Improvements in Apparatus for Lubricating.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1894-Accepted, 29th Sept.,
1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Lubricating.
I, PHINEAS SPALDING WHITING, of Des Moines, in the County of Polk,
State of Iowa, United States of America, Electrician, 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 :-
This invention pertains to systems of lubrication, wherein the lubricant is fed
from a reservoir which is under pressure, to the various machines and apparatus
that are to be lubricated. Especially this invention relates to such systems of
lubrication adapted to feeding the lubricant to steam cylinders and other parts
of machines, which contain a pressure that tends to prevent the feeding of the
lubricant.
In carrying out this invention I use a "set feed " valve accurately adjustable to
the exact rate of feed desired, and combine therewith a "flush" valve, for the
purpose of flushing the surfaces of the machines with a lubricant, when they may
require an extra large quantity of the lubricant, without disturbing the adjustment
of the "set feed" valve. For example, after an engine has been standing idle for
some time, (the "set feed" valve having been shut off) it will require when first
again started up, an extra large quantity of the lubricant. This is afforded by the
"flush" valve without disturbing the adjustment of the "set free" valve. I also
combine with the system a filter for filtering the lubricant, and a valve arranged
to close automatically, when the pressure, against which the lubricant is feeding,
falls below a desired limit of pressure.
Referring to the drawings which accompany the Specification to aid the
description,
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a complete system, as applied to
lubricating a steam cylinder. This figure shows an air compressor as the means
of producing the requisite pressure in the reservoir; but it will be understood
that in place of air and the air compressor 1 could bring steam into the reservoir
for the same purpose.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the set feed and flush valves on a large scale.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the same.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of the filter on a large scale.
Figure 5 is a detail of a modification of the system, when a valve is employed to
automatically shut off the lubricant when the pressure against which it is feeding
falls.
The set feed valve A and auxiliary flush valve B are connected with the
reservoir 1, which contains a suitable lubricant, as oil, by any suitable piping.
In Figure 1, 3 and 4 are branch pipes, respectively connected with set-feed
valve A and flush valve B, and uniting in a cross 5, 6 is a pipe from said cross, O a
filter connected therewith and also by pipe 7, 7, with the bottom of reservoir 1, 8 is
an oil supply pipe from a pump 9 to said pipe 7, though of course said pipe 8 may
enter said reservoir by an independent connection. 10 is a pipe from the pump 9
to a receptacle of oil, arranged below the floor and not shown. 16 a pipe from the
valves A B to the steam pipe 17, and by which oil is fed to the cylinder 2.
It will be understood that the diagram is given only as an illustration of one
arrangement merely of my invention, and that the position and arrangement of
the reservoir, air compressor, pump, and piping will be altered according to the
requirements of each case, without departing from my invention in this respect,
which consists essentially in combining with a reservoir in which a lubricant is

page_text: maintained under pressure, a feed valve, and a continuously open feed pipe from
the valve to the apparatus which is to be lubricated.
The aforesaid set-feed valve A is composed of a case a, provided with a fine
vent 19, on which seats a spindle 20, threaded through the bonnet 21, which in
turn threads on the case a. 22 is a counter-bored chamber in the top of the case a,
23 a ring therein supporting packing 24, and 25 a gland above the packing, 26 a
branch for connecting the valve A with the pipe 3, and 28 a lock-nut, whereby the
feed is regulated in the following manner: The spindle 20 is run up slowly until
just the proper rate of feed of oil through the vent 19 is obtained. Then the
lock-nut 28 is run down the spindle 20 until it jaws on the bonnet 21, thus locking
the spindle and setting the feed.
Essentially the operation of the valve A is complete when the vent 19 opens
into any suitable pipe or channel, as for example, the pipe 16, that leads to the
apparatus which is to be lubricated; but I prefer to combine said valve A with
the flush valve B in the special manner shown on the drawings. In this case the
nozzle a¹ of the vent 19 threads into and projects through a block D, D' being a
cap therefor which is chambered at d¹ to admit one end of a glass tube E, F is a
cap, chambered at f, and to admit the other end of the tube E and threading on
the bend G. 30, 31 being packing rings respectively above and below the glass E.
Said glass E permits the operator to observe the dripping of the oil from the
valve A, and thus obtain the accurate adjustment of the set-feed above referred to,
and is therefore termed the "sight feed."
