Grease filling arrangement in a cutter for a boring head

Abstract

An arrangement for replenishing lubricating grease in drill cutters ( 3 ) that include a conical outer barrel ( 7 ) which is rotatable about a shaft ( 5 ) disposed centrally in the cutter, wherein there is provided in the cutter shaft ( 5 ) a passageway ( 16 ) that extends along the shaft from the cutter end of largest diameter and that connects with a transverse passageway ( 18 ) which opens into a bearing-accommodating space ( 13 ) in the cutter for delivering lubricating grease to the space ( 13 ), and wherein a lubricating nipple ( 19 ) is provided on the cutter end wall of largest diameter and functions to allow lubricating grease to be released from the bearing-accommodating space ( 13 ).

1 . An arrangement for replenishing lubricating grease in drill cutters ( 3 ) that include a conical outer barrel ( 7 ) which cutter is rotatable about a shaft ( 5 ) disposed centrally in the cutter, characterised by a filling lubricating nipple ( 19 ) provided in the cutter shaft ( 5 ) on the cutter end wall of largest diameter and opening into a passageway ( 16 ) that extends longitudinally in the cutter shaft ( 5 ) and that connects with a transverse passageway ( 18 ) which opens out into a bearing-accommodating space ( 13 ) in said cutter ( 3 ), for delivering lubricating grease to said bearing-accommodating space ( 13 ) at a position beyond the innermost bearing ( 9 ) of bearings ( 9 ,  10 ) disposed between the outer barrel ( 7 ) of the cutter and the shaft ( 5 ) as seen from the cutter end of largest diameter; and by a lubricating nipple ( 19 ) provided on the same cutter end wall as said filling lubricating nipple ( 17 ) and functioning to allow lubricating grease to be released from said bearing-accommodating space ( 13 ).  
   
   
       2 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the longitudinally extending passageway ( 16 ) is disposed centrally in the cutter shaft ( 5 ).  
   
   
       3 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the transverse passageway is located in a stress-neutral region of the cutter shaft ( 5 ).  
   
   
       4 . An arrangement according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the transverse passageway ( 18 ) is orientated generally horizontally when the cutter is mounted on a reamer in its position of use.  
   
   
       5 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the transverse passageway ( 18 ) extends generally radially out from the longitudinally extending passageway ( 16 ).  
   
   
       6 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the transverse passageway ( 18 ) extends out in generally opposite directions from the longitudinally extending passageway ( 16 ) and opens out at two diametrically opposite places on the shaft ( 5 ).  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . An arrangement according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the transverse passageway is located in a stress-neutral region of the cutter shaft ( 5 ).