Summary
Demonstration unit depicting the basic principles of the 'Michell' thrust bearing, invented by the Melbourne engineer, Anthony George Maldon Michell (1870-1959) and patented in 1905. Australian patent number 4114/05 (12 Sept 1905).
The unit is believed to have been manufactured by Michell's company Crankless Engines Ltd., of Fitzroy, Melbourne, from whom it was purchased by the Museum in 1926.
Physical Description
Heavy circular silver metal bearing with brass pieces on a separate ring. Mounted on silver metal stand with triangular base possibly made by Museum. Bearing is held in place with a wing nut at the front and a small pin on a chain at the back.
More Information
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Collection Names
A.G.M. Michell Engineering Collection, Crankless Engines Collection
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Purchase
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Manufacturer
Crankless Engines Ltd, 129 Greeves Street, Fitzroy, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1926
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Inventor
Mr Anthony G. Michell, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1905
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Inscriptions
Stamped on back of bearing: MICHELL BEARING PATENT NO 4114 BEARING NO 24 Stamped on side of bearing: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Handwritten on inside of brass section: PADS Stamped on front of stand plate: MICHELL THRUST BEARING 15875
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Brand Names
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
127 mm (Width), 155 mm (Height), 127 mm (Outside Diameter)
Measurement of bearing without stand. Depth of ring with pads: 33 mm
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Overall Dimensions
190 mm (Width), 294 mm (Height)
Measuement of bearing on stand.
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References
Walker, Sydney, 'Michell, Anthony George Maldon (1870-1959)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, [Link 1] accessed 28/09/2011.
[Article] Cherry, T. M. 1962. Anthony George Maldon Mitchell, 1870-1959. Bio Memoirs of Royal Soc. No.8, 1962, pp.90-103 Pages
[Manuscript] Walker, Sydney E. Modest Man of Genius: An Account of Anthony Geroge Maldon Michell and The Crankless Engine., 1972 [updated Oct 1976]
[Book] Phillip, Stephen. 2020. What Came out of the Box: A Biography of AGM Michell.
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Keywords
Bearings, Industrial Design, Innovation & Design, Inventions, Mechanical Engineering
