US2652843A - Bearing cleaner - Google Patents

Description

p 1953 c. D. SCHUCHMAN ET AL 2,652,343

BEARING CLEANER Filed NOV. 16. 1949 INVENTORS Car] D.SC 7UC 7177GH and BY cmwm Theirggenf' R z'chard S. France is provided with a central longitudinal bore whereby said plug may be installed removably upon the portion of drive shaft l| extending through the bearing race 22. The plug is proportioned and arranged to fit closely about the drive shaft H in such manner that rotation of the latter causes simultaneous rotation of the plug. This is accomplished in the structure shown in Figure 1 by providing a square shaft H and a complementary square hole in the plug 24. Other means for accomplishin this purpose will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The plug is proportioned and arranged to extend through the central opening of the bearing 23 to be cleaned and to hold the latter in engagement with the race 22. As shown in Figure l of the drawing, the plug 24 engages the inner removable race of the ball bearing 23. Sufiicient frictional contact between the plug and inner race is produced to cause said inner race to rotate with the plug as the drive shaft is turned. Similar action is obtained when a roller-type bearing is installed for cleaning. When the detachable inner race of a ball bearing is removed, a larger plug is used to engage the balls. Rotation of the plug thereby causes the several balls to turn in their sockets.

Means is also provided to insure against retraction of the plug during the cleaning operation. Many methods and devices for accomplishing this function will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and therefore the means illustrated in the drawing is to be considered as merely exemplary. Said holding means comprises a coil spring 25 which slidably encircles the exposed end of the squared shaft H. One end of said spring abuts against the base of the plug 24, while the opposite end of the spring engages a notch 26 formed adjacent the end of the shaft H. In this manner the spring continually urges the plug into firm contact with the bearing 23 to be cleaned.

The modification shown in drawing represents an alternative form of the bearing race 22 described hereinbefore. In the modification, the bearing race 21 is formed in the shape of a truncated cone but is longer than the race 22 previously described. The smaller end 28 of the race is threaded internally for removable attachment to the end of cylinder Shoulder 29, formed at the base of said internal threads, and the adjacent end of cylinder secures the discs l2, l3 therebetween. The race 21 extends beyond the end of drive shaft i and is notched about its larger end to provide legs 30, in manner similar to that of legs 2| provided on the shield 29. In this manner the former shield is eliminated and the structure is thereby Figure 4 of the The operation of the device embodying the present invention is as follows: Assuming, for purposes of this description, that the bearing 23 shown in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawing has just been cleaned and is to be removed. The spring 25 is disengaged from the notch 26 and is removed from the end of drive shaft Plug 24 is then pulled or allowed to drop from the shaft, whereupon the bearing 23 is also removed. Another bearing 23 to be cleaned is then placed in the race 22 or 21, as shown, and the plug 24 and spring 25 installed in the manner explained hereinbefore.

The device is then placed vertically within an open container of cleaning fluid, sufficient liquid being available to cover the openingsformed between the legs 2| or 30. The operator grasps the handle 4 and moves it and the attached piston rod 3 up and down. On the upward stroke,- piston 9 pushes air outwardly through openin H1 in cap 2 and pulls cleaning fluid upwardly between the race 22 or 21 and the plug 24, through the slots it of the discs l2, l3 and into the cyl-' inder I below the piston 9. The fluid is thereby caused to pass around each ball or roller of the bearing being cleaned.

Simultaneously with the drawing of cleaning fluid upwardly through the bearing 23, the upward movement of piston rod 3 causes the pin |8 secured therein to travel upwardly along the spiral groove |1 formed in the drive shaft I. The

latter is thus caused to rotate axially, whereby corresponding rotation of the plug 24 effects a turning of the balls or rollers of the bearing being cleaned. Rotation of said balls or rollers durin washing by the cleaning fluid expedites the cleaning operation and results in more thorough cleansing. The downward stroke of piston 9 causes the cleaning fluid to be pushed downwardly throughthe bearing into the container and reverses the direction of rotation of drive shaft II.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes may be made in the construction of th bearing cleaner described hereinbefore without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, various arrangements equivalent to the hollow piston rod tube 3 and drive shaft may be substituted for the structure shown in the drawing. The tube 3 may be grooved internally in spiral manner and engaged by a pin projecting from the drive shaft H. Alternatively, the drive shaft may be formed of a flat rod twisted longitudinally in spiral manner and engaged between detents formed in the hollow tube 3.

