IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE AND TRACTION ENGINES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Burrell, junior, and Robert Edwards, both of
Thetford, in the County of Norfolk, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LOCOMOTIVE AND TRACTION ENGINES."
Sealed the 24th April 1878, and dated the 18th December 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Burrell and Robert
Edwards at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th December
1877.
A
CHARLES BURRELL, junior, and ROBERT EDWARDS, both of Thetford, in the County
of Norfolk. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE AND TRACTION ENGINES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in locomotive and traction
engines.
In order to obtain the effect of hanging the engine upon springs the driving
wheels are arranged with springs inside of them between the axle and the boss of
the wheel. Either the axle or a loose sleeve upon the axle is made square or of
other suitable form, and it is arranged so that it can slide in a corresponding
elongated hole in a movable box, springs on either side tending to hold it in a
central position. The movable box is received into an opening formed for it in the
boss of the wheel, and in this opening it can slide but in a direction at right angles
to that in which the axle is free to move within the box; there are springs within
the wheel boss tending to keep the box in the middle of the path in which it
travels. The springs yield, as in the rotation of the wheel the weight of the engine
in turn comes upon them, and so prevent shocks to which the machinery would be
liable if the wheels were of a rigid construction.
The springs are sometimes compressed, and put so in their places, being held in
compression by bolts or other suitable means than pressing against the axle, so
as to lessen the movement of them as the wheel revolves, and the pressure comes
alternately on them.
When desired the moveable box, above referred to, may be arranged within
D

page_text: another similar box or boxes, but with springs at a different angle. In this case
the outer box is received into the boss of the wheel.
For the purpose of lifting weights the engine is provided with a crane post, jib,
and lifting gear, taking motion from the horizontal crank shaft of the engine situate
in the usual manner over the fire-box. The whole is so arranged that the weight
when lifted by the crane can be swung clear round to the other side of the engine
in either direction.
The crane post, which may be made hollow for the passage of the lifting chain,
may be mounted in bearings immediately in rear of the fire-box; or it may pass
through the boiler by a vertical trunk or passage just in front of the fire-box; or
a crane post may be erected on the top of the fire-box or barrel of the boiler. The
crane jib can be swung round by the power of the engine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Burrell and Robert Edwards in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 18th June 1878.
CHARLES BURRELL, junior, and ROBERT EDWARDS, both of Thetford, in the County
of Norfolk. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE AND TRACTION ENGINES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in locomotive and traction
engines.
In order to obtain the effect of hanging the engine upon springs the driving
wheels are arranged with springs inside of them between the axle and the boss of
the wheel. Either the axle or a loose sleeve upon the axle is made square or of
other suitable form, and it is arranged so that it can slide in a corresponding
elongated hole in a moveable box, springs on either side tending to hold it in a
central position. The moveable box is received into an opening formed for it in the
boss of the wheel, and in this opening it can slide, but in a direction at right
angles to that in which the axle is free to move within the box; there are springs
within the wheel boss, tending to keep the box in the middle of the path in which
it travels. The springs yield, as in the rotation of the wheel the weight of the
engine in turn comes upon them, and so prevent shocks to which the machinery
would be liable if the wheels were of a rigid construction.
Where desired the moveable box, above referred to, may be arranged within
another similar box or boxes, but with springs at a different angle. In this case
the outer box is received into the boss of the wheel.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 2 is a transverse section of a spring
wheel thus arranged. A is the axle; B is a loose sleeve upon the axle; it is
formed of a piece with the side disc B', to which the driving power is transmitted
through a clutch or in other convenient manner. The sleeve B is able to slide for
a short distance within the moveable box C, and the springs D, D, on either side of
the sleeve B tend to hold it in a central position within the box; but these springs

