US1279748A - System of control. - Google Patents

Description

R. C. 'NEWHOUSE.

SYSTEM OF CONTROL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2. 1911.

1,279,748. PatentedSept, 24, 1918.

Ema/Mom ms mwms PsrERS co. puomuma. WASHINGYUN. n. c.

hair "ofnfiw'riousn, oF'wAirW' Arosn, Wisconsin, a sreasa eo ALnIs-oiIALMriRs COMPANY, A eoaromrroa OF- NEW JERsE'Y.

"sYs'rEi/i or GO'N'TROL.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pat nted S pt. 24,1918.

Original*application'filedMay 9, isiasenai No. 696,107. 'Diirided'ancltliis application filed January 2,

. V 1917. Serial No. 140,640.

To all whom it ma concern: A I

Be it known that 1, Ray C. NEwHoUsE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at \Vauwatosa, inv the county of Milwaukeeand State of \VlSCOnSiIn haVe invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Systems ofiControl, of which the following is a specification.

My i-nvention relates toelectrically operatedsk-ip hoists.

It is the object of my invention to provide a skiphoi'st, for hoisting stone, coal, ore,

etc., which is normally completely automatic in its operation but may be manually controlled when desired.

ln-atta-in-ing this object, I have provided a system involving a number of novel features. The movement of the skips is preferably obtained by an electric motor, andthe motor is controlled by the closing of the gate of the bin fl'OHl'WlllCll the material to be hoisted "is supplied to the skip at the bot tom of'thehoist. The automatic operation ofthe motor is always in theproper direction to raise'the loaded skip and lower the empty skip, the motor being reversible for this purpose. The closing of the-bin gate occurs when the load in the skip at the bottom of the hoist reaches a predetermined value. The closing ofthe bin gate is also manually controlled irrespective of the load in'the skip. Althoughthe operation is'norm'ally entirely automatic,the operator may at any time assume control and obtain any desired movement of the skips withint-heir limits of movement. :Thereare also provided a numberof safety devices.

The broad features of my invention are cl-aimed'in'my copending application, Ser. No. 696,107, 'filed May 9, 1912, (Patent 1,219,761, Mar. 20, 1917,) 'ofvwhich the present application is'a division, and in my copendin application, Ser- No. 633,798, filed June 11,1911 "(Patent 1,207,983, Dec. 12, 1916). Further, certain features of the electrical operation and control of the hoist system of this application are introduced in my copending application, Ser. No.

123,788, 'filedOct. 2, .1916, which is a division of my application, Ser. No. (333,798, filed June-17,1911.

The various novel features of my invention will appear fronnthedescription and drawings, and will be particularly pointed outin the claims. I

The singlefigure of the drawing shows diagrammatically one embodiment of my invention. I

Thetwo skips 1 and 11 operate on the usual tracks 12, these tracks 12 being arranged so that the skips pass each other without interfering and yet each skip when at the bottom of the hoist occupies substantially the same place as does the other Skip under the same circumstances. The operating cable or cables 13 extend in the usual manner around the winding drum 1 1, and its ends are fastened to bails l5 pivoted to the skips near their rear ends. This manner of pivoting the bails 15 allows the autoniatic'tipping of the skips as they reach the top. To obtain this tipping, the rear axle of each skip is provided withadditional wheels 17, which engage the auxiliary track 18 when the skip is at the top of the hoist. As a skip approaches the top, its front axle follows the curved upper end of the main track 12, while its rear axle follows the auxiliary track 18, the'skip being thus automatically dumped; the skip l1 is shown dmnping.

