Improvements in Lubricators.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 1886
Complete Left, 3rd Sept.. 1887
Complete Accepted, 8th Nov., 1887
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lubricators.
I, JOHN REED FOTHERGILL, of No. 1, Bathgate Terrace, West Hartlepool, in the
County of Durham, Superintending Marino Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to lubricators such as may be used with especial
advantage in connection with high pressures, but they may be otherwise used.
A lubricator according to my invention is constructed with differential pistons, the
arrangement being such that lubricant at one side of the smaller piston can by pressure
of steam acting against the opposite side of the larger piston be forced into a steam
pipe, slide valve chest, or cylinder of an engine working under or having the same
boiler pressure as that used to operate the lubricator. Such lubricators may be
constructed in different forms. According to one arrangement, that part of the body
or shell in which the smaller piston works, is supplied with lubricant through an
opening provided with a suitable lid. The opening is formed with a female screw
thread, and a tubular part of the lid is formed with a corresponding male screw and
also with a hole through it that will allow steam to escape when the lid is partly
opened, or the lid may be hinged and fastened down with a hinged stud having a
screwed nut. There is a cock or valve whereby, when it is opened, water or lubricant
can be blown out. The said part of the body or shell constitutes the lubricant chamber,
and is in communication by a passage controlled by a suitable valve with a nozzle
through which lubricant can be forced in drops which can ascend through the water
of condensation contained in the glass of a sight feed, and thus pass on to the steam
pipe, valve chest, or cylinders as desired. A cock is provided whereby communication
between the sight feed pipe and the steam pipe can be opened or closed at will. The
part of the body or shell in which works the larger piston is in communication with
the steam supply, there being provided a suitable cock whereby the passage leading
into the body or shell can be closed or opened to steam or opened to the atmosphere.
When a charge of lubricant has been forced out of the lubricant chamber and the
pistons have arrived at the limit of their operative stroke, in order to again charge
the lubricant chamber the cock through which steam is supplied to actuate the
TD 1 1J1

page_text: lubricator, is turned so as to establish communication between the larger piston and
the atmosphere, whereupon the pressure acting on the smaller piston will return the
pistons to the extreme of their stroke; then the cock located between the sight feed
pipe and the steam pipe, and also the valve between the lubricant chamber and the
nozzle are closed, and the blow out valve of the lubricant chamber is opened and
closed, and the lid of that chamber is removed, the chamber filled, and the lid replaced.
Then the cock between the sight feed pipe and the steam pipe is opened, as is also
the cock through which steam is supplied to actuate the lubricator, thus admitting
steam to act upon the larger piston. The valve between the lubricant chamber and
the nozzle is also opened and so regulated as to allow the lubricant to pass up and
leave the nozzle as already stated. In the body or shell between the pistons, there is
or are one or more holes for escape of steam, water, or lubricant that may leak past
the pistons, and might, if not allowed to escape, obstruct their free action.
Dated this 3rd day of December 1886.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: I, JOHN REED FOTHERGILL, of No. 1, Bathgate Terrace, West Hartlepool, in the
County of Durham, Superintending Marine Engineer, 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 has reference to lubricators such as may be used with especial
advantage in connection with high pressures, but they may be otherwise used, as for
instance for forcing lubricant to the various external working parts of machinery. A
lubricator according to my invention is constructed with differential pistons, the
arrangement being such that lubricant at one side of the smaller pistou can by pressure
of steam acting against the opposite side of the larger piston be forced into a steam
pipe, slide valve chest, or cylinder of an engine working under or having the same
boiler pressure as that used to operate the lubricator. Such lubricators may be
constructed in different forms, as for instance when used for the purpose of forcing
lubricant to the external parts of machinery the steam may operate on the one
side of the smaller piston the lubricant being on the opposite side of the larger
piston.
