Improvements in or relating to Sight-feed Lubricators.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Sight-feed Lubricators.
FREDERICK BAMFORD of 49 Enbridge Street, Salford, Lancashire, Engineer
and WILLIAM WADSWORTH of 122 Plymouth Grove, Chorlton-on-Medlock,.
Manchester, Lancashire, Estate Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this.
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a method of automatically starting and stopping the
flow of oil into the pipes or cylinders of engines with a view of preventing any.
waste of oil when the engine is not running and also a means of automatically
regulating the supply of oil when the engine is running according to the amount of
pressure in the pipes.
These results are obtained by the arrangement to be hereinafter described which
can be applied whether the oil is forced into the pipes on the boiler side of the main
stop valve or on the engine side.
In describing the arrangement reference will be had to the accompanying
drawings in which similar figures of reference indicate like parts in all the
figures.
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the arrangement when the oil is admitted on
the engine side of the main stop valve.
Fig. 2, is a similar view when the oil is admitted on the pressure side of the maiu
stop valve.
Fig. 3 is a section of the improved valve for starting and stopping the How
of oil.
Fig. 4 is a plan of the same.
Figs. 5, 6 & 7 are modified forms of the valve.
Fig. 8 is a section of the valve for automatically regulating the flow of oil.
The action is as follows:
Referring to Fig. 1; as long as the main stop valve, 1 is closed, the pressure
passes in the direction of the arrow, along the small pipe, 2 into the valve, 3 and
keeps it closed as will be hereinafter described. Directly the main stop valve is
opened the pressure passing along the pipe, 4 is forced up the pipe, 5 into a vessel, 6
(which is placed considerably above the level of the main pipe and partially filled
with water) and is there condensed. The water from the condenser under the
pressure passes down the pipe, 7 through the valve, 3 along the pipe 8, through the
small hand stop valve, 9 and pipe 10 into the oil reservoir, 11, thus forcing
the oil, 12 upwards and causing it to flow down the small tube, 13. The oil passing
through the tube is automatically regulated to any desired number of drops per
minute by means of the valve, 14 and passes through the glass sight tube, 15 into
the main pipe at the point, 16. Small taps, 17, 17, 17 are provided for use when
any repairs have to be made.
In Fig. 2 the arrangement is modified to allow the oil to be forced into the pipe
on the pressure side of the main stop valve. In this case the pressure passing
through the condenser 18 keeps the valve, 19 closed and so prevents any flow of oil
as long as the main stop valve is closed.

page_text: Directly the valve, 1 is opened, the pressure passing along the pipe, 2 opens the
valve, 19 and the oil is forced into the main pipe at the point, 16 as in the first
arrangement. In this case it will be noticed that the form of condenser is altered
and is arranged so that the area of water surface varies according to the amount of
pressure in the pipes, and thus the flow of oil is regulated according to the pressure
and no waste is entailed. A conical spiral tube condenser may be used instead of
the form illustrated, if desirable.
If either of these forms of condenser are used, the valve, 14 can be dispensed
with and an ordinary wheel valve substituted.
The valves 3 and 19 are shown placed between the condenser and the valve 9,
but this position may be altered and they can be placed in any position either on
the pipe 5, the water column or on the oil delivery; but we prefer that they
should be placed on the small tube, 13 between the oil reservoir and the regulating:
valve, 14.
We will now proceed to describe the different forms of valves used. Referring
to Figs. 3 and 4: the valve, 3 consists of a casting which has two circular
chambers, 20 and 21 in its diameter. Two small pisto is, 22 an 1 23 slide in these
chambers and are coupled together by means of cross-pieces, 24, 24 and rods, 25, 25
so that they work simultaneously.
The piston 22 is considerably larger than the piston 23.
The action of the valve is as follows: When the main valve, 1 is closed the
pressure passes along the pipe, 2 through the port, 26 into the chamber 21 and
pushes the valve in the direction of the arrow thus closing the port, 27 and
preventing any pressure passing from the condenser to the oil reservoir.
Directly the valve, 1 is opened the pressure acting through the condenser,
pipe 7 and port, 28 upon the larger piston, 22 overpowers the pressure on the small
piston, 23 and opens the port, 27 and thus allows the water from the condenser to
pass through the valve into the oil reservoir.
Fig. 5 shows a modified form of valve which is kept shut by means of a spring, 29
the strength of which can be adjusted by means of the lock-nuts 30, 30. In this
case the pressure from the condenser enters through the port, 28 and forcing the
spindle, 31 up passes through the valve to the oil reservoir as before.
Fig. 6 shows a form of valve as modified for the arrangement illustrated by Fig. 2.
Here the pressure passes through the condenser and port, 28 and acts on the ram, 32
keeping the valve closed; directly the main valve, 1 is opened the pressure passes
along the pipe, 2 (Fig. 2) through the port, 26 and acts on the ram, 33 forcing it in
the direction of the arrow and so opening the valve.
Fig. 7 is a modified form of the same valve the action of which will be easily
understood.
In both these cases, springs may be used for keeping the valve closed instead of
using the pressure through the condenser for that purpose.
Fig. 8 shows a section of the valve for automatically regulating the supply of oil
when the engine is running. The oil from the reservoir passes along the tube, 13
which is connected with the passage, 34 and when the pressure is on forces the
valve, 37 up and passes through into the glass sight tube, 15. The valve is kept
on its seat by means of a spring, 35 which can be adjusted to any desired strength
by the nut, 36.
It will be seen that the valve opens to a greater or less extent according as the
pressure rises or falls.
Dated this 6th day of March 1896.
E. J. ECKERSLEY,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Sight-feed Lubricators.
We, FREDERICK BAMFORD of 49 Enbridge Street, Salford, Lancashire,
Engineer and WILLIAM WADSWORTH of 122 Plymouth Grove, Chorlton-on-
Medlock, Manchester, Lancashire, Estate Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention relates to that class of lubricator which is generally known as
the water displacement sight-feed lubricator and consists of a new method of.
automatically starting and stopping the flow of oil into the pipes or cylinder of an
engine with the view to prevent any waste of oil when the engine is not running,
and a means of automatically regulating the flow of oil according to the pressure
in the cylinder or pipes and at the same time keeping the flow of oil regular
whether the oil happens to be thick or thin from any cause.
We will now proceed to describe our invention with reference to the accom-
panying drawings in which similar figures of reference represent like parts in all
the figures and in which:
Fig. 1, is a sectional elevation of our improved lubricator as we prefer to
make it.
Fig. 2, is a sectional plan of the same on the line a, a.
Fig. 3, is a section of a form of valve for starting and stopping the flow of oil.
Fig. 4, is a plan of the same.
Fig. 5, is a diagrammatic view of the arrangement when the above valve is
used.
Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are modified forms of valves for starting and stopping the flow
of oil.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 the steam from the boilers is supposed to be flowing
along the steam pipe, 1 in the direction of the arrow and as long as the stop
valve, 2 is closed no oil flows into the cylinder or pipes of the engine as will be
hereinafter described. The action is as follows: Directly the valve, 2 is opened,
the steam is admitted into the system of piping between the stop valve and the
cylinder, and the pressure at the points, 3 and 4 is the same. The steam passes up
the pipe, 5 into the condenser, 6 which is partially filled with water, and is there
condensed, and at the same time the steam passing down the pipe, 7 through the
valve, 8 and sight glass, 9 acts on the large diameter of the valve, 10 and forces it
open against the pressure of the spring, 11. Then the pressure caused by the
head of water in the condenser passing down through the pipe, 12 and valve, 13
into the oil reservoir, 14, forces the oil, 15 upwards and causes it to flow down the
small tube, 16 through the valve, 10, up the sight glass, 9 and into the steam pipe
at the point, 4. The flow of oil is regulated to the desired number of drops
per minute by means of the valve, 10. The strength of the spring, 11 can be
adjusted by means of the nuts, 17, 17 so as to allow of the valve being opened at
any desired pressure, while the travel of the valve is regulated by the nut, 18,
which regulates the rate of flow of the oil. Directly the stop valve, 2 is closed or
if the sight glass be broken, the pressure on the valve, -10 is released and it is
closed by the spring, thus preventing any further flow of oil. The small check
valve, 8 is provided to prevent the escape of steam and any danger from scalding,
should the sight glass be broken from any cause, and acts as follows: The valve, 8
is normally open but should the sight glass he broken, the release of pressure
immediately closes the valve and so prevents any escape of steam and consequently
any danger from scalding. The conical condenser, 6 acts in the following manner,

page_text: supposing (for the sake of illustration only) that the surface of water in the
condenser at the level, b, b has a condensing capacity of 6 drops per minute;
should the oil vary in density and owing to its more fluid state leave the oil cup at
a more rapid rate, then the water in the condenser gradually falls to some point
below the level, b, b until a surface is reached which has sufficient condensing area
to supply the demand for water to replace the vanishing oil, but since this action
lowers the level of the water, the pressure due to the head of water is lowered
also and the rush of oil is checked. On the other hand should the oil thicken
from any cause, the water rises in the condenser until the pressure due to the head
of water is raised sufficiently to cause the thick oil to flow at the average rate.
