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 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 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 device for evacuating and filling a vehicle cooling system includes a housing having an interior chamber. A service port extends into the housing and connectable with the vehicle cooling system, a supply port extends into the housing and connectable with a source of coolant fluid, and an evacuation port extends into the housing. A valve is disposed at least partially within the housing chamber and is adjustable between a first configuration in which the service port is fluidly coupled with the evacuation port and a second configuration in which the service port is fluidly coupled with the supply port.

Abstract: A lubrication system vent valve includes a valve body having a flow passage with an inlet fluidly coupled with a supply and an outlet fluidly coupled with a dispenser, and a vent passage with an inlet port fluidly coupled with the flow passage and an outlet port. A closure element disposed within the vent passage has a threaded portion and is linearly displaceable between an open position where the vent ports are fluidly coupled to permit lubricant flow from the primary passage and out of the body through the vent outlet port, and a closed position at which fluid flow between the vent ports is substantially prevented. A motor has a shaft with a threaded portion engaged with the closure element such that shaft rotation in one direction displaces the closure element toward the closed position and shaft rotation in an opposing direction displaces the element toward the open position.

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 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 device includes a first body having a curved wall with a top surface that slopes away from the first body and a second body having an interior configured to receive the curved wall of the first body, the interior including a curved ramp with a sloped bottom ramp surface. The second body is mounted on the first body with the bottom surface of the curved ramp resting on the top surface of the curved wall. A compressible seal extends from the first body bottom, and a shaft projects from the second body through a passage in the first body and into the interior of the compressible seal. Rotating the bodies relative to each other causes the shaft to pull the seal against the first body and radially expand the seal against an interior wall of an opening in which the device is placed to form a seal therewith.

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: An applicator assembly for delivery of a pumpable material to a top surface of a rail head includes an applicator body having a plurality of orifices. The body is resiliently yieldable to permit the applicator body to move from a raised position, in which the orifices are located adjacent the top surface of the rail head and open toward the top surface of the rail head for delivery of lubricant directly from the orifices to the top surface of the rail head, to a depressed position in the event the applicator is contacted by a train wheel. The applicator body thereafter returns to the raised position. A metal portion of the applicator body contacts a side surface of the rail head to form a metal-on-metal hard seal extending lengthwise of the rail head for inhibiting leakage of the pumpable material from the top of the rail head.

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 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: 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 applicator assembly for delivery of a pumpable material to a top surface of a rail head includes an applicator body having a plurality of orifices. The body is resiliently yieldable to permit the applicator body to move from a raised position, in which the orifices are located adjacent the top surface of the rail head and open toward the top surface of the rail head for delivery of lubricant directly from the orifices to the top surface of the rail head, to a depressed position in the event the applicator is contacted by a train wheel. The applicator body thereafter returns to the raised position. A metal portion of the applicator body contacts a side surface of the rail head to form a metal-on-metal hard seal extending lengthwise of the rail head for inhibiting leakage of the pumpable material from the top of the rail head.

Abstract: An applicator assembly for delivery of a pumpable material to a top surface of a rail head of rail includes an applicator body having an orifice for delivery of the pumpable material to the top surface of the rail. The body is resiliently yieldable to permit the applicator body to move from a raised position, in which the orifice is positioned for delivering the pumpable material to the top surface of the rail head, to a depressed position in the event the applicator is contacted by a train wheel. The applicator body thereafter returns to the raised position. The applicator body is mounted for movement between a working position in which the applicator body is closely adjacent the rail head and a rail-service position in which the applicator body is remote from the rail head.