Central lubricating station

Abstract

A central lubricating station for lubricating one or more machine part(s), having a container base adapted for holding at least two replaceable containers. Each replaceable container holds at least one type of lubricant; and one or more pump(s) is configured for pumping at least one type of lubricant interchangeably from the at least two replaceable containers to the one or more machine part(s); and a motor is configured for driving the one or more pumps.

Claims

1. A central lubrication station for lubricating at least one machine part, the central lubrication station comprising: a housing comprising: at least one pump; at least one motor configured for driving the at least one pump; a container base adapted for attaching a plurality of replaceable containers at the same time, the container base being selectively positionable relative to the at least one pump, wherein each of the replaceable containers holds at least one lubricant, wherein the container base comprises a rotatable disc adapted for attaching the plurality of replaceable containers and rotatable relative to the at least one pump; at least one lubricant outlet attached to the container base; at least one hose coupled to the lubricant outlet for fluidly connecting the lubricant outlet to the at least one machine part; wherein the central lubrication station is configured for pumping, by means of the at least one pump, lubricant from any of the replaceable containers selected by the positionable container base, to the at least one machine part via the at least one hose.

2. The central lubrication station according to claim 1, wherein the container base is configured to allow any of the replaceable containers to be replaced by additional replaceable containers without letting air into the central lubrication station.

3. The central lubrication station according to claim 1, wherein the container base is configured to individually move at least two replaceable containers of the replaceable containers and lubricant within the at least two replaceable containers, such that lubricant in each of the replaceable containers is prevented from sedimenting.

4. A lubrication system for lubricating at least one machine part, comprising the central lubrication station according to claim 1 and the at least two replaceable containers replaceably attached to the container base of the central lubrication station, and a connection between the lubrication station and the at least one machine part.

5. The lubrication system according to claim 4, wherein the connection comprises a lubrication nipple.

6. The lubrication system according to claim 4, wherein the at least one machine part is a bearing, connected to shafts.

7. The lubrication system according to claim 4, wherein the lubrication system is mounted in a nacelle of a wind turbine.

8. A method for operating a central lubricating station, comprising the steps of: providing a central lubrication station according to claim 1 and at least two replaceable containers attached thereto, each container holding at least one type of lubricant; and pumping one type of lubricant to one machine part from one of the at least two containers, such that when the one of the at least two replaceable containers is empty or near empty, pumping is continued from another of the at least two replaceable containers, and such that when the another of the at least two replaceable containers is empty or near empty, pumping is continued from an additional replaceable container.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of when the one or the another of the at least two replaceable containers is empty or near empty, the one or the another of the at least two replaceable containers is replaced by the additional replaceable container.

10. A central lubrication station for lubricating at least two machine parts with different lubricants, the central lubrication station comprising: a housing comprising; a pump; at least a first motor configured for driving the at least one pump; a container base adapted for attaching a plurality of replaceable containers at the same time, each of the replaceable containers holding a lubricant; at least one lubricant outlet; and wherein: 1) the container base moves relative to the at least one pump to select a first of the replaceable containers having a first type of lubricant, and 2) The container base moves relative to the at least one pump to select a second of the replaceable containers having a second type of lubricant.

11. The central lubrication station according to claim 10, wherein the container base is a rotatable disc and the container base moves relative to the pump by rotating.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, the disclosure is described in more detail with reference to the following drawing, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of the central lubrication station according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) According to the first aspect of the invention, the pump(s) of the central lubrication station is driven by a motor. Accordingly, the motor may drive all of the pumps so there is only need for one motor. Such a configuration saves space and cost while also provides for easy maintenance, in particular because only a single motor may need to be working and repaired if broken. On the other hand, if a plurality of motors drives the pumps, it is possible that all of the pumps can be driven by just one of the plurality of motors. Thus, if one motor breaks down, there may not be a need for an immediate motor replacement or repair.

