# US 5,350,040 A · Vibration monitoring lubrication device

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- Number: US 5,350,040 A
- Document ID: US5350040A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/835,121
- Filed: 1992-02-12
- Granted: 1994-09-27
- Earliest claimed: 1992-02-12
- Inventors: Douglas L. Gribble
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5350040A

## CPC

- F16N 29/00: Special means in lubricating arrangements or systems providing for the indication or detection of undesired conditions; Use of devices responsive to conditions in lubricating arrangements or systems
- F16N 21/00: Conduits; Junctions (in general F16L); Fittings for lubrication apertures
- G01M 13/045: Acoustic or vibration analysis
- F16C 19/527: {related to vibration and noise}
- F16C 33/6622: {Details of supply and/or removal of the grease, e.g. purging grease}
- F16N: LUBRICATING
- G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS

## Abstract

A device for monitoring vibration of a bearing to assess whether other service is required. The device is adaptable for use with conventional grease guns and can be used simultaneously with lubrication of a bearing. The device includes an electric circuit and headphones which enable the wearer to "listen" to the bearing. Depending on the "bearing noise" that is heard, maintenance personnel can assess what further lubrication is required and what service is needed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for assessing whether a bearing requiring periodic lubrication and having a fitting for receiving lubricating material requires service, the device comprising:
a coupling for introducing lubricating material into the bearing from a source of lubricating material; and a sensor attached to the coupling for detecting vibration and producing an electric signal indicative of the vibration of the bearing when the coupling is mated with the bearing wherein the sensor includes a tube for carrying the lubricating material and a transducer in contact with the tube for detecting the vibration of the bearing through the tube and producing the electric signal in response to the vibration.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The devices of claim 1, wherein the source of lubricating material is a grease canister and the coupling is a grease gun coupling.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, further comprising a conduit between the sensor and the grease canister.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device of claim 3, wherein the sensor includes a first end in fluid communication with the conduit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4, wherein the sensor includes a second end opposite the first end, the second end including threads for mating with threads on the coupling.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the tube and transducer are surrounded by a non-conductive, shock absorbent material and a rigid casing.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising an electric circuit connected to the transducer for converting the electrical signal to an audible signal.

### Claim 8

A device for monitoring vibration in a bearing requiring periodic lubrication comprising:
a sensor for detecting vibration in the bearing and producing an electrical signal indicative of the vibration, the sensor including a first end for receiving lubricating material from a source of lubricating material and a second end for dispensing the lubricating material from the sensor wherein the sensor includes a tube between the first and second ends for carrying the lubricating material and a transducer in contact with the tube for detecting the vibration of the bearing through the tube and producing the electrical signal in response to the vibration.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The device of claim 8, wherein the source of lubricating material is a grease canister.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, further comprising a coupling for receiving lubricating material from the sensor and introducing it into the bearing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The device of claim 10, further comprising a conduit between the sensor and the source of lubricating material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The device of claim 11, wherein the first end includes threads for mating with threads on the conduit.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The device of claim 12, wherein the second end includes threads for mating with threads on the coupling.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The device of claim 8, wherein the tube and transducer are surrounded by a non-conductive, shock absorbent material and a rigid casing.

### Claim 15 (depends on 8)

The device of claim 8 further comprising an electronic circuit for converting the electrical signal to an audible signal.