The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 29, 2004
Filed:
May. 26, 1999
Robert J. Weskamp, Long Grove, IL (US);
James A. Morbeck, Cary, IL (US);
Wes-Tech, Inc., Buffalo Grove, IL (US);
Abstract
A conveyor system having an automatic lubricating system for the conveyor chain and its associated guide track is provided. The conveyor system includes a conveyor chain, a guide track, a lubricator, and a support frame. The guide track is carried by the support frame, and has a bottom wall with a guide surface and an aperture. The conveyor chain has interconnecting links, and is supported by the guide track for movement. Each of the links of the conveyor chain has a lower surface that may contact the guide surface of the guide track when the conveyor chain is moved. The lubricator is mounted on the support frame, and includes a separator dividing the lubricator into a lubricant chamber and a gas compartment. The lubricator includes an electrochemical cell in the gas compartment for generating gas that flows against the separator to move the separator against the lubricant in the chamber to force the lubricant through an outlet. An adapter block and piping are used to place the lubricator outlet in fluid communication with the aperture in the bottom wall of the guide track. When the lubricator is activated, lubricant exits the lubricator, and travels through the adapter block and the aperture in the bottom wall of the guide track. When the links pass over areas near the aperture, the lower surfaces of the links contact the lubricant and a lubricating film is formed between guide surface of the guide track and the lower surface of each link.