US2176591A - Locomotive tender - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 17, 1939. N. LQwER ET AL LOCOMOTIVE TENDER Filed D60. 16, 1937 Patented Oct. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES tutti LOC'OMOTIVE TENDER Nathan M. Lower, Erie,

Pa., and Charles J. Surdy,

New York, N. Y., assignors to The Standard Stoker Company, Incorporated, a corporation of Delaware Application December 16, 1937', Serial No. 180,094

'l Claims.

This invention relates Ato locomotive tenders of the type equipped with Stoker conveying mechanism.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a drive means for the Stoker conveyor mechanism, which drive means is so related with the tender and the Stoker conveyor mechanism that inspection, repair and lubrication of said drive means may be readily accomplished.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved means for lubricating drive means of locomotive Stoker mechanism, which Stoker mechanism includes a trough or casing member immersed in the water.

A still further object of thisv invention is to provide means for draining the lubricant from the Stoker conveyor drive means, Such drainage means passing freely through an aperture in the Stoker trough or casing.

Other objects will become apparent upon reading the following description of our invention in connection with the accompanying drawing, in

which Fig. 1 is a medial vertical section taken longitudinally through the forward portion of a locomotive tender with the invention in Similar section; n

Fig. 2 is an enlarged View of the rear part of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a view Similar to a portion of Fig. 2 illustrating a modification, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring first to Figs. l, 2, and 4, the tender .-f T is provided with a tank or cistern I3 which is mounted upon an underframe Il. Cistern I3 includes a Water compartment I2 and a fuel bin I3 which is defined by a bottom plate I4, the rear Slope plate I5 and side plates such as I6. The plates I4, I5 and It separate the fuel and water compartments I3 and I2, respectively.

The conveying mechanism ofthe locomotive Stoker is indicated generally at C and includes a trough conduit or casing I1 which is in open communication with the fuel bin I3 through an aperture IS in the bottom plate I4. Preferably, the Stoker trough Il is secured to the bottom plate I4 in water-tight fashion so that the trough may be immersed in the water. `Shifta-ble plates I9 are mounted across the aperture land are adapted to regulate its effective size.

The trough conduit Il, which is approximately V-shaped in transverse cross section, is provided with foot members 23 for supporting it from the w underframe II. A conveyor Screw 2I, rotatably liz (Cl. 10S-234) mounted in the trough conduit Il, urges fuel forwardly against a crusher 22 whereby large lumps are reduced to a size more suitable for economical firing. The crusher 22 is secured to the inner side of front wall 23 of the trough conduit Il. To the other side of the frontA Wall 23 is secured a spherical shell 24, forming one element of a ball and Socket joint between the trough conduit I'I and a conduit leading forwardly toward .the loco- I motive (not shown). The rearward portion of the trough conduit Il is provided with a Well 25, the bottom 2l of which is spaced above` the tender frame I I.

lThe operating mechanismv for driving the conveyor screw ZI includes a gear reduction unit 28 housed with a gear case 29. The gear case 23 is disposed within the well 215 and is provided with a flange 33 in abutting relations with a flange or rim 3| formed interiorly of the well 25. Studs 32 are Screwed into the flange 3| for receiving the flange of the gear case29. A cover 33 closes the open forward Sideof the gear case 29 and is provided with suitable holes for engagement by studs 32. A nut 34 is threaded over the outward end of each stud 32 whereby the cover 33 is secured to the gear case 29 and the cover 33 vand gear case 29 are Securely attached to the flange 3| of the well 25. Bolts 35 are also passed through the flange 30 of the gear case 29 and cover 33 so that the latter may be secured vto the former independently of the means which Securesthe gear case 29 to the trough conduit well 25.

In approximateraxial alignment with the conveyor screw 2i is a shaft 36, journaled in the gear case 29 and cover 33, said Shaft 36 being provided With a polygonal outward portion 31 in driving engagement with the rearward end of the conveyor screw 2l. Interiorlyof the gear case 2 9, the shaft 35 has secured thereon a gear 38 which is driven by a suitable pinion gear (not shown). The well structure 25 extends forward of the gear case 2,9, forming an upward opening which is directed into the V-Shaped portion of the trough conduit ll. In order to prevent coal fromrpassing into the Well structure 25, a removable plate 39is placed over the opening 4t.

