Patent GB-582967-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in bearings
IPC: F16C17/03
Filed: 1944-10-09
Abstract: 582,967. Bearings. MICHELL, A. G. M., and SEGGEL, A. J. Oct. 9, 1944, No. 19341. Convention date, Sept. 28, 1943. [Class 12 (i)] [Also in Group XXII] An oil-film bearing in which bearing-pads, individually free and freely movable in the direction of rotation, are located between the relatively moving load-carrying members (the bearing and the shaft journal) has the bearing- pads arranged in two or more groups differentiated as to form, function, or location with respect to the line of action of the load transmitted from one to the other of the loadcarrying members, the groups being arranged in one or more series. Thus the pads may be arranged in two groups each group being adapted for the forward or reverse direction of rotation and both groups may be in a single series arranged as an annular ring around the shaft, Fig. 8, (not shown), or the two groups may each be in a separate series the two series being in the form of annular rings separated radially by a partitioning sleeve, Fig. 1. Or three groups of bearing pads each arranged in a single series and all for the same direction of rotation may serve for a crank-pin and connecting rod bearing, Fig. 13, the groups being differentiated in location with respect to the line of action of the load transmitted from the connecting rod to the crank-pin. Or the middle group may be arranged for the reverse direction of rotation, Figs. 5-7 (not shown). As shown in Fig. 1 the bearing comprises a housing 2 divided horizontally and having a divided lining sleeve 4 under compression, as later described, with the line of division at a substantial angle to the horizontal. The journal 1 is surrounded by bearing pads P<1> for the clockwise direction of rotation such bearing pads being free to revolve and being located within a partitioning sleeve 3 outside of which are located the bearing pads P<2> for the counter clockwise direction of rotation likewise free to revolve and located within the compressed lining sleeve 4. Side rims on the housing 2 or on the partitioning sleeve 3 retain the bearing pads axially. Fig. 13 shows the arrangement for an undivided connecting rod big-end and crank-pin bearing with Fig. 16 showing the action under load. Three groups of bearing pads P<1>, P<2>, P' all adapted for the same direction of rotation and free to revolve are arranged around the interior of the bore of the connecting rod big-end 15 being separated axially by rims (or inserted rings) R', R<2> and retained at the ends by rims R<3>, R'. Lubricant is supplied in the usual way through passages in the journals 12, 14 crank webs 11, 13 and crank-pin 10 and passes by radial passageways 20, 21 to the groups of bearing pads P<1> P<2>, P<3> eventually leaking past end rings 22, 23 (serving to take up any axial thrust) to the crankcase. Under load the crankpin 10 would tend to assume the shape shown in Fig. 16 so that the oil-film thickness of the middle group of bearing pads at the load region is increased with consequent reduction of thrust pressure at the middle of the crankpin and thus the distortion of the crankpin is reduced. Fig. 17 shows the arrangement for a crankshaft with integral crank webs 24, 25 necessitating the connecting rod 29 having a divided big-end. The difficulty of obtaining the necessary truly cylindrical bearing surface, for use with the freely revolving pads, in a divided big-end is avoided by using a divided lining E maintained under compression the line of division being placed at a substantial angle to the line of division of the big-end and its cap 28. The divided lining is cut from a sleeve of diameter Ea, Fig. 21, the portions ga being cut away and the ends of the resulting segments Eb bevelled. The .segments are inserted within the big-end and cap and the latter tightened up to compress the segments to the circular form shown in full lines this being due to the fact that the bevelling of the ends to give only line contact at the inner edge ensures a determinate bending moment in the lining segments. Assembly of the freely movable bearing pads within their outer housing or lining is effected by means of a sleeve 5, Fig. 10, having openings W<1>, W<2>, W<3> corresponding to each axially spaced group of bearing pads with the openings staggered circumferentially. The bearing pads of the first group are inserted one by one through the first opening which at this time is located at the top position until the full number has been inserted whereupon the assembly sleeve 5 is moved forward a short angular distance to prevent their falling out; this movement brings the second opening to the top-most position and thereafter the procedure is repeated. A pin 6 on the assembly sleeve 5 is entered into an appropriate notch on the bearing housing to give the proper circumferential setting. The bearing is then moved axially on to its journal with the assembly sleeve 5 withdrawn correspondingly with such movement. Specification 482,868 is referred to.