Westinghouse 5026 Instruction Pamphlet page 21

40
CROSS COMPOUND AIR COMPRESSORS
An oil port d of definite size is located in the stem
and connects passage b to an annular feeding cavity e
which is formed by a recess in the stem and the neat
fitting sleeve, around it. This sleeve has two diametri­
cally placed notches e at its lower end which connect
chamber a with cavity e.
When the compressor makes its upward .stroke, air
is forced up through passage b and into the space aboye
the oil in chamber a.
The lubricant in the cup will flow through the notches
"e"
into the space between the stem 3 and the sleeve
4 and rise in space
e
by capillary attraction and will
then enter opening d to passage b, from which, on the
downward stroke of the compressor, the lubricant is car­
ried with the flow of the air from the chamber on top of
the oil, through passage b into the compressor cylinder.
This small amount of oil supplied regularly and reliably
is ample to adequately lubricate the air cylinder.
Due to the ability of this type of lubricator to
minute particles of oil in. uniform quantities to the air
cylinder of the compressor during each cycle of opera­
tion, one filling of its oil chamber will supply sufficient
lubrication to the compressor air cvlinder for the aver­
age trip of a locomotive.
A good grade of standard locomotive saturated steam
valve oil only should be used in the air cylinders. Super­
heater oil is not recommended for air cylinder lubrication.
because it tends to restrict the air passages, causing
compressor to heat unduly and to wear faster than with
the lighter valve oil recommended.
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INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTHUCTIONS 41
LUBRICATION-STEAM CYLINDERS.
The steam
inder lubricator (if used) should not be started until all
condensation has escaped from the compressor and the
drain cocks closed. After closing the drain cocks, start
the lubricator to feed in ten or fifteen drops of oil as
rapidly as possible, then regulate the feed to about two
or four drops per minute for each compressor. No
amount can be specified, as the amount of lubrication
required depends on the work the compressor has to do,
the quality of the steam, condition of compressor, and
so on. Keep the lubricator feeding while the compressor
is running.
A swab, well oiled, is essential on each oiston rod.