CA1096368A - Cable drive device - Google Patents
Cable drive deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1096368A CA1096368A CA325,414A CA325414A CA1096368A CA 1096368 A CA1096368 A CA 1096368A CA 325414 A CA325414 A CA 325414A CA 1096368 A CA1096368 A CA 1096368A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- dies
- cable
- pressure
- drive
- around
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61B—RAILWAY SYSTEMS; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B61B12/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in groups B61B7/00 - B61B11/00
- B61B12/10—Cable traction drives
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Electric Cable Installation (AREA)
Abstract
"CABLE DRIVE DEVICE"
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This is a drive device for stationary cables, chains and the like and may be used for example, as a ferry winch drive. The drive unit surrounds the stationary cable and consists of a cage carrying upper and lower skate assemblies around which freely rotating endless roller assemblies are engaged. Endless upper and lower drive chains are rotated by a source of power and these drive chain assemblies include cable engaging dies which engage around the cable. The skate assemblies are pulled together hydraulically so that the dies squeeze and grip the cable thus pulling the drive device and the attached unit such as a ferry, along the cable. The dies are preferably formed from steel with an elastomeric material bonded thereto and the shape of the dies causes opposing dies to surround the cable giving a good grip thereto. The hy-draulic system is such that as the torque of the hydraulic motor increases, the grip of the dies also increases.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This is a drive device for stationary cables, chains and the like and may be used for example, as a ferry winch drive. The drive unit surrounds the stationary cable and consists of a cage carrying upper and lower skate assemblies around which freely rotating endless roller assemblies are engaged. Endless upper and lower drive chains are rotated by a source of power and these drive chain assemblies include cable engaging dies which engage around the cable. The skate assemblies are pulled together hydraulically so that the dies squeeze and grip the cable thus pulling the drive device and the attached unit such as a ferry, along the cable. The dies are preferably formed from steel with an elastomeric material bonded thereto and the shape of the dies causes opposing dies to surround the cable giving a good grip thereto. The hy-draulic system is such that as the torque of the hydraulic motor increases, the grip of the dies also increases.
Description
109~36~
"CABLE DRIVE DEVICE"
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to new and useful improve-ments in driving devices for stationary cables, chains or the like and although the device is illustrated and described as being used on a ferry, nevertheless it will be appreciated that the device can be used in other environments such as ski tows, ore transporting devices and the like.
Many of such devices utilize a moving cable to which the elements being moved are engaged and disengaged and these devices may move elements horizontally or up and down a grade.
With such devices, a storage reel of some sort is often required or else a double cable or chain so that an end-less cable and chain may be provided.
Attempts have been made in the past to utilize a stationary element such as a cable, chain or the like anchor-ed at both ends and including a drive element on the device to be moved which grips the cable and literally pulls itself along the cable. Under such circumstances, it will be appre-ciated that considerable pressure is required in order to pro-vide sufficient gripping power so that the device is moved and no slippage occurs and this is difficult to obtain parti-cularly when a variable speed device is used.
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1~96368 ~-2-SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
-The present invention overcomes disadvantages inher-ent in stationary cable drive devices and one aspect of the invention consists of a drive device for use with a stationary element such as a cable, chain or the like comprising in com-bination a casing surrounding the associated element, upper and lower drive chain assemblies journalled for rotation with-in said casing, said assemblies each including an endless chain, said endless chain including an inner run, said inner runs being in substantially spaced and parallel relationship with one another, die means on said endless chain engaging around the stationary element along the length of said inner runs, means to squeeze said die means around said stationary element along the length of said inner runs and a source of power to drive said drive chain assemblies, said means to squeeze said die means around said stationary element includ-ing an upper pressure applying roller carrier and a lower pressure applying roller carrier mounted within said casing, each of said roller carriers including an elongated frame, upper and lower longitudinally extending roller runs formed in said frame and a free wheeling endless roller assembly mounted around said frame and within said roller run, said inner run of said chain assembly engaging said rollers, and pressure applying means operatively connected between the upper and lower pressure applying roller carriers.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a die .
1~96368 construction which is preferably but not necessarily formed with a metal base and an elastomeric insert in which a groove is formed having a cross sectional configuration similar to the cross sectional configuration of the cable or chain which it engages so that if two opposing dies are engaged one upon each side of the chain or cable, the elastomeric material moulds around the external contour of the cable or chain thus 1~J~;36~
giving excellent gripping characteristics.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a de-vice of the character herewithin described which may include means whereby a variable speed pump is used operating hydrau-lic motors to drive the device and including means in the cir-cuit whereby when the tension on the cable increases, then the torque on the motor varies and then the pressure of the dies upon the cable or chain is also varied so that if the torque increases, the pressure increases and vice versa. Fur-thermore, the hydraulic pump is adapted to run in either di-rection to supply forward and reverse action to the hydraulic motors or alternatively, valving is provided to accomplish the same result.
Yet another aspect of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the pre-ferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present in-vention, in which:
~:' 1~9~368 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device.
Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.
Figure 3 is an end view thereof.
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a schematic view of the hydraulic cir-cuit.
In the drawings like characters of reference indi-cate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, a stationary drive element is provided in the form of a cable 10 which is anchored at either end (not illus-trated) and extends between the limits of the movement of the device attached thereto which may take the form of a ferry or the like as hereinbefore described.
Mounted within the unit is a drive device collec-tively designated 11 comprising a box like casing 12 formed in two halves, an upper half 12A and a lower half 12B.
The upper half or part 12A includes a planar upper surface 13, and spaced and parallel side plates 14 extend-1~963~68 ing downwardly from the longitudinal edges of the upper plate 13.
Angle members 15 are secured adjacent the lower edges of the side plates 14 and extend longitudinally therealong and a hinge ferrule 16 is welded to the outer edge of the angle as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5.
The upper casing 12A is also provided with end walls 17, the lower edge 18 of which is provided with a cut-out portion 19 through which the cable or element 10 passes.
The lower casing includes a base wall 20 and up-wardly extending spaced and parallel side walls 21. The side walls also are provided with longitudinally extending angles 15A also carrying hinge ferrules 16A alternating with the hinge ferrule 16 and hinge pins 22 engage these ferrules and connect the two halves together when assembled, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5. Once again the lower half of the casing is provided with end wall 23 including cut-out portions 24 adjacent the upper edge 25 thereof which, together with the cut-out portions 19 of the upper half of the casing, define rectangular openings 26 through which cable 10 extends, as clearly shown in Figure 3.
It will be noted that longitudinally extending an-gles 27 are secured along the lower longitudinal edges of ~96,368 the lower half of the casing and these may be used to an-chor the drive device to a supporting structure (not illus-trated).
Upper and lower drive chain assemblies collective-ly designated 28A and 28B respectively are provided with the upper drive chain assembly being situated within the upper half of the casing 12A and the lower drive chain assembly being situated within the lower half of the casing 12B. As each of these drive assemblies is similar, only one will be described.
Reference to Figures 4 and 5 show the details of the drive assemblies. They comprise an endless chain assem-bly collectively designated 29 extending around an idler sprocket 30 at one end and a drive sprocket 31 at the other end. The idler sprocket 30 is mounted upon a spindle 32 journalled for rotation within bearings 33 carried in the side walls of the casing half and the sprocket 31 is secu-red to a spindle 34 mounted within bearings 35 also secured to the side plates of the casing half.
Die means collectively designated 36 are secured to chain links 37 making up the endless chain and the speci-fic links 37A utilized to support the die means 36 include upwardly extending lugs or plates 38 between which angle por-tions 40 of the die means engage as will hereinafter be des-cribed.
~,~9G3~8 Each of these die means consists of a substantial-ly rectangular base 41 carrying the aforementioned angles 40 on one side thereof and a pivot pin 42 extending between these angles and the lugs or plates 38 of the chain link to which they are attached. Details are shown in Figure 5.
An elongated channel portion 43 is mounted central-ly of the base plate 41 and upon the opposite side of the base plate to which the angles 40 are secured and gussets 44 are provided to strengthen the side walls of this channel.
The channel is preferably formed integrally with the base plate 41 but of course, it may be fabricated separately if desired.
With the longitudinal recess or channel 45 defined by the channel sides 43, there is provided an elastomeric block 46 of rubber or the like having a semi-cylindrical groove 47 formed longitudinally thereon with a diameter substantial-ly similar to the diameter of the cable 10 around which it engages.