According to one arrangement, that part of the body or shell in which the smaller
piston works, is supplied with lubricant through an opening provided with a suitable
lid. The opening is formed with a female screw thread, and a tubular part of the lid
is formed with a corresponding male screw and also with a hole through it that will
allow steam to escape when the lid is partly opened, or the lid may be hinged and
fastened down with a hinged stud having a screwed nut. There is a cock or
valve whereby, when it is opened, water or lubricant can be blown out. The said part
of the body or shell constitutes the lubricant chamber, and is in communication by a
passage controlled by a suitable valve with a nozzle through which lubricant can be
forced in drops which can ascend through the water of condensation contained in the
glass of a sight feed and thus pass on to the steam pipe, valve chest, or cylinders as
desired. A cock is provided whereby communication between the sight feed pipe and
the steam pipe can be opened or closed at will. The part of the body or shell in
which works the larger piston is in communication with the steam supply, there being
provided a suitable cock whereby the passage leading into the body or shell can be
closed or opened to steam or opened to the atmosphere. When a charge of lubricant
has been forced out of the lubricant chamber and the pistons have arrived at the
limit of their operative stroke, in order to again charge the lubricant chamber the
cock through which steam is supplied to actuate the lubricator, is turned so as to
establish communication between the larger piston and the atmosphere, whereupon the
pressure acting on the smaller piston will return the pistons to the extreme of their
stroke; then the cock located between the sight feed pipe and the steam pipe, and
also the valve between the lubricant chamber and the nozzle are closed, and the blow
out valve of the lubricant chamber is opened and closed, and the lid of that chamber

page_text: is removed, the chamber filled, and the lid replaced. Then the cock between the sight
feed pipe and the steam pipe is opened, as is also the cock through which steam is
supplied to actuate the lubricator, thus admitting steam to act upon the larger piston.
The valve between the lubricant chamber and the nozzle is also opened and so
regulated as to allow the lubricant to pass up and leave the nozzle as already stated.
In the body or shell between the pistons, there is or are one or more holes for escape
of steam, water, or lubricant, that may leak past the pistons, and might, if not allowed
to escape, obstruct their free action.
Several convenient forms of lubricators made in accordance with this invention are
shown in the annexed illustrative drawings.
Fig. 1 shows in section an arrangement of lubricator that can be fixed to a bulk-
head or bracket at any convenient distance from the steam pipe, slide valve chest or
cylinder. The lubricant ascends through the water contained in the glass of the
sight feed & thence passes by a separate pipe to the steam pipe, slide valve chest or
cylinder, &c.
Fig. 2 shows in section another arrangement which can be fixed into a steam pipe,
slide valve chest or cylinder covers, or in other similar position and in which the
lubricant dropping down the glass of the sight feed, passes into and down the steam
passage in the stem of the lubricator and thence into the steam pipe, slide valve
chest, &c.
Fig. 3 illustrates in section an arrangement that can be fixed to a bulk head or
bracket at any convenient distance from, but above the steam pipe, valve chest &c.
The lubricant in this arrangement drops down the glass of the sight feed and passes
to the steam pipe, valve chest &c., by a pipe separate from that which conveys steam
to the lubricator.
Fig. 4 illustrates in section an arrangement by which the lubricant is forced through
one or more pipes to any desirable distance, to lubricate the external working parts of
machinery.
Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views, Fig. 5 being a sectional view on line A. B. Fig. 2.
The same numerals are used to denote the same or like parts where they occur in
the different views.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2. and 3 inclusive. 1 is the body or shell in which the smaller
piston, 2 works and is supplied with lubricant through an opening 3 provided with
a suitable lid 4. In the arrangements Figs. 1 and 3, the opening is formed with a
female screw thread and a tubular part of the lid is formed with a corresponding
male screw and also with a hole 6. through it that will allow steam to escape when
the lid is partly opened or the lid may be hinged and fastened down with a hinged
stud having a screwed nut as shown in Fig. 2. There is a cock or valve 7 whereby
when it is opened water or lubricant can be blown or run out to any convenient place
by a pipe attached to the union 8 connected to the valve 7 by the screwed union nut 9.
The said part of the body or shell 1 constitutes the lubricant chamber and is in
communication by a passage 10 controlled by a suitable valve 11 with a nozzle 12
through which lubricant can be forced in drops and thus pass on to the steam pipe,
valve chest or cylinder as desired. A cock or valve 13 shown in figs. 2 and 3 is
provided whereby communication between the sight feed pipe and the steam pipe can
be opened or closed at will.
That part of the body or shell 14 in which works the large piston 15 is in
communication with the steam supply by the passage 16. there being provided a
suitable cock or valve 17 whereby the passage 16. leading into the body or shell 14
can be closed or opened to steam or opened to the atmosphere. In the body or shell
between the pistons 2 and 15. there is or are one or more holes 18 for escape of steam,
water or lubricant that may leak past the pistons and might if not allowed to escape,
obstruct their free action.
When a charge of lubricant has been forced out of the lubricant chamber and the
pistons 2 and 15 have arrived at the limit of their operative stroke, in order to again
charge the lubricant chamber, in the case of the arrangement Fig. 1. the cock 17
through which steam is supplied to actuate the lubricator is turned so as to establish

page_text: by the passage 19 communication between the larger piston 15 and the atmosphere or
it may be in a condensing engine, between the larger piston 15 and the condenser.
When communication is established to the atmosphere, the pressure acting on the
smaller piston 2 will return the pistons to the extreme of their stroke; then the cock
located between the sightfeed pipe and the steam pipe (in this case the cock will
usually be some distance from the lubricator, depending upon the position in which
the lubricator is fixed) and also the valve 11 between the lubricant chamber 1 and the
nozzle 12 are closed and the blow out valve 7 of the lubricant chamber 1 is opened
and closed and the lid 4 of the chamber is removed, the chamber 1 filled with lubricant
and the lid 4 replaced.
Then the cock between the sight feed pipe and the steam pipe is opened as is also
the cock 17. through which steam is supplied to actuate the lubricator thus admitting
steam to act upon the large piston 15.
The valve 11 is also opened and so regulated to allow the lubricant to leave the
nozzle 12 and ascend through the water contained in the glass 20 of the sight feed to
the steam pipe, slide valve chest or cylinder as already stated.
When communication
is established between the underside of the piston 15 and the condenser the valve 11.
is closed first the lid 4 of the chamber I removed when the pressure of the atmosphere
acting on the smaller piston 2 due to the vacuum on the underside of the larger
piston 15 will return the pistons to the extreme of their stroke.
The blow out valve 7 is opened and closed, the chamber 1 filled with lubricant, the
lid 4 replaced, the cock 17 opened and the valve 11 regulated.
To operate the lubricators shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and refil the lubricant
chamber.
The cock 17 in the case of Fig. 3 is turned so as to establish by the passage 19.
communication between the larger piston 15 and the atmosphere and in the case of
Fig. 2 the valve 17 (see Fig. 5) is closed and the valve 21 is opened to establish
communication by the passage 19 with the atmosphere, whereupon the pressure
acting on the smaller piston 2 will return the pistons to the extreme of their stroke,
the blow out valve 7 is opened and closed and the valve 11. closed, the lid 4 removed
the chamber filled with lubricant and the lid replaced. Then the valve 21 (Fig. 5)
in the case of the arrangement Fig. 2 is closed and the valve 17 opened to admit
steam to act upon the piston 15. The valve 11 is opened and regulated to allow the
lubricant to drop from the nozzle 12 down the sightfeed glass 20 and passage 22 past
the valve 13 into and down the steam passage 16 to the steam pipe, valve chest, &c.;
but in the case of Fig. 3 the cock 17 is opened to admit steam to the piston 15, the
valve 11 is opened and regulated to allow lubricant to drop from the nozzle 12 down
the sight feed glass 20 through the cock 13, and by a separate pipe to the steam pipe,
valve chest, &c.
To renew the sight feed glass 20 in either of the arrangements Figs. 1, 2, and 3,
the union nuts 23 are screwed off and the glands 24 drawn. In the case of Fig. 1,
a new glass can then be put in and packed when the glands are replaced and the
union nuts screwed on. In the arrangement Fig. 2 the part 25 is screwed off at the
joint 27 when a new glass is placed in it, with its end at the bottom of the recess 28,
which is then screwed in its place; then the glass is lifted up into the top half as
shown in the illustration, and packed, glands are replaced and nuts screwed on.
the arrangement Fig. 3, the cock 13 is removed, and the glass then pushed up into its
place, and secured as above described.
