US1188140A - Channeling-machine. - Google Patents

Description

A. BALL & H. H. MERCER.

CHANNELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.20 1907.

Patented June 20, 1916.

5 SHEETSSHEET l- THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (20.. WASHINGTON, D. c. i

A. BALL & H. H. IVIERCER.

CHANNELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-20. I907.

Patented June 20, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THE mLgMBlA PLANOGRAPH 60., WASHINGTON, n. c.

A. BALL & H. H. MERCER.

CHANNELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.20, 1901.

- Patented June 20, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

wmm.

THE COLUMBIA PLANouRAPl-l co., WASHINGTON, n. c-

A. BALL & H. H. MERCER.

CHANNELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-20. I90?- 1 II @fi, I. QIU Patented June 20, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

I "IIIIIIIII III flmzwmfiwlwx ymce 3% 5 a Mmry I A. BALL & H. H. MERCER.

in iilfiillg liillllllllllllllly I lUNlfTED @TATES PATENT ALBERT BALL AND HENRY H. MERCER, OF CLAREM'GNT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIG-NORfi BY MESNE ASSIGITMENTS, '10 SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, 0F BGSTQN, F515 SAGHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF lv'IASSACI'TUSETTS.

CHANNELING-MACl-IINE.

Application filed. August 20, 1907.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we ALBERT BALL and HENRY H. ll lnnonn, both citizens of the United States, and residents of Claremont, in the county of Sliillivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvement in Channeling-Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

Our invention relates to channeling machines, being particularly intended to increase the working eiiiciency of such machines.

Although our invention may be variously applied, we have herein illustrated the same as embodied in a track ehanneler having a wheeled truck, at the edge of which there is mounted side by side a pair of channeling units which in the present instance consist of pressure fluid engines and toolconnected piston, but so mounted that they may be simultaneously moved for any desired or usual adjustment.

In efforts to increase the working capacity of channelers it has been attempted to increase the size or number of the channeling tools connected to a single engine as well as the power and capacity of such engine. It has been found, however, that there is a limit to the size of the tool gang for a single channeling unit, which limit, if surpassed, results in a rapid deterioration in the quality or excellency of the work accomplished.

The present invention has for its object to increase the working capacity of a track channeler by providing two or more units,

each provided with atool gang of ordinary size, said units being so associated with each other and the machine that they may be readily used upon a track channeler in substitution for a single unit, such as is now generally employed, while substantially doubling or more than doubling the working capacity thereof and at the same time obtaining increased eliiciency and superior results.

Our invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2th, i91

Serial No. 389,362.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a channeling machine embodying one form of our invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a modified form of toolfeeding mechanism; Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the channeling machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an end elevation of a modi fied form of the machine; Fig. 5 shows the relation of the controlling valves for the two engines; and Fig. 6 shows the construction of the brace bars for the machine shown in Fig. 4:.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, while our invention may be usefully embodied in channeling and other machines of various and different types, we have here shown a form of track channeling machine comprising the main truck or frame 1 mounted upon the wheels 2, the latter adapted to move upon the usual rails 8 laid along the quarry bottom.

The truck may be propelled in any suit able way but herein it carries a traek-driving motor or engine 4 and usually a boiler (the latter not shown), the engine crankshaft 5 being connected through the reversing gearing 6, clutch shaft 12, spur gear 7, worm shaft 8 and worm gears 9 with the truck axles 10, whereby the truck may be driven under its own power. The clutch lever 11 is constructed and connected to clutchthe shaft 12 to one or the other of the two oppositely driven bevel gears of the reversing gearingv 6 to effect movement of the truck in either direction. Such gearing may be of any suitable or usual construction andL is iimnecessary to describe in further detail, the same herein being of the general principle disclosed in U. S. patent to Ball, No. 892,398.

While the channeling units may be carried on the truck in any suitable manner, there is here shown, supported at the working side of the truck, the supporting plate 18 serving adjustably to carry the upright standard 14. The plate is mounted for a limited angular adjustment away from the vertical plane, being provided at either end with a longitudinal depending supporting member 15, which is fulcrumed in a groove in the truck frame, in which it is held down by means of the bolts 16 and clamps 17. The clamp may be loosened and the plate tipped back for angle cutting through adjustment of the stay or brace rods 18. The front face 'ot the supporting plate is provided with horizontal "i" slots 19, to which the standard l i may be bolted, beingadjustable to either end. otthe truck or any other intermediate po- 7 sition.

