Systems Patents (Class 184/6)
  • Publication number: 20090032336
    Abstract: A main shaft-lubricating structure for a direct drive torque motor comprises a body, a direct drive torque motor, a main shaft, a bearing assembly, an adjustment nut and a brake assembly. The main shaft cooperates with the adjustment nut to fix the torque motor, the bearing assembly and the body. The bearing assembly utilizes the main bearing and the brake assembly to be supported between the body and the main shaft. The brake assembly and the body are defined with a first lubrication oil piping and a second lubrication oil piping, respectively. The first lubrication oil piping is communicated with the main bearing, and the second lubrication oil piping is communicated between the brake assembly and the main shaft. Thereby, with the abovementioned simplified structure, the main shaft can be lubricated, and the maintenance cost can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Fu-Yuan Cheng, Chih-Hsien Chao
  • Publication number: 20090014243
    Abstract: A breather-sampling-filler assembly (10) for liquid lubrication systems is provided which includes a primary unit (block) (14) adapted for permanent or semi-permanent attachment to a wall (12) of a lubrication system in covering relationship to a lubrication system access opening (13). The unit (14) includes individual breather, fill, and sampling ports (16, 18, 20), and is designed to support a breather (22) in communication with breather port (16), a fill assembly (24) in communication with fill port (18), and a sampling assembly (26) in communication with sampling port (20). The breather (22) includes at least one vent opening (60) and had a selected media (62) therein for desired treatment of solid and liquid airborne contaminants passing into and out of the lubrication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Petrolink USA, LLC
    Inventor: John C. Whigham
  • Publication number: 20090014244
    Abstract: A system in some embodiments includes a machine block comprising features configured to support moving machine components within a lubricating fluid, wherein the machine block includes an integral valve block configured to route the lubricating fluid through a first filter without a second filter and configured to route the lubricating fluid through the second filter without the first filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Cavarello, Edward S. Czechowski, Robert M. Kolodziej, Michael A. Nuchereno
  • Publication number: 20090008189
    Abstract: A lubrication system utilizes an increase in ambient air pressure to dispense oil through a tubing. The tubing inner diameter and length, along with coils formed in the tubing, are selected to prevent blockage of the tubing and to dispense gradually over an extended period of time small amounts of oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Gregory J. Prodan
  • Publication number: 20080308352
    Abstract: A connection arrangement for a connection to an intake side of an oil pump in a housing (1) of a vehicle transmission is proposed, in which a separate intake connection element (4, 4?) with integrated intake booster is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Claus Form, Waldemar Stark, Thomas Volk, Stefan Serf
  • Publication number: 20080302606
    Abstract: An oil replacement system for a vehicle can include oil quality sensor that directly determines the quality of the oil in the vehicle and sends an oil quality signal to a control system. Such an oil quality sensor can make a direct measurement of the quality of the oil in an engine oil system, thus permitting the oil replacement system to accurately determine the quality of oil in an engine oil system and whether the oil needs to be replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Gerald Allen Alston
  • Publication number: 20080277202
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to lubricant delivery systems and methods. In one embodiment, the system comprises a lubricant feeder; a pipe comprising at least one nozzle; and at least one lubricant flow outlet extending upwardly from the nozzle. The nozzle comprises at least one flow area reducing portion along the length of the pipe near the lubricant feeder and the at least one lubricant flow outlet is configured to provide lubricant to at least one portion of a machine. In one embodiment, a method for controlling flow is provided comprising; delivering lubricant to an initial section of a lubricant delivery system; increasing the speed of the lubricant as it approaches a first outlet; allowing a portion of the lubricant to exit through the outlet; decreasing the speed of the lubricant after it passes the outlet; and allowing at least a portion of the lubricant to exit through a second outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Shyang-Lin Kuo
