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 method for determining timing of oil filling for a ball screw can determine whether the oil film in a specific time period is sufficient, falling or insufficient, and then know the optimum timing of oil filling, by comparing the sum of the slope values within respective time periods with a predetermined value. The method is further capable of determining the timing of oil filling even when the rotation speed of the ball screw changes. The method includes a step of signal acquisition, a step of converting signal, a step of defining and saving eigenvalues, a step of calculating eigenvalues, and a step of determining oil filling.

System including a sensor configured to be disposed within a reservoir of a machine having moving parts that are lubricated by a liquid in the reservoir. The sensor is configured to obtain a measurement of the liquid that is representative of at least one of a quantity or quality of the liquid in the reservoir. The system also includes a device body operably coupled to the sensor. The device body has a processing unit that is operably coupled to the sensor and configured to generate first data signals representative of the measurement of the liquid. The device body also includes a transmitter that is configured to wirelessly communicate the first data signals to a remote reader.

System including a sensor configured to be disposed within a reservoir of a machine having moving parts that are lubricated by a liquid in the reservoir. The sensor is configured to obtain a measurement of the liquid that is representative of at least one of a quantity or quality of the liquid in the reservoir. The system also includes a device body operably coupled to the sensor. The device body has a processing unit that is operably coupled to the sensor and configured to generate first data signals representative of the measurement of the liquid. The device body also includes a transmitter that is configured to wirelessly communicate the first data signals to a remote reader.

The present invention is a system and method for the control of applying lubrication to the wheels of a fleet of railed-based vehicles and the rails on which the railed-based vehicles travel. In an aspect, the wheel-rail lubrication fleet management system is configured to analyze and optimize the application of wheel/rail lubrication within a whole fleet to the best possible efficiency. In an additional aspect, the wheel-rail lubrication fleet management system is further configured to manage the noise created by the interaction between the wheels and rails of the whole fleet. In such aspects, the wheel-rail lubrication fleet management system can monitor the real results of the application of lubricant of rail-wheel systems that utilize the lubrication fleet management system.

The present invention is a system and method for the control of applying lubrication to the wheels of a fleet of railed-based vehicles and the rails on which the railed-based vehicles travel. In an aspect, the wheel-rail lubrication fleet management system is configured to analyze and optimize the application of wheel/rail lubrication within a whole fleet to the best possible efficiency. In an additional aspect, the wheel-rail lubrication fleet management system is further configured to manage the noise created by the interaction between the wheels and rails of the whole fleet. In such aspects, the wheel-rail lubrication fleet management system can monitor the real results of the application of lubricant of rail-wheel systems that utilize the lubrication fleet management system.

An oil debris monitoring sensor includes a multiple of passages within the housing, each of the multiple of passages surrounded by a set of coils to detect a particle. A method for determining a presence of a particle in a system includes a) installing a single sensor in-line with an oil flow path; b) communicating oil through a multiple of passages within the housing of the single sensor; c) detecting a particle through the single sensor; and d) isolating the particle to one of the multiple of passages within the sensor housing.

An oil debris monitoring sensor includes a multiple of passages within the housing, each of the multiple of passages surrounded by a set of coils to detect a particle. A method for determining a presence of a particle in a system includes a) installing a single sensor in-line with an oil flow path; b) communicating oil through a multiple of passages within the housing of the single sensor; c) detecting a particle through the single sensor; and d) isolating the particle to one of the multiple of passages within the sensor housing.

A dual circuit lubrication device for lubricating a mechanical system, the lubrication device being provided with two independent lubrication circuits and a tank that is common to both lubrication circuits and that contains a lubrication liquid. A first lubrication circuit has two first suction points for sucking in the lubrication liquid and situated inside the tank, and a second lubrication circuit includes a second suction point for sucking in the lubrication liquid and situated inside the tank. The dual circuit lubrication device has means for detecting the lubrication liquid passing below a limit depth in the tank, which means are formed by a high first suction point situated at the level of the limit depth, the second suction point being situated below the limit depth, and a low first suction point being below the second suction point.

A dual circuit lubrication device for lubricating a mechanical system, the lubrication device being provided with two independent lubrication circuits and a tank that is common to both lubrication circuits and that contains a lubrication liquid. A first lubrication circuit has two first suction points for sucking in the lubrication liquid and situated inside the tank, and a second lubrication circuit includes a second suction point for sucking in the lubrication liquid and situated inside the tank. The dual circuit lubrication device has means for detecting the lubrication liquid passing below a limit depth in the tank, which means are formed by a high first suction point situated at the level of the limit depth, the second suction point being situated below the limit depth, and a low first suction point being below the second suction point.