The hoisting drum 14; is operated by the 7 of this solenoid may be called an emergency 1 control circuit. Uponthe deenergizati'on' of the solenoid 25,'for any reason, the circuitbreaker 22 opens. The reversing switch 23 is preferably of the oil immersed, doublethrow, multiple type, and is bia'sedt'ojopen position. It is IIIOVZtblG 'tO its;two closed positions by solenoids 26 and 27 respectively.-1n the-rotor circuit ofthe motor 20 are "resistance sections 28, 29, '30, and 31, which may be 'short-circuite'd by switches 32,

33, 34, 35., operated by solenoids "36, 37, 38, and 39 respectively. The solenoids 26, 27, 36, 37, 38, and 39 are controlled by a manually Operated master switch40, a plurality of manually operated switches 41, a set" of switches 42 to 45 inclusive, automatically actuated master directionswitch 54, and a manually controlled reversing switch 46. i

' Themaster switch 40 is provided for manually starting and stopping the motor and skips. In closing the switch, the blade 47 first engages contact 48 for energizing solenoi'ds 26 and 27 for operating the switch 23 in one direction or the other. Upon fur ther movement of the blade 47 in the same direction, said blade comes into engagement with contact 49 for energizingsolenoids 36, 37 38, and 39 of the resistance switches 32, 33, 34, and respectively. By opening the master switch 40, the blade leaves contacts 49 and 48 successively. On leaving the contact 49 it deenergizes all the'resistanoe controlling solenoids 36 to 39'inclusive. By leaving contact 48, somewhat later, it deenergizes the solenoids of the switch 23, thus causing the breaking of the primary circuit of the motor. This avoids the jar which would be given the motor if the primary circuit were broken before the resistance in the rotor circuit were cut in. This master switch is to be located atsome convenient point, such as at the main operating stand.

The manually operated switches 41 are located at various points in the control system. For instance, these switches may be located .on different floors or at points of comparatively great distance from each other. These switches 41 are adapted,when switch is closed, to start and stop the operation of the whole system-in the same manner as it is accomplished bythe operation ofthe master switch 40. The switches are here used primarily as emergency switches for shutting downthe systemfrom various points if it is desired so to do for any particular 'reason..-"The switches 41' each have two movablecontacts 41 and 41 the first of which engages an elongatedjcontact 41 soflthat [when said switches are opened the sections ofresistance controlled by the contact 41 will be out into'circuit before the mainline circuit isopened by separating contacts 41 and 41. It is to be noted, however, that only one such switch as 40*isftof be used, while any number of switches 41-can be employed. The reason for this is apparent, forif two such switches as 40 were-used, one could be opened'and' still the system would continue to operate, f

providing the one remaining closed-was on the live side of the open switch. 1

-*The switches 42 ;to 45 inclu sive'are biased to their lowerjpositions, as "by'gravity, but

maybe rais'ed'to theirupper positions by a taper-ended nut 58traveling along a threaded rod 59 driven through suitable reducing gearing from the shaft of the motor 20. Guides 58 prevent the nut 58 from turning.

'These switches are closed only in their lower The switches 42 to '45 inclusive may be spaced as desired.

The master direction switch 54 has on'its shaft a ratchet wheel 60, the number of teeth of the ratchet wheel corresponding to the number of positions of the switch 54. This number is an even number,the switch in alternate positions closing the circuit of the switches 42 and 43, and 44 and 45, respectively; thus oppositely controlling the direction of operation of the motor 20. The switch 54 is operated automatically, through the ratchet wheel 60, in amanner hereinafter described. 7

My present system is also provided with the double-throw switch 46 for the purpose of manually reversing the direction of operation at any time without regard to the direction in which the system is operating or to the position of the skips. In other words, switch 46 when thrown to the position opposite to the one in which it is found changes the connections of switch 54 and switches 42 to45 inclusive for controlling the actions of solenoids 26 and 27 for revers ing the motor 20; When switch 23 is operated, auxiliary switches 26*- and 27 are also operated for controlling the circuits of solenoids 36 to 39 inclusive of the resistance switches'32 to 35 inclusive. Thus the operation of the system may be manually reversed at will by merely throwing switch 46 to the position opposite to the one in which it is found. a y 7 The motor is provided with a mechanical brake'64, cooperating with a disk 65 on the shaft of the motor20. The brakeis released by a solenoid 66 -whenever current is being supplied to the motor 20,:thei solenoid 66 being connected to'the motor circuit through gate 70is biased to closed position by an adjustable weight 72 on the balance arm 69.

Duringthe last part of the closing movement 1 finger 68 hinged on thebalance arm 69 of r the gate 7 O of the supply bin 71. The bin,

of the bin gate 70 the finger 68 stjrikesone J 'of-theteeth'of the ratchet wheel 60 and moves the master direction-switch .54"from' one position to the next. The bin gate 70 carries a pivotedjfinger 73, which isin the path of an arm 74 on the top of each skip.

time is held there by a latch 76, which latter is connected by suitable connecting mechanism to thebalance'beam 77 of a scale upon which the skip at the bottom of the hoist rests and'is released upon a suflicient-defiection of said beam. The latform 'of this scale consists of two paral el plates 78and 79, the former being mounted on the'other by a nest of springs 80. On thebalance beam 77 is an adjustable weight 81 for determining the'load taken by the skip.

Assume that the parts are in-the positions shown, the arm 74 on "the skip '10 having engaged the finger 73 and opened the bin gate as such skip approached the bottom of the hoist. Immediately upon the opening of the bin gate, the stone, ore, or other material to be hoisted, begins to run from the bin 71 into the skip 10, which may be provided with a lip 82 to prevent any of the material from falling between the gate and the skip. The circuit-breaker 22 is closed. The switch 23 is in its middle or off position, the traveling nut is at the extreme left hand limit of its movement, holding switches 42 and 43 in their upper or open positions. The switches 45 and 46 are in their lower or closed positions. The resistance switches 32 to 35 inclusive are in the lower or open positions.

To make the system operate automatically at full speed the master switch 40, switches 41 and 46 should be closed, and there left while the uninterrupted automatic operation is to continue. As the skip 10 fills, the plate 7 80f the scale platform is depressed, first compressing the springs 80 and then engaging and depressing the plate 79 of the scale platform and raising the weight 81. When the load in the skip 10 reaches a predetermined value, the tilting of the balance beam 77 releases the latch 76, and the finger 73 momentarily wings past the arm 74 to allow the weight 72 to close the bin gate 70. This shuts ofi the supply of material to the skip 10. As the bin gate approaches its closed position, the finger 68 strikes one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel'60 and moves the master directionswitch 54 forward to the next position beyond that which it occupies. This completes a control circuit which extends from one side of the control supply line 83 through contact 84 on the switch 54, conductor 85, reversing switch 46, conductor 86, switch 45, conductor 87, solenoid 27, conductor 88, switches 41 and 40, to the other side of the line 83. The resultant energization of coil 27 closes the switch 23 to the left,

and also causes the closing of the auxiliary switch 27 carried by the switch 23, thus putting the resistance switches 32 to 35 inelusive under the control of the switch 44 and completing the primary circuit of the motor 20 for operation in one direction.

The-completion of thisprimary circuit energizes solenoid-66 toreleasebrake 64.

The motor 20 now startsslowly, driving the winding drum 14'and the rod 59, thus causing the skip 10 to start upward, the skip 11 to start downward, and the traveling nut 58 to start to the right. The hinged end of the finger 73, which finger has been brought back by the'spring 75 into the path of the arm 74 and is'reengaged by the latch 76 as soon as the skip 10 has startedupward, allows such arm to pass without effect as the skip 10 rises. As the nut 58 moves to the right, it first allows the switch 42 to drop from its upper to its lower position, thusmaking a potential circuit for solenoid 26, which at this time is open at the switch 54. As the nut 58 continues its movement to the right, it allows the switch 43 to drop to its lower or closed position, thus making another potential circuit, through the switch 43, for the solenoids 36 to 39 inclusive; this potential circuit is open at the switch 54 and at the auxiliary switch 26 also carried by switch 23. The dropping of the switches 42 and 43 does not affect the speed of the motor 20. As soon as the switches 23 and 27 are closed to the left a circuit is completed from one side of the control supply line 83 through contact 84 of switch 54, conductor 85, reversing switch 46, conductor 86, switch 45, conductor 87, branching from the circuit of solenoid 27 and continuing through auxiliary switch 27, conductor 50, switch 44, conductor 51, contact 35"-, conductor 100, switch 33 solenoid 36, auxiliary solenoid operated switch 28 conductor 101, switches 41 and 40 to the other side of the line 83. The resultant energization of operating solenoid 36 closes switch 32, thus cutting out the first section 28, of the resistance in the rotor circuit of the motor 20. If, however, the auxiliary switch 28 has been opened, due to excess current in the second ary circuit when the motor is first started, switch 32 will not be closed until the current in the secondary circuit has decreased sufiiciently'to permit said switch 28 to close. If, when switch 32 is closed, the secondary current rises above a predetermined value,'auxiliary switch 29 will be opened, thereby preventing solenoid 37 from being energized. At this point it is to be noted that the contacts 102 with which the resistance switch mem- "forethe switch32 is closed to complete the circuit of the solenoid 37 of the next resistance swltch, such as 33. When switches 32 and 32 are closed and 29! has remained 'closed or returned to closed position, the

