The Mechanical Handling and Storing of Material

MONO-RAILS AND TELPHERS 339 The lifting speeds range from 60 ft. per minute with heavy loads, to 200 ft. per minute with light loads with a long lift. The travelling speeds may be anything from 500 to 1,000 ft. per minute, according to the nature and length of the run. Telphers by Strachan & Henshaw, Ltd. (Figs. 474-to 479).—With these telphers the whole of the load is carried on four manganese steel wheels, which are built in pairs into swivelling bogie trucks, the trucks being each pivoted independently into the main hoisting frame by universal joints. These universal pivot joints are practically frictionless, and do not depend for strength upon any pin connection. The load is directly supported solely by heavy mild steel interlocked stirrups, which have ample freedom and flexibility. The result is that all twisting strains liable to be set up, and due to the surging of the load, or sharply negotiating the curve in the track, are entirely eliminated from the main frame and bogies, and from the swivel connections between them. The four travelling wheel axles are mounted in roller bearings which are built on to the two steel trucks. The bogie carries the whole of the travelling mechanism complete with the motor. The motor is connected to two travelling wheels by a silent link chain, which forms a triangular drive between the motor pinion and the two spur wheels keyed directly to the two wheel axles. The motor is so mounted as to permit the tightening of the driving chain. The second bogie carries the other two ungeared wheels, and also the rear C-hanger for supporting the outer end of the hoisting frame. The C-hanger is a solid mild steel forging, and is freely pivoted in the wheel track, as well as at its connection to the main frame. The two bogies are connected together above the track level by a substantial coupling bar with pivoted ends. • The hoisting gear, complete with motor, is built into a rigid frame composed of rolled steel or H-channels, all parts being carefully balanced about the centre line, so that when it is suspended from the bogie trucks the whole frame hangs plumb and level with its centre of gravity directly under the centre of the track. The hoisting barrels (twin drums for long loads, and single drums for grab or bucket) are placed with their axes parallel with the track, and so disposed laterally that the centre of the rope or chains falls exactly in line with a vertical line through the centre of the track. It will thus be seen that the whole load is perfectly balanced about the centre of the track, and is all applied directly on the centre of the running rail; this ensures smooth and steady running at high speed, with a very small amount of wear and tear on wheels and rail. A cabin for the operator is attached to the under side of the main frame; a seat is always provided for the driver, and the controller brakes and emergency switch, etc., are all placed within easy reach. The starting resistances are also placed within the cabin as a rule, though sometimes it is found convenient to vary this arrangement. For working in the open or in dusty situations the cabin is boarded right up; for ordinary indoor work, however, the cabin is left open, with just sufficient guards to prevent the driver falling out. The type of machine shown in Figs. 474 and 475 is generally used for conveying coal from barges to coal-store ground, or boiler-house bunkers, and any automatic giab or bucket can be used with it. The telpher shown in Figs. 476 and 477 is generally adopted for^ gasworks duty. This machine has been developed more particularly for the purpose of handling coke, hot or cold, from all types of gas retorts, horizontal, inclined, or vertical, and has been successfully applied for this purpose in many gasworks.