Year: 1886

page_text: We, HEINRICH SCHAFFSTÄDT, of Giessen, and ADOLF BERGEN, of Hochst o/M,
both in the Empire of Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for lubricating steam and other cylinders,
and especially to that class of apparatus which supplies a lubricant only when the
piston is moving without steam or when a vacuum is formed in the cylinder.
The apparatus is more especially designed for the cylinders of a locomotive
engine, in which, when the engine is running down an incline, or is shunting, the
piston moves without lubrication, as the steam is shut off, unless lubricating
apparatus is employed.
The apparatus can also be used in combination with the cylinders of other steam
engines in which similar occurrences take place, or with any cylinder in which at
any time a lower pressure than that of the atmosphere exists behind the piston, for
instance, in an air-pump cylinder or the like.
The apparatus of this kind as heretofore employed is subject to the defect that,
when there is the least leakage of the valve which regulates the admission from the
oil vessel to the steam cylinder, steam can penetrate into the oil chamber and
condense by reason of the low temperature.
This water of condensation on account of its specific weight being greater than
that of oil, occupies the lower portion of the oil chamber, and, when the con-
densation is very great, the water pushes the oil altogether from the vessel, so that,
when the engine runs without steam, only the water of condensation, which is
entirely unfit for lubricating purposes, enters the cylinder.
By the present invention this defect is obviated, as the steam which may pass
into the apparatus is not able to penetrate into the oil chamber. Moreover, this
apparatus is distinguished by a peculiar device for regulating the flow of oil and at
the same time purifying the same.
According to the said invention, the lubricator cup or vessel is screw-threaded at
its lower portion to enable it to be screwed upon the cylinder, and is divided
internally into two chambers which are entirely separated from each other, viz, the
oil chainber and the valve chamber which extends through the centre of the oil
chamber. This valve chamber is provided with a downward prolongation in which
slides the tubular guide-rod of a valve closing the lower end of the valve chamber.
This valve is always pressed upwards by a spring and prevents any communication
between the valve chamber and the space below the valve in connection with the

page_text: steam cylinder, except when the pressure in the latter is lower than the pressure in
the valve chamber.
The upper end of the valve chamber is also closed by a valve, which is normally
pressed upwardly away from its seat by a weak spiral spring, so that, the valve
chamber is in communication with the outer air through the valve and openings in
a protecting cap.
The valve chamber is formed of a central tube which is screwed tightly into the
body of the apparatus, and of a casing which can be screwed up and down thereon.
The said tube is provided with the lower valve and the casing with the upper valve
of the valve chamber.
The hollow stem of the lower valve is provided externally with longitudinal
grooves communicating with the interior of the tube by suitable holes.
In case the lower valve leaks, the steam passes through the said grooves and
holes and escapes upward through the upper valve. The said casing of the valve
chamber is provided with a downwardly projecting tube which surrounds the
upper end of the tubular stem and forms a conductor for the escaping steam.
The said casing is enlarged at its lower end in order to receive a ring of felt or
similar pervious material. The said ring rests upon a flange formed upon the
lower end of the central tube of the valve chamber. The central tube and the
enlargement of the casing are provided with lateral openings so that the oil in
the oil chamber, after passing through the felt, can enter the valve chamber and
thence flow through the grooves in the tubular stem of the lower valve into the
cylinder, when the lower valve is opened. The flow of oil from the oil chamber
is not prevented by the ring of felt or the like, as the space above the oil is in
communication with the atmosphere through the holes in the cover of the oil
chamber.
The apparatus operates in the following manner:-Suppose the same is fixed
upon a cylinder of a locomotive engine and that the latter is running down an
incline with the steam shut off from the cylinder.