page_text: yield as each in turn has to support the load upon the axle. E is the wheel boss to
which the spokes are fixed; it has an opening in it into which the moveable box C
is received, and within which it is able to slide a short distance in a direction at right
angles to that in which the sleeve B is moveable within the box. There are springs
F, F, which tend to hold the box C central in the wheel boss E, and these springs
yield in the same way as the springs D, D, as each in turn takes the load. On
the outer side of the wheel there is another side disc B3; it is connected with the
side disc B' by bolts which have distance pieces upon them to keep the side discs at
the proper distance apart. The moveable parts of the wheel being held between the
side discs B and B are kept in their places, and only allowed the motion proper
to them.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 4 is a transverse section of a similar
wheel in which the number of springs is reduced by making each spring operative
in two directions. The loose sleeve B has the rod D₁ jointed to it, and the spring D
surrounds the rod. The rod D' passes through the plates D2, D2, which are able
to slide between the guides D³ fixed in the box C. The rod D' also, as the Drawing
shows, has a collar and nuts upon it, so that the spring is compressed by the move-
ment of the sleeve B in either direction from a central position. F is a rod in
connection with the spring F; it is jointed to the moveable spring box C, and in
a similar manner it causes the spring to be compressed whenever the moveable
box C moves in either direction from the central position within the wheel boss.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of a wheel in which the arrangement is modified,
and to some extent simplified, by omitting the moveable box C, leaving the sleeve B
free to move in any direction in a vertical plane within the wheel boss, the move-
ment being limited and controlled by springs as before. The sleeve B forms part
of the side disc B¹, which is connected as before with another disc on the opposite
side by bolts with distance pieces upon them. The boss E of the wheel has three
cylindrical spring holders formed within it, and in these holders the springs G, G,
are deposited; these springs abutt upon the sleeve B, tending to hold it in a central
position within the wheel boss, but the springs yield, as during the rotation of the
wheel the load in turn comes upon them. B³ is an arm projecting from the side
disc B; it is connected with the periphory or outer ring of the wheel by a link H,
through which the driving power is conveyed to it. In connection with the link H
a spring K may be applied to prevent shocks. Two arms B³ may be employed
having spring connections with the periphery or outer ring of the wheel.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of an arrangement similar to that shown in
Figure 5, but the springs G are connected with the sleeve B by rods G¹, and the
sleeve hangs from the springs in place of resting upon them. The rods G' pass up
through the springs and through plates which rest upon them, and receive nuts on
their outer ends. The inner ends of the springs, or the ends nearest the axle of
the wheel, rest upon the wheel boss. Where the axle of the wheel rotates the sleeve
B may, in some cases, be dispensed with.
The springs are sometimes compressed and put so in their places, being held in
compression by bolts or other suitable means than pressing against the axle, as in
Figures 1, 2, and 5, so as to lessen the movement of them as the wheel revolves,
and the pressure comes alternately on them.
Figure 7 shows a section of a spring suitably held in compression by means of a
bolt L, and the spring thus controlled can be further compressed by the load which
comes upon it when in use. In Figures 3 and 4 the springs are held in compression
between the plates D³, D². In Figure 6 the springs are compressed by screwing
up the nuts upon the rods G'.
Another part of this Invention relates to mechanism to be combined with traction
engines for the purpose of lifting weights.
For the purpose of lifting weights the engine is provided with a jib and lifting
gear, taking motion from the horizontal crank shaft of the engine situate in the
usual manner over the fire-box. The whole is so arranged that the weight when

page_text: lifted by the crane can be swung clear round to the other side of the engine in
either direction.
Figure 8 is a side elevation and Figure 9 is an end elevation of a traction or
road locomotive engine with a revolving jib crane J mounted on a frame F, which
is carried by the boiler; B is the crane winding barrel driven by gearing G from
the crank shaft C of the engine, the cylinder of which is shown at E. The gearing
for propelling the engine on the road is shewn at R, and the driving wheels at D.
A winding drum W is also mounted on the axle to be used for the purposes of
hauling and other uses.
A
The action is as follows:-When it is required to use the crane for lifting
purposes, the road gearing is disconnected by sliding pinions or clutches on the
crank shaft. The crane gearing can be then used, the crane barrel being put in
and out of gear by a clutch at H, or by sliding the pinion on the crank shaft.
brake, not shown, is attached to the crane barrel for lowering or holding the
weight, as desired. When the chimney L is lowered the crane jib can be com-
pletely revolved on its turntable T, so that weights can be lifted on either side of
the engine. Gearing from the crank shaft can, if desired, be adapted to revolve
the jib.
In addition to the revolving jib crane described, another jib can be mounted on
the front of the engine, if desired, as has been already done, and the same winding
barrel can be used, or another adapted.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, we would have it understood that we claim,-
First. The construction of the driving wheels of locomotive and traction engines
with springs supporting or suspending the axle or a sleeve upon it from the hollow
boss of the wheel, so as to carry the weight of the engine upon springs, substantially
as described.
Second. Compressing the springs used to support or suspend the weight of the
engine in its driving wheel by suitable bolts or retainers, leaving them free to be
further compressed by the weight of the engine, substantially as described.
Third. The construction of the driving wheels of locomotive and traction engines,
substantially as described and represented in the annexed Drawings.
Fourth. The combination with a traction or road locomotive engine of a jib
capable of passing around the engine from one side to the other, and lifting gear,
taking motion from the horizontal crank shaft of the engine, which is situate
over the fire-box, and which shaft also actuates the road wheels, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Charles Burrell and Robert Edwards, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this 15th day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
CHARLES BURRELL. (L.S.)
ROBERT EDWARDS.
(L.S.)