Apparatus, system and method for monitoring fluid flows and/or filter conditions and/or distributing a single fluid

A system for monitoring fluid flow of a single fluid to a first hydraulic system and a second hydraulic system, the system comprising:

• a reservoir having a bottom and walls defining an interior;
• a partition having a top end and a bottom end wherein the bottom end of the partition is attached to the bottom of the reservoir forming a first volume and a second volume in the reservoir wherein the second volume surrounds the first volume;
• a plurality of fluid inlets in communication with the reservoir where a first fluid inlet is in communication with the first hydraulic system and further wherein the first fluid inlet is disposed within the first volume and wherein a second fluid inlet is in communication with the second hydraulic system and further wherein the second fluid inlet is disposed within the second volume and wherein the single fluid is added to the reservoir via one of the plurality of fluid inlets;
• and
• a sensor connected to one of the plurality of fluid inlets wherein the sensor detects the fluid flow of the single fluid into the reservoir.

A method for distributing a single fluid to a first hydraulic system and a second hydraulic system, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a reservoir defining an interior;
• dividing the interior of the reservoir into a first volume and a second volume;
• inserting a plurality of fluid inlets into the reservoir wherein a first fluid inlet is inserted into the first volume of the reservoir, the single fluid receivable from the first hydraulic system by the first volume via the first fluid inlet and wherein a second fluid inlet is inserted into the second volume of the reservoir, the single fluid receivable from the second hydraulic system by the second volume via the second fluid inlet and wherein the single fluid is added to the reservoir via one of the plurality of fluid inlets;
• and
• providing a first outlet port within the first volume and a second outlet port within the second volume wherein the single fluid is distributed from the interior of the reservoir.

An apparatus for distributing a single fluid to a first hydraulic system and a second hydraulic system, the apparatus comprising:

• a container having a bottom and walls wherein the bottom and the walls define an interior;
• a partition having a top end and a bottom end wherein the bottom end of the partition is attached to the bottom of the container to form a first volume and a second volume in the container wherein the second volume surrounds the first volume and further wherein the first volume is in communication with the second volume to allow the single fluid to flow between the first volume and the second volume;
• a plurality of fluid inlets in communication with the container wherein a first fluid inlet is in communication with the first hydraulic system and further wherein the first fluid inlet is disposed within the first volume wherein the single fluid is added to the first volume from the first hydraulic system via the first fluid inlet and wherein a second fluid inlet is in communication with the second hydraulic system and further wherein the second fluid inlet is disposed within the second volume wherein the single fluid is added to the second volume from the second hydraulic system via the second fluid inlet;
• and
• a first outlet port within the first volume and a second outlet port within the second volume wherein the single fluid is distributed from the interior of the reservoir.