Referring now to the channeling units,

the latter are two in number, although more verse the tool feed.

may be employed if desired. iVhile other terms of motive devices for reciprocating the channeling tools may be employed, we have therein shown ordinary and usual con structions of pressure fluid engines having th ir cylinders 20, 21, together with the' cross-head guides 22, 23, which act to guide the tool-carrying cross-heads 25, all mounted upon and carried by a vertically adjustable frame The latter is gibbed toslide upon longitudinal finished ways 27 upon the standard, and the upper end of the cylinder casting is attached to the lower endot the feed adjusting screw 28, so that through the latter the cylinders, frame and. tool gangs may be advanced or retracted relatively to the worki' An suitable means for ieedin the tools C2 inthe manner set forth may be employed,

but herein we have provided a threaded nut secured to the beveled gear 31 and held against longitudinal movement by the standard 14. The nut and gear are turned by the sprocket wheel 32, the latter being driven through the chain 33 and the engine 1-, so that the latter is available to teed the tool toward or from the work, a controlling lever 3% being employed to start, stop 'and re- In Fig. 9 we have shown a modified construction of feeding mechanism, the same differing from that described in the provision of two feeding screws 28, each connected to cylinders and in the axial line of its respective cylinder and each engaging with a threaded nut supported in the arch oi? the standard and turned through the medium of the intermeshing gears 35 and 86. This brings the resistance of each ieeding'screw versing valve of one is controlled by the reciprocatory movement of the other, thereby keeplng them in reversed relatlon or op- )osed ste that is to say as one an moves 7 t s o a up the other moves down and vice versa,

Referring to Fig. 1, the reverslng valve torthe left hand engine 21 has 1ts stem 37 connected to the lever 38, which latter has one end pivoted to the frame 26, and its opposite end connected by the link 39 to the right-hand cross-head 21-. Likewise the stem 10 of the reversing valve for the righthand engine 20 is connected by means of the lever +11 and the link 42 to the left-hand cross-head 25. By this means the downward movement of the right-hand CF05."- head causes downward movement of the rcversing valve for the left-hand engine, so that a reversal of the latter from an upward movement to a downward movement takes place at or near the center of the downward movement ot the right-hand cross-head. The right-hand engine is controlled in a like manner from the left-hand cross-head This insures syncirronism in the movement of the two engines and the action of the two tool gangs in opposed step.

ll hilc the de'ailed construction of the valves is immaterial, and our invention not limited to any particular form or arrangement thcreoit, we have shown in l i g. 5, without reterence to constructional accu racy, the gene al scheme or arrangeimxnt ot passages by which this control is ell'ccted. Such schen'ic or arrangement shows the usual form of main controlling valve tor each cylinder, the controlling valve, however, in each case being reversed by pressure admit-tedv through the medium oi? an auxiliary reversing valve controlled by the cross-head of the companion engine instead of its own cross-head as is customary.

The general arrangement ot valves will be. apparent by reference to l ig. 5, a detailed description of the reversing and controlling valves fer one cylinder only being necessary since the details of the construction of the valves tor the other cylinder are substantially similar. Referring to the valves controlling the right-hand cylinder, live steam or other pressure is admitted from any convenient source to the reversing valve chamber Kl-3 tor the right-haml engine and thence admitted to the upper or lower passages -Ll-l-, l5, leading to opposite ends 01 the main controlling valve 16 for the right hand cylinder. The control of said passages and also of the exhaust par-:sage at? is eiiected by the slide valve -18 controlled by the valve stem i0, so that when the said. stem moves downward as shown in the drawings the passage a5 is connected to the exhaust 17 and the passage it to the live pressure, thereby forcing the controlling valve 46 downward into the position shown. lhis admits pressure from the pressure chamber 1-9 of the reversing valve tor the lett-hand cylinder to the upper cylinderadmission-port 50 through the intermediate port 51, the lower cylinder-exhaust-port 52 being connected with the space 53 in the controlling valve chamber, which has perlit) manent connection with the engine exhaust. Lost motion is provided between the slide valve 48 and the valve stem d0, so that the reversal of the controlling valve 4L6 does not take place until the close of the downward movement of the valve stone so. At the close the upward movement of the valve stem 40 the passage 4L5 is connected with the pressure, and passage ll with the exhaust, thereby lifting the controlling valve 4L6, admitting pressure to the lower cylindenadmissionport and exhausting the same through the upper cylinder-exhaust-port 55.

