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 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 device for detecting a movement of a piston of a lubricant distributor includes a movable actuator including a first magnet element, and a movable indicator including a second magnet element. The actuator is configured to be moved from an initial actuator position to an end actuator position by a movement of the piston, and the actuator and the indicator are configured and disposed such that a magnetic force prevails between them such that the indicator is moved from an initial indicator position to an end indicator position by the movement of the actuator from the initial actuator position toward the end actuator position.

A device for detecting a movement of a piston of a lubricant distributor includes a movable actuator including a first magnet element, and a movable indicator including a second magnet element. The actuator is configured to be moved from an initial actuator position to an end actuator position by a movement of the piston, and the actuator and the indicator are configured and disposed such that a magnetic force prevails between them such that the indicator is moved from an initial indicator position to an end indicator position by the movement of the actuator from the initial actuator position toward the end actuator position.

A sealing assembly includes retaining clips fit within grooves in a throat disposed between a fluid chamber and a working fluid cylinder. The retaining clips define individual seal glands, and seals and spacers are disposed within the seal glands. A piston rod passes through the throat seal, and the throat seal provides a seal against lubricant pressure from inside the fluid chamber and working fluid pressure from inside the working fluid cylinder.

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.

The present invention relates to an electric grease barrel pump and, more particularly, to an electric grease barrel pump which is configured to supply an appropriate amount of grease to an attachment connected to a distribution valve by enabling an actuator of the distribution valve to operate in conjunction with and according to a change in the number of stages of a driving means.

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 pump with a reservoir of a lubricant, including a hollow body in which a piston, loaded by a pressing element, sealingly slides, at least a port for loading the lubricant in a compartment defined by the inner wall of the hollow body and by the piston, and at least a valve for exhausting air trapped in the compartment together with the lubricant during a loading step.