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WO1992003684A1 - Appareil de lubrification - Google Patents

Appareil de lubrification Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1992003684A1
WO1992003684A1 PCT/GB1991/001370 GB9101370W WO9203684A1 WO 1992003684 A1 WO1992003684 A1 WO 1992003684A1 GB 9101370 W GB9101370 W GB 9101370W WO 9203684 A1 WO9203684 A1 WO 9203684A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
grease
actuating fluid
pressure
dispensing
pressurising
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1991/001370
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Anthony Kassell
Original Assignee
Anthony Kassell
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Anthony Kassell filed Critical Anthony Kassell
Publication of WO1992003684A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992003684A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16N—LUBRICATING
    • F16N11/00—Arrangements for supplying grease from a stationary reservoir or the equivalent in or on the machine or member to be lubricated; Grease cups
    • F16N11/10—Arrangements for supplying grease from a stationary reservoir or the equivalent in or on the machine or member to be lubricated; Grease cups by pressure of another fluid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16N—LUBRICATING
    • F16N7/00—Arrangements for supplying oil or unspecified lubricant from a stationary reservoir or the equivalent in or on the machine or member to be lubricated
    • F16N7/38—Arrangements for supplying oil or unspecified lubricant from a stationary reservoir or the equivalent in or on the machine or member to be lubricated with a separate pump; Central lubrication systems
    • F16N7/385—Central lubrication systems

Definitions

  • This invention relates to lubricating grease dispensing apparatus, for dispensing grease from a centralised grease supply source through distribution piping to one or more grease dispensers which dispense the grease to at least one greasing point.
  • Such apparatus is applicable to the grease lubrication of appropriate components of motor vehicles, and particularly heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles. It is also applicable in other contexts, for example in machine tools.
  • the invention also relates to methods of intermittently supplying lubricating grease under pressure to at least one greasing point.
  • each line havir a separate, small pump unit for pressurising the grease.
  • the pump units are mounted on a carcase ring into which the grease is fed from the reservoir and which supplies the pumps.
  • a slowly rotating cam Arranged coaxially with the carcase ring is a slowly rotating cam which actua t es each pump in turn so that on each revolution, eae greasing point receives one shot of grease.
  • This system has the drawback that it must be located very close to the greasing pints, and requires a large aaount of distribution piping to be concentrated together. Thus for space and layout reasons its application is somewhat limited. It is also vulnerable to seizure of the pump units due to ingress of foreign matter.
  • a single pump or piston-type pressurising device generates a high pressure in a body of grease which is driven through high-pressure steel tubing to a number of dispensing units, each supplying one or more greasing points.
  • the dispensing units are connected in series in a single grease line, so that the pressurised grease must pass through one unit before reaching the next. Failure of one dispensing unit for any reason can therefore result in the units downstream of it being unable to operate.
  • each dispensing unit must incorporate a complicated arrangement of ports with a shuttle valve, all housed within a substantial steel block.
  • the dispensing units are again connected in a single grease line supplied with grease in the same way as in the progressive system.
  • lubricating grease dispensing apparatus including a grease circuit comprising a grease reservoir, grease pressurising means associated with the grease reservoir, and dispensing means for dispensing grease intermittently under pressure to at least one greasing point, is characterised by: an actuating fluid circuit for applying an actuating fluid to the grease pressurising and dispensing means and for intermittently pressurising the actuating fluid whereby the grease is pressurised and dispensed; and control means for relieving the actuating fluid pressure in response to grease pressure attaining a predetermined value, the dispensing means being adapted to be reset by the grease pressure subsisting when the actuating fluid pressure is relieved.
  • the invention turns the residual line pressure of the grease to advantage by using it as the means for resetting the grease dispensing unit or units constituting the dispensing means.
  • This avoids the use of heavy springs.
  • This effect is achieved firstly by providing pressurised-fluid actuation, which may be hydraulic or pneumatic.
  • the viscosity of the actuating fluid will always be substantially less than that of the grease. Therefore, when the grease (line) pressure reaches its predetermined trip value at which the control means operates, the latter causes pressure to cease to be applied to the actuating fluid.
  • This pressure decays very rapidly while that in the grease decays much more slowly, so that a differential pressure is set up across the displaceable metering member (typically a piston) of each dispensing unit. This piston is thus displaced, effectively by the residual grease pressure, back to its reset position.
  • a method of intermittently supplying lubricating grease under pressure to at least one greasing point through resettable dispensing means is characterised by: pressurising an actuating fluid; applying it to the dispensing means to deliver a charge of grease (already present in the latter) to the greasing point or points; applying the actuating fluid to a piston to displace the piston and thereby pressurise grease on the other side of the piston; terminating the pressurisation of the actuating fluid when grease pressure attains a predetermined value; and applying the subsisting grease pressure to the dispensing means so as to reset the latter and recharge the dispensing means with grease.
  • the grease pressurising means preferably comprise a hollow vessel with a piston sealingly movable therein, the interior of the body on one side of the piston being in communication with the actuating fluid circuit and on its other side defining the grease reservoir in substantially direct communication with the dispensing means.
  • the actuating fluid circuit preferably includes suitable delay means in a branch of the circuit supplying the grease pressurising means, this branch being connected in parallel with the actuating fluid line supplying the dispensers.
  • a major advantage of the apparatus according to the invention is that it can operate at substantially lower pressures than the single-line systems described above.
  • the cut-off pressure mentioned earlier is, for example, 10 bar, and the maximum pressure attained anywhere in the grease circuit, equal to the maximum hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, is in practice no greater than about 25 bar.
  • the components of the system can be reduced in strength and therefore in cost and weight.
  • This ducting may be in the form of ordinary metal tubing: alternatively it can be of semi-rigid tubing, for example of nylon, which is less expensive than the thick-walled nylon or metal tubing conventionally used.
  • the dispensing means include a dispensing manifold in which the distribution ducting is formed, and at least one grease dispenser carried by the manifold.
  • the grease circuit includes distribution piping connecting the grease reservoir with the dispensing means and adapted for significant increase in its volume to take place under internal pressure.
  • the increase in volume of the grease distribution piping takes place when the grease is pressurised.
  • hydraulic pressure is first applied to raise the grease pressure in the distribution piping, forcing the grease into and through the dispensing means, no significant expansion has occurred in the walls of the distribution piping.
  • the increasing grease pressure does however initiate such expansion, which takes place gradually, mainly after hydraulic pressurisation has stopped.
  • Pressure energy in the grease within the piping is thus gradually converted into stored strain energy in the walls of the piping, so that the grease pressure slowly decays. This tends to reduce the maximum pressures which must be generated.
  • the ability of the distribution piping to expand in volume compensates to some extent for the increased friction and other energy losses which tend to occur due to the increase in viscosity of the grease in cold weather.
  • the invention makes it possible to use a single grade of grease in all weathers, so obviating the need for an operator to change the grease for winter use or if there is a sudden cold spell. Greater reliability is thus an added advantage of the system according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a stylised layout diagram of a lubricating grease dispensing apparatus according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a cross section of part of a hydraulic power unit in the system of Figure 1 , seen in section on the line II-II in Figure 3;
  • Figure 3 is a cross sectional plan view taken on the line III-III in Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a vertical front elevation of the grease cylinder in the system of Figure 1 , taken on a diametral cross section;
  • Figures 5 to 7 are cross sectional elevations of a grease dispensing unit, shown at three stages in a cycle of operation.
  • the apparatus shown in Figure 1 essentially comprises a grease circuit and hydraulic circuit.
  • the hydraulic circuit contains a hydraulic actuating fluid of a suitable grade, such as glycol.
  • the grease circuit comprises: a grease cylinder 14, defining a grease reservoir (as will be explained later) and means for pressurising grease in the circuit; and dispensing means which comprise a set of grease dispensing units or dispensers 17 and a grease distribution line connecting the cylinder 14 with the dispensers 17.
  • the greasing points are typically rotating or sliding bearings.
  • the hydraulic circuit supplies hydraulic fluid to the grease cylinder 14 so as to pressurise grease in the reservoir of the latter, and to the dispensers 17 so as to actuate the latter to deliver grease to the greasing points.
  • the pressurising of the grease is intermittent, in the sense that it only takes place over part of each cycle of operation of the apparatus.
  • the hydraulic circuit comprises a hydraulic power unit or power pack 10 which serves as a hydraulic fluid pressurising means delivering the fluid through an outlet pipe 11 which divides into two branches connected effectively in parallel, namely a first actuating fluid line 13 and a second actuating fluid line 100.
  • the line 11 is connected directly to a hydraulic distribution line 15 which feeds directly to the dispensers 17.
  • the line 100 feeds into one end of the grease cylinder 14, via a delay device 102, which in this example is a flow restrictor valve.
  • the delay device can however be in any suitable known form to ensure that there is a . predetermined time delay in the build-up of hydraulic pressure at the grease cylinder 14, as compared with that at the dispensers 17.
  • Figure 1 also shows a power control unit 104 for the power unit 10, supplied at 24V from the alternator or battery of the vehicle via a lead 106 and connected electrically to the unit 10 through cabling 108.
  • the control unit 104 contains electrical switching and a suitable timing device that, in known manner, controls switching of the power unit 10 so that the latter is energised at predetermined intervals, these being the intervals between the start of one operating cycle and the start of the next.
  • the timing device may be arranged to switch the power unit 10 off if it has been running for longer than a predetermined period.
  • the power unit 10 is however switched off in normal operation by control means comprising a pressure switch 110, arranged at the end of the grease circuit furthest from the grease cylinder 14, so as to transmit a signal along a lead 112 to the unit 104 when grease pressure in the line 20, at the switch 110, attains a predetermined maximum or trip value, which in this example is 10 bar.
  • the unit 104 de-energises the unit 10 in response to this signal, and it then remains de- energised for a period until the timing device initiates a new cycle.
  • De-energisation of the unit 10 has the effect of rapidly relieving the hydraulic pressure, while by contrast, the grease pressure then subsisting decays quite slowly. This effect is used for resetting the dispensers 17.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 show the hydraulic power unit 10 in greater detail.
  • This has a casing 28, the interior of which constitutes a chamber or reservoir 32 for hydraulic fluid.
  • a fluid level indicator 39 ( Figure 1) may be mounted on the front of the casing 28.
  • a capsule 80 within the casing 28 is entirely submerged within the hydraulic fluid in the chamber 32, and comprises a pump body 72 and a motor housing 82 carried on the body 72.
  • the interior of the housing 82 is a motor chamber 30, sealed from the chamber 32.
  • An electric motor 33 in the chamber 30 has a motor shaft coupled directly via a coupling 70 to a sandwich-type mini-gear pump 34.
  • the pump 34 is mounted in an inlet chamber 85 formed in the bottom of the pump body 72 and fitted with a filter 86.
  • the chamber 85 is open to the chamber 32 so that hydraulic fluid is admitted to the pump through the filter 86 and inlet chamber 85, to be delivered by the pump, at a pressure of (in this example) 20 bar, to the outlet pipe 11 via a port 88 in the body 72.
  • the body 72 also carries a pressure control valve 76 and a dump valve 36, to which the delivery side of the pump is ported at 74 and 78 respectively.
  • a float switch 38 is provided in the chamber 32 to monitor the level of fluid in this chamber.
  • the grease cylinder 14, shown in Figure 4 comprises a cylindrical body 40 containing a free piston 42 which divides the interior of the body 40 into a hydraulic working, or upper, chamber 44 and a lower chamber 46 which is the grease reservoir. Hydraulic fluid is admitted to the chamber 44, via the line 100 and delay valve 102. An inlet valve 48 may be mounted on top of the body 40. At the bottom of the latter, the reservoir 46 is ported through a port 50 to the main grease distribution line 20 ( Figure 1). A pressure relief valve 22, to allow escape of excess grease, and a discharge and filling valve 24 associated with an orifice 26 for filling, changing and topping up the system with grease, are also provided.
  • the grease dispensing means comprises the distribution line 20 and the dispensers 17. There may be one or more of the latter, and each dispenser may be arranged to feed one or more greasing points, each via a separate delivery pipe 63.
  • Figure 1 shows, purely for illustrative purposes, one single-outlet dispenser (nearest to the pressure switch 110), and two multi-outlet dispensers. All the dispensers are arranged in parallel with each other, and each multi-outlet dispenser is, in effect, a set of single-outlet dispensers all mounted in a common body block and operating in the same way. It is therefore only necessary here to describe a single- outlet dispenser, and this is seen in Figures 5 to 7.
  • the grease distribution line 20 and hydraulic distribution line 15 are both formed in a dispensing manifold 150 having transverse through apertures 153, each suitably shaped to mount a dispenser 17. Where the latter is of the single-outlet type as in Figures 5 to 7, the aperture 153 is cylindrical.
  • the dispenser 17 in Figure 5 has a cylindrical body 152 fitting snugly in the aperture 153 and having a pressure-tight closure plug 167 screwed into its top end.
  • the body 152 is secured to the manifold 150 by the plug 167 cooperating with a removable retaining ring 159 below the manifold, retained on the body 152 by a circlip 168.
  • Circumferential seals 156 are provided to prevent leakage.
  • Galleries 151, 155 are formed around the aperture 153 in the ducts 15, 20 respectively to connect together the portions of each duct on either side of the dispenser.
  • the body 152 is formed with a cylindrical chamber 157 (here called the cylinder) , the top end of which communicates through a radial port 169 with the hydraulic fluid gallery 151. At its lower end a similar port 170 connects the cylinder 157 with the grease gallery 155.
  • the cylinder 157 is extended downwards in a bore of smaller diameter which defines a metering chamber 158, communicating through a conventional discharge valve 160 of the spring-loaded ball type with the pipe 63. The latter is fitted in an outlet connector 162 closing the bottom end of the body 152.
  • a piston 161 has a head 166 sliding in the cylinder 157, and a depending plunger 164 having a lower portion 165 of slightly reduced diameter which lies, with a radial clearance, in the bore of the metering chamber 158.
  • the dispenser 17 Immediately prior to a cycle of operation, the dispenser 17 is in the position of Figure 5, with the chamber 158 full of grease (as is the cylinder 157 below the piston head 166).
  • the piston 42, Figure 4 is in a raised position and the reservoir 46 is charged, with the pressure in the grease circuit being generally at a minimum value.
  • hydraulic pressure on the head 167 is still much greater than grease pressure at the port 170.
  • hydraulic pressure is also applied, after a delay due to the valve 102, Figure 1, to the top of the piston 42, Figure 4, to pressurise the grease in the reservoir 46 and therefore in the whole of the grease circuit. This continues until the lowest value of grease pressure in the system, as detected by the pressure switch 110, is 10 bar.
  • the greatest value of grease pressure is that in the reservoir, namely about 20 bar determined by the hydraulic pressure in the cylinder 14.
  • the switch 110 then operates as already described and the pump 34 is stopped, so rapidly relieving the pressure on the top of the piston head 166 and dumping the hydraulic pressure back to the reservoir 32, Figure 2.
  • Grease under pressure entering the dispenser cylinder 157 via the port 170, acts on the underside of the piston head 166 to return the piston to its upper position as seen in Figure 7, and then recharges the chamber 158 with fresh grease via the annular clearance around the plunger portion 165.
  • This is possible because, although the grease pressure gradually decays, so raising the grease cylinder piston 42, this decay takes place at a rate such that the dispensers 17 are fully reset before the grease pressure has fallen to too low a value. This rate is of course dependent on the viscosity of the grease.
  • the grease and hydraulic piping or ducting may, instead of including the dispensing manifold 150, consist of conventional tubing, connected to and around the dispensers 17 in any convenient known way.
  • the grease distribution line 20 is made of semi-rigid, low temperature rated, nylon tube having a nominal outside diameter of, for example, 12 mm. Tests conducted on this type of tube have shown that its volume increases substantially with an increase in internal pressure. With this arrangement, the valve 48, Figure 4, is provided on the grease cylinder 14. When the pump 34 is stopped, the valve 48 prevents a sudden decrease in pressure above the piston 42, and grease pressure slowly decays as the tubes 20 expand. This gives rise to the effects already explained earlier in this document.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