Precisely the same control over the left hand engine is effected by the inoven'ient of the valve stem 3'7, the only dillerenee being that tie two movements are reverse or eppesite.

As the machine travels along the track, for example, from left to right, the right hand game; will first reach the vertical end of the out. This will leave a short portion of the cut equal to the distance between the inner sides of each gang, over which only one gang; has passed, and in which the cut is therefore slmllower than the remaining portion of the channel groove. To cut this distance down to its proper level it is nece sary to traverse the n'iacliine back while operating the right-hand Qjang. During this operation the left-hand should not strike the bottom of the cut. To prevent this have provided a cushioning; valve for each engine in the form of a gate 56 (Fig. which may be operated by the h: idle 57 from the rear of the cylinder and turned to thvttle more or less the exhaust passage, if, under the conditions assumed, the cr Ironing valve is thrown in, the

downward stroke of the left-hai'id one; ie will be cushioned, allowing its gang to miss the rock, while the right-hand will continue to cut. ln order to throttle more or less the :ulniission and exhaust for botl sets of each cylinder, additional throttle valves or gates 58, 59 and 60 are shown (Fi 5) conte ilates the employment of a single frame for the two engines, with the cros hcad and cross-head guides closely adjathe distance between the two gangs of tools is kept down to a minimum, so that the amount of over-cutting as described is comparatively small.

While in the construction shown in F 1 simultaneous adjustment of the two cylinders may be effected. either lengthwise the trucl; or at an inclination lateral thereto, we have shown in Fig. l a modified construction in respect to the movement of the standard upon the truck, which modified construction is advantageous for angle cutting. In the construction shown in l the standard is represented at 61 and is swivelled directly upon the trunnion shaft (32 extending lengthwise the machine. The standard is provided with a clamping cap 63, whereby it may be clamped to the trunnion shaft in any position lengthwise the same, and at any desired angle or inclination from the vertical.

One feature of novelty in the machine illustrated in Fig. t is the provision of one or more brace members, herein two, which are so arranged that when the standard is red lengthwise the machine from one end the truck to the other the brace members may be moved with the same without the necessity of first detaching them from the standard or from the truck. Referring to lliqs. and t5, the standard is provided with pair of threaded brace reds (is, one at either side thereof, which have threaded engagement with a split clamping member 65. The clampiuu' members are swiveled at opposite ends of the split sleeve 66, which latter is mounted to slide along the shaft 67 p rallel with the trunnion shaft. When the *idard is to be adjusted the clamping bolts (38 on the sleeve are loosened and the let i can he slid along the shaft 67 with the sandal-d, thus greatly facilitating the ad justment of the machine.

The employment of a plurality of toolactuating units suitably associated in some such fashion as herein described, where they are so arranged as to oppose each the reac tionary effect of the other upon its support, not only tends to reduce the vibration and shoe-l; within the machine itself through the lialanco secured between the operating parts, but also reduces the tendency to lateral displacemei'it of the machine and the tools within the out.

In the case of a channeling machine of the type illustrated if it were fitted with a single tool-actuating cylinder only, as here tofore, each reversal in the reciprocatory increment of the heavy tool gang imparts a reactionary shock or thrust to the machine. Such thrust, occurring}; as it does (in the direction of cuttinn') at one side of the truclc and of t from the center of gravity of the latter, vibrates and rocks the machine and tends to lift ii st one side of the truck and then the other from the rails. This vibratory or rocking; in vcment of the machine is not only disadvantageous of itself, but acts to oscillate the tools from side to side within the cut as they are reciprocated and advanced. This not only results in an imporfect cut and quickly dulls the cutting edges well as the sides of the tools through their frictional contact with the sides of the channel, but the frictional resistance to the tools caused thereby requires a greater expenditure of power both for the tool reciprocation and the power-fed. advance of the machine,

By the employment of a plurality of toolactuating units maintained in out-of-step reciprocation as,for example, the two channeling en 'ines described which are reciprocated out-of-step and in direct oppositin,the unbalancmg effect of each unit upon the support is offsetby the opposed unbalancin effect of the other and the sidewise vibration or'rocl-zing movement being scribed, since the reactionary effect of one 7 eliminated or 'r-iaterially reduced, the tools may be retained against cramping action in the kerit during the process of cuttlng. Furthermore in the case of achanneler having 5 n,

in a state of excessive vibration.

In thercase of the balanced machine decylinder tends to offset that of the other, and the cylinders are rigidly connected to be adjusted a unit, the vibration and shocks referred to are absorbed largely or' wholly within the rigidly connected cvlinders themselves, and within the sliding frame to which they are attached, thereby relieving the feed screws, standard, brace rods and other connections bv'which the standard is adjustably secured tothe truck, from the excessive vibration of a machine employing a single cutting unit. On this account not only may the various adjustments of the cutting tools be secured by connections having the maximum of rigidity with the minimum of lightness. but each unit may be operated'at a much higher speed than in the case ofthe single unit machine. Since the greatest eliiciency in cutting a channel is secured at higher speeds than can be attained in practice with a single unit machine, due to the excessive vibration of the parts referred to, the illustrated .form of machine, by permitting the attainment of a higher speed, se

cures acorrespondingly better cutting efli ciency.

It has been found in actual practice that not only does the described disposition and V relation of cutting units substantially eliminate the side or cross swing of the tool gang,

which is due to the transverse rocking of the truck-mounted machine, but in a machine like that herein lllustrated there is actually lntroduced a longitudinal swing of the tool gang in line with the channel groove, due.

to the slight rocking movement oi the machine lengthwise the trackway as the tools alternately strike the bottom of the cut. This provides in eli ect the same roll or swing which is imparted to a channeling tool in hand cutting, which roll or swing, so far as we are aware, has never been secured by any prior form of power driven channcler. This roll or swing of the tool gang provides the most ellicient form of cutting action and also tends to keep clear the bottom of the cut of chips and dust.

hile, tor the purpose o'l illustrating one concrete embodiment of our invention, we have shown the same as embodied in a stone channeling machine of a particular tvpe and construction, many features of the invention, with their attendant advantages, may be applied to channeling machines of other types and constructions as well as stone working machines other than channeling machines.

Vhile we have herein shown and described one form of our invention for illustrative purposes, it is to be understood that thesame is not limited to the particular form or relative arrangement of parts, but that extensive modifications may he made in the same without departing from the spirit of our invention.

Claims.

1. A charmeling machine having; a wheeled truck, a pair of channeling engines substantially rigidlymounted in relatively close rolationship at the side thereof in a. position to cut a dmvnwardly disposed channel groove parallel with the direction of travel of said ma chine, said engines being mounted. one in advance of the other, a reciprocutory toolcarrying cross head for each engine, a reversing valve for each engine and connections between the reversing valve of ca ch engine and the cross head of the other engine whereby each engine is reversed. by the move ment of the other and the two engines maintained in substantially simultaneous opposed step, thereby to prevent the sidewisc rocking movement of the truck and maintain the channeling tools in alinement with the intended cutting plane.

A channeling machine containing, in combination, a wheeled truck adapted to run upon a. suitable trackwa along a supporting surface, a pair of reciprocatory tool-actuating devices, substantially rigid supporting means for directing the tools to cut a continuous kerf at the side of the truclc transverse to the plane of the supportin g surface, said tool-actuating devices being located in relatively close relationship side by side one in advance of the other in the direction of travel of the truck, and means to substan tlally simultaneously reciprocate said. devices in reverse relation whereby they oflset each the unbalancing effect of the other upon the supporting means and the truck and retain the tools against cramping action in the kerf during the process of cutting.

3. A channeling machine containing, in combination, a wheeled truck adapted to run upon a suitable trackway along a supporting surface, power-actuated means thereon for advancing said truck during the operation of the machine, a plurality of reci n'ocatory tool-actiuuiing devices, substantially rigid supporting means for directing the tools to cut a continuous kerf at the side of the truck transverse to the plane of the supporting surface during the power-fed advance of the machine, said devices being located in relatively close relationship side by side and one in advance of the other, and means for causing the reciprocation of said. devices in substantially simultaneous relatively timed out-of-step relation whereby they offset each the unbalancing eilecl of the other and retain the tools against cramping action in the kerf during the process of cutting.

