Improvements in Means for Coupling Shafts and Shafting.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 8th Dec., 1897- Accepted, 5th Mar., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Coupling Shafts and Shafting.
We, HUGO LENTZ, of 26, Rudolphsgasse, Brunn, Austria, Engineer, JULIUS
WEIGL, of 5, Carlsglacis, Brunn, aforesaid, Engineer, and ARTHUR HERSCHMANN,
of Fern Place, Brighouse, in the County of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to a device for the transmission of power permitting a
variation in the speed of the driven parts and its primary object is to provide a
means, enabling of the "putting in and out of gear" the driven parts, even at
full speed of the driving parts, without a shock.
A liquid is used to transmit the motion from the driving side to the driven one
and the peculiar application of the said liquid permits of obtaining the aforesaid
result.
This coupling may be applied to the driving of any sort of machinery or shafting
as also to the driving of steamships, motor vehicles and the like. The power-
transmitting shaft, which may rest in bearings, situated at each side of the
coupling consists of two separate pieces, forming a flange-coupling with their
adjoining ends, both the flanges are suitably recessed and fastened firmly together.
The above two shaft pieces act as bearings to the speed-regulating spindle,
situated inside of them. This spindle, projecting through the driven half of the
shaft, has a disc-shaped enlargement forged on, which is flattened at top and
bottom.
The latter is movable together with the spindle, within the limits of the afore-
said recesses of the shaft connection.
To move the spindle we may employ a stationary sleeve suitably arranged on the
projecting end of the spindle, which sleeve is threaded on the outside and its con-
nection with the spindle allows the latter an independant rotary motion, but not
an independant axial movement.
Over this sleeve we may arrange a nut with a lever-shaped extension, thus if
we turn this lever, we push the sleeve, thereby moving the spindle axially.
The aforesaid enlargement of the spindle acts, as the disengaging fork of an
ordinary shafting clutch, acting upon the pins of the crank-shaped extensions of
two, or more, rotating blades. These blades which are diametrically opposite to
each other are supported with the central necks of their extensions in the aforesaid
flange coupling of the shaft in such a way that an axial motion imparted to the
speed-regulating spindle will cause the blades to twist.
This twist is effected to such an extent that the blades may assume either a
position of their plans being at right angles to the spindle axis, or parallel to it,
or in any required intermediate position. The aforesaid shaft serves as a support
to a suitably shaped receptacle for the liquid in use, which receptacle consists of

page_text: two halves. These halves are tightly joined together in the middle and envelope
the aforesaid flange connection and the blades.
They ride on the shaft with their bushed and sleeve-like extensions on each side.
The one half opposite the side, where the power is introduced, has a truly finished
concentric ring cast in, finishing level with the joint of the receptacle and stayed to
it with ribs, thus that the surrounding liquid has free access to any point between
ring and outer shell of receptacle.
Inside of this ring revolve the aforesaid blades. The other half of the said
receptacle, necessarily on the side at which the driving power is introduced, con-
tains another concentric ring, arranged analogously to the ring on the aforesaid
side, which ring fits with the side face of its rim tightly to the side face of the first
ring.
This second ring has suitably shaped blades cast in, which are acted upon by
the liquid in a similar manner as the driven wheel of a water turbine.
The device acts as follows:
If the blades stand at right angles to the shaft they will simply cut through the
surrounding liquid, which may be oil, glycerine, or any other suitable liquid; and
in this extreme position the blades will not transmit any motion to the receptacle,
respectively to the side to be driven.
The
As soon as we twist the blades, and bring them in the second position i.e. their
plans ring parallel to the shaft, the resistance of the surrounding liquid, in
which the blades revolve, will be so great, that maily the full speed of the bludes
will be transmitted to the receptacle, respectively to the side, to be driven.
speed of the blades being the same in both extreme positions, it follows, that in any
other intermediate position of the blades the receptacle of the liquid will rotate
with only a fraction of the speed of the blades, in perfect agreement with the twist
imparted to the latter. Either from the circumference of the said receptacle, as it
could be done in the case of an application to a motor vehicle and the like, or from
one of the two bushed sleeves, as it could be done in the case of pulleys, wheels,
dynamo armatures, and the like, to be fixed thereupon; in fact, as the prevailing
conditions may require, the power which is introduced at the shaft, will be trans-
mitted onwards at a modified speed to effect the work required.
