IMPROVEMENTS IN ANTIFRICTION JOURNALS AND BEARINGS IN THE METHOD AND MEANS OF MAKING THE SAME AND IN COMPOSITIONS THEREFOR
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I, WILLIAM W. SMALLEY of the village of Bound Brook, Somerset County,
New Jersey U.S.A. Administrator of the Estate of John Smalley deceased late of
Bound Brook, New Jersey, do hereby declare the nature of said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN ANTIFRICTION JOURNALS AND BEARINGS IN THE METHOD AND
MEANS OF MAKING THE SAME AND IN COMPOSITIONS THEREFOR, to be as
follows:-
This invention relates first to certain improvements in antifriction journals and
bearings, secondly to the methods and means of manufacturing such journals and
bearings, and thirdly to the antifriction composition employed in connection with
the aforesaid antifriction journals and bearings.
.Tho journal or bearing may be of any of the usual forms, the peculiarity thereof
consisting in the arrangement of the receptacles or pockets within which is
contained the antifriction substance which serves as a lubricant to prevent friction,
heating and wear.
These pockets have sometimes been made in the form of screw threads or radial
openings or recesses which while they will serve to retain an antifriction
composition, render the journal or the bearing extremely difficult to manufacture,
necessitating in the most instances the milling or drilling of the recesses in the
solid blocks.
To avoid this difficulty each recess is made to conform practically to part of a
disk or semi-disk having its centre coincident with the axis of the bearing, but at
an angle thereto, the side faces of the various pockets of each bearing being upon
parallel planes, at right angles to a central longitudinal plane.
When the bearing is cast upon such a core it will have a central longitudinal,
cylindrical opening or bore, and a series of inner channels parallel to each other,
but each at an angle to the axis.
By this arrangement a core can be made in the ordinary two part core box,
which core will draw readily without liability to break.
The compositions which are best adapted for lubricating generally contain gums
or. resins which necessitate the heating of the same in order to soften them
sufficiently to permit their introduction into the receptacle, and it has been found
[Price 6d.]

page_text: difficult, in ordinary modes of manufacture, to secure uniform results and the
complete packing of the receptacles, owing to the liability of the material to
become chilled during the process of packing.
To avoid these difficulties the composition is introduced and packed into the
receptacles under powerful pressure while maintaining the bearing blocks or parts
containing the receptacles as well as the composition itself, at a uniform temperature,
thereby insuring sufficient softness to permit the receptacles to be completely filled
and preventing any chilling of the composition when it comes in contact with the
metal, so that the two will be strongly cemented together.
Different appliances are employed in carrying out this modo of packing the
receptacles, depending somewhat upon the shape and character of the bearing.
The composition is softened in a suitable steam heated receptacle, and is carried
or flows therefrom into the bearing around a slightly tapering plunger or mandrel.
The composition usually employed for filling the pockets is of suitable character
containing any available lubricating ingredient, as graphite, and any gum or
material possessing adhesiveness and capable of “vulcanization,” which is packed
in the pockets as before described.
A composition which has proved to be most suitable for use in this class of
bearings, consists essentially of a mixture of graphite, shellac, and gum-copal.
In making the said composition heat or a suitable solvent or solvents is used for
the shellac and copal, and the ingredients are combined in any suitable manner.
It is best to make two compositions, one containing shellac and graphite, the other
of gum-copal and graphite; and to then combine the same in the desired
proportion for the purpose intended.
The shellac composition is made by dissolving say 25 parts by weight of shellac
into alcohol and stirring in 75 parts of graphite, or by fusing the shellac and
combining the graphite therewith, forming a dough like composition which is
spread, dried and pulverized, preferably ground to a fine powder in a mill.
The copal composition is made by softening pulverized gum-copal in turpentine
and adding sufficient alcohol to effect a solution, taking say 1 pint of turpentine
to 6 lbs. of copal and adding alcohol in sufficient quantities to dissolve all the
gum-copal. Graphite is then mixed with the solution in sufficient quantities,
preferably 75 parts of graphite and 25 parts gum-copal, so as to makon paste which
is dried and powdered, as before stated for the shellac composition.
The preliminary treatment of the gum-copal with turpentine has proved to be
a most important and valuable step as thereby it is thus possible to secure a
quicker, stronger and more effective solution of the gum than by acting upon it
with alcohol alone.
The two powders are combined in suitable proportions and forced in the grooves,
recesses or receptacles of boxes as with other lubricating compositions.

page_text: COMILELE
DILCIFICATION.
