An apparatus and method for determining lubrication contamination or deterioration in an engine or a lubricant system of an engine can include at least one sensor provided in the lubricant system. The sensor can sense an aroma of a lubricant or the air around the lubricant to measure a chemical composition or an aromatic. The sensed chemical composition or aromatic can be compared to a baseline or threshold to determine a particular contamination type or deterioration level of the lubricant.

Systems and methods for dispensing lubricant, of which the systems include a grease gun including an outlet. The grease gun is configured to eject lubricant into a machine through the outlet. The grease gun also includes a sensor configured to sense an amount of the lubricant ejected through the outlet, and a communication module in communication with the sensor and configured to transmit first data representing the amount of lubricant ejected through the outlet. The systems further include an intermediary computing device in communication with the communication module, the intermediary computing device being configured to receive the first data from the communication module, transmit the first data to a remote server, and receive second data representing a maintenance action to take on the grease gun, the machine, or both from the remote server.

A lubrication system for supplying a lubricant to at least one lubrication point includes at least one lubricant line and at least one lubricant system component that is connected to the lubricant line. The lubrication system component includes at least one movable element and/or the lubricant line includes at least one movable portion. The system also includes at least one energy-generating element, such as a piezo element or a magnet and coil, configured to interact with the at least one movable element and generate energy from a movement of the at least one moveable element.

A lubrication system for supplying a lubricant to at least one lubrication point includes at least one lubricant line and at least one lubricant system component that is connected to the lubricant line. The lubrication system component includes at least one movable element and/or the lubricant line includes at least one movable portion. The system also includes at least one energy-generating element, such as a piezo element or a magnet and coil, configured to interact with the at least one movable element and generate energy from a movement of the at least one moveable element.

A lubrication system configured to supply a lubricant to at least one lubrication point includes a lubricant pump configured to pump the lubricant to the at least one lubrication point, a lubricant distributor configured to distribute the lubricant at the at least one lubrication point, a controller configured to control at least the lubricant pump and/or the lubricant distributor, a lubrication system monitor configured to monitor a monitoring variable of the lubrication system, and a signal transmission device configured to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the monitoring variable provided by the lubrication system monitor to the control device and/or to a device functionally associated with the lubrication system and/or to receive data from the control device or from the device functionally associated with the lubrication system.

A lubrication system configured to supply a lubricant to at least one lubrication point includes a lubricant pump configured to pump the lubricant to the at least one lubrication point, a lubricant distributor configured to distribute the lubricant at the at least one lubrication point, a controller configured to control at least the lubricant pump and/or the lubricant distributor, a lubrication system monitor configured to monitor a monitoring variable of the lubrication system, and a signal transmission device configured to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the monitoring variable provided by the lubrication system monitor to the control device and/or to a device functionally associated with the lubrication system and/or to receive data from the control device or from the device functionally associated with the lubrication system.

System and method for constantly monitoring the state of the oil of the wheels of heavy machinery, in particular mining trucks, while they are in motion. Comprising a server; a wireless sensor module attached to the rim of the wheel, obtaining oil measurements from an oil quality sensor, which sends the measurements to the server wirelessly; the sensor, located inside the sensor module; and a spoon-type mechanism which maintains the sensor in permanent contact with the oil inside the wheel, wherein said spoon-type mechanism rotates with the sensor module and the wheel. In addition, it may comprise a receiving antenna module which is located between the sensor module and the server. In addition, it may comprise a transmitter which is located between the receiving antenna module and the server.

System and method for constantly monitoring the state of the oil of the wheels of heavy machinery, in particular mining trucks, while they are in motion. Comprising a server; a wireless sensor module attached to the rim of the wheel, obtaining oil measurements from an oil quality sensor, which sends the measurements to the server wirelessly; the sensor, located inside the sensor module; and a spoon-type mechanism which maintains the sensor in permanent contact with the oil inside the wheel, wherein said spoon-type mechanism rotates with the sensor module and the wheel. In addition, it may comprise a receiving antenna module which is located between the sensor module and the server. In addition, it may comprise a transmitter which is located between the receiving antenna module and the server.

A lubricant distributor for delivering lubricant to at least one lubrication point includes a lubricant distributor housing with a cylinder bore, a metering piston mounted for reciprocal movement in the cylinder bore, and a detector connected at an end of the cylinder bore, the detector including an entry bore configured to receive a portion of the metering piston, and the entry bore being in fluid communication with the cylinder bore, and the detector including an interior space separated from the entry bore by a wall and a Hall sensor in the interior space. The detector is configured to output a detection signal in response to detecting the portion of the metering piston in the entry bore. Also a method of operating the lubricant distributor.

A lubricant distributor for delivering lubricant to at least one lubrication point includes a lubricant distributor housing with a cylinder bore, a metering piston mounted for reciprocal movement in the cylinder bore, and a detector connected at an end of the cylinder bore, the detector including an entry bore configured to receive a portion of the metering piston, and the entry bore being in fluid communication with the cylinder bore, and the detector including an interior space separated from the entry bore by a wall and a Hall sensor in the interior space. The detector is configured to output a detection signal in response to detecting the portion of the metering piston in the entry bore. Also a method of operating the lubricant distributor.