Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In an apparatus including a boom, means pivotally mounting said boom for swinging movement between a working position and a withdrawn position and means for swinging said boom between said positions, the improvement wherein said swinging means includes a double-acting fluid pressure-operated ram, said ram including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, and a piston rod extending from said piston out of said cylinder, means pivoting said piston rod to said boom at a point situated eccentrically with respect to a pivot axis of said boom and fluid pressure control means operatively connected to said ram for reversing the direction of action of said ram during the swinging of said boom between said working position and said withdrawn position as said ram passes through a dead-center position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In an apparatus including a boom, means pivotally mounting said boom for swinging movement between a working position and a withdrawn position and means for swinging said boom between said positions, the improvement wherein said swinging means includes a double-acting fluid pressure-operated ram, said ram including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, and a piston rod extending from said piston out of said cylinder, means pivoting said piston rod to said boom at a point situated eccentrically with respect to a pivot axis of said boom and fluid pressure control means operatively connected to said ram for reversing the direction of action of said ram during the swinging of said boom between said working position and said withdrawn position as said ram passes through a dead-center position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid pressure control means includes a four-path three-position control valve, a fluid pressure return line, a switching device and means operatively Connecting said switching device to said control means whereby as said ram reaches said dead-center position, said switching device switches said control valve into a position wherein chambers defined within said cylinder of said ram on both sides of said piston are both connected to said return line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a fluid pressure supply line and wherein said fluid pressure control means further includes an additional switching device and means operatively connecting said further switching device to said valve whereby, directly after said ram has passed through said dead-center position, said further switching device switches said control valve over into a position in which said chamber in said cylinder on one side of said piston is connected to said fluid pressure supply line and the other of said chambers is connected to said return line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising buffering means for absorbing the kinetic energy of said boom as said boom approaches said withdrawn position, said buffering means including a controlled by-pass non-return valve means in said return line and means controlling said by-pass valve means in dependence upon the angular position of said boom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fluid pressure supply line and a fluid pressure return line connected to said ram and flow control valve means in said fluid pressure supply line or said return line, said flow control valve means controlling the rate of flow of fluid to or from said ram in dependence on the angular position of said boom whereby the angular velocity of said boom in its movement between said working and said withdrawn positions is maintained substantially constant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic pump, means connecting said pump to said ram and means controlling the output of said pump in dependence upon the angular position of said boom whereby the angular velocity of said boom between said working and said withdrawn positions is maintained substantially constant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising auxiliary drive means oPeratively connected to said boom for swinging said boom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said auxiliary drive means includes an additional double-acting fluid-pressure-operated ram and means operatively connecting said ram to said boom at a point situated eccentrically with respect to said pivotal axis of said boom and on the opposite side of said boom from the first mentioned fluid pressure-operated ram.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said auxiliary drive means includes a rotary fluid pressure-operated or electric motor which rotates at constant speed and means operatively connecting said motor to said boom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a stationary frame supporting said means pivotally mounting said boom, said motor being mounted on said boom and said means operatively connecting said motor to said boom including a first pinion driven by said motor and a second pinion fixed to said stationary frame, said first pinion meshing with said second pinion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a stationary frame supporting said means pivotally mounting said boom, means mounting said motor on said frame, a first pinion mounted on and rotated by said motor and a second pinion mounted on said boom, said first pinion meshing with said second pinion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, including means for swinging said boom through a major part of said movement between said working and said withdrawn positions by said motor and means for driving said boom through a remaining part of said movement by said fluid pressure-operated ram.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a taphole gun including a boom, means mounting said gun on said boom, means pivotally mounting said boom for swinging movement of said gun between a working position and a withdrawn position and means For swinging said boom and said gun between said positions, the improvement wherein said swinging means includes a double-acting fluid pressure-operated ram, said ram including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder and a piston rod extending from said piston out of said cylinder, means pivoting said piston rod to said boom at a point situated eccentrically with respect to a pivot axis of said boom and fluid pressure control means operatively connected to said ram for reversing the direction of action of said ram during the swinging of said boom and said gun between said working position and said withdrawn position as said ram passes through a dead-center position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a taphole gun including a boom, means mounting said gun on said boom, means pivotally mounting said boom for swinging movement of said gun between a working position and a withdrawn position and means For swinging said boom and said gun between said positions, the improvement wherein said swinging means includes a double-acting fluid pressure-operated ram, said ram including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder and a piston rod extending from said piston out of said cylinder, means pivoting said piston rod to said boom at a point situated eccentrically with respect to a pivot axis of said boom and fluid pressure control means operatively connected to said ram for reversing the direction of action of said ram during the swinging of said boom and said gun between said working position and said withdrawn position as said ram passes through a dead-center position.