Lubrication control system for a work machine
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for lubricating a work machine, comprising:
- a timer;
a lubricant distribution system, said lubricant distribution system comprising an automatic lubrication system and a manual lubrication system, said automatic lubrication system including lubricant injector banks and said manual lubrication system including a grease reel;
means for determining a lubrication mode and responsively producing a lubrication mode signal;
a charging system adapted to drive said lubricant distribution system;
means for sensing a charging system parameter indicative of the operating state of said charging system;
means for causing said timer to calculate a time interval, said time interval being dependent on a previous lubricating event;
means for producing a first lubrication signal in response to said time interval being greater than or equal to a predetermined interval constant and said charging system parameter being greater than or equal to a predetermined level;
means for producing a second lubrication signal in response to said charging system parameter being greater than or equal to a predetermined level and said lubrication mode signal being greater than a predetermined value; and
means for activating said lubricant distribution system in response to said first lubrication signal and said second lubrication signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for lubricating a work machine is provided. The control system includes a lubricant distribution system, a charging system adapted to drive the lubricant distribution system, a sensor for determining the operating state of the charging system, and a device for calculating a time interval being dependent upon a previous lubricating event. The control also includes a device for producing a lubrication signal in response to the time interval reaching a predetermined interval constant.
50 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for lubricating a work machine, comprising:
-
a timer; a lubricant distribution system, said lubricant distribution system comprising an automatic lubrication system and a manual lubrication system, said automatic lubrication system including lubricant injector banks and said manual lubrication system including a grease reel; means for determining a lubrication mode and responsively producing a lubrication mode signal; a charging system adapted to drive said lubricant distribution system; means for sensing a charging system parameter indicative of the operating state of said charging system; means for causing said timer to calculate a time interval, said time interval being dependent on a previous lubricating event; means for producing a first lubrication signal in response to said time interval being greater than or equal to a predetermined interval constant and said charging system parameter being greater than or equal to a predetermined level; means for producing a second lubrication signal in response to said charging system parameter being greater than or equal to a predetermined level and said lubrication mode signal being greater than a predetermined value; and means for activating said lubricant distribution system in response to said first lubrication signal and said second lubrication signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. An apparatus for lubricating a work machine, comprising:
-
a timer; a lubricant distribution system, said lubricant distribution system comprising an automatic lubrication system and a manual lubrication system, said automatic lubrication system including lubricant injector banks and said manual lubrication system including a grease reel; a lubricant diverter fluidly connected to said automatic lubrication system and to said manual lubrication system; means for determining a lubrication mode and responsively producing a lubrication mode signal, said means for determining including a manually activated switch, said switch being connected with said lubricant diverter such that when said switch is activated, said lubricant diverter diverts the flow of lubricant between the automatic and manual lubrication systems; a charging system adapted to drive said lubricant distribution system; means for sensing a charging system parameter indicative of the operating state of said charging system; means for causing said timer to calculate a time interval, said time interval being dependent on a previous lubricating event; means for producing a first lubrication signal in response to said time interval being greater than or equal to a predetermined interval constant and said charging system parameter being greater than or equal to a predetermined level; means for producing a second lubrication signal in response to said charging system parameter being greater than or equal to a predetermined level and said lubrication mode signal being greater than a predetermined value; and means for activating said lubricant distribution system in response to said first lubrication signal and said second lubrication signal.
-
Specification