Improvements in Rudder-head Bearings.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1895-Accepted, 11th May, 1895
Improvements in Rudder-head Bearings.
I, ZORGIS GEORGIOS MICHALINOS, of Constantinople, and at present of the
First Avenue Hotel, Holborn, Loudon, W.C. Ship Owner do hereby declare the
mature 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 :-
Rudder-head bearings as usually made are apt to become speedily worn out,
owing to the continual movement of the rudder whilst the ship is at sea, and more
especially in consequence of the frequent and violent shocks to which the rudder is
subject from waves. The wearing-out of these bearings necessitates frequent
renewal and therefore expense.
The object of my invention is to increase the durability of these bearings and
lessen the frequency of renewals, and the expense consequent thereon, and I do so
by providing the rudder-head with an enlarged bearing surface formed by a metal
collar keyed upon the rudder head and journalled in a suitable cylindrical casing
securely fixed to the deck or framework of the ship. The peripheral bearing of the
collar is lubricated by the overflowing of oil from an annular groove or dished
depression formed upon its upper surface and replenished with oil as may be
required, through holes provided for the purpose in the cover plate of the
casing.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
Specification, wherein
Figure 1 is a plan, with half the cover plate removed, and
Figure 2 is a half sectional elevation of the improved rudder head bearing.
A represents a portion of the rudder head. Upon this, preferably by means of
a key, is fixed the cast iron collar B so as to turn with the rudder. The peripheral
face of this collar rotates within, and bears against, the inner surface of the
cylindrical casing D bolted or otherwise attached to the deck or framework C of
the ship. In the upper surface of the collar B is formed an annular groove e (or
it might be a dished depression) for the purpose of containing oil which, overflowing
through gutters el at the outer edge of the collar, serves to lubricate the wearing
surfaces of the collar and casing. The oil is supplied as may be required through
an oil hole or holes f normally closed by a plug or plugs provided in the cover
plate F (which might be formed as a cap) fitted and fixed over the top of the
casing D so as to exclude dirt. The box or casing D is preferably formed as
indicated on the drawings, that is to say in halves divided at the vertical axial
plane and bolted together, as shewn, so as to admit of being fitted in position
without interfering with the tiller, the cover plate or cap F being, for the same
reason, halved around the rudder head.
>
It is advisable to attach the collar B to the rudder head A at such a height as
to leave a sufficient space between the lower face of the collar and the bottom d
of the casing, to allow for wear of the footstep bearing of the rudder, the excessive
friction which would otherwise be set up when the entire lower surface of collar B
comes to touch the bottom of casing D being obviated by providing the meeting
surfaces with turned or faced annular projections (as at 63 and d' respectively) as
close to the axis of the rudder head as is practicable.
In order to relieve the bolts which hold the casing D to the deck C, of shearing
strain, the casing may be provided with a downwardly extending ring, as at G,
fitted to engage in the aperture in the deck through which the rudder head passes,
such aperture being suitably enlarged for the purpose.

page_text: The peripheral surface 6 of the collar B may, if desired, be protected by a sheath
or wearing ring of gun-metal or other suitable material, shrunk on or otherwise
attached to it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is :-
:-
1. The herein described rudder head bearing, consisting of a cylindrical collar of
larger diameter than, and keyed on, the rudder head and fitted to turn within a
cylindrical casing as its bearing, as specified.
2. The herein described rudder head bearing, consisting of a cylindrical collar of
larger diameter than, and keyed on, the rudder head, the periphery of the collar
being faced with a wearing ring fitted to turn in a cylindrical casing as its bearing,
as specified.
3. The herein described rudder head bearing, consisting of a cylindrical collar of
larger diameter than, and keyed on, the rudder head, the periphery of the collar
being faced with a wearing ring fitted to turn in a cylindrical casing as its bearing,
and provided with an oil reservoir and grooves leading therefrom to the wearing
surfaces of the bearing, substantially as specified.
Dated this 23rd day of March 1895.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.