IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODES OF CONSTRUCTING AND APPLYING WHEELS FOR RAILWAY CAR- RIAGES, LOCOMOTIVES, AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND JOURNALS AND BEARINGS THEREFOR, AND IN APPLIANCES FOR LUBRICATING THE SAID JOURNALS AND BEARINGS."
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, of the Firm of
Harris and Mills, of 35, Southampton Buildings, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MODES OF CONSTRUCTING AND APPLYING WHEELS FOR RAILWAY CAR-
RIAGES, LOCOMOTIVES, AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND JOURNALS AND BEARINGS
THEREFOR, AND IN APPLIANCES FOR LUBRICATING THE SAID JOURNALS AND
BEARINGS." A communication from abroad by William Arnold
Lewis, of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, United States of America,
Mechanical Engineer.
-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Joseph
Barnard Mills at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 19th July 1871.
I, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills,
5 of 35, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-

page_text: MENTS IN THE MODES OF CONSTRUCTING AND APPLYING WHEELS FOR RAILWAY
CARRIAGES, LOCOMOTIVES, AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND JOURNALS AND BEARINGS
THEREFOR, AND IN APPLIANCES FOR LUBRICATING THE SAID JOURNALS AND
BEARINGS," a communication to me from abroad by William Arnold
Lewis, of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, United States of America,
Mechanical Engineer, to be as follows:-
The first part of the Invention consists in constructing a hollow
wheel by welding together-within suitable dies separate parts or sections
which are previously formed in proper shape of wrought iron or steel.
One of these preliminary parts or sections constitutes the inner, and
another the outer face of the wheel, while the tread and flange are
formed of an approximately cylindrical rim which in constructing the
preliminary sections is made in one piece with that which is to constitute
one face of the wheel. If desired in order to produce an increased
thickness in the tread a cylindrical rim is also formed upon the other
face section but of sufficiently less diameter to adapt it to fit within the
first.
As a further modification a central web or diaphragm is in some
cases applied, the said web or diaphragm consisting of a flat annular
disc, which being placed within the cavity of the wheel between the
face plates will as the latter are welded together become united with
them at the part where their internal convexity brings them near
together, and will thus form an effective brace or support to the
wheel.
Under this first part of the Invention the central hub or box may
be formed of a wrought metal tube so made and applied that in the
act of welding the other parts together the said hub or box will be
united with them in one piece, or the said hub or box may be separately
applied.
Another part of the Invention relates to the mode of applying and
securing a hub or box made separately from the main portion of the
wheel. Under this part of the Invention the said hub or box is formed
of a metallic tube with external screw threads at or near its ends to
receive nuts between which the web of the hollow wheel is securely
clamped. These nuts are preferably formed with lugs through which
tap bolts are passed when the nuts are screwed home so as to secure
them immovably in position.

page_text: Another part of the Invention relates to a mode of journaling the
wheels upon the axle and the axles within stationary bearings so that
the wheels may be free to rotate independently but may also turn with
the axle.
In carrying out the Invention it is preferred to employ hollow or
tubular axles of wrought iron or steel on which the wheels are secured
by means of a thimble, which after it has been applied within the hub
of the wheel is forced on to the end of the axle where it fits immoveably
forming in effect a part of the said axle. This thimble is formed with
two journal surfaces, on one of which the wheel turns, while the other
turns within a bearing in the pedestal of the carriage or locomotive.
These two journal surfaces are separated by a collar formed upon
and projecting from the outside of the thimble between the hub of the
wheel and the customary journal box or bearing. The wheel being
passed over the inner end of the thimble prior to the application of the
latter to the axle is secured upon the said thimble by means of a nut,
the latter being by preference permanently fixed by radial bolts or
screws passed through it from within the end of the thimble. The
wheel is securely held between this nut and the collar of the thimble
without end play, the necessary end play of the wheels being-provided
between the axle and its journal bearings. The axle is secured within
its bearings by a nut applied upon a thread at the outer end of the
thimble. This nut being secured by a second jam nut applied upon a
thread on the end of the axle which projects beyond the end of the
thimble for this purpose. The outer nut may be permanently secured
by a pin passed completely through it and the end of the axle.
Another part of the Invention relates to means and appliances for
lubricating the journals of these wheels. To lubricate the journal
within the wheel the hollow of the wheel is employed as a reservoir
for oil, which is introduced through a suitable plug or opening in one
face of the wheel and is supplied to the journal through perforations
in the hub. To ensure a constant supply of oil and to strain out any
particles of solid matter the hub is surrounded within the cavity of the
wheel with a body of asbestos or other fibrous material, which is con-
nected with webs or discs of like material, of sufficient diameter to be
always in contact with the body of oil and thus serve to conduct it to
the centre by capillary action. To lubricate the outer journals oil
chambers are formed in the pillow blocks on either side of the stationary

