Thanks, absolutely fascinating. Was browsing thru a copy of "theory of machines" from 1927 wherein the author spoke about the modern invention of the michell thrust block. Could not find a better explanation of it online than your video.
I've been a millwright/industrial construction and maintenance technician for over thirty years here in the states. Ive worked in pulp and paper mills, grain mills, lumber mills, power generating facilities, refineries, chemical plants, and about any other type of industrial facility over the years and have installed, replaced, inspected, and troubleshot more of these thrust bearings than I could ever count. It's a wonderful design, irreplaceable even today ! That is as long as they are installed correctly, and supplied with the proper amount of lubrication, for the installed application. I have, more than once, spent several days pulling my hair out trying to figure out why a particular peice of equipment keeps wiping the active or inactive thrust bearing. But, once you get them squared away you don't have to worry much about them. Here in the states we refer to this style of bearing specifically as a "Kingsbury style thrust bearing". I kinda feel bad for not knowing the actual history of the bearings. But that's alright, from now on I will be sure to refer to them as a "Michell style thrust bearing" from now on ! I don't believe for a minute that Kingsbury thought up the design at the same time, he was just first to patent it. It makes me sick to think of some person that is already wealthy enough to travel, but for someone like that to see a new design while abroad (as I'm sure he did) then run home and immediately check to see if it's patented in the US yet, and then immediately patent the design upon learning it hadn't.
Back in the mid 1970s I was a fireman on the "Lady Hopetoun". One of the engineers, an older man then, described how as a junior engineer on the RMS "Olympic", his task was watchkeeper on one of the multi collar thrust blocks. He said that these required constant supervision and frequent adjustments of the thrust collars. He said that these older style thrust block often ran hot and smoked, and often were kept cool by a jet of sea water. Would have been interesting work tending the engines on these three steamships.
Did you know he was also the major proponent of the early version of the Kiewa hydro electric scheme in North East Victoria. Ironically his bearings feature in all machines actually installed many years later. Many large hydro machines use oil injection to reduce friction and wear on start up before the wedge is established. Bearing metals are usually white 'Babbit' metal.
I represented Mitchell Bearings and joined Vickers Japan in 1992, and then took over by Rolls-Royce and worked at Rolls-Royce Japan until I retired in 2014. I saw a lot of topics very nostalgic while enjoying and inspiring Just now I have started You tube channel and explaining sliding bearing and tribology. I would like to introduce your channel and use some photos in your site to introduce. If you can accept me to use your photos, it is very much appreciated. Best regards,
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Thanks, absolutely fascinating. Was browsing thru a copy of "theory of machines" from 1927 wherein the author spoke about the modern invention of the michell thrust block. Could not find a better explanation of it online than your video.
I've been a millwright/industrial construction and maintenance technician for over thirty years here in the states. Ive worked in pulp and paper mills, grain mills, lumber mills, power generating facilities, refineries, chemical plants, and about any other type of industrial facility over the years and have installed, replaced, inspected, and troubleshot more of these thrust bearings than I could ever count. It's a wonderful design, irreplaceable even today ! That is as long as they are installed correctly, and supplied with the proper amount of lubrication, for the installed application. I have, more than once, spent several days pulling my hair out trying to figure out why a particular peice of equipment keeps wiping the active or inactive thrust bearing. But, once you get them squared away you don't have to worry much about them.
Here in the states we refer to this style of bearing specifically as a "Kingsbury style thrust bearing". I kinda feel bad for not knowing the actual history of the bearings. But that's alright, from now on I will be sure to refer to them as a "Michell style thrust bearing" from now on ! I don't believe for a minute that Kingsbury thought up the design at the same time, he was just first to patent it. It makes me sick to think of some person that is already wealthy enough to travel, but for someone like that to see a new design while abroad (as I'm sure he did) then run home and immediately check to see if it's patented in the US yet, and then immediately patent the design upon learning it hadn't.
Thanks for an intersting comment, I'll pass it on to the speaker and organiser.
Great presentation!!!, greetings from Florida!
Thank you!
Wonderful talk, thank you. What a fascinating person he was, with so many interests.
Back in the mid 1970s I was a fireman on the "Lady Hopetoun". One of the engineers, an older man then, described how as a junior engineer on the RMS "Olympic", his task was watchkeeper on one of the multi collar thrust blocks. He said that these required constant supervision and frequent adjustments of the thrust collars. He said that these older style thrust block often ran hot and smoked, and often were kept cool by a jet of sea water. Would have been interesting work tending the engines on these three steamships.
Thanks for the comment, times have certainly changed!
Did you know he was also the major proponent of the early version of the Kiewa hydro electric scheme in North East Victoria. Ironically his bearings feature in all machines actually installed many years later.
Many large hydro machines use oil injection to reduce friction and wear on start up before the wedge is established.
Bearing metals are usually white 'Babbit' metal.
I represented Mitchell Bearings and joined Vickers Japan in 1992, and then took over by Rolls-Royce and worked at Rolls-Royce Japan until I retired in 2014.
I saw a lot of topics very nostalgic while enjoying and inspiring
Just now I have started You tube channel and explaining sliding bearing and tribology.
I would like to introduce your channel and use some photos in your site to introduce.
If you can accept me to use your photos, it is very much appreciated.
Best regards,
Hi, Could you let me have your name, you can email the Society on membership@newcomen.com
Hi Hidio