  • Publication number: 20080271949
    Abstract: A lubrication-condition detector detects a lubricant shortage of a target portion that repeats a predetermined operation at a predetermined cycle. The lubrication-condition detector includes: a physical-quantity measuring unit for continuously measuring a physical quantity related to the target portion; and a computer for determining a presence of a lubricant shortage based on the physical quantity. The computer includes: a cycle extractor for extracting a cycle datum per an operational cycle from continuous data including the physical quantity and its measuring time; a representative-value calculator for calculating a representative value for each of plural cycle data; and determining unit for determining a presence of a lubricant shortage based on the plural representative values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: TOSHIBA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: HARUMICHI TOKUYAMA, Masahiko Mori, Makoto Takami, Haruhiko Kikuchi, Akira Yoshinaga, Noriyuki Sasaki, Shinya Itani
  • Publication number: 20080156560
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a continuously variable transmission chamber formed of a crank case and a cover member connected to the crank case to permit the use of oil different between the internal combustion engine and the continuously variable transmission. Thereafter, a sufficient amount of each oil is ensured to not reduce the lowest road clearance. A division wall divides an interior of an oil pan into an internal combustion engine side oil reservoir and a continuously variable transmission side oil reservoir that reserves oil for lubrication of a continuously variable transmission and for speed control thereof, and which is connected to a lower portion of a crank case. The continuously variable transmission side oil reservoir is formed in a width direction of the motorcycle wherein part of continuously variable transmission side oil reservoir expands more outwardly than a continuously variable transmission chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoo Shiozaki, Masahiro Shimizu, Osamu Emizu
  • Publication number: 20080138203
    Abstract: A self-lubricated actuator for a rotor blade flap of a helicopter having a housing; a motor having a shaft disposed in a bearing is provided. The actuator further has an output rod and a mechanism operatively associated with the motor and the output rod to transmit movement from the motor to the output rod. The housing includes a lubrication medium capable of substantially immersing the bearing, the motor shaft and the mechanism during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew John Collins, Zaffir Chaudhry, Ulf J Jonsson, Fanping Sun, Brian E. Wake, Michael G. O'Callaghan, Jimmy Lin-Min Yeh
  • Publication number: 20080128208
    Abstract: In a drive assembly of the invention, a first catch tank is provided above a casing that keeps lubricating oil accumulated in a bottom thereof for immersion of part of a rotor of a motor MG3 and of part of a differential ring gear of a differential gear. The first catch tank temporarily keeps the lubricating oil scooped up from the bottom of the casing by the rotation of the differential ring gear. The lubricating oil kept in the first catch tank is flowed down by the force of gravity and is fed to peripheral bearings. A second catch tank is arranged to temporarily keep the lubricating oil scooped up from the bottom of the casing by the rotation of the rotor of the motor MG3. The lubricating oil kept in the second catch tank is flowed down by the force of gravity and is fed to peripheral bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihiko Ideshio, Shuji Nagano, Kunio Morisawa, Hiroki Maki, Koichi Okuda
  • Publication number: 20080128209
    Abstract: The high-pressure mixing apparatus, for reactive chemical components, comprises a device for self-lubricating and scraping the outlet duct of the chemical mixture, and flushing out the scraped residues. The self-lubricating and scraping device comprises a delivery chamber for the lubricant material axially aligned and in fluid communication with the outlet duct; the lubricant delivery chamber is connected to a storage tank by a feeding and re-circulation circuit. The lubricant is sucked into the outlet duct and subsequently returned into the delivery chamber by a cleaning member in the form of a pumping piston sliding into the outlet duct, the pumping piston being provided with scraping rings for removing the reacted mixture adhered to the inner surface of the outlet duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: AFROS S.P.A.
