Patent GB-190116346-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Means for Lubricating Parts of Locomotive Engines
Inventor: MCCANNA JOHN FRANK
Filed: 1901-08-14
Granted: 1901-10-05
Abstract: 16,346. McCanna, J. F. Aug. 14. Lubricating locomotive engines. Relates to means for lubricating parts of a locomotive, and is described as applied to the cylinder and the aircompressing apparatus for the brakes. An oil reservoir 4, Figs. 1 and 2, is mounted on the front of the boiler, and is connected by pipes 12, 13, and 14 to pumps for supplying oil to the cylinders 1 and the air pump 2, 3. Each of the pumps 19 for feeding oil to a cylinder is operated by a rod 20, attached at one end to the actuating-arm 22 of the pump, and at the other end to a block 34 sliding on a link 35, secured to the rocking arm 21 of the valve gear. The block 34 is coupled by a rod 31 to one arm of a bell-crank lever, which is operated, through suitable connections, by a lever 25 on the footplate. By moving the lever 25, the block 34 is shifted in relation to the axis, thereby altering the throw of the rod 20 and the consequent stroke of the pump piston. By reason of the rocking-arm connection, the travel of the rod 20 is also automatically adjusted when the travel of the valve is altered, as is usual in controlling the supply of steam to the cylinder, and consequently the supply of oil varies with the load on the engine. On each side of the engine an auxiliary pipe 44 leads from the supply pipe 12 or 13 direct to the steam-chest, and a threeway cock 45 is arranged for controlling the supply. In the event of a failure of the pump, the oil can be fed direct from the supply pipe in the ordinary way, instead of passing through the pump. A spring-controlled vacuum valve 24 is arranged between the pump and the steam-chest, to prevent the oil from passing into the cylinder except under pressure, and also to prevent the oil from being sucked in by the pumping action of the piston when steam is shut of. The oil for the air-pump steam cylinder 2 passes through the pipe 14 to one cylinder of a double pump 46 mounted in the cab, and is discharged through a spring-controlled valve 24<1> into the steam pipe 49, which supplies steam to the cylinder. The oil for the air pump 3 passes from a separate reservoir 50 through a pipe 51 to the other cylinder of the pump 46, and is forced through a spring-controlled valve 24" into the air pipe 47 leading from the pump 3. The reservoir 4, Fig. 8, has a number of cross shaped connections 55 attached to the base, the channel 56 in each connection opening opposite to the lug in which the supply pipe 12, 13, or 14 is fixed. In the cross channel of each connection is telescopically mounted a fitting 59, to which a gauge glass 6, 7, or 8 is fitted. An aperture 64 is arranged opposite to an aperture 65 in this fitting, and normally these apertures register with the passage 56 and the supply tube. When it is required to ascertain the rate of feed of the lubricant, the filling is pulled out, thereby closing the apertures 64, 65 and bringing an aperture 66 into line with the supply pipe. The oil is now supplied from the gauge glass, the case 63 of which is graduated, and the rate of supply can be ascertained. A screw takes into a slot in the fitting 59 to limit the motion. One of the pumps for supplying oil to the cylinders is shown in Fig. 6. The rocking motion-of the actuating-arm 22 is converted by means of a suitable clutch into a rotary motion of the shaft 93. On an eccentric portion of this shaft is mounted a block 96 working in a pivoted yoke 97. An eye on the upper 'part of the yoke engages the pump plunger 81 and operates the same, the length of the stroke being adjusted by means of the nuts 103. Oil is supplied to the plunger barrel through passages 77, 85, controlled by a ball valve 87, and the outlet into the pipe 23 is controlled by a ball-valve 90. The mechanism is enclosed in a casing 69, the end and top being arranged as a hinged cover. In order to prevent the congelation of the oil, a steam pocket 41 is bolted to one side of the casing. Steam is conducted from the exhaust port of the cylinder to this pocket by means of a pipe 40, and passes away to the smoke-box through a pipe 42. The supply pipes from the reservoir pass within the lagging plates of the boiler, and alongside these exhaust steam pipes to the pumps. Figs. 9 and 10 show the pump for forcing the oil used in lubricating the air-compressing apparatus. On the casing 107 of the pump is mounted a cylinder 108 connected to the compressed-air pipe 47. A plunger 110 works within this cylinder, and serves to operate a pivoted arm 113 controlled bya spring 115. The periodic compression of the air within the tube 47 operates the plunger, and consequently the arm 113, the spring 115 bringing the arm and plunger back to the original position. The nut 118 controls the travel of the plunger. The rocking motion of the arm 113 is converted by a ratchet mechanism into a rotary motion of a shaft 114, the spring-pressed plunger 122 pressing against the ratchet-wheel to hold the same against accidental movement. On the shaft 114 is mounted a sleeve having an eccentric disc portion 127, which engages and operates a yoke 128. to which is secured a rod 129 carrying a crosshead 133 to engage the plunger 137 of the pumps. The stroke of the plunger is adjusted by means of the nuts 139. One pump is connected to the pipe 14, and the other is connected to the pipe 51. The inlet and outlet passages of the pumps are controlled by ball valves 150 and 153. As the pumps are operated by air in the pipe 47, the rate of feed of the oil is proportional to the speed of the air pump. This pump also serves to indicate whether the air pump is acting.