System and method of confirming lubrication to bearing
AssigneeLincoln Industrial Corporation
InventorsPaul G. Conley, Nathan David Donovan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems for determining lubrication flow dispensed to lubrication points. Lubricant delivery is determined based upon the difference between volume measurements detected as the lubricant is delivered to the lubrication points, and volume measurements detected as the lubricant is vented after delivery. A flow sensor in the lubricant supply line measures lubricant delivered and lubricant vented and a controller determines the amount dispensed based upon the difference between the delivered and vented measurements.
Claims10
A method for determining lubrication flow dispensed to a lubrication point, the method comprising:
- providing a flow sensor within a supply line supplying lubricant from a lubricant supply to a lubrication point, the flow sensor configured to measure lubricant flow within the supply line;
- transferring lubricant from the lubricant supply to the lubrication point via the supply line;
- collecting a first lubricant flow measurement from the flow sensor during the transferring;
- venting the supply line to release lubricant from a port of the supply line between the flow sensor and the lubricant supply;
- collecting from the flow sensor a second lubricant flow measurement in response to venting;
- and
- determining the amount of lubricant dispensed to the lubrication point based upon the difference between the first lubricant flow measurement and the second lubricant flow measurement.
A system for determining lubrication flow dispensed to a lubrication point, the system comprising:
- a flow sensor within a supply line supplying lubricant from a lubricant supply to a lubrication point, the flow sensor configured to measure lubricant flow within the supply line;
- a vent valve in the supply line between the lubricant supply and the flow sensor;
- and,
- a controller connected to the flow sensor and the vent valve, the controller configured to:
- collect a first lubricant flow measurement from the flow sensor during the transfer of lubricant from the lubricant supply to the lubrication point;
- open the vent valve to vent lubricant from the supply line after the transfer of lubricant to the lubrication point;
- collect from the flow sensor a second lubricant flow measurement in response to venting by the vent valve;
- and
- determine the amount of lubricant dispensed to the lubrication point based upon the difference between the first lubricant flow measurement and the second lubricant flow measurement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.