US2054017A - Oil sealing device for journal boxes - Google Patents

Description

p 1935- E. ARMSTRONG ET AL 2,054,017 7 OIL SEALING DEVICE FOR JOURNAL BOXES Filed Oct. 12, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventors,

P 1936- I E. ARMSTRONG ET AL 2,054,017

OIL SEALING DEVICE FOR JOURNAL BOXES Filed Oct. 12, 1934 2 sheets-sh et 2 Patented Sept. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OIL SEALING DEVICE FOR JOURNAL BOXES Application October 12, 1934, Serial No. 748,090

8 Claims.

This invention relates to oil sealingv devices for journal boxes.

There is provided at the Wheel end of a railway journal box, a narrow dust guard pocket for holding a flat dust guard surrounding the car wheel axle. It is one of the objects of this invention to provide an. oil sealing device to replace the dust guard, which will not only exclude the dust, but will at the same time retain the lubricating. oil within the journal box, to conserve the oil and maintain ample lubrication, reducing friction and consequently lowering the fuel consumption in the running of trains, besides making it possible, by means of the maintenance of ample lubrication, to run trains much faster.

A further object of this invention is to provide an oil sealing device for journal boxes which, while fitting within the narrow pocket of the journal box will, with the use of a special formation of gasket of leather or the like, seal against the inner wall of said pocket and around the circular opening therein, through which the axle passes, and at the same time will seal against the running surface of the axle in a zone in the plane of the dust guard pocket, by means of an inturned circumferential lip or neck portion to the gasket, having within this neck portion and fixed thereto, a ring of felt or the like, in contact with the running surface of the axle, to assist in holding back the oil.

A further object in connection with that of providing a gasket, is to provide wedging means for holding the body of the device forcibly up against the flat portion of the gasket, where it contacts the inner wall of said guard pocket.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable, flat sectioned, metal ring around said neck, for holding said felt ring and said lip in close circumferential contact with said axle.

A further object is to provide with said metal ring, an adjustable and locking clamp, aflording means for adjusting the pressure of said metal ringv against said neck, and 'in turn, exerting a pressure contact of said felt ring and said lip, against the running surface of the axle.

Another object of this invention is to provide an elastic means for practically maintaining an adjusted pressure of said ring, on said neck, While taking up slack due to Wear of said lip and said felt ring. 1

And a further object of this invention is to provide a check to the adjustment of said metal ring, to limit the tightening thereof, and thus prevent the one who makes-the adjustment, from clamping the felt neck portion of the gasket too tight, which would force a strong frictional engagement of said felt ring upon said axle, tending to destroy the seal, or burn it out.

With these and other objects, which will here- 5 inafter appear, our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, is hereinafter described, 7 its functions are explained and what we claim is setlforth.

In the drawings, 7

Figure 1 is an elevation of our oil sealing device, with adjustable holding means.

Figure 2 shows in section the same device housed in part of a journal box, including the dust guard pocket and axle.

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of our device similar to part of that shown in Figure 2, but here enlarged.

Figure 4- is an enlarged elevation of the adjustable clamping. parts of the device.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of that end of the metal holding ring which has a toothed sleeve fixed thereto.

Figure 6 is an elevation of the swivelled bolt with its-locking pin.

Figure 7 is a perspective View of the double wedging member.

Figure 8 is an end elevation of the plate body of our device, including the tapered, channeled wedge seat.

' In:. the figures, the dust guard pocket ll], of Figures 2 and 3, is shown in the journal box fragment H, to have an inner wall l2 and an outer wall I3. Within the pocket ID, is positioned the oil seal device [4, having a plate body 15", in which is the large hole [6. Passing through the hole 6 and the holes H and I8, of the respective inner and outer walls I2 and 13, of the pocket H3, is the car wheel axle l9. Held tightly between the plate body l5, and the inner wall I2, is the flat portion 20, of the gasket 2|, which is held in oil sealing contact with the Wall l2, by the forced engagement of the double wedge member 22, with the outer wall 13', and with the two tapered wedge seats 23, which are fixed upon one face of the plate body l5, between which seats 23 isthe hole l6. Each 'wedgeseat 23 has a longitudinal? groove 24, in which slidingly fits a tapered blade 25, of thed'ouble wedge member 22.

The wedge-member 22 (see Figure '7) has ahorizontal bar portion 26, integral with the tapered blades 25, and is provided with two projecting screwsv 21, as means forming'an anchorage to which a tool can be attached for withdrawing the wedge member 22, whenever desired, particularly when making an adjustment to the seal. Integral with the flat portion 20, of the gasket 2|, is the neck flange 28, having an inturned lip 29, beveled at 30. Within the neck flange 28 is a felt ring 3|, in contact with the running surface of the axle I 9. The felt ring 3| is attached to the neck flange 28,. and may be fixed thereto by cement or rivets, or both. Surrounding the neck flange 28, is the split metal ring 32, having outturned ends 33 and 34. Fixed upon the plate body I5, is the nut piece 35, which is next to the ring end 33. Fixed upon the ring end 34, is the bolt sleeve 36, (see also Figures 4 and 5), having a tooth 3'I, projecting from its outer end. The bolt 38 passes through the sleeve 36, and the ring end 33, and engages the nut piece 35. The bolt 38 has an enlarged shank portion 39, with a shoulder 40. Projecting from the shoulder 40, next to the threaded portion of the bolt 38, is a short pin 4 I, positioned to engage the tooth 31 on the sleeve 36. Surrounding the sleeve 36, and in bearing contact with the ring end 34, and the shoulder 40, of the bolt 38, is a coiled compression spring 42. There is hinged to the bolt shank 39, at the hinge 43, an extension 44, having a cross slot 45 in its end. This extension 44 is made long enough to reach outside the narrow pocket I8, when lifted up to be in line with the bolt shank 39, as is shown at 44 of Figure 1, so as to be easily engaged by a screw driver, for turning the bolt 38.

Having described one embodiment of our invention herein illustrated, we will now refer to its installation and its functions. The oil sealing device is installed as follows: Prior to entering the axle I9, into the journal box I I, the bolt 38 is turned to loosely engage the ring ends 33 and 34, as shown in Figure 4. The split-ring 32 will then loosely engage the neck flange 28. In this condition, the device is dropped into the pocket I0, with the bolt extension 44, positioned near the top of the pocket IIJ. Next the axle I9 is entered through the device hole I6, passing within the beveled edge 30, of the inturned lip 29, and the felt ring 3 I, into its proper position, engaged by the usual bearing brass, not shown. The wedge member 22 is driven down engaging the seat grooves 24, to force the flat portion 20, of the gasket 2|, into oil sealing engagement with the wall I2, but prior to positioning the wedge member 22, the bolt extension 44 is lifted up to be in line with the bolt shank 39, (lifted as at 44* of Figure 1) having the free end outside the pocket I0, where a screw driver is engaged with the slot 45, to turn the bolt 39, into the nut piece 35, to bring the shoulder 40, of the bolt 38, into contact with the spring 42. (See Figure 4.) A further turning of the bolt 38, compressesthe spring 42, forming a tightening action to draw the out-turned ring ends 33 and 34, closer together. Upon a continued turning of the bolt 38, to tighten the ring 32, the spring 42 is further compressed, until the bolt pin 4| engages the tooth 31, (as in Figure 1), on the fixed sleeve 36, arresting any further turning of the bolt 38 and stopping any further tightening of the ring 32, at a point of desired compressive adjustment of the felt ring 3 I, in contact against the car wheel axle I9, to produce a pressure just sufficient to cause a proper oil seal during the running of the axle I4, without undue friction.

The spring 42 should be of such a strength, for its length, that when it is compressed to a point where the pin 4| stops against the tooth 31, the spring pressure exerted to draw up the ring ends 33 and 34, will cause the desired adjusted pressure contact between the felt ring 3 I, and the axle I9. Then, as wear takes place, the spring 38 will cause a take-up by the ring 32, to preserve the proper oil sealing contact of the felt ring 3 I and the lip 29, with the axle I 9.

If, due to further wear, of the felt ring 3|, the tooth 37 works away from the pin 4|, (as relatively positioned in Figure 4), another turn or more of the bolt 38 can be made in further adjustment, to take up this wear, until the pin 4| again locks against the tooth 31. After any turning of the bolt 33, as above described, the bolt extension 44 is dropped back into the pocket I0, to be at an angle to the bolt shank portion 39, to practically lock the bolt 38 against accidental turning. This locking feature together with the take-up, afforded by the spring 42, and the stop, to limit the turning of the bolt 38, to prevent undue tightening of the ring 32, provides an adjustment of the felt ring 3|, and the lip 29, in contact with the running surface of the axle I9, that insures a practical and durable oil seal. After setting and adjusting the ring 32, in tightness and turning the bolt extension 44 down into the pocket I 0, the double wedge member 22 is put in place and forced down to seal the gasket portion 20 against the wall I2.

With the oil thus sealed in and conserved, and the axle lubrication maintained, friction, under running conditions, will be greatly reduced, leaving more engine power for faster travel, as well as efiecting such an economy in the use of fuel, that the cost of installing this oil seal will soon be offset by the economy effected.

While we have shown and described one embodiment of our invention, changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. We therefore wish to include all forms and changes which come within the purview of the following claims.

We claim:

1. An oil sealing device adapted for use, below the open end and between the walls of a narrow pocket around an axle in a journal box, comprising a body plate have a hole therethrough, through which passes said axle, a gasket, a flat portion to said gasket between one of said walls and said body plate and surrounding said axle, wedging means between said body plate and the other of said walls to force said body plate to compress said flat portion of said gasket against the wall it adjoins, said wedging means including two parallel sets of long tapered, complemental members, positioned normal to said open end, of said pocket, and spaced to have one of said sets on one side of said axle, and the other set on the opposite side of said axle, one member in each set being fixed or integral with said body plate, and the other member, complemental to the fixed member, being movable, a grooved face on one member of each set, positioned next to its complemental member, and a blade portion slidingly fitting said grooved face on each of said last mentioned complemental members, the taper between the members in each set being such, that as the movable members are forced in, said wedging means will exert a side pressure between said body plate and said flat portion of said gasket, and a neck portion to said gasket integral with said flat portion, surrounding said axle.

2. An oil sealing device adapted for use, below the open end and between the walls of a narrow pocket around an axle in a journal box, comprising a body plate having a hole therethrough, through which passes said axle, a gasket, a flat portion to said gasket between one of said walls and said; body plate and'isurrounding saidv axle,

wedging means between said body plate and the other of said walls to force said body plateto compress said fiat portion of said gasket against the wall it adjoins, said wedging means, including twov parallel sets of long tapered, complemental. members, positioned normal to said open end, of said pocket, and spaced to have one of said sets on one side of said axle, and the other set on the opposite side of said axle, one member in each set being fixed or integral with said body plate, and the other member, complemental to the fixed member, being movable, a grooved face on one member of each set, positioned next to its complemental member, and a blade portion slidin-gly fitting said'g'rooved face on each of said last mentioned complemental members, the taper between the members in each set being such, that as the movable members are forced in, said wedging means will exert a side pressure between said body plate and said flat portion of said gasket, a neck portion to said gasket integral with said flat portion, surrounding said axle, and a felt ring between said neck portion and said axle.

3. An oil sealing device adapted for use, below the open end and between the walls of a narrow pocket around an axle in a journal box, comprising a body plate having a hole therethrough, through which passes said axle, a gasket, a flat portion to said gasket between one of said walls and said body plate and surrounding said axle, wedging means between said body plate and the other of said walls to force said body plate to compress said flat portion of said gasket against the wall it adjoins, said wedging means including two parallel sets of long tapered, complemental members, positioned normal to said open end, of said pocket, and spaced to have one of said sets on one side of said axle, and the other set on the opposite side of said axle, one member in each set being fixed or integral with said body plate, and the other member, complemental to the fixed member, being movable, a grooved face on one member of each set, positioned next to its complemental member, and a blade portion slidingly fitting said grooved face on each of said last mentioned complemental members, the taper between the members in each set being such, that as the movable members are forced in, said wedging means will exert a side pressure between said body plate and said fiat portion of said gasket, a neck portion to said gasket integral with said flat portion, surrounding said axle, an inturned circumferential lip to said neck, and a felt ring between said neck and said axle.

