US2631477A

US2631477A - Drive controlling means

Info

Publication number: US2631477A
Application number: US749715A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles F Ball
Original assignee: Joy Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Joy Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1947-05-22
Filing date: 1947-05-22
Publication date: 1953-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 1970-03-17

Description

March 17, 1953 F, BALL DRIVE CONTROLLING MEANS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed May 22, 1947 M 4 4 Z W0 6 K k 0 March 17, 1953 c. F. BALL 2,631,477

DRIVE CONTROLLING MEANS Filed May 22, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 1??622202 62202 165 @fiail. M T

(4 Zormy Patented Mar. 17, 1953 OFFICE DRIVE CONTROLLING MEANS Pennsylvania Application May 22, 1947, Serial No. 749,715

Claims.

This invention relates to Winches and more particularly, but not exclusively, to an improved post pulling winch especially designed for use in removing and reclaiming posts or roof props in underground mines.

In a, winch, such as a post puller for removing and reclaiming posts or roof props used in underground mining work for supporting the roof, it is desirable that a relatively powerful force be applied to the posts or props to release them from their roof-supporting position, and when a post is released, it is necessary to pull it out of the way of the falling roof at a relatively high speed. It is accordingly desirable to provide, in such winches, a two-speed drive forthe cable winding a drum so that the pulling cable may be wound in at a relatively low speed to apply a powerful pulling force to the post, andthereafter the cable may be wound in at a relatively high speed so F that the post may be rapidly pulled out of the way. It is also desirable to provide control means for the two-speed drive so that the speed may be quickly shifted from the low to the high.

In such machines, capstans, often called niggerheads or gypsies, are sometimes associated with the cable winding drum, and it is desirable, at times, to drive such capstans while the cable winding drum is disconnected from its drive.

It is the contemplation of the present invention to provide an improved post pulling winch which embodies the desirable characteristics above outlined. Another object is to provide an improved winch'having improved drum driving means and simplified control means. A further object is to l'provide an improved winch wherein the cable 'winding drum may be driven at either high or low speeds. Yet another object is to provide an improved drum driving means having improved fluid operated control means. A still further object is to provide an improved drum driving means embodying .a, high speed drive and a low speed drive and improved fluid operated means for selectively effecting drum drive at high and low speeds. Another object is to provide an improved drum driving mean embodying a high speed friction control and a lowspeed friction control and improved fluid cylinders for effecting I release of the low speed control when the high speed control is operative, and vice versa. Still --another--object is to provide an improved low 1 speed planetary drive for the cablewinding drum i embodying a rotatable reaction gear which is controlled by a fluid actuated frictional control device. A further object is to provide an improved-thigh speed drumidrive by connecting the reaction member of the planetary drive directly to the drive shaft and releasing the friction band for controlling rotation of the reaction member. Another object is to provide an improved winch having a capstan associated with the cable winding drum and having improved fluid operated control means associated with the control means for the friction band and clutch whereby the capstan may be driven while the. drumsis disconnected from its drive., A still further object is to provide an .improvedHdrum-shaft unit for a winch. Still another object is to. provide an improved fluid operated controlmeans for a winch. These and other objectsand advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear. 1

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal section taken through a winch constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 i a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1, showing the brake in applied position.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the fluid control means.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shown a winch which may be of the same general character as that disclosed in my Patent No. 2,389,177, patented November 20, 1945, and the present invention is directed to improvements over the winchof the patent. Evidently, various features of the present invention may be embodied in cable winding mechanism of other kinds, and the improved driving and control means may be embodied in mechanisms other than winches.

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, a cable winding drum, on which a cable is adapted to be wound, is designated i and has end portions 2 and 3 providing coaxial hubs 4 and 5 respectively, herein suitably journaled in bearings 6 and I supported within suitable longitudinally spaced supports 8 and s respectively, the latter preferably mounted cn a suitable base or other supporting structure. Extending centrally throughthe drum and journaled in bearings Ill and II, suitably supported within the drum, is a drive shaft i2. This drive shaft projects axially in opposite directions through the drum hubs 4 and 5 out wardly beyond the supports 8 and 9 and has keyedthereto at one end at i2 a capstan or soc-alled niggerhead or gypsy 13, about which a cable is adapted to be snubbed in a known manner. Secured, as by screws, to this capstan at its inner end near the support 8 is a suitable drive member, herein a drive sprocket I4, suitably operatively connected to a suitable power source. Fixed to the drive shaft [2 near the opposite end of the drum is a spur pinion l5 which meshes with spur planet gears l6 (one of which is shown in Fig. 1), each journaled on a horizontal stub shaft l'l supported at one end within the adjacent drum flange I8 and at its other end within a bracket 19 secured, as by screws, to the drum. These planet gears mesh with an internal gear 20 secured to a rotatable reaction member 2| co-- axial with the drive shaft. Suitably fixed to the drum hub 5 is a bearing support 22, and the re- H action member 2| has a sleeve-like shaft portion 23 projecting axially beyond the bearing support 22 and to which a friction drum 24 is secured.

. The shaft portion 230i the reaction member and the hub 25 of the friction drum are, journaled in

bearings

25, 26 supported respectively within the. drum hub 5 and the bearing support 22.. The

hub 25 of the friction drum is keyed at 21 to the; shaft portion 23 near its outer end and is rigidly held in position on the shaft portion by a retaining ring 23 suitably locked to the outer end of the shaft portion. Cooperating with the exterior I periphery of the friction drum 24 is a contractible friction band 29 and, as shown in Fig. 2, this friction band is attached at one end at 39 to a suitable support 3i which is preferably in rigid relation with the drum supports 8 and 9, and the other end of the friction band is attached at 32 to a lever 33 pivoted at 34 on the support 3|. A lever 35, movable with the lever 33, is pivotally connected at 35 to a piston rod 3! of a reciprocable piston 38 contained in a fluid cylinder 39, the latter bein pivotally mounted at 49 on a stationary support 4|. Connected between pivot pins 42 and. 43 providing the pivots for the. cylinder and, piston rod are coil springs 44, 44 (see Fig. 3) which constantly urge the piston 38toward its retracted position. Thus, when the piston38 is moved to apply the friction band 29, the reaction member 2| is held stationary, and as the drive shaft I2 is driven by the chain sprocket [4, the cable winding drum I. is rotated in cable winding direction through spur pinion l5 and the planet nal gear 20, the planet gears I6 rolling around the then stationary internal gear as a trackway to effect low speed drum rotation.

Now referring to the clutch for connecting the l2 to effect high speed drum rotation in cable winding direction, it will be noted that the drive shaft extends axially outwardly beyond the shaft portion 23 of the reaction member, and keyed at 45 of a cylindrical flanged member 41. Slidably mounted on the cylindrical body of the member 41 is a hub 48 of a reciprocable clutch member 49, herein preferably a clutch cone engageable with a conical surface 50 on the friction drum 24. Studs 5|, secured to the flange 52 of the member 41, pass outwardly through openings in the clutch member 49, and encircling these studs and arranged between washers 53 held on the studs by nuts and the outer face of the clutch member 49 are coil springs 54 which constantly urge the clutch member toward its connected position. Rigidly secured to the hub 46 of the member 41 is a non-reciprocable sleevelike piston '55 received in a bore 56 of a reciprocabl'e fluid gears 16 on the drum, which mesh with the intercable winding drum directly to the drive shaft 45 to this projecting end of the shaft is a hub cylinder 51, the latter secured, as by screws, to the hub 48 of the reciprocable clutch member 49. A fluid seal 58 surrounds the piston 55 and engages the walls of the cylinder 51 to prevent leakage. Thus, when fluid is supplied to the cylinder 51, the latter is moved axially outwardly with respect to the piston 55 to release the clutch member 49 against the action of the springs 54. When fluid is vented from the cylinder 51, the springs 54 automatically connect the clutch. Evidently, the friction band may be released by pressure fluid and the clutch may be connected by pressure fluid, and, the springs may apply the friction band and disconnect the clutch. Moreover, the parts may be. reversed so that the piston is reciprocable and the cylinder is held against reciprocation.

