Improvements in and connected with the Motor and Propeller Shafts of Vessels.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Applic tion, 14th Aug., 1839
Complete Specification Left, 29th Apr., 1890--Accepted, 9th Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with the Motor and Propeller
Shafts of Vessels.
I, MORITZ IMMISCH, of 119 Torriano Avenue, Camden Town, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to he
as follows:-
This invention provides in the first place an efficient and convenient thrust block
for motor and propeller shafts, and which consists of a ball thrust block of special
construction suitable for both forward and backward propulsion.
The thrust block preferably forms part of and is connected to one of the bearings
for the motor spindle on the bed of the motor.
This improved thrust block consists in a collar (preferably of hardened steel) which
is keyed or otherwise rigidly secured to the motor shaft.
The ends or faces of this collar are conical or concaved, so that the collar is thicker
towards the centre than at its periphery. A casing preferably of gun metal is
securely fixed to the motor hearing, and through it the motor shaft passes, the steel
collar mounted thereon entering the casing, within which both it and the motor shaft
can revolve freely. The casing is provided at each end with a collar (also preferably
of hardened steel), so that the collar fixed to the motor shaft occupies a position
between the two end collars in the casing, with a certain space between its conical or
concaved ends or faces and the corresponding faces of the end collars. The faces of
these end collars are also conical or concaved but in the opposite direction to that of
the faces of the collar fixed to the shaft. Balls or rollers (preferably of hardened
steel) are introduced between the conical or concaved faces of the fixed collar and
those of the end collars in the casing. These end collars are prevented from revolving
within the casing by means of pins or other suitable means, while the motor shaft. can
revolve within such collars, through which it passes freely. One end of the casing is
removable so as to permit the examination of the parts when requisite, and also any
adjustment of same which may become necessary through wear. It will be seen that
the balls or rollers being confined between the conical or concaved surfaces of tho
collar fixed to the shaft and those of the end collars in the casing, such balls or rollers
will have only a point or line contact with both surfaces, and they will serve to take
up the thrust when the vessel is being driven either forwards or backwards.
The casing may be provided with means for lubricating the balls or rollers and the
conical or concaved surfaces in contact with which they revolve.
The object of the second part of this invention is to provide an improved coupling
or connection between the motor shaft and the screw propeller shafi of vessels,
whereby such shafts will be relieved from abnormal strains, and at the same time the
objectionable vibrations in the vessel itself, which are caused by the variation of the
resistance the propeller meets with, will be prevented.
The invention consists of a flexible spring coupling which is composed of two discs,
one secured to the end of the propeller shaft and the other to the adjacent end of the
motor shaft. These two discs are then connected together by a series of flat spring
blades, the opposite ends of which are secured respectively to such discs at suitable
distances apart. The blades are set so that when in their normal position they are at
an angle to the longitudinal axis of the two shafts which are in the same line.
As the motor shaft. rotates and transmits power to the propeller shaft the
resistance offered to the rotation of the latter will-according to the direction of
rotation-tend to either increase or diminish the angle of the blades to the axis,
such tendency naturally varying with variations in the resistance, and as the

page_text: flexible nature of the blades will permit them to yield, all shocks or abnormal
strains which would otherwise be caused will be avoided.
Further, as the blades connecting the two discs form a spring connection between
the two shafts, they will permit same to yield to vibrations.
The distortion of the spring blades from the angle which they normally form with
the longitudinal axis, will cause the distance between the discs to which they are
secured to vary with such angle, and consequently one of the shafts must be capable of
sufficient longitudinal movement to permit of the discs moving towards and away from
each other to the requisite extent.
The motor shaft is preferably provided with a thrust block constructed as above
described so as to take up the end thrust when the vessel is being propelled in either
direction.
In order to limit the strain which is put upon the blades, the discs are provided with
means for limiting their angular displacement in relation to each other. A suitable
means for effecting this consists in providing one of the dises with an arm, projecting
towards the other disc, and entering between two stops or abutments secured to such
lafter disc. When the dises are in their normal position in relation to each other,
there is a clearance between the arm on one and the stops or abutments on the other,
and it is only when a very excessive strain is suddenly brought upon the coupling that
the arm comes into contact with one or other of such abutments (according to the
direction of rotation). By these means the rupture of the blades by a sudden
excessive strain is prevented, as when the arm is in contact with one of the stops or
abutments no further strain will be brought upon the blades
A suitable means of securing the blades to the discs consists in sotting the ends of
such blades in soft metal rings which have been cast round such ends, while the discs
(which are keyed or otherwise secured to the propeller and motor shafts respectively)
are on their inner faces provided with annular recesses to receive such rings, which
can then be secured by bolts or studs introduced from the rear of the discs. This
arrangement permits the shafts to bo readily disconnected and the blades to be removed
and replaced with facility.
Dat this 13th Ly of Amanat 1880
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with the Motor and Propeller
Shafts of Vessels.
1, MORITZ IMMISCH, of 119 Torriano Avenue, Camden Town, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
and in what moner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention provides in the first place an efficient and convenient thrust block for
motor and propeller shafts, and which consists of a ball thrust block of special
construction suitable for both forward and backward propulsion; and secondly, this
invention provides an improved coupling or connection between the motor shaft and
the screw propeller shaft of vessels, whereby such shafts will be relieved from
abnormal strains, and at the same time the objectionable vibrations in the vessel itself,
which are caused by the variation of the resistance the propeller meets with, will ho
prevented.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1, is a longitudinal section of a thrust block constructed according to my
invention, and
Fig. 2, is an end elevation thereof.

page_text: Fig. 4, is an end elevation, and
Fig. 5, a side elevation of such coupling, with the cover or casing surrounding the
spring blades removed.
Fig. 6, is a longitudinal section of part of a vessel fitted with an electro-motor, and
shows the improved thrust block and the flexible coupling applied to the motor and
propeller shafts thereof.
The thrust block preferably forms part of and is connected to one of the bearings
for the motor spindle on the bed of the motor, as shown in the drawings.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this improved thrust block consists in a collar A
(preferably of hardened steel), which is keyed by the conical or other key B, or
otherwise rigidly secured to the motor shaft C. The ends or faces a, a¹, of this
collar A are conical or concaved, so that the collar is thicker towards the centre
than at its periphery. A casing D, preferably of gun metal, is securely fixed to
the motor bearing E, and through it the motor shaft C passes, the steel collar A
mounted thereon entering such casing, within which both it and the motor shaft C
can revolve freely. The casing D is provided at each end with a collar F, F¹,
(also preferably of hardened steel), so that the collar A fixed to the motor shaft C,
occupies a position between such end collars F, F', in the casing, with a certain
space between its conical or concaved ends or faces and the corresponding faces
of the end collars. The faces of these end collars F, F', are also conical or
concaved, but in the opposite direction to that of the faces of the collar A fixed
to the shaft C. Balls or rollers G (preferably of hardened steel) are introduced
between the conical or concaved faces a, a', of the collar A, and those of the end
collars F, F, in the casing D. These end collars F, F, may, if desired, be
prevented from revolving within the casing D by means of pins or by other
suitable means, while the motor shaft can revolve within such collars F, F¹,
through which it passes freely. The end D¹ of the casing D is removable, so as
to permit the examination of the parts when requisite, and also any adjustment of
same which may become necessary through wear. It will be seen that the balls
or rollers G being confined between the conical or concaved faces a, a¹, of the
collar A fixed to the motor shaft C, and those of the end collars F, F', in the
casing D, such balls or rollers will have only a point or line contact with both
surfaces, and they will serve to take up the thrust when the vessel is being driven
either forwards or backwards.
The casing D may be provided with means for lubricating the balls or rollers G,
and the conical or concaved surfaces in contact with which they revolve. As shown
in Fig. 1, a lubricator for this purpose may be applied at H.
The improved flexible spring coupling is shown in detail in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, of the
drawings, and is composed of two discs I and J, the latter secured to the inner end of
the propeller shaft K, and the former to the adjacent end of the motor shaft C.
These two discs I and J are connected together by a series of flat spring blades L, the
opposite ends of which are secured respectively to such discs at suitable distances.
apart. The blades L are set so that when in their normal position they are at an
angle to the longitudinal axis of the two shafts C and K, which are in the same line.
