Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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~ackground of the Art
The earliest lubrication systems for conveyors were
oilers manually serving wear points in conveyor machinery.
As labor expense increased along with trolley complexity,
there was an interest in providing lubrication stations,
each carrying its own separate lubrication reservoir as
seen, for example, in U.S. Letters Patent 3,903,994 to
Henry F. Hafner and in United States Letters Patent
3,017,955 to Celso Tassile. Service of lubricant from
a central reservoir remote from the point of use is
exemplified in the prior art by the United States Letters
Patent 3,785,456 to Nathan M. McIntire and Zelma M. Porter
and in the United States Letters Patent 3,934,600 of
William C. Murphy with recirculation at the lubricating valves
The present invention goes beyond the prior art in
providing more accurate chain and trolley lubrication, by
providing capillary lubricant distribution under rigid
quantum control and.in the combination of a section of
track, the track providing locating means and mounting means
and lubricant heads.including.solenoids, valves and controls
and capillaries served from a remote source of lubricant
piped to the lubricating head.
The present invention provides a central lubrication
supply maintained and serving all lubrication points at a
fixed or constant pressure. The lubrication points are
each serviced by capillary tubes with discharge ends
adjusted to precision delivery to bearing or journal surfaces.
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The present invention locates a solenoid operated
valve in the line at the capillaries and the solenoids are
fired by capacitor discharge and the interval of delivery
may thus be adjusted. This type of firing of the solenoids
results in accurate metering and in consequent avoidance of
excess application of lubricant.
The electrical signal for discharge is via limit
switches located to precision trip the capacitor discharge
to the solenoid valve to cause lubricant flow in accord
with track or trolley movement and position.
The position of the moving chain and trolley is made
to be precise by a track section serving as the lubrication
station and which is ramped to assure horizontal and
vertical adjustment or alignment through the station. The
track section provides a mounting base for electrical
controls, limit switches, valves and capillaries and in-
cluding web protected capillary access between pairs of
trolley wheels, for example. This allows hitherto inacces-
sible points to be reached by the capillary tubes.
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The electrical circuit is simple and adjustable by
insertion of resistance to achieve a selected timed interval for
lubricant delivery by attenuation of the capacitor discharge
which fires the solenoids serving the valves. This selected
delivery permeates the following objects.
Accordingly, the principal object :i.5 a new and improved
lubrication system having a central lubricant supply line
serving a plurality of lubrication stations. Another object
of the present invention is to provide a structure or
lubricating head at each lubrication station to precision
locate the moving points requiring lubrication.
Another object to synchronize the locat,ion of moving
elements in proximity to capillary inboard service between
trolley wheels and to outboard service of trolley wheels,
for example, and to provide structural support for controls
accommodating the existing conveyor or track and hence
non-disruptive in installation of conveyor or apparatus.
Other objects including simplicity and ease of service
and avoidance of splash and drip of lubricants will be better
appreciated as the description proceeds.
GENER~L DESCRIPTION
The present invention is broadly defined as
the construction, in a central source lubricating system
in which one or more capillary tubes are valve controlled
and remote from the supply source, comprising a track
section having an upper flange and a lower flange and a
connecting web therebetween, at least one opening through
the upper flange and through the web and having one or more
capillary tubes passing therethrough, and cam means
connected to the track section in protection of the openings
and the capillaries and in guidance of struc-tures moving on
the track section.
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More specifically, the present invention comprises a
constantly running central lubricant supply source providing
lubricant under a relatively constant line pressure to a
plurality of lubrication delivery stations remote from
the source of central supply. The supply of lubricant is
connected to the delivery points or supply heads by capillary
tubes and between each capillary tube or tubes and the lubricant
supply line is a valve. The valves are solenoid operated.
The solenoids are fired to open the valves by the discharge of
0 2 capacitance and a limit switch, adjusted to engage structures
moving on the track, signals the discharge. The interval
of the solenoid opening is variable
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by insertion of a specific attenuation in the control circuit as by
adjustment of resistance. The lubrication stations include a
short section of modified track which may be existing track
or a section which i5 aligned and inserted in the regular
track serving conveyor equipment as, for example, an H or I
cross section form. Trolley wheels travel on the lower
flanges of the track and separated by the vertical web
portion. The uppermost track flanges provide a mounting
means for the control elements, valves and lubrication lines,
lD the capillaries reacting through the upper flange and
through cut-out access openings through the web intermediate
the flanges. The upper flanges also provide structural
attachment means anchoring the track in position. The
web portion of the track is provided with cams against which
the trolley wheels and chains are guidably moved so that the
bearings of the trolley and chain are precision located
adjacent the emission openings in the capillary tubes.