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 18th January 1872..
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, BENJAMIN
JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 35, South-
ampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, Her special.
licence that I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Benjamin Joseph
Barnard Mills, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODES OF CONSTRUCTING AND APPLYING WHEELS
FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES, LOCOMOTIVES, AND OTHER ARTICLES, AND JOURNALS AND
BEARINGS THEREFOR, AND IN APPLIANCES FOR LUBRICATING THE SAID JOURNALS
AND BEARINGS," a communication to me from abroad by William Arnold
Lewis, of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, United States of America,
Mechanical Engineer, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say:
-
The first part of the Invention consists in constructing a hollow wheel
by welding together within suitable dies separate parts or sections, which
are previously formed in proper shape of wrought iron or steel. One of
these preliminary parts or sections constitutes the inner and another
the outer face of the wheel, while the tread and flange are formed of an
approximately cylindrical rim, which in constructing the preliminary
sections is made in one piece with that which is to constitute one face
of the wheel. If desired, in order to produce an increased thickness in
the tread, a cylindrical rim is also formed upon the other face section,
but of sufficiently less diameter to adapt it to fit within the first.
As a further modification a central web or diaphragm is in some cases
applied, the said web or diaphragm consisting of a flat annular disc,
which being placed within the cavity of the wheel between the face
plates will, as the latter are welded together, become united with them
at the part where their internal convexity brings them near together,
and will thus form an effective brace or support to the wheel. Under
this first part of the Invention the central hub or box may be formed of a
wrought metal tube so made and applied that in the act of welding the
other parts together the said hub or box will be united with them in
one piece, or the said hub or box may be separately applied.
Another part of the Invention relates to the mode of applying and
securing a hub or box made separately from the main portion of the
wheel. Under this part of the Invention the said hub or box is formed
of a metallic tube with external screw threads at or near its ends to
receive nuts, between which the web of the hollow wheel is securely
clamped. These nuts are preferably formed with lugs through which
tap bolts are passed when the nuts are screwed home, so as to secure
them immovably in position.
Another part of the Invention relates to a mode of journalling the
wheels upon the axle, and the axles within stationary bearings, so that
the wheels may be free to rotate independently, but may also turn with
the axle.
In carrying out the Invention it is preferred to employ hollow or
tubular axles of wrought iron or steel on which the wheels are secured
by means of a thimble, which, after it has been applied within the hub

