The task force have established the
failure modes and tested ASTM pump-
ability reference oils in full scale
engines. They have concluded that
their data on failure and border-line
pumping temperatures could be the
basis for evaluating the ability of labo-
ratory bench tests to predict oil pum-
pability at low temperatures. They are
now in the final phase of the pro-
gramme, evaluating bench tests.
High temperature
Progress in the high temperature, high
shear regime has not been so dramatic.
Problems such as the development of
viscometric tests for use at, say, 150°C
have still to be resolved. The task
force, however, believes that it can
meet its targets: it seems that we can
expect SAE to produce "a truly mean-
ingful engine oil viscosity classifica-
tion" by 1980.
Three way protection
Designed for in-line mounting ahead
of sensitive hydraulic components,
a recent addition to the range of filters
available is claimed to provide protec-
tion in three ways. It removes conta-
minants, indicates when the element
needs cleaning, and incorporates an
automatic partial by-pass.
The Model 25.P filter will handle flow
rates up to 163 litres/min at pressures
up to 400 bars. Wire cloth, cellulose
paper, and 'Glas-Pak' composite ele-
ments are available with filtration
ratings down to 3/.tin. The large
element area gives a low pressure drop,
about 0.7 bar at rated flows across a
clean element, allowing long operating
periods between services.
An external indicator for dirt build-up
on the element is mechanically linked
to the by-pass valve. It responds to any
increase in pressure differential across
the element. The mechanical indicator
can be supplemented by a microswitch,
to give an electrical signal for remote
warning. If the signal is ignored, the
partial bypass operates automatically.
This prevents the development of a
high pressure differential across a dirty External indication o f the state o f the
element - a common cause of element
collapse,
Tell-Tale Filters, Peel Street,
Morley, Leeds, UK
80 TRIBOLOGY international April 1977
High speed miler bearings
Roiling element bearings operating at
high speeds in the elastohydrodynamic
lubrication regime are prone to oil
starvation. A recent development may
overcome these problems by repleni-
shing the oil fllrn via the bearing cage.
The life of rolling element bearings is
critically dependent on the thickness
of the elastohydrodynamic oil film
separating the elements and the
raceways. Interferometric studies
have shown that, unless there is suffici-
ent oil ahead of the contact region to
provide a medium for pressure build
up, oil starvation occurs, leading to a
drastic reduction in oil f'drn thickness.
Beatings operating at high speeds or
carrying thrust loads are particularly
prone to starvation. Increasing the oil
supply does not solve the problem.
filter can be supplemented by a
microswitch to provide an electrical
signa:for remote warning
One possible solution is to replenish
the oil supply from reservoirs between
the rollers and the bearing cage. The
ends of the spacers can be hollowed
out to leave a radius of curvature
smaller than the radius of the rollers.
The reservoir formed in this way can
be fed with oil from a jet in the
bearing housing, via axial passageways
in the spacers and a supply port. As
the cage rotates, the port is periodic-
ally aligned with the supply nozzle,
thus replenishing the oil reservoirs.
A provisional patent for this invention
has been fried. The National Research
and Development Corporation are
seeking licensees to develop the inven-
tion for commercial applications.
R.D. Clark, NRDC, Kingsgate
House, 66-74 Victoria Street,
London SWl, UK
Cam followers
Cam mechanisms with multiple, rigidly
connected, roller followers are used in
textile, packaging, and many other
types of machinery. Flexibility of the
elements and machining tolerances
result in the followers periodically
loosing contact with the cam, leading
to noise and scuffing.
The National Research and Develop-
ment Corporation have filed a patent
for a cam-follower assembly with a
pivoted or sliding roller. The roller
is biassed to keep it in contact with
the cam throughout the operating
cycle and mounted to act substantially
as a rigid element in the loaded part of
the cycle. The biassing may be pro-
vided by conventional or torsional
springs, weights, or hydraulic loading.
If desired, the range of movement of
the roller in operation may be limited.
This type of assembly may be part of
a multiple cam follower assembly -
for example, a conjugate cam-follower.
It is claimed that larger tolerances
and amounts of wear can be accepted
than with conventional arrangements
and that impulsive loading, noise, and
scuffing, are reduced or eliminated.
R.D. Clark, NRDC, Kingsgate House
66-74Victoria Street, London SW1,
UK