Car Axles and similar Journals.
Year: 1886

page_text: Car Axles and similar Journals.
We, ISAÏE FRÉCHETTE, of St Hyacinthe, Province of Quebec, Dominion of Canada,
Mechanical Engineer, and JOHN WINICK CURRIER, of Boston, Massachusetts, United
States of America, Mechanic 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 :-
Our invention has reference to improvements in lubricators for the journals of
axles of vehicles, but more particularly those of railway cars, and we shall confine
our description of it to such use, by which description it will be readily understood
how our invention may be applied to other journals which revolve.
In most of the mechanical lubricators at present invented the parts actuated by
the journal of the axle are operated with such rapid motion that they not only
lubricate the said journal, but also so liberally spatter or disperse the fluid
lubricant about within the axle box that it flows out at the joint of the cover of
the axle box, unless made " water-tight," and particularly at the orifice through
which the axle enters the axle box, thus causing not only a loss of a certain
amount of the lubricant, but also an accumulation of sand and dust &c, about the
outside of the axle box. By our present invention mechanism is provided which is
capable of supplying the necessary amount of lubricant to the journal, while the
objection above mentioned is, in a great measure, or entirely overcome.
The particular features or combinations of parts, which form our present
invention are hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawing.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a lubricator embodying our invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the lubricator shewn in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a detached view of the screw-threaded pulley.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of a pivotted frame for holding the lubricating wheel
and pulley.
Figure 5 is a plan of the frame shewn in Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a section on line x Figure 4.
Figure 7 is an end elevation of the parts shewn in Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of a modification of the invention.
Figure 9 is a plan of the parts shewn in Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a plan of the same as Figure 9 with pulley and wheel removed.
Figure 11 is sentional alazation of mosto cho
...-

page_text: A represents a frame made substantially as shewn, to fit loosely within the
lower part of the axle box B; C is an axle shewn in the position which it occupies
relatively to the bottom of an ordinary axle box. The upward extensions D of
the frame A are for the purpose of steadying the lower part of it upon the bottom
of the axle box, or in other words to prevent any danger of the frame A becoming
canted up or raised from the bottom of the axle box B, by the action of the
working parts attached upon it, the whole as above described being as heretofore
in use.
On the frame A bearings E are formed for receiving and holding in place the
pivots or trunnions F of a swinging frame G; this frame G is provided with said
trunnions F, eyes H, and side pieces I, preferably made integral. Through suitable
openings in the side pieces I is inserted a pin K, serving to hold the side pieces
together and forming an axis upon which a toothed or worm wheel L revolve.
Through the eyes H a pin M is passed which pin forms an axis for a screw-threaded
pulley or worm N to revolve on. The said screw-threaded pulley N, and teeth of
the wheel L are properly arranged to intermesh with each other, as in an ordinary
worm and wheel motion. In this case, however, I prefer to cut the thread on the
worm N with the decreasing depth agreeing with the periphery of the wheel L,
instead of cutting a thread on a parallel spindle, as indicated by the dotted lines 1
and 2 in figure 3. By this means I cause the thread to "run out to nothing" (as
it is technically called) before it reaches the ends of the worm as indicated at P, in
figures 2 and 3; I thus obviate the formation of any shoulder at the ends of the
thread, so that if the pin M should not be parallel to the line 5, which represents
the direction of the line of the axle, but should be at an angle to it, as to the lines 3
and 4 in figure 3, there being no shoulder formed by the ends of the threads, all
danger of stopping the revolutions of the worm N by such shoulders is obviated.
For the purpose of facilitating the bearing of the worm N upon the axle C, and of
revolving it thereby when the axes of the two are not parallel, I propose further-
more to make the worm N in the form of a convex circular spindle as shown in
figure 3, but, if desired, it may also be made in the form of a plain cylinder, as
shown in figure 2.
'
"
The friction of the periphery of the thread of the worm M upon the axle C is
caused by springs O, which have one end attached under or in the frame G, and
the other end attached in or under the frame A as represented: these springs are
preferably coiled springs, the coils of which pass around the inner parts of the
trunnions F, F.
The springs O keep the worm N pressed against the axle C, yet when it is
required to remove the apparatus from the axle box B, the worm N may, with the
frame G, be turned downwards from the position shown in full lines in figare 1, to
that indicated by dotted lines.
As the worm N revolves it causes the wheel L to revolve, so that if the lower
part of the axle box is filled with fluid lubricating material, to such an extent that
the bottom portion of the teeth of the wheel L are immersed in the fluid lubricant,
the said teeth will impart the lubricant to the worm N which latter will convey it
to the axle C. The bottom portion of the axle box thus forms a reservoir for the
fluid lubricant. For axle boxes or bearing-boxes not constructed to form a suitable
reservoir in themselves; a lubricating reservoir will have to be specially provided,.
substantially as shown in the drawings.
In cases where it is desired to reach a greater distance between the level of the
lubricant and axle than can be conveniently reached by one wheel L, two or more
wheels may be placed below the first one, intermeshing therewith, and with one
another, the said wheels being carried and revolving on suitable pivots similar to
the pivot K formed on the frame G, which will in such case be elongated for this
purpose.
"
The thread upon the worm N may be what is called a 'double thread" if
greater speed of the revolutions of the wheel L is required than that given by a
single thread. By altering the pitch of the threads upon the wheel N and their

