US1922306A - Hot box arrester - Google Patents

Description

Aug- 15, 1933- 1 A. M. KRAUSE ET AL v1,922,306

I A HOT BOX ARRESTER Filed OC. l5, 1931 Patented Aug. 15, 1933 HOT BOX ARRESTER Arthur M. Krause and Jesse J. Rounds, Albany, N. Y., assignors of one-fifth to George W. Ditmore, `one-fifth to Joseph G. Moore, and one-fifth to Arthur Bibb, Albany, N. Y.

Application October 15, 1931. Serial No. 569,015

Claims. (Cl.-4 308-87) This invention relates to emergency cooling and lubricating devices for journal box construcions.

Modern journal box constructions for railway 5 rolling stock have been perfected by constant study and re-design to a high degree of efficiency.

Nevertheless the delay, loss of material,` and added expense which the railroads incur yearly,

by reason of the fact that overheated journal lo bearings frequently occur, are still items of much concern to railroad operators, no journal box having as yet been perfected which is wholly free from the danger of unexpected overheating, and

this despite constant careful inspection and periodic replacement of the lubricant and packing.

In practically all types of modern journal box constructions, the weight of the superimposed load is transmitted from the journal box Aitself to the end of the associated axle through means positioned above the axle and includinga bearing,.generally `semi-cylindrical in shape. While the bearing is fabricated of some suitable antiiriction metal, the axles are always of steel, and

in the evcntthat dust and dirt penetrate into the axle box in sufficient quantities or in the event that the lubricant supply fails Wholly or parv tially, or for both reasons, the coeicient of fric- -tion between the rotating axle and its bearing may be raised with the result that large quantit-lo ties of heat are generated, thus causing the wellknown hot box. A hot-box on a single car requires .stoppage of an entire train and generally the removal of the car having the hot box to the nearest siding, thus involving not only delay of 36 ',the train but also considerable expense in repairing or replacing defective parts and repaclring the box. i

it has heretofore'been suggested that emergency lubricating devices might be used in combination with journal box constructions whereby, when the temperature of the journal box exceeded a predetermined degree, a reserve body of lubri-n cant or cooling fluid or both would be discharged into the journal box, thus cooling thebearing and preventing the development of excessive and dangerous temperatures. Despite such prior suggestions, however, such appliances have not come into common use, largely by reason of the fact that extensive modifications of existing journal boxes would have been required. y

In; accordance with the present invention, such an emergency cooling and lubricating means is provided which may be applied to any standard journal box construction without'modication or arrangement of any of the parts thereofi- The described in detail is appliance can be incorporated in journal boxes under constructionV at the point of manufacture of railway rolling stock or 'may be applied easily and conveniently to rolling stock now in use. The invention is of great simplicity and eminently practical, providing a safety means which is not only inexpensive in its first cost but which may be applied at minimum cost. The various component elements of the invention may be changed or modified in adapting the same to journal box constructions which vary in details of arrangement of their essential parts, and that form which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing and which will be hereinafter set forth by way of example only. y

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a transverse section through a journal box construction showing the emergency lubricating and cooling means applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a section on line 2 2 of Figure l, various parts of the journal box havingv been omitted, however, in order that the details of the emergency lubricating device might be more clearly perceived; and

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2. The journal box construction to which the invention is applied comprises essentially the box itself indicated by the numeral lo, the journal wedge 1l located in the upper portion ofthe box spaced from the side walls and bottom thereof, a

considerable space within the box which lies below the axle being provided for the reception of packing material, such as waste; and a. suitable lubricant.

ico

Normally the cylindrical surface of the rotat V cylindrical surface of the axle and the cylindrical surface of the bearing 12, however, the coefcient of friction between thesemembers is increased, and an excessive heating will follow unless precautions are taken, as by the repacking ofthe box or introduction thereinto of a suitable'cooling and lubricating composition. The same excessive heating will occur, as has already been pointed out, in the event that the supply of lubricant in the bottom of the box should fail for any reason.

