US160760A - Improvement in steam-plows - Google Patents

Description

3 Sheets--Sheet 2. l. F0 GARTY.

Steam-Plow. r N0,|60,760 'Patented March16,|875.

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UNITED Aras JAMES FOGARTY, OE NEWARK, NEI/V JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEAM-FLOWS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 160,760, dated March 16, 1875; application filed October 10, 1874..

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMns FOGARTY, of Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in Steam-Flows, of which the following is a specification:

My improved machine is of that class in which the plowing is eifected by a rotating shaft, mounted in the structure and turned by the power thereof, which acts directly upon the earth as it is slowly moved along by its driving-wheels.

I employ a separate-en gine to drive the rotary cutter, which I will call the plow-shaft, from that which moves the structure forward. The speed of one can be made to bear any desired relation to the speed of the other, and

the ratio may be changed at will, as desired.

My plow-shaft is upright, and the cutters are peculiarly adapted to act efficiently in a soil free from stones or other obstructions. 1t is adapted to act with a rapid rotation.

The plow-shaft is raised and lowered by admitting water or steam from the boiler under a piston, which is connected so as to support the plow-shaft efficiently and allow the depth of plowing to be instantly varied at will.

The following is a description of what l consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 is a plan view, showing all the principal parts. The remaining iigures show certain details on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is an elevation, partly in section. It represents the plow-shaft and the parts directly connected. Fig. 3a is a horizontal section. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the lower portion thereof at right angles to the view in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the cutters alone.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

A is what may be called the fixed framework or body of the machine, composed of a a boiler and vsuch bracing and supporting frame-work as may be necessary to properly sustain the other parts. The axle of the The larger hind wheelsA2 A3 are mounted loosely on a fixed axle. Each is formed with internal gearing, through which motion is communicated to each wheel independently by means of mechanism to be described, and which allows one to be driven while the other stands still. B is a steam-cylinder, having suitable connections for the steam and provisions for working the valves, &c. Its piston is connected through the rod b to a crank, C1, on the shaft C, which is provided with a ily-wheel, C2, and with a wheel, C3, of the character sometimes denominated a sprocket-wheel or pitch-wheel, which gives motion, through thc pitch-chain D, to a corresponding pitch-wheel, M, on one of two short shafts, ml m2, abutting end to end in the center line ofthe machine. On each of these short shafts ml m2 is a small pinion, fm, engaging in the internal gear of its respective wheel A2 or A3. When steam is admitted to the cylinder B, and, consequently, this train of mechanism is worked, the wheel A2 is directly impelled thereby. The other wheel, A3, may or may not be impelled, according as the position of the clutchpiece G is adj usted. This piece Gis feathered or splined to the shaft m1, being moved laterally by the light arm H2, fixed on the longitudinal shaft H, and operated by the handle H1. It moves into or out of engagement with a corresponding clutch-piece on the shaft m2, the pinion on which drives the wheel A3. l is the steam-cylinder of an entirely independent engine and mechanism which operates the plows. The piston of this engine is connected, through the rod p, with the crank Rl on the shaft R, which carries a ywheel, R2, and a beveled gear-wheel, R3. This latter engages with a beveled gear-wheel, T3, which which is fixed on a sleeve, T2, connected by a loose spline-key or feather, t, with a shaft, T. This latter is compelled to turn with lthe sleeve T2, but may be depressed and raised through it to a sufficient height to allow all the variations of depth of plowing, and also to allow the plow to be lifted entirely clear of the ground, when required.

What lI term the plow77 is a revolving instrument, designated generally by the single letter V, the several parts being designated V1 V2, Src., when necessary. Two broad ininclined plates, V1, are mounted. in a proper ATNT i position to seize and lift the earth as the shaft T is revolved. Under each plate V1 are two or more rectangular grooves, which receive the bodies of the teeth V2. The points or cutting ends of these teeth are bent upward and forward, and the teeth being secured by screwbolts inserted through slots in the bodies, they may be adjusted outward or inward, as required. The bolts which hold the teeth V2 have thin heads, which are accommodated under the plates V1. The latter may be held by bolts with countersunk heads. I esteem it important that the faces of the plates V1 shall be smooth, and adapted to dig into and lift the earth with as little resistance as may be.

