Abstract: A lubricant reservoir system. The system includes a reservoir for containing lubricant. The reservoir has a top, a bottom, a peripheral wall, and an inlet for delivering lubricant to the reservoir from a supply. The system also includes a follower in the reservoir slidingly and sealingly engaging the peripheral wall of the reservoir, the follower moving up and down in the reservoir in response to a changing level of lubricant in the reservoir. The lubricant reservoir system has a shut-off valve in fluid communication with the inlet for selectively preventing lubricant flow through the inlet. The valve is operatively connected to the follower for closing the valve and preventing lubricant flow through the inlet when lubricant in the reservoir reaches a predetermined level.

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 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: 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: 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 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: 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 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A lubricant injector having a body containing a reciprocal piston for dispensing lubricant from the body, a pin extending from the piston through an opening in the body, and a sealing assembly in the opening surrounding the pin for sealing against leakage of lubricant from the body along the pin. The sealing assembly includes a low-pressure sealing member for sealing at low pressures, and a high-pressure sealing member for sealing at higher pressures. The injector includes a measuring chamber, venting of the injector involving transmission of lubricant from its inlet to the measuring chamber.