In
Referring to Figs. 4 and 6-29 is the body or shell in which the larger piston 30
works and is supplied with lubricant through the opening 31 provided with a suitable
screwed lid 32 having a hole 33 through it. 34 is the blow out valve. The part 29
of the body or shell is the lubricant chamber, to the cover 35 of which is or are
attached one or more valves or cocks 36 controlling the supply of lubricant to the
main pipes 37, which, by a series of branch pipes, carry the lubricant to the cups,
bearings, or parts of the machinery to be lubricated. The emission of lubricant from
the branch pipes is regulated by valves-see Fig. 6. 38 is the end of a branch pipe to
which the valve is attached by screwing; 39 is the valve which is adjusted by the

page_text: screwed spindle 40, and held in position by the check nut 41 regulating the supply of
lubricant which falls from the nozzle 49. The part 43 of the body or shell in which
works the small piston 44 is in communication with the steam supply by the passage 45
controlled by the cock 46 whereby the underside of the piston 44 can be opened to the
atmosphere or to the condenser in the case of a condensing engine. In the body or
shell between the pistons 30 and 44 there is or are one or more holes 47 for the
escape of air, steam, water or lubricant that may accumulate between the pistons and
might, if not allowed to escape, obstruct their free action. To denote the position of
the piston 30 or the quantity of lubricant in the lubricant chamber 29, à piece of
tube 48 is screwed into the piston 30 in such a position that it will project through
one of the holes 47, and a piece of wire or rod 49 having one end bent and screwed
into the body or shell 43 in such manner as will allow the tube 48 to slide up and
down it and thus indicate the position of the piston 30 and the quantity of lubricant
in the chamber.
When a charge of lubricant has been forced out of the lubricant chamber 29 and
the pistons 30 and 44 have arrived at the limit of their operative strokes, in order to
again charge the lubricant chamber, the valves or cocks 36 are first closed to prevent
the lubricant in the mains returning to the chamber 29, then the cock 46 is turned to
establish by the passage 50 communication between the piston 44 and the atmosphere
or condenser, as the case may be. When communication is established to the
condenser, the lid 32 is removed when the pressure of the atmosphere acting on the
piston 30 (owing to the vacuum on the underside of the piston 44) will return
the pistons to the extreme of their stroke. When there is no connection to a condenser,
but the underside of the piston 44 is opened to the atmosphere a branch pipe
controlled by a valve is led from the steam supply pipe to the cover 35 so that the
pressure of steam may return the pistons to the extreme of their stroke. The
blow out valve 34 is opened and closed, the lubricant chamber 29 filled, and the lid 32
screwed down. The cock 46 is opened, admitting steam to the underside of the
piston 44, then the valves or cocks 36 are opened and the supply of lubricant to
the cups, bearings, or various parts of the machinery, is regulated by the valve shown
in Fig. 6.
The pistons as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, may be packed with metallic
rings 51 or any other desirable packing. In each piston, a recess 52 is also formed
for packing with asbestos, yarn, or any other suitable ductile or pliable material so
that any leakage past the metallic rings may be arrested.
It will be evident these lubricators may be worked by any fluid pressure, such, for
instance, as water pressure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner it is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1st. A lubricator with differential pistons constructed and arranged in such a
manner as to enable any desired pressure to be applied to the lubricant so as to force
it as required either to a distance or against a pressure that may equal, or may even
exceed, the pressure per square inch of the fluid actuating the piston.
2nd. My improved lubricators with differential pistons, constructed, arranged, and
operating substantially as described with reference respectively to and shown in
Fig. 1 in Fig. 2-in Fig. 3-and in Fig. 4 of the drawings annexed.
Dated this 3rd day of September A.D. 1987.
Batt
J. R. FOTHERGILL.
W. Lloyd Wise,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.