The gears and shafts within the case 29 are lubricated by a lubricant which is in Somewhat fluid state. A plug 4I is threaded into an opening in the top wall 42 of the gear case 29. Removal of the plug 4I is accomplished from a position in the fuel bin I3 by removing the cap 43 Which is secured to the top wall 44 of the well structure 25. Threaded into the bottom wall 45 of the gear case 29 is a pipe 46 which communicates with the interior of the gear case and eX- tends downwardly to a point below the tender underframe II. 'I'he pipe 46 is provided at its lower end with a removable plug 41. An aperture 48 is formed in the bottom wall 2'I of the well structure 25 so that the pipe 46 may pass freely therethrough and through a sleeve 49 mounted between said bottom wall 2'I and the underframe II.

Since the bottom wall 2'I is lower than the remainder of the trough conduit Il, water which Y is often present in the fuel bin I3 will drain into the well structure 25 and pass downwardly through the sleeve 49. The flange or rim 3I is cut away at 5I) in order that free drainage of water may be attained.

In Fig. 3, the gear case 60 is constructed as an integral part of the trough conduit 6Iv in order that the extent of the well structure 62 may be reduced. The cover 63, in this instance, carries a lubricant drain pipe 64 which passes downwardly through the sleeve 65. This lubricant drain pipe 64 is provided with a removable plug 66 at its lower end. As in the preferred form, a lubricant filler plug 61 is provided in the top wall 68 of the gear case 60. A cap 69 may be utilized to cover the plug 67. This cap 69 is secured to the bottom plate I4 of the fuel bin I3. In all other respects, this form of the invention is similar to the preferred form. The lubricant in the gear case may be drained by removing a plug located below the underframe I I, and this will be recognized by those familiar with the art as a distinct improvement over pastpractise. The plug in the top wall of the gear case is utilized for replenishing the supply of lubricant and also for introducing a cleansing uid into such gear case.

The gear case 29 is removable through the aperture I8 when the shiftable plates I9 are in the position shown in Fig. l. It is necessary first to move plate 39 forwardly and then uncouple the conveyor screw 2|, whereupon the gear case 29 and cover 33 may be removed by loosening nuts 34. The pipe 46 may also be withdrawn through the sleeve 49 by proper angling of the gear case 29. In the modification illustrated in Fig. 3, only the cover 63 is arranged for removal and it will be apparent that the lubricant drain pipe 64 may also be withdrawn together with the cover 63.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a novel method of lubrication for the Stoker conveyor drive mechanism has been provided. The arrangement is especially adaptable for stoker conveyors which are disposed within the Water compartment of a locomotive tender.

We claim:

1. In a locomotive tender having an underframe, a tank above said underframe including a fuel compartment and a water compartment, and partition plates separating said fuel and water compartments including a plate forming the bottom of said fuel compartment, a stoker conveyor including a conduit disposed within the water compartment and having an open mouth arranged to receive fuel from said fuel compartment, a fuel conveyor mounted in said conduit for urging fuelV forwardly, drive mechanism at the rear of said fuel conveyor operatively connected thereto, said drive mechanism including a gear case and gearing therein, means providing access to said gear case from said fuel com partment for introducing a lubricant into said gear case, and a 1ubricant drain extending from the bottom of said gear case, through said Water compartment, and below said underframe, said gear case and drain being removable from its operative position through the open mouth of said conduit into said fuel compartment,

2. In a locomotive tender having an underframe, a tank above said underframe including a fuel compartment and a water compartment, and partition plates separating said fuel and water compartments including a plate forming the bottom of said fuel compartment, a Stoker conveyor including a conduit disposed within the water compartment and having an open mouth arranged to receive fuel from said fuel compartment, a fuel conveyor mounted in said conduit for urging fuel forwardly, drive mechanism at the rear of said fuel conveyor operatively connected thereto, said drive mechanism including a gear case and gearing therein, said gear case and the bottom of said fuel compartment having openings therein providing access to said gear case from said fuel compartment for introducing a lubricant into said gear case, a lubricant drain extending from the bottom of said gear case, through said water compartment, and below said underframe, and means for shielding said lubricant drain from the water in said last named compartment, said gear case and drain being removable from its operative position through the open mouth of said conduit into said fuel compartment.

