Lubrication system with passive drain valve

摘要

A lubrication system is disclosed. The lubrication system may have a collection area for collecting lubricating media and a pumping system for transporting the lubricating media from a withdrawal location of the collection area to a distribution location of the collection area. The lubricating media may collect in the collection area to a static level when the pumping system is off and to a dynamic level when the pumping system is on. The lubrication system may also include a drain valve located between the static level and the dynamic level. The drain valve may operable to open to drain a portion of the lubricating media in response to the lubricating media reaching a predefined threshold temperature and level. The valve may comprise a thermally-activated material, and the material may substantially change phase or volume upon reaching a predetermined temperature.

主权项

1. A lubrication system, comprising:
a collection area for collecting lubricating media; a pumping system for transporting the lubricating media from a withdrawal location of the collection area to a distribution location of the collection area; wherein the lubricating media collects in the collection area to a static level when the pumping system is off and to a dynamic level when the pumping system is on; a drain valve located between the static level and the dynamic level, the drain valve operable to open to drain a portion of the lubricating media in response to the lubricating media reaching a predefined threshold temperature and level, wherein the drain valve will fail open in the event of failure; a spring arranged to provide an altering spring rate to unseal a valve seat opening; and a material that changes phase or volume at a predetermined threshold temperature, the material provided in at least one of: inside the spring, the spring surrounding a central portion of a piston; between a plunger at a first end of the material and washers at a second end of the material opposite the first end of the material, wherein the spring is provided to act against the cause a valve plug and the piston to move toward the first end of the material; and between the plunger and an end of an inner chamber, the plunger positioned between the inner chamber and the spring, wherein the spring exerts a first force acting against a wall at a first end of the spring and exerts a second force acting directly against the plunger at a second end of the spring opposite the first end of the spring.