Abstract: A nozzle for a mist lubricator system has an emitter head located in a tubular housing. The emitter head has tapered passageways terminating at an end from which lubricant drops are directed to a target to be lubricated. The emitter head can be incorporated in lubricator systems of various types, including those utilizing a cycling feed metering system. A nozzle constructed in accordance with the present invention can be used in reduced airflow systems and exhibits substantially lessened lubricant loss during low and no airflow periods.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering metered amounts of a first fluid, such as a lubricating oil, to a remote location comprises a metering plate coupled to a drive for moving the metering plate between a first position in which a fluid receptacle in the metering head is filled with the fluid and a second position in which the filled receptacle is placed between first and second ports for transfer of the fluid into and through a delivery line. The first port provides a source of a carrier fluid to drive the first fluid, while the second port is coupled to a delivery line to the remote location. The first and second ports form a portion of a manifold assembly, which in conjunction with the metering plate comprise a metering head. The metering head may be submerged in a reservoir of the first fluid such that, in the first position, a receptacle is directly exposed to the reservoir whereby the receptacle is filled with a first fluid without the need for pumps or pressurization of the reservoir.

Abstract: A device for controlling the flow of an oil mist through barb outlets in a lubricating oil distributor having a mist-receiving chamber into which the barb outlets extend comprises a fitting mounted to the barb to collect oil precipitating and flowing upon the exposed surfaces of the barb and fitting and divert the collected oil away from the mist entranceway of the barb. The collected oil is thus prevented from being entrained by the mist flow through the barbs and increasing the oil output from the distributor.

Abstract: A lubrication system for the intermittent lubrication of a lubrication target, comprises a lubrication emitter having structure for generating a series of lubrication liquid droplets and carrying the droplets along a travel path by a propellent gas stream issuing from the emitter, a lubrication target located in a spaced relationship from the emitter within the travel path and a moving barrier located proximate the emitter between the emitter and target and in a non-contact relationship with the emitter. The barrier generates an intermittent disturbance to the propellent gas stream whereby the carrying of the droplets by the propellent gas stream is prevented during the time interval of the disturbance. Carrying of the droplets by the propellent gas stream occurs during the time interval in which the disturbance ceases. The barrier can take the form of a disc or a shell surrounding the target.

Abstract: A high working pressure air sequencer has a manifold to which are connected a high pressure air inlet and a plurality of outlets to which high pressure air is to be distributed. A rotary valve head is located within the manifold, and sequentially couples the air inlet to a different outlet. The valve head includes an outlet button which includes a bore which sequentially aligns with the outlet bores. Both the outlet button bore and the outlet bore portions with which the button bore aligns are of geometries which provide a rapid transition between coupled and uncoupled air passage conditions.

Abstract: A dust control and cooling apparatus for use in connection with a circular knitting machine includes a flexible manifold which sits upon the knitting machine table and encircles the needle cylinder. A series of nozzles directs pressurized air applied to the manifold towards the needle cylinder to remove lint and dust from the operating surface and cool the components. The manifold assumes a generally flat configuration when not operating, allowing access to the enclosed area without removal of the manifold. When operating the manifold inflates and expands upwardly towards the overlying sinker ring, sealing the enclosed volume and allowing a positive pressure to be generated therein. This positive pressure helps prevent the further ingress of lint and dust into the enclosed volume.

Abstract: A fan blower apparatus for use in connection with circular knitting machines includes a relatively small diameter frame to which a drive motor is mounted. The drive motor rotates an L-shaped platform about a vertical axis. The platform supports a fan unit journaled for rotation about a vertical axis. A belt system utilizes the rotation of the platform about the vertical axis to provide a drive motor to rotate the fan unit about the horizontal axis. An integral air spray system may be incorporated into the frame to provide a cleansing air spray for the fan unit as it operates.

Abstract: A nozzle particularly adapted for use in connection with mist oil lubricating units removes the mist oil from the carrier gas, collects the removed oil, and reintroduces it into the interior of the carrier gas flow such that it may be carried in the form of a series of uniformly sized drops to a target to be lubricated. The nozzle may include a helical flow path for the mist, during the traverse of which the mist oil is extracted from the unit, and a needle-like assembly which collects extracted oil and channels it into the interior of the gas flow as it exits the nozzle.

Abstract: A fan guard for use in connection with a textile fan blower is of minimal surface area to intrude upon the air flow or collect lint or debris. The guard has a plurality of fingers joined together by a mounting ring. The fingers are annexed in a spoke-like configuration to embrace the fan blades, and are free of additional interconnections along their length. The ends of the fingers are located so as to create an open central exhaust corridor for the fan.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for use in conjunction with textile blowers of the type having a blower mounted to a rotating arm includes a pneumatic coupling to pass compressed air from a stationary source to a nozzle assembly mounted to the rotating arm. The coupling may include a valve which operates periodically during the arm rotation to pass the compressed air on an intermittent basis. The nozzle assembly may preferably include a plurality of nozzles arrayed in a common plane to form a curtain of air which impinges on the blower to remove accumulated lint and other debris therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing lint and debris from circular knitting machines has a rotating arm positioned such that its distal end sweeps about the periphery of the machine. A fan motor unit located at the distal end is mounted for 360 degree rotation in a plane perpendicular to the plane of arm rotation, allowing the sweep of air to contact both the machine surface as well as adjacent areas. The fan/motor unit is preferably rotated by an arm mounted rotation motor, coupled to the unit by a commutator. The rotational rates of the central drive and the rotation drive are chosen to allow the path about the machine circumference described by the fan/motor unit to vary upon successive arm revolutions to insure a fan sweep over all machine surfaces.

Abstract: A distributor for feeding a lubricant to lubrication tubes is provided. A pressurized lubricant stream is projected from an outlet across a gap and impinges at least in part on an inlet of a lubrication tube positioned to face the stream. The lubrication tube is supported so as to limit interference of flow into its inlet by excess lubricant from the stream not impinging on the inlet. The lubricant stream may be in the form of an essentially conical stream diverging from the outlet, two lubrication tubes positioned with their respective inlets in essentially uniform spacing from the outlet and from the axis of the conical stream receiving essentially uniform quantities of lubricant. The lubrication stream may be a pressurized air-oil stream.

Abstract: A liquid-oil feeder is provided for supplying various metered amounts of oil to a plurality of regions. The feeder has a tank of oil and an oil pick-up chamber reciprocating in and out of the supply of oil. The chamber contacts a transfer plate and a longitudinally adjustable rod displaces the oil from the chamber to the transfer plate. The metered amount of oil then flows from the transfer plate through a spout to an outlet leading to an oil line for carrying the oil to the various regions. A plurality of such chambers and transfer plates, displaced as a unit and each associated with a separate adjustable rod and outlet, may be provided. The feeder is capable of supplying oil in a continuous flow of droplets and also has flushing apparatus for supplying a stream of oil to various regions.

Abstract: A liquid-oil feeder is provided for supplying various metered amounts of oil to a plurality of regions. The feeder has a tank of oil and an oil pick-up chamber reciprocating in and out of the supply of oil. The chamber contacts a transfer plate and a longitudinally adjustable rod displaces the oil from the chamber to the transfer plate. The metered amount of oil then flows from the transfer plate through a spout to an outlet leading to an oil line for carrying the oil to the various regions. A plurality of such chambers and transfer plates, displaced as a unit and each associated with a separate adjustable rod and outlet, may be provided. The feeder is capable of supplying oil in a continuous flow of droplets and also has flushing apparatus for supplying a stream of oil to various regions.