Lubrication arrangement
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsRakesh Jagdale, Lauritz Pillers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lubrication system for a work tool, such as a demolition hammer, on a machine, such as an excavator or a loader. The lubrication system is mounted on drive line fluid connectors of the machine, such as hydraulic or pneumatic hoses. The lubrication system is fully supported by the connectors only and does not require mounting to the machine itself. The lubrication system includes a movable spool powered by the drive fluid of the machine, the spool reciprocating within a sleeve to force lubricant through passages to the work tool.
Claims20
A method for distributing lubricant to one or more components of a work tool comprising:
- mounting a lubrication assembly on at least one hydraulic or pneumatic hose of a work tool driven by a drive fluid;
- and
- connecting an outlet for a lubricant from the lubrication assembly to the work tool driven by the drive fluid,
- wherein in response to operation of the work tool by the drive fluid, the lubricant is provided from the lubrication assembly to the work tool.
A lubrication assembly, comprising:
- a housing for mounting on at least one drive fluid line or return fluid line of a work tool, the housing adapted for mounting a lubricant reservoir;
- the housing defining a space in communication with a passage in the housing for supplying a lubricant from the lubricant reservoir;
- a spool disposed within the space, the spool adapted to move between a first position and a second position within the space in response to a fluid pressure of a drive fluid;
- and
- a lubricant pumping mechanism operable by movement of the spool between the first position and the second position within the space to displace the lubricant from the lubricant reservoir.
A lubrication system for lubricating a work tool, the lubrication system comprising:
- a work tool adapted for a hydraulic or pneumatic machine;
- a housing mounted on a drive fluid line or return fluid line for the work tool, the housing adapted for mounting a reservoir of lubricant;
- the housing defining a space, a volume of the space adapted to be varied by adjusting a position of a cap of the housing;
- a spool disposed at least partially within the space, the spool adapted to move between a first position and a second position in response to fluid pressure of a drive fluid;
- and
- a lubricant pumping mechanism operable by movement of the spool between the first position and the second position to provide a lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the work tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.