. The automatically operating emergency lubricating and cooling means which we provide comprises essentially two containers, indicated at 14, 14, positioned on opposite sides of the axle and in the spaces between the axle andthe side walls of the journal box. These containers are rectangular in transverse section, are relatively elongated so as to extend substantially from one end to the other of the axle box, and are provided with lubricant inlet or charging porta and lubricant discharge ports. Fluid is introduced into these receptacles or containers through apertures in their top walls normally closed by caps 15, and each container has a plurality of lubricant discharge ports formed in its inner side wall adjacent the bottom thereof, these ports being indicated at 16, 16. With the containers in position, the discharge ports 16V, are located closely adjacent the surface of the axle so that lubricant which escapes therefrom will pass onto such surface prior to passing downwardly into the body of waste or packing material, indicated at 17.

Each of the ports 1G is closed by a fusible substance which will melt at a predetermined temperature, and associated with each port also is a screen device 18, which may conveniently be a wire mesh screen, for the purpose of supporting the fusible substance in position u ntil such temperature is actually realized and the substance liquees. Each container also'is provided with a signal by means of Awhich an inspector may observe the level of liquid therein upon opening the usual journal box lid. The signal comprises essentially a iloat indicated at 19 and a rod 20, the lower end of which is secured to the float and the upper end of which projects above the cap 15 so as to be visible at all times. By the position of the upper end of the rod 20, an inspector may instantly form an accurate opinion as to the level of the liquid in the associated container.

The containers are suspended in the positions in which they are shown in Figure 1 by straps, the ends of which are secured to the walls of the containers, respectively, and the mid-portions of which pass over bearing 12 or intermediate the bearing 12 and the wedge 11 and are clampingly engaged between these last mentioned members. There may be two of these straps 21 or more if desired, and in the event that only two are employed, they are preferably arranged parallel to each other and at the ends of the containers, as shown in the drawing.

We preferably connect the mid-points of the straps by a flat connecting piece or member 22 which is substantially co-extensive in area with the upper horizontal surface of bearing l2 so that this member transmits practically al1 of the load imposed on the axle from the wedge 11 to the bearing 12. The straps and connecting member 22 are preferably formed of one piece of sheet metal stamped to the required shape, and the metal itself may have a considerable degree of ductility so that the straps may be deformed or bent as necessary in ladapting the emergency device to journal box constructions in which the wedge and bearing members vary slightly in details of construction and dimension. The straps 21 are likewise provided, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, with bent-over triangular flanges or ears 23, the inner edges of which contact with the vertical side faces of bearings 12 in order that the containers 14 may be suspended laterally of the bearing and axle, as shown in the drawing.

Each container14 is also provided, at the bottom thereof, with a member 24 having a plurality of projecting portions or teeth 24 extending toward the adjacent surface of the axle 13. The ends' of these teeth are in contact with the cylindrical surface of the axle, and they are intended to intercept and prevent the upward movement of particles of waste which tend to cling to the surface of the axle and which might, if not prevented from doing so, `clog up the ports 16 and prevent the escape of the fluid in the containers even when the temperature has risen to such a degree that the fusible plugs have been melted. Preferably the member 24 ,is made of the same material as is bearing 12.

In the normal operation of the journal box construction just described, the lubricating or cooling fluid in the containers 14 is not used and may remain in these containers indefinitely.

Should a hot box occur, however, and the temperature rise to the danger point, the plugs in apertures 16 will be fused and the liquid discharged onto the axle and into the lubricating space ofthe journal box. This will at least temporarily prevent dangerous over-.heating and will enable the car with which the journal box is used to proceed to the next point of inspection. An. inspector, upon looking into the journal box and perceiving the signaling devices to indicate the absence of fluid in the containers 14, will mimediately conclude that the journal box has at one timebeen overheated and can take appropriate steps to repack the same and recharge the emer-l, gency lubricating means provided.