Improvements in Means for Coupling Shafts and Shafting.
We, HUGO LENTZ, of 26, Rudolphsgasse, Brunn, Austria, Engineer, and JULIUS
WEIGL, of 5, Carlsglacis, Brunn, Engineer, and ARTHUR HERSCHMANN, of Fern
Place, Brighouse, Yorkshire, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven- 4
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a device for the transmission of power, permitting a
variation in the speed of the driven parts, relative to the driving parts, and its
primary object is to provide a means enabling the driven parts to be put in and 4
out of gear even at full speed of the driving parts, without shock.
A liquid is used to transmit the motion from the driving side to the driven one,
and the peculiar application of the said liquid permits of obtaining the aforesaid
result.

page_text: This coupling may be applied to the driving of any sort of shafting or machinery
as also to the driving of steam ships, or motor vehicles.
The power is transmitted through the liquid by means of blades carried by the
shaft. These blades can be set at any angle across the shaft and are placed
radially. The blades revolve in a case carrying the liquid and the power is to be
transmitted by the blades to this case.
Inside the case fixed blades are provided so that when the rotary blades turn
the liquid will impinge on the blades of the case and will tend to turn the latter.
The motion transmitted will vary according to the angle at which the rotary
blades are set. If their plane is parallel to the shaft the full area will be utilised
against the liquid, and the motion will be transmitted. If however these blades
are turned so as to extend across the shaft, they will turn through the liquid edge-
ways and practically no part of the motion will be transmitted. At any inter-
mediate position the motion transmitted will vary with the angle so that the speed
can be adjusted exactly by the arrangement hereafter described. These adjust-
ments can take place while the apparatus is driving.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a section of our improved
coupling, Fig. 2 is a view showing one side of the case containing the liquid,
Fig. 3 shows the other side of the case, Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the arrange-
ment for turning the blades, and Fig. 5 is a detail view at right angles to Fig. 4.
The power transmitting shaft A carried in suitable bearings extends at each side
of the coupling, and is formed in two parts. These are provided with flanges a
which are bolted or otherwise connected together so as to form a flange coupling.
Within the shaft which is hollow the regulating spindle B is placed. This spindle
projects through the driven part of the shaft and is formed with the disc shaped
enlargement or flange b. This disc can move together with the spindle within the
recess a in the flanges of the shaft.
The spindle may be operated by a stationary sleeve C arranged on its projecting
end allowing the spindle to have an independent rotary motion but which prevents
it shifting axially or longitudinally. This sleeve can be operated by a lever or
other suitable arrangement, so that on moving the sleeve, the spindle can be moved
longitudinally the arrangement acting in a similar way to the fork of an ordinary
shafting clutch.
The blades D and D¹ which are placed opposite to each other and extend radially
are supported by the flange coupling of the shaft. The faces of each flange are
formed with semi-circular grooves so that when the flanges are placed together a
circular hole is formed at each side. The blades are provided with the spindles
or necks d which are placed in these holes, and collars prevent the spindles moving.
The blades are thus pivotted to the flanged coupling, and are capable of turning
upon their axes.
To allow them to be turned to the desired angle short arms d' are provided
carried by the spindles or necks at their inner ends, and these arms are furnished
with the pins projecting internally. These engage with the disc b so that on
this disc moving along with the spindle B, the pins will also move. Owing to the
pins being carried on the ends of the short arms, the blades will be caused to turn
through an angle depending upon the amount of motion given to the spindle. The
casing within which the blades turn is formed in two parts E and E¹. The casing
is of disc shape and the sides are provided with the flanges e allowing them to be
securely fitted together by screws or other means.
