Method of supplying lubricant and apparatus for the same

A method of supplying lubricant the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a lubricant supply means for supplying lubricant to at least one element of a machine, an electrical power source for operating said lubricant supply means, a controller for controlling said electrical power source, and a sensor for detecting a state of the at least one element of the machine;
• causing said controller to determine, in dependence upon a detected value of said sensor, whether a supply of lubricant to the at least one element of the machine is reqired;
• causing said controller to drive said electrical power source upon a determination of a required lubrication;
• and
• caoting the lubricant on the at least one machine element by evapoating a solid lubricant by a tribo-coating means,
• wherein said controllwer communicates through a communication means with a remote controller, monitors the state of the at least one machine element, and determines that lubricant should be supplied to the at least one machine element when the supply of lubricant is required.

An apparatus for supplying lubricant comprising:

• a tribo-coating means for supplying a solid lubricant to an element of a hamchine;
• an electrical power source for operating said tribo-coating means so as to cause an evaporation of the solid lubricant and coating of the element of the machine;
• nd
• a controller for driving said electrical power source at predetermined intervals of time.

An apparatus for supplyng lubricant comprising:

• a tribo-coating means for supplying a solid lubricant to an element of a machine;
• `an electrical power source for opeating said tribo-coating means so aso to cuase an evaporation of the solid lubricant and coating of the element of the machine;
• a controller for driving and controlling said power source;
• and
• a sensor for monitoring an operating state of the machine element and for generating signals forming an input to said cntroller.

Appartus for supplying lubricant, the apparatus comprising:

• a lubricant supply means for supplying lubricant to an element of a machine, the lubricant supply means comprising a vacuum deposition source formed of a slid lubricant, and aheating means for heating and evaporating said lubricant so as to effect vacuum deposition, said heating means including at least one of a laser beam, and electron beam and a heater;
• an electrical power source for operating said lubricant supply means;
• a controller for driving and controlling said power source;
• and
• a sensor for moniotoring an operating state of the machine element and for generating signals forming an input to said controller.