Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.

Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.

A system and methods according to which a controller communicates control signals to a first frac leg, which includes a wellhead operably associated with a first wellbore, a valve operably coupled to the wellhead, opposite the first wellbore, a frac line operably coupled to the wellhead, and a zipper module operably coupled to the frac line, opposite the wellhead. The first frac leg includes a first sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. A grease system lubricates the first frac leg and the zipper module. The grease system includes a second sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. A second frac leg is operably associated with a second wellbore. The second frac leg includes a third sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. The first, second, and/or third sub-controllers may receive control signals from the controller via a communication bus.

A system and methods according to which a controller communicates control signals to a first frac leg, which includes a wellhead operably associated with a first wellbore, a valve operably coupled to the wellhead, opposite the first wellbore, a frac line operably coupled to the wellhead, and a zipper module operably coupled to the frac line, opposite the wellhead. The first frac leg includes a first sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. A grease system lubricates the first frac leg and the zipper module. The grease system includes a second sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. A second frac leg is operably associated with a second wellbore. The second frac leg includes a third sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. The first, second, and/or third sub-controllers may receive control signals from the controller via a communication bus.

A minimum quantity lubrication system for accurately measuring and controlling a volume and pressure of a lubricating fluid provided to a machining tool during minimum quantity lubrication machining operations. The minimum quantity lubrication system can further include measuring and controlling a volume and pressure of air provided during machining such that atomization of the lubricating fluid with the air can be controlled. Use of a continuous volumetric flow pump provides a continuous flow of lubricating fluid to the tool during machining operations.

A minimum quantity lubrication system for accurately measuring and controlling a volume and pressure of a lubricating fluid provided to a machining tool during minimum quantity lubrication machining operations. The minimum quantity lubrication system can further include measuring and controlling a volume and pressure of air provided during machining such that atomization of the lubricating fluid with the air can be controlled. Use of a continuous volumetric flow pump provides a continuous flow of lubricating fluid to the tool during machining operations.

The present invention improves the drainability of lubricating oil at a thrust bearing. The present invention comprises: a rotating shaft; a thrust bearing that is provided to the rotating shaft and restricts the axial-direction movement of the rotating shaft; and an oil reservoir part (20) that has formed therein an oil reservoir space (20a) that is provided to be adjacent to the thrust bearing in the axial direction and to open downward, the oil reservoir space (20a) having formed therein an inclined surface (20aa) that, in a region that is in and below a horizontal plane H that passes through the center of the rotating shaft, protrudes to the thrust bearing side and is inclined along the rotational direction of the rotating shaft.

The present invention improves the drainability of lubricating oil at a thrust bearing. The present invention comprises: a rotating shaft; a thrust bearing that is provided to the rotating shaft and restricts the axial-direction movement of the rotating shaft; and an oil reservoir part (20) that has formed therein an oil reservoir space (20a) that is provided to be adjacent to the thrust bearing in the axial direction and to open downward, the oil reservoir space (20a) having formed therein an inclined surface (20aa) that, in a region that is in and below a horizontal plane H that passes through the center of the rotating shaft, protrudes to the thrust bearing side and is inclined along the rotational direction of the rotating shaft.

A device for supplying lubricant to a vehicle system includes a lubricant pump for supplying fluid from a lubricant reservoir and a lubricant distributor having a plurality of individually drivable supply valves configured for injecting a lubricant into lubricating points of associated operating components. The device also includes a controlling device for operably controlling the supply valves to lubricate the operating components based upon a lubricant demand or lubricant consumption related to operational information of the operating components.

A device for supplying lubricant to a vehicle system includes a lubricant pump for supplying fluid from a lubricant reservoir and a lubricant distributor having a plurality of individually drivable supply valves configured for injecting a lubricant into lubricating points of associated operating components. The device also includes a controlling device for operably controlling the supply valves to lubricate the operating components based upon a lubricant demand or lubricant consumption related to operational information of the operating components.