The subject matter described herein includes a fill tube apparatus's and methods of manufacturing a fill tube apparatus. The fill tube can include an inner tube funnel element comprising an inner wall portion, a mouth opening portion, a hollow shaft portion, a hollow stem portion, and a stem opening portion. Furthermore, the fill tube can include an outer tube element comprising an outer wall portion comprising a base portion, a grip portion, a valley portion, and a threaded stem portion.

The subject matter described herein includes a fill tube apparatus's and methods of manufacturing a fill tube apparatus. The fill tube can include an inner tube funnel element comprising an inner wall portion, a mouth opening portion, a hollow shaft portion, a hollow stem portion, and a stem opening portion. Furthermore, the fill tube can include an outer tube element comprising an outer wall portion comprising a base portion, a grip portion, a valley portion, and a threaded stem portion.

An autofill shutoff valve includes a valve body mounted to a lubricant reservoir and secured to a fill tube extending into the reservoir. The autofill shutoff valve has a valve stem extending through the valve body and into the lubricant reservoir. The valve stem is actuated by a plate disposed within the reservoir from a first position, wherein lubricant flows from a lubricant inlet to a lubricant outlet through the valve body, to a second position, wherein the valve stem blocks the flow of lubricant through the valve body. The autofill shutoff valve provides lubricant directly to the reservoir, thereby eliminating external plumbing and the autofill shutoff valve also prevents overfill of the reservoir by cutting off the flow when the reservoir is full.

An autofill shutoff valve includes a valve body mounted to a lubricant reservoir and secured to a fill tube extending into the reservoir. The autofill shutoff valve has a valve stem extending through the valve body and into the lubricant reservoir. The valve stem is actuated by a plate disposed within the reservoir from a first position, wherein lubricant flows from a lubricant inlet to a lubricant outlet through the valve body, to a second position, wherein the valve stem blocks the flow of lubricant through the valve body. The autofill shutoff valve provides lubricant directly to the reservoir, thereby eliminating external plumbing and the autofill shutoff valve also prevents overfill of the reservoir by cutting off the flow when the reservoir is full.

In one embodiment, there is provided a dock for a replaceable fluid container for an engine, the fluid container having: a fluid reservoir; and at least one fluid port having a coupling adapted to couple with a fluid circulation system associated with the engine; the dock having: a fastening mechanism configured to cooperate with the container such that, as the container is inserted into the dock, the fastening mechanism acts first to seat the fluid container in the dock but in an undocked condition and then, as the container is inserted further into the dock, acts to bring the fluid container into an engaged condition in which the fluid container is docked with a docking interface of the dock.

A vent valve for an actuator disposed in a lubricant reservoir includes a bore extending through the plate, a seal disposed within the bore proximate a top surface of the plate, a retaining member extending about a lower opening of the bore, and a ball disposed within the bore between the seal and the retaining member. The vent valve is configured to allow air to pass from a lower portion of a lubricant reservoir as lubricant fills the lower portion. The vent valve also allows air to pass to the lower portion of the lubricant reservoir as lubricant is dispensed from the reservoir. The vent valve closes when the lubricant level reaches the vent valve, thereby preventing lubricant from flowing through the vent valve. The sealed vent valve allows the actuator to rise in response to a rising lubricant level.

A vent valve for an actuator disposed in a lubricant reservoir includes a bore extending through the plate, a seal disposed within the bore proximate a top surface of the plate, a retaining member extending about a lower opening of the bore, and a ball disposed within the bore between the seal and the retaining member. The vent valve is configured to allow air to pass from a lower portion of a lubricant reservoir as lubricant fills the lower portion. The vent valve also allows air to pass to the lower portion of the lubricant reservoir as lubricant is dispensed from the reservoir. The vent valve closes when the lubricant level reaches the vent valve, thereby preventing lubricant from flowing through the vent valve. The sealed vent valve allows the actuator to rise in response to a rising lubricant level.

A self-cooling fluid storage container includes a reservoir to store a fluid at a level that allows for an air space above the fluid. The fluid enters the reservoir. A fluid conduit receives the fluid at a fluid input opening to an internal fluid conduit that extends upward towards the air space. A heat exchanger portion extends sufficiently near the air space to provide a thermal exchange with the air space. The heat exchanger receives fluid to provide a cooling of the air space. The internal fluid conduit continues extending downward from the air space to a fluid output opening for distribution to a system that uses the fluid.

A self-cooling fluid storage container includes a reservoir to store a fluid at a level that allows for an air space above the fluid. The fluid enters the reservoir. A fluid conduit receives the fluid at a fluid input opening to an internal fluid conduit that extends upward towards the air space. A heat exchanger portion extends sufficiently near the air space to provide a thermal exchange with the air space. The heat exchanger receives fluid to provide a cooling of the air space. The internal fluid conduit continues extending downward from the air space to a fluid output opening for distribution to a system that uses the fluid.

The current invention includes manifold having multiple outputs and at least one input for lubricant to be pumped at high pressure from a skid or trailer to a particular frac valve when the valve requires lubrication. Generally such frac valves require lubrication on an hourly schedule or less. Each output port on the manifold is fitted with an on/off valve that allows remote operation such as pneumatic, hydraulic, electro-pneumatic operation, or other known remote operation system. The pump or pumps are also configured for remote operation. A controller is then provided so that each circuit allows, upon command, lubricant to be pumped from the lubricant reservoir, through the pump, to the manifold, through each remotely operable valve, via each output port, through an appropriate rated hose, then to the lubrication or other port on each frac valve. Generally, once connected each frac valve remains connected to the system to allow the operator to cause lubricant to flow to each valve upon command. The controller may also provide a safety cutout so that the system will only provide pressurized lubricant with the controller in the operator's possession while the operator continuously actuates the appropriate switch.