A minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) system includes a controller, a lubricant module coupled to a tool spindle of a machining apparatus, and a pneumatic module coupled to the spindle. The lubricant module is configured to supply lubricant at pressure to the tool, as controlled by the controller. Likewise, the pneumatic module is configured to supply pressurized air to the tool, as controlled by the controller. The controller is configured to direct the lubricant module to supply lubricant prior to the controller receiving a START signal from a machine tool controller. Optionally, the lubricant pressure level is predetermined based on known characteristics of the tool that is coupled to the spindle. Optionally, the START signal is anticipated by referring to a signature/profile of the operational steps of a machining process where a timeline or time table of lubrication request intervals are identified.

A minimal lubrication device including a lubricating fluid storing tank, conduit for supplying the lubricant pressurized to at least one modular element. The at least one modular element including a lubricating fluid conduit intercepted by flow regulator and compressed air conduit, such conduits fluidically connected to air and lubricant mixing element. The flow regulator including a shutter that can be at least partially housed in calibrated hole and movable between upper and lower stroke position ends. The calibrated hole in fluid communication, on one side, with pressurized lubricant delivery and, on the other side, with the mixing element. The shutter having at least one conical profile portion insertable in the calibrated hole. The conical profile portion has a surface groove facing a surface defining the calibrated hole at least when the shutter is in an intermediate position between the lower and upper stroke position ends.

A minimal lubrication device including a lubricating fluid storing tank, conduit for supplying the lubricant pressurized to at least one modular element. The at least one modular element including a lubricating fluid conduit intercepted by flow regulator and compressed air conduit, such conduits fluidically connected to air and lubricant mixing element. The flow regulator including a shutter that can be at least partially housed in calibrated hole and movable between upper and lower stroke position ends. The calibrated hole in fluid communication, on one side, with pressurized lubricant delivery and, on the other side, with the mixing element. The shutter having at least one conical profile portion insertable in the calibrated hole. The conical profile portion has a surface groove facing a surface defining the calibrated hole at least when the shutter is in an intermediate position between the lower and upper stroke position ends.

An apparatus and system for applying lubricant to a rail road track having a control module, a housing, a lubricant distribution block, and a plurality of tubes for connecting the control module to the housing wherein the housing houses the lubricant distribution block. The control module is positionable in close proximity to the rail road track and the housing is positionable adjacent to and along a section of rail road track to be lubricated. The lubricant is stored in a vessel in the control module and pumped from the control module to a lubricant distribution nozzle connected to the housing and wherein sliding the lubricant distribution nozzle along the section of rail road track in a first direction distributes lubricant along the section of rail road track and then the block returns to a first position.

An apparatus and system for applying lubricant to a rail road track having a control module, a housing, a lubricant distribution block, and a plurality of tubes for connecting the control module to the housing wherein the housing houses the lubricant distribution block. The control module is positionable in close proximity to the rail road track and the housing is positionable adjacent to and along a section of rail road track to be lubricated. The lubricant is stored in a vessel in the control module and pumped from the control module to a lubricant distribution nozzle connected to the housing and wherein sliding the lubricant distribution nozzle along the section of rail road track in a first direction distributes lubricant along the section of rail road track and then the block returns to a first position.

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 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.

An automated zipper manifold with remotely and independently controlled and monitored valves, wherein second pressure transducers are positioned on the zipper manifold and are configured to determine a flow analysis across the valve.

A progressive distributor for lubricant includes a housing block having an inlet and a plurality of outlets and a plurality of metering pistons received in associated piston bores in the housing block. Each piston bore is associated with two lubricant outlet bores, and each metering piston is displaceable and configured to alternatingly release the one or the other lubricant outlet bore in order to dispense the metered lubricant amount to the lubricant outlet bore. The piston bores are fluidically connected to the lubricant inlet bore and to each other via connecting bores in order to transfer lubricant to the other piston bores. A dummy piston is disposed in one of the piston bores that permanently closes both the lubricant inlet bore and both lubricant outlet bores, and includes at least one bypass passageway that fluidically connects two of the connecting bores to each other.

A technique facilitates greasing of valves on a well tree, e.g. a frac tree, according to a simple process which enables selected, individual valves to be greased when desired. In some applications, the greasing process may be automated and controlled via a greasing control system. According to an embodiment, a greasing system is connected with grease ports at a plurality of actuatable valves located in a well tree. The greasing system has a plurality of grease valves which may be associated with each of the actuatable valves, e.g. with each of the grease ports. A pump is used to pump grease to the grease valves and the grease valves are selectively actuated to open positions to provide controlled greasing of desired actuatable valves so as to remove debris from and to lubricate selected actuatable valves.