US2043826A - Automatic lubricator - Google Patents

Description

June- 9, 1936. J: BIJUR AUTOMATIC LUBRICATOR Filed March 16, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 avwamto'c June 9, 1936. J. BIJUR AUTOMATIC LUBRICATOR Filed. March 16, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I lNVENTOR BY Jo epk 173 1:

Patented June 9, 1936 UNITED STATES AUTOMATIC LUBRICATOR Joseph Bijur, New York, N. Y., assignor to Auto Research Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application March 16, 1928, Serial No. 262,123

45 Claims.

My present invention relates primarily to centralized chassis lubrication, more especially of the automatic type.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide an installation of the type mentioned, involving a minimum of mechanism or linkage, and which may be operated by force derived from the vehicle in the normal use thereof, and which functions to propel the lubricant to the bearings at appropriate intervals under a propulsive force,

to meet requirements, without excessive overflow and in particular dispensing with the need for mechanical reduction mechanism of any character.

Another object is to provide a construction of the above type which inherently, without the need for any special instrumentality for the purpose, will prevent the forcing of air under pressure from an empty reservoir into the pipe line, even though the pump have a tight-fitting piston.

A feature of the invention is the charging of the pump by forcing lubricant thereinto, while holding the outlet thereof closed, until the pump has been fully charged, at which time the valve is suddenly opened to permit discharge under av pressure, preferably stored during and by the pump charging operation.

The pump is preferably of the spring discharged type and includes a piston limited in its approach with respect to the valve to determine a sub-reservoir between the piston and the valve into which the lubricant is forced from the main reservoir.

In a preferred embodiment, the valve has a stem against which the piston is pressed by the spring in the intervals between charging operations, and toggle linkage connects the piston to the valve, to snap the latter open as soon as the piston has been displaced through its full stroke against the resistance of the discharge spring.

The charging operation may be effected by energy derived from the vehicle in the normal use thereof, as, for instance, from a pneumatic source, active in the normal operation of the vehicle, illustratively the intake or exhaust manifold or the brake air line.

In one embodiment, the pressure source such as that of the air brake line may be applied to an appropriate motor, illustratively on top of the lubricant reservoir, operating through a connecting link upon a servo-pump within the reservoir, which thus intermittently forces small charges of lubricant into the sub-reservoir. Alternatively the servo-pump may be operated from a suction motor conveniently located on top of the reservoir and deriving its motive force from the intake manifold.

The servo-pump has a loose fitting piston, so

that while effective to pump oil, it is ineffective to pump air. Accordingly, the main pump piston will not become displaced when the servopumps operates in an empty reservoir, and since no air is forced into the main pump, the latter in discharge will at no times force air-into thepipe line.

' In another type of construction, pneumatic pressure, preferably from the brake airline is admitted into the lubricant reservoir, to place the lubricant therein under pressure and to force it slowly through a restriction member, such as a drip plug, into the sub-reservoir.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown one or more of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. 1. is a view in longitudinal section of a preferred form of tank and pump,

Fig. 2 is adiagrammatic view illustrating the mode of installation of the pump, showing a fragment of a preferred pipe system operated therefrom,

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan View illustrating the mode of installation and use of the pump shown in Fig. 1, 7 Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of an alternative embodiment,

Fig. 5 is aviewsimilar to Fig. 1 of another alternative form,

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 5 with parts in section, and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section of Fig. 5.

. Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, I have shown a lubricant reservoir R comprising a base section l0, within the flanged opening ll of which there is fitted the lower enlarged end l2 of a pump cylinder 13. The top of the pump is turned inward as at M and retained firmly in position by an embossment l5 of the reservoir cover section l6, which is telescoped over the rim of the base section 10, and has a filling cap or plug (not shown). Vents l3a near the upper end of cylinder B prevent the building up of air or oil pressure above the pump piston; I c

A closure head I! is pressed against thelower end of the pump unitby a threaded cap 18 screwed thereon, suitable gaskets I9 rendering the connection lubricant-tight. An outlet nipple member 20 is forced centrally through the head and is closed by a valve 2| to be hereinafterdescribed.

10 "'posite sides of the cylinder l3, into longitudinal,

' descent, of the main. pump piston and transmits g pressure against valve 2| to aid in seatingthe:

1 Within the cylinder is a piston 22 comprising a block of metal to which'a leather suction cup '23 is clamped by means of a nut: 24 threaded upon the reduced end of the piston and pressed against the washer. A stressed coil spring 25 is lodged in the upper part. of the cylinder and reacts against the piston, preferably fitting at its lower end into; a cavity 26zt herein. The downward stroke of the piston islimited by screw stops 39 extending inward from diametrically opgrooves in the piston. The grooves 4 0,,termi nate at square shoulders 40 at their upper ends, which are arrested by stops 39 tolimit the descent of the piston. y

The valve in the present embodiment has a head 2| within which is lodgeda disk2.| 0t softer, material, preferably vellumoid, to prevent the escape of lubricant from the .reservoiror pump during the intervals between operations. Preferably, the valve has a long stem .28' lodged at its upper end within a corresponding bore 29. in the pistonstructure. vThe volume of the cylinder between the piston and the valve, I

have des gna d. a sub-.re' rr i and design ted by r ference character Su This SUbrIGSQIVQ I is at. all times, filledwith oil, Which cushions the latter, The oilin the sub-reservoir also maintains. the piston. cup-23 primed and, impregnates thecompressed'soft .disk 21 to -render it effective. as a seal. a

Mechanicalrmeans is: provided. to r'elease valve 2| after thecharging stroke of the. pump is completedand to. reseat. saidvalve when the dis- H charge is. completed. a This valve actuating means 7 acts, with the oil pressure previously described.

to-Lpress valve 2| against its seat throughoutthe period between successive-discharges. Ina preferredconstruction this means comprises-a toggle linkage interveningbetween the piston and the valve and located within the sub-reservoin; The

' linkage comprises a pivot'3l] mounted in a brack- 1 operating arm 34 connected by a link 35 to i V. 'Zseated by ia coil spring 44, and'an inlet check 7 valve 45 in the lower end thereof, near the bot- ,7 tom of the reservoir l0 and seated by a coil et:arm, 3|, rising from th e head H and includes a toggle arm 32, pivoted by pin andslotcon nection 33 with respect to the valve-stem'28 and the piston 22. The link 35 is. anchored at its upperend .bystud 36 to the piston 22 and'has an elongated slot 31 at its opposite end'for lost 7 motion with respect tothe link 34. A;coil spring 38 connects the opposite ends of the toggle links.

A stop 3|a,; preferably integral; with bracket 3| limits the upward stroke of toggle arm 32.

Bracket 3| is accurately located and maintained in position by pins lla welded to the inside of cylinder l2 and passing'fthrough corresponding"op"enings in the closure ll, which mounts said bracket 3| The jamming or binding of the toggle linkage, which would easily be incurred by relative rotation. of head 11 and piston 22 is avoided, the latterbeing'held against rotation by the screw stop's'3 9-previously1described. I 1

For charging the sub-reservoir, I .have shown an auxiliary; or servo-pump 4|, supported by means of; a: fitting 42 at the wall of the subreservoir. :The servo-pump has an outlet check valve 43in the mountingfitting 42 normally spring 46. The servo-pump 4| comprises a small ing the intervals between, discharge 7 compr ssed air.

cylinder within Which movesa small piston com- 7 prising a metal rod 41 preferably devoid of pack- 7 ing. The servo-pump is preferably operated by motive means which may be mounted on top of the reservoir, to transmit its operating impulse through a connecting rod 48 afiixed at its upper end of themotive elementby a small ball and socket joint 49 and connected by a similar joint 1,632,771 of. June 14, 1927. 'Illustratively, I have shown in Fig.2 a fragment p of a pipe line with a number of the dripplug outlets thereon. The

specific construction of these, when taken alone,

not being, material to the present invention, it

need merely be briefly noted that these drip plugs each comprise preferably afitting 65 with a metal pin 66, therein, affording a minute, highly res istant flow-controlling crevice. A relief valve 5'] is normally urged by a coil spring 68 against its seat to prevent slow drip through the fitting durstrai'nerplug59 backed by a: wire mesh screen HI and lodged in a corresponding socket at'the inlet to the, fitting, excludes solid particles and. thereby guardsthe pin crevice from being clogged and the relieij valve from leaking. At T is shown the exterior of one ofjthefldrip plugs in the run Qfgthe pipe line and embodied in a T fitting.

A felt Illustratively the tank R is shown 'aflixed to the dashboardD at the engine'side thereofian'd the, head. of the distributing piping, is connected to. the. outlet 20. v

.. For operating .the' motor 5|, I may employ the engine exhaust or other source of pressure, but I. have illustratively shown the air brake line 56 on the vehicle through which compressed air iiowsto the brakes from a tank 51' when the brake pedalv 58 is depressed. The air tank is charged, from air; compressor 59, driven from the engine, Apressure governorBl opera-= tively connects the compressor to the engine when the air pressure in the 'tank is low. A check valve 62 in the tank prevents, return flow of from air brake line 58 to the nipple 54 'inthe headof cylinder 5| 1 V Q Whenever the air brakes are applied,;pressure is communicated through pipe, 63 and nipple 64, to, depress the piston 52 against the resistance of spring 55. By the thrust thus transmitted through connecting rod 48, the piston v4| of the servo pump 'isvdepressed, thereby to force a small charge of oil. past the'check' valve 43 into the sub-reservoirs, and forcing the piston 22 slightly upward against the resistance of spring 25.

When the pressure on pedal 58 is released and pneumatic pressure on line 56 ceases the coil A pipe line'|i.3 communicates spring 55 again lifts, the piston 52 and through the connecting, rod 48 raises the piston 41 of the servo-pump and thereby causes the latter to draw in a fresh charge of lubricant from the reservoir, past the check valve 45 preparatory to discharge into the sub-reservoir when. the air brake is again applied. Thus, for each discharge of the servo-pump, the piston 22 of the main pump is forced upward slightlyi During this operation, the coil: spring 38 of the toggle maintains the valve 2t pressed against its seat. This operation proceeds until the pump has been charged, at which: time the link has been moved with the piston to thereby drawthe toggle link 3i past dead center. The tensioned toggle spring 38- immediately thereafter contracts to suddenly lift the valve stem 28* and thereby sharply open the valve 21 and allow the pump todischarge through the outlet 20; under the expansive force of coil spring 25;

The oil pressure in the sub-reservoir presses the outlet valve 2| closedwhile the trip mechanism is changing from the position of push down to that of lift up"; Thus during the charging operation, the outlet cannot open, so that the risev of the main piston is assured, until snapping of the toggle mechanism\ has. occurred.

