The Wire Rope and Its Applications

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 Excerpt: ...fixed to the side of the road on uprights a few feet above the rail level Fig. 64. The main rope is supported at intervals upon rollers placed between the rails, similar to those shewn in Figs. 53, 54, 55, and 56. In cases where the gradients vary so as to form a "Concave" slope, guide rollers are fixed to the roof timbers to save the friction which would otherwise occur by reason of the rope rubbing against the roof. At the in-bye end the tail rope passes round a sheave about four feet diameter fixed either horizontally in a pit underground, as shewn in Fig. 59, or vertically in timber framework as in Fig. 60. Sometimes two engines are used situated one at each end of the system, the main engine actuating the main rope, the other the tail or return rope. In either mode of working the tail rope may be smaller in diameter than the one used for hauling the loaded wagons. Branches from the main line are worked by separate ropes which take the place of part of the tail rope. They are connected and disconnected at the various points required, by means of suitable couplings. When the rope is under considerable tension "knock-off" hooks have to be used which are attached to the tubs as shewn in Fig. 61 and which can be made to work automatically as in Fig. 62. The form of couplings used for connecting the tail and branch ropes are shewn in Fig. 63. There are various ways of making the change in the ropes; it can be effected either at the time the "journey" reaches the junction of the main and branch lines, or preferably when the "journey" is being made up at the entrance to the mine or unloading station, as in this case the connection to the branch line is made when there is no stress on the rope, and no time is lost when th...