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 vehicle includes an inverter, a pump, a buck converter, and a controller. The inverter has an input connected to a battery and an output connected to an electric machine. The inverter is configured to convert power between DC electrical power at the input and AC electrical power at the output. The pump is configured to circulate lubricating fluid within a transmission. The buck converter is configured to deliver DC electrical power from the inverter to the pump. The controller is programmed to, in response to the electric machine delivering AC electrical power to the inverter during a towing condition of the vehicle while the vehicle is shutdown, operate the buck converter to power the pump.

A lubrication system for pneumatic machinery includes a lubricant vessel and a lubricant-control valve connected to a drop-dispensing body to discharge a demanded drop of lubricant inside a sealable drip chamber, which has a pressurized-gas inlet and a lubricated-gas outlet. A lubricator-pad assembly includes a lubricator-pad holder securing a lubricator pad to receive the drop of lubricant. Pressurized gas flows through the holder when exiting the drip chamber. A drop detector detects the demanded drop of lubricant. A controller connects to the drop detector and receives an indication that the demanded drop of lubricant has been detected. When a lubrication-demand tracker of the controller determines, based upon time or flow measurement or a combination thereof, that a lubrication threshold is reached, the controller initiates a drop cycle. If a maximum drop time passes before the demanded drop of lubricant is detected, the controller activates a missing-drop cycle.

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 system for lubricating multiple frac valves while allowing the operator to remain out of the red zone. A system of high flow mandrels and valves allows an operator to enter the red zone a minimal number of times. Generally, when using the system, the operator will enter the red zone prior to the fracking operation beginning to connect the various lines to each frac valve and then after the frac job is complete to disconnect the various lines from each frac valve. A high-pressure pump provides lubricant at a sufficient pressure and volume to a high-pressure manifold or high-pressure manifolds. The high-pressure manifolds supply the hose reels through valves located near the manifold. The hose reels in turn are the lines that are connected to each frac valve Using the system, the operator may remain outside of the red zone with the lubricant reservoir, the pump, the high-pressure manifolds, and the hose reels. When a well pad is shut down the operator chooses which frac valve to grease and commands the associated valve on the high-pressure manifold to open. The high-pressure pump is then actuated using the lubricant from the lubricant reservoir the pump increases the lubricant pressure to about 15,000 psi supplying it to at least a first high-pressure manifold. The high-pressure manifold then distributes the lubricant through the open valve to the desired hose reel and then to the frac valve which is inside the red zone. The operator repeats the process until each of the frac valves on the well pad are greased. The various fittings, lines, valves, and manifolds are chosen or manufactured to minimize pressure losses through the system between the high-pressure pump and the frac valve.

The lubrication flowmeter is configured to be a part of the lubrication system to grease frack valves. The system generally utilizes a manifold to connect to the various fracked valves and at least one pressure transducer providing wellbore pressure and preferably a second pressure transducer providing grease pressure at either the manifold or the pump. A programmable logic controller is provided to activate the grease pump upon reaching preset conditions and to deactivate the grease pump upon reaching a second set of conditions such as pressure threshold, time limit, or volume limits of greased pumped.

A lubrication system for pneumatic machinery includes a lubricant vessel and a lubricant-control valve connected to a drop-dispensing body to discharge a demanded drop of lubricant inside a sealable drip chamber, which has a pressurized-gas inlet and a lubricated-gas outlet. A lubricator-pad assembly includes a lubricator-pad holder securing a lubricator pad to receive the drop of lubricant. Pressurized gas flows through the holder when exiting the drip chamber. A drop detector detects the demanded drop of lubricant. A controller connects to the drop detector and receives an indication that the demanded drop of lubricant has been detected. When a lubrication-demand tracker of the controller determines, based upon time or flow measurement or a combination thereof, that a lubrication threshold is reached, the controller initiates a drop cycle. If a maximum drop time passes before the demanded drop of lubricant is detected, the controller activates a missing-drop cycle.

A vehicle includes an inverter, a pump, a buck converter, and a controller. The inverter has an input connected to a battery and an output connected to an electric machine. The inverter is configured to convert power between DC electrical power at the input and AC electrical power at the output. The pump is configured to circulate lubricating fluid within a transmission. The buck converter is configured to deliver DC electrical power from the inverter to the pump. The controller is programmed to, in response to the electric machine delivering AC electrical power to the inverter during a towing condition of the vehicle while the vehicle is shutdown, operate the buck converter to power the pump.

An electronically driven lubrication system including an electric lubrication pump; at least one bearing for a gas turbine engine component; an oil cooler fluidly coupled with the electric lubrication pump; lubrication oil fluidly coupled with the electric lubrication pump, at least one bearing and oil cooler; at least one sensor in operative communication with the lubrication oil; a controller comprising a processor in operative communication with the at least one sensor, the electric lubrication pump, the at least one bearing and the oil cooler; and the processor configured to provide processor outputs to the electric lubrication pump responsive to data collected from the at least one sensor, wherein the processor employs an operational configuration for the electronically driven lubrication system.

The present disclosure relates to a portable Extra-Low Voltage (ELV) class-II lubrication device comprising: at least one class-II power supply; at least one electric motor controller powered by the at least one power supply; at least one electric motor controlled by the at least one motor controller; at least one pump activated by the at least one electric motor and connected to at least one lubricant container, the pump configured to pump a lubricant from the at least one container to at least one target to be lubricated, wherein an output voltage of the at least one power supply and an output voltage of the at least one motor controller and an operating voltage of the at least one motor is equal to or less than 50 Volts AC or 120 Volts DC.