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Air compressor including a disk oil slinger assemblyRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Motor Driven, Electric Or Magnetic Motor, Reciprocating Rigid Pumping Member, Reciprocating MotorAir compressor including a disk oil slinger assembly description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060104839, Air compressor including a disk oil slinger assembly. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/118,675 filed Apr. 9, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/861,285 filed May 18, 2001. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/118,675 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/861,285 are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of oil lubrication devices for air compressors, and more particularly to an air compressor including a disk oil slinger suitable for use in oil lubricated air compressors. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Typically, lower cost oil lubricated air compressors have employed a "splash" lubrication system to distribute oil from the oil sump to the mechanical bearings, seals, valves, pistons and other parts that require lubrication and oil cooling. A small protruding piece of material or "dip stick" is attached to one or more of the moving components such that during each revolution of the crankshaft, the dip stick dips into the oil sump at sufficient velocity to cause oil to splash onto the components requiring lubrication. The size, shape and velocity of the dip stick must be engineered to assure sufficient lubrication and oil cooling for all components while minimizing atomization of the oil in the crankcase so as to reduce oil loss through the crankcase vent. A higher velocity or larger profile dip stick will improve lubrication and oil cooling but will increase oil atomization and oil loss through the crankcase vent. A less aggressive dipstick velocity or profile will reduce lubrication and oil cooling but also reduce oil loss through the vent. These conflicting phenomena require designers to compromise their design by reducing the positive benefits of lubrication and oil cooling in order to reduce the negative effects of oil loss. [0004] Another problem with such traditional splash oil lubrication systems is that a number of the air compressors in which such systems are used are portable and are regularly moved by hand from one work site to another. If such portable air compressors are not properly leveled prior to operation, the dip stick splash lubricator may not reach the oil sump causing a lack of needed lubrication and cooling, possibly leading to subsequent component failure. [0005] Consequently, it would be advantageous to provide a "splash" lubrication system designed to increase the flow rate of lubricating and cooling oil to lubricated components of an air compressor while reducing oil atomization and oil loss through the crankcase vent. Further, it would be desirable to provide such a lubrication system that is capable of functioning properly while the crankcase is tilted, providing an increased tolerance of operation on non-level surfaces. Further it would be desirable to provide a lubrication system for implementation within an air compressor having a universal motor, said lubrication system providing improved lubrication for the universal motor, which typically operates at higher rates of speed than other conventional air compressor motors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a "splash" lubrication system having an oil slinger capable of providing an increased flow rate of lubricating and cooling oil to lubricated components of an air compressor compared to conventional dip stick oil slingers, while reducing oil atomization and oil loss through the crankcase vent. In embodiments of the invention, the oil slinger is comprised of a disk coupled to the crankshaft assembly of the air compressor being lubricated, so that rotation of the crankshaft assembly rotates the disk for splashing lubricating oil from the crankcase's oil sump onto components of the air compressor. Preferably, at least a portion of the oil slinger is continuously submerged in the lubricating oil contained in the oil sump as it is rotated by the crankshaft assembly, thereby decreasing atomization of oil from the oil sump. Further, the oil slinger may be designed to remain at least partially submerged in the oil sump even if the crankcase is tilted providing increased tolerance of operation on non-level surfaces. [0007] In one embodiment the lubrication system may be implemented in an air compressor having two or more cylinder/piston assemblies. In such embodiments, the cylinders of the air compressor are oriented (e.g., may overlap) so that a single oil slinger may provide lubrication to both assemblies. [0008] In a further embodiment the lubrication system may be implemented in an oil-lube direct drive air compressor having a universal motor. The lubrication system of the present invention providing an increased level of lubrication for meeting the demands of a universal motor, which typically operates at higher rates of speed than a conventional air compressor motor. [0009] It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which: [0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a lubrication system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view illustrating the oil slinger of the lubrication system shown in FIG. 1; [0013] FIGS. 3 and 4 are side elevational views illustrating tilting of the crankcase; [0014] FIG. 5 is an isometric view illustrating a shaped disk oil slinger having edge and/or surface features in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 6 is an isometric view illustrating an auger oil slinger in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 7 is an isometric view illustrating an oil slinger in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the oil slinger is not a continuous disk; [0017] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional side elevational view illustrating an air compressor having two cylinder/piston assemblies, wherein the air compressor employs the lubrication system of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a belt drive air compressor assembly including the lubrication system of the present invention; [0019] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the lubrication system of the air compressor assembly shown in FIG. 10; Continue reading about Air compressor including a disk oil slinger assembly... Full patent description for Air compressor including a disk oil slinger assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Air compressor including a disk oil slinger assembly patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Air compressor including a disk oil slinger assembly or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Integrated eccentric flywheel oil slinger Next Patent Application: Electric motor pump for swimming pool maintenance Industry Class: Pumps ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Air compressor including a disk oil slinger assembly patent info. 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