In this improved construction, suitably driven from the same powersource as the cable winding drum and capstan, is a conventional, fluid pump 59 having its intake connected by a conduit 6| to a fluid tank 62, herein containing a liquid such as a light lubricating oil. The pump discharge is connected by a conduit 63 to the pressure passage of a valve box 64 of a conventional valve mechanism 65 while the discharge passage of the valve box is, connected by a conduit 66 back to the tank; The valve box of this valve mechanism contains a conventional reciprocable slide valve 57, preferably of the balanced spool type, operated by a handle 68. Leading from the valve box is. a conduit 69 having branches 79 and "H, the former connected to the fluid cylinder 39 and the latter connected through a conventional hand valve 12 to a conduit 13 connected to the cylinder 5?. The conduit 73 has a fluid tight swivel at. 14 so that the cylinder may freely rotate relative to the relatively stationary portion of the conduit 13. When the valve 51 is positioned to supply fluid under pressure to the conduit 69 and through. conduits l0. and H to the

cylinders

39 and 51, the clutch member 49 is released while the friction band, 29 is applied, thereby to effect drum drive in cable winding direction through the planetary reduction, gearing at a relatively low speed. When the valve 61 is positioned. to connect the conduit 69. to the discharge. conduit 66, the springs 44 effect release of the friction band 29 while the springs 54 effect connection of the clutch member 49, thereby to drive the drum directly with the shaft [2 at a relatively high speed. When it is desired to drive the capstan 13 independently of the drum, fluid may be supplied to. the

fluid cylinders

39 and 51, and then the hand valve 12 may be closed to trap the fluid in the cylinder 51 with the clutch member 49 disconnected. The valve 61 may then be positioned to connect the conduit 10 to the discharge line 66 so that the springs 44 release the friction band 29. The drum drive shaft l2, to which the capstanv is fixed, may then revolve freely relative to the drum, and the. latter is provided with a suitable contractible brake band 15 for holding the drum stationary at that time. There may be a suitable releasable clutch between the drive sprocket I 4 and its power source so that the drive sprocket may freely rotate, thereby to permit unwinding of the cable from the drum by hand.

As a result of this invention, an improved post pulling winch is provided wherein the cable winding drum may be selectively driven at either high or low speeds in an improved manner. By the provision of the fluid operating means embodying the fluid cylinders for the clutch and the "tas e? frictionband, the latter is automatically released .whenever the clutch is applied and vice versa.

' the cable, By the provision of the fluid operated frictionband for controlling rotation of the reaction member of the planetary reduction gearing and the fluid operated clutch for connecting the reaction member directly'to the drive shaft, the

drum drive may be quickly shifted from one speed to the other, as is highly desirable in a post puller. By the provision of the improved fluid I control means for the clutch and friction band,

a rapid change in speed may be effected by but the single operating handle for the control valve. By the provision of the hand valve in the conduit leading to the clutch cylinder, the clutch may be held in a released position when the operating cylinder for the friction band is vented so that the capstan may be operated while the drum remains stationary. The manners of use and the advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the cope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a support, an element to be driven having a tubular portion journaled in said support, a rotatable drive shaft coaxial with said element and journaled therein, said shaft projecting at one end axially from said element through said tubular portion and said support, planetary reduction gearing between said shaft and said element including a rotatable reaction member adapted to be held stationary to effect low speed drive of said element, said reaction member being coaxial with said shaft at one side of and-journaled within said support, a fluid operated friction device for holding said reaction member stationary including a friction drum secured to said reaction member at the other side of said support, a fluid controlled clutch coaxial with and supported by said shaft for connecting said friction drum directly to said shaft to effect high speed drive, manually operable control valve means for regulating the flow of pressure fluid to said device and said clutch for effecting release of one whenever the other is operated while precluding simultaneous application of said device and said clutch, and a manual control valve associated with said control valve means for effecting holding of said clutch released when said device is released whereby said drive shaft may rotate while said element to be driven remains stationary.

