US3754684A

US3754684A - Central lubricating dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3754684A
Application number: US00067122A
Authority: US
Inventors: O Chladek
Original assignee: Elitex Zavody Textilniho
Current assignee: Elitex Zavody Textilniho
Priority date: 1969-09-03
Filing date: 1970-08-26
Publication date: 1973-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 1990-08-28
Also published as: GB1323934A; FR2060899A5; DE2040191A1

Abstract

A lubricant dispenser having a storage vessel adapted to contain lubricant. The vessel may be divided into one or more compartments for feeding separate lubricants or the same lubricant to a plurality of discharge openings. A pump is located in the vessel and gravity discharge openings are arranged about the pump. At least one of the openings is supplanted by a pressure feed mechanism conducting lubricant from the vessel independently of the pump means. Actuating means, operable manually and/or automatically is provided for actuating the pump and the feed means in a simultaneous synchronous system.

Description

0 United States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,754,684

Chladek Aug. 28, 1973 [5 CENTRAL LUBRICATING DlSPENSER 2,697,446 12/1924 ll-lahrrington 22mg;

. 1,611,452 1219 6 o nson [751 Invent F 2,047,414 751936 Henry et a1. 222/135 x Czechoslovak 2,475,075 7/1949 Chancellor 222/135 x Assignee: Elitex z y T i o Strojuenstvi Thompson X Generalnl reditelstvi, Liberec, Czechoslovakia Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Frederick R. Handren [22] Fled: 1970 Attorney-Richard Low and Murray Schaffer [2]] App]. No.: 67,122

[57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data A lubricant dispenser having a storage vessel adapted Sept. 3, 1969 Czechoslovakia 6014/69 lubricant The vessel may be divided one or more compartments for feeding separate 521 11s. (:1 222/135, 222/255, 222/330, lubricants or the Same lubricant to a plurality of 222/380 charge openings. A pump is located in the vessel and 51 Int. Cl. 867d 5/52 gravity discharge Openings are arranged about [58] Field of Search 222/135, 255, 331, P P- At least one of the Openings is supplanted by 3 222/330 380 pressure feed mechanism conducting lubricant from the vessel independently of the pump means. Actuating 56] References Cited means, operable manually and/or automatically is pro- UNITED STATES PATENTS vided for actuating the pump and the feed means in a simultaneous synchronous system. 3,306,496 2/1967 Chladek 222/137 3,182,862 5/1965 Deakin 222/255 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 28,

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 CENTRAL LUBRICATING DISPENSER BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to lubricant dispensers and particularly to a pressure feed mechanism for lubricant dispensers for the movably engaging parts of machines.

Lubricant dispensing devices of the type with which this invention is concerned are of particular importance to knitting machines and other textile machinery, but other applications will readily suggest themselves. Knitting machines have a multiplicity of bearings and other frictionally engaged elements which require lubrication. Lubrication is required at different rates by different groups of elements, and some of these elements require a different grade of lubricantthan others.

Various feed devices are known for delivering lubricants to machine parts including a number of piston-cylinder arrangements. Generally however, such devices can only be used for a single type of lubricant. The delivery of a uniform quantity of lubricant at a uniform pressure is also a drawback of such known devices. The U.S. Pat. No. 3,306,496 by the same inventor discloses a lubricant device comprising a vessel divided into two or more parts, and having a pumping mechanism therein for discharging the lubricant. The

discharge takes place through a plurality of descent bores, having axial capillary holes through each of which the lubricant falls by gravity into a feed line serving a particular machine part. The pumping mechanisms is actuated by mechanical control means which is both manually and automatically operated; the automatic operation being effected as a result of the ma.- chine operation.

While the improved device of the prior patent has numerous advantages and has been widely adopted for lubrication of knitting machines,'the device, however, has a minor drawback in that since the lubricant descends only by gravity through the feed tube certain critical functional points on the machine may not receive lubrication. Some machine parts can not be fed from above and which require a pressurized feeding of lubricant.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a lubricant dispenser overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lubricant dispenser including a pressure feed mechanism for selective pressurized feeding of lubricant.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lubricant dispenser of the type shown in the aforementioned patent which is provided with a selective feed means.