Reference to Figure 4 will show that the drive chain assemblies are provided with inner runs 48 and that these dies engage around the cable substantially the full length of the inner runs thus giving a relatively long gripping area.
Means are provided to engage the inner runs 48 of l~J96368 the opposing drive chain assemblies, around the cable 10, said means taking the form of pressure applying roller car-riers collectively designated 49A for the upper one and 49B
for the lowermost one, it being understood that they are identical in construction.
Each consists of an elongated carrier 50 formed from a pair of spaced and parallel side plates 51 and upper and lower longitudinally extending channel sides 52 and spindle type rollers 53 are journalled for rotation upon spindles 54 one at each end of the carrier. These spindles are mounted within sleeve 55 secured to the carrier and the spindles extend beyond the side walls of the casing half.
In the case of the lower casing half 13B, the spindles ex-tend through apertures formed within the side walls 21, but in the case of the upper casing,,half, the spindles extend through vertically extending elongated slots 56, the pur-pose of which will hereinafter be described.
An endless free wheeling assembly collectively de-signated 57 extends around the rollers 53 situated at each end of the elongated frame of the carrier and consists of a plurality of rollers 58 journalled for rotation upon pins 59 and being interconnected by pivoted side plates 60 which engage the pins 59. These rollers may be formed from metal or plastic or a combination of both and they are arranged 1~96368 g so that they engage the outer surfaces 61 of the base plates 41 forming the die means 36.
Means are provided to apply pressure of the opposing die means to the cable 10 when the device is in operation, said means taking the form of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies collectively designated 62 and situated on oppo-site sides of the casing.
These piston and cylinder assemblies are connected to mounting shaft 54 which are secured to the frame of the pressure applying roller carriers and extend transversely therefrom inboard of the spindles 54 mounting the spools 53.
These spindles 54 extend through sleeves 54A extending from the elongated frame and further sleeves 63 engage over the extremities of spindles or shafts 54 externally of the cas-ing.
The cylinders 64 of the piston and cylinder assem-blies 62 are connected by means of pin 65 to sleeves 66 se-cured to sleeves 63 and the piston rods 67 are similarly connected by means of sleeves 68 and pins 69 to the corres-ponding sleeves 63A of the other carrier half. These sleeves 63 and 63A engage around spindles or shafts 54B which in turn are mounted in vertical slots 70 formed in the casing sides so that by contracting or extending the piston and cylinder as-semblies 62, the upper pressure applying roller carrier can 1~96,368 be moved relative to the lower pressure applying roller carrier thus applying the necessary pressure of the die means around the cable 10.
This pressure is applied substantially along the full length of the inner runs 48 of the chain drive assem-blies.
Reference to Figures 4 and 5 will also show a plu-rality of die return idler roller assemblies collectively designated 71. These are rollers 72 mounted within brackets 73 and journalled for rotation upon spindles 74 and the lowermost run collectively designated 75 of the lower pres-sure applying roller carrier rests on these rollers and is supported thereby.
Reference to Figure 6 will show the preferred drive means to the drive chain assemblies and takes the form of a variable flow hydraulic pump 75'operating a pair of hydrau-lic motors 76, one for each of the drive chain assemblies and being operatively connected thereto by means(not illus-trated) extending around externally situated drive wheels 77 one of which is secured to the spindle 34 of one of the drive chain assemblies and the other of which is secured to the spindle 34 of the other of the drive chain assemblies, but preferably at the opposite end of the casing (see Figure 1).
1~9G368 A shuttle valve 78 of conventional design is situa-ted between the lines 79 extendiny between the pump and the motors and this extends to a preset throttle valve 80 and thence to an adjustable release valve assembly 81. The line 82 then connects to the piston and cylinder assemblies 62 in a manner providing equalizing of pressure and a pressure gauge 83 is provided for reference purposes.
The connections illustrated in Figure 6 ensure that as the pressure of the pump increases, the pressure increases within the piston and cylinder assemblies 62 and vice versa, so that if the speed of rotation of the chain drive assemblies is increased, the pressure applied by the die means to the cable is also increased to prevent slippage. By contrast, if the speed is reduced, then the pressure is also reduced.
Finally, reference should be made to a preload spring assembly collectively designated 84 and situated in the upper casing half reacting between a lug plate 85 extending from the side plates 14, and the sleeve 63A engaged around spindle 54B. The spring assembly comprises a pair of leaf springs 86 extending from a sleeve 87 and engaging a plate 88 around sleeve 87 and a block 89 upon said sleeve 63A.
The sleeve 87 is in the form of a screw threaded t~:
, 1~963613 bolt having head 89 above plate 85 with an adjusting lock nut 90 engaged around the sleeve and applying pressure to plate 88 so that the spring 86 can be pre-loaded.
In operation, and in order to engage the assembly around the cable 10, the pins 22 on both sides of the cas-ing halves are withdrawn and the piston and cylinder assem-bly 62 is engaged so that the casing halves can be fitted around the cable 10 whereupon the pins are replaced and the piston and cylinder assemblies are connected.
The pre-load spring assembly 84 is adjusted to give the desired amount of pre-loading and the release valve 81 is set to a desired amount in order to prevent excessive pressure being developed in the piston and cylinder assembly 62.
The hydraulic pump 75 operates the motors 76 which in turn drive the drive chain assemblies 28A and 28B and the hydraulic system also supplies pressure to the piston and cylinder assembly 62 squeezing the dies around the cable 10.
The rotation of the drive chain assemblies pulls the entire unit along the chain together with the device to which the unit is secured such as a ferry or the like and as the speed of the motor is varied by the variable pump 75', the pres-sure of the die means upon the cable 10 is also varied.
The specific shape of the dies, particularly the lG9~368 elastomeric inserts, creates a peripheral pressure on the cable or line and the elastomer deforms around the cable or line due to the shape. The elastomer flows into all cable grooves, etc., thus giving a more positive grip with the minimum of pressure.
Since various modifications can be made in my in-vention as hereinabove described, and many apparently wide-ly different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the ac-companying specification shall be interpreted as illustra-tive only and not in a limiting sense.
"CABLE DRIVE DEVICE"
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to new and useful improve-ments in driving devices for stationary cables, chains or the like and although the device is illustrated and described as being used on a ferry, nevertheless it will be appreciated that the device can be used in other environments such as ski tows, ore transporting devices and the like.
Many of such devices utilize a moving cable to which the elements being moved are engaged and disengaged and these devices may move elements horizontally or up and down a grade.
With such devices, a storage reel of some sort is often required or else a double cable or chain so that an end-less cable and chain may be provided.
Attempts have been made in the past to utilize a stationary element such as a cable, chain or the like anchor-ed at both ends and including a drive element on the device to be moved which grips the cable and literally pulls itself along the cable. Under such circumstances, it will be appre-ciated that considerable pressure is required in order to pro-vide sufficient gripping power so that the device is moved and no slippage occurs and this is difficult to obtain parti-cularly when a variable speed device is used.
.~
~; .
h . ~ ~ , ; . , ., .
- ~ :
1~96368 ~-2-SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
-The present invention overcomes disadvantages inher-ent in stationary cable drive devices and one aspect of the invention consists of a drive device for use with a stationary element such as a cable, chain or the like comprising in com-bination a casing surrounding the associated element, upper and lower drive chain assemblies journalled for rotation with-in said casing, said assemblies each including an endless chain, said endless chain including an inner run, said inner runs being in substantially spaced and parallel relationship with one another, die means on said endless chain engaging around the stationary element along the length of said inner runs, means to squeeze said die means around said stationary element along the length of said inner runs and a source of power to drive said drive chain assemblies, said means to squeeze said die means around said stationary element includ-ing an upper pressure applying roller carrier and a lower pressure applying roller carrier mounted within said casing, each of said roller carriers including an elongated frame, upper and lower longitudinally extending roller runs formed in said frame and a free wheeling endless roller assembly mounted around said frame and within said roller run, said inner run of said chain assembly engaging said rollers, and pressure applying means operatively connected between the upper and lower pressure applying roller carriers.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a die .