(4) In one embodiment of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the central lubrication station is configured for selectively pumping the at least one type of lubricant from any of the at least two replaceable containers to one machine part. In this embodiment, one type of lubricant may first be supplied from one container, and then from another container. It is most likely that lubricant is pumped from one container and the container is emptied before lubricant is pumped from another container. However, there may be some scenarios in which this is not the case. For example, it may happen that lubricant is blocked inside the container, such as happens when the lubricant sediments. In such a case, the central lubrication is able to select the other container and pump lubricant from that one instead of the container that is blocked. If one container is emptied, the central lubrication station may automatically select to pump the at least one type of lubricant from a non-empty container. When an empty and a non-empty container are present, the empty container may be replaced with a full container, from which pumping can then be continued. The process may then repeat itself, so all containers may be replaced and all of the lubricant may be used.

(5) In another embodiment of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the central lubrication station is configured for selectively pumping the at least one type of lubricant from the at least two replaceable containers to at least two machine parts. In this embodiment, one type of lubricant may first be supplied from one container to a first machine part, and another type of lubricant may be supplied from the other container to a second machine part. Accordingly, two different types of lubricant in the lubrication station may be supplied to two different machine parts, for example requiring two different lubrication types. Alternatively and/or additionally, one type of lubricant from one part of the container may be supplied to the first machine part, and another type of lubricant from another part of the container may be supplied to the first machine part or the second machine part. The central lubrication station may in other words be configured for selectively pumping at least two types of lubricant from different parts of one of the replaceable containers to the one or more machine parts. The different embodiments as here described may depend on factors such as how much space the lubrication station is able to take up, how much lubricant is needed to be supplied to the various machine parts and under which conditions the lubricant is supplied to the machine parts.

(6) Container Base

(7) The container base according to the disclosure may comprise a rail adapted for holding the at least two containers.

(8) The container base may alternatively comprise a disc adapted for holding the at least two containers. The disc may be configured for holding the at least two containers such that the containers can change positions when the disc is rotated. The one or more pump(s) is configured for pumping at least one type of lubricant interchangeably from the at least two replaceable containers to the one or more machine part(s), for example, when the containers are rotated from one to another position. By having two types of lubricants, for example in two or three containers, a change of lubricant types may be provided by rotating the disc from one position to another. The container base may comprise a single outlet for all the containers.

(9) The container base may be configured for only letting lubricant out of one of the containers when the one container is placed in fluid communication with the single outlet. The placement of the container may be enabled by rotation of the disc.

(10) The container base may comprise a channeling system configured such that the lubricant of the containers is able to be transferred from the container to the machine part, and/or from one and another of the containers. In some embodiments, the container base may be configured such that fluid communication is enabled between the containers and to the machine parts, for example via tubes, hoses and/or channels within the container base.

(11) In one embodiment, the container base comprises a physical base connector for each of the at least two containers having a corresponding physical container connector, such that the container can only be pumped from via the central lubrication station when the physical container connector matches the physical base connector. For example, one container holding one type of lubricant may have one type of physical container connector, such as a geometrically shaped container, which only fits into the physical container base where a corresponding holder is shaped as the container. The physical container connector may in some embodiments be connected to a hose which is able to be connected to the container only if the container has a corresponding container connector. In this way, there is provided a solution for connecting the right type of lubricant to the intended place on the base connector so the right type of lubricant is pumped to the right type of machine part.

(12) In another embodiment, the container base comprises an electrical base connector code for each of the at least two containers having a corresponding electrical container code, such that the container can only be pumped from via the central lubrication station when the electrical container code matches the electrical base connector code. For example, the container may be equipped with an RFID code that is read by the container base and configured such that the container is only opened or allowed to be pumped from if the RFID code matches a code on the container base.