3. In a locomotive tender having an underframe, a tank above said underframe including a fuel compartment and a water compartment, and partition plates separating said fuel and water compartments including a plate forming the bottom of said fuel compartment, a stoker conveyor including a conduit disposed within they water compartment and arranged to receive fuel from said fuel compartment, a fuel conveyor mounted in said conduit for urging fuel forwardly, drive mechanism at the rear of said fuel conveyor operatively connected thereto, said drive mechanism including a gear case and gearing therein, said gear case and one of said partition plates each having an opening pro-viding access from said fuel compartment for introducing a lubricant into said gear case, a lubricant drain extending from the bottom of said gear case, through said water compartment, and below said underframe, and means for shielding said lubricant drain from the water in said last named compartment, said last named means forming a passage between said conduit and said underframe.

4. In a locomotive tender having an underframe, a tank above said underframe including a fuel compartment and a water compartment, and partition plates separating said fuel and water compartments including a plate forming the bottom of said fuel compartment, a Stoker conveyor including a conduit disposed within the water compartment having an open mouth communicating with said fuel compartment to receive fuel therefrom, a fuel conveyor mounted in said conduit for urging fuel forwardly, drive mechanism in said conduit at the rear of said fuel conveyor operatively connected thereto, said drive mechanism including a gear case and gearing therein, means accessible from said fuel cornpartment for introducing a lubricant into said gear case, a lubricant drain extending from the bottom of said gear case, through said water compartment, and below said underframe, and means for shielding said lubricant drain from the water in said last named compartment, said gear case and drain being removable from its operative position through the open mouth of said conduit into said fuel compartment.

5. In a locomotive tender having an underframe, a tank above said underframe including a fuel compartment and a water compartment, and partition plates separating said fuel and water compartmentsA including a plate forming the bottom of said fuel compartment, a stoker conveyor including a conduit disposed within the water compartment having an open mouth communicating with said fuel compartment to receive fuel therefrom, a fuel conveyor mounted in said conduit for urging fuel forwardly, drive mechanism in said conduit at the rear of said fuel conveyor operatively connected thereto, said drive mechanism including a gear case and gearing therein, means accessible from said fuel compartment for introducing a lubricant into said gear case, a lubricant drain extending from the bottom of said gear case, through said water cornpartment, and below said underframe, and means for shielding said lubricant drain from the water in said last named compartment, said last named means forming a passage between said conduit and said underframe, said gear case and drainbeing removable from its operative position through the open mouth of said conduit into said fuel compartment.

6. In a locomotive tender having an underframe, a tank above said underframe including a fuel compartment and a water compartment, a stoker conveyor including a conduit arranged to receive fuel from said fuel compartment, a fuel conveyor mounted in said conduit for urging fuel forwardly, drive mechanism immediately at the rear of said fuel conveyor operatively connected thereto, said drive mechanism including a gear case and gearing therein, means providing access to said gear case from said fuel compartment for introducing a lubricant into said gear case, a lubricant drain extending from. the bottom of said gear case through said water compartment to a point below said underframe, and means for shielding said lubricant drain from the water in said water compartment, said last named means forming a passage between said conduit and said underframe.

7. In a locomotive tender having an underframe, a tank above said underframe including a fuel compartment and a water compartment, and partitionplates separating said fuel and water compartments including a plate forming the bottom of said fuel compartment, a stoker conveyor including a conduit disposed within the water compartment having an open mouth communicating with said fuel compartment to receive fuel therefrom, a fuel conveyor mounted in said conduit for urging fuel forwardly, drive mechanism in said conduit at the rear of said fuel conveyor operatively connected thereto, said drive mechanism including gearing and a cover for said gearing, means accessible from said fuel compartment for introducing a lubricant to the gearing, a lubricant drain extending from the bottom of said gearing, through said water compartment, and below said underframe, and means for shielding said lubricantI drain from the water in said last-named compartment, said gearing, gear cover and drain being removable from its operative position through the open mouth of said conduit into said fuel compartment.

CHARLES J. SURDY. NATHAN M. LOWER.

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