Very low flow rate lubricant metering apparatus and method for a tool and workpiece

A precision, very low flow rate, lubricant metering apparatus for a tool and workpiece comprising:

• a pneumatic air logic means for generating, during operation, a substantially continuous stream of air pulses, said air logic means having an inlet adapted to be connected to a source of compressed air, and an air pulse outlet;
• a pneumatically driven, positive displacement, precision lubricant injector pump for delivering, during operation, a substantially continuous stream of lubricant output pulses in response to said stream of said air pulses which is delivered to it, wherein said injector pump includes an air pulse inlet, a lubricant inlet adapted to be connected to a source of supply of lubricant, and a lubricant output pulse outlet adapted to be connected to a line for delivery of said lubricant output pulses to said tool and workpiece;
• a line connected between said air pulse outlet of the air logic means and said air pulse inlet of the injector pump for delivering said stream of air pulses from said air logic means to said injector pump;
• wherein said apparatus is adapted to be used with a tool having an air driven motor;
• and wherein said apparatus further comprises an air flow sensing valve means having an inlet adapted to be connected to a source of compressed air, a first air delivery outlet adapted to be connected to means for delivering compressed air to said air driven motor, and a second air delivery outlet means including a line for delivering compressed air to said inlet of the air logic means;
• wherein said air flow sensing valve means is for automatically delivering compressed air to said second air delivery outlet means when said air driven motor is consuming compressed air, and is for automatically cutting off compressed air to said second air delivery outlet means when said air driven motor is not consuming compressed air.

A precision, very low flow rate, lubricant metering apparatus for a tool and workpiece comprising:

• a pneumatic air logic means for generating, during operation, a substantially continuous stream of air pulses, said air logic means having an inlet adapted to be connected to a source of compressed air, and an air pulse outlet;
• a pneumatically driven, positive displacement, precision lubricant injector pump for delivering, during operation, a substantially continuous stream of lubricant output pulses in response to said stream of said air pulses which is delivered to it, wherein said injector pump includes an air pump inlet, a lubricant inlet adapted to be connected to a source of supply of lubricant, and a lubricant output pulse outlet adapted to be connected to a line for delivery of said lubricant output pulses to said tool and workpiece;
• a line connected between said air pulse outlet of the air logic means and said air pulse inlet of the injector pump for delivering said stream of air pulses from said air logic means to said injector pump;
• and
• a housing defining an internal air chamber having first, second, and third port means, wherein:
• said first port means is adapted to be connected to means for delivering compressed air thereto;
• said second port means includes an air delivery line adapted to deliver compressed air to said tool and workpiece;
• said third port means includes a connector defining a longitudinal bore;
• a lubricant inlet fitting in communication with one end of said bore;
• a lubricant outlet fitting in communication with the other end of said bore;
• a lubricant transfer line connected between said lubricant output pulse outlet of the injector pump and said lubricant inlet fitting of said third port means;
• and a lubricant delivery line connected to said lubricant outlet fitting of said third port means for delivering said lubricant output pulses where needed;
• wherein said lubricant delivery line is sized smaller than the internal diameter of said air delivery line and extends from said lubricant outlet fitting of said third port means, through said internal air chamber, and into the inside of said air delivery line for a substantial distance.