At every stroke the air behind the piston will be rarefied, thereby causing the
opening of the lower valve. Simultaneously with the descent of the lower valve,
the upper valve closes because the pressure in the valve chamber is reduced below
that of the atmosphere owing to the opening of the lower valve. The rarefaction
of air in the valve chamber now causes the oil from the oil chamber to flow through
the openings in the central tube and the enlargement of the casing and through
the intermediate felt into the valve chamber, whence the oil can flow through the
grooves in the valve stem and through the open lower valve into the cylinder to
be lubricated. The greater the speed of the engine, the more perfect will be the
rarefaction of air and the more powerfully will the oil be drawn through the felt
ring.
The quantity of oil passing through the felt ring can be easily regulated by the
felt being pressed more or less closely together. This is effected through the medium
of the casing which, as already mentioned, can be screwed up and down on the
central tube. For the purpose of regulating the afflux of oil, the cover is taken
from the oil chamber and the casing is so turned that the felt is compressed, if less
oil is to flow into the cylinder, and vice versa.
It is sometimes necessary, especially in new engines or after a long cessation of
work, that an instantaneous and abundant lubrication of the cylinder with oil is
desired. For this purpose we provide, in the external shell of the lubricator, a
screw whose point, when the screw is turned back, opens direct communication
between the oil chamber and the lower valve through a small channel and a
depression in the valve rod. During the regular working, however, this com-
munication is always closed so that the oil is compelled to pass through the
felt ring.
Instead of the felt, any similar material may be used which has the capacity of
preventing the flow of oil through it except when the latter is under pressure and
of suitably reducing its flow, when more or less compressed,

page_text: When the lower valve leaks, the steam passes through the lateral holes in the
tubular valve stem, and thence through the tube surrounding the upper end of the
same, the upper valve, and the openings in the cap to the atmosphere.
The mixing of the steam with the oil or its penetration into the oil chamber is
completely obviated, as its entrance into the said chamber is rendered impossible,
on the one hand by the valve rod and on the other hand by the felt ring. The
oil vessel is accordingly protected from the action of steam or water so that the
apparatus cannot operate imperfectly from this cause. The apparatus lubricates
with certainty as soon as the pressure in the steam cylinder is lower than the
atmospheric pressure.
We sometimes modify the apparatus in such a manner that the discharge of
the steam leaking through the lower valve takes place laterally through a small
discharge channel, instead of perpendicularly. The oil channel as well as the
discharge channel are closed by small disc-shaped valves which are provided in
the periphery with indents, and on the under side with suitable grooves so that
the passage of the liquid or of the steam from the one side cannot be prevented,
and from the other side only when the disc is in front of the opening.
In consequence of this modification, it is only necessary to provide the valve
stem of the lower valve with a single passage for both oil and steam but the valve
stem hereinbefore described can be employed if desired. The disc valves operate
in exactly the same manner as the lower valve hereinbefore described.
We sometimes dispense with the felt ring and use, in its stead, a wick which
draws oil from the oil chamber by capillary attraction into a tube, whence it passes
into a horizontal channel and thence through the hollow valve stem to the cylinder.
This valve stem consists only of a single tube, and is distinguished from those
hereinbefore described by the oil and the steam passing through one conductor,
viz:-the hollow valve stem, whereas, as first described, special conductors are
provided for oil and for steam. The screw also for effecting a rapid lubrication is
here, as also in the modification last described, arranged in the interior of the
oil chamber. Under certain circumstances, the double passages in the valve stem
as first described will also here be of use; the steam which, when the lower valve
leaks, passes through the same is then conducted through the hollow valve-stem
whilst the oil flows through the oil channels cast on the outside of the valve stem.
According to another modification, the auxiliary or rapid lubrication is effected
through a small angular tube. The afflux of the oil through this small tube can
only take place after the valve stem terminating in the valve is lifted by turning a
milled head.
The said valve stem is formed so that the oil as well as the steam leaking past
the valve can pass through the said valve stem. The wick-tube valve is attached
to one side of the central tube.
We sometimes arrange the wick tube to surround the central tube and con-
centric therewith. With this modification, the valve stem first described is of
material use.
