CA1322975C - Service lubricating of metal haulage cables - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT
An apparatus and method to lubricate metal haulage cables having a lubricant recirculating system and a spray enclosure. The enclosure generally comprises: entrance and exit openings in replaceable bearing surfaces; entrance brushes for cleaning the surface of the entering cable; a plurality of high pressure spray nozzles injecting lubricant into the cable as the cable traverses the enclosure with means to adjust the nozzle-to-cable surface distance; and exit brushes for removing excess lubricant from the cable as the cable exits the enclosure. The spray nozzles spray the lubricant into the cable whenever the cable is worked or reeled onto a storage drum. The recirculating system recovers, filters, optionally reheats and recycles the excess lubricant.

Description

2297~

SERVICE LUBRICATING OF METAL HAULAGE CABLES

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to cable lubricating systems and in particular to systems which periodically lubricate metal cables used for haulage.

BACKGROUND ART
Metal cables are used for a variety of purposes.
Generally, metal cables may be classified according to their uses. Support cables are used where strength and not flexibility is important, such as cables used on suspension bridges, tower supports, etc. Haulage cables are used where both strength and flexibility are important, such as cables used for winches, elevators, tug boat lines and fishing lines. Cables used with boat winches often undergo long periods of severe tension in salt walter, where corrosion of the cable is accelerated unless the cables are properly maintained and lubricated. Metal cables are generally constructed with a center core composed of a plurality of metallic wires surrounded by bundles of metal wires called strands. The strands are tightly twisted around the center core. The core is the heart of the cable since it furnishes support for the surrounding strands and wires. The diameter of the core wires is generally larger than the surrounding strand wires.
Usually, a haulage cable is stored by using a rewinding assembly to wrap the cable through a pair of laterally moving uprights or fairleads onto a reel or cable drum During the reeling process, the lateral movement of the fairlea~s aligns -2- 1322~7~

the cable onto the cable drum in an orderly fashion. The cable is reeled by machinery linked to engines dedicated for the purpose of powering the cable-reeling assembly or it is linked to a power plant used for other purposes, such as for powering the ship. The linkage may be mechanical or hydraulic.
When the cable is worked or bent, as happens in the reeling process, the wires, strands and core within sections of the cable work against each other and become slightly separated to accommodate a curvature of the cable.
It is recognized that lubricating the metal cables substantially increases the useful life of the cable. This is true particularly when the individual wires must move with respect to each other as happens when the cable is worked.
Coating the individual wires within the cable with lubricant facilitates the movement of the wires and reduces friction between them. The lubrication assists the wires to follow the lines of stress and facilitates the transfer of forces between the wires within the cable, thereby avoiding breakage due to a concentration of stresses along certain portions of the cable. The lubrication facilitates the averaging of the stresses along the diameter of the cable and within the center core.
Most cable lubricants are petroleum based liquids or semi-liquids which are highly viscous substances blended with a combination of materials. These include solvents which enhance penetration, and/or viscosity extenders and additives which improve the lubricating qualities of the lubricant.
The particular blend of materials best suited is determined by the intended use of the lubricant.
Pr~sent methods to lubricate haulage cables usually depend upon the particular haulage application. A common method now used to lubricate haulage cables is to hand apply a low viscosity lubricant with mops or rags which are periodically dipped in a supply of lubricant and applied directly to the cable as the cable is reeled. A
simplification of this method employs a hand held spraying machine, such as a pressure pump insecticide applicator ~3~ 132297~

commonly used in gardening applications. The applicator is first filled with a low viscosity lubricant. The applicator is pressurized, and then the lubricant is sprayed from the applicator through a hand held nozzle on the cable as it is reeled.
An automatic drip type oil applicator for servicing haulage cables has been described by the American Society of Lubrication Engineers in its standard Handbook of Lubrication Engineering (O'Conner and Boyd, 1968, page 21-11).
Lubricating oil is pumped from an oil tank to a dripping nozzle located above the cable where the cable turns over a pulley wheel. The oil pump is mechanically linked to a pulley wheel. The rate of application is adjusted to meter out oil in proportion to the speed of the pulley wheel. This handbook teaches the most effective way to lubricate a cable is to spray a specially heated petroleum component onto the cable during the manufacturing process. Depending upon the available means of application and temperature, the service lubrication may require a deviation from the described most effective method. The handbook suggests the lubricant be first diluted with a suitable volatile solvent to decrease the viscosity of the lubricant and then sprayed onto the cable. This method depends upon the evaporation of the volatile solvents to leave a uniform film of the residual lubricant. In practice, this system is quite inefficient since much of the lubricant is airborne during the spraying process and the low viscosity lubricant-solvent mixture tends to migrate through and exit the cable. It is very difficult to control the evaporation of the volatile solvents of the lubricant. The penetrating qualities of the lubricant mixture permit the lubricant to flow out of the cable through the many layers of coiled cable strands and pool under the cable reel. The volatile solvents then evaporate to leave a hazardous residual lubricant coating surrounding the reeling and winching area.
~ etal haulage cables, particularly those used in marine application are particularly subject to corrosion from salt water and other contaminants, and haulage cables used in _4_ 13229~

mining are subject to a variety of extremely abrasive contaminants, in either of which cases service life of a cable is drastically reduced where lubrication is either unaccompanied by a thorough cleaning or no lubrication or cleaning at all is performed. As discussed above, because the strands of the cable are tightly wrapped an extremely high pressure spray or injection is required to displace and drive out contaminants, old lubricant, and water from the service haulage cable. On the other hand a lubricant with sufficient viscosity to remain in the cable and be effective as a service lubricant would have difficulty penetrating the strands of the cable except under high pressure injection circumstances. A heated lubricant under these circumstances would be ideal in that while heated its viscosity would be relatively lower and yet as it cooled within the cable its viscosity would rise to the service range required.
Accordingly there exists a need for a high pressure injection service lubrication system which is capable of injecting a suitable viscosity of heated or unheated lubricant under sufficiently high pressure to drive out contaminants and water while at the same time injecting lubricant to the core of the cable.
Various other automatic lubrication devices have been disclosedO Particular reference is made to Bentley, et al.
U.S. Patent No. 4,414,917 (1983). None of the disclosed lubricating devices however teach or disclose the use of a high velocity high pressure injection of lubricant along a substantial perpendicular orientation to the running axis of the cable to displace contaminants and water from the cable while simultaneously lubricating the cable. Neither do any of the disclosed lubricating devices employ a gimballed frame in combination with a high pressure lubrication injection system in order to direct the lubrication spray at the cable as it is wound upon the reel. Similarly existing systems which do employ some kind of pressure spray are too complex and cumbersome to be employed in the confined space aboard ship where haulage cables are taken up and require cleaning and service lubrication upon each take up. Prior art devices _5_ 1322~7~

do not provide for recirculation or reheating of the lubricant and do not provide for optional self-cleaning of the lubrication system.
For example Bentley, which does employ a lubricant spray for cables, discloses a large and extremely complex recirculating device used to lubricate cables. Bentley teaches that the cable should traverse multiple aligned cylinders which are supported on the cable by load-bearing exterior horizontal rollers located adjacent to the entrance and exit of the device and by a pair of horizontal rollers located between the second and third cylinders. Exterior vertical rollers located adjacent to the entrance and exit assist the horizontal rollers to ride upon the cable. Within the three cylinders, the cable is treated in three separate and sequential operations: first it is cleaned with a spray of water, then dried with a jet of air, and finally sprayed on its surface with lubricant.
Although Bentley teaches that the cleaning water left in the cable would dry more quickly if the temperature of the jet of air was elevated to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, Bentley does not teach that the temperature of the lubricant should be elevated to decrease lubricant's viscosity for injection. Since Bentley teaches that lubricant should be sprayed at the surface of the cable in the lubricating cylinder at pressures up to 5,000 psi (col. 9, lines 59-62), he suggests that lubricant pressure of 5,000 pounds per square inch is an upper limit to effective lubricant spraying. However 5,000 psi is insufficient to achieve penetration to the core of thicker cables, especially where spray angles depart substantially from perpendicularity to the running a~is of the cable. Bentley teaches a three step lubrication process which is both cumbersome and complex and does not lend itself to use in confined spaces. Bentley's only method of cleaning is with a spray of water, one of the very substances which needs to be displaced from a haulage cable for long life. Bentley perforce then requires the water drying step, and arrives at lubrication only at the end. Even there Bentley suggests that lubrication to the -6- 1322~7~

cable core depends upon a "wetting" of the cable, as opposed to a penetration of lubricant by injection to the core.
The Bentley patent fails to disclose the use of brushes to remove contaminants at the entrance of the device and to remove excess lubricant at the exit of the enclosure.
Bentley teaches away from using a sleeve means of wiping the contaminants from the cable on entering and leaving the device. Even before entering the Bentley device, contaminants may impact and accumulate against the leading load-bearing rollers or be compressed into the cable as the contaminants pass between the cable and rollers. Nor does Bentley teach that filters should be used to filter the lubricant as it enters or exits the lubricant storage tank.
Bentley does not disclose a device which has a means to allow the device to follow the angular, vertical, and lateral displacement of the cable as the cable travels between the fairleads and drum, such as the gimballed frame assembly upon which a device as taught by the Applicant may be mounted.
If constructed as taught by Bentley, the entire device would be subject to the unrestricted violent and adverse whipping conditions of the cable.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The ideal cable lubricating system would inject lubricant between the cable strands all the way into the core, for even the thickest of haulage cables. In the process of injection and penetration of lubricant, foreign material would be displaced by the lubricant and the lubricant would remain to relieve friction and the kinds of stress described above, and to provide a barrier against the corrosive effects of foreign material to which the cable would be exposed on the next duty cycle. The lubrication process should incorporate the flexing or working operation of the cable as it is reeled, when the cable wires and strands open slightly and move with respect to each other by applying lubrication at that time. This would further facilitate the penetration of lubricant into the ca~le. Means would also be provided to selectively elevate the temperature ` 7 1322~75 74158-18 of the lubricant just prior to injection to temporar ly decrease the viscosity of the lubricant, and thus further enhance penetration. Heated lubricant would cool, increase its viscosity, and thus become trapped between the cable strands. The system should minimize lubricant loss and prevent misapplication or migration of the lubricant to surrounding areas. The application should be routine or automatic whenever the cable is reeled.
Accordingly, it is the general objective of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus to lubricate metal haulage cables.
The invention provides an apparatus for cleaning and lubricating a multistranded metal haulage cable by injecting under high pressure into said cable a lubricant fluid, said apparatus comprising: a) a high pressure spray means for injecting said lubricant fluid into said cable, said spray means further comprising one or more nozzles each oriented to spray said lubricant fluid toward said cable substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said cable; b) a pump communicating with said spray means for supplying said lubricant to said spray means under high pressure; c) an enclosure surrounding said spray means, said enclosure having a cable entrance and a cable exit, said enclosure providing for overspray collection; d) one or more bearing surfaces on said enclosure for riding upon said cable to maintain said perpendicular orientation of said nozzles to said cable as it moves through said enclosure.
The invention also provides a method cleaning and lubricating a multistranded metal haulage cable, said method comprising the steps of: a) injecting a high pressure spray of ~''e;~

1~22975 lubricant fluid into said cable to displace contaminants from within said cable; b) containing and collecting overspray of said high pressure spray within an enclosure, and recirculating said overspray bac~ to said enclosure.
The invention provides an automatic means that can spray a lubricant into continuous segments of a moving haulage cable within an enclosure in conjunction with the winding operation of the cable onto a cable drum. The apparatus preferably includes means to filter the oversprayed and displaced lubricant so that it may be reheated if appropriate and made available for reapplication to the moving cable.
Preferably there are means to selectively elevate the temperature of the lubricant, to decrease its viscosity, and thereby facilitate the penetration of the lubricant into the cable when the lubricant is applied during the working of the strands.
The lubricant enters the cable in a heated condition and becomes more viscous as it cools within the cable thereby decreasing its tendency to leave the cable.
The invention can provide a means of automatically lubricating metal haulage cables, whenever the cable is reeled, with a heated or non-heated liquid lubricant using a high pressure spray to force the liquid lubricant into the interior of the cable, thus also displacing foreign material contaminants from the cable. It can automatically orient a lubricant spraying enclosure by pivotally attaching the enclosure to a sliding and pivotal assembly which moves with a pair of fairleads. The position and orientation of the enclosure, and consequently the spraying operation, is adjusted according to the changing position and d,~ ~, 8a 132~97~ 74158-18 angle of the cable during the reeling operation.
A specially configured brush wipes contaminants off of the cable before that portion of the cable enters the enclosure.
Preferably the enclosure entrance has a funnel-shaped bevel wherein the broken strands of the cable and other irregularities on the surface of the cable are directed radically inward towards the entrance. At the entrance and the exit of the enclosure there maybe, bearing surfaces which may be selectively sized and easily removed and replaced according to the size of the cable to be lubricated. A specially configured brush wipes excess lubricant from the cable before that portion of the cable exits the enclosure and aids in preventing airborne lubricant from leaving the enclosure.
Preferably there is a means of quickly and easily adjusting the distance between the surface of the cable and spray nozzle so that for each cable thickness to be sprayed, an ideal nozzle to cable distance may be established.
The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises four main areas: a cable spraying enclosure; a gimballed rectangular frame assembly; a circulation system; and an optional cleaning system. The enclosure has an upper part and a lower part which, when coupled together, enclose the diameter of the cable with a portion of the cable traversing the enclosure's interior compartment from an entrance to an exit. The upper part and the lower part are held together with suitable fastener means.

-9 ~322~

The upper part and lower part each have three distinct portions, a center portion, an entrance portion, and an exit portion. The center portion contains a series of lubricant spray means or spray nozzles directed radially inwa d toward the traversing cable, a means for supplying lubricant to the spray nozzles, and a means for draining the excess lubricant from the enclosure. In the center portion, the spray nozzles impinge lubricant at a very high velocity upon and between the strands of the traversing cable. The lubricant displaces the contaminants and water lodged between the cable strands to effectively protect the cable from adverse conditions.
Spraying heated lubricant directly onto the cable assists penetration and placement of lubricant within the cable. In one embodiment, a funnel-shaped bottom pools and drains the excess lubricant from within the enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure is circular in cross section along a plane normal to the cable, and excess lubricant pools and is drained from the bottom curvature of the lower part. Also in a preferred embodiment each of the lubricant spray means can be adjusted to selectively set the distance between the spray nozzle and the surface of the cable.
The entrance and exit portions of the enclosure comprise the bearing surfaces, means in the entrance portion for wiping contaminants from the surface of the cable as the cable enters the enclosure, means in the exit portion for wiping excess lubricant from the cable, and in both outer portions, means for restricting any airborne lubricant from passing out through the entrance and exit. In one embodiment, both outer portions have means for funneling irregularities on the surface of the cable towards the entrance and exit, respectively. Both outer portions are designed with bearing means having entrance and exit openings which approximate in size the diameter of the cable. These bearing means may be quickly and easily replaced. Due to the diameter of the en~rance and exit orifices of the outer portions, the outward flow of excess lubricant through the entrance or exit is dramatically restricted. The orifice surfaces act as the bearing surfaces of the enclosure. In -lo- 1322~7~
this embodiment, little or no lubricant escapes the enclosure at the cable entrance and exit, and the bearing surfaces do not require lubrication.
In one embodiment, the outer side of the entrance portion is formed with a funnel-shaped bevel. The largest diameter of the funnel-shaped bevel is outward from the entrance. Irregularities on the surface of the cable, such as broken wires or strands which emerge from the cable, are directed towards the entrance orifice. Located near the entrance of the enclosure, a spring loaded second wiping means, such as a brush or curtain means, removes dirt and contaminants from the cable. The funnel-shaped bevel assists in removing the contaminants from the brush or curtain means.
In the same embodiment, the inner side of the exit portion of the enclosure is also formed with a funnel-shaped bevel to direct cable surface irregularities toward the exit orifice and to help drain the excess lubricant from the cable into the enclosure. Located near this inner side of the outer portion are spring loaded specially configured brushes which wipe excess lubricant from the surface of the cable into the enclosure. As the brushes flex about the surface of the cable they also provide a barrier to contain lubricant within the enclosure and capture airborne lubricant particles. In this embodiment the replaceable bearing surfaces are accessible and removable by unbolting the entrance and exit portions from the center portion.
In a preferred embodiment with the rounded upper and lower parts disclosed above, the entrance and exit portions of the enclosure are identical but mirrored duplicates of each other. This embodiment has no funnel shaped bevels and instead employs, at the entrance and exit openings, removable split bearing surfaces which are bolted to the enclosure case for easy removal without disassembling the enclosure.
Interior of each entrance and exit bearing surface opening respectively are brush means to remove contaminants from the cable at the entrance and to remove excess lubricant from the cable at the exit. As with the first above described embodiment, the brushes and closely sized bearing surface 2 2 ~ ~ ~
openings serve to provide a barrier to contain lubricant within the enclosure and capture airborne lubricant particles.
The gimballed rectangular frame assembly enables the enclosure to be pivotally and slidably mounted to a piece of equipment such as the reel side of a winching system's fairleads. The fairleads restrict cable whipping and move laterally to place the cable in a generally uniform fashion upon the cable drum. The gimballed frame assembly permits the angular, vertical and lateral movement of the enclosure to follow the position and orientation of the cable, as the cable is reeled through the fairleads and is passed through the enclosure. The bearing surfaces of the enclosure ride upon the cable, thus automatically adjusting the direction of the spray towards the moving cable.
The circulating system directs a flow of lubricant from a lubricant storage tank to the low pressure or suction side of a high pressure circulating pump. The storage tank may be subjected to an external heater which elevates the temperature of the lubricant inside. The heater may be comprised of electrical resistive elements, heat obtained from piping hot exhaust gas or diesel injector return lines from power plant driving or reeling systems, or any other accessible source of heat. Where heat is to be employed, the heat source should contact, or be in close proximity to, the exterior surfaces of the storage tank, thereby heating the lubricant stored inside, and the elevated temperature of the lubricant within the storage tank should be maintained during the lubricating operation at the spray nozzles.
The lubricant passes through the circulating pump which dramatically increases its pressure and forces the lubricant through a second filter to be ejected from spray nozzles locateà near the center of the enclosure at the desired distance from the cable surface. This high pressure pump may be powered by electricity or by linking the pump to the cable reeling assembly or by other well known means. The pump should circulate the lubricant whenever the cable is reeled in.

-12- 13~3~

Exiting the spray nozzles under very high pressure, the lubricant spray impinges upon the traversing cable, preferably in a flat fan spray configuration substantially normal to the cable axis to inject lubricant into the center of the cable. Some of the lubricant becomes overspray or becomes airborne within the interior portion of the enclosure. After contacting the brushes or inner walls of the enclosure, the excess lubricant is captured and drains down through the bottom of the enclosure to an awaiting first filter. The first filter removes contaminants from the excess lubricant before the excess lubricant is returned to the storage container where the lubricant is reheated if desired and recirculated.
The storage tank, external heater, circulating pump, second filter, first filter, and their connecting lines may be located wherever space permits. Preferably, these elements are located near the enclosure. If the excess lubricant fails to drain properly from the enclosure, or the hydrostatic pressure is insufficient to drain the excess lubricant into the first filter and on to the storage tank, then it may be necessary to install a second circulating pump to assure complete circulation.
The invention also contemplates an optional cleaning cycle or circulating means to advantageously use the high-pressure pump as a means to pump cleaning solution and solvents through the circulating system and enable the exterior of the equipment to be cleaned. The storage tank is drained of the lubricant by opening a drain located in the bottom of the storage tank. Cleaning solvent may be poured into the enclosure. The cleaning solvent passes through the first filter and is stored in the storage tank.
Alternatively, a separate cleaning solution storage vessel containing cleaning solvent may be connected by a first valve to the circulating system between the second filter and the circulating pump. The circulating pump is operated to circulate the cleaning solvent throughout the circulation system. During the cleaning cycle, the operation of the circulat~ng pump should not be dependent upon the movement of the cable.
A three-position second valve may be connected between the circulating pump and the spray nozzles. Use of the first position of the second valve allows the cleaning solvent to travel towards the spray nozzles. Use of the second position of the second valve allows the cleaning solvent to be piped to a cleaning solution spray means, such as a wide-angle spray nozzle, located within the storage tank, and thereby pressure clean the interior surfaces of the storage tank.
Use of the third position of the second valve allows the cleaning solvent to be piped to an exteriorly positioned cleaning solution spray means, such as a hand-held spray nozzle. The hand-held spray nozzle may be positioned on a wand and is used to spray other parts of the equipment and the surrounding area. The storage tank is then drained of the cleaning solvent or solution and the system is recharg~d with lubricant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention shown mounted on fairleads in the aft of a vessel.
Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the details of the enclosure shown in figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side elevation sectional view of the enclosure shown in figure 2.
Figure 4 is a schematic view of the lubrication cycle and cleaning solution cycle.
Figure 5 is a front elevation of another embodiment of the invention shown partially broken open to disclose interior detail, with some of the detail in partial section.
Figure 6 is a side elevation sectional view along lines 6-6 in figure 5.
Figure 7a is an exploded side elevational view of the nozzle shown in figures 5 and 6.
Figure 7b is a plan view of the nozzle body of Figure 7a.
Figure 8 is a detail of the nozzle height adjusting means of the embodiment shown in fi~ure 6.

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BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that Figure 1 demonstrates an enclosure 5, pivotally mounted on a rectangular frame assembly 6. The rectangular frame assembly 6 is able to pivot and slide on lateral tracks 7 which are mounted to the reel side of a fairlead assembly 9.
The various mounting methods of lateral tracks 7 to the fairlead assembly 9 are well known and are not shown here.
The lateral tracks 7 may be mounted by attaching standoffs (not shown) from the reel side of the fairlead assembly 9 or by having the ends of the latPral tracks 7 bent to form a wide "U" shape and attaching the ends of the lateral tracks 7 to the fairlead assembly 9. While the mounting method of the lateral tracks 7 will depend upon the particular configuration of the fairlead assembly 9, it is important that the enclosure 5 be permitted to float about and follow the action of the cable 19. Enclosure 5 is attached at approximately the midpoint of its sides to lateral pins 8 which form a part of the vertical slide mounts 10. The vertical slide mounts 10 allow the assembly ~o move vertically along the vertical tracks 11 portion of the rectangular frame assembly 6. The enclosure 5 is allowed to pivot about the lateral pins 8. The mounting frame assembly 6 is attached at approximately the midpoint of horizontal tracks 13 to vertical pins 14 which form a part of the lateral slide mounts 15. The lateral slide mounts 15 allow the assembly to move laterally along the lateral tracks 7.
The enclosure 5 is allowed to pivot about the vertical pins 14. This arrangement gives the enclosure 5 freedom to move up and down, side-to-side and to pivot according to the position of the cable 19 as the cable 19 is pulled between the fairlead rollers 17 in the fairlead assembly 9 onto the cable drum 21. The fairlead assembly 9 moves back and forth laterally placing the cable 19 onto the cable drum 21 in an orderly fashion.
Wheel machinery (not shown) powers the cable drum 21 to pull the cable 19 through the fairlead rollers 17 and 1322~75 enclosure 5. A power transfer unit located beneath cover 23 enables the fairlead assembly 9 to act jointly with the wheel machinery. The enclosure 5 remains aligned with the taut cable 19 between the fairlead rollers 17 and the cable drum 21.
In Figure 1, the cable drum 21, fairlead assembly 9 and enclosure 5 are shown mounted generally near the aft portion 29 of a vessel. Arrows 30 and 31 indicate the direction the cable 19 is moving with respect to the vessel when the cable 19 is being reeled in.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the details of the enclosure 5. The enclosure 5 generally has a cubical shape. However, other configurations such as a donut shape may also be used.
The enclosure 5 is assembled by securing together an upper part 33 and a lower part 35 with a first side latch 37 and a second side latch (not shown). The first side latch 37 and the second side latch are located on alternate sides of the enclosure 5. The upper part 33 can be removed from the lower part 35 in order for the enclosure 5 to be placed around or removed from the cable 19. The enclosure 5 has an entrance 36 opening and an exit 38 opening.
The upper part 33 and the lower part 35 comprise a center portion 47 and two outer portions 49. In one embodiment, the center portion 47 is constructed of stainless steel and the outer portions 49 are constructed of ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene 49. Other materials may also be used. The outer portions 49 and center portion 47 of the upper part 33 and the lower part 35 are held together with bolts 45 and nuts 46. The bclts 45 and nuts 46 provide an effective means to replace damaged or worn center portions 47 or outer portions 49. The outer portions 49 are easily replaced so that the diameter of the entrance 36 and exit 38 openings of the enclosure 5 are approximately the same as the diameter of the cable 19. The ~earing surfaces 60 of the outer portions 49 rest or ride upon the cable 19. The gimbal action of the rectangular frame assembly 6 prevents excessive abrasion between the enclosure 5 and the cable 19. When the enclosure 5 contacts the cable 19, the contact is generally -16- ~322~7~

restricted to the light touching of the brushes 51 and the steering of the enclosure orientation by riding of the bearing surfaces 60 on the cable. The brushes 51 only brush contaminants off of the cable 19 and contain airborne and excess lubricant within the enclosure. The bearing surfaces 60 are easily replaced by replacing the outer portions 49.
Heated and filtered lubricant is pumped through a high pressure flexible line 32 and a ~uick disconnect coupling 39 to feeder line 41. The high pressure flexible line 32, coupling 39 and feeder line 41 are tolerant to high pressure and high temperature and are made to withstand pressure in the order of at least 6,000 psi and 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Feeder line 41 connects to four spray nozzles 43 which have spray axes oriented radially inward and substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cable 19 from four e~ually spaced spray locations. This substantially normal orientation of a spray axis to the cable axis greatly enhances penetration of the injected lubricant, as spray from angles greater than a few degrees from perpendicular gives rise to substantial reflection of spray from the cable surface. Preferably, the spray nozzles 43 are diametrically directed at 90 degree intervals about the cable 19. The feeder line 41 is suitably connected to the spray nozzles 43 and is secured to the lower part 35 of the enclosure 5 so that the cable 19 can be placed through an upper opening of the feeder line 41 into the center of the area sprayed by the spray nozzles 43. Spray nozzles 43 which have been proved suitable for this purpose are tungsten carbide spray nozzles such as ARO#TC725 from Aro Corporation, Bryan, Ohio, USA, which ~ave a ~flat fan~ spray with an approximate spray angle of 25 to 45 degrees as measured within a plane normal to the cable axis. The lubricant impinges upon the cable 19 as the cable 19 traverses through the enclosure 5 from the entrance 36 to the exit 38 in the direction shown by the arrow 31.
In figures 2 and 3, brushes 51 are located within the recesses 53 of the outer portions 49. The brushes 51 are urged toward the cable 19 by springs 55. The brushes 51 sweep the cable 19 as it enters and exits the enclosure 5.

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The brushes 51 at the entrance 36 remove water, seaweed, dust, dirt and other contaminants from the surface of the cable 19 as the cable 19 enters the enclosure S. The brushes 51 at the exit 38 remove excess lubricant from the cable 19 as the cable 19 exits the enclosure 5. The brushes 51 also act as barriers to contain airborne lubricant within the enclosure 5. The brushes 51 are preferably made of stiff filaments which are sufficiently stiff to remove the contaminants and contain the excess lubricant while still being sufficiently pliable to conform to the uneven surface of the cable. The filaments may be made of nylon or any other suitable abrasion resistant material unaffected by the lubricant and the elevated temperature of the lubricant. A
preferred brush filament is made from WYTEX brand nylon from E.B. & A.C. Whiting Co., Burlington, Vermont, U.S A. A WYTEX
6.12 which is 0.040 inches in diameter and which incorporates an ultraviolet radiation block is further preferred.
Alternatively, the brushes 51 may take the form of multiply overlapping curtains which form an iris. The curtains define the entrance 36 and exit 38 to the enclosure 5. The curtains may be made out of one half-inch to one inch (1/2" - 1") rubber sheeting. The curtains are only slightly urged against the cable 19 to contain the airborne and excessive lubricant within the enclosure 5 and brush contaminants off the cable 19 at the entrance 36.
The entrance 36 is sloped with a first funnel-shaped bevel 34 to gather irregularities on the surface of the cable 19 and to facilitate the removal of the contaminants from the entrance 36 as the contaminants are brushed from the surface of the cable 19. The first funnel-shaped bevel 34 is shaped with the wider diameter of the opening towards the outer side of the entrance 36 and the narrower diameter of the opening towards the inner side of the entrance 36.
The inner side of the exit 38 has a second funnel-shaped bevel 40 to gather irregularities on the surface of the cable and to facilitate the removal of the excess lubricant as it is brushed from the surface of the cable 19. Excess lubricant drains down along t~e brushes 51 -18- 1322~7~

of the exit 38 towards the funnel-shaped bottom 25 to drain through the first flexible drain line 27.
A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 5-8. Enclosure 90 is preferably comprised of stainless steel unless otherwise noted below and is a substantially rounded welded structure designed to be oil tight and leak proof. Enclosure 90 is comprised of upper shell 101 and lower shell 102 which are welded structures, preferably stainless steel, assembled by conventional and well known methods. Lower shell 102 has at the mating interfaces between lower shell 102 and upper shell 101, on either side of the shell, two gimbal mounting brackets 121 welded to the exterior of the lower shell. Welded to the interior wall of the upper shell in such a way as to provide a lip and sealing surface when upper shell 101 and lower shell 102 are closed together, are welded overlaps 128 attached to the upper shell by welds 127. Projecting radially from gimbal mounting brackets 121 are ~wo fair lead lateral pins 8 which are securely affixed to gimbal mounting brackets 121 in a conventional manner. In figure 5 fair lead lateral pins 8 each have a circumferential groove 126 and fair lead lateral pins 8 are adapted to fit into vertical slide mounts 10 and be secured therein by a plurality of set screws 125. The slide mounts 10 shown in figure 5 are substantially the same as the corresponding structures shown in figures 1 and 2, with the result that enclosure 90 may be substituted into the gimballed frame assembly illustrated in figure 1 without further modifications to that assembly.
Vertical slide mounts 10 are generally fashioned in a conventional manner from stainless steel tubing with internal UMHW bushings. Enclosure 90 may also be equipped with a stainless steel bent rod type handle securely affixed to enclosure 90 (not shown). The upper shell 101 and lower shell 102 may be held together by any suitable means such as the latch 37 illustrated in figures 2 and 3 or may be held together by stretching a suitable elastic means, such as a common "bungy" cord, from one lateral pin 8 across the top of upper shell 101 to the other lateral pin 8. Lower shell -19- 132237~

102 has, substantially in the midst of its bottom most curvature, a drain 111 which is preferably an interior threaded piece of stainless steel tubing welded to an opening in the bottom of lower shell 102. Drain 111 functions in a manner analogous to funnel shaped bottom 25 illustrated in figures 2 and 3, and as illustrated in figures 2 and 3, a drain line 27 may be attached to drain 111.
Figure 5 illustrates a generally radially directed and spaced nozzle arrangement of the spray means for enclosure 90. Enclosure 90 has fcur nozzle adjusting means 123 diametrically opposed and radially spaced at substantially 90 degrees to one another so that four nozzles 109 have their axes aligned perpendicular to the axis of the cable 19 passing through enclosure 90. Each nozzle adjusting means 123 comprises an adjustment sleeve 106, a nozzle holder tube 108, two set screws 110, and a nozzle 109. In a preferred embodiment nozzle holder tube has a generally narrower diameter where nozzle tube 108 passes through either the upper shell 101 or the lower shell 102 and rides within a grommet 107 for lubricant sealing purposes. The outer portion of holder tube 108 is generally greater in diameter than the portion which passes through the grommet, though it need not be, and is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the ~djustment sleeve 106. Thus nozzle holder tube 108 may be adjustably held within adjustment sleeve 106 by the pressure of set screws 110. Adjustment sleevs 106 further com~rises notches 116 which are machined into the edge of adjustment sleeve 106 at a preferred spacing of exactly one eighth of an inch apart. Adjustment sleeve 106 is made from stainless steel tubing stock but is cut away so that the high pressure supply line 112 which communicates with holder tube 108 may slide up and down without interference with adjustment sleeve 106. Notches 116 act as an easily and quickly read adjustment index for adjusting the distance between nozzle 109 and the cable surface.
Preferably the distance between the orifice of nozzle 109 and the surface of cable 19 should be approximately three quarters of an inch. Where different sized cables are used -20- 1322~7~