(13) In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the disclosure, the container base is configured to allow any of the replaceable containers to be replaced by additional replaceable containers without letting air into the central lubrication station. Air is typically let into a lubricant container during re-fill, and this can have a severe effect on both the lubrication system and the machine parts. Air should therefore at the best be avoided from entering a lubrication system. By replacing a container rather than re-filling lubricant to a container, there is provided a simple and efficient solution to avoid getting air bubbles in the system.

(14) In some embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure, the container base is configured for releasing a pressure between the central lubricating station and the machine part(s). The pressure may be released via a coupling either connected or mounted to the container base.

(15) As previously described, the container base may be configured for transferring lubricant from one replaceable container to another replaceable container. One advantage of this may be that if a container is close to being empty, the remaining lubricant may be transferred to another of the containers. For example, there may intentionally be left some space in a container when it is connected to the container base, so that there is space available for exactly this kind of lubricant. In this manner, lubricant is simply transferred to a container that may already be placed in the container base, and one of the containers can be completely emptied so no lubricant is wasted.

(16) When experimenting with this setup, the inventors found that by enabling transfer of lubricant from one and another container, lubricant was forced to move, and therefore prevented from sedimenting. The embodiment related to transfer of lubricant therefore not only relates to emptying a container, but also provides a solution for preventing that lubricant is blocked. A transfer of lubricant between containers from time to time is thus an efficient way of moving the lubricant without moving parts inside the container, such as a stirrer, or without using rotation or translation of the container itself. Accordingly, the inventors have found that the lubrication station can be configured such that lubricant in any of the containers is prevented from sedimenting.

(17) Other than using transfer of lubricant from one container to another, the inventors also found that lubricant sedimenting on the bottom can be avoided by having a stirrer inside the container.

(18) In other embodiments, the container base is configured to individually move any of the at least two replaceable containers, such that lubricant in each of the containers is prevented from sedimenting. The container may for example be rotated or swirled, or as previously described, translated. A combination of movements may also prevent the lubricant from sedimenting.

(19) Pump(s) and Additional Units

(20) In most embodiments, the pump(s) is/are configured for operating at a high pressure of more than 100 bars, such as more than 150 bars or such as more than 200 bars. In most preferred embodiments, the pump(s) is/are gear pumps. Such pumps are reliable when being operated with lubricant and harsh environment and can be configured for operating at the desired high pressures.

(21) In one embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the central lubrication station further comprises a flow meter 11 such that the central lubrication station is able to be flow controlled.

(22) In another embodiment, the central lubrication station further comprises a pressure measure such that the central lubrication station is able to be pressure controlled.

(23) In yet another embodiment, the central lubrication station further comprises a first diagnostic unit 12 configured for sensing that any of the two replaceable containers is out of operation. If out of operation, the central lubrication may be configured for selecting another container and then find out if this is out of operation.

(24) In a preferred embodiment, the central lubrication station further comprises a second diagnostic unit 13 configured for sensing an insufficient amount of lubricant in any of the one or more machine part(s). The diagnostic unit may be a sensor, such as optical or electronic sensors, such as a camera or a thermometer. Units such as these may for example monitor the operation of a wind turbine and sense whether or not a wind turbine rotates properly and/or produces too much of heat.

(25) In a most preferred embodiment, the central lubrication station further comprises an automatic responder unit configured for responding to the insufficient amount of lubricant by commanding the one or more pumps to pump the insufficient amount of lubricant to the one or more machine part(s). The automatic responder unit may be computer and/or a controller coupled to the pumps.

(26) Lubrication System

(27) According to the second aspect of the disclosure, the central lubrication station is connected to machine parts via a connection. The connection may be a hose.

(28) In preferred embodiments, the connection comprises a lubrication nipple. The lubrication nipple may be in fluid contact with the machine parts.

(29) The machine parts may be bearings, such as a crank shaft bearing and a pivot bearing and/or gears, for example connected to shafts.

(30) In a most preferred embodiment, the lubrication system is mounted in a nacelle of a wind turbine.

