GB2416006A

GB2416006A - A lubricant dispensing assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2416006A
Application number: GB0520440A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Douglas Sim
Original assignee: QHI Rail Ltd
Current assignee: QHI Rail Ltd
Priority date: 2003-09-15
Filing date: 2004-07-26
Publication date: 2006-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-26
Also published as: GB2416006B; GB2405910A; GB0416577D0; GB2405910B; GB0520440D0

Abstract

A lubricant dispensing assembly comprises (i) a lubricant reservoir 1, (ii) a dispensing means, adapted to deliver lubricant to the desired location; (iii) a pump means 5, adapted to pump lubricant from the lubricant reservoir 1 to the dispensing means; (iv) drive means 6, adapted to drive the pump means 5; and (v) control means, adapted to regulate the operation of the drive means 6; characterised in that the pump means 5 is of the positive displacement gear wheel type and that the pump means 5 incorporates a rotation sensor 7 adapted to monitor and record the rotational movement of at least one gear wheel 29. The dispensing assembly is preferably for use in lubricating railway tracks.

Description

24 1 6006

IMPROVED LUBRICANT DISPENSERS

The present invention relates to lubricating systems. It is particularly applicable, but in no way limited, to systems for dispensing grease, and especially to systems for dispensing grease to lubricate railway tracks and the wheels of rolling stock.

Systems which dispense grease on to the side of railway tracks in order to lubricate the flanges of rolling stock wheels as they pass over that region of the track are known per se. One example of this type of technology is described in the applicant's own earlier patent, GB 2 361 269.

Systems of this type and to which this invention is directed, suffer from the problem of controlling the precise amount of lubricant to be dispensed under the wide range of varying conditions encountered in practice. For example, the lubricant itself may vary in viscosity from batch to batch being stored in the reservoir and this may present problems. Furthermore, these systems are required to operate year round and under a wide variety of temperature conditions, varying from well below 0 C to above 30 C. As a result, the lubricant, regardless of its nominal viscosity, will display viscosity variations depending upon the ambient temperature. It is currently considered desirable to use a grease, i.e. a lubricant of relatively high viscosity, in order to obtain the proper lubrication effect. Such lubricants display significant temperature sensitivity with respect to their viscosity and it is therefore difficult to control the lubrication system such that only the desired amount of lubricant is dispensed across the entire range of temperature conditions to which such systems are subjected.

An attempt to overcome these problems is described in US 4 856 617 (Moore & Steele Corporation). This represents the closer prior art presently known to the applicant. This disclosure describes a pump assembly that includes an encoder on the pump motor drive shaft. Control gear enables the pump motor to be run for a pre-determined number of revolutions, according to trials carried out during the design or commissioning of the unit with means of adjusting the power to alter the amount of lubricant dispensed. However, this arrangement suffers from the disadvantage that the encoder measures the performance of the motor and relies for its accuracy on a complex series of commands depending on the ambient temperature.

Additionally, maintenance of rail lubricant dispensers is, in general, critical to their correct operation. Lubricant dispensing blades, also known as grease distribution units (GDUs), themselves are susceptible to damage from passing train wheels or blockages. Failure of key components or lack of lubricant in the dispenser will result in increased rail and train wheel wear. If the lubricant dispenser is not properly maintained, such wear may reach unacceptable or dangerous levels.

Current maintenance practice is to physically visit each lubricator to check its operation, maintain all fixed and moving parts, check the amount of lubricant in the reservoir and fill the lubricant reservoir as required. Such visits are typically undertaken with a frequency of between 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Such visits are time consuming for maintenance personnel, and are therefore costly. Some visits may turn out to be unnecessary if no maintenance work is required. Also, it is assumed that the lubricant dispenser will continue to operate correctly between these visits, and this will not necessarily be the case. For example, the dispenser could suffer from an unexpected malfunction or be vandalized. Conventionally such problems would only be detected when a maintenance engineer actually visits the dispenser.

If a problem were to occur shortly after a dispenser was last serviced, then the dispenser would remain faulty for a significant period of time until the next scheduled visit by a maintenance engineer.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a lubricant dispensing assembly comprising: (i) a lubricant reservoir; (ii) a dispensing means, adapted to deliver lubricant to the desired location; (iii) a pump means, adapted to pump lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the dispensing means; (iv) drive means, adapted to drive the pump means; and (v) control means, adapted to regulate the operation of the drive means; charact,erised in that the pump means is of the positive displacement gear wheel type and that the pump means incorporates a sensor adapted to monitor and record the rotational movement of one or more gear wheels.

This arrangement allows for the operation of the pump means to be monitored at the point where grease is directed into the dispensing means. As a result, any variation in the performance of the motor (drive means) or any clutch mechanism(s) is allowed for automatically. This is because the angular rotation of a gear tooth relates directly to a fixed volume of grease being dispensed. This provides a simpler, more cost-effective and accurate lubricant dispensing assembly compared

with those known from the prior art.

Preferably the sensor comprises a gear tooth counter. Tooth counters are simple and reliable and do not interfere with the smooth operation of the pump.

Preferably the gear tooth counter comprises a proximity device adapted to measure the presence or absence of a gear tooth. Such proximity devices can be positioned adjacent to the gear wheel without affecting the performance of the pump.

Preferably the lubricant on the reservoir side of the pump means is at a lower pressure than the pressure at which the lubricant is dispensed from the pump means. In such cases, the rotation sensor is preferably arranged to act on the low pressure side of the pump means.

Preferably the control means comprises control circuitry.

Preferably the lubricant dispensing assembly further comprising a wheel sensor operable to generate a signal indicative of passing train wheels, the control circuitry being in communication with the wheel sensor and configured to trigger the drive means on receipt of said signal. This means that lubricant is dispensed directly in response to the passing of a train. This provides the benefits that the quantity of lubricant dispensed is proportional to the usage of that region of railway track, and the time when the lubricant is dispensed coincides with the passing of a train.

The wheel sensor may comprise a proximity switch, vibration sensor, radar, light beam or other sensing method.

Preferably the control circuitry is in communication with the rotation sensor, the control circuitry being configured to cease operation of the pump means when a preset number of gear teeth have been counted during a given dispensing operation. This ensures that a predetermined quantity of lubricant is dispensed in a given dispensing operation.

Preferably the lubricant reservoir includes a follower plate.

Preferably the lubricant reservoir is in communication with a filler tube, and the filler tube acts as a guide for the follower plate. This is beneficial to the compactness of the assembly.

The lubricant dispensing assembly may further comprise a power source selected from a group comprising: mains supply; a rechargeable battery; a wind turbine; a fuel cell; a solar cell. The assembly may further comprise an integral mast on which a wind turbine and/or solar cell are mounted.

The dispensing means may comprise one or more lubricant distribution blades.

Other dispensing means will be known to those skilled in the art.

Preferably the lubricant dispensing assembly further comprises one or more sensors associated with one or more functions of the lubricant dispensing assembly, and a telemetry module operable to transmit data from said sensors to a remote site. This provides the advantage that the dispensing assembly may be monitored and faults detected without the need for maintenance engineers to visit the lubricant dispenser in person. This not only saves unnecessary visits when the dispenser does not require maintenance, but also enables faults to be detected sooner than would be the case if it was necessary to wait until the next scheduled maintenance visit.

Valuable data can be transmitted by telemetry to the operator of the lubrication equipment, providing details on the performance and status of the lubricant dispenser. Further information may also be obtained on the usage of the track itself, which may be of value to the railway company.

Preferably the telemetry module is configured to gather and store data for subsequent transmission. Sending packets of data in this manner provides a more efficient method of data communication than continuously transmitting the data received from the sensors.

Preferably the telemetry module is further configured to transmit the data periodically.

Alternatively, or additionally, the telemetry module may be further configured to transmit the data in response to an alarm event, such as a lubricant blockage. This ensures that the operator is immediately notified of the problem, thereby enabling appropriate action to be taken without undue delay.