The details of construction of the various ele'- ments of the invention may be modified considerably in adapting the same to various types of journal boxes. We preferably securey the containers to the strap ends by spot-welding, but other means may be chosen. Welikewise prefer,

to spot-weld the members 24 to thebottoms .of

the containers. v

Having thus described the invention, what, is

claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:- A

1. A journal box construction comprising a journal box into which the end of a rotatable axle extends, a bearing member and journal wedge abovev the axle, the bearing member contacting with the axle and the journal wedge with the top of the box, a container positioned laterally of the axle and having means to release fluid into the box when the temperature therein exceeds a predetermined degree, and means supporting said container, said means extending be-v therein exceeds a predetermined degree,

and means for supporting the container in a position closely adjacent the axle and between the axle and the side wall of the journal box, said means including a member engaging the container and "extending between the journal wedge and bearing member and being clamped therebetween.

3. A journal box construction comprising the axle, journal box, bearing, and wedge, the box having a chamber beneath the axle for the reception of lubricating material, in combination with an emergency fluid receptacle formed separately from the bearing and wedge and contained within the journal box, said receptacle having means for permitting the discharge of its contained fluid when the temperature within the box exceeds a predetermined degree, and means extending between the axle and top of the journal box and clampingly engaged by the wedge for suspending the said receptacle within the box.

4. An larticle of manufacture comprising a iiuid container having means to discharge the liquid therefrom when the temperature of the surrounding space reaches a'predetermined degree, and means whereby the container may be suspended within a journal box, said means cornprising a hat; metallic strap attached to the re- 'ceptacle and adapted to be placed between and clampingly engaged by the bearing and wedge of a journal box construction.

5. An article of manufacture .comprising two separately formed fluid containers, each provided with means to effect the discharge of liquid therefrom when the temperature of the surrounding space reaches a predetermined degree, and

means connecting the containers whereby theym may be suspended in a journal box construction on` opposite sides of the axle by engagement` of said means with parts of said journal box construction located above the axle, said containers Iing also held by said means against movement relatively to each other and to the axle,

when applied to a journal box.

y 6. An article of manufacture ccmprising'two separately formed fluid containers, each provided with means to eilect the discharge of liquid therefrom when the temperature ofthe surrounding space reaches -a predetermined degree,

and means connecting the containers wherebyseparately formedvuid containers, each providvwhich are secured respectively to the said con- .they may be suspended in a journal box coned with means to effect the discharge of liquid therefrom when the temperature of the surrounding space reaches a predetermined degree, and means connecting the containers whereby they may be suspended in a journal box construction on opposite sides of the axle by engagement of said means with parts of said journal box construction located above the axle, said means including parallel metallic straps, the ends of tainers, and a cross member integral with and connecting the said straps at the mid-points thereof. n n f 8. An article of manufacture comprising two separately formed fluid containers, each'provlded with means to effect the discharge of liquid therefrom when the temperature of the surrounding space reaches a predetermined degree, and means connecting the containers whereby v d5 struction on opposite sides of the axle by engagement of said means with parts. of said journal box construction located above the axle, said means including a metallic strap, the ends of which are secured respectively to the-said containers, the strap having projections normal thereto intermediate the containers for engagement with the vertical side wall of an axle bearing, for the purpose set forth.

9. In a journal box construction, the combination with the journal box; axle, bearing, and wedge, of a body of lubricant-containing-waste or the like in the lower portion vof the journal box, the upper surface of which is in contact with the axle, and an emergency fluid receptacle positioned in the box laterally of the axle and above the upper surface of the4 body of waste, said receptacle having liquid sealing means which fuses when the temperature of the axle becomes abnormal and also having metallic means to constantly contact with the, cylindrical surface of the axle.

10. In a journal box constructionfthe combination with the journal box, axle; bearing, and wedge, of a 4body of lubricant-containing waste 120 or the like in the lower portion of the journal box, the upper surface of which is in contact with the axle, and an emergency fluid receptacle positioned in the box ylaterally of the axle and above the upper surface of the body of waste, said receptacle having liquid sealing means which fuses when the temperature of the axle becomes abnormal and also having a series of spaced metallic members or teeth laterally projecting toward and in constant contact with the axle.

ARTHUR M. KRAUSE. @ESSE J. ROUNDS.

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