Thus it will be seen that the condenser acts as an automatic governor.
Referring now to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 which show another method of automatically
starting and stopping the flow of oil. As long as the main stop valve, 2 is closed,
the steam passes along the pipe, 19 into the valve, 23 and keeps it closed as will
be hereinafter described. Directly the valve, 2 is opened the steam passing along
the pipe, 1 is forced up the pipe, 21 into the condenser and is there condensed.
The pressure then passes down the pipe, 22 through the valve, 23 which is opened
by it and into the oil reservoir, 14, forcing the oil, 15 upwards and causing it to
flow down the tube, 16. The oil then passes through the valve, 25, which regulates
the flow to any desired number of drops per minute, and up the sight glass, 9 into
the steam pipe at the point, 26. Small taps 27, 27 may be provided for use when
any repairs have to be made. The valve, 23 is operated in the following manner:
When the valve, 2 is closed the pressure passes along the pipe, 19, through the
passage, 28 and forces the piston 30, which is connected to the piston, 31 by
means of the rods, 32, 32, in the direction of the arrow, thus closing the port, 33
and preventing any pressure passing from the opening, 34 to the opening, 35.
When the valve, 2 is opened the pressure from the condenser enters at the
opening, 34 and acts on the piston, 31, overpowering the pressure on the smaller
piston, 30 and opening the port, 33, thus allowing the pressure from the condenser
to pass through the valve into the oil reservoir.
Fig. 8 shows a modified form of valve which is used when it is desired to force
the oil into the steam pipe on the boiler side of the valve, 2. In this case the
pipe, 21 is fixed on the boiler side of the valve, 2 as also is the oil delivery pipe.
The pipe, 19 is fixed on the engine side of the valve, 2 and is connected to the
passage, 28 (Fig. 8), while the condenser is connected to the opening, 34 and the
oil reservoir to the opening, 35. The action is as follows: As long as the valve, 2
is closed the pressure from the condenser acting on the piston, 30 keeps the port, 33
closed and so prevents any flow of oil. As soon as the valve, 2 is opened the
pressure passes along the pipe, 19, through the passage, 28 into the chamber, 29
forcing the piston, 31 in the direction of the arrow and opening the port, 33 and
the flow of oil begins.
Fig. 6, is a modified form of the valve illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. In this case
the valve is kept closed by means of the spring, 36 instead of using the steam
pressure for that purpose, and the strength of the spring can be adjusted by means
of the nuts, 37. The pressure from the condenser enters at the port, 34 and forces
the valve spindle, 38 upwards, thus allowing the pressure from the condenser to
pass from the opening, 34 to the opening, 35 which is connected with the oil
reservoir, 14.
Fig. 7 is a modified form of the valve illustrated in Fig. 8; as before the
openings 34 and 35 are connected to the condeuser and oil reservoir respectively,
while the opening, 39 is connected to the engine side of the stop valve, 2. The
spring, 36 the strength of which can be adjusted by means of the nuts, 37, keeps
the valve closed but as soon as the valve, 2 is opened the pressure entering at the
opening, 39 acts on the piston, 40 and opens the valve. The valves illustrated in
Figs. 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 can be fixed in any position between the points 26 and 41
(Fig. 4) but preferably should be substituted for the valve, 25 while the valve, 13
acts as a regulating valve. The condenser is shown in the form of a spiral tube

page_text: and also in a conical shape, either form will act but we prefer to use the one
shown in Fig. 1.
Having now particularily described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:
(1) In a sight-feed lubricator the use of a condenser of a conical form.
(2) In a sight-feed lubricator the forms of condenser constructed substantially
as illustrated with reference to Figs. 1 and 5 and operating as and in the manner
set forth.
(3) In a sight-feed lubricator, a valve for automatically starting and stopping
the flow of oil, simultaneously with the shutting down of the main stop valve,
constructed substantially as described and illustrated with reference to Figs. 1, 2,
3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 and operating in the manner herein before set forth.
(4) In a sight-feed lubricator the combination of a conical condenser with the
valve for automatically starting and stopping the flow of oil as described.
Dated this 4th day of December 1896.
E. J. ECKERSLEY, R.P.A.
Agent for Applicants.