IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM LUBRICATORS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JOHN SMITH MILLER, of Forest Grove, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Brass
Founder, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN STEAM LUBRICATORS," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement that is
to say:-
My said Invention relates to apparatus for lubricating the piston of a steam
engine of the kind in which the flow of the lubricant is caused by the action of
the steam in the cylinder and it has for its object the improved construction of such
apparatus whereby the rate of flow of the lubricant may be rendered easily
observable to admit of regulation.
In apparatus of the kind as hitherto constructed the admission of the lubricant
to the steam cylinder takes place through the action of the steam in such cylinder
on a double or puppet-valve. The action of the steam lifts this valve from one seat
and presses it against another alternately thus admitting a small quantity of
lubricant into the space between the two valve seats. On the return of the piston
the partial vacuum causes the valve to change its position closing the passage to
the vessel containing the lubricant, and allowing the small quantity of lubricant
between the valve seats to pass into the steam cylinder. In carrying out my
Invention instead of there being a double or puppet valve connected together in
one piece, I construct my improved apparatus with two distinct valve pieces which
however are in connection with one another. The space between the two seats of
these valves is increased and to one of the valves there is fitted or formed a ring-
like piece which is guided in a vertical position by studs in the casing. This
ring-like piece is formed with two studs outside the ring one at the top solid, and
the one at the bottom hollow, and inside the ring at the top underneath the solid
stud there is formed a pointed projection which gives the ring an appearance
somewhat like the outline of a heart. Suitable glass parts are fitted in the casing
so that this point in the ring can be observed and the lubricant is arranged to drop
from this point as it passes from the upper valve to the lower one. The rate of
flow of the lubricant can thus be observed and regulated at will by the usual
spindle having a coned end.
And in order that ny said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto' append a sheet of explanatory drawings to

page_text: be hereinafter referred to and representing my improved lubricator. In these
drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark the same or like parts
wherever they are repeated.
Figure 1 on the accompanying sheet of drawings is a vertical section shewing
my improved arrangements. The chamber or vessel 2 for holding the lubricant is
formed as formerly of a hollow cylindrical shape, having a movable cap or cover 3.
In the bottom of this vessel 3 there are formed two passages one leading to the side
and the other to the bottom. In the side passage there is fitted in the usual way
a screw spindle 4 having a coned end which enters the passage for the lubricant
and by its means, the rate of flow of the lubricant may be regulated in a well
known manner, The other passage leads to a small cavity 5 formed in a boss at
the bottom of the vessel 2. In this cavity 5 there is fitted a small valve having
a downwardly projecting stem and this stem lies in a central hole formed in a
circular plug piece 7. This plug piece 7 is screwed into the cavity 5 and its upper
end forms a seat for the valve 6. Surrounding this cavity 5 and plug piece 7
there is screwed on the boss on the bottom of the vessel a hollow casing 8 some-
what like an inverted bell. Inside this casing 8 there are two studs 9 formed in
its sides, which enter guide grooves formed in the sides of a metal ring-like piece 10
which piece is fitted inside the casing 8. This ring-like piece 10 is placed vertically
and has at its upper and lower sides, short studs or projections the upper one of
which is solid and enters a hole formed through the plug piece 7 so far that the
stem of the valve 6 can rest upon its top. The lower stud is hollow and has
screwed into it the upper end of the stem of a small valve 11. This valve 11 is
fitted with its stem passed through a hole formed in a short cylindrical piece on
the lower end of the casing 8, the outer end of which forms a seat for the valve 11.
Screwed on this cylindrical piece on the bottom of the casing 8 there is a short
tubular piece 12 which has an enlargement at the top end of its bore for giving
room for the movement of the valve 11 which it encloses, and this piece 12 is
arranged for screwing to the cylinder top in the usual manner. The upper valve
in this arrangement will rest upon its seat when it is in a normal condition but on
the admission of steam to the cylinder the lower valve will be forced against its
seat opening the top valve and thus admit some lubricant into the space between
the two valves 6, 11. The lubricant thus admitted will trickle down the solid
stud at the top of the ring-like piece 10 and down a small pointed projection 13
formed on the picce 10 underneath the top stud. The lubricant will then form
drops on the end of this point 13 which drops will fall in succession at a rate
regulated by the amount of feed which is adjusted by the spindle 4. By forming
small circular holes or windows 15 in the bell like piece and fitting glass therein, the
dropping of the lubricant may be seen and thus its rate of feed may be adjusted to
suit the attendant's wishes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
I claim is:
The improved combination and arrangement of parts forming a lubricator
wherein the dropping of the lubricant may be observed and regulated substantially
as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
LOCK MOORE,
Agent.