The various drip plugs in parallel: present a relatively high resistance todischarge, so that the drip plugs at the outlets will substantially retard the rapid discharge of the pump which would otherwise occur under the substantial expansive force of the spring 25, suddenly released by the quick opening of valve 2|, as above described. Thus, whenever the pump has been completely charged, the discharge to the. bearings will occur under the nearly constant force determined. by the compression spring; 25; the rate of discharge being: determined by the constant characteristics of the; various drip. plugs at the bearings.

The-charging of the pump occurs without any conscious effort or attention whatsoever on the part of the operator and at the relatively long time elapsed before a multiplicity of brake operations have occurred. The dischargev or lu'- bricating action. will, therefore, occur only once for several miles of vehicle operation, and the pump volume is. so. proportioned that ateach discharge, there will be sufflcient lubricant delivered to the hearings to supply the needs there-. of for the intervalsbetween: successive pumpoperations.

Obviously, air as distinguished from oil will not be pumped: by. the servo-pump, but will leak past the piston thereof; It follows that the main pump will never be charged; with: air, though operated with the main. reservoir depleted, and no air can be forced into the distributing'oil line. The reliability of distribution will thus not be impaired, as. it would be by: forcing air thereinto.

It will be readily seen that in the initial use of the new tank the air' in the sub-reservoir will readily escape past the suction cup 23 until the oil has risen and the trapping of air'is thus avoided.

In Fig. 4' I have shown a reservoir and pump construction identical'with that of Fig. 1', in which the pressure motor is replaced by a suction motor I5 operated preferably from the intake manifold (not shown). The suction motor is connected by means of the connecting rod I6 to the piston T1 of the servo-pump 18- in the same manner as is the pressure motor in Fig; 1,

The suction motor may be of identically; the same construction as that shown in my copending application, Serial No. 580,668 filed August I will but briefly describe it here as comprising a cylinder I5 having a, piston 19 therein urged by a coil spring 83- toward the lower end of the stroke, the coil spring reacting against the cylinder head- FI The venting of the cylinder at the end of the. suction. stroke occurs through a vent tube 82.v The suction and venting, ports; are respectively controlled. by corresponding valves 84 and 8.5 coacting. with a toggle spring. 85 which, in turn, is operated by pins: 81 and 88; at'opposite; sides, thereof mounted on. a rod 89; secured axially of. the piston 19.

In operation, upon application of suction, past open valve 84 the piston I9 is drawn. upward until the pin 88. snaps: over the toggle 86 at which time the suction valve 84 is raised to: its seat and the venting valve, 85 is raised from its seat.. Inthe subsequent spring-return of the pistoni 15 during, which: the servo-pump this, operated, the pin 81 returns the toggle spring to re-open the. suction valve 84 and recl'ose the venting valve 85 preparatory to the; next suction stroke. 7

while the engine is operating, the servopumpisslowly reciprocated until after the'main pump is: fully charged, lubrication occurs, asset forth. above. The operationis at time intervals, depending: roughly on manifold vacuum determined by vehicle; operating conditions.

At 90 is shown the vacuum shut-oil valve drawn upward against the resistance of spring. 91' to its seat 92,.to prevent operation of the suction motor during the application oi the high suction. occurring when the engine is idling. The valve has a unitary piston 9.0 which is raised under high suction to close valve 90. Piston 90' is perforated at 9-I-' to transmit the suction impulse which operates motor I5.

In Figs,..5, 6 and 7 is: shown a pressure operated embodiment. in which the servo-pump is dispensed with. The propulsive agency for operating the main pump may be pneumatic. pressure derived from. the air line, as in Fig. 2, butapplied directly to the interior of the oil reservoir R. The lubricant in: the main reservoir R is thereby placed undercompression and lubricant. slowly forced into the, sub-reservoir S through a highly restricted passage in the wall of the latter, near the bottom of the main reservoir. The restriction passage may be substantially a dripplug construction-similar to that shown in Fig. 1 but devoid of a valve. Illustratively the restriction plug comprises a. fitting I00 threaded intothe wall of the sub-reservoir, having its longitudinal bore nearly filled by a metal pin IOI extending substantially the length thereof and maintained from dropping or Working out of the bore by wire, mesh caps I02 in corresponding end sockets I03, and in turn maintained in position by perforated sheet metal cups I04 forced into the extremities of said sockets.

There being no motor element on top of the reservoir, I have in this embodiment illustratively shown alonger. pump cylinder I05, to fit tightly in a flanged. opening I 06, in the top: of the reservoir. above which it protrudes. The lower part of the pump construction is substantially identical with those of Figs. 1 and 4..

The compressed air is preferably admitted to the reservoir through; a special fitting having a stud III-1 mounted; in the topof. the: tank. The

fitting includes anintegralrcapsule Hi8 extending preferably-laterally of the reservoir within, which capsule is-fitted' a removable filter disk Ifitihaving a wire mesh. backing screen I In and clamped peripherally by means of'a ridge HI on. plate l-I'2 which in turn is'held in position by a closure 'cap' H3 threaded upon'th'e capsule; The cap includes a nipple H4 upon which the pipe H5 from the air tank is secured by means'of anap-.

stud I01 into the reservoir.

controlling admission of air to bore I I9'willbe V l propriate coupling H6.

The nipple communicates with an aperture I I1 {through the pressure plate II'2, thence: through the filter I09 and H and bore II8, thence by way of a bore I I 9 longitudinally of the mounting A disk valve I20 described below.

- Preferably there is provided in addition to,

the filter I09 for .cleansing the compressed air,

a removable filter" I2I similar to-filter109but V for intercepting any particles from the oil prior to its passage to the restriction plug I00. Filter 'I2I is lodged within closure cap. I22 and is maintained compressed at its periphery by the ridge' l24ion a pressure disk I23 which is in turn held at its periphery against the lower'edge of a shortcylin'der I25 fitted into a corresponding flanged opening. I25 in the bottom of the reservoir and locked thereat'by a split ring I21.

Communication with therestriction-plug.l00 in the wall of thei'sub-reservoir S" is efiected through a short. pipe I28 held at one end by a coupling I29jat the outlet nipple I39 of cap I22, and similarly secured at its opposite end by means of .coupling .I3I to restriction plug I00;

In the absence of special precautions, should the reservoir R become depleted of oil, the-continued application of air'pressure might result .in'forcing the oil .outof the pipe lines thereb'y impairing thesubsequentoperation of a system such as that indicated in Fig. 2.

I have provided float controlled" means to cbntrol disk valve. I20 in order to prevent the application of high air pressure to the reservoir when r the latter is empty- Disk valve I20 has a soft seating ring I32 above an angular seatingridge I33 in the stud I01. '3'

The valve has. a stem which extends above the valve disk as at I34 as well as therebelow as at J I35.,The upper part of the'stem is guided in a corresponding hub I36 within a closure plug I31 I I. threaded intothehollow. upper en d of. stud I01,

' while the lower part of the stem I35 axially through the studil 01.

extends Secured to the lower end of thestem I35 is a light rod Isa to the'lower extremity ofwhich float .F is secured; When the tankhasoil thereinthe. float is elevated and the valve I20 is above its seat so that compressed air can enter the reservoir in the manner previously described. When however the reservoir becomes'nearly empty the float drops sufficiently to seat the valve I20. Accord ingly if at suchjtimeair pressure'be applied at pipe I I5, such pressure would only be effective as ,s obvious, to force the valve I20. more tightly against its seat I33 but could not be transmitted to the interior of the reservoir.

1 I'havernoreover provided means to discharge "applied air. pressure to relieve the reservoir when it becomes drained. of any residual air pressure therein. For this purpose the valve'stem I34-5 is preferably provided with a longitudinal bore I I40 through the length thereof. The lower part of bore I40 has a communicating cross bore I4I openinginto thereservoir. Near the upper end,

. the stem has another cross bore I42 which registers, when the valve I20 is seated, with a pair of downwardly inclined bores I43 in the hub I36 of plug'I3'I. ,Hub I36 which is closed at its upper T end'except for a vent opening I36 .is preferably provided witha'flange I44 immediately above i j V the bores I43, serving toshield the latter from 175 V clogging.

- 2. The combination .ofa lubricant: supply in- When there is oilin the reservoir'and thevalve I20 is raised above its seat, the cross bore, I42; enters, the upper part of the. hub I36 out of communication with bores I43. Thecontinued application of compressedair serves only to force 5 7 the valve I20. upward against the hub: I36 to close said bores, so thatgthe compressed "air through pipe I I5 has no path of escape andwill b forced into the reservoir.. y

The upper. part oi the pump cylinder I05eis preferably vented at I46 to avoidthe resistance due to thecompression of-air therein. In order.

r to prevent the entry of dirt through these ports I I provide a cup I4I' loosely fitted over the'upper part of--the'pump.--cylinder and held inplace thereon-by a centralboltand nut I48.

'I'o afford a, ready path of escape for any lu-' bricant that may leak above, the piston 22',,1I,

preferably provide a short drain pipe I49 through the wall of the pump cylinder at the upper part thereof, opening, downward preferably along the reservoir. wall as shown, to freelydrain any such leakage; to aninconspicuous place. 7

If desired'a whistle orv otherpneumatic sounding device (not shown) may be'associated with 'the port I34 so that there will bean audible sound when air pressure is. relieved thereat, there- ,by to apprise theuser of theneed for refilling.

,I'claim:

1. A' pump, a

charge. agency and linkage-..automatically operated from the pump, when it contains a definite charge to open the valve, in order to release the I pump dischargefagency.

stallation comprising a lubricantreservoir, and

a pump having an ejector; a valve at the outlet 1 of said pump-meansto gradually inject lubricant between said valve and said ejector and thereby .10

to charge said pump,-and means correlated with said elements to positively open-said valve when the pumpis completely charged. I

j 3. The combination of a lubricant container,

a pump cylinder associated therewith,.a spring V discharged pistoniin' said cylinder, a .valve' at the outletof said cylinder, means. normally re taining'said'valve in clo'sed'position, means: to 7 force lubricant. under pressure into the chamber between the. piston and the valve, to urge the 50 piston in direction opposed to the stress of. said spring and means controlled from'said piston to thereuponaopen said valve,=to' permit discharge 7 of said pump.

4. A lubricant supply installation. comprising a reservoir, a pump cylinder extending longitudinally-ythereoi, a .piston'in said cylinder, a coil spring urging said, piston in one direction, said cylinder having a sub-reservoir beyond said piston, atall times filled with lubricant, a valve at the outlet of said sub-reservoir. means normally retaining said valve closed, an inlet from said reservoir to said'sub -reservoir, means for forcing lubricant through said inlet and'thereby urging the piston against the resistance of said spring, and means effective after a predetermined period of operation, to release the valve closing at theoutlet of said sub-reservoir, means normaldischargingragency therefor, an 30 outlet valve, means i to" energize thepump. dis- 7 ly retaining said valve closed, an inlet from said reservoirto said sub-reservoir, means for forcing lubricant through said inlet and thereby urging the piston against the resistance of said spring, means effective upon a predetermined stroke of said piston to release the valve closing means in order to permit discharge of the pump, and means controlled from said piston at the end of its discharge st-roke, to reclose said valve.

6. A'lubricant pump comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, a spring urging the said piston toward the discharge end of the cylinder, a valve closing the outlet from said cylinder and normally urged to closing position, means for admitting lubricant under pressure between said piston and said valve, a lost motion connection between said piston and said valve whereby to maintain the latter closed during the charging action of the piston and to open saidvalve when the chargingis completed, to thereupon permit automatic discharge of the pump. 1

7. A pump structure including a cylinder, a piston therein, a valve at the pump outlet normally seated to prevent pump discharge, a toggle urging said valve toward its seat, means connecting said toggle to the piston, -means to pump lubricant under pressure into the chamber between said piston and said valve, whereby upon admission of a predetermined charge of lubricant into said chamber, the toggle will be snapped to open said valve in order to permit discharge of lubricant.

8. A lubricant pump comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, a spring urging said piston toward the discharge end of thecylinder, a valve closing the outlet from said cylinder, means for admitting lubricant under pressure between said piston and said valve, thereby to hold the valve in closed position and to cause the piston to recede from the valve, and means to cause the valve to'open ata rate of movement faster than the progress of the piston, as the latter reaches the end of its charging stroke.

, 9. A pump" structure including a cylinder, a piston therein, a valve at the pump outlet normally seated to prevent pump discharge, a toggle normally urging said valve towards its seat, means connecting said toggle to the piston, means to pump lubricant under pressure into the chamber between said piston and said valve, whereby upon admission of a predetermined charge of lubricant into said chamber the toggle will be snapped to open said valve in order to permit discharge of lubricant, and means transmitting a direct thrust from the piston to return the valve to seated position at the end of pumpdischarge.

10. A lubricant pump comprising arcylinder, a valve closing the outlet of said cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, a spring urging said'piston toward said valve, a lubricant chamber being formed between said piston and said valve, a toggle to normally urge saidvalve to closed position, means for admitting lubricant laterally into the chamber between said'piston-and said valve, said toggle beingiconnected .tosaid piston to be operated therefrom for snapping the valve to open position at the end of the'pump charging stroke.

11; A lubricant'pump comprising a cylinder, 3, piston therein, a lubricant chamber beyond said piston a valve closing the outlet from said chamber, a spring stressed to move said piston toward said valve, said valve being normally maintained closed, means to inject lubricant under pressure into said chamber, thereby to displace said piston against the resistance of said spring, and means to automatically draw said valve away from its seat after the piston has been displaced to a predetermined extent, to thereupon permit spring discharge of the pump. .12. In a lubricant pump, a cylinder, a piston therein, a valve normally closing the outlet of said pump, spring toggle means to open the valve at the end of the pump charging stroke, said toggle means comprising'a fixed mount, and a pair of spring-connected arms, one of said arms being connected to the valve and the other to the piston.

13. In a chassis lubricating installation, a selfdischarging lubricant pump having a charging chamber, a valve normally closing theoutlet therefrom, means operated by power derived in the normal operation of the vehicle for intermittently forcing small charges of lubricant into.

the chamber to charge the same, and means to automatically open said valve when a predetermined charge has been admitted.

a 14; In a chassis lubricating system, the combination of, a reservoir, an upright pump cylinder having an outlet at the bottom thereof, .a valve normally closing said outlet, a spring in back of said piston to normally urge the latter towards said valve, means limiting the stroke of said piston to determine an oil-filled chamber between said piston and said valve, means operated intermittently by power derived in the normal opera- .tionof the vehicle to slowly force lubricant from saidreservoir into said pump chambers to force the piston upward against the resistance of the spring, and means interlocked with said piston to suddenly open said valve, when the piston has .reached .a predetermined position, whereby the pump will thereupon be discharged by the ex- .pansive force of said spring. a

15. In a chassis lubricating system, the combination of a lubricant reservoir, a self-discharging pump associated therewith including a .piston .and an outlet valve, means for admitting successive charges of lubricant under pressure between said valve and said piston to displace the latter, means to automatically open said valve after a predetermined number of charges, said intermittent charging means being operated by power derived in the normal operation of the vehicle.

16. The method of chassis lubrication, employ.- ing a distributing system having highly restricted flow, proportioning outlets] which consists in applying powerderived from the normal operation of the vehicle, to force lubricant into the inlet of a chamber and simultaneously closing the outlet and simultaneously causing said lubricant upon being forced into said chamber to store energy, and closing the inlet and opening the outlet of the chamber to relieve the stored energy for discharge from the chamber toward the bearings to be lubricated after lubricant is forced into said chamber and energy has been stored therein, said chamber receiving the total charge of lubricant to .be supplied to the chassis bearings when lubricant is forced thereinto and discharging said total charge toward said bearings under vsuflicient pressure to assure proper distribution by said proportioning outlets,

1'7. In a chassis lubricating system, the combination of a reservoir, a sub-reservoir supplied therefrom, means resiliently resisting change in volume of said sub-reservoir, means automatically operated by power derived in the normal operation of the vehicle for intermittently forcing lubricant from said reservoir into said subreservoir, and means for opening said sub-resen voir after it'has been expanded to a predetermined. volume to permitthe resiliently [stored energy to discharge lubricant therefrom. I

' 18; In a1chassis lubricating system, the combination ofa reservoir, a sub-reservoir supplied therefrom, means resiliently'resisting change in volume of. said sub-reservoir, a valve opening-inwa'rd into said sub-reservoir, means automaticalls operated by power derived in the normal operation of the vehicle for intermittently forcing lubricant from. said reservoir into said sub- ,2'0 5 V a cantreservoir, a sub-reservoir in communication reservoir, to; urge said valve against its seat and to cause expansion'in the volume of. the subis:

119; In'a chassis lubrioating sy stem a lubri- ;therewi th-and leading to the .piping system, a valve normally closing said sub-reservoir; a

piston resiliently urged toward said valve, meansv 1 limiting the approach of said piston with respect to saidyalve; a small pump for forcing lubricant from c said reservoir into said sub-reservoir,

means for intermittently operating said small pump by power derived from the vehicle, thereby to store energy in'backof said piston, anda mechanical connection between said piston and said valve to automatically open the latter after a predetermined number of l strokes of said small pump.

'20. In aphassis lubricating system, the comfbination of a reservoir, a sub-reservoir in comf munication therewith, a valve normally closing the outlet from said sub-reservoir, a spring-urged piston interlinked with said valve to open the latter upon predetermined displacement of the formena small pressure pump adjacent to said sub reservoir' for 'forcing' lubricant thereinto' ffrom' said reservoir,.a source of pneumaticpower on the vehicle. and means for intermittently operating said small pump from said source of power. I e

'21. Ina chassis lubricating systemethe combination of a lubricant reservoir, a pump member therein having a valve at the outletthereof,

'a piston, means limiting the approach of said 7 piston to said valve to determine a sub-reservoir 'therebetweemresilient means resisting the ad-* mission of lubricant intosaid sub-reservoir, a small pump in said reservoir for forcing lubricant therefrom into said sub-reservoir, motive means for said pump on top of said reservoir,

a .linkage connecting said motive means to said pump, a source of energy upon said vehicle for intermittently operating. said motive means and means to open said valve when a predetermined quantity of lubricant has been admitted to said sub-reservoir. I

22; In a chassis V lubricatingsystem,'the combinationof a lubricant reservoir, a pumpjmem- 'ber thereinhaving a valveatv the outlet thereof,

a piston, means limiting the approach of said piston to said valve to determine a sub-reservoir therebetween, resilient means .resisting'the admission of lubricant into said sub-reservoir,

imatically operating motive means disposed on a small pump in said reservoir, for forcing lubrie canttherefrom into said sub-reservoir, a pneutop .of saidreservoir, a rodextending intosaid reservoir and connecting .said motive jnieans to said pump, a source of pneumatic pressure upon pressure in said reservoir."

said vehicle for intermittently operating said motive means and means to open said valve when a predetermined quantityof lubricant has been admitted to said sub-reservoir. o

23.;A -chassis lubricating supply'installation .5 comprising a reservoir, a pumpunit comprising 7 a cylinder extending longitudinally through said reservoir, and 'protruding'therebelow; a valve seated at the outlet from said'pump and having an upstanding stem, a piston, a spring above said piston reacting against the top of said pumpunit to force said piston toward said valve stem, a p servo-pump within said reservoir laterally of said pump for forcing lubricantthereinto from said reservoir, a pneumatic motor on top of said reservoir having a linkage connection to said servo-pump for operating-the latter, means for intermittently operating said pneumatic motor to actuate said servo-pump, and force lubricant into said-cylinder, and linkage interconnecting said piston and said valve to automatically open the latter upon admission of a predetermined charge of lubricant into said pump.

24. In a chassis'lubricating system, a spring discharged lubricant pump, a servo-pump" for charging the latter, a valve preventin'g discharge, from said'pump during the charging'operation, means for automatically opening said valve to permit discharge of said pump at theend of thechargingstroke, said vehicle having 'a'source of pneumatic pressure intermittently applied'in the normal operation thereof, and" means for operating said servo-pump through one stroke for; each application of pneumatic pressure. 25.In' a'chassis lubricating system,,a spring discharged mainlubricant pump, a servo-pump for charging the same, a valve preventing discharge from said main pump'during the charging operation, means forautomatically opening said valveto permit discharge, of said pump at theend of the charging stroke, a pressure motor comprisinga cylinder, a springreturned piston therein, a link connecting said piston to said servo-pump, a brake airline and'meansapplying pressure therefrom to said pneumatic motor. 26. In' a chassis lubricating system, aspring discharged lubricant pump; a servo-pump for charging thesame, a vaivepreventing discharge" from'said main pump during the charging operation, means for automatically openingsaid 50 valve to permit discharge of said pump at the end of .the charging stroke, a suction motor on top of the reservoir,a link connecting said motor 7 to said servo-pump, said motor having automatic control means for determining reciprocation thereof under a continuoussuction force applied thereto, and a pipe connecting said suction motor to applysuction thereto from the intake manifoldoftheengine.

27. The combination' of a reservoir, a pump, a piston therein, a spring for discharging said pump, a valve normally closing the outlet from said pump,.means for slowly admitting lubricant from said reservoir into the. chamber between said piston and said valve to displace'said piston against the resistance of the discharge spring, means to automatically open said valve upon completion of the pump charge to permit automatic discharge therefrom, saidpump charging means comprisingan' inlet, a .source of pneufmatic. pressure delivering therethrough into the reservoir and a highly restricted duct in the wall ofsaid sub-reservoir, through which lubricant is slowly forced thereinto under the pneumatic 28. In a chassis lubricating system, the combination of a lubricant reservoir, a pump unit therein, having a valve normally closing the outlet thereof, a pump piston, a spring. normally urging said piston toward said valve, means limiting the approach of said piston with respectto said valve to determine a sub-reservoir therebetween, a pneumatic brake tank on the vehicle, a compressor for charging said tank, a brake air line con-v necting said compressor to said tank, a pipe line connecting said brake air line to said reservoir, and a highly restricted inlet plug at the wall of said sub-reservoir to retard the admission of lubricant thereinto under the pneumatic pressure applied to said reservoir, thereby to slowly retract said pump piston againstthe resistance of said spring, and means for automatically withdrawing the valve from its seat at the end of the pump stroke to permit spring discharge of the pump.

29. In a chassis lubricating systemof the type having instrumentalities for determining the division of lubricant and for maintaining the distributing piping substantially filled with oil at all times; the combination therewith of a self-discharging pump having a tight-fitting ejector for injecting lubricant into the head of the system, means for forcing lubricant under pressure into the pump, to cause said ejector to recede, said pressure means being selective to'exert pressure upon lubricant, but to allow air to'escape thereby.

30. In a chassis lubricating system a lubricant containing vessel, a source of lubricant propelling energy, means for intermittently applying pressure from said source toth'e contents of the vessel, and means to automatically prevent communication between the source and the vessel and to relieve the pressure in said vessel when less than a predetermined quantity of lubricant remains in the vessel.

31. In a chassis lubricating system, the combination of a lubricant reservoir, means for applying pneumatic pressure thereto, including a fitting at the top of said reservoir, said fitting including a capsule having a filter therein through whichthe pneumatic agency is passed, and a lubricant controlled valve in said fitting arranged to close automatically when insuificient lubricant remains in the reservoir, thereby to prevent the admission of pneumatic pressure into the reservo1r.

32. A lubricating system including a lubricant reservoir, a source of pneumatic pressure, means connecting said source to said reservoir for intermittently applying pneumatic pressure to the lubricant within the reservoir, a pump within the reservoir, means for effecting communication between the reservoir and the pump, for slow charge of the latter under the pneumatic pressure, means to automatically release the pump and permit discharge thereof after completion of the charge, and valve means to automatically vent the reservoir when the level of lubricant therein is decreased to a predetermined level.

33. In a chassis lubricating installation, a distributing piping system having flow controlling outlets, a container at the head of said piping system, a valve controlled inlet and outlet respectively to and from said container, said outlet being closed when said inlet is open and said inlet being closed when said outlet is open, means for forcing lubricant under pressure through said valve controlled inlet and resilient means in said container stressed by the lubricant forced through said inlet for applying pressure to the lubricant in said container to force lubricant therefrom valve .means to shut off the application of pneumatic pressure to the reservoir and means automatically actuating .said valve means when the charge of lubricant remaining in the reservoir is little.

. "35. In a lubricating system, the combination of a lubricant reservoir having an outlet adapted to communicate with a distributing piping system, a source of pneumatic pressure, piping establishingcommunication between said source and said reservoir, a float in said reservoir, a valve under the influence of said float, and adjacent the pneumatic inlet to said reservoir, whereby when the float drops, the valve will seal communication under the influence of pressure on said reservoir.