2. In combination, an element to be driven, a drive member coaxial with said element, a fluid released, releasable driving connection for effecting drive of said element at one speed by said member, a fluid applied, releasable driving connection for effecting drive of said element by said member at a relatively different speed, fluid operated controlling means for said driving connections respectively, control valve means controllable by the operator for supplying pressure fluid to said fluid operated controlling means and for connecting the same to exhaust for only alternatively effecting drive through said connections, said control valve means connectibl either to fluid supply or exhaust and having fluid connections respectively with said fluid operated controlling means, and a separate operator controllable, control valve means in one of said fluid connections and operable at will for trapping fluid in said one speed driving connection controlling means while said other speed driving connection controlling means is connected to exhaust whereby both of said controlling means may be maintained in drive interrupting position.

3. In combination, an element to be driven, a drive member coaxial with said element, a fluid released, spring applied driving connection for effecting drive of said element at one speed by said member, a fluid applied, spring released driving connection for eifecting drive of said element at a relatively different speed, fluid operated controlling means for said driving connections respectively, control valve means controllable by the operator for only alternatively supplying pressure fluid to and for venting fluid from said fluid operated controlling means, said control valve means having fluid connections respectively with said fluid operated controlling means, and a separate, operator-controllable, control valve means in one of said fluid connections and operable at will for trapping fluid in said controlling means for said one speed driving connection to hold its controlling means in releasing position while said first mentioned control valve means is positioned to vent said controlling means for said other speed driving connection to effect release of its controlling means, thereby to disconnect both driving connections from said drive member.

4. In combination, an element to be driven, a coaxial drive member, a fluid released, releasable driving connection for effecting drive of said element in one manner by said member, a fluid applied, releasable driving connection for effecting drive of said element by said member in a different manner, fluid operated controlling means for said driving connections respectively, control valve means controllable by the operator for supplying pressure fluid to said fluid operated controlling m ans and for connecting said controlling means to exhaust for only alternatively effecting drive through said driving connections, said control valve means connectible either to fluid supply or exhaust and having fluid connections respectively with said fluid operated controlling means, and a separate, operator controllable, control valve means in one of said fluid connections and operable at will for trapping fluid in said one fluid operated controlling means while said other fluid operated controlling means is connected to exhaust whereby both of said controlling means may be maintained in drive interrupting position.

5. In combination, an element to be driven, a coaxial drive member, a fluid released, spring applied driving connection for effecting drive of said element in one manner by said member, a fluid applied, spring released driving connection for effecting drive of said element by said member in a dilferent manner, fluid operated controlling means for said driving connections respectively, control valve means controllable by the operator for only alternatively supplying pressure fluid to and for venting fluid from said fluid operating controlling means, said control valve means having. fluid connections respectively with said fluid operated controlling means, and a separate, operator controllable, control valve means in one of said fluid connections and operable at will for trapping fluid in the controlling means for one driving connection to hold the same in releasing position While said first mentioned control valve means is positioned to vent the controlling means for said other driving connection to effect release of its controlling means, thereby to disconnect both driving connections from said drive member.

CHARLES F. BALL.

REFEBENCES. CITED The. following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 8, UNITED STATES PATENTS.

Name Date. Auvi1, Jan. 17,1922 Wickes June 30, 1925 Bronander June 24, 1930 Fahrney Oct. 22, 1935 Fleischel Nov. 15, 1938 Hutehins etal. Oct, 31, 1939 Thompson Mar. 12, 1940 Selmer Apr. 14, 1942 Livingston Aug. 17,1943 Ball Nov. 30, 1945 Carnagua Apr. 23, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain May 26, 1910