Abstract: A flow measuring device for measuring flow of a fluid. A housing has a passage which extends between an inlet and an outlet. A shaft is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a central axis. A flow detector is mounted on the shaft and disposed at least partially within the passage. The flow detector includes a rotatable, generally cylindrical body that rotates about a central axis as the fluid flows. A magnet is disposed within the housing such that the central axis extends through it, and is configured to rotate simultaneously with the body about the central axis. A magnetic encoder is disposed within the housing and configured to sense rotation of the magnet as the flow detector angularly displaces about the central axis so as to detect angular displacement of the flow detector.

Abstract: A flow measuring device for measuring flow of a fluid. A housing has a passage which extends between an inlet and an outlet. A shaft is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a central axis. A flow detector is mounted on the shaft and disposed at least partially within the passage. The flow detector includes a rotatable, generally cylindrical body that rotates about a central axis as the fluid flows. A magnet is disposed within the housing such that the central axis extends through it, and is configured to rotate simultaneously with the body about the central axis. A magnetic encoder is disposed within the housing and configured to sense rotation of the magnet as the flow detector angularly displaces about the central axis so as to detect angular displacement of the flow detector.

Abstract: A battery-powered, handheld grease gun for dispensing lubricant. A pump mechanism driven by a motor is in communication with the lubricant and has a supply port for dispensing the lubricant at a lubrication point. A sensor monitors the pump mechanism of the motor. A display displays information indicative of the monitored condition of the device, such as volume of lubricant dispensed. A processor responsive to operator input selectively energizes the motor to drive the pump mechanism to dispense lubricant.

Abstract: A flow measuring device for measuring flow of a fluid. A housing has a passage which extends between an inlet and an outlet. A shaft is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a central axis. A flow detector is mounted on the shaft and disposed at least partially within the passage. The flow detector includes a rotatable, generally cylindrical body that rotates about a central axis as the fluid flows. A magnet is mounted on the rotatable body or on the shaft, and is configured to rotate simultaneously with the body about the central axis. A sensor is disposed within the housing and configured to sense rotation of the magnet as the flow detector angularly displaces about the central axis so as to detect angular displacement of the flow detector.

Abstract: A fluid drain may include a fluid reservoir comprising a lower tube inlet that opens into the fluid reservoir, a lower tube at least partially positioned within the lower tube inlet, and an upper tube at least partially positioned within the lower tube. The fluid drain may further include an upper tube clamp having an opening therein, wherein the upper tube is positioned within the opening in the upper tube clamp and the upper tube clamp is configured to remain attached to the upper tube upon removal of the upper tube from the lower tube.

Abstract: A flow measuring device includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a passage extending between the inlet and outlet, a shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable about a central axis and a flow detector mounted on the shaft and disposed partially within the passage, such that fluid flow through the passage rotates the detector about the axis. A magnet is mounted on the shaft and spaced axially from the detector and a sensor disposed within the housing and configured to sense rotation of the magnet as the shaft angularly displaces about the central axis so as to detect angular displacement of the flow detector. Preferably, the sensor includes a switch adjustable from open and closed states when either one of the poles of the magnet is proximal to the switch. A processor is connected with the switch and determines flow volume and/or flow rate through the passage.

Abstract: A filtration device is disclosed. The device includes a filter inlet, a filter outlet, and a filter flow path from the filter inlet to the filter outlet. A filter in the filter flow path filters contaminants from lubricant flowing from a lubricant supply to a lubricant destination. A bypass flow path bypasses the filter in the event the filter becomes clogged. The bypass flow path has a bypass inlet in fluid communication with the filter flow path at a location upstream from the filter and a bypass outlet separate from the filter outlet and not in fluid communication with the filter outlet. The bypass outlet is normally closed to permit flow along the filter flow path and opens if the filter becomes clogged so that lubricant is directed along the bypass flow path and through the bypass outlet for disposal without going to the lubricant destination.

Abstract: A flow measuring device for measuring flow of a fluid. A housing has a passage which extends between an inlet and an outlet. A shaft is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a central axis. A flow detector is mounted on the shaft and disposed at least partially within the passage. The flow detector includes a rotatable, generally cylindrical body that rotates about a central axis as the fluid flows. A magnet is mounted on the rotatable body or on the shaft, and is configured to rotate simultaneously with the body about the central axis. A sensor is disposed within the housing and configured to sense rotation of the magnet as the flow detector angularly displaces about the central axis so as to detect angular displacement of the flow detector.

Abstract: A fluid drain may include a fluid reservoir comprising a lower tube inlet that opens into the fluid reservoir, a lower tube at least partially positioned within the lower tube inlet, and an upper tube at least partially positioned within the lower tube. The fluid drain may further include an upper tube clamp having an opening therein, wherein the upper tube is positioned within the opening in the upper tube clamp and the upper tube clamp is configured to remain attached to the upper tube upon removal of the upper tube from the lower tube.

Abstract: A battery-powered, handheld grease gun for dispensing lubricant. A pump mechanism driven by a motor is in communication with the lubricant and has a supply port for dispensing the lubricant at a lubrication point. A sensor monitors the pump mechanism of the motor. A display displays information indicative of the monitored condition of the device, such as volume of lubricant dispensed. A processor responsive to operator input selectively energizes the motor to drive the pump mechanism to dispense lubricant.

Abstract: A battery-powered, handheld grease gun for dispensing lubricant. A pump mechanism driven by a motor is in communication with the lubricant and has a supply port for dispensing the lubricant at a lubrication point. A sensor monitors the pump mechanism of the motor. A display displays information indicative of the monitored condition of the device, such as volume of lubricant dispensed. A processor responsive to operator input selectively energizes the motor to drive the pump mechanism to dispense lubricant.

Abstract: A fluid flow detection device includes a housing of non-magnetic metal, a flow passage through the housing and a valve seat in the flow passage. A magnetic valve element emits a magnetic field. The valve element is movable relative to the valve seat between a closed position blocking fluid flow through the flow passage and an open position allowing fluid flow through the flow passage. The magnetic valve element is biased toward the closed position. A magnetic field enhancer is movable with the magnetic valve element for enhancing the magnetic field. A magnetic field sensor on the housing is operable to signal a change in position of the valve element as it moves between its open and closed positions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring an apparent viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid. The method and apparatus involves calculating a power-law number n relating a shear stress of the fluid to a shear rate of the fluid, and then calculating an estimated apparent viscosity ?est of the fluid at a selected shear rate based on a yield stress Y of the fluid and on the calculated power-law number n. The estimated apparent viscosity of the fluid at a selected shear rate is calculated based on the experimental observation that reference shear stress is 1.5 times the yield stress for most shear thinning fluids (e.g., grease).

Abstract: A filtration device is disclosed. The device includes a filter inlet, a filter outlet, and a filter flow path from the filter inlet to the filter outlet. A filter in the filter flow path filters contaminants from lubricant flowing from a lubricant supply to a lubricant destination. A bypass flow path bypasses the filter in the event the filter becomes clogged. The bypass flow path has a bypass inlet in fluid communication with the filter flow path at a location upstream from the filter and a bypass outlet separate from the filter outlet and not in fluid communication with the filter outlet. The bypass outlet is normally closed to permit flow along the filter flow path and opens if the filter becomes clogged so that lubricant is directed along the bypass flow path and through the bypass outlet for disposal without going to the lubricant destination.

Abstract: A battery-powered, handheld grease gun for dispensing lubricant. A pump mechanism driven by a motor is in communication with the lubricant and has a supply port for dispensing the lubricant at a lubrication point. A sensor monitors the pump mechanism of the motor. A display displays information indicative of the monitored condition of the device, such as volume of lubricant dispensed. A processor responsive to operator input selectively energizes the motor to drive the pump mechanism to dispense lubricant.

Abstract: A fluid flow detection device includes a housing of non-magnetic metal, a flow passage through the housing and a valve seat in the flow passage. A magnetic valve element emits a magnetic field. The valve element is movable relative to the valve seat between a closed position blocking fluid flow through the flow passage and an open position allowing fluid flow through the flow passage. The magnetic valve element is biased toward the closed position. A magnetic field enhancer is movable with the magnetic valve element for enhancing the magnetic field. A magnetic field sensor on the housing is operable to signal a change in position of the valve element as it moves between its open and closed positions.

Abstract: An improved follower packing unit for a grease gun is disclosed. The unit includes a hollow annular body of elastomeric material having a front wall, an annular side wall and a rear wall defining a cavity in the body. Rigid front and back structural supports rigidly support the front and rear walls of the elastomeric seal. The elastomeric seal and the front and back structural supports are fastened together to prevent separation and to form a unitary follower structure movable as a unit on a follower rod. The annular side wall of the elastomeric seal is resiliently deformable under pressure in a radial direction for sealing tightly against an interior surface of the barrel of the grease gun or against the interior surface of a tubular cartridge loaded in the barrel of the gun.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for estimating an apparent viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid. The results may be used for selecting equipment for pumping systems.

Abstract: An improved follower packing unit for a grease gun is disclosed. The unit includes a hollow annular body of elastomeric material having a front wall, an annular side wall and a rear wall defining a cavity in the body. Rigid front and back structural supports rigidly support the front and rear walls of the elastomeric seal. The elastomeric seal and the front and back structural supports are fastened together to prevent separation and to form a unitary follower structure movable as a unit on a follower rod. The annular side wall of the elastomeric seal is resiliently deformable under pressure in a radial direction for sealing tightly against an interior surface of the barrel of the grease gun or against the interior surface of a tubular cartridge loaded in the barrel of the gun.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for estimating an apparent viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid. The results may be used for selecting equipment for pumping systems.