F16N29/02

Aircraft actuator fluid level detection
11614355 · 2023-03-28 · ·

Disclosed is an actuator level detection system of an aircraft. The system includes an actuator containing fluid that defines a resistivity and including a first contact point and a second contact point. The system includes a first contactor disposed about the actuator cooperating with the first contact point to define a first contact resistance that includes the resistivity. The system includes sensor circuitry includes a conductive path defining a conductive path resistance, between the first contact point and the second contact point. The sensor circuitry has a total resistance that includes the first contact resistance and the conductive path resistance.

Aircraft actuator fluid level detection
11614355 · 2023-03-28 · ·

Disclosed is an actuator level detection system of an aircraft. The system includes an actuator containing fluid that defines a resistivity and including a first contact point and a second contact point. The system includes a first contactor disposed about the actuator cooperating with the first contact point to define a first contact resistance that includes the resistivity. The system includes sensor circuitry includes a conductive path defining a conductive path resistance, between the first contact point and the second contact point. The sensor circuitry has a total resistance that includes the first contact resistance and the conductive path resistance.

Bearing lubricator, controller and associated method

A bearing lubricator for lubricating a plurality of device bearings in a device includes a solitary monitored bearing and at least one unmonitored bearing. The bearing lubricator includes a reservoir configured to contain lubricant, a plurality of conduits connecting the reservoir to the plurality of bearing, and a mechanism connected to the reservoir for advancing the lubricant from the reservoir to the plurality of device bearings when actuated. The bearing lubricator further includes a solitary sensor for sensing a variable of the monitored bearing and a controller. The controller stores a triggering value of the variable of the monitored bearing. The mechanism advances a substantially identical quantity of the lubricant from the reservoir to each of the plurality of bearings when a signal indicative of the variable is advanced to the controller and when that signal indicates the triggering value of the variable has been met.

Bearing lubricator, controller and associated method

A bearing lubricator for lubricating a plurality of device bearings in a device includes a solitary monitored bearing and at least one unmonitored bearing. The bearing lubricator includes a reservoir configured to contain lubricant, a plurality of conduits connecting the reservoir to the plurality of bearing, and a mechanism connected to the reservoir for advancing the lubricant from the reservoir to the plurality of device bearings when actuated. The bearing lubricator further includes a solitary sensor for sensing a variable of the monitored bearing and a controller. The controller stores a triggering value of the variable of the monitored bearing. The mechanism advances a substantially identical quantity of the lubricant from the reservoir to each of the plurality of bearings when a signal indicative of the variable is advanced to the controller and when that signal indicates the triggering value of the variable has been met.

Intelligently controlled fluid systems

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.

Intelligently controlled fluid systems

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.

System and method to automatically lubricate a kiln cartwheel

A system for lubricating a cartwheel of a kiln cart, the system comprising a frame positioned proximate a pathway of the kiln cart, a cartwheel detector adapted to detect a position of the cartwheel and a lubricant delivery assembly affixed to said frame, said lubricant delivery assembly comprising a coupler configured to fluidly mate with a hub of the cartwheel, wherein the lubricant delivery assembly is extendable between a retracted position and an extended position, the coupler being positioned to mate with the hub of the cartwheel when the lubricant delivery assembly is in said extended position.

System and method to automatically lubricate a kiln cartwheel

A system for lubricating a cartwheel of a kiln cart, the system comprising a frame positioned proximate a pathway of the kiln cart, a cartwheel detector adapted to detect a position of the cartwheel and a lubricant delivery assembly affixed to said frame, said lubricant delivery assembly comprising a coupler configured to fluidly mate with a hub of the cartwheel, wherein the lubricant delivery assembly is extendable between a retracted position and an extended position, the coupler being positioned to mate with the hub of the cartwheel when the lubricant delivery assembly is in said extended position.

Intelligently controlled fluid systems

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.

Intelligently controlled fluid systems

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.