IMPROVEMENTS IN ANTI-FRICTION STEP BEARINGS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, GEORGE LOOMIS BROWNELL of Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State
of Massachusetts, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ANTI-FRICTION STEP BEARINGS,"
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to those bearings which receive the end thrust, or pressure,
of revolving shafts, as the spindles of lathes, or such as sustain the weight of
vertical shafts, or resist a pressure exerted in the line of the axis of the shaft, as
in the case of the upright shafts of water wheels and those heavy parts of machines
which rotate about a vertical axis. In the following description reference is made
to the Figures in the accompanying drawing which illustrate an Anti-Friction
Step Bearing embodying the several features of my invention, the same letters of
reference indicating like parts in the several Figures.
Figure 1, represents a vertical sectional view of a portion of an upright revolving
shaft, having a step bearing embodying my invention.
Figure 2, shows a transverse sectional view of the same.
A, A, denotes the upright shaft which rotates in the bearing F, held in a girder
or beam E, and whose weight and that of any connected mechanisin, is exerted in
the line of its axis, as indicated by the arrow N. Resting upon the beam E, is a
stationary flange H, having its upper surface beveled at H, H', and its outer edge
turned up at G, G, forming a case or shell. Attached to the shell A, A, is a
flange C, forming a cover for the case or shell G, and having its under surface D,
beveled, the two opposing and beveled surfaces D, and H', forming a similar angle
with the axis of the shaft.
Inclosed within the case is the ring I, carrying the three equidistant radial
studs J, J, J, upon which the conical rollers K, K, K, turn. The angle formed by
the sides of the rollers K, and the axis of the shaft A, corresponds with that of the
beveled surfaces D, and H¹, adapting them to serve as rollers between the two
flanges C, and H, the surface H', forming the track, and the surface D, resting upon
the rollers K, which thus support the downward pressure of the shaft A. The
rotation of the shaft A, and its attached flange C, causes the rollers K, to turn
upon the beveled flange H, and the ring I, to be carried around with the shaft.

page_text: The ring I, is held free from contact with the flanges C, and H, and its inclosing
shell G, with sufficient space between the outer edges of the beveled surfaces H¹,
and D, and the upturned edge G, of the lower flange, to allow the ring I, to move
laterally, bringing it eccentric with the shaft A, the rollers K, K, K, only coming
in contact with the beveled surfaces D, and H, and the ring I, serving to maintain
the studs J, radial and equidistant. If the three rollers K, K, K, are of uniform
size and accurately adjusted the ring I, will be carried around concentrically with
the shaft A; but in case one of the rollers K, is slightly larger than the others, the
pressure of the upper flange would be brought upon that alone pressing it laterally
toward the outer edge of the beveled track H, and bringing the two opposite and
smaller rollers toward the center, until the pressure upon each became equal also
bringing the ring J, eccentric to the shaft, the paths of the three rolls being
concentric with the shaft, but that of the largest roller being farthest from the
center.
The lateral movement of the ring I, in a plane at right angles to its axis of the
shaft allows the pressure upon the rollers K, K, K, to adjust the radii of their
respective paths, so each roller shall receive an equal share of the superincumbent
weight, and whenever this weight is brought to bear upon one of the rollers, all
the remaining rollers should be equidistant from the weight supporting roller;
hence but three rollers can be employed advantageously. Rings or collars held
concentrically with the shaft and carrying a series of conical rollers, rolling upon a
beveled way or track, have long been in use as an anti-friction device; such I do
not claim broadly. In such devices the several rollers have been held at uniform
distances from the axis of the rotating shaft and have been made to follow each
other in the same path, the largest roller by its greater speed causing the smaller
rollers to slide on the track. In my anti-friction bearing the larger rollers travel
in longer paths being nearer the outer edge of the beveled track H¹, the length of
the circular path described by each roller corresponding with its size. The inner
ends of the rollers K, K, K, are closed, so as to bring the outward or radial pressure
of the rollers against the inner ends of the studs, which may be hardened to resist
wear if desired. Between the closed end of each roller and the inner end of the
stud, I place a washer L, of steel, raw hide, brass, or if required of some anti-
friction material. The cup shaped shell G, G, may be partially filled with lubricating
material and the flange C, forming the cap, should not come in contact with the
edge of the shell G, G. I do not confine myself to the specific arrangement of ring,
rollers, and beveled track, as shown and described. The essential features of the
first part of my invention consisting in allowing a lateral motion to the ring, so as
to vary the radii of the several paths of the conical rollers.
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:-
1. The combination with a rotating shaft, having an attached flange with a
beveled surface, and a stationary flange with an opposing beveled surface forming
a track for a series of conical rollers; of a series of conical rollers, rolling between
the beveled surfaces and receiving any longitudinal strain upon the shaft, said
rollers being held in a ring or frame, rotating about the shaft and capable of lateral
motion in a plane at right angles to its axis of rotation, so said roller-carrying
frame or ring, may move eccentrically to the rotating shaft, as and for the purpose
hereinbefore described.
2. The anti-friction step bearing consisting of three conical rollers, rolling on a
beveled way or track and equidistant and radial studs held in a ring or frame, free
to assume a position eccentric to its axis of rotation, so the pressure of the super-
incumbent load on the conical rollers may adjust the paths of the rollers relatively
to their size, as set forth and described.
3. In an anti-friction bearing the combination with an annular ring having
internal radial arms, of a series of conical rollers with their inner land closed ends

page_text: bearing against the ends of the radial arms, so they will receive the outward
pressure caused by the load resting upon the rollers, as set forth and described.
4. The combination with annular ring I, and radial studs J, J, J, of conical
rollers K, K, K, having their inner ends closed and bearing against the ends of the
radial studs J, J, J, and washers L, as set forth and described.