Self compensating flow control lubrication system
First Claim
1. An automatic self compensating flow control lubrication system for continuously supplying the requisite amount of lubricant to at least one moving component of a drive system comprising:
- delivery means for supplying the lubricant from a reservoir to the moving component and for returning the lubricant to the reservoir;
sensor means for detecting an operating parameter being encountered by the drive system and operable to generate signals proportional to deviations from a predetermined value of such operating parameter;
valve means operatively associated with said delivery means for regulating the flow of lubricant to the moving component; and
computer means responsive to the signals from said sensor means for operating said valve means to obtain a predetermined flow of the lubricant to the moving component necessary to return the operating parameter to the predetermined value;
said valve means including;
a first stage solenoid valve responsive to said computer means for regulating the output pressure of lubricant therefrom to a second stage metering valve according to a condition being experienced by said drive system and movable between a first position at which the pressure of the lubricant output is at maximum and a second position at which the pressure of the lubricant output is at minimum; and
a second stage metering valve for receiving pressurized lubricant from said delivery means and for directing flow of the pressurized lubricant to said moving component, said second stage metering valve being movable in response to operation of said first stage solenoid valve, between a minimum flow position allowing minimum flow of the lubricant to the moving component when said first stage solenoid valve is in said second position and a maximum flow position allowing maximum flow of the lubricant to the moving component when said first stage solenoid valve is in said first position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic self compensating flow control lubrication system for continuously supplying the requisite amount of lubricant to at least one component of a drive system. One or more operating parameters, such as scavenge temperature, are continuously monitored and the information provided to a computer. The computer operates the first stage solenoid valve of a two stage valve assembly which provides such an amount of lubricant to the component as is necessary to maintain a predetermined value of the operating parameter. Scavenge temperature is one such operating parameter.
77 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An automatic self compensating flow control lubrication system for continuously supplying the requisite amount of lubricant to at least one moving component of a drive system comprising:
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delivery means for supplying the lubricant from a reservoir to the moving component and for returning the lubricant to the reservoir; sensor means for detecting an operating parameter being encountered by the drive system and operable to generate signals proportional to deviations from a predetermined value of such operating parameter; valve means operatively associated with said delivery means for regulating the flow of lubricant to the moving component; and computer means responsive to the signals from said sensor means for operating said valve means to obtain a predetermined flow of the lubricant to the moving component necessary to return the operating parameter to the predetermined value; said valve means including; a first stage solenoid valve responsive to said computer means for regulating the output pressure of lubricant therefrom to a second stage metering valve according to a condition being experienced by said drive system and movable between a first position at which the pressure of the lubricant output is at maximum and a second position at which the pressure of the lubricant output is at minimum; and a second stage metering valve for receiving pressurized lubricant from said delivery means and for directing flow of the pressurized lubricant to said moving component, said second stage metering valve being movable in response to operation of said first stage solenoid valve, between a minimum flow position allowing minimum flow of the lubricant to the moving component when said first stage solenoid valve is in said second position and a maximum flow position allowing maximum flow of the lubricant to the moving component when said first stage solenoid valve is in said first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A valve mechanism for regulating the flow of lubricant to a moving component of a drive system according to deviations being sensed from a predetermined value of an operating parameter, said valve mechanism comprising:
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a first stage solenoid valve responsive to sensed deviations from the predetermined value of the operating parameter for regulating the output pressure of lubricant therefrom to a second stage metering valve and movable between a first position at which the pressure of the lubricant output is at maximum and a second position at which the pressure of the lubricant output is at minimum; and a second stage metering valve for directing flow of the pressurized lubricant from a source of pressurized lubricant to said moving component, said second stage metering valve being movable in response to operation of said first stage solenoid valve, between a minimum flow position allowing minimum flow of the lubricant to the moving component when said first stage solenoid valve is in said second position and a maximum flow position allowing maximum flow of the lubricant to the moving component when said first stage solenoid valve is in said first position; said first stage solenoid valve including; an inlet port for receiving pressurized lubricant from the source of pressurized lubricant; an elongated, generally cylindrical, control pressure spool having a spring seat at one end and an operating surface at an opposite end, said control pressure spool being movable between said first position and said second position; a control pressure spring engaged with said spring seat biasing said control pressure spool toward said first position; and a first outlet port in communication with said second stage metering valve; said control pressure spool including first duct means for selectively connecting said inlet port and said first outlet port, and second duct means for selectively connecting said inlet port and said operating surface of said control pressure spool such that pressurized lubricant acting on said operating surface of said control pressure spool biases said control pressure spool, against said control pressure spring, toward said first position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification