IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATORS
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Dudley Austin, of No. 40, Mosley
Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Machinery and Commission Agent, for
ATCT.
T
33
Sealed the 24th September 1870, and dated the 31st March 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Dudley Austin
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 31st March 1870.
I, CHARLES DUDLEY AUSTIN, of No. 10, Mosley Street, Newcastle-
5 on-Tyne, Machinery and Commission Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATORS," to be as
follows:-
My Invention relates to lubricators used for supplying oil to the
frictional surfaces of machinery, and consists in constructing such
Olubricators as hercin-after described.
According to one arrangement I fix in the tubular stem formed at the
lower part of the oil cup or reservoir a discharge tube, the upper end of

page_text: which projects into the said reservoir and is fitted with a tube closed at
its upper end, which latter tube is of such a size that it shall fit loosely on
the discharge tube so as to leave a small annular or other shaped passage
between them, up which the oil passes into the discharge tube, through
which it descends to the surface to be lubricated.
The lubricator above described may be modified as follows, in order to
render it capable of adjustment, that is to say:-The said lubricator may
be furnished with a screwed rod or spindle working in a screw formed in
the cover of the lubricator. The upper end of this rod is furnished with a
milled head, and the lower end of the said rod bears upon the closed end
of the outer tube herein-before described, so that by turning the said
milled head the said closed end of the outer tube can be depressed and
moved nearer to the upper edge of the discharge tube in order to regulate
the flow of oil.
Another modification of the above-described lubricator is as follows:-
The upper end of the outer tube above referred to is closed by a plug, the
lower end of which projects into the said tube. On the said end is cut
a screw (part of which is cut away longitudinally to allow of the passage
of the oil), which screw engages in a female screw formed in the upper
end of the discharge tube. The upper end of the said plug (which
projects through the outer tube aforesaid) has a square head, by means of
which it can be turned so as to move the closed end of the outer tube
nearer to or further from the upper edge of the discharge tube, and thus
regulate the flow of oil.
Another modification of the above-described lubricator is as follows:-
A thread chased or screwed on the lower end of the outer tube takes into
a female screw formed in the bottom of the reservoir. A square head is
formed on or affixed to the closed upper end of the said tube by means
of which head the said tube can be turned so as to effect the adjustment
of the outer and inner tubes relatively to each other as herein-before
described with reference to the preceding modifications. The oil enters the
annular space between the tubes through lateral holes in the lower end
of the outer tube.
According to another arrangement I make the upper end of the
discharge tube flush with the bottom of the oil cup or reservoir and
regulate the flow of oil by means of a flat valve or disc affixed to a
spindle. The lower end of this spindle slides loosely in the said discharge

page_text: tube, and the upper end of the said spindle slides in a bearing in the
cover of the reservoir. In the upper part of this bearing is formed a
female screw in which engages a screw, on the upper end of which is a
milled head, by turning which the lower end of the said screw can be
caused to press upon the upper end of the valve spindle, and thereby
depress the valve to the required extent. Instead of the screw above
described being made to press upon the upper end of the valve spindle,
the said screw may be cut on a rod or spindle of sufficient length to press
upon the valve itself, in which case the upper part of the valve spindle
is dispensed with.
The arrangement last described may be modified as follows:-The
valve is pressed downwards by a spring coiled around a tube affixed to
the upper side of the said valve, which said tube slides upon the screwed
rod or spindle last referred to. On the said spindle is a collar against which
the upper end of the aforesaid spring bears. By turning the screwed spindle
in onc or other direction the said spring is caused to press with greater
or less force against the valve, and thus to regulate the flow of oil as
required.
According to another modification I insert in the discharge tube a
smaller tube of such diameter as to leave space between the said tubes
for the passage of oil, the said smaller tube being fixed in position by
means of pins or rivets passing through both tubes. A female screw is
formed in the upper end of the smaller tube (which said end is lower
than the valve seat) in which said screw a screw on the lower end of
the valve spindle works, the said spindle being turned as required by
means of a square head on its upper end. On the valve being raised by
the turning of its spindle the oil flows under the said valve, and descends
between the two tubes above described.
According to another modification the valve has an annular flange, in
which is formed a female screw, which engages with a screw formed
around the valve seat. Channels are cut in one or other of these screws
to allow of the passage of oil. The valve is furnished with a square-
headed spindle, by means of which the said valve is turned as required.
My Invention further consists in the mode herein-after described of
constructing the metallic tubular stem, by means of which the lubricators,
in which glass oil cups are employed, are affixed to the machine to be
lubricated, and of affixing the said stems to the said cups. I form on the