We may further modify our apparatus by employing a special valve in the wick-
tube, which valve prevents the passage of any steam from the valve chamber to
the oil chamber under any circumstances. With this arrangement, the oil passing
from the oil chamber to the steam cylinder flows through the said valve which
opens downwardly.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in Lubricating Apparatus.
We HEINRICH SCHAFFSTÄDT, of Giessen, and ADOLF BERGEN, of Hochst o/M,
both in the Empire of Germany, do hereby declare the nature of our 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 relates to apparatus for lubricating steam and other cylinders, and
especially to that class of apparatus which supplies a lubricant only when the
piston is moving without steam or when a vacuum is formed in the cylinder.
The improved apparatus is more especially designed for the cylinders of loco-
motive engines, in which, when the steam is shut off, for example, when the engine
is running down an incline, or is shunting, the piston moves without lubrication,
unless suitable lubricating apparatus is employed.
The apparatus can, however, also be used in combination with the cylinders of
other steam engines, in which a similar cessation of the lubrication takes place or
with any cylinder in which at any time a lower pressure than that of the
atmosphere exists behind the piston for instance in an air pump cylinder or
the like.
Apparatus of this kind as heretofore employed are subject to the defect that,
when there is the least leakage of the valve which regulates the admission of oil
from the oil chamber or vessel to the steam cylinder, steam can penetrate into the
oil chamber wherein it will be condensed by reason of the low temperature.
The water of condensation, by reason of its specific weight being greater than
that of oil occupies the lower portion of the oil chamber, and, when the con-
densation is very great, the water pushes the oil altogether from the vessel, so that
when the engine runs without steam only the water of condensation which is
entirely unfit for lubricating purposes, enters the cylinder.
By the present invention this defect is obviated as the steam which may pass
into the lubricating apparatus cannot enter the oil chamber. Moreover the
improved apparatus is distinguished by a peculiar device for regulating the flow
of, and, at the same time, purifying, the oil. In the accompanying drawing the
apparatus is represented in section, and the various figures show various modifications
of the present invention.
In the apparatus shewn in Figure 1 the lubricator cup or vessel a is screw-
threaded at its lower portion a¹ to enable it to be screwed into the cylinder and is
divided internally into two chambers which are entirely separated from each
other viz:-the oil chamber A and the valve chamber B which extends through
the centre of the said oil chamber. This valve chamber B is provided with a
downward prolongation in which slides the tubular guide-rod c of a valve C closing
the lower end of the valve chamber. This valve C is always pressed upward by
a spring & and prevents any communication between the valve chamber B and
the space e below the valve C and in connection with the steam cylinder (not

page_text: represented in the drawing) except when the pressure in the latter is lower than
the pressure in the valve chamber B which is usually that of the atmosphere.
The upper end of the valve chamber B is also closed by a valve F which is
normally pressed upward away from its seat by a weak spiral spring f so that, the
valve chamber B is in communication with the outer air through the valve F and
the openings in the protecting cap.
The valve chamber B is formed of a tube h which is screw-threaded at h¹ and is
screwed tightly into the body of the apparatus, and of a casing k which can be
screwed up and down upon the said tube h. The said tube h is provided with the
lower valve C, and the casing with the upper valve F.
The hollow stem of the lower valve O is, as shown in section in Figure 1ª
hollow and is provided externally with longitudinal grooves.
In case of leakage of the lower valve C the steam passes through the holes c¹
into the hollow stem c and escapes upward through the valve F and holes i. The
casing is provided with a downwardly projecting tube h² which surrounds the
upper end of the tubular stem c and forms a conduit for the escaping steam.
The casing k is enlarged at its lower end k¹ to receive a ring m of felt or similar
pervious material. The said ring m rests upon a flange n formed upon the lower
end of the tube h. The tube h and the enlargement k¹ of the casing / are provided
with lateral openings at o and o¹ respectively so that the oil in the oil chamber A
after passing through the felt m can enter the valve chamber B and thence flow
through the grooves in the tubular stem c of the valve Cand through the passage e
into the cylinder, when the lower valve C is opened. The flow of oil from the
oil-chamber A is not prevented by the ring m as the space above the oil in the
chamber A is always in communication with the atmosphere through the holes r
in the cover p of the oil chamber A consequently the pressure above the level of
the oil in the said chamber will always be that of the atmosphere.
The apparatus operates in the following manner, that is to say:-Suppose the
same is fixed upon a cylinder of a locomotive engine and that the latter is running
down an incline with the steam shut off from the cylinder; at every alternate
stroke of the piston the air behind the same will be rarefied thereby causing the
opening of the valve C. Simultaneously with the descent of the valve C the
upper valve F closes by reason of the decrease of the pressure in the valve chamber
below that of the atmosphere when the valve C is opened.
The rarefaction of air in the valve chamber B now causes the oil from the oil
chamber A to flow through the openings o' the ring m and the openings o into the
valve chamber B, whence the oil can flow through the grooves in the valve stem c
and through the open valve C into the cylinder to be lubricated. The greater the
speed of the engine the more perfect will be the rarefaction of air, and the more
powerfully will the oil be drawn through the felt ring m.
The quantity of oil passing through the felt ring m can be easily regulated by
pressing the felt more or less closely together. This is effected through the medium
of the casing / which, as above mentioned, can be screwed up and down on the
tube h. To regulate the flow of oil, the cover p must be removed from the casing a,
and the casing k turned so that the felt is compressed or allowed to expand
according to whether more or less oil is required to flow into the cylinder. The
casing is provided with a milled flange k² to facilitate this adjustment.
It is sometimes necessary especially in new engines or after a long cessation of
work to effect an instantaneous and abundant lubrication of the cylinder. For this
purpose we provide in the external shell of the lubricator a screw q whose point a
when the screw is turned back, opens a direct communication between the oil-
chamber A and the valve C through the small channel n and a depression in the
valve rod. During the regular working however this communication is always
closed so that the oil is compelled to pass through the felt ring.
The ring m instead of being made of felt may be of any similar material which
will prevent the flow of oil through it except when under pressure and which
suitably diminishes the flow thereof when more or less compressed.

page_text: When the valve leaks the steam passes through the holes in the tubular valve
stem and thence through the tube h² and the valve F and through the openings in
the cap into the atmosphere.
The mixing of the steam with the oil or its penetration into the oil chamber is
completely obviated, as its entrance into the said chamber is rendered impossible
on the one hand by the valve rod and on the other hand by the felt ring m. The
oil is accordingly protected from the above described action of the steam or water
of condensation and the apparatus cannot operate imperfectly from this cause.
The apparatus lubricates with certainty as soon as the pressure in the steam
cylinder is below that of the atmosphere.
Figure 2 shews a modification in the arrangement of the various parts of the
apparatus without thereby changing the principle of the invention. The parts
acting correspondingly are indicated by the same letters as are used in Figure 1.
The valve F is in this case of somewhat different form; it consists of a flat disc
provided upon the side facing outward with cross grooves, Figure 2, which are
continued on the edge of the disc. The arrangement and operation of this valve is
exactly the same as that of the valve F in Figure 1. The suction space B in
Figure 2 is here likewise in communication through the valve F with the external
atmosphere as the air can enter through the cross-grooves freely into the space B;
when the pressure in the space B is reduced this valve F by moving back upon its
seat closes the space B to the external atmosphere, so that, (as in Figure 1) the oil
from the chamber A is sucked into the space B and flows into the cylinder. If the
valve C should leak, the escaping steam passes through the channel t and valve F
into the atmosphere.
By reason of the small weight of the disc valve F and its upright position, the
spring may safely be dispensed with.
The disc valve F may be made in the form represented in Figure 1; the change
thereby effected is shewn in the supplementary figure 2b which explains itself.