I, WILLIAM W. Smalley of Bound Brook, Somerset, New Jersey, United States,
Administrator of the Estate of John Smalley, deceased, late of Bound Brook, New
Jersey, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
ANTI-FRICTION JOURNALS AND BEARINGS, IN THE METHOD AND MEANS OF MAKING
THE SAME, AND IN COMPOSITIONS THEREFOR, 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 first to certain improvements in anti-friction journals and
bearings, secondly to the methods and means of manufacturing such journals and
bearings, and thirdly to the anti-friction composition employed in connection with
the aforesaid anti-friction journals and bearings.
The journal or bearing may be of any of the usual forms, the peculiarity thereof
consisting in the arrangement of the receptacles or pockets within which is contained
the anti-friction substance which serves as a lubricant to prevent friction, heating
and wear.
These pockets have sometimes been made in the form of screw threads or radial
openings or recesses which while they will serve to retain an anti-friction com-
position, render the journal or the bearing extremely difficult to manufacture,
necessitating in the most instances the milling or drilling of the recesses in the
solid blocks.
To avoid this difficulty each recess is mado to conform practically to part of a
disk or semi-disk having its centre coincident with the axis of the bohring, but at
an angle thereto, the side faces of the various packets of each bearing being upon
parallel planes, at right angles to a central longitudinal plane.
The general form and arrangement of these pockets will best be understood by
reference to Figs 1 and 2, which illustrate the form of the core which is used in
casting a bearing box for a wagon wheel pulley block or other object similar to that
illustrated in Fig 7.
In said Figs 1 and 2, A represents the cylindrical body of the core; a, a, represents
the core projections, which correspond essentially to parts of series of parallel disks,
through which the body A, may be supposed to extend, the centres of the disks
coinciding with the axis of the body A, and each disk being at an angle to the said
axis, as shown.
When the bearing is cast upon such a core it will have a central longitudinal,
cylindrical opening or bore, and a series of inner chanuels parallel to each other,
but each at an angle to the axis.
By this arrangement a core can be made in the ordinary two part core box,
which core will draw readily without liability to break.
Thus if the core box consists of two portions B, C, Figs 5 and 6 separated upon
the plane x, the core will draw readily from each part, inasmuch as the sides of the
projections a coincide with vertical planes, at right angles to the plane x, which is

page_text: the plane of separation of the box. Of course to secure this result care must be
taken to form the sections of the box so that each will embody the proper portion
of the core. If, for instance, each section of the box was formed to coincide to that
portion of the core upon one side of the line y, Fig 2, the core would not draw from
the box, but by making each portion to coincide with one of the parts divided by 5
the line 2, Fig 2 (which part is shown in top view Fig 1) the requisite draft of the
core is secured, and with the core thus made I am enabled to cast in one piece a
bearing complete with the requisite channels or pockets for the composition, thus
avoiding the usual expensive milling and drilling operations.
A box or bearing cast from a core, such as illustrated in Figs 1, 2 and 5, will 1
when divided upon the line y, Fig 2, represent. the sectional appearance shown in
Fig 7, and when divided upon the line, Figs 2 and 7, will present the sectional
appearance shown in Fig 8.
It will be seen that for part of its extent cach groove e, formed in the benring by
each projection a, upon the core, will have its sides inclined to the bore, as illustrated 1
in Fig 8, thus constituting a kind of undercut channel especially adapted to retaining
the thick and viscid composition which is placed in the channels to reduce friction,
heating and wear.
Where the channels are to be in the exterior face of the cylindrical journal, the
core is of course of a corresponding shape, coinciding usually with the parts B, C,
of the core box before described, the bearings being cast inside of said box.
In some cases the projections a, may coincide to parts of semi-disks, those upon
one-half of the body A, being arranged at an angle to those upon the other half, as
illustrated in Figs 3 and 4.
In such a case the core box is divided upon the plane, where the edges of the 2
disks upon one half of the body meet those upon the opposite half. In this case as
before the core draws readily from each part of the box, and makes a bearing
channeled throughout its length and well adapted to hold the anti-friction compound
hereinafter described.
It will be obvious that the boxes or recesses may be of different forms, the
principle of the invention being that the side faces of the curves on each side of
the plane, of the bearing, shall be upon parallel vertical planes at right angles
to the said bearing plane. This will insure the drawing of the bearing or core
from the part in which it is embedded as far as the bearing plane.
The method of filling the bearing pockets or openings with composition is
illustrated in Figs 9 to 12, in which:
Fig 9, is a sectional view showing a bearing box with an anti-friction composition.
Fig 10, is a sectional elevation of a machine for packing the composition in
the box.
Fig 11 is a view illustrating the mode of boring out the box.
Fig 12 is a perspective view showing the relative position of the box, holder and
mandrel.
