Abstract: The lubricant level within a reservoir is difficult to monitor, leading to the reservoir being refilled more often than necessary to ensure that the reservoir always contains lubricant. A lubricant level sensing system is connected to and monitors various aspects of the pump assembly that draws lubricant from the reservoir. The pump assembly displaces a known volume of lubricant with each pump stroke. A lubricant-level estimator calculates an estimated lubricant level remaining in the reservoir based on a stroke-count value as sensed from the pump assembly and on a reference value stored in a memory. The estimated lubricant level provides the lubricant remaining and the rate of usage such that maintenance can be scheduled ahead of time to prevent the reservoir running dry.

Abstract: A changeover valve for a single line parallel lubrication system includes a base housing, a first housing, and a second housing, which are distinct and separable units arranged to provide direct fluid communication between base housing, first housing, and second housing fluid channels. The base housing includes a plurality of fluid channels. The first and second housings each include a spool mounted in a cylindrical bore and hydraulically displaceable between ends of the cylindrical bore and a plurality of fluid channels fluidly connected to the cylindrical bore. The first and second housings are configured to mate with the base housing in a fluid seal. At least one of the base housing, first housing, and second housing includes and a relief valve in fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of base housing, first housing, and second housing fluid channels.

Abstract: The lubricant level within a reservoir is difficult to monitor, leading to the reservoir being refilled more often than necessary to ensure that the reservoir always contains lubricant. A lubricant level sensing system is connected to and monitors various aspects of the pump assembly that draws lubricant from the reservoir. The pump assembly displaces a known volume of lubricant with each pump stroke. A lubricant-level estimator calculates an estimated lubricant level remaining in the reservoir based on a stroke-count value as sensed from the pump assembly and on a reference value stored in a memory. The estimated lubricant level provides the lubricant remaining and the rate of usage such that maintenance can be scheduled ahead of time to prevent the reservoir running dry.

Abstract: A changeover valve for a single line parallel lubrication system includes a base housing, a first housing, and a second housing, which are distinct and separable units arranged to provide direct fluid communication between base housing, first housing, and second housing fluid channels. The base housing includes a plurality of fluid channels. The first and second housings each include a spool mounted in a cylindrical bore and hydraulically displaceable between ends of the cylindrical bore and a plurality of fluid channels fluidly connected to the cylindrical bore. The first and second housings are configured to mate with the base housing in a fluid seal. At least one of the base housing, first housing, and second housing includes and a relief valve in fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of base housing, first housing, and second housing fluid channels.

Abstract: A sealing assembly includes retaining clips fit within grooves in a throat disposed between a fluid chamber and a working fluid cylinder. The retaining clips define individual seal glands, and seals and spacers are disposed within the seal glands. A piston rod passes through the throat seal, and the throat seal provides a seal against lubricant pressure from inside the fluid chamber and working fluid pressure from inside the working fluid cylinder.

Abstract: A dual parallel outlet check valve includes a first one-way valve and a second one-way valve. The first one-way valve and the second one-way valve are normally closed valves. Both the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve are disposed in a valve housing, and the first one-way valve is disposed adjacent to and runs parallel with the second one-way valve. The first one-way valve allows lubricant to flow downstream from a fluid chamber to build a downstream pressure, thereby causing lubricant applicators to dispense lubricant. The second one-way valve allows lubricant to flow upstream back into the fluid chamber, thereby allowing the downstream pressure to drop and the lubricant applicators to reset.