Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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PASTE BASED LUBRICATING SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The disclosure relates to tire-wheel assemblies and to a system and
method for
assembling a tire-wheel assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] It is known in the art to assemble a tire-wheel assembly in several
steps. Usually,
conventional methodologies that conduct such steps require a significant
capital investment and
human oversight. The present invention overcomes drawbacks associated with the
prior art by
setting forth a simple system and method for assembling a tire-wheel assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0004] FIG. 1A is block diagram view of an apparatus for processing a tire
and a wheel in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0005] FIG. 1B is block diagram view of an apparatus for processing a tire
and a wheel in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0006] FIG. 1C is block diagram view of an apparatus for processing a tire
and a wheel in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2A is a view of a lubrication conditioning system and a
lubricant arranged in a
first state of matter.
[0008] FIG. 2A' is an enlarged view of the lubricant according to line 2A'
of FIG. 2A.
[0009] FIG. 2B is a view of the lubrication conditioning system and the
lubricant of FIG. 2A
arranged in a second state of matter that is different from the first state of
matter after actuating
the lubrication conditioning system.
[0010] FIG. 2B' is an enlarged view of the lubricant according to line 2B'
of FIG. 2B.
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[0011] FIG. 3A is a view of a lubrication conditioning system and a
lubricant arranged in a
first state of matter.
[0012] FIG. 3B is a view of the lubrication conditioning system and the
lubricant of FIG. 3A
arranged in a second state of matter that is different from the first state of
matter after actuating
the lubrication conditioning system.
[0013] FIG. 4A is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
directly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 4B is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
directly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 5A is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 5B is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 5C is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 5D is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 5E is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0020] FIG. 5F is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
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[0021] FIG. 5G is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 6A is a view of any of the lubrication temperature control
systems of FIGS. 4A-
5G fluidly connected to a wheel lubricating sub-station for lubricating an
upper beat seat and a
lower beat seat of a wheel in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0023] FIG. 6B is a view of any of the lubrication temperature control
systems of FIGS. 4A-
5G fluidly connected to a tire lubricating sub-station for lubricating an
upper beat and a lower
beat of a tire in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 7A is a view of any of the lubrication temperature control
systems of FIGS. 4A-
5G fluidly connected to a wheel lubricating sub-station for lubricating an
upper beat seat and a
lower beat seat of a wheel in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0025] FIG. 7B is a view of any of the lubrication temperature control
systems of FIGS. 4A-
5G fluidly connected to a tire lubricating sub-station for lubricating an
upper beat and a lower
beat of a tire in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 6A' is a view of a wheel lubricating sub-station for
lubricating an upper beat
seat and a lower beat seat of a wheel in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0027] FIG. 6B' is a view of a tire lubricating sub-station for lubricating
an upper beat and a
lower beat of a tire in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0028] FIG. 7A' is a view of a wheel lubricating sub-station for
lubricating an upper beat
seat and a lower beat seat of a wheel in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0029] FIG. 7B' is a view of a tire lubricating sub-station for lubricating
an upper beat and a
lower beat of a tire in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0030] FIG. 8A is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
directly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
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[0031] FIG. 8B is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
directly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0032] FIG. 9A is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0033] FIG. 9B is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0034] FIG. 9C is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0035] FIG. 9D is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0036] FIG. 9E is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0037] FIG. 9F is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0038] FIG. 9G is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
indirectly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0039] FIG. 10A is a view of any of the lubrication temperature control
systems of FIGS.
8A-9G fluidly connected to a wheel lubricating sub-station for lubricating an
upper beat seat and
a lower beat seat of a wheel in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
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[0040] FIG. 10B is a view of any of the lubrication temperature control
systems of FIGS.
8A-9G fluidly connected to a tire lubricating sub-station for lubricating an
upper beat and a
lower beat of a tire in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0041] FIG. 1 lA is a view of any of the lubrication temperature control
systems of FIGS.
8A-9G fluidly connected to a wheel lubricating sub-station for lubricating an
upper beat seat and
a lower beat seat of a wheel in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0042] FIG. 11B is a view of any of the lubrication temperature control
systems of FIGS.
8A-9G fluidly connected to a tire lubricating sub-station for lubricating an
upper beat and a
lower beat of a tire in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0043] FIG. 10A' is a view of a wheel lubricating sub-station for
lubricating an upper beat
seat and a lower beat seat of a wheel in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0044] FIG. 10B' is a view of a tire lubricating sub-station for
lubricating an upper beat and
a lower beat of a tire in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0045] FIG. 11A' is a view of a wheel lubricating sub-station for
lubricating an upper beat
seat and a lower beat seat of a wheel in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0046] FIG. 11B' is a view of a tire lubricating sub-station for
lubricating an upper beat and
a lower beat of a tire in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0047] FIG. 12 is a view of a lubrication temperature control system for
directly heating a
lubricant contained by a lubricant reservoir that is fluidly connected to a
wheel lubricating sub-
station for lubricating an upper beat seat and a lower beat seat of a wheel in
accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the invention in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention.
[0048] FIG. 13 is an exemplary graph illustrating an operating cycle of the
wheel lubricating
sub-station.
[0049] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of a wheel including a
plurality of lubricated
regions performed by the lubricating sub-station.
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[0050] FIG. 15 illustrates a view of an apparatus for processing a tire-
wheel assembly in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0051] FIG. 16A is a top view of an exemplary tire.
[0052] FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the tire according to line 16B-
16B of FIG. 16A.
[0053] FIG. 16C is a side view of the tire of FIG. 16A;
[0054] FIG. 16D is a bottom view of the tire of FIG. 16A;
[0055] FIG. 17A is a top view of an exemplary wheel; and
[0056] FIG. 17B is a side view of the wheel of FIG. 17A.
[0057] FIG. 18A is a view of a lubricant supply system including a storage
container and a
mixing device operable to mix a lubricant from a semi-solid state to a whipped
state.
[0058] FIG. 18B is a view of a lubricant supply system including the
storage container of
FIG. 18A in fluid communication with a lubrication conditioning system.
[0059] FIG. 19 is a view of a lubrication conditioning system in fluid
communication with a
lubrication supply system and a lubricating sub-station for lubricating a
wheel or a tire.
SUMMARY
[0060] One aspect of the disclosure provides a processing station and a
lubricant supply
system in fluid communication with the processing station. The processing
station is operable to
process at least one of a tire and a wheel prior to joining the tire and the
wheel to form a tire-
wheel assembly. The processing station includes at least one of a tire
lubricating sub-station or a
wheel lubricating sub-station. The lubricant supply system includes a storage
container
configured to store a lubricant and a whipping device received by the
lubricant container and
operable to whip or blend the lubricant from a semi-solid state to a whipped
state. The lubricant
supply system also includes a pump operable to pump the lubricant in the
whipped state out of
the storage container.
[0061] In some implementations, the system also includes a lubrication
conditioning system
in fluid communication with the lubricant supply system and the processing
station. In these
implementations, the lubrication conditioning system includes a lubricant
reservoir operable to
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receive the lubricant in the whipped state from the storage container; a
lubricant temperature
modifier arranged proximate to the lubricant reservoir; a lubricant
temperature sensor arranged
within the lubricant reservoir and operable to measure a temperature of the
lubricant received
within the lubricant reservoir; and a controller operatively coupled to the
lubricant temperature
modifier and the lubricant temperature sensor. The controller is operable to
control the lubricant
temperature modifier to change the temperature of the lubricant from a first
temperature to a
second temperature greater than the first temperature based on the temperature
of the lubricant
measured by the lubricant temperature sensor.
[0062] In some examples, pump of the lubricant supply system pumps the
lubricant in the
whipped state out of the storage container to the lubricant reservoir of the
lubrication
conditioning system when the lubricant is at the first temperature. The
temperature may include
an ambient temperature or a room temperature and the lubricant reservoir may
define a smaller
volume than a volume defined by the storage container. In some configurations,
the lubrication
conditioning system also includes a lubricant moving device arranged within
the lubricant
reservoir and operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the lubricant
moving device is
configured to transport the lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the
processing system when
the lubricant is substantially equal to the second temperature.
[0063] In some implementations, the whipping device includes an impeller
attached to a first
end of a shaft inserted into the storage container in contact with the
lubricant and a motor
attached to a second end of the shaft and mechanically coupled to the
impeller. In these
implementations, the motor is configured to drive the impeller causing it to
rotate around the
shaft to whip or blend the lubricant into the whipped state.
[0064] In some implementations, the whipping device includes a shaking
apparatus
configured to retain and support the storage container, the shaking apparatus
operative to
undergo vibratory or shaking motions to whip or blend the lubricant into the
shipped state.
[0065] In some implementations, the whipping device includes at least one
of mechanical
agitators, blenders, stirrers, ultrasonic devices, or air bubblers suitable
for whipping or blending
the lubricant into the whipped state.
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[0066] In some configurations, the pump of the lubricant supply system
includes a piston-
type pump driven by an engine or a motor. In some implementations the storage
container
includes a cylindrical drum. In these implementations, the pump of the
lubricant supply system
includes a circumferential disc received within the storage container upon a
top surface of the
lubricant, wherein the circumferential disc operable to translate relative to
the storage container
to pump the lubricant out of the storage container via a lubricant supply
conduit. In some
examples, the circumferential disc includes a diameter operative to create a
fluid-tight seal with
inner circumferential surfaces of the storage container.
[0067] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for pre-whipping
a lubricant. The
method includes inserting a whipping device into a storage container
containing a quantity of
lubricant; controlling the whipping device to whip or blend the lubricant from
a semi-solid state
to a whipped state; and pumping out a portion of the quantity of lubricant
into the whipped state
from the storage container using a pump. The pump is inserted into the storage
container and in
fluid communication with the quantity of lubricant. The method also includes
providing the
lubricant to a processing station operable to process at least one of a tire
and a wheel prior to
joining the tire and the wheel to form a tire-wheel assembly. The processing
station includes at
least one of a tire lubricating sub-station or a wheel lubricating sub-
station.
[0068] In some implementations, the method also includes, prior to
providing the lubricant to
the processing station, providing the pumped out portion of the quantity of
lubricant in the
whipped state to a lubricant reservoir. In these implementations, the
lubricant reservoir is
operable to increase the temperature of the lubricant from a first temperature
to a second
temperature greater than the first temperature using a lubricant temperature
modifier disposed
within the lubricant reservoir, and provide the lubricant to the processing
system. In some
examples, pumping out the portion of the quantity of lubricant in the whipped
state includes
pumping out the portion of the quantity of lubricant in the whipped state from
the storage
container to the lubricant reservoir when the lubricant is at the first
temperature. Additionally,
the lubricant reservoir may define a smaller volume than a volume defined by
the storage
container.
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[0069] In some implementations, the whipping device includes an impeller
attached to a first
end of a shaft inserted into the storage container in contact with the
lubricant and a motor
attached to a second end of the shaft and mechanically coupled to the
impeller. In these
implementations, the motor is configured to drive the impeller causing it to
rotate around the
shaft to whip or blend the lubricant into the whipped state.
[0070] In some implementations, the whipping device includes at least one
of mechanical
agitators, blenders, stirrers, a shaking device, ultrasonic devices, or air
bubblers suitable for
whipping or blending the lubricant into the whipped state.
[0071] In some examples, the pumping out the portion of the quantity of
lubricant in the
whipped state includes translating a circumferential disc associated with the
pump and inserted
into the storage container on top of the quantity of lubricant in the whipped
state. The translating
circumferential disc causes the portion of the quantity of lubricant in the
whipped state to flow
out of the storage container via a lubricant supply conduit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0072] The Figures illustrate exemplary embodiments of apparatuses and
methods for
assembling a tire-wheel assembly. Based on the foregoing, it is to be
generally understood that
the nomenclature used herein is simply for convenience and the terms used to
describe the
invention should be given the broadest meaning by one of ordinary skill in the
art.
[0073] Prior to describing embodiments of the invention, reference is made
to FIGS. 16A-
16D, which illustrates an exemplary tire, T. In the present disclosure,
reference may be made to
the "upper," "lower," "left," "right" and "side" of the tire, T; although such
nomenclature may be
utilized to describe a particular portion or aspect of the tire, T, such
nomenclature may be
adopted due to the orientation of the tire, T, with respect to structure that
supports the tire, T.
Accordingly, the above nomenclature should not be utilized to limit the scope
of the claimed
invention and is utilized herein for exemplary purposes in describing an
embodiment of the
invention.
[0074] In an embodiment, the tire, T, includes an upper sidewall surface,
Tsu (see, e.g., FIG.
16A), a lower sidewall surface, TSL (see, e.g., FIG. 16D), and a tread
surface, TT (see, e.g., FIGS.
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16B-16C), that joins the upper sidewall surface, Tsu, to the lower sidewall
surface, TSL.
Referring to FIG. 16B, the upper sidewall surface, Tsu, may rise away from the
tread surface, TT,
to a peak and subsequently descend at a slope to terminate at and form a
circumferential upper
bead, TBu; similarly, the lower sidewall surface, TSL, may rise away from the
tread surface, TT, to
a peak and subsequently descend at a slope to terminate at and form a
circumferential lower
bead, TBL.
[0075] As seen in FIG. 16B, when the tire, T, is in a relaxed, unbiased
state, the upper bead,
TBu, forms a circular, upper tire opening, Tou; similarly, when the tire, T,
is in a relaxed,
unbiased state, the lower bead, TBL, forms a circular, lower tire opening,
ToL. It will be
appreciated that when an external force is applied to the tire, T, the tire,
T, may be physically
manipulated, and, as a result, one or more of the upper tire opening, Tou, and
the lower tire
opening, ToL, may be temporality upset such that one or more of the upper tire
opening, Tou, and
the lower tire opening, ToL, is/are not entirely circular, but, may, for
example, be manipulated to
include an oval shape.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 16B, when in the relaxed, unbiased state, each of
the upper tire
opening, Tou, and the lower tire opening, ToL, form, respectively, an upper
tire opening
diameter, Tou-D, and a lower tire opening diameter, TOLD. Further, as seen in
FIGS. 16A-16B,
when in the relaxed, unbiased state, the upper sidewall surface, Tsu, and the
lower sidewall
surface, TSL, define the tire, T, to include a tire diameter, Tu.
[0077] Referring to FIGS. 16A-16B and 16D, the tire, T, also includes a
passage, Tp. Access
to the passage, Tp, is permitted by either of the upper tire opening, Tou, and
the lower tire
opening, ToL. Referring to FIG. 16B, when the tire, T, is in a relaxed,
unbiased state, the upper
tire opening, Tou, and the lower tire opening, ToL, define the passage, Tp, to
include a diameter,
Tp.D. Referring also to FIG. 16B, the tire, T, includes a circumferential air
cavity, TAC, that is in
communication with the passage, Tp. After joining the tire, T, to a wheel, W,
pressurized air is
deposited into the circumferential air cavity, TAc, for inflating the tire, T.
[0078] When the tire, T, is arranged adjacent structure or a wheel, W (see,
e.g., FIGS. 17A-
17B), as described in the following disclosure, the written description may
reference a "left"
portion or a "right" portion of the tire, T. Referring to FIG. 16C, the tire,
T, is shown relative to
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a support member, S; the support member, S, is provided (and shown in phantom)
in order to
establish a frame of reference for the "left" portion and the "right" portion
of the tire, T. In FIG.
16C, the tire, T, is arranged in a "non-rolling" orientation such that the
tread surface, TT, is not
disposed adjacent the phantom support member, S, but, rather the lower
sidewall surface, TSL, is
disposed adjacent the phantom support member, S. A center dividing line, DL,
equally divides
the "non-rolling" orientation of the tire, T, in half in order to generally
indicate a "left" portion of
the tire, T, and a "right" portion of the tire, T.
[0079] As discussed above, reference is made to several diameters, TP-D,
TOU-D, TOL-D of the
tire, T. According to geometric theory, a diameter passes through the center
of a circle, or, in the
present disclosure, the axial center of the tire, T, which may alternatively
be referred to as an axis
of rotation of the tire, T. Geometric theory also includes the concept of a
chord, which is a line
segment that whose endpoints both lie on the circumference of a circle;
according to geometric
theory, a diameter is the longest chord of a circle.
[0080] In the following description, the tire, T, may be moved relative to
structure;
accordingly, in some instances, a chord of the tire, T, may be referenced in
order to describe an
embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 16A, several chords of the
tire, T, are shown
generally at Tci, TC2 (i.e., the tire diameter, TD) and TC3.
[0081] The chord, Tci, may be referred to as a "left" tire chord. The
chord, TC3, may be
referred to as a "right" tire chord. The chord, TC2, may be equivalent to the
tire diameter, TD,
and be referred to as a "central" chord. Both of the left and right tire
chords, Tci, TC3, include a
geometry that is less than central chord, TC2, / tire diameter, TD.
[0082] In order to reference the location of the left chord, Tci, and the
right chord, TC3,
reference is made to a left tire tangent line, TTAN-L, and a right tire
tangent line, TTAN-R. The left
chord, Tci, is spaced apart approximately one-fourth (1/4) of the tire
diameter, TD, from the left
tire tangent line, TTAN-L. The right chord, TC3, is spaced apart approximately
one-fourth (1/4) of
the tire diameter, TD, from the right tire tangent line, TTAN-R. Each of the
left and right tire
chords, Tci, TC3, may be spaced apart about one-fourth (1/4) of the tire
diameter, TD, from the
central chord, TC2. The above spacings referenced from the tire diameter, TD,
are exemplary and
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should not be meant to limit the scope of the invention to approximately a one-
fourth (1/4) ratio;
accordingly, other ratios may be defined, as desired.
[0083] Further, as will be described in the following disclosure, the tire,
T, may be moved
relative to structure. Referring to FIG. 16C, the movement may be referenced
by an arrow, U, to
indicate upwardly movement or an arrow, D, to indicate downwardly movement.
Further, the
movement may be referenced by an arrow, L, to indicate left or rearwardly
movement or an
arrow, R, to indicate right or forwardly movement.
[0084] Prior to describing embodiments of the invention, reference is made
to FIGS. 17A-
17B, which illustrate an exemplary wheel, W. In the present disclosure,
reference may be made
to the "upper," "lower," "left," "right" and "side" of the wheel, W; although
such nomenclature
may be utilized to describe a particular portion or aspect of the wheel, W,
such nomenclature
may be adopted due to the orientation of the wheel, W, with respect to
structure that supports the
wheel, W. Accordingly, the above nomenclature should not be utilized to limit
the scope of the
claimed invention and is utilized herein for exemplary purposes in describing
an embodiment of
the invention.
[0085] In an embodiment, the wheel, W, includes an upper rim surface, WRU,
a lower rim
surface, Wm, and an outer circumferential surface, Wc, that joins the upper
rim surface, WRU, to
the lower rim surface, Wm. Referring to FIG. 17B, the upper rim surface, WRU,
forms a wheel
diameter, WD. The wheel diameter, WD, may be non-constant about the
circumference, Wc,
from the upper rim surface, WRU, to the lower rim surface, Wm. The wheel
diameter, WD,
formed by the upper rim surface, WRU, may be largest diameter of the non-
constant diameter
about the circumference, Wc, from the upper rim surface, WRU, to the lower rim
surface, WRL.
The wheel diameter, WD, is approximately the same as, but slightly greater
than the diameter, Tp.
D, of the passage, Tp, of the tire, T; accordingly, once the wheel, W, is
disposed within the
passage, Tp, the tire, T, may flex and be frictionally-secured to the wheel,
W, as a result of the
wheel diameter, WD, being approximately the same as, but slightly greater than
the diameter, Tp.
D, of the passage, Tp, of the tire, T.
[0086] The outer circumferential surface, Wc, of the wheel, W, further
includes an upper
bead seat, Wsu, and a lower bead seat, WSL. The upper bead seat, Wsu, forms a
circumferential
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cusp, corner or recess that is located proximate the upper rim surface, WRU.
The lower bead seat,
WSL, forms a circumferential cusp, corner or recess that is located proximate
the lower rim
surface, Wm. Upon inflating the tire, T, the pressurized air causes the upper
bead, TBU, to be
disposed adjacent and "seat" in the upper bead seat, Wsu; similarly, upon
inflating the tire, T, the
pressurized air causes the lower bead, TBL, to be disposed adjacent and "seat"
in the lower bead
seat, WK.
[0087] The non-constant diameter of the outer circumference, Wc, of the
wheel, W, further
forms a wheel "drop center," WDC. A wheel drop center, WDC, may include the
smallest
diameter of the non-constant diameter of the outer circumference, Wc, of the
wheel, W.
Functionally, the wheel drop center, WDC, may assist in the mounting of the
tire, T, to the wheel,
W.
[0088] The non-constant diameter of the outer circumference, Wc, of the
wheel, W, further
forms an upper "safety bead," WSB. In an embodiment, the upper safety bead may
be located
proximate the upper bead seat, Wsu. In the event that pressurized air in the
circumferential air
cavity, TAC, of the tire, T, escapes to atmosphere the upper bead, TBU, may
"unseat" from the
upper bead seat, Wsu; because of the proximity of the safety bead, WSB, the
safety bead, WSB,
may assist in the mitigation of the "unseating" of the upper bead, TBU, from
the upper bead seat,
Wsu, by assisting in the retaining of the upper bead, TBU, in a substantially
seated orientation
relative to the upper bead seat, Wsu. In some embodiments, the wheel, W, may
include a lower
safety bead (not shown); however, upper and/or lower safety beads may be
included with the
wheel, W, as desired, and are not required in order to practice the invention
described in the
following disclosure.
[0089] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 15, embodiments of single cell
workstations 10,
10' and 10" for processing a tire-wheel assembly, TW (as seen in, e.g., FIG.
15), are shown.
The single cell workstations 10, 10', 10" each include a plurality of
processing sub-stations 12-
24, 12'-24', 12"-24". The "processing" conducted by each processing sub-
station 12-24, 12'-
24', 12"-24" may contribute to the act of "joining" or "mounting" a tire, T,
to a wheel, W, for
forming the tire-wheel assembly, TW. The act of "joining" or "mounting" may
mean to
physically couple, connect or marry the tire, T, and wheel, W, such that the
wheel, W, may be
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referred to as a male portion that is inserted into the passage, Tp, of a
tire, T, being a female
portion.
[0090] The plurality of processing sub-stations 12-24, 12'-24', 12"-24" of
the single-cell
workstation 10, 10', 10" may include, for example: a wheel repository sub-
station 12, 12', 12",
a tire repository sub-station 14, 14', 14", a wheel lubricating sub-station
16a, 16a", a tire
lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b", a mounting sub-station 18, 18', 18", an
inflating sub-station
20, 20', 20", a seating sub-station 22, 22', 22" or the like. If desired, the
single cell workstation
10, 10', 10" may include other sub-stations 24, 24', 24" for further
processing the tire-wheel
assembly, TW. The one or more further processing sub-stations 24, 24', 24" may
include, for
example, a balancing sub-station, a weight apply sub-station, a stemming sub-
station, a match-
marking sub-station or the like.
[0091] The term "single-cell" indicates that the sub-stations contribute to
the production of a
tire-wheel assembly, TW, without requiring a plurality of successive, discrete
workstations that
may otherwise be arranged in a conventional assembly line such that a
partially-assembled tire-
wheel assembly, TW, is "handed-off' along the assembly line (i.e., "handed-
off' meaning that an
assembly line requires a partially-assembled tire-wheel assembly, TW, to be
retained by a first
workstation of an assembly line, worked on, and released to a subsequent
workstation in the
assembly line for further processing). Rather, a single cell workstation
provides one workstation
having a plurality of sub-stations each performing a specific task in the
process of assembling a
tire-wheel assembly, TW. This assembling process takes place wherein the tire
and/or wheel
"handing-off' is either minimized or completely eliminated. As such, a single-
cell workstation
significantly reduces the cost and investment associated with owning/renting
the real estate
footprint associated with a conventional tire-wheel assembly line while also
having to provide
maintenance for each individual workstation defining the assembly line. Thus,
capital
investment and human oversight is significantly reduced when a single cell
workstation is
employed in the manufacture of tire-wheel assemblies, TW. Referring to FIG.