circuit of the solenoid 37 is completed, resulting in the closing of switch 33 and the cutting out of the second section, 29, of the resistance. Similarly switches 34 and 35 are closed in turn, successively cutting out the remaining sections 30 and 31 of resistance. This brings the motor 20 up to full speed. 7

Such full speed continues until the skip 10 approaches its upper limit of movement and the skip 11 its lower limit of movement. At the same time, the traveling nut 58 approaches its right hand limit of movement. The tapered end of nut 58 now raises switches 44 and 45' successively. The lifting of the switch 44 breaks the circuit for the solenoids 36 to 39 inclusive, thus deenergizing all solenoids which remained energized and causing the cutting of all the resistance sect-ions 28 to 31 inclusive into the rotor circuit of the motor 20 to check the speed thereof. The lifting of switch 45 deenergizes solenoid 27, thus causing the opening of auxiliary switch 27 and causing switch 23 to move to its middle or off position and interrupting the supply of current to motor 20. The interruption of this supply of current causes the deenergization of the solenoid 66, and the setting of the brake 64.

The motor 20 and the two skips now stop, the skips 10 and 11 having now reached their upper and lower limits respectively.

The skip 10 in approaching this upper limit has tipped to dumping position, the wheels on its front axle having followedthe curve at the upper end of the main track 12 and the auxiliary wheels on its rear axle having followed the auxiliary. track 18. The material is thus dumped from the skip into the receiving bin 89. The arm 74 of the skip 11, as the latter has approached its lower limit of movement, has engaged the finger 73 and swung the bin gate to open position, whereupon thesupply bin 71, unless empty, immediately begins to discharge material into .the skip 11.. -When the skip 1 1 is filled with a predetermined load, the

finger 73 is-again released the latch 7 6 nd. the bin gate 7 0 again swings closed. At the end ofthis' closing movement, the finger 68 engages the next tooth of the ratchet wheel 60,;and swings it and'the master dire ation switch 54 forward to the nextposition. This brings'the contact 90f of said switch into operati'on, and completes a circuit which extends from one side of the line 83 through Contact 90 ofjjsw'itch' 54.; 'con ductor 91, 1rever'singl switch 46, conductor 104, switch 42,, solenoid 26,: conductor 88,

switches 41 and 40"to1the other side of the "line 83,' Theresultant energization of the solenoid26 causes switch 23 and auxiliary stops.

the solenoids 36 to39 inclusive imder the controlbf the switch 43, completing the primary circuit of motor 20 for operation in the opposite direction from that above described, and releasing the brake 64.

The motor 20 now starts in such opposite direction, raising skip 11, lowering the skip 10, and moving the traveling nut 58 to the left. As this movement of the nut 58 continues, switches 45 and 44 are dropped in succession and the resistance sections 28, 29, 30, and 31are cut out in a manner substantially the same as that already described. The action of the switches 45 and 44 corresponds to the previous action of switches 42 and 43, already described. reach their other limits of movement the switches 43 and 42 are raised successively, corresponding in their action 'to'that of switches 44 and 45 as the nut58 approaches its right hand limit, as already described.

