US788190A - Towing-machine. - Google Patents

Description

No. 788,190. PATENTED A-PR. 25, 1905.

, E. DALGLEISH.

TOWING MACHINE. 'APPLIQATION FILED 00T. e. 1904.

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No. 788,190. PATENTED APR. 25, 1905.

v v E. DALGLEISH.

TOWING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIONIILED OG-T. 6. 1904.

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PATENTE!) APR. 25, 1905.

l E. DALGLEISH. TOWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 6 1904.

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No. r/99,190. PATENTED J1111.25, 1905. E. 11010101911. 101111190 11110111110.

APPLICATION HLED 0013.0. 1904.

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UNITEDi STATES Patented April 25, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

EDMUND DALGLEISH, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CHASE MACHINE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

TowlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters laatent No. 788,190, dated .April 25, 1905.

Application filed October 6, 1904. Serial No. 227,508.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND DALeLEIsH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Towing-Machines; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in 1o the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in steam-balanced towing-machines, and especiall y to improvements in the automatic mechanism for operating the valve which controls the iiow of steam through the feed-pipe to the engine of a towing-machine. In towingmachines of this type as now constructed a throttle-valve is arranged in the feed-pipe, so

zo that the throttle can be opened or closed accordingly as the edect of the winds or waves tend to increase or decrease the usual load on the tow-line. In order that said valve may be automatically operated, it is connected with 2 5 the drum which carries the tow-line by means of valve-controlling mechanism, and the arrangement is such that the valve in its usual working position will be partly open and, preferably, in its middle position, so as to 3o admit sufficient steam to the towing-machine to maintain a predetermined pressure in the cylinders of the engine approximately equal to the usual load on the tow-line for the particular tow, and as long as the load remains constant both said valve and said drum will remain stationary; but if the usual load is increased or decreased beyond the predetermined pressure in the cylinders of the towingmachine said drum will rotate either to pay 4o out 'or take in the tow-line, and duringa predetermined number of such rotations in either direction said drumlwill actuate the valve-4 controlling mechanism, so as to either open A or close said valve. When the drum is standing still and when it is rotating the predetermined number of times in either direction, the strain on the tow-line may be termed normaL although varying from the mean to the eX- treme normal. Means is provided for disenunder the abnormal strain.

gaging the drum from the valve-controlling 5C mechanism as soon as the drum has rotated the predetermined number of times either to close or open the valve. Therefore if the conditions become abnormal-that is, if the -strain becomes greatly in excess of the steampower at the source of supply, which might be caused by the tow running aground, or if the strain ceases to exist at all, which might result from the tow-line breaking-the drum can rotate indefinitely until normal conditions are restored. Now it has been found in practice that abnormal conditions generally terminate suddenly-as, for instance, when the tow releases itself after having run aground. The drum therefore immediately reverses and begins to take in the line which was paid out .Now in case the drum was rotated many times after being disengaged from the valve mechanism it will have to rotate anequal number of times in the reverse direction before it again engages with the valve mechanism; but as the valve was wide open when the drum was disengaged from the valve mechanism the full power of the towing-engine will be winding in the line with the minimum load thereon, and before the drum again engages with the valve mechanism to close the valve the engine will be racing to such an extent that it frequently causes serious injury to the whole machine.

bly invention, therefore, consists in providing, in combination with a machine of this character having valve-controlling mechanism operatively connected with the drum andarranged to control the steam-supply while the 8 5 cable-drum is being rotated a predetermined number of times in either direction and means for disengaging the drum from the valve-controlling mechanism as soon as the rotations of the drum exceed the predetermined number of rotations, of independent means for causing an immediate rengagement of the drum with the valve-controlling mechanism as soon as the drum begins to rotate in the reverse direction to Athat in which it wasrro- 95 tating when it was disengaged from the valvecontrolling mechanism.

My invention also consists in the features of construction and combination of parts, as described in the speciiication, pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawings.

1n the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan of a towing-machine embodying this invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same, on an enlarged scale, with part broken away. Fig. 3 is a top plan, on a larger scale, of the valve-controlling mechanism in its operative position. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of same. Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 isa side elevation of the valve-controlling mechanism in its inoperative position. Figs. 7 and 8 show diiferent positions of the valve-controlling mechanism in side elevation. Fig. 9 is a section on line 9 9, Fig. 4.