In Fig 9 the bearing is shown as consisting of two semi-tubular sections d, d',
forming together a tube adapted to receive the shaft or journal and grooved as
before described, to receive the anti-friction composition w, it will, however, bo
understood that the bearing block may be of any of the various different forms in
which it is common to make them, according to the purpose for which they are
employed and that the recesses, pockets or receptacles may be of any suitable
shape.
The compositions which are best adapted for lubricating generally contain gums
or resins which necessitate the heating of the same in order to soften them suffi-
ciently to permit their introduction into the receptacle, and it has been found
difficult, in ordinary modes of manufacture, to secure uniform results and the com-
plete packing of the receptacles, owing to the liability of the material to become
chilled during the process of packing.
To avoid these difficulties the composition is introduced and packed into the
receptacles under powerful pressure while maintaining the bearing blocks or parts

page_text: containing the receptacles as well as the composition itself, at a uniform tempera-
ture, thereby insuring sufficient softness to permit the receptacles to be completely.
filled and preventing any chilling of the composition when it comes in contact with
the metal, so that the two will be strongly cemented together.
Different appliances are employed in carrying out this mode of packing the
receptacles, depending somewhat upon the shape and character of the bearing, but the
general features of all are similar and will be understood from a description of the
device illustrated in the drawings, which is adapted for filling bearings for journals
such as is shown in Fig 9.
A tubular holder D, is made, either of one piece or of two or more sections
secured together and adapted to receive the bearing H, and hold the parts thereof
securely in their relative position. The holder with the bearing block within the
samo is introduced into the chamber S, of a hollow casing V, through which is
maintained a current of steam or hot air or gas, whereby such a temperature is
maintained as will prevent the chilling of the composition and maintain it in a
softened condition..
The composition is softened in a suitable steam heated receptacle, and is carried
or flows therefrom into the bearing around a slightly tapering plunger or mandrel I,
slightly smaller in diameter than the opening in the bearing and which is moved
and worked by hand as the composition is introduced between it and the bearing
until the receptacle or pockets are filled. A screw J, supported in an overhanging
yoke K, is then turned to force the plunger downward and thereby force the com-
position with a heavy pressure and while heated into the channels or pockets.
After the material has been as firmly packed as is necessary, the scrow J, is raised
and a second screw J', turning in a cross piece m, and having a slower thread than
the screw J, is turned and brought to bear on the lower end of the plunger to force
it out of the bearing. The holder and bearing are then removed, the bearing with-
drawn and subjected-if necessary to a baking or vulcanizing process to dry or
harden the composition-and a reamer T, is then passed through the bearing,
removing the surplus composition and bringing the face of the same to a level with
that of the metal.
The composition usually employed for filling the pockets is of suitablo character
containing any available lubricating ingredient, as graphite, and any gum or
inaterial possessing adhesiveness and capable of "vulcanization," which is packed
in the pockets as before described.
Graphite being more or less friable it is necessary to combine it with some
adhesive substance, such as gum, for the purpose of binding its particles together so
as to keep it intact and to hold it effectually in its lodgment.
The bearing and bushing after being thus prepared and packed with the composi-
tion is introduced into a chamber or oven, and is then and there subjected to hent
by the ordinary application of heat, heated air, or steam surrounding the oven, as
in the ordinary process of baking or vulcanizing.
The degree of heat will vary according to the character of the composition and
the degree of hardness required.
In making bearings, filled and pressed with the composition as above described,
the said bearings or bushings are hoated in an air chamber or oven as above, for
about twelve hours and at a temperature from 212 to 350 Fahrenheit.
By this means the character of the material is essentially modified, the mass
becomes more homogeneous, solid, tough and durable, so that it will not soften,
Oswell or pulverize under the pressure or speed of the journal, but will retain its
integrity, the effect of the baking in fact being to vulcanize the material.
A composition which has proved to be most suitable for use in this class of
bearings, consists essentially of a mixture of graphite, shellac, and gum-copal.
In making the said composition heat or a suitable solvent or solvents is used for
5 the shellac and copal, and the ingredients are combined in any suitable manner. It
is best to make two compositions, one containing shellac and graphite, the other of

page_text: gum-copal and graphite; and to then combine the same in the desired proportion
for the purpose intended.
The shellac composition is made by dissolving say 25 parts by weight of shellac
into alcohol and stirring in 75 parts of graphite, or by fusing the shellac and com-
bining the graphite therewith, forming a dough like composition which is spread,
dried and pulverized, preferably ground to a fine powder in a mill.
The copal composition is made by softening pulverized gum-copal in turpentine
and adding sufficient alcohol to effect a solution, taking say one pint of turpentino
to 6 lbs of copal and adding alcohol in sufficient quantities to dissolve all the gum-
copal. Graphite is then mixed with the solution in sufficient quantities, preferably
75 parts of graphite and 25 parts gum-copal, so as to make a paste which is dried
and powdered, as before stated for the shellac composition.
The preliminary treatment of the gum copal with turpentine has proved to be a
most important and valuable step as thereby it is thus possible to secure a quicker,
stronger and more effective solution of the gum than by acting upon it with
alcohol alone.
The two powders are combined in suitable proportions and forced in the grooves,
recesses or receptacles of boxes as with other lubricating compositions.
Fig 9 in the drawing is a perspective view of the lower half of a journal bearing
with the composition packed in diagonal or inclined grooves, but hollow pockets
or longitudinal or transverse grooves or any other form of receptacle might be
used.
The proportions in which the two powders are combined will depend upon the
character of lubricating material desired.
Thus, where there is heavy pressure on the bearing likely to result in excessive
friction, the proportion of gum-copal is increased which adds to the density and
durability of the mixture. When the pressure is light and speed greater, with
increased liability of heating, more shellac is used; in fact in some casos the copal
can be dispensed with. The special feature of this composition is the use of the
gum-copal in connection with the plumbago and shellac, whereby to secure a most
tenacious and durable antifriction composition which is adapted for use with all
classes of bushings and bearings, as vehicles and car boxes, axlo boxes, steps, thrust
bearings and loose pulleys, slides, cross heads, etc etc, and which may bo employed
in many instances without the use of oil.
0
If desired the composition may be formed into blocks or sheets, alone or combined
with fabrics or fibres, and all the ingredients may be put together at once instead
of making two different compositions and combining them.
A good proportion in mixing these substances is sixty-six and two-thirds parts of
the shellac and graphite composition and thirty-three and one-third parts of the
copal and graphite composition.
It has been found that brass and other analogous alloys give the best results in
practice in connection with graphite or the graphite composition above specified.
Having now 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
1. A journal bearing cast in one piece, in the manner described, with grooves;
channels or recesses, as set forth, for the reception of a lubricant of the character
specified.
2. A journal or bearing provided upon opposite sides of a central longitudinal
plane, with pockets or grooves having side faces each upon a plane at right angles
to the plane x, for the purpose set forth.
3. A bearing, provided with internal parallel grooves, those upon opposite sides
of a longitudinal central plane x, having parallel side faces all upon planes at right|
angles to the plane x, substantially as described.
4. An antifriction bearing in which a series of parallel internal annular like
grooves are filled with an antifriction composition, substantially as described.

page_text: 5. The mode of forming antifriction bearings and journals, the same consisting
in casting it in or upon a core having projections with side faces upon planes
vertical to the longitudinal parting plane x, substantially as described.
6. A core box provided with channels or openings, connecting with the central
core opening, those upon each side of the parting plane of the box having side faces
at right angles to said plane, for the purpose set forth.
7. The improvement in the manufacture of antifriction bearings, consisting in
filling the receptacles in the bearing blocks with antifriction composition and
packing the same therein under heat and pressure, substantially as described.
8. The combination in a machine for packing antifriction bearings, of a heated
receptacle for the channeled bearing blocks, a heated receptacle for the antifriction
composition, and pressure appliances whereby the composition is forced under
pressure into the channels, substantially as described.
9. The combination of the steam heated casing, screw J, and counter screw L,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
10. The improvement in the manufacture of antifriction bearings, consisting in
subjecting the composition containing antifriction material and gum to the action
of heat, as and for the purpose set forth.
11. An antifriction bearing, consisting of antifriction material combined with a
gum and baked, substantially as described.
•
12. A composition for antifriction bearings, consisting of graphite and shellac
with or without an admixture of gum-copal or its equivalent, substantially as
herein set forth.
13. In the manufacture of lubricating compositions, subjecting gum-copal to the
action of turpentino and then dissolving in alcohol, combining with graphite, drying
and pulverizing to form an antifriction powder.
14. The improvement in making antifriction compositions, consisting in com-
bining graphite with a solution of shellac and drying and powdering the mixture,
and combining the powder with another made by mixing graphite with a solution
of gum-copal and drying and pulverizing the same, substantially as sot forth.
15. A bearing composed of brass or like composition with pockets containing
graphite or graphite composition, substantially as described.
16. An antifriction bearing composed of metal with pockets containing graphite
and a suitable binding agent such as gum shellac or gum copal, or both combined.
17. An antifriction surface or bearing of metal, in combination with brass, the
contacting surfaces being furnished with graphite as a lubricant.
WILLIAM W. SMALLEY.
Per Herbert & Co., Agents.