    Inventors: Carlo FIORENTINI, Maurizio CORTI
  • Publication number: 20080078617
    Abstract: A system for removing oil from a bearing compartment has a port connected to an end wall of the compartment through which the oil exits the compartment, a scavenge scoop connected to the port for collecting the oil, and a separation device connected to the scavenge scoop for creating an oil collection region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Denman H. James, William G. Sheridan
  • Publication number: 20080035428
    Abstract: A lubricating system is adapted to supply lubricating oil to a lip portion of an oil-seal member for preventing the lubricating oil from leaking out of a case. The lubricating system includes a rotating member, a bearing, a scraping member, and a guiding section. The rotating member is configured and arranged to be rotatably housed within the case and to slidably engage the lip portion of the oil-seal member. The bearing rotatably supports the rotating member. The scraping member is configured and arranged to scrape the lubricating oil discharged from the bearing. The guiding section is configured and arranged to guide the lubricating oil scraped by the scraping member to the lip portion of the oil-seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: AICHI MACHINE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki OMOTO, Tatsushi OKUMURA, Hideki AOYAMA, Akira KOKUBO
  • Publication number: 20080029343
    Abstract: A motor (10) for a vehicle includes a stator assembly (14) and a rotor assembly (16). Bearing structure (20, 22) support the rotor assembly to permit rotation of the rotor assembly with respect to the stator assembly. A shaft (30) is threadedly engaged with the rotor assembly and is constructed and arranged such that rotation of the rotor assembly causes linear movement of the shaft. A perfluoropolyether (PFPE) based lubricant (38), having an thermal functionality upper temperature limit of over +200° C., lubricates at least the bearing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Andrew Weldon, Calvin Wang
  • Publication number: 20080024003
    Abstract: A non-drive axle depends from a heavy-duty vehicle. Each one of a pair of wheel end assemblies is mounted on a respective one of the ends of the non-drive axle. Each wheel end assembly includes a pair of bearings mounted on a spindle of the axle, and a wheel hub rotatably mounted on the bearings. A cavity is formed in the wheel end assembly between the bearings. A port is formed in the wheel hub and extends generally parallel to a central axis of the wheel hub, and communicates with the outboard surface of the wheel hub and the cavity. Lubricant for the bearings is introduced into the cavity by means of the port, and the port is tapped to receive a plug to seal it and contain the lubricant in the cavity. The port also receives a bolt that secures a hubcap to the wheel hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicants: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C., WALTHER ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Jay D. White, Larry B. Hester, Kenneth D. Mutzner, Michael W. Wilcheck
  • Publication number: 20080006483
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a turbine engine or other application includes a first or primary branch 12 and a second or secondary branch 14, a main pump 16, a lubricant distributor 18 for receiving lubricant from the main pump and distributing the lubricant to the branches, and a auxiliary pump 30 in the second branch downstream of the distributor. The system is operable in a normal mode of operation in which lubricant flows from a lubricant source into the primary and secondary branches 12, 14 and is also operable in a backup mode of operation in which lubricant backflows from the primary branch into the secondary branch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Francis J. Parnin, Denman H. James
  • Publication number: 20070289816
    Abstract: A transfer device for a vehicle includes a casing, a cylindrical input shaft supported by the casing, a first end of the input shaft engaging with a driveshaft, an output shaft supported on an internal surface of a second end of the input shaft and engaging with the second end of the input shaft, the output shaft including an oil passage formed therein in an axial direction, and a lubrication fluid supply passage supplying a lubrication fluid from the casing to the oil passage. The lubrication fluid supply passage includes an inner fluid tight chamber annularly formed with an external surface of the output shaft and an internal surface of the input shaft, a first passage establishing a communication between the inner fluid tight chamber and the oil passage, and a second passage establishing a communication between the inner fluid tight chamber and an external surface of the input shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicants: AISIN AI CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Inoue, Satoshi Munakata
  • Patent number: 7191786
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting an engine flushing system for flushing the lubrication system of an engine having a detachable engine lubricant filter contained within a casing is disclosed, which may comprise at least one flushing system connection unit adapted to connect the flushing system to at least one of the engine lubricant inlet portion and engine lubricant outlet portion of the detachable lubricant filter through the casing of the detachable engine lubricant filter. The flushing connection unit may comprise a first flushing connection unit adapted to connect the flushing system to the engine lubricant inlet portion and engine lubricant outlet portion of the detachable lubricant filter, through the casing of the detachable engine lubricant filter; and a second flushing connection unit adapted to connect the flushing system to the lubrication system of the engine through an opening utilized for mechanically measuring the level of lubricant in the lubrication system of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Adam A. Awad
  • Patent number: 6893208
    Abstract: A drainage system for gas turbine supporting cushions or bearings, in particular for the second supporting bearing, consisting of a central shaft (20), surrounded by a series of supporting studs (21), which result, in their turn, with connection to a container housing (22) for studs (21), a sleeve (23) for containing the second supporting bearing of the turbine and a series of pipes (24, 25), respectively for the entry and drainage of the lubrication and cooling oil; the system consists of, in addition, a series of lateral seals (26), provided in positions facing the second supporting bearing, which create a pressure difference which permits the oil to pass under pressure within the drainpipes (25) at a well sustained speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Nuovo Pigone Holdings S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Frosini, Andrea Signori
  • Patent number: 6886665
    Abstract: A fluid scavenging system is provided for a lubrication system including a gas turbine engine having bearing compartments. A valve includes a housing with an outlet and a plurality of fluid inlets respectively in fluid communication with the bearing compartments. The valve includes a rotationally driven member arranged within the housing with the member having a plurality of ports arranged thereon each defining an arcuate slot. Each of the ports are selectively in fluid communication with one of the fluid inlets through the arcuate slot during rotation of the member for selectively permitting fluid flow between the opening of one of the fluid inlets through one of the corresponding ports in the member. A fluid pump is fluidly connected to the outlet for drawing fluid from each of the plurality of fluid compartments during fluid rotation of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand
    Inventors: Douglas A. Parsons, Kenneth Marks
  • Patent number: 6866121
    Abstract: Method and apparatus provided to accurately test flow and flush cooling systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Mills, Walter Murray, Daniel J. Popoff
  • Publication number: 20040020722
    Abstract: The automatic transmission for motor vehicles has a housing, in which a multiplicity of clutches and brakes are placed, as well as an input shaft and an output shaft and at least one torque transmitting shaft (1). This torque transmitting shaft (1) has an axial, central boring (3) and a plurality of radial, transverse borings. The transverse borings are cylindrical borings (6), having a transition radius (7) at the outlet. The outlet is connected to the cylindrical boring part by a conical transition part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Neufischer, Andreas Steinert
  • Publication number: 20030209389
    Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are provided for lubricating hard memory disks. A mandrel is provided in one embodiment with three rows of teeth and provides a stable, three-point engagement with the inside edge of the disks at the center aperture. When removing disks from a cassette, the mandrel preferably places a uniform space between the disks. In a second embodiment, the mandrel may be used to lubricate single-sided hard memory disks. The single-sided hard memory disk may be positioned on the mandrel in pairs in a gap merge orientation, or equally spaced apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Gerardo Buitron, Peter Cheng, Walter Crofton, Kwang Kon Kim, William Maida, David Newman
  • Patent number: 6557651
    Abstract: A lubrication system and method for dispensing a lubricant to threads of a drill rod and/or a spindle of a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine during a rod loading or unloading operation employs a pumping system having a lubricant reservoir, a pump, an applicator, and a lubricant supply conduit coupled between the pump and applicator. A heating unit is coupled to the pumping station and heats lubricant contained within the pumping system. A control unit coupled to the pumping system activates the pumping system to dispense a volume of lubricant from the applicator to the threads of the drill rod and/or spindle in response to an operator signal or an HDD machine control signal. A lubricant may be sprayed onto the spindle/drill rod threads. Alternatively, the lubricant may be communicated through a passageway defined within the spindle to one or more apertures defined within the threads of the spindle and/or the drill rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Duane E. Norby, Brian J. Bischel, Steven Erickson, Gregg A. Austin, Scott A. Rempe
  • Publication number: 20020166729
    Abstract: A system and method for lubricating fluid flow apparatus utilizing a hydrate-reducing chemical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Mark Joseph Kuzdzal
  • Patent number: 6405810
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of lubricating an object. The method involves the steps of spraying lubricant on a rotating object, and synchronizing the duration of spray to the rotation of the object so that the spray continues only for an interval of spray time corresponding to rotation of the object through a predetermined range of rotation. Apparatus for spraying lubricant on a rotating object is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Lincoln Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Ayzik Grach, David C. Beck, Christopher D. Holland
  • Patent number: 6286627
    Abstract: A dispenser for ejecting a volume of fluid. The dispenser is adapted for connection thereof in a system for supplying fluid under pressure thereto for charging it with fluid to be dispensed. A system for delivery of the volume of fluid ejected by the dispenser includes a discharge valve adapted to be closed for the charging of the dispenser and to be opened for ejecting the volume. An energy accumulator for accumulating energy for actuating the dispenser to eject the volume of fluid is accumulative of the dispenser-actuable energy in response to the supplying of fluid under pressure to the dispenser for charging it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Lincoln Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Ayzik Grach, Christopher D. Holland
  • Patent number: 6202790
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lubrication system and method for a work vehicle having a lubricant reservoir and a lubricant using attachment that comprises a single bi-directional pump/motor set, a single three-position/four way control valve that directs hydraulic fluid, through one of two flow limiting devices, to the hydraulic motor to power the pump. In one mode the pump, at a slow rate of approximately one gallon per minute, moves lubricant from the reservoir to the attachment. In the other mode the pump, at a fast rate of approximately six gallons per minute, moves lubricant from a lubricant source to fill the lubricant reservoir. The flow limiting devices can be either a fixed flow rate device or a multiple flow rate device as selected by an operator of the work vehicle. The various positions of the control valve can be actuated by a solenoid, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder or a cable, all of which can be operated from the cab of the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Oligmueller
  • Patent number: 6085869
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular combined grease oil system for lubricating moveable parts of a machine and for recovering oil for reuse. The system includes a lubrication unit for automatically applying a lubricant such as a grease to various points on a machine, such as the clamping unit of an injection molding machine, after a predetermined number of operation cycles. The system further includes an oil recovery unit for retrieving oil from at least one hydraulic unit to prevent leakage, for collecting the retrieved oil, for removing contaminants from the collected oil, and for transferring the oil to a storage tank for reuse. A method of operation of the system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Ronald Ing, Andrew Kiedyk, Keith Bowness, Frank Goetz
  • Patent number: 6017205
    Abstract: A scroll-type compressor is disclosed which includes both a high pressure lubricant sump and a low pressure lubricant sump. Lubricant from the low pressure lubricant sump is supplied to the various bearing, thrust surfaces and other moving parts to lubricate same and a portion thereof is also supplied to the suction gas entering the compressor to replenish the lubricant in the high pressure sump. An oil separator is disposed in a discharge chamber to separate entrained oil from the compressed gas. A level control assembly is also provided in the discharge chamber and serves to return excessive accumulations of oil from the high pressure sump to the low pressure sump. In one embodiment, the compressor is specifically designed for compression of helium while in a second embodiment, the compressor is adapted for use as an air compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Roger C. Weatherston, Kenneth L. Feathers, James F. Fogt, Jean-Luc Caillat
  • Patent number: 5951342
    Abstract: An oil supply system for a watercraft is disclosed. The watercraft has a water propulsion device and a hull defining an engine compartment, an internal combustion engine positioned in the engine compartment and having an output shaft arranged to power the water propulsion device. The engine has at least one combustion chamber and an intake and exhaust path including an air intake system through which air is provided to the combustion chamber(s) and an exhaust system for routing products of combustion from the combustion chamber(s) to a discharge, the exhaust system including a water lock between the discharge and the engine. The engine also includes a fuel supply system supplying fuel to the combustion chamber(s) for combustion with the air. The oil supply system is arranged to introduce lubricant to the engine along the intake and exhaust path upstream of the water lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sigeyuki Ozawa, Ryoichi Nakase
  • Patent number: 5823295
    Abstract: A control system for lubricating a work machine is provided. The control system includes a lubricant distribution system, a charging system adapted to drive the lubricant distribution system, a sensor for determining the operating state of the charging system, and a device for calculating a time interval being dependent upon a previous lubricating event. The control also includes a device for producing a lubrication signal in response to the time interval reaching a predetermined interval constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby D. Griffith, Mark R. Hawkins, Dean J. Schlickbernd, Steven J. Zmuda
  • Patent number: 5788012
    Abstract: A method and apparatus automatically feeds lubricating oil to machine parts using a microcomputer. According to the method and apparatus, the lubricating oil discharge time for each discharge mode is set and the operation of an electrochemical reactor is controlled in accordance with the set discharge mode under the control of the microcomputer. At the completion of the set discharge time, a discharge mode for a preset minimum period of discharge time, such as one month, is set to allow complete discharge of the remaining lubricating oil. The set discharge mode and the determined discharge time are displayed on a liquid crystal display for convenient viewing by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Korea Lube-Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun Jong Yang
