Fig. 42.
Fig. 43.
Marine Connecting Rod.—The form of connecting rod shown in fig. 43 is that used in marine engines, but it is also used extensively in land engines. A B is the crank-pin end, and C the cross-head end. The end A B is forged in one piece, and after it is turned, planed, and bored it is slotted across, so as to cut off the cap A. The parts A and B are held together by two bolts as shown. This end of the rod is fitted with brass steps, which are lined with white metal. The cross-head end is forked, and through the prongs of the fork passes a pin D, which also passes through the cross-head, which is forged on to the piston rod or attached to it in some other way.
Exercise 43: Marine Connecting Rod.—Draw all the views shown in fig. 43 of one form of marine connecting rod. For detail drawings of the locking arrangement for the nuts see fig. 19, page 21. Scale 4 inches to a foot.
Coupling Rods.—A rod used to transmit the motion of one crank to another is called a coupling rod. A familiar example of the use of coupling rods will be found in the locomotive. Coupling rods are made of wrought iron or steel, and are generally of rectangular section. The ends are now generally made solid and lined with solid brass bushes, without any adjustment for wear. This form of coupling rod end is found to answer very well in locomotive practice where the workmanship and arrangements for lubrication are excellent. When the brass bush becomes worn it is replaced by a new one.
Fig. 44 shows an example of a locomotive coupling rod end for an outside cylinder engine. In this case it is desirable to have the crank-pin bearings for the coupling rods as short as possible, for a connecting rod and coupling rod in this kind of engine work side by side on the same crank-pin, which, being overhung, should be as short as convenient for the sake of strength. The requisite bearing surface is obtained by having a pin of large diameter. The brass bush is prevented from rotating by means of the square key shown. The oil-box is cut out of the solid, and has a wrought-iron cover slightly dovetailed at the edges. This cover fits into a check round the top inner edge of the box, which is originally parallel, but is made to close on the dovetailed edges of the cover by riveting. A hole in the centre of this cover, which gives access to the oil-box, is fitted with a screwed brass plug. The brass plug has a screwed hole in the centre, through which oil may be introduced to the box. Dust is kept out of the oil-box by screwing into the hole in the brass plug a common cork. The oil is carried slowly but regularly from the oil-box over to the bearing by a piece of cotton wick.
