Improvements in Lubricators.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 29th May, 1891-Accepted, 15th Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lubricators.
NELSON FOLEY, Tourtane, Lismore, Ireland, Engineer hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists in improvements in the construction of lubricators, for
purposes such as oiling shafting and journals; it can also be applied to the oiling
of cylinders by connecting it with a small force pump for forcing the oil against
the steam pressure. When applied in the latter way, the oil from the lubricator
drops into the suction pipe of the pump.
My lubricator is an adjustable syphon, the short leg of the syphon being
composed of a gauge glass similar to what is used for ascertaining the water level
in steam boilers; the long leg is a metallic reservoir, to which the gauge glass is
attached. The reservoir is, if desirable, open at the top for filling, but the hole is
provided with an air-tight plug or cap; the reservoir, however, may also be filled
by inverting it and filling through a hole sufficiently large in the bottom.
A small air-hole is provided in the bottom of the short syphon leg, to allow of
the syphonic action taking place, a small air-bubble ascending through the oil;
and an adjustable orifice is provided at the bottom of the long leg to permit the
oil to come out and by which the syphonic action is set agoing. The head of oil
which causes the syphonic action to take place is the difference of level between
the air-hole at bottom of short leg and the bottom of the reservoir orifice; this
head is constant and independent of the amount of oil in the reservoir and,
therefore, the rate of feed is constant when once adjusted.
The quickness of the feed can be regulated by either lengthening or shortening
the long leg, or, by enlarging or constricting the orifice by a cock, a valve, or any
other such method; or the lubricator may be made in the shape of a plain closed
reservoir, with an air-hole in the bottom, the same action taking place.
Dated this 23rd day of September 1890.
NELSON FOLEY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lubricators.
I, NELSON FOLEY, of Tourtane, Lismore, Ireland, 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:-
My invention consists in improvements in the construction of lubricators for
purposes such as oiling, shafting, and journals; it can also be applied to the oiling
of cylinders by connecting it with a small force pump for forcing the oil against
the steam pressure; when applied in the latter way the oil from the lubricator
drops into the suction pipe of the pump. My lubricator is an adjustable syphon,
the short leg of the syphon being composed of a gauge glass similar to what is used
for ascertaining the water level in steam boilers; the long leg is a metallic
reservoir to which the gauge glass is attached. The reservoir is, if desirable, open
at the top for filling, but the hole is provided with an air-tight plug or cap. The
reservoir, however, may also be filled by inverting it and filling through a hole
sufficiently large in the bottom. A small air-hole is provided in the bottom of the
short syphon leg to allow of the syphonic action taking place, a small air-bubble
ascending through the oil and an adjustable orifice is provided at the bottom of the
long leg to permit the oil to come out and by which the syphonic-action is set

page_text: agoing. The head of oil which causes the syphonic action to take place is the
difference of level between the air-hole at bottom of short leg and the bottom of
reservoir orifice; this head is constant and independent of the amount of oil in the
receiver and, therefore, the rate of feed is constant when once adjusted. The
quickness of the feed can be regulated, either by lengthening or shortening
the long leg or by enlarging, or constricting the orifice by a cock, a valve, or any
other such method, or the lubricator may be made in the shape of a plain, closed
reservoir, the same action taking place.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood, I have
hereunto appended an explanatory sheet of drawings, showing, by way of example,
a method of carrying my invention into effect or practice.
On the drawings:-
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a lubricator broken away at the right hand.
Fig. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of the lubricator Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a part sectional plan on the line X-X. Fig. 2.
Referring to the drawings on which the same reference letters wherever repeated
indicate the same parts.
A is a gauge glass which may be similar to an ordinary water gauge glass and
which forms the short leg of the syphon. B is a closed reservoir or vessel which
serves as the long leg of the syphon and to which the glass A is attached. The
glass A has caps E, D, at its upper and lower ends, the lower cap E being
perforated by a small hole C for admission of air. G represents the oil or other
lubricant. H, H', are passages leading from the glass A into respectively the air
space and oil space of the reservoir. I are small drip cocks. J is the filling
hole, preferably made at the bottom as shown, for the reason that, as the lubricator
can turn on the arms K, supported in bearing brackets L at each side, it can be
inverted and filled without altering the regulation of the drip cock, or cocks if
there are more than one as shown. Also if the filler was on top the air hole C
would have to be closed while the lubricator was being replenished. By making
the lubricator reversible, it can be easily and readily turned over for inspection or
other purpose without alteration or regulation of any of the parts. The filler is
closed by a screw cap M. The lubricator is retained in its normal upright position
by the spring arm O. P is a bracket supporting connections Q, for leading the
lubricant to wherever it is required.
The principal advantages of this lubricator are its simplicity, certainty of action,
sight feed, and a constant feed.
The action is as follows:-
The weight of oil in the difference of length between the two legs A. B, causes
air to enter through the air-hole C whilst the oil drops out through the drip cock
or cocks D at the bottom of the reservoir A or the long leg. The quickness of
the feed can be regulated either by lengthening or shortening the long leg or by
enlarging or constricting the dropper orifices.
As the head of oil, due to the difference in length of the syphon legs, is constant
and independent of the amount of oil in the cup, the rate of feed is therefore
constant when once adjusted.
Under a modification the syphon lubricator may also be made as a plain closed
reservoir, with an air hole in the bottom and be fitted with an adjustable dropper,
preferably a drip cock or its equivalent, the reservoir in this case will form both
the long and short legs, with the exception that, as the dropper projects below the
bottom of the reservoir, it gives the additional length necessary for the long leg
and thereby constitutes a veritable syphon.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:―
1. A lubricator having a syphonic action, constructed substantially as herein-
before set forth

page_text: 2. The modified construction of syphonic lubricator wherein the oil receiver acts
as both the short and long legs, a projecting drip cock or its equivalent being
added to give the necessary increase of length for the long leg and an air-hole
being made in the bottom of the oil receiver to allow of the syphonic action taking
place substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. Making syphon lubricators reversible substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore set forth.