The skip 10, which is now approaching the bottom, opens the bin gate 70 in thelast part of its downward movement. From this point the cycle above described is repeated continuously as long as any material is left in the supply bin? 1, then it automatically Considerable energy is required to start the movement of the skips, and considerable energy must be disposed of in order to stop such movement. The following scheme is provided to take care of this economically. Located between the rails of the track 12 at the bottom is a hook 92, which can slide in suitable guide rails lengthwise of the track 12. This hook extends upward from the track into the path of some suitable projecting part of the skip, such as one of the axles or a' hook 93 firmly fastened to the body of the skip. The sliding hook 92 is attached by 'a sturdy cable 94 to a circular sheave 95, the cable94extending over one or more pulleys 96 to a convenient location for such sheave 95. The circular sheave 95 is mounted on thesame shaft, or otherwise firmlyconnected to. a spiral sheave 97, on the periphery of whichis a cable98 attached to a heavy weight 99. 'When either skip ,.approaches'the end of its'downward movement, the hook 93 on such skip engages the sliding hook 92 "and swings the cable 98 around the spiral sheave 97 thus raising the weight 99 and'storing energyin'it. Be-

cause of the spirality of the sheave 97, the

weight 99 is started onits downward movement{comparatively slowly, and gradually i'ncreases'finspeeda In other words, the mechanical advantage ofthe skip'on the weight:

is decreased as-the weight moves upward.

.Thew'eight thus assists in bringing the'skip undue strains on the cables 94 and 98. The energy stored in the lifted weight 99 is returned toithe skip when the latter starts on its upward movement, thus releasing the motor 20 of some of its starting load. The rate at which this energy is returned to the skip is a gradually decreasing one, thus relieving the starting load on the motor 20 mostly at thebeginning of the movement of the latter and gradually decreasing as the motor and skips gain in speed. and the extra starting load diminishes.-

If atany time during the operation of the system, the operator desires to take control, he may do so by manipulating the master switch 40 or auxiliary switch 41. If the skips are at their limits of movement, and the traveling nut 58 is at one of its limits of movement, the motor may be started. by

throwing the reversing switch 46 to the position opposite to that in which it is found. This produces the same efi'ect as the closing of the bin gate Y70, and the motor accelerates automatically as the nut 58 moves away from its extreme position. It is not necessary that the skips be in their extreme positions in order to reverse their directions of movement, for, by the use of the reversing switch 46, the movements of the skips may be stoppedat any point in their upward and downward movements and, reversed at will. If the motor is inmotion and itis desired to stop the skips, the master switch 40 is moved to ofl position, thus breaking the circuits for the solenoids 36, 37, 38, and 39, and solenoid 26 or 27, whichever. one is energized. This interrupts all the normal control circuits and'the resultant opening ofthe reversing switch 23 interrupts the primary circuit of the motor and causes the setting of brake 64. However, ifit is desired to stop the operation of the system at anytime for any reason whatsoever, it is not necessary to be at the main operating stand to open the master switch 40, for the desired result may be accomplished by opening any one of the emergency switches 41. By opening any one of the switches 41 the cutting of the sections of resistance intothe secondary circuit of the motor is first caused, and then the reversing switch 23is causedto move to its open position, cutting ofl the current supply to the motor-20. When it is desired to again start up the system, switch 40, if it has been opened, may be closed, blade 47 first coming into engagement with contact 48 for operating switch 23 to connect motor 20 to its supply circuit 21 and then blade 47 engaging blade 49 for causing the gradual cutting out of sections of resistance from the secondary circuit ofmotor 20.- If the master switch has remained closed and either-one of the emergency switches has been opened, the emergency switch which has been opened may beelosed, w e- 4. of a d s i ch fir engaging the elongated contact 41 for closing the reversing switch 28' for connecting motor 20 to its supply circuit, and then contact 41 engaging its correspondingcontact for causing the gradual cutting out of the sections of resistance in the rotor circuit of the motor 20. Then once started the system will at once take up and continue the automatic operation already described, the parts automatically stopping when they reach their limits of movement and starting again when the skip at the bottom becomes suflieiently loaded.

With the arrangement which I have here provided it is not necessary, that the skip at the, bottom become loaded to a predetermined amount before the bin gate can be closed with the resultant actuation of the master direction switch 54 for making conneetions for the skip at the bottom to move upward. If it is desired to close the bin gate 70 before the skip at the bottom has received its regular load ofa certain predetermined weight, a push button 105 may be operated, completing a circuit from one side of the line 83 through push button switch 105, conductor 106, solenoid 107, to the other side of the supply circuit 83. The resultant energization of coil 107 will draw core 108 with its lever 109 downwardly, removing the latch 76 out of engagement with the finger 7 3 of the bin gate, permitting weight 7 2 on the arm 69 to close the bin gate and move the master direction switch to its next'forward position for causing the upward movement of the skip at the bottom and the downward movement of the skip located above.

The master switch 40, reversing switch 46, and push button switch 105 are preferably located at the main operation station where the operator may operate any of these switches when it is desired so to do. The emergency switches 41 are to be placed on different floors or at points distant from each other for the purpose of enabling the operator or other proper person who may deem it advisable to open any one of the switches 41 for bringing the system to a state of rest. lVitli the master switch 40, reversing switch 46, and solenoid push button control switch 105 all located at the central point of operation, manualcontrol at such point is rendered convenient, and with the emergency switches 41 located at different points in the system manual control is provided for bringing the system to a state of rest and for again starting said system when it is so desired.

' Should the parts already described get outv of order or fail to work for any reason, it is possible that the motor will overwind the cable 13 on the drum 14, which might even break the cable. In order to take care ofthis, a latch 112 isplaced in the path of ach 9f t bails l5 tl b y e not primary circuit of the motor to be broken both at the reversing switch 23 and the cirbeneath the cross bars of the bail 15, If the 1 skip starts to drop, this latch will therefore catch the bail and prevent such dropping.

, If the cable 13 breaks while'the system is in operation, both skips may fall to the bottom of the hoist, the first skip to reach the bottom would open the bin gate 70 and would probably be traveling with so much momentum that due to the impact on the scale platform it would raise the balance beam 77 sufficiently to open a snap switch 114. This switch 114 is also in the emer-.

gency control circuit, or that ofthe solenoid 25, and its opening producesthe same results as those produced by the switch 113. The dispositionof the switch 114 relative to the weighted beam 77 is such that ordinary operation of thebeam, dueito the weight of a loaded skip, is not capable of causing actuation of the switch to open position. The nest of springs 80 is for the purpose of preventing the lesser impacts occurring in the ordinary operation of the system, from tripping the latch 76 and the switch 114, for absorbing the last of the momentum of a descending skip, and for giving an ascending skip a kick at startmg. 7

Should the voltage of the main supply circuit 21 fail for any reason while the motor is in operation, the solenoid 66 is immediately de'elnergized. This causes the setting of the brake 64. If the voltage of the control and supply circuit 83 fails for any reason while the IIIOtOYlS 1n operatlon,

-all of the control circuits will be deenergized.

This causes the resistance in the rotor circult of the motor to be cut 1n, and the "cuit-breaker 22.

Any suitable protective means may be provided for protection against the overloads. In case of an overload, in the arrangement illustrated, a series relay 115 opens the circuit of the solenoid 25 and thus causes the opening of the circuit-breaker 22. In some cases the circuit-breaker 22 may be dispensed with and the switches 113, 114,

and 115 put in'some other'suitable circuit.

I have described my hoisting system in what I now considerto be its preferred form. There may be various modifications and arrangements other than those here particularly shown and described, and aim to cover allsuch modifications, and arrangements of my invention which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the following claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by 7 Letters Patent:

1. In combination, an electric motor, a reversing switch therefor, a controlling switch for said reversing switch, said controlling switch having a plurality of positions and being movable always inthe same direction, alternate positions of said controlling switch producing opposite move ments of said reversing switch, and a separate switchassociated with said controlling switch for reversing the effect of said controlling switch.

2. In comblnatlon, a skip, a motor for operating said skip, a reversing switch therefor, a supply bin having a gate for controlling the supply of material to said skip,

a controlling switch, means controlled by alternate similar operations of said controlling switch for operating the reversing switch in opposite directions, and separate means for reversing the efiect. of said controlling switch.

'3. In combination, a car movable between predetermined limits of movement, a gate through which material is supplied to-the car when at one of its limits of movement, a motor for operating said car, areversing switch for the motor, a variable resistance for the motor, means independent of said car for causing the closing of said gatefor causing the closing of said reversing switch in the proper direction to move the car to the other limit of movement, means. for automatically cutting out said resistance, and means controlled by a movement of the car for cutting in said resistance and stopping such, movement when such other limit of movement is'reached.