(31) Method

(32) In one embodiment of the method, the method further comprises the step of when the one or the other of the at least two replaceable containers is empty or near empty, one of the at least two replaceable containers is replaced by the additional replaceable container. Thereby is provided a method that provides for a cost efficient use of containers without wasting lubricant.

(33) In a second embodiment of the method, the central lubrication station comprises at least three replaceable containers, such that the additional replaceable container is one of the at least three replaceable containers. In this embodiment, a selection of three containers is enabled which allow for a more flexible method for pumping various types of lubricant to different machine parts.

(34) In a preferred embodiment, the central lubrication station further comprises the step of pumping one or another type of lubricant to another machine part from the at least two replaceable containers. In this embodiment, selection of types of lubricant to different machine parts is enabled. This may be of importance if different machine parts require different types of lubricant.

(35) As previously described, the method may in some embodiments further comprise the step of when the one or the other of the at least two replaceable containers is near empty, remaining lubricant is transferred to another of the at least two replaceable containers. This may ensure that all lubricant is used from one container and not wasted.

(36) In various embodiments, the central lubrication station is the central lubrication station according to the first aspect.

Example 1A Central Lubrication Station

(37) FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the central lubrication station 1 according to the present invention. The central lubrication station 1 comprises a container base 2 adapted for holding at least two replaceable containers 3, in this case, three replaceable containers 3. Each replaceable container holds one type of lubricant. The container base is placed in a housing 4. In other words, the central lubrication station comprises a housing 4. The central lubrication station 1 comprises one or more pump(s) 5 placed inside the housing 4 (thus not to be seen on this drawing). The pump(s) is/are configured for pumping at least one type of lubricant interchangeably from the at least two replaceable containers 3 to the one or more machine part(s) 10. The pumping is pumped interchangeably from any of the three containers by rotating the container base 2 station. More specifically, the central lubrication station comprises a disc 6. The disc 6 is the container base. When the disc 6 is rotated to a specific position, for example as shown, the one or more pumps 5 is able to pump lubricant from one of the containers 3. The disc 6 is placed in or on the central lubrication station 1, in this example in the housing 4. Further, a motor 7 is placed inside the housing (thus not to be seen in this drawing). The motor 7 is configured for driving the one or more pumps 5. As can be seen from FIG. 1, one of the containers is smaller than the two others since lubricant has been pumped from that container. Lubricant is able to be pumped from the container to one of the outlets 8 on the central lubrication station 1. From the outlets 8, one or more connections 9, such as hoses 14 and nipples 15, may be connected to machine part(s) 10. Further, lubricant is able to be pumped from one of the containers 3 and to any of the others. As can be seen, there may be some space left in the two large containers 3, since the containers are foldable and not extended to their maximum. Accordingly, lubricant may be transferred from the near empty container 3 (the one in the front) to any of the non-empty containers (the two in the back). Lubricant can thereby be emptied from the near-empty container 3, whereafter that container 3 can be re-placed by another container, such as a new container. Lubricant can thereby also be moved and thus be prevented from sedimenting. The present example shows how lubricant is not wasted. Further, the present example shows how lubricant is prevented from sedimenting.

(38) It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. It is to be understood that the detailed description of the present disclosure are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit embodiments to the precise form disclosed.

(39) Further details of the present disclosure are described by the following items.

(40) Items

(41) 1. A central lubricating station for lubricating one or more machine part(s), comprising: a container base adapted for holding at least two replaceable containers, each replaceable container holding at least one type of lubricant; and one or more pump(s) configured for pumping at least one type of lubricant interchangeably from the at least two replaceable containers to the one or more machine part(s); and a motor configured for driving the one or more pumps. 2. The central lubrication station according to item 1, wherein the central lubrication station is configured for selectively pumping the at least one type of lubricant from any of the at least two replaceable containers to one machine part. 3. The central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items, wherein the central lubrication station is configured for selectively pumping the at least one type of lubricant from the at least two replaceable containers to at least two machine parts. 4. The central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items, wherein the container base comprises a physical base connector for each of the at least two containers having a corresponding physical container connector, such that the container can only be pumped from via the central lubrication station when the physical container connector matches the physical base connector. 5. The central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items, wherein the container base comprises an electrical base connector code for each of the at least two containers having a corresponding electrical container code, such that the container can only be pumped from via the central lubrication station when the electrical container code matches the electrical base connector code. 6. The central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items, wherein the container base is configured to allow any of the replaceable containers to be replaced by additional replaceable containers without letting air into the central lubrication station. 7. The central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items, wherein the container base is configured for releasing a pressure between the central lubricating station and the machine part(s). 8. The central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items, wherein the container base is configured for transferring lubricant from one replaceable container to another replaceable container. 9. The central lubrication station according to item 8, such that lubricant in any of the containers is prevented from sedimenting and/or such that any of the containers is able to be emptied without loss of lubricant. 10. The central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items, wherein the container base is configured to individually move any of the at least two replaceable containers, such that lubricant in each of the containers is prevented from sedimenting. 11. The central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items, wherein the pump is configured for operating at a high pressure of more than 100 bars, such as more than 150 bars or such as more than 200 bars, such as more than 300 bars or such as more than 400 bars. 12. The central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items, wherein the central lubrication station further comprises a flow meter such that the central lubrication station is able to be flow controlled. 13. The central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items, wherein the central lubrication station further comprises a pressure measure such that the central lubrication station is able to be pressure controlled. 14. The central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items, wherein the central lubrication station further comprises a first diagnostic unit configured for sensing that any of the two replaceable containers is out of operation. 15. The central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items, wherein the central lubrication station further comprises a second diagnostic unit configured for sensing an insufficient amount of lubricant in any of the one or more machine part(s). 16. The central lubrication station according to item 15, wherein the central lubrication station further comprises an automatic responder unit configured for responding to the insufficient amount of lubricant by commanding the one or more pumps to pump the insufficient amount of lubricant to the one or more machine part(s). 17. A lubrication system for lubricating one or more machine parts, comprising the central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items 1-16 and at least two replaceable containers re-placeably attached to the container base of the central lubrication station, and a connection between the lubrication station and the one or more machine parts. 18. The lubrication system according to item 17, wherein the connection is a hose. 19. The lubrication system according to any of the preceding items 17-18, wherein the connection comprises a lubrication nipple. 20. The lubrication system according to any of the preceding items 17-19, wherein the machine parts are bearings, such as a crank shaft bearing and a pivot bearing and/or gears, for example connected to shafts. 21. The lubrication system according to any of the preceding items 17-20, wherein the lubrication system is mounted in a nacelle of a wind turbine. 22. A method for operating a central lubricating station, comprising the steps of: providing a central lubrication station comprising at least two replaceable containers, each container holding at least one type of lubricant, and one or more pump(s); and pumping one type of lubricant to one machine part from one of the at least two containers, such that when the one of the at least two replaceable containers is empty or near empty, pumping is continued from another of the at least two replaceable containers, and such that when the another of the at least two replaceable containers is empty or near empty, pumping is continued from an additional replaceable container. 23. The method according to item 22, further comprising the step of when the one or the other of the at least two replaceable containers is empty or near empty, one of the at least two replaceable containers is replaced by the additional replaceable container. 24. The method according to any of the preceding items 22-23, wherein the central lubrication comprises at least three replaceable containers, such that the additional replaceable container is one of the at least three replaceable containers. 25. The method according to any of the preceding items 22-24, further comprising the step of pumping one or another type of lubricant to another machine part from the at least two replaceable containers. 26. The method according to any of the preceding items 22-25, further comprising the step of when the one or the other of the at least two replaceable containers is near empty, remaining lubricant is transferred to another of the at least two replaceable containers. 27. The method according to any of the preceding items 22-26, wherein the central lubrication station is the central lubrication station according to any of the preceding items 1-16.