with the same enclosure and spraying means, or where for reasons which will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a different distance is desireable, the adjustment of a nozzle to cable distance may be quickly and easily effected by loosening the set screws 110 and moving the reference edge of holder tube 108, usually the upper edge of the tube, to correspond with the desired notch. For example a change in cable diameter of one half inch will require moving the reference edge of the holder tube two notches, as well as moving the reference edge of the diametrically opposed holder tube two notches in a complimentary direction.
In a preferred embodiment various cable sizes may be accommodated by adjusting means 123 in the range of one inch to two and a quarter inches. High pressure supply line 112 is preferably R-122 conductive hose assembly but may be any suitable high pressure, high temperature lubricant, oil resistant hose material as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment the face of the holder tube 108 which accepts high pressure hose connection 112 is drilled and tapped for one eighth inch NPT, and a one eighth inch passage is drilled along the axis of the narrower diameter of holder tube 108 to intersect with the one eighth inch NPT bore. The inner end of holder tube is then counter bored and threaded to match a nylon washer and the outer threads of a particular nozzle to be employed.
In a preferred embodiment nozzles are selected from amongst those which deliver a ~flat fan~ type spray pattern, that is a pattern which confines the spray to a substantially planar configuration in one dimension and an angle along that plane in the other dimension of approximately forty five degrees. Flat fan spray pattern 122 is shown as it typically appears in figure 5. Nozzles of the type known as circular equivalent nozzles have been found to be most suitable, particularly in the sizes of .009 and .011 inches of orifice width and are available from Blnks Spraying Supply Company.
Larger or smaller orifice dimensions may be employed to good effect, particularly with larger diameter cables, where a larger orifice will better serve. The preferred orifice -21- ~322~7~

sizes have proved suitable for the particular range of cable diameters disclosed herein.
A preferred embodiment of the nozzle is shown in detail in Figures 7a and 7b. Nozzle 109 consists of a three part assembly shown in Figure 7a, all of which are part of the standard high pressure nozzle assembly available from Binks Spraying Supply Company. Washer 132 fits in nozzle holder 108 and nozzle retainer 130 threads into nozzle holder 108 to retain nozzle body 115 in a sealed engagement against washer 132. Nozzle body 115 is received in retainer 130 within a body bore 131. Body bore 131 has a shoulder for applying pressure against nozzle body 115 to seal it against washer 132. Nozzle body 115 has a nozzle bore 129 and an orifice bore 133. Nozzle body 115 is preferably made of some hard pressure and temperature resistant nozzle material such as tungsten carbide. Bores 129 and 133 are ground into body 115 in a well known manner. A "V" cut is made in the top of nozzle body 115 so that the body of the "V" cuts diametrically across orifice bore 114. The "V" cut is done with conventional grinding tools to a depth such that orifice bore 133 is opened thereby into oval shaped orifice 114. The width of the orifice is measured across the width of this oval and this configuration produces the ~flat fan~ spray configuration preferred in the invention.
Figure 5 also shows, by the use of an illustration of a partially broken away outer portion of enclosure 90, the brush or wiping means of the invention in a preferred embodiment. Preferably six brushes 105 are radially spaced at approximately sixty degrees around the circumference of enclosure 90 and radially directed toward the cable 19.
Brushes 105 are urged toward the cable by springs 103 acting within brush holders 104. Brush holders 104 have a lubricant drainage slot (not shown) so that lubricant running down the fibers of the brush into holder 104 may be drained into the interior of enclosure 90. In a preferred embodiment the inner circumference at the upper end of brush holder 104 is machined with a snap ring groove and a snap ring is employed to retain brush 105 within holder 104. In a preferred -22- ~ 32237~

embodiment the brushes are made of nylon filament and are, at their base, five eighths of an inch in diameter and two and quarter inches long. Brushes 105 function in a manner similar to that disclosed above for the previously described embodiment but differ in their placement within the enclosure 90 in that one set of brushes is placed just inside of entrance bearing surface 119 and another set of brushes 105 is placed just inside of exit bearing surface 118. The entrance set of brushes then serve to remove and brush contaminants from the cable to be flushed along with excess lubricant out of drain 111 and the exit set of brushes serve to wipe and brush excess lubricant from the cable prior to the cable's passage through exit bearing surface 118.
Entrance and exit bearing surfaces 117 and 118 respectively are best illustrated for a preferred embodiment in figure 6. Upper shell 101 and lower shell 102 when assembled together have formed therein substantially along an axis of the rounded enclosure 90 an entrance and an exit opening into which are inserted and attached entrance bearing surface 117 and exit bearing surface 118 respectively.
Preferably upper shell 101 and lower shell 102 are fitted with a pattern of six studs 120 onto which are placed the donut like respective bearing surfaces which are then held in place with flat washers and nylock type nuts 119. Thus a particular bearing surface which has become damaged or worn or which needs to be replaced for a different sized cable can be quickly and easily removed and replaced without even separating the shells 101 and 102 of enclosure 90.
Preferably, bearing surfaces 117 and 118 are made of UHMW
polyethylene and machined from disks of UHMW material approximately three quarters of an inch thick and four inches in outer diameter. Appropriate stud holes are then drilled and a bore in the center is then fashioned to correspond to the cable size for which the bearing set is being made. A
set of entrance and exit bearings surfaces 117 and 118 will consist of four identical bearing halves, each pair of bearing halves fashior.ed from one of the above mentioned ~HMW
disks. An outer portion o~ the bearing surface which is to 1322~

form a collar for mounting upon the studs 120 should be preferably one quarter of an inch thick leaving a one half inch portion relieved to fit inside of the two axial openings in enclosure 90. Thus as cable 19 travels in the direction of travel 124 illustrated in figure 6, entrance and exit bearings 117 and 118 respectively ride lightly upon the surface of cable 19 and cause the enclosure to be responsive to movement of the cable such that enclosure maintains the spray nozzle 109 orientation toward the cable.
Each of the four high pressure supply lines 112 communicate with a high pressure manifold (not shown) and thence to the high pressure flexible line 32 illustrated in figures 1 through 3. All high pressure hoses should be made to withstand pressures and temperatures of at least 6000 p.s.i. and 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Referring to Figure 4, the schematic diagram of the circulating system shows the spray nozzles 43 spraying lubricant upon a centrally located cross section of cable 19 within the enclosure 5. The funnel-shaped bottom 25 of enclosure 5 communicates through a first flexible drain line 27 to a first filter 65. The first filter 65 communicates through a second flexible drain line 28 to a storage tank 67.
In a preferred embodiment, the first flexible drain line 27 and second flexible drain line 28 are made from nylon hose having a one inch (1 in.) diameter. The excess lubricant drains downwardly through the funnel-shaped bottom 25 and to the first filter 65 through the first flexible drain line 27.
The first filter 65 removes water and contaminants from the drained lubricant which may interfere with the quality of the lubricant in the storage tank. The drained lubricant at this point has first viscosity and a first temperature. The drained lubricant then travels from the first filter 65 through the second flexible drain line 28 to the storage tank ~7.
An external heater 69 elevates the temperature of the lubricant within the storage tank 67 from the first temperature and the first viscosity to a second temperature and second viscosity. The first temperature is cooler than -24- 1 322~7~

the second temperature and the first viscosity is more viscous than the second viscosity. The second temperature of the lubricant should be at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit (150 F ) The external heater 69 may be electrically powered such as with resistive elements strapped onto the surface of the storage tank 67. The lubricant may alternatively be heated by advantageously conducting engine cooling lines or diesel injection lines external to the lubricant storage tank to use waste heat from these sources to elevate the temperature of the lubricant.
The lubricant travels from the storage tank 67 through a second flexible line 57 to a second filter 71. The second filter 71 further removes water and contaminants from the lubricant. The purpose of this second filter 71 is to assure that particles and other contaminants will not damage the pump 73 nor clog the spray nozzles 43. A double stage filter, where the first filter stage removes large contaminants and the second filter stage removes fine contaminants is preferred.
The lubricant travels from the second filter 71 through a third flexible line 58 to the suction end or supply side of a circulating pump 73. The circulating pump 73 increases the pressure of the hot lubricant. As is illustrated in Figure 4, the circulating pump 73 may be mounted near or upon the fairleads assembly 9. The lubricant having said second temperature, said second viscosity, and said elevated pressure travels from the circulating pump 73 through the high pressure flexible line 32 and quick disconnect coupling 39 into the feeder line 41. Both the high pressure flexible line 32 and the feeder line 41 are made from high pressure and high temperature tolerant materials. The lubricant is then injected or impinged at a very high velocity into the cable 19.
This invention also incorporates an optional cleaning cycle to facilitate the perioàic maintenance of this device and the surrounding area. During the cleaning cycle an electrical switching system or power switching system may be engaged so that the circulating pump 73 may operate at times -25- i3~2~

other than when the cable is being reeled in. The cleaning cycle comprises the connection of a first valve 75 to the third flexible line 58 and the connection of a second valve 77 to the high pressure flexible line 32. By engaging the first valve 75, the supply of lubricant may be terminated and a cleaning solution, obtained from a cleaning solution storage vessel 79, may be introduced to the system. The three-position second valve 77 located on the high pressure side of the circulating pump 73 may be engaged to circulate the cleaning solution to either the spray nozzles 43, to an exterior hand-held spray nozzle 81, or to a wide angle spray nozzle 83 which is located within the lubricant storage tank 67.
Once the lubricant is drained from the storage tank 67 through the drain 68, the first valve 75 is set to disconnect the suction end of the circulating pump 73 from the second filter 71 and connect the suction or supply end of the circulating pump 73 to the cleaning solution storage vessel 79. By selecting a first position on the second valve 77, the cleaning solution can be pumped to the spray nozzles 43 located within the enclosure 5 and thereby clean the interior of the enclosure 5, the funnel-shaped bottom 25, the first flexible drain line, the first filter and the second flexible drain line. By selecting a second position on the second valve 77, the interior surfaces of the storage tank 67 can be high pressure sprayed by the cleaning solution through a wide angle nozzle 83. By selecting a third position on the second valve 77, other nearby equipment or cables may be sprayed with the exterior hand-held spray nozzle 81. After draining the storage tank 67 of the cleaning solution, the system may be recharged with new lubricant by pouring it into the lower part 35 of the enclosure 5.
By way of example of the system in operation, the enclosure 5 (figures 1-3) is attached to the cable 19 by disengaging the upper part 33 from the lower part 35 by unconnecting the first side latch 37 and second side latch.
The lower part 33 is placed against the cable l9 so a portion of the cable 19 spans the enclosure 5 from the entrance 36 -26- 132297~