Where capillary tubes serve drive chain beneath the
lower flange surface, the capillaries pass through an opening
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in the web and also through the lower flanges and are
protected by the vertical edges of plates forming a ramp or
fin piece so that the capillaries are proximate to the
precise point of chain lubrication, for example. The cams
and ramp assure that neither trolley nor chain, nor parts
carried, can engage or damage the capillaries and the capil-
laries are thus locatable horizontally and vertically to
achieve precision application of lubricant. Final adjustment
of the capillary tube tips is easily and manually achieved as
by slight bendi~g of the tubes to direct them as required.
~ central reservoir or tan~ is conveniently located and
a pump with a ~elief va]ve in the delivery line assures
constant pressure in the lubricant supply lines. Depending
on the nu.-nber of lubricating heads ser~ea, the
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mains from the pump may supply lubricant through the entire
plant and branch supply lines all lead from the mains to the
lubricating heads or control boxes.
The electrical control circuit, along with the control
valves, is located in the control boxes or lubricating heads
and fed by appropriate line current and lubricant piping to
the valves. Limit switches are secured to depend into
selected contact with wheels, chain, or parts moving by the
stations. The limit switches control the firing of a solenoid
in each valve. The solenoid opens the valve on signal from
the limit switch and when the solenoid circuit is broken the
valve closes. The limit switch, on tripping, acts to dis-
charge a capacitor which pops the solenoid on the valve and
opens the valve. The capacitor discharge structure is potted
in the base portion of the terminal block in avoidance of
tampering.
By varying the resistance in the capacitor discharge
line, the lubrication interval is adjusted or selected by
~- the attenuation of the discharge signal. The solenoid
remains open for a duration timed by a resistance selectively
inserted in the circuit so that the lubricant emitted from
each capillary tube is in the precise amount required. Line
current is transformed and rectified to selected DC voltage
which operates the valves and controls.
In the Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lubricator track
section in accord with the present invention inserted on a
conveyor track and showing the control boxes and capillary
tubes with locating and protecting cams.
Figure 2 is an end elevation full section view of the
track section seen in Figure 1 and showing a trolley and
chain carriage with wheels engaging the lowermost flange and
the trolley and chain moving into the lubricating station. The
trolley is shown carrying a work piece such as a motor block
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in phantom line.
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of th~ track
section and control boxes seen in Figure l and showing the
locating and protecting cams in better relation and revealing
the openings through the track web and flanges for capillary
tube positioning.
Figure 4 is a somewhat schematic flow diagram with
electrical control overlays showing the system of the present
invention.
Figure 5 is a wiring diagram of a somewhat schematic type
and indicating a specific mode of wiring to control the
solenoid operated valve with selected lubricating interval.
Specific Description
Referring to the drawings and with first particularity
to the Figure 1 thereof, the conveyor track section 11 is
inserted as by welding, brazing or modification of existing
track 12 so as to provide a lubrication station at any
selected point in a conveyor line 13. In general, the track
section ll has a cross section substantially identical with
the track 13 and may be viewed as a continuation of the con-
veyor line 13. Openings 14 and 15 are selectively extended
through the upper flange 16 and either partially or wholly
through the web 17 intermediate the upper flanges 16 and the
lower track flanges 18 in accord with where the lubricant is
to be applied. In general, the cross section configuration
of the track section 11 is that of an I or H structural member.
On the upper flange 16 control boxes 19 are provided. Each
control box 19 may be viewed as a lubricating head and will
be seen to include a normally closed solenoid valve, a lub-
ricant supply line to the valve, and capillary delivery tube
lines from the valve. Also, the electrical elements necessary
to control the valve, including limit switches and circuit,
are housed in the control boxes l9. The lubricant supply line
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20 is visible in the Figure 1 feeding into the boxes 19. The
inner capillary tubes 21 and outer capillary tubes 21a are
shown depending from the boxes 19 to proximate delivery
points,as shown. From one of the boxes 19, inner capillary
tubes 21b extended below and through the lower flanges 18.
These tuhes 21b are somewhat longer than the tubes 21 and 21a.
Cam plates or ramp blocks 22 extend horizontally from
the web 17 of the track section 11. Below the lowermost
flanges 18, and substantially in the plane of the web 17, are
the vertically extending cams or ramp plates 23. The cam or
ramp plates 22 and 23 will be seen to perform dual functions.