Again referring to the drawings, l represents the base and frame of the towing-machine, which is of the usual construction and similar to the ordinary type of hoisting-machines, comprising a double-cylinder engine 2, which is operatively connected with acrankshaft 3 in the usual manner. A drum 4, which carries the tow-rope 5, is supported on a shaft 6, mounted in suitable bearings 7 in the said frame 1. A gear-wheel 8 is rigidly mounted on the shaft 6 and is arranged to mesh with a pinion 9, secured on the crank-shaft 3. A brake-wheel 10 is also secured on the shaft 6. A brake-band 11 is arranged on the said brakewheel 10 and is operatively connected with a band-tightener 12 of the usual construction adapted to be operated by hand. This brake is designed to be used only in case of emerg'ency and is commonly provided on all towing-machines. Between the steam-supply (not shownland the cylinder of the engine 2 is arranged a throttle-val ve 14 of the ordinary balanced-piston type, which is connected with the steam-supply by a pipe 15 and with the cylinders of the engine by pipes 16. A rock-shaft 18 is mounted on the base 1, and on the inner end thereof is rigidly secured a crank-arm 19, which isoperatively connected with the piston-stem 2O of the throttle-valve 14 by a crankpin 21. On the outer end of the rock-shaft 18 is secured a lever 22. It will readily be understood that by throwing the lever either by hand or by the mechanism hereinafterdescribed in one direction or the other the shaft 18 will be rocked, so as to either open or close the throttle-valve 14, and thereby control the operation of the engine 2.

The automatic valve-controlling mechanism is mounted and arranged as follows: One end of the drum-shaft 6 is reduced in size after it passes through the bearing 7, as at 24. On the side of the frame 1 is bolted a quadrantshaped plate 25, and at the edge of the said plate 25 are formed notches 26 and 27, respectively, and a stop-forming shoulder 28. A pin 29 is secured in the frame 1 and is arranged to project a distance from the face of said plate 25. An arm 30 is rotatably supported at one end on said pin 29; A springcontrolled latch 31 is mounted on the arm 30, and the end of said latch 31 is arranged to enter the notches 26 and 27 in the plate 25, so as to hold the arm 30 in its up or operative position or in its down or inoperative position, as will hereinafter appear. On a bolt 32, secured on the arm 30, is rotatably mounted a toothed wheel 33, and on the end of the shaft 24 is secured a single toothed pinion 34, and the arrangement is such that when the arm 30 is raised up and the latch 31 secured in the notch 26 the pinion 34 will mesh with the teeth of the wheel 33. Therefore if the drum 4 is rotated toward the left by the unwinding of the tow-line the toothed wheel 33 will be turned to the right, and if the drum is turned to the right to wind in the tow-line the toothed wheel 33 will be turned to the left. Two guides 39 and 40 are supported on the end of the pin 29, and a pin 42 is also provided for holding the said guides rigid. On the pin 29 between the guides 39 and 40 is mounted a roller 43. A link or bar 44 is pivotally secured at one end to the lever 22, and its other or free end is enlarged and extends between the guides 39 and 40 and alongside of the toothed wheel 33 and rests on the roller 43. rIhe lower edge of the free end of the said link 44 is preferably cam-shaped, and thereon are formed twoshoulders 46 and 47, respectively. On the inner side of the free end of the link44 is secured aplate 48, which is separated a short distance therefrom by a ange 49, so that the said plate 48 is closer to the wheel 33 than the free end of said link 44. On the lower edge of the plate 48 are formed two shoulders 51 and 52, respectively. A long pin 36 is mounted on the toothed wheel 33, so as to extend out and come in contact with the lower edge of the free end of the link 44 when the wheel 33 is rotated, and the arrangement is such that when there is an ordinary load on the tow-line and the throttlevalve is from one-half to two-thirds open the link 44 will be resting on the roller 43 and the enlarged end thereof will be in such position that the shoulders 46 and 47 thereon will be just over the bolt 32, on which the wheel 33 is mounted, and the long pin 36 will liebetween the said shoulders 46 and 47, so as to be capable of engaging either the shoulder 46 or the shoulder 47, according to the direction in which the wheel 33 is rotated. short pins 37 are also mounted on the wheel 33 and project asuflicient distance to come in contact with the lower edgel of the plate 48 and the shoulders 51 and 52 thereon, but are not long enough to come into contact with the shoulders 46 and 47 on the link 44, and the arrangement is such that the said short pins 37 will only come in contact with the edge of the Vplate 48 when the pin 36 is no longer in contact with the lower edge of the link 44, and the said pins 37 will then be able to engage either the shoulder 5l or the shoulder 52, ac-

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cording as the link 44 was moved either to open or close the throttle-valve 14 before the pin 36 was disengaged from said link 44.

