Spray apparatus for metal forming machines

Claim 2

A lubricant spraying apparatus for applying a fluid lubricant to the working surfaces of a forming machine, said working surfaces comprising in part the surfaces of a die cavity and in part the surfaces of an overlying forming tool, said spraying apparatus comprising: a main housing defining a cavity opening on one side of said housing; an insert member receivable within said cavity, said insert member having first surface cooperating with said housing cavity to define a manifold chamber and second surfaces, also cooperating with said housing cavity to define nozzle means opening outwardly from said manifold chamber; inlet passage means in said housing for conducting a supply of lubricant mixture to said manifold chamber, said inlet opening generally tangentially into said chamber so as to impart a circular flow to said lubricant within said manifold chamber; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced second nozzles in said housing and opening outwardly from said manifold chamber in a direction away from said cavity, said second nozzles being operative to apply said lubricant to said surface of said overlying forming tool; said housing being adapted to be positioned with respect to said die cavity so that said nozzle means will direct the circularly flowing lubricant in a helical flowpath into said cavity.

Claim 3

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second nozzles comprise a plurality of bores, each of said bores having an axis inclined generally radially inwardly and circumferentially whereby the flow of lubricant emanating therefrom will follow a generally helical conical spiral.

Claim 4

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing has a central bore overlying said cavity and said nozzle means open into said central bore.

Claim 5

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said nozzle means extend around the periphery of said bore.

Claim 6

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said nozzle means is continuous around the entire periphery of said bore.

Claim 7

A lubricant spraying apparatus for applying a fluid lubricant to the working surfaces of a forming machine, said working surfaces comprising in part the surfaces of a die cavity and in part the surfaces of an overlying forming tool, said spraying apparatus comprising: a main housing having an annular manifold cavity formed therein adapted to be positioned in overlying relationship to said cavity; an insert member positioned within said manifold cavity said insert member having first surface cooperating with said housing cavity to define a substantially closed manifold chamber, and second surfaces also cooperating with said housing cavity to define nozzle means opening outwardly from said manifold chamber toward said cavity when said housing is positioned in overlying relationship thereto; a plurality of circumferentially spaced second nozzles in said housing and opening outwardly from said manifold chamber in a direction away from said cavity, said second nozzles being operative to apply said lubricant to said surface of said overlying forming tool; and an inlet passage means for conducting a supply of lubricant mixture to said manifold chamber, said inlet opening substantially tangentially into said chamber so as to impart a generally circular flow to said lubricant within said manifold chamber such that said lubricant emanating from said nozzle means will follow a helical flowpath into said cavity.

Claim 8

A lubricant spraying apparatus for applying a fluid lubricant to the working surfaces of a forming machine, said working surfaces comprising in part the surfaces of a die cavity and in part the surfaces of an overlying forming tool, said spraying apparatus comprising: a main housing having an annular manifold cavity formed therein adapted to be positioned in overlying relationship to said cavity; an insert member positioned within said manifold cavity said insert member having first surface cooperating with said housing cavity to define a substantially closed manifold chamber, and second surfaces also cooperating with said housing cavity to define nozzle means opening outwardly from said manifold chamber toward said cavity when said housing is positioned in overlying relationship thereto; a plurality of circumferentially spaced second nozzles in said housing and opening outwardly from said manifold chamber in a direction away from said cavity, said second nozzles being operative to apply said lubricant to said surface of said overlying forming tool; and an inlet passage means for conducting a supply of lubricant mixture to said manifold chamber, said inlet opening substantially tangentially into said chamber so as to impart a generally circular flow to said lubricant within said manifold chamber such that said lubricant emanating from said nozzle means will follow a helical flowpath into said cavity.

Claim 9

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said insert member includes a generally frusto conically shaped surface positioned in spaced relationship to a generally frusto conically shaped surface of said housing, said conically shaped surfaces defining said nozzle means.

Claim 10

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said insert includes a flange portion extending generally radially outwardly from said conically shaped surface, and said housing includes a stepped recess forming a part of said cavity, said flange portion being seated within said recess.

Claim 11

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said housing includes a central opening overlying said cavity and said nozzle means opens into said opening.

Claim 12

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said conically shaped surfaces are inclined radially inwardly in the direction of said cavity.

Claim 13

A lubricant spraying apparatus for applying a fluid lubricant to the working surfaces of a forming machine, said working surfaces comprising in part the surfaces of a die cavity and in part the surfaces of an overlying forming tool, said spraying apparatus comprising: a main housing having a central opening overlying said cavity; an annular manifold cavity formed in said housing; an insert member positioned within said manifold cavity, said insert member having first surfaces cooperating with said housing cavity to define a substantially closed manifold chamber, and second surfaces also cooperating with said housing cavity to define an annular nozzle opening into said central opening from said manifold chamber; a plurality of circumferentially spaced second nozzles in said housing and opening outwardly from said manifold chamber in a direction away from said cavity, said second nozzles being operative to apply said lubricant to said surface of said overlying forming tool; and an inlet passage for conducting a supply of lubricant mixture to said manifold chamber, said inlet opening generally tangentially into said chamber so as to impart a generally circular flow to said lubricant within said manifold chamber such that said lubricant emanating from said annular nozzle opening will follow a helical flowpath into said cavity.

Claim 14

A lubricant spraying apparatus for applying a fluid lubricant to the working surfaces of a forming machine, said working surfaces comprising in part the surfaces of a die cavity and in part the surfaces of an overlying forming tool, said spraying apparatus comprising: a main housing having a central opening overlying said cavity; an annular manifold cavity formed in said housing; an insert member positioned within said manifold cavity, said insert member having first surfaces cooperating with said housing cavity to define a substantially closed manifold chamber, and second surfaces also cooperating with said housing cavity to define an annular nozzle opening into said central opening from said manifold chamber; a plurality of circumferentially spaced second nozzles in said housing and opening outwardly from said manifold chamber in a direction away from said cavity, said second nozzles being operative to apply said lubricant to said surface of said overlying forming tool; and an inlet passage for conducting a supply of lubricant mixture to said manifold chamber, said inlet opening generally tangentially into said chamber so as to impart a generally circular flow to said lubricant within said manifold chamber such that said lubricant emanating from said annular nozzle opening will follow a helical flowpath into said cavity.

Claim 15

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said nozzle comprises an annular slot extending around the periphery of said central opening.

Claim 16

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said slot is angled generally axially inwardly into said cavity.

Claim 17

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said slot is defined by axially spaced concentric conical surfaces.

Claim 18

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein one of said surfaces is defined by said housing and the other is defined by said insert.

Claim 19

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said second nozzles comprise a plurality of bores, each of said bores having an axis inclined generally radially inwardly and circumferentially whereby the flow of lubricant emanating therefrom will follow a generally helical conical spiral.

Claim 20

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said annular nozzle is angled generally axially inwardly into said cavity.