To prevent the passage of steam which when the valve C leaks, may flow
through the said valve into the suction space B, although this precaution does not
appear very necessary, a similar disc valve u can be employed, the position of
which under ordinary circumstances is that represented in the Figure, and which,
in this position prevents neither the action of the lower pressure from the cylinder
to the suction space B nor the passage of the oil from B to the cylinder. If however
steam flows out through the valve C, the small valve u is pressed upwards and in
this new position closes the suction space B from below, so that no steam can enter
the latter and be condensed therein. But the arrangement of such a valve is not
absolutely necessary, as the operation of the apparatus is not affected thereby in
any way.
In consequence of this modification it is only necessary to provide the valve
stem c of the valve C with a single passage for both oil and steam but the modi-
fication of the valve stem, with a special discharge for the steam and special
passage for the oil, as shewn in Figures 1 and 1ª can be employed if desired.
Figure 3 shows a modification in which the felt ring m is dispensed with and in
its stead a wick M is used which draws oil from the oil chamber by capillary
attraction into a tube G, whence it passes into the horizontal channel b¹ and thence
through the hollow valve stem c to the cylinder. This valve stem consists only of
a single tube, and is distinguished from those represented in Figures 1 and 1ª only
by the oil and the steam passing through one conduit viz:-the hollow valve stem,
whereas in Figures 1 and 1º special conduits are provided for the oil and for the
steam. The screw g for effecting the auxiliary or rapid lubrication is in this case
also arranged in the interior of the oil chamber A. Under certain circumstances
the double passages in the valve stem as represented in Figure 1 will also be of
use in this case; the steam which, when the valve C leaks, passes through the
same is then conducted as in Figure 1 through the hollow valve stem, whilst the
oil flows through the oil channels cut on the outside of the valve stem,

page_text: In Figure 4 the auxiliary or rapid lubrication is effected through a sinall
angular tube w. The afflux of the oil through this small tube can only take place
after the valve stem S terminating in the valve s is lifted by turning the milled
head w¹.
The said valve stem shewn in Figure 4° in section on the line a a and in
Figure 4b in section on the line ẞ B, is so formed that the oil as well as the steam
leaking through the valve C can pass through the said valve stem. The wick-tube
is attached to one side of the central tube.
Figure 5 shows a modification which does not materially differ from those above
described. In this case the arrangement of the valve stem represented in Figures 1
and 1 is of material use. The modification shown in Figure 6 will be readily
understood from the preceding description without further explanation. It may
be observed that a special valve x is used which prevents the passage of any steam
from the valve chamber B to the oil chamber A under any circumstances. On the
other hand the oil passing from the oil chamber A to B or C and the steam
cylinder flows through the said valve x which opens downward.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is-
First: A lubricating apparatus for steam-engine and other cylinders in which
at times prevails a lower pressure than that of the atmosphere, characterized by
the arrangement of a special suction space B which, when the engine is not
working, is shut off from the cylinder by the valve C through the medium of the
spring d, but is in communication with the external atmosphere through a valve F
held open by means of a light spring f, whilst, when a low pressure or partial
vacuum exists in the cylinder, the valve C opens and the valve F closes simul-
taneously, so that the partial vacuum extending from the cylinder to the suction
space B draws the oil from the oil-chamber (which is always in communication
with the atmosphere) into the said suction space, whence it will flow to the
cylinder; wherein, moreover, by reason of this arrangement, if the valve C should
leak, free escape of the outflowing steam is permitted through the valve F so that
this steam cannot pass into the oil-chamber and be condensed therein.
Second In the lubricating apparatus characterized in the first claiming clause,
the separation of the suction space B from the oil-chamber A by means of a layer m
of felt or similar pervious material which permits the passage of the oil into the
suction space only when there is a decrease of pressure in the latter, and also serves
at the same time as a filter for the oil, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing.
Third-In the said lubricating apparatus, the arrangement of a special auxiliary
lubricating device, consisting of a channel n connecting the oil-chamber A directly
with the suction space B, and which can be opened or closed by a cone s capable
of adjustment, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
86.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicants.