Lubricant Pump Fill Tube With Magnetic Level Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricant systems lack an efficient and reliable method for monitoring the lubricant level within the reservoir, leading to potential over-lubrication or under-lubrication of machinery components.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant pump assembly that incorporates a sensor assembly with a sensor tube and a magnetic indicator, which together provide accurate lubricant level monitoring by triggering sensors as the lubricant level changes, and an auto-fill shut-off assembly to prevent overfilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a lubricant reservoir is used to store lubricant for metering devices, then lubricant can be supplied to multiple locations, but the lubricant level cannot be monitored, leading to potential under-lubrication or over-lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor tube is nested within the fill tube, with sensors positioned inside the fill tube's interior surface. This nested configuration allows the sensing elements to be protected and precisely positioned while the fill tube continues its lubricant delivery function, resolving the contradiction by enabling level monitoring without compromising the reservoir's lubricant supply capability
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic indicator attached to the follower acts as an intermediary between the mechanical lubricant level (follower position) and the electronic sensors. The magnetic field transmitted through the fill tube wall enables non-contact sensing of the lubricant level, allowing precise measurement while maintaining the integrity of the lubricant supply system
2Measurement precision
If sensors are placed directly in contact with lubricant for level detection, then accurate monitoring is achieved, but sensor contamination and failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic indicator serves as an intermediary that transmits level information through the fill tube wall via magnetic field, allowing sensors to detect lubricant level without direct contact with the lubricant. This eliminates sensor contamination while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact between sensors and lubricant with a magnetic field-based sensing system. The magnetic field penetrates the fill tube wall to detect the position of the magnetic indicator, substituting a contactless electromagnetic mechanism for what would otherwise require physical sensor-lubricant interaction
3Device complexity
If manual monitoring of lubricant level is used, then system complexity is reduced, but time loss for checking and refilling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors detect the position of the magnetic indicator and generate electrical signals that provide automatic feedback about the lubricant level. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual checking, reducing time loss while the electronic circuitry processes signals to determine when refilling is needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring through the sensors and magnetic indicator combination, automatically detecting lubricant levels without requiring external intervention. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring its own lubricant status and can trigger refilling operations autonomously
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures precise lubricant level monitoring, preventing machinery damage from under-lubrication and optimizing resource use by automatically triggering refills when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic indicator supported by the follower such that the magnetic indicator moves with the follower relative to the sensor tube and the fill tube, wherein the magnetic indicator is configured to trigger the plurality of sensors to cause the plurality of sensors to output signals indicative of the lubricant fill level
Data Source
AI summary
A lubrication pump assembly includes a fill tube and a sensor tube located within the fill tube. The sensor tube has a plurality of sensors disposed within the sensor tube and the sensors are configured to generate signals when triggered by a magnetic indicator, indicating a fill level of lubricant within the lubrication pump assembly. A follower within the lubrication pump assembly travels up and down within the lubrication pump assembly on a top of the lubricant. The fill tube is disposed between the sensor tube and the magnetic indicator.