US2556531A - Mechanism for the control and operation of a gate - Google Patents

Description

June l2, 1951 J, s, GOODWlN 2,556,531

MECHANISM FOR THE CONTROL AND OPERATION OF GATES 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 20, 1949 June 12, 1951 J. s. GOODWIN MECHANISM FOR THE CONTROL AND OPERATION OF GATES Filed Aug. 20, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented .une 12 195i MECHANISMEOR THE CONTROLAND. OPERATION OF' :GATE

John S. Goodwin, Whittier, Calif., assignnr t- Glohc; l@ik Tools Company; Los: Nietos, Calit, a

corporation of California Application August 20, 1949, Serial No. 111,388

(Cla 39e-1) Claims;

This invention is concerned withv a mechanism4 for thecontrcl and operation of' a gateland it isa general object of the' inventionto provide a structure or mechanism which is simple, eiiective, and dependable for the oper-ation andfcontrol of a gate such as may beused onor in` connection with a race track for the` control of horses, or the like.

The mechanism including the salient features off the presen-t invention involves a gate in the formof an elongate element or arm carried by a vehicle such as a motor vehicle to operate about a vertical axis. An operating means, preferably mechanical, is provided for rapidly operating the gate from a closed position to anopenv position, and it is preferred that this mechanism be spring actuated. A hydraulic system iscombined with or related to the operating means and is operable to' close or coclc the gate, to-release the gate for operation under the action or iniluence of the operating means, and to check or snub the actionv of the gate to maintain the speed and motion of the gate within desired limits. A- con-troly system incorporatedv in the hydraulic system enables the hydraulic system to be operated at will to either open or close the gate at moderate and safe speeds, and locks or sets themechanism against rapid opening movement of the gatek under theiniiuenceof thev springs when the gate is being operated hydraulically.

The hydraulic system involves, generally, a pressure generating means, preferably characterized bya main high pressure large volume pump and a make-up pump which is a high pressure small volume pump. The pumps are supplied from a reservoir and outlets from the pumps cx-Y tendv to a mainl pressure line through suitable valves or controls which, under certain conditions, efect bypassing of pumped fluid to the reservoir. A reversing valve is supplied in the main pressure line and has a connection to the reservoir and has cylinder lines that extend to cylinder and piston mechanisms coupled to operate with the operating means. One cylinder line has branches, one connected to one end of one cylinder andthe other connected to the opposite endof the other cylinder. They other cylinder line has branches connected with the ends of the cylinder in a manner reversed from that of therst mentioned cylinder line. Through the reversing valveV and the said connections the cylinder and piston units may be operated in either direction by pressure from the-pumps.

Connections extend between corresponding ends of the cylindersy andV eachv is characterized 2 byav tripvalve and' a check valve and it is preferred that the trip valves be normally closedand be provided with electric operating meansv that opens them: under'controli of a switch. Flow occurs through. the connections as the gate is cperated'- loythe spring actuating means. A speed control is provided inone of the connections and' includes a manually regulated orA operatedthrot tlevalve in theconnecticn controlling iow there* through as the gate swings from the closed tothe open position. It is preferred that a limited cheek valve ce providedv between the reversing valveA and one of the cylinders to: cooperate with the throttlek valve. l-n the preferred construe i tion a snubbing means is incorporated inthe A gate suchas is referred to thisv disclosure I when designed tocontrol orto-be used* in connec-` tion with the starting of'A a horserace, orthe'lihe, is of substantial' length and to beeffective must be movedrapidly from the closed to the open position. In` the case describedA this opera-tion occurs while the gateis bein-g operated onA or carriedbya motor vehicle: In practice-a substantiar amount of power is-required to initiate opening action and` when such power gets the gate in mo-l tion thenthe gate itselfpresents a problem that its motion: must bel checked and finally5 stopped.l bythe time the gate reaches the openposition. The present invention provides, generally, mechanical means in` the form; ot a springl mechanism that'supplies force or-energy tdeiect opening or the gate inA the desired mannerl and ahydraulic systemis provided for moving the gate between its two positions at any time, as. fai-remm-V stances may require; A suitable'snubbing or conw trol means is provided in thehydraui'ic system'- soY that when the gate is operated hydraulically itsvmotion and speed are controlled. An important feature o'fthe invention is inclusion-in the hydraulic system or a speed control preferably established by# a throttle valve in the hydraulic system which acts to control orfreg-ulate the action of the gate when it is being opened under the; iniiuence of the` mechanical operating mea-ns;l which throttle valvecanbe effectively and conlveniently set to compensate for Varying factors that are4 encountered, such for example as wind resistance:

A general object of the present invention is to provide a gate operating mechanism with an actuating means related to a hydraulic system which hydraulic system includes a control or throttling means by which the action of the mechanism can be effectively adjusted or regulated to meet varying conditions such, for eX- ample, as wind resistance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic system in a mechanism of the character described capable of operating the gate either to open the gate or to close the gate, which system includes a high pressure, large volume, pump employed when the gate is moved, and a high pressure, low volume, pump which acts to maintain the gate in a given position and to initiate movement of the gate from the open or closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic system of the general character referred to including various flow controlling or regulating devices which operate to prevent sudden movement, surging, or undesirable operation of the moving parts of the mechanism.

It is another object of the invention to provide a mechanism of the character described in which a hydraulic system is so related and coupled to a spring actuated gate operator that the springs when allowed to work, swing the gate While the hydraulic system acts with the springs to govern or snub their action and to prevent reversal or back lash. With the present invention the mechanical parts are kept tight or without slack and the active forces are never allowed to act without check or regulation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the character described in which hydraulic pressure is available to open or close the gate slowly and smoothly whenever such action is desired.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a motor vehicle shown at a track and showing a gate carried by the vehicle and in a closed position or extending across the track. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed View of a portion of the mechanism provided by the present invention showing a mounting of the gate on the vehicle, the mechanical actuating means provided to operate the gate, and a part of the hydraulic system. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a view of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2 showing the parts in a different position. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the hydraulic system provided by the present invention and Fig. 6 is a detailed sectional view of a limited check valve such as may be employed in carrying out the present invention.