The operation of a towingfmachineprovided with this invention is as follows: When the tow is being picked up, the proper length of line is paid out by operating the lever 22 by hand, and in order to do this the latch 31 is disengaged from the notch 26 in the plate 25, and the arm 30 is lowered, thereby disengaging the wheel 33 tromthe pinion 34, and the end of the latch 3l is caused to enter the notch 27, locking the arm 30 in its lower position. When the right length of line has been paid out, the arm 30 is raised, bringing the wheel 33 into mesh with the pinion 34, and the end of the latch 31 is caused to enter the notch 26. Sufficient pressure is maintained at the source of supply to sustain the load under the usual conditions with the valve from one-half to two-thirds open, and the pin 36, as we have said, will be in a vertical line with the center of rotation of the wheel 33 and between the shoulders 46 and 47. Now if owing to the `force o't' the Winds or waves the load on the tow-line is increased the line will pay out, thereby rotating the cable-drum to the left,

which will in turn rotate the wheel 33 to the lever 22 and the mechanism which connects it with the throttle-valve, thereby opening the throttle-valve and allowing a greater quantity oi' steam into the cylinders of the engine, so as to counteract the increased strain on the tow-line, and again, if for some reason the strain on the tow-line is lessened, the drum will rotate to the right, winding in the cable, and will thereby rotate the wheel 33 to the left, and the long pin thereon will engage the shoulder 46 and draw the link 44 to the left, thereby closing the throttle-valve. Thus in the ordinary course of towing the wheel 33 will rotate back and forth in certain prescribed limits; but in case the tow runs aground and the towing' vesselkeeps moving the line will of course be paid out and the wheel 33 will be rotated, bringing the pin into engagement with the shoulder 47, andthe link will be moved back, opening the throttlevalve to its fullest extent, and as the wheel continues to rotate the pin 36 will be disengag'ed from the shoulder 47 and the drum will continue to rotate, so as to pay out the towline as long as the abnormal strain continues. Now as soon as the long pin ceases to be in contact with the lower edge of the link 44 the said link 44 will move down, bringing the lower edge of the plate 48 in contact with the short pin 37, and as long as the wheel 33 continues to rotate in the same direction the said short pins will pass the shoulders 50 and 5l without causing any movement of the link 44; butif the abnormal strain ceases the wheel 33 will begin to rotate in the opposite direction and the said pins 37 will immediately engage with the shoulder 50 on the said plate 48, which will cause a movement of the link 44 adapted to partially close the throttle-valve, so that the engine will move slowly until the large pin 36 is again brought into its operative position between the shoulders 46 and 47 What I claim isl. The combination with a towing-machine having a valve, Valve-controlling mechanism, means for forming an operative connection between the drum of the towing-machine and the valve-controlling mechanism while said drum is being rotated a predetermined number of times in either direction and means for disengaging said drum from the valve-controlling mechanism as soon as said drum exceeds said predetermined number of rotations; of means for causing an immediate rengagement of the drum with the valve-controlling mechanism as soon as the drum begins to rotate in the reverse direction to that in which it was rotating when it was disengaged from.

the valve-controlling mechanism, which said means is independent of the first-mentioned means for forming an operative connection between the drum and the valve-controlling mechanism.

2. In a towing-machine, the combination with an engine, a drum operatively connected with said engine, a valve, mechanism for operating said valve, a link secured to said valveoperating mechanism, means operatively connected with said drum and arranged to engage with said link while the drumis being rotated a predetermined amount in either direction and means for causing a disengagement of said means from said link when the rotation of said drum exceeds the predetermined amount; of independent means arranged to immediately re'engage said link, as soon as said drum begins to rotate in the direction opposite to that in which it was rotating when the first-mentioned means was disengaged from said link. e

3. In a towing-machine, the combination with an engine, a drum operatively connected with said engine, a valve, valve-,operating mechanism, a link secured at one end to said valve-operating mechanism', a wheel operatively connected with said drum, means arranged on said wheel for engaging with said link while the wheel is being rotated a predetermined amount in either direction, and means for causing a disengagement of said means from said link when the rotation of said wheel exceeds the predetermined amount;

Yof independent means for causing an immediate rengagement of said wheel and said link, as soon as said wheel begins to rotate in the direction opposite to that in which it was rotating when the first-mentioned means was disengaged from said link.

4. In a towing-machine, the combination lIO with an engine, a drum operatively connected with said engine, a valve, valve operating mechanism, a link operatively connected at one end to said valve-operating mechanism, a wheel operatively connected with said drum, means for causing an engagement between said wheel and said link when the tow-line is under normal strain and means for causing a disengagement of said means when the strain on the tow-line becomes abnormal; of independent means i'or causing a rengagement of the wheel and the link as soon as the abnormal strain ceases to exist.

5. In a towing-machine, the combination with an engine, a drum operatively connected with said engine, a valve, valve operating mechanism, a link operatively connected to said valve-operating mechanism and provided with two pairs of shoulders, a wheel operatively connected with said drum, pins arranged on said wheel and the arrangement oi' the pins is such that one of said pins will engage with one pair of shoulders when the strain on the tow-line is normal and the other pins will engage with the other pair of shoulders only after an abnormal strain has been on the tow-line and has ceased to exist.

6. In a towing-machine, the combination of an engine, a drum operatively connected with said engine, a valve, valve-operating mechanism, a link operatively connected at one end to said valve-operating mechanism, awheel, means for operatively connecting said wheel and said drum, means for throwing said wheel out of connection with said drum, means for causing an engagement between said wheel and said link when the tow-line is under normal strain, means for causing a disengagement of said means when the strain on the tow-line becomes abnormal, and means for causing a re'engagement of said wheel and the link as soon as the abnormal strain ceases to exist.

7. In a towing-machine the combination of an engine, a drum operatively connected with said engine, a valve, valve-operating mechanism, a link operatively connected to said valvecontrolling mechanism and provided with two pairs of shoulders, said pairs of shoulders being arranged in different vertical and hori- Zontal planes, a wheel operatively connected with said drum, pins arranged on said wheel and the arrangement oi' the pins is such that one of said pins will engage with one pair of the shoulders when the strain on the tow-line is normal and the other pins will engage with the other pair of shoulders only after an abnormal strain has been on the tow-line and has ceased to exist.

8. The combination with a towing-machine of a valve, means for automatically controlling the operation of said valve while the towing-machine is operating under normal conditions, means for automatically disconnecting the valve-controlling means from the towing-machine when the towing-machine begins to operate under abnormal conditions and means for automatically connecting the valvecontrolling means and the towing-machine as soon as the abnormal conditions cease to exist, which said last-mentioned means can only operate after the disconnecting means has been caused to operate through the machine operating under abnormalk conditions.

9. In a towing-machine the combination of an engine, a drum operatively connected with said engine, a valve, valve-operating mechanism, a link operatively connected to said valveoperating mechanism and provided with two pairs of shoulders` said pairs of shoulders being arranged in different vertical and horizontal planes, a pinion secured on the end of the drum-shaft, an arm pivotally supported near said pinion, a wheel rotatably mounted on said arm and arranged to mesh with said pinion when the said arm is raised to its operative position, means for locking said arm in its operative position, a long pin arranged on said arm and adapted to engage with the shoulders farthest from said wheel, and a short pin arranged on said wheel and adapted to engage with the shoulders nearest the wheel.

10. In atowing-machine,the combination of an engine, a drum operatively connected with said engine, a valve, valve-operating mechanism, a link operatively connected to said valveoperating mechanism and provided with two pairs of shoulders said pairs of shoulders being arranged in different vertical and hori- Zontal planes, a pinion secured on the end of the drum-shaft, an arm movably supported near said pinion, a wheel rotatably mounted on said arm and arranged to mesh with said pinion when the said arm is raised to its operative position, means for locking said arm in its operative position, and means arranged on said wheel for engaging with both of said pairs of shoulders, and the said means is so arranged that it will engage with only one of the said pair of shoulders at one time.

In testimony whereof I sign the foregoing specification, in the presence of two witnesses, this 21st day of September, 1904, at Cleveland,

Ohio.

EDMUND DALGLEISH.

Witnesses:

VICTOR C. LYNCH, G. M. HAYES.

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