Improvements in Wheels for Rolling Stock.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 18th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 23rd Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wheels for Rolling Stock.
I, WILLIAM JOHN BREWER of 278 Winchester House, Old Broad Street in
the City & County of London, Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to wheels for rolling stock and especially to those in which
means are provided to insulate the centre of the wheel from the body & rim in
such a way as to prevent communication of excessive vibration from the rim or
tyre to the axle.
My invention consists in the construction of such a wheel that the following
advantages are obtained to a greater extent and in a more efficient manner than as
heretofore :-
Firstly. The thorough and perfect insulation of the rim from the hub there being
no continuity of metal contact between the same.
Secondly. The deadening of sound produced by rolling motion.
Thirdly. The arrangements of the bolts or other fastening appliances so that
they remain perfectly tight and are not liable to breakage or fracture from vibration
or side strain.
Fourthly. Great accessibility for purposes of renewal of the rims or body of the
wheel.
Fifthly. In the case of electric locomotives where the motor has to be geared
rigidly to the car axle much less vibration is communicated to the motor.
Sixthly. By my improved construction the greatest stability is obtained between
the hub of the wheel, the body and the rim or tyre.
I carry out my invention as follows:-
The hub of the wheel is mounted on the axle in the usual way and is formed
separate from the body or rim.
The centre part of the external periphery of the hub is made slightly taper and
forms the seating upon which the body of the wheel which surrounds it is
supported.
Upon one side of the hub a flange extending out radially is provided and on
the opposite side of the hub a loose flange or ring is arranged. The space between
these flanges is occupied by the body of the wheel.
An annular space is arranged between the exterior periphery of the hub and the
interior periphery of the body of the wheel, within which space suitable insulating
material such as compressed indiarubber woodite, cork or other similar material is
placed. Layers of insulating material are also arranged between the side flanges
and the body of the wheel. Suitable lips projecting inwards towards the said body
may be provided upon the outside edge of flange and the loose ring to prevent the
insulating material from working out between the faces.
The loose flange may be attached to the hub by means of bolts which shall fit
tightly in the ring and which pass through the hub of the wheel between the seating
of the body of the wheel and the centre. Or horns may be provided extending
outwards from the flanges in order to carry further bolts which shall pass through
the body of the wheel in the space between two spokes, or through the spokes
where divided spokes are used.
By this arrangement of fastening & supporting the body of the wheel upon its
hub, perfect freedom of action. is permissible when the insulating material at the
wheel seat is compressed without any movement of the bolts or fastening appliances
relatively to the parts which they hold together, thus obviating the risk of the nuts
becoming loose upon the said bolts and the liability of the bolts being fractured by

page_text: any excessive angular strain that may be exerted upon them should the heads and
nuts of the bolts take a position other than parallel to the surfaces which they
support, which may happen when the bolts are permitted to move relatively to the
parts which they support.
It is obvious that by making the hub of the wheel taper the body may be threaded
upon it with the insulating material between, in a far tighter manner than if it were
parallel.
I may equivalently effect the attachment of the flange or ring to the hub by
screwing it upon the same also where necessary the insulating material may he
screwed upon the hub in a similar manner.
In order to prevent the body of the wheel turning upon its hub suitable recesses
and projections are formed ou the body of the wheel and on the flanges supporting
it so as to engage into one another the insulating material being packed between
the surfaces in such a manner that the driving effect from the axle to the rim is
produced through the medium of the said insulating material.
Where necessary
the bolts may be surrounded by a jacket of insulating material so as to prevent
any communication of vibration from parts through which they are inserted to
the nuts.
A keep ring is arranged around the nuts in the said bolts in order to prevent
their becoming unscrewed.
In some cases I may make the body of the wheel project over the supporting
flanges so as to bear thereon thus increasing the width of the wheel seat, insulating
material being arranged between the body of the wheel and the hub in a similar
manner as before described.
Dated this 19th day of February 1891.
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wheels for Rolling Stock.
WILLIAM JOHN BREWER Civil Engineer (care of Charles Mason C.E.)
10 Lynhurst Square London E.C. 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 :-
By the method proposed as in accordance with my invention for the construction
of wheels for rolling stock, wherein the hub of the wheel is mounted on the axle in
the usual way, and is formed separate from the body or rim the central parts of the
external periphery of the hub may be made slightly tapered or of cone shape and
forms the seating upon which the body of the wheel which surrounds it, is
supported.
