Title of Invention	BEARING ARRANGEMENT AND METERING VALVE AND SUCTION DEVICE THEREFOR
Abstract	Abstract BEARING ARRANGEMENT AND METERING VALVE AND SUCTION DEVICE THEREFOR The invention relates to a bearing arrangement with an outer ring (1) and an inner ring (2) that can rotate relative to one another and rolling bodies (3) especially balls, which are located between the outer ring and the inner ring. The invention also relates to an infixed distributor (6) and a suction exhaust device (24) for incorporation in such a bearing arrangement.

Title of Invention

BEARING ARRANGEMENT AND METERING VALVE AND SUCTION DEVICE THEREFOR

Abstract

Abstract BEARING ARRANGEMENT AND METERING VALVE AND SUCTION DEVICE THEREFOR The invention relates to a bearing arrangement with an outer ring (1) and an inner ring (2) that can rotate relative to one another and rolling bodies (3) especially balls, which are located between the outer ring and the inner ring. The invention also relates to an infixed distributor (6) and a suction exhaust device (24) for incorporation in such a bearing arrangement.

Full Text	The invention relates to a bearing arrangement with an outer ring and an inner ring, which can rotate relative to one another, and with rolling bodies, especially balls, which are located between the outer ring and the inner ring. The invention also relates to an infeed distributor and to a suction exhaust device for incorporation in such a bearing arrangement. Roller bearings of the type mentioned in the introduction are used among other applications for bearings in wind power installations, construction machines or similar. In these bearings, a special lubricant supply is often provided to lubricate the rolling body. For this purpose, infeed distributors (injectors) are used partially as block distributors with several cells or as individual cell distributors, which are held with a distributor rail. In both variants, the infeed distributors are provided with attachment bores for securing either on the component to be lubricated or on a holding plate. The lubricant is conveyed then from the infeed distributors (injectors) via a lubrication line to the site to be lubricated. This is considered disadvantageous in some application cases because of the construction space required for the infeed distributor. In addition there is the risk of bursting of the lubrication, which entails time intensive and labor intensive repair work. To avoid uncontrolled exit of lubricant, in the bearing arrangements, some plastic bottles are provided, which are screwed into radially oriented ducts to receive exiting lubricant. The regular emptying of these bottles that are sometimes difficult to access is found to be cumbersome. In addition there is the risk of exiting of the lubricant in an uncontrolled manner from the bearing arrangement if the bottle is not emptied in due time. The problem of the present invention, in this regard then, is to produce a bearing arrangement of the type mentioned in the introduction, which allows in a particularly space saving and cost saving way the lubrication of, for example, rolling bodies with high operational reliability. This problem is essentially solved according to the invention in that in the outer ring and/or in the inner ring, at least one bore is provided, which receives an infeed distributor or similar metering valve as a cartridge insert, which insert is connected to a lubricant supply. In other words, the metering valve, which may be designed, for example, as an infeed distributor, is designed in such a way that it can be integrated as a cartridge insert in a bore of a component. If the metering valve is directly integrated as a cartridge insert in the outer ring or the inner ring of the bearing arrangement, then no additional construction space is required for the arrangement of block distributors or individual cell distributors. It is precisely in relatively large bearing arrangements, as used, for example, in wind power installations or construction machines, that a space saving arrangement of the metering valves in the bearing arrangement itself is possible. Because, also, distributor rails and similar parts are no longer needed, the arrangement according to the invention of the metering valves as cartridge inserts in the bearing arrangement also entails a clear cost saving. The bore is here designed preferably with a radial orientation; however, an axially oriented bore can also be provided as a function of the conditions of use. In addition, the operational safety is increased, because the distributor outlet of each metering valve is in direct connection with the site to be lubricated. Because no lubrication line is present, there is thus no risk of bursting of the lubrication line as a result of the high counter pressure. Moreover, the replacement of metering valves for repair and maintenance purposes is also simplified if the valves are designed as cartridge inserts received in a bore in the outer ring or the irmer ring of the bearing arrangement. If at least one additional bore is provided in the outer ring and/or in the inner ring, which receives a suction device, which is connected to a lubricant collection container, as a cartridge insert, the lubricant that is conveyed via the at least one metering valve of the bearing arrangement can again be sucked off by the suction device. The lubricant therefore does not exit in an uncontrolled way from the bearing arrangement, but rather it is conveyed to a collection container from which the lubricant can optionally again be conveyed to the bearing arrangement. A replacement of the collection bottles that were conventionally used in the past, which were provided directly on the bearing arrangement, can be omitted in this embodiment. The invention here is not limited to the application of single-row ball bearings, but rather the bearing arrangement according to the invention can also be designed as a double- or multiple-row bearing with balls, rollers or similar rolling bodies. To achieve an optimal lubricant supply and recirculation with the bearing arrangement according to the invention, it is preferred for each rolling body row to be associated with at least one metering valve and/or, in particular, at least one suction device that can be driven by the pressure of the lubricant conveyed to the metering valve, wherein several metering valves or suction devices are connected to one another via a common lubricant supply. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one metering valve or suction device is fixed by means of an adapter that is screwed into at least one bore in the outer ring or the inner ring of the bearing arrangement, and is connected to the lubricant supply. Thus, the adapter, for example, secures thus the metering valve or suction device, which is inserted, for example, only into one bore, and designed as a cartridge insert, in the outer ring or the inner ring of the bearing arrangement. At the same time, the adapter can also form the connection element, by means of which the metering valve, which is designed, for example, as an infeed distributor (injector), is connected to the lubricant supply. It is preferred for several suction devices to be connected via a common recycling line to a lubricant collection container. Alternatively to the arrangement of the metering valve or the suction device in a bore of the bearing arrangement, the at least one metering valve and/or the at least one suction device can be secured to the extemal side of the inner or the outer ring in such a way that at least one bore opens into a lubricant outlet of a metering valve or into a lubricant inlet of a suction device. With this, the at least one metering valve and/or the at least one suction device is preferably flange mounted externally to the inner ring or the outer ring. According to an additional preferred embodiment of the invention, on the radial internal side of the inner ring and/or on the radial external side of the outer ring, at least one mounting ring is arranged, in which at least one bore is provided to receive the metering valve or the suction device. The bearing arrangement according to the invention can be a component of a construction machine or of a wind power installation. However, it is also possible to use the bearing arrangement according to the invention with infeed distributors designed as cartridge inserts or similar metering valves in motor vehicles or tools. The problem that is the basis of this invention is solved by a metering valve, designed, for example, as an infeed distributor, for addition by metering of a lubricant at a lubrication site, particularly on a bearing arrangement, wherein the metering valve presents a lubricant inlet and a lubricant outlet that faces a site that has to be lubricated, between which, in a sleeve, which is designed together with an inlet cap as a cartridge insert to be inserted or screwed into a bore, a sealing piston as a reversing valve and a conveyance piston are led in a shiftable way. For the addition by metering of lubricant, the sealing piston here presents a circumferential sealing lip, which allows a lubricant to flow through in the conveyance direction and prevents flow back of the lubricant, and which can be shifted between a position that unblocks a reversing or pressure release duct and a position that blocks said duct. The sealing piston can be biased by a spring or a similar elastic element into its position that blocks the pressure release duct. Furthermore, the conveyance piston can be shifted in the conveyance direction against the force of a spring or of another suitable elastic element for the conveyance of lubricant to the site to be lubricated and opposite the conveyance direction to suck lubricant due to the force of the spring or the elastic element. In the pressure phase, in which lubricant is led through the lubricant inlet to the sealing piston, the lubricant flows past the sealing piston that acts as a reversing valve, which piston is shifted into its position that blocks the reversing or pressure release duct, and as a result the reversing or pressure release duct is hydraulically separated from the inlet area. The lubricant that flows past the elastic sealing lip of the sealing piston applies, in the process, pressure to the conveyance piston, which conveys the lubricant against the force of the spring that is applied to it, to the site to be lubricated. ?^ In the release phase, in which the pressure in the main line drops and as a result no lubricant is conveyed through the lubricant inlet, the spring that is applied to the conveyance piston presses it opposite the conveyance direction. As a result, the sealing piston is moved out of its position that blocks the reversing or pressure release duct into its position that unblocks the pressure release duct. In this way, the lubricant can be rearranged through the pressure release duct from the inlet side of the conveyance piston to the outlet side of the conveyance piston, until the conveyance piston reaches an abutment facing the lubricant inlet. The two pistons of the metering valve then have reached their starting position, to convey, in a new pressure phase, the lubricant arranged on the external side of the conveyance piston to the site to be lubricated. The design of the metering valve as a cartridge insert in the sense of the present invention means that the latter is designed in a way that the cartridge insert can be integrated in a bore of a component. A distributor (manifold) and/or attachment bores are therefore not needed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the infeed distributor or similar metering device presents an adapter with an external threading for the fixation of the cartridge insert into a threaded bore, wherein the cartridge insert, at least in some areas, has a smaller external diameter than the adapter. In this way, the metering valve that is designed as a cartridge insert can be shifted easily into a bore or similar part, and it can be secured by screwing in the adapter. Alternatively, the cartridge insert itself can be provided at least in some areas with an external threading, in order to be screwed directly, even without an additional adapter, into a threaded bore. In a refinement of this inventive concept, the pressure release duct runs at least in sections along the external surface of the cartridge insert in a slit formed as a result of the external diameter that is smaller as compared to the adapter. The structure of the cartridge insert as a result becomes particularly simple, because no additional pressure release duct is provided, leading past the conveyance piston through the sleeve. Rather, the lubricant can flow in the pressure release phase in a slit-like annular space between the external side of the sleeve and the internal side of a bore or similar part to the outlet-side end of the conveyance piston. Alternatively or additionally it is also possible for a groove or similar recess or flattening to be formed in the external wall of the sleeve and to then form a part of the pressure release duct. If o-rings or similar centering means are provided on the cartridge insert, then a defined width of the annular slit can be achieved, so that the slit can be used as a part of the pressure release duct. It is preferred for the lubricant outlet of the metering valve to be connected, without the insertion of a lubrication line, by direct connection to the site to be lubricated. The omission of the lubrication line, which is possible as a result of the design of the metering valve as a cartridge insert, increases the safety, because with lubrication lines there is some risk that they may burst as a result of a high counter pressure. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a combination is provided which consists of at least one metering valve for the addition by metering of a lubricant to a lubrication site and at least one suction device. With this, the suction device is provided with a lubricant inlet facing the site to be lubricated, and a lubricant outlet, between which, in a sleeve that is designed as a cartridge insert to be inserted or sci^ewed into a bore, a piston is led in a way so that the piston, in a first movement direction, sucks lubricant out of the lubricant inlet into the sleeve and, in a second movement direction, which is opposite the first movement direction, conveys lubricant through the lubricant outlet out of the sleeve, wherein the metering valve and the suction device are connected to one another via a shared lubricant supply for the conveyance of pressurized lubricant in such a way that the piston of the suction device, via the pressurized lubricant of the lubricant supply, can be shifted against the force of an elastic element in one of the two movement directions and by the force of the elastic element into the other of the two movement directions. According to a preferred embodiment, the suction device is designed in such a way that, in the sleeve, a cylinder bore is provided, into which the lubricant inlet, the lubricant outlet, and a connection for the lubricant supply open, and in which the first piston as well as an additional piston are led in a shiftable way so that the first piston can be moved by the pressure of the lubricant from the lubricant supply from a position that unblocks the lubricant inlet into a position that closes the lubricant inlet, wherein the additional piston can be moved by the first piston out of a position that closes the lubricant inlet into a position that unblocks the lubricant outlet. The invention is explained in greater detail below using embodiments examples and with reference to the drawing. Here all the described and/or pictorially represented characteristics, taken alone or in any combination, constitute the object of the invention, independently of their summary in the claims or their interrelationship. Schematically shown are: Figure 1 in a cross-sectional view, a bearing arrangement according to the invention with an infeed distributor, Figure 2 in an enlarged cross section, the infeed distributor according to Figure 1 in the pressure phase. Figure 3 in an enlarged cross section, the'infeed distributor according to Figure 1 in the pressure release phase. Figure 4 in cross-sectional view, a suction device according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 in cross-sectional view, a suction device according to a second embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 in cross-sectional view, a suction device according to a third embodiment of the invention, Figure 7 in a perspective view, a bearing arrangement according to the invention with infeed distributors and suction devices. Figure 8 in cross-sectional view, a bearing arrangement according to a fourth embodiment of the invention with two infeed distributors. Figure 9 in cross-sectional view, a bearing arrangement according to a fifth embodiment of the invention with a suction device. Figure 10 in cross-sectional view, a bearing arrangement according to a sixth embodiment of the invention with two infeed distributors, Figure 11a in a perspective view, an infeed distributor according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 lb in a perspective view, the infeed distributor according to Figure 1 la seen from the back. Figure 12a in a perspective view, a suction device according to an eighth embodiment of the invention. Figure 12b in a perspective view, the suction device according to Figure 12a seen from the back. Figure 13 in a perspective view, a suction device according to a ninth embodiment of the invention, Figure 14 in a perspective view, a suction device according to an additional embodiment of the invention. Figures 15a-e in a cross-sectional view, a suction device according to an additional embodiment of the invention. In Figures 1 -3 and 7, a bearing arrangement is shown, as can be used, for example, for wind power installations or large construction machines, by an outer ring 1 and an inner ring 2, between which balls 3 are provided in running tracks, so that the outer ring 1 can be rotated relative to the inner ring 2. In the two-row bearing arrangement represented in Figure 1, the balls 3 are led in each case in a cage 4. Through the outer ring 1 of the bearing arrangement, several bores 5 extend in the radial direction, and open into the running tracks of the balls 3. In the left bore 5 in Figure 1, a metering valve designed in the represented embodiment as an infeed distributor (injector) 6 is provided, and can be shifted as a cartridge insert in the bore 5. On the side that is at the top and on the outside in the figures, each of the bores is closedby an adapter 7, which is screwed into a threaded section of the bore 5, and as a result fixes the infeed distributor 6 designed as a cartridge insert. Furthermore, the adapter 7 is connected to a T-piece 8, which is connected to lines 9 for the infeed of a lubricant from a lubrication reservoir container, not shown. The infeed distributor 6 is essentially formed by an inlet cap 10 and a sleeve 11, which together form the cartridge insert. The external diameter of the cartridge insert is here smaller than the external diameter of the adapter 7, so that the cartridge insert can be introduced easily into the bore 5. At the same time, between the internal wall of the bore 5 and the external wall of the cartridge insert 6, an annular slit 12 is defined. By means of the o-rings 23, the metering valve is sealed, on the one hand, in the bore 5, and on the other hand, it is also led in a centered way. The o-rings 23 thus produce a largely constant width of the annular slit 12. The lubricant inlet defined by the central openings in the adapter 7 and the inlet cap 10, is in connection with the lubricant outlet 13 facing the rolling bodies 3 to be lubricated by means of two ducts. As is also evident from the enlarged representation of Figures 2 and 3, the lubricant inlet opens first into an upper cylinder space 14 in which a sealing piston 15, which works as a reversing valve, is led in a shiftable way. From the upper cylinder space 14, an axial duct 16 leads into a cylinder space 17, at the bottom in the figures, which opens into the lubricant outlet 13. In the lower cylinder space 17, a conveyance piston 18 is led in a shiftable way. In addifion, from the upper cylinder spacer 14, a reversing or pressure release duct 19 branches off, which presents a section 19a, at the top in the figures, which opens fi-om the upper cylinder space 14 into the annular slit 12 between the bore 5 and the infeed distributor, as well as a lower section 19b, which opens from the slit 12 into the lower cylinder space 17. The sealing piston 15 is impelled downward in the figure by means of a spring 20, so that the sealing piston 15 is pressed against the upper section 19a of the pressure release duct, blocking the latter. Moreover, the sealing piston 15 is provided with a circumferential sealing lip 21, which allows the lubricant to flow in the upper cylinder space 14 in the conveyance direction, i.e., downward in the figure, while preventing flow back of the lubricant in the opposite direction. The conveyance piston 18 is led in a sealing way in the lower cylinder space 17, so that no lubricant can flow through the lower cylinder space 17 past the conveyance piston 18. A spring 22 presses the conveyance piston 18 upward in the figures opposite the conveyance direction of the lubricant. If now, in the pressure phase represented in Figure 2, a lubricant is pushed through the line 9 and the T piece 8 into the lubricant inlet of the cartridge insert, then the sealing piston 15 is pressed firmly against the upper section 19a of the pressure release duct, closing it. At the same time, the lubricant can flow past the sealing lip 21, which is deformed by the pressure of the lubricant. Via the axial duct 16, the lubricant reaches the lower cylinder space 17 and it moves the conveyance piston 18 against the pressure of the spring 22 in the conveyance direction. As a result, the lubricant taken up in the lower area of the lower cylinder space 17 is conveyed through the lubricant outlet 13 to the site to be lubricated. In the pressure release phase shown in Figure 3, no additional lubricant is fed through the line 9. The sealing piston 15 is applied only by the force of the spring 22 against the upper section 19a of the pressure release duct. The spring 22, which is compressed by the pressure phase, on the other hand, is designed in such a way that in the pressure release phase, the conveyance piston 18 can be shifted upward in the figure. As a result, the lubricant taken up above the conveyance piston 18 in the lower cylinder space 17 is pressed through the axial duct 16 into the upper cylinder space 14. However, the lubricant cannot pass the sealing lip 21 of the sealing piston 15, raising the latter against the force of the spring 20 away from the upper section 19a of the pressure release duct. The lubricant can thus flow through the upper section 19a of the pressure release duct into the annular slit 12, and from there through the lower section 19b of the pressure release duct to the lower side in the figure of the lower cylinder space 17. Once the conveyance piston 18 has reached its upper final position shown in Figure 2, then, in a new pressure phase, the lubricant can be conveyed out of the lower area of the lower cylinder space 17 by the conveyance piston to the lubricant outlet 13. To receive the lubricant that has been introduced from the infeed distributor 6 in the bearing arrangement, and lead it to a collection container (not shown), it is possible to provide, as shown in Figure 7, suction devices 24. Figure 7 here shows a two-row bearing arrangement, wherein each row of rolling bodies is associated in each