36. In a lubricating system, the combination of a reservoir, a self-discharging pump associated therewith, means for forcing lubricant from saidreservoir into the charging chamber of said pump, said means comprising a source of pneumatic pressure in communication with said reservoir, a

passageway from said reservoir into said charging chamber, presentinghigh' resistance to oil flow, and a filter substantially at the inlet of said passageway.

3'7. A lubricant reservoir, a pump extending therethrough and secured therein, a filling opening in the top of said reservoir, a replaceable filter structure secured in the bottom of said reservoir, laterally of said pump, and a pipe connection from the filter structure to the pump.

38. A lubricating system including a reservoir having a fitting in the top, saidfitting having a valve therein, a float in said reservoir'controlling said valve, a fluid feed line to said reservoir controlled by said valve and serving to create a pressure in said reservoir substantially departing from atmospheric, means to cause said valve to close said line when the lubricant is almost depleted in said reservoir, venting means to vent said reservoir to the atmosphere and means to actuate said venting means to vent said reservoir when said valve is closed.

39. A lubricant reservoir comprising the combination of a vessel, a pump cylinder extending vertically of said vessel, the upper end of the cylinder projecting above the top of said vessel and frictionally secured therein, a piston in said cylinder, a spring above said piston reacting against the top of said cylinder to urge the piston downward, ports in the top of said cylinder to vent the latter, a guard cup of larger diameter telescoped over and spaced from the vented end of said cylinder and secured thereto, and a drain pipe through said pump to permit escape of any lubricant that has passed above the pump piston.

40. In a chassis lubricating system of the type comprising piping having pressure-actuated outlets for determining the division of lubricant therefrom and for maintaining said piping substantially filled with lubricant at all times; the combination therewith of a pump cylinder, a tight-fitting piston therein, a spring for discharging the pump, a valve at the head of the piping and normally closed, and a servo-pump for forcing oil into the space between the valve and the piston to cause the latter :to recede, 'said'servo pump being selective to by-pass air, and means to open thevalve and allow discharge of :the

been completely charged.

41. The method of chassis lubrication, employ-'- V i ing a distributing system having highly restricted flow proportioning outlets, which consists in applying power derived from the normal operation of the vehiclejto force lubricant into a chamber, said chamber being provided with a resilient i agency'occupying a considerable portion or the volume withinsaid chambenwhich volume'is de-' creased when lubricant is forced into said chamher, said resilient agency storing energy upon such decrease in volume, and after the chamber has a matic distribution to, the bearings to be 'lubri a measuring chamber having an outlet connected to said conduit and an inlet, means for forcing lubricant in small charges into said inlet under received a charge of lubricant and said resilient agency has stored energy, then opening the chamber to relieve the stored energy for automatic discharge from the chamber toward, and for autocated; said chamber receiving'the total charge of lubricant to be supplied to the chassis bearings when lubricant is forced thereinto and discharging said total charge toward said bearings'u'nder suiiicient pressure to assure proper distribution by said proportioning, outlets. I

42. In alubricating device for bearings, a plurality, of outlet devices; discharge control means in eachdevice, a conduitconnecting said devices,

I pressure over a long: period of time, a valve con- V 7 determined quantity of lubricant has been forced trolling said outlet, and lubricant pressure operatedimeans forgoperating said ,valvewhen a pref into said chamber to discharge said lubricant in a short periodof time.

43. A-central lubricating system comprisinga resiliently cushioning receiving chamber having associatedtherewith aninlet port andan outlet 1 port, a valve device controlling said outlet port,

mechanically operated pump means for delivering lubricant under pressure through said inlet 7 port; branched conduit means leading from said 'outlet port to deliver lubricant to points requiring lubrication, lubricant pressure-responsive metering means determining the emission to said respective points, means for shifting said valve device to closed 'position,a nd automatic means to r propel the valvedevice of the lubricant charged chamber to wide open position, thereby topermit resilient propulsion of lubricant therefrom into. the branched conduit means. V.

44. In a lubricating system for a mechanism having a plurality of bearings to belubricated, distributing piping with inlet means and a plurality of outlets to said bearings, and pressure means to force lubricant under pressure into the inlet means, said pressure means including a source of pneumatic pressure, a reservoircontaining lubricant, means to apply said pneumatic 2 pressure to the-lubricant body in said reservoir, accumulator means, conduit means toconvey lubricant from said reservoir to said accumulator means,'means to f discharge said accumulator to limit the lubricant flow through said conduit means from said reservoir to said accumulator means. a r V V V v i V 45. In a lubricating system for a mechanism a 7 having a plurality of bearings to be lubricated, so

distributing piping with inlet means and aflplurality of outlets to said bearings'and pressure means to force lubricant under pressure into the means into said inlet means and restriction means 25 inlet means, said pressure means including a source of pneumatic pressure, a reservoir contain- 35 ing lubricant, means to apply said pneumatic pressure'to the lubricant body in said reservoir,

'means'to cut off said source from said reservoir when less than a predetermined quantity of lubricant remains inthe reservoir and meansto're- 4 lieve Y the pneumatic pressure in said reservoir when so cut off.-

JOSEPH, BIJUR.

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