Improvements in Axle- and Shaft-bearings.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 9th May, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Axle- and Shaft-bearings.
I, NICOLAUS BERSIN, of Düsseldorf, in the Kingdom of Prussia, German
Empire, Secretary to the Royal Telegraph Office, 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 :-
From the annexed drawings it will be seen, that my invention avoids the sliding
friction in the bearings of axles and shafts and completely turns the same into a
rolling-motion thus reducing all frictional resistance to a minimum.
In order to make my invention more clear, I refer to the accompanying
drawing, in which similar letters denote similar parts throughout the different
views, and in which :-
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is a longitudinal section of an axle bearing,
Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same drawn on the line - of Fig. 1,
Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is a longitudinal section of a bearing for shafts of any kind, and
Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the latter taken on the line y-y' of Fig. 3.
The casing A, wherein the axle D is journaled, is made of any suitable metal
preferably of cast iron and is provided with two inner circular cross-ribs a, thus
dividing the casing into three partitions. These chambers are also divided
longitudinally into three chambers by parallel ribs running equally apart and
form against each other, as compared to the other partitions, with the centre of
the axle angles of 40°. They are cast in one with the casing, but when it is
found requisite to have it bored, they may also be replaced by studs screwed into
the casing, as will be seen in Fig. 1. To complete the bearing the same ia
furnished with nine rollers c, of which there is one for every chamber. The axle-
box, while turning in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, will impart
unto the rollers a revolving motion, which rollers rotate round their own axis and
also round that of the axle along with the casing. The axle-journal therefore is
carried in this manner, as will be seen on the drawing Fig. 2, by six rollers at a
time. By the situation the chambers have as compared to each partition, the
journal is supported in its whole length. The rollers of each chamber being
indicated equally by the numbers 1, 2 and 3, the position is such as shown in
Fig. 2.
The principle of my axle-bearing therefore is the supporting of the axle-journal
by antifrictional rollers, which revolve in the said chambers by force of the
pressure imparted by the axle. Each roller will be in action during two thirds of
a revolution of the wheel, while running through one third of its course.
The
other two thirds of its course it will be brought round by the longitudinal ribs or
by the studs, while the wheel is making its third third revolution. This will be
better understood, by a glance at the drawing, and taking into consideration, that
as soon as the roller is brought to the crown of the shaft, it overhauls the same by
its own weight and drops against the studs or ribs in front, thus commencing a new
revolution. The play, the roller is to have to allow for this dropping, may be
about a sixteenth of an inch. The wheel or casing may revolve in the other
direction as well and may also be reversed while in motion.
Of course my invention may not only be confined to axles alone, but will be
applicable to shafts of every description. In axle-bearings as described above the
axle remains firm, and the casing being attached to the-wheel rotates, while in
bearings of ordinary shafts it is the shaft itself that revolves. The way the
rollers revolve, is the same, yet the construction of the shaft-bearing differs from
that of axle-bearings in so far, that the ribs and studs are attached to a boss B,
keyed unto the shaft, instead of being connected to the casing.

page_text: This boss B has, besides those circular ribs spoken of before, smaller inter-
mediate ones r, of which there are two for every partition, and the rollers are
provided with corresponding grooves v, for sake of guiding the same.
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 bearing for axles and shafts divided into partitions by circular ribs (a) and
every partition provided with carriers (6), for the purpose of catching up the
rollers (c) and carrying them round the shaft, as described.
2. A bearing for axles and shafts, divided into partitions by circular ribs (a) and
provided with carriers (), having different positions in every partition, for the
purpose of catching up the rollers (c) and carrying them round the shaft, as
described.
3. In a roller-bearing for axles: The rotating casing (A) being divided into
partitions by circular ribs (a) and being provided with carriers (6) having different
positions in every partition, as for the purpose set forth.
4. In a roller-bearing for shafts: The boss (13), carrying divisional ribs (a)
and guiding ribs (), which are provided with carriers (b) having different
positions in every partition, formed by the ribs (a), as for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 2nd day of April 1891.
NICOLAUS BERSIN.
By Robert Deissler,
Agent for Applicant.