to the exit 38 between the entrance and exit brushes 51. The feeder line 41 fits around the cable 19 so that the cable 19 is centrally located between the spray nozzles 43. The upper part 33 is placed upon the lower part 35. The upper part 33 and lower part 35 are then locked together by engaging the first side latch 37 and the second side latch, located on each side of the enclosure 5.
On a typical winch, the fairlead assembly 9 is coupled to move back and forth laterally during the reeling operation. This permits the orderly laying of the cable 19 onto the cable drum 21. The enclosure 5 is mounted on a gimballed, slidable rectangular frame assembly 6. The rectangular frame assembly 6 is then mounted to the fairlead assembly in such a manner as to allow the free pivotal, lateral and vertical movement of the enclosure 5 about the cable 19 during the reeling procedure.
The first flexible drain line 27 and the feeder line 41 interconnect the enclosure 5 and the rest of the assembly.
The storage tank 67, external heater 69, the first filter 65, the second filter 71, the circulating pump 73, the first valve 75, and the second valve 77 are all conveniently placed at a position near the fairlead assembly 9, usually below the enclosure 5. In this way, excess lubricant drains by gravity through the funnel-shaped bottom 25 and the first flexible drain line 27 to the first filter 65. Although the placement of the storage tank 67 is generally below the enclosure 5 so that the excess lubricant can drain through the first filter 65 to the storage tank by gravity, it may be necessary to incorporate the use of a second pump to deliver the lubricant or cleaning solution from the first filter 65 to the storage tank 67. This is particularly necessary where the storage tank 67 is placed far away from the enclosure 5 or when the storage tank 67 is placed at about the same elevation or above the enclosure 5.
The lubricant in the storage tank 67 is heated to a temperature above 150 degrees Fahrenheit (150 F.). The circulating pump 73 operates whenever the cable drum 21 reels in the cable 19. As the cable 19 is being reeled, the 132~975 brushes 51 at the entrance 36 of enclosure 5 remove the contaminants on the surface of the cable 19.
Under the suction of the circulating pump, the lubricant is filtered through the second filter 71 and fed into the suction or supply side of the circulating pump 73.
The lubricant is then pumped under a pressure throug~ the high pressure flexible line 32, the quick disconnect coupling 39 and the feeder line 41 to the spray nozzles 43. The heated lubricant is sprayed under a high pressure and with great velocity onto the cable 19 as the ca~le passes through the enclosure 5 while the cable 19 is being reeled onto the cable drum 21. The high temperature, reduced viscosity, and high pressure of the lubricant assures the penetration of the heated lubricant between the strands of the cable l9. The working and movement of the cable 19 moves and opens spaces between the cable 19 strands. This movement assists the penetration of the lubricant between the strands. After application, the lubricant eventually cools within the cable 19 becoming more viscous and relatively immobile.
The brushes 51 act to contain the excess and airborne lubricant within the enclosure 5. The brushes 51 at the exit 38 of the enclosure remove the excess lubricant from the cable 19. The excess lubricant within the enclosure 5 drains into the funnel-shaped bottom 25, through the first flexible drain line 27 and into the first filter 65. The excess lubricant is transferred from the first filter 65 through the second flexible drain line 28 into the storage tank 67 where the lubricant is reheated and recycled.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

-28- 1322~75 INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The invention may be used wherever service lubricating of metal haulage cables is required. The use of this invention is particularly advantageous in situations where space is limited such as in winch assemblies on tug boats and fishing vessels. With this invention, cables can be automatically lubricated with a high velocity, heated lubricant whenever the cable is reeled. The penetration of the lubricant between the cable strands is enhanced the decreased viscosity of the heated lubricant and by the working of the strands during the reeling operation. The enclosure may be pivotally attached to a sliding and pivotal assembly which permits the angular, vertical, and lateral movement of the enclosure and the proper orientation of the cable while the cable is being reeled. The enclosure may also be positioned to surround a portion of the haulage cable as the cable is pulled between stationary guides or pulley wheels. The lubricant is applied to the cable as the cable passes through the enclosure. The excess lubricant pools within the enclosure and is returned through multiple filters to a nearby heated lubricant storage tank where the lubricant may be reused.

Claims (32)

1. An apparatus for cleaning and lubricating a multistranded metal haulage cable by injecting under high pressure into said cable a lubricant fluid, said apparatus comprising:
a) a high pressure spray means for injecting said lubricant fluid into said cable, said spray means further comprising one or more nozzles each oriented to spray said lubricant fluid toward said cable substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said cable;
b) a pump communicating with said spray means for supplying said lubricant to said spray means under high pressure;
c) an enclosure surrounding said spray means, said enclosure having a cable entrance and a cable exit, said enclosure providing for overspray collection;
d) one or more bearing surfaces on said enclosure for riding upon said cable to maintain said perpendicular orientation of said nozzles to said cable as it moves through said enclosure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising wiping means to restrict the passage of the excess of said lubricant from said exit.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising means to mount said enclosure and said spray means between the fairleads of a conventional cable reeling mechanism.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means to mount said enclosure and spray means between said fairleads is a gimballed frame mounted between said fairleads within which frame said enclosure is mounted so that it may be turned by said bearing surface riding upon the surface of said cable to maintain said perpendicular orientation of said spray nozzles to said cable.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said injection of said lubricant fluid into said cable displaces contaminants from within said cable.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said injection of said lubricant fluid into said cable displaces water from within said cable.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said pump delivers said lubricant fluid for spraying to said nozzles at pressures greater than 5000 p.s.i.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said pump delivers said lubricant fluid at pressures within the range of 5000 to 6000 p.s.i.

9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the temperature of said lubricant fluid is elevated to 150 degrees Fahrenheit or greater.

10. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the number of nozzles in said spray means is 4 or more.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a circulation system to collect, filter, reheat, and recycle the excess of said lubricant fluid.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising means to selectably employ a cleaning solution within said circulation system for cleaning said apparatus.

13. A method cleaning and lubricating a multistranded metal haulage cable, said method comprising the steps of:
a) injecting a high pressure spray of lubricant fluid into said cable to displace contaminants from within said cable;
b) containing and collecting overspray of said high pressure spray within an enclosure, and recirculating said overspray back to said enclosure.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said high pressure spray is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said cable.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of injecting said spray into said cable is performed automatically and continuously whenever said cable is being reeled.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said lubricant fluid is heated to a temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit or greater prior to being injected into said cable.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said high pressure spray is under a pressure greater than 5000 p.s.i.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein said high pressure spray is delivered from a plurality of flat fan-type spray nozzles and wherein the plane of said flat fan is substantially normal to the axis of said cable.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step before step (a) of adjusting the distance between a high pressure nozzle and the surface of said cable.

20. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said pump delivers said lubricant fluid at pressures within the range of 6000-8000 p.s.i.

21. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of said nozzles delivers a flat fan spray such that the plane of said flat fan is substantially normal to the axis of said cable.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein each of said nozzles is a circular equivalent nozzle.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said circular equivalent nozzles have orifice widths in the range of 0.009 through 0.011 inches.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means to adjust the distance between each of said nozzles and the surface of said cable.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said means to adjust said distance is accessible from the exterior of said enclosure.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising a nozzle holding tube, an adjustment sleeve, and one or more set screws engaging said sleeve and said tube to releasably hold said tube in said sleeve, wherein said nozzle is mounted in an end of said tube closest to said cable.

27. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein each of said bearing surfaces is removably attached to the exterior of said enclosure.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein one bearing surface is employed at each of the entrance and exit openings of said enclosure and wherein each of said bearing surfaces is sized to closely approximate the diameter of the cable to be lubricated.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said bearing surfaces are comprised of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

30. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said wiping means is comprised of a plurality of radially spaced and directed spring loaded brushes oriented toward said cable and adjusted for light pressure upon said cable.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the number of said brushes employed is six.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein a second set of said brushes is also employed within said enclosure to brush contaminants from said cable as it enters said enclosure.