The cam or ramp plates 22 and 23 provide guidance means to
precision locate the elements such as chain or trolleys in
respect to the track 11 so as to present them in a repeat
precision manner to proximate location adjacent delivery
tip ends 24 of the capillary tubes 21, 21a and 21b. The cam
or ramp plates 22 and 23 also protect the capillary tubes
21, 21a and 21b from interference contact with moving trolleys,
wheels, chain or parts by establishing control over vertical
and horizontal positioning of moving structures.
In Figure 2 the track section 11 is shown with a
trolley element 25 travelling on the track 12 at the section 11.
The trolley wheels 26 ride on the flanges 18 and the trolley
hangers 27 depend therefrom and support the work part 28
and are connected to and driven by the conveyor chain 29.
The cam plates ramp blocks 22adjust the positioning of the
wheels 26 so that the inner capillary tubes are precisely
accessible to the wheel bearings on the inner side and the
outer capillary tubes 21a are proximate to the hanger
bearings on the same wheels 26. A limit switch 30 is shown
depending from the control box 19 to an interference position
with the wheel 26 of the trolley 25. Engagement with the
limit switch 30, as will be seen, fires the solenoid valve
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in the control box 19 and delivers a metered amount of lub-
ricant through the capillary tubes 21 and 21a and to the
bearings or the selected lubrlcation situs. The cam plates
or ramp block 22 also assure, by careful guiding of the
wheels 26 and trolley 25, that the capillaries 21 and 21a
will not be struck and damaged by the passing apparatus.
The cam plate or ramp block 23 provides an analogous vertical
control function as it engages the chain 29 in prevention of
vertical jiggling at the critical lubrication position and in
prevention of damage to the tip ends 24 of the capillary
tubes 21b. A separate limit switch establishes the application
of lubricant emission against the chain 29 and the bearings
thereof.
As will be appreciated, a plurality of capillary
tubes 21 and 21a can be served by a common valve at a single
control station all functioning in accord with a single limit
switch position. Where a separate interval or sequencing is
sought for other bearings, another station or lubricating
head represented by another control box 19 can be plugged in
on the lubricant supply line 20.
In Figure 3 the construction of the track section 11
is better understood since the access openings 14 and 15 are
better shown through the upper flanges 16 and the web 17 and
in the instance of opening 15, through the flanges 18. The
cam plates or ramp blocks 22 and 23 are shown so that the
construction of the track section 11 is best understood.
Without any interference with a conveyor line 13, the openings
14 and 15 may be torched out and the cam plates 22 and 23
secured in position. The cam plates or ramp blocks 22 and 23
may be secured to the web 17 and lower flanges 18 as by
welding, brazing or other convenient means leaving gaps where
desired in the openings 14 and 15 for the delivery positioning
of the tip ends 24 of the capillary tubes 21, 21a and 21b.
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In most conveyor lines 13 the track 12 is bolted to plant
structure through the upper flanges 16 at selected intervals
and these upper flanges therefore provide an excellent mount-
ing base for the control boxes or lubrication heads 19. Elec-
trical lines 31 are easily run into the boxes 19, as shown, and
as will be seen the operating control current is low voltage
direct current.
In Figure 4 the entire lubrication system of the present
invention is brought into focus. A central supply tank 32 is
provided wherever convenient in a plant and light supply lines
or pipes 20 carry the lubricant under relatively constant
pressure to the control boxes or stations 19. The supply
lines are then connected to valves 33. The valves 33 are
normally closed and, when open, they deliver lubricant under
line pressure to the capillary tubes 21, as shown. There
may be one or more capillary tubes connected to any single
valve 33. A pump 34 is provided having its suction pick-up
in the tank 32. The delivery side of the pump 34 passes the
lubricant continously to the relief valve 35 which main-
tains a constant line pressure (usually maintained at about
20 pounds per square inch) in the supply lines 20. A filter
36 between the relief valve 35 and line 20 avoids the
entrainment of any foreign particles which might plug or
impair delivery from the solenoid valves 33 and capillaries 21.
The pump 34 is driven by the electric motor 37. The flow of
liquid lubricant is continous through the pump 34 and circulat-
ing in the tank 32 as the relief valve 35 returns surplus
lubricant to the tank 32 while maintaining constant and con-
tinuous line pressure at the valves 33 and in the supply lines
20.
Electrical leads 40 and 41, suitably fused (not shown),
are connected to the pump drive motor 37 and also to the
alternating current side of a rectifier-transformer 43.
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A motor switch 42 is provided. The line current is reduced
from, say, 120 volts alternating current to 24 volts direct
current for control purposes, as will be seen. The leads 44
and 45 distribute the direct current electricity to one or
more control boxes l9. A limit switch 46 (seen as limit
switch 30 in Figure 2) in each control box 19 is provided and
its function is to pick off a mechanical movement as by an
interference with passing apparatus (trolley, chain, or part,
for example) to energize the solenoids 47 of the valves 33.