4. A stone working machine having a movable support, a plurality of tool-actuating devices substantially rigidly sustained at one side thereof and so directed as to cut transversely to the horizontal plane, said devices being located in relatively close relationship one in advance of the other, thereby to cut a continuous channel groove in the direction of movement of the support, and means for imparting a substantially simultaneous reciprocating movement to said devices in out of step substantially balanced relation, thereby to cause said devices each to offset the unbalancing effect of the other or others on the said support.

5. A channeling machine having a truck, a standard mounted. at the side of the truck and carrying a channeling unit, means for rigidly l it adjustably holding the standard at its lower end whereby it may be adjusted from one end of the truck to the other, a brace member adapted to have one end secured to the standard near its upper end and its opposite end secured to the truck near the opposite side of the truck from the standard and adapted to act as a brace for said standard during the cutting operation of the machine, and means adjustably securing the truck-connected end of the brace member whereby it can be adjusted lengthwise the truck without detachment from the truck.

6. A channeling machine having a truck, a standard mounted at the side thereof car rying a channeling unit, means adjustably securing the standard to the truck for adjustment of the same lengthwise the truck and also for adjustment thereof backward over said truck for angle cutting, comprising a brace member secured near the upper end of the standard, a sleeve to which said brace member is attached and a shaft running lengthwise the truck along which said sleeve is adapted to slide.

7. A channeling machine having a wheeled truck, a pair of reciprocatory tool-actuating devices, substantially rigid mountings for supporting said devices at the side of the truck in upright position, said devices being located in relatively close relationship one in advance of the other in the direction of travel of the truck, thereby to cut a continuous channel groove, means for feeding the truck, and means for operating said devices in substantially simultaneous reverse relation to produce a balanced effect upon the truck, transverse the same and an unbalancing effect upon the truck lengthwise the same, thereby to prevent the sidewise swinging movement of the tool while imparting a swing to the tool lengthwise the channel groove.

8. In a channeling machine, the combination with a truck adapted to run upon a suitable supporting surface, a plurality of reciprocatory tool-actuating devices, a common support for said tool-actuating devices directing the tools to cut a continuous lrerf at the side of the truck, said tool-actuating devices being located in relatively close re lationship side by side one in advance of the other in the direction of travel of the truck, means for adjustably inclining the said support and thereby simultaneously adjusting said tool-actuating devices to vary the angle of cut, and means for reciprocating said devices in substantially simultaneous opposed step relation wiereby they offset each the reactionary effect of the other upon the said common support and the truck.

9. A channeling machine having a truck adapted to run upon a suitable trackway along a supporting surface, a plurality of reciprocatory tool-actuating devices, a com men upright support to which said devices are attached, said devices being located in relatively close relationship side by side and one in advance of the other, thereby to cut a continuous channel groove in the lirection of travel of: the truck, means for adj ust ing said support together with said devices as a unit on the truck toward or from the work, and means for reciprocating said devices in substantially sin'iultaneous, relatively timed, out-of-step relation whereby they offset each the reactionary effect of the other on the said support and its attachment to the truck.

10. A channeling machine having a truck adapted to run upon a suitable traclrway along a supporting surface, plurality of reciprocatory tool-actuating devices there on, a common upright support for said toolactuating devices, said devices being located ioo in relatively close relationship side by side on said support and one in advance of the other, thereby to cut a continuous kerf in the'direction oftravel of the truck, means for securing said support to either end of the truck to out a continuous kerf at the side of the truck and at the leading end thereof, and'means for reciprocating said toolactuating devices in substantially simulta neous out-ot-step relation, thereby to oifset each the reactionary effect of the other and 12. A channeling machine having a plurality of pressure fluid-operated, tool-actuating devices, traversing means on which the same are mounted to cut a channel groove, said devices being located one in advance of the other, thereby to cut a continuous channel groove in" the direction of movement of the support, meansfor applying the pressure fluid to maintain said devices simultaneously operating in an opposed step relation whereby they ofi set each the unbalancing eiiect of the other, and means for controlling the fluid to render one of said devices temporarily inoperative while permitting the cutting operation of the other.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT BALL. HENRY H. MERCER. lVitnesses Ronnn'r J. MERRILL, THOMAS 13. BoorH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G.

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