Centralized lubrication system

Claim 2

A lubrication and monitoring system for supplying lubricant to an intermittently operating device having varying operating cycle time durations comprising pressurized lubricant supply means, cyclic type lubricant distribution means having an element movable back and forth in response to the actuation of said distribution means through a complete lubricating cycle, means for controlling the initiation of a lubricating cycle comprising switch means closed by the lubricated device upon initiation of and throughout an operating cycle of the lubricated device, means connected to said switch means for generating a signal of predetermined duration in response to each closure of said switch means, and means coupled to said signal generating means and responsive to a predetermined number of said signals of predetermined duration to activate said distribution means to initiate a lubrication cycle, and means responsive to the back and forth movement of said element and operatively connected to said initiation control means for providing an indication whether a lubricating cycle has been completed within a predetermined number of operating cycles of the device.

Claim 3

A lubrication and monitoring system for supplying lubricant to an intermittently operating device having varying operating cycle time durations comprising pressurized lubricant supply means, cyclic type lubricant distribution means having an element movable back and forth in response to the actuation of said distribution means through a complete lubricating cycle, means for controlling the initiation of a lubricating cycle comprising means for sensing the initiation of an operating cycle of the device and for generating a signal of predetermined duration in response to the operating initiation of said cycle, and means coupled to said sensing means and responsive to a period of time during which a predetermined number of signals is generated to activate said distribution means to initiate a lubrication cycle, means responsive to the back and forth movement of said element and operatively connected to said initiation control means for providing an indication whether a lubricating cycle has been completed within a predetermined number of operating cycles of the device, and said means for sensing the initiation of an operating cycle comprises a time delay relay having normally closed contacts and an operating circuit connectable to an energizing electrical supply by way of said device, said time delay relay operable to open said contacts after a predetermined interval of energization of said operating circuit, and said activation means is connected to the electrical supply by way of the device and said normally closed contacts and operable in response to a predetermined number of energizations of said time delay relay to activate said distribution means.

Claim 4

A lubrication and monitoring system for supplying lubricant to an intermittently operating device having varying operating cycle time durations comprising pressurized lubricant supply means, cyclic type lubricant distribution means having an element movable back and forth in response to the actuation of said distribution means through a complete lubricating cycle, means for controlling the initiation of a lubricating cycle comprising means for sensing the initiation of an operating cycle of the device and for generating a signal of predetermined duration in response to the operating initiation of said cycle, and means coupled to said sensing means and responsive to a period of time during which a predetermined number of signals is generated to activate said distribution means to initiate a lubrication cycle, means responsive to the back and forth movement of said element and operatively connected to said initiation control means for providing an indication whether a lubricating cycle has been completed within a predetermined number of operating cycles of the device, and said means for sensing the initiation of an operating cycle comprises a time delay relay having normally closed contacts and an operating circuit connectable to an energizing electrical supply by way of said device, said time delay relay operable to open said contacts after a predetermined interval of energization of said operating circuit, and said activation means is connected to the electrical supply by way of the device and said normally closed contacts and operable in response to a predetermined number of energizations of said time delay relay to activate said distribution means.

Claim 5

A lubrication and monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein said time delay relay includes means for adjusting the interval of energization of said operating circuit necessary to effect opening of said normally closed contacts.

Claim 6

A lubrication and monitoring system for supplying lubricant to an intermittently operating device having varying operating cycle time durations comprising pressurized lubricant supply means cyclic type lubricant distribution means having an element movable back and forth in response to the actuation of said distribution means through a complete lubricating cycle, means for controlling the initiation of a lubricating cycle comprising means for sensing the initiation of an operating cycle of the device and for generating a signal of predetermined duration in response to the operating initiation of said cycle, and means coupled to said sensing means and responsive to a period of time during which a predetermined number of signals is generated to activate said distribution means to initiate a lubrication cycle, means responsive to the back and forth movement of said element and operatively connected to said initiation control means for providing an indication whether a lubricating cycle has been completed within a predetermined number of operating cycles of the device, and said means for controlling the initiation of the lubricating cycle comprises a timing circuit having a plurality of contacts and means for operating said contacts in accordance with a programmed sequence, a first set of said contacts operable to connect said timing circuit to an energizing electrical supply by way of said device for said predetermined duration of time, and a second set of said contacts connected to said distribution means and operable to initiate operation of said distribution means upon energization of said timing circuit for a predetermined number of said predetermined durations.

Claim 7

A lubrication and monitoring system for supplying lubricant to an intermittently operating device having varying operating cycle time durations comprising pressurized lubricant supply means cyclic type lubricant distribution means having an element movable back and forth in response to the actuation of said distribution means through a complete lubricating cycle, means for controlling the initiation of a lubricating cycle comprising means for sensing the initiation of an operating cycle of the device and for generating a signal of predetermined duration in response to the operating initiation of said cycle, and means coupled to said sensing means and responsive to a period of time during which a predetermined number of signals is generated to activate said distribution means to initiate a lubrication cycle, means responsive to the back and forth movement of said element and operatively connected to said initiation control means for providing an indication whether a lubricating cycle has been completed within a predetermined number of operating cycles of the device, and said means for controlling the initiation of the lubricating cycle comprises a timing circuit having a plurality of contacts and means for operating said contacts in accordance with a programmed sequence, a first set of said contacts operable to connect said timing circuit to an energizing electrical supply by way of said device for said predetermined duration of time, and a second set of said contacts connected to said distribution means and operable to initiate operation of said distribution means upon energization of said timing circuit for a predetermined number of said predetermined durations.

Claim 8

A lubrication and monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein said means for operating said contacts includes at least one camming mechanism connected to and operated by said timing circuit.