The sleeve T2 is inclosed within a stout framing-piece, A, which is stifiiy supported by one or more braces, A5. The upper end of this piece A4 is connected, by rigid uprights A6, to the broad extended foot ot' the long cylinder A. This latter performs an important function in lifting and adjusting the elevation of the plow. Its interior is provided with a piston suitably packed, to be raised by the pressure of water from below. The piston-rod moves through a stuffing-box at the lower end thereof. A pipe, I, leads from near the lower end of this cylinder A7 to a point below the water-line of the boiler, and the communication through it is controlled by a three-way cock, J, within convenient reach of the engineer. When this cock J is adjusted in one position it allows the water from the boiler, under the full pressure therein, to iiow through the pipe Iinto the cylinder, and it commences to slowly raise the plow-shaft and its connections.

Steam may be admitted instead of water by making the connection above the waterline; but I prefer a water-connection, in order that the motion may be moderate, and to avoid any change of position by condensation of the iiuid after the proper elevation is attained.

Putting the cock J in one position completely stops the iiow in either.` direction through the pipe I, and holds the plow at a fixed elevation. Changing the cock J into a third position allows the water to flow out through the pipe I and a connection, I', which latter discharges it into the atmosphere. 'A small orilice is provided, near the top of the cylinder A7, properly provided against the admission of dirt, to allow the air to enter and escape. A hook, x, with means for suspending itout of the way, is provided for engaging, under a collar, T4, for holding the plow at its highest elevation, when required, for a long period, as in the migration of the machine from one portion of thefarm or plan tation to another. An arm, T5, extendingfrom the collar T4, takes hold, by a fork at its extremity, on one of the smooth upright rods which support the cylinder, and serves as a guide to prevent the piston and its rod from being turned with the rotation of the plow-shaft.

The connection between the rotating plowshaft and the non-rotating piston-rod may be formed in the same manner as in the wellknown suspended centrifugal sugar-drainer, where a collar on the non-rotating part holds up a series of washers inclosed below a tapering plug keyed in the upper end of the revolving shaft.

Many of the details may be modified in the forms and proportions. make the whole apparatus light 5 but Iprefer not to sacrifice strength and durability, either in the propelling or in the plowing mechanism.

The lower edge of each plate V1, as well as the outer edge or periphery, may have adjustable teeth, as shown by V2 but I do not esteem itA as important there, because the motion is less. The outer edge is subjected to severe wear in cutting rapidly and steadily through the soil. Whenever it it is found that the teeth have become in any considerable degree dulled they may be sharpened by grinding and resetting. When the bent portion is too much used up the blacksmiths skill readily bends and hardens a fresh quantity of metal, and the tooth is again in order as before. The teeth V2 should be of cast-steel. The plates Vl may be of inferior metal.

In operation, the engineer on the platform may hold at the same time two handles, and which control, respectively, the operation of the propelling and plowing mechanism.. The propelling should have a Stevenson link motion, or other means for reversing. A connection may be made from the cock J, or an equivalent valve, to be operated .by the foot, so that the engineer need not let go of either ,of the handles to change the elevation of the plow. In mellow alluvial soils free from stones it will not usually be necessary to change the elevation of the plow except atlong intervals. I propose, in some cases, to widen the bent cutting-ends of the teeth V2, so as to produce a continuous bent cutting-edge in separate adjustable pieces.

4I claim as my inventionl. The rotating plow V, having the inclined plates Vl and teeth V2, combined and adapted to serve 'as and for the purposes herein specified.

2. In a steam-plow, the independent steamcylinders B l), with their respective trains of mechanism, combined and adapted, the one' to impel the revolving plow, and the other the propellingwheels,with variable ratios of power and velocity, as specified.

3. In combination with the plow-shaft T and its propelling mechanism, the connected piston and cylinder A7, with the controllingvalve J, to allow the p lows to be raisedand lowered at will, in the manner herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 7 t-h day of October, 1874, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES FOGARTY.

Witnesses:

WM. G. DEY, E. VOLKMANN.

Itis desirable to

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