METHODS FOR LUBRICATING THE BEARING SYSTEM OF A SHAFT ROTATABLY JOURNALLED IN A BEARING HOUSING AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD

摘要

1352433 Bearings SKF KUGELLAGERFABRIKEN GmbH 19 April 1971 [24 March 1970] 27080/71 Heading F2A The bearing system of a shaft rotatably journalled in a bearing housing is lubricated by pumping lubricant through an aperture in the housing so as to cover the bearings, and withdrawing the lubricant so as to leave a film of lubricant on the bearings. The lubricant is preferably a grease dispersed in a volatile liquid so that after the lubricant is withdrawn the liquid evaporates leaving a film of grease on the bearing. As illustrated, a bearing unit 10 for the drive-shaft of a spinning rotor is placed in a lubricating head 50 of a device in which lubricant is supplied to the head from a reservoir 34 by means of a piston 100. The bearing unit is held in the head by a bush 54 and the bearing cavity communicates with the chamber in the head to which lubricant is supplied. Lubricant is supplied to the head by means of a piston located in a cylinder 98 at the bottom of the reservoir in which ports 110, 112 are provided to allow lubricant to flow between the reservoir and cylinder. The piston is operated manually by means of a handle 104 causing lubricant to flow via ducts 116 and 74 to the head where it fills the bearing cavity of the unit. The lubricant is withdrawn from the bearing cavity by returning the piston, thereby leaving a film of lubricant on the bearing. The duct 74 is movable in the head and has a port 82 which communicates with the chamber in the head and a port 92 which when the duct is moved communicates with an opening in the reservoir 94. When the piston is operated with the ports 92, 94 open, lubricant is circulated and returned to the tank, thereby facilitating mixing of the lubricant.