Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A lubricating system for a drive mechanism, the system including a lubricating medium storage tank means and an oil reservoir means arranged at the drive mechanism for accommodating a predetermined quantity of lubricating medium, the improvement comprising: a first pump means arranged at the drive mechanism and operatively connected with the storage tank means and the reservoir means for constantly replenishing the oil reservoir means with a supply of lubricating medium to maintain the predetermined quantity therein during an operation of the drive mechanism, a second pump means arranged at the drive mechanism having a higher conveying power than said first pump means and operatively connected to the oil reservoir means and the storage tank means for conveying excess lubricating medium from the reservoir means to the storage tank means, means arranged in a delivery conduit of said second pump means for monitoring a condition of the lubricating medium and for providing an output signal upon a failure in a return flow of the lubricating medium, and means responsive to the output signal of said monitoring means for providing a warning signal of the failure in the return flow of the lubricating medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A lubricating system for a drive mechanism, the system including a lubricating medium storage tank means and an oil reservoir means arranged at the drive mechanism for accommodating a predetermined quantity of lubricating medium, the improvement comprising: a first pump means arranged at the drive mechanism and operatively connected with the storage tank means and the reservoir means for constantly replenishing the oil reservoir means with a supply of lubricating medium to maintain the predetermined quantity therein during an operation of the drive mechanism, a second pump means arranged at the drive mechanism having a higher conveying power than said first pump means and operatively connected to the oil reservoir means and the storage tank means for conveying excess lubricating medium from the reservoir means to the storage tank means, means arranged in a delivery conduit of said second pump means for monitoring a condition of the lubricating medium and for providing an output signal upon a failure in a return flow of the lubricating medium, and means responsive to the output signal of said monitoring means for providing a warning signal of the failure in the return flow of the lubricating medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein a delay means is interposed between said warning signal means and said monitoring means for delaying an activation of the warning signal means to compensate for short periods of fluctuation in the return flow of the lubricating medium occasioned by external forces acting upon the drive mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said monitoring means includes a means for detecting a flow of the lubricating medium in the delivery conduit of said second pump means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said monitoring means includes a means for detecting a pressure in the delivery conduit of said second pump means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein a third pump means is arranged at the drive mechanism for conveying lubricating medium from the reservoir means to lubricating points of the drive mechanism including lubricating medium conduit means, and wherein means are arranged in the conduit means for monitoring an operative condition of said third pump means and for providing a signal indicative of a failure of said third pump means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said second pump means includes an intake conduit means having an inlet opening arranged in the oil reservoir means at a height corresponding to a desired lubricating level for an operation of the drive mechanism, which desired lubricating level is determined by the predetermined quantity of lubricating medium in the reservoir means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein a delay means is interposed between said warning signal means and said monitoring means for delaying an activation of the warning signal means to compensate for short periods of fluctuation in the return flow of the lubricating medium occasioned by external forces acting upon the drive mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein said monitoring means includes a means for detecting a flow of the lubricating medium in the delivery conduit of said second pump means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein said monitoring means includes a means for detecting a pressure in the delivery conduit of said second pump means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein a lubricating medium filter means is arranged in a delivery conduit of said second pump means between said monitoring means and the storage tank means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 10, wherein the drive mechanism includes an internal combustion engine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 10, wherein said monitoring means includes a means for detecting a flow of the lubricating medium in the delivery conduit of said second pump means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 12, wherein a delay means is interposed between said warning signal means and said monitoring means for delaying an activation of the warning signal means to compensate for short periods of fluctuation in the return flow of the lubricating medium occasioned by external forces acting upon the drive mechanism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system according to claim 13, wherein a third pump means is arranged at the drive mechanism for conveying lubricating medium from the reservoir means to lubricating points of the drive mechanism including lubricating medium conduit means, and wherein means are arranged in the conduit means for monitoring an operative condition of said third pump means and for providing a signal indicative of a failure of said third pump means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 13, wherein said warning signal means is constructed so as to provide at least one of an audible and visual warning.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 13, wherein said warning signal means is constructed so as to provide both an audible and visual warning.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 10, wherein said monitoring means includes a means for detecting a pressure in the delivery conduit of said second pump means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 17, wherein means for maintaining a predetermined pressure are arranged in the delivery conduit of said second pump means downstream of the monitoring means and upstream of the lubricating medium filter means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 18, wherein said pressure maintaining means includes a spring-loaded valve means arranged in the delivery conduit of said second pump means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 18, wherein said pressure maintaining means includes a throttle diaphragm means arranged in the delivery conduit of said second pump means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 20, wherein a delay means is interposed between said warning signal means and said monitoring means for delaying an activation of the warning signal means to compensate for short periods of fluctuation in the return flow of the lubricating medium occasioned by external forces acting upon the drive mechanism.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system according to claim 21, wherein a third pump means is arranged at the drive mechanism for conveying lubricating medium from the reservoir means to lubricating points of the drive mechanism including lubricating medium conduit means, and wherein means are arranged in the conduit means for monitoring an operative condition of said third pump means and for providing a signal indicative of a failure of said third pump means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 21, wherein said warning signal means is constructed so as to provide at least one of an audible and visual warning.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 21, wherein said warning signal means is constructed so as to provide both an audible and visual warning.