4. An oil sealing device adapted for use, below the open end and between the walls of a narrow pocket around an axle in a journal box, comprising a body plate having a hole therethrough, through which passes said axle, a gasket, a flat portion to said gasket between one of said walls and said body plate and surrounding said axle, wedging means between said body plate and the other of said walls to force said body plate to compress said fiat portion of said gasket against the wall it adjoins, said wedging means including two parallel sets of long tapered, complemental members, positioned normal to said open end, of said pocket, and spaced to have one of said sets on one side of said axle, and the other set on the opposite side of said axle, one member in each set being fixed or integral with said body plate, and the other member, complemental to the fixed member, being movable, a grooved face on one member t each set, positioned next to its: com plemental member, and a blade portion slidingly fitting said grooved face on each of'said last mentionedcomplementalv members, the taper betweenthe members in each set being such, that as the movable members: are forced in, said wedging means will exert a side pressure between said body plate and said flat portion of said. gasket, a neck portion to said gasket integral with said fiat por tion, surrounding said axle, and a holding ring member surrounding said neck portion to: force the same toward: said axle.

An oil sealing device adapted for use, below the open end and between the walls of a narrow pocket around an axlein a journal box, comprising a body plate having a hole therethrough, through which passes said axle, a gasket, a flat portion to said gasket between one of said walls and said body plate and surrounding said axle, wedging means between said body plate and the other of said walls to force said body plate to compress said flat portion of said gasket against the wall it adjoins, said wedging means including two parallel sets of long tapered, complemental members, positioned normal to said open end, of said pocket, and spaced to have one of said sets on one side of said axle, and the other set on the opposite side of said axle, one member in each set being fixed or integral with said body plate, and the other member, complemental to the fixed member,being movable, a grooved face on one member of each set, positioned next to its complemental member, and a blade portion slidingly fitting said grooved face on each of said last mentioned complemental members, the taper between the members in each set being such, that as the movable members are forced in, said wedging means will exert a side pressure between said body plate and said fiat portion of said gasket,

a neck portion to said gasket integral with said flat portion, surrounding said axle, a holding ring member surrounding said neck portion to force the same toward said axle, said holding ring member comprising a split ring, adjacent ends to said split ring, and a clamping bolt with a nut for drawing said ends together.

6. An oil sealing device adapted for use between the walls of a narrow pocket around an axle in a journal box, comprising a body plate having a hole therethrough, through which passes said axle, a gasket, a flat portion to said gasket between one of said walls and said body plate and surrounding said axle, wedging means between said body plate and the other of said walls to force said body plate to compress said fiat portion of said gasket against the wall it adjoins, a neck portion to said gasket integral with said flat portion, surrounding said axle, a holding ring member surrounding said neck portion to force the same toward said axle, said holding ring member comprising a split ring, adjacent ends to said split ring, a clamping bolt with a nut for drawing said ends together, and an extension hinged to said clamping bolt adaptted to reach outside said pocket to be turned by a '7. An oil sealing device adapted for use between the walls of a narrow pocket around an axle in a journal box, comprising a body plate having a hole therethrough, through which passes said axle, a gasket, a fiat portion to said gasket between one of said walls and said body plate and surrounding said axle, wedging means between said body plate and the other of said walls to force said body plate to compress said flat portion of said gasket against the wall it adjoins, a neck portion to said gasket integral with said flat portion, surrounding said axle, a holding ring member surrounding said neck portion to force the same toward said axle, said holding ring member comprising a split ring, adjacent ends to said split ring, a clamping bolt with a nut for drawing said ends together, said holding ring member comprising a split ring, two outturned ends to said split ring, a nut next to one of said ends, a bolt passing through both of said ends, engaging said nut, a sleeve fixed to the other of said ends, surrounding said bolt and positioned to extend away from said ends, a tooth on the outer end of said sleeve, a lug on said bolt, adapted to engage said tooth, a compression spring surrounding said sleeve next to the outturned ring end having said sleeve, and a shoulder on said bolt engaging said compression spring.

8.In an oil sealing device adapted for use between walls of a pocket around a shaft in a journal box, a compressible sealing ring, surrounding and in contact with said shaft, a split ring enveloping said sealing ring, adjacent ends to said split ring, turnable clamping means for adjustably drawing said ends toward one another, said clamping means including a hinged extension, adapted to be lifted in said pocket, to be connected with a manually turned tool.

ERNEST ARMSTRONG. JOHN EDWARD THEBAUD.

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