Lubricant particle collector having a connector with a ball locking mechanism

A particle collector for a reservoir of an apparatus which separates metal particles from lubricating oil, said particle collector comprising:

• a valve assembly having a housing attached to the reservoir with a bore extending between inside and outside the reservoir, a valve seat formed in the bore, and a valve element biased toward engagement with the valve seat, the valve assembly further including a cylindrical first surface extending outside the reservoir with a plurality of locking grooves therein;
• a plug having a stem which is removably received within bore of the valve assembly and forcing the valve element away from the valve seat, a portion of she stern being magnetized to attract ferromagnetic particles in the reservoir, the plug having a cylindrical second surface which mates with the first surface;
• and
• a plurality of balls rotatably projecting from the second surface of the plug and being releasably received in the plurality of locking grooves in the first surface to secure the plug to the valve assembly.

A particle collector for a reservoir of an apparatus which separates metal particles from lubricating oil, said particle collector comprising:

• a valve assembly having a housing attached to the reservoir with a bore extending between inside and outside the reservoir, a valve scat formed in the bore, and a valve element normally biased against the valve seat, the valve assembly further including a cylindrical first surface extending outside the reservoir;
• a plug having a stem which is removably received within the bore of the valve assembly and forcing the valve element away from the valve seat, a portion of the stem being magnetized to attract ferromagnetic particles in the reservoir, the plug having a cylindrical second surface which mates with the first surface and which has a plurality of locking grooves therein;
• and
• a plurality of halls rotatably projecting from the first surface of the valve assembly and being releasably received in the plurality of locking grooves in the second surface so secure the plug to the valve assembly.