System for periodic fluid maintenance of apparatus

• US 6,585,009 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2002
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Silzie, L. William, Martin, John R., Matthews, John H., Ruff, Albert L., Boyle, Frederick P., Gerber, Gary E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US10/175,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20020148528A1
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 141/65, 141/67, 141/59, 141/94, 141/95, 141/98, 141/83, 141/100, 141/104, 184/1.5, 702/45, 702/47, 702/51, 702/55
• US Class Current: 141/67
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/04 Filling or draining lubricant of or from machines or engines

Abstract

A system for periodically maintaining non-fuel fluids required for proper performance by various apparatus and for reporting non-fuel fluid maintenance action taken. Maintenance systems include means for replacing, replenishing or renewing non-fuel fluids or renewing non-fuel fluid filters. Reporting systems include means for communicating information between on- and off-apparatus sub-systems and for generating reports that document non-fuel fluid maintenance actions taken.

Claims

1. A system for periodically supplying grease to a plurality of apparatus components requiring lubrication comprising an on-apparatus grease distribution sub-system for distributing grease to such apparatus components, an off-apparatus grease supply, and control means for determining the amount of grease required by the apparatus components based on certain performance parameters of the apparatus, and for controlling the amount of grease supplied to the grease distribution subsystem from the off-apparatus grease supply during grease maintenance.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the control means includes means for recording and communicating information concerning the amount of grease added-to the on-apparatus grease distribution sub-system of a particular apparatus.