US4353435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wide flow-range lubricant distributor
Assignee: Uniwave Inc
•
Filing: 1980-06-16
•
Granted: 1982-10-12
•
Expires: 2000-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A distributor for feeding a lubricant to lubrication tubes is provided. A pressurized lubricant stream is projected from an outlet across a gap and impinges at least in part on an inlet of a lubrication tube positioned to face the stream. The lubrication tube is supported so as to limit interference of flow into its inlet by excess lubricant from the stream not impinging on the inlet. The lubricant stream may be in the form of an essentially conical stream diverging from the outlet, two lubrication tubes positioned with their respective inlets in essentially uniform spacing from the outlet and from the axis of the conical stream receiving essentially uniform quantities of lubricant. The lubrication stream may be a pressurized air-oil stream.
Inventors
- 👤 Abraham Abrams
- 👤 John J. Baumann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:37
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16N; F16N25/00; D; D04; D04B; D04B35/00; D04B35/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A distributor for feeding a lubricant comprising: lubricant supply means having an outlet; lubricant transmission means having an inlet spaced from said outlet by a gap, said lubricant supply means being adapted to project a pressurized lubricant stream from said outlet across said gap; and means supporting said lubricant transmission means inlet so that said transmission means inlet faces and is at least in part in the path of at least a portion of the lubricant stream, the lubricant transmission means inlet projecting toward said lubricant supply means from the adjacent surface of said support means, whereby flow to said inlet of lubricant not directly impinging on said inlet is substantially limited and interference of the direct flow of at least a portion of the lubricant stream into the lubricant transmission means inlet by lubricant from said stream not directly impinging on said inlet is substantially limited.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A distributor for feeding a lubricant comprising: lubricant supply means having an outlet; lubricant transmission means having an inlet spaced from said outlet by a gap, said lubricant supply means being adapted to project a pressurized lubricant stream from said outlet across said gap; and means supporting said lubricant transmission means inlet so that said transmission means inlet faces and is at least in part in the path of at least a portion of the lubricant stream, the lubricant transmission means inlet projecting toward said lubricant supply means from the adjacent surface of said support means, whereby flow to said inlet of lubricant not directly impinging on said inlet is substantially limited and interference of the direct flow of at least a portion of the lubricant stream into the lubricant transmission means inlet by lubricant from said stream not directly impinging on said inlet is substantially limited.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means is shaped to permit the passage therepast of lubricant from said lubricant stream not directly impinging on said lubricant transmission means inlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a path of said lubricant stream between said lubricant supply means outlet and said lubricant transmission means inlet is free of constraints.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lubricant supply means includes means for producing a gas-lubricant stream having a velocity and direction such that at least a portion of said stream flows across said gap and enters said lubricant transmission means inlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lubricant transmission means is adapted to produce a lubricant stream having at least two regions characterized by substantially equal lubricant flow, and including at least two lubricant transmission means inlets, one transmission means inlet being positioned in the path of one of said regions of substantially equal lubricant flow, whereby substantially equal rates of lubricant flow enter each of said at least two lubricant transmission means inlets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lubricant supply means outlet faces upwardly and said lubricant transmission means inlet faces downwardly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
137 words
A distributor for feeding a lubricant comprising: lubricant supply means having an outlet; lubricant transmission means having an inlet spaced from said outlet by a gap, said lubricant supply means being adapted to project a pressurized lubricant stream from said outlet across said gap; and means supporting said lubricant transmissions means inlet so that said transmission means inlet faces and is at least in part in the path of at least a portion of the lubricant stream, said support means being shaped to permit the passage therepast of lubricant from said lubricant stream not directly impinging on said lubricant transmission means inlet, whereby interference of the direct flow of at least a portion of the lubricant stream into the lubricant transmission means inlet by lubricant from said stream not directly impinging on said inlet is substantially limited.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
A distributor for feeding a lubricant comprising: lubricant supply means having an outlet; lubricant transmission means having an inlet spaced from said outlet by a gap, said lubricant supply means being adapted to project a pressurized lubricant stream from said outlet across said gap; and means supporting said lubricant transmissions means inlet so that said transmission means inlet faces and is at least in part in the path of at least a portion of the lubricant stream, said support means being shaped to permit the passage therepast of lubricant from said lubricant stream not directly impinging on said lubricant transmission means inlet, whereby interference of the direct flow of at least a portion of the lubricant stream into the lubricant transmission means inlet by lubricant from said stream not directly impinging on said inlet is substantially limited.