GB190603651A - Apparatus for Raising and Lowering Loads - Google Patents

Abstract

3 6 5 1 . Fairweather, W. C., [Electro- Mechanical Works Co.]. Feb. 14. Loading-appliances.-Relates to pneumatic apparatus for raising and lowering ammunition on board war-ships, in which the load is carried on a piston fitting closely a vertical or inclined tube and raised by admitting air through an orifice beneath, the descent being regulated by an airoutlet orifice. The loading station comprises cylinders a, a<1> of the same diameter as the elevator tube B and movable about an axis b. In other forms of loading station, a single cylinder is pivoted at its centre and the projectile is fitted with a guiding cap, or a number of cylinders are arranged on a circular table moving about a vertical axis so as to feed one or two elevator tubes. The piston C and its load are placed in one of the cylinders, which is then moved until its axis coincides with that of the tube B. In this position, the air-admission orifice c is a prolongation of the radial orifice e in the pivot b. Leakage at the joints between the tube and cylinder is prevented by screwing down a sleeve f, which simultaneousiy opens a valve I and admits air from the reservoir by the pipes v, w to a cylinder u carrying a piston t and rod s. The pipe w is throttled at v, and the piston consequently moves down against the action of a spring and opens the main valve, and the load rises. The pipe v is throttled to such an extent that the main valve is automatically closed when the load reaches the desired height. The sleeve f is locked when the load is being raised by a pin enclosed in a casing M being forced out by fluid pressure communicated through the pipe j. The pipe B has orifices z at the discharge stations, and the orifice corresponding to the particular discharge station is opened so that as the load rises above it the air escapes and the piston is caught on the catch m. Pivoted sections l of the elevator tube constitute discharge doors. When these move about their axes k into the open positions, projections on them engage stops so as to close valves K arranged in the main pipe x and so effect the - closing of the main valve L. The valve Z opens to the atmosphere when the sleeve f is loosened. When the apparatus is used with descending loads, the exit of the air is regulated by a valve N.