GB2060442A

GB2060442A - Coolant Feed Device

Info

Publication number: GB2060442A
Application number: GB7934123A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Aslen D E
Current assignee: Aslen D E
Priority date: 1979-10-02
Filing date: 1979-10-02
Publication date: 1981-05-07
Also published as: GB2060442B

Abstract

Apparatus for the application of measured amounts of lubricant (15) as required to the cutting region of relatively small machine tools (27) comprises a lubricant reservoir (10), a pump (11) and a nozzle (12). Each item (10, 11, 12) is provided with means (20, 22, 26) for mounting it on the machine tool (27) and flexible plastics tubing (13, 14) interconnects the items (10, 11, 12). The pump (11) is preferably hand operated and the position of the nozzle (12) relative to its mounting (26) is adjustable so that the lubricant (15) can be directed as desired. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Coolant Feed Device The invention relates to the use of drilling machines, milling machines, lathes or other machine tools, and to the supply of cutting lubricant to the cutting region of such machines.

Large machine tools are usually provided with a lubricant circulation system in which the lubricant is pumped from a collection tray or sump to a nozzle from which it is directed onto the cutting tool and workpiece in relatively large quantities. The lubricant then drains into the tray or sump to be recirculated.

However small machine tools, for example drills having a capacity of 2.5 cms or less, do not have such lubricant circulation systems and cutting is performed either under dry conditions or under conditions of the haphazard application of lubricant by the machine operator. It is an object of the present invention to provide means whereby the controlled application of lubricant to the cutting region of small machine tools is effected.

The invention provides lubricant application apparatus for applying lubricant to the cutting region of a machine tool, said apparatus comprising a container providing a reservoir for lubricant, pump means and nozzle means in fluid flow connection with each other, the pump being adapted to pump lubricant from the container to and out of said nozzle, and further comprising mounting means for said container, pump means and nozzle means adapted to mount the same on a machine tool, said nozzle mounting means including a locating part and means for adjusting the position of said nozzle means relative to said locating part.

The pump means may be hand or electrically operated, the former being preferred on the ground of cost. In the case of a hand operated pump the pump may comprise a plunger operable by hand to move a piston or compress a bellows, and a spring adapted to move the plunger in the reverse direction, and to restore the piston or bellows to their original position.

The container, pump and nozzle means are preferably connected by means of flexible tubing, which may be of a plastics material, so that they can be mounted on the machine tool at convenient spaced apart locations.

The nozzle means may comprise a length of rigid fine bore tube having a nozzle at one end and to the other end of which the flexible tubing is attached.

The container mounting means may comprise an apertured retaining plate adapted to releasably embrace a boss on the container. By this means the plate may be secured to the machine tool, for example by means of screws or bolts, and the container may be removed therefrom for refilling purposes.

The pump mounting means may comprise an apertured flange.

The nozzle mounting means may comprise location means in the form of an apertured base plate which may be secured to the machine tool by screws or bolts, a post attached to the base plate and a releasable clamp adapted to clamp the rigid tube of the nozzle means to the post. By this means the height of the nozzle above the base plate may be varied and also the direction in which the nozzle directs any lubricant issuing therefrom.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the single figure illustrates one embodiment of coolant feed device according to the invention.

The coolant feed device shown comprises a container 10, a pump 11 and nozzle means 12, these being in fluid flow connection by means of flexible tubes 13, 14. Operation of the pump 11 draws lubricant from the container 10 along tube 13 and delivers that lubricant along tube 14 to nozzle means 12 from whence it issues in the form of a fine spray 15 onto a drill or other cutting tool 16 and workpiece 17.

The container 10 is preferably of a plastics material, for example, polythene, and has a screw top closure 1 8 for removal for filling purposes. On one face of the container 10 has moulded thereon a boss 19 which tapers downwardly and is of flanged cross-section whereby it fits tightly into a correspondingly shaped retaining plate 20 adapted to embrace the boss 19 and thereby retain the container 10 in position. The plate 20 is apertured at 21 in order that it may be secured to a convenient part of a machine tool frame.

The pump 11 has a flange 22 which is also apertured at 23 whereby it may also be secured to a convenient part of the machine tool frame.

The pumping action of pump 11 is performed by depressing plunger 24 to compress a bellows (not shown) to pump lubricant from the body of the pump 11 into the tube 14 and to nozzle means 12. Release of the plunger 24 by the operator allows the bellows to expand so as to draw lubricant into the pump 11 from the tube 13 and container 10. Conventional valves (not shown) in the pump 11 ensure that lubricant flows into and out of pump 11 through the appropriate tube 13 or 14 appropriate to the direction of movement of the plunger 24. The bellows may comprise a resilient sphere, of for example, neoprene.

