Lubrication – Lubricators – Force feed
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-28
2001-01-23
Marmor, Charles A (Department: 3681)
Lubrication
Lubricators
Force feed
C184S037000, C417S415000, C417S471000, C417S521000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176348
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lubricating system. More particularly this invention concerns a multiple pump arrangement for supplying lubricant to a plurality of different users.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many large pieces of equipment require lubrication at several different points and at different rates at these points. Thus an escalator or conveyor system might require a fairly heavy volume/time rate of lubrication on the main bearings whereas other parts will need regular lubrication but at a much different rate.
The standard system for doing this is to provide a plurality of different pumps all connected to a common drive. In EP 0,586,280 a plurality of axial/rotary piston pumps are connected via respective bevel gears and respective crank linkages to a common drive shaft. Each pump is connected to a respective user. In order to change the output of a given pump, it is necessary to modify the gearing and/or linkage operating it from the drive shaft. To do this the machine must be opened up and parts must be dismounted and exchanged. This is a very difficult operation and largely requires that once the multiple-pump system is set, there is no convenient way to adjust or change any of the outputs. Unfortunately with time it is often necessary to increase the lubrication at some user sites and decrease it at others, something that as mentioned above is quite difficult.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved multiple-pump lubricating system.
Another object is the provision of such an improved multiple-pump lubricating system which overcomes the above-given disadvantages, that is which allows the individual output rates to be adjusted easily and even while the system is running.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A lubricating system has according to the invention a housing formed with an intake passage, a drive shaft extending longitudinally in the housing and carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced worm gears, and respective pumps juxtaposed with the worm gears in the housing. Each pump has a cylinder fixed in the housing, centered on a respective transverse axis, and forming an intake port connected to the passage and an output port. A cavity-forming piston is rotatable about and reciprocal along the respective transverse axis and a worm wheel on the piston meshes with the respective worm gear. An axially projecting cam ramp on the worm wheel is axially engageable with an abutment on the housing. This abutment can be moved axially and for fixing it in any of a multiplicity of positions for varying axial deflection of the piston. A spring bearing against the piston urges the ramp toward the abutment. Rotation of the shaft rotates and reciprocates the piston for drawing in a lubricant at the intake ports and expelling it at the output ports so that the range of axial movement of the piston and the amount of lubricant pumped are determined by the axial deflection of the piston by the ramp.
Thus with this system it is possible to displace the abutment to control the throughput of the pump. Such rotary piston pumps are self porting and displace positively so that a very accurate control of flow volume can be achieved. Each pump can be set differently, and the settings can even be changed while the system is running.
For further flexibility the piston has a head axially displaceable in the worm wheel and carrying the cam ramp and the angular position of the head relative to the worm wheel can be changed. In this manner the fluid pulses emitted by the pumps can be spaced apart so that the shaft is subjected to a fairly uniform load. Two pumps can be connected to the same user but set to operate at different times to double flow or provide any required redundancy.
The intake passage extends longitudinally parallel to the drive shaft and the housing has respective output conduits leading from the output ports. Each such conduit is connected to a respective user of a piece of equipment, such as a conveyor or escalator, having multiple points requiring constant lubrication.
Each pump according to the invention has a pin extending generally parallel to the respective axis and having an inner end forming the respective abutment and an external screwthread engaging the housing and forming the means for moving the abutment. The outer end of this pin has a socket or slot so it can be turned by a tool to adjust the respective pump. A lock nut provided on the pin can secure it against drift in the set position.
The springs can bear against the housing or on a more common system where the pumps are arranged in a pair of parallel rows flanking the shaft the springs of one row bear against the springs of the adjacent row, or only a single spring can be set between two oppositely moving but aligned pistons. Each wheel of one of the rows is rotationally coupled to a respective one of the wheels of the other row in one embodiment of such a two-row system. In this case a radially projecting pin offset from the respective axis is provided on each wheel of the one row and projects into the respective wheel of the other row. Alternately each row is engaged by a respective such drive shaft and each drive shaft is provided with a respective drive motor. In the two-row system each piston of one of the rows is coaxial with a respective one of the pistons of the other row.
The lubricating system further has according to the invention a supply of liquid lubricant connected to the intake passage. This supply can be formed by a removable cartridge having a foil-covered end that is automatically pierced by a drain pin when the cartridge is mounted in position. Such a cartridge usually has a sight window to determine its fullness and can usually be replaced while the equipment is operating.
The lubricating system according to the invention further has a controller connected to the drive and to a user to which are connected the output ports for monitoring lubricant need of the user and operating the rotater in accordance therewith. Such a controller can set the lubricating system going whenever the equipment of the user is operating, or can set it to run periodically. The controller can have sensors in the equipment being lubricated to determine lubricant needs and a sensor in the supply to ascertain how much lubricant is available. A nonvolatile memory in the controller can hold information concerning past lubrication and the lubrication needs of the various elements of the equipment connected to the lubricating system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1552068 (1925-09-01), Lee
patent: 1946559 (1934-02-01), Weiskopf
patent: 3250931 (1966-05-01), Hardman
patent: 3301197 (1967-01-01), Dodson et al.
patent: 3515503 (1970-06-01), Metheny et al.
patent: 4534706 (1985-08-01), Palm et al.
patent: 6068450 (2000-05-01), Parikh et al.
patent: 0 586 280 (1994-03-01), None
patent: 62-13781 (1987-01-01), None
patent: 2-1961735 (1990-08-01), None
Brand Stefan
B{umlaut over (a)}hrend Susanne
Grebe Karl
Helbig Claus
May Anton
Dubno Herbert
Marmor Charles A
Pang Roger
Perma-Tec GmbH & Co. KG
Wilford Andrew
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