Improvements in Automatic Feed Lubricators.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 28th May, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Feed Lubricators.
I, RICHARD JAMES THRELFALL, of 7, Belgrave Terrace, Gateshead, in the County
of Durham, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement;-
-
The invention has reference to the form and operation of lubricators described
in a former Patent of mine No. 6760 of 1884 with certain improvements applicable
to other forms of automatic lubricators, designed to enable it to effect certain
other operations which greatly increase its utility, which improvements will herein-
after be described. It is specially adapted for locomotives, but is applicable also
to other engines.
The improvements are intended to effect the following objects, viz. :-
1. By the fitting of a non return clack valve below the rolling ball or other
automatic fitting, to prevent steam passing into the lubricator by back pressure
when the lubricant is applied to the valve chest, cylinder, or other parts of the
engine under steam, and to admit of the lubricator being refilled when running
with steam on.
2. To provide for the passage of the lubricant when the non return clack valve
is in its normal position, viz., resting in its seat.
3. To cause the lubricant to be thoroughly mixed with steam from the boiler
in regulated proportions as required as it passes from the lubricator to the steam
chest, cylinder, or other part of the engine.
4. To regulate the supply of lubricant so mixed with steam whether the main
steam regulator is open or shut by means of an independent regulating valve or
cock by opening which to any required extent the supply of lubricant may be
increased when the regulator is shut, said valve or cock being closed before the
engine stops.
On the accompanying drawings (2 sheets) I illustrate the lubricator as adapted
for a locomotive or other steam engine or as fitted to supply lubricant to valve
chests, cylinders, or the like, charged with steam.
Fig. 1 (Sheet 1) shows in vertical section a lubricator in which provision is
made for the regulated admission of steam from the boiler to mix with the lubri-
cant as it passes towards the valve chest, cylinder, or other part, and for blowing
through to clear the passages.
Fig. 2 (Sheet 1) shews in vertical section a modification adapted for traction
engines, steam hammers, or the like, where it is necessary to prevent any back
pressure steam passing into the lubricator past the non return clack valve, but
where the regulated admission of steam direct from the boiler, as in Fig. 1, is
not required nor provided for. This fig. is shewn fitted with a glass receiver and

page_text: with a removable strainer to prevent any dirt or impurities passing in with the
lubricant.
Figs. 3, 4, and 5 (Sheet 2) shew the application of my lubricator to a locomotive,
Fig. 3 being an outline elevation shortened for convenience of space, Fig. 4 a
partial end elevation at smoke box end, and Fig. 5 a partial end elevation at
firebox end.
The same letters indicate similar or equivalent parts on all the figures.
Referring to Fig. 1, A is the oil reservoir fitted with a screwed cap B. C is
the rolling ball in its conical seat enclosed in a cage D. E is the oil channel
from the reservoir to the adjustable screwed plug F1, opening or closing to regu-
late the supply of oil by the hand wheel G and fixed by the jam nut H at any
required point. The oil passes upward by the channel J under the ball which,
rolling in its seat, allows it to flow down the channel K shewn by dotted lines,
into the chamber or cage L in which is the non return clack valve M which when
at rest, as shown, allows the oil to pass down by the four bye ways N slotted in
the clack seat, whence it flows by the pipe 0 to the valve chest or cylinder.
When any return or back pressure occurs through this pipe the clack valve M
instantly rises and closes the outlet of the channel K and prevents the passage
of steam or water into the reservoir among the lubricant. When required to ad-
mit steam direct from the boiler to mix with the lubricant or to "flush" the
passages I effect this by fitting the cock P, which can either be opened or closed
entirely or to any adjustable extent, communicating with the boiler by the pipe Q.
Before the engine stops this cock will be closed and the supply of lubricant
stopped by the rolling ball C closing the aperture by resting in its conical seat.
Fig. 2 (Sheet 1) shews a lubricator of the same construction and operation but
without the steam cock P and its connections being screwed into the steam
chest or cylinder, the screwed cap B being a hinged lid to introduce the lubricant
into the wire strainer R.
Referring to Figs. 3, 4, and 5 (Sheet 2) the lubricators A one on each side
of the engine in the form shown on Fig. 1, are fixed to the boiler at the firebox
end and connected with it by the pipes Q, as shewn in this case to the whistle
stand, by a valve or cock. The oil and steam pipes 0 convey the oil and steam,
mixed as may be required, to the smoke box end of the engine and thence by
branch pipes 01 to the steam chest or cylinder. The pipe O has an inclination
or fall from the lubricator toward the smoke box end to cause the oil to flow
more readily in that direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :
1. The improvements in automatic feed lubricators having special reference
to those of locomotives, but applicable to other engines, which are in direct con-
nection with the valve chests, cylinders, or other parts under pressure, consisting
of a non return ball clack valve fitted near the oil outlet to prevent steam
from entering the lubricator reservoir, whilst allowing lubrication to continue
when resting in its seat, and admit of the reservoir being refilled when running
with steam on; a cock or valve to admit steam from the boiler in adjustable
quantity to mix with the lubricant at the outlet to diffuse it over the surfaces
to be lubricated, to "flush" the apparatus, and also to adjust the supply when the
main regulator is closed as when descending gradients, comprising the various
parts, constructed and operating substantially as described and shewn by Fig. 1.
2. The lubricator with a glass reservoir Fig. 2 fitted with a strainer to filter
the lubricant before it enters the reservoir, with or without the adjustable steam
cock or valve in combination with the non return ball clack valve, substantially
as shown by Fig. 2.
3. The improvements in automatic feed lubricators comprising the various new

page_text: fittings, in combination with such parts as are not claimed as new, constructed
and operating substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn with reference
to Fig.
of the drawings.