IMPROVEMENTS IN CRANK SHAFTS AND CRANK AXLES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Turton, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Iron and Steel Manufacturer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CRANK
SHAFTS AND CRANK AXLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Turton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th April 1880.
THOMAS TURTON, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Iron and Steel
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CRANK SHAFTS AND CRANK AXLES."
Crank shafts and axles as heretofore mado have been liable to break and fracture
mainly in consequence of defects in manufacture, and the fact is many failures
have occurred at sea in steam ships and on railway from such breakages and
fractures. Now the object of my Invention is to so construct these important
parts of engines and machines that breakage or rupture is quite unlikely to occur,
spare parts are easily carried and applied, the manufacture is made more easy, and
other advantages result.
For that purpose I make the crank pin and part of the crank or cranks, according
as it is a single or double crank, in one piece, and I form the other part or parts of
the crank or cranks with the shaft or axle. The two parts of each crank are fitted
together, and secured firmly by bolts and nuts (or their equivalents) passed through
lugs or webs on both parts.
In some cases I connect the two parts by a dovetail joint, single or double, at
the junction of the parts of the webs of the cranks, and usually I employ such
dovetail with or in addition to the bolts.
The essential feature of the Invention is making the web of each crank in two
or more pieces, and securing them together, the one part being integral with the
crank pin, and the other part with the shaft or axle.
It will be obvious that suitable metals can be used for different parts.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Turton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th October
1880.
THOMAS TURTON, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Iron and Steel
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CRANK SHAFTS AND CRANK AXLES."
Crank shaft and axles as heretofore inade have been liable to break and fracture
mainly in consequence of defects in manufacture, and the fact is many failures
-have-occurred-at-sea--in..steamships and on railway from such breakages and
fractures. Now the object of my Invention is to so construct these important
parts of engines that breakage or rupture is quite unlikely to occur, spare parts
are easily carried and applied, the manufacture is made more easy, and other
advantages result.
For that purpose I make the crank pin and part of the crank or cranks, according
as it is a single or double crank, in one piece, and I form the other part or parts of
the crank or cranks with the shaft or axle. The two parts of each crank aro fitted
together, and secured firmly by bolts and nuts (or their equivalents) passed through
lugs or webs on both parts.
In some cases I connect the two parts by a dovetail joint, single or double, at
the junction of the parts of the webs of the cranks, and usually I employ such
dovetail with or in addition to the bolts..
The essential feature of the Invention is making the web of each crank in two
or more pieces and securing them together, the one part being integral with the
crank pin, and the other part with the shaft or axle.
It will be obvious that suitable metals can be used for different parts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is an end view, and Fig. 2 a side elevation of a double crank and crank
axle constructed in accordance with my Invention. a is the crank pin, and
b, b¹, are parts of the cranks, all made in one piece; c, c², crank shaft forged with
the crank webs d, d'. The parts b', b¹, are constructed with grooves e, into which
fit projections f on the crank webs d, d¹. The grooves and projections form
dovetail joints, and keys g are employed to hold the parts closely together. Bolts
and nuts further servo to securely connect the parts and form a strong durable
crank.
Fig. 3 is an end view, and Fig. 4 a side elevation of a modified double crank
constructed under my Invention. Here the grooves e and projections fare rectangular,
and serve simply for adjustment and to prevent lateral motion of the parts. The
bolts and nuts tako all the strain in holding the crank webs 6, b³, d, d',
together.
Fig. 5 is an end view of a crank and axle either doublo or single. In this
modification the crank pin and part b is separated from the axle and web d by the
intermediate block i. The three portions of the crank are held together by bolts
and nuts h, and a rectangular groove and projection f, g, serve as adjustment pieces.
The rectangular grooves and projections may be replaced by dovetail grooves and
projections, as described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. Cranks constructed as
above described are suitable for long throws, and by alteration of the intermediate
piece may be made to fit engines of any length of stroke, thus enabling a number
of crank axles and pins to be kept in stock.
Fig. 6 is an end view, and Fig. 7 a side elevation of a modification of double
crank and axle, constructed in manner similar to that described under Figs. 1 and 2,
except that no key is used, and the bolts and nuts h are dispensed with, and their t

page_text: place supplied by clips j, which are shrunk on after the pieces b, b¹, d, d², have been
fitted together.
Fig. 8 is an end view, and Fig. 9 a side elevation of a crank and crank axle,
in which the pieces b, b', are connected together by a dovetail joint similar to
that described under Figs. 6 and 7. Here however the said parts are held together
by the bolt clips k. The said clips encircle the parts d, d¹, whilst the bolts pass
through holes in the pieces b, b', and are secured in position by nuts.
Fig. 10 is an end view, and Fig. 11 a side elevation of a modification of crank
and axle similar to that described in Figs. 6 and 7, except that instead of double
clips j, a single band surrounds the pieces d, d³, b, b¹.
The said Invention is equally applicable to single crank, and as will be obvious
various modifications of the said improvements may, be made without departing
from my Invention.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, so that others will be enabled to carry my improvements
into effect, I claim,-
First. Constructing cranks and crank axles, substantially in the manner and for
the purposes herein set forth.
Second. Constructing cranks and crank axles in two or more pieces held together,
substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Turton, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
THOMAS TITTON
THOMAS TURTON. (L.S.)