page_text: of the wheel is forced on to the end of the axle, where it fits immovably,
forming in effect a part of the said axle. This thimble is formed with
two journal surfaces, on one of which the wheel turns, while the other
turns within a bearing in the pedestal of the carriage or locomotive.
These two journal surfaces are separated by a collar formed upon and
projecting from the outside of the thimble between the hub of the wheel
and the customary journal box or bearing. The wheel being passed over
the inner end of the thimble, prior to the application of the latter to the
axle, is secured upon the said thimble by means of a nut, the latter
being by preference permanently fixed by radial bolts or screws passed
through it from within the end of the thimble. The wheel is securely
held between this nut and the collar of the thimble without end play,
the necessary end play of the wheels being provided between the axle
and its journal bearings. The axle is secured within its bearings by a
nut applied upon a thread at the outer end of the thimble, this nut being
secured by a second jam nut applied upon a thread on the end of the
axle, which projects beyond the end of the thimble for this purpose.
The outer nut may be permanently secured by a pin passed completely
through it and the end of the axle.
Another part of the Invention relates to means and appliances for
lubricating the journals of these wheels. To lubricate the journal within
the wheel the hollow of the wheel is employed as a reservoir for oil,
which is introduced through a suitable plug or opening in one face of
the wheel, and is supplied to the journal through perforations in the
hub. To insure a constant supply of oil, and to strain out any particles
of solid matter, the hub is surrounded within the cavity of the wheel
with a body of asbestos or other fibrous material, which is connected with
webs or discs of like material of sufficient diameter to be always in
contact with the body of oil, and thus serve to conduct it to the centre
by capillary action. To lubricate the outer journals oil chambers are
formed in the pillow blocks on either side of the stationary bearings,
from which chambers the oil is allowed to flow gradually to the journals
through small apertures, protected in like manner by asbestos or other
suitable material to prevent the passage of impurities.
And in order that the said Invention may be clearly understood and
...

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a box or hub adapted to be welded.
within the centre of a hollow wheel; Figures 2 and 3 are sectional
views of the preliminary sections of which the inner and outer faces and
the rim of the wheel are formed; Figure 4 is a vertical section repre-
senting the three parts of the wheel within a dic box about to be welded
together; Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of a finished wheel, including
also the central web or disc, which is not shown in preceding Figures;
Figure 6 is a transverse section of a self-lubricating wheel, the plane of
section being indicated by the line x, x, Figure 7; Figure 7 is a longi-
tudinal section of the same on the line y, y, Figure 6; Figure 8 is a
longitudinal section of a thimble employed in applying this wheel;
Figure 9 is a transverse section taken through the centre of one of the
stationary bearings, and showing the outer face of the wheel; Figure 10.
is a longitudinal section on the line 2, z, Figure 9, the thimble and the
axle within it being shown partly in section.
The three parts or sections of a wheel, represented in Figures 1, 2,
and 3, are formed of wrought iron or steel by swaging them while hot
within successive dies formed and adapted to bring cach to the required
shape by any necessary number of operations in a manner commonly
practised in shaping metals; they are then heated to the welding point
in a furnace or oven, and quickly adjusted in proper position within the
welding dies, as shown in Figure 4, the said welding dies being also
heated and being placed at the mouth of the oven, so that the metal
is not removed from the atmosphere or heat of the furnace until the
welding is completed.
The hub section of the wheel is designated by the letter E', the inner
face plate by the letter A, upon which may also be formed a cylindrical
rim D', as shown in Figure 2, adapted to fit within and be welded into
one piece with the outer part of the rim. The outer face plate B, outer
part D of the rim, and the flange C, are formed in another piece, as
shown in Figure 3.
If the wheel is to be made with a central web O (Figure 5) this is
applied in the form of a flat annular disc, which may be dropped over
the central box or hub E', and within the rim D or D'. P represents
the stationary and Q the moving die, in the centre of which latter is
applied a mandril R to properly centre the parts and insure a proper