Un appareil automatique de lubrification à la graisse, destiné aux poids-lourds et à d'autres machines, comprend un circuit hydraulique dans lequel un dispositif à moteur (10) applique une pression hydraulique à des distributeurs de graisse sans ressort, du type à piston (17), afin d'amener une charge dosée de graisse à des points de graissage appropriés de la machine. Le dispositif applique alors une pression hydraulique à de la graisse contenue dans un cylindre à graisse (14) alimentant les distributeurs (17) par l'intermédiaire d'une ligne de distribution (20). Lorsque la pression de la graisse à l'extrémité distale de cette ligne atteint 10 bars, un avertisseur de pression (110) agit de manière à arrêter le dispositif à moteur et à alléger la pression hydraulique. La pression résiduelle de la graisse, alors que la pression de la graisse diminue lentement, est utilisée pour remettre à l'état initial et recharger les distributeurs.
PCT/GB1991/001370 1990-08-11 1991-08-12 Appareil de lubrification WO1992003684A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB909017662A GB9017662D0 (en) 1990-08-11 1990-08-11 A grease dispensing system
GB9017662.9 1990-08-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1992003684A1 true WO1992003684A1 (fr) 1992-03-05

Family

ID=10680537

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1991/001370 WO1992003684A1 (fr) 1990-08-11 1991-08-12 Appareil de lubrification

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU8338191A (fr)
GB (1) GB9017662D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1992003684A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0608951A1 (fr) * 1993-01-26 1994-08-03 Groeneveld Transport Efficiency B.V. Système de dosage à fluide
WO1999039127A1 (fr) * 1998-01-28 1999-08-05 Tore Wiklund Lubrification sous pression et fermee et systeme d'huile hydraulique
WO2005111495A1 (fr) * 2004-05-14 2005-11-24 Lincoln Gmbh & Co. Kg Pompe de lubrification
WO2006079153A1 (fr) * 2004-10-22 2006-08-03 Icm Holdings Pty Ltd Injecteur de fluide
CN104315322A (zh) * 2014-09-23 2015-01-28 宁波宏协离合器有限公司 一种用于液压分离轴承的自动涂脂机
CN111503499A (zh) * 2020-05-25 2020-08-07 中国十七冶集团有限公司 一种全自动润滑油脂加注装置

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2164273A (en) * 1937-01-21 1939-06-27 Hodson Corp Multiple pressure lubricator
FR1062799A (fr) * 1952-08-15 1954-04-27 Willy Vogel K G Système de graissage central, en particulier pour machines, et pompe à lubrifiant pour ce système
DE3800539A1 (de) * 1988-01-12 1989-07-20 Eickhoff Geb Schmiervorrichtung fuer walzenlader des untertagebetriebs

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2164273A (en) * 1937-01-21 1939-06-27 Hodson Corp Multiple pressure lubricator
FR1062799A (fr) * 1952-08-15 1954-04-27 Willy Vogel K G Système de graissage central, en particulier pour machines, et pompe à lubrifiant pour ce système
DE3800539A1 (de) * 1988-01-12 1989-07-20 Eickhoff Geb Schmiervorrichtung fuer walzenlader des untertagebetriebs

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0608951A1 (fr) * 1993-01-26 1994-08-03 Groeneveld Transport Efficiency B.V. Système de dosage à fluide
US5538407A (en) * 1993-01-26 1996-07-23 Groeneveld Transport Efficiency B.V. Proportioner and fluid proportioning system
WO1999039127A1 (fr) * 1998-01-28 1999-08-05 Tore Wiklund Lubrification sous pression et fermee et systeme d'huile hydraulique
WO2005111495A1 (fr) * 2004-05-14 2005-11-24 Lincoln Gmbh & Co. Kg Pompe de lubrification
WO2006079153A1 (fr) * 2004-10-22 2006-08-03 Icm Holdings Pty Ltd Injecteur de fluide
CN104315322A (zh) * 2014-09-23 2015-01-28 宁波宏协离合器有限公司 一种用于液压分离轴承的自动涂脂机
CN111503499A (zh) * 2020-05-25 2020-08-07 中国十七冶集团有限公司 一种全自动润滑油脂加注装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU8338191A (en) 1992-03-17
GB9017662D0 (en) 1990-09-26

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