case with several infeed distributors 6, which are connected via a shared line 9 to a pump (not shown) for feeding the pressurized lubricant. In the intervening space between the rows of rolling bodies of the bearing arrangement, suction devices 24 are represented in Figure 7, wherein, in the circumferential direction, between every two pairs of infeed distributors 6, a suction device 24 is arranged. As described in greater detail below, the suction devices 24 are also connected to the line 9. Furthermore, the suction devices 24 are connected to one another via a recirculation line 25, which leads to a lubricant collection container not shown in the figure. From the latter, the lubricant can optionally be conveyed via a pump back into the line 9. Figure 4 shows details of a first embodiment of a suction device 24. The suction device 24 is essentially formed from a sleeve 26, which is screwed into an additional bore 27 in the bearing arrangement as a cartridge insert. In the sleeve 26, a piston 28 is arranged in a shiftable way, and can be impelled upward in the figure by a spring 29. On the upper side of the sleeve 26 in Figure 4, a connection is provided in order to connect device 24 to the line 9. On the opposite, lower side, a lubricant inlet 30 is provided to suck lubricant from the bearing arrangement, which, in the depicted embodiment, is formed by a check valve. In the sleeve 26, an outlet duct 31 is provided, which is in flow connection with the internal space of the sleeve 26, in which the piston 28 can be shifted. The outlet duct 31 opens into a lubricant outlet 32, which, in the depicted embodiment, is also formed by a check valve. The lubricant outlet 32 is in flow connection with a recirculation line 25. When pressure is applied to the line 9, lubricant flows in the sleeve 26 of the suction device 24 and it pushes the piston 28 against the force of the spring 29 downward in the figure. As a result, lubricant is conveyed out of the inner space of the sleeve 26 through the outlet duct 31 and the lubricant outlet 32 into the recirculation line 25, wherein the check valve of the lubricant outlet 32 opens, and the check valve of the lubricant inlet 30 closes. If pressure is again released from the line 9, the spring 29 pushes the piston 28 upward in the figure, so that a vacuum is generated in the internal space of the sleeve 26. The check valve of the lubricant outlet 32 closes, and the check valve of the inlet 30 opens, suctioning lubricant out of the bearing arrangement. In this way, the lubricant can be conveyed out of the bearing arrangement, for example, into a collection container, from which lubricant can again be fed via the infeed distributor 6 of the bearing arrangement. In Figure 5, a second embodiment of a suction device 24' is represented, which is again formed from a sleeve 26, which is inserted a bore 27 of the bearing arrangement. In the sleeve 26, a piston 28 is led in a shiftable way, and the piston is designed as a differential piston and is impelled downward in the figure by a spring 29. The sleeve 26 is fixed by an adapter 33, which is screwed into the bore 27, in the bearing arrangement. The piston 28 presents a central bore that functions as an outlet duct 31 in connection with the lubricant outlet 32 provided in the adapter 33. A direct flow connection between the lubricant inlet 30 formed from a check valve at the lower end in the figure of the sleeve 26 and the outlet duct 31 in the piston 28, is blocked in the unloaded state by a ring in a groove 34 on the lower end in the figure of the piston 28. On the left side of the adapter 33 in Figure 5, a connection for connecting with the line 9 is provided, so that a pressurized lubricant can flow out of the line 9 into an annular slit 35 between the bore 27 and the external surface of the sleeve 26. Through a cross bore in the sleeve 26, the lubricant can flow inward and as a result press the piston 28 against the force of the spring 29 upward in the figure. As a result, the check valve of the lubricant inlet 30 is opened, and the lubricant is sucked out of the bearing arrangement into the interior of the sleeve 26. Through the ring in the groove 34 that lies in a sealing manner at the internal wall of the sleeve 26, the lubricant taken up in the interior of the piston 28 is conveyed through the lubricant outlet 32 into the recirculation line 25. If the pressure in the line 9 decreases, the piston 28 is pressed downward by the spring 29 in the figure. As a result, the check valve of the lubricant inlet 30 closes, whereby lubricant can flow past the ring in the groove 34 into the bore 31 in the piston 28. In the position of the piston 28 shown in Figure 5, a new cycle can then start again for the suction of lubricant, by applying pressure to the line 9. In Figure 6, an additional embodiment of the suction device 24" is represented. As in the above-described embodiments, a sleeve 26 is again inserted and secured in an appropriate way in a bore 27 in the bearing arrangement. In the interior of the sleeve 26, a piston 28 is led in a shiftable way, and to said piston pressure can be applied upward in the figure by a spring 29. By means of a connector that can be connected to the line 9, pressurized lubricant can be fed into the upper area in the figure of the sleeve 26, so that the piston 28 can be moved downward against the force of the spring 29. The lower area of the internal space of the sleeve 26 is sealed via a check valve 36 with respect to the outlet duct 31 that runs in the wall of the sleeve 26, where the duct is represented with a broken line in Figure 6 and opens in a lubricant outlet 32. Furthermore, in the embodiment represented in Figure 6, on the left side of the sleeve 26, a bypass duct is formed, which forms the lubricant inlet 30 and which is connected by a cross bore to the internal space of the sleeve 26. If the piston 28 is moved downward in the figure by the pressure of the lubricant, the cross bore of the lubricant inlet 30 is closed by the piston 28, so that lubricant taken up in the lower area of the sleeve 26 is compressed. As a result, the check valve 36 opens, and the lubricant can then be conveyed via the outlet duct 31 to the lubricant outlet 32 and into the recirculation line 25. If the pressure in the line 9 drops, the piston 28 is shifted again upward in the figure by the force of the spring 29. The check valve 36 closes again due to the vacuum generated in the sleeve 26, and as soon as the piston 28 passes the cross bore of the lubricant inlet 30, the lubricant is sucked out of the bearing arrangement into the internal space of the sleeve 26. A new cycle for suction and exit of lubricant from the bearing arrangement can then start. In Figure 8, an additional embodiment of the invention is represented, in which, as described above with reference to Figure 1, radial bores 5 are provided, which open into the running tracks of the balls, while an additional bore 5', which extends in the axial direction of the bearing arrangement, is provided in the inner ring 2. In the additional bore 5', two infeed distributors (injectors) 6 are provided, and coupled in such a way that each infeed distributor is connected via its lubricant outlet 13 with the corresponding radial bore 5, while a shared lubricant inlet for both infeed distributors 6 is provided on the radially internal side of the inner ring 2. The lubricant feed can thus occur via a hollow shaft or similar part. In this embodiment, the two infeed distributors 6 can also be provided in the case of a very small radial construction space in the inner ring 2 of a bearing. In the same way, it is possible to provide also in the outer ring 1 an axial bore 5' additionally or as an alternative to the bore 5' in the inner ring 2. In Figure 9, an embodiment similar to Figure 8 is shown, wherein, in an axially running bore 5' in the inner ring 2, a suction device 24 is accommodated, whose lubricant inlet 30 is in connection with the bore 27, which conducts in the slit between the running tracks of the rolling bodies of the bearing arrangement. The suction device 24, as explained above with reference to Figures 4-6, presents a lubricant outlet 32 that can be connected to a collection line, as well as to a connector for connection to the line 9 (not shown in the figure) for feeding the fresh lubricant to which pressure can be applied. As already explained above with reference to Figure 8, it is also possible, alternatively to the embodiment shown in Figure 9, to provide the axially running bores 5' in the outer ring 1 instead of in the inner ring 2. Furthermore, embodiments in which axial bores 5' are provided both in the outer ring 1 and also in the inner ring 2 are also considered advantageous embodiments. Figure 10 represents an additional embodiment of the invention, in which, in the outer ring 1, radial bores 5 are provided, which open into the running tracks of the balls 3 of the bearing arrangement. In these bores 5, however, neither injectors nor suction devices are arranged. On the external side of the outer ring 1, a mounting ring 37 is provided, which presents radial bores, which can be made to overlap with the bores 5 in the outer ring 1. The mounting ring 37 is provided moreover with an axially running bore 5', so that, as explained above with reference to Figure 8, two infeed distributors 6 can be received in the mounting ring 37 without any noteworthy enlargement of the radial construction space. In this way, even existing bearings can be retrofitted with minimal effort with a lubricant supply. As explained above, instead of the two infeed distributors 6 shown in the embodiment according to Figure 10 in the axial bore 5', only a single infeed distributor 6 and/or a suction device 24 is/can be provided. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a mounting ring 37 not on the external side of the outer ring 1, but on the internal side of the inner ring 2. The object of the invention, independently of the above-described embodiment, also is a bearing arrangement, in which separate housings are provided to receive at least one infeed distributor 6 (injector) and/or a suction device 24. Alternatively to the above described embodiment with at least one mounting ring 37, the [sic] can be provided on the front side of the outer ring 1 and/or of the inner ring 2. With an appropriate design of the housing, the latter can optionally also be provided as an alternative to the mounting ring 37 on the external surface of the outer ring 1 or on the internal surface of the inner ring 2. With reference to Figures 11a, and lib, an additional embodiment of the invention is described in which two mutually coupled infeed distributors 6 (injectors) are arranged in a shared housing 38 in such a way that they can be connected via a shared connector to the line 9 (not shown). The housing 38 can be firmly screwed on the bearing arrangement, like a flange connection. For this purpose, several attachment bores 39 are provided in the housing. As shown in Figure 11a, on the side turned away from the bearing arrangement, an inlet 40 for connection with the lubricant line 9 is provided, which supplies fresh lubricant to both infeed distributors 6. On the side opposite the bearing arrangement, as shown in Figure 1 lb, a lubricant outlet 13 is provided for each infeed distributor 6, and can be connected to the bores 5 or 5' in such a way that fresh lubricant can be fed to the running tracks of the balls of the bearing arrangement. The infeed distributors 6 can be received as cartridge inserts in the housing 38, so that they can be replaced rapidly if necessary. In Figures 12a and 12b, an embodiment similar to the embodiment according to Figures 11a and 1 lb is represented, where, in the cuboid housing 38, a suction device 24 is accommodated. On the side of the housing 38 that is turned away from the bearing arrangement, the coimector 40 for feeding