Preferably the lubricant dispensing assembly comprises a slave telemetry module in communication with said sensors, said slave telemetry module being operable to transmit data to a master telemetry module, said master telemetry module being in communication with a PC, server or network for reporting said data.

Advantageously, a plurality of slave modules may serve one master, thereby enabling a network of telemetry devices to be formed.

The slave module is operable to send data to the master module periodically.

Preferably the slave module is also operable to send data to the master module on receipt of a request signal from the master module. This advantageously enables a user to request telemetry data from the slave module on an ad-hoc basis: the user sends an instruction to the master module, the master module interrogates the slave, the slave sends the required telemetry data to the master, and the master sends the data to the user.

The slave and master modules may be hardwired for data transmission therebetween. Alternatively, the slave and master modules may be provided with wireless transmitters and receivers for data transmission therebetween.

The sensors associated with the functions of the lubricant dispensing assembly may be selected from a group comprising: track temperature sensor, ambient temperature sensor, lubricant dispenser blade sensor, wheel count sensor, lubricant pump operation sensor, reservoir lubricant depth/weight sensor, power supply sensor, access panel sensor. Further types of sensors are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The lubricant dispensing assembly may further comprise a digital camera arranged to capture images of the lubricant dispenser, a component part thereof or the surrounding area and thereby generate digital image data, the telemetry module being further operable to transmit said digital image data. This highly advantageously enables the operator to view the dispenser or the surrounding area without needing to send an engineer out.

The power supply to the lubricant dispenser may also provide power to the sensors and telemetry module.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of dispensing lubricant using a lubricant dispenser in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of monitoring the status or performance of a rail lubricant dispenser, said method comprising: providing, at the dispenser, one or more sensors associated with one or more functions of the dispenser; providing a telemetry device operable to receive data from said sensors and to transmit telemetry data to a remote site; transmitting data from said sensors to said telemetry device; and transmitting telemetry data from said telemetry device to said remote site.

Preferably the method further comprises the telemetry device gathering data from said sensors and storing said data for subsequent transmission. The telemetry device may then transmit said data periodically. Alternatively, or in addition, the telemetry device may transmit said data in response to an alarm event.

Preferably the telemetry device is a slave device in communication with a master telemetry device, the method further comprising the slave device transmitting data to the master device.

The method may further comprise the master device sending a request signal to the slave device and, in response, the slave device sending said telemetry data to the master device.

The method may further comprise capturing an image of the lubricant dispenser, a component part thereof or the surrounding area using a digital camera and thereby generating digital image data, and transmitting said digital image data using the telemetry module.

The method may further comprise notifying a user, via a portable wireless device, or via e-mail, the internet or an intranet, of an occurrence detected at the rail lubricant dispenser.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided one or more telemetry devices arranged to implement a method in accordance with the third aspect of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 show plan and elevational views respectively of a lubricant dispensing assembly according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows the arrangement within an enclosure housing the lubricant reservoir and pump means; Figure 4 shows a typical control panel layout; Figure 5 shows diagrammatic sectional views of the pump; Figure 6 illustrates a network architecture providing telemetric communication between slave telemetry modules, a master data transfer module, and a PC, server or other output means; Figure 7 illustrates the functionality provided by a telemetry module and its interfaces with a lubricant dispenser; Figures 8 and 9 show external views of examples of telemetry modules; and Figure 10 shows a further example of a telemetry module with its various ports, interfaces and features having been labelled.

The invention will now be described by way of example only. These are not the only ways to put the invention into practice but are the best ways currently known to the applicant.

Turning to Figure 1, this illustrates schematically a railway track 50 consisting of two rails 51, 52 and a backside pump enclosure 53. A wheel sensor 54 associated with one of the tracks creates a signal every time a wheel passes over that piece of track. The signal is relayed to control gear or control means in the enclosure by way of a wheel sensor cable 55.

The backside enclosure is of robust, waterproof construction and may include an optional external grease capacity gauge 56 to show the level of grease in a lubricant reservoir (not shown) inside the enclosure. During operation, lubricant (grease) from the reservoir is pumped along grease distribution hoses 61 to grease distribution blades 62 located on the side of the track to be lubricated.

Motive power for this operation is provided either by mains electricity, where this is available, or by wind, fuel cell, or solar power or other power source as appropriate.

A typical wind and solar panel arrangement is illustrated in Figure 2.

Thus far, the description of the system shown in Figures 1 and 2 has been of a conventional lubricant dispenser in which the backside pump enclosure is positioned adjacent to the permanent way rail line, and where the direction of train travel is not important to the operation of the enclosure contents. In operation, the bespoke control and monitoring system, which is described in more detail below, is triggered by a track mounted wheel sensor. The sensor can be a non-contact proximity switch to detect passing train wheels or a vibration sensor to detect approaching trains or radar operated to detect approaching trains.

The control system within the enclosure accepts the sensor signal and operates a pump causing grease to be dispensed through distribution hoses 61 to grease distribution blades 62 mounted on the track. The control system pumps an amount of grease at each operation with the amount being established during system commissioning or as amended from time to time. The blades 62 can be a single or multiple units on one rail or single or multiple units on both rails (high and low rail).

The enclosure is mounted on a secure base that could be formed from rail sleepers, a concrete plinth or other suitable arrangement. The system is mains electricity or battery powered. On battery applications the battery charge may be maintained by mains electricity or by solar or wind power generators that could be used singly or in combination. The charging devices are generally mounted on a mast integral to the enclosure for ease of installation and maintenance. The enclosure is a secure and waterproof unit with lockable entry to access all items for installation and maintenance.

Turning now to Figure 3, this shows in more detail the arrangement of components within the enclosures. The lubricant, in this case grease, is held ready for pumping in reservoir 1. The reservoir 1 can be filled by connecting to filler point 2 that incorporates a non-return valve through which grease can be pumped into the reservoir 1. When filling, grease passes through Filler Tube 3 to Reservoir 1 where the grease is ejected into the Reservoir. Filling is fully undertaken within the waterproof Enclosure and through a Follower Plate 4, both allowing clean filling and preventing accidental grease contamination.

The filler tube 3 acts as a central guide for follower plate 4. The follower plate prevents grease contamination and provides means for manually checking grease level and to assist in preloading grease into Pump 5. The grease held in Reservoir 1 is directed under its own weight and the weight of follower plate 4 to the displacement pump inlet chamber.

The pump 5 is of the positive displacement type of the kind employing gear wheels with positively engaging teeth used to propel lubricant from a low-pressure side of the pump to a high-pressure side. Such pumps are known per se and the size, number, shape and orientation of the teeth of the respective gear wheels will determine the amount of lubricant moved by the passage of each tooth of the gear wheel(s) with respect to a fixed reference point.

The displacement pump 5 can be single or multi chamber and is driven by a close- coupled Motor 6. Movement of the pump chamber gears is sensed by counting gear teeth as they pass Sensor 7 and input to the control system, as described in more detail below. Checking of reservoir 1 grease level is possible from outside the enclosure by referencing the position of an indictor in level tube 9 with reference to level marks 10. The indicator is connected to the follower plate 4 by a flexible cable 11 supported by diverter pulleys 12. The enclosure 13 is typically free standing with bolt down points 14 to secure it to a suitable base. The system is mains or battery 18 powered as required by the application, and single or multiple batteries can be used. Where battery powered then the charging devices (wind generation, solar panel or mains) are routed through a charger 19 to control battery power. Charging devices can be mounted remote from the unit but are more routinely fitted to the integral mast 20 that is secured and pivoted to the enclosure at 21 and held vertical by clamps at points 22.

The control system panel 17 provide all control system functions and where appropriate operator-setting input. Major settings are the number (full or part) of output revolutions of the positive displacement pump and the time interval between allowed pump operations. A typical basic panel layout is shown in Figure 4.

