Improved Means for Absorbing or Lessening Vibration in the Driving Spindles of Centrifugal Machines and in similar Running Shafts, applicable also as a Coupling Device.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Feb., 1396
Complete Specification Left, 5th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Absorbing or Lessening Vibration in the
Driving Spindles of Centrifugal Machines and in similar
Running Shafts, applicable also as a Coupling Device.
1, PETER FYFE, of Milton Lea, Kilmalcolm, in the County of Renfrew,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to provide improved means for lessening or
preventing vibration of the driver and driven spindles of centrifugal machines and
other similarly coupled driving or driven shafts running at high speeds and to
ensure steadier running and smoother working of the parts.
To that end I secure between the driver and the driven spindle or between the
bearing bush and the bearing block or bracket an inflated or hollow air cushion
or sleeve of rubber or similar elastic material constructed by preference in the
form described in the Specification of my Letters Patent No. 25185 of 1894.
In the case of vertically suspended shafts in which the weight of the shaft does
not bear on the cushion the latter may be made simply in the form of an annular
air bag, but in general it is preferred to divide the sleeve into compartments by
means of webs which are preferably formed tangential to the inner and outer
shells of the sleeve in order the better to impart equal elasticity all round and to
distribute the pulling or torsional strain and relieve the ends of the sleeve. The
compartments may either be independently maintained under inflation or they
may communicate by small orifices in the webs which, whilst permitting of
simultaneous inflation and deflation of the whole, prevent such rapid transference
of air under pressure from one cell or compartment to another as to permit of the
shafts running out of line.
In heavy centrifugal machines in which the running shaft is driven by a belt
pulley the air cushion or sleeve is fitted on or around a stationary bush enclosing
the journal end of the spindle and extending above it so as to form a receptacle
for the lubricant which while passing down between the shaft and bush does not
come into contact with the rubber sleeve, the latter being inflated to hold fast the
bush and engage the boss head of the bearing bracket, and a protecting oil cap
or cover being fitted overhead. The bottom journal bearing over the foot step
may be similarly fitted, but in this case the oil receptacle is formed by an annular
space produced by suitably shaping the bush, the waste oil passing out through
small orifices below a removable flange on the bush and through like orifices in the
footstep bearing into a receiver below. The air cushion or sleeve is fitted between
the bush and the usual stationary centre boss of the bearing.
In the case of lighter centrifugal machines and similar apparatus the air cushion
or sleeve is fitted between the boss of the pulley and the running shaft so that it
rotates with them. A journal bearing is then formed on an extension of the boss
or nave of the pulley which runs in a bush or bearing brasses secured in the
bearing bracket. In either case vibration due to slight oscillation of the running
shaft is absorbed by the sleeve and not transmitted to the stationary parts of the
machine.
In coupling up driving and driven shafts the air cushion is fitted around the one
shaft and within a hollow end boss or thimble of the other shaft or driver or

page_text: otherwise interposed between them so that upon inflation the driver and driven
shaft are securely bound together thereby.
Or the shafts may be brought into line, a loose thimble fitted over 'them and the
air cushion or sleeve fitted between them and inflated to connect them together.
Dated this 4th day of February 1896.
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER,
Chartered Patent Agent,
62 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Applica
Improved Means for Absorbing or Lessening Vibration in the
Driving Spindles of Centrifugal Machines and in similar
Running Shafts, applicable also as a Coupling Device.
1, PETER FYFE, of Milton Lea, Kilmalcolm, in the County of Renfrew,
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:
This invention has for its object to provide improved means for lessening or
preventing vibration of the driver and driven spindles of centrifugal machines
and other similarly coupled driving or driven shafts running at high speeds and to
ensure steadier running and smoother working of the parts.
To that end I secure between the driver and the driven spindle or between the
bearing bush and the bearing block or bracket an inflated or hollow air cushion or
sleeve of rubber or similar elastic material constructed by preference in the form
described in the Specification of my Letters Patent No. 25185 of 1894.
The several figures of the accompanying drawings illustrate the invention as
applied to the driving spindles of various machines, or parts thereof.
In the case of vertically suspended shafts as shown at Figures 1 and 2 in which
the weight of the shaft A does not bear on the cushion or sleeve B the latter may
be made simply in the form of an annular air bag, but in general it is preferred to
divide the sleeve into compartments b by means of webs b' which are preferably
formed tangential to the inner and outer shells B', B2, of the sleeve B as shown at
Figure 3 in order the better to impart equal elasticity all round and to distribute
the pulling or torsional strain and relieve the ends of the sleeve B. The compart-
ments may either be independently maintained under inflation or they may
communicate by small orifices 6 in the webs 61 which, whilst permitting of
simultaneous inflation and deflation of the whole, prevent such rapid transference
of air under pressure from one cell or compartment b to another as to permit of
the shafts running out of line.
In heavy centrifugal machines such as shown at Figure 4 in which the running
shaft is driven by a bélt pulley L the air cushion or sleeve B is fitted on or around
a stationary búsh C enclosing the journal end of the spindle A¹ and extending
above it so as to form a receptacle Ď for the lubricant which while passing down
between the shaft A' and bush C does not come into contact with the rubber
sleeve B the latter being inflated to hold fast the bush C and engage the boss head
of the bearing bracket E, and a protecting oil cap or cover G being fitted overhead.
The bottom journal bearing over the foot step H may be similarly fitted, and in
this case the oil receptacle is formed by an annular space produced by suitably
shaping the bush C or by securing upon the bush an annular oil receptacle I, the
waste oil passing out through 'small orifices below a removable flange on the bush