This fires the solenoids by means of capacitors 48 and 48'
which provides a sudden selected release of stored energy and
the capacitor discharge occurs upon the selected closing of
the limit switch 46. The capacitor discharge is attenuated or
modified by variation in resistance so that the holding open
of the solenoid valve 33 is selected to suit a particular task.
When the solenoid 47 is fired, the valve 33 is opened and the
lubricant under constant line pressure is urged from the cap-
illary tubes 21 in a short dynamic burst at the selected
interval. The emission from the tips 24 of the capillary
tubes 21 is proximate to the point of use and hence smaller
quantities of lubricant are needed at the precise point of use
and contamination by dripping of the lubricant is substantially
eliminated. The phantom lines at the tips 24 of the capillary
tubes 21 symbolize delivery of lubricant.
In Figure 5 the wiring diagram expresses what occurs in
control and the schematic wiring of the control box 19. The
24 volt direct current enters on lines 44 and 45 and the lines
44 and 45 are connected, respectively, to the terminals 2 and 1
of the terminal strip 50. Parallel leads 51 and 52 run out of
the same terminals for energizing other control boxes 19. The
lead 44' runs from the terminal 1 to one side of the limit
switch 46, as shown. Also running from the terminal 1 is the
lead 53 which leads to one side of the capacitor 48. The
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other side of the capacitor 48 is connected to the terminal 3.
Terminal 3 is also connected to the oscillating bar of the
limit switch 46 and to the pilot light 54, then to terminal 2
and thence to the control lead 45 and out of the box with line
52. Terminal 5 is connected to the lower side position of
the limit switch 46 and also to the solenoid 47 of the valve 33.
A variable resistor 55 may be connected to the terminal 2 on
one side and the terminal 5 on the other side. As will be seen,
this resistor 55 is a trim resistor and is inserted to
attenuate or modify the interval of the solenoid. From the
solenoid 47 a line 56 is connected to the terminal 6 and the
terminal 6 is also connected to one side of the capacitor 48'.
The other side of the capacitor 48' is connected to a fixed
resistor 57 and through the resistor 57 to the terminal 4. The
capacitors 48 and 48' and the resistor 57 are located in
the block 58 and are potted in place. Thus, the block 58 and
capacitance included therein is a capacitor discharge
structure firing or energizing the solenoid 47.
The function ofthe capacitors 48 and 48' is to apply
a capacitor discharge to the solenoid 47 to provide a most
efficient and effective opening of the valve 33 and the
abrupt shut-off to eliminate drip at an interval of time that
is precisely repeatable. The function of the variable
resistance 55 is to trim or adjust the holding or ejection
intervals of the solenoid 47 by attenuation of the capacitance.
Adjustment is achieved in the following manner. For
minimum lubrication ejection based on the capacitors 48 and 48'
the line from the limit switch to terminal 3 is used as
shown in solid line. For medium lubrication ejection the line
from the limit switch to terminal 3 is relocated as indicated
in the phantom line to connect at terminal 4. For maximum
lubrication ejection the jumper 59 is positioned between term-
inals 3 and 4 with either position of the limit switch line
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to terminals 3 or 4. By applying a selected resistance 55
between terminals 2 and 5, a reduction in the volume of
lubricant ejected is achievable at any of the minimum, medium
or maximum lubrication ejection positions.
The power supply (24 volts Direct Current) and the
lubricant supply (~ inch diameter to the valve) are capable
of supplying lubricant at 20 pound per square inch to many
lubrication stations, each sensitive to particular local
lubrication situations. The units are relatively trouble-free
and the central supply source eliminates much labor expended
in delivering lubricant to a plurality of tanks at all
lubrication stations. The capacity of the central tank or
reservoir is at the option of the user and 400 to 4000
pound installations have been made. Further, the reservoirs
are locatable in non-essential areas of the plant. The
lubrication heads have also been applied to drill presses and
other machine tools and systems besides conveyors. Safety
and housekeeping is improved and energy consumption is
minimized since lubricant only flows on demand at carefully
metered quantities. Further, the system involving the
central supply or distribution assures flexibility of
lubrication to all parts of the plant.
Having thus described an operative and best embodiment
of the invention, others skilled in the art will perceive
changes, improvements and modifications and such changes,
improvements and modifications are inte~ded to form a part
hereof limited only by the scope of the hereinafter appended
claims.
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