The present invention is concerned primarily with a mechanism to be used in connection with or for the handling of a gate, or the like. The invention is particularly practical as applied to or for use in connection with a gate employed to control horses or the like in which case the gate may be related to a track or course. In the case illustrated the gate is shown mounted on or carried by a self-propelled vehicle A which is related to a track B, the vehicle being guided relative to the track by a guide rail C.

The mechanism embodying or in connection with which the present invention is provided involves, generally, the gate D shown as an elongate arm-like structure, mounting means F pivotally mounting the gate D on or from the vehicle A, actuating means F, preferably a mechanical means which operates to swing the gate as, for instance, from a closed position such as is shown in Fig. 1, to an open position where the gate is parallel with the vehicle, and a hydraulic system combined with or related to the actuating means F and involving features such as will be hereinafter described.

In the simple form of the invention illustrated the gate D involves a single elongate arm-like structure formed of longitudinal beams it spaced by struts Il and braced by brace members l2.

The vehicle A is shown as involving an elongate body carried on suitable wheels i3 and provided with a drivers compartment or cockpit l. The mounting means F may vary widely in form and construction. In the case illustrated it' involves a shaft I5 carried by the vehicle A so that it is vertically disposed and projects above the body A at which point the inner end of the gate is fixed to the shaft, as by arms i6 which are secured to the shaft and to which beams of the gate are attached.

The operating means F is provided primarily to operate the gate rapidly from the closed position shown in Fig. 1 to an open position, which operation requires rapid movement of the gate through about to a position where the gate is substantially parallel with the vehicle A. In practice the means F is a mechanical means and involves two pressure units, one a power unit 2B and the other a check unit 2'l.

'Ihe power unit 2Q, as shown in the drawings, involves a case 22 fixed in the vehicle, and a head 23 carried in the case and operable longitudinally therein. A plurality of compression springs 24 are arranged in the casing 22 to act under compression between the head 23 and end 25 of the case. A stem 2t is attached to or carries the head 23 and projects from the ends of the case. When the gate is open the head 23 is at what will be termed the outer end of the case and the several springs are extended as indicated in Fig. 4. When the gate is closed the head 23 approaches the inner end oi the case and the springs 24 are compressed.

Ihe unit 2l is similar, generally, to the unit 26 and is arranged parallel therewith and is spaced laterally from unit 2Q, preferably in a horizontal direction. 'Ihe unit 2l involves a case 30 and y, a head 3l operates in the case while springs 32 and 33 are arranged in the case between the head 3l and the end 36% of the case. A stem 35 carries the head 3i and projects from the ends of the case. In the preferred form of the invention the spring 33 is of substantial length and is at all times under pressure between the head 3i and end 31"; or" the case, thus serving to keep the mechanism hereinafter described under suitable tension. rEhe springs 32 are short springs extending only partly through the case from the end 34 and are put under compression between the head 3i and the end 34 as the gate approaches a fully open position.

A drive is provided between the stems of units 2B and 2i and the shaft I5. In the preferred form of the invention the drive involves a chain 36 having its ends fixed to the stems 26 and 35 projecting from the inner ends of the cases 22 and Sii. The chain 36 extends around a sprocket ke drum 31 on the shaft I5 and from Fig. 2 of the-drawings it will be apparentA how operationv of' the units 2li. and 2t resultsinoperationV of the chai-n 3B, and consequent turning of the shaft l5'- and swing-ing of the gate D.

The hydraulie system embodying the present invention is operable to move the gate between the openAv and. closed positions, serves as a means for releasing the gate to be opened by the operating means F, and serves to check or snub the action of the gate, both the speedy and motion of the gate, to keep these factors-within reasonable limits'. The hydraulic system involves, generally, pressure-generating means a main pressureY line I- supplied with-fluid under pressureby the means G, av reversing val-ve J controlling the flow delivered by the line H and having outlets suitably coupled with the ends of the cylinders of oppositel-y operating cylinder and pistonA units K and L, connections M andy P between the endsof the cylinders of the-units K and L, trip valves- R and S controlling the connections M and P, respectively., a speed control 'I' controlling connection P', and: various other features of construction and arrangement of parts as will appear from the drawings and the followingdescription.

The pressure generating means preferably includes a high pressure, a large volume pump 4@ and a high pressure, low volume, pump 4l. In a practical application of the invention such as is illustrated in Fig. 1 of" the drawings, the pumps employed deliver operating iiuid under a pressure of' about 1000 pounds per square inch, the high volume pump delivering such pressure at the rate oi? about -gallons per minute and the low volume pumpdelivering such pressure at a rate of about twoy gallons per minute.

Y The pumps i0 and di are preferably driven constantly andi in practice may be operated from any suitable source of power, such as a prime mover or thelilre. In the drawings drive shafts l2 and 43'- are shown operating the pumps 3U and respectively. Inlet or suction lines d4 and 5i supply thepumps 40 and 4l, respectively, with fluidfrom' a reservoir 116. Outlets 47 and 48 of the pumps d@ and 4l, respectively, connect to and suppl'ythe main pressure line H.

In the preferred arrangement of parts a check valve 5GA is provided in theoutlet 41 of pump 4l).

A by-passmeans is provided from outlet d'1 ahead of the check valve llto-an exhaust or return line 5| which conducts iiuid to the reservoir 46. The lay-pass connection preferably includes a valve 52 controlling the by-passing of fluid and the valve, as indicated in Fig. 5, is of a type wherein there isfa uid pressure actuated control element onI which iiuid from the pump il operates and tends to' move to an open or by-passing position such as is-shownin Fig. 5. A control pressure is supplied to the valve 52 through a high pressure line 5da-nd acts on the member 53 so that presu sure may be supplied to member 53 to move it against the pressure from pump 4@ closing the by-pass so` that all fluid from pump #l0 is delivered past the check valve 5i) to the line H.

