A method for determining when to change a lubricating fluid flowing within an apparatus includes monitoring the lubricating fluid flowing within the apparatus by passing radiation through the lubricating fluid from a radiation source. The lubricating fluid is analyzed for a presence of particles in the lubricating fluid based on the radiation passing through the lubricating fluid. A concentration of the particles in the lubricating fluid is determined when the presence of particles is detected. An alert to change the lubricating fluid is generated when the concentration of particles in the lubricating fluid exceeds a threshold.

A method for determining when to change a lubricating fluid flowing within an apparatus includes monitoring the lubricating fluid flowing within the apparatus by passing radiation through the lubricating fluid from a radiation source. The lubricating fluid is analyzed for a presence of particles in the lubricating fluid based on the radiation passing through the lubricating fluid. A concentration of the particles in the lubricating fluid is determined when the presence of particles is detected. An alert to change the lubricating fluid is generated when the concentration of particles in the lubricating fluid exceeds a threshold.

A system for providing lubrication to a machine. The system comprises at least one ultrasound sensor positioned to detect sound emanating from at least one lubrication point of the machine, and at least one auto-lubrication device configured to provide lubrication to the at least one lubrication point. The at least one auto-lubrication device is controlled to provide lubrication to the at least one lubrication point based at least in part on sound detection data from the at least one ultrasound sensor.

A device for monitoring a lubrication of a tool may include: a housing including: a lubricator connector configured to connect the housing to a lubricator and including a lubricant inlet opening, a chamber configured to receive a lubricant from the lubricator through the lubricant inlet opening, a tool connector configured to connect the housing to a lubricant fitting of a tool and including a lubricator outlet opening through which the lubricant leaves the chamber; and a pressure transducer configured to measure a lubricant pressure in the chamber of the housing and generate an output pressure signal related thereto.

A fitting for a lubrication point of a device to be lubricated and a connector for removably connecting to such fitting to provide a lubricant from a lubrication device via the fitting to the device to be lubricated are disclosed. The fitting comprises an integrated circuit for providing an identification code to identify the fitting, and a first electrical contact for establishing an electrical path between the integrated circuit and a processor of the connector when a connection between the fitting and the connector is established. The connector comprises the processor and a second electrical contact for establishing the electrical path. The integrated circuit is adapted for transmitting data, including the identification code, via the first electrical contact to the processor.

A fitting for a lubrication point of a device to be lubricated and a connector for removably connecting to such fitting to provide a lubricant from a lubrication device via the fitting to the device to be lubricated are disclosed. The fitting comprises an integrated circuit for providing an identification code to identify the fitting, and a first electrical contact for establishing an electrical path between the integrated circuit and a processor of the connector when a connection between the fitting and the connector is established. The connector comprises the processor and a second electrical contact for establishing the electrical path. The integrated circuit is adapted for transmitting data, including the identification code, via the first electrical contact to the processor.

Magnetic chip detectors and associated for detecting metallic chips in engine fluid of an engine are provided. A magnetic chip detector includes first and second magnetic chip capture zones. The first magnetic chip capture zone includes a first electrically conductive terminal spaced apart from a second electrically conductive terminal to define a first chip-receiving gap therebetween. The second magnetic chip capture zone includes a third electrically conductive terminal and either the second electrically conductive terminal or a fourth electrically conductive terminal to define a second chip-receiving gap therebetween. The magnetic chip detector includes an electric circuit including both the first chip-receiving gap and the second chip-receiving gap. The electric circuit provides an output indicative of a chip detection by one or both of the first magnetic chip capture zone and the second magnetic capture zone.

Systems and methods for automatic maintenance of lube oil quality include a storage tank for storing fresh lube oil, a lube oil reservoir containing a volume of operational lube oil, and an oil disposal tank. A first controllable flow system transports lube oil from the reservoir to the oil disposal tank, and a second controllable flow system transports fresh lube oil from the storage tank to the reservoir. Provided are a level transmitter to measure a level of lube oil within the reservoir and an antioxidant sensor to measure a concentration of antioxidant level inside the lube oil reservoir. A control system activates and deactivates the first controllable flow system based upon the concentration of antioxidant measured by the antioxidant sensor, and activates and deactivates the second controllable flow system based upon the level of lube oil measured by the level transmitter.

Systems and methods for automatic maintenance of lube oil quality include a storage tank for storing fresh lube oil, a lube oil reservoir containing a volume of operational lube oil, and an oil disposal tank. A first controllable flow system transports lube oil from the reservoir to the oil disposal tank, and a second controllable flow system transports fresh lube oil from the storage tank to the reservoir. Provided are a level transmitter to measure a level of lube oil within the reservoir and an antioxidant sensor to measure a concentration of antioxidant level inside the lube oil reservoir. A control system activates and deactivates the first controllable flow system based upon the concentration of antioxidant measured by the antioxidant sensor, and activates and deactivates the second controllable flow system based upon the level of lube oil measured by the level transmitter.

A device for estimating a temperature of a lubricant in a transmission that transmits power from a motor to a robot joint includes a thermometer and a processor. The processor includes hardware configured to: receive, as input from the motor, a current value of the motor and calculate, as output, a motor heat value based thereon; receive, as input from the motor and the transmission, a rotating speed of the motor and a frictional torque of the transmission, and calculate, as output, a frictional heat value in the transmission based on the rotating speed of the motor and at least one of the frictional torque of the transmission and at least one coefficient of friction of the transmission; and receive, as input from the thermometer, the room temperature, the frictional heat value, and the motor heat value and estimate, as output, the estimated temperature of the lubricant based thereon.