The Locomotive Of Today

158 The Framing, Wheels, etc. : Lubricators. as only the required quantity need be supplied; and further, the oil driven in in this way, finely mixed with the steam, is spread over the whole surface, and therefore lubricates better than when allowed to simply drip into the valve chests or cylinders. One of the best known and most used is that made by the Vacuum Oil Co. H is a vertical section, showing on the left the oil and condensing chambers, and- on the right the shut-off cock. This cock must be shut before the oil plug can be removed, therefore when open the handle is arrangecl to stand directly above the plug to prevent the latter being taken out when steam is on, for then injury might be causecl to the operator by reason of the hot oil being blown out. Steam enters at the pipe on the right, passing through the cock, and down the condensing tube to the bottom of the oil, raising the surface of this above the central pipe, which is open at the top, and leads to the regulating valve at the bottom. In the shut-off plug a small port at an angle leads a jet of steam into the outlet pipe, which meets the drop of oil as it is passed up through the sight chamber to the surface of the water, and carries it away with it. J is another vertical section taken at right angles to H, and shows the sight chamber and regulating gear on the right. The former con- sists of a glass tube with a glanel nut at each end to form a joint, and the latter has a screwed spindle which adjusts the supply to a small vertical nipple through which the oil passes in the form of globules. K is a sectional plan showing the relative positions of these various parts, the flange being provided as a convenient means of attachment to the cab side or bracket as required. The condensed water is drawn off as required from the outlet plug at the bottom.