1~96368 construction which is preferably but not necessarily formed with a metal base and an elastomeric insert in which a groove is formed having a cross sectional configuration similar to the cross sectional configuration of the cable or chain which it engages so that if two opposing dies are engaged one upon each side of the chain or cable, the elastomeric material moulds around the external contour of the cable or chain thus 1~J~;36~
giving excellent gripping characteristics.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a de-vice of the character herewithin described which may include means whereby a variable speed pump is used operating hydrau-lic motors to drive the device and including means in the cir-cuit whereby when the tension on the cable increases, then the torque on the motor varies and then the pressure of the dies upon the cable or chain is also varied so that if the torque increases, the pressure increases and vice versa. Fur-thermore, the hydraulic pump is adapted to run in either di-rection to supply forward and reverse action to the hydraulic motors or alternatively, valving is provided to accomplish the same result.
Yet another aspect of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the pre-ferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present in-vention, in which:
~:' 1~9~368 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device.
Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.
Figure 3 is an end view thereof.
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a schematic view of the hydraulic cir-cuit.
In the drawings like characters of reference indi-cate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, a stationary drive element is provided in the form of a cable 10 which is anchored at either end (not illus-trated) and extends between the limits of the movement of the device attached thereto which may take the form of a ferry or the like as hereinbefore described.
Mounted within the unit is a drive device collec-tively designated 11 comprising a box like casing 12 formed in two halves, an upper half 12A and a lower half 12B.
The upper half or part 12A includes a planar upper surface 13, and spaced and parallel side plates 14 extend-1~963~68 ing downwardly from the longitudinal edges of the upper plate 13.
Angle members 15 are secured adjacent the lower edges of the side plates 14 and extend longitudinally therealong and a hinge ferrule 16 is welded to the outer edge of the angle as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5.
The upper casing 12A is also provided with end walls 17, the lower edge 18 of which is provided with a cut-out portion 19 through which the cable or element 10 passes.
The lower casing includes a base wall 20 and up-wardly extending spaced and parallel side walls 21. The side walls also are provided with longitudinally extending angles 15A also carrying hinge ferrules 16A alternating with the hinge ferrule 16 and hinge pins 22 engage these ferrules and connect the two halves together when assembled, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5. Once again the lower half of the casing is provided with end wall 23 including cut-out portions 24 adjacent the upper edge 25 thereof which, together with the cut-out portions 19 of the upper half of the casing, define rectangular openings 26 through which cable 10 extends, as clearly shown in Figure 3.
It will be noted that longitudinally extending an-gles 27 are secured along the lower longitudinal edges of ~96,368 the lower half of the casing and these may be used to an-chor the drive device to a supporting structure (not illus-trated).
Upper and lower drive chain assemblies collective-ly designated 28A and 28B respectively are provided with the upper drive chain assembly being situated within the upper half of the casing 12A and the lower drive chain assembly being situated within the lower half of the casing 12B. As each of these drive assemblies is similar, only one will be described.
Reference to Figures 4 and 5 show the details of the drive assemblies. They comprise an endless chain assem-bly collectively designated 29 extending around an idler sprocket 30 at one end and a drive sprocket 31 at the other end. The idler sprocket 30 is mounted upon a spindle 32 journalled for rotation within bearings 33 carried in the side walls of the casing half and the sprocket 31 is secu-red to a spindle 34 mounted within bearings 35 also secured to the side plates of the casing half.
Die means collectively designated 36 are secured to chain links 37 making up the endless chain and the speci-fic links 37A utilized to support the die means 36 include upwardly extending lugs or plates 38 between which angle por-tions 40 of the die means engage as will hereinafter be des-cribed.
~,~9G3~8 Each of these die means consists of a substantial-ly rectangular base 41 carrying the aforementioned angles 40 on one side thereof and a pivot pin 42 extending between these angles and the lugs or plates 38 of the chain link to which they are attached. Details are shown in Figure 5.
An elongated channel portion 43 is mounted central-ly of the base plate 41 and upon the opposite side of the base plate to which the angles 40 are secured and gussets 44 are provided to strengthen the side walls of this channel.
The channel is preferably formed integrally with the base plate 41 but of course, it may be fabricated separately if desired.
With the longitudinal recess or channel 45 defined by the channel sides 43, there is provided an elastomeric block 46 of rubber or the like having a semi-cylindrical groove 47 formed longitudinally thereon with a diameter substantial-ly similar to the diameter of the cable 10 around which it engages.
Reference to Figure 4 will show that the drive chain assemblies are provided with inner runs 48 and that these dies engage around the cable substantially the full length of the inner runs thus giving a relatively long gripping area.
Means are provided to engage the inner runs 48 of l~J96368 the opposing drive chain assemblies, around the cable 10, said means taking the form of pressure applying roller car-riers collectively designated 49A for the upper one and 49B
for the lowermost one, it being understood that they are identical in construction.
Each consists of an elongated carrier 50 formed from a pair of spaced and parallel side plates 51 and upper and lower longitudinally extending channel sides 52 and spindle type rollers 53 are journalled for rotation upon spindles 54 one at each end of the carrier. These spindles are mounted within sleeve 55 secured to the carrier and the spindles extend beyond the side walls of the casing half.
In the case of the lower casing half 13B, the spindles ex-tend through apertures formed within the side walls 21, but in the case of the upper casing,,half, the spindles extend through vertically extending elongated slots 56, the pur-pose of which will hereinafter be described.
An endless free wheeling assembly collectively de-signated 57 extends around the rollers 53 situated at each end of the elongated frame of the carrier and consists of a plurality of rollers 58 journalled for rotation upon pins 59 and being interconnected by pivoted side plates 60 which engage the pins 59. These rollers may be formed from metal or plastic or a combination of both and they are arranged 1~96368 g so that they engage the outer surfaces 61 of the base plates 41 forming the die means 36.
Means are provided to apply pressure of the opposing die means to the cable 10 when the device is in operation, said means taking the form of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies collectively designated 62 and situated on oppo-site sides of the casing.
These piston and cylinder assemblies are connected to mounting shaft 54 which are secured to the frame of the pressure applying roller carriers and extend transversely therefrom inboard of the spindles 54 mounting the spools 53.
These spindles 54 extend through sleeves 54A extending from the elongated frame and further sleeves 63 engage over the extremities of spindles or shafts 54 externally of the cas-ing.
The cylinders 64 of the piston and cylinder assem-blies 62 are connected by means of pin 65 to sleeves 66 se-cured to sleeves 63 and the piston rods 67 are similarly connected by means of sleeves 68 and pins 69 to the corres-ponding sleeves 63A of the other carrier half. These sleeves 63 and 63A engage around spindles or shafts 54B which in turn are mounted in vertical slots 70 formed in the casing sides so that by contracting or extending the piston and cylinder as-semblies 62, the upper pressure applying roller carrier can 1~96,368 be moved relative to the lower pressure applying roller carrier thus applying the necessary pressure of the die means around the cable 10.
This pressure is applied substantially along the full length of the inner runs 48 of the chain drive assem-blies.
Reference to Figures 4 and 5 will also show a plu-rality of die return idler roller assemblies collectively designated 71. These are rollers 72 mounted within brackets 73 and journalled for rotation upon spindles 74 and the lowermost run collectively designated 75 of the lower pres-sure applying roller carrier rests on these rollers and is supported thereby.
Reference to Figure 6 will show the preferred drive means to the drive chain assemblies and takes the form of a variable flow hydraulic pump 75'operating a pair of hydrau-lic motors 76, one for each of the drive chain assemblies and being operatively connected thereto by means(not illus-trated) extending around externally situated drive wheels 77 one of which is secured to the spindle 34 of one of the drive chain assemblies and the other of which is secured to the spindle 34 of the other of the drive chain assemblies, but preferably at the opposite end of the casing (see Figure 1).
1~9G368 A shuttle valve 78 of conventional design is situa-ted between the lines 79 extendiny between the pump and the motors and this extends to a preset throttle valve 80 and thence to an adjustable release valve assembly 81. The line 82 then connects to the piston and cylinder assemblies 62 in a manner providing equalizing of pressure and a pressure gauge 83 is provided for reference purposes.
The connections illustrated in Figure 6 ensure that as the pressure of the pump increases, the pressure increases within the piston and cylinder assemblies 62 and vice versa, so that if the speed of rotation of the chain drive assemblies is increased, the pressure applied by the die means to the cable is also increased to prevent slippage. By contrast, if the speed is reduced, then the pressure is also reduced.
Finally, reference should be made to a preload spring assembly collectively designated 84 and situated in the upper casing half reacting between a lug plate 85 extending from the side plates 14, and the sleeve 63A engaged around spindle 54B. The spring assembly comprises a pair of leaf springs 86 extending from a sleeve 87 and engaging a plate 88 around sleeve 87 and a block 89 upon said sleeve 63A.
The sleeve 87 is in the form of a screw threaded t~:
, 1~963613 bolt having head 89 above plate 85 with an adjusting lock nut 90 engaged around the sleeve and applying pressure to plate 88 so that the spring 86 can be pre-loaded.
In operation, and in order to engage the assembly around the cable 10, the pins 22 on both sides of the cas-ing halves are withdrawn and the piston and cylinder assem-bly 62 is engaged so that the casing halves can be fitted around the cable 10 whereupon the pins are replaced and the piston and cylinder assemblies are connected.
The pre-load spring assembly 84 is adjusted to give the desired amount of pre-loading and the release valve 81 is set to a desired amount in order to prevent excessive pressure being developed in the piston and cylinder assembly 62.
The hydraulic pump 75 operates the motors 76 which in turn drive the drive chain assemblies 28A and 28B and the hydraulic system also supplies pressure to the piston and cylinder assembly 62 squeezing the dies around the cable 10.
The rotation of the drive chain assemblies pulls the entire unit along the chain together with the device to which the unit is secured such as a ferry or the like and as the speed of the motor is varied by the variable pump 75', the pres-sure of the die means upon the cable 10 is also varied.
The specific shape of the dies, particularly the lG9~368 elastomeric inserts, creates a peripheral pressure on the cable or line and the elastomer deforms around the cable or line due to the shape. The elastomer flows into all cable grooves, etc., thus giving a more positive grip with the minimum of pressure.
Since various modifications can be made in my in-vention as hereinabove described, and many apparently wide-ly different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the ac-companying specification shall be interpreted as illustra-tive only and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
WHAT I CLAIM AS MY INVENTION IS:
(1) A drive device for use with a stationary ele-ment such as a cable, chain or the like comprising in com-bination a casing surrounding the associated element, upper and lower drive chain assemblies journalled for rotation with-in said casing, said assemblies each including an endless chain, said endless chain including an inner run, said inner runs being in substantially spaced and parallel relationship with one another, die means on said endless chain engaging around the stationary element along the length of said inner runs, means to squeeze said die means around said stationary element along the length of said inner runs and a source of power to drive said drive chain assemblies, said means to squeeze said die means around said stationary element includ-ing an upper pressure applying roller carrier and a lower pres-sure applying roller carrier mounted within said casing, each of said roller carriers including an elongated frame, upper and lower longitudinally extending roller runs formed in said frame and a free wheeling endless roller assembly mounted around said frame and within said roller run, said inner run of said chain assembly engaging said rollers, and pressure applying means operatively connected between the upper and lower pressure applying roller carriers.
(2) The device according to Claim 1 in which said die means each includes an elongated base, lug means to secure said base to a link of said drive chain, with said base being on the outer surface of said chain, an elongated channel ex-tending centrally along said base, an elastomeric block bond-ed within said channel, said block having a semi-cylindrical groove formed therein, said stationary element lying within said groove.
(3) The device according to Claim 1 in which at least one of said carriers is mounted within said casing for limited vertical movement relative to the other of said car-riers.
(4) The device according to Claim 3 which includes means mounting said carriers within said casing, said last mentioned means comprising spindles extending transversely through said carrier and through said casing, said pressure applying means including hydraulic piston and cylinder assem-blies operatively connecting adjacent spindles of said upper and lower carriers.
(5) The device according to Claim 1 in which said source of power includes a variable hydraulic pump, hydraulic motor for each of said drive chain assemblies, and means oper-atively connecting said hydraulic motor to said means to squeeze said dies around said element, said last mentioned means varying the pressure upon said dies with the pressure of said pump.
(6) The device according to Claim 2 in which said source of power includes a variable hydraulic pump, an hydrau-lic motor for each of said drive chain assemblies, and means operatively connecting said hydraulic motor to said means to squeeze said dies around said element, said last mentioned means varying the pressure upon said dies with the pressure of said pump.
(7) The device according to Claim 3 in which said source of power includes a variable hydraulic pump, an hydrau-lie motor for each of said drive chain assemblies, and means operatively connecting said hydraulic motor to said piston and cylinder assembly to squeeze said dies around said element, said last mentioned means varying the pressure upon said dies with the pressure of said pump.
(8) The device according to Claim 4 in which said source of power includes a variable hydraulic pump, an hydrau-lie motor for each of said drive chain assemblies, and means operatively connecting said hydraulic motor to said piston and cylinder assembly to squeeze said dies around said element, said last mentioned means varying the pressure upon said dies with the pressure of said pump.
(1) A drive device for use with a stationary ele-ment such as a cable, chain or the like comprising in com-bination a casing surrounding the associated element, upper and lower drive chain assemblies journalled for rotation with-in said casing, said assemblies each including an endless chain, said endless chain including an inner run, said inner runs being in substantially spaced and parallel relationship with one another, die means on said endless chain engaging around the stationary element along the length of said inner runs, means to squeeze said die means around said stationary element along the length of said inner runs and a source of power to drive said drive chain assemblies, said means to squeeze said die means around said stationary element includ-ing an upper pressure applying roller carrier and a lower pres-sure applying roller carrier mounted within said casing, each of said roller carriers including an elongated frame, upper and lower longitudinally extending roller runs formed in said frame and a free wheeling endless roller assembly mounted around said frame and within said roller run, said inner run of said chain assembly engaging said rollers, and pressure applying means operatively connected between the upper and lower pressure applying roller carriers.
(2) The device according to Claim 1 in which said die means each includes an elongated base, lug means to secure said base to a link of said drive chain, with said base being on the outer surface of said chain, an elongated channel ex-tending centrally along said base, an elastomeric block bond-ed within said channel, said block having a semi-cylindrical groove formed therein, said stationary element lying within said groove.
(3) The device according to Claim 1 in which at least one of said carriers is mounted within said casing for limited vertical movement relative to the other of said car-riers.
(4) The device according to Claim 3 which includes means mounting said carriers within said casing, said last mentioned means comprising spindles extending transversely through said carrier and through said casing, said pressure applying means including hydraulic piston and cylinder assem-blies operatively connecting adjacent spindles of said upper and lower carriers.
(5) The device according to Claim 1 in which said source of power includes a variable hydraulic pump, hydraulic motor for each of said drive chain assemblies, and means oper-atively connecting said hydraulic motor to said means to squeeze said dies around said element, said last mentioned means varying the pressure upon said dies with the pressure of said pump.
(6) The device according to Claim 2 in which said source of power includes a variable hydraulic pump, an hydrau-lic motor for each of said drive chain assemblies, and means operatively connecting said hydraulic motor to said means to squeeze said dies around said element, said last mentioned means varying the pressure upon said dies with the pressure of said pump.
(7) The device according to Claim 3 in which said source of power includes a variable hydraulic pump, an hydrau-lie motor for each of said drive chain assemblies, and means operatively connecting said hydraulic motor to said piston and cylinder assembly to squeeze said dies around said element, said last mentioned means varying the pressure upon said dies with the pressure of said pump.
(8) The device according to Claim 4 in which said source of power includes a variable hydraulic pump, an hydrau-lie motor for each of said drive chain assemblies, and means operatively connecting said hydraulic motor to said piston and cylinder assembly to squeeze said dies around said element, said last mentioned means varying the pressure upon said dies with the pressure of said pump.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA325,414A CA1096368A (en) | 1979-04-10 | 1979-04-10 | Cable drive device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA325,414A CA1096368A (en) | 1979-04-10 | 1979-04-10 | Cable drive device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1096368A true CA1096368A (en) | 1981-02-24 |
Family
ID=4113964
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA325,414A Expired CA1096368A (en) | 1979-04-10 | 1979-04-10 | Cable drive device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1096368A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7650842B2 (en) | 2005-04-01 | 2010-01-26 | Reisch Maschinenbau Gmbh | Driving system of a self-driving cableway car |
-
1979
- 1979-04-10 CA CA325,414A patent/CA1096368A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7650842B2 (en) | 2005-04-01 | 2010-01-26 | Reisch Maschinenbau Gmbh | Driving system of a self-driving cableway car |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |