Abstract: A lubricant pump includes a housing mountable to the upper end of a lubricant container and having a vertical central bore, an outlet passage extending between the central bore and an outlet port fluidly connectable with the lubricant distributor and a vent chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A vent inlet passage extends between the central bore and the vent chamber inlet and a vent outlet passage extends between the vent chamber outlet and a vent outlet port fluidly connectable with a container cavity. A movable valve element is disposed within the vent chamber and displaceable along an axis between a position in which the valve element obstructs the chamber inlet and/or the chamber outlet and a second position in which the chamber inlet is fluidly connected with the chamber outlet to provide an internal flow path from the central bore to the vent outlet port.

Abstract: A lubricant injector includes an injector body having an inlet port fluidly coupleable with a lubricant supply, an outlet port fluidly coupleable with a lubrication point, a piston chamber and a valve chamber. A piston is disposed within the piston chamber and defines a measuring section and an actuating section, the piston being linearly displaceable along an axis through the piston chamber so as to inversely vary the volume of the chamber measuring section and the volume of the chamber actuating section. A valve member disposed within the valve chamber is displaceable along an axis through the valve chamber between a first position, at which the inlet port is fluidly coupled with the piston chamber actuating and measuring sections, and a second position at which the inlet port is fluidly coupled with the piston chamber actuating section and the outlet port is fluidly coupled with the piston chamber measuring section.

Abstract: A lubricant pump includes a housing mountable to the upper end of a lubricant container and having a vertical central bore, an outlet passage extending between the central bore and an outlet port fluidly connectable with the lubricant distributor and a vent chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A vent inlet passage extends between the central bore and the vent chamber inlet and a vent outlet passage extends between the vent chamber outlet and a vent outlet port fluidly connectable with a container cavity. A movable valve element is disposed within the vent chamber and displaceable along an axis between a position in which the valve element obstructs the chamber inlet and/or the chamber outlet and a second position in which the chamber inlet is fluidly connected with the chamber outlet to provide an internal flow path from the central bore to the vent outlet port.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supplying lubricant to a plurality of lubrication sites. Embodiments include a pump with venting and non-venting piston return, a pump with stirrer and direct feed mechanism, a pump with CAN system and self-diagnostics, a pump with heated housing and reservoir and a pump with stepper motor and overdrive control.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supplying lubricant to a plurality of lubrication sites. Embodiments include a pump with venting and non-venting piston return, a pump with stirrer and direct feed mechanism, a pump with CAN system and self-diagnostics, a pump with heated housing and reservoir, a pump with stepper motor and overdrive control and a pump able to be used with a plurality of different types or of lubrication systems.

Abstract: A lubricant, injector includes an injector body having an inlet port fluidly coupleable with a lubricant supply, an outlet port fluidly coupleable with a lubrication point, a piston chamber and a valve chamber. A piston is disposed within the piston chamber and defines a measuring section and an actuating section, the piston being linearly displaceable along an axis through the piston chamber so as to inversely vary the volume of the chamber measuring section and the volume of the chamber actuating section. A valve member disposed within the valve chamber is displaceable along an axis through the valve chamber between a first position, at which the inlet port is fluidly coupled with the piston chamber actuating and measuring sections, and a second position at which the inlet port is fluidly coupled with the piston chamber actuating section and the outlet port is fluidly coupled with the piston chamber measuring section.

Abstract: A grease testing device for testing oil separation from a grease sample includes a container defining a grease compartment for holding the grease sample. A grease shearer is at least partially positioned in the grease compartment and moves in the grease compartment to shear the grease sample in the grease compartment. A motor is operatively connected to the grease shearer to move the grease shearer in the grease compartment to shear the grease sample. A drain is arranged with respect to the grease compartment to receive oil separated from the grease sample from the grease compartment.

Abstract: A grease testing device for testing oil separation from a grease sample includes a container defining a grease compartment for holding the grease sample. A grease shearer is at least partially positioned in the grease compartment and moves in the grease compartment to shear the grease sample in the grease compartment. A motor is operatively connected to the grease shearer to move the grease shearer in the grease compartment to shear the grease sample. A drain is arranged with respect to the grease compartment to receive oil separated from the grease sample from the grease compartment.

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: Methods and systems for determining lubrication flow dispensed to lubrication points. Lubricant delivery is determined based upon the difference between volume measurements detected as the lubricant is delivered to the lubrication points, and volume measurements detected as the lubricant is vented after delivery. A flow sensor in the lubricant supply line measures lubricant delivered and lubricant vented and a controller determines the amount dispensed based upon the difference between the delivered and vented measurements.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a housing having an interior cavity, an opening, and an inward facing seal mounting surface. The assembly includes a bearing and a shaft mounted in the bearing for rotation about a central axis. The assembly includes a seal positioned axially between the interior cavity and the exterior of the housing to inhibit contaminants from entering the housing and damaging the bearing. The seal has a bearing side, an opening side, and a gap surface facing a corresponding surface that is either an outward facing surface of the shaft or thee inward facing seal mounting surface of the housing. The gap surface is spaced from the corresponding surface by a clearance gap. The width of the clearance gap increases from the bearing side to the opening side to direct fluid in the clearance gap away from the interior cavity as the shaft rotates.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supplying lubricant to a plurality of lubrication sites. The apparatus includes a controller that diagnoses piston wear by driving the pump to achieve a predetermined pressure, stopping the pump with the piston in a home position, and measuring pressure at a preselected time interval after the step of stopping the pump. The amount of piston wear is approximated based on a difference between the predetermined pressure and the measured pressure at the predetermined time interval.

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 lubrication unit for delivering lubricant in a system and a method for controlling the unit. The lubrication unit includes a reservoir, a motor, and a pump. The lubrication unit has a flow rate sensor mounted downstream from the pump for measuring a flow rate of lubricant. The lubrication unit includes a control unit operatively connected to the flow rate sensor and the motor for controlling operation of the motor. The control unit includes an input selector for selecting at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of a volume and a flow rate of lubricant pumped by the pump. The control unit adjusts motor speed to obtain the selected characteristic.

Abstract: A bearing assembly including a housing, a bearing, and a shaft in the bearing. The assembly includes a seal mounted in the housing and around the shaft. The seal has an inner surface having a tapered portion spaced from the shaft by a clearance gap having a predetermined axially varying width. The width of the gap decreases from a bearing side toward an opening side. The inner surface includes an axially extending sealing portion having an inner diameter corresponding to the shaft and forming a sealing interface. The interface supports tribological film lubrication when the shaft rotates relative to the housing to reduce shaft wear and contacts the shaft when the shaft is stationary relative to the housing to prevent contaminants from entering the interior cavity of the housing through the interface.

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 bearing assembly includes a housing having an interior cavity, an opening, and an inward facing seal mounting surface. The assembly includes a bearing and a shaft mounted in the bearing for rotation about a central axis. The assembly includes a seal positioned axially between the interior cavity and the exterior of the housing to inhibit contaminants from entering the housing and damaging the bearing. The seal has a bearing side, an opening side, and a gap surface facing a corresponding surface that is either an outward facing surface of the shaft or thee inward facing seal mounting surface of the housing. The gap surface is spaced from the corresponding surface by a clearance gap. The width of the clearance gap increases from the bearing side to the opening side to direct fluid in the clearance gap away from the interior cavity as the shaft rotates.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining lubrication flow dispensed to lubrication points. Lubricant delivery is determined based upon the difference between volume measurements detected as the lubricant is delivered to the lubrication points, and volume measurements detected as the lubricant is vented after delivery. A flow sensor in the lubricant supply line measures lubricant delivered and lubricant vented and a controller determines the amount dispensed based upon the difference between the delivered and vented measurements.

Abstract: A compact lubricant injector is disclosed. The injector includes an injector body having an inlet for lubricant under pressure, an outlet, and a measuring chamber for receiving lubricant from the inlet. A piston is movable in the injector body along a first axis through a stroke in the measuring chamber for the discharge of a measured volume of lubricant from the measuring chamber and thence through the outlet. A valve is movable in the injector body along a second axis different from the first axis. The valve is responsive to pressure conditions in the inlet for operation of the injector in a cycles ending in a state for venting the injector to effect recharging of the measuring chamber involving the transmission of lubricant from the inlet to the measuring chamber. A combination of at least one such lubricant injector and a manifold is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supplying lubricant to a plurality of lubrication sites. Embodiments include a pump with venting and non-venting piston return, a pump with stirrer and direct feed mechanism, a pump with CAN system and self-diagnostics, a pump with heated housing and reservoir and a pump with stepper motor and overdrive control. Profiles drive the stepper motor at various speeds.