A protection mechanism for a lubricant reservoir is mounted within a valve protection chamber disposed on an actuator. The protection mechanism includes a valve actuating plate and an elastic member biasing the valve actuating plate upwards. The actuator is pushed upwards by a rising level of lubricant as the lubricant reservoir is filled. When the reservoir is full, the actuator causes the valve actuating plate to contact a valve stem. The valve actuating plate pushes the valve stem up to shut off a flow of lubricant to the reservoir through the shut off valve. During an overfill event the actuator shifts upward due to the rising level of the lubricant in the reservoir. As the actuator shifts upward, the elastic member compresses such that valve actuating plate remains static relative to the lubricant reservoir as actuator rises.

A method for pre-pressurizing fluid control valves is provided. The fluid control valves may be part of a hydraulic fracturing tree, or may be part of a so-called zipper frac manifold. In either instance, the method uses a lubrication unit for pre-pressurizing the cavity of a valve by injecting lubricant under high pressure. A portable lubrication unit is also provided. The lubrication unit is used to pre-pressurize the fluid control valves with lubricant, and to then hold pressure during a hydraulic fracturing operation. Lubricating the control valves restricts scarring by the fracturing fluid of the internal components of the control valve by equalizing pressure.

A housing for a lubricant supply device for supplying a consumer with a lubricant includes a storage space for the viscous medium and a pump space configured to contain a conveying pump for pumping the viscous medium from the storage space to a medium outlet. The storage space is at least partially defined by a side wall, a base wall and a cover wall, and the supply device also includes an outer wall overlying a portion of the storage space side wall and defining with the storage space side wall a first intermediate space. The storage space side wall includes a first opening providing fluid communication between the storage space and the intermediate space.

A housing for a lubricant supply device for supplying a consumer with a lubricant includes a storage space for the viscous medium and a pump space configured to contain a conveying pump for pumping the viscous medium from the storage space to a medium outlet. The storage space is at least partially defined by a side wall, a base wall and a cover wall, and the supply device also includes an outer wall overlying a portion of the storage space side wall and defining with the storage space side wall a first intermediate space. The storage space side wall includes a first opening providing fluid communication between the storage space and the intermediate space.

An aircraft oil management system includes a generator, pump, and pump control system. The generator is mechanically coupled to a prime mover via a the rotor shaft and is configured to output three-phase power. The pump is mechanically decoupled from the rotor shaft and delivers oil to the generator. The pump control system drives the pump independent of a rotational speed of the rotor shaft.

An aircraft oil management system includes a generator, pump, and pump control system. The generator is mechanically coupled to a prime mover via a the rotor shaft and is configured to output three-phase power. The pump is mechanically decoupled from the rotor shaft and delivers oil to the generator. The pump control system drives the pump independent of a rotational speed of the rotor shaft.

Various embodiments of valve assemblies are provided for use in connection with the fluid systems of machines such as engine-powered machines. The valve assemblies may be used for performing fluid refill operations, fluid evacuation operations, fluid purge operations, and other types of fluid operations in connection with machine maintenance.

In hybrid electric vehicles having increased battery storage capacity and plug-in capability, electric-only operation of significant duration is available. To supplement lubrication for the electric and mechanical components provided in a fluid circuit by an engine-driven mechanical pump, an electric pump is provided in parallel to the mechanical pump. When the electric pump is operating, a diagnostic can be performed to determine system integrity. According to one embodiment, an actual quantity provide to the circuit is determined; an expected quantity is estimated; and a fault is determined when the actual and expected quantities differ by more than a predetermined amount. The fault may indicate a leak or plug in the fluid circuit or a failure of a component in the fluid circuit.

In hybrid electric vehicles having increased battery storage capacity and plug-in capability, electric-only operation of significant duration is available. To supplement lubrication for the electric and mechanical components provided in a fluid circuit by an engine-driven mechanical pump, an electric pump is provided in parallel to the mechanical pump. When the electric pump is operating, a diagnostic can be performed to determine system integrity. According to one embodiment, an actual quantity provide to the circuit is determined; an expected quantity is estimated; and a fault is determined when the actual and expected quantities differ by more than a predetermined amount. The fault may indicate a leak or plug in the fluid circuit or a failure of a component in the fluid circuit.

An oil supply system of a vehicle includes: a first pump generating a first quantity of oil to cool a driving motor of a hybrid vehicle; a second pump generating a second quantity of oil to lubricate a friction lubrication element of the hybrid vehicle; a flow channel switching valve selectively switching a flow channel of the first quantity of oil and a flow channel of the second quantity of oil to connect the flow channel of the first quantity of oil to the friction lubrication element or connect the flow channel of the second quantity of oil to the driving motor; and a controller controlling an operation of the flow channel switching valve to supply a portion of the first quantity of oil to the friction lubrication element or a portion of the second quantity of oil to the driving motor.