The highy pressure line 54 is under control oi a valve 56 which, in accordance with the present invention, admits high pressure to the valve 52 only when the gate is between the fully open or fullyI closed position. When the gate is either fully open or fully closed the valve 56 connects line 55 with an exhaust line 5l'. In the preferred arrangement the valve 56 is operated by a cam 5.8 on shaft l5. The cam is so shaped and proportioned as to properly coordinate operation of valve 5a with theA position of the gate. The op- 6T' erating pressure for the parts just'V described may be from a pressure supply or accumulator 60. A line 6| extends from the accumulator to valve 56. A by-pass means is provided in connection with the outlet 128 of pump 4l. and thisby-pass means is primarily in the form of al pressure relief mechanism that operates at one pressure when the gate is open andl at another pressure when the gate is closed.

The by-pass means for the low volume pump, is shown as including a Valve 65 with a valve element S normally heldby a spring Sl in position where iiuid cannot escape through the valve to the line td. A limited' escape bore a is provided throughmember '65 so iuidV slowly passes throughV element 555i into the chamber above element A regulating or adjusting valve "Ml, such as a spring loaded check Valve, acts when the gate is.

open and' is providedinA a line (i9 that extends from the chamber of valve above element 65 to a cylinder line Valve 'til is adjusted by a member 'ma and resists nowfrom-valve 55 to line @il and checks reverse iow in line 5s.. When pressure above element t5 is greater thanl that for which valve lil is set, the Valve lill opens and fluid escapes from valve S5 allowing the element. te operate against the resistance of spring El allowing escape of uid through the exhaust eonnection ed t-o reservoir dll. When the gate is open there is low pressure in line Qt, as will be apparent from the description. toiollow, an' this pressure allowsvalve 'lil toopen when pressure in line fitexceeds that necessary to hold the gate open. Y

A second regulating. or adjusting valve such as a spring loaded relief Valve, isA provided to allow pressure to escape from the chamber of valve t5 when the gate is closed and there is high pressure inline 9@ holding valve 'l5' against opening. Valve 65 iseonnected to the reservoir by an exhaust line and is'such asto open when. pressure inline et exceeds that necessary to hold the gate closed. It takes lessvpressure to hold the gatey open itdoes to hold it closed and,

theroinre, Valve 'Misset to open at a lower pres-` sure than valve 65a.

In the preferred form of the inventiona cheek valve 'il is provided in the main high pressure ljine'H before the line reaches the-valve J a pressure relief' means or Valve i2 is provi fl the line between the checlf.- Valve iiavalve J. I-nthe case illustrated the valve is voli-.lesa valve member 'i3 normally held by a spring id in a position where flow is coniined the line H; A limited port '53a is provided through element 'F3- so there isslow now or" fl .l into the chamber at the outer side of element fr spring loaded safety valve 'lsb allows fluid to escape from the chest of valve 13 when pressure exceeds that at which the valves 55 and laf operate. A secondary or supplementary control valve it may be provided in parallel` with valve leb. Valve lvisvshownas a manually operated needle` valve and can be conveniently operated or adjusted as circumstances require. .A discharge linev lc extends from the valves 'i'lb and 'it to the exhaust line 5i.

The main pressure line H extends to the valve J and? normally maintains iiuid under high pressure to the Valve J. The exhaust line 5S oonmeets-with valve J to conduct fluid from thevalve JV to the reservoir 5. A cylinder line i323 neet-s with valve J and has branches 8l and i; that connect to the outer end of the cylinder otunit' E and with the inner end' ofL cylinder 81d or" unit L respectively. A second cylinder line 9? has branches 9| and 92 that connect with the inner end of cylinder 83 and the outer end of cylinder 84, respectively.

Unit K is a cylinder and piston unit involving the cylinder 83 and a piston 95 that operates in the cylinder. Stem 35 of the unit 2| hereinabove described extends into the cylinder 83 and carries the piston S5. The unit L is a cylinder and piston mechanism, in which a piston 86 operates in cylinder 84 and is connected to or carried by stem 25 of unit 20. From the diagram it will be apparent that the reversing valve J and the connections just described are such that the valve J can be positioned to effect operation of the units K and L so that the pistons thereoi move between the ends of the cylinders from a positioning of parts such as is shown in diagram 5 to an opposite arrangement where piston 95 is at the inner end of cylinder B3 and the piston 8 is at the outer end of cylinder 84.

A control or operating means is provided for reversing valve J and in the diagram this means is indicated as involving cylinder and piston units i@ and I0| operatively coupled to the valve J. High pressure operating uid is supplied to the units Hic and IIlI through a control valve IGZ. High pressure operating fluid from the accumulator 60 is supplied to valve |02 through a line |03. unit I0! while a line |05 extends from valve to unit Ici?. An exhaust line |05 from the valve |52 may connect into the main exhaust line The control valve |02 is preferably provided with an electric operating means so that it can be operated from any suitable point remote from the mechanism. In the case illustrated an elecM tromagnetic actuating device is shown at i I@ and is in a control circuit hereinafter described.

The connection M directly connects the outer end of cylinder 83 with the outer end of cylinder 84 and in the preferred arrangement the trip valve R is located in the connection M. It is preferred that a check valve ||5 be provided in the connection M between the trip valve R and the cylinder S3, and that it be such as to allow flow only from the valve R to the cylinder 83.

The connection P is a direct connection between the inner end of cylinder 83 and the inner end of cylinder 84. Trip valve S` is located in the connection P and it is preferred that a check valve IIS be included in connection P between the valve S and the cylinder B4. The check valve IE5 is such that flow can only occur in the connection P from valve S to cylinder 84.

It is preferred that a single control means or control system be provided for operating the trip valves S and R, so that these valves are simultaneously opened and closed and, in practice, it is preferred that control or operating means be subject to operation from a point remote from the valves. The control for the trip valves is related to the control for the reversing valve so that there is interlocking of the trip valves with the reversing valve to prevent the hydraulic system from opposing movement of the gate when the trip valves are operated.

In the case illustrated the valves S and R are indicated as hydraulically operated valves subject to operation by fluid pressure from a pressure line |29. Flow to line is under control of a valve |2| supplied with pressure from the accumulator through a line |22 connected into line |55 so that pressure is available to operate the valves S and R only when valve |02 is posi- A line |04 from the valve |2 extends to tioned so that pressure is supplied to line |05, causing operation of valve J to a position so that the gate opens. The arrangement and relationship of parts is such that when the valves are operated, as just described, the gate is opened by spring action that may be supplemented by the hydraulic system, and s closed by operation of the hydraulic system.

An electromagnetic actuating device |30 is shown provided to operate valve IZI and is shown in the electric circuit.

The means T is, in effect, a speed control for the gate acting when the trip valves S and R are open releasing the means F so that it is active to move the gate from the closed position to the open position, at which time flow occurs in connection P from cylinder 83r to cylinder 84.

The means T in its preferred form involves a throttle valve |30 in the connection P between the valve S and the cylinder 84. In the case illustrated a pressure relief valve |3| is provided in the bypass P between the valve S and the cylinder 84 and is connected in parallel with the throttle valve |30. Further, a limited action check valve |33 is provided in branch 9| that connects with the inner end of cylinder 83.

The throttle valve |30 is preferably a manually operable regulating or throttling valve by which the amount of ow through connection P may be regulated as desired. As an example of use of the throttle valve, when there is little or no wind the valve T will be set infan average Position. If there is a substantial wind acting on the gate in the direction in which the vehicle is traveling then the valve |30 is closed down somewhat so that the force added to the gate by the wind does not so supplement the force imparted to the gate by the actuating means as to cause the gate to operate too rapidly. Again, if there is a head Wind operating against the gate the valve i3d may be opened somewhat freeing the connection P so that the actuating means` exerts such force on the gate as to open it at the desired speed in spite of the wind. In practice it has been found that through the exercise of skill and judgment the valve |30 can be set immediately before each operation or opening of the gate, with the result that the gate though large and heavy operates at the desired speed and without lag or without danger that would result from excessive speed.

The limited check valve |33 in branch 9| of cylinder line 90 may be a valve such as is illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings, and serves to allow free flow to the inner end of cylinder 83 while it checks flow from the inner end of cylinder 83 allowing only a limited amount of ow in that direction. By thus checking the flow through the branch 9| the valve controlled connection P is rendered eiective for the purpose desired.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention limited action check valves |40 and I4| are provided in the cylinder lines B and 90, respectively. These valves may be of the type illustrated in Fig. 6. The valve |40 may be such as to allow free or full ow from valve J to the branches 8| and 82 while it has limited checking action when there is a tendency for fluid to flow through the line to the valve J. The valve |4| may be such as to allow full flow from valve J to the branches 9| and 92 while it has limited checking action when there is a tendency for iiuid to flow toward the valve J. The valves |40 and I4| are effective when the hydraulic system is being operated to either open or close the gate and they serve to limit the action of the hydraulicn system so that the gate can only be operated by the hydraulic Vsystem at speeds which are safe. Further, the limited check valves in the system as described are effective in preventing undesirable operation .or action such as might occur due to wind or other such factors if such checks were not provided.

With the general arrangement and relationship of elem-ents 'above-described, the gate when open can be moved to -the closed position by the hydraulic system which operation sets or cocks the springs which normally tend to move the gate to the open position. yThe reversing valve J is operable `So that the gate can 4be operated hydraulically either from the open position to the closed position or from the closed position ,to the open position. When the trip valves S and R are operated or opened rapid operation or opening of the vgate occurs under the inluence of the springs. -In accordance with the present invention the control valves |02 and |2| are so related and are under control of the electric system so that they can be Yoperated causing the gate to be opened or closed hydraulically or so that the gate vcan vbe opened by the action of the springs at which ,time the -hydraulic system acts with the springs so :that both forces or mediums are acting to open-the gate.

In the description above, control valve |02 has been Adescribed as operated by an electromagnetic actuating device i i@ .and control valve |2| has been described as operated by an electromagnetic actuating Adevice |30. The devices ,and |30 may in practice be solenoid Or the like, and in accordance with the present invention they are included Yin or may form a part of 'the electric control Vcircuit indicated diagramatcally in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

The electric control circuit may vary widely -and may, in practice, include numerous safety devices or renements. In a simplied form, fthe electric circuit includes switches |110 and |50 which control the `action or operation of the actuating devices |10 through a relay l5! and a switch |52 controlling the operation or action of the device it@ through a relay ,i5-3. Further, in accordance with the invention, the tripping action or the operationyoi the actuating device |30 Which controls the valve |121 .which in turn governs action ofthe tripping valves is under control of a switch 'ld synchronized with the gate D.

lThe :electric system .is preferably provided with a suitable .source of electric energy, as for instance, with a :battery |55 one .pole or which may be grounded as at |55 while the other is carried kby what I `.will term a mainline |51. The actuating `dev-ice |i`0 vand more specically, the winding of that device, `has one pole grounded as at |58 while the other pole is connected by means of a line vit with the main line |51 through the relay |5'|. The relay 'i-5 is a .normally open relay -with a winding lt-0 to be energized in order to close :the relay and thus complete the circuit through line 15.9.

The winding |00 ,of relay |5i has one pole ,grounded as nat .t5-i `ami khas its yother pole connected to the main line |51 by a line |62. The switches Ulli and in@ are connected in ,seriesin line m2, switch ,|00 being a normally open switch while switch |1525 is normally closed.

The switches :M and |50 are connected in seriesbetweenlines i'land |52, switch |40 being adjacent line tel While switch |50 is adjacent line `it?. It `is preferred :to provide a holding circuit for the winding |60 so that by Amerely .mo-

mentarily operating switch M0 the winding |60 is 'not only energized, but remains energized. In the arrangement illustrated, the holding circuit is carried by Aa line which extends from line |62 between the switches M0 and |50 Yto line |59 between the relay |5| andthe coil of the device 1li).

Through this arrangement relay i5! is normally open and the control valve |02 related to `the device |il is .normally in position Where flow therethrough acts i-n the ma-nner above-described so that the gate is opened or held open. When switch iii-0 is closed the circuit to the coil |60 of relay i5! is energized through the line |57, the line |:62 and the ground ll. As soon as relay |5| closes, the circuit to the coil |60 remains 4closed through `line |51, line |59, line |55 and line 62 and nally through ground ISI. When relay |5i is closed .the ydevice H0 is energized or actuated operating control valve |02 so that the gate is moved from the open position `to the closed position.

Assuming the valve |02 to have been actuated as above-described, at any time that ,it is desired to reverse valve 5| 02 so that the gate is moved to the open position or is held in the open position, the switch |50 is actuated or opened thus breaking `the circuit through line |62 so that the circuit through Winding k|60 is broken with the result that relay |51! opens and the device .l i0 returns to grits normal unactuated position.

The trip valves S and -R are normally closed -and they are opened when control valve i2! is ope-rated as by energization of the actuating device |30. The coil or winding of the device .|30 is .under control of Switches |52 and |15ll through therelay |53.

The relay |53 is a double Vthrow relay which controls line |502 and also aline ill-0 extending from the main line |51 ahead of switch I llt to Winding of the ,device |130. The line |10 connects .to one pole 4of the winding of device |30, the other pole lthereof being connected to ground .as at The relay |53 is so related to the lines |62 and H0 that the circuit through line |62 is normally closed while the circuit through line |10 is normally open and is only closed when the winding :|114 of relay Y|5315 energized. rThe winding VM of relay |53 is connected in a line |75 which extends from the main line -l'l through Aswitch |52 through the Vwinding |1713 and to ground With this arrangement, closing vor" the normally `onen switch |152 results in energization Aoi wind- ,ing Vid sothat winding itil of relay |5| is openedwhile the circuit through line '|70 `and the winding of the actuating device |30 .is closed. This results in operation of the control valve |02 to its .normal unactuated position simultaneously with actuation of thecontrol valve l 2 l.

It is preferred to provide the relay 53 with .a holding circuit vso that when the switch |52 is closed .as above-described, the winding VM of relay |53 will remain energized. The holding circuit `as illustrated in the drawings involves a ,line |110, which extends `from one pole or contact o relay 53 to the winding |74 through the switch |54 and is energized when the relay H53 is actuated. The switch |54 is normally closed so that When the relay :|53 is once actuated as by closing of switch |52, the yrelay is self-energized and remainsclosed.

'llheswitch |54 is .preferably coordinated with fthegateso that it is opened only when the gate is open. In the .caseillustrated a .cam |30 operated with the gate has a lobe or projecting part |8| located to engage and open switch |54 when the gate is in the open position. Through this arrangement, assuming the gate to be closed, operation or closing of switch |52 actuates relay |53 causing actuation of control I 2| through device |39 at the same time that relay |53 is opened so that valve |02 returns to its normal position, and this condition prevails so long as the gate is in other than the fully open position. When the gate reaches the fully open position the cam |80 opens switch |54 thus opening the cir cuit to the winding |14 with the result that the relay |53 becomes unenergized or unactuated and ready for operation required for closing the gate.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present invention provides a mechanical actuating means eiiective when re-V leased to rapidly move the gate from the closed to the open position. It will be apparent that the hydraulic system is such that it controls the mechanical actuating means and may be operated to release the mechanical actuating means for rapid operation of the gate at a time when the cylinder and piston units tend to hold the gate closed. Though the hydraulic system releases the operating means it never fully releases but at all times maintains it under control, so that dangerous or undesired operation cannot occur. Further, it will be apparent that by providing pressure generating means with two pumps the hydraulic system will operate at a satisfactory speed either to open or close the gate, in which case the high volume pump delivers the desired uid while the low volume pump remains effective and active at all times to keep pressure in the hydraulic system and make up for leakage that inevitably occurs in a system of the character described.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the Specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any Variations or modications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a pivotally mounted gate, spring powered operating means under pressure when the gate is closed tending to swing it open, and a hydraulic system including, two oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled to the operating means to operate therewith, fluid connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units, and a manually adjustable throttle valve in one of the fluid connections.

2. In combination with a pivotally mounted gate, spring powered operating means under pressure when the gate is closed tending to swing it open, and a hydraulic system including, two oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled to the operating means to operate therewith, uid connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units, and a manually adjustable throttle valve in one of the uid connections, both iiuid connections having a check valve therein.

3. In combination, a gate, means pivotally supporting the gate, operating means including, two spring units, one including a reciprocating member operated the length of its stroke by a spring and the other including a reciprocating member operating oppositely to the first mentioned member and checked near one end of its movement by a spring, and a drive connecting said members and the gate, and a hydraulic system including oppositely operating cylinder and piston units one coupled to each of said members, fluid connections between the ends of the cylinders of the last mentioned units, and a throttle valve in one of said fluid connections.

4. In combination, a gate, means pivotally supporting the gate, operating means including, two spring units, one including a reciprocating member operated the length of its stroke by a spring and the other including a reciprocating member operating oppositely to the rst mentioned member and checked near one end of its movement by a spring, and a drive connecting said members and the gate, and a hydraulic system including oppositely operating cylinder and piston units one coupled to each of said members, fluid connections between the ends of the cylinders of the last mentioned units, check valves in said fluid connections, and a throttle valve in one of said iiuid connections.

5. In combination with a pivotally mounted gate, spring powered operating means under pressure when the gate is closed tending to swing it open, and a hydraulic system including, two oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled to the operating means to operate therewith, fluid connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units, trip valves in the fluid connections, and a throttle valve in one of the fluid connections.

6. In combination with a pivotally mounted gate, spring powered operatingr means under pressure when the gate is closed tending to swing Vit open, and a hydraulic system including, two

oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled to the operating means to operate therewith, and fluid connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units, one iiuid connection having a check valve and a trip valve therein, and the other iiuid connection having a check valve, a trip valve, a throttle valve and a pressure relief valve therein, the throttle valve and relief valve being connected in parallel.

7. In combination with a pivotally mounted gate, spring powered operating means under pressure when the gate is closed tending to swing it open, and a hydraulic system including, two oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled to the operating means to operate therewith, fluid connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units, a throttle valve in one of the fluid connections, a source of fluid pressure, a reversing valve controlling fluid from said source, and fluid connections between said reversing valve and the ends of the cylinders of said units so fluid is conducted to and from the cylinders to operate the units in either direction.

8. In combination with a pivotally mounted gate, spring powered operating means under pressure when the gate is closed tending to swing it open, and a hydraulic system including, two cppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled to the operating means to operate therewith, iiuid connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units, a throttle valve in one of the fluid connections, a source of uid pressure, a reversing valve controlling uid from said source, fluid connections between said reversing valve and the ends of the cylinders of said units so fluid is conducted to and from the cylinders to operate the units in either direction, and limited check valves in the last mentioned fluid connections.

gas-sessi i9. In combination with a nivotally mounted gate, spring powered operating means under pressure when Hthe gate is rlosedtending'to'swing it open, and `va hydraulic `'system including, :two lopposite'ly operating cylinder :and piston :units Vcoupledto the operating means to operate therewith, diuid connections between "the ends yof :the `cylinders of said units, ya throttle valve in fone :of v,the iiud connections, ia isource of duid rpres- ;sure, a reversing valve'controlling iluid from said source, uid connections betweensaid reversing valve-,and the ends of the cylinders -of said units so Yiiuid is conducted to a-nd from the cylinders -to operate the units in -either direction, land ra limited check valve inthe lastinentioned connection vfrom the end of the cylinder from which lflow :is governed by the throttle valve.

-10. lIn combination with a pivotally mounted gate, spring powered operating means under pressure when the vgat-e is closed tending to .swing it open, and a `hydraulic Asystem including, .two oppositely operating cylinder and piston :units ooupled'to the .operating -means to operate therewith, ffl-uid connections between the ends -of fthe cylinders of said units, one flnid connec- .tion having fa check valve and -a trip valve therein, and the-other fluid connection rhaving a check valve, -a trip valve, a throttle valve and a pressure relief vvalve therein, the throttle valve and rel-i-eif valve being `connecd parallel, -a source of fluid-pressure, ja :reversing valve icontrolling duid ffrom said source, and fuid connections :between isa-id reversing valve and rthe -ends of the .cylinders of-said .-so iiuidsis yconducted to :and .irom the cylinders to operate the units in eeither direction.

11..In combination with a pivotally mounted gate, spring `powered :operating mea-ns under pressure when the gate lis closed tending 'to swing .it open, and a Nhydraulic lsystem. including, two oppositely operatingmeans .to operate therewith, fluid connections -between the :ends of the ,cylinders of said units, `a throttle valve one .of the iluid connections, a source of iin-id pressti-re, `a reversing valve cont-rolling -fluid from ,said'souroa :and iiuid connections between said reversing valve .and :the iends ofthe cylindersl of said units so fiuid is conducted to `and from the .cylinders -to -operate the units in either direction, the .source `of fluid :pressure including, a high pressure :large volume pump, .and -a :high pressure low volume pump.

12. AIn combination with a pivotally mounted gate, spring powered operating means `under pressure when the gate-is jclosed tending to swing it open, .and a `hydraulic system including, ztwo oppositely operating means :to operate therewith, .fluid .connections between :the ends of the Icylinders of said -units, -a throttle valve `in :one of the #duid connections, asourcefof duid'pressnrea reversing 'valve controlling .duid from said source, and `fluid connections between said reversing valve :and the ends of the cylindersof 'said-units so duid is conducted to and from the ycylinders to operate the units in either direction, the .source oi fluid pressure including, a rnigh pres- .,sure large volume .pu-mofa high pressure :IDW volume pump, and'vluid'by-,passing means inthe outlets :of said pumps.

13.1n combination, a gate, means .pivotaily supporting 'the ga-te, operati-ng means including, two spring units, :one .including :a reciprocating member operated the `:length yof lits stroke iby `a `spring and the Y:other including La .reciprocating .member operating foppositely it'o the .frst men- 14 itionedfmembersand checked `near Yione end cof its .movement rby a spring, and a drive Y'connecting said .members .and ,the gate, anda hydraulic system including Aoppositely operating cylinder and piston units yone coupled `to each of .said finemabers, a duidhandling line, a :reservoir carrying flu-id, .pump .means receiving jfiuid from the :res-

:ervoir .fand delivering it under pressure `to said iine, fa :reversing valve controlling the fluid .fde- .liveredhy `.said line, Aand cylinder connections kbetween vthe reversing valve and the ends of the Cylinders.

14. In combination, a gate, means pivotal-ly .supporting `the gate, operating means including, two ,spring =units, fone including a reciprocating Amember operated the length of its stroke by a spring and vthe other including `va reciprocating member operating oppositely to the rst inentioned Vmember and checked Anear one fend of its movement by a spring, and a drive connecting said members and .the gate, and a hydraulic systern including oppositely operatingv cylinder and .piston units one coupled to each `:of said members, :a fluid handling line, a reservoir carrying iiuid, kpum/p :mean-s receiving duid :from the reservoir and delivering it under pressure to said line, `a reversing -val-Ve -centrolling1the -luid delivered by said line, cylinder connections between the re- `versing -valve and `the fends -oi the cylinders, and llimited check valves .in the ycylinder fconnections.

In combination, a gate, means pivotal-ty supporting ithe gate, loperating means including, two 4spring .un-its, one :including a .reciprocating member operated ther length of its .stroke #by a spring 'and Athe `vother including -a reciprocating `rnen-iber operating opnositely -to :the nrst inenftioned :member :and checked near one end of its vmovement by `Aa spring, yand a drive `connecting said members and the gatenand .a lhydraulic systern including oppositely Yoperating `cylinder and piston unitsone ,coupled tofeach of saidrmernbers, .a .duid :handling line, .a reservoir `carrying iiuid, ,pump .means .receiving vfluid from the vreservoir .and delivering .it `,under ;.p.ressure to .said line, .a `reversing valve .controlling the .iiuid delivered by Ysaid line, and :cylinder -connectionsxbetween Ythe reversing .valve :and the ends .of the cylinders, ,the pump means including, a .large -volulne .pump and 'a Asifnall volume pump, each .with bypass ,means carrying .fluid .to .the reservoir.

16. vIn combination, a gate, .means pivotally vsupporting .the gate, .operating means including, two spring 1initsone .including a reciprocating `memberoperated .the length o its ,stroke by a spring and the other `.including .a .reciprocating member .operating `oppositely to ythe .first mein 'tioned .member Aand checked .near one .end of its movement by a spring, .and I,a .dri-ve connecting said members .and the gate, and .a hydraulic .system including lopposite'ly operating `cylinder ,and piston units one coupled to each Vof said members,

.a fluid handling line,.a reservoir carrying uid,

`pump means receiving .fluid from the reservoir and delivering .it under pressure .to said line, a reversing valve controlling the duid delivered by vsaid line, cylinder connections between the rekvers'ing`va'-lve 'andthe ends of the cylinders, and a pressure controlled bypass from 'the handling line to the reservoir.

1"?. in combination, a gate, means ipivctally supporting the gate, operating means including, two spring units, one including ia 'reciprocating member foper-a'ted the length yoi Vits stroke by a spring and ithe 4.other including a reciprocating '.me'rnber operating `opposifAeiy to the first mentioned member and checked near one end of its movement by a spring, and a drive connecting said members and the gate, and a hydraulic system including oppositely operating cylinder and piston units one coupled to each of said members, a fluid connection between the cylinders of the last mentioned units and having a trip valve and a check valve therein, a second iiuid connection between the cylinders of the last mentioned means and having -a check valve, a' trip valve, and a pressure relief valve and a throttle valve therein, the relier" valve and throttle valve being in parallel, a reservoir, a pressure line, pump means receiving iiuid from the reservoir and delivering it under pressure to the line, a reversing valve, and cylinder connections between the reversing valve and the ends of said cylinders.

18. In combination, a gate, means pivotally supporting the gate, operating means including two spring units, one including a reciprocating member operated the length of its stroke by a spring and the other including a reciprocating member operating oppositely to the first mentioned member and checked near one end of its movement by a spring, and a drive connecting said members and the gate, and a hydraulic system including oppositely operating cylinder and piston units one coupled to each ci said members, a fluid connection between the cylinders of the last mentioned units and having a trip valve and a check valve therein, a second fluid connection between the cylinders of the last mentioned means and having a check valve, a trip valve, and a pressure relief valve and a throttle valve therein, the relief valve and throttle valve being in parallel, a reservoir, a pressure line, pump means receiving uid from the reservoir and delivering it under pressure to the line, a reversing valve, cylinder connections between the reversing valve and the ends of said cylinders, and limited action check valves in the cylinder connections.

19. In combination, a pivotally mounted gate, mechanical operating means operating the gate from a closed position to an open position, and a hydraulic system including, oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled with the operating means to operate therewith, a reservoir, a reversing valve controlling flow of iiuid to and from the ends of the cylinders of said units, pressure generating means supplying fluid under pressure to the reversing valve, the generating means including a high volume pump and a low volume pump, and means by-passing now from the high volume pump to the reservoir only when the gate is in said positions.

2G. In combination, a pivotally mounted gate, mechanical oper-ating means operating the gate from a closed position to an open position, and a hydraulic system including, oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled with the voperating means to operate therewith, a reservoir, a reversing valve controlling ilow of fluid to and from the ends of the cylinders of said units, pressure generating means supplying fluid under pressure to the reversing valve, the generating means including a high volume pump and a low volume pump, and means by-passing flow from the high volume pump to the reservoir only when the gate is in said positions including, a control valve and a cam operating with the gate and actuating the control valve.

21. In combination, a pivotally mounted gate, mechanical operating means operating the gate from a closed position to an open position, and

a hydraulic system including, oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled with the operating means to operate therewith, a reservoir, a reversing valve controlling ow of iluid to and from the ends of the cylinders of said units, pressure generating means supplying duid under ressure to the reversing valve, the generating means including a high volume pump and a low volume pump, and means by-passing ow from the high volume pump to the reservoir only when the gate is in said positions including, a fluid pressure controlled by-pass valve, iluid pressure control means for the by-pass valve including a control Valve, and a cam operating with the gate and actuating the control valve.

