A method for monitoring a condition of a mechanical system having an oil lubricated component. The method includes: (a) identifying a start of a load cycle, (b) measuring a load of the oil lubricated component, (c) measuring a temperature of a lubricating oil for the oil lubricated component, (d) calculating a first system performance parameter value for a load cycle, (e) repeating steps (a) to (d) for a plurality of load cycles, and (f) comparing a plurality of first system performance parameter values calculated to identify a change in the first system performance parameter values over the plurality of load cycles. The first system performance parameter value for the load cycle is selected from a friction coefficient for the oil lubricated component, a temperature increase coefficient for the lubricating oil for the oil lubricated component, and a temperature rise rate coefficient for the lubricating oil for the oil lubricated component.

A method for monitoring a condition of a mechanical system having an oil lubricated component. The method includes: (a) identifying a start of a load cycle, (b) measuring a load of the oil lubricated component, (c) measuring a temperature of a lubricating oil for the oil lubricated component, (d) calculating a first system performance parameter value for a load cycle, (e) repeating steps (a) to (d) for a plurality of load cycles, and (f) comparing a plurality of first system performance parameter values calculated to identify a change in the first system performance parameter values over the plurality of load cycles. The first system performance parameter value for the load cycle is selected from a friction coefficient for the oil lubricated component, a temperature increase coefficient for the lubricating oil for the oil lubricated component, and a temperature rise rate coefficient for the lubricating oil for the oil lubricated component.

A transmission device includes a casing accommodating a transmission gear and having an oil sump for retaining oil. The oil in the oil sump flows from a lubrication pump through a lubrication passage and is injected to the transmission gear. A connection portion is provided in a part of the lubrication passage, which part is disposed outside the casing. A direction control valve is provided downstream of the lubrication pump and upstream of the connection portion in the lubrication passage with respect to a flow direction of the oil. The direction control valve is configured to open the lubrication passage when a hydraulic pressure in the lubrication passage exceeds a predetermined value and to close the lubrication passage when the hydraulic pressure is equal to or lower than the predetermined value.

A battery cooling system includes: a circulation circuit configured to circulate common oil to a transaxle, a battery, and an oil cooler; a first electric oil pump that is disposed in a first oil passage; a second electric oil pump that is disposed in a second oil passage; and a controller configured to control the first electric oil pump and the second electric oil pump. The controller is configured to operate the first electric oil pump and stop the second electric oil pump when a temperature of the battery is equal to or lower than a first predetermined value, and stop the first electric oil pump and operate the second electric oil pump when the temperature of the battery is higher than the first predetermined value.

A battery cooling system includes: a circulation circuit configured to circulate common oil to a transaxle, a battery, and an oil cooler; a first electric oil pump that is disposed in a first oil passage; a second electric oil pump that is disposed in a second oil passage; and a controller configured to control the first electric oil pump and the second electric oil pump. The controller is configured to operate the first electric oil pump and stop the second electric oil pump when a temperature of the battery is equal to or lower than a first predetermined value, and stop the first electric oil pump and operate the second electric oil pump when the temperature of the battery is higher than the first predetermined value.

The present invention is a hydraulically operated splitting device with a piston cylinder unit comprising an extending chamber and a retracting chamber in which a piston is supported, displaceable in an extending direction and a retracting direction, allowing the extending chamber and the retracting chamber to be impinged with pressurized hydraulic medium for moving the piston at a displacement speed, a cylinder housing at which a plurality of pressure pads is supported, displaceable perpendicular to the extending direction and the retracting direction, a wedged lance connected to a piston rod of the piston and mobile with said piston, which engages wedge-shaped pressure areas of the pressure pads complementary to the wedged lance, and moves the pressure pads perpendicular to the extending direction and the retracting direction, a lubrication unit by which lubricant can be inserted from a lubricant reservoir to an area between the wedged lance and the pressure pads, with the splitting device comprising a protective unit by which the displacement speed can be reduced depending on the fill level of the lubricant in the lubricant reservoir.

The present invention is a hydraulically operated splitting device with a piston cylinder unit comprising an extending chamber and a retracting chamber in which a piston is supported, displaceable in an extending direction and a retracting direction, allowing the extending chamber and the retracting chamber to be impinged with pressurized hydraulic medium for moving the piston at a displacement speed, a cylinder housing at which a plurality of pressure pads is supported, displaceable perpendicular to the extending direction and the retracting direction, a wedged lance connected to a piston rod of the piston and mobile with said piston, which engages wedge-shaped pressure areas of the pressure pads complementary to the wedged lance, and moves the pressure pads perpendicular to the extending direction and the retracting direction, a lubrication unit by which lubricant can be inserted from a lubricant reservoir to an area between the wedged lance and the pressure pads, with the splitting device comprising a protective unit by which the displacement speed can be reduced depending on the fill level of the lubricant in the lubricant reservoir.

According to one aspect, a lubricant level sensing system for an actuator is provided. The lubricant level sensing system includes a pressure port in an outer housing of the actuator, a pressure sensor, and a pathway from the pressure port to the pressure sensor. The pathway establishes fluid communication between the pressure sensor and a free volume of an internal cavity of the outer housing relative to a lubricant level in the internal cavity such that the pressure sensor detects a pressure of the free volume used to derive the lubricant level.

According to one aspect, a lubricant level sensing system for an actuator is provided. The lubricant level sensing system includes a pressure port in an outer housing of the actuator, a pressure sensor, and a pathway from the pressure port to the pressure sensor. The pathway establishes fluid communication between the pressure sensor and a free volume of an internal cavity of the outer housing relative to a lubricant level in the internal cavity such that the pressure sensor detects a pressure of the free volume used to derive the lubricant level.

A central lubricating station for lubricating one or more machine part(s), having a container base adapted for holding at least two replaceable containers. Each replaceable container holds at least one type of lubricant; and one or more pump(s) is configured for pumping at least one type of lubricant interchangeably from the at least two replaceable containers to the one or more machine part(s); and a motor is configured for driving the one or more pumps.