4. In combination, a movable car, means for actuating said car, a master Iswitch therefor, a gate through which materialis ated automatically by the operation of said gate, manually operated means for reverssupplied to said car, a directionswitch-opermovement of said gateto operate said direc- V 1 tion switch, said master switch and all of said manually operated means'being located at a single control point. Y

5. In a system of control, the combination of a car, means for actuating said' car, a. master switch" therefor, a gate through which material "is supplied to said car, a direction; switch operated automatically by the operation of said gate, manually operated means for reversing the effect of said direction switch, manually operated means for causing the movement of said gate to operate said direction switch, and a switch located at a point remote from said master switch and being adapted to stop and start the system at any time while said master switch is closed, said. master switch and manually operated means being located at a single control point.

6. In combination, an electric motor, a reversing switch therefor to cause operation of the motor in either direction, means for gradually accelerating said motor subsequent to the closure of said reversing switch, means for controlling the operation of said reversing switch and said accelerating means, said controlling means comprising a control circuit and a switch for determining the direction of rotation of said motor, and means for controlling said direction-determining switch for reversing the effect thereof in any of its operative positions.

7 In combination, a hoist, an electric Inotor for operating said hoist, a reversing switch for said motor, means automatically operative on the closure of said reversing switch for causing the gradual acceleration of said motor, means for controlling the operation of said reversing switch and said accelerating means, said controlling means comprising a control circuit and a switch for determining the direction of rotation of said motor, means rendered operative by said hoist for actuating said direction switch, and auxiliary means independent of said hoist for controlling the operation of said direction switch.

8. In combination, a skip, an electric motor for operating said skip, a reversing switch for causing operation of said motor and the conseqeuent operation of said skip in either direction, means for controlling the operation of said reversing switch and said motor, said controlling means comprising a control circuit, accelerating and decelerating means associated with said motor and rendered operative through said control circuit at predetermined points in the travel of said skip, a direction switch operative when said skip is at one limit of its travel for controlling said control circuit and said reversing switch to cause operation of said motor in the proper direction, and means rendered operative by said skip when containing a predetermined weight of material for controlling the operation ofv said direction switch, and auxiliary means operative at the will of an operator for controlling the operation of said direction switch.

9. In combination, a skip, an electric motor for operating said skip, a bin for supplying material to said skip when at one limit of its travel, a gate for controlling the supply of material to said skip, said gate being automatically movable in response to the weight of material in said skip, a reversing switch for closing the circuit of said motor to cause operation thereof and consequent operation of said skip in either direction, means for varying the speed of operation of aid motor, means for controlling the actuation of said reversing switch and said speedvarying means, said controlling means comprising a control circuit for said reversing switch and said speed-varying means, and a switch operative to complete said control circuit when said skip is at one limit of its travel, and mechanism rendered operative on movement of said gate toward closed position and effective to cause actuation of said latter switch to complete said control circuit, and auxiliary means effective to cause movement of said gate toward closed position independently of the weight of material in said skip.

10. In combination, a skip, an electric motor for operating said skip, a bin for supply ing material to said skip when at one brunt of its travel, a gate for controlling the supply of material to said skip, said gate being automatically movable to closed position in response to the weight of material in said skip, a reversing switch for closing the circuit of said motor to cause operation thereof and consequent operation of said skip in either direction, a variable resistance in the circuit of said motor, means for controlling the actuation of said reversing switch and the variation of said resistance to cause acceleration and deceleration of said motor, said controlling means comprising a control circuit for said reversing switch and said resistance-varying means, and a direction-determining switch operative to complete said control circuit when said skip is at one limit of its travel, and mechanism rendered operative on closure of said gate and eifective to cause actuation of said direction-determining switch to render said control circuit operative to cause operation of said skip in the desired direction, and a reversing switch for reversing the effect of said direction switch in any of its operative positions and said control circuit to cause operation of said motor in the reverse direction.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 1, 1916.

In testimony whereof the signature of the inventor is atfixed.

RAY C. NEVVHOUSE.

ponies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. Q.

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