22. In combination, a pivotally mounted gate, mechanical operating means operating the gate from a closed position to, an open position, and a hydraulic system including, oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled with the operating means to operate therewith, connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units each including a check valve and a trip valve and one including a throttle valve, a reser- 1 Voir, a reversing valve controlling flow of fluid to and from the ends of the cylinders of said units, pressure generating means supplying fluid under pressure to the reversing valve, the generating means including a high volume pump and a low volume pump, and means by-passing ow from the high volume pump to the reservoir only when the gate is in said positions.

23. In combination, a pivotally mounted gate, mechanical operating means operating the gate from a closed to an open position, and a hydraulic system including, oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled with the operating means to operate therewith, connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units and each including a trip valve, a reservoir, a reversing valve controlling flow to and from the ends of said cylidners, pressure generating means supplying iiuid under pressure to the reversing valve, and means operating the reversing valve and trip valves and including a control supplying operating pressure to the reversing valve to position it so the said units open the gate when the trip valves are open.

24. In combination, a pivotally mounted gate, mechanical operating means operating the gate from a closed to an open position, and a hydraulic system inclu ing, oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled with the operating means to operate therewith, connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units and each including a trip valve and a check valve and one including a throttle valve, a reservoir, a reversing Valve controlling flow to and from the ends of said cylinders, pressure generating means supplying uid under pressure to the reversing valve, and means operating the reversing valve and trip valves and including a control for supplying operating pressure to the trip valves only when the reversing valve is positioned for opening of the gate.

25. In combination, a pivotally mounted gate, mechanical operating means operating the gate from a closed to an open position, and a hydraulic system including, oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled with the operating means to operate therewith, connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units and each including a trip valve, a reservoir, a reversing valve controlling flow to and from the ends of said cylinders, pressure generating means supplying iluid under pressure to the reversing valve, and means operating the reversing valve and trip valves and including a, system handling operating fluid for the reversing valve and trip valves, a control valve controlling flow of operating fluid to the trip valves, a second control valve passing operating fluid to the reversing valve and controlling flow of operating fluid to the first -mentioned control valve, said second control valve operating to cut off operating fluid to the first mentioned control valve when passing operating fluid to the reversing valve to position the reversing valve for closing of the gate by operation of the said units.

26. In combination, a pivotally mounted gate, mechanical operating means operating the gate from a closed to an open position, and a, hydraulic system including, oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled with the operating means to operate therewith, connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units and each including a trip valve, a reservoir, a reversing valve controlling iiow to and from the ends of said cylinders, pressure generating means supplying fluid under'pressure to the reversing valve, and means operating the reversing valve and trip valves and including, a system handling operating uid for the reversing valve and trip valves, a control valve for controlling flow of operating fluid to the trip valves, a second control valve for passing operating fluid to the reversing valve and controlling flow of operating iiuid to the first mentioned control valve, and cam means operating with the gate and controlling operation of the said first mentioned control valve so operating fluid to the trip valve is cut off when the gate reaches a fully open position.

27. In combination, a pivotally mounted gate, mechanical operating means operating the gate from a closed to an open position, and a hydraulic system including, oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled with the operating means to operate therewith, connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units and each including a trip valve, a reservoir, a reversing valve controlling flow to and from the ends f said cylinders, pressure generating means supplying fluid under pressure to the reversing valve, and means operating the reversing valve and trip valves and including a control supplying operating pressure to the reversing valve to position it so the said units close the gate only when the trip valves are closed and cut off from operating pressure, the means supplying fluid under pressure including, a high volume pump and a low volume pump operating simultaneously, the high volume pump having by-pass means delivering pumped fluid to the reservoir when the gate is in either of said positions.

28. In combination, a pivotally mounted gate, mechanical operating means operating the gate from a closed to an open position, and a hydraulic system including, oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled with the operating means to operate therewith, connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units and each including a trip valve and a check valve and one including a throttle valve, a reservoir, a reversing valve controlling flow to and from the ends of said cylinders, pressure generating means supplying fluid under pressure to the reversing valve, and means operating the reversing valve and trip valves and including a control for supplying operating pressure to the trip valves only when the reversing valve is positioned for opening of the gate, said last mentioned means including control valves and an electric control system governing operation of the valves.

29. In combination, a pivotally mounted gate, mechanical operating means operating the gate from a closed to an open position, and a hydraulic system including, oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled with the operating means to operate therewith, connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units and each including a trip valve and a check valve and one including a throttle valve, a reservoir, a reversing valve controlling flow to and from the ends of said cylinders, pressure generating means supplying uid under pressure to the reversing valve, and means operating the reversing valve and trip valves and including a control for supplying operating pressure to the trip valves only when the reversing valve is positioned for opening of the gate, said last mentioned means including control valves and an electric control system governing operation of the valves including switches and relays between the switches and the control valves.

30. In combination, a pivotally mounted gate, mechanical operating means operating the gate from a closed to an open position, and a hydraulic system including, oppositely operating cylinder and piston units coupled with the operating means to operate therewith, connections between the ends of the cylinders of said units and each including a trip Valve and a check valve and one including a throttle valve, a reservoir, a reversing valve controlling flow to and from the ends of said cylinders, pressure generating means supplying uid under -pressure to the reversing valve, and means operating the reversing valve and trip valves and including a control for supplying operating pressure to the trip valves only when the reversing valve is positioned for opening of the gate, said last mentioned means including, a control valve for the reversing valve, a control valve for the trip valves, and an electric system including a switch controlled circuit governing the control valve for the reversing valve, a switch controlled circuit governing the control Valve for the trip valves, and a cut out switch in the last mentioned circuit controlled by the gate and normally rendering the circuit operative only when the gate is in other than the open position.

JOHN S. GOODWIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,709,000 Bolens Apr. 6, 1929 2,366,121 Hurst Dec. 26, 1944 2,461,780 Smith et al Feb. l5, 1949

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