By way of a typical example of a pump cycle operation, the control sits in a passive mode until a train is detected. On first activation of a wheel sensor, the pump 5 is operated for a set number of output steps (pump steps), the required number of steps are set by selecting 'more' or 'less' until the desired number is selected. This run time will typically operate the pump for a time shorter than that taken for the train to pass the sensor. On completion of the initial run an inhibit function (pump inhibit) will prevent further pump operation for a preset time or number of wheel passes.

That time is set during installation on the front panel by selecting 'more' or 'less' until the desired time is selected. On expiry of the inhibit period and provided a train is still passing the pump will run again repeating the pump step output.

Test routines allow a mimic of the settings without use of the trainsensing device.

Key function/maintenance data is recorded on the panel or for separate output.

An enlarged view of the pump unit is shown in Figure 5. Grease from reservoir 1 is gravity fed into the low-pressure side of a gear pump 5. When the motor is operated the two gear pump gears 29 are driven about their axles 30. Grease is forced through the meshing face of the two gears and then exits through outlet 24 on the high-pressure side of the pump.

A sensor 7 is set on the low-pressure side of the pump to view the teeth on gear 29 and counts the teeth as the gear is rotated about axle 30. The on/off signal is then transmitted to the system control box which deenergises the motor 6 to cease gear rotation when a preset but adjustable number of teeth have been counted. The required number of teeth (steps) is set on the control panel.

The pump may be multi-chamber, and in Figure 5 a twin chamber arrangement is indicated that has a spacer between each gear set to cause the pumped grease to be directed to a specific outlet.

By way of a further example, the sensor or counter means may be a proximity switch which can detect the presence or absence of a gear tooth. It can therefore determine whenever a gear tooth passes over the proximity sensor. Such sensors are known per se and can be conveniently mounted into the body of the pump directly adjacent to the teeth of the gear wheel(s).

Summary

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a number of advantages or features: 1. A rail lubricator system which provides a correct, accurate and repeatable amount of lubricant to the rail/wheel interface independent of grease viscosity.

2. Viscosity will be a function of ambient temperature and lubricant type.

3. Means to apply grease in multiple applications along the length of the train as a function of time or passing train wheels.

4. It utilises a mechanism for identifying grease volume dispensed at the pump output by sensing rotation (or part rotation) of output gears in a positive displacement gear pump or positive displacement stirrup pump.

5. It includes and provides for a data log and display of key pump operations.

6. It also includes data managemenVfault reporting, remote or local for (a) Grease usage (b) Pump operation (c) Events log of pump run time over given period (d) Axle count over given period (e) Battery/power supply status (fl Pump last visit date (g) System reset date 7. Assessment of reservoir capacity is provided for by: (a) External indication of reservoir grease depth via a direct mechanical link to the grease surface; (b) Remote reporting of grease volume to central maintenance centre.

8. System operates with a single or multiple twin chamber positive displacement pump; normal is twin chamber.

9. Two or more hose output from pump to rail mounted grease distribution system.

10. System is operated by remote train activated non-contact sensor utilising wheel proximity switch, rail vibration sensor or radar.

11. System allows usage from mains power or battery through variety of charging options (fuel cell, wind, solar etc.) 12. Single or multiple GDUs (grease applicators) for high rail, low rail or check rail applications.

Telemetry for remote monitoring of rail lubricant dispensers A telemetry system will now be described that may be used in conjunction with the electrical lubricant dispenser described above. Alternatively, the telemetry system may be used in conjunction with a mechanical dispenser as described in GO 2 361 269, or with other electrical, mechanical or hydraulic lubricant dispensers.

Such a telemetry system allows operational information on backside rail lubricators (typically electric, mechanical or hydraulic powered) to be transmitted to remote facilities for review. Information on other non-lubrication items may also be recorded and transmitted in a similar manner.

The telemetry system reduces the frequency of visits by maintenance personnel, and enables 24-hour monitoring of key parameters that in turn may be reported to relevant personnel for action. Typical, but not exhaustive, features are shown in Figure 7, which may be used singly, in any required combination, or all together.

The specific features identified in Figure 7 will be discussed in greater detail below.

Figure 6 illustrates an example of a network architecture that may be employed for the telemetry system. Telemetry data is transferred from a number of Slave units 104, 106, 108, 110 (typically one per lubricant dispenser) to a Master base station 102 that would be located remotely and service a number of Slave sites.

Connections between the Slave units and the Master may be hardwired or wireless.

The data stream between the Slave and Master units, and between the Master 102 and the operator's PC/network 100, may include digital or analogue information.

This may include the transmission of pictures, captured for example by digital cameras situated at dispenser locations.

The output from the Master 102 supports personal computer (PC) or network based systems 100, to enable the telemetry data to be viewed and analysed, and to provide status reports. If appropriate, for example in response to an alarm event, the output from the Master 102 may also be sent to a mobile telephone or another device for more immediate action. Further methods by which an operator may be contacted include e-mail, internet or intranet communications.

An existing range of telemetry modules that are capable of wireless data transfer is marketed by QHi Rail Limited of Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, under the QHi name. Such modules have never before been used in the rail lubrication field, or marketed for such a purpose. Modules from the QHi range that have been found to be suitable for use with the remote monitoring of rail lubricant dispensers include the MT101, MT-301 and MT-302 modules. External views of the MT-301 and MT-302 modules are provided in Figures 8 and 9. Features, ports and interfaces of the MT-101 module are shown in detail in Figure 10. In practice, the unit chosen will depend on the number and type of signals to be monitored - for example digital or analogue. The features, ports and interfaces provided by the MT 101, MT-301 and MT-302 modules are summarised in Table 1 below.

The MT-101 unit may be configured for use as either a Master or a Slave module, and from Table 1 it can be seen this unit provides the most features and the greatest flexibility to be reconfigured to suit the intended application. The MT-301 and MT 302 units provide different combinations of analog and digital inputs. The MT-301 and MT-302 units may be used as either Master or Slave modules.

In use, sensors associated with a lubricant dispenser are hardwired to a Slave data transfer unit. The Slave unit is programmed to accept the required sensing inputs at a predetermined frequency, configure that data into a suitable data stream and store the data for subsequent transmission.

The connections between a Slave unit and the sensors associated with alubricant dispenser are illustrated in Figure 7. The unit comprises a data transfer module 200 communicatively connected to a plurality of transmitter interfaces or controllers.

These interfaces or controllers are in turn each connected to a sensor or device associated with the lubricant dispenser, or to a device provided for the control of the telemetry unit itself.

To provide temperature monitoring 210, a track temperature sensor 212 and an ambient temperature sensor 216 may be connected to the Slave module 200 via transmitter controllers 214 and 218 respectively. These temperature sensors provide the operator with data regarding the temperature of the running rails and the ambient temperature. Such data may be useful to detect possible problems with the track such as overheating (e.g. due to lack of lubricant) or possible track buckling in extreme conditions.

To monitor the status of the lubricant dispenser blades 220, sensors 222, 226 may be provided on the high rail and low rail blades respectively. These sensors are connected to the Slave module 200 via transmitter/interfaces 224 and 228 respectively.

A wheel count sensor 230 may be provided, having a rail mounted or remote wheel count monitor 232 connected to the Slave module 200 via transmitter/interface 234.

This provides the operator with data as to the number of train wheels (and hence number of trains or rolling stock) that pass the lubricant dispenser in any given time period.

A grease pump operation monitor 240 may be provided, having a pump outpuVoperation sensor 242 connected to the Slave module 200 via transmitter/interface 244. This provides data as to the frequency and number of dispensing operations performed the lubricant dispenser.

To monitor the quantity of lubricant held in the lubricant reservoir 250, a lubricant depth or weight sensor 252 may be connected to the Slave module 200 via transmitter/interface 254.

A battery/charging power supply status monitor 260 may be provided, having a power supply voltage monitor 262 connected to the Slave module 200 via transmitter/interface 264. This provides data regarding the power supply voltage, and aids the operator in detecting any fault with the power supply.

