Patent GB-995655-A (GB)
Title: Control device for the lubricating mechanism of wheel flanges of railway vehicles, particularly locomotives and railcars
IPC: F16N29/02
Filed: 1962-06-22
Abstract: 995,655. Lubricators. METRAVEL S.A. June 22, 1962 [June 23, 1961], No. 24069/62. Heading F2A. A control device for an electric valve operated lubricating mechanism of wheel flanges of railway vehicles, has an electronic counter comprising a first input circuit connected to a linear detector supplying linear current pulses, the number of which is proportional to the distance travelled. The electronic counter supplies one output pulse for a determined number N of linear pulses, the output pulse feeding the electric valve (or valves); and has a device for the variation of the number N and a second input circuit connected to a curve detector supplying a pulse as soon as a curved path is recorded. The pulse produces, in the output circuit of the electronic counter, periodic pulses feeding the electric valve if the frequency of the linear pulses is higher than a determined frequency. In an embodiment, an electric counter 1, Fig. 1, is fed at 2 by direct current and has a first input circuit 3 connected to a linear detector 4 constituted by a photo-electric cell 5, a lighting lamp 6 and a disc 7 which has a perforation 8 and is carried by a tachometer shaft 9 of the vehicle. A second input circuit 10 is connected to a curve indicator 11, having a two-way switch with a central member 12 which moves to the left or to the right, depending on the direction of the curve. The counter 1 has an output circuit 13 connected to an electric valve comprising an electromagnet 14 and a valve 15. When the electromagnet 14 is energized, the valve 15 is opened and compressed air passes in the direction of the arrows 16 to feed the lubricating-oil distributer. A pilot lamp 17, in parallel with the electromagnet 14, serves as a lubrication indicator. The counter 1 has a three-way switch 18 enabling it to be connected to the linear detector 4, to the curve detector 11, or to both at the same time. In the latter case, as soon as the vehicle speed is sufficient to operate to curve detector, the electronic counter automatically selects the indications of the curve detector and resumes the indications of the linear detector 4 when no curve is recorded. In operation, on each rotation of the shaft 9 and the disc 7, the passing of the perforation 8 in front of the photo-electric cell 5 supplies an electric pulse to the input circuit 3. The pulses i3. Fig. 2, of the linear counter 4 are plotted against time. For determined numbers N, 2N, 3N-kN of pulses i3, the electronic counter 1 supplies to the output circuit 13 output pulses i13, Fig. 3, of duration t13, which feed the electromagnet 14 of the electric valve. The output pulses t13 open the valve 15 and the wheel-flanges are lubricated after each unit distance determined by the number N and during the period of time tl3. When the vehicle travels over a curve the switch 11 is closed so that the input circuit 10 of the counter 1 is supplied with a curve pulse i10, Fig. 4, throughout the duration of the recording of the curve. The counter 1 records the pulse i10 and supplies to the output 13 periodic pulses i14 of period t14, which is of duration t0 followed by a rest t1. The output pulses i14 open the valve 15 and the wheelflanges are lubricated during the duration t0 followed by a rest t1. Switches 19, 20 of the counter 1 enable the value of the number N of linear pulses i3 to be fixed, so as to make it possible to vary the distance travelled by the vehicle between two successive lubrications. The switch 19 selects three numbers N and the switch 20 varies the length of travel. Variable resistances 21, 22 and 23 vary the times t13, t0 and t1. In a further embodiment, an electronic counter 1, as shown in Fig. 6, is fed by a source of direct current at 2, a linear counter 4, a curve detector 31 constituted by two switches 32, 33 and 32, 34. The central member 32 rocks on the recording of a curve and closes either the switch 32, 33 or the switch 32, 34. The curve detector 31 is connected to the input circuit 35 of the electronic counter 1. The latter comprises two output circuits 36 and 37, connected respectively to two electric valves 38 and 39. The valve 38 controls the lubrication of the left-hand wheels and the valve 39 controls the lubrication of the righthand wheels of the vehicle. The use of a proximity detector in place of a photo-electric cell is described in the Specification.