fresh lubricant and the lubricant outlet 32 are provided for connection to a collection line. On the other hand, on the side of the housing 38 that faces the bearing arrangement, a lubricant inlet 30 is arranged, which can be connected with an appropriate bore for the suction of old lubricant out of the bearing arrangement. The suction device 24 is also accommodated in a replaceable way as cartridge insert in the housing 38. In Figures 13 and 14, additional embodiments of separate housings 38' and 38", respectively, are represented, which are provided for incorporation in a suction device 24, whose detail is not shown, or alternatively for reception of infeed distributor 6 (not shown in the figures). The housing 38' made of aluminum, for example, in the embodiment according to Figure 13, presents an external contour that is hexagonal in cross section and a central inner bore for receiving the suction device 24. On the external side of the housing 8, a lubricant inlet 30 is provided for connection to a suction line leading to the bearing arrangement, as well as a lubricant outlet 32, which, via a T-piece, releases the sucked lubricant to a collection line, as well as a connector 40, which is also designed as a T-piece for connection to the line 9 to supply fresh lubricant to drive the suction device 24. In the embodiment according to Figure 14, the housing 38" is designed, for example, as a steel pipe with soldered connecting branches. Inside the housing 38", a suction device 24, not represented in further detail, is accommodated. Alternatively, infeed distributors 6 can also be provided in the housing 38". As explained above with reference to Figure 13, in the embodiment according to Figure 14 as well, the connecting branches are formed as a lubricant inlet 30, a lubricant outlet 32 as well as a connection 40 for the line 9. In the embodiments according to Figures 13 and 14, a suction device 24 or an injector can also be applied externally at a bearing site, if incorporation in a bearing unit is not possible for space reasons, or if the expense for the integration in a bearing is too high. The attachment of the housing 38' or 38" can also occur by means of screws. Alternatively or additionally in the case of strong oscillations occurring during operation, it is also possible to provide additional attachment possibilities, such as, for example, clamps. Functioning of a suction device 24 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to Figures 15a-15e. In the rest position according to Figure 15a, the main line is pressure-released, so that the piston 28 is pressed with a washer, shown on the right in the figure, on the piston 28 by the spring 29 into its starting position. An additional piston 28a is pushed by an additional spring 29a also in its starting position, in which the lubricant outlet 32 is closed. The chambers that receive the springs 29, 29a are here already filled with lubricant from the previous work cycle. If, as indicated in Figure 15b, pressure is applied to the main line 9 (for example, 37 bar), then fluid enters into the chamber of the spring 29, shifting the washer and the piston 28 to the left against the force of the spring. The piston 28 as a result closes the lubricant inlet 30. The lubricant present between the pistons 28 and 28a, due to the movement of the piston 28, shifts the piston 28a, so that the latter unblocks the lubricant outlet 32, and old lubricant can exit. This process is terminated when the pressure in the main line 9 increases further (for example, to 80 bar) until the washer, as shown in Figure 15c, pushes against an abutment of the housing. The pistons 28 and 28a come into contact in this process. After the pressure release from the line 9, the springs 29 and 29a push the pistons 28 and 28a back (to the right in Figure 15d). In the process, fi^esh lubricant is recirculated into the line 9. The piston 28a here acts as a check valve, where first a vacuum must be generated between the pistons 28 and 28a. As soon as the piston 28 has been shifted back sufficiently so that the lubricant inlet 30 is opened, the vacuum sucks used lubricant from a bearing (not shown) into the lubricant inlet 30. The suction device is as a result again ready for use in the next work cycle. Reference numeral list 1 Outer ring 2 Inner ring 3 Ball 4 Cage 5,5" Bore 6 Infeed distributor (injector) 7 Adapter 8 T-piece 9 Line 10 Inlet cap 11 Sheet 12 Annular slit 13 Lubricant outlet 14 Upper cylinder space 15 Sealing piston 16 Axial duct 17 Lower cylinder space 18 Conveyance piston 19 Pressure release duct 19a Upper section of the pressure release duct 19 19b Lower section of the pressure release duct 19 20 Spring 21 Sealing lip 22 Spring 23 O-ring 24,24', 24" Suction device 25 Recirculation line 26 Sleeve 27 Bore 28, 28a Piston 29, 29a Spring 30 Lubricant inlet 31 Outlet duct 32 Lubricant outlet 33 Adapter 34 Ring in a groove 35 Annular slit 36 Check valve 37 Mounting ring 38, 38', 38" Housing 39 Attachment bore 40 Connector for line 9 We Claim: 1. Bearing arrangement with an outer ring (1) and an inner ring (2), which can be rotated with respect to each other and with rolling bodies, particularly balls (3), which are arranged between the outer ring (1) and the inner ring (2), characterized in that, in the outer ring (1) and/or in the inner ring (2), at least one, preferably radially, running, bore (5) is provided, which is connected to at least one metering valve (6) provided in and/or on the inner ring or outer ring (1, 2) and/or to at least one suction device (24, 24', 24"), which is provided in and/or on the internal or outer ring (1,2), which suction device(s) is (are) connected to the lubrication supply (8, 9). 2. Bearing arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in the at least one bore (5), the metering valve (6) or the suction device (24,24', 24") is received as cartridge insert. 3. Bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the outer ring (1) and/or in the inner ring (2), a first bore (5), in which a metering valve (6) is accommodated [is provided,] and at least one additional bore (5) is provided, in which a suction device (24, 24', 24") as a cartridge insert is accommodated, which cartridge is connected to a lubricant collection container. 4. Bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the outer ring (1) and the inner ring (2) one or more rows of rolling bodies (3) are arranged next to each other. 5. Bearing arrangement according to one of Claims 1-4, characterized in that at least one metering valve (6) and/or at least one suction device (24, 24', 24"), particularly one that can be driven by the pressure of the lubricant fed to the metering valve (6), are/is associated with each rolling body row (3), wherein several metering valves (6) or suction devices (24, 24', 24") are connected to each other via a shared lubricant supply (8, 9). 6. Bearing arrangement according to one of Claims 1-5, characterized in that the at least one metering valve (6) and/or the at least one suction device (24,24', 24") is fixed via an adapter (7), particularly one that is screwed into the at least one bore, in the outer ring (1) or the inner ring (2), and connected to the lubricant supply. 7. Bearing arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one metering valve (6) and/or the at least one suction device (24,24', 24") are attached on the inner ring or the outer ring (1, 2) in such a way that the at least one bore (5) opens into a lubricant outlet (13) of a metering valve (6) or into a metering inlet (30) of a suction device (24, 24', 24"). 8. Bearing arrangement according to Claim 7, characterized in that the at least one metering valve (6) and/or the at least one suction device (24, 24', 24") are flange mounted to the inner ring or the outer ring (1, 2). 1 £. 9. Bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thai several suction devices (24, 24', 24") are connected via a shared recirculation line (25) to a lubricant collection container. 10. Bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a component of a construction machine or a wind power installation. 11. Metering valve, particularly infeed distributors, for the addition by metering of lubricant to a lubrication site, particularly on a bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, with a lubricant inlet and a lubricant outlet (13) facing the site (3) to be lubricated, between which, in a sleeve (11), which is formed together with an inlet cap (10) as a cartridge insert that can be inserted or screwed into a bore (5), a sealing piston (15) and a conveyance piston (18) are led in a shiftable way, wherein the sealing piston (15) presents a circumferential sealing lip (21), which allows a lubricant to flow through in the conveyance direction and prevents the lubricant from flowing back, and which sealing piston can be shifted between a position that unblocks a pressure release duct (12,19) and a position that blocks the latter, and wherein the conveyance piston (18) can be shifted against the force of an elastic element (22) to convey lubricant in the conveyance direction to the site (3) to be lubricated and to suck lubricant opposite the conveyance direction by the force of the elastic element (22). 12. Metering valve according to Claim 8, characterized by an adapter (7) with an external thread for the fixation of the cartridge insert in a threaded bore (5), wherein the cartridge insert presents at least in some areas a smaller external diameter than the adapter (7). 13. Metering valve according to Claim 12, characterized in that the pressure release duct (12, 19) runs at least in sections along the external surface of the cartridge insert in a slit (12), which is formed as a result of the external diameter that is smaller compared to the adapter (7). 14. Metering valve according to one of Claims 11-13, characterized in that the lubricant outlet (13) is in direct connection with the site (3) to be lubricated, without the insertion of a lubrication line. 15. Combination of at least one metering valve (6) for the addition by metering of lubricant to a lubrication site, particularly on a bearing arrangement according to one of Claims 1-10, and at least one suction device (24,24', 24") with a lubricant inlet (30) and a lubricant outlet (32), between which, in a sleeve (26), which is designed preferably as a cartridge insert to be inserted or screwed into a bore (27), a first piston (28) is led in such a shiftable way so that the first piston (28), in a first movement direction, sucks lubricant from the lubricant inlet into the sleeve (26), and conveys lubricant, in a second movement direction, which is opposite the first movement direction, through the lubricant outlet (32) out of the sleeve (26), wherein the metering valve (6) and the suction device (24, 24', 24") are connected to each other via a shared lubricant supply (9) for the feeding of pressurized lubricant in such a way that the first piston (28) of the suction device (24, 24', 24") can be shifted by the pressurized lubricant of the lubricant supply (9) against the force of an elastic element (29, 29a) in one of the two movement directions and by the force of the elastic element (29, 29a) in the other of the two movement directions. 16. Combination according to Claim 15, characterized in that, in the sleeve (26), a cylinder bore is provided, into which the lubricant inlet (30), the lubricant outlet (32), and the lubricant supply (9) open, and in which the first piston (28) and an additional piston (28a) are led in a shiftable way so that the first piston (28) can be moved by the pressure of the lubricant fi-om the lubricant supply (9) from a position that unblocks the lubricant inlet (30) into a position that closes the lubricant inlet, wherein the additional piston can be moved by the first piston from a position that closes the lubricant outlet into a position that unblocks the lubricant outlet.