Upon one side of the hub a flange extending out radially is provided, and on
the opposite side of the hub a loose flauge or ring is provided.
Between these flanges an annular space is arranged and between the interior
periphery of the hub and the interior periphery or portion of the body of the wheel
and in the annular space so provided as well as between the side flanges and the
body of the wheel, suitable insulating material such as compressed india-rubber
"woodite cork or other similar or suitable material is inserted. To the outside
edge of the radial flange as well as the loose flange or ring suitable lips are or may
be provided projecting inwards towards the said body so as to prevent the insulating
material working out between the flanges.
፡፡
The loose flange may be attached to the hub by means of bolts to fit tightly in
the ring and pass through the hub of the wheel between the seating for the body
of the wheel and the centre. Or projections may be provided extending outwardly
from the flanges so as to carry further bolts which shall pass through the body

page_text: of the wheel in the space between two spokes or through the spokes where divided
spokes are used.
By making the hub of the wheel of taper or conical form, the body of the wheel
may be threaded upon it with the insulating material between in a more compact
and far tighter manner than if it were parallel.
The flange or ring may be attached to the hub by screwing it upon the same
and where necessary the insulating material may be also screwed upon the hub in a
similar manner.
In order to prevent the body of the wheel turning upon its hub, suitable recesses
grooves or projections or corrugations are formed on the body of the wheel and on
the flanges supporting it so as to engage with one another, the insulating material
before referred to being packed between the surfaces provided by the annular
space so formed whereby all vibration or jar from the axle to the rim is entirely
obviated, through the medium of the said insulating material from the hub or axle,
and there being no continuity of metal parts in immediate contact, a comparatively
noiseless wheel is secured. The bolts may also be surrounded by suitable insulating
material so as to further prevent any possible vibratory communication from parts
to the nuts. A keep ring or other suitable means may be provided around the muts
so as to render them more secure and tight and also to prevent the wearing away
of the bolt holes by the bolts becoming loose.
The body of the wheel may in some cases be made to project over the supporting
Hanges so as to bear thereon thereby increasing the width of the wheel seat:
insulating material being disposed between the body of the wheel and the hub.
By this arrangement of fastening and supporting the body of the wheel upon its
hub, perfect freedom of action is permissible when the interposed insulating material
at the wheel seat is compressed without any movement of the bolts or fastening
appliances relatively to the parts which they hold together, thus obviating the
risk of the nuts becoming loose upon the said bolts and the liability of the bolts
becoming fractured by any excessive angular strain that may be exerted upon
them, should the heads and nuts of the bolts take a position other than parallel to
the surfaces which they support.
In the accompanying drawings on Sheet 1 Figure 1 shews a cross section of part
of a car wheel and Figure 2 an elevational plan of the same. Figure 3 is likewise
a cross sectional view and Figure 4 a plan, but in the latter case shewing a somewhat
different disposition of parts such as I may propose or prefer to adopt, but in both
cases designed and intended for tram cars and such like use as in accordance with
my invention.
In these several views the following letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts.
A is the axle B the metal hub of the wheel mounted on the axle in the ordinary
manner and formed entirely separate and distinct from the body of the wheel.
B is the external periphery of the hub forming the seating upon which the body
of the wheel C surrounding same is supported. D is a flange extending out radially,
E is a loose flange or ring disposed on the opposite side of the hub B.
F is au
annular space formed between the exterior periphery of the hub and the interior
periphery or portion of the body of the wheel. F' and F2 are also annular spaces
provided around and between the side flanges D and E, and the body of the wheel C.
The said annular spaces are intended to contain a certain amount of suitable
insulating elastic material, but compressed into position, so as to entirely interpose
between the body of the wheel and the hub seating.
In the case of india rubber or a composition or mixture thereof with other
material being preferred or used as the insulating material between the several
metal parts. I may propose to melt the same down and when approaching a liquid
state to run it into the said aunular spaces, when the several parts are fitted together,
and then be allowed to cool.
The particular arrangement for securing the whole of the parts together as
shown in the respective figures, is by means of the bolts G (and the bolt heads G')

page_text: which are caused to pass through the loose flange E, the interposed layer of the
insulating material beneath and throughout the metal hub B and flange H.
Upon the nuts K being screwed up and locked or made secure the wheel is then
complete.
