Improvements in Journal Bearings.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 5th Apr., 1887.
[Communicated from abroad by THOMAS W. BROOMELL, residing at Christiana, in the
County of Lancaster, and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America.]
Improvements in Journal Bearings.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the county of Middlesex, M.L.M.E.
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:
The present invention has relation to that class of boxes or bearings formed in
sections and provided with means for taking up the wear caused by the frictional
contact of the journal of shaft thereof, and refers more particularly to the boxes for
crank or Pitman connections, and to the cross head boxes of all engines, saw mill
crank boxes &c.
The object of this invention is to improve the means heretofore employed whereby
the action of the wedge is more positive; and the invention consists in connecting
with an upright wedge, a horizontal wedge, controlled by a spring, (adjusted by a set
nut) which forces it forward, said wedge forming a support for the upright wedge and
acting as a follower to automatically force it against the movable box section, whereby
said section is made to compensate for wear, as will he hereinafter described. In the
drawing-Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a cross head of a connecting rod
embodying this invention.
A represents the cross head end of the connecting rod, and B and C the two box
sections formed of the metal usually employed for the purpose. The box section B
which is movable has a straight outer face a, and between it and the inner end of the
rod A is located an upright wedge D. The incline face a of the wedge D acts or
rests against the incline end d of the rod A. The lower end of the wedge D rests
upon, and is supported by a horizontal wedge E which I term the "follower wedge
and back of this wedge is located a spiral or other formed of spring F which forces it
forward as wear occurs on the box and crank pin, elevating wedge D and forcing
inwardly the box section B.
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The outer end of the spring rests on the head of the adjusting bolt G, which passes
through lug a and provided with set-nuts H, I.

page_text: The object of this arrangement is to regulate the tension of the spring against the
wedge E, so that the movable box section B, will be forced into place evenly and
steadily as the wear takes place; and this is accomplished by turning the nuts H and I,
which forces the bolt against or away from the spring, compressing and relaxing the
same, thereby giving it a greater or less tension against the wedge E.
The angles of wedges D and E are in such proportions to each other, and in
connection with the spring-F, that box B is held in place; and the strength of the
wedges and spring combined will move it forward as wear takes place.
The forward tendency of box B is so slight that no perceptable friction is caused.
There is no possibility of the box B becoming displaced, or relaxing its pressure
around the crank shaft, because the wedge D is supported by wedge E.
The modification shown in Fig. 2 consists in forming an angle on the movable
box B, and on the outside of the wedge D. The spring in this case is not provided
with any tension adjuster, but is simply placed in behind the wedge E, and therefore
has to be of the required tension when inserted into different Pitman boxes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
as communicated to me by my foreign Correspondent and in what manner the same is
to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:
First In a Pitman box the "follower wedge" E, forced in any direction by a
spring or any other means, and acting upon the wedge D, which moves the movable
box B, towards the fixed box C, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Second In a Pitman box, the wedge D, acting upon the movable box B, and acted
upon by the "follower wedge" E, which is forced outward by the spring F, having
its tension regulated by set screws as described and substantially for the purpose
set forth.
Third The movable .box B, acted upon by the wedge D, moved by the "follower
wedge E, acted upon by a spring or other means-substantially as set forth.
Fourth The combination of the "follower wedge "E, wedge D, movable box B,
spring F, adjusting nuts II and I, fixed box C, and connecting rod A, all arranged
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
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