Full Text

The invention relates to a bearing arrangement with an outer ring and an inner ring, which can rotate relative to one another, and with rolling bodies, especially balls, which are located between the outer ring and the inner ring. The invention also relates to an infeed distributor and to a suction exhaust device for incorporation in such a bearing arrangement.
Roller bearings of the type mentioned in the introduction are used among other applications for bearings in wind power installations, construction machines or similar. In these bearings, a special lubricant supply is often provided to lubricate the rolling body. For this purpose, infeed distributors (injectors) are used partially as block distributors with several cells or as individual cell distributors, which are held with a distributor rail. In both variants, the infeed distributors are provided with attachment bores for securing either on the component to be lubricated or on a holding plate. The lubricant is conveyed then from the infeed distributors (injectors) via a lubrication line to the site to be lubricated. This is considered disadvantageous in some application cases because of the construction space required for the infeed distributor. In addition there is the risk of bursting of the lubrication, which entails time intensive and labor intensive repair work.
To avoid uncontrolled exit of lubricant, in the bearing arrangements, some plastic bottles are provided, which are screwed into radially oriented ducts to receive exiting lubricant. The regular emptying of these bottles that are sometimes difficult to access is found to be cumbersome. In addition there is the risk of exiting of the lubricant in an uncontrolled manner from the bearing arrangement if the bottle is not emptied in due time.
The problem of the present invention, in this regard then, is to produce a bearing arrangement of the type mentioned in the introduction, which allows in a particularly space saving and cost saving way the lubrication of, for example, rolling bodies with high operational reliability.
This problem is essentially solved according to the invention in that in the outer ring and/or in the inner ring, at least one bore is provided, which receives an infeed distributor or similar metering valve as a cartridge insert, which insert is connected to a lubricant supply. In other words, the metering valve, which may be designed, for example, as an infeed distributor, is designed in such a way that it can be integrated as a cartridge insert in a bore of a component. If the metering valve is directly integrated as a cartridge insert in the outer ring or the inner ring of the bearing arrangement, then no additional construction space is required for the arrangement of block distributors or individual cell distributors. It is precisely in relatively large bearing arrangements, as used, for example, in wind power installations or construction machines, that a space saving arrangement of the metering valves in the bearing arrangement itself is possible. Because, also, distributor rails and similar parts are no longer needed, the arrangement according to the invention of the metering valves as cartridge inserts in the bearing arrangement also entails

a clear cost saving. The bore is here designed preferably with a radial orientation; however, an axially oriented bore can also be provided as a function of the conditions of use.
In addition, the operational safety is increased, because the distributor outlet of each metering valve is in direct connection with the site to be lubricated. Because no lubrication line is present, there is thus no risk of bursting of the lubrication line as a result of the high counter pressure. Moreover, the replacement of metering valves for repair and maintenance purposes is also simplified if the valves are designed as cartridge inserts received in a bore in the outer ring or the irmer ring of the bearing arrangement.
If at least one additional bore is provided in the outer ring and/or in the inner ring, which receives a suction device, which is connected to a lubricant collection container, as a cartridge insert, the lubricant that is conveyed via the at least one metering valve of the bearing arrangement can again be sucked off by the suction device. The lubricant therefore does not exit in an uncontrolled way from the bearing arrangement, but rather it is conveyed to a collection container from which the lubricant can optionally again be conveyed to the bearing arrangement. A replacement of the collection bottles that were conventionally used in the past, which were provided directly on the bearing arrangement, can be omitted in this embodiment.
The invention here is not limited to the application of single-row ball bearings, but rather the bearing arrangement according to the invention can also be designed as a double- or multiple-row bearing with balls, rollers or similar rolling bodies.
To achieve an optimal lubricant supply and recirculation with the bearing arrangement according to the invention, it is preferred for each rolling body row to be associated with at least one metering valve and/or, in particular, at least one suction device that can be driven by the pressure of the lubricant conveyed to the metering valve, wherein several metering valves or suction devices are connected to one another via a common lubricant supply.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one metering valve or suction device is fixed by means of an adapter that is screwed into at least one bore in the outer ring or the inner ring of the bearing arrangement, and is connected to the lubricant supply. Thus, the adapter, for example, secures thus the metering valve or suction device, which is inserted, for example, only into one bore, and designed as a cartridge insert, in the outer ring or the inner ring of the bearing arrangement. At the same time, the adapter can also form the connection element, by means of which the metering valve, which is designed, for example, as an infeed distributor (injector), is connected to the lubricant supply. It is preferred for several suction devices to be connected via a common recycling line to a lubricant collection container.
Alternatively to the arrangement of the metering valve or the suction device in a bore of the bearing arrangement, the at least one metering valve and/or the at least one suction device can be secured to the extemal side of the inner or the outer ring in such a way that at least one

bore opens into a lubricant outlet of a metering valve or into a lubricant inlet of a suction device. With this, the at least one metering valve and/or the at least one suction device is preferably flange mounted externally to the inner ring or the outer ring. According to an additional preferred embodiment of the invention, on the radial internal side of the inner ring and/or on the radial external side of the outer ring, at least one mounting ring is arranged, in which at least one bore is provided to receive the metering valve or the suction device.
The bearing arrangement according to the invention can be a component of a construction machine or of a wind power installation. However, it is also possible to use the bearing arrangement according to the invention with infeed distributors designed as cartridge inserts or similar metering valves in motor vehicles or tools.
The problem that is the basis of this invention is solved by a metering valve, designed, for example, as an infeed distributor, for addition by metering of a lubricant at a lubrication site, particularly on a bearing arrangement, wherein the metering valve presents a lubricant inlet and a lubricant outlet that faces a site that has to be lubricated, between which, in a sleeve, which is designed together with an inlet cap as a cartridge insert to be inserted or screwed into a bore, a sealing piston as a reversing valve and a conveyance piston are led in a shiftable way. For the addition by metering of lubricant, the sealing piston here presents a circumferential sealing lip, which allows a lubricant to flow through in the conveyance direction and prevents flow back of the lubricant, and which can be shifted between a position that unblocks a reversing or pressure release duct and a position that blocks said duct. The sealing piston can be biased by a spring or a similar elastic element into its position that blocks the pressure release duct. Furthermore, the conveyance piston can be shifted in the conveyance direction against the force of a spring or of another suitable elastic element for the conveyance of lubricant to the site to be lubricated and opposite the conveyance direction to suck lubricant due to the force of the spring or the elastic element.
In the pressure phase, in which lubricant is led through the lubricant inlet to the sealing
piston, the lubricant flows past the sealing piston that acts as a reversing valve, which piston is
shifted into its position that blocks the reversing or pressure release duct, and as a result the
reversing or pressure release duct is hydraulically separated from the inlet area. The lubricant
that flows past the elastic sealing lip of the sealing piston applies, in the process, pressure to the
conveyance piston, which conveys the lubricant against the force of the spring that is applied to
it, to the site to be lubricated. ?^
In the release phase, in which the pressure in the main line drops and as a result no lubricant is conveyed through the lubricant inlet, the spring that is applied to the conveyance piston presses it opposite the conveyance direction. As a result, the sealing piston is moved out of its position that blocks the reversing or pressure release duct into its position that unblocks the

pressure release duct. In this way, the lubricant can be rearranged through the pressure release duct from the inlet side of the conveyance piston to the outlet side of the conveyance piston, until the conveyance piston reaches an abutment facing the lubricant inlet. The two pistons of the metering valve then have reached their starting position, to convey, in a new pressure phase, the lubricant arranged on the external side of the conveyance piston to the site to be lubricated.
The design of the metering valve as a cartridge insert in the sense of the present invention means that the latter is designed in a way that the cartridge insert can be integrated in a bore of a component. A distributor (manifold) and/or attachment bores are therefore not needed.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the infeed distributor or similar metering device presents an adapter with an external threading for the fixation of the cartridge insert into a threaded bore, wherein the cartridge insert, at least in some areas, has a smaller external diameter than the adapter. In this way, the metering valve that is designed as a cartridge insert can be shifted easily into a bore or similar part, and it can be secured by screwing in the adapter. Alternatively, the cartridge insert itself can be provided at least in some areas with an external threading, in order to be screwed directly, even without an additional adapter, into a threaded bore.
In a refinement of this inventive concept, the pressure release duct runs at least in sections along the external surface of the cartridge insert in a slit formed as a result of the external diameter that is smaller as compared to the adapter. The structure of the cartridge insert as a result becomes particularly simple, because no additional pressure release duct is provided, leading past the conveyance piston through the sleeve. Rather, the lubricant can flow in the pressure release phase in a slit-like annular space between the external side of the sleeve and the internal side of a bore or similar part to the outlet-side end of the conveyance piston. Alternatively or additionally it is also possible for a groove or similar recess or flattening to be formed in the external wall of the sleeve and to then form a part of the pressure release duct. If o-rings or similar centering means are provided on the cartridge insert, then a defined width of the annular slit can be achieved, so that the slit can be used as a part of the pressure release duct.
It is preferred for the lubricant outlet of the metering valve to be connected, without the insertion of a lubrication line, by direct connection to the site to be lubricated. The omission of the lubrication line, which is possible as a result of the design of the metering valve as a cartridge insert, increases the safety, because with lubrication lines there is some risk that they may burst as a result of a high counter pressure.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a combination is provided which consists of at least one metering valve for the addition by metering of a lubricant to a lubrication site and at least one suction device. With this, the suction device is provided with a lubricant inlet facing the site to be lubricated, and a lubricant outlet, between which, in a sleeve that is

designed as a cartridge insert to be inserted or sci^ewed into a bore, a piston is led in a way so that the piston, in a first movement direction, sucks lubricant out of the lubricant inlet into the sleeve and, in a second movement direction, which is opposite the first movement direction, conveys lubricant through the lubricant outlet out of the sleeve, wherein the metering valve and the suction device are connected to one another via a shared lubricant supply for the conveyance of pressurized lubricant in such a way that the piston of the suction device, via the pressurized lubricant of the lubricant supply, can be shifted against the force of an elastic element in one of the two movement directions and by the force of the elastic element into the other of the two movement directions.
According to a preferred embodiment, the suction device is designed in such a way that, in the sleeve, a cylinder bore is provided, into which the lubricant inlet, the lubricant outlet, and a connection for the lubricant supply open, and in which the first piston as well as an additional piston are led in a shiftable way so that the first piston can be moved by the pressure of the lubricant from the lubricant supply from a position that unblocks the lubricant inlet into a position that closes the lubricant inlet, wherein the additional piston can be moved by the first piston out of a position that closes the lubricant inlet into a position that unblocks the lubricant outlet.
The invention is explained in greater detail below using embodiments examples and with reference to the drawing. Here all the described and/or pictorially represented characteristics, taken alone or in any combination, constitute the object of the invention, independently of their summary in the claims or their interrelationship.
Schematically shown are:
Figure 1 in a cross-sectional view, a bearing arrangement according to the invention with an infeed distributor,
Figure 2 in an enlarged cross section, the infeed distributor according to Figure 1 in the pressure phase.
Figure 3 in an enlarged cross section, the'infeed distributor according to Figure 1 in the pressure release phase.
Figure 4 in cross-sectional view, a suction device according to a first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 in cross-sectional view, a suction device according to a second embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 in cross-sectional view, a suction device according to a third embodiment of the invention,
Figure 7 in a perspective view, a bearing arrangement according to the invention with infeed distributors and suction devices.

Figure 8 in cross-sectional view, a bearing arrangement according to a fourth embodiment of the invention with two infeed distributors.
Figure 9 in cross-sectional view, a bearing arrangement according to a fifth embodiment of the invention with a suction device.
Figure 10 in cross-sectional view, a bearing arrangement according to a sixth embodiment of the invention with two infeed distributors,
Figure 11a in a perspective view, an infeed distributor according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.
Figure 1 lb in a perspective view, the infeed distributor according to Figure 1 la seen from the back.
Figure 12a in a perspective view, a suction device according to an eighth embodiment of the invention.
Figure 12b in a perspective view, the suction device according to Figure 12a seen from the back.
Figure 13 in a perspective view, a suction device according to a ninth embodiment of the invention,
Figure 14 in a perspective view, a suction device according to an additional embodiment of the invention.
Figures 15a-e in a cross-sectional view, a suction device according to an additional embodiment of the invention.
In Figures 1 -3 and 7, a bearing arrangement is shown, as can be used, for example, for wind power installations or large construction machines, by an outer ring 1 and an inner ring 2, between which balls 3 are provided in running tracks, so that the outer ring 1 can be rotated relative to the inner ring 2. In the two-row bearing arrangement represented in Figure 1, the balls 3 are led in each case in a cage 4.
Through the outer ring 1 of the bearing arrangement, several bores 5 extend in the radial direction, and open into the running tracks of the balls 3. In the left bore 5 in Figure 1, a metering valve designed in the represented embodiment as an infeed distributor (injector) 6 is provided, and can be shifted as a cartridge insert in the bore 5. On the side that is at the top and on the outside in the figures, each of the bores is closedby an adapter 7, which is screwed into a threaded section of the bore 5, and as a result fixes the infeed distributor 6 designed as a cartridge insert. Furthermore, the adapter 7 is connected to a T-piece 8, which is connected to lines 9 for the infeed of a lubricant from a lubrication reservoir container, not shown.
The infeed distributor 6 is essentially formed by an inlet cap 10 and a sleeve 11, which together form the cartridge insert. The external diameter of the cartridge insert is here smaller than the external diameter of the adapter 7, so that the cartridge insert can be introduced easily

into the bore 5. At the same time, between the internal wall of the bore 5 and the external wall of the cartridge insert 6, an annular slit 12 is defined. By means of the o-rings 23, the metering valve is sealed, on the one hand, in the bore 5, and on the other hand, it is also led in a centered way. The o-rings 23 thus produce a largely constant width of the annular slit 12.
The lubricant inlet defined by the central openings in the adapter 7 and the inlet cap 10, is in connection with the lubricant outlet 13 facing the rolling bodies 3 to be lubricated by means of two ducts. As is also evident from the enlarged representation of Figures 2 and 3, the lubricant inlet opens first into an upper cylinder space 14 in which a sealing piston 15, which works as a reversing valve, is led in a shiftable way. From the upper cylinder space 14, an axial duct 16 leads into a cylinder space 17, at the bottom in the figures, which opens into the lubricant outlet 13. In the lower cylinder space 17, a conveyance piston 18 is led in a shiftable way. In addifion, from the upper cylinder spacer 14, a reversing or pressure release duct 19 branches off, which presents a section 19a, at the top in the figures, which opens fi-om the upper cylinder space 14 into the annular slit 12 between the bore 5 and the infeed distributor, as well as a lower section 19b, which opens from the slit 12 into the lower cylinder space 17.
The sealing piston 15 is impelled downward in the figure by means of a spring 20, so that the sealing piston 15 is pressed against the upper section 19a of the pressure release duct, blocking the latter. Moreover, the sealing piston 15 is provided with a circumferential sealing lip 21, which allows the lubricant to flow in the upper cylinder space 14 in the conveyance direction, i.e., downward in the figure, while preventing flow back of the lubricant in the opposite direction. The conveyance piston 18 is led in a sealing way in the lower cylinder space 17, so that no lubricant can flow through the lower cylinder space 17 past the conveyance piston 18. A spring 22 presses the conveyance piston 18 upward in the figures opposite the conveyance direction of the lubricant.
If now, in the pressure phase represented in Figure 2, a lubricant is pushed through the line 9 and the T piece 8 into the lubricant inlet of the cartridge insert, then the sealing piston 15 is pressed firmly against the upper section 19a of the pressure release duct, closing it. At the same time, the lubricant can flow past the sealing lip 21, which is deformed by the pressure of the lubricant. Via the axial duct 16, the lubricant reaches the lower cylinder space 17 and it moves the conveyance piston 18 against the pressure of the spring 22 in the conveyance direction. As a result, the lubricant taken up in the lower area of the lower cylinder space 17 is conveyed through the lubricant outlet 13 to the site to be lubricated.
In the pressure release phase shown in Figure 3, no additional lubricant is fed through the line 9. The sealing piston 15 is applied only by the force of the spring 22 against the upper section 19a of the pressure release duct. The spring 22, which is compressed by the pressure phase, on the other hand, is designed in such a way that in the pressure release phase, the

conveyance piston 18 can be shifted upward in the figure. As a result, the lubricant taken up above the conveyance piston 18 in the lower cylinder space 17 is pressed through the axial duct 16 into the upper cylinder space 14. However, the lubricant cannot pass the sealing lip 21 of the sealing piston 15, raising the latter against the force of the spring 20 away from the upper section 19a of the pressure release duct. The lubricant can thus flow through the upper section 19a of the pressure release duct into the annular slit 12, and from there through the lower section 19b of the pressure release duct to the lower side in the figure of the lower cylinder space 17.
Once the conveyance piston 18 has reached its upper final position shown in Figure 2, then, in a new pressure phase, the lubricant can be conveyed out of the lower area of the lower cylinder space 17 by the conveyance piston to the lubricant outlet 13.
To receive the lubricant that has been introduced from the infeed distributor 6 in the bearing arrangement, and lead it to a collection container (not shown), it is possible to provide, as shown in Figure 7, suction devices 24. Figure 7 here shows a two-row bearing arrangement, wherein each row of rolling bodies is associated in each case with several infeed distributors 6, which are connected via a shared line 9 to a pump (not shown) for feeding the pressurized lubricant. In the intervening space between the rows of rolling bodies of the bearing arrangement, suction devices 24 are represented in Figure 7, wherein, in the circumferential direction, between every two pairs of infeed distributors 6, a suction device 24 is arranged. As described in greater detail below, the suction devices 24 are also connected to the line 9. Furthermore, the suction devices 24 are connected to one another via a recirculation line 25, which leads to a lubricant collection container not shown in the figure. From the latter, the lubricant can optionally be conveyed via a pump back into the line 9.
Figure 4 shows details of a first embodiment of a suction device 24. The suction device 24 is essentially formed from a sleeve 26, which is screwed into an additional bore 27 in the bearing arrangement as a cartridge insert. In the sleeve 26, a piston 28 is arranged in a shiftable way, and can be impelled upward in the figure by a spring 29.
On the upper side of the sleeve 26 in Figure 4, a connection is provided in order to connect device 24 to the line 9. On the opposite, lower side, a lubricant inlet 30 is provided to suck lubricant from the bearing arrangement, which, in the depicted embodiment, is formed by a check valve. In the sleeve 26, an outlet duct 31 is provided, which is in flow connection with the internal space of the sleeve 26, in which the piston 28 can be shifted. The outlet duct 31 opens into a lubricant outlet 32, which, in the depicted embodiment, is also formed by a check valve. The lubricant outlet 32 is in flow connection with a recirculation line 25.
When pressure is applied to the line 9, lubricant flows in the sleeve 26 of the suction device 24 and it pushes the piston 28 against the force of the spring 29 downward in the figure. As a result, lubricant is conveyed out of the inner space of the sleeve 26 through the outlet duct

