In the method according to the invention for operating an oil level regulator on a compressor, the oil level regulator monitors an oil level in the compressor and causes oil to be refilled when an oil deficiency is recognized. The oil level regulator provides operating recognition of the compressor in which a check is made as to whether the compressor is in a switched-on or switched-off state, the refilling with oil being carried out only when the compressor is in the switched-on state.

A manual lubrication system for a manual toilet flush pump on a manual toilet of the type used in boats and RV's. The lubrication system comprises a lubricant reservoir affixed in parallel to the housing of the manual toilet flush pump laterally opposite the toilet, with a movable lubricant pump head located below the operating handle of the manual toilet flush pump and having an operating axis generally parallel to the that of the manual toilet flush pump's operating handle. A positive manual shutoff normally keeps the lubricant reservoir isolated from the normal in-flow of water to and through the manual toilet flush pump except when lubricant is being manually added during a maintenance procedure.

A pump, such as a vacuum pump, includes at least one housing and a motor and oil reservoir disposed within the housing. The pump housing can include a bottom exterior surface and one or more side and/or front exterior surfaces that extend generally up from the bottom exterior surface. An oil drain port can be positioned at or near the intersection of the bottom exterior surface and the side or front exterior surface. The housing can include an interior bottom surface that defines at least a portion of a drain passageway for the pump and can be fluidicly coupled to the oil reservoir. At least a portion of the interior bottom surface can be angled downward at an acute angle to the horizontal towards the oil drain port to improve the draining and replacement of oil in the pump.

A pump, such as a vacuum pump, includes at least one housing and a motor and oil reservoir disposed within the housing. The pump housing can include a bottom exterior surface and one or more side and/or front exterior surfaces that extend generally up from the bottom exterior surface. An oil drain port can be positioned at or near the intersection of the bottom exterior surface and the side or front exterior surface. The housing can include an interior bottom surface that defines at least a portion of a drain passageway for the pump and can be fluidicly coupled to the oil reservoir. At least a portion of the interior bottom surface can be angled downward at an acute angle to the horizontal towards the oil drain port to improve the draining and replacement of oil in the pump.

Provided is a monitoring apparatus used to monitor lubricating oil inside a compressor. The monitoring apparatus comprises a first capacitance detector (100), a calculation unit, and a determining unit. The first capacitance detector (100) is disposed in a compressor (10) and is completely immersed in lubricating oil (20) inside the compressor (10), and is used to detect a first capacitance value (Cn). The calculation unit calculates a relative dielectric constant of the lubricating oil inside the compressor according to the first capacitance value (Cn) detected by the first capacitance detector (100). The determining unit monitors, according to the calculated relative dielectric constant, whether quality of the lubricating oil (20) inside the compressor (10) encounters an exception. Further provided are a method for monitoring quality of lubricating oil inside a compressor and an apparatus and a method for monitoring a fluid level of lubricating oil inside a compressor. The monitoring apparatus and method may accurately monitors quality and a fluid level of lubricating oil inside a compressor, thereby reducing a monitoring cost and improving monitoring accuracy.

A centerfill assembly for a lubricant reservoir includes a hollow tube for receiving lubricant from the top of the reservoir and loading the lubricant into the reservoir near the bottom of the reservoir. Loading the lubricant near the bottom of the reservoir introduces lubricant near where the stirring paddles mix the lubricant and near where the lubricant is loaded to the lubricant pump. Adding the lubricant near where the pumps load and near the stirring paddles helps to eliminate air pockets in the lubricant. In addition, having the centerfill rod minimizes exterior plumbing and allows for the mounting of valves on the fill line.

A centerfill assembly for a lubricant reservoir includes a hollow tube for receiving lubricant from the top of the reservoir and loading the lubricant into the reservoir near the bottom of the reservoir. Loading the lubricant near the bottom of the reservoir introduces lubricant near where the stirring paddles mix the lubricant and near where the lubricant is loaded to the lubricant pump. Adding the lubricant near where the pumps load and near the stirring paddles helps to eliminate air pockets in the lubricant. In addition, having the centerfill rod minimizes exterior plumbing and allows for the mounting of valves on the fill line.

An engine assembly includes an air-cooled engine and an external oil reservoir. The engine includes a vertically-oriented crankshaft a crankcase cover having a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion of the crankcase cover and the cylinder head are located forward of a vertical plane that includes the crankshaft axis, a return pump housing formed in the exterior of the crankcase cover, a return pump positioned in the return pump housing, and a return pump inlet formed through the crankcase cover, wherein the return pump inlet is located in the front portion of the crankcase cover and the return pump inlet is located closer to the camshaft than to the crankshaft. The external oil reservoir includes an oil tank and an oil filter assembly.

An engine assembly includes an air-cooled engine and an external oil reservoir. The engine includes a vertically-oriented crankshaft a crankcase cover having a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion of the crankcase cover and the cylinder head are located forward of a vertical plane that includes the crankshaft axis, a return pump housing formed in the exterior of the crankcase cover, a return pump positioned in the return pump housing, and a return pump inlet formed through the crankcase cover, wherein the return pump inlet is located in the front portion of the crankcase cover and the return pump inlet is located closer to the camshaft than to the crankshaft. The external oil reservoir includes an oil tank and an oil filter assembly.

A lubricating system has a pump to force a viscous lubricant from a supply of lubricant to a lubricator at which the lubricant is to be dispensed onto a cable, wire, or the like that is being pulled through a conduit. A sensor, associated with a spool from which the cable is being dispensed, is be used to automatically control the amount of lubricant that is to be dispensed onto the cable. A second described system comprises a custom bucket or bucket insert which allow a cable to pass through the bucket whereupon lubricant will be automatically applied to the cable and the container includes a profiled base to ensure proper passage of the cable through the lubricant and ensure the maximum usage of any lubricant.