Improvements in Bearings for the Shafts of Marine Engines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 9th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 1st Apr., 1891-Accepted, 2nd May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bearings for the Shafts of Marine Engines.
We PATRICK ROBERTSON of Viewfield Johnstone in the County of Renfrew
Engineer, and ARTHUR DAULBY WEDGWOOD of Alexandria in the County of
Dumbarton Forgemaster do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the bearings for the shafts of marine
engines, and has for its objects the diminishing of the friction, and a ready means
of adjusting the bearings to suit the varying conditions of the level of the shaft
due to the alterations in the trim of the vessel.
These shafts are often of considerable length and diameter, and the bearings as
at present constructed absorb a great amount of the power of the engine, owing to
the amount of friction developed.
For the purpose of diminishing the friction we revolve the shaft upon two or
more cylinders or rollers made with trunnions revolving in comparatively small
bearings; these bearings are carried either in a single fixed frame or in independant
and separate frames immediately under the shaft whose bearing they form.
For the purpose of adjusting the bearings so described we construct the frames
which carry the rollers separately and we place them on a base on which they are
free to move to and from the centre of the shaft whose bearing they form; the
motion being effected by screws or otherwise.
When the roller-frames are so adjusted to their proper position they may be
securely fixed by bolts or keys or other usual means of fixing.
We also employ the roller bearings so described as supplementary to bearings as
at present used for the shafts of marine engines.
We also employ the roller bearings as supports to propeller shafts outside the
vessel in the case of twin screws.
Dated this 8th day of July 1890.
PATRICK ROBERTSON.
ARTHUR DAULBY WEDGWOOD.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bearings for the Shafts of Marine Engines.
We, PATRICK ROBERTSON of Viewfield, Johnstone, in the County of Renfrew,
Engineer, and ARTHUR DAULBY WEDGWOOD, of Alexandria in the County of
Dumbarton, Forgemaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—
This invention relates to improvements in the bearings for the shafts of marine
engines, and has for its objects the diminishing of the friction, and a ready means
of adjusting the bearings to suit the varying conditions due to wear and to
alterations in the trim of the vessel.
These shafts are often of considerable length and diameter, and the bearings as
at present constructed absorb a large amount of the power of the engine owing to
the amount of friction developed.
For the purpose of diminishing the friction we revolve the shaft upon two or
more cylinders or rollers made with trunnions revolving in comparatively small
bearings these bearings are formed in independent and separate frames or blocks
immediately under the shaft whose bearing is thus formed.

page_text: For the purpose of adjusting the bearing so described we move the frames or
blocks on guides forming part of the vessel's frame by screws, cotters or other
usual mechanical means, till the necessary adjustment is effected, when they may be
securely fixed in position by means of bolts.
In order that our said invention may be better understood we have illustrated
the method of carrying it into effect by the accompanying sheet of drawings in
which
Fig. I. and Fig. II. are an end view and side elevation of the general arrangement.
Fig. III. and Fig. IV. are an elevation and a plan of an adjustable bearing on a
larger scale, showing three rollers.
Fig. V. and Fig. VI. are a side elevation and an end elevation, showing two
rollers with a modification of the adjusting apparatus.
In these several views A represents the shaft to be supported -B the roller
revolving in the frame or block C :-D a base firmly attached to the vessel and
formed with guides in which the blocks are moved, and longitudinal slots through
which they can be bolted when adjusted.
In Fig. III. and Fig. IV. a third roller H is interposed.
Fig. V. and Fig. VI. show the blocks made adjustable by separate screws M;
geared together by spur wheels L and an intermediate shaft N.
The manner in which the operation is to be performed in the case of Fig. III.
and Fig. IV. is as follows:
In the event of the shaft A requiring to be raised, the blocks C are advanced
towards each other by means of the screws E till the necessary adjustment is
effected when they can be secured by the bolts shown in the base :-the range of
adjustment is shown by the centres a and b. The third roller H immediately under
the centre may be raised by means of the inclined piece J till it is in working
contact with the shaft A.-It is obvious that inclined pieces may in like manner be
used instead of the screws E to adjust the blocks C.
In the case of Fig. V. and Fig. VI. the blocks are moved simultaneously to or
from each other by means of the screws M geared together by the spur-wheels L
and intermediate shaft N.-The screw moving one of the blocks is formed with a
right-hand thread and the other with a left-hand thread. By moving any one of
the spur wheels out of gear the blocks may be moved independently of each other,
and so may adjust the shaft either laterally or vertically as may be required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :
The employment of adjustable roller bearings for marine engine shafts
substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 21st dor of March 1901
P. ROBERTSON.
ARTHUR D. WEDGWOOD.