31 and the lubricant outlet 32 into the recirculation line 25, wherein the check valve of the lubricant outlet 32 opens, and the check valve of the lubricant inlet 30 closes.
If pressure is again released from the line 9, the spring 29 pushes the piston 28 upward in the figure, so that a vacuum is generated in the internal space of the sleeve 26. The check valve of the lubricant outlet 32 closes, and the check valve of the inlet 30 opens, suctioning lubricant out of the bearing arrangement. In this way, the lubricant can be conveyed out of the bearing arrangement, for example, into a collection container, from which lubricant can again be fed via the infeed distributor 6 of the bearing arrangement.
In Figure 5, a second embodiment of a suction device 24' is represented, which is again formed from a sleeve 26, which is inserted a bore 27 of the bearing arrangement. In the sleeve 26, a piston 28 is led in a shiftable way, and the piston is designed as a differential piston and is impelled downward in the figure by a spring 29. The sleeve 26 is fixed by an adapter 33, which is screwed into the bore 27, in the bearing arrangement.
The piston 28 presents a central bore that functions as an outlet duct 31 in connection with the lubricant outlet 32 provided in the adapter 33. A direct flow connection between the lubricant inlet 30 formed from a check valve at the lower end in the figure of the sleeve 26 and the outlet duct 31 in the piston 28, is blocked in the unloaded state by a ring in a groove 34 on the lower end in the figure of the piston 28. On the left side of the adapter 33 in Figure 5, a connection for connecting with the line 9 is provided, so that a pressurized lubricant can flow out of the line 9 into an annular slit 35 between the bore 27 and the external surface of the sleeve 26. Through a cross bore in the sleeve 26, the lubricant can flow inward and as a result press the piston 28 against the force of the spring 29 upward in the figure. As a result, the check valve of the lubricant inlet 30 is opened, and the lubricant is sucked out of the bearing arrangement into the interior of the sleeve 26. Through the ring in the groove 34 that lies in a sealing manner at the internal wall of the sleeve 26, the lubricant taken up in the interior of the piston 28 is conveyed through the lubricant outlet 32 into the recirculation line 25.
If the pressure in the line 9 decreases, the piston 28 is pressed downward by the spring 29 in the figure. As a result, the check valve of the lubricant inlet 30 closes, whereby lubricant can flow past the ring in the groove 34 into the bore 31 in the piston 28. In the position of the piston 28 shown in Figure 5, a new cycle can then start again for the suction of lubricant, by applying pressure to the line 9.
In Figure 6, an additional embodiment of the suction device 24" is represented. As in the above-described embodiments, a sleeve 26 is again inserted and secured in an appropriate way in a bore 27 in the bearing arrangement. In the interior of the sleeve 26, a piston 28 is led in a shiftable way, and to said piston pressure can be applied upward in the figure by a spring 29. By means of a connector that can be connected to the line 9, pressurized lubricant can be fed into the

upper area in the figure of the sleeve 26, so that the piston 28 can be moved downward against the force of the spring 29.
The lower area of the internal space of the sleeve 26 is sealed via a check valve 36 with respect to the outlet duct 31 that runs in the wall of the sleeve 26, where the duct is represented with a broken line in Figure 6 and opens in a lubricant outlet 32. Furthermore, in the embodiment represented in Figure 6, on the left side of the sleeve 26, a bypass duct is formed, which forms the lubricant inlet 30 and which is connected by a cross bore to the internal space of the sleeve 26.
If the piston 28 is moved downward in the figure by the pressure of the lubricant, the cross bore of the lubricant inlet 30 is closed by the piston 28, so that lubricant taken up in the lower area of the sleeve 26 is compressed. As a result, the check valve 36 opens, and the lubricant can then be conveyed via the outlet duct 31 to the lubricant outlet 32 and into the recirculation line 25.
If the pressure in the line 9 drops, the piston 28 is shifted again upward in the figure by the force of the spring 29. The check valve 36 closes again due to the vacuum generated in the sleeve 26, and as soon as the piston 28 passes the cross bore of the lubricant inlet 30, the lubricant is sucked out of the bearing arrangement into the internal space of the sleeve 26. A new cycle for suction and exit of lubricant from the bearing arrangement can then start.
In Figure 8, an additional embodiment of the invention is represented, in which, as described above with reference to Figure 1, radial bores 5 are provided, which open into the running tracks of the balls, while an additional bore 5', which extends in the axial direction of the bearing arrangement, is provided in the inner ring 2. In the additional bore 5', two infeed distributors (injectors) 6 are provided, and coupled in such a way that each infeed distributor is connected via its lubricant outlet 13 with the corresponding radial bore 5, while a shared lubricant inlet for both infeed distributors 6 is provided on the radially internal side of the inner ring 2. The lubricant feed can thus occur via a hollow shaft or similar part.
In this embodiment, the two infeed distributors 6 can also be provided in the case of a very small radial construction space in the inner ring 2 of a bearing. In the same way, it is possible to provide also in the outer ring 1 an axial bore 5' additionally or as an alternative to the bore 5' in the inner ring 2.
In Figure 9, an embodiment similar to Figure 8 is shown, wherein, in an axially running bore 5' in the inner ring 2, a suction device 24 is accommodated, whose lubricant inlet 30 is in connection with the bore 27, which conducts in the slit between the running tracks of the rolling bodies of the bearing arrangement. The suction device 24, as explained above with reference to Figures 4-6, presents a lubricant outlet 32 that can be connected to a collection line, as well as to

a connector for connection to the line 9 (not shown in the figure) for feeding the fresh lubricant to which pressure can be applied.
As already explained above with reference to Figure 8, it is also possible, alternatively to the embodiment shown in Figure 9, to provide the axially running bores 5' in the outer ring 1 instead of in the inner ring 2. Furthermore, embodiments in which axial bores 5' are provided both in the outer ring 1 and also in the inner ring 2 are also considered advantageous embodiments.
Figure 10 represents an additional embodiment of the invention, in which, in the outer ring 1, radial bores 5 are provided, which open into the running tracks of the balls 3 of the bearing arrangement. In these bores 5, however, neither injectors nor suction devices are arranged. On the external side of the outer ring 1, a mounting ring 37 is provided, which presents radial bores, which can be made to overlap with the bores 5 in the outer ring 1. The mounting ring 37 is provided moreover with an axially running bore 5', so that, as explained above with reference to Figure 8, two infeed distributors 6 can be received in the mounting ring 37 without any noteworthy enlargement of the radial construction space. In this way, even existing bearings can be retrofitted with minimal effort with a lubricant supply. As explained above, instead of the two infeed distributors 6 shown in the embodiment according to Figure 10 in the axial bore 5', only a single infeed distributor 6 and/or a suction device 24 is/can be provided. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a mounting ring 37 not on the external side of the outer ring 1, but on the internal side of the inner ring 2.
The object of the invention, independently of the above-described embodiment, also is a bearing arrangement, in which separate housings are provided to receive at least one infeed distributor 6 (injector) and/or a suction device 24. Alternatively to the above described embodiment with at least one mounting ring 37, the [sic] can be provided on the front side of the outer ring 1 and/or of the inner ring 2. With an appropriate design of the housing, the latter can optionally also be provided as an alternative to the mounting ring 37 on the external surface of the outer ring 1 or on the internal surface of the inner ring 2.
With reference to Figures 11a, and lib, an additional embodiment of the invention is described in which two mutually coupled infeed distributors 6 (injectors) are arranged in a shared housing 38 in such a way that they can be connected via a shared connector to the line 9 (not shown). The housing 38 can be firmly screwed on the bearing arrangement, like a flange connection. For this purpose, several attachment bores 39 are provided in the housing. As shown in Figure 11a, on the side turned away from the bearing arrangement, an inlet 40 for connection with the lubricant line 9 is provided, which supplies fresh lubricant to both infeed distributors 6. On the side opposite the bearing arrangement, as shown in Figure 1 lb, a lubricant outlet 13 is provided for each infeed distributor 6, and can be connected to the bores 5 or 5' in such a way

that fresh lubricant can be fed to the running tracks of the balls of the bearing arrangement. The infeed distributors 6 can be received as cartridge inserts in the housing 38, so that they can be replaced rapidly if necessary.
In Figures 12a and 12b, an embodiment similar to the embodiment according to Figures 11a and 1 lb is represented, where, in the cuboid housing 38, a suction device 24 is accommodated. On the side of the housing 38 that is turned away from the bearing arrangement, the coimector 40 for feeding fresh lubricant and the lubricant outlet 32 are provided for connection to a collection line. On the other hand, on the side of the housing 38 that faces the bearing arrangement, a lubricant inlet 30 is arranged, which can be connected with an appropriate bore for the suction of old lubricant out of the bearing arrangement. The suction device 24 is also accommodated in a replaceable way as cartridge insert in the housing 38.
In Figures 13 and 14, additional embodiments of separate housings 38' and 38", respectively, are represented, which are provided for incorporation in a suction device 24, whose detail is not shown, or alternatively for reception of infeed distributor 6 (not shown in the figures). The housing 38' made of aluminum, for example, in the embodiment according to Figure 13, presents an external contour that is hexagonal in cross section and a central inner bore for receiving the suction device 24. On the external side of the housing 8, a lubricant inlet 30 is provided for connection to a suction line leading to the bearing arrangement, as well as a lubricant outlet 32, which, via a T-piece, releases the sucked lubricant to a collection line, as well as a connector 40, which is also designed as a T-piece for connection to the line 9 to supply fresh lubricant to drive the suction device 24.
In the embodiment according to Figure 14, the housing 38" is designed, for example, as a steel pipe with soldered connecting branches. Inside the housing 38", a suction device 24, not represented in further detail, is accommodated. Alternatively, infeed distributors 6 can also be provided in the housing 38". As explained above with reference to Figure 13, in the embodiment according to Figure 14 as well, the connecting branches are formed as a lubricant inlet 30, a lubricant outlet 32 as well as a connection 40 for the line 9.
In the embodiments according to Figures 13 and 14, a suction device 24 or an injector can also be applied externally at a bearing site, if incorporation in a bearing unit is not possible for space reasons, or if the expense for the integration in a bearing is too high. The attachment of the housing 38' or 38" can also occur by means of screws. Alternatively or additionally in the case of strong oscillations occurring during operation, it is also possible to provide additional attachment possibilities, such as, for example, clamps.
Functioning of a suction device 24 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to Figures 15a-15e. In the rest position according to Figure 15a, the main line is pressure-released, so that the piston 28 is pressed with a washer, shown on

