Year: 1888

page_text: ACIIFICTION Compo
1, BENJAMIN WILLCOX of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this Invention, which has been com-
municated to me from abroad by Marshall Ten Broeck Davidson of New York and
Elijah Warne of Easton Pennsylvania, both in the United States of America and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This Invention has for its object the production of an antifriction composition or
bearing material which shall be strong and durable and at the same time be little liable
to heat when in use. The composition or material is more particularly intended to be
used as a lining for journal boxes and other bearings.
The particular composition of matter or material constituting this Invention consists
essentially of graphite and gluten, or of graphite gluten and what we term a
filler or body material-for example Indian red, ultramarine blue, white and red lead
and the like or paper or other felt, or pigments such as vandyke brown, and other
suitable substances and a small percentage of starch may also be added; although this
is not necessary.
This composition taken in the condition of a stiff paste is moulded into form desired
and dried, being subjected preferably to successive pressures at intervals during the
drying operation so that it may when entirely dry or baked be a compact close textured
and strong body without the cracks or porosity which would otherwise result.
. Gluten is an article which can be obtained in the market, it is preferred for the
purposes of this Invention, to obtain it from the hard spring wheat flour grown in the
North Western portions of the United States of America-separating the gluten there-
from in any suitable manner. For instance make the floor into a stiff dough, place the
same on a sieve or screen and there subject it-while continually kneading it to the
action of a jet of water. The effect of this operation will be to wash out the starch,
thus leaving on the screen a mass which is nearly all gluten. Take the raw gluten thus
obtained and boil it, adding sufficient water for the purpose-using as little as possible,
in fact just about enough to give the mass the consistency of a stiff paste. The result

page_text: of this operation is that the glutten forms a heavy tough and elastic gum, which when
dry is horn like and hard and is admirably adapted by reason of its non heating and
durable properties for use in antifriction bearings and the like.
In making antifriction linings or bearings the glutten when of the stiff pasty con-
sistency above referred to-about the consistency of mush for instance is taken and
intimately mixed with the graphite, or the graphite and filler, so as to form the same
into a thoroughly homogeneous mass. For this mixing operation, any of the well
known kinds of apparatus for mixing paints with oils, or putty mixers or paint mills
can be used.
The proportions in which the ingredients are taken may vary considerably. If
gluten and graphite alone be used, about two parts by measure of graphite to one part
by measure of gluten will give excellent results. In case a substance of the character
termed a "filler" be added, good results can be obtained if in seven parts by measure,
there are taken two parts of gluten, two parts filler and three parts graphite.
The composition can readily be moulded and pressed into the form required. In
case the composition is used as a lining for a journal box, it is moulded into place and
shape under heavy pressure and it is then subjected to drying heat in any suitable
oven. In order however to render the lining close textured, compact and hard, it will
be found desirable to subject the same to pressure at intervals during the drying
operation so that it shall not be liable to have a body, which, owing to the evaporation
due to the drying operation may have cracks in it or may in spots be of spongy or
porous structure. The intermittent pressures above referred to correct any such
tendency, the lining when dry and in finished condition being entirely solid, and very
durable and resistent. The gluten is virtually the binder which holds the ingredients
together, and by reason of its inherent strength as well as the non-heating properties
which it possesses, it very greatly enhances the efficiency of the lining or bearing. It
is found for example, that with a box provided with the composition according to this
Invention the bearing surface being eight inches in length, and the shaft (a 2 inch
shaft) revolving in contact therewith at from three to four hundred revolutions per
minute--the composition will show an increase in heat above that of the surrounding
atmosphere of 4° Fahr. only. This result is believed to be due to the gluten which is
used in conjunction with the graphite.
I am aware that various compositions of matter have been devised for antifriction
journal bearings-such for instance as mica in conjunction with starch or flour and gum
arabic or other cement, graphite in conjunction with albumen or other size and fibrous
material, or with paraffine, hair, ivory dust, and the like. I am also aware that
perforated metal plates have been coated with a composition consisting of plumbago
and flour paste or rubber cement. I therefore claim neither of theso plans.
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 :-
A moulded or pressed antifriction composition bearing consisting essentially of
gluten and graphite with or without a filler or body material, substantially as herein-
before set forth.