Improvements in Bearings for Propeller and other Shafts.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bearings for Propeller and other Shafts.
1, WILLIAM ZACHARIAH GAFFIELD, of Marshall, Harrison County, Texas, United
States of America, 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 relates to certain improvements in bearings for propeller and
other shafts.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved shaft bearing which will
receive all thrust and strain on the shaft and hold the same rigid and true, and
thereby reduce friction at all bearings, also whereby friction will be reduced to a
minimum thereby saving fuel, oil, and time, gaining power, and speed and preventing
wear.
These objects are accomplished by and my invention consists in certain novel
features of construction and in combinations of parts more fully described
hereinafter.
Referring to the accompanying drawings;-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the stern of a vessel showing the present
invention applied thereto.
.
Figure 2 is a detail longitudinal section of the peculiar bearing.
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively, a detached end and side elevation of the thrust
block.
Figures 5 and 6, are respectively, elevations of opposite ends of one of the collars
secured to the propeller shaft.
Figure 7 is a detail elevation showing the collars on the shaft at one end of the
thrust block.
Figure 8 is an elevation of one section of a sectional collar clamped to the shaft
and bearing against the thrust block.
In the drawings, the reference letter a, indicates the stern of a vessel. The
propeller shaft b, is located in the vessel as usual and carries the screw or other
propeller c.
d, indicates a thrust or bearing block for said shaft rigidly and firmly mounted
on the keels of the vessel, whereby a firm foundation is secured. The ends of this
block around the shaft are hardened, or annular steel rings e, are imbedded in the
opposite end faces of the block, and these washers or bardened ends are each provided
with one or more annular grooves f, concentric with the propeller shaft.
A pair of collars or sleeves 9 g, embrace the shaft at the opposite ends of the thrust
block, and are tightly clamped to the shaft to rotate therewith by set screws h, or
other suitable means.
At their inner ends these collars are hardened or provided with embedded steel
rings el corresponding and located opposite to the hardened portions or rings e of the
thrust block and these rings el e', are provided with annular grooves f1 corresponding
to and located opposite grooves f. A series of steel balls i, are located in said
grooves ff and receive all strain and thrust of the shaft on the block.
These grooves and the balls therein are to be of such relative dimensions that the
balls can freely run or revolve in the grooves so that but a small portion of the
periphery of each ball comes in contact with the walls of the grooves thereby
reducing friction to a minimum.
Each collar at its inner end is provided with an inwardly extending annular
flange. These flanges surround the inner ends of the thrust block, and the space
between the ends of said block and collars, thereby protecting the balls from
dust, dirt etc.

page_text: A pair of collars jj, are rigidly clamped to the propelling shaft at the outer ends
of the collars g g, and set screw k, bear at their opposite ends against the adjoining
faces of the collars 9, and j, and are adapted to take up lost motion between collars gg,
and thrust block.
These collars and the thrust block can be formed solid or separable. When a
vessel is provided with this invention during construction these parts are usually
solid, but when being put on an old vessel separable parts are used so that the
vessel need not be docked. This device not only reduces friction and wear but the
balls working parallel keeps the shaft in line and true.
In the drawings but one series of the balls are shown at each end of the thrust
block, but of course as many series can be employed as deemed necessary.
This device is particularly adapted for use with propeller shafts, but it is not
confined to such use.
It is evident that various changes might be resorted to in the construction and
arrangements of parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of
my invention, hence I do not wish to limit myself to the precise construction herein
set forth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The combination of the shaft, a thrust block, collars secured to the shaft at
the ends of said block and bearing on the ends of said block, and anti friction balls
interposed between said block and collars, substantially as described.
2nd. The combination of the shaft, a thrust or bearing block for the same having
annular grooves in its ends eccentric with the shaft, collars clamped to the shaft at
each end of said block and having an annular groove in their inner ends corre
sponding to said grooves of the block, and anti friction rollers or balls confined
in said grooves and interposed between the collars and block, substantially as
described.
3rd. The combination of the shaft, a thrust or bearing block therefor provided with
steel rings embedded in its ends having an annular groove concentric with the shaft,
collars clamped on the shaft at the ends of said block and provided with steel rings
embedded in their inner ends and having grooves corresponding to the block grooves
and balls in said grooves and interposed between the block and collars, substantially
as described.
4th. The combination of the shaft, a thrust block therefor, collars secured to said
shaft at the ends of the block, balls interposed between said collars and block, another
set of collars secured to the shaft at the outer ends of said first mentioned collars, and
screws interposed between each pair of collars for the purpose set forth.
5th. The combination of the shaft, a thrust block for the same, collars secured to
the shaft at the ends of said block, balls interposed between the ends of said collars
and block, and inwardly projecting annular flanges on the collars surrounding the
spaces between the collars and block, substantially as described.
Dated this 8th day of July 1890.
W. Z. GAFFIELD.
By L. W., per F. B.