the right in the figure, on the piston 28 by the spring 29 into its starting position. An additional piston 28a is pushed by an additional spring 29a also in its starting position, in which the lubricant outlet 32 is closed. The chambers that receive the springs 29, 29a are here already filled with lubricant from the previous work cycle. If, as indicated in Figure 15b, pressure is applied to the main line 9 (for example, 37 bar), then fluid enters into the chamber of the spring 29, shifting the washer and the piston 28 to the left against the force of the spring. The piston 28 as a result closes the lubricant inlet 30. The lubricant present between the pistons 28 and 28a, due to the movement of the piston 28, shifts the piston 28a, so that the latter unblocks the lubricant outlet 32, and old lubricant can exit. This process is terminated when the pressure in the main line 9 increases further (for example, to 80 bar) until the washer, as shown in Figure 15c, pushes against an abutment of the housing. The pistons 28 and 28a come into contact in this process.
After the pressure release from the line 9, the springs 29 and 29a push the pistons 28 and 28a back (to the right in Figure 15d). In the process, fi^esh lubricant is recirculated into the line 9. The piston 28a here acts as a check valve, where first a vacuum must be generated between the pistons 28 and 28a. As soon as the piston 28 has been shifted back sufficiently so that the lubricant inlet 30 is opened, the vacuum sucks used lubricant from a bearing (not shown) into the lubricant inlet 30. The suction device is as a result again ready for use in the next work cycle.
Reference numeral list

1 Outer ring
2 Inner ring
3 Ball
4 Cage
5,5" Bore
6 Infeed distributor (injector)
7 Adapter
8 T-piece
9 Line
10 Inlet cap
11 Sheet
12 Annular slit
13 Lubricant outlet
14 Upper cylinder space
15 Sealing piston
16 Axial duct
17 Lower cylinder space

18 Conveyance piston
19 Pressure release duct
19a Upper section of the pressure release duct 19
19b Lower section of the pressure release duct 19
20 Spring
21 Sealing lip
22 Spring
23 O-ring
24,24', 24" Suction device
25 Recirculation line
26 Sleeve
27 Bore
28, 28a Piston
29, 29a Spring
30 Lubricant inlet
31 Outlet duct
32 Lubricant outlet
33 Adapter
34 Ring in a groove
35 Annular slit
36 Check valve
37 Mounting ring
38, 38', 38" Housing
39 Attachment bore
40 Connector for line 9

We Claim:
1. Bearing arrangement with an outer ring (1) and an inner ring (2), which can be rotated with respect to each other and with rolling bodies, particularly balls (3), which are arranged between the outer ring (1) and the inner ring (2), characterized in that, in the outer ring (1) and/or in the inner ring (2), at least one, preferably radially, running, bore (5) is provided, which is connected to at least one metering valve (6) provided in and/or on the inner ring or outer ring (1, 2) and/or to at least one suction device (24, 24', 24"), which is provided in and/or on the internal or outer ring (1,2), which suction device(s) is (are) connected to the lubrication supply (8, 9).
2. Bearing arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in the at least one bore (5), the metering valve (6) or the suction device (24,24', 24") is received as cartridge insert.
3. Bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the outer ring (1) and/or in the inner ring (2), a first bore (5), in which a metering valve (6) is accommodated [is provided,] and at least one additional bore (5) is provided, in which a suction device (24, 24', 24") as a cartridge insert is accommodated, which cartridge is connected to a lubricant collection container.
4. Bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the outer ring (1) and the inner ring (2) one or more rows of rolling bodies (3) are arranged next to each other.
5. Bearing arrangement according to one of Claims 1-4, characterized in that at least one metering valve (6) and/or at least one suction device (24, 24', 24"), particularly one that can be driven by the pressure of the lubricant fed to the metering valve (6), are/is associated with each rolling body row (3), wherein several metering valves (6) or suction devices (24, 24', 24") are connected to each other via a shared lubricant supply (8, 9).
6. Bearing arrangement according to one of Claims 1-5, characterized in that the at least one metering valve (6) and/or the at least one suction device (24,24', 24") is fixed via an adapter (7), particularly one that is screwed into the at least one bore, in the outer ring (1) or the inner ring (2), and connected to the lubricant supply.
7. Bearing arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one metering valve (6) and/or the at least one suction device (24,24', 24") are attached on the inner ring or the outer ring (1, 2) in such a way that the at least one bore (5) opens into a lubricant outlet (13) of a metering valve (6) or into a metering inlet (30) of a suction device (24, 24', 24").
8. Bearing arrangement according to Claim 7, characterized in that the at least one metering valve (6) and/or the at least one suction device (24, 24', 24") are flange mounted to the inner ring or the outer ring (1, 2).
1 £.

9. Bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thai
several suction devices (24, 24', 24") are connected via a shared recirculation line (25) to a
lubricant collection container.
10. Bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a component of a construction machine or a wind power installation.
11. Metering valve, particularly infeed distributors, for the addition by metering of lubricant to a lubrication site, particularly on a bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, with a lubricant inlet and a lubricant outlet (13) facing the site (3) to be lubricated, between which, in a sleeve (11), which is formed together with an inlet cap (10) as a cartridge insert that can be inserted or screwed into a bore (5), a sealing piston (15) and a conveyance piston (18) are led in a shiftable way, wherein the sealing piston (15) presents a circumferential sealing lip (21), which allows a lubricant to flow through in the conveyance direction and prevents the lubricant from flowing back, and which sealing piston can be shifted between a position that unblocks a pressure release duct (12,19) and a position that blocks the latter, and wherein the conveyance piston (18) can be shifted against the force of an elastic element (22) to convey lubricant in the conveyance direction to the site (3) to be lubricated and to suck lubricant opposite the conveyance direction by the force of the elastic element (22).
12. Metering valve according to Claim 8, characterized by an adapter (7) with an external thread for the fixation of the cartridge insert in a threaded bore (5), wherein the cartridge insert presents at least in some areas a smaller external diameter than the adapter (7).
13. Metering valve according to Claim 12, characterized in that the pressure release duct (12, 19) runs at least in sections along the external surface of the cartridge insert in a slit (12), which is formed as a result of the external diameter that is smaller compared to the adapter (7).
14. Metering valve according to one of Claims 11-13, characterized in that the lubricant outlet (13) is in direct connection with the site (3) to be lubricated, without the insertion of a lubrication line.
15. Combination of at least one metering valve (6) for the addition by metering of lubricant to a lubrication site, particularly on a bearing arrangement according to one of Claims 1-10, and at least one suction device (24,24', 24") with a lubricant inlet (30) and a lubricant outlet (32), between which, in a sleeve (26), which is designed preferably as a cartridge insert to be inserted or screwed into a bore (27), a first piston (28) is led in such a shiftable way so that the first piston (28), in a first movement direction, sucks lubricant from the lubricant inlet into the sleeve (26), and conveys lubricant, in a second movement direction, which is opposite the first movement direction, through the lubricant outlet (32) out of the sleeve (26), wherein the metering valve (6) and the suction device (24, 24', 24") are connected to each other via a shared lubricant supply (9) for the feeding of pressurized lubricant in such a way that the first piston

(28) of the suction device (24, 24', 24") can be shifted by the pressurized lubricant of the lubricant supply (9) against the force of an elastic element (29, 29a) in one of the two movement directions and by the force of the elastic element (29, 29a) in the other of the two movement directions.
16. Combination according to Claim 15, characterized in that, in the sleeve (26), a cylinder bore is provided, into which the lubricant inlet (30), the lubricant outlet (32), and the lubricant supply (9) open, and in which the first piston (28) and an additional piston (28a) are led in a shiftable way so that the first piston (28) can be moved by the pressure of the lubricant fi-om the lubricant supply (9) from a position that unblocks the lubricant inlet (30) into a position that closes the lubricant inlet, wherein the additional piston can be moved by the first piston from a position that closes the lubricant outlet into a position that unblocks the lubricant outlet.

Documents:

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Patent Number

269412

Indian Patent Application Number

7070/CHENP/2008

PG Journal Number

44/2015

Publication Date

30-Oct-2015

Grant Date

20-Oct-2015

Date of Filing

22-Dec-2008

Name of Patentee

LINCOLN GMBH

Applicant Address

HEINRICH-HERTZ-STRASSE 2-8, 69190 WALLDORF,

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	PALUNCIS, ZDRAVKO,	BUCHENSTRASSE 44, D-67067 LUDWIGSHAFEN,
2	TRINKEL, RALF	AM HOFSTIC 3, 67229 GEROLSHEIM,

PCT International Classification Number

F16C33/58

PCT International Application Number

PCT/EP07/04462

PCT International Filing date

2007-05-18

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	202006011249.9	2006-07-19	Germany
2	202006008288.3	2006-05-23	Germany
3	202007005273.1	2007-04-10	Germany