Patent CA-1125189-A (CA)
Title: Lubrication process and apparatus
Inventor: MURPHY WILLIAM C
IPC: B65G45/02
Filed: 1979-10-12
Granted: 1982-06-08
Abstract: LUBRICATION PROCESS AND APPARATUS     Abstract of the Disclosure An apparatus and system or process for lubrication of conveyor trolleys and similar moving bearing points as found in conveyor chain and associated conveyor equipment. The apparatus includes a wheel positioning locator in the form of a trolley track section having openings through the web and movement controlling cam blocks which engage and orient trolleys wheels and chain assuring proper positional location of the bearings adjacent the emission point of lubricant capillaries and in avoidance of damaging contact between capillaries and moving trolleys or chain equipment. One track flange provides support for electrical equipment and limit switches. The other track flange supports the trolley wheels. The lubricating circuit is a constant pressure circulating system from a cents storage tank and running to valves, and the valves located at the capillary tubes. The valves are solenoid operated and the solenoids are fired by capacitor discharge, the interval of solenoid performance being adjustable electrically to vary the quantum of delivered lubricant. The process includes the adjustment of lubricating interval the delivery of a metered amount of liquid lubricant through the capillaries and to the lubrication situs with zero or minimal drip. Plural lubricator stations or lubrication heads are served from a common or central lubrication source remote from the situs of lubrication application. The present invention is a lubrication system and apparatus therefor which is especially useful in connection with the lubrication of trolley and chain conveyor devices as found, for example, in automobile and assembly plants in which the conveyors handle large and heavy pieces transporting them to various rates of speed and along various routing for timed con-vergence of parts at stations for release or work or even dwell. The driving means in such equipment is usually via a chain in which the links include journals and the journals require regular lubrication and inspection at intervals in order to assure minimum shutdown for repair and maintenance. The chains are the drivers and carry depending elements or parts and frequently overhead trolleys that ride on track.  The track is usually in the form of an I or H structural beam.  The lowermost flange of the track supports pair of trolley wheels, the web portion of the track runs between the wheels in vertical orientation and the upper flange provides a track securing means for attachment to conveyor structural support.  This general arrangement makes it difficult for the moving parts (chain and trolleys) to be effectively lubricated.  If improperly lubricated wear develops and the parts wear out.  If over lubricated the lubricant drips or is displaced from the moving parts and frequently contaminates the parts being transported by the conveyor.  This also occurs if the lubrication is not precision delivered to the precise point of use.  The lubricating housekeeping problem within large factories using conveyors is difficult and expensive and not unusually requires constant service to and from the tank to lubricators at diverse points in the plant.