  • Patent number: 5678461
    Abstract: A transmission cooling system (10) for a vehicle equipped with an engine (12) having a pressurized liquid cooling system (50). The transmission cooling system includes an oil-to-water-type heat exchanger (40) located in the transmission lubricant sump (36) and fluidly connected in series to the engine cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Alan C. Stine
  • Patent number: 5626470
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing lubricant to thrust bearings and rotors of a rotary screw compressor. The apparatus includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the lubricant supplied to the rotors; a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the compressed gas discharged from the compressor; and a speed sensor for detecting the operating speed of the rotors. An electronic controller responsive to signals received from the temperature sensing means, the pressure sensing means and the speed sensing selectively opens and closes the second valve means to optimize the volume of lubricant supplied to the compressor rotors, and also controls the first valve to control the flow of lubricant to the thrust bearings. A pressure regulator controls the supply of lubricant to the thrust bearings in response to input signals received from the electronic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Don J. Gerhardt
  • Patent number: 5599100
    Abstract: A hydraulic system employing multi-phase hydraulic fluids in which a first phase hydraulic fluid has its properties modified by the addition of a second phase hydraulic fluid is described. Effective hydraulic actuation is achieved in a single system under extreme conditions, typically high and low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Jackson, Brian K. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5588503
    Abstract: A flow controller for preventing damage to a rotating machine by automatically redirecting the flow of lubricating oil in and out of a shaft driven pump in the event the machine goes into reverse rotation. The controller contains sealing elements that are moved under the influence of oil moving through the flow controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Aktiebolag
    Inventor: John M. Rinaldo
  • Patent number: 5587068
    Abstract: The deaerator includes a chamber that includes vortex generators that centrifuge the oil/air to separate the components and the chamber may operate in all attitudes. In addition wake separators mounted in the inlet of the chamber remove a large percentage of the air from the oil prior to entering the chamber and reintroduce the separated air component in the air removal tube. A dam in the air removal tube is located downstream of the inlet of the wake separated air to assure no oil is extracted from the air tube leaving the chamber. The wake separator consists of one or more tubes extending transversely to the flow of the oil/air stream and the air is removed through rearwardly facing apertures formed in the tube(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Wilho V. Aho, Jr., Stephen R. Jones, Gregory E. Chetta, Terry H. Strout
  • Patent number: 5529146
    Abstract: An oil applying device includes a housing having a base for receiving oil and includes an upper oil tank. A lower roller is rotatably supported in the base and a middle roller is rotatably supported above the lower roller such that the lower roller may apply the oil onto the middle roller. An upper roller is rotatably supported above the middle roller for engaging with a work piece between the upper roller and the middle roller. A number of nozzles are secured to the bottom of the oil tank for applying the oil onto the upper roller so as to apply the oil onto the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Shu-Sen Lin
  • Patent number: 5495917
    Abstract: A solenoid actuated air control valve and a plurality of liquid distribution pumps are mounted on a common elongated manifold having passages for supplying pressurized air and lubricating fluid to the pumps in response to actuation of the solenoid valve. Each of the distribution pumps has an air actuated reciprocating piston, and lubricating fluid is supplied to the manifold and distribution pumps through a line connected to a supply pump also having an air actuated reciprocating diaphragm or piston. The solenoid valve controls the supply pump in timed relation with the distribution pumps, and the supply pump is located within an annular filter unit submerged within a reservoir of lubricating fluid. Each distribution pump is connected by a flexible line to a corresponding spray nozzle having a check valve including a tubular plastic insert which confines a spring bias ball and a resilient annular seat for the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Pax Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Pax
  • Patent number: 5489008
    Abstract: A cooling and lubricating system incorporated into the jaws of a shaking head of a nut tree shaker in which water or a mixture of water and a lubricant is pumped from a supply reservoir through a control valve assembly into a supply line connected with a manifold bolted between the slings which support the shaker pad in each jaw for discharging water or a mixture of water and lubricant between the slings and onto the pad for cooling the slings and pads and lubricating the slings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Orchard-Rite Ltd., Inc.
    Inventor: Daryl G. Hill
  • Patent number: 5485895
    Abstract: An apparatus for lubricating an operating component of a system in which the operating component is exposed to a range of conditions, such as a range of temperatures, which require adjustment of at least one physical property of the lubricant is described. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the operating component is located within a lubricant reservoir which contains a first lubricant of low density and high viscosity and a second lubricant of higher density and lower viscosity. During certain operating conditions, the lubricants are at least partially immiscible, usually at lower temperatures, and the first lubricant is appropriate for those operating conditions. A change in at least one operating condition which promotes at least partial miscibility of the lubricants, such as higher temperatures, causes the first and second lubricants to mix, at least partially, and form a third lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. Peterson, Andrew Jackson
  • Patent number: 5482138
    Abstract: In greasing operation for pin-connected parts of a work machine, a swivel bearing, and the like of a construction machine, particularly a hydraulic excavating machine which has a number of parts which require greasing at a short greasing interval, automatic greasing is carried out when a total of added values of operation time of greased parts, such as the pin-connected parts of the work machine and the swivel bearing, or operation time and short non-operation time regarded as operation time reaches a specified greasing interval, and is stopped upon completion of greasing operation, so as to save operator's efforts in greasing work which requires a lot of man-hours and simultaneously prevent contamination of the periphery of the excavating machine with excessive grease overflowing from respective greased parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shigeki Mori, Yohjiro Ohbatake, Morio Tsuchie
  • Patent number: 5477941
    Abstract: In railroad applications, an improved method and apparatus for optimizing on-board rail lubrication for both curved and tangent track. The lubricants are applied by an apparatus directly to the rails behind the last axle of the last locomotive of a locomotive consist. The system uses lubricant delivery nozzles which are integrated with the sand pipe and nozzle for each rail. The lubricant nozzles are aimed toward the wheel rail contact at a distance of several inches behind the contact for accurate application of one lubricant on the top of the rail (TOR) and another on the rail gage side (RAGS). The lubricant quantities sprayed on the rail are controlled by a miroprocessor with the use of a flow injection pulse, system or flow control valves. Furthermore, the microprocessor triggers sand application when emergency brakes are applied. A new method of determination of trailing tons in the train is used by averaging the total power used by the locomotives at a certain speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Tranergy Corporation
    Inventors: Sudhir Kumar, Shiv R. Kumar
  • Patent number: 5465810
    Abstract: An apparatus for lubricating an operating component of a system in which the operating component is exposed to a range of conditions, such as a range of temperatures which require adjustment of at least one physical property of the lubricant, is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus is useful for lubricating more than one operating component, each operating under a different operating condition. The apparatus utilizes a first lubricant and a second lubricant which are at least partially miscible, under a condition of at least partial miscibility, usually an elevated temperature. Under the condition of at least partial miscibility, the lubricants combine to provide a third lubricant. The third lubricant is dispensed to the operating component in response to a change in at least one operating condition which requires the properties of the third lubricant for efficient lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. Peterson, Andrew Jackson
  • Patent number: 5435414
    Abstract: A lubricating recirculation system for use with highly viscous lubricants and semi-fluid lubricants such as high viscosity base oil gels and greases. The system includes a bulk lubricant container for storing fresh lubricant that is applied to the use points of the mechanisms as controlled by a controller such as programmable logic controller. After application to the mechanism components, the lubricant falls therefrom and accumulates on guards or channels which help to funnel the lubricant into a spent lubricant holding tank. Sensors in both the bulk lubricant container and the spent lubricant holding tank, in connection with the controller, monitor the level of lubricant in both tanks and activate a transfer pump when the level of lubricant in either tank reaches a certain level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Castrol Ltd.
    Inventor: Charles D. Barrett
  • Patent number: 5381874
    Abstract: Large work machines typically include an automatic lubrication system for lubricating critical areas during operation. In such systems it is advantageous to provide an efficient and flexible controller having substantial diagnostic capabilities. The subject inventions provides a sensor for determining the level of an operational parameter, a device for calculating a time interval being dependent on a previous lubrication event and the operational parameter, a device for producing a lubrication signal in response to the time interval reaching a predetermined interval constant, and a lubrication control for activating a lubrication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Hadank, Kenneth J. McGuire, David R. Meinhold, Ron J. Penick
  • Patent number: 5372220
    Abstract: A method of formulating a nonflammable water based lubricant emulsion having excellent anti-seize and low friction properties for wood cutting and metal machining containing preferably an oil-in-water emulsion and finely divided polytetrafluoroethylene particles in the water phase and delivered in small amounts by mist or spray to the working parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Bostik, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Jacobs, John H. Adams
  • Patent number: 5337859
    Abstract: A Fugitive Emissions Recovery System (FERS) for a Process Gas Compressor Train recovers all process gas leakage from each PGC case by creating a slight vacuum in the PGC lube oil reservoir, the bearing housings on each compressor case, the PGC lube oil reclaimer, and the PGC sour oil holding tank. This vacuum is accomplished without compromising the over-pressure protection of the aforementioned compressor components and without allowing air leakage into the FERS. All recovered PGC seal leakage is routed to a furnace for combustion. A closed-loop lubrication system is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ralph H. Ingram, William L. Green