A maintenance activity monitor 270 may be provided, having an access panel switch 272 connected to the Slave module 200 via transmitter/interface 274. This provides data when the access panel is opened, which would usually be when maintenance engineers visit the dispenser, but which might also be indicative of unauthorized tampering or vandalism. If the telemetry indicates that the access panel has been opened, yet no maintenance event was due to take place, then the operator can investigate as appropriate.

A lubricator control system 280 comprising an operation control system 282 may be connected to the Slave module 200 via transmiffer/interface 284. The operation control system 282 may be associated with the control system panel (17 and Figure 4) of the electrical lubricant dispenser described previously.

By monitoring the status of the dispensing blades and the grease dispensing unit in general, damage caused by passing train wheels and other malfunctions can be detected. Additional devices or sensors may be connected to the Slave module 200 to provide further information. For example, one or more digital cameras may be arranged in the vicinity of the lubricant dispenser and Slave module. These cameras may be arranged to take photographs of the railway line and its surroundings, or may be focused on the lubricant dispenser or specific components thereof, such as the dispensing blades. Pictures taken by the digital cameras may then be transmitted via the telemetry system to the operator.

Further sensors may be designed and implemented to monitor other functions as required.

The Slave unit may be configured to transmit data to the Master unit at scheduled times, or periodically every predetermined time period. Alternatively the Master can force transmission from the Slave, on instruction by the operator.

Communication between the Slave and Master units may be two-way. The Slave may be configured to send data to the Master periodically, or when triggered by an alarm event. Alternatively the Master unit can be configured to request information from each Slave as desired.

Two-way communication between Slave and Master is a system option; this allows corrective actions to be initiated from the Master to the relevant Slave following analysis of the original transmitted data.

Each Slave unit has a unique address to ensure secure communication.

Output from the Master data transfer unit can be transferred to one or more PCs or monitoring workstations via a hard wired connection into an existing communications network, or via a wireless link. Output from the Master unit may be supplied continuously, periodically, or on-demand from an operator.

The functionality of hardwired systems is the same as with the wireless systems described above, but an alternative data logging / transfer system may be used to connect into a communications network through a modem.

Power is supplied to the telemetry system and associated sensors by mains, fuel cell or locally rechargeable battery. In the case of electric lubricators the power source may be pre-existing within the lubricator itself. With mechanical lubricators such as, or similar to, that described in GB 2 361 269, a separate power source may be employed for the sensors and telemetry system. A separate power source would similarly be provided for the sensors and telemetry system for a hydraulic lubricator.

Table 1

Resources, inputs and outputs MT-101 MT-301 MT-302 Binary Inputs 8 " 4 8 Binary Outputs 8 " 2 Counter Inputs 16 'a' 4 3' 8 3' Analog Inputs4- 20mA 2 2 Serial Port RS232t422/485 1 Serial Port for configuration 1 1 1 Local Configuration via RS232 Yes Yes Yes Remote configuration via GPRS Yes Event triggered mode Yes Yes Yes Data packet transmission Yes SMS transmission with variable content s' Yes Yes Yes CLIP Yes Yes Yes Local control Yes Standard serial protocols 6} Yes Routing table for data packets Yes Manual setting of alarm level Yes Alarm levels for analog inputs 4 4 Configurable hysterese Yes Yes Remotereading/controlvia SMS Yes Yes Yes Access control Yes7' Yes B) yeSB} Real time clock (RTC) Yes Yes Yes Remote firmware upgrade via GPRS Yes - - Miscellaneous Integral GSM/GPRS modem Yes Yes Yes Power supply DC (V) 10, 836 8 30 8 30 Power supply AC (Vrms) 1826,4 Input for power supply signalling Yes Built in Li-lon accumulator Yes Yes External antenna socket SMA Yes Yes Yes Protection Class IP40 IP40 IP40 Temperature range ( C) -20 +50 -20 +50 -20 +50 Removable contact terminals Yes Yes Yes DIN rail mount Yes -' ' -' ' 1) - number of configurable binary inputs/outputs 2) - f<100Hz 3) - f max = 2,5Hz 4) - RS232 only 5) - only for dynamic setting of variables i.e. analog inputs 6) - Modbus RTU Master/Slave, transparent mode, other protocols 7) - password + list of allowed IP numbers and phone numbers 8) - based on the list of allowed phone numbers 9) - DB9 socket for serial RS232 port 10) - optional

Claims

1. A lubricant dispensing assembly comprising: (i) a lubricant reservoir; (ii) a dispensing means, adapted to deliver lubricant to the desired location; (iii) a pump means, adapted to pump lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the dispensing means; (iv) drive means, adapted to drive the pump means; and (v) control means, adapted to regulate the operation of the drive means; characterized in that the pump means is of the positive displacement gear wheel type and that the pump means incorporates a rotation sensor adapted to monitor and record the rotational movement of at least one gear wheel.

2. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the rotation sensor comprises a gear tooth counter.

3. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the gear tooth counter comprises a proximity device adapted to measure the presence or absence of a gear tooth.

4. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lubricant on the reservoir side of the pump means is at a lower pressure than the pressure at which the lubricant is dispensed from the pump means.

5. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the rotation sensor is arranged to act on the low pressure side of the pump means.

6. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means comprises control circuitry.

7. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 6, further comprising a wheel sensor operable to generate a signal indicative of passing train wheels, the control circuitry being in communication with the wheel sensor and configured to trigger the drive means on receipt of said signal.

8. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the wheel sensor comprises a proximity switch.

9. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the wheel sensor comprises a vibration sensor.

10. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in any of Claims 7, 8 or 9, wherein the control circuitry is in communication with the rotation sensor, the control circuitry being configured to cease operation of the pump means when a preset number of gear teeth have been counted during a given dispensing operation.

11. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lubricant reservoir includes a follower plate.

12. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the lubricant reservoir is in communication with a filler tube, and wherein the filler tube acts as a guide for the follower plate.

13. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a power source selected from a group comprising: mains supply; a rechargeable battery; a wind turbine; a fuel cell; a solar cell.

14. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 13, further comprising an integral mast on which a wind turbine and/or solar cell are mounted.

15. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the dispensing means comprises a lubricant distribution blade.

16. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more sensors associated with one or more functions of the lubricant dispensing assembly, and a telemetry module operable to transmit data from said sensors to a remote site.

17. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the telemetry module is configured to gather and store data for subsequent transmission.

18. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the telemetry module is further configured to transmit the data periodically.

19. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18, wherein the telemetry module is further configured to transmit the data in response to an alarm event.

20. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 19, comprising a slave telemetry module in communication with said sensors, said slave telemetry module being operable to transmit data to a master telemetry module, said master telemetry module being in communication with a PC, server or network for reporting said data.

21. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the slave module is operable to send data to the master module on receipt of a request signal from the master module.

22. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 20 or Claim 21, wherein the slave and master modules are hardwired for data transmission therebetween.

23. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in Claim 20 or Claim 21, wherein the slave and master modules are provided with wireless transmitters and receivers for data transmission therebetween.

24. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 23, wherein said sensors are selected from a group comprising: track temperature sensor, ambient temperature sensor, lubricant dispenser blade sensor, wheel count sensor, lubricant pump operation sensor, reservoir lubricant depth/weight sensor, power supply sensor, access panel sensor.

25. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 24, further comprising a digital camera arranged to capture images of the lubricant dispenser, a component part thereof or the surrounding area and thereby generate digital image data, the telemetry module being further operable to transmit said digital image data.

26. A lubricant dispensing assembly as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 25, wherein the power supply to the lubricant dispenser also provides power to the sensors and telemetry module.

27. A method of dispensing lubricant using a lubricant dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim.

28. A lubricant dispensing assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any combination of the accompanying drawings.

29. A method of dispensing lubricant using a lubricant dispenser substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any combination of the accompanying drawings.

30. A method of monitoring the status or performance of a rail lubricant dispenser, said method comprising: providing, at the dispenser, one or more sensors associated with one or more functions of the dispenser; providing a telemetry device operable to receive data from said sensors and to transmit telemetry data to a remote site