In Figures 3 and 4 (Sheet 1) it will be seen that the external portions of the
side radial flange D and E as well as the hub portion B are of a somewhat different
sectional form to those of Figures I and 2, in which the body of the wheel C is
shrunk on to the hub B by hydraulic pressure or other suitable means.
The com-
pressed insulating material being interposed between same in like manner as in
Figures 1 and 2. The outward portions of the side radial flanges are bent or
lipped over towards the body of the wheel C so that the insulating material is kept
securely in position.
The hub would preferably be shrunk onto the axle or steel centre A by hydraulic
or other suitable means.
I may find it desirable to entirely surround the bolts and nuts with insulating
material, and the recessed space or portion formed between the flanges D and E,
and the body of the wheel C may also contain the necessary insulating material and
of a corrugated form by preference.
Figure 5 (Sheet 2) represents a longitudinal cross section and Figure 6 a plan
of a portion of a built up wheel. Figure 7 shews a longitudinal cross section and
Figure 8 a plan of same shewing a portion of a wheel constructed according to my
invention; each design being a variation or modification of my system for con-
structing wheels as shewn which are particularly suitable for railway or other such
like heavy work.
The following letters of reference in each case refer to like or corresponding
parts.
A represents the axle portion upon which the hub B which may be constructed
either of steel or wrought iron would be secured thereon in the usual manner.
C is the body of the wheel to which the arms or connections form part as with the
tyre surrounding same.
In Figures 5 and 6 (Sheet 2) the interposition of the insulating medium D, which
is inserted between the inner periphery of the body of the wheel and the hub. The
circumferential radial flange B² forming an outer projecting portion of the hub B
may have an inward lip provided thereon (as shewn at Figure 5) as well as in the
case of the loose flange or ring E on the opposite side of the hub B. F, F¹ are
annular spaces provided around the inner side of the exterior flanges B² and E and
the body of the wheel C which would have and contain the necessary insulating or
nonconducting material as desired for my particular purpose.
By the method shewn in Figures 5 and 6, the whole of the several parts as
previously described are secured together by means of the bolts G, (and bolt
heads G and nuts K).
In Figures 7 and 8 (Sheet 2) I have shewn in side elévation and in longitudinal
section a somewhat different design for a noiseless wheel particularly adapted for
heavy rolling stock and to further obviate and prevent any communication of
excessive vibration and deaden sound. I may as shewn, so employ and use a duplicate
method of securing the several parts together forming the wheel in its entirety (as
hereinbefore referred to) wherein A represents the wheel axle secured to the
hub B. C the body of the wheel. F and F' are insulating substances which are
so placed between the annular spaces formed between the projecting radial flange B2
and the loose flange E.
The bolts G and G (and bolt heads G and nuts K) occupy their respective
positions between the several parts forming the wheel and that of the spaces filled
with the necessary insulating substances as shewn at D and D'.
In this case the several flanges B and E are further extended outwardly so as
to permit of the duplicate arrangement of screw bolts (with bolt heads G² and
nuts K¹) with the interposed insulating material or substance between each and the
several portions forming the body of the wheel,

page_text: 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 position of the bolts passing through the several parts mentioned without
any movement being imparted to them from the compression of the insulating
material when at work thereby obviating the risk of the nuts becoming loose upon
the said bolts, and the liability of the bolts being fractured by any excessive.
angular strain that may be exerted upon them.
2. The method of supplying corrugated faces to bind all working parts together
and to prevent the web of the wheel from.turning upon the hub.
3. The method of attachment in screwing on the insulating or non-conducting
body to the hub of the wheel and the base of the web of the wheel being also
threaded to screw on to the insulating or non-conducting material.
4. The employment of insulating or nonconducting material to prevent excessive
vibration to the axle and wheel without any metallic contact being interposed
between the tread of the tyre and the axle.
5. The employment of horns or like projections extending outwardly from the
flanges so as to carry additional bolts to further secure and connect the several
parts together substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
6. That by the particular method of constructing noiseless or anti-vibratory
wheels adaptable for either light or heavy rolling stock according to my invention
wherein the interposition of a suitable elastic or compressible insulating medium
as between the several parts forming the body of the wheel and in the method of
securing same by bolts and nuts or other suitable attachments or connections so as
to prevent all vibratory communication or jar is prevented as from the rim
or tyre to the axle substantially as in manner herein set forth, illustrated and
described.
Dated this 17th day of November 1891.
WILLIAM JOHN BREWER.