GB1198762A - Lubrication Systems for Plain-Bearing Assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

1,198,762. Lubricating; valves. ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIES Ltd. 4 Feb., 1969 [12 March, 1968], No. 11884/68. Headings F2A and F2V. A lubricator for a plain bearing comprises a primary lubrication system supplying lubricant from an external source under pressure to the bearing, and a secondary system comprising a disc member which raises lubricant from a main reservoir to an auxiliary reservoir whence it is supplied to the bearing, there being a valve provided between the main reservoir and the disc which is closed by the pressure of lubricant in the force-feed system and opened when the primary system is not functioning. In the illustrated embodiment, lubricant passes from the main reservoir 9 through ports 10 to the disc 7 which raises the lubricant to the auxiliary reservoir 14 whence it flows under gravity through passages 15, 16 and 17 to the bearing and flows out at the end of the shaft bearing back to the reservoir 9 or the chamber 20 containing the disc. Lubricant is fed under pressure via passages 34, 35 to the passage 16 and thence to the bearing. A valve 36 is provided in the passage 15 which is closed by the pressure of lubricant in the passage 16. If the presure in the primary lubrication system fails, the valve 36 opens and lubricant passes from the auxiliary reservoir to the bearing. When a high lubricant pressure prevails in the passage 17, i.e. when the primary system is operating, pressure is built up in passage 52, which communicates with the passage 17, and thence via passages 53, 48 and 46 causes lubricant to flow into chamber 47 and move piston 43 so as to close the ports between the main reservoir and the disc chamber. Arcuate gutters 39 which are provided with by-pass holes 41 are provided to divert a large portion of the lubricant issuing from the end of the bearing through channel 18 into the reservoir 9. Valves.-A piston 43 disposed in an annular cylinder 44 is biased against one end of the cylinder by a spring 45. A tube 46 extends through the piston to a chamber 47 and communicates at the other end via passages 48, 52 and 53 with the lubricant at the bearing surface to the pressure of which the valve is responsive. When a high lubricant pressure prevails at the bearing surface lubricant passes into the chamber 47 and raises the piston 43 until it abuts the stop 51 thereby closing the port 49 and stopping the flow of fluid from the reservoir 9 to the disc chamber 20.