The leather piston 9 may be replaced by a ring-type piston or other means by which the action described hereinbefore may be obtained. Mechanical means may be substituted for the hand operation if portability of the device is not required. The apertured discs I2, i3 may be secured to the cylinder l and the collar [5 rendered detachable from the drive shaft by means of a set screw. Other methods of securing the drive shaft against longitudinal movement will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The legs 2i or 30 may be omitted from the shield 20 or race 21, respectively, if other means is provided for holding the latter above the bottom of the cleaner fluid container during operation of the device. Inasmuch as the primary function of the spaced legs 2| or 30 is to provide openings for the passage of cleaning fluid to and from the bearing cleaner, it is apparent that means other than said legs may be employed. For example, the shield 20 or race 21 may be provided with apertures adjacent their respective bases. Alternatively, the base of said shield or race may be fluted or scalloped circumferentially in order to provide the desired openings. It is intended, therefore, that the term apertured as used in this regard in the appended claims be construed to include the openings formed by the spaced legs, the apertures adjacent the bases, the scalloped or fluted bases and any other construction capable of providing the function described hereinbefore.

As stated hereinbefore, means other than the coil spring 25 maybe employed to hold the plug 24 releasably in engagementwiththe bearing being: cleaned. and DQ110161. Said; beaming; if! dim:- tact withtheracelzd or 1-1:. The Squared shaft H upon which the-plug is mounted may be of (21111011.- lar or other crosssectional: shape; it. being. necessary only to provide: means; for insuring: releasiable'attachment of the pluggin such. manner that rotation: of the drive: shaft causes simultaneous rotation, of the plug; If; desired. the cylinder land; bearing race. 21. maybeformed; as, an: integral unit. l hese. and other modifications; maybe made in the: structure. described heneinbefore without departing; from. the; scope; and spirit: of the. present. invention.

Having thus. described: our;- invention. and the manner in. which the samemay: be; used. what we. claim as new: and. desire. to secure by Hetters Patent is:

A bearing: cleaner comprising; in; combination, acylinder, a.- flared conical: race: on; one. end of? said; cylinder;. a piston: movable: longitudinally in: said; cylinder, a. piston rod for. reciprocating the; piston within. said. cylinder, a drive: shaft mounted: for axial; rotation within; said; cylinder and terminating at. one end. adjacent the. race, interengaging: means: on the cylinder and drive shaft for restricting their relative; longitudinal displacement, spiral. means slidably. connecting said; piston rod and said drive; shaft, whereby longitudinal. movement. of" the piston rod causes axial. rotation of. said drive shaft, and. bearingengaging: means. mounted; on: the end? of" the drive. shaft adjacent the; race". for: rotation. with said; drive shaft, said: bearing-engaging means extending into. the. race and: being; adopted to hold: a. bearing in contact: with. the: conical race.

2. A portable bearing: cleaner comprising; in combination, a. cylinder", 2; flared conical race on. one end. of said. cylinder,. a piston movable longitudinally: in said: cylinder; .2: piston rod, han.-. dle means one said piston, rod. for reciprocating the piston. within: said: cylinder, a. drive shaft mounted for axial: rotation. within. said. cylinder and. terminating; at; one end; adjacent the; race, interengaging. means on the, cylinder and. drive shaft. for restricting theirrelatiye longitudinal displacement, spiral means: slidably; connecting said. piston rod: and said. drive.- shaft, whereby longitudinal. movement.- of the: piston; rod; causes axial; rotation. of said drive: shaft, and; bearing engaging. meansmounted: on the, end; of. the drive shaft adjacent the race for rotation with said drive; shaft, said bearingrengaging means extending into. the race. and being adapted to hold a bearing in contact with the conical race.

3 ;;A1 bearing cleaner comprising, combination, a cylinder, a flared. conicalrace secured detachably on one end of said cylinder, a piston, movable longitudinally in said'cylinder, a, piston rod for reciprocating the piston within. said; cylinder; a; drive shaft mounted 'rem-oyably; for; axial rotation withinsaidcylinder and terminating at onei end adjacent the race, interengaging' means onthe cylinder and drive shaft". for restricting their relative longitudinal displacement, spiral means, slidably connecting said piston. rod and.

drive shaft, whereby longitudinal movement of the" piston rod causes" axial rotation, of; said drive shaft, and bearing-engaging'meansmounted on the end of the drive shaft adjacent the race for rotation with said drive shaft, said bearing-engaging means extending into the race and being adapted to hold a bearing in contact with the conical race.