It is particularly an object of the present invention to provide a lubricant dispenser of the type shown in the aforementioned patent where the gravity discharge mechanism is supplemented by selected pressure feed means drawing lubricant from an independent source but operable by the same actuating means.

These objects and others and additional advantages will be seen from the following disclosure.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the present invention a lubricant dispenser of the type shown in the aforementioned patent is provided comprising a storage vessel adapted to contain lubricant. The vessel may be divided into one or more compartments for feeding separate lubricants or the same lubricant to a plurality of discharge openings. A pump means is located in the vessel as are gravity discharge openings arranged about the pump. At least one of the openings is supplanted by a pressure feed mechanism conducting lubricant from the vessel independently of the pump means. Actuating means, operable manually and/or automatically is provided for actuating the pump means and the feed means in a simultaneous synchronous system.

A full disclosure and complete details of the present invention follow herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the following description reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the dispenser as applied to a knitting machine,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the dispenser partially sectioned,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the dispenser, partially sectioned to show the interior, I Y

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlaraged sectional views of one form of pressure feed mechanism showing two stages of operation,

FIG. 6 is a second embodiment of the present invention, in enlarged detail and partially sectioned, and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, plan view of the mounting for the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION In the following description the present invention is shown as applied to a circular knitting machine. It will be appreciated, of course, that this is merely an illustrative embodiment and that the present invention has equal applicability to other types of machinery which require continual lubrication.

As seen in FIG. 1, the general arrangement of knitting machine I having a rotatably mounted needle cylinder 2 is depicted. A vertical carrier or support bar 3 is secured adjacent to the machine and is provided with a plurality. of arms on which are conveniently mounted.

auxiliary equipment such as yarn eyelets, yarn guides, etc. Mounted also on the support bar is a central lubricant dispenser 4 from which a plurality of flexible conduits 5 extend to the various machine lubricating points for disemination to the machine parts.

The central lubricant dispenser 4 is similar, overall, in structure and function to the one shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,306,496 and as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 briefly comprises a cylindrical casing of which the lower part 7 is shaped cup like. The casing may be of unitary construction of one or more parts.

The lower cup shaped part 7 defines one or more interior chambers for receiving, storing and dispensing one or more varieties of lubricants. The cup specifically is provided with a central chamber 8, of one or more parts which comprises a pressure cylinder and in which a substantially comforming plunger is located. The plunger is freely mounted within the chamber 8 for reciprocation in the vertical axis and is provided at its upper end with a laterally extending pin 10.

The upper portion of the cylindrical casing comprises a rotatable lid or cover 1 la. Theundersurface of the lid lla engages the top of an annular entraining or drive ring 1 lb which is provided at its lower end with an axially extending peripheral ratchet 12. The ratchet is controlled by a pawl 13 mounted on the pivot point of a spring loaded driver 14. Connected to the driver 14 is a Bowden cable 15 which is connected (not shown) to a rotating or moving member of the machine such as the drum of the knitting machine 1.

Mounted chordally within the drive ring 11b at and oblique angle to the axis of the plunger 9 is a cylindrical rod 16. The rod 16 is securely and fixedly mounted across the ring 11b offset from the axis of the plunger 9 so as to be generally below the laterally extending pin 10. Consequently, as the entraining ring 1 lb is rotated, either by the lid 11a or the Bowden cable 15, the rod 16 will engage the pin 10 and lift the plunger 9.

Arranged about the chamber 8 are one or more circular arc sloping channels 18 from which extend a plurality of vertical discharge openings 19, in each of which an adjustable screw 20 having a capillary bore is located. The opening 19 terminates in an exit orifice 21 to which the conduit lines seen in FIG. 1 are adapted to be secured. The entire dispenser may be secured to the arm of the support bar 3 by a bracket 23.