page_text: formation of the box in the act of welding. The separate sections or
parts of the wheel having been suitably heated and adjusted between
the dies, as before explained and as represented in Figure 4, the lower
die is quickly elevated by toggle-jointed levers or other suitable mecha-
nism, the effect of which is to weld the parts into a single homogeneous
piece of metal, as represented in Figure 5.
If the wheel is to be constructed with a separate hub or box, and the
latter secured by screw nuts, as shown in Figure 7, the parts-A, B, C,.
D, either with or without the central web O, are welded together in a
precisely similar way, the mandril R used in this case being large
enough to form an eye or central aperture of the requisite size to receive
the hub or box E.
Referring to Figures 6 to 10 inclusive E represents the box or hub
of the wheel formed with apertures e to permit the passage of oil from
the interior of the wheel to lubricate the journal on which it turns. c'
are screw threads on the ends of the box E to receive nuts F and G,
by which the said box is firmly secured within the centre of the wheel,
these nuts serving to clamp between them the webs A, B. From the
nuts F and G. project lugs f, through which tap bolts g pass into the
web of the wheel so as to secure the nuts F and G firmly in position.
b represents a plug in the outer web B of the wheel, which may
be removed at pleasure to permit the introduction of oil for lubri-
cation. This oil, which naturally tends to find the lowest part of the
cavity when the wheel is at rest, and to be thrown to the outer part
by centrifugal action while in motion is conducted to the centre by
discs or webs H of any suitable capillary material, so that it will be
gradually and constantly supplied to the journal within the hub of
the wheel. The asbestos or other fibrous material h applied imme-
diately around the hub E serves to strain any impurities out of the oil.
I is a thimble formed at its mid-length with a projecting collar J, and 3
at each end with an external screw thread i. This thimble is adapted
to receive upon one of its ends the box or hub E of the wheel, which is
secured thereon by a nut K, so that the wheel may turn upon the said
thimble between the collar J and nut K without end play. The nut K
having been screwed up to its proper bearing is there fixed by a screw a
or pink passed through it from the inside of the thimble. This thimble
being thus secured within the wheel is driven on to the axle by pressure
or other common means, so that in use it constitutes in effect a portion

page_text: of the axle itself. The outer end of the thimble constitutes the journal
of the axle resting upon the stationary bearing M, which is formed with
oil chambers m in either side of the pillow block. From these oil
chambers oil is allowed to flow gradually on to the top of the journal
through apertures m³ protected by asbestos strainers m². The strainers
may be located in chambers within the bearings, as shown, so as to be
in contact with the journal, and thus keep it constantly moist.
N is a
nut screwed upon the outer end of the thimble, and N1 a jam nut, which
is afterwards screwed upon the outer end of the axle L, where the latter
projects beyond the thimble and held by a through pin or bolt, as
illustrated by dotted lines in Figure 10. The length of the outer part
of the thimble I between the collar J and the nut N is so proportioned
relatively to the bearing M as to allow the necessary end play to the
axle to permit the wheels to accommodate themselves to the track.
From the above description it will be seen that the wheel has two
independent journals, one between itself and the axle, the other between
the axle and the stationary bearings.
The improvement thus provides for the customary simultaneous
turning of the wheels with their axle, and in addition to this allows an
independent motion of the wheels upon their axle, which permits them
to adjust themselves with perfect freedom to compensate for unequal
motion in passing curves.
It further provides for each wheel two efficient journal bearings, so
that in the event of either one becoming obstructed from lack of lubri-
cation or other cause the resistance will cause it to rest, and the heating
or undue wear of the parts will thus be effectually avoided.
The Invention combines all the advantages of independent movement
in the wheels and complete security and support of the latter upon the
axle, with an axle made in one picce.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and the mode
in which the same is carried into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is,-
First. A hollow wrought-iron or steel wheel, constructed substan-
tially as herein described, for railway carriages, locomotives, and other
vehicles.

page_text: Second. The preliminary sections, constructed substantially as shown
in Figures 2 and 3.
Third. The process of forming the wheels by a combined welding and
swaging process applied to preliminary sections or parts of wheels, formed
substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The hollow car wheel A, B, C, D, constructed substantially
as described, with a perforated box E to adapt it for use as a reservoir
for lubricating material.
Fifth. The combination of a car wheel and axle arranged for separate
or independent rotation, substantially as herein described.
Sixth. The thimble I adapted for application to the axle in such
a manner as to form separate journals for the wheel upon the axle, and
for the axle in its bearings, substantially as herein described.
Seventh. The combination of the hub E, hollow wheel A, B, C, D,
and nuts F, G, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Eighth. The combination with the hollow wheel A, B, C, D, of the
perforated hub E and oil conductor H, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
Ninth. The oil chambers m, m, one or more, arranged above the
journal in the stationary bearing M, substantially as and for the purpose.
specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of January,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two.
B. J. B. MILLS. (L.S.)