EP0049598A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Apparatus for and methods of lubricating a chain
Assignee: Frederick Manufacturing Co Inc
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Filing: 1981-09-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A chain is lubricated by applying discrete quantities of lubricant to interfacing portions of the chain (10) as the chain is advanced by a sprocket or bull gear. The sprocket or bull gear (11) includes indicators (42) thereon adjacent every fourth tooth (12) which indicators pass a stationary magnetic detector (41) that provides a signal each time an indicator is in proximity therewith. The signal energises normally closed solenoid valves (33a-33d) connected to a pressurized chamber (35) to release the discrete quantities of lubricant which are directed to the interfacing portions by nozzles (21-24). A continuous air stream (58,59,61) downstream of the nozzles spreads the lubricant while a continuous air stream upstream of the nozzles cleans the chain (10). In addition, an hour timer (70) is provided to operate the lubricating system periodically while a minute timer (71) is provided to interrupt operation of system after a selected number of cycles and to reset the hour timer (70) for a subsequent lubrication operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph P. Fitzmaurice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:18
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G45/00; B65G45/02; B65G45/08; F; F16; F16N; F16N27/00; F16N7/00; F16N7/30; F16N2230/00; F16N2230/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
1 . Apparatus for lubricating interfacing portions of relatively moving components of a chain, wherein the chain is trained around a sprocket having teeth which positively engage the chain, the apparatus being characterised by, a plurality of indicators (42) fixed to the sprocket or bull gear 11 at equal circumferential intervals for indicating rotation of the sprocket (11) and advancement of the chain (10) by following a prescribed path past fixed stations as the sprocket rotates; detecting means (41) located at the fixed station and aligned with the path prescribed by the indicators (42) for detecting proximity of individual indicators; means connected to the detecting means for generating a signal upon detection of an indicator (42); means (35) for storing and pressurising the lubricant; lubricant releasing means (33a-33d) connected to the signal generating means for releasing a portion of the pressurised lubricant upon generation of a signal; nozzle means (21-24) aligned with the interfacing portions of the chain (10) and connected to the lubricant releasing means (33a-33d) for directing the portion of lubricant onto the interfacing portions; and means (61) downstream of the nozzle means for impinging a stream of gas onto the interfacing portions to spread the lubricant thereover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
1 . Apparatus for lubricating interfacing portions of relatively moving components of a chain, wherein the chain is trained around a sprocket having teeth which positively engage the chain, the apparatus being characterised by, a plurality of indicators (42) fixed to the sprocket or bull gear 11 at equal circumferential intervals for indicating rotation of the sprocket (11) and advancement of the chain (10) by following a prescribed path past fixed stations as the sprocket rotates; detecting means (41) located at the fixed station and aligned with the path prescribed by the indicators (42) for detecting proximity of individual indicators; means connected to the detecting means for generating a signal upon detection of an indicator (42); means (35) for storing and pressurising the lubricant; lubricant releasing means (33a-33d) connected to the signal generating means for releasing a portion of the pressurised lubricant upon generation of a signal; nozzle means (21-24) aligned with the interfacing portions of the chain (10) and connected to the lubricant releasing means (33a-33d) for directing the portion of lubricant onto the interfacing portions; and means (61) downstream of the nozzle means for impinging a stream of gas onto the interfacing portions to spread the lubricant thereover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
2 . The apparatus of Claim 1 characterised in that the chain has first and second trains of links separated by spacers and in that the nozzle means comprise at least a pair of nozzles 21,22; one of which is aligned with each train.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 2 characterised in that the indicators 42 are positioned in association with every second tooth (12) on the sprocket (11) and in that there is a second pair of nozzles (23,24) displaced from the first pair (21,22) by a distance equal to the pitch of the chain (10) and sprocket (11) whereby two pairs of successive interfacing portions of the chain are lubricated simultaneously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 and further characterised by gas applying means 51,52 upstream of the nozzle means 21,22 for applying at least one stream of gas to clean the interfacing portions prior to applying lubricant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of Claim 4 and further characterised by means 91 for applying the gas continuously.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of Claims 1,2,3,4 or 5 and further characterised by means for energising the apparatus periodically which means comprises: an elapsed time clock (72) for activating the energising means after a selected period of time, and means for terminating operation of the energising means after one or more cycles of the chain (10) past the lubricating nozzles (21-24).
Claim 8
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of lubricating interfacing portions of relatively moving components of a chain trained around a sprocket having teeth which mesh with the chain, the method being characterised by the steps of: generating a signal each time a selected number of teeth pass a fixed station; releasing a discrete portion of lubricant at a lubrication station each time a signal is generated; directing the discrete portion of lubricant onto interfacing portions of the chain adjacent the lubrication station; and spreading the lubricant with a stream of gas applied downstream of the lubricating station.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of lubricating interfacing portions of relatively moving components of a chain trained around a sprocket having teeth which mesh with the chain, the method being characterised by the steps of: generating a signal each time a selected number of teeth pass a fixed station; releasing a discrete portion of lubricant at a lubrication station each time a signal is generated; directing the discrete portion of lubricant onto interfacing portions of the chain adjacent the lubrication station; and spreading the lubricant with a stream of gas applied downstream of the lubricating station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of Claim 7 and further characterised by the steps of: cleaning the chain with a stream of air upstream of the lubricating station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of Claim 7 characterised in that the chain includes first and second trains of links separated by spacers and in that the method further comprises lubricating simultaneously each train of links with separate discrete portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of Claim 9 characterised in that the selected number of teeth is four and wherein the discrete portions are applied simultaneously at locations spaced apart by a distance equal to the pitch of the sprocket teeth and chain.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR362790A
Cited
GB613221A
Cited
US2593841A
Cited
DE1031592B
Cited
GB899715A
Cited
US3785456A
Cited
US3762504A
Cited
GB2032012A
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