Abstract A lubrication system for periodically lubricating the chain of an endless chain conveyor. A star wheel carrying a lubrication discharge fitting on one arm is mounted for rotation coaxial with a constant radius end turn section of an endless chain conveyor. The ends of the arms of the star wheel are engaged by the chain pins of the conveyor as the pins pass around the end turn section to drive the star wheel in rotation coordinated with movement of the chain. A lubricant supply is connected to the discharge fitting and a control system, when actuated, is operaable to reciprocate the lubricant discharge fitting into seated engagement with a lubricant receiving fitting on a chain pin traversing the end section, to discharge a charge of lubricant from the supply into the pin while the two fittings are engaged, and to retract the discharge fitting clear of the receiving fitting of the pin before the pin leaves the end turn section. A lubricant fitting is mounted on only one of several arms of the star wheel and thus the fitting does not engage adjacent chain pins in succession. The number of arms on the star wheel is related to the number of pins on the chain so that every pin on the chain is lubricated once before any given pin is lubricated twice.
In combination with an endless chain conveyor having a frame, an endless chain having a plurality of uniformly spaced transversely extending link pins, and means defining an endless path of movement for said chain on said frame, said path having at least one direction changing section of constant radius; a lubricating system comprising a rotary member mounted on said frame for rotation about an axis coincident with the center of said constant radius section for driving said rotary member about said axis in synchronism with the movement of said pins about said section, a lubricant receiving fitting on each of said pins, a lubricant discharge fitting mounted on said rotary member for rotation therewith, first fluid pressure actuated motor means operable when supplied with pressure to shift said discharge fitting from a normally maintained retracted position into seated engagement with the receiving fitting of a pin aligned therewith, a fluid pressure actuated lubricant supply pump operable where supplied with pressure to supply a charge of lubricant to said discharge fitting, a fluid pressure source, a valve having a housing mounted for movement between an inactive and an active position and a valve member movable within said housing between an open position and a normally maintained vent position, second fluid pressure actuated motor means operable when connected to said source to position said valve in said active position, cam means rotatable with said rotary member and engageable with said valve member when said housing is in said active position to position said valve member in said open position for a selected arc of rotation of said rotary member, said valve member being operable in said open position to connect said source to said first motor means and said pump, and a sequence valve connected between said valve means and said pump to cause said motor to seat said fittings before the charge of lubricant arrives at said discharge fitting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
318 words
In combination with an endless chain conveyor having a frame, an endless chain having a plurality of uniformly spaced transversely extending link pins, and means defining an endless path of movement for said chain on said frame, said path having at least one direction changing section of constant radius; a lubricating system comprising a rotary member mounted on said frame for rotation about an axis coincident with the center of said constant radius section for driving said rotary member about said axis in synchronism with the movement of said pins about said section, a lubricant receiving fitting on each of said pins, a lubricant discharge fitting mounted on said rotary member for rotation therewith, first fluid pressure actuated motor means operable when supplied with pressure to shift said discharge fitting from a normally maintained retracted position into seated engagement with the receiving fitting of a pin aligned therewith, a fluid pressure actuated lubricant supply pump operable where supplied with pressure to supply a charge of lubricant to said discharge fitting, a fluid pressure source, a valve having a housing mounted for movement between an inactive and an active position and a valve member movable within said housing between an open position and a normally maintained vent position, second fluid pressure actuated motor means operable when connected to said source to position said valve in said active position, cam means rotatable with said rotary member and engageable with said valve member when said housing is in said active position to position said valve member in said open position for a selected arc of rotation of said rotary member, said valve member being operable in said open position to connect said source to said first motor means and said pump, and a sequence valve connected between said valve means and said pump to cause said motor to seat said fittings before the charge of lubricant arrives at said discharge fitting.