As so far described the dispenser is similar to that of the aforementioned patent, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. The dispenser operates as follows:

The Bowden cable 15, being connected in a known manner to a moving part of the machine, such as the control drum of the knitting machine, transmits its movement and causes the driver 14 to move clockwise, at regular intervals related to the operation of the machine. Whenever the tension on the Bowden cable is relaxed, the driver is returned to its starting position by action of its spring. The pawl 13 therefore rotates the ratchet 12 and the connected drive ring 11b is itself rotated in the clockwise direction. As the drive ring 11b turns, it causes the obliquely arranged chordal rod 16 to hook beneath the laterally directed pin 10, fixed to the top of the plunger, lifting the plunger 9. When the pin approaches the upper end of the chordal rod 16, the latter slips over the pin 10 and the plunger 9 falls causing the lubricant in the chamber to rise and flow into the channels 18 filling the openings 19 above the capillary screw 20. Thereafter the lubricant slowly descends through the capillary bore into the conduit 5.

As mentioned earlier this has been generally satisfactory for ordinary lubrication functions, however there are often many machine parts which require special lubrication or lubrication under pressure. Furthermore, certain lubricants of high density must be delivered under pressure.

According to the present invention pressure regulating lubricating feed means is provided, adaptable for insertion in any one or more of the openings 19 in place of the capillary screw 20. In such case one or more of the openings 19 are left free as indicated by reference numeral 22 in FIG. 3.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, one embodiment of the pressure regulating feed device adaptable for high density lubricants comprises a generally cylindrical tube 24 having a cylindrical bore running its length. The tube 24 is necked to have a shoulder 24a the external portion of which is adapted to rest on a supporting portion of lubricant vessel or casing 7 so that the tube can be completely immersed in the lubricant. The internal portion of the tube 24 defines the lower edge of pressure valve chamber 27. The tube 24 is provided with an extension 24b extending upwardly through opening 22 to a position adjacent to the interior wall of the entraining member 11b. The lower end of the extension 2412 provides a shoulder defining the upper limit of chamber 27.

Mounted within the extension 24b is a slide rod at the end of which is secured a piston head 26 conforming to and being located in the chamber 27. The piston head 26 is dimensioned smaller than the length of the chamber 27 so as to be reciprocable within it. A spring 28 is mounted within the tube 24 and abuts against the bottom of the piston head 26 to bias the head normally upward. A lateral radial bore 29 extends into the chamber 27, from the surrounding lubricant receptable, below the piston head 26 when the later is normally biased upward. The bore 29 admits lubricants such as oil 30 into the chamber.

The tube 24 is constricted adjacent its lower most end to form a narrow by-pass opening 31 which opens into a by-pass valve chamber 32 at its terminal end. Slidingly mounted in the end of the tube 24 is a by-pass valve 33 which has a terminal rim 33a abutting against the end of the tube 24. Surrounding the end of the tube 24 to seal it is an enlarged cap 35 defining an interior chamber and having an axially directed bore 37 extending therefrom. A spring 32 is located in the chamber of cap 35 to bias the valve 33 normally closed against the end of the tube 24. Finally, a radial bore 36 is provided connecting between the by-pass valve chamber 32 and the chamber formed by cap 35. The bore 36 is located below the top of the by-pass valve 33 so as to be normally covered or closed by the valve when the valve 33 is seated in the end of chamber 32. In order to operate the pressure regulating unit, a wedge can slide member 17 is secured to the inner wall of entraining ring 11b. The wedge member is shaped with a conical or slant cam surface 17a extending in the direction of movement 8 of the ring 11b, and is shaped to effect the desired depression of the slide rod 25.

The operation of the novel pressure regulating feed mechanism occurs simultaneously with the operation of the ordinary lubricant delivery means. The present pressure regulating device being mounted in an opening 19 is independent of the normal plunger and chamber pump means and infact is immersed in the lubricant stored in one or more of the outer compartments of the vessel. That is, in either case where the lid 1 1a is manually rotated or where the Bowden cable 15, activates the driver 14 and ratchet and

pawl device

12 and 13 respectively, the entraining ring 11b is caused to rotate, as seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 in the direction of Arrow S. Thus the entraining ring 1 lb moves in addition to the chordal roll 16, the wedge like cam 17. This forces the cam 17 into contact with the slide rod 25 while it activates the plunger 9 as described in the aforementioned patent.