4. A bearing cleaner comprising, in combination, a cylinder, a flared conical race on one end or saidcrliiidif'z. a piston notatie longitlie dinally s d. cy inder. a: piston rod for neciprm eatin the: piston, within. said cylinder; a. drive shaft mounted: for axialrqtationa within said 0511- inder and race, interengaging means; on. the cylinder and drive: shaft for restricting their: relative longitudinal displacement, spiralmeans slide ably connecting said piston rod, and. said: drive shaft, whereby: longitudinal movement Off the piston rodcauses; axial rotation. of said; drive shaft, and a tapered. plug. mounted: on the: end of the drive shaft adjacent the race; for rota;- tion Wilihz said drive; shaft. said; plug: extending into the; race: and being: adapted: ta engage: the central; bore. of; a. bearing: to; be:- cleaned: and to hold. said bearing in contact with the: conical race.

5. A bearing; cleanericomprising. combinestion,, a; cylinder, at flared conical; race; on. one end. of said cylinden. a piston. movable; longistudinally. in said' cylinder, a: tubular: piston rod extending from said: piston. through: the end; of f the cylinder opposite said race, a drive". shaftmounted for axial rotation; within. said; cylinder and terminating at one; and adjacent: the race interengaging. means the: cylinder and. drive shaft for restricting their: relative. longitudinal. displacement, a portion of:.said: drive shaftslidje ablyengaging the bore of said: tubular piston rod, spiral means slidably connecting said piston rod and said driveshaft. whereby. longitudinal movement of the piston. rod. causes: a'xi'all rota:- tion of said drive shaftand: bearingsengaging means mounted. on the: end of: the: drive shaft 7 adjacent the race for: rotation with: said: drive shaft, said bearingeengaging. means extending. into the race :andlbeing': adapted to: hold ahearing in: contact with. the conical race.

6. A bearing. cleaner comprising. inlcombinae tion, a cylinder, a flared:conicahraceiononeend of said cylinder; a pistonmovablelongitudinally in' said cylinder; a. piston rod. for reciprocating the piston. within. said cylinder, a: drive shaft mounted: foraxial rotation; within said cylinder and termnating: at one end: adjacent. the; race; interengaging means: on the cylinder and. drive shaft for restricting their relative-longitudinal displacement, a. portioniof said drive: shaft hav-- ing: spiral means-thereon; guide means slidably; connecting: said piston rod and the spiral per tion of said drive= shaft; whereby longitudinal movement of the piston rod caus'es 'axi'al rotation of said: driveshaft, and bearing-engaging means mounted on the end o't'th'e drive s'liaft adjacent the race for rotation with said driveshaft; said bearing-engagingmeans extending inte the: race and being adapted to'hold abeari'ng in contact with the conical race;

7 A hearing cleaner comprising," in combina-- tion, a cylinder; a'flaredconical racesecured de tachably on oneend" of said cylinder; a piston movable longitudinally in-said cylinder; a tubular piston rod for reciprocating the pistor'iwithin said cylinder, a drive shaft mounted for axial rotationwithin said cylinder and terminating at one end adjacenttherac'e, interengaging means on the cylinder and drive shaft for restricting their relativelongitudi'nal displacement; a portion of said drive shaft slidably engaging the bore of said tubular piston rod and having sprial means thereon, guide means slidably connecting said piston rod and the spiral portion of said drive shaft, whereby longitudinal movement of the piston rod causes axial rotation of said drive shaft, and bearing-engaging means mounted on 7 the end of the drive shaft adjacent the race for rotation with said drive shaft, said bearing-engaging means extending into the race and being adapted to hold a bearing in contact with the conical race.

8. A bearing cleaner comprising, in combination, a cylinder, a flared conical race on one end of said cylinder, a piston movable longitudinally in said cylinder, a piston rod for reciprocating the piston within said cylinder, a drive shaft mounted for axial rotation within said cylinder and terminating at one end adjacent the race, interengaging means on the cylinder and drive shaft for restricting their relative longitudinal displacement, spiral means slidably connecting said piston rod and said drive shaft, whereby longitudinal movement of the piston rod causes axial rotation of said drive shaft, and bearingengaging means mounted on the end of the drive shaft'adjacent the race for rotation with said drive shaft, said bearing-engaging means extending into the race and being adapted to hold a bearing in contact with the conical race, said race being apertured to permit the passage of cleaning fluid therethrough.

9. A bearing cleaner comprising, in combination, a cylinder, a flared conical race secured detachably on one end of said cylinder, a piston movable longitudinally in said cylinder, a piston rod for reciprocating the piston Within said cylinder, a drive shaft mounted removably for axial rotation within said cylinder and race, interengaging means on the cylinder and drive shaft for restricting their relative longitudinal displacement, spiral means slidably connecting said piston rod and said drive shaft, whereby longitudinal movement of the piston rod causes axial rotation of said drive shaft, and a tapered plug mounted detachably on the end of the drive shaft adjacent the race for rotation With'said drive shaft, said plug extending into the race and being adapted to engage a bearing to be cleaned and to hold said bearing in contact with the conical race, said race being apertured to permit the passage of cleaning fluid therethrough.

10. A bearing cleaner comprising, in combination, a cylinder, a flared conical race on one end of said cylinder, a piston movable longitudinally in said cylinder, 2. piston rod for reciprocating the piston within said cylinder, a drive shaft mounted for axial rotation within said cylinder and terminating at one end adjacent the race, interengaging means on the cylinder and drive shaft for restricting their relative longitudinal displacement, spiral means slidably connecting said piston rod and said drive shaft, whereby longitudinal movement of the piston rod causes axial rotation of said drive shaft, bearing-engaging means mounted on the end of the drive shaft adjacent the race for rotation with said drive shaft, said bearing-engaging means extending into the race and being adapted to hold a bearing in contact with the conical race, and a shield surrounding and extending beyond the base of said conical race, said shield being apertured to permit the passage of cleaning fluid ,therethrough.

tion, a cylinder, a flared conical race on one end of said cylinder, piston means movable longitudinally in said cylinder, a drive shaft mounted for axial rotation within said cylinder and terminating at one end adjacent the race, interengaging means on the cylinder and drive shaft for restricting their relative longitudinal displacement, means slidably connecting said piston means and drive shaft in such manner that longitudinal movement of the piston means causes axial rotation of said drive shaft, and bearing-engaging means mounted on the end of the drive shaft adjacent the race for rotation'with said. drive shaft, the bearing-engaging means extending into the race and adapted to hold a bearing in contact with the conical race.

12. A bearing cleaner comprising, in combination, a cylinder, a flared conical race on one end of said cylinder, a drive shaft mounted for axial rotation within said cylinder and terminating at one end adjacent the race, interengaging means on the cylinder and drive shaft for restricting their relative longitudinal displacement, bearing-engaging means mounted on the end of the drive shaft adjacent the race for rotation with said drive shaft, the bearing-engaging means extending into the race and adapted to hold a bearing in contact with the conical race, pump means for forcing cleaning fluid into and out of the cylinder past the bearing to be cleaned, and means interconnecting the pump means and drive shaft, in such manner that the drive shaft is rotated by actuation of the pump means.

13, A bearing cleaner comprising, in combination, reciprocating fluid pump means open at one end for passage of cleaning fluid to and from said pump, a flared conical race on the pump means surrounding the said opening, a drive shaft mounted in flxed longitudinal relation with the conical race for axial rotation on the axis of the conical race and terminating at one end adjacent the race, bearing-engaging means mounted on the end of the drive shaft adjacent the'race for rotation with the drive shaft, the

bearing-engaging means extending into the race and being adapted to hold a bearing in contact with the race, and means interconnecting the pump means and drive shaft for rotating the drive shaft by actuation of the pump means.

CARL D. SCHUCHMAN. RICHARD S. FRANCE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 136,423 Dick Mar. 4, 1873 422,049 Carter Feb. 25, 1890 1,082,313 Freiborg Dec. 23, 1913 1,335,912 Olson Apr. 6, 1920 1,477,068 Magann Dec. 11, 1923 1,814,592 Geiger July 14, 1931 1,963,563 Slepicka 1 June 19, 1934 2,027,116 Oubridge Jan. 7, 1936 2,137,660 Welke Nov. 22, 1938 2,369,498 Steuber Feb. 13, 1945

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