Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A powdered lubricant applicator is provided which utilizes a venturi nozzle to draw powder from a fluidized hopper. The amount of powder delivered from the hopper is controlled by the air flow rate through the nozzle and by the length of time that the air flows through the nozzle. As air passes through the nozzle, powdered lubricant is drawn from the fluidized hopper and passed with the air along a delivery tube. As the fluidized powdered lubricant passes along the delivery tube, additional 'atomizing' air is introduced into the delivery tube to assist powder delivery to the destination mechanism to be lubricated. In addition, fluidizing air is added to the delivery tube. The air used to assist the powder delivery (i.e., the atomizing air) and the air used to fluidize the powder (i.e., the fluidizing air) impact the powder delivery. Three pressure regulators are used to independently control the flow air, the atomizing air and the fluidizing air. The powdered lubricant applicator pneumatically delivers the powdered lubricant from the delivery tube to a gun which imparts a static charge to the particles within the powdered lubricant. The powdered lubricant continues to flow through the gun to a discharge line and is delivered to the destination, such as the walls of a powdered metal compaction press machine. The static charge imparted by the electrostatic gun facilitates attraction of the powdered particles to the surface of the die walls. The powdered lubricant applicator controls the pressure regulators and electrostatic gun to ensure that a desired amount of powdered lubricant is consistently delivered to the powdered metal compaction press machinery.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim