Patent GB-1071089-A (GB)
Title: A method of, and a system for, distributing fluid
Inventor: MCKENZIE WILLIAM GEORGE
IPC: F16N27/00
Filed: 1964-05-05
Abstract: 1,071,089. Delivering measured quantities of liquid. WALKER MANUFACTURING CO. May 5, 1964, No. 18717/64. Heading B8N. [Also in Divisions F1 and F2] A lubricant-distributing system comprises a reservoir 10 wherefrom lubricant is periodically pumped by a pneumatically-operated pumping- unit 12 through a pipe 20 to a plurality of remote dispensing units 22, 24, 26 connected to bearings (not shown) through pipes 28, 30, 32, the unit 12 being governed by a control unit 14. The reservoir is connected to a pumping chamber 102 in the unit 12 by passages 66, 68 and a porous plug 70 in a bush 64, said chamber being defined by a housing 46 and a flexible diaphragm 100, which is biased downwardly, as shown, by a compression spring 106. A small proportion of the lubricant in the chamber 102 is ejected through the pipe 20, by way of a passage 134 and a valve 138, when compressed-air enters a chamber 104 in the unit 14 through a pipe 230 and deflects the diaphragm 100 upwardly, the remainder of the lubricant in the chamber 102 being returned to the reservoir through the plug 70. Thereafter, the diaphragm is deflected downwardly by the spring 106 when a valve 224 closes the pipe 230 and a further valve 220 opens to release the compressed-air within the chamber 104 to the atmosphere. The downward deflection of the diaphragm causes lubricant to be slowly drawn into the chamber 102 from the reservoir through the plug 70 and lubricant in the pipe 20 to be drawn into the reservoir through passages 142, 146 in the valve 138, this reversal of flow in the pipe 20 causing a quantity of lubricant to be ejected by a flexible diaphragm in each of the dispensing units through a valve 154 and a passage 152. The rate at which the diaphragm 100 is deflected upwardly and downwardly is dependent upon the porosity of the plug 70. The valves 220, 224 are actuated by mechanism comprising an arm or link 194 attached to a vertically-slidable link 182 by a tension-spring 190 and pivotally mounted on a stationary frame or rim member 160, the link 182 having a flange 184 slidably engaging with a stud 120 fixed to the diaphragm 100. When the diaphragm reaches its highest position, Fig. 3 (not shown), the link 194 is raised from the position shown by the spring 190 to lift a flange 210 on an arm 206, which carries the valve 220 and is pivotally attached to the member 160 by a shaft 208. Upward movement of the arm 206 simultaneously opens the valve 220 and closes the valve 224, the latter being opened by the arm 206 when it moves to its lowermost position. Alternatively, the reservoir communicates with pumping chamber through a filter (266), Fig. 6 (not shown), a bore (258) and an orifice (264) in a plug or bush (250), the rate of flow of lubricant therethrough being regulated by a pre-set needle (274) in the bore (258). Reverse flow through the bore (258) is prevented by a non-return ball-valve (268). The valve 138 comprises a flexible tubular sleeve 144, a similar element being provided in the valve 154 in each of the dispensing units. The reverse flow through the valve 138 may be restricted by a needle (296), Fig. 6, engaging with a tube (294) lodged in the body of the valve and having radial orifices (292) in the lowermost end thereof.