page_text: or through orifices h in the footstep bearing H into a receiver J below. The air
cushion or sleeve B is fitted between the bush C and the usual stationary centre
boss K of the bearing.
In the case of lighter centrifugal machines and similar apparatus the air cushion
or sleeve B is fitted between the boss of the pulley L and the running shaft A' as
shown at Figure 5 so that it rotates with them. A journal bearing M is then
formed on an extension of the boss or nave of the pulley L which runs in a bush
or bearing brasses N secured in the bearing bracket E. In either case vibration
due to slight oscillation of the running shaft A' is absorbed by the sleeve B and
and not transmitted to the stationary parts of the machine.
In coupling up driving and driven shafts as shown at Figure 6 the air cushion B
is fitted around the one shaft A¹ and within a hollow end boss or thimble O of the
other shaft or driver P or otherwise interposed between them so that upon inflation
by air or other fluid the driver and driven shaft are securely bound together
thereby; or the shafts may be brought into line, a loose thimble fitted over them
and the air cushion or sleeve fitted between them and inflated to connect them
together, the coupling and uncoupling of the shafts being effected by inflating and
deflating the air tube without necessarily stopping the running shafts, pulleys or
other gear.
In coupling up light running shafts or pulleys I may interpose between the
sleeve B and the thimble or between the sleeve and the pulley boss Q a split bush
or bush made in segments R loosely fitting the driving or driven shaft or the
interior of the boss of the pulley as shown at Figures 7 and 8 and embracing or
surrounding the sleeve B which may be made of the cellular form already described
and shown at Figure 3, the sleeve being filled with air or other fluid under pressure.
Upon inflation of the air tube the split bush grips or engages the boss of the
pulley on which it is fitted and serves to couple together the shafts or the shaft
and pulley. Air to inflate the sleeve B is admitted thereto through the shaft S
which is made tubular for this purpose, an air pipe T being preferably carried
through it terminating in the axial line of the shaft and its end being connected.
through a stuffing box or like device to a stationary pipe connected to an air
pressure vessel or air pump or other inflator. Inflation and deflation to couple and
uncouple the shafts or pulley is effected by operating a suitable cock or valve
fitted in the piping. This arrangement permits of dispensing with fast and loose
running pulleys a single loose pulley only being necessary which is coupled or
clutched on to the shaft in the manner described and is operated by simply
admitting air or other fluid under pressure and exhausting or allowing it to escape
from the pneumatic sleeve B, and brings the split bush or segments Ⓡ into contact
with the interior of the pulley boss.
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. As means for absorbing or lessening vibration in driving or driven spindles
and running shafts a cushion or sleeve divided into compartments maintained under
inflation and adapted directly or indirectly to couple the shafts or spindles
substantially as described.
2. The improved means for absorbing or lessening vibration of the driver and
driven spindles of centrifugal machines and similar running shafts consisting of
an inflated or hollow air cushion or sleeve secured between the shaft and the
bearing block substantially as described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
3. The improved means for absorbing or lessening vibration of the driver and
driven spindles of centrifugal machines and similar running shafts consisting of
an inflated or hollow air cushion or sleeve of rubber or similar elastic material
fitted around a bush enclosing the end of the spindle and secured in the bearing
block said sleeve being adapted to engage with and hold said bush fast while the

page_text: spindle revolves within it substantially as described with reference to Figure 4 of
the accompanying drawings.
4. The improved means for coupling pulleys to the spindles of centrifugal
machines and similar running shafts, consisting of an inflated or hollow air cushion
or sleeve of rubber or similar elastic material fitted into the boss of the driving
pulley and surrounding the driven spindle and adapted upon the inflation of said
sleeve or cushion to couple together the pulley and shaft substantially as described
with reference to Figures 5, 7 and 8.
5. The improved means for coupling the spindles of centrifugal machines and
similar running shafts, consisting of an inflated or hollow air cushion or sleeve of
rubber or similar elastic material fitted within a thimble on the driving spindle and
surrounding the driven spindle, said sleeve being adapted upon inflation to engage
with and couple the driven to the driving spindle substantially as described with
reference to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 4th day of November 1896.
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER
(Of the Firm of Cruikshank & Fairweather),
Chartered Patent Agents,
62 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Applicant.