Year: 1887

page_text: 1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Tramway Companies have all recognized the utility of wheels moveable on their
axles because of the grinding which must necessarily take place (in spite of the bevel
of the tyres) when the cars travel round curves. This grinding action causes a rapid
wear of the permanent way and rolling stock.
When two wheels of equal diameter are keyed on the same axle, the running round
a curve can only be accomplished by one of the wheels sliding or skiding on a length
of rail equal to the difference of the lengths run over by each of them.
The greater part of the systems hitherto used, although they were to a certain
extent very efficient, presented the defect, that dust entering the working parts caused
the latter to wear out quickly, and to be soon unfit for use, and it was not possible to
effectually take up the play produced by this wear.
In all the systems known or described particularly in Waldegg's Handbuch für
Speciale Eisenbahn-Technik such as the systems in use in Berlin (Mehlis and Behrens)
and in Copenhagen (Rowan) the nave is simply made very long, but these are really
only primitive means to prevent the dust from introducing itself between the
rubbing surfaces, and no devices for compensating or taking up the consequent wear
and tear

page_text: In this invention the axle or shaft is always in contact at every point with the
corresponding parts of the boss of the wheel, so that it is not possible for the dust
to introduce itself between these paris and prevent lubrication from taking place.
The invention has partly for its object a device for taking up both radially and side-
ways, either by hand or automatically, when the cars are overhauled, the wear of the
rubbing surfaces common to a nave and axle of a railway or tramway vehicle, or of a
pulley or sheave on its shaft.
The following description of the various arrangements, which, however, are all based
on the same principle, will bring forward all the novel points of applications, which
were not used before the present application.
In carrying out the invention, the parts of the axle, which holds the naves of the
wheels, are provided with three or more segmental portions of a socket or bush laid
longitudinally thereon, the outside ends of which are conical or chamfered. Two
rings, the outside diameters of which are equal to the inside diameter of the nave hole,
are placed on, and at each of the conical ends of the segments, and are connected
together by means of screws or bolts, which can be tightened at will. Lugs cast on
the parts of the socket prevent the displacement of these bolts. The radial wear,
wherever it takes place, can always be compensated by tightening these screws thereby
drawing the rings closer together, and thus moving the segments radially towards the
centre.
The front and back faces of the nave are surfaced and revolve between two washers
(one on each side) which can move in a lateral direction. They rotate with the axle,
owing to their being provided with feathers entering corresponding notches made
in caps keyed on the axle at the outside faces of the washers. The first mentioned
washers are made so as to receive, first, packing of felt, leather, metal or com
position of any sort, the lateral face of this packing rests on the face of the nave;
second, another packing inside the hole of the washers, which presses against the
surface of the axle.
The caps, also, can move longitudinally on feathers or keys fixed on the axle, and
are kept in place by means of nuts screwed on the axle. .
Between the washer and cap are springs which have a tendency to keep them
apart, thereby keeping the washer applied constantly against the faces of the nave,
and causing it to follow any irregularity in its movement, caused by defective con-
struction, or owing to a wear and tear, which has not been taken up by the improved
devices. By tightening the aforesaid nuts, the wear is compensated laterally, whilst
the tightening screws effect the adjustment in a radial direction as before described.
The packing bearing on the surface of the axle, revolves with the washers and the
axle, and prevents an escape of the lubricant, and the excess of dust; the other
packings moved along with the washers against the side faces of the nave, whose
motion they follow, fulfil the same purpose.
In another arrangement the nave of a wheel is bored cylindrically and provided
with a bush composed of two distinct pieces, namely, a metallic socket of a cylindrical
form, having the same diameter as the whole of the nave, and bored inside so that the
inner surface forms a number of sloping surfaces, having all the same inclination, or
else an inclination, which gets steeper towards the outer side of the axle, and a second
bushing or socket, the outside surface of which is composed of sloping surfaces corre-
sponding to those in the aforesaid socket, and terminating at the end towards the
centre of the axle in a shoulder or flange bearing against the nave. This latter
bushing is preferably made in several segments. A nut is screwed on the first
named socket on the external face of the nave, and has for its object to compensate
radial wear.
