Abstract: An improved lance pump is disclosed for pumping a pumpable product, particularly lubricant including grease, from a lubricant supply. The pump comprises a head for placement above the supply, a tubular lance structure affixed to the head and extending down into the supply, and a pump tube inside the lance structure that is reciprocated up and down for pumping lubricant from the supply on both upstrokes and downstrokes of the tube. A ram at a lower end of the lance structure is positioned for forcing lubricant up into the tube and past an inlet check valve on a downstroke of the tube.

Abstract: A pump for pumping viscous liquid. The pump includes a body, an elongate core, and a tube surrounding the core. A stepper or servo motor mounted on the body has a selectively rotatable output shaft. A transmission operatively connecting the motor output shaft and the elongate tube reciprocates the tube between a raised position and a lowered position. An inlet check valve defining an expansible lower chamber is oriented to open during each downward pumping stroke so liquid enters the lower chamber. The pump includes a pump chamber and a feed passage connecting the lower chamber to the pump chamber. The passage has a check valve oriented to open during each upward stroke to deliver liquid from the lower chamber to the pump chamber. An outlet passage connected to the pump chamber permits liquid to flow from the pump chamber to an outlet on each upward and downward stroke.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supplying lubricant to a plurality of lubrication points via divider valves. A pump driven by a stepper motor to supplies lubricant at a varying rate which provides lubricant substantially uninterrupted at the lubrication point(s), and/or provides lubricant at a continuous non-constant flow rate which provides lubricant without interruption at the lubrication point(s), and/or provides lubricant at a constant flow rate which provides lubricant without interruption at the lubrication point(s).

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 and a pump with stepper motor and overdrive control.

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 pump includes a pump body and an elongate tube. The pump includes an elongate core slidably received in the tube, a stepper motor having a selectively rotatable output shaft extending vertically and a transmission for effecting relative reciprocating motion between the core and the tube. The pump includes an inlet check valve mounted inside the core defining with the core an expansible and contractible lower pump chamber. The inlet check valve is oriented to open during each upward pumping stroke. The pump includes an annular upper chamber above the lower pump chamber and a lateral passage connecting the lower pump chamber to the annular upper chamber. The lateral passage has a check valve oriented to open during each downward pumping stroke. The pump includes an outlet passage connected to the annular upper chamber permitting viscous liquid to flow to the outlet passage on each upward and downward pumping stroke.

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: A lubricant reservoir including a container defining an interior for holding lubricant. The reservoir includes a partition inside the container interior dividing the interior into multiple chambers. Each chamber segregates lubricant from lubricant in every other chamber. The reservoir has multiple outlets. An outlet is positioned in each chamber to permit lubricant to be removed from the corresponding chamber. The reservoir includes multiple motor-driven stirrers. A stirrer is positioned in each chamber to stir lubricant in the corresponding chamber.

Abstract: A lubricant reservoir refilling system. The system includes a removable reservoir having a tank for receiving lubricant, a refill inlet fluidly communicating with the tank, and a connector. The refilling system also includes a refilling station including a refill housing having a connector configured for releasable connection with the reservoir connector, an inlet on the refill housing adapted for connection to a supply of lubricant, and an outlet on the refill housing positioned for fluid communication with the reservoir refill inlet when the reservoir is connected to the refilling station to allow delivery of lubricant from the refilling station through the reservoir refill inlet to refill the tank. The refill housing connector is functionally identical to a connector on a pump assembly so the reservoir including the tank can be removed from the refilling station and removably connected to the pump.

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 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: 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. 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 dual-line pump unit for supplying lubricant includes a reservoir having an interior for holding lubricant. A first pump is provided for pumping lubricant from the reservoir through a first main line to a lubricant distribution system. A second pump is provided for pumping lubricant from the reservoir through a second main line to the lubricant distribution system. During a first stage of operation, the first pump operates to pump lubricant from the reservoir through the first main line to the lubricant distribution system and the second pump is idle, the second main line venting back to the reservoir via the second pump. During a second stage of operation, the second pump operates to pump lubricant from the reservoir through the second main line to the lubricant distribution system and the first pump is idle, the first main line venting back to the reservoir via the first pump.

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 and a pump with stepper motor and overdrive control.

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: A dual-line pump unit for supplying lubricant includes a reservoir having an interior for holding lubricant. A first pump is provided for pumping lubricant from the reservoir through a first main line to a lubricant distribution system. A second pump is provided for pumping lubricant from the reservoir through a second main line to the lubricant distribution system. During a first stage of operation, the first pump operates to pump lubricant from the reservoir through the first main line to the lubricant distribution system and the second pump is idle, the second main line venting back to the reservoir via the second pump. During a second stage of operation, the second pump operates to pump lubricant from the reservoir through the second main line to the lubricant distribution system and the first pump is idle, the first main line venting back to the reservoir via the first pump.

Abstract: A lubricant reservoir including a container defining an interior for holding lubricant. The reservoir includes a partition inside the container interior dividing the interior into multiple chambers. Each chamber segregates lubricant from lubricant in every other chamber. The reservoir has multiple outlets. An outlet is positioned in each chamber to permit lubricant to be removed from the corresponding chamber. The reservoir includes multiple motor-driven stirrers. A stirrer is positioned in each chamber to stir lubricant in the corresponding chamber.