Patent GB-191208885-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Film Lubricated Thrust Bearings.
Inventor: MICHELL ANTHONY GEORGE MALDON
IPC: F16C17/06
Filed: 1912-04-15
Granted: 1912-09-19
Abstract: 8885. Michell, A. G. M. April 15. Channels and reservoirs in thrust bearings.- In a thrust bearing for shafts comprising segmental pivoted blocks adapted to maintain a film of oil between the bearing-surfaces, as described in Specification 875/05, one or more blocks are placed in an oil well at the lower side only of the shaft. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5, two blocks 10 are placed below the shaft 1 in a well consisting of an end cap 4. The blocks have plane surfaces engaging the face of a thrust collar 2, and are pivoted unsymmetrically on the flat faces of projections 12 on a bar 13, which serves to equalize the load on the two blocks. The bar 13 is adapted to tilt on a flat pivot 17 engaging the face of the main casting 16. Shoulders 14 on the bar 13 prevent the blocks from rotating with the shaft, and the bar 13 itself is retained by studs 15 fixed in the casing 16. A pin 18 resting on the cover 4 supports the bar 13 at the correct height. The blocks 10 are loosely held on the bar by pins 20 passed through lugs 19. The blocks 10 may be symmetrically pivoted, and in this case they are adapted for rotation of the shaft in either direction. Fig. 8 shows a modification in which a single block 10 is used and is provided with an automatic valve which operates to provide a wedge-shaped film of oil between the bearing- surfaces with either direction of rotation. A similar block is placed on each of the thrust collars 2 to take thrusts in either axial direction. Each block 10 has two shallow oil grooves 21 on its working face and a hole 22 with ports 23 communicating with the grooves. A spindle 24 with reduced ends positioned by studs 27, 28 forms a valve closing one of the ports 23. The block 10 can tilt on a radial rib 31. With rotation in the direction of the arrow the block 10 is carried into the position shown, so that the right-hand groove 21 is in free communication with the oil well, the left - hand groove being closed. Under these conditions the block is unequally loaded and tilts so as to provide a film of oil thicker at the left-hand than at the righthand side. With rotation in the other direction the block 10 moves up to the stud 28, and the conditions are reversed. Figs. 13 and 15 show the arrangement of thrust blocks applied to a shaft having a number of thrust collars 2. The blocks 10 are wedge-shaped and are supported by their inclined faces, either unsymmetrically or symmetrically, by projections 35 on an internal member 32 placed in the casing 5 below the shaft. Stems 38 on the blocks are loosely pivoted to links 36 forming a chain, which is tightened or slackened by nuts 40 to adjust the position of the blocks simultaneously for equalizing the load. Two series of blocks may be used, and they may be arranged to take thrusts in different directions. Rigid stops engage the sides of the blocks to prevent rotation with the shaft. The member 32 with the blocks can be removed as a whole by rotating it on its seat in the casing until it can be lifted from the upper side of the shaft.