GB901487A - Improvements in fluid dispensing systems - Google Patents

Abstract

901,487. Lubricating systems. WALKER MANUFACTURING CO. March 14, 1960 [May 16, 1959; Sept. 3, 1959; Sept. 22, 1959], No. 8873/60. Class 12 (3). [Also in Groups XXVIII and XXIX] A fluid-dispensing system comprises a source of intermittent fluid pressure, a feed line leading from said source, a metering device in said feed line comprising an expansible chamber, and a valve member in the chamber which is responsive to application of pressure at the source to close the connection between the chamber and the delivery end of the line, and responsive to reduction in pressure to open the said connection. In one embodiment, Figs. 2-4, lubricant is fed from a reservoir through a non-return valve 23 to a manifold block 18. The lubricant is intermittently pressurized by a pump 25 whose plunger is connected to a diaphragm 27 one side of which is connected to the engine induction manifold by a pipe 29. Bearing feed lines 44 are connected to the block and each incorporates a metering device 45 comprising a length of resilient tubing 46 and a ball valve 53. Lubricant under pressure is forced into the tubing causing it to expand and the ball to close the outlet, Fig. 3. Fall of pressure allows the ball to open the outlet and the sleeve contracts to force lubricant through the feed line, Fig. 4. In a modification, Fig. 5, lubricant supplied to the block through a check valve 112 is intermittently pressurized by a tubular diaphragm 106 actuated by oil supplied from the pressure side of the engine lubricating system, and the expansible tubing is of a different form. When engine oil is used as the bearing lubricant, or the lubricant is supplied by a separate pump, it is supplied directly to the manifold, the tubular diaphragm being unnecessary. In a further modification, Fig. 9 (not shown), particularly for use in an industrial plant having a number of machines &c. in different locations which require periodic lubrication, the lubricant is supplied to the metering devices from a tank which is intermittently pressurized by fluid under the control of a solenoid-actuated valve, the solenoid being alternately energized and de-energized either by a manually-operated switch or by timing means incorporating a motor-driven rotary cam. In a further modification, Figs. 10, 11, a liquid dispensing system comprises a reservoir 401 containing the liquid at atmospheric pressure, which is supplied to feed lines 425 through the metering devices 419 by a fluidactuated pump 409. Between the pump chamber 407 and the delivery line 417 is an air-eliminating valve mechanism 455 through which air and gas gathering in the pocket 513 flows to the reservoir 401. The valve element is an elastic sleeve 487 which, as the return movement of the piston creates a vacuum, is expanded to uncover the valve outlet passage 509. In a further modification, Figs. 16, 18, the lubricant or other fluid is drawn from a reservoir 613 and delivered to metering devices 614 by a reciprocable diaphragm pump 612 through a valve 615 which comprises a spring- loaded ball 632 and a flexible sleeve 631. A resilient conical relief valve member 636 is spring-loaded and opens under excess pressure to return lubricant to the reservoir. The frequency at which the metering devices discharge, and the amount of such discharge is selected by adjustment of the spring 641 loading the relief valve member 636. Each metering device 614 comprises a diaphragm 658 which is dilated by pressure of the lubricant. An elastic sleeve 656 forms the valve member for closing and opening the lubricant outlet 668. The pip 660 on the diaphragm gives a visual indication of the functioning of the device.