Upon contact of the conical or slanted cam 17a with the end of the rod 25 and piston head 26 is depressed against the action of spring 28. At the moment when the wedge segment 17 depresses the piston head 26 down ward through the chamber 27 past the radial opening 29 any lubricant which had been received into the chamber 27 is compressed and forced through the by-pass opening 31 into the by-pass valve chamber 32. The increasing pressure of the lubricant 30 in the bypass chamber 32 displaces the by-pass valve 33 against the normal bias of spring 34 so that the by-pass valve 33 uncovers the radial by-pass opening 36. Upon uncovering the by-pass opening 36 the lubricant is passed to the chamber of cap 35 and then through the exit bore 37 into conduit 5 along the direction of arrow S At the instant at which the wedge segment 17 passes the end of the valve rod (continuing its movement along direction S), the valve rod is instantly released. Simultaneously the piston head 26 and by-pass valve 33 under the combined effect of

springs

28 and 34, respectively, jump upwardly into their normally biased position. As the by-pass valve 33 covers the radial opening 36 a vacuum or decrease in pressure begins to develop within both the by-pass chamber 32 and the valve chamber 27. As the radial opening 29 is uncovered by the upward movement of the piston head 26 a new supply of lubricant is sucked into the chamber 27 from the vessel 7. Upon refilling of the chamber 27 with lubricant the pressure regulating feed is prepared for a new cycle of operation.

it will thus be seen that the present mechanism has a number of advantages. It is capable of feeding lubricant independently of the main pumping system. Because the mechanism is small and can be inserted directly to supplant any one of the discharge openings it may be inserted in any one of the lubricant reservoirs of the dispenser, so that different oils may be supplied to different parts of the machine. Another advantage is that while the feed mechanism is independent of the main pumping means it is connected to operate synchronously with it. Also each device can be varied, by adjustment of the spring rate holding the piston and valve, to regulate the pressure of the lubricant to any desired or predetermined point.

A second pressure regulating feed mechanism is seen in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7. The device shown there is advantageous for thinner lubricants. The device comprises a cover plate 38 mounted on an inner supporting wall of the receptacle of easing 7. Secured to the cover plate 38 is a vertical tubular guide 39, in which a slide rod 41 is mounted. The slide rod extends upwardly through the opening 22 to cooperate with the wedge segment 17 mounted on the inner wall of the rotatable entraining ring 11b, which moves also in the direction of arrow Below the cover plate 39 there is formed a rectangular housing having a pressure valve chamber 41 in which a piston head 42 is fit. The piston head 42 is secured to the slide rod in a manner similar to that of the corresponding parts in the preceding embodiment and is normally biased upwardly by a spring 43. The housing is spaced from the bottom wall of the casing 7 so that the chamber 41 communicates with the body or reservoir of lubricant through a space 44. The remaining portion of the housing comprises a manifold block 45 having an inlet 46 also communicating with the space 44 for the reception of lubricant.

In the manifold block the inlet 46 opens into a bypass chamber 48 blocked by a ball 47. The by-pass chamber 48 is necked internally toward its upper end to form a constricted throat 48b which opens into a lateral by-pass channel 50. Located between the throat 48b and the lateral by-pass channel 50 is a second ball 49. The channel 50 communicates with a vertical passage 51 to which a conduit or pressure line 52 is connected. An oblique conduit 48a extends from the chamber 48 to a position in the upper part of chamber 41. The conduit 48a is normally closed by the normal bias of the piston head 42 but is open to communicate between the two chambers when the head 42 is depressed.