On
Said block D has a bracket 32, which is connected with the tube / in any
suitable manner, as being made integral therewith, and tends to support and give
rigidity to the combined structure of the valves A, B. The tube h is connected
with the branch g of the bend G; g¹ being a nozzle to connect with the pipe 16.
The case 6 of the flush-valve B is provided with a nozzle 35, having a vent 36
and threaded into the bracket 32, said bracket being perforated as shown.
said vent 36 seats the spindle 38, which threads through the bonnet 40.
construction and functions of the ring 42, gland, 43, and packing 44, are the same
as of the similar parts in the valve A, 46 is a branch to connect with the pipe 4.
prefer to put a lock-nut 50 on the spindle 38, in order to iusure that when
properly closed the flush valve B shall remain closed until the special occasion for
opening it occurs.
The
The filter O, which is placed between the reservoir 1 and the valves A B, has a
case o, chambered at P and 9, and preferably counter-bored at r as shown; s being
the inlet the outlet. Rings tt of brass or other suitable material, and each
having a central hole u of about the same diameter as a counter bore r, are arranged
one above the other in the chamber p, there being a layer of fine wire mesh or
other suitable material under each ring. The rings t and mesh v are held together
by bolts w w, which pass through holes in the rings and mesh. o' is the cap of the
case o. In assembling the parts, the cap o' being off the case, the rings t and
meshare laid on each other and fastened together by the bolts w. Then the
whole is passed into the chamber p by way of the open top of the case o. Finally
the cap is put on said case.
The operation is as follows: Supposing the air compressed in reservoir 1 above
the oil therein, the engine running, and the valves 2 a, 4 x, 7 a, 16 x, open, then the
operator, observing the dripping of the oil through the glass E, regulates the set-
feed valve A with great accuracy to deliver just the necessary quantity of oil in a
given time, the flush valve B being closed. The operator now locks or sets the
valve A by the lock nut 28, as described, and the lubrication continues
automatically at the determined rate, the pipe 16 being continuously open to the
cylinder 2.
But suppose that for any reason the engine is stopped and remains idle for a
considerable time, the throttle 2x, and the valve 4 r, being closed during that time.
Now when the engine is first started again, the cylinder 2 will need more rapid
lubrication than can be obtained by the set feed of the valve A.
But it is very
:

page_text: undesirable to disturb said valve A, and take the chances of again obtaining the
accurate adjustment necessary. Consequently the valve A is not touched, but the
flush valve B is opened, so that the oil can be fed rapidly to the cylinder 2 by way
of the vent h, which forms a by-pass around the valve A. When a sufficient
quantity of oil is thus fed to the cylinder 2, the flush-valve B is shut off, and the
lubrication continues through the set-feed valve A.
N, (Fig. 5), shows a valve, which may be arranged as shown between the
reservoir I and the filter Q. The valve disc 60, set on a stem 61, working through
stuffing box 66, is normally off the seat 62, and the oil passes on to the
lves A, B, and thence to the cylinder. But if the pressure against which the oil
feeding falls for any reason, the pressure in the reservoir almost instantly lifts
the disc 60 against the seat and prevents the further feed of the oil. When it is
desired to resume lubrication the valve N is opened again by drawing down the
spindle. 63 is a guide rib and 64 a stop, as will be readily understood on examining
the drawing.
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 :
1. The combination in a lubricating system, of a reservoir containing a lubricant
under pressure, a feed valve connected therewith, apparatus containing a fluid under
pressure, a continuously open pipe from the feed valve to the apparatus, and a
normally open valve between the reservoir and the feed valve adapted to close
automatically when the pressure in the apparatus falls, substantially as described.
2. The combination in a lubricating system, of a reservoir containing a lubricant
under pressure, a feed valve connected therewith, a filter interposed between said
reservoir and said feed valve, apparatus to be lubricated, and a continuously open
pipe from said feed valve to said apparatus, substantially as described.
3. In a lubricating system, a valve consisting of the following parts in combina-
tion, to wit: a chambered case, an inlet thereto, a fine vent therefrom, a discharge
pipe connected with said vent, a valve spindle adapted to open and close said vent,
and a lock nut on said spindle adapted to set the same, substantially as described.
4. In a lubricating system, a filter operatively connected with said system and
equipped with a series of meshes which are adapted to strain the lubricant,
substantially as described.
5. In a lubricating system, a filter operatively connected with said system, and
consisting of a case o, and alternating rings t and meshes v arranged therein,
substantially as described.
Dated this 30th day of Jul 1894
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.