lifts.
Such stopping devices may also be applied to apparatus in which the adjusting
valve is moved by hand instead of automatically as described and shewn.
It will be seen that by my invention the regulating valve (or valves) is actuated
by the uniform pressure of the water in the supply pipe, quite independently of
the varying pressures resulting from the weight of the variable loads, and that its
movement is arrested when the required power for any particular load has been'
reached, by the commencement of movement of the lift itself or of parts connected
with it, or of the water which actuates it, and by this means great simplicity of
the mechanism and effectiveness in working are obtained.
13

page_text: I do not confine myself to the precise details, and method of construction and
arrangement described, which may be varied more or less to suit the varying.
circumstances or conditions in which my invention may be used, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
For the purpose of economizing the water used in hydraulic lifts and hoists where
the resistance is variable :-
1. In hydraulic lifts or hoists of the kind described, having two or more different
powers, the method of adjusting a regulating valve by which water under pressure
is admitted to actuate rams or pistons so as to gradually automatically increase the
power from the lowest to the highest required, the movement of such regulating
valve being independent of any variation of pressure in the pipes or of the load
to be raised and being arrested by means of the commencement of the movement
of the lift when the proper power has been reached, such arrest of movement of
the valve being effected by the movement of any part of the lift mechanism or of
a governor or equivalent mechanism actuated by the lift, or of the pressure or
exhaust water in the lift, substantially as and for the purpose described and
illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
2. The inethod of supporting the bearings in which the pulley over which the
rope or chain passes to which the lift or weight is suspended, upon one or more
rams or plungers by which the pressure of the variable weight is transmitted by
means of a suitable fluid to a lever raising a succession of weights, or to a spring,
connected with a stepped stop by which the extent of movement of a regulating
valve is determined, such regulating valve being actuated by a constant pressure
independent of the varying load to be raised, and admitting water to the proper
rams or pistons sufficient to lift the particular weight which is to be raised, substan-
tially as described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3.
3. In combination with a regulating valve by which water under pressure is
admitted to actuate rams or pistons so as to gradually automatically increase the
power from the lowest to the highest required, the wheel 21 set in revolution
directly the lift begins to move, the pall 20, levers 19, valve 22, cam 26, and hand
rope 24, all arranged and operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose
described and illustrated in Figure 6.
4. In the combination described in Claim 3, the substitution for the valve 22, of
the pall 18 operating upon the angular teeth 17 and preventing further movement
of the piston and rod connected with the latter when the lift commences to move,
substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 5.
}
5. In the combinations described in Claims 3 and 4 the substitution for the
wheel 21 and pall 20, of the moveable piston 32 in one of the water pressure or
exhaust pipes, such piston being set in motion when the lift begins to move, and
operating the valve 22, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described
and illustrated in Figure 8.
6. In the combination described in Claim 5, the substitution of the pall 18
operating upon the angular teeth 17 and preventing further movement of the
piston and rod connected with the latter, substantially as described and illustrated
in Figure 9.
7. In the combinations described in Claims 3, 4, 5, and 6, the substitution for
the wheel 21 and pall 20 in Figures 5 and 6, or for the piston 32 in Figure 8 of a
governor set in motion when the lift begins to move, and actuating the valve 22,
substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 7.
8. The combination of the starting valve H, cylinder and piston 35, piston rod
or plunger m, toothed rack J actuating the toothed wheel K, and shaft provided
with cams by which the valves are actuated which bring the several powers of the
lift from the lowest to the highest successively into operation, the angular teeth 17
and the pall 18 which is brought into operation and arrests the further movement

page_text: of the rack J toothed wheel K and cams, as soon as the lift begins to move, by any
of the means already described and claimed, substantially in the manner and for
the purpose described and illustrated in Figures 4 and 10.
Dated this 8th day of December 1892.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.