Improvements in Bearings for Continuous Shafting to be Employed on Board Sea-going Steamers.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 7th Oct., 1899
CONILETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bearings for Continuous Shafting to be Employed on
Board Sea-going Steamers.
I, LAWRENCE HARDIE DRAKE, Naval Architect and Marine Surveyor, 157, Fen-
church Street, London, E.C., 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:-
My within invention relates more particularly to the class of bearings and
shafting which are adapted to be arranged on the interior of all types of screw
steamers, single or twin screws. And the object is to provide bearings for a
continuous shafting, which shall within certain limits allow the shaft to revolve
freely, reduce the vibration, and to prevent any undue strain upon the engines,
couplings and shafting. Notwithstanding that the bearings or plummer blocks
are more or less out of line on the shafting being bent, and also the strains due
to the difference of temperatures, there are however other strains caused thro dry
docking, by placing the vessel on uneven blocks, besides the uneven loading of
cargo's which cause the vessel to hogg and sagg more heavily when exposed to
rough weather and heavy sea's.
What I claim for my invention is to employ movable tables supported by springs
to replace the rigid bearings now in use, thus to obviate the undue strain put
on the shaftings and bearings, caused thro the hogging, sagging and straining
of the vessel. The whole to be applied as set forth in the above and following
statements and drawings herewith.
In reference to the accompanying drawings (Fig. 1) is a view in side elevation
embodying some features of my invention which represents a portion of the
shaft (S) in place.
(Figs. 1, 2, & 3,) are views of the stool and frame work showing the principle
how the springs can be applied, but these may be manufactured in various ways
and in accordance with the weights of shafting to be employed.
The vertical movable table (B) as shown by the dotted lines in (Figs. 1, & 2,)
is fitted between the columns (0) and supported by the springs (PP) where two
or more springs may be employed, the vertical table (1) being left sufficiently
clear to allow the springs (PP) to move the table (B) in an upward or downward
action as the case may arise, thus the springs adjust the table and bearings
automatically.
(Fig. 2) is a plan view showing the shaft (S) in place. The horizontal thwartship
sliding table (M) with the plummer blocks (R) fixed thereto and fitted in the
groves (VV) on the vertical table B as shown by the dotted lines in (Figs. 1
& 2) the springs (C C) being placed between the sides of the plummer blocks (R)
and the frame or columns (F F) leaving sufficient space at the ends of
springs (CC) for travel to allow the table (M) to move athwartships should the
vessel be straining in that direction, or in the event of the shaft being bent.
The horizontal sliding table (M) and the plummer blocks (R) may be manu-
factured in one piece, the dotted lines in (Fig. 1) showing the upper table (M)
in position between the groves (V V) on the vertical table (B) thus should the

page_text: shaft be bent or the plummer blocks be out of line the springs (C C) will adjust
the table and bearings automatically.
(Fig. 3) is an end view of my improved bearing showing the sections of springs
in position, the springs (P P) shown in (Figs. 1 & 2) are in a fore and aft
line but they may be placed athwartships under the table (B) if necessary or
applied in a hanging position suspended between the columns (0) altho this is
not shown in the accompanying drawings.
(Fig. 4) is a section of the stool or frame work showing the recess where the
vertical moveable table (B) is to be fitted between the columns (0). (Fig. 5) is
a plan view of table (1) showing the corners recessed to meet the column (0)
thus to reduce the faced surface, the other parts of the table (1) being left clear
of the frame work. The (Figs. 6, 7 & 8) are views showing the plummer
block (R) and thwartship sliding table (M) manufactured in one piece.
(Fig. 9) is a view of the guide bars (V) with bevelled edges to prevent the
thwartship sliding table (M) from being lifted out of place, the guide bars (V)
being bolted to the table (1) (Fig. 5).
I do not limit myself to the precise number of bearings, or springs, to be used
or in what position placed. Spiral springs, or otherwise, neither do I limit
myself to exact outline of manufacturing the tables and supports as they may
be varied in some degree without departing from the invention.
Having particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim
is:―
A bearing for continuous shafting to be employed on board sea going steamers,
where the structure is subject to curvature, substantially as described and for the
purpose set forth.