The end of the pressure line 52 is connected to a tubular distributor 53 which consists of an inlet passage 54, in which a metallic mesh filter 55 or the like is located. The inlet passage 54 opens to a pressure chamber bore in distributor 53 communicating with the pressure line 52. Mounted within the bore chamber is a slideable plug 56 which is biased downwardly toward the inlet 54 by a spring 57 which bears at its other end against a screw 58. The distributor is provided witha pair of diametrically opposed

radial orifices

59 and 60 to which lubricant feed lines 61 and 62 are respectively connected. Each of the lines 61 and 62 are provided with a nozzle 63 at their ends for lubricating the machine part 2. The spring 57 is adjusted by screw 58 to normally bias plug 56 across the

orifices

59 and 60 to maintain themnormally closed.

The operation of the second embodiment is also controlled by the movement of the wedge segment 17 over the end of the slide rod 40. On the movement of the wedge segment 17, in the direction of the arrow S, the conical portion 17a depresses the piston head 42 against the action of the spring 43. As the piston head 42 descends, it forces lubricant outward of space 44 which simultaneously creates a void or vacuum in the upper part of chamber 41 above the piston head 42. The vacuum in the chamber 41 sucks lubricant into the chamber through the oblique conduit 48a from the space 44 through inlet 46. The ball 47 opening from its seat to permit the entry'of the lubricant into the chamber 48. At the instant when the trailing end of the wedge segment leaves the slide valve 40 the spring 43 forces the piston head upwardly. The upward movement of the piston head 42 forces the lubricant back out of the oblique conduit 48a and a pressure is produced on the lubricant in chamber 48. This pressure seals the ball 47 on inlet 46 while forcing the ball 49 from the throat 48b and the lubricant is forced into the passage 50 through the exit 51 into line 52 and the distributor 53.

The lubricant fed into line 52 builds up in pressure and thereafter as the pressure increases to a predetermined value it forces the plug 56 against its biasing spring 57 opening the

exit orifices

59 and 60 releasing lubricant to the lines 61 and 62. As the pressure in the line 52 is reduced the spring 57 forces the plug 56 to close the

orifices

59 and 60 and lubricant feed to the lines 61 and 62 is stopped. It will thus be observed that the operation of this second device is adapted to build lubricant pressure to a predetermined level before it is released to the nozzles 63. This build-up of pressure is accomplished in adjustable fashion by the strength of spring 57 and its adjustment by screw 58.

The return of the piston head 42 to its normally biased position in the chamber 41 places the slide rod in its starting position and the entire cycle of operation can be repeated.

An additional advantage of this second system accrues when the distributor 53 is mounted below the lowest lubricating point on machine 2 so that the effect of gravity must be overcome by pressurized feeding.

Various modifications and adaptions can be made for either of the two arrangements shown. For example the wedge segment 17 may be modified in size and shape to provide a longer or shorter stroke as required by the specific installation. Furthermore each segment may be only one such mechanism. Additional segments may be mounted on the ring 11b so that two or more feed mechanisms can be actuated simultaneously. Sequential operation by a single or plural segment is also possible. Further modification can be made to the spring rate and the adjustment means therefore to obtain desired and/or predetermined pressure in the lubricant.

Since the present invention is capable of many modifications it is intended that the present invention be illustrative only.

What is claimed:

1. A lubricant dispenser comprising in combination:

a. a storage vessel adapted to contain a liquid lubricant,

b. a pumping chamber within said vessel,

c. a plunger received within said chamber,

d. actuating means for moving said plunger inwardly and outwardly of said chamber to pump liquid therefrom,

e. a plurality of compartments having discharge openings arranged about said storage vessel, some ones of said compartments communicating with said pumping chamber for conducting lubricant pumped therefrom,

f. at least one other of said compartments being separated from communication with said chamber and being provided with lubricant pressure feed mechanism for conducting lubricant from said vessel independently of said pumping chamber, and

g. means connecting said pump actuating means with said pressure feed mechanism for controlling said pressure feed means and said plunger simultaneously.

2. The dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said pressure feed mechanism includes means for retaining a predetermined dose of lubricant, said means being adapted to operate at a first speed to eject said dose under pressure and at a second speed after ejection to receive lubricant from said vessel under vacuum.

3. The dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said vessel is divided into a plurality of storage compartments for different lubricants, and including a plurality of said lubricant pressure feed mechanisms, at least one of said feed mechanisms being associated with each compartment.

4. A device as set forth is claim 2, wherein said actuating means include a rotary drive member, means for rotating said drive member, and means interposed between said drive member and said plunger means for moving the plunger means inwardly and outwardly of said chamber and wherein said connecting means comprises a cam formed on said rotary drive member to be movable integrally therewith into engagement with said pressure feed mechanism to cause actuation thereof at a first speed and deactivation thereof at a second speed substantially greater than said first speed.

5. The dispenser according to claim 4 wherein said lubricant pressure feed mechanism comprises:

a. a tube,

b. a first chamber formed in said tube,

0. a piston received in said first chamber,

d. a rod connected to said piston and, extending outwardly of said tube into engagement with said cam,

e. spring means normally biasing said piston and rod toward said outward end,

f. an opening extending outwardly of said first chamber below said normally biased piston and communicating with said vessel,

g. a second chamber,

h. a conduit connecting said second chamber with said first chamber,

i. a valve member in said second chamber,

j. spring means normally biasing said valve member inwardly of said chamber,

k. an opening extending outwardly of said second chamber said opening being located below said valve member when in normally biased position- ,and

l. discharge receptacle surrounding said opening in said second chamber.

6. The dispenser according to claim 5 including deliverymeans connecting said discharge receptacle to point of use.

7. The dispenser according to claim 4 wherein said pressure feed mechanism comprises a tubular guide, a rod slideable in said guide, a pressure chamber, a piston secured to said rod and movable in said chamber, spring means normally biasing said piston and rod in outward direction of said chamber, a valve manifold having an opening therein communicating with the inward end of said chamber, a by-pass hole connecting said opening and the outward end of said chamber, a first valve at one end of said opening and a second valve at the other end of said opening and an exit orifice extending from said other end of said opening.

8. The dispenser according to claim 7 including distributor means for disseminating said lubricant from said orifice to a plurality of use lines.

9. The dispenser according to claim 8 wherein said dispenser comprises a passage, a plurality of radial openings extending from said passage, a slide valve reciprocally mounted in said passage to cover and uncover said openings, resilient biasing means maintaining said valve covering said openings, and screw means for adjusting the bias of said spring, said valve being movable to uncover said opening by flow of lubricant in said passage.

10. The dispenser according to claim 9 including filter means within said passage.

* 0K III

Claims

1. A lubricant dispenser comprising in combination: a. a storage vessel adapted to contain a liquid lubricant, b. a pumping chamber within said vessel, c. a plunger received within said chamber, d. actuating means for moving said plunger inwardly and outwardly of said chamber to pump liquid therefrom, e. a plurality of compartments having discharge openings arranged about said storage vessel, some ones of said compartments communicating with said pumping chamber for conducting lubricant pumped therefrom, f. at least one other of said compartments being separated from communication with said chamber and being provided with lubricant pressure feed mechanism for conducting lubricant from said vessel independently of said pumping chamber, and g. means connecting said pump actuating means with said pressure feed mechanism for controlling said pressure feed means and said plunger simultaneously.

5. The dispenser according to claim 4 wherein said lubricant pressure feed mechanism comprises: a. a tube, b. a first chamber formed in said tube, c. a piston received in said first chamber, d. a rod connected to said piston and, extending outwardly of said tube into engagement with said cam, e. spring means normally biasing said piston and rod toward said outward end, f. an opening extending outwardly of said first chamber below said normally biased piston and communicating with said vessel, g. a second chamber, h. a conduit connecting said second chamber with said first chamber, i. a valve member in said second chamber, j. spring means normally biasing said valve member inwardly of said chamber, k. an opening extending outwardly of said second chamber said opening being located below said valve member when in normally biased position,and l. discharge receptacle surrounding said opening in said second chamber.