US 12,258,889 B2
Lubricant delivery system and method
Zachary E. Talen, Grand Rapids, MI (US); and Timothy J. Bangma, Lowell, MI (US)
Assigned to Unist, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed by Unist, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 18, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/543,620.
Application 18/543,620 is a division of application No. 17/507,849, filed on Oct. 22, 2021, granted, now 11,846,213, issued on Dec. 19, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/104,590, filed on Oct. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0117760 A1, Apr. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. F01M 1/16 (2006.01); F16N 11/08 (2006.01); F01M 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC F01M 1/16 (2013.01) [F16N 11/08 (2013.01); F01M 2001/0215 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for deriving an indication of lubricant flow from a valve of a valve manifold that receives a lubricant from a pressurized source, the method comprising:
opening a first valve of the valve manifold to supply lubricant to an applicator;
measuring a first pressure level of the valve manifold while the first valve of the valve manifold is open;
determining a first pressure drop value for the valve manifold based upon the first pressure level; and
comparing the first pressure drop value to a pressure drop threshold value for the first valve to derive an indication of lubricant flow from the first valve.