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 7 or 2, wherein said support means is formed with apertures therethrough for the passage of lubricant from said lubricant stream therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 1 or 7, wherein said gap is defined by an expansion chamber at least intermediate said lubrication supply means outlet and said support means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 9, wherein said expansion chamber includes openings in the region adjacent to said support means for the passage of at least a portion of the lubricant from said stream not directly impinging on said inlet to a location outside of said chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 10, wherein said lubricant supply means includes a lubricant reservoir, said expansion chamber openings communicating with said lubricant reservoir for the passage of at least a portion of said lubricant from said stream not directly impinging on said inlet to said reservoir.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 9, wherein said lubricant supply means includes lubricant source means and lubricant stream-forming means intermediate said outlet and said lubricant source means, duct means communicating from the bottom of said expansion chamber to said lubricant stream-forming means for the recycling of lubricant from said stream not directly impinging on said inlet, said expansion chamber otherwise essentially preventing the flow of said lubricant not directly impinging on said inlet from escaping from said expansion chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 12, wherein said outlet is defined by a projection into said expansion chamber, the bottom of said expansion chamber defining a trough for guiding said lubricant from said stream not directly impinging on said inlet to said duct means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
122 words
A distributor for feeding a lubricant comprising: lubricant supply means having an outlet facing in a first direction; at least two lubricant transmission means, each having an inlet spaced from said outlet by a gap and facing in a second direction essentially opposite to said first direction, said lubricant supply means being adapted to project a pressurized lubricant stream from said outlet across said gap, said lubricant stream being characterized by at least two regions of substantially uniform lubricant flow; and means supporting said lubricant transmission means inlets so that said at least two inlets are each positioned in one of said regions of said lubricant stream, whereby rate of flow of lubricant into said at least two inlets is substantially uniform.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
122 words
A distributor for feeding a lubricant comprising: lubricant supply means having an outlet facing in a first direction; at least two lubricant transmission means, each having an inlet spaced from said outlet by a gap and facing in a second direction essentially opposite to said first direction, said lubricant supply means being adapted to project a pressurized lubricant stream from said outlet across said gap, said lubricant stream being characterized by at least two regions of substantially uniform lubricant flow; and means supporting said lubricant transmission means inlets so that said at least two inlets are each positioned in one of said regions of said lubricant stream, whereby rate of flow of lubricant into said at least two inlets is substantially uniform.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least a path of said lubricant stream between said lubricant supply means outlet and said lubricant transmission means inlet is free of constraints.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 14, wherein said lubricant supply means includes means for producing a gas-lubricant stream having a velocity and direction such that at least a portion of said stream flows across said gap and enters said lubricant transmission means inlet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 14, wherein said lubricant supply means outlet faces upwardly and said at least two lubricant transmission means inlets face downwardly.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
100 words
A distributor for feeding a lubricant comprising: lubricant supply means having an outlet; lubricant transmission means having at least two inlets spaced from said outlet by a gap, said lubricant supply means being positioned and adapted to project a pressurized lubricant stream from said outlet in an upward direction across said gap; and means supporting said at least two lubricant transmission means inlets so that each of said transmission means inlets face and are at least in part in the path of at least a portion of the lubricant stream, and so that said lubricant transmission means inlets face downwardly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
100 words
A distributor for feeding a lubricant comprising: lubricant supply means having an outlet; lubricant transmission means having at least two inlets spaced from said outlet by a gap, said lubricant supply means being positioned and adapted to project a pressurized lubricant stream from said outlet in an upward direction across said gap; and means supporting said at least two lubricant transmission means inlets so that each of said transmission means inlets face and are at least in part in the path of at least a portion of the lubricant stream, and so that said lubricant transmission means inlets face downwardly.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 18, wherein said lubricant supply means includes means for producing a gas-lubricant stream having a velocity and direction such that at least a portion of said stream flows across said gap and enters said lubricant transmission means inlets.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 18, and further comprising means for supporting said lubricant supply means outlet so that lubricant from said lubricant stream not directly impinging on said lubricant transmission means inlet may flow therepast without substantially interfering with the flow of lubricant from said outlet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 18, and further comprising a chamber, said at least two lubricant supply means inlets being within said chamber, the lubricant stream flowing upwardly through said chamber, said chamber having an opening at the bottom thereof for drainage of lubricant not entering said lubricant transmission means inlets.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 21, said chamber further including at least one opening at the upper periphery thereof for permitting the passage of lubricant not entering said lubricant transmission means inlet to a location outside of said chamber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
72 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 18, wherein said lubricant supply means is adapted to produce a lubricant stream having at least two regions characterized by substantially equal lubricant flow, one of said at least two transmission means inlets being positioned in the path of each of said regions of substantially equal lubricant flow, whereby substantially equal rates of lubricant flow enter each of said at least two lubricant transmission means inlets.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 5, 14 or 23, wherein said lubricant supply means outlet defines a nozzle outlet and wherein said at least two lubricant transmission means inlets are respectively positioned at substantially equal distances from said outlet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 1, 5, 14, 18 or 23, wherein each of said lubricant transmission means inlets is positioned in the path of a portion of said lubricant stream characterized by high-density flow of lubricant from said duct outlet.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
57 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 5, 14 or 23, wherein said lubricant supply means outlet is adapted to produce an essentially conical lubricant stream, and wherein said at least two lubricant transmission means inlets are respectively positioned at substantially equal distances from the axis of said conical stream and at substantially equal distances from said outlet.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 5, 14 or 23, and including at least one additional inlet positioned outside of said regions of substantially uniform lubricant flow for providing a rate of flow different from said first-mentioned nozzles.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 1, 5, 14, 18 or 23, and further comprising a baffle in the gap between said outlet and said inlets, whereby the flow rate of lubricant in said stream entering said inlets is modified.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 28, wherein said baffle includes at least a portion selected from the group including a cross-wire screen, a perforated disk and a web.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 18, wherein at least a path of said lubricant stream between said lubricant supply means outlet and said lubricant transmission means inlets is free of constraints.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
86 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 1, 3, 14, 15, 18 or 30, wherein said lubricant supply means includes a duct having an inlet and an outlet; means for causing a gas to flow through said duct from said duct inlet to said duct outlet; and means for feeding a liquid lubricant into said duct at a location intermediate said duct inlet and said duct outlet, whereby a mixture of said gas and liquid is produced in said duct, said mixture discharging from said duct outlet.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 31, wherein said duct outlet communicates with a preliminary expansion chamber of a diameter greater than said duct, said preliminary expansion chamber communicating to said lubrication supply means outlet.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
90 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 32, including a further expansion chamber surrounding said gap and having duct means communicating from a bottom of said further expansion chamber to said preliminary expansion chamber for the entraining of lubricant from the lubricant stream not directly impinging on the lubricant transmission means inlet back into the lubricant stream, said further expansion chamber otherwise essentially preventing the passage of said lubricant from said lubricant stream not directly impinging on a lubricant transmission means inlet to a location outside of said further expansion chamber.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
67 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 31, wherein said duct is constricted, causing said gas to move at high velocity and reduced pressure in said duct, and said means for feeding a liquid lubricant includes a passage for lubricant, said passage discharge end being connected at said intermediate location and exposed to said reduced pressure, whereby lubricant leaves said passage and intermixes with said high-velocity gas flow.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 34, and further comprising means for controlling the pressure at the inlet end of said lubricant passage, whereby the rate of feeding lubricant to said high-velocity gas stream through said passage is regulated.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
76 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 35, and further comprising: a lubricant storage reservoir, said means for feeding lubricant further including means for drawing lubricant from said reservoir and delivering lubricant to said inlet to said lubricant passage, and a headpiece, said headpiece and reservoir being joined to form a hermetic container, said container including said chamber, said means for feeding and said means for controlling the pressure at the inlet end of said lubricant passage.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
52 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 35, wherein said means for feeding a liquid lubricant further includes a secondary reservoir, means for supplying lubricant from said primary reservoir to said secondary reservoir while maintaining said lubricant at a constant level and means for supplying lubricant from said secondary reservoir to said duct.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 35, wherein a plurality of said lubricant transmission means inlets are provided arranged on a circle, said circle being coaxially aligned with said outlet.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
55 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 35, wherein said duct includes two colinear duct portions, the diameter of said portion at the inlet being less than the diameter of said portion at the outlet of said duct, said intermediate location for feeding said lubricant being proximate the connection between said first and second duct portions.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 39, wherein the length-to-diameter ratio of said duct portion at the outlet is at least five.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
A distributor as claimed in claim 39, wherein the length-to-diameter ratio of said duct portion at the outlet is about fourteen.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-10-11 | 1986-04-12 | 1986-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-10-11 | 1990-04-12 | 1990-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-10-11 | 1994-04-12 | 1994-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |