Improvements in Roller-bearings.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Nov., 1896
Complete Concifnation Inst 10th Aud 4007 Accented
25th Sant
1907
Improvements in Roller-bearings.
I, JEAN HENRI BERGERON, of 138 Rue de Rivoli, Paris in the French Republic,
Doctor of Medicine, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of roller-bearings
and he like devices-such as sockets, steps of spindles and similar supports,
which are subject to the friction of parts moving in or on, and supported by
such devices.
To diminish the friction of or between surfaces in contact as far as possible,
it has hitherto been usual to separate them by the interposition of rollers which
to a certain extent change the sliding, into a rolling motion, the use of roller
or other ball-bearings for this purpose being well known. Such arrangements,
however, have the serious disadvantage that the rollers or balls interposed between
the spindle or shaft and the bearing are all carried by the motion of the spindle
in the same direction, and as they are all in contact a sliding motion is produced
dependent on the spindle or the point of contact of the rollers or balls. This
sliding of the rollers over each other causes considerable friction which it is the
object of my invention to avoid. For this purpose I propose to interpose between
the ordinary rollers, auxiliary rollers, balls or other round bodies of less diameter
than the ordinary rollers, so that they rotate in the opposite direction to the
latter, and thereby produce a rolling instead of a sliding movement.
The auxiliary rollers may be retained in such a way as to keep their axes on
the line connecting the centres of the ordinary rollers; or the axes of the auxiliary
rollers may be placed above or below that line, such rollers being then supported
against the surface of the bearing or that of the spindle.
In carrying out my invention I interpose between the shaft or spindle and the
bearing, two sets of rollers,-the ordinary rollers transmitting the pressure
exerted by the shaft directly to the bearing, and the auxiliary rollers separating
those first mentioned and preventing their contact with each other. The
auxiliary rollers are of such diameter that they do not touch the shaft and the
bearing at the same time, and they act merely as an intermediary between con-
tiguous ordinary rollers for converting the friction produced by the mutual
pressure of the latter upon each other into a rolling movement.
By this arrangement when the shaft turns in one direction the ordinary rollers
will be moved by it in the opposite direction; the auxiliary rollers however will
turn in the same direction as the shaft, and contrarily to the ordinary rollers
upon which, therefore, they will roll without any sliding motion being produced.
For supporting the axes of the auxiliary rollers upon the line connecting the
centres of the ordinary rollers, I may arrange two rings loosely at each end of
the bearing and support the ends of the auxiliary rollers between these rings.
Instead of two rings, I may arrange a single one having a circular groove within

page_text: which the ends of the auxiliary rollers extend; or in lieu of a continuous groove
in the single ring, I may form therein a series of holes for the purpose of receiving
the ends of the auxiliary rollers. I do not however restrict myself to these
methods of retaining the axes of the said rollers in an invariable position re-
latively to the centre of the shaft, but may effect that object by any suitable
arrangement.
When two rings are used the auxiliary rollers will move one of them in the
same direction as the shaft, and the other in the opposite direction. If a single
ring is employed it will be moved by the auxiliary rollers in the same direction
as the shaft. In every case as the weight of the shaft is entirely supported by
the ordinary rollers, and as the auxiliary rollers are merely pressed against the
said rollers, they theoretically support only their own weight. The sliding
movements which would be caused between the auxiliary rollers and the corre-
sponding side of the two rings, or the side of the holes in the single ring, will
therefore be practically replaced by very slight friction; the same also applies to
the friction of the rings upon the bearing.
In cases where the auxiliary rollers are placed either above or below the line
of the centres of the ordinary rollers,-.e.-against the shaft or against the
bearing, a definite friction will be caused against the said parts. Such friction,
if against the bearing, may be avoided by carrying the ends of the rollers upon a
ring provided at each end of the bearing, and having a smaller diameter than
the latter. Similarly to avoid friction against the shaft, when the auxiliary
rollers are placed above the line of the centres, these rollers may be separated from
the shaft by a ring. In both cases the rings fulfil precisely the same purpose as
the two rings used in the first mentioned arrangement.
I may otherwise separate the rollers from each other by balls, or other suitable
round bodies; also any number of balls may be interposed between contiguous
rollers, for instance two balls may be placed respectively near the ends of the
rollers. In order to prevent longitudinal displacement of such balls, circular
grooves or cuttings may be formed in the rollers or in the bearing, or in the shaft,
itself, or in both these parts. When such grooves or cuttings are formed both
in the shaft and in the bearing, the balls may be of larger diameter than the
ordinary rollers..
For the application of my invention to the bearings of sockets and steps of
spindles, it it only necessary to make the ordinary and auxiliary rollers conical
instead of cylindrical.
I, JEAN HENRI BERGERON, 138, Rue de Rivoli, Paris, France Doctor of Medicine
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:-
My new system of bearings consists in introducing between the shaft and the
surface of the bearing a series of rollers which are always kept quite parallel, and
this without there being any friction between them..

page_text: I will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which:
Fig. 1 shows a sectional elevation of a shaft with bearing constructed on my
improved principle.
4.1
Fig. 2 shows a side elevation in section of same.
Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the V shaped slit in the lining C.
Fig. 4 shows an inclined slit in same.
Fig., 5 shows a method of mounting the counter-rollers close to the shaft.
Fig. 6 shows a method of mounting same close to the lining of the bearing.
Fig. 7.shows a ball race inserted in a groove formed in the lining C.
Fig. 8 shows a ball race in groove formed on the shaft B.
A, A, are large rollers, C is the lining, of the bearing, B is the shaft, D, D are
small rollers. G is an annular cap plate in which the ends of the rollers D are
journalled, g is a double-pointed arrow indicating the extreme length of the
rollers a thickness of the plates in which they are journalled, H is a narrow
annular cap-plate, J is a similar cap plate...
The rollers A Fig. 1 are arranged around the shaft B and are kept parallel to
one another by counter-rollers D of smaller diameter, in such a manner that these
last cannot touch either the shaft or the bottom of the bearing; moreover these
rollers are arranged so that their centres are situated on the same circumference
as the centres of the rollers A. It will thus be seen that, if the shaft B is rotated
in the direction indicated by the arrow, the rollers A will be rotated in a reverse
direction as indicated by a small arrow drawn upon one of them, and both the
rollers and counter rollers will be carried along in a direction of rotation that will
allow of all the rollers being in contact with those adjoining them, whilst always
running without there being any sliding or slipping of the one against the other.
In order to keep the counter-rollers D in their place, that is to say on the cir-
cumference of the centres of the rollers A, an annular cap-plate G as partially
shown in Fig. 1, may be arranged at each end, such cap-plate being perforated
with holes in which the rollers D engage; these cap-plates are supported simply
on the shaft B. Under this arrangement there would he no friction on the
rollers D, except that in the holes of the cap plates G in which they revolve.
A more practical and easier method of arranging the counter-rollers is as
follows:--
A narrower ring H Fig. 1 entirely encloses all the counter rollers D at each
extremity and a second ring J is likewise placed at each extremity between the
shaft and the rollers D.
It will thus be seen that the ring J will prevent the counter-rollers from ap-
proaching the centre, and the ring H will prevent them from moving away
from it.
In practice the rollers A are reduced at their ends to a diameter a little smaller
than the ends of the rollers D); these ends of the rollers D may be either slightly
smaller or of the same diameter as the rollers themselves, this being for the
purpose of enabling the ring H to be always kept in the same position.
This ring H is thus guided in order to prevent the ring J from bearing on the
shaft B, and also for the purpose of facilitating the fitting the bearing together
or taking it apart.
I will now explain the manner of operating my system with the rings. The
shaft being set in rotation, the rollers A move forward with the bearing in the
direction of rotation of the shaft, and rotate in the direction of the small arrow
upon them carrying along the counter-rollers which rotate reversely, in the direc
tion of the arrows indicated upon them; the rollers A being thus kept parallel
and this without sliding or slipping one against the other as happens in hitherto
known systems. In rotating, the ends of the rollers D cause the loosely mounted
rings H, J, to rotate, the ring H in the direction of rotation of the shaft, and the
ring J in the reverse direction. Under this system there is theoretically no
friction, since there is no friction in running. Practically, there is but very

page_text: little friction, namely, that which may be produced laterally, for a lateral guiding
is necessary, but this lateral guiding being obtained by the contact of the loosely
mounted rings against the sides of the bearing, the friction produced is diminished
to an insignificant quantity.
For the effective working of the system, a little lateral play is necessary, that is
to say that the total length of the rollers plus the thickness of the two rings H H,
in other words, the length of g Fig. 2, must be a little less than the length of the
bearing inside. This lining or bearing C which is carefully bored out or
smoothed on the inside may be furnished with sides or cheeks of cast iron in the
forms shown in Fig. 2. It may also be in one piece, or to allow for the play,
or for convenience of mounting, it may be in two pieces, like the ordinary
bearings, or, again, in one piece, but furnished with a V shaped slit (see Fig. 3)
or an inclined slit (see Fig. 4).
The counter rollers D instead of having their centres on the circumference which
joins the centres of the rollers A may be placed outside or inside of this circum-
ference; if placed outside as in Fig. 6 these counter-rollers would bear against
the rollers A and the lining C, if placed inside of the circumference of the centres
of the rollers A, Fig. 5; they would bear on the rollers A and on the shaft B.
It will thus be seen that, in both these cases, the counter-rollers D have three
points of contact. These two systems could be employed when it was necessary
that the rollers should be very close, as in the case of heavy loads. In these
two cases the counter-rollers might, if necessary, be without the guiding or
controlling cap plate at their ends.
Instead of effecting the keeping apart of the rollers A by means of counter-
rollers D the rollers A may also be furnished at their extremities with a ball race
which would run in a groove formed in the lining of the bearing C Fig. 7 or even
formed on the shaft as in Fig. 8.
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. A roller bearing in which the rollers are kept parallel and without sliding or
slipping one against the other by means of counter-rollers D, kept in their position
by two cap-plates perforated with holes in which they rotate, or preferably kept
in position by two loosely mounted annular plates supported by or resting on the
ends of the rollers or counter-rollers; for the purpose indicated, as herein described
and set forth.
2. In the case of heavy loads, a roller bearing formed by combination of the
rollers A, and counter-rollers D, which may be arranged inside or outside of the
circumference which joins the centres of the rollers for the purpose of bringing
the rollers A closer for heavy loads, as herein described and set forth.
3. In a hearing the combination with the rollers A. of ball-races formed at
the ends of the said rollers A or at the end of the lining of the bearing or on the
shaft, for the purpose of maintaining the parallel position of the rollers A with
a minimum of friction as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 12th day of August 1897
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, Patent Agent.