Improvements in Anti-friction Bearings.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 10th Apr., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Anti-friction Bearings.
1, ANDREW YOUNG SMALL, of No. 94 Turner Street, Brockton, in the County
of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Gentleman, do
hereby declare the nature of my 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 means for lubricating and otherwise reducing the
friction of shafts in their bearings, and as here shown, is designed with special
reference to the support and lubrication of shafts from below or the under side, the
bearing supporting the weight of the shaft and its adjuncts, although the bearing
may rest on the shaft or journal, as in the case of car-axles, which latter support
the bearing.
The object of this invention is the production of a simple and thoroughly
practical anti-friction bearing, in which one or more of the rotary parts comprising
the shaft or journal and the anti-friction rollers possesses the further function of
supplying oil to the contacting portions of the shaft and roller, so that in addition
to the anti-frictional support afforded by the roller-bearings there is a constant
lubrication which still further reduces the friction and wear.
To this end, the invention consists in the construction and combination of parts
substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,―
Figure 1 represents a side elevation, and
Figure 2 a longitudinal section of a shaft-hanger embodying the improvements,
the yoke-bracket for supporting said hanger being omitted.
Figure 3 represents a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2, said figure also showing
the yoke-bracket in elevation.
Figure 4 represents a section on line 4-4 of Figure 2.
Figure 5 represents an end elevation, from either end of Figure 1.
Figure 6 represents a longitudinal section, showing a somewhat different
construction, particularly adapted to support the shaft of a dynamo or electric
motor.
Figure 7 represents a section on line 7-7 of Figure 6.
Figure 8 represents a section on line 8-8 of Figure 7.
Figure 9 represents an end elevation of the form shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8.
Figure 10 represents a section similar to Figure 4, showing a somewhat different
arrangement of rolls.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.
Referring first to Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, a indicates the oil-reservoir, of
substantially semi-cylindrical shape in cross-section, and 6 indicates the cap or
cover therefor, the two being provided with suitable ears adapted to be secured
together by screws or bolts c.
9,
Within the oil-reservoir are bearings f for the anti-friction rollers said
bearings being formed in a plurality of cross-bars e (preferably three), said cross-
bars having orifices f' next the bottom of the oil-reservoir, in order that the oil
may pass them freely. Each side of the reservoir, midway of its length, is
provided with an ear or lug h. The said ears or lugs h are each provided with a
cone-shaped recess k to form bearings for the pointed trunnions adjustably carried
by the ends of the fork or yoke-bracket m by means of which the shaft-bearing is
suspended.

page_text: The ends of the reservoir and cover are suitably recessed to admit the shaft n,
which rests on the three anti-friction rollers and is closely fitted above by the
cover b. Said shaft is provided with collars oo to prevent oil from working
outwardly along the shaft, and the cover b is provided with hoods or raised
portions p to receive the upper parts of said collars.
The cover is also provided with lugs q extending down within the sides of the
reservoir, the lower ends of said lugs being concave to bear on and fit the trunnions
of the two side rollers. In the drawings, three such lugs are shown, the central one
on each side bearing on a reduced portion of the roller.
The middle or lower one of the three anti-friction rollers g is preferably larger
than the others, and this roller (as well as the others if the amount of oil in the
reservoir is sufficient) takes up oil and applies it to the shaft, thus still further
reducing the friction and wear.
Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 illustrate a construction adapted particularly to support
the shaft of a dynamo.
In this form, instead of the ears h, trunnions 1, and yoke-bracket m, the bearing
is supported with some freedom of movement in a fixed standard r, which is in the
form of a fork or yoke and is provided with a flat surfaces on which the shaft-
bearing may rock longitudinally.
The oil-reservoir is formed with a rocker t on its lower portion, to rest on said
bases, and the latter is depressed so as to leave a shoulder u at each end, whereby
the rocker t is retained in position end wise.
r"
The standard has an arin v extending up on each side of the oil-reservoir, and
the two arms are connected by an arch or bridge w, the inner surface of which is
curved, as shown at x in Figure 8, said curved surface being in contact with the
top of the cover b, the bridge serving to hold the cover on the oil-reservoir but
permitting said reservoir and cover to oscillate slightly in a longitudinal direction
or to be adjusted in such direction on the base s. In this form, the screws or
bolts c are omitted, the bolts y which secure the bridge w to the arms of the
standard serving, through the medium of the bridge, to hold the cover in place.
This invention is not restricted to the precise details of construction shown, and
certain modifications may be made within the scope of the claims. For instance,
the cross-bars or ribs e having the bearings for the rollers may be separate from
the casing a, instead of integral therewith.
In Figure 10, I show a construction which is like that shown in Figure 4,
excepting that the side rollers are elevated, to give a better support to the shaft
against an approximately horizontal draft or strain.
It will be seen that the trunnions and sockets k shown in Figure 3, and the
rocker and flat base s shown in Figure 6, constitute complemental bearings which
permit a longitudinal oscillation of the reservoir, for the purpose of maintaining the
rolls in exact parallelism with the shaft.
The collars o o are preferably made of sheet-metal sections clamped upon the
shaft. Packings o' of felt or other suitable material may be interposed between
the collars and shaft, to prevent oil from creeping outwardly through the crevices
between the collars and shaft.
I do not limit myself to the relative arrangement of the oil-reservoir, rollers, and
shaft here shown, whereby one or more of the rollers is caused to take up oil and
supply it to the shaft, as my invention may be applied to a car-axle box, the rollers
being located above the shaft or journal portion of the axle, and out of contact with
the accumulation of oil, in which case the lower portion of the axle itself may
project into the oil, the result being the same as that of the arrangement shown in
the drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1 In a hoaxing of th
1
1
2

page_text: having bearings for a plurality of rollers, anti-friction rollers journalled in said
bearings and arranged to support the shaft and to transfer oil thereto from the
reservoir, a fixed support for said reservoir, and complemental bearings on said
reservoir and support, whereby the reservoir is permitted to oscillate longitudinally
to maintain its rolls in parallelism with the shaft.
2. The combination with the oil-reservoir having the central ears, of the cross-
bars or ribs, a plurality of anti-friction rollers mounted in said bars, and the
yoke-bracket or hanger having trunnion engagement with said ears.
3. The combination with the oil-reservoir having central cars, of the cross-bars
or ribs forming bearings, anti-friction rollers mounted in said bearings, the cover
having lugs extending down inside of the reservoir, said lugs to bear on the
trunnions of the rollers, and the bracket or hanger having trunnion connections
with said ears.
4. The combination with the oil-reservoir, of a plurality of anti-friction rollers
mounted therein, and the cap or cover secured to said reservoir and having luga
extending down inside thereof and fitted to the trunnions or axles of the rollers.
5. The combination with the oil-reservoir a having ears h, of the cross-bars or
ribs having three sets of bearings f, the cover b bolted to the reservoir, the rollers g
in the bearings f, and the yoke-bracket m having trunnions fitted to said ears h,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this lot day of Tonuar 1907
ANDREW YOUNG SMALL.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.