As applied to wheels of motor vehicles, the casing E and E' may form part of
the driving wheel, the rim of the latter being carried by the flanges, or a belt may
be put on the flange driving thence the driving wheel of the car, or a toothed rim
may be made of the joint. The side E of the casing is provided with the internal
ring F carried by the ribs f. Between this ring and the inner flange e¹ of the case
are formed the fixed blades fl with the openings f² between them, allowing the
liquid to pass to all parts of the case. The other side E' of the casing is also pro-

page_text: vided with a similar ring F¹ carried by ribs, the two rings fitting closely together
when the casing is complete, as shown clearly in the sectional view. The casing
is carried on the shaft by means of the sleeves e at each side, so that the casing
can turn relatively to the shaft.
The action of the apparatus is as follows: - If the blades are arranged trans-
versely to the shaft or with their planes at right angles to it, they will simply cut
through the surrounding liquid, which may be oil, glycerine or any other suitable
substance. In this extreme position the blades will not transmit any motion to
the part to be driven. When the blades are turned so that they extend at an angle
across the shaft or are parallel to its axis the motion of the blade being transmitted
to the surrounding liquid, this exerts pressure on the fixed blades within the
casing, and when in the most effective position almost the full speed of the blades
would be transmitted. The speed of the blades may be the same in
all positions but the relative motion transmitted to the casing will
vary according to the angle of the blades. In any intermediate position between 1
the two extremes, a certain proportion of the motion will be given to the casing,
and as the angle can be regulated in any way without disturbing the action, the
effect of an adjustable gearing will be obtained. The adjustment can also be
obtained with any desired degree of accuracy. The power can be taken off from
the periphery of the casing (as in the application to wheels above mentioned) or
from the sleeves of the casing. In the latter case pulleys, wheels dynamo arma-
tures, and the like can be fitted upon the sleev
The arrangement is thus applicable to any description of machinery in which
power is required to be transmitted, and the speed to be regulated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said:
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
(1) In an improved coupling the combination with a casing adapted to contain
liquid, and blades in the said casing, of rotating blades carried by a shaft and
moving in the casing, and means for adjusting the angle of the plane of the said
blades relatively to the casing and shaft, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
(2) In an improved coupling, the combination of a casing adapted to contain
liquid and blades within the said casing, of a shaft on which the casing can turn,
adjustable blades carried by the said shaft and pivotted radially to it, and means
for turning the said blades around their pivots adjusting the angles of their planes,
substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(3) In an improved coupling, the combination with a casing adapted to contain
liquid, and blades within the said casing, of a shaft formed in two parts connected
together by flanges, recesses in the said flanges, rotating blades pivoted radially
to the shaft, and supported by the flanges, and an adjusting spindle within the
shaft adapted to slide axially and connections between the spindle and the pivotted
blades, allowing the angle of the plane of the latter to be adjustable, substantially
as described and for the purposes specified.
(4) In an improved coupling, the combination with a casing formed in two parts
fitted together, one part or side carrying blades and a ring, and the other a similar
ring supported by ribs, the casing being adapted to contain liquid, of a shaft on
which the casing can turn, formed in two parts, a flange on each part, a recess in
the flanges blades pivotted to the flanges, an adjustable spindle within the shaft
adapted to move longitudinally, and a disc or flange on the spindle moving within
the recess in the shaft flanges, and connections between the flange and the pivotted
blades allowing the angle of the latter to be adjusted substantially as described
and for the purposes specified.
(5) The improved coupling having a double casing, blades and rings within the
said casing, a divided shaft on which the casing can turn, recessed flanges,connect-
ing the two parts of the shaft, a sliding spindle within the shaft, means for operat-

page_text: ing the said spindle, pivotted blades carried by the shaft, flanges extending
radially, and connections between the blades and the regulating spindle, all con-
structed substantially as described and shown and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 30th day of November 1897.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicants.