Patent GB-464028-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to bearings and method of lubricating same
IPC: F16C33/10
Filed: 1935-10-04
Abstract: 464,028. Bearings. FAST ENGINEERING CORPORATION, G. Oct. 4, 1935, No. 27467. Convention date, Oct. 24, 1934. [Class 12 (i)] In a bearing structure comprising a pair of relatively movable members such for example as a journal member and a bearing member, a yielding element or ring between said members is permanently flexed by bending the same under an invariable initial force about a series of fixed projections in permanently fixed relation to the element to form wedge-shaped pockets in conjunction with a surface on one of said members. A journal hub 37, Fig. 5, mounted on and rotating with the shaft has projections 38 ; a flexible resilient ring 39 having true cylindrical inner and outer surfaces is pressed or shrunk on, thus deforming it, forming high points 40 and depressions which form wedge spaces with the inner surface 41 of the bearing sleeve 42 so as to facilitate oil film lubrication ; further flexing of the ring 39 may take place under the pressure built up in the oil films. In a modification, Fig. 7, a conical hub 44 mounted on the shaft 43 has projections deforming the ring 45 so as to form wedge pockets 46 with the conical surface of the bearing member 47 which is held against a shoulder 49 in the housing 50 ; the ring 45 is retained by a member 48. Opposed conical bearings may be used to take up thrust in bolt directions. In a modification, Fig. 8, the bearing member 51 rotates and has inwardly facing projections 52 which engage and deform the ring 53 ; the shaft 55 is stationary. In a modification, Fig 9, the hub and ring are combined ; a resilient hub 57 having projections 58 engaging the journal 56 is deformed by mounting it on the shaft ; pins 62 key the hub 57 to the journal 56. In a modification, Fig. 10, a rigid hub 63 is mounted on the shaft ; the ring 64 is secured to the hub by screws 65,being thus deformed to form flats 67 and bulges 68. As applied to a self-aligning bearing, Fig. 12, a journal hub 70, having its ends chamfered to act as oil slingers, is engaged by projections 71 on the ring 72, the ring being deformed both circumferentially and axially by its mounting. The ring 72 is provided with axial grooves 73 and radial openings 74 to distribute lubricant ; the bearing surface of the ring 72 is spheroidal and its ends 75 are thin walled and unsupported by the hub ; they act as oil collector lips. The outer bearing surface 77 is spherical and the complementary members 78 are secured together by hollow rivets or a ferrule 79. To transmit thrust a split ring 81 engages recesses in the hub 70 and ring 72. In a further modification, Fig. 15, the ring 85 is deformed by pins 87 engaging depressions 84, 86 in the hub 83 and ring respectively ; the pins 87 are slightly tapered and serve to key the ring 85 on the hub 83. To render the bearing self-aligning the outer surface of the ring 85 and the bearing surface of the member 90 are curved in axial cross-section ; the member 90 is provided with one or more cut-away portions 91 to facilitate assembly. In a further modification Fig. 17, the hub is also flexible but not to the same degree as the intermediate ring. The hub 93 is provided with annular grooves 94 and radial holes 95, and is supported on the shaft 92 at its ends only, a clearance 96 being provided at the centre. The hub carries a ring 98 as described above with reference to Fig. 12. The sections 100 are secured together by a ferrule 101, and axial passages 107 are provided to permit flow of lubricant from one side of the bearing to the other ; the bearing assembly is mounted in a casting 102 having an end plate 103 against which the bearing is held by a member 105 mounted on the shaft ; felt &c. packing 106 is provided. A thrust bearing, Fig. 20, comprises a thrust collar 114 on the shaft and a bearing ring 109 having a spherical seating on a base 108. Radial ribs 110 are provided on the ring 109 and the intermediate ring 112 is held in deformed position by dovetail tapered pins 113. Openings 111 parallel to the ribs 110 connect the interior and exterior of the bearing. The invention is also applicable to rectilinear-motion bearings. The parts may be of rubber, and water is thus used as lubricant. If the bearing rotates unidirectionally the wedge pockets may be non-symmetrical with respect to the high points. The outer bearing member may be in two or more parts.