US3777851A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shaft lubricator operable at low speed
Assignee: American Metal Bearing Co
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Filing: 1972-03-16
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1992-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A lubricator for shafts, such as ship propeller shafts, during a rotation of such shafts at low speeds, the lubricator including a ring of lubricant containers which rotate with the shaft and are caused to dip in an oil sump, then carry the oil above the upper side of the shaft, and discharge the oil by gravity into a collector for distribution into the region between the bearing and the shaft; the lubricator being incorporated in a centrifugally operating lubricating means which takes over the lubricating function when the shaft speed increases.
Inventors
- 👤 P Mitchell
- 👤 P Pagan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:15
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16N; F16N7/00; F16N7/14; F16N7/16; F16N7/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
A lubricating means for a shaft and bearing surrounded by a housing wherein a lubricant sump is provided under the shaft, and a collector box is provided above the shaft and communicates with the region between the shaft and its bearing, said lubricating means comprising: a. a flange structure secured to the shaft for rotation therewith; b. a ring structure carried by the flange structure and extending into the sump and over the collector box; c. the ring structure including a radially inwardly facing channel for collecting lubricant from the sump and retaining lubricant therein when the shaft is turning at a speed to cause the lubricant to be forced radially outward by centrifugal force; d. a deflector disposed over the collector box for directing the lubricant from the channel into the collector box; e. the ring structure also including a circular series of separated cavities each having a radially inwardly directed port and a cup-shaped pocket extending Circumferentially in at least one direction from the port whereby, when the shaft is turning at a speed insufficient to maintain lubricant in the inwardly facing channel, lubricant is caused to flow into each pocket during movement through the sump, and a portion of the lubricant is retained in the pocket until discharged into the collector box.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
A lubricating means for a shaft and bearing surrounded by a housing wherein a lubricant sump is provided under the shaft, and a collector box is provided above the shaft and communicates with the region between the shaft and its bearing, said lubricating means comprising: a. a flange structure secured to the shaft for rotation therewith; b. a ring structure carried by the flange structure and extending into the sump and over the collector box; c. the ring structure including a radially inwardly facing channel for collecting lubricant from the sump and retaining lubricant therein when the shaft is turning at a speed to cause the lubricant to be forced radially outward by centrifugal force; d. a deflector disposed over the collector box for directing the lubricant from the channel into the collector box; e. the ring structure also including a circular series of separated cavities each having a radially inwardly directed port and a cup-shaped pocket extending Circumferentially in at least one direction from the port whereby, when the shaft is turning at a speed insufficient to maintain lubricant in the inwardly facing channel, lubricant is caused to flow into each pocket during movement through the sump, and a portion of the lubricant is retained in the pocket until discharged into the collector box.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A lubricating means as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the deflector extends circumferentially in opposite directions whereby lubricant is deflected irrespective of the direction of rotation of the shaft; b. the pockets comprise oppositely directed circumferential pockets for carrying lubricant to the collector box irrespectively of the direction of rotation of the shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A lubricating means as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. each port includes means for counter-acting the surface tension effect of the lubricant whereby the lubricant discharges as a stream.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
163 words
Means, utilizing a lubricant sump located under a shaft and its bearing and a lubricant collector located above the shaft and its bearing and communicating with the bearing surfaces, for transferring lubricant from the sump to the collector, said means comprising: a. centrifugally operable means, including means carried by and rotatable with the shaft and defining a radially inwardly facing channel movable through the sump and over the collector, said channel being operable when rotated above a predetermined speed, to retain lubricant therein in response to centrifugal force, and stationary means having a portion extending into said channel for deflecting the lubricant from the channel into the collector; b. and means including a ring of lubricant containers rotatable with the shaft for movement in sequence through the sump to a region above the collector, each container operable when rotated below a predetermined speed, to receive and hold lubricant during movement through the sump, and to pour lubricant into the collector during movement thereover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
163 words
Means, utilizing a lubricant sump located under a shaft and its bearing and a lubricant collector located above the shaft and its bearing and communicating with the bearing surfaces, for transferring lubricant from the sump to the collector, said means comprising: a. centrifugally operable means, including means carried by and rotatable with the shaft and defining a radially inwardly facing channel movable through the sump and over the collector, said channel being operable when rotated above a predetermined speed, to retain lubricant therein in response to centrifugal force, and stationary means having a portion extending into said channel for deflecting the lubricant from the channel into the collector; b. and means including a ring of lubricant containers rotatable with the shaft for movement in sequence through the sump to a region above the collector, each container operable when rotated below a predetermined speed, to receive and hold lubricant during movement through the sump, and to pour lubricant into the collector during movement thereover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
176 words
Means for supplying a liquid lubricant to the confronting surfaces of a shaft and a surrounding bearing wherein a lubricant sump is provided under the shaft and bearing, and a lubricant collector is provided in the bearing above the shaft and in communication with said confronting surfaces, the lubricating means comprising: a. a ring rotatable with the shaft and secured thereto in axially displaced relation to the bearing; b. a circular series of generally cup-shaped lubricant collector cells carried by the ring, each cell including radially inner and outer walls extending circumferentially of the ring and surrounding the bearing in radially outwardly spaced relation thereto for movement in sequence through the sump and over the collector box; c. each cell including a port at the leading end thereof with respect to the direction of rotation, whereby on movement through the sump, the cell is filled with lubricant, and on upward movement therefrom lubricant is retained in the cup-shaped cell below its port for delivery to the collector box as the cell passes over the collector box.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
176 words
Means for supplying a liquid lubricant to the confronting surfaces of a shaft and a surrounding bearing wherein a lubricant sump is provided under the shaft and bearing, and a lubricant collector is provided in the bearing above the shaft and in communication with said confronting surfaces, the lubricating means comprising: a. a ring rotatable with the shaft and secured thereto in axially displaced relation to the bearing; b. a circular series of generally cup-shaped lubricant collector cells carried by the ring, each cell including radially inner and outer walls extending circumferentially of the ring and surrounding the bearing in radially outwardly spaced relation thereto for movement in sequence through the sump and over the collector box; c. each cell including a port at the leading end thereof with respect to the direction of rotation, whereby on movement through the sump, the cell is filled with lubricant, and on upward movement therefrom lubricant is retained in the cup-shaped cell below its port for delivery to the collector box as the cell passes over the collector box.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A lubricating means as defined in claim 5 wherein: a. each cell includes a pair of cup-shaped sockets extending circumferentially in opposite directions from the port thereby to provide a first set of sockets operable upon shaft rotation in one direction and a second set of sockets operable upon shaft rotation in the opposite direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A lubricating means as defined in claim 5, wherein: a. each cell includes a pair of ports one disposed at the radially inward side of the cell, the other disposed at the radially outward side whereby both ports form entrance openings to the cell during passage through the sump.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A lubricating means as defined in claim 5, wherein: a. each port terminates in a radially inwardly projecting annular lip facilitating severance of the liquid lubricant from the port whereby the lubricant discharges as a free flowing stream.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |