A NEW INDICATOR FOR DETECTING AT SIGHT THE PRESENCE OF HEAT, IN BEARINGS OF ALL KINDS
Year: 1885

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I, CHARLES WELLS, of 18, Walker Terrace, Plymouth, in the county of Devon,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "A NEW INDICATOR
FOR DETECTING AT SIGHT THE PRESENCE OF HEAT, IN BEARINGS OF ALL KINDS,”
to be as follows:-
It is matter of common experience that the premature consumption or jamming
of the lubricant supplied to any bearing results in what is known as hot box or
hot bearing.
The position of a bearing is frequently a bar to a constant inspection of its
condition with respect to its supply of lubricant, and in the case of such bearings
as those of locomotive and rolling stock, as at present constructed, an inspection is
practicable only when at rest. The task of examining the condition of every box
in a long train, to see whether it is hot or not, is almost as tedious as important,
inasmuch as it is performed by feeling each box with the hand.
It may, therefore, frequently happen that want of time will result in the work
of inspection being done too hurriedly to be done well, and in boxes being passed
as all right which are, almost if not quite, in an unsafe condition.
The object of my invention is to remedy the condition of things as above set
forth, by rendering the thorough inspection of the various kinds of bearings a
matter of a moment.
I make use of any suitable material which liquifies at a temperature immediately
above which danger may be considered to threaten the bearing. This material is
enclosed in a tube or case preferably of glass, and which is fixed in a metal case in
such a way as to leave part of it, with its contents, clearly visible. The case, or
indicator, is attached as closely as possible to the bearing. So long as the latter
remains cool the opacity of the contents of the indicator will shew that the bearing
is as cool as is necessary, but if its temperature rises, the melting of the indicating
substance indicates such rise by the change of colour which always accompanies,
in a more or less marked degree, such changes in the various tallows and waxes.
I do not confine myself to any particular substance for use with my indicator,
but, according to my invention, I select such a one for any given class of bearings
as will liquefy at a temperature safely below danger-point, while such liquefaction
is, at the same time, rendered plainly visible to the eye by its accompanying
change of colour.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, CHARLES WELLS, of 18, Walker Terrace, Plymouth, in the County of Devon,
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "A NEW INDICATOR
FOR DETECTING AT SIGHT THE PRESENCE OF HEAT IN BEARINGS OF ALL KINDS,"
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
It is matter of common experience that the premature consumption, or jamming,
of the lubricant supplied to any machinery bearing or axle box, results in what is
known as a heated bearing, or "hot box."
The position of a bearing is frequently a bar to: a regular inspection of its
condition with respect to its supply of lubricant, and in the case of such bearings
as those of locomotives and rolling stock generally as at present constructed, an
inspection is practicable only when at rest.
The task of examining the condition of every grease box in a long train, to see
whether it is hot or not, is almost as tedious as it is important, inasmuch as it is
performed by feeling with the hand. It may, therefore, frequently happen that
want of time will result in the work of inspection being performed too hurriedly
to be done well, and in boxes being passed as safe which are on the point of
heating.
My invention is intended to remedy the before-mentioned inconveniences, and
their consequent risks, as well as all of a like nature in connection with machinery
in motion.
In carrying the same into effect I make use of any material which liquifies, or
changes colour, at a temperature, say, about five or ten degrees, more or less,
according to circumstances, below that which will place the bearing to which my
invention is to be applied, in a condition of danger.
This material is enclosed in a tube, or case, which I propose to make of clear
glass, but any transparent substance may be used for this purpose, or combination
of any with metal may be used. This tube is enclosed in a metal case in such a
way as to leave part of it, at the least, with its contents clearly visible. The
indicator, as thus constructed, is attached, as closely as possible, to the bearing.
I use metal for the cases of my indicator as being a good conductor of heat.
The action of my indicator is as follows.
So long as the bearing to which it is attached remains cool, the colour, or
opacity, which characterises the material in the indicator tube when cold, shews
that there is no danger of the bearing heating to a dangerous extent, but
immediately the temperature of the bearing rises to within a short distance of
danger, the said material liquifies in consequence of the heat communicated to it
from such bearing, and this liquifaction involving an accompanying change of
colour or appearance, is the indication of approaching danger. It is essential to
the success of my invention, that when the approach of danger is to be detected by
an optical inspection of the indicator, the material used should be one which will
change colour on liquifaction, or elevation of temperature, to a sufficient degree to
make it practically impossible for such a change to be overlooked,

page_text: In order that my invention, and the means by which the same is put into
practical operation, may be thoroughly understood I will proceed to describe it in
detail referring in so doing to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken
as part of this specification and read therewith, and in which like parts are
marked throughout the figures in which they occur with the same reference
letters.
Figs 1. and 2 illustrate, in side and front elevation respectively, the application of
my invention to a fixed bearing.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation, and Fig. 4, a side view, of the invention as fitted to a
locomotive,
A is the outer metal case of the indicator, fixed as close and in as full contact
with the bearing to which it is to be applied, as is practicable; or it may be
replaced by a cavity formed in the bearing itself containing and exposing the
indicating material behind a glass plate, C held in position in any convenient way.
Fig 5 is a sectional side elevation, and Fig. 6, an end view of my indicator made
in a detached form, and applicable to various positions. Fig 7 is a modification.
In the figs 5 and 6, a glass plate C is shewn and in Fig. 7, a glass tube.
A is the metal case which is prolonged into tabs a, a, at each end for convenient
attachment to a bearing, containing and exposing B, the transparent tube con-
taining the indicating material or, C, the glass plate. The tabs may be replaced
by any other convenient device c.g. a screw projecting from the centre of the
back of the outer case. With indicator made as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the
glass tubes or plates are held in their cases in any convenient way by screw caps,
or otherwise, or instead of using a glass tube, I may make the case like a cup or
trough to contain the indicating material, which is covered by a glass plate beld
in position in any convenient way as shewn in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 which are
respectively elevation, plan and sectional elevation.
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; in an indicator for detecting at sight the presence of heat in bearings'
of all kinds
1. The use of a substance liquifiable, or capable of changing colour, at a
temperature appreciably lower than that which will make the bearing dangerously
hot, such a liquifaction or elevation of temperature being accompanied by an
unmistakeable change of colour, substantially as described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
2. The combination of outer metal case, A, transparent tube, B, or plate, C, and
the indicating material as the latter is defined and specified in the preceeding claim
contained therein, producing an improved indicator for use in bearings liable to be
become unduly heated; substantially as described with reference to the accom-
panying drawings.