Nozzle means 12 comprises a rigid fine bore tube 25 having a nozzle 26 at one end thereof and having flexible tube 14 attached to the other end thereof. An apertured base plate 26 is secured to the work table 27 of the machine tool, or other suitable location, and a post 28 is attached to the base plate 26. A pair of clamp plates 29, having recesses 30 on their adjacent faces embrace the post 28 and clamp belt 31 passes through both clamp plates 29. A transverse hole 32 through clamp bolt 31 receives the rigid tube 25 which is slidable therein. Tightening of the ring nut 33 serves to clamp tube 25 against the adjacent clamp plate 29 and also to clamp the clamp plates 29 onto the post 28. By loosening nut 33 the position of the nozzle 26 may be arranged so that the spray 15 is directed onto the drill 16 and workpiece 17 and the nut 33 may then be retightened.

By means of this invention a controlled amount of lubricant may be directed onto the cutting tool and workpiece in a simple and efficient manner.

The quantity may be such that the lubricant evaporates due to the heat generated by the cutting operation, and in consequence little or no lubricant drains onto the lower parts of the machine tool or the floor.

Other forms of container, pump and nozzle means, and their mounting means will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art and may be incorporated in the apparatus without departing from the ambit of the invention. For example, the pump may be electrically operated or operated by means of a lever and mechanical linkage. The pump and/or the container may be mounted by means of straps or clamps passing around the body thereof. The nozzle means may be secured to the quill of a drilling machine instead of the worktable as described herein.

The use of flexible tubing 13, 14 allows the items of the apparatus to be secured in any convenient location on the machine tool. However for certain applications the pump and container could be mounted at the same location and a rigid tube connect the two items. Alternatively the pump could be mounted in the container or integral therewith.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the application of lubricant to the cutting region of a machine tool, comprising a container providing a reservoir for lubricant, pump means and nozzle means in fluid flow connection with each other, the pump means being adapted to pump lubricant from said container to and out of said nozzle, and further comprising mounting means for said container, pump means and nozzle means adapted to mount the same on a machine tool, said nozzle mounting means including a locating part and an adjustment part by means of which the position of said nozzle may be adjusted relative to said locating part.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said pump is operable by hand.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said pump is operable electrically.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said pump comprises a plunger movable by hand in a first direction and a spring adapted to move said plunger in a direction opposed to said first direction.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein said plunger moves a piston in a cylinder whilst moving in said first direction.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein said plunger compresses a bellows-like structure whilst moving in said first direction.

7. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein said container, pump and nozzle are connected to each other by means of flexible tubing.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein said tubing is of a plastics material.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein said nozzle means comprises a length of rigid fine-bore tubing having a nozzle at one end and to the other end of which said flexible tubing is attached.

10. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein the mounting means for said container comprises an apertured plate adapted to releasably engage said container.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein said plate is adapted to embrace a boss on said container.

12. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein the mounting means for said pump comprises an apertured flange of said pump.

13. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 wherein said location part comprises an apertured base plate and a post secured thereto.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 13 when dependent on Claim 9 wherein said adjustment part comprises a releasable clamp to clamp said rigid tubing to said post.

1 5. Apparatus for the application of lubricant to the cutting region of a machine tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

1 6. A machine tool comprising apparatus for the application of lubricant to a cutting region thereof in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 15.

New Claims or Amendments to Claims filed on 19.12.80.

New or Amended Claims.

17. Apparatus for the application of lubricant to the cutting region of a machine tool, comprising a container providing a reservoir for lubricant, pump means and nozzle means in fluid flow connection with each other, the pump means being adapted to pump lubricant from said container to and out of said nozzle, and further comprising pump operating means, whereby said pump is adapted to deliver a predetermined quantity of lubricant to said nozzle upon each actuation of said pump operating means, and mounting means for said container, pump means, pump operating means and nozzle means adapted to mount the same on a machine tool, said nozzle mounting means including a locating part and an adjustment part by means of which the position of said nozzle may be adjusted relative to said locating part.

18. Apparatus according to Claim 17 wherein said pump operating means is actuable by hand.

19. Apparatus according to Claim 17 wherein said pump operating means is actuable electrically.

20. Apparatus according to Claim 18 or Claim 19 wherein said pump operating means comprises a plunger movable in a first direction and spring means adapted to move said plunger in a direction opposed to said first direction.