From calculations and experience it is evident that in consequence of the over-
hang of the rim, the pressure and strain on the axle is principally at the outside
ends, more adjustment is therefore required towards these points. For this reason
various inclinations of the sloping surfaces have been adopted, the bearing width of
which, can be reduced if desired. A simple conical or sloping bush, cut in parts,
may, however, be employed if desired, drawn into the nave by means of a nut.
A

page_text: The lateral wear is compensated by means of the same arrangements as described
in connection with the device first described.
In another modification, the mode of tightening is effected by a nut screwed in the
nave and acting directly by pressure on the sloping surfaces of the bush instead of by
tension.
Another arrangement may be employed in which the adjustment needed to com-
pensate for lateral or radial play, caused by wear, can be effected from the outside
without removing any part.
This will be now described, 1st for taking up the lateral wear: The nave is held on
the outside end of the axle by a cap, carrying, as has been described in previous
arrangements, a double packing for the purpose of preventing the escape of the oil
and the introduction of dust, a fixed key or feather keeping the cap in position on a
flanged collar by means of which it rotates with the axle, whilst it can at the same
time, slide lengthwise. The collar is screwed on the axle and secured by a set screw,
or by other suitable means for preventing it turning on the axle. A spring or its
equivalent resting on the flange of the socket presses the cap against the face of the
nave.
On the other side of the nave a washer or cap is also provided having protecting
packing. It is mounted on a collar and made to revolve with it, either by means of a
The collar can slide
key, or by two or more studs screwed in the flange of the collar.
longitudinally on the axle in a groove cut for this purpose. The collar is kept in
place by a nut on the outside screwed on the axle. The studs have a cylindrical part,
which is provided with a coiled wire or other spring, which presses at one end on the
shoulder formed by the screwed part of the stud, and at the other on the washer, and
therefore presses the latter against the nave. The spring pressure can therefore be
regulated by turning the nut. 2nd. For taking up the radial wear. By screwing up
the nut, the collar causes the external metal bushing to advance so that the inclined or
sloping surfaces press against the correspond surfaces of the internal bush (which
bears against the outside collar, and therefore cannot advance) and consequently
compels the internal bush, which is divided into segments, to be moved radially towards
the centre, and thus compensate for the wear.
As it is theoretically impossible that an arc of a circle could coincide with another
of a lesser radius, which would be the consequence of the introduction of the internal
conical bush into the external bush; the internal bushing may, if desired, be divided
into several segments having flat outside faces, instead of curved, and which would in
cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation, have a polygonal appearance. The
edges of each sliding face of this internal bushing are preferably parallel, so that they
can move longitudinally on the corresponding faces of the external hushing. When
wheels are provided with overhanging treads, the faces of the segments may be so
arranged that the radial adjustment, for compensating the wear, is greater on the
outside than on the inside of the nave of the wheel.
The following description will more clearly set forth an arrangement appropriate
for taking up the wear the bushing consists of two concentric parts, an external one
turned to the diameter of the hole bored in the nave, the other or inner bush bored to
the diameter of the axle inside the nave. The outer surface of the internal bush
represents in cross section a polygonal figure. Each of the faces forms in fact the
side of a polygon. The bush or bushes are formed with two, three, or more sloping
or curved surfaces having a broken line formed by several arcs of different radii, the
curved surfaces being of equal or of different lengths. These curved faces coincide
with the corresponding internal surfaces of the external bush. Now the internal bush
being formed of several segments, it results that the lateral pressure produced by
tightening nut produces a radial convergent pressure of these parts against that
portion of the axle inside the nave, but that in consequence of the differences in the
obliquities of the curves, the pressure on the axle or shaft is greater on the outer side,
where the wear appears first. of all owing to the overhang of the rim. The outer
bush would, if desired, be made in segments and the nave of the wheel could
revolve thereon. This socket can be formed of segments, the radial wear being taken

page_text: up in the hole bored in the nave, by means of a sliding bush, having the shape of a
pyramid or of a frustrum of cone, sharing the rotation of the axle either by means of
a key or by any other means, but capable of sliding lengthwise. The external bush,
may if desired, be made to turn with the nave on the internal bush, the latter being
fixed on the axle.
When the nave of the wheel revolves on the external bush, the edges of the bearing
surfaces of each face of the inner bush are parallel thereto, so that the segments of
the outer bush can move longitudinally on each of the corresponding faces of the
internal bush. Each of these faces, forms, as has been said in the foregoing, a side
of a polygon sliding parallel to itself on a broken line composed of several different
circular arcs having different radii.
In another arrangement for taking up the radial wear either between the nave
and the bushing, or between the bushing and the inner part of the axle or shaft,
the following automatic taking up arrangement may be employed. The nave is
bored and made true. The device for taking up lateral wear consists in the pressure
of springs on collars pressing against the bushes, said collars being provided with
felt or other substance for the purpose of preventing the introduction of dust and
preventing the lubricant oozing out. The springs bear, at their other end, on fixed
or screwed rings shrunk on the axle, or keyed or secured by a set screw.
The mode of taking up the radial wear is as follows:-
:―
The inner bush is divided into two or more parts having sloping outer surfaces, or
of the form already described. These inner bushes are kept separated by a spring
which is placed between them, and they slide longitudinally on a fixed key. They
rotate with the collars or washers. The parts of the inner bush slide against the
outer segmental sockets, which they press against the hole bored in the nave only in
proportion to the wear produced between the rubbing surfaces of the outer bushing,
and of the hole bored in the nave. The same end is obtained if the inner cones
are arranged in a reverse position, that is to say with the small bases opposite each
other, the large ones being pressed by springs resting either against the washers
through the medium or not through the medium of a plate ring, or against a fixed
partition. In this case the bushing made of several parts would have the transverse
section coinciding with those of the outer bushes.
The inner bush could of course be made in several parts or segments, it could then
revolve on the part of the axle inside the nave, and the adjustment would be effected
by forcing apart the outer bushes when slid longitudinally in the nave hole on a fixed
feather or other device.
1000

page_text: Axiguum of Dergi, ger
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, 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:—
Tramway Companies have all recognised the utility of wheels movable on their
axles because of the grinding which must necessarily take place (in spite of the bevel
of the tyres) when the cars travel round curves. This grinding action causes a rapid
wear of the permanent way and rolling stock.
When two wheels of equal diameter are keyed on the same axle, the running round
a curve can only be accomplished by one of the wheels sliding or skiding on a
length of rail equal to the difference of the lengths run over by each of them.
The greater part of the systems hitherto used, although they were to a certain
extent very efficient, presented the defect that dust entering the working parts caused
the latter to wear out quickly, and to be soon unfit for use, and it was not possible to
effectually take up the play produced by this wear.
In all the systems known or described particularly in Waldegg's Handbuch für
Speciale Eisenbahn Technik, such as the systems in use in Berlin (Mehlis and Behrens)
and in Copenhagen (Rowan) the nave is simply made very long, but these are really
only primitive means to prevent the dust from introducing itself between the
rubbing surfaces, and no devices for compensating or taking up the consequent wear
and tear.
In this invention the axle or shaft is always in contact at every point with the
corresponding parts of the boss of the wheel, so that it is not possible for the
dust to introduce itself between these parts and prevent lubrication from taking
place.
The invention has partly for its object a device for taking up both radially and
sideways either by hand or automatically, when the cars are overhauled, the wear of
the rubbing surfaces common to a nave and axle of a railway or tramway vehicle, or
of a pulley or sheave on its shaft.
The following description of the various arrangements which, however, are all based
on the same principle, will bring forward all the novel points of the invention, which
were not used before the present application.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a vertical section of a wheel and axle, constructed in accordance with
the invention.
Figure 2 a transverse section on line, y.
In these the parts of the axles, which hold the nave of the wheels are provided with

page_text: .
three or more segmental portions D of a socket or bush laid longitudinally thereon,
the outside ends of which are conical or chamfered. Two rings m, the outsido
diameters of which are equal to the inside diameter of the nave hole M, are placed on,
and at each of the conical ends of the segments, and are connected together by means
of screws or bolts n, which can be tightened at will. Lugs cast on the parts of the
socket D prevent the displacement of these bolts. The radial wear, wherever it takes
place, can always be compensated by tightening these screws n, thereby
drawing the rings closer together, and thus moving the segments radially towards
the centre.
The front and back faces of the nave are surfaced, and revolve between two
washers F, F, which can move in a lateral direction. They rotate with the axle, owing
to their being provided with feathers g, entering corresponding notches made in
caps I keyed on the axle. The first mentioned washers Fare made so as to receive,
first packing of felt, leather, metal or composition of any sort, the lateral face of
this packing rests on the face of the nave; second, another packing ', inside the
hole bored in the washers which presses against the surface of the axle.
The caps I. also, can move longitudinally on feathers or keys i fixed on the axle,
and are kept in place by means of nuts J screwed on the axle.
Between the washer and cap I are springs S which have a tendency to keep them
apart, thereby keeping the washer F applied constantly against the faces of the nave,
and causing it to follow any irregularity in its movement caused by defective
construction, or owing to a wear and tear, which has not been taken up by the
improved devices. By tightening the aforesaid nuts J, the wear is compensated
laterally, whilst the tightening screws n, effect the adjustment in a radial direction. The
packing bearing on the surface of the axle, revolves with the washers F and the
axle, and prevents an escape of the lubricant, and the access of dust, the other
packings, moved along with the washers F against the side faces of the nave whose
motion they follow, fulfil the same purpose.
h¹
In another arrangement of the invention shown in Figure 3, which is a vertical
section through an axle, and wheel nave, and Figure 4 a transverse section, the nave
of a wheel M is bored cylindrically and provided with a bush B composed of two
distinct pieces, namely, a metallic socket 6, of a cylindrical form, having the same
diameter as the hole of the nave, and bored inside so that the inner surface forms a
number of sloping surfaces having all the same inclination, or elso an inclination which
gets steeper towards the outer side of the axle, and a second bushing or socket o, the
outside surface of which is composed of sloping surfaces corresponding to those in the
aforesaid socket ', and terminating at the end towards the centre of the axle in a
shoulder or flange bearing against the nave. This latter bushing is preferably
made in several segments. A nut K is screwed on the first named socket b',
on the external face of the nave, and has for its object to compensate radial
wear.
From calculations and experience, it is evident that in consequence of the overhang
of the rim, the pressure and strain on the axle is principally at the outside ends, more
adjustment is therefore required towards these points. For this reason, various
inclinations of the sloping surfaces have been adopted, the bearing width of which can
be reduced if desired. A simple conical or sloping bush cut in parts may, however, be
employed if desired, drawn into the nave by means of a nut.
The lateral wear is compensated by means of the same arrangements as described
in connection with Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Another modification is shown in Figure 5 which is a vertical section through an
axle and wheel nave. The mode of tightening is effected by a nut 1 screwed in the
nave and acting directly by pressure on the sloping surfaces of the bush instead of by
tension, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
The arrangement shown in Figures 6 and 7 may be employed, in which the adjust-
ment needed to compensate for lateral or radial play, caused by wear, can be effected
from the outside without removing any part.
This will be now described, Figure 6 being a vertical section through an axle and

page_text: wheel, and Figure 7 a cross section showing the internal bush divided into several
segments: 1st. for taking up the lateral wear, the nave is held on the outside end of
the axle by a cap G carrying, as has been described in previous arrangements, a double
packing h. and ', for the purpose of preventing the escape of the oil and the intro-
duction of dust, a fixed key or feather O, keeping the cap in position on a flanged
collar J, by means of which it rotates with the axle, whilst it can at the same time,
slide lengthwise. The collar J is screwed on the axle and secured by a set screw v or
by other suitable means for preventing it turning on the axle. A spring S¹ or
its equivalent resting on the flange of the socket presses the cap G against the face G
of the nave.
On the other side of the nave a washer or cap H is also provided having protecting
packings h, and H. It is mounted on a collar K and made to revolve with it
either by means of a key, or by two or more studs p, screwed in the flange of the
collar. The collar K can slide longitudinally on the axle in a groove cut for this
purpose. It is kept in place by a nut on the outside screwed on the axle. The studs p
have a plain cylindrical part, which is provided with a coiled wire or other spring s
which presses at one end on the shoulder formed by the screwed part of the stud,
and at the other on the washer H, and therefore presses the latter against the nave.
The spring pressure can therefore be regulated by turning the nut r.
2nd. For taking up the radial wear: By screwing up the nut, the collar causes
the external metal bush of the metal bushing E to advance so that the inclined or
sloping surfaces press against the corresponding surfaces of the internal bushes b¹
(which bear against the outside collar J and therefore cannot advance) and conse-
sequently compels the internal bush, which is divided into segments, to be moved
radially towards the centre, and these compensate for the wear.
As it is theoretically impossible that an are of a circle could coincide with another
of a lesser radius, which would be the consequence of the introduction of the internal
conical bush 6 into the external bush b, the internal bushing may, if desired, be
divided into several segments having flat outside faces, instead of curved, and which
would in cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation, have a polygonal
appearance, (see Figure 7). The edges of each sliding face of this internal bushing
are preferably parallel so that they can move longitudinally on the corresponding
faces of the external bushing. When wheels are provided with overhanging treads,
the faces of the segments may be so arranged that the radial adjustment for
compensating the wear, is greater on the outside than on the inside of the nave of
the wheel.
:
The following description will more clearly set forth an arrangement appropriate for
taking up the wear the bushing E consists of two concentric parts, an external one b,
turned to the diameter of the hole bored in the nave, the other or inner bush 6 bored
to the diameter of the axle inside the nave. The outer surface of the internal bush
represents in cross section a polygonal figure. Each of the faces forms in fact, the
side of a polygon. The bush or bushes are formed with two, three, or more sloping
or curved surfaces having a broken line formed by several arcs of different radii, the
curved surfaces being of equal or of different lengths. These curved faces coincide
with the corresponding internal surfaces of the external bush b. Now the internal
bush 6, being formed of several segments, it results that the lateral pressure produced
by tightening nut r, produces a radial convergent pressure of these parts against
that portion of the axle inside the nave, but that in consequence of the differences in
the obliquities of the curves, the pressure on the axle or shaft is greater on the outer
side, where the wear appears first of all owing to the overhang of the rim. Another
slight modification of the invention is shown in Figure 8, which is a half_vertical
section through an axle and a wheel nave, and in Figure 9 a cross section. In these
the outer bush b is made in segments, and the nave of the wheel revolves thereon.
This socket E is formed of segments, the radial wear being taken up in the hole
bored in the nave by means of a sliding bush, having the shape of a pyramid or of a
frustrum of cone, sharing the rotation of the axle either by means of a key 7 or by
any other means, but capable of sliding lengthwise. The external bush & may, or

page_text: may not, be made to turn with the nave on the internal bush 6¹, the latter being fixed
on the axle.
When the nave of the wheel revolves on the external bush, the edges of the bearing
surfaces of each face of the inner bush are parallel thereto, so that the segments of
the outer bush b can move longitudinally on each of the corresponding faces of the
internal bush. Each of these faces forms, as has been said in the foregoing, a side of
a polygon, sliding parallel to itself on a broken line composed of several different
circular arcs having different radii.
In another arrangement shown in Figures 10 and 11, for taking up the radial wear
either between the nave and the bushing, or between the bushing and the inner part
of the axle or shaft, the following automatic taking up arrangement may be employed.
The nave M is bored and made true. The device for taking up lateral wear consists
in the pressure of springs s on collars G, G, pressing against the bushes, said collars
being provided at h, with felt or other substance for the purpose of preventing the
introduction of dust and preventing the lubricant oozing out. These springs bear at
their other end on fixed or screwed rings K and J shrunk on the axle or keyed or
secured by a set screw v.
The mode of taking up the radial wear is as follows:
The inner bush b₁ is divided into two or more parts having sloping outer surfaces,
or of the form already described. These inner bushes are kept separated by a
spring R, which is placed between them, and they slide longitudinally on a fixed
key O. They rotate with the collars or washers G G. The parts of the inner bush
slide against the outer segmental sockets which they press against the hole bored
in the nave only in proportion to the wear produced between the rubbing surfaces of
the outer bushing and of the hole bored in the nave. The same end is obtained if
the inner cones & are arranged in a reverse position, that is to say with the small
bases opposite each other as shown in connection with Figures 12 and 13, the large
ones being pressed by springs R R resting either against the washers G G through the
medium or not through the medium of a plate ring, or against a fixed partition. In
this case the bushing made of several parts would have the transverse section
coinciding with those of the outer bushes.
The inner bush b¹ could, of course, be made in several parts or segments, it could
then revolve on the part of the axle inside the nave, and the adjustment would be
effected by forcing apart the outer bushes bb when slid longitudinally in the nave hole
on a fixed feather or other device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The devices for compensating or taking up radially the wear which takes place in
wheels and pulleys which revolve loosely or independently on their axles and shafts,
either when the load is normally applied upon the boss, or when it is outside or
beyond it, in which metallic sockets simple or complex are placed between the nave
and the axle capable of being moved longitudinally upon inclined surfaces by means
of one of the following arrangements.
a. A cylindrical socket or bush whose inside diameter is equal to the diameter of
the axle, and is divided into segments, the outside faces of which are made
sloping at each end, in combination with rings or collars the same diameter as
the hole in the nave and capable of being drawn together by means of screws
or nuts and thus regulate, by pressure upon the segments, the play, and take
up the wear of the moving surfaces substantially as described in reference to
Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
b. A bush or socket having an exterior bush with inclined surfaces on one
face, but whose diameter is the same as the hole in the nave, which when
moved forward along the inclined surfaces of an interior segmental bush, by
means of a nut, determines the radial pressure on the axle or shaft
substantially as described in reference to Figures 3, 4, and 5 of the
accompanying drawings.

page_text: A bush or socket having inclined surfaces, which can be adjusted so as to
determine the radial pressure on the axle, from the outside without removing
any part substantially as described in reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the
accompanying drawings.
7. A bush or socket composed of two parts bb the exterior bush divided into
segments which lie longitudinally in the nave and which may or may not share
the rotation of the axle and the interior bush which is secured to the axle
so as to rotate therewith, but which can be moved longitudinally thereon and
be thereby made by means of the pressure of a nut or its equivalent to take
up the play or regulate the pressure substantially as described in reference to
Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.
A bush or socket b' divided into two or more sections having sloping outer
surfaces and sharing the rotation of the shaft, but capable of being made
to slide longitudinally thereon, the said sections being kept separated by a
spring R placed between them whereby these are pressed against the outer
segmental sockets band thus the wear which takes place is compensated sub-
stantially as set forth in reference to Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying
drawings.
A bush or socket divided into sections, but having the cones arranged in a
reverse position to that set forth in the preceding claim, that is to say, the
small bases opposite each other, the larger bases receiving the pressure of
springs R R whose outer ends rest against the washers G G, or against a fixed
partition whereby the inner cones are pressed against the outer socket and the
play thereby taken up substantially as described in reference to Figures 12
and 13 of the accompanying drawings.
The devices for taking up the lateral wear which is common to the naves of
s or pulleys which revolve loosely or independently upon their axles or shafts
consists in the combination of rings FI or G springs S nuts or collars J
ged and combined substantially as herein described, whereby the said rings or
rs are pressed against the faces of the nave and any irregularity in the movement
f, owing to defective construction or wear is taken up.
The means employed for preventing the escape of lubricant from, and the access
st to, the rubbing surfaces which consists in the application of felt, leather,
or other packing to the washers For G in the manner substantially as
bed.
The devices substantially as herein described for taking up the radial or lateral
of the rubbing surfaces common to a wheel or pulley which revolves loosely upon
le or shaft or any mere modification of the same.
Dated the 12th Ince of Datahan 1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.