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US4445168A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus and method for micro-computer control of lubrication system

Assignee: LUBRIQUIP-HOUDAILLE Inc
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Filing: 1981-06-24
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Granted: 1984-04-24
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Expires: 2001-06-24
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Abstract

Abstract A novel apparatus and method for micro-computer control of lubrication systems which utilizes a micro-computer that receives input signals from a lubrication station indicative of the level of lubricant, the pressure of the lubricant, the number of lube cycles and/or strokes of the machine or lubricating system which are furnished to the micro-computer that also receives inputs from program, monitor, system cycle and control switches and supplies output signals so as to actuate the lubricating system on a periodic predetermined base. In addition, the micro-computer produces fault signals so as to protect the machine or machines being lubricated in the event a fault occurs.

Inventors

  • 👤 William W. Petryszyn

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 21:07
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16N; F16N29/00; F16N29/04; F16N29/02; G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/042; G05B19/0428; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/24; G05B2219/24125

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 121 words
A system for control of a lubrication system for an operating apparatus which requires lubrication, responsive to conditions of the lubrication system, a micro-computer connected to receive an output of said means responsive to conditions of the lubrication system and connected to said lubrication system to operate it, a means for setting parameters of said lubrication system connected to supply inputs to said micro-computer, a machine control means connected to the output of said micro-computer and connected to said operating apparatus to stop it so as to prevent machine damage, and wherein said means for setting parameters of said lubrication system comprises program, system cycle, monitor, and control switch means for allowing different programs for the lubrication system to be selected.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 121 words
A system for control of a lubrication system for an operating apparatus which requires lubrication, responsive to conditions of the lubrication system, a micro-computer connected to receive an output of said means responsive to conditions of the lubrication system and connected to said lubrication system to operate it, a means for setting parameters of said lubrication system connected to supply inputs to said micro-computer, a machine control means connected to the output of said micro-computer and connected to said operating apparatus to stop it so as to prevent machine damage, and wherein said means for setting parameters of said lubrication system comprises program, system cycle, monitor, and control switch means for allowing different programs for the lubrication system to be selected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive to conditions of the lubrication system includes a reservoir lubricant level sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive to conditions of the lubrication system includes a lubricant pressure sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 30 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 1 further including means responsive to conditions of said operating apparatus connected to supply an output to said micro-computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 34 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 1 wherein said control switch means includes a range switch means which can be arranged to select a particular time interval for lubrication.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 40 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 1 wherein said control switch means includes a range switch means which can be arranged to select the number of machine strokes of said operating apparatus between lubrication cycles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 51 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 6 wherein said control switch means for setting parameters of said lubrication system further comprises a system cycle switch means which allows the frequency of repetition that a lubrication program is exercised during a preselected monitor interval to be varied.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 33 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 1 wherein said control switch means further includes a monitor range switch means that can be set to a selected time interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 38 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 1 wherein said control switch means further includes a monitor range switch means that can be set to a number of machine strokes of said output apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 35 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 1 wherein said means for setting parameters of said lubrication system comprising a control switch means for selecting conditions such as time or stroke.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 31 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 10 wherein said control switch means includes a program lock-out switch which when closed causes the operating machine to stop.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 69 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 10 wherein said control switch means includes a prelube switch which when closed causes said control for a lubrication system to initiate a lube upon application of power and when said switch is open causes said control for a lubrication system to wait for one program cycle after the operating machine is turned on before initiating a lube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 53 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 10 wherein said control switch means includes a frequency switch for setting a frequency clock so it responds to either 50 or 60 cycle line frequency and also includes a power switch for allowing operation from 110 or 220 volt power supplies.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 56 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 10 wherein said control switch means includes a switch which can be closed so that when a low lubricant fluid level condition occurs said switch will supply an output to said machine control means to control said operating apparatus so as to prevent machine damage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 55 words
A system for control of a lubrication system according to claim 10 wherein said control switch means includes a switch which can be closed so that when a high lubricant pressure condition occurs said switch will supply an output to said machine control means to control said operating apparatus so as to prevent machine damage.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3674112A Cited
US3707203A Cited
US3856114A Cited
US3882305A Cited
US4129901A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-04-24 1987-10-24 1988-04-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-04-24 1991-10-24 1992-04-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-04-24 1995-10-24 1996-04-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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