Pump assembly for pumping a fluid lubricant

Abstract

A pump assembly for pumping a fluid lubricant such as grease or oil, the pump assembly comprising: a pump mechanism configured for moving a fluid lubricant; a pneumatic cylinder configured for being powered by an air source, the pneumatic cylinder comprising: a movable member for operating the pump mechanism, wherein the pump assembly further comprises a switch for detecting a position of the movable member; a valve configured for shifting a position of the moveable member upon an activation of the valve; and a control unit operable connected to the switch and the valve. The control unit is configured for controlling the activation of the valve in response to a detection of the position of the movable member by the switch, such that a pumping effect of the pump mechanism can be controlled. The pump assembly can be integrated into a lubrication system.

1 . A pump assembly for pumping a fluid lubricant such as grease or oil, the pump assembly comprising:
 a pump mechanism having a fluid lubricant inflow line and a fluid lubricant outflow line, wherein the pump mechanism is configured for moving a fluid lubricant;   a pneumatic cylinder having an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the pneumatic cylinder is configured for being powered by an air source, the pneumatic cylinder comprising a movable member for operating the pump mechanism, the movable member is movable from an upper position to a lower position in an axial direction;   a switch for detecting a position of the movable member;   a valve configured for shifting a position of the moveable member upon an activation of the valve; and   a control unit operable operably connected to the switch and the valve wherein the control unit is configured for controlling the activation of the valve in response to a detection of the position of the movable member by the switch, such that a pumping effect of the pump mechanism can be controlled.   
     
     
         2 . The pump assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the pumping effect of the pump mechanism is controlled according to a stroke control mode. 
     
     
         3 . The pump assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the pumping effect of the pump mechanism is controlled according to a time delay mode. 
     
     
         4 . The pump assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the control unit is capable of delaying the activation of the valve in response to a detection of the position of the movable member by the switch such that the pumping effect of the pump mechanism is time delayed. 
     
     
         5 . The pump assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the activation of the valve is delayed by maintaining the movable member at least one of in an upper position and in a lower position. 
     
     
         6 . The pump assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured for controlling the activation of the valve in response to external control information. 
     
     
         7 . The pump assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to record various pumping parameters. 
     
     
         8 . The pump assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the movable member is operable connected to a pumping shaft of the pump mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The pump assembly according to  claim 1 , the pump assembly further comprises a sensor for detecting a flow rate. 
     
     
         10 . The pump assembly according to  claim 1 , the pump assembly further comprises a sensor for detecting a dosage amount. 
     
     
         11 . The pump assembly according to  claim 1 , the pneumatic cylinder comprises a first air chamber and a second air chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The pump assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump mechanism is provided with a suction side and a pressure side, the suction side is connected to the pressure side via a bypass channel. 
     
     
         13 . The pump assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump mechanism is provided in a form of a barrel pump. 
     
     
         14 . A lubrication system including a pump assembly, the pump assembly comprising:
 a pump mechanism having a fluid lubricant inflow line and a fluid lubricant outflow line, wherein the pump mechanism is configured for moving a fluid lubricant;   a pneumatic cylinder having an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the pneumatic cylinder is configured for being powered by an air source, the pneumatic cylinder comprising a movable member for operating the pump mechanism, the movable member is movable from an upper position to a lower position in an axial direction;   a switch for detecting a position of the movable member;   a valve configured for shifting a position of the moveable member upon an activation of the valve; and   a control unit operably connected to the switch and the valve, wherein the control unit is configured for controlling the activation of the valve in response to a detection of the position of the movable member by the switch, such that a pumping effect of the pump mechanism can be controlled,   wherein the pump assembly is integrated into the lubrication system.   
     
     
         15 . A lubrication system according to  claim 14 , wherein the lubrication system further comprising a dispenser, wherein the dispenser is operably connected to the pump assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The pump assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to record various pumping parameters including at least one of: flow rate information, dosage amount information and suction level setting.