page_text: upper end of the stem an annular flange or collar, in which I fix (by
screwing or otherwise) a wooden ring. I form on the neck of the oil cup
a screw, and I screw the stem and collar aforesaid on to the neck of the
said oil cup.
My Invention further consists of the improved construction of oil
vessel or reservoir herein-after described. The said reservoir consists of
a circular glass vessel (the sides of which may be either straight or
curved), the ends of which are closed by means of discs of metal or other
material held in position by screwed rods. An annular groove is formed
in the inner face of each disc, in which grooves annular washers of leather
or other suitable material are inserted, which washers being compressed
between the said discs and the edges of the vessel form tight joints.
The lower disc is furnished with a discharge tube arranged in any
of the ways hercin-before described, and the upper disc is furnished with
an air valve.
My improvements are applicable to the lubrication of the axles of
the wheels of railway carriages, and to the lubrication of rubbing
surfaces in general, whether such surfaces have rotatory or reciprocating
motion.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles Dudley Austin in the Great Seal Patent :
Office on the 30th September 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
DUDLEY AUSTIN, of No. 40, Mosley Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Machinery
and Commission Agent, send grecting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
third year of Ier reign, did, for Herself, Ier heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Charles Dudley Austin, Her special
licence that I, the said Charles Dudley Austin, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles Dudley

page_text: Austin, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATORS," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Charles Dudley Austin, my exccutors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Oflice within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Dudley Austin do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
My Invention relates to lubricators used for supplying oil to the
frictional surfaces of machinery, and consists in constructing such
lubricators as hercin-after described.
According to one arrangement I fix in the tubular stem formed at the
lower part of the oil cup or reservoir, or fixed in the socket thereof, a
discharge tube, the upper end of which projects into the said reservoir
and is fitted with a tube closed at its upper end, which latter tube is of
such a size that it shall fit loosely on the discharge tube so as to leave a
small annular or other shaped passage between them, up which the oil
passes into the discharge tube, through which it descends to the surface
to be lubricated.
The lubricator above described may be modified as follows, in order to
render it capable of adjustment, that is to say:-Tho said lubricator may
be furnished with a screwed rod or spindle working in a screw formed in
the cover of the lubricator. The upper end of this rod is furnished with
a milled head, and the lower end of the said rod bears upon the closed
end of the outer tube herein-before described, so that by turning the
said milled head the said closed end of the outer tube can be depressed
and moved nearer to the upper edge of the discharge tube in order to
regulate the flow of oil.

page_text: Another modification of the above-described lubricator is as follows:-
The upper end of the outer tube above referred to is closed by a plug,
the lower end of which projects into the said tube. On the said end is
cut a screw (part of which is cut away longitudinally to allow of the
passage of the oil), which screw engages in a female scrow formed in the
upper end of the discharge tube. The upper end of the said plug (which
projects through the outer tube aforesaid) has a square head, by means
of which it can be turned so as to move the closed end of the outer tubo
ncarer to or further from the upper edge of the discharge tube, and thus
regulate the flow of oil.
-
Another modification of the above-described lubricator is as follows:-
A thread chased or screwed on the lower end of the outer tube takeз
into a female screw formed in the bottom of the reservoir. A square
head is formed on or affixed to the closed upper end of the said tube, by
means of which head the said tube can be turned so as to effect the
adjustment of the outer and inner tubes relatively to each other as
herein before described with reference to the preceding modifications.
The oil enters the annular space between the tubes through lateral holes
in the lower end of the outer tubc.
According to another arrangement I make the upper end of the
discharge tube flush with the bottom of the oil cup or reservoir, and
regulate the flow of oil by means of a flat valve or disc affixed to a
spindle. The lower end of this spindle slides loosely in the said discharge
tube, and the upper end of the spindle slides in a bearing in the cover of
the reservoir. In the upper part of this bearing is formed a female
screw in which engages a screw, on the upper end of which is a milled
head, by turning which the lower end of said screw can be caused to
press upon the upper end of the valve spindle, and thereby depress the
valve to the required extent. Instead of the screw above described
being made to press upon the upper end of the valve spindle, the said
screw may be cut on a rod or spindle of sufficient length to press upon
the valve itself, in which case the upper part of the valve spindle is
dispensed with.
The arrangement last described may be modified as follows:-Tho
valve is pressed downwards by a spring coiled around a tube affixed to 3
the upper side of the said valve, which said tube slides upon the screwed
rod or spindle last referred to. On the said spindle is a collar against

page_text: which the upper end of the aforesaid spring bears. By turning the
screwed spindle in one or other direction the said spring is caused to
press with greater or less force against the valve, and thus to regulate
the flow of the oil as required.
According to another modification I insert in the discharge tube a
smaller short tube of such diameter as to leave space between the said
tubes for the passage of oil, the said smaller tube being fixed in position
by means of pins or rivets passing through both tubes. A female screw
is formed in the upper end of the smaller tube, which said end is lower
than the valve seat, in which said screw a screw on the lower end of the
valve spindle works, the said spindle being turned as required by means
of a square head on its upper end. On the valve being raised by the
turning of its spindle the oil flows under the said valve and descends.
between the two tubes above described.
According to another modification the valve has an annular flange, in
which is formed a female screw, which engages with a screw formed
around the valve seat. Channels are cut in one or other of these screws
to allow of the passage of oil. The valve is furnished with a square-
headed spindle, by means of which the said valve is turned as required..
My Invention further consists of the improved construction of oil
vessel or reservoir herein-after described. The said reservoir consists
of a circular glass vessel (the sides of which may be either straight
or curved), the ends of which are closed by means of discs of metal or
other material held in position by screwed rods.
An annular groove is
formed in the inner face of each disc, in which grooves annular washers
of leather or other suitable material are inserted, which washers being
compressed between the said discs and the edges of the vessel form.
tight joints. The lower disc is furnished with a discharge tube arranged
in any of the ways herein-before described, and the upper disc is
furnished with an air valve; or the said reservoir may consist of a
ring or short cylinder of metal, the ends of which are closed by discs.
of glass.
My improvements are applicable to the lubrication of the axles of
the wheels of railway carriages, and to the lubrication of rubbing
surfaces in general, whether such surfaces have rotatory or reciprocating
motion.

page_text: My said improvements are also applicable to self-acting steam
lubricators for engines.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, I will proceed to
describe, with reference to the accompanying Drawing, the manner in
which the same is to be performed. The said Drawing represents
in vertical section various lubricators constructed according to my
Invention.
In Figure 1 a is the oil reservoir; b is the opening through which the
said reservoir is filled, and c is the stopper by which the said opening is
closed; is the neck of the reservoir, and c is the socket in which the
said neck is fixed; f is a stopper through which passes a discharge
tube g, on which is placed a tube 7, which is closed at its upper end,
and is of such a size that it shall fit loosely on the discharge tube y so
as to leave a passage between the said tubes up which the oil passes
into the discharge tube, through which it descends to the surface to be
lubricated.
Figure 2 represents a modification of the above arrangement, in which
modification the flow of oil is regulated by means of a set screw i,
which works in a female screw in the cover of the lubricator. The said
screw is furnished with a milled head 2, and the lower end of the said
screw bears upon the closed end of the outer tube h, so that by turning
the said milled head the said closed end can be depressed and moved
nearer to the upper edge of the discharge tube g in order to regulate the
flow of oil.
Figure 3 represents another modification for the same purpose. In this
modification the upper end of the tube h is closed by a plug h¹, on the lower
end of which is cut a screw h³ (part of which is cut away longitudinally to
allow of the passage of the oil), which screw engages in a female screw
formed in the upper part of the discharge tube g. The upper end of
the said plug has a square head by means of which it can be turned so
as to move the closed end of the tube nearer to or further from
the upper edge of the discharge tube, and thus regulate the flow of
oil.
Figure 4 represents another modification for the same purpose. In this
modification a thread / chased or screwed on the lower end of the tube h
engages in a female screw formed in the socket e, in which the neck of
the reservoir is fixed by cement. The discharge tube e' is or may be

page_text: cast in one piece with the said socket e; h³, h³, are holes through which
the oil cuters the space between the tubes. A square head is formed
on or fixed to the tube h, by means of which head the said tube can be
turned so as to effect the adjustment of the tubes e¹ and relatively
to each other, as herein-before described with reference to the preceding
modification.
Figure 5 represents a lubricator in which the flow of oil is regulated
by means of a flat valve i carried by a spindle . The lower and short
end of this spindle slides loosely in the discharge tube k, and the upper
end of the said spindle slides in a bearing in the cover of the
reservoir. In the upper part of this bearing is formed a female screw
in which engages a set screw m, on the upper end of which is a milled
head m', by turning which the lower end of the said screw can be caused
to press upon the upper end of the spindle i, and thereby depress the
valve to the required extent.
Figure 6 represents a modification of the above arrangement, in which
modification the valve i is depressed by means of a screwed spindle n,
the upper part of the valve spindle being in this case dispensed
with.
Figure 7 is another modification of the lubricator represented in
Figure 5. In this modification the valve i is pressed downwards by a
spring coiled around a tube affixed to the said valve, which said tube
slides upon a spindle i, on the upper end of which is a flat head or
collar against which one end of the spring & bears so as to press the said
head against the set screw m, by turning which in one or other direction
the said spring is caused to press with greater or less force against the
valve, and thus to regulate the flow of oil as required.
Figure 8 is another modification of the lubricator represented in
Figure 5. In this modification a short tube o is fixed (by rivetting or
otherwise) in the discharge tube p. The said tube o is of such diameter
A female
as to leave space between the said tubes for the passage of oil.
screw is formed in the upper end of the tube o, in which screw a
screw on the lower end of the valve spindle works, the said spindle
being turned as required by means of a square head i. On the valve
being raised by the turning of the said spindle the oil flows under the
said valve and descends between the tubes o and p.

page_text: Figure 9 is another modification of the lubricator represented in
Figure 5. In this modification the valve i has an annular flange, in
which is formed a female screw & which engages with a screw formed
around the valve seat ; longitudinal channels are cut in one or other
of these screws to allow of the passage of oil. The valve is furnished
with a square-headed spindle i¹, by means of which the said valve is
turned as required. A flat disc of metal may be substituted for the
spindle valve herein-before described, in which case the said disc lies
in the bottom of the reservoir over the discharge tube and acts by
gravity.
Figure 11 represents parts of the lubricator represented in Figure 4,
so modified as to render them applicable to railway axle boxes, valves,
and other like machinery. In this modification the reservoir is dispensed
with and a screwed stem e³ is formed on the lower part of the discharge
tube c', which stem can be screwed into the oil passage in the axle box.
The flow of oil is regulated by turning the outer tube as described with
reference to Figure 4. Although in the arrangement shown in the
Drawing the reservoir is dispensed with, still I wish it to be understood
that a rescrvoir may be used with this arrangement.
is
Figure 15 represents a lubricator constructed according to my Invention
for lubricating steam cylinders; q is a steam-tight vessel, the upper end
of which has an opening q' for the admission of oil, which opening is
closed by a screwed plug q; q³ is a screwed stem which is screwed
into the cover of the cylinder or the steam pipe leading to the said
cylinder; 1, 2, 3, are three tubes which are arranged as follows:-The 3
tube is screwed into the lower part of the vessel 2. The tube
screwed or otherwise fixed in the tube, and passes through the tube³;
,, are holes through which the oil enters the tube 71; 8 is a spindle
valve which works in a recess formed in the stem q³, and is pressed upwards
by a coiled spring 8'; t is a spindle, on the upper part of which is formed 3
a screw which works in a female screw formed in the plug q; is a
milled head by turning which in one direction the spindle is made to
depress the valve s, and thereby open the lower ends of the pipes and r³.
By turning the said head in the reverse direction the valve is allowed to
risc, and thereby cut off the communication between the said pipes and the 3
steam cylinder. When the valve s is depressed or open the steam passes
between the spindle and the tube to the top of the oil in the vessel q,

page_text: a portion of which oil is at each stroke of the engine pressed up through
the space between the tubes 7" and ", and down between the tubes 13
and into the cylinder or the steam pipe to which the lubricator is
affixed.
My Invention further consists of the improved construction of oil
vessels or reservoirs herein-after described and illustrated in Figures 10,
11, 12, and 13 of the accompanying Drawing.
Figure 10 represents an oil reservoir constructed according to this
part of my Invention. The said vessel consists essentially of a glass
cylinder, the ends of which are closed by means of discs c¹, ², of metal
or other material held in position by screwed rods w, w. The cuds of the
said cylinder enter annular grooves ³, o³, and are held firmly against
washers', ', of leather or other suitable material so as to form tight
joints. The discharge tube x is or may be cast in one piece with the
disc. The vessel is filled through a hole ³ which is closed by a
screwed stopper & furnished with an air valve 7.
Figure 11 represents a modification of the above arrangement. In
this modification the oil reservoir y is of a globular figure; the lower part
of the said reservoir is closed by means of a socket, with which is cast
the discharge tube, into which socket the neck of the said reservoir
is fitted, the upper part of the said reservoir being closed by means of a
cover 1 fitted upon the neck ', which said cover is furnished with a
closing plug 2. The socket and the cover 1 are held in position and
compressed against washers of leather or other suitable material by
screwed rods 2", 2".
Figures 12 and 13 represent in front elevation and vertical transverse
section respectively another arrangement of oil reservoir constructed
according to this part of my Invention. In this arrangement the said
reservoir consists of a ring or short metal cylinder 3, or of a frame of a
square or other shape, the ends of which are closed by glass discs or
pieces 1, 1, fixed in rebates in the said ring or frame. The discharge
tube is or may be cast in one piece with the said ring or frame. The
said reservoir is filled through a hole at 6, which is closed by a screwed
plug 7. Any of the arrangements for lubricating herein-before described
may be fitted to the reservoirs above described.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that 1

page_text: do not limit myself to the precise details herein-before described and
illustrated, as the same may be varied without departing from the nature:
of my said Invention, but I claim as my said Invention,―
Firstly. The improved lubricator herein-before described and illustrated
in Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing, that is to say, a lubricator
in which a tube closed at its upper end is mounted on the discharge tube,
the outer tube being of such size as to leave a small space between it
and the said discharge tube so that the oil shall ascend between the said.
outer tube and the said discharge tube, and descend through the latter
to the surface to be lubricated.
Secondly. The several modifications of the said lubricator herein-before-
described and illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 11 of the accompanying
Drawing, by means of which modifications the outer tube of each lubri-
cator is so adjusted relatively to the inner tube as to regulate the flow
of oil.
Thirdly. The improved lubricators herein-before described and illus-
trated in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the accompanying Drawing, that is
to say, lubricators in which the flow of oil is regulated by means of flat
valves, the adjustment of such valves being effected by means of any of
the arrangements hercin-before described and illustrated in the aforesaid
Figures.
Fourthly. The modification of the said lubricators herein-before
described and illustrated in Figure 9 of the accompanying Drawing,
that is to say, a lubricator the flat valve of which has an annular
flange, a screw in which engages with a screw formed around the valve
seat, so that by turning the said valve in one or other direction the flow
of oil can be regulated as required, channels being cut in one or other of
the said screws to allow of the passage of the oil.
Fifthly. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the
improved lubricator for steam cylinders herein-before described and
illustrated in Figure 15 of the accompanying Drawing, that is to say, a
lubricator in which the arrangement of tubes described acts in combi-
nation with a flat valve worked by means of a screwed spindle as and for
the purpose described.
Sixthly. The improved construction of oil reservoir herein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying

page_text: Drawing, that is to say, cylindrical or globular glass vessels the ends
of which are closed by means of discs or covers held in position by
screwed rods.
Seventhly. The improved construction of oil reservoir herein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying
Drawing, that is to say, a short ring or cylinder or frame of metal or
other suitable material, the ends of which ring or frame are closed by
discs or pieces of glass essentially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Dudley Austin, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of
September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and seventy.