15, in an
example, the minimization or elimination of "handing-off' the tire, T, and/or
wheel, W, may
result from the inclusion of a robotic arm 50 that may be located in a
substantially central
position relative to the plurality of sub-stations 12-24, 12'-24', 12"-24";
the robotic arm 50 may
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be directly or indirectly interfaced with one or both of the wheel, W, and the
tire, T, during the
process of assembling the tire-wheel assembly, TW.
[0092] One aspect of the invention is a lubrication conditioning system,
which is shown
generally at 100 in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 15. Any of the lubrication
conditioning systems 100a,
100a', 100b, 100b', 100b", 100b", 100b'", 100b'", 100b'", 100c, 100c', 100d,
100d',
100d", 100d" ', 100d", 100d", 100d" " ' shown and described at FIGS. 4A-9G may
be
arranged at the location of the lubrication conditioning system 100 of FIGS.
1A, 1B, 1C and 15
such that any of the lubrication conditioning systems 100a, 100a', 100b,
100b', 100b", 100b",
100b'", 100b'", 100b", 100c, 100c', 100d, 100d', 100d", 100d", 100d", 100d'",
100d' " ' may be fluidly-connected to one or more of the wheel lubricating sub-
station 16a,
16a" and a tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b" of the single cell
workstations 10, 10', 10".
Functionally, the lubrication conditioning system 100 permits an operator of
the single cell
workstation 10, 10', 10" to manually or automatically selectively adjust the
temperature of a
lubricant, L (see, e.g., FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3B), that is supplied to the wheel
lubricating sub-
station 16a, 16a" and/or the tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b".
[0093] Selective adjustment of the temperature of the lubricant, L,
realizes several benefits
for the purpose of j oining the tire, T, to the wheel, W, as performed by the
single cell workstation
10, 10', 10". Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, in a first example, selective
adjustment of the
temperature of the lubricant, L, by the lubrication conditioning system 100
permits a change of
viscosity of the lubricant, L, from a higher viscosity (see, e.g., FIGS. 2A,
2A') to a lower
viscosity (see, e.g., FIGS. 2B, 2B'). Accordingly, if a lubricant, L, having a
high viscosity (as
seen in, e.g., FIGS. 2A, 2A') at a first temperature (e.g., "room temperature"
/ "ambient
temperature") is selected for use in the operation of the single cell
workstation 10, 10', 10", a
change of (e.g., an increase of) the temperature of the lubricant, L, to a
second temperature (e.g.,
a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
may reduce the
viscosity (as seen in, e.g., FIGS. 2B, 2B') of the lubricant, L, and, as a
result, the change of the
temperature of the lubricant, L, from the first temperature to the second
temperature may permit,
for example, air bubble entrapments, E (see, e.g., FIGS. 2A', 2B'), within the
lubricant, L, to
more easily escape the lubricant, L, to atmosphere, A (as seen in FIG. 2B'),
prior to the lubricant,
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L, being applied to one or more of the tire, T, and the wheel, W, at one or
more of the wheel
lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a", a tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b".
Therefore, by
decreasing the viscosity of the lubricant, L, for the purpose of reducing the
number / amount of
air bubble entrapments, E, within the lubricant, L, improvements in the
seating of the beads TBU,
TBL, of the tire, T, directly adjacent the bead seats WSU, WSL of the wheel,
W, may be realized
due to the lack of air bubble entrapments, E, otherwise being interveningly-
arranged between the
beads TBU, TBL, of the tire, T, and the bead seats WSU, WSL of the wheel, W,
after the tire, T, is
joined to the wheel, W (i.e., if air bubble entrapments, E, were to be
interveningly-arranged
between the beads TBU, TBL, of the tire, T, and the bead seat WSU, WSL of the
wheel, W, the
beads TBU, TBL, of the tire, T, may be inhibited from being seated directly
adjacent the bead
seats WSU, WSL of the wheel, W, which may impair the joining of the tire, T,
to the wheel, W, for
forming the tire-wheel assembly, TW).
[0094] Referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, in another example, selective adjustment
of the
temperature of the lubricant, L, by the lubrication conditioning system 100
may permit a phase
transition of the lubricant, L (e.g., a change from a substantially semi-solid
lubricant, L, state of
matter to a substantially liquid lubricant, L, state of matter). In an
example, as seen in FIG. 3A,
if the lubricant, L, is in a substantially semi-solid (e.g., "paste") state of
matter at a first
temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") that may not be
suitable for a
particular depositing (e.g., "spraying") application upon one or more of the
tire, T, and the
wheel, W, at one or more of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a", a
tire lubricating sub-
station 16b', 16b", a selective change of (e.g., an increase of) the
temperature of the
substantially semi-solid (e.g., "paste") state of the lubricant, L, by the
lubrication conditioning
system 100 from the first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient
temperature") to a
second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" / "ambient
temperature") may permit the substantially semi-solid (e.g., "paste") state of
the lubricant, L, to
change from a substantially semi-solid state (as seen in, e.g., FIG. 3A) to a
substantially liquid
state (as seen in, e.g., FIG. 3B) that is more suitable for being ejected from
an applicator, S (e.g.,
a spray nozzle), of a particular depositing (e.g., "spraying") application
upon one or more of the
tire, T, and the wheel, W, at one or more of the wheel lubricating sub-station
16a, 16a", a tire
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lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b". Therefore, by permitting a phase
transition of the lubricant,
L, to occur, one or more of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and
the tire lubricating
sub-station 16b', 16b" that is tooled for spraying lubricant, L, from a spray
nozzle, S, may not be
limited to a particular (e.g., liquid state of matter) lubricant, L, that is
arranged in at a first
temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")); accordingly,
by permitting a
phase transition of the lubricant, L, to occur as a result of inclusion of the
lubrication condition
system 100, lubricants, L, having, for example, a non-liquid state of matter
(such as, e.g., a semi-
solid paste lubricant) at the first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
may be utilized by one or more of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a"
and the tire
lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b" that is tooled for spraying lubricant, L.
[0095] Although two benefits realized by the inclusion of the lubrication
conditioning system
100 are described above, the lubrication conditioning system 100 may also
provide other benefits
not described in this disclosure. Further, although the two benefits are
described separately
above, both of the benefits may be concurrently realized (i.e., if a selected
lubricant, L, is in a
semi-solid paste form, the selective change of (e.g., an increase of) the
temperature of the semi-
solid paste-form lubricant, L, may permit the above-described phase transition
to occur while
also changing the viscosity, which may thereby also permit air bubble
entrapments, E, within the
paste-form lubricant, L, to more easily escape to atmosphere, A. Yet even
further, it will be
appreciated that the lubrication conditioning system 100 permits many types of
lubricants, L, to
be utilized by one or more of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a", a
tire lubricating sub-
station 16b', 16b"; for example, lubricants, L, utilized by one or more of the
wheel lubricating
sub-station 16a, 16a" and the tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b" may
include, but is not
limited to: substantially semi-solid paste lubricants, substantially semi-
solid petroleum-based
lubricants, substantially liquid water-soap lubricants, or the like.
[0096] As seen in FIGS. 4A-4B, 5A-5G, 8A-8B and 9A-9G, embodiments of
lubrication
conditioning systems 100a-100a', 100b-100b' ", 100c-100c' and 100d-100d'" are
described. The lubrication conditioning systems 100a-100a' and 100c-100c' of
FIGS. 4A-4B
and 8A-8B function by directly increasing the temperature of the lubricant, L;
the lubrication
conditioning systems 100b-100b" and 100d-100d" " " of FIGS. 5A-5G and 9A-9G
function
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as heat exchangers by indirectly increasing the temperature of the lubricant,
L. In some
instances, the lubrication conditioning systems 100a-100d" ' raise the
temperature of the
lubricant, L, between about 130 F to 145 F. Any of the lubrication
conditioning systems 100a-
100a', 100b-100b'" , 100c-100c' and 100d-100d'" seen in FIGS. 4A-4B, 5A-5G, 8A-
8B
and 9A-9G may be interchangeably-arranged at the location of the lubrication
conditioning
system 100 described at FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 15 to thereby be fluidly-
connected to one or more
of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and the tire lubricating sub-
station 16b', 16b" for
the purpose of depositing lubricant, L, upon one or more of at least the beads
TBU, TBL, of the
tire, T, and the bead seats WSU, WSL of the wheel, W.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 4A, a lubrication conditioning system 100a is
shown according to
an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system 100a
directly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant, L, from a
first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[0098] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100a includes a
lubricant reservoir
102a, a lubricant temperature modifier 104a, a lubricant temperature sensor
106a and a controller
108a. The lubricant reservoir 102a contains the lubricant, L. The lubricant
temperature modifier
104a is arranged relative to (e.g., over) an opening 103a formed by the
lubricant reservoir 102a
in order to permit the lubricant temperature modifier 104a to directly
communicate with the
lubricant, L. The lubricant temperature sensor 106a may be arranged within a
cavity 105a
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102a and submerged within the lubricant, L,
for detecting a
temperature of the lubricant, L. The controller 108a may be communicatively
coupled to the
lubricant temperature modifier 104a and the lubricant temperature sensor 106a
for receiving
temperature readings from the lubricant temperature sensor 106a in order to
de/actuate the
lubricant temperature modifier 104a for the purpose of maintaining, increasing
or decreasing the
temperature of the lubricant, L.
[0099] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104a may be
a light source
that emits light defined by a wavelength. The light source 104a may be any
desirable light
source, such as, for example, an incandescent light source, an infrared light
source, a laser light
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source, or the like. The light emitted from the light source 104a passes
through the opening 103a
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102a in order to permit the light from the
light source 104a to
directly impacts upon / enters the lubricant, L; once the light impacts /
enters the lubricant, L, the
light may directly heat the lubricant, L, thereby raising the temperature of
the lubrication from a
first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a
second temperature
(e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient
temperature").
[00100] In an example, the controller 108a may include a manually-operated
on/off switch to
permit manual on/off switching of the light source 104a. The controller 108a
may also include a
display that displays the temperature of the lubricant, L, that is determined
by the lubricant
temperature sensor 106a; the temperature of the lubricant, L, may be
communicated in the form
of a signal that is sent from the from the lubricant temperature sensor 106a
to the controller 108a.
Accordingly, if an operator of the of lubrication conditioning systems 100a is
aware of the type
of lubricant, L, arranged within the lubricant reservoir 102a, and, if the
operator of the
lubrication conditioning system 100a is aware of a desired second temperature
(e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
that the lubricant,
L, should be arranged at, the operator may de/actuate the on/off switch
provided by the controller
108a in order to manually maintain control over the temperature of the
lubricant, L.
[00101] In another example, the controller 108a may include logic that permits
automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100a. In an example, a
processor provided by
the controller 108a may be programmed with a desired second temperature (e.g.,
a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") of the
lubricant, L. After
actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100a, the temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be
communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from the lubricant
temperature sensor
106a to the controller 108a. Accordingly, the controller 108a may maintain the
light source 104a
in an 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been increased
to the second
temperature; upon reaching the lubricant, L, reaching the second temperature,
the controller 108a
may automatically switch the light source 104a to an 'off state.'
[00102] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100a may be executed by providing the controller 108a with a data
lookup table that
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associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid paste
lubricant, a substantially
semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid soap lubricant,
or the like), with a
desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" /
"ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an example, the
controller 108a may be
provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform the
controller 108a which type
of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir 102a. Once the
operator informs the
controller 108a which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant
reservoir 102a, the
controller 108a will refer to the data lookup table and automatically select
the desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered / selected by the operator
at the user interface
of the controller 108a. Accordingly, upon the operator actuating the
lubrication conditioning
system, the light source 104a will remain in the 'on state' until the
temperature of the lubricant,
L, has been adjusted to the temperature associated with the lubricant, L, in
the data lookup table.
[00103] Referring to FIG. 4B, a lubrication conditioning system 100a' is shown
according to
an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system 100a'
directly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant, L, from a
first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00104] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100a' includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102a', a lubricant temperature modifier 104a', a lubricant
temperature sensor 106a' and
a controller 108a'. The lubricant reservoir 102a' contains the lubricant, L.
At least a portion
(see, e.g., 104a2') of the lubricant temperature modifier 104a' is arranged
within a cavity 105a'
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102a' and submerged within the lubricant, L,
in order to permit
the lubricant temperature modifier 104a' to directly communicate with the
lubricant, L. The
lubricant temperature sensor 106a' may be arranged within the cavity 105a'
formed by the
lubricant reservoir 102a' and submerged within the lubricant, L, for detecting
a temperature of
the lubricant, L. The controller 108a' may be communicatively coupled to the
lubricant
temperature modifier 104a' and the lubricant temperature sensor 106a' for
receiving temperature
readings from the lubricant temperature sensor 106a' in order to de/actuate
the lubricant
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temperature modifier 104a' for the purpose of maintaining, increasing or
decreasing the
temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00105] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104a' may
include an
electrical source (e.g., a current source) 104ai' connected to a heating coil
104a2'. In an
example, the controller 108a' may include a manually-operated on/off switch to
permit manual
on/off switching of the electrical source 104ai' connected to the heating coil
104a2'. The
controller 108a' may also include a display that displays the temperature of
the lubricant, L; the
temperature of the lubricant, L, may be communicated in the form of a signal
that is sent from
the from the lubricant temperature sensor 106a' to the controller 108a'.
Accordingly, if an
operator of the of lubrication conditioning systems 100a' is aware of the type
of lubricant, L,
arranged within the lubricant reservoir 102a', and, if the operator of the
lubrication conditioning
system 100a' is aware of a desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature
that is greater than
"room temperature" / "ambient temperature") that the lubricant, L, should be
arranged at, the
operator may de/actuate the on/off switch provided by the controller 108a' in
order to manually
maintain control over the temperature of the lubricant, L. Once the electrical
source 104ai' is
actuated, the electrical source 104ai' may cause the heating coil 104a2' to be
heated; because the
lubricant, L, is in direct contact with the heating coil 104a2', the heating
coil 104a2' may directly
heat the lubricant, L, thereby raising the temperature of the lubrication from
a first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00106] In another example, the controller 108a' may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100a'. In an example, a
processor provided by
the controller 108a' may be programmed with a desired second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") of the
lubricant, L. After
actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100a', the temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be
communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from the lubricant
temperature sensor
106a' to the controller 108a'. Accordingly, the controller 108a' may maintain
the electrical
source 104ai' connected to the heating coil 104a2' in an 'on state' until the
temperature of the
lubricant, L, has been increased to the second temperature; upon reaching the
lubricant, L,
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reaching the second temperature, the controller 108a' may automatically switch
the electrical
source 104ai' connected to the heating coil 104a2' to an 'off state.'
[00107] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100a' may be executed by providing the controller 108a' with a data
lookup table that
associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid paste
lubricant, a substantially
semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid soap lubricant,
or the like), with a
desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" /
"ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an example, the
controller 108a' may be
provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform the
controller 108a' which type
of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir 102a'. Once the
operator informs the
controller 108a' which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant
reservoir 102a', the
controller 108a' will refer to the data lookup table and automatically select
the desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered / selected by the operator
at the user interface
of the controller 108a'. Accordingly, upon the operator actuating the
lubrication conditioning
system, the electrical source 104ar connected to the heating coil 104a2' will
remain in the 'on
state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been adjusted to the
temperature associated
with the lubricant, L, in the data lookup table.
[00108] Referring to FIG. 5A, a lubrication conditioning system 100b is shown
according to
an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system 100b
indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant, L, from
a first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00109] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100b includes a
lubricant reservoir
102b, a lubricant temperature modifier 104b, a lubricant temperature sensor
106b and a
controller 108b. The lubricant reservoir 102b contains the lubricant, L. The
lubricant
temperature modifier 104b is arranged relative to (e.g., over) the lubricant
reservoir 102b in
order to permit the lubricant temperature modifier 104b to indirectly
communicate with the
lubricant, L, that is contained by the lubricant reservoir, L. The lubricant
temperature sensor
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106b may be arranged within a cavity 105b formed by the lubricant reservoir
102b and
submerged within the lubricant, L, for detecting a temperature of the
lubricant, L. The controller
108b may be communicatively coupled to the lubricant temperature modifier 104b
and the
lubricant temperature sensor 106b for receiving temperature readings from the
lubricant
temperature sensor 106b in order to de/actuate the lubricant temperature
modifier 104b for the
purpose of maintaining, increasing or decreasing the temperature of the
lubricant, L.
[00110] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104b may be a
light source
that emits light defined by a wavelength. The light source 104b may be any
desirable light
source, such as, for example, an incandescent light source, an infrared light
source, a laser light
source, or the like. Unlike the embodiment described above at FIG. 4A, the
light emitted from
the light source 104b does not pass through an opening (see, e.g., opening
103a of FIG. 4A)
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102b, but, rather, the light impacts upon
the material defining
the lubricant reservoir 102b itself thereby raising the temperature of the
lubricant reservoir 102b.
Because the lubricant, L, is contained by and in contact with the lubricant
reservoir 102b, the
light emitted by the light source 104b that heats the material defining the
lubricant reservoir 102b
may thereby indirectly heat the lubricant, L, contained by and in contact with
the lubricant
reservoir 102b such that the temperature of the lubricant, L, is raised from a
first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00111] In an example, the controller 108b may include a manually-operated
on/off switch to
permit manual on/off switching of the light source 104b. The controller 108b
may also include a
display that displays the temperature of the lubricant, L; the temperature of
the lubricant, L, may
be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from the
lubricant temperature
sensor 106b to the controller 108b. Accordingly, if an operator of the of
lubrication conditioning
systems 100b is aware of the type of lubricant, L, arranged within the
lubricant reservoir 102b,
and, if the operator of the lubrication conditioning system 100b is aware of a
desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
that the lubricant, L, should be arranged at, the operator may de/actuate the
on/off switch
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provided by the controller 108b in order to manually maintain control over the
temperature of the
lubricant, L.
[00112] In another example, the controller 108b may include logic that permits
automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100b. In an example, a
processor provided by
the controller 108b may be programmed with a desired second temperature (e.g.,
a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") of the
lubricant, L. After
actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100b, the temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be
communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from the lubricant
temperature sensor
106b to the controller 108b. Accordingly, the controller 108b may maintain the
light source
104b in an 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been
increased to the second
temperature; upon reaching the lubricant, L, reaching the second temperature,
the controller 108b
may automatically switch the light source 104b to an 'off state.'
[00113] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100b may be executed by providing the controller 108b with a data
lookup table that
associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid paste
lubricant, a substantially
semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid soap lubricant,
or the like), with a
desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" /
"ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an example, the
controller 108b may be
provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform the
controller 108b which type
of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir 102b. Once the
operator informs the
controller 108b which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant
reservoir 102b, the
controller 108b will refer to the data lookup table and automatically select
the desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered / selected by the operator
at the user interface
of the controller 108b. Accordingly, upon the operator actuating the
lubrication conditioning
system, the light source 104b will remain in the 'on state' until the
temperature of the lubricant,
L, has been adjusted to the temperature associated with the lubricant, L, in
the data lookup table.
[00114] Referring to FIG. 5B, a lubrication conditioning system 100b' is shown
according to
an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system 100b'
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indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant, L, from
a first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00115] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100b' includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102b', a lubricant temperature modifier 104b', a lubricant
temperature sensor 106b', a
controller 108b', a fluid container 110b' and a fluid temperature sensor
112b'. The lubricant
reservoir 102b' contains the lubricant, L. The lubricant temperature modifier
104b' is arranged
relative to (e.g., over) the lubricant reservoir 102b' and the fluid container
110b' in order to
permit the lubricant temperature modifier 104b' to indirectly communicate with
the lubricant, L,
that is contained by the lubricant reservoir, L; indirect communication of the
lubricant
temperature modifier 104b' with the lubricant, L, is achieved by submerging
the lubricant
reservoir 102b' within a fluid, F, that is contained by the fluid container
110b'.
[00116] The lubricant temperature sensor 106b' may be arranged within a cavity
105b'
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102b' and submerged within the lubricant, L,
for detecting a
temperature of the lubricant, L. The fluid temperature sensor 112b' may be
arranged within a
cavity 113b' formed by the fluid container 110b' and submerged within the
fluid, F, for detecting
a temperature of the fluid, F. The controller 108b' may be communicatively
coupled to the
lubricant temperature modifier 104b', the lubricant temperature sensor 106b'
and the fluid
temperature sensor 112b' for receiving temperature readings from one or more
of the lubricant
temperature sensor 106b' and the fluid temperature sensor 112b' in order to
de/actuate the
lubricant temperature modifier 104b' for the purpose of maintaining,
increasing or decreasing the
temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00117] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104b' may be
a light source
that emits light defined by a wavelength. The light source 104b' may be any
desirable light
source, such as, for example, an incandescent light source, an infrared light
source, a laser light
source, or the like. Unlike the embodiment described above at FIG. 4A, the
light emitted from
the light source 104b' does not pass through an opening (see, e.g., opening
103a of FIG. 4A)
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102b', but, rather, the light impacts upon /
enters the fluid, F,
arranged within the fluid container 110b' thereby raising the temperature of
the fluid, F, that
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surrounds the lubricant reservoir 102b'. Because the lubricant, L, is
contained by and in direct
contact with an interior surface of lubricant reservoir 102b', and, because an
exterior surface of
the lubricant reservoir 102b' is in direct contact with the fluid, F, the
light emitted by the light
source 104b' that heats the fluid, F, may thereby indirectly heat the
lubricant, L, contained by
and in contact with the lubricant reservoir 102b' such that the temperature of
the lubricant, L, is
raised from a first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient
temperature") to a second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient
temperature").
[00118] In an example, the controller 108b' may include a manually-operated
on/off switch to
permit manual on/off switching of the light source 104b'. The controller 108b'
may also include
a display that displays the temperature of one or more of the lubricant, L,
and the fluid, F; the
temperature of one or more of the lubricant, L, and the fluid, F, may be
communicated in the
form of a signal that is sent from the from one or more of the lubricant
temperature sensor 106b'
and the fluid temperature sensor 112b' to the controller 108b'. Accordingly,
if an operator of the
of lubrication conditioning systems 100b' is aware of the type of lubricant,
L, arranged within
the lubricant reservoir 102b', and, if the operator of the lubrication
conditioning system 100b' is
aware of a desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater
than "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature") that the lubricant, L, should be
arranged at, the operator
may de/actuate the on/off switch provided by the controller 108b' in order to
manually maintain
control over the temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00119] In another example, the controller 108b' may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100b'. In an example, a
processor provided by
the controller 108b' may be programmed with a desired second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") of the
lubricant, L. After
actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100b', the temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be
communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from one or more of the
lubricant temperature
sensor 106b' and the fluid temperature sensor 112b' to the controller 108b'.
Accordingly, the
controller 108b' may maintain the light source 104b' in an 'on state' until
the temperature of the
lubricant, L, has been increased to the second temperature; upon reaching the
lubricant, L,
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reaching the second temperature, the controller 108b' may automatically switch
the light source
104b' to an 'off state.'
[00120] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100b' may be executed by providing the controller 108b' with a data
lookup table that
associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid paste
lubricant, a substantially
semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid soap lubricant,
or the like), with a
desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" /
"ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an example, the
controller 108b' may be
provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform the
controller 108b' which type
of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir 102b'. Once the
operator informs the
controller 108b' which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant
reservoir 102b', the
controller 108b' will refer to the data lookup table and automatically select
the desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered / selected by the operator
at the user interface
of the controller 108b'. Accordingly, upon the operator actuating the
lubrication conditioning
system, the light source 104b' will remain in the 'on state' until the
temperature of the lubricant,
L, has been adjusted to the temperature associated with the lubricant, L, in
the data lookup table.
[00121] Referring to FIG. 5C, a lubrication conditioning system 100b" is shown
according to
an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system 100b"
indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant, L, from
a first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00122] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100b" includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102b", a lubricant temperature modifier 104b", a lubricant
temperature sensor 106b",
a controller 108b", a fluid container 110b" and a fluid temperature sensor
112b". The lubricant
reservoir 102b" contains the lubricant, L. At least a portion (see, e.g.,
104b2") of the lubricant
temperature modifier 104b' is arranged within a cavity 113b" formed by the
fluid container
110b" and submerged within a fluid, F, contained by the fluid container 110b"
in order to
permit the lubricant temperature modifier 104b" to indirectly communicate with
the lubricant, L;
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indirect communication of the lubricant temperature modifier 104b" with the
lubricant, L, is
achieved by submerging the lubricant reservoir 102b" containing the lubricant,
L, within the
fluid, F, that is contained within the cavity 113b" of the fluid container
110b".
[00123] The lubricant temperature sensor 106b" may be arranged within a cavity
105b"
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102b" and submerged within the lubricant, L,
for detecting a
temperature of the lubricant, L. The fluid temperature sensor 112b" may be
arranged within the
cavity 113b" formed by the fluid container 110b" and submerged within the
fluid, F, for
detecting a temperature of the fluid, F.
[00124] The controller 108b" may be communicatively coupled to the lubricant
temperature
modifier 104b", the lubricant temperature sensor 106b" and the fluid
temperature sensor 112b"
for receiving temperature readings from one or more of the lubricant
temperature sensor 106b"
and the fluid temperature sensor 112b" in order to de/actuate the lubricant
temperature modifier
104b" for the purpose of maintaining, increasing or decreasing the temperature
of the lubricant,
L.
[00125] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104b" may
include an
electrical source (e.g., a current source) 104b1" connected to a heating coil
104b2". In an
example, the controller 108b" may include a manually-operated on/off switch to
permit manual
on/off switching of the electrical source 104b1" connected to the heating coil
104b2". The
controller 108b" may also include a display that displays the temperature of
one or more of the
lubricant, L, and the fluid, F; the temperature of one or more of the
lubricant, L, and the fluid, F,
may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from one or
more of the
lubricant temperature sensor 106b" and the fluid temperature sensor 112b" to
the controller
108b". Accordingly, if an operator of the of lubrication conditioning systems
100b" is aware of
the type of lubricant, L, arranged within the lubricant reservoir 102b", and,
if the operator of the
lubrication conditioning system 100b" is aware of a desired second temperature
(e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
that the lubricant,
L, should be arranged at, the operator may de/actuate the on/off switch
provided by the controller
108b" in order to manually maintain control over the temperature of the
lubricant, L. Once the
electrical source 104b1" is actuated, the electrical source 104b1" may cause
the heating coil
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104b2" to be heated; because the fluid, F, is in direct contact with the
heating coil 104b2", the
heating coil 104b2" may directly heat the fluid, F. Because the lubricant
reservoir 102b" is in
direct contact with the fluid, F, the lubricant, L, contained within lubricant
reservoir 102b" is
also heated, thereby raising the temperature of the lubricant, L, from a first
temperature (e.g.,
"room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is
greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00126] In another example, the controller 108b" may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100b". In an example, a
processor provided by
the controller 108b" may be programmed with a desired second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") of the
lubricant, L. After
actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100b", the temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be
communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from one or more of the
lubricant temperature
sensor 106b" and the fluid temperature sensor 112b" to the controller 108b".
Accordingly, the
controller 108b" may maintain the electrical source 104b1" connected to the
heating coil
104b2" in an 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been
increased to the second
temperature; upon reaching the lubricant, L, reaching the second temperature,
the controller
108b" may automatically switch the electrical source 104b1" connected to the
heating coil
104b2" to an 'off state.'
[00127] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100b" may be executed by providing the controller 108b" with a data
lookup table that
associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid paste
lubricant, a substantially
semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid soap lubricant,
or the like), with a
desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" /
"ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an example, the
controller 108b" may be
provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform the
controller 108b" which type
of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir 102b". Once the
operator informs the
controller 108b" which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant
reservoir 102b", the
controller 108b" will refer to the data lookup table and automatically select
the desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
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associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered / selected by the operator
at the user interface
of the controller 108b". Accordingly, upon the operator actuating the
lubrication conditioning
system, the electrical source 104b1" connected to the heating coil 104b2" will
remain in the 'on
state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been adjusted to the
temperature associated
with the lubricant, L, in the data lookup table.
[00128] Referring to FIG. 5D, a lubrication conditioning system 100b" is shown
according
to an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system
100b" indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant,
L, from a first
temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second
temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00129] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100b" includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102b", a lubricant temperature modifier 104b", a lubricant
temperature sensor
106b" and a controller 108b". The lubricant reservoir 102b" contains the
lubricant, L.
Unlike the lubrication conditioning systems 100a, 100a', 100b, 100b', 100b"
described above,
the lubricant temperature modifier 104b" is not submerged within the
lubricant, L, or the fluid,
F, nor is the lubricant temperature modifier 104b" arranged in a spaced apart
relationship with
respect to, lubricant reservoir 102a, 102a', 102b, 102b', 102b" and/or fluid
container 102b',
102b"; rather, a portion (see, e.g., 104b2") of the lubricant temperature
modifier 104b" is
disposed directly adjacent an exterior surface 114b" of the lubricant
reservoir 102b".
Accordingly, as a result of the lubricant temperature modifier 104b" being
arranged directly
adjacent the exterior surface 114b" of the lubricant reservoir 102b", the
portion 104b2" of the
lubricant temperature modifier 104b" permits the lubricant temperature
modifier 104b" to
indirectly communicate with the lubricant, L, by way of the material defined
by lubricant
reservoir 102b".
[00130] The lubricant temperature sensor 106b" may be arranged within a cavity
105b" '
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102b" and submerged within the lubricant, L,
for detecting a
temperature of the lubricant, L. The controller 108b" may be communicatively
coupled to the
lubricant temperature modifier 104b" and the lubricant temperature sensor
106b" for receiving
temperature readings from the lubricant temperature sensor 106b" in order to
de/actuate the
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lubricant temperature modifier 104b" for the purpose of maintaining,
increasing or decreasing
the temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00131] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104b' may
include an
electrical source (e.g., a current source) 104b1" connected to a hot plate
104b2". In an
example, the controller 108b" may include a manually-operated on/off switch to
permit manual
on/off switching of the electrical source 104b1" connected to the hot plate
104b2". The
controller 108b" may also include a display that displays the temperature of
the lubricant, L; the
temperature of the lubricant, L, may be communicated in the form of a signal
that is sent from
the from the lubricant temperature sensor 106b" to the controller 108b".
Accordingly, if an
operator of the of lubrication conditioning systems 100b" is aware of the type
of lubricant, L,
arranged within the lubricant reservoir 102b'", and, if the operator of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100b" is aware of a desired second temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is
greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") that the lubricant,
L, should be
arranged at, the operator may de/actuate the on/off switch provided by the
controller 108b' " in
order to manually maintain control over the temperature of the lubricant, L.
Once the electrical
source 104b1" is actuated, the electrical source 104b1' may cause the hot
plate 104b2" to be
heated; because the exterior surface 114b" of the lubricant reservoir 102b" is
in direct contact
with the hot plate 104b2", the hot plate 104b27 may directly heat the material
defining the
lubricant reservoir 102b"; because the lubricant reservoir 102b" is in direct
contact with the
lubricant, L, the lubricant, L, is also heated, thereby raising the
temperature of the lubricant, L,
from a first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to
a second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient
temperature").
[00132] In another example, the controller 108b" may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100b'". In an example, a
processor provided by
the controller 108b' " may be programmed with a desired second temperature
(e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
of the lubricant, L.
After actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100b", the temperature of
the lubricant, L,
may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the lubricant
temperature sensor
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106b' to the controller 108b". Accordingly, the controller 108b" may maintain
the electrical
source 104b1' connected to the hot plate 104b2" in an 'on state' until the
temperature of the
lubricant, L, has been increased to the second temperature; upon reaching the
lubricant, L,
reaching the second temperature, the controller 108b'" may automatically
switch the hot plate
104b'" to an 'off state.'
[00133] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100b" may be executed by providing the controller 108b" with a data
lookup table that
associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid paste
lubricant, a substantially
semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid soap lubricant,
or the like), with a
desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" /
"ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an example, the
controller 108b" may be
provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform the
controller 108b" which
type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir 102b'''. Once
the operator informs
the controller 108b'" which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the
lubricant reservoir 102b'",
the controller 108b'" will refer to the data lookup table and automatically
select the desired
second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" / "ambient
temperature") associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered / selected by
the operator at the
user interface of the controller 108b'''. Accordingly, upon the operator
actuating the lubrication
conditioning system, the electrical source 104b1" connected to the hot plate
104b2" will
remain in the 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been
adjusted to the
temperature associated with the lubricant, L, in the data lookup table.
[00134] Referring to FIG. 5E, a lubrication conditioning system 100b" is shown
according
to an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system
100b'" indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant,
L, from a first
temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second
temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00135] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100b" includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102b", a lubricant temperature modifier 104b", a lubricant
temperature sensor
106b', a controller 108b", a fluid container 110b" and a fluid temperature
sensor 112b".
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The lubricant reservoir 102b''" contains the lubricant, L, and the fluid
container 110b"
contains a fluid, F. Unlike the lubrication conditioning systems 100a, 100a',
100b, 100b', 100b"
described above, the lubricant temperature modifier 104b" is not submerged
within the
lubricant, L, or the fluid, F, nor is the lubricant temperature modifier 104b"
arranged in a
spaced apart relationship with respect to, lubricant reservoir 102a, 102a',
102b, 102b', 102b"
and/or fluid container 102b', 102b"; rather, a portion (see, e.g., 104b2") of
the lubricant
temperature modifier 104b" is disposed directly adjacent an exterior surface
116b" of the
fluid container 110b'". Accordingly, as a result of the portion 104b2" of the
temperature
modifier 104b' being arranged directly adjacent the exterior surface 116b" of
the fluid
container 110b'", the portion 104b2" of the lubricant temperature modifier
104b" permits
the lubricant temperature modifier 104b''" to indirectly communicate with the
lubricant, L, by
way of: the material defining the lubricant reservoir 102b', the material
defining the fluid
container 110b'" and the fluid, F, that is contained by the fluid container
110b" that
surrounds the lubricant reservoir 102b".
[00136] The lubricant temperature sensor 106b" may be arranged within a cavity
105b'
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102b''" and submerged within the lubricant,
L, for detecting a
temperature of the lubricant, L. The fluid temperature sensor 112b''" may be
arranged within
the cavity 113b" formed by the fluid container 110b" and submerged within the
fluid, F, for
detecting a temperature of the fluid, F.
[00137] The controller 108b" may be communicatively coupled to the lubricant
temperature
modifier 104b'''', the lubricant temperature sensor 106b" and the fluid
temperature sensor
112b' for receiving temperature readings from one or more of the lubricant
temperature sensor
106b" and the fluid temperature sensor 112b''" in order to de/actuate the
lubricant
temperature modifier 104b" for the purpose of maintaining, increasing or
decreasing the
temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00138] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104b' may
include an
electrical source (e.g., a current source) 104b1" connected to a hot plate
104b2". In an
example, the controller 108b" may include a manually-operated on/off switch to
permit
manual on/off switching of the electrical source 104b1" connected to the hot
plate 104b2".
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The controller 108b" may also include a display that displays the temperature
of one or more
of the lubricant, L, and the fluid, F; the temperature of one or more of the
lubricant, L, and the
fluid, F, may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the
from one or more of
the lubricant temperature sensor 106b''" and the fluid temperature sensor
112b" to the
controller 108b". Accordingly, if an operator of the of lubrication
conditioning systems
100b'" is aware of the type of lubricant, L, arranged within the lubricant
reservoir 102b",
and, if the operator of the lubrication conditioning system 100b" is aware of
a desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
that the lubricant, L, should be arranged at, the operator may de/actuate the
on/off switch
provided by the controller 108b" in order to manually maintain control over
the temperature of
the lubricant, L. Once the electrical source 104b1" is actuated, the
electrical source 104b1"
may cause the hot plate 104b2" to be heated; because the exterior surface
116b''" of the fluid
container 110b'" is in direct contact with the hot plate 104b2", the hot plate
104b2" may
directly heat the fluid, F. Because the lubricant reservoir 102b" is in direct
contact with the
exterior surface 116b" of the fluid container 110b'", which contains the
fluid, F, the
lubricant, L, contained within lubricant reservoir 102b''" and submerged
within the fluid, F, is
also heated, thereby raising the temperature of the lubricant, L, from a first
temperature (e.g.,
"room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is
greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00139] In another example, the controller 108b" may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100b'". In an example, a
processor provided
by the controller 108b" may be programmed with a desired second temperature
(e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
of the lubricant, L.
After actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100b"", the temperature of
the lubricant, L,
may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from one or more of
the lubricant
temperature sensor 106b" and the fluid temperature sensor 112b''" to the
controller 108b".
Accordingly, the controller 108b' may maintain the electrical source 104b1'
connected to
the hot plate 104b2" in an 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant,
L, has been
increased to the second temperature; upon reaching the lubricant, L, reaching
the second
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temperature, the controller 108b" may automatically switch the hot plate 104b"
to an 'off
state.'
[00140] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100b" may be executed by providing the controller 108b" with a data
lookup table
that associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid
paste lubricant, a
substantially semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid
soap lubricant, or the
like), with a desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater
than "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an
example, the controller
108b" may be provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform
the controller
108b" which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir
102b". Once the
operator informs the controller 108b" which type of lubricant, L, is deposited
into the lubricant
reservoir 102b", the controller 108b" will refer to the data lookup table and
automatically
select the desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater
than "room temperature"
/ "ambient temperature") associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered /
selected by the
operator at the user interface of the controller 108b". Accordingly, upon the
operator actuating
the lubrication conditioning system, the electrical source 104b1" connected to
the hot plate
104b2" will remain in the 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant,
L, has been adjusted
to the temperature associated with the lubricant, L, in the data lookup table.
[00141] Referring to FIG. 5F, a lubrication conditioning system 100b'" is
shown according
to an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system
100b'" indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant,
L, from a first
temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second
temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00142] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100b" includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102b", a lubricant temperature modifier 10413,'", a lubricant
temperature sensor
1061)", a controller 108b" and an enclosed housing 118b' ". The lubricant
reservoir
102b" contains the lubricant, L. The lubricant temperature modifier 104b" is
arranged
relative to (e.g., next to or proximate) the lubricant reservoir 102b" and
within the enclosed
housing 118b" along with the lubricant reservoir 102b" in order to permit the
lubricant
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temperature modifier 104b" to indirectly communicate with the lubricant, L,
that is contained
by the lubricant reservoir, L. The lubricant temperature sensor 106b" may be
arranged within
a cavity 105b" ' formed by the lubricant reservoir 102b" and submerged within
the
lubricant, L, for detecting a temperature of the lubricant, L. The controller
108b" may be
communicatively coupled to the lubricant temperature modifier 104b" and the
lubricant
temperature sensor 106b" for receiving temperature readings from the lubricant
temperature
sensor 106b'" in order to de/actuate the lubricant temperature modifier 104b'"
for the
purpose of maintaining, increasing or decreasing the temperature of the
lubricant, L.
[00143] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104b' may be
a burner
that burns a fuel (e.g., gas) in order to produce a flame. The flame heats the
ambient air within
the enclosed housing 118b'" thereby raising the temperature of one or more of
the lubricant
reservoir 102b" and lubricant, L, that are arranged within the enclosed
housing 118b".
Because the lubricant, L, is arranged within the enclosed housing 118b", the
fluid (i.e., the
ambient air, A) within the enclosed housing 118b' may indirectly heat one or
more of the
lubricant reservoir 102b" and the lubricant, L, contained by and in contact
with the lubricant
reservoir 102b" such that the temperature of the lubricant, L, is raised from
a first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00144] In an example, the controller 108b'" may include a manually-operated
on/off
switch to permit manual on/off switching of the burner 104b". The controller
108b'" may
also include a display that displays the temperature of the lubricant, L; the
temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from
the from the lubricant
temperature sensor 106b" to the controller 108b". Accordingly, if an operator
of the of
lubrication conditioning systems 100b" is aware of the type of lubricant, L,
arranged within
the lubricant reservoir 102b", and, if the operator of the lubrication
conditioning system
100b'" is aware of a desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is
greater than "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature") that the lubricant, L, should be
arranged at, the operator
may de/actuate the on/off switch provided by the controller 108b" in order to
manually
maintain control over the temperature of the lubricant, L.
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[00145] In another example, the controller 108b" may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100b'". In an example, a
processor provided
by the controller 108b" may be programmed with a desired second temperature
(e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
of the lubricant, L.
After actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100b", the temperature of
the lubricant, L,
may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from the
lubricant temperature
sensor 106b'" to the controller 108b". Accordingly, the controller 108b'" may
maintain
the burner 104b'" in an 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L,
has been increased
to the second temperature; upon reaching the lubricant, L, reaching the second
temperature, the
controller 108b" may automatically switch the burner 104b'" to an 'off state.'
[00146] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100b" may be executed by providing the controller 108b" with a data
lookup table
that associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid
paste lubricant, a
substantially semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid
soap lubricant, or the
like), with a desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater
than "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an
example, the controller
108b' may be provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform
the controller
108b" which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir
102b'''. Once the
operator informs the controller 108b" which type of lubricant, L, is deposited
into the
lubricant reservoir 102b", the controller 108b" will refer to the data lookup
table and
automatically select the desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that
is greater than
"room temperature" / "ambient temperature") associated with the lubricant, L,
that was entered /
selected by the operator at the user interface of the controller 108b".
Accordingly, upon the
operator actuating the lubrication conditioning system, the burner 104b" will
remain in the
'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been adjusted to the
temperature
associated with the lubricant, L, in the data lookup table.
[00147] Referring to FIG. 5G, a lubrication conditioning system 100b" is shown
according to an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the
lubrication conditioning
system 100b" indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the
lubricant, L, from a
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first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a
second temperature
(e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient
temperature").
[00148] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100b" includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102b", a lubricant temperature modifier 104b", a lubricant
temperature sensor
106b", a controller 108b'''''', a fluid container 110b'", a fluid temperature
sensor
112b" and an enclosed housing 118b". The lubricant reservoir 102b" contains
the
lubricant, L. The lubricant temperature modifier 104b" is arranged relative to
(e.g., next to
or proximate) the lubricant reservoir 102b" and the fluid container 110b'"
within the
enclosed housing 118b" in order to permit the lubricant temperature modifier
104b" to
indirectly communicate with the lubricant, L, that is contained by the
lubricant reservoir, L;
indirect communication of the lubricant temperature modifier 104b''''" with
the lubricant, L, is
achieved by submerging the lubricant reservoir 102b" with a fluid, F, that is
contained by the
fluid container 110b'".
[00149] The lubricant temperature sensor 106b" may be arranged within a cavity
105b' formed by the lubricant reservoir 102b" and submerged within the
lubricant, L, for
detecting a temperature of the lubricant, L. The fluid temperature sensor
112b''''" may be
arranged within a cavity 113b" formed by the fluid container 110b" and
submerged
within the fluid, F, for detecting a temperature of the fluid, F.
[00150] The controller 108b" may be communicatively coupled to the lubricant
temperature modifier 104b", the lubricant temperature sensor 106b''''" and the
fluid
temperature sensor 112b" for receiving temperature readings from one or more
of the
lubricant temperature sensor 106b" and the fluid temperature sensor 112b''''"
in order to
de/actuate the lubricant temperature modifier 104b' for the purpose of
maintaining,
increasing or decreasing the temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00151] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104b''''" may
be a burner
that burns a fuel (e.g., gas) in order to produce a flame. The flame heats the
ambient air, A,
within the enclosed housing 118b" thereby raising the temperature of one or
more of the
lubricant reservoir 102b", the lubricant, L, the fluid container 110b'" and
the fluid, F, that
are also arranged within the enclosed housing 118b"'". Because the lubricant,
L, is arranged
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within the enclosed housing 118b", the fluid (i.e., the ambient air, A) within
the enclosed
housing 118b" may indirectly heat one or more of the fluid container 110b'",
the fluid, F,
contained by the fluid container 110b", and the lubrication reservoir 102b"
and the
lubricant, L, that is contained by and in contact with the lubricant reservoir
102b" such that
the temperature of the lubricant, L, is raised from a first temperature (e.g.,
"room temperature" /
"ambient temperature") to a second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is
greater than "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00152] In an example, the controller 108b' " " may include a manually-
operated on/off
switch to permit manual on/off switching of the burner 104b". The controller
108b" may
also include a display that displays the temperature of one or more of the
lubricant, L, and the
fluid, F; the temperature of one or more of the lubricant, L, and the fluid,
F, may be
communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from one or more of
the lubricant
temperature sensor 106b" and the fluid temperature sensor 112b" to the
controller
108b'. Accordingly, if an operator of the of lubrication conditioning systems
100b" is
aware of the type of lubricant, L, arranged within the lubricant reservoir
102b'", and, if the
operator of the lubrication conditioning system 100b" is aware of a desired
second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
that the lubricant, L, should be arranged at, the operator may de/actuate the
on/off switch
provided by the controller 108b" in order to manually maintain control over
the temperature
of the lubricant, L.
[00153] In another example, the controller 108b" may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100b'". In an example, a
processor provided
by the controller 108b" may be programmed with a desired second temperature
(e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
of the lubricant, L.
After actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100b' ", the temperature
of the lubricant,
L, may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from one or more
of the lubricant
temperature sensor 106b" and the fluid temperature sensor 112b" to the
controller
108b". Accordingly, the controller 108b" may maintain the burner 104b' " " in
an 'on
state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been increased to the
second temperature;
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upon reaching the lubricant, L, reaching the second temperature, the
controller 108b" may
automatically switch the burner 10413," to an 'off state.'
[00154] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100b" may be executed by providing the controller 108b" with a data
lookup
table that associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-
solid paste lubricant, a
substantially semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid
soap lubricant, or the
like), with a desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater
than "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an
example, the controller
108b" may be provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform
the controller
108b" which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir
10213,'". Once
the operator informs the controller 108b" which type of lubricant, L, is
deposited into the
lubricant reservoir 102b", the controller 108b" will refer to the data lookup
table and
automatically select the desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that
is greater than
"room temperature" / "ambient temperature") associated with the lubricant, L,
that was entered /
selected by the operator at the user interface of the controller 108b' ".
Accordingly, upon the
operator actuating the lubrication conditioning system, the burner 104b" will
remain in the
'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been adjusted to the
temperature
associated with the lubricant, L, in the data lookup table.
[00155] Referring to FIG. 6A, a lubrication conditioning system 100 connected
to the wheel
lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" is shown according to an embodiment. Any of
the lubrication
conditioning systems 100a, 100a', 100b, 100b', 100b", 100b", 100b", 100b",
100b"
shown and described at FIGS. 4A-5G may be arranged at the location of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 of FIG. 6A such that any of the lubrication
conditioning systems 100a,
100a', 100b, 100b', 100b", 100b", 100b'", 100b'", 100b'" may be fluidly-
coupled to the
wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a".
[00156] In some implementations, a fluid-moving device (e.g., a pump) 150 may
be arranged
between the lubrication conditioning system 100 and the wheel lubricating sub-
station 16a, 16a"
for drawing fluid from the lubrication conditioning system 100 to the wheel
lubricating sub-
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station 16a, 16a". The fluid-moving device 150 may be a component of either of
the lubrication
conditioning system 100 and the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a".
[00157] In some implementations, the fluid-moving device 150 may also dispense
the
lubricant, L, from an applicator, S, of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a,
16a". In an
embodiment, the applicator, S, may be a spray nozzle for spraying / misting
the lubricant, L,
upon the wheel, W. Upon being dispensed from the applicator, S, the lubricant,
L, may be
deposited upon at least one or more of the upper and lower the bead seats WSU,
WSL of the
wheel, W.
[00158] Referring to FIG. 6B, a lubrication conditioning system 100 connected
to the tire
lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b" is shown according to an embodiment. Any of
the lubrication
conditioning systems 100a, 100a', 100b, 100b', 100b", 100b", 100b", 100b",
100b"
shown and described at FIGS. 4A-5G may be arranged at the location of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 of FIG. 6B such that any of the lubrication
conditioning systems 100a,
100a', 100b, 100b', 100b", 100b", 100b'", 100b'", 100b'" may be fluidly-
coupled to the
tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b".
[00159] In some implementations, a fluid-moving device (e.g., a pump) 150 may
be arranged
between the lubrication conditioning system 100 and the tire lubricating sub-
station 16b', 16b"
for drawing fluid from the lubrication conditioning system 100 to the tire
lubricating sub-station
16b', 16b". The fluid-moving device 150 may be a component of either of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 and the tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b".
[00160] In some implementations, the fluid-moving device 150 may also dispense
the
lubricant, L, from an applicator, S, of the tire lubricating sub-station 16b',
16b". In an
embodiment, the applicator, S, may be a spray nozzle for spraying / misting
the lubricant, L,
upon the tire, T. Upon being dispensed from the applicator, S, the lubricant,
L, may be deposited
upon at least one or more of the upper and lower the beads TBU, TBL of the
tire, T.
[00161] Referring to FIG. 7A, a lubrication conditioning system 100 connected
to the wheel
lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" is shown according to an embodiment. Any of
the lubrication
conditioning systems 100a, 100a', 100b, 100b', 100b", 100b", 100b", 100b",
100b"
shown and described at FIGS. 4A-5G may be arranged at the location of the
lubrication
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conditioning system 100 of FIG. 7A such that any of the lubrication
conditioning systems 100a,
100a', 100b, 100b', 100b", 100b", 100b'", 100b'", 100b'" may be fluidly-
coupled to the
wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a".
[00162] In some implementations, a fluid-moving device (e.g., a pump) 150 may
be arranged
between the lubrication conditioning system 100 and the wheel lubricating sub-
station 16a, 16a"
for drawing fluid from the lubrication conditioning system 100 to the wheel
lubricating sub-
station 16a, 16a". The fluid-moving device 150 may be a component of either of
the lubrication
conditioning system 100 and the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a".
[00163] In some implementations, the fluid-moving device 150 may also dispense
the
lubricant, L, from an applicator, R, of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a,
16a". In an
embodiment, the applicator, R, may be a roller for wiping the lubricant, L,
upon the wheel, W.
Upon being dispensed from the applicator, R, the lubricant, L, may be
deposited upon at least
one or more of the upper and lower the bead seats WSu, WSL of the wheel, W.
[00164] Referring to FIG. 7B, a lubrication conditioning system 100 connected
to the tire
lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b" is shown according to an embodiment. Any of
the lubrication
conditioning systems 100a, 100a', 100b, 100b', 100b", 100b", 100b", 100b",
100b"
shown and described at FIGS. 4A-5G may be arranged at the location of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 of FIG. 7B such that any of the lubrication
conditioning systems 100a,
100a', 100b, 100b', 100b", 100b", 100b'", 100b'", 100b'" may be fluidly-
coupled to the
tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b".
[00165] In some implementations, a fluid-moving device (e.g., a pump) 150 may
be arranged
between the lubrication conditioning system 100 and the tire lubricating sub-
station 16b', 16b"
for drawing fluid from the lubrication conditioning system 100 to the tire
lubricating sub-station
16b', 16b". The fluid-moving device 150 may be a component of either of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 and the tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b".
[00166] In some implementations, the fluid-moving device 150 may also dispense
the
lubricant, L, from an applicator, R, of the tire lubricating sub-station 16b',
16b". In an
embodiment, the applicator, R, may be a roller for wiping the lubricant, L,
upon the tire, T.
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Upon being dispensed from the applicator, R, the lubricant, L, may be
deposited upon at least
one or more of the upper and lower the beads TBU, TBL of the tire, T.
[00167] Referring to FIGS. 6A', 6B', 7A' and 7B', exemplary alternative
systems for
lubricating a wheel, W (see, e.g., FIGS. 6A', 7A'), and a tire, T (see, e.g.,
FIGS. 6B', 7B'), are
shown. Unlike the systems shown and described above at FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and
7B, the systems
shown and described at FIGS. 6A', 6B', 7A' and 7B' do not include a dedicated
lubrication
conditioning system 100 that increases the temperature of the lubricant, L;
rather, the systems
shown and described at FIGS. 6A', 6B', 7A' and 7B' include a high pressure
pump 150' that
inherently increases the temperature of the lubricant, L, by virtue of
pressurizing the lubricant
during the process of ejecting the lubricant upon the tire, T, and/or wheel,
W, at the lubricating
sub-station 16a, 16a", 16b', 16b" as the lubricant, L, is drawn through the
high pressure pump
150'. As described above, when the temperature of the lubricant, L, is raised,
the lubricant, L,
undergoes a viscosity transition (e.g., a change from a substantially paste
lubricant, L, to a
substantially liquid lubricant, L) in order to arrange the lubricant, L, in a
more suitable state for
being ejected from an applicator, S (e.g., a spray nozzle), of a particular
depositing (e.g.,
"spraying") application upon one or more of the tire, T, and the wheel, W, at
one or more of the
wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a", a tire lubricating sub-station 16b',
16b". Therefore, by
inducing a viscosity transition of the lubricant, L, to occur, one or more of
the wheel lubricating
sub-station 16a, 16a" and the tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b" that is
tooled for spraying
lubricant, L, from a spray nozzle, S, may not be limited to a particular
(e.g., viscosity) lubricant,
L, that is arranged in at a first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature"));
accordingly, by permitting a viscosity transition of the lubricant, L, to
occur as a result of
inclusion of the high pressure pump 150', lubricants, L, having, for example,
a non-liquid state
of matter (such as, e.g., a semi-solid paste lubricant) at the first
temperature (e.g., "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature") may be utilized by one or more of the
wheel lubricating
sub-station 16a, 16a" and the tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b" that is
tooled for spraying
lubricant, L.
[00168] Referring to FIG. 8A, a lubrication conditioning system 100c is shown
according to
an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system 100c
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directly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant, L, from a
first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00169] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100c includes a
lubricant reservoir
102c, a lubricant temperature modifier 104c, a lubricant temperature sensor
106c and a controller
108c. The lubricant reservoir 102c contains the lubricant, L. The lubricant
temperature modifier
104c is arranged relative to (e.g., over) an opening 103c formed by the
lubricant reservoir 102c
in order to permit the lubricant temperature modifier 104c to directly
communicate with the
lubricant, L. The lubricant temperature sensor 106c may be arranged within a
cavity 105c
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102c and submerged within the lubricant, L,
for detecting a
temperature of the lubricant, L. The controller 108c may be communicatively
coupled to the
lubricant temperature modifier 104c and the lubricant temperature sensor 106c
for receiving
temperature readings from the lubricant temperature sensor 106c in order to
de/actuate the
lubricant temperature modifier 104c for the purpose of maintaining, increasing
or decreasing the
temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00170] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104c may be a
light source
that emits light defined by a wavelength. The light source 104c may be any
desirable light
source, such as, for example, an incandescent light source, an infrared light
source, a laser light
source, or the like. The light emitted from the light source 104c passes
through the opening 103c
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102c in order to permit the light from the
light source 104c to
directly impacts upon / enters the lubricant, L; once the light impacts /
enters the lubricant, L, the
light may directly heat the lubricant, L, thereby raising the temperature of
the lubrication from a
first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a
second temperature
(e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient
temperature").
[00171] In an example, the controller 108c may include a manually-operated
on/off switch to
permit manual on/off switching of the light source 104c. The controller 108c
may also include a
display that displays the temperature of the lubricant, L, that is determined
by the lubricant
temperature sensor 106c; the temperature of the lubricant, L, may be
communicated in the form
of a signal that is sent from the from the lubricant temperature sensor 106c
to the controller 108c.
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Accordingly, if an operator of the of lubrication conditioning systems 100c is
aware of the type
of lubricant, L, arranged within the lubricant reservoir 102c, and, if the
operator of the
lubrication conditioning system 100c is aware of a desired second temperature
(e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
that the lubricant,
L, should be arranged at, the operator may de/actuate the on/off switch
provided by the controller
108c in order to manually maintain control over the temperature of the
lubricant, L.
[00172] In another example, the controller 108c may include logic that permits
automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100c. In an example, a
processor provided by
the controller 108c may be programmed with a desired second temperature (e.g.,
a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") of the
lubricant, L. After
actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100c, the temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be
communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from the lubricant
temperature sensor
106c to the controller 108c. Accordingly, the controller 108c may maintain the
light source 104c
in an 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been increased
to the second
temperature; upon reaching the lubricant, L, reaching the second temperature,
the controller 108c
may automatically switch the light source 104c to an 'off state.'
[00173] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100c may be executed by providing the controller 108c with a data
lookup table that
associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid paste
lubricant, a substantially
semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid soap lubricant,
or the like), with a
desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" /
"ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an example, the
controller 108c may be
provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform the
controller 108c which type
of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir 102c. Once the
operator informs the
controller 108c which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant
reservoir 102c, the
controller 108c will refer to the data lookup table and automatically select
the desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered / selected by the operator
at the user interface
of the controller 108c. Accordingly, upon the operator actuating the
lubrication conditioning
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system, the light source 104c will remain in the 'on state' until the
temperature of the lubricant,
L, has been adjusted to the temperature associated with the lubricant, L, in
the data lookup table.
[00174] Unlike the exemplary embodiment described above at FIG. 4A, the
lubricant
reservoir 102c of the exemplary embodiment described above at FIG. 8A does not
include an
opening (see, e.g., 103a in FIG. 4A) such as a vent to atmosphere that permits
the lubricant, L, to
be in direct communication with surrounding atmosphere, A; rather, the
lubricant reservoir 102c
is defined by an enclosure that does not permit the lubricant, L, to be in
direct communication
with surrounding atmosphere, A.
[00175] Although the lubricant reservoir 102c may be defined by an enclosure
that does not
permit the lubricant, L, to be in direct communication with surrounding
atmosphere, A, the
lubricant reservoir 102c may include several ports 120c, 122c and 124c, which
may be referred
to as one or more fluid communication ports. In some instances, the fluid
communication port
120c may permit a source of pressurized fluid 126c to pressurize the cavity
105c formed by the
lubricant reservoir 102c; movement of the pressurized fluid from the source of
pressurized fluid
126c to the cavity 105c is permitted when a flow control valve 128c is
arranged in an open
orientation. In other instances, the fluid communication port 122c may permit
a pressure sensor
130c to detect a pressurization level of the cavity 105c formed by the
lubricant reservoir 102c.
[00176] In other examples, the fluid communication port 124c may permit the
lubricant, L,
contained in the cavity 105c to be evacuated from the lubricant reservoir
102c. A proximal end
132ci of a conduit member 132c may be fluidly-connected to the fluid
communication port 124c,
and, a distal end 132c2 of the conduit member 132c may be connected to one or
more of the
wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and the tire lubricating sub-station
16b', 16b". In some
instances, one or more heating elements 134c may be connected to the conduit
member 132c for
selectively adjusting the temperature of the conduit member 132c. In other
examples, a
temperature sensor 136c may be disposed upon the conduit member 132c for
determining the
temperature of the conduit member 132c.
[00177] As seen in FIG. 8A, the controller 108c may also be communicatively-
coupled to one
or more of the source of pressurized fluid 126c, the flow control valve 128c,
the pressure sensor
130c, the one or more heating elements 134c and the temperature sensor 136c.
In an example,
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the controller 108c may send and/or receive signals to one or more of the
source of pressurized
fluid 126c, the flow control valve 128c, the pressure sensor 130c, the one or
more heating
elements 134c and the temperature sensor 136c as follows.
[00178] The controller 108c may send a signal to the flow control valve 128c
for arranging
the flow control valve 128c in a closed orientation, thereby denying the
pressurized fluid
contained by the source of pressurized fluid 126c to be in communication with
the cavity 105c
by way of the fluid communication port 124c. Upon the controller 108c sending
a signal to the
flow control valve 128c for arranging the flow control valve 128c in the open
orientation, the
pressurized fluid contained by the source of pressurized fluid 126c may be
directed into the
cavity 105c and thereby registering an amount of pressure within the cavity
105c that is detected
by the pressure sensor 130c; the pressure sensor 130c may communicate a signal
to the controller
108c indicating the amount of pressure within the cavity 105c.
[00179] After pressurizing the cavity 105c with the pressurized fluid
contained by the source
of pressurized fluid 126c, and, upon actuation of the applicator, S (e.g., a
spray nozzle), of the
wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and/or tire lubricating sub-station
16b', 16b", the
lubricant, L, may be expelled from the cavity 105c by way of the pressurized
fluid pushing the
lubricant, L, out of the fluid communication port 124c and through the conduit
member 132c. In
some instances, if the controller 108c learns (e.g., from the signal sent from
the pressure sensor
130c) that the cavity 105c is insufficiently pressurized, which may impair a
desired amount of
expelled fluid from the applicator, S, the controller 108c causes the source
of pressurized fluid
126c to increase the amount or flow rate of pressurized fluid provided to the
cavity 105c by way
of the fluid communication port 120c. In other examples, if the conduit member
132c is not
sufficiently heated (which is determined by the controller 108c by way of a
temperature signal
sent from the temperature sensor 136c to the controller 108c), and, thereby
cools the lubricant, L,
flowing there-through, the controller 108c may actuate one or more heating
elements 134c for
raising the temperature of the conduit member 132c; upon increasing the
temperature of the
conduit member 132c, the temperature of the lubricant, L, may be maintained as
the lubricant, L,
is expelled from the cavity 105c and into the conduit member 132c prior to
exiting the
applicator, S.
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[00180] Referring to FIG. 8B, a lubrication conditioning system 100c' is shown
according to
an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system 100c'
directly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant, L, from a
first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00181] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100c' includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102c', a lubricant temperature modifier 104c', a lubricant
temperature sensor 106c' and
a controller 108c'. The lubricant reservoir 102c' contains the lubricant, L.
At least a portion
(see, e.g., 104c2') of the lubricant temperature modifier 104c' is arranged
within a cavity 105c'
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102c' and submerged within the lubricant, L,
in order to permit
the lubricant temperature modifier 104c' to directly communicate with the
lubricant, L. The
lubricant temperature sensor 106c' may be arranged within the cavity 105c'
formed by the
lubricant reservoir 102c' and submerged within the lubricant, L, for detecting
a temperature of
the lubricant, L. The controller 108c' may be communicatively coupled to the
lubricant
temperature modifier 104c' and the lubricant temperature sensor 106c' for
receiving temperature
readings from the lubricant temperature sensor 106c' in order to de/actuate
the lubricant
temperature modifier 104c' for the purpose of maintaining, increasing or
decreasing the
temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00182] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104c' may
include an
electrical source (e.g., a current source) 104cr connected to a heating coil
104c2'. In an
example, the controller 108c' may include a manually-operated on/off switch to
permit manual
on/off switching of the electrical source 104cr connected to the heating coil
104c2'. The
controller 108c' may also include a display that displays the temperature of
the lubricant, L; the
temperature of the lubricant, L, may be communicated in the form of a signal
that is sent from
the from the lubricant temperature sensor 106c' to the controller 108c'.
Accordingly, if an
operator of the of lubrication conditioning systems 100c' is aware of the type
of lubricant, L,
arranged within the lubricant reservoir 102c', and, if the operator of the
lubrication conditioning
system 100c' is aware of a desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature
that is greater than
"room temperature" / "ambient temperature") that the lubricant, L, should be
arranged at, the
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operator may de/actuate the on/off switch provided by the controller 108c' in
order to manually
maintain control over the temperature of the lubricant, L. Once the electrical
source 104ci' is
actuated, the electrical source 104ci' may cause the heating coil 104c2' to be
heated; because the
lubricant, L, is in direct contact with the heating coil 104c2', the heating
coil 104c2' may directly
heat the lubricant, L, thereby raising the temperature of the lubrication from
a first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00183] In another example, the controller 108c' may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100c'. In an example, a
processor provided by
the controller 108c' may be programmed with a desired second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") of the
lubricant, L. After
actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100c', the temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be
communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from the lubricant
temperature sensor
106c' to the controller 108c'. Accordingly, the controller 108c' may maintain
the electrical
source 104ci' connected to the heating coil 104c2' in an 'on state' until the
temperature of the
lubricant, L, has been increased to the second temperature; upon reaching the
lubricant, L,
reaching the second temperature, the controller 108c' may automatically switch
the electrical
source 104ci' connected to the heating coil 104c2' to an 'off state.'
[00184] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100c' may be executed by providing the controller 108c' with a data
lookup table that
associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid paste
lubricant, a substantially
semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid soap lubricant,
or the like), with a
desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" /
"ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an example, the
controller 108c' may be
provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform the
controller 108c' which type
of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir 102c'. Once the
operator informs the
controller 108c' which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant
reservoir 102c', the
controller 108c' will refer to the data lookup table and automatically select
the desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
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associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered / selected by the operator
at the user interface
of the controller 108c'. Accordingly, upon the operator actuating the
lubrication conditioning
system, the electrical source 104cr connected to the heating coil 104c2' will
remain in the 'on
state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been adjusted to the
temperature associated
with the lubricant, L, in the data lookup table.
[00185] In a somewhat similar fashion to the exemplary embodiment described
above at FIG.
4B, the lubricant reservoir 102c' of the exemplary embodiment described above
at FIG. 8B does
not include an opening (such as a vent to atmosphere) that permits the
lubricant, L, to be in direct
communication with surrounding atmosphere, A. As such, the lubricant reservoir
102c' is
defined by an enclosure that does not permit the lubricant, L, to be in direct
communication with
surrounding atmosphere, A.
[00186] Although the lubricant reservoir 102c' may be defined by an enclosure
that does not
permit the lubricant, L, to be in direct communication with surrounding
atmosphere, A, the
lubricant reservoir 102c' may include several ports 120c', 122c' and 124c',
which may be
referred to as one or more fluid communication ports. In some instances, the
fluid
communication port 120c' may permit a source of pressurized fluid 126c' to
pressurize the
cavity 105c' formed by the lubricant reservoir 102c'; movement of the
pressurized fluid from the
source of pressurized fluid 126c' to the cavity 105c' is permitted when a flow
control valve
128c' is arranged in an open orientation. In other instances, the fluid
communication port 122c'
may permit a pressure sensor 130c' to detect a pressurization level of the
cavity 105c' formed by
the lubricant reservoir 102c'.
[00187] In other examples, the fluid communication port 124c' may permit the
lubricant, L,
contained in the cavity 105c' to be evacuated from the lubricant reservoir
102c'. A proximal end
132cr of a conduit member 132c' may be fluidly-connected to the fluid
communication port
124c', and, a distal end 132c2' of the conduit member 132c' may be connected
to one or more of
the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and the tire lubricating sub-
station 16b', 16b". In
some instances, one or more heating elements 134c' may be connected to the
conduit member
132c' for selectively adjusting the temperature of the conduit member 132c'.
In other examples,
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a temperature sensor 136c' may be disposed upon the conduit member 132c' for
determining the
temperature of the conduit member 132c'.
[00188] As seen in FIG. 8B, the controller 108c' may also be communicatively-
coupled to
one or more of the source of pressurized fluid 126c', the flow control valve
128c', the pressure
sensor 130c', the one or more heating elements 134c' and the temperature
sensor 136c'. In an
example, the controller 108c' may send and/or receive signals to one or more
of the source of
pressurized fluid 126c', the flow control valve 128c', the pressure sensor
130c', the one or more
heating elements 134c' and the temperature sensor 136c' as follows.
[00189] The controller 108c' may send a signal to the flow control valve 128c'
for arranging
the flow control valve 128c' in a closed orientation, thereby denying the
pressurized fluid
contained by the source of pressurized fluid 126c' to be in communication with
the cavity 105c'
by way of the fluid communication port 124c'. Upon the controller 108c'
sending a signal to the
flow control valve 128c' for arranging the flow control valve 128c' in the
open orientation, the
pressurized fluid contained by the source of pressurized fluid 126c' may be
directed into the
cavity 105c' and thereby registering an amount of pressure within the cavity
105c' that is
detected by the pressure sensor 130c'; the pressure sensor 130c' may
communicate a signal to
the controller 108c' indicating the amount of pressure within the cavity
105c'.
[00190] After pressurizing the cavity 105c' with the pressurized fluid
contained by the source
of pressurized fluid 126c', and, upon actuation of the applicator, S (e.g., a
spray nozzle), of the
wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and/or tire lubricating sub-station
16b', 16b", the
lubricant, L, may be expelled from the cavity 105c' by way of the pressurized
fluid pushing the
lubricant, L, out of the fluid communication port 124c' and through the
conduit member 132c'.
In some instances, if the controller 108c' learns (e.g., from the signal sent
from the pressure
sensor 130c') that the cavity 105c' is insufficiently pressurized, which may
impair a desired
amount of expelled fluid from the applicator, S, the controller 108c' causes
the source of
pressurized fluid 126c' to increase the amount or flow rate of pressurized
fluid provided to the
cavity 105c' by way of the fluid communication port 120c'. In other examples,
if the conduit
member 132c' is not sufficiently heated (which is determined by the controller
108c' by way of a
temperature signal sent from the temperature sensor 136c' to the controller
108c'), and, thereby
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cools the lubricant, L, flowing there-through, the controller 108c' may
actuate one or more
heating elements 134c' for raising the temperature of the conduit member
132c'; upon increasing
the temperature of the conduit member 132c', the temperature of the lubricant,
L, may be
maintained as the lubricant, L, is expelled from the cavity 105c' and into the
conduit member
132c' prior to exiting the applicator, S.
[00191] Referring to FIG. 9A, a lubrication conditioning system 100d is shown
according to
an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system 100d
indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant, L, from
a first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00192] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100d includes a
lubricant reservoir
102d, a lubricant temperature modifier 104d, a lubricant temperature sensor
106d and a
controller 108d. The lubricant reservoir 102d contains the lubricant, L. The
lubricant
temperature modifier 104d is arranged relative to (e.g., over) the lubricant
reservoir 102d in
order to permit the lubricant temperature modifier 104d to indirectly
communicate with the
lubricant, L, that is contained by the lubricant reservoir, L. The lubricant
temperature sensor
106d may be arranged within a cavity 105d formed by the lubricant reservoir
102d and
submerged within the lubricant, L, for detecting a temperature of the
lubricant, L. The controller
108d may be communicatively coupled to the lubricant temperature modifier 104d
and the
lubricant temperature sensor 106d for receiving temperature readings from the
lubricant
temperature sensor 106d in order to de/actuate the lubricant temperature
modifier 104d for the
purpose of maintaining, increasing or decreasing the temperature of the
lubricant, L.
[00193] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104d may be a
light source
that emits light defined by a wavelength. The light source 104d may be any
desirable light
source, such as, for example, an incandescent light source, an infrared light
source, a laser light
source, or the like. Unlike the embodiment described above at FIG. 8A, the
light emitted from
the light source 104d does not pass through an opening (see, e.g., opening
103c of FIG. 8A)
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d, but, rather, the light impacts upon
the material defining
the lubricant reservoir 102d itself thereby raising the temperature of the
lubricant reservoir 102d.
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Because the lubricant, L, is contained by and in contact with the lubricant
reservoir 102d, the
light emitted by the light source 104d that heats the material defining the
lubricant reservoir 102d
may thereby indirectly heat the lubricant, L, contained by and in contact with
the lubricant
reservoir 102d such that the temperature of the lubricant, L, is raised from a
first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00194] In an example, the controller 108d may include a manually-operated
on/off switch to
permit manual on/off switching of the light source 104d. The controller 108d
may also include a
display that displays the temperature of the lubricant, L; the temperature of
the lubricant, L, may
be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from the
lubricant temperature
sensor 106d to the controller 108d. Accordingly, if an operator of the of
lubrication conditioning
systems 100d is aware of the type of lubricant, L, arranged within the
lubricant reservoir 102d,
and, if the operator of the lubrication conditioning system 100d is aware of a
desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
that the lubricant, L, should be arranged at, the operator may de/actuate the
on/off switch
provided by the controller 108d in order to manually maintain control over the
temperature of the
lubricant, L.
[00195] In another example, the controller 108d may include logic that permits
automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100d. In an example, a
processor provided by
the controller 108d may be programmed with a desired second temperature (e.g.,
a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") of the
lubricant, L. After
actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100d, the temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be
communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from the lubricant
temperature sensor
106d to the controller 108d. Accordingly, the controller 108d may maintain the
light source
104d in an 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been
increased to the second
temperature; upon reaching the lubricant, L, reaching the second temperature,
the controller 108d
may automatically switch the light source 104d to an 'off state.'
[00196] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100d may be executed by providing the controller 108d with a data
lookup table that
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associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid paste
lubricant, a substantially
semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid soap lubricant,
or the like), with a
desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" /
"ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an example, the
controller 108d may be
provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform the
controller 108d which type
of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir 102d. Once the
operator informs the
controller 108d which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant
reservoir 102d, the
controller 108d will refer to the data lookup table and automatically select
the desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered / selected by the operator
at the user interface
of the controller 108d. Accordingly, upon the operator actuating the
lubrication conditioning
system, the light source 104d will remain in the 'on state' until the
temperature of the lubricant,
L, has been adjusted to the temperature associated with the lubricant, L, in
the data lookup table.
[00197] In a somewhat similar fashion to the exemplary embodiment described
above at FIG.
5A, the lubricant reservoir 102d of the exemplary embodiment described above
at FIG. 9A does
not include an opening (such as a vent to atmosphere) that permits the
lubricant, L, to be in direct
communication with surrounding atmosphere, A. As such, the lubricant reservoir
102d is
defined by an enclosure that does not permit the lubricant, L, to be in direct
communication with
surrounding atmosphere, A.
[00198] Although the lubricant reservoir 102d may be defined by an enclosure
that does not
permit the lubricant, L, to be in direct communication with surrounding
atmosphere, A, the
lubricant reservoir 102d may include several ports 120d, 122d and 124d, which
may be referred
to as one or more fluid communication ports. In some instances, the fluid
communication port
120d may permit a source of pressurized fluid 126d to pressurize the cavity
105d formed by the
lubricant reservoir 102d; movement of the pressurized fluid from the source of
pressurized fluid
126d to the cavity 105d is permitted when a flow control valve 128d is
arranged in an open
orientation. In other instances, the fluid communication port 122d may permit
a pressure sensor
130d to detect a pressurization level of the cavity 105d formed by the
lubricant reservoir 102d.
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[00199] In other examples, the fluid communication port 124d may permit the
lubricant, L,
contained in the cavity 105d to be evacuated from the lubricant reservoir
102d. A proximal end
132d1 of a conduit member 132d may be fluidly-connected to the fluid
communication port
124d, and, a distal end 132d2 of the conduit member 132d may be connected to
one or more of
the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and the tire lubricating sub-
station 16b', 16b". In
some instances, one or more heating elements 134d may be connected to the
conduit member
132d for selectively adjusting the temperature of the conduit member 132d. In
other examples, a
temperature sensor 136d may be disposed upon the conduit member 132d for
determining the
temperature of the conduit member 132d.
[00200] As seen in FIG. 9A, the controller 108d may also be communicatively-
coupled to one
or more of the source of pressurized fluid 126d, the flow control valve 128d,
the pressure sensor
130d, the one or more heating elements 134d and the temperature sensor 136d.
In an example,
the controller 108d may send and/or receive signals to one or more of the
source of pressurized
fluid 126d, the flow control valve 128d, the pressure sensor 130d, the one or
more heating
elements 134d and the temperature sensor 136d as follows.
[00201] The controller 108d may send a signal to the flow control valve 128d
for arranging
the flow control valve 128d in a closed orientation, thereby denying the
pressurized fluid
contained by the source of pressurized fluid 126d to be in communication with
the cavity 105d
by way of the fluid communication port 124d. Upon the controller 108d sending
a signal to the
flow control valve 128d for arranging the flow control valve 128d in the open
orientation, the
pressurized fluid contained by the source of pressurized fluid 126d may be
directed into the
cavity 105d and thereby registering an amount of pressure within the cavity
105d that is detected
by the pressure sensor 130d; the pressure sensor 130d may communicate a signal
to the
controller 108d indicating the amount of pressure within the cavity 105d.
[00202] After pressurizing the cavity 105d with the pressurized fluid
contained by the source
of pressurized fluid 126d, and, upon actuation of the applicator, S (e.g., a
spray nozzle), of the
wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and/or tire lubricating sub-station
16b', 16b", the
lubricant, L, may be expelled from the cavity 105d by way of the pressurized
fluid pushing the
lubricant, L, out of the fluid communication port 124d and through the conduit
member 132d. In
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some instances, if the controller 108d learns (e.g., from the signal sent from
the pressure sensor
130d) that the cavity 105d is insufficiently pressurized, which may impair a
desired amount of
expelled fluid from the applicator, S, the controller 108d causes the source
of pressurized fluid
126d to increase the amount or flow rate of pressurized fluid provided to the
cavity 105d by way
of the fluid communication port 120d. In other examples, if the conduit member
132d is not
sufficiently heated (which is determined by the controller 108d by way of a
temperature signal
sent from the temperature sensor 136d to the controller 108d), and, thereby
cools the lubricant,
L, flowing there-through, the controller 108d may actuate one or more heating
elements 134d for
raising the temperature of the conduit member 132d; upon increasing the
temperature of the
conduit member 132d, the temperature of the lubricant, L, may be maintained as
the lubricant, L,
is expelled from the cavity 105d and into the conduit member 132d prior to
exiting the
applicator, S.
[00203] Referring to FIG. 9B, a lubrication conditioning system 100d' is shown
according to
an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system 100d'
indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant, L, from
a first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00204] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100d' includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102d', a lubricant temperature modifier 104d', a lubricant
temperature sensor 106d', a
controller 108d', a fluid container 110d' and a fluid temperature sensor
112d'. The lubricant
reservoir 102d' contains the lubricant, L. The lubricant temperature modifier
104d' is arranged
relative to (e.g., over) the lubricant reservoir 102d' and the fluid container
110d' in order to
permit the lubricant temperature modifier 104d' to indirectly communicate with
the lubricant, L,
that is contained by the lubricant reservoir, L; indirect communication of the
lubricant
temperature modifier 104d' with the lubricant, L, is achieved by submerging
the lubricant
reservoir 102d' within a fluid, F, that is contained by the fluid container
110d'.
[00205] The lubricant temperature sensor 106d' may be arranged within a cavity
105d'
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d' and submerged within the lubricant, L,
for detecting a
temperature of the lubricant, L. The fluid temperature sensor 112d' may be
arranged within a
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cavity 113d' formed by the fluid container 110d' and submerged within the
fluid, F, for detecting
a temperature of the fluid, F. The controller 108d may be communicatively
coupled to the
lubricant temperature modifier 104d', the lubricant temperature sensor 106d'
and the fluid
temperature sensor 112d' for receiving temperature readings from one or more
of the lubricant
temperature sensor 106d' and the fluid temperature sensor 112d' in order to
de/actuate the
lubricant temperature modifier 104d' for the purpose of maintaining,
increasing or decreasing the
temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00206] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104d' may be
a light source
that emits light defined by a wavelength. The light source 104d' may be any
desirable light
source, such as, for example, an incandescent light source, an infrared light
source, a laser light
source, or the like. Unlike the embodiment described above at FIG. 8A, the
light emitted from
the light source 104d' does not pass through an opening (see, e.g., opening
103c of FIG. 8A)
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d', but, rather, the light impacts upon /
enters the fluid, F,
arranged within the fluid container 110d' thereby raising the temperature of
the fluid, F, that
surrounds the lubricant reservoir 102d'. Because the lubricant, L, is
contained by and in direct
contact with an interior surface of lubricant reservoir 102d', and, because an
exterior surface of
the lubricant reservoir 102d' is in direct contact with the fluid, F, the
light emitted by the light
source 104d' that heats the fluid, F, may thereby indirectly heat the
lubricant, L, contained by
and in contact with the lubricant reservoir 102d' such that the temperature of
the lubricant, L, is
raised from a first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient
temperature") to a second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient
temperature").
[00207] In an example, the controller 108d' may include a manually-operated
on/off switch to
permit manual on/off switching of the light source 104d'. The controller 108d'
may also include
a display that displays the temperature of one or more of the lubricant, L,
and the fluid, F; the
temperature of one or more of the lubricant, L, and the fluid, F, may be
communicated in the
form of a signal that is sent from the from one or more of the lubricant
temperature sensor 106d'
and the fluid temperature sensor 112d' to the controller 108d'. Accordingly,
if an operator of the
of lubrication conditioning systems 100d' is aware of the type of lubricant,
L, arranged within
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the lubricant reservoir 102d', and, if the operator of the lubrication
conditioning system 100d' is
aware of a desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater
than "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature") that the lubricant, L, should be
arranged at, the operator
may de/actuate the on/off switch provided by the controller 108d' in order to
manually maintain
control over the temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00208] In another example, the controller 108d' may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100d'. In an example, a
processor provided by
the controller 108d' may be programmed with a desired second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") of the
lubricant, L. After
actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100d', the temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be
communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from one or more of the
lubricant temperature
sensor 106d' and the fluid temperature sensor 112d' to the controller 108d'.
Accordingly, the
controller 108d' may maintain the light source 104d' in an 'on state' until
the temperature of the
lubricant, L, has been increased to the second temperature; upon reaching the
lubricant, L,
reaching the second temperature, the controller 108d' may automatically switch
the light source
104d' to an 'off state.'
[00209] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100d' may be executed by providing the controller 108d' with a data
lookup table that
associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid paste
lubricant, a substantially
semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid soap lubricant,
or the like), with a
desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" /
"ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an example, the
controller 108d' may be
provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform the
controller 108d' which type
of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir 102d'. Once the
operator informs the
controller 108d' which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant
reservoir 102d', the
controller 108d' will refer to the data lookup table and automatically select
the desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered / selected by the operator
at the user interface
of the controller 108d'. Accordingly, upon the operator actuating the
lubrication conditioning
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system, the light source 104d' will remain in the 'on state' until the
temperature of the lubricant,
L, has been adjusted to the temperature associated with the lubricant, L, in
the data lookup table.
[00210] In a somewhat similar fashion to the exemplary embodiment described
above at FIG.
5B, the lubricant reservoir 102d' of the exemplary embodiment described above
at FIG. 9B does
not include an opening (such as a vent to atmosphere) that permits the
lubricant, L, to be in direct
communication with surrounding atmosphere, A. As such, the lubricant reservoir
102d' is
defined by an enclosure that does not permit the lubricant, L, to be in direct
communication with
surrounding atmosphere, A.
[00211] Although the lubricant reservoir 102d' may be defined by an enclosure
that does not
permit the lubricant, L, to be in direct communication with surrounding
atmosphere, A, the
lubricant reservoir 102d' may include several ports 120d', 122d' and 124d',
which may be
referred to as one or more fluid communication ports. In some instances, the
fluid
communication port 120d' may permit a source of pressurized fluid 126d' to
pressurize the
cavity 105d' formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d'; movement of the
pressurized fluid from the
source of pressurized fluid 126d' to the cavity 105d' is permitted when a flow
control valve
128d' is arranged in an open orientation. In other instances, the fluid
communication port 122d'
may permit a pressure sensor 130d' to detect a pressurization level of the
cavity 105d' formed by
the lubricant reservoir 102d'.
[00212] In other examples, the fluid communication port 124d' may permit the
lubricant, L,
contained in the cavity 105d' to be evacuated from the lubricant reservoir
102d'. A proximal
end 132d1' of a conduit member 132d' may be fluidly-connected to the fluid
communication port
124d', and, a distal end 132d2' of the conduit member 132d' may be connected
to one or more of
the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and the tire lubricating sub-
station 16b', 16b". In
some instances, one or more heating elements 134d' may be connected to the
conduit member
132d' for selectively adjusting the temperature of the conduit member 132d'.
In other examples,
a temperature sensor 136d' may be disposed upon the conduit member 132d' for
determining the
temperature of the conduit member 132d'.
[00213] As seen in FIG. 9B, the controller 108d' may also be communicatively-
coupled to
one or more of the source of pressurized fluid 126d', the flow control valve
128d', the pressure
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sensor 130d', the one or more heating elements 134d' and the temperature
sensor 136d'. In an
example, the controller 108d' may send and/or receive signals to one or more
of the source of
pressurized fluid 126d', the flow control valve 128d', the pressure sensor
130d', the one or more
heating elements 134d' and the temperature sensor 136d' as follows.
[00214] The controller 108d' may send a signal to the flow control valve 128d'
for arranging
the flow control valve 128d' in a closed orientation, thereby denying the
pressurized fluid
contained by the source of pressurized fluid 126d' to be in communication with
the cavity 105d'
by way of the fluid communication port 124d'. Upon the controller 108d'
sending a signal to the
flow control valve 128d' for arranging the flow control valve 128d' in the
open orientation, the
pressurized fluid contained by the source of pressurized fluid 126d' may be
directed into the
cavity 105d' and thereby registering an amount of pressure within the cavity
105d' that is
detected by the pressure sensor 130d'; the pressure sensor 130d' may
communicate a signal to
the controller 108d' indicating the amount of pressure within the cavity
105d'.
[00215] After pressurizing the cavity 105d' with the pressurized fluid
contained by the source
of pressurized fluid 126d', and, upon actuation of the applicator, S (e.g., a
spray nozzle), of the
wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and/or tire lubricating sub-station
16b', 16b", the
lubricant, L, may be expelled from the cavity 105d' by way of the pressurized
fluid pushing the
lubricant, L, out of the fluid communication port 124d' and through the
conduit member 132d'.
In some instances, if the controller 108d' learns (e.g., from the signal sent
from the pressure
sensor 130d') that the cavity 105d' is insufficiently pressurized, which may
impair a desired
amount of expelled fluid from the applicator, S, the controller 108d' causes
the source of
pressurized fluid 126d' to increase the amount or flow rate of pressurized
fluid provided to the
cavity 105d' by way of the fluid communication port 120d'. In other examples,
if the conduit
member 132d' is not sufficiently heated (which is determined by the controller
108d' by way of
a temperature signal sent from the temperature sensor 136d' to the controller
108d'), and,
thereby cools the lubricant, L, flowing there-through, the controller 108d'
may actuate one or
more heating elements 134d' for raising the temperature of the conduit member
132d'; upon
increasing the temperature of the conduit member 132d', the temperature of the
lubricant, L, may
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be maintained as the lubricant, L, is expelled from the cavity 105d' and into
the conduit member
132d' prior to exiting the applicator, S.
[00216] Referring to FIG. 9C, a lubrication conditioning system 100d" is shown
according to
an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system 100d"
indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant, L, from
a first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00217] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100d" includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102d", a lubricant temperature modifier 104d", a lubricant
temperature sensor 106d",
a controller 108d", a fluid container 110d" and a fluid temperature sensor
112d". The lubricant
reservoir 102d" contains the lubricant, L. At least a portion (see, e.g.,
104d2") of the lubricant
temperature modifier 104d" is arranged within a cavity 113d" formed by the
fluid container
110d" and submerged within a fluid, F, contained by the fluid container 110d"
in order to
permit the lubricant temperature modifier 104d" to indirectly communicate with
the lubricant, L;
indirect communication of the lubricant temperature modifier 104d" with the
lubricant, L, is
achieved by submerging the lubricant reservoir 102d" containing the lubricant,
L, within the
fluid, F, that is contained within the cavity 113d" of the fluid container
110d".
[00218] The lubricant temperature sensor 106d" may be arranged within a cavity
105d"
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d" and submerged within the lubricant, L,
for detecting a
temperature of the lubricant, L. The fluid temperature sensor 112d" may be
arranged within the
cavity 113d" formed by the fluid container 110d" and submerged within the
fluid, F, for
detecting a temperature of the fluid, F.
[00219] The controller 108d" may be communicatively coupled to the lubricant
temperature
modifier 104d", the lubricant temperature sensor 106d" and the fluid
temperature sensor 112d"
for receiving temperature readings from one or more of the lubricant
temperature sensor 106d"
and the fluid temperature sensor 112d" in order to de/actuate the lubricant
temperature modifier
104d" for the purpose of maintaining, increasing or decreasing the temperature
of the lubricant,
L.
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[00220] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104d" may
include an
electrical source (e.g., a current source) 104d1" connected to a heating coil
104d2". In an
example, the controller 108d" may include a manually-operated on/off switch to
permit manual
on/off switching of the electrical source 104d1" connected to the heating coil
104d2". The
controller 108d" may also include a display that displays the temperature of
one or more of the
lubricant, L, and the fluid, F; the temperature of one or more of the
lubricant, L, and the fluid, F,
may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from one or
more of the
lubricant temperature sensor 106d" and the fluid temperature sensor 112d" to
the controller
108d". Accordingly, if an operator of the of lubrication conditioning systems
100d" is aware of
the type of lubricant, L, arranged within the lubricant reservoir 102d", and,
if the operator of the
lubrication conditioning system 100d" is aware of a desired second temperature
(e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
that the lubricant,
L, should be arranged at, the operator may de/actuate the on/off switch
provided by the controller
108d" in order to manually maintain control over the temperature of the
lubricant, L. Once the
electrical source 104d1" is actuated, the electrical source 104d1" may cause
the heating coil
104d2" to be heated; because the fluid, F, is in direct contact with the
heating coil 104d2", the
heating coil 104d2" may directly heat the fluid, F. Because the lubricant
reservoir 102d" is in
direct contact with the fluid, F, the lubricant, L, contained within lubricant
reservoir 102d" is
also heated, thereby raising the temperature of the lubricant, L, from a first
temperature (e.g.,
"room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is
greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00221] In another example, the controller 108d" may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100d". In an example, a
processor provided by
the controller 108d" may be programmed with a desired second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") of the
lubricant, L. After
actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100d", the temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be
communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from one or more of the
lubricant temperature
sensor 106d" and the fluid temperature sensor 112d" to the controller 108d".
Accordingly, the
controller 108d" may maintain the electrical source 104d1" connected to the
heating coil
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104d2" in an 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been
increased to the second
temperature; upon reaching the lubricant, L, reaching the second temperature,
the controller
108d" may automatically switch the electrical source 104d1" connected to the
heating coil
104d2" to an 'off state.'
[00222] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100d" may be executed by providing the controller 108d" with a data
lookup table that
associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid paste
lubricant, a substantially
semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid soap lubricant,
or the like), with a
desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" /
"ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an example, the
controller 108d" may be
provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform the
controller 108d" which type
of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir 102d". Once the
operator informs the
controller 108d" which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant
reservoir 102d", the
controller 108d" will refer to the data lookup table and automatically select
the desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered / selected by the operator
at the user interface
of the controller 108d". Accordingly, upon the operator actuating the
lubrication conditioning
system, the electrical source 104d1" connected to the heating coil 104d2" will
remain in the 'on
state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been adjusted to the
temperature associated
with the lubricant, L, in the data lookup table.
[00223] In a somewhat similar fashion to the exemplary embodiment described
above at FIG.
5C, the lubricant reservoir 102d" of the exemplary embodiment described above
at FIG. 9C does
not include an opening (such as a vent to atmosphere) that permits the
lubricant, L, to be in direct
communication with surrounding atmosphere, A. As such, the lubricant reservoir
102d" is
defined by an enclosure that does not permit the lubricant, L, to be in direct
communication with
surrounding atmosphere, A.
[00224] Although the lubricant reservoir 102d" may be defined by an enclosure
that does not
permit the lubricant, L, to be in direct communication with surrounding
atmosphere, A, the
lubricant reservoir 102d" may include several ports 120d", 122d" and 124d",
which may be
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referred to as one or more fluid communication ports. In some instances, the
fluid
communication port 120d" may permit a source of pressurized fluid 126d" to
pressurize the
cavity 105d" formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d"; movement of the
pressurized fluid from
the source of pressurized fluid 126d" to the cavity 105d" is permitted when a
flow control valve
128d" is arranged in an open orientation. In other instances, the fluid
communication port
122d" may permit a pressure sensor 130d" to detect a pressurization level of
the cavity 105d"
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d".
[00225] In other examples, the fluid communication port 124d" may permit the
lubricant, L,
contained in the cavity 105d" to be evacuated from the lubricant reservoir
102d". A proximal
end 132d1" of a conduit member 132d" may be fluidly-connected to the fluid
communication
port 124d", and, a distal end 132d2" of the conduit member 132d" may be
connected to one or
more of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and the tire lubricating
sub-station 16b',
16b". In some instances, one or more heating elements 134d" may be connected
to the conduit
member 132d" for selectively adjusting the temperature of the conduit member
132d". In other
examples, a temperature sensor 136d" may be disposed upon the conduit member
132d" for
determining the temperature of the conduit member 132d".
[00226] As seen in FIG. 9C, the controller 108d" may also be communicatively-
coupled to
one or more of the source of pressurized fluid 126d", the flow control valve
128d", the pressure
sensor 130d", the one or more heating elements 134d" and the temperature
sensor 136d". In an
example, the controller 108d" may send and/or receive signals to one or more
of the source of
pressurized fluid 126d", the flow control valve 128d", the pressure sensor
130d", the one or
more heating elements 134d" and the temperature sensor 136d" as follows.
[00227] The controller 108d" may send a signal to the flow control valve 128d"
for arranging
the flow control valve 128d" in a closed orientation, thereby denying the
pressurized fluid
contained by the source of pressurized fluid 126d" to be in communication with
the cavity
105d" by way of the fluid communication port 124d". Upon the controller 108d"
sending a
signal to the flow control valve 128d" for arranging the flow control valve
128d" in the open
orientation, the pressurized fluid contained by the source of pressurized
fluid 126d" may be
directed into the cavity 105d" and thereby registering an amount of pressure
within the cavity
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105d" that is detected by the pressure sensor 130d"; the pressure sensor 130d"
may
communicate a signal to the controller 108d" indicating the amount of pressure
within the cavity
105d".
[00228] After pressurizing the cavity 105d" with the pressurized fluid
contained by the source
of pressurized fluid 126d", and, upon actuation of the applicator, S (e.g., a
spray nozzle), of the
wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and/or tire lubricating sub-station
16b', 16b", the
lubricant, L, may be expelled from the cavity 105d" by way of the pressurized
fluid pushing the
lubricant, L, out of the fluid communication port 124d" and through the
conduit member 132d".
In some instances, if the controller 108d" learns (e.g., from the signal sent
from the pressure
sensor 130d") that the cavity 105d" is insufficiently pressurized, which may
impair a desired
amount of expelled fluid from the applicator, S, the controller 108d" causes
the source of
pressurized fluid 126d" to increase the amount or flow rate of pressurized
fluid provided to the
cavity 105d" by way of the fluid communication port 120d". In other examples,
if the conduit
member 132d" is not sufficiently heated (which is determined by the controller
108d" by way
of a temperature signal sent from the temperature sensor 136d" to the
controller 108d"), and,
thereby cools the lubricant, L, flowing there-through, the controller 108d"
may actuate one or
more heating elements 134d" for raising the temperature of the conduit member
132d"; upon
increasing the temperature of the conduit member 132d", the temperature of the
lubricant, L,
may be maintained as the lubricant, L, is expelled from the cavity 105d" and
into the conduit
member 132d" prior to exiting the applicator, S.
[00229] Referring to FIG. 9D, a lubrication conditioning system 100d" is shown
according
to an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system
100d' " indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant,
L, from a first
temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second
temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00230] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100d" includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102d", a lubricant temperature modifier 104d", a lubricant
temperature sensor
106d" and a controller 108d". The lubricant reservoir 102d" ' contains the
lubricant, L.
Unlike the lubrication conditioning systems 100c, 100c', 100d, 100d', 100d"
described above,
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the lubricant temperature modifier 104d' " is not submerged within the
lubricant, L, or the fluid,
F, nor is the lubricant temperature modifier 104d" ' arranged in a spaced
apart relationship with
respect to, lubricant reservoir 102c, 102c', 102d, 102d', 102d" and/or fluid
container 102d',
102d"; rather, a portion (see, e.g., 104d2") of the lubricant temperature
modifier 104d" ' is
disposed directly adjacent an exterior surface 114d" ' of the lubricant
reservoir 102d".
Accordingly, as a result of the lubricant temperature modifier 104d" ' being
arranged directly
adjacent the exterior surface 114d" ' of the lubricant reservoir 102d", the
portion 104d2" of the
lubricant temperature modifier 104d" ' permits the lubricant temperature
modifier 104d" ' to
indirectly communicate with the lubricant, L, by way of the material defined
by lubricant
reservoir 102d".
[00231] The lubricant temperature sensor 106d" ' may be arranged within a
cavity 105d" '
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d' " and submerged within the lubricant,
L, for detecting a
temperature of the lubricant, L. The controller 108d" ' may be communicatively
coupled to the
lubricant temperature modifier 104d" ' and the lubricant temperature sensor
106d' " for receiving
temperature readings from the lubricant temperature sensor 106d' in order to
de/actuate the
lubricant temperature modifier 104d" ' for the purpose of maintaining,
increasing or decreasing
the temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00232] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104d' may
include an
electrical source (e.g., a current source) 104d1" connected to a hot plate
104d2". In an
example, the controller 108d" ' may include a manually-operated on/off switch
to permit manual
on/off switching of the electrical source 104d1" connected to the hot plate
104d2". The
controller 108d" ' may also include a display that displays the temperature of
the lubricant, L; the
temperature of the lubricant, L, may be communicated in the form of a signal
that is sent from
the from the lubricant temperature sensor 106d" ' to the controller 108d".
Accordingly, if an
operator of the of lubrication conditioning systems 100d" ' is aware of the
type of lubricant, L,
arranged within the lubricant reservoir 102d' ", and, if the operator of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100d' " is aware of a desired second temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is
greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") that the lubricant,
L, should be
arranged at, the operator may de/actuate the on/off switch provided by the
controller 108d' " in
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order to manually maintain control over the temperature of the lubricant, L.
Once the electrical
source 104d1" is actuated, the electrical source 104d1' may cause the hot
plate 104d2' to be
heated; because the exterior surface 114d" ' of the lubricant reservoir 102d"
' is in direct contact
with the hot plate 104d2", the hot plate 104d2' may directly heat the material
defining the
lubricant reservoir 102d"; because the lubricant reservoir 102d" ' is in
direct contact with the
lubricant, L, the lubricant, L, is also heated, thereby raising the
temperature of the lubricant, L,
from a first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to
a second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient
temperature").
[00233] In another example, the controller 108d" may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100d' " . In an example, a
processor provided by
the controller 108d" may be programmed with a desired second temperature
(e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
of the lubricant, L.
After actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100d" ', the temperature
of the lubricant, L,
may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the lubricant
temperature sensor
106d' to the controller 108d". Accordingly, the controller 108d" ' may
maintain the electrical
source 104d1' connected to the hot plate 104d2' in an 'on state' until the
temperature of the
lubricant, L, has been increased to the second temperature; upon reaching the
lubricant, L,
reaching the second temperature, the controller 108d" may automatically switch
the hot plate
104d" to an 'off state.'
[00234] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100d" ' may be executed by providing the controller 108d" ' with a data
lookup table that
associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid paste
lubricant, a substantially
semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid soap lubricant,
or the like), with a
desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" /
"ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an example, the
controller 108d" may be
provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform the
controller 108d" ' which
type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir 102d'''. Once
the operator informs
the controller 108d" which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the
lubricant reservoir 102d'",
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the controller 108d" will refer to the data lookup table and automatically
select the desired
second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" / "ambient
temperature") associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered / selected by
the operator at the
user interface of the controller 108d'''. Accordingly, upon the operator
actuating the lubrication
conditioning system, the electrical source 104d1" connected to the hot plate
104d2' will
remain in the 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been
adjusted to the
temperature associated with the lubricant, L, in the data lookup table.
[00235] In a somewhat similar fashion to the exemplary embodiment described
above at FIG.
5D, the lubricant reservoir 102d" ' of the exemplary embodiment described
above at FIG. 9D
does not include an opening (such as a vent to atmosphere) that permits the
lubricant, L, to be in
direct communication with surrounding atmosphere, A. As such, the lubricant
reservoir 102d"
is defined by an enclosure that does not permit the lubricant, L, to be in
direct communication
with surrounding atmosphere, A.
[00236] Although the lubricant reservoir 102d' may be defined by an enclosure
that does not
permit the lubricant, L, to be in direct communication with surrounding
atmosphere, A, the
lubricant reservoir 102d" may include several ports 120d", 122d" and 124d",
which may be
referred to as one or more fluid communication ports. In some instances, the
fluid
communication port 120d" may permit a source of pressurized fluid 126d" to
pressurize the
cavity 105d" formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d"; movement of the
pressurized fluid from
the source of pressurized fluid 126d" to the cavity 105d" is permitted when a
flow control
valve 128d" is arranged in an open orientation. In other instances, the fluid
communication
port 122d" ' may permit a pressure sensor 130d" to detect a pressurization
level of the cavity
105d" formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d".
[00237] In other examples, the fluid communication port 124d" may permit the
lubricant, L,
contained in the cavity 105d" to be evacuated from the lubricant reservoir
102d'''. A proximal
end 132d1" of a conduit member 132d" ' may be fluidly-connected to the fluid
communication
port 124d", and, a distal end 132d2" of the conduit member 132d" ' may be
connected to one
or more of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and the tire
lubricating sub-station 16b',
16b". In some instances, one or more heating elements 134d" ' may be connected
to the conduit
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member 132d" ' for selectively adjusting the temperature of the conduit member
132d". In
other examples, a temperature sensor 136d' " may be disposed upon the conduit
member 132d" '
for determining the temperature of the conduit member 132d'.
[00238] As seen in FIG. 9D, the controller 108d" may also be communicatively-
coupled to
one or more of the source of pressurized fluid 126d'", the flow control valve
128d", the
pressure sensor 130d", the one or more heating elements 134d' " and the
temperature sensor
136d". In an example, the controller 108d" may send and/or receive signals to
one or more of
the source of pressurized fluid 126d'", the flow control valve 128d", the
pressure sensor
130d'", the one or more heating elements 134d" ' and the temperature sensor
136d" ' as follows.
[00239] The controller 108d" may send a signal to the flow control valve 128d"
for
arranging the flow control valve 128d" ' in a closed orientation, thereby
denying the pressurized
fluid contained by the source of pressurized fluid 126d" ' to be in
communication with the cavity
105d' by way of the fluid communication port 124d". Upon the controller 108d"
sending a
signal to the flow control valve 128d' for arranging the flow control valve
128d" in the open
orientation, the pressurized fluid contained by the source of pressurized
fluid 126d" ' may be
directed into the cavity 105d" ' and thereby registering an amount of pressure
within the cavity
105d" that is detected by the pressure sensor 130d"; the pressure sensor 130d"
may
communicate a signal to the controller 108d' indicating the amount of pressure
within the
cavity 105d'.
[00240] After pressurizing the cavity 105d" ' with the pressurized fluid
contained by the
source of pressurized fluid 126d", and, upon actuation of the applicator, S
(e.g., a spray nozzle),
of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and/or tire lubricating sub-
station 16b', 16b", the
lubricant, L, may be expelled from the cavity 105d" by way of the pressurized
fluid pushing the
lubricant, L, out of the fluid communication port 124d' " and through the
conduit member
132d'. In some instances, if the controller 108d' learns (e.g., from the
signal sent from the
pressure sensor 130d") that the cavity 105d" is insufficiently pressurized,
which may impair a
desired amount of expelled fluid from the applicator, S, the controller 108d"
causes the source
of pressurized fluid 126d" ' to increase the amount or flow rate of
pressurized fluid provided to
the cavity 105d" ' by way of the fluid communication port 120d'". In other
examples, if the
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conduit member 132d" ' is not sufficiently heated (which is determined by the
controller 108d" '
by way of a temperature signal sent from the temperature sensor 136d" ' to the
controller
108d'"), and, thereby cools the lubricant, L, flowing there-through, the
controller 108d" may
actuate one or more heating elements 134d" ' for raising the temperature of
the conduit member
132d'"; upon increasing the temperature of the conduit member 132d", the
temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be maintained as the lubricant, L, is expelled from the
cavity 105d" and into
the conduit member 132d" prior to exiting the applicator, S.
[00241] Referring to FIG. 9E, a lubrication conditioning system 100d" is shown
according
to an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system
100d' " indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant,
L, from a first
temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second
temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00242] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100d" includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102d", a lubricant temperature modifier 104d", a lubricant
temperature sensor
106d", a controller 108d", a fluid container 110d" " and a fluid temperature
sensor 112d".
The lubricant reservoir 102d" contains the lubricant, L, and the fluid
container 110d" "
contains a fluid, F. Unlike the lubrication conditioning systems 100c, 100c',
100d, 100d', 100d"
described above, the lubricant temperature modifier 104d" is not submerged
within the
lubricant, L, or the fluid, F, nor is the lubricant temperature modifier 104d"
" arranged in a
spaced apart relationship with respect to, lubricant reservoir 102c, 102c',
102d, 102d', 102d"
and/or fluid container 102d', 102d"; rather, a portion (see, e.g., 104d2") of
the lubricant
temperature modifier 104d" " is disposed directly adjacent an exterior surface
116d" " of the
fluid container 110d' " '. Accordingly, as a result of the portion 104d2" of
the temperature
modifier 104d" being arranged directly adjacent the exterior surface 116d" "
of the fluid
container 110d' " ', the portion 104d2" of the lubricant temperature modifier
104d" " permits
the lubricant temperature modifier 104d" to indirectly communicate with the
lubricant, L, by
way of: the material defining the lubricant reservoir 102d", the material
defining the fluid
container 110d' " ' and the fluid, F, that is contained by the fluid container
110d" " that
surrounds the lubricant reservoir 102d".
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[00243] The lubricant temperature sensor 106d" " may be arranged within a
cavity 105d"
formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d" and submerged within the lubricant, L,
for detecting a
temperature of the lubricant, L. The fluid temperature sensor 112d" may be
arranged within
the cavity 113d" " formed by the fluid container 110d" " and submerged within
the fluid, F, for
detecting a temperature of the fluid, F.
[00244] The controller 108d" " may be communicatively coupled to the lubricant
temperature
modifier 104d", the lubricant temperature sensor 106d" " and the fluid
temperature sensor
112d" for receiving temperature readings from one or more of the lubricant
temperature sensor
106d" and the fluid temperature sensor 112d" in order to de/actuate the
lubricant
temperature modifier 104d" " for the purpose of maintaining, increasing or
decreasing the
temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00245] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104d" may
include an
electrical source (e.g., a current source) 104d1" connected to a hot plate
104d2". In an
example, the controller 108d" " may include a manually-operated on/off switch
to permit
manual on/off switching of the electrical source 104d1" connected to the hot
plate 104d2".
The controller 108d" " may also include a display that displays the
temperature of one or more
of the lubricant, L, and the fluid, F; the temperature of one or more of the
lubricant, L, and the
fluid, F, may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the
from one or more of
the lubricant temperature sensor 106d" and the fluid temperature sensor 112d"
" to the
controller 108d". Accordingly, if an operator of the of lubrication
conditioning systems
100d' " is aware of the type of lubricant, L, arranged within the lubricant
reservoir 102d",
and, if the operator of the lubrication conditioning system 100d" " is aware
of a desired second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
that the lubricant, L, should be arranged at, the operator may de/actuate the
on/off switch
provided by the controller 108d" " in order to manually maintain control over
the temperature of
the lubricant, L. Once the electrical source 104d1" is actuated, the
electrical source 104d1"
may cause the hot plate 104d2" to be heated; because the exterior surface
116d" of the fluid
container 110d' " ' is in direct contact with the hot plate 104d2", the hot
plate 104d2" may
directly heat the fluid, F. Because the lubricant reservoir 102d" " is in
direct contact with the
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exterior surface 116d" " of the fluid container 110d' " ', which contains the
fluid, F, the
lubricant, L, contained within lubricant reservoir 102d''" and submerged
within the fluid, F, is
also heated, thereby raising the temperature of the lubricant, L, from a first
temperature (e.g.,
"room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is
greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00246] In another example, the controller 108d" may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100d' " In an example, a
processor provided
by the controller 108d" " may be programmed with a desired second temperature
(e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
of the lubricant, L.
After actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100d" ", the temperature
of the lubricant, L,
may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from one or more of
the lubricant
temperature sensor 106d" " and the fluid temperature sensor 112d''" to the
controller 108d".
Accordingly, the controller 108d' may maintain the electrical source 104d1'
connected to
the hot plate 104d2" in an 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant,
L, has been
increased to the second temperature; upon reaching the lubricant, L, reaching
the second
temperature, the controller 108d" " may automatically switch the hot plate
104d" to an 'off
state.'
[00247] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100d" " may be executed by providing the controller 108d" " with a data
lookup table
that associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid
paste lubricant, a
substantially semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid
soap lubricant, or the
like), with a desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater
than "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an
example, the controller
108d" may be provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform
the controller
108d" which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir
102d". Once the
operator informs the controller 108d" " which type of lubricant, L, is
deposited into the lubricant
reservoir 102d", the controller 108d" " will refer to the data lookup table
and automatically
select the desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater
than "room temperature"
/ "ambient temperature") associated with the lubricant, L, that was entered /
selected by the
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operator at the user interface of the controller 108d". Accordingly, upon the
operator actuating
the lubrication conditioning system, the electrical source 104d1" connected to
the hot plate
104d2" will remain in the 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant,
L, has been adjusted
to the temperature associated with the lubricant, L, in the data lookup table.
[00248] In a somewhat similar fashion to the exemplary embodiment described
above at FIG.
5E, the lubricant reservoir 102d''" of the exemplary embodiment described
above at FIG. 9E
does not include an opening (such as a vent to atmosphere) that permits the
lubricant, L, to be in
direct communication with surrounding atmosphere, A. As such, the lubricant
reservoir 102d''"
is defined by an enclosure that does not permit the lubricant, L, to be in
direct communication
with surrounding atmosphere, A.
[00249] Although the lubricant reservoir 102d' may be defined by an enclosure
that does
not permit the lubricant, L, to be in direct communication with surrounding
atmosphere, A, the
lubricant reservoir 102d" may include several ports 120d", 122d''" and
124d'''', which
may be referred to as one or more fluid communication ports. In some
instances, the fluid
communication port 120d''" may permit a source of pressurized fluid 126d''" to
pressurize the
cavity 105d''" formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d"; movement of the
pressurized fluid
from the source of pressurized fluid 126d" " to the cavity 105d''" is
permitted when a flow
control valve 128d" is arranged in an open orientation. In other instances,
the fluid
communication port 122d''" may permit a pressure sensor 130d''" to detect a
pressurization
level of the cavity 105d" " formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d".
[00250] In other examples, the fluid communication port 124d''" may permit the
lubricant, L,
contained in the cavity 105d''" to be evacuated from the lubricant reservoir
102d". A
proximal end 132d1' of a conduit member 132d" " may be fluidly-connected to
the fluid
communication port 124d'''', and, a distal end 132d2" of the conduit member
132d''" may be
connected to one or more of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and
the tire lubricating
sub-station 16b', 16b". In some instances, one or more heating elements 134d"
" may be
connected to the conduit member 132d" " for selectively adjusting the
temperature of the
conduit member 132d". In other examples, a temperature sensor 136d" " may be
disposed
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upon the conduit member 132d" " for determining the temperature of the conduit
member
132d".
[00251] As seen in FIG. 9E, the controller 108d" " may also be communicatively-
coupled to
one or more of the source of pressurized fluid 126d", the flow control valve
128d", the
pressure sensor 130d", the one or more heating elements 134d" " and the
temperature sensor
136d'. In an example, the controller 108d" " may send and/or receive signals
to one or more
of the source of pressurized fluid 126d", the flow control valve 128d", the
pressure sensor
130d", the one or more heating elements 134d" " and the temperature sensor
136d" as
follows.
[00252] The controller 108d" may send a signal to the flow control valve 128d"
for
arranging the flow control valve 128d" in a closed orientation, thereby
denying the pressurized
fluid contained by the source of pressurized fluid 126d" " to be in
communication with the
cavity 105d" by way of the fluid communication port 124d". Upon the controller
108d" "
sending a signal to the flow control valve 128d" " for arranging the flow
control valve 128d" "
in the open orientation, the pressurized fluid contained by the source of
pressurized fluid
126d' may be directed into the cavity 105d' and thereby registering an amount
of pressure
within the cavity 105d" that is detected by the pressure sensor 130d"; the
pressure sensor
130d' may communicate a signal to the controller 108d" " indicating the amount
of pressure
within the cavity 105d'.
[00253] After pressurizing the cavity 105d" " with the pressurized fluid
contained by the
source of pressurized fluid 126d", and, upon actuation of the applicator, S
(e.g., a spray
nozzle), of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and/or tire
lubricating sub-station 16b',
16b", the lubricant, L, may be expelled from the cavity 105d" by way of the
pressurized fluid
pushing the lubricant, L, out of the fluid communication port 124d" " and
through the conduit
member 132d". In some instances, if the controller 108d" learns (e.g., from
the signal sent
from the pressure sensor 130d") that the cavity 105d" is insufficiently
pressurized, which
may impair a desired amount of expelled fluid from the applicator, S, the
controller 108d" "
causes the source of pressurized fluid 126d" to increase the amount or flow
rate of pressurized
fluid provided to the cavity 105d" " by way of the fluid communication port
120d". In other
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examples, if the conduit member 132d" " is not sufficiently heated (which is
determined by the
controller 108d" " by way of a temperature signal sent from the temperature
sensor 136d" " to
the controller 108d"), and, thereby cools the lubricant, L, flowing there-
through, the controller
108d' may actuate one or more heating elements 134d" " for raising the
temperature of the
conduit member 132d"; upon increasing the temperature of the conduit member
132d", the
temperature of the lubricant, L, may be maintained as the lubricant, L, is
expelled from the cavity
105d" and into the conduit member 132d' ' prior to exiting the applicator, S.
[00254] Referring to FIG. 9F, a lubrication conditioning system 100d'" is
shown according
to an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the lubrication
conditioning system
100d' " indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the lubricant,
L, from a first
temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second
temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00255] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100d" " includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102d", a lubricant temperature modifier 104d'", a lubricant
temperature sensor
106d", a controller 108d" " ' and an enclosed housing 18d".1 The lubricant
reservoir
102d" contains the lubricant, L. The lubricant temperature modifier 104d" " '
is arranged
relative to (e.g., next to or proximate) the lubricant reservoir 102d" " ' and
within the enclosed
housing 118d" " ' along with the lubricant reservoir 102d" in order to permit
the lubricant
temperature modifier 104d" " ' to indirectly communicate with the lubricant,
L, that is contained
by the lubricant reservoir, L. The lubricant temperature sensor 106d" " ' may
be arranged within
a cavity 105d" ' formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d" ' and submerged
within the
lubricant, L, for detecting a temperature of the lubricant, L. The controller
108d" " ' may be
communicatively coupled to the lubricant temperature modifier 104d" " ' and
the lubricant
temperature sensor 106d" " ' for receiving temperature readings from the
lubricant temperature
sensor 106d" in order to de/actuate the lubricant temperature modifier 104d"
for the
purpose of maintaining, increasing or decreasing the temperature of the
lubricant, L.
[00256] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104d" may be
a burner
that burns a fuel (e.g., gas) in order to produce a flame. The flame heats the
ambient air within
the enclosed housing 118d' thereby raising the temperature of one or more of
the lubricant
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reservoir 102d" ' and lubricant, L, that are arranged within the enclosed
housing 118d".
Because the lubricant, L, is arranged within the enclosed housing 118d", the
fluid (i.e., the
ambient air, A) within the enclosed housing 118d' may indirectly heat one or
more of the
lubricant reservoir 102d" " ' and the lubricant, L, contained by and in
contact with the lubricant
reservoir 102d" ' such that the temperature of the lubricant, L, is raised
from a first temperature
(e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a second temperature
(e.g., a temperature
that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature").
[00257] In an example, the controller 108d" may include a manually-operated
on/off
switch to permit manual on/off switching of the burner 104d". The controller
108d" may
also include a display that displays the temperature of the lubricant, L; the
temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from
the from the lubricant
temperature sensor 106d" " ' to the controller 108d". Accordingly, if an
operator of the of
lubrication conditioning systems 100d" " ' is aware of the type of lubricant,
L, arranged within
the lubricant reservoir 102d", and, if the operator of the lubrication
conditioning system
100d' " is aware of a desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is
greater than "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature") that the lubricant, L, should be
arranged at, the operator
may de/actuate the on/off switch provided by the controller 108d" ' in order
to manually
maintain control over the temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00258] In another example, the controller 108d" may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100d' " ". In an example, a
processor provided
by the controller 108d" " ' may be programmed with a desired second
temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
of the lubricant, L.
After actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100d" " ', the temperature
of the lubricant, L,
may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from the
lubricant temperature
sensor 106d" to the controller 108d". Accordingly, the controller 108d" may
maintain
the burner 104d" in an 'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L,
has been increased
to the second temperature; upon reaching the lubricant, L, reaching the second
temperature, the
controller 108d" " ' may automatically switch the burner 104d" to an 'off
state.'
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[00259] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100d" " may be executed by providing the controller 108d" " ' with a
data lookup table
that associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-solid
paste lubricant, a
substantially semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid
soap lubricant, or the
like), with a desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater
than "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an
example, the controller
108d" may be provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform
the controller
108d" which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir
102d'''. Once the
operator informs the controller 108d" ' which type of lubricant, L, is
deposited into the
lubricant reservoir 102d", the controller 108d" " will refer to the data
lookup table and
automatically select the desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that
is greater than
"room temperature" / "ambient temperature") associated with the lubricant, L,
that was entered /
selected by the operator at the user interface of the controller 108d".
Accordingly, upon the
operator actuating the lubrication conditioning system, the burner 104d" " '
will remain in the
'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been adjusted to the
temperature
associated with the lubricant, L, in the data lookup table.
[00260] In a somewhat similar fashion to the exemplary embodiment described
above at FIG.
5F, the lubricant reservoir 102d" " ' of the exemplary embodiment described
above at FIG. 9F
does not include an opening (such as a vent to atmosphere) that permits the
lubricant, L, to be in
direct communication with surrounding atmosphere, A. As such, the lubricant
reservoir
102d" is defined by an enclosure that does not permit the lubricant, L, to be
in direct
communication with surrounding atmosphere, A.
[00261] Although the lubricant reservoir 102d' may be defined by an enclosure
that does
not permit the lubricant, L, to be in direct communication with surrounding
atmosphere, A, the
lubricant reservoir 102d" may include several ports 120d'", 122d" and 124d",
which
may be referred to as one or more fluid communication ports. In some
instances, the fluid
communication port 120d" may permit a source of pressurized fluid 126d" to
pressurize
the cavity 105d" ' formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d'; movement of the
pressurized
fluid from the source of pressurized fluid 126d" ' to the cavity 105d" is
permitted when a
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flow control valve 128d" is arranged in an open orientation. In other
instances, the fluid
communication port 122d" may permit a pressure sensor 130d" to detect a
pressurization
level of the cavity 105d" ' formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d'''.
[00262] In other examples, the fluid communication port 124d" may permit the
lubricant,
L, contained in the cavity 105d" " ' to be evacuated from the lubricant
reservoir 102d". A
proximal end 132d1' of a conduit member 132d" " ' may be fluidly-connected to
the fluid
communication port 124d'", and, a distal end 132d2' of the conduit member
132d" may
be connected to one or more of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and
the tire
lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b". In some instances, one or more heating
elements 134d"
may be connected to the conduit member 132d" " ' for selectively adjusting the
temperature of
the conduit member 132d'''. In other examples, a temperature sensor 136d" " '
may be
disposed upon the conduit member 132d" for determining the temperature of the
conduit
member 132d".
[00263] As seen in FIG. 9F, the controller 108d" may also be communicatively-
coupled to
one or more of the source of pressurized fluid 126d'", the flow control valve
128d", the
pressure sensor 130d", the one or more heating elements 134d" and the
temperature sensor
136d'. In an example, the controller 108d' may send and/or receive signals to
one or more
of the source of pressurized fluid 126d'", the flow control valve 128d'", the
pressure sensor
130d", the one or more heating elements 134d" and the temperature sensor 136d"
' as
follows.
[00264] The controller 108d" may send a signal to the flow control valve 128d"
for
arranging the flow control valve 128d" in a closed orientation, thereby
denying the
pressurized fluid contained by the source of pressurized fluid 126d" " ' to be
in communication
with the cavity 105d" by way of the fluid communication port 124d". Upon the
controller
108d" sending a signal to the flow control valve 128d" ' for arranging the
flow control valve
128d" in the open orientation, the pressurized fluid contained by the source
of pressurized
fluid 126d" " ' may be directed into the cavity 105d" and thereby registering
an amount of
pressure within the cavity 105d" " ' that is detected by the pressure sensor
130d'; the pressure
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sensor 130d' may communicate a signal to the controller 108d' indicating the
amount of
pressure within the cavity 105d".
[00265] After pressurizing the cavity 105d" " with the pressurized fluid
contained by the
source of pressurized fluid 126d", and, upon actuation of the applicator, S
(e.g., a spray
nozzle), of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and/or tire
lubricating sub-station 16b',
16b", the lubricant, L, may be expelled from the cavity 105d" by way of the
pressurized fluid
pushing the lubricant, L, out of the fluid communication port 124d" ' and
through the conduit
member 132d". In some instances, if the controller 108d" learns (e.g., from
the signal sent
from the pressure sensor 130d") that the cavity 105d" " ' is insufficiently
pressurized, which
may impair a desired amount of expelled fluid from the applicator, S, the
controller 108d" '
causes the source of pressurized fluid 126d" to increase the amount or flow
rate of pressurized
fluid provided to the cavity 105d" " ' by way of the fluid communication port
120d". In other
examples, if the conduit member 132d" " ' is not sufficiently heated (which is
determined by the
controller 108d" " ' by way of a temperature signal sent from the temperature
sensor 136d" to
the controller 108d'"), and, thereby cools the lubricant, L, flowing there-
through, the controller
108d' may actuate one or more heating elements 134d" " ' for raising the
temperature of the
conduit member 132d"; upon increasing the temperature of the conduit member
132d'", the
temperature of the lubricant, L, may be maintained as the lubricant, L, is
expelled from the cavity
105d" and into the conduit member 132d" prior to exiting the applicator, S.
[00266] Referring to FIG. 9G, a lubrication conditioning system 100d" is shown
according to an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the
lubrication conditioning
system 100d" " indirectly changes (e.g., increases) the temperature of the
lubricant, L, from a
first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature") to a
second temperature
(e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient
temperature").
[00267] In an example, the lubrication conditioning system 100d" includes a
lubricant
reservoir 102d", a lubricant temperature modifier 104d", a lubricant
temperature sensor
106d", a controller 108d", a fluid container 110d' " ' ", a fluid temperature
sensor
112d" and an enclosed housing 118d" ". The lubricant reservoir 102d" " "
contains the
lubricant, L. The lubricant temperature modifier 104d" " " is arranged
relative to (e.g., next to
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or proximate) the lubricant reservoir 102d" " " and the fluid container 110d'
" ' " within the
enclosed housing 118d" ' in order to permit the lubricant temperature modifier
104d" ' to
indirectly communicate with the lubricant, L, that is contained by the
lubricant reservoir, L;
indirect communication of the lubricant temperature modifier 104d" with the
lubricant, L, is
achieved by submerging the lubricant reservoir 102d" " " with a fluid, F, that
is contained by the
fluid container 110d' " " ' .
[00268] The lubricant temperature sensor 106d" ' may be arranged within a
cavity
105d" formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d" " " and submerged within the
lubricant, L, for
detecting a temperature of the lubricant, L. The fluid temperature sensor
112d" may be
arranged within a cavity 113d" " " formed by the fluid container 110d" " " and
submerged
within the fluid, F, for detecting a temperature of the fluid, F.
[00269] The controller 108d" " " may be communicatively coupled to the
lubricant
temperature modifier 104d", the lubricant temperature sensor 106d" and the
fluid
temperature sensor 112d" " " for receiving temperature readings from one or
more of the
lubricant temperature sensor 106d" " " and the fluid temperature sensor 112d"
in order to
de/actuate the lubricant temperature modifier 104d" for the purpose of
maintaining,
increasing or decreasing the temperature of the lubricant, L.
[00270] In an implementation, the lubricant temperature modifier 104d' may be
a burner
that burns a fuel (e.g., gas) in order to produce a flame. The flame heats the
ambient air, A,
within the enclosed housing 118d" ' thereby raising the temperature of one or
more of the
lubricant reservoir 102d", the lubricant, L, the fluid container 110d' " " '
and the fluid, F, that
are also arranged within the enclosed housing 118d". Because the lubricant,
L, is arranged
within the enclosed housing 118d", the fluid (i.e., the ambient air, A) within
the enclosed
housing 118d" " " may indirectly heat one or more of the fluid container 110d'
" ' ", the fluid, F,
contained by the fluid container 110d" ' " ', and the lubrication reservoir
102d" " " and the
lubricant, L, that is contained by and in contact with the lubricant reservoir
102d" " " such that
the temperature of the lubricant, L, is raised from a first temperature (e.g.,
"room temperature" /
"ambient temperature") to a second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is
greater than "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature").
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[00271] In an example, the controller 108d' " " may include a manually-
operated on/off
switch to permit manual on/off switching of the burner 104d" " ". The
controller 108d" ' may
also include a display that displays the temperature of one or more of the
lubricant, L, and the
fluid, F; the temperature of one or more of the lubricant, L, and the fluid,
F, may be
communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from the from one or more of
the lubricant
temperature sensor 106d" " " and the fluid temperature sensor 112d" ' to the
controller
108d'. Accordingly, if an operator of the of lubrication conditioning systems
100d" " " is
aware of the type of lubricant, L, arranged within the lubricant reservoir
102d' " '", and, if the
operator of the lubrication conditioning system 100d" is aware of a desired
second
temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
that the lubricant, L, should be arranged at, the operator may de/actuate the
on/off switch
provided by the controller 108d" ' in order to manually maintain control over
the temperature
of the lubricant, L.
[00272] In another example, the controller 108d" may include logic that
permits automatic
control over the lubrication conditioning system 100d' " '". In an example, a
processor provided
by the controller 108d" " " may be programmed with a desired second
temperature (e.g., a
temperature that is greater than "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
of the lubricant, L.
After actuating the lubrication conditioning system 100d" ", the temperature
of the lubricant,
L, may be communicated in the form of a signal that is sent from one or more
of the lubricant
temperature sensor 106d" " " and the fluid temperature sensor 112d" ' to the
controller
108d' Accordingly, the controller 108d" may maintain the burner 104d' " "
in an 'on
state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been increased to the
second temperature;
upon reaching the lubricant, L, reaching the second temperature, the
controller 108d" " " may
automatically switch the burner 104d' " " to an 'off state.'
[00273] Further, in an embodiment, automatic control over the lubrication
conditioning
system 100d" " may be executed by providing the controller 108d" ' with a data
lookup
table that associates a particular lubricant, L (e.g., a substantially semi-
solid paste lubricant, a
substantially semi-solid petroleum-based lubricant, a substantially liquid
soap lubricant, or the
like), with a desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater
than "room
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temperature" / "ambient temperature") of a selected lubricant, L. In an
example, the controller
108d" may be provided with a user interface that permits an operator to inform
the controller
108d" which type of lubricant, L, is deposited into the lubricant reservoir
102d''''''. Once
the operator informs the controller 108d" " " which type of lubricant, L, is
deposited into the
lubricant reservoir 102d", the controller 108d'" will refer to the data
lookup table and
automatically select the desired second temperature (e.g., a temperature that
is greater than
"room temperature" / "ambient temperature") associated with the lubricant, L,
that was entered /
selected by the operator at the user interface of the controller 108d" " ".
Accordingly, upon the
operator actuating the lubrication conditioning system, the burner 104d" " "
will remain in the
'on state' until the temperature of the lubricant, L, has been adjusted to the
temperature
associated with the lubricant, L, in the data lookup table.
[00274] In a somewhat similar fashion to the exemplary embodiment described
above at FIG.
5G, the lubricant reservoir 102d" ' of the exemplary embodiment described
above at FIG. 9G
does not include an opening (such as a vent to atmosphere) that permits the
lubricant, L, to be in
direct communication with surrounding atmosphere, A. As such, the lubricant
reservoir
102d" is defined by an enclosure that does not permit the lubricant, L, to be
in direct
communication with surrounding atmosphere, A.
[00275] Although the lubricant reservoir 102d' may be defined by an enclosure
that does
not permit the lubricant, L, to be in direct communication with surrounding
atmosphere, A, the
lubricant reservoir 102d" " " may include several ports 120d", 122d" " " and
124d",
which may be referred to as one or more fluid communication ports. In some
instances, the fluid
communication port 120d' may permit a source of pressurized fluid 126d" " " to
pressurize
the cavity 105d" ' formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d'"; movement of the
pressurized
fluid from the source of pressurized fluid 126d" ' to the cavity 105d" " " is
permitted when a
flow control valve 128d" " " is arranged in an open orientation. In other
instances, the fluid
communication port 122d''''" may permit a pressure sensor 130d" " " to detect
a pressurization
level of the cavity 105d" ' formed by the lubricant reservoir 102d''''''.
[00276] In other examples, the fluid communication port 124d''''" may permit
the lubricant,
L, contained in the cavity 105d" " " to be evacuated from the lubricant
reservoir 102d". A
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proximal end 132d1' of a conduit member 132d''''" may be fluidly-connected to
the fluid
communication port 124d'''''', and, a distal end 132d2' of the conduit member
132d"
may be connected to one or more of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a"
and the tire
lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b". In some instances, one or more heating
elements 134d''''"
may be connected to the conduit member 132d" " " for selectively adjusting the
temperature of
the conduit member 132d''''''. In other examples, a temperature sensor
136d''''" may be
disposed upon the conduit member 132d' for determining the temperature of the
conduit
member 132d".
[00277] As seen in FIG. 9G, the controller 108d''''" may also be
communicatively-coupled
to one or more of the source of pressurized fluid 126d", the flow control
valve 128d'''''', the
pressure sensor 130d", the one or more heating elements 134d''''" and the
temperature
sensor 136d''''''. In an example, the controller 108d" may send and/or receive
signals to
one or more of the source of pressurized fluid 126d'''''', the flow control
valve 128d", the
pressure sensor 130d", the one or more heating elements 134d''''" and the
temperature
sensor 136d''''" as follows.
[00278] The controller 108d" " " may send a signal to the flow control valve
128d" ' for
arranging the flow control valve 128d" " " in a closed orientation, thereby
denying the
pressurized fluid contained by the source of pressurized fluid 126d" " " to be
in communication
with the cavity 105d' by way of the fluid communication port 124d'. Upon the
controller 108d" " " sending a signal to the flow control valve 128d" ' for
arranging the flow
control valve 128d" " " in the open orientation, the pressurized fluid
contained by the source of
pressurized fluid 126d' may be directed into the cavity 105d" ' and thereby
registering an
amount of pressure within the cavity 105d" ' that is detected by the pressure
sensor 130d";
the pressure sensor 130d'" may communicate a signal to the controller 108d"
indicating
the amount of pressure within the cavity 105d".
[00279] After pressurizing the cavity 105d" " with the pressurized fluid
contained by the
source of pressurized fluid 126d", and, upon actuation of the applicator, S
(e.g., a spray
nozzle), of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" and/or tire
lubricating sub-station 16b',
16b", the lubricant, L, may be expelled from the cavity 105d''''" by way of
the pressurized
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fluid pushing the lubricant, L, out of the fluid communication port 124d" and
through the
conduit member 132d". In some instances, if the controller 108d' learns
(e.g., from the
signal sent from the pressure sensor 130d") that the cavity 105d" ' is
insufficiently
pressurized, which may impair a desired amount of expelled fluid from the
applicator, S, the
controller 108d" " " causes the source of pressurized fluid 126d" to increase
the amount or
flow rate of pressurized fluid provided to the cavity 105d" " " by way of the
fluid
communication port 120d". In other examples, if the conduit member 132d" " "
is not
sufficiently heated (which is determined by the controller 108d" ' by way of a
temperature
signal sent from the temperature sensor 136d" to the controller 108d"), and,
thereby
cools the lubricant, L, flowing there-through, the controller 108d" ' may
actuate one or more
heating elements 134d" " " for raising the temperature of the conduit member
132d"; upon
increasing the temperature of the conduit member 132d' " ' ", the temperature
of the lubricant, L,
may be maintained as the lubricant, L, is expelled from the cavity 105d" " "
and into the conduit
member 132d" prior to exiting the applicator, S.
[00280] The source of pressurized fluid 126c-126d" " " may be any desirable
component that
pressurizes the lubricant, L, within the cavity 105c-105d" for the purpose of
pushing the
lubricant, L, out of the cavity 105c-105d" and into the conduit member 132c-
132d" " " and
out of the applicator, S. In some implementations, the source of pressurized
fluid 126c-
126d' may pressurize the cavity 105c-105d' to a pressure between approximately
25p5i
and 30p5i. In some examples, the source of pressurized fluid 126c-126d" may be
a
pressurized air source, an inert has source or the like. In other examples,
the source of
pressurized fluid 126c-126d" may be a piston, an air cylinder or the like.
[00281] Referring to FIG. 10A, a lubrication conditioning system 100 connected
to the wheel
lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" is shown according to an embodiment. Any of
the lubrication
conditioning systems 100c, 100c', 100d, 100d', 100d", 100d", 100d", 100d",
100d"
shown and described at FIGS. 8A-9G may be arranged at the location of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 of FIG. 10A such that any of the lubrication
conditioning systems 100c,
100c', 100d, 100d', 100d", 100d", 100d'", 100d'", 100d'" may be fluidly-
coupled to the
wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a".
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[00282] In some implementations, a fluid-moving device (e.g., a pump) 150 may
be arranged
between the lubrication conditioning system 100 and the wheel lubricating sub-
station 16a, 16a"
for drawing fluid from the lubrication conditioning system 100 to the wheel
lubricating sub-
station 16a, 16a". The fluid-moving device 150 may be a component of either of
the lubrication
conditioning system 100 and the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a".
[00283] In some implementations, the fluid-moving device 150 may also dispense
the
lubricant, L, from an applicator, S, of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a,
16a". In an
embodiment, the applicator, S, may be a spray nozzle for spraying / misting
the lubricant, L,
upon the wheel, W. Upon being dispensed from the applicator, S, the lubricant,
L, may be
deposited upon at least one or more of the upper and lower the bead seats WSu,
WSL of the
wheel, W.
[00284] As seen in FIG. 10A, a conduit is shown fluidly-connecting the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 to the fluid-moving deice 150, and, a conduit is shown
fluidly-
connecting the fluid-moving device 150 to the applicator, S. Each of these
conduits may be
substantially similar to the conduit member 132c-132d" " " in that the
conduits may include one
or more heating elements (substantially similar to the one or more heating
elements 134c-
134d") and temperature sensor (substantially similar to the one or more
temperature sensors
136c-136d") connected to the controller 108c-108d" " " such that the
temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be maintained as the lubricant, L, travels through the
conduits.
[00285] Referring to FIG. 10B, a lubrication conditioning system 100 connected
to the tire
lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b" is shown according to an embodiment. Any of
the lubrication
conditioning systems 100c, 100c', 100d, 100d', 100d", 100d", 100d", 100d",
100d"
shown and described at FIGS. 8A-9G may be arranged at the location of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 of FIG. 10B such that any of the lubrication
conditioning systems 100c,
100c', 100d, 100d', 100d", 100d", 100d'", 100d'", 100d'" may be fluidly-
coupled to the
tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b".
[00286] In some implementations, a fluid-moving device (e.g., a pump) 150 may
be arranged
between the lubrication conditioning system 100 and the tire lubricating sub-
station 16b', 16b"
for drawing fluid from the lubrication conditioning system 100 to the tire
lubricating sub-station
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16b', 16b". The fluid-moving device 150 may be a component of either of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 and the tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b".
[00287] In some implementations, the fluid-moving device 150 may also dispense
the
lubricant, L, from an applicator, S, of the tire lubricating sub-station 16b',
16b". In an
embodiment, the applicator, S, may be a spray nozzle for spraying / misting
the lubricant, L,
upon the tire, T. Upon being dispensed from the applicator, S, the lubricant,
L, may be deposited
upon at least one or more of the upper and lower the beads TBU, TBL of the
tire, T.
[00288] As seen in FIG. 10B, a conduit is shown fluidly-connecting the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 to the fluid-moving deice 150, and, a conduit is shown
fluidly-
connecting the fluid-moving device 150 to the applicator, S. Each of these
conduits may be
substantially similar to the conduit member 132c-132d" " " in that the
conduits may include one
or more heating elements (substantially similar to the one or more heating
elements 134c-
134d") and temperature sensor (substantially similar to the one or more
temperature sensors
136c-136d") connected to the controller 108c-108d" " " such that the
temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be maintained as the lubricant, L, travels through the
conduits.
[00289] Referring to FIG. 11A, a lubrication conditioning system 100 connected
to the wheel
lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a" is shown according to an embodiment. Any of
the lubrication
conditioning systems 100c, 100c', 100d, 100d', 100d", 100d", 100d", 100d",
100d"
shown and described at FIGS. 8A-9G may be arranged at the location of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 of FIG. 11A such that any of the lubrication
conditioning systems 100c,
100c', 100d, 100d', 100d", 100d", 100d'", 100d'", 100d'" may be fluidly-
coupled to the
wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a".
[00290] In some implementations, a fluid-moving device (e.g., a pump) 150 may
be arranged
between the lubrication conditioning system 100 and the wheel lubricating sub-
station 16a, 16a"
for drawing fluid from the lubrication conditioning system 100 to the wheel
lubricating sub-
station 16a, 16a". The fluid-moving device 150 may be a component of either of
the lubrication
conditioning system 100 and the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a".
[00291] In some implementations, the fluid-moving device 150 may also dispense
the
lubricant, L, from an applicator, R, of the wheel lubricating sub-station 16a,
16a". In an
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embodiment, the applicator, R, may be a roller for wiping the lubricant, L,
upon the wheel, W.
Upon being dispensed from the applicator, R, the lubricant, L, may be
deposited upon at least
one or more of the upper and lower the bead seats WSU, WSL of the wheel, W.
[00292] As seen in FIG. 11A, a conduit is shown fluidly-connecting the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 to the fluid-moving deice 150, and, a conduit is shown
fluidly-
connecting the fluid-moving device 150 to the applicator, S. Each of these
conduits may be
substantially similar to the conduit member 132c-132d" " " in that the
conduits may include one
or more heating elements (substantially similar to the one or more heating
elements 134c-
134d") and temperature sensor (substantially similar to the one or more
temperature sensors
136c-136d") connected to the controller 108c-108d" " " such that the
temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be maintained as the lubricant, L, travels through the
conduits.
[00293] Referring to FIG. 11B, a lubrication conditioning system 100 connected
to the tire
lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b" is shown according to an embodiment. Any of
the lubrication
conditioning systems 100c, 100c', 100d, 100d', 100d", 100d", 100d", 100d",
100d"
shown and described at FIGS. 8A-9G may be arranged at the location of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 of FIG. 11B such that any of the lubrication
conditioning systems 100c,
100c', 100d, 100d', 100d", 100d", 100d'", 100d'", 100d'" may be fluidly-
coupled to the
tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b".
[00294] In some implementations, a fluid-moving device (e.g., a pump) 150 may
be arranged
between the lubrication conditioning system 100 and the tire lubricating sub-
station 16b', 16b"
for drawing fluid from the lubrication conditioning system 100 to the tire
lubricating sub-station
16b', 16b". The fluid-moving device 150 may be a component of either of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 and the tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b".
[00295] In some implementations, the fluid-moving device 150 may also dispense
the
lubricant, L, from an applicator, R, of the tire lubricating sub-station 16b',
16b". In an
embodiment, the applicator, R, may be a roller for wiping the lubricant, L,
upon the tire, T.
Upon being dispensed from the applicator, R, the lubricant, L, may be
deposited upon at least
one or more of the upper and lower the beads TBU, TBL of the tire, T.
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[00296] As seen in FIG. 11B, a conduit is shown fluidly-connecting the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 to the fluid-moving deice 150, and, a conduit is shown
fluidly-
connecting the fluid-moving device 150 to the applicator, S. Each of these
conduits may be
substantially similar to the conduit member 132c-132d" " " in that the
conduits may include one
or more heating elements (substantially similar to the one or more heating
elements 134c-
134d") and temperature sensor (substantially similar to the one or more
temperature sensors
136c-136d") connected to the controller 108c-108d" " " such that the
temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be maintained as the lubricant, L, travels through the
conduits.
[00297] Referring to FIGS. 10A', 10B', 11A' and 11B', exemplary alternative
systems for
lubricating a wheel, W (see, e.g., FIGS. 10A', 11A'), and a tire, T (see,
e.g., FIGS. 10B', 11B'),
are shown. Unlike the systems shown and described above at FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A
and 11B,
the systems shown and described at FIGS. 10A', 10B', 11A' and 11B' do not
include a dedicated
lubrication conditioning system 100 that increases the temperature of the
lubricant, L; rather, the
systems shown and described at FIGS. 10A', 10B', 11A' and 11B' include a high
pressure pump
150' that inherently increases the temperature of the lubricant, L, by virtue
of pressurizing the
lubricant during the process of ejecting the lubricant upon the tire, T,
and/or wheel, W, at the
lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a", 16b', 16b" as the lubricant, L, is drawn
through the high
pressure pump 150'. As described above, when the temperature of the lubricant,
L, is raised, the
lubricant, L, undergoes a viscosity transition (e.g., a change from a
substantially paste lubricant,
L, to a substantially liquid lubricant, L) in order to arrange the lubricant,
L, in a more suitable
state for being ejected from an applicator, S (e.g., a spray nozzle), of a
particular depositing (e.g.,
"spraying") application upon one or more of the tire, T, and the wheel, W, at
one or more of the
wheel lubricating sub-station 16a, 16a", a tire lubricating sub-station 16b',
16b". Therefore, by
inducing a viscosity transition of the lubricant, L, to occur, one or more of
the wheel lubricating
sub-station 16a, 16a" and the tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b" that is
tooled for spraying
lubricant, L, from a spray nozzle, S, may not be limited to a particular
(e.g., viscosity) lubricant,
L, that is arranged in at a first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature"));
accordingly, by permitting a viscosity transition of the lubricant, L, to
occur as a result of
inclusion of the high pressure pump 150', lubricants, L, having, for example,
a non-liquid state
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of matter (such as, e.g., a semi-solid paste lubricant) at the first
temperature (e.g., "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature") may be utilized by one or more of the
wheel lubricating
sub-station 16a, 16a" and the tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b" that is
tooled for spraying
lubricant, L. Further, as seen in FIGS. 10A', 10B', 11A', 11B', a conduit is
shown fluidly-
connecting the fluid-moving device 150' to the applicator, S; the conduit may
be substantially
similar to the conduit member 132c-132d" in that the conduit may include one
or more
heating elements (substantially similar to the one or more heating elements
134c-134d") and
temperature sensor (substantially similar to the one or more temperature
sensors 136c-136d")
connected to the controller 108c-108d" ' such that the temperature of the
lubricant, L, may be
maintained as the lubricant, L, travels through the conduit.
[00298] Referring to FIG. 12, a fluid circuit 200 including any of the
lubrication conditioning
systems 100c-100d" is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The fluid
circuit 200
generally includes a lubricant supply system 150 connected upstream of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100c-100d", a lubricant purge system 175 connected
downstream of the
lubrication conditioning system 100c-100d" and upstream of the applicator, S.
The fluid
circuit 200 may also include a lubricant output detection portion 185 arranged
proximate the
applicator, S. As will be described in the following disclosure, each of the
lubricant supply
system 150, the lubricant purge system 175 and the lubricant output detection
portion 185 are
communicatively-coupled to the controller 108d".108c-
[00299] The lubricant supply system 150 includes a lubricant supply container
152 and a
lubricant supply conduit 154 that fluidly connects the lubricant supply
container 152 to a
lubricant supply port 138 formed by the lubricant reservoir 102c-102d" " " of
the lubrication
conditioning system 100c-100d". The lubricant supply conduit 154 includes a
pump 156 that
permits lubricant, L, contained within the lubricant supply container 152 to
be transported to the
cavity 105c-105d' " ' " of the lubricant reservoir 102c-102d" ' of the
lubrication conditioning
system 100c-100d" ' " ' . In some instances, a lubrication amount detection
device 140 may be
disposed within the cavity 105c-105d", and, when controller 108c-108d" " "
determines that
the amount of lubricant, L, disposed within the cavity 105c-105d" ' falls to a
predetermined
level (as a result of the controller 108c-108d" being communicatively-coupled
to the
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lubrication amount detection device 140), the controller 108c-108d" may send a
signal to the
pump 156 for causing the lubricant, L, contained within the lubricant supply
container 152 to be
transported to the cavity 105c-105d" ' of the lubricant reservoir 102c-102d" "
" of the
lubrication conditioning system 100c-100d".
[00300] Like any of the lubricant temperature modifiers 104c-104d" " " of the
lubrication
conditioning systems 100c-100d" ' " ' described above, the lubricant supply
system 150 may also
include a lubricant temperature modifier 158 for the purpose of maintaining,
increasing or
decreasing the temperature of the lubricant, L, disposed within the lubricant
supply container
152. In an example, the lubricant temperature modifier 158 may be disposed
within the lubricant
supply container 152 and may be in direct contact with the lubricant, L,
disposed within the
lubricant supply container 152.
[00301] In some instances, the lubricant supply system 150 may also include a
lubrication
amount detection device 160 that detects an amount of lubricant, L, disposed
within the lubricant
supply container 152. The lubrication amount detection device 160 may be
communicatively-
coupled to the controller 108c-108d", and, when controller 108c-108d" " "
determines that
the amount of lubricant, L, disposed within the lubricant supply container 152
falls to a
predetermined level (as a result of the controller 108c-108d" " " being
communicatively-coupled
to the lubrication amount detection device 160), the controller 108c-108d" '
may actuate an
alert device (that produces, for example, an audible sound, flashing light,
etc.) in order to notify
an operator that the lubricant supply container 152 needs to be refilled with
additional lubricant,
L.
[00302] The lubricant purge system 175 includes a purge conduit member 178
that is fluidly-
connected to both of the source of pressurized fluid 126c-126d" and the
conduit member
132c-132d" " " that is fluidly-connected to the fluid communication port 124c-
124d" ' formed
by the lubricant reservoir 102c-102d". The purge conduit member 178 is
fluidly-connected
to the conduit member 132c-132d" " " such that the purge conduit member 178 is
arranged
downstream of the proximal end 132c1-132di" of the conduit member 132c-132d"
and
upstream of the distal end 132c2-132d2" of a conduit member 132c-132d".
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[00303] The purge conduit member 178 includes a plurality of valves 180, 182
184 that are
communicatively-coupled to the controller 108c-108d". The valve 180 may be
referred to as
a purge conduit member pressurization valve. The valve 182 may be referred to
as a lubricant
purge reservoir access valve. The valve 184 may be referred to as an
applicator access valve.
[00304] The purge conduit member pressurization valve 180 is arranged
downstream of the
source of pressurized fluid 126c-126d" " and will permit or deny movement of
pressurized
fluid from the source of pressurized fluid 126c-126d" " " into the purge
conduit member 178.
The lubricant purge reservoir access valve 182 is arranged downstream of both
of the proximal
end 132c1-132dr " ' of the conduit member 132c-132d" and the purge conduit
member
pressurization valve 180. The lubricant purge reservoir access valve 182 is
also arranged
upstream of a lubricant purge reservoir 176. The applicator access valve 184
is arranged
downstream of both of the proximal end 132c1-132di" " of the conduit member
132c-
132d" and the purge conduit member pressurization valve 180.
[00305] The lubricant purge system 175 may function according to the following
exemplary
embodiment. In some circumstances, if previously temperature-modified
lubricant remains
within the conduit member 132c-132d" ' after a previous use of the fluid
circuit 200, the
previously temperature-modified lubricant may return to approximately room
temperature,
thereby potentially creating an obstruction or clog within the conduit member
132c-132d".
Therefore, after a previous use of the fluid circuit 200, the lubricant purge
system 175 may be
actuated for the purpose of evacuating the previously temperature-modified
lubricant from with
the conduit member 132c-132d" ' and into the lubricant purge reservoir 176,
thereby removing
the potential for a subsequent obstruction or clog. Therefore, in a situation
when there is a
desired to purge lubricant remaining with the conduit member 132c-132d", the
controller
108c-108d" may selective control the orientation of the valves 180, 182, 184.
[00306] In an example, the lubricant purge system 175 may operate as follows.
Firstly, the
controller 108c-108d" may arrange: (1) the purge conduit member pressurization
valve 180
in a closed orientation, (2) the lubricant purge reservoir access valve 182 in
an open orientation,
and (3) the applicator access valve 184 in a closed orientation. Then, the
controller 108c-
108d" may arrange the purge conduit member pressurization valve 180 in an open
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orientation in order to expose the conduit member 132c-132d" (and the
previously
temperature-modified lubricant disposed therein) to the pressurized fluid
arising from the source
of pressurized fluid 126c-126d". The pressurized fluid firstly enters the
purge conduit
member 178 for subsequent entry into the conduit member 132c-132d" such that
the
previously temperature-modified lubricant disposed within the conduit member
132c-132d"
is evacuated into the lubricant purge reservoir 176 as a result of the
lubricant purge reservoir
access valve 182 being arranged in the open orientation. Because the
applicator access valve 184
is arranged in the closed orientation, the previously temperature-modified
lubricant disposed
within the conduit member 132c-132d" ' is prevented from travelling toward the
applicator, S;
however, in some circumstances, it may be desirable to also arrange the
applicator access valve
184 in an open orientation (in a substantially similar manner as the lubricant
purge reservoir
access valve 182) such that an operator may elect to selectively arrange the
applicator, S, in an
open orientation to thereby purge the previously temperature-modified
lubricant out of the
applicator, S, in addition to discharging the previously temperature-modified
lubricant into the
lubricant purge reservoir 176. Upon completing the lubricant-purging process
described above,
then controller 108c-108d" may: (1) return the purge conduit member
pressurization valve
180 in a closed orientation, (2) arrange the lubricant purge reservoir access
valve 182 in a closed
orientation and (3) the arrange the applicator access valve 184 in an open
orientation for a
subsequent use of the fluid circuit 200. By arranging the lubricant purge
reservoir access valve
182 in the closed orientation, during a subsequent use of the fluid circuit
200, temperature
modified lubricant is prevented from flowing into the lubricant purge
reservoir 176, but, rather,
toward the applicator, S, as a result of the applicator access valve 184 being
arranged in the open
orientation.
[00307] With continued reference to FIG. 12, the lubricant output detection
portion 185
includes a lubricant spray sensor 186 communicatively-coupled to the
controller 108c-108d".
The lubricant spray sensor 186 determines if the applicator, S, is spraying
lubricant upon the
wheel, W, and, in some circumstances, if the lubrication conditioning systems
100a, 100a', 100b,
100b', 100b", 100b", 100b", 100b'", 100b", 100c, 100c', 100d, 100d', 100d",
100d'",
100d'", 100d'", 100d" is depleted of lubricant, or, if the applicator, S, is
clogged by
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lubricant, which would effectively stop or inhibit a full flow of lubricant
from the applicator, S,
the lubricant spray sensor 186 will detect the lacking or non-existence of
lubricant spray and
communicate the detected condition to the controller 108c-108d". Upon
receiving the signal
at the controller 108c-108d", the controller 108c-108d" ' may cease the
spraying operation
until an operator resolves the spray issue.
[00308] Referring to FIGS. 13-14, a method of utilizing an applicator, S,
fluidly-connected to
any of the lubrication conditioning systems 100a, 100a', 100b, 100b', 100b",
100b", 100b",
100b'"", 100b"'"', 100c, 100c', 100d, 100d', 100d", 100d"', 100d'"', 100d'"",
100d'"'" is
described according to an exemplary embodiment; in some instances, the
applicator, S, may be
communicatively-connected to and automatically controlled by the controller
108c-108d" ', as
follows.
[00309] In some instances, the applicator, S, may include a solenoid valve
(not shown) that
receives an electrical pulse 300 (see, e.g., duty cycle pulse of FIG. 13) that
automatically opens
and closes the solenoid valve on a periodic basis. In some implementations,
the duty cycle 300
may include a duty cycle pulse that is equal to approximately 10 millisecond
on and
approximately 30 milliseconds off The periodic opening and closing of the
valve results in a
periodic spray pattern 325 of the lubricant (as seen in, e.g., FIG. 14) being
disposed upon at least
a portion of the circumference of the wheel, W. In an example, spray patter
325 comprises a
plurality of diagonally-arranged (see, e.g., angle, 0, of FIG. 14) oval areas
350 with each oval
area 350 being defined by a major axis, Xi, and a minor axis, Yi.
[00310] As seen in FIG. 14, a trailing edge 350a and a leading edge 350b of
neighboring oval
areas 350 slightly overlaps. The purpose of the shape of each over area 350
and the placement of
each oval area 350 upon an entire circumference of the wheel, W, contributes
to a reduced
amount of lubricant applied to the wheel, W, without 'over-applying' the
lubricant to the wheel,
W. In some instances, if lubricant is over-applied, an undesirable cost may
arise from wasted
lubricant material; further, if the lubricant was to be over-applied,
additional lubricant may
subsequently become trapped between the bead seats, WSU, WSL, of the wheel, W,
and the beads,
TBU, TBL, of the tire, T, thereby requiring a subsequent processing procedure
for removing the
trapped lubricant, which increases production time, thereby contributing to
increased production
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costs. Therefore, as a tire, T, is slid across the wheel, W, for the purpose
of j oining the tire, T, to
the wheel, W, the beads, TBU, TBL, of the tire, T, may be adequately
lubricated with a minimal
amount of lubricant as the beads, TBU, TBL, of the tire, T, wipe the lubricant
across, for example,
all of the circumference of the wheel, W, in order to facilitate lubricated
mounting of the tire, T,
upon the wheel, W. Therefore, as the beads, TBU, TBL, of the tire, T, wipe the
lubricant across
the wheel, W, the overlapping arrangement of neighboring trailing edges 350a
and leading edges
350b of the oval patterns 350 results in the gaps between each oval pattern
350 about the
circumference of the wheel, W, being lubricated during the tire-wheel
lubricated mounting
procedure. Further, it has been discovered that the diagonally-arrangement, 0,
of the oval areas
350 provides an improved uniformity to the wiping of the lubricant across the
wheel, W, when
the beads, TBU, TBL, of the tire, T, wipe the lubricant across the wheel, W.
In some examples, the
angle, 0, defining the diagonal arrangement of the oval patterns 350 may be
any angle between
approximately 30 and approximately 45 .
[00311] The spray pattern 325 may be disposed about the circumference of the
wheel, W, by,
for example: (1) rotating the wheel, W, and spatially holding the applicator,
S, in place, (2)
spatially holding the wheel, W, in place and moving the applicator, S, about
the circumference of
the wheel, W, and (3) rotating the wheel, W, and spatially moving the
applicator, S, about the
circumference of the wheel, W, but in opposite directions.
[00312] In some instances, if the wheel, W, is rotated while being sprayed by
the applicator,
S, the amount of rotation of the wheel, W, may be determined by the number of
applicators, S, if,
for example, the entire circumference of the wheel, is to be sprayed with the
lubricant. For
example, if one applicator, S, is included, the wheel, W, may be rotated 360 .
In another
example, if two applicators, S, are included (and, if the applicators are
arranged directly opposite
each other), the wheel, W, may be rotated 180 .
[00313] Referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B, in some implementations, a lubricant
supply system
1500 fluidly connected upstream of any of the lubrication conditioning systems
100, 100c-
100d' " ' is operable to whip or agitate the lubricant, L, prior to dispensing
the lubricant, L, to
the lubrication conditioning system 100. As mentioned above, the lubricant, L,
is generally in a
substantially semi-solid (e.g., "paste") state of matter while cold at the
first temperature (e.g.,
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"room temperature" / "ambient temperature"), and thus, is not suitable for
dispensing (e.g.,
pumping via a pump 1560) to the lubrication conditioning system 100. While the
lubricant
temperature modifier 158 shown in FIG. 12 can be used to lower the viscosity
of the lubricant, L,
by increasing the temperature thereof to enable dispensing of the lubricant,
L, from the lubricant
supply system 1500 to the lubrication conditioning system 100, pre-heating the
lubricant, L, in
this manner incurs increased costs due to energy expenditures required to pre-
heat the lubricant,
L, as well as the amount of time required to increase the temperature of the
lubricant, L, to a
temperature suitable for transporting (e.g., pumping) the lubricant, L, from
the lubricant supply
system 1500 to the lubricant conditioning system 100. For example, pre-heating
the lubricant, L,
at the lubricant supply system 1500 may cause the one or more of the other sub-
stations 12-24,
12'-24', 12"-24" that form the tire-wheel assembly, TW, to sit idle until the
lubricant, L,
reaches a temperature suitable for being dispensed.
[00314] The lubricant supply system 1500 includes a container 1502 that stores
a quantity of
lubricant, L, that dispenses to the lubricant conditioning system 100. The
container 1502 may
include a metal drum containing the lubricant, L, from a supplier. For
example, the container
1502 may include a 15 gallon cylindrical steel drum. To allow for the
lubricant, L, to dispense
from the container cold (e.g., "ambient temperature"), a whipping device 1510
inserts into the
container 1502 to whip or blend the lubricant, L, such that the lubricant, L,
is transformed from
the substantially semi-solid (e.g., "paste") state into a whipped state which
is less viscous than
the pre-whipped state. The whipping device 1510 may include devices such as
mechanical
agitators, blenders, stirrers, or air bubblers sufficient for whipping or
blending the lubricant, L,
while stored in the container 1502. Referring to FIG. 18A, the whipping
(a.k.a. agitating) device
1510 includes an impeller 1512 driven by a motor 1514 to whip or blend the
cold lubricant, L,
into the whipped state from the semi-solid (e.g., "paste") state. Here, the
impeller 1512 may be
connected to an end of a shaft 1516 inserted proximate to the bottom of the
container 1502, while
the motor 1514 connected to the other end of the shaft 1516 may drive the
impeller 1512, thereby
causing impeller 1512 in contact with the lubricant, L, to vigorously rotate
in a manner that
suitably whips or blends the lubricant, L, into the whipped state. In other
configurations, the
whipping device 1510 may include a shaking apparatus that supports and retains
the container
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1502 while being operable to undergo vibratory or shaking motions to whip,
blend, or otherwise
significantly agitate the lubricant, L, stored within the container 1502 such
that the state of the
lubricant, L, is transformed to the whipped state. Additionally or
alternatively, the whipping
device 1510 may include ultrasonic devices inserted into the container 1502
and configured to
provide ultrasonic impulses through the lubricant, L, to whip or blend the
lubricant, L, into the
whipped state from the semi-solid state. The whipping device 1510 may be
manually operated.
Alternatively, the whipping device 1510 may be automated to insert into the
container 1502 and
whip the lubricant, L, into the whipped state when the container 1502 is
received at the lubricant
supply station 1500.
[00315] Upon whipping the lubricant, L, stored within the container 1502 into
the whipped
state, the viscosity of the cold lubricant, L, is lowered and suitable for
dispensing from the
container 1502 to the lubrication conditioning system 100. As mentioned above,
the lubrication
conditioning system 100 may heat the lubricant, L, from the first temperature
(e.g., "room
temperature" / "ambient temperature") to the second temperature (e.g., a
temperature greater
than "ambient temperature") to transform the lubricant, L, to a substantially
liquid state more
suitable for depositing ("e.g., spraying") the lubricant, L, from a spray
nozzle, S, upon one or
more of the tire, T, and the wheel, W, at one or more of the of the wheel
lubricating sub-station
16a, 16a", a tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b". Accordingly, a portion
of the pre-whipped
lubricant, L, may be transported in batches, or continuously (such as by
electrically pumping),
directly from the container 1502 of the lubricant supply system 1500 to any of
the lubricant
reservoirs 102, 102c-102d" of the lubrication conditioning systems 100, 100c-
100d' ". In
some implementations, the lubricant reservoir 102 defines a smaller volume for
holding the
lubricant, L, than a volume defined by the container 1502 at the lubricant
supply system 1500.
Accordingly, the lubrication conditioning system 100 may employ an appropriate
lubricant
temperature modifier (e.g., "heater") 104c, 104d" " " to change (e.g.,
increase) the temperature
of the lubricant, L, from a first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" /
"ambient temperature")
to a second temperature (e.g., a temperature that is greater than "room
temperature" / "ambient
temperature").
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[00316] Referring to FIG. 18B, in some implementations, the lubricant supply
system 1500
includes a pump 1560 configured to dispense a portion of the lubricant, L, in
the whipped state
from the container 1502 to the lubrication conditioning system 100 without pre-
heating the
lubricant, L. That is to say, blending or whipping the lubricant, L, with the
whipping device
1510 to transform the lubricant, L, from the semi-solid state to the whipped
state, allows the
lubricant, L, to be pumped into the lubrication conditioning system cold
(e.g., "ambient
temperature"). The pump 1560 is associated with the lubricant supply conduit
154 (also shown
in FIG. 12) which includes a first end inserted into the container 1502 and a
second end fluidly
coupled to the lubricant supply port 138 (also shown in FIG. 12) formed by the
lubricant
reservoir 102c-102d" " " of the lubrication conditioning system 100c-100d" "
". During
operation of the pump 1560, the portion of the lubricant, L, in the whipped
state is pumped out of
the container 1502 and dispensed or transported to the lubricant reservoir
102c-102d" ' via the
lubricant supply conduit 154. In some implementations, the pump 1560 is a
piston-type pump
that includes a circumferential disc 1564 received within the container 1502
upon a top surface
of the lubricant, L, that translates downward relative to the lubricant supply
conduit 154 (and
relative to the container 1502) to cause at least a portion of the lubricant,
L, in the whipped state
to flow into the lubricant supply conduit 154 and out of the container 1502
for dispensing to the
lubricant reservoir 102c-102d". In some examples, the pump 1560 includes a
prime mover
to cause the circumferential disc 1564 to translate relative to the lubricant
supply conduit 154 for
pumping the lubricant, L, out of the container 1502. In other examples, the
pump 1560 includes
an electrical motor electrically connected to an external power source or a
battery to cause the
circumferential disc 1564 to translate relative to the lubricant supply
conduit 154 for pumping
the lubricant, L, out of the container 1502. The circumferential disc 1564 may
include a
diameter that creates a fluid-tight seal with inner circumferential surfaces
of the container 1502.
In other configurations, the lubricant supply system 1500 may employ one or
more other types of
pumps other devices suitable for drawing the lubricant, L, out of the
container 1502. The
lubricant supply system 1500 may also include the lubrication amount detection
device 160 of
FIG. 12 that detects the amount of lubricant, L, stored within the container
1502.
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[00317] FIG. 18B shows the lubricant reservoir 102, 102c-102d' of the
lubrication
conditioning system 100, 100c-100d" ' " ' defining a smaller volume than the
volume of the
container 1502, and thus, the lubricant reservoir 102, 102c-102d" contains a
smaller quantity
of lubricant, L, received from the container 1502 than the quantity of the
lubricant, L, stored
within the container 1502. Accordingly, the lubrication conditioning system
100, 100c-
100d' " ' may employ the lubricant temperature modifier 104c-104d" " " (e.g.,
"heater") to
change the temperature of the lubricant, L, within the lubricant reservoir
102, 102c-102d"
from the first temperature (e.g., "room temperature" / "ambient temperature")
to the second
temperature (e.g., a temperature greater than "ambient temperature"). In some
implementations,
the fluid circuit 200 of FIG. 12 replaces the lubricant supply system 150 with
the lubricant
supply system 1500 that employs the whipping device 1510 to pre-whip or blend
the lubricant,
L, into the whipped state before the lubricant, L, is dispensed to the
lubrication conditioning
system 100.
[00318] Referring to FIG. 19, a schematic view 1900 shows lubricant supply
system 1500 in
fluid communication with the lubrication conditioning system 100 and the
lubrication
conditioning system 100 in fluid communication with the wheel lubricating sub-
station 16a, 16a"
and/or the tire lubricating sub-station 16b', 16b". The lubricant supply
system 1500 stores a
quantity of lubricant, L, in a substantially semi-solid (e.g., "paste") state
within the storage
container 1502 and inserts the whipping device 1510 into the container 1502,
whereby the
whipping device 1510 is controlled to pre-whip or blend the quantity of
lubricant, L, into the
whipped state from the substantially semi-solid state. Thereafter, the pump
1560 of the lubricant
supply system 1500 pumps out a portion of the quantity of lubricant, L, cold
(e.g., "ambient
temperature") out of the container 1502 and provides the lubricant, L, to the
lubricant supply
system 1500 via the lubricant supply conduit 154.
[00319] The lubrication conditioning system 100 may increase the temperature
of the
lubricant, L, from the first temperature to the second temperature using any
of the
aforementioned heating techniques. The fluid-moving device (e.g., a pump) 150
may be
arranged between the lubrication conditioning system 100 and the lubricating
sub-station 16a,
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16", 16b', 16" for drawing the now substantially liquefied lubricant, L, from
the lubrication
conditioning system 100 to the lubricating sub-station 16a, 16", 16b', 16".
[00320] In some implementations, the fluid-moving device 150 dispenses the
lubricant, L,
from the applicator, S, of the lubricating sub-station 16a, 16", 16b', 16". In
some examples, the
applicator, S, includes a spray nozzle operable to spray / mist the lubricant,
L, upon the wheel,
W, and/or the tire, T.
[00321] The present invention has been described with reference to certain
exemplary
embodiments thereof. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in
the art that it is
possible to embody the invention in specific forms other than those of the
exemplary
embodiments described above. This may be done without departing from the
spirit of the
invention. For example most embodiments shown herein depict engaging a wheel
(by way of a
robotic arm) and manipulating the wheel to mount a tire thereon. However,
nothing herein shall
be construed to limit the scope of the present invention to only manipulating
a wheel to mount a
tire thereon. The exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and should not
be considered
restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended
claims and their
equivalents, rather than by the preceding description.
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