provements in and in connection with Shaft Bearings.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application. 7th Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 7th May, 1890-Accepted, 7th Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFIC
Improvements in and in connection with Shaft Bearings.
I, GUSTAF DE LAVAL, M.A., of Stockholin, Sweden, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in shaft end bearings, and consists in means
for the prevention of wear and abrasion.
In carrying my invention into effect, I inake the shaft end or the bearing so that it'
can yield to the centrifugal impulse of the rotating body upon the foriner.
My invention does not confine me to any particular shape of shaft-end or bearing,
and the following methods are given as indicating the scope, and illustrating the object,
of my invention.
The shaft-ends may be made spherical, of a diameter in excess of that of the shaft,
and be adjustably connected to a sleeve rotating in the bearing proper.
The shaft-end may be flanged, and elastic rings be introduced into the bearing on
each side of the flange, the bearing being closed by a collar after the manner of a
stuffing box.
The elastic rings may be replaced by spiral springs.
The shaft-bearing may be formed in a flexible diaphragm.
In short, any kind or shape of bearing may be used, provided that it will allow of
the shaft following its centrifugal impulse.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connection with Shaft Bearings.
I, GUSTAF DE LAVAL, M.A., of Stockholm, Sweden, Member of the Swedish
Parliament, 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 invention relates to improvements in shaft end bearings, and consist in means
for the prevention of abrasion and wear. It is especially applicable to the bearings of
dynamos, rotary cutting machines steam turbines, and the like, in all of which heavy
masses of matter are revolved at high velocities, under which circumstances experience
has shewn that the prevention of unequal wear has been almost impracticable, in spite
of the most careful fitting and the most assiduous lubrication.
In order that my invention, and the means by which the same is to be carried into
practical effect, may be thoroughly understood, I will now describe them in detail,
referring in so doing to the accompanying figures which are to be taken as part of
But it is to be borne in mind that they are put
this specification and read therewith.
forward only as illustrations of some of the ways in which my invention can be applied,
and not as limiting it to the means shewn, which may be varied considerably without
going outside the scope of my invention."
In Fig. 1, A is any rotating body, e.g., a dynamo, which, in combination with the
elastic shaft B and the shaft shoes D and E placed in the fixed bearings II,
respectively, constitute the entire rotating system.
If this is rotated at a high velocity in a more or less eccentric circle around the
geometrical axis of the bearings I and 11, the body A tends to come by means of the
elastic shaft B in such a position, that the cominon centre of gravity of A and B
remains in that line around which the whole system rotates, and in such a manner that

page_text: a line drawn through the cominon centre of gravity of A and B and at right angles to
that plane of rotation wherein the said centre of gravity lies, does not shew any
mutations with regard to that line around which the said system rotates.
By means therefore of the elasticity of the shaft B, the whole rotating system
adjusts itself in such a manner that the bearings are subjected to a minimum amount
of wear and tear.
In Fig. 2, G. G are rubber rings on both sides of the disc N which, by means of
the gland F, is kept in proper position within the body A. The ends of the shaft C
rest movably in the shoes D which rotate in the bearings I.
1
In Fig. 3, the rubber rings are replaced by spiral springs H; and in Fig. 4, the
pliability of the shaft K is produced by means of a diaphragm M fixed to A by the
gland L.
In Fig. 5, the elastic shaft B rotates in bearings Z which, by means of the pivots Z,
can swing in the fixed stands Y.
In Fig. 6, the shart B is carried in bearings U surrounded by rings U₁ of rubber,
or other elastic material; while in Fig. 7, spherical bearings Wallow the shaft B to
freely follow its centrifugal impulse.
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:-
The combination of a body which is to be set in rotation; a shaft to which the said
body is attached and which is elastic or elastically articulated in such a manner as to
allow the body when rotated to rotate around its centre of gravity; and fixed or
inoveable bearings supporting the shaft; for the purpose of diminishing or preventing
the reactions caused by the shaft to the bearings.
Dated thin 7th
M1000
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.