As the motor shaft C rotates and transmits power to the propeller shaft K, the
resistance offered to the rotation of the latter will according to the direction of
rotation-tend to either increase or diminish the angle of the blades L to the axis,
such tendency naturally varying with variations in the resistance, and as the flexible.
nature of the blades L will permit them to yield, all shocks or abnormal strains which
would otherwise be caused will be avoided.
Further, as the blades L connecting the two discs I and J, form a spring connection.
between the two shafts C and K, they will permit same to yield to vibrations.
The distortion of the spring blades L from the angle which they normally form
with the longitudinal axis, will cause the distance between the discs I and J to which
they are secured to vary with such angle, and consequently one of the shafts C'or K.
must be capable of sufficient longitudinal movement to permit of the discs I and J.

page_text: moving towards and away from each other to the requisite extent. In the drawings
the propeller shaft Kis (as shown in Fig. 6) represented as being capable of such
longitudinal movement.
The motor shaft C is (as shown also in Fig 6) preferably provided with a thrust
block constructed as hereinbefore described so as to take up the end thrust when the
vessel is being propelled in either direction.
The blades L of the coupling are preferably protected by a casing M secured to one
of the discs I or J, such casing extending over the blades to protect them from
moisture, dirt or injury; and in order to limit the strain which is put upon the
blades L, the discs I and J are provided with means for limiting their angular
displacement in relation to each other. This may be effected by providing one of the
discs I, J, with an arm or pin, or arms or pins O, and making a slit or slits N in the
casing M secured to the other disc, the arms or pins O being situated within such.
slits. When the discs are in their normal position in relation to each other, there is a
clearance between the pins or arms O and the sides of the slits N in the casing M,
and it is only when a very excessive strain is suddenly brought upon the coupling that
the pins or arms come into contact with one side or the other of such slits or
openings N (according to the direction of rotation), and thus prevent any further
angular displacement of the discs I and J in relation to each other. By these means
the rupture of the blades L by a sudden excessive strain is prevented, as when the pin
or pins is or are brought into contact with one side or the other of the slits or
openings N, no further strain will be brought upon the blades L.
A suitable means of securing the blades L to the discs 1 and J consists in setting
the ends of such blades in soft metal rings P, which have been cast round such ends,
while the discs J and I (which are keyed or otherwise secured to the propeller
shaft K and motor shaft C respectively) are on their inner faces provided with annular
recesses to receive such rings, which can then be secured by bolts or studs Q
introduced from the rear of such discs I and J. This arrangement permits the
-shafts C and K to be readily disconnected, and the blades L to be removed and
replaced with facility.
In Fig. 6, D indicates the casing of the improved thrust block, which is formed in
-one with or secured to the bearing E of the motor spindle C, on the bed Z of the
motor Y, while the disc I of the spring coupling is secured to such motor spindle C,
and the other disc J of such coupling is secured to the shaft K of the propeller W,
the two discs I and J being connected by the spring blades L, all as hereinbefore
.described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what mauner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improved thrust block for the motor and propeller shafts of vessels,
consisting in a collar secured to one of such shafts, and having its end faces made
conical or concaved in the direction to make it thicker towards the centre than at the
periphery, in combination with (1) a fixed casing within which such collar can
revolve, and which casing contains a collar at each end with inner faces of
corresponding form, but being concaved or made conical in the opposite direction,
to those of the end faces of the collar fixed to the shaft, and (2) a series of balls or
rollers inserted between the end faces of the central collar and those of the end collars,
all substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. The improved spring coupling for connecting the motor and propeller shafts of
vessels, consisting in two discs, one secured to the end of each of such shafts, and
being connected together by a series of spring blades set at an angle to the longitudinal
taxis of such shafts, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
3. The combination with the improved spring coupling consisting of two discs I
and J connected by spring blades L, in the manner set forth in the preceding claim,
of suitable means for limiting the amount of angular displacement of such discs in

page_text: relation to each other, so as to prevent the rupture or damage of the spring blades
connecting such discs, from excessive strain, substantially as specified.
4. The method of securing the spring blades L to the discs I and J, consisting in
casting the ends of such blades into rings of soft metal P, and then securing such
rings in annular recesses formed in the inner faces of the discs I and J to receive
them, substantially as specified.
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