IMPROVED LUBRICATING COMPOUNDS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firin of Haseltine, Lake,
"
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVED LUBRICATING COMPOUNDS." A communication from abroad
by Clark Johnston, of Rochester, New York, United States of America,
Manufacturer.
Sealed the 9th August 1878, and dated the 11th March 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th March 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVED LUBRICATING COMPOUNDS.' [A
communication from abroad by Clark Johnston, of Rochester, New York, United
States of America, Manufacturer.]
This Invention relates to certain improvements on that class of lubricating
compounds in which graphite or plumbago is held in suspension for the purpose
of increasing the lubricating qualities of the said compound.
The well-known qualities of the mineral substance variously known as plumbago,
graphite, or blacklead have induced the invention of various means of applying said
substance to mechanical bearings for the purpose of reducing friction, the most
efficient method of application so far known being the combination of the powdered
mineral with an oil or liquid compound, which is poured into oil cups or upon the
bearings in the ordinary manner.
A great difficulty, however, in the way of the successful use of this method has
been the impossibility hitherto of holding the powdered graphite in proper suspen-
sion in the fluent vehicle of its application, no oil having been discovered or compound
invented, so far as I am aware, in which the graphite will remain in perfect suspen-
sion, even under the ordinary variations of atmospheric temperature.

page_text: For the solid form capable of use in the same manner as tallow or the various
plastic lubricants, the proportions in the second part of my Invention are substan-
tially the following:-
Petroleum
Graphite or plumbago -
-
1 gallon.
"
Mineral extract of petroleum (paraffine¯
wax)
Japan wax
Myrtle wax
Gambia wax -
8 ounces.
2 ounces.
6 ounces.
-
1 ounce.
1, ounce.
Bicarbonate of soda or equivalent alkali
one ounce.
The method of preparing the compound according to both parts of my Invention
is the same, as follows:-I first heat the oil to about 80° Fahrenheit, and then add
the alkali, the purpose of which is to "cut" the oil or resolve the globules thereof
into thin flat tissues well adapted to prevent the sinking or precipitation of the
powdered graphite. I then melt together the mineral extract of petroleum and
the wax or waxes to form a very adhesive unctuous compound, which is added as
soon as the ingredients are well melted and mixed, and adheres to the tissues of
the oil and holds the powdered graphite, which is then introduced, the especial
function of the mineral extract of petroleum being to increase the specific gravity
of the whole to such an extent as to obviate the tendency of the graphite to sink.
When the ingredients have all been added, but a few moments' exposure to the
same heat while briskly agitated is sufficient to effect a thorough combination of
the whole, which may cool either slowly or rapidly, the resultant product being
either liquid or solid, according to the relative proportions of its constituents.
Each of the substances used except the alkali is of itself a lubricant, and is of
comparatively low cost, and the method of preparation so inexpensive that the low
price at which the compound of either part of my Invention can be placed in the
market is one of the principal meritorious features thereof; and when to this is
joined their great efficiency as a lubricator on account of the absolute suspension
of the graphite, and their capacity to resist change under a wide range of tem-
perature, they become articles conspicuous for adaptability to their intended
purpose.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
September 1878.
A.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, Loudon, "IMPROVED LUBRICATING COMPOUNDS."
communication from abroad by Clark Johnston, of Rochester, New York, United
States of America, Manufacturer.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in that class of lubricating
compounds in which graphite or plumbago is held in suspension for the purpose
of increasing the lubricating qualities of the said compound.
The well-known qualities of the mineral substance variously known as plumbago,
graphite, or blacklead have induced the Invention of various means for applying
said substance to mechanical bearings for the purpose of reducing friction, the most
efficient method of application so far known being the combination of the powdered
mineral with an oil or liquid compound, which is poured into oil cups or upon the
bearings in the ordinary manner.
A great difficulty however in the way of the successful use of this method has
been the impossibility hitherto of holding the powdered graphite in proper suspension
in the fluent vehicle of its application, no oil having been discovered or compound
invented, so far as I am aware, in which the graphite will remain in perfect
suspension, even under the ordinary variations of atmospheric temperature.
It is the object of my Invention to overcome the obstacles heretofore existing
to the application of graphite as a mechanical lubricant, and to this end it
consists,―
First. In a lubricant consisting of petroleum or other lubricating oil of commerce,
African palm wax or its equivalent, pulverized graphite, the mineral extract of
petroleum (or paraffine wax), and an alkali, combined in varying proportions to form
either a solid or liquid lubricating medium, which while holding its graphite in
perfect suspension will be efficient in use and cheap in production.
Second. In a solid or liquid compound in varying proportions of the following
substances, namely:-
Petroleum.

page_text: my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it
understood that I claim,-
First. A lubricating compound consisting of petroleum or other oil, African palm
wax, graphite, mineral extract of petroleum, and a suitable alkali, as above
described.
Second. The lubricating compound consisting of petroleum, powdered graphite,
mineral extract of petroleum, Japan wax, myrtle wax, Gambia wax, and a suitable
alkali, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.