page_text: number, and arranging the teeth on the wheel L, (or wheels L as the case may be)
to agree therewith, the speed of revolution of the wheel L may be caused to be
what is desired to supply the required amount of lubrication to the axle C.
If desired the frame G may be pivotted to suitable projections or bearings E
formed on the bottom of the axle box B, thus dispensing with the frame A; and
by having the trunnions F or upper portions of the bearings E removable, the
frame G may be detached and removed from the axle box when desired.
Although, as above mentioned and shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the swinging
frame G has been described as constructed of the particular parts and configuration
set forth and shown, yet we do not confine ourselves to the exact configuration so
set forth and shown, as the principal requisites of the swinging frame G are, that
it shall be attached at its lower end and be provided with axes for the wheel L
and worm N; we have, however, designed another modification of this frame
which, while substantially the same as that hereinabove described enables the
wheel L to lift, in the space between its teeth, a certain amount of the lubricating
fluid and deposit it in an upper reservoir, in which the worm N revolves. This
modification is illustrated by figures 8, 9, 10 and 11.
"
In this case the sides of the frame G are extended beyond the pin M and are
connected together by a plate Q, as shown. The upper side of this plate is "faced"
to a true plane surface, which surface extends from the "
'pitch line or bottom of
the teeth of the wheel L to the same distance at the top of the wheel so that the
teeth of the wheel L project above and below it. The under side of the wheel L,
which rests upon the plate Q, is also faced to a true plane surface. The upper
part of the plate Q, extending above the surface upon which the wheel L, rests, is
curved forming a semi-circular reservoir R in which the lower portion of the
worm N revolves.
The sides of the frame G in this case are made to fit closely around the teeth of
the wheel L, but not so as to obstruct the free revolution of the said. wheel. It
will be understood that the sides of the frame G, plate Q, and reservoir R, are
preferably made integral, and that the circular part of the reservoir is preferably
made concentric with the worm N.
In this modification, the wheel L is revolved by the worm N, as heretofore, and
in so doing it lifts up a portion of the lubricating fluid between its teeth and the
side of the frame G, and deposits the same in the reservoir R, and onto the
worm N.
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:-
=
First. In a device for lubricating car-axles and similar journals, the combination
of an endless screw or worm adapted to be rotated by contact with the periphery
of the axle or journal to be lubricated; a spring actuated or yielding support for
the worm, and a wheel engaging said worm, substantially in the manner, and for
the purpose, set forth.
Second. In a device for lubricating car-axles and similar journals, the combination
of a movable supporting plate; an endless screw or worm journalled in bearings
carried by said plate, and adapted to be rotated by contact with the periphery of
the axle or journal to be lubricated; a wheel pivotted upon the plate to engage
said worm; and a spring adapted to carry and press the worm against the car-
axle or journal, substantially in the manner, and for the purpose herein set forth.
Third. In a device for lubricating car-axles and similar journals, the combination
of a supporting frame or base plate, a swinging frame or plate pivotted to said
frame, an endless screw or worm mounted to rotate in bearings carried by said
plate, a wheel pivotted upon said plate to engage the worm, and a spring upholding
the plate and adapted to carry and press the worm against the periphery of the
axles or journal to be lubricated, substantially in the manner, and for the purpose,
herein set forth.

page_text: Fourth. In a device for lubricating car-axles and similar journals, the combination
of a base plate or frame, a guard attached to the same to prevent it from turning,
a swinging plate or frame pivotted to said base, a spring to uphold the swinging
plate or frame, an endless screw or worm journalled in bearings carried by said
swinging plate or frame and, adapted to be rotated by contact with the periphery
of the axle, and a wheel pivotted upon the swinging plate or frame to engage the
worm; the base plate being adapted to be inserted in the axle-box or reservoir for
containing the oil or lubricant, and the worm wheel so disposed as to be immersed
or partially immersed in the oil or lubricant when in position for use, substantially
in the manner, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Fifth. The combination with an axle or journal, of an endless screw or worm
adapted to be rotated by contact with the periphery of the axle or journal;
pivotted arms between which the worm is journalled; a worm wheel engaging
said worm and carried by the arms; a base plate or support to which said arms
are pivotted; a spring adapted to uplift the arms and screw, and carry the latter
against the axle or journal; and a box or reservoir adapted to contain an oil or
lubricant, and from which the worm wheel is supplied with oil, substantially in the
"manner, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Sixth. The combination of the base frame R; swinging frame G, springs O;
worm wheel L; and worm N, substantially in the manner, and for the purpose,
herein set forth.
Seventh. The combination of the base frame A; swinging frame G; springs O;
worm wheel L; and screw-threaded lubricating roller or worm N, provided with a
thread which is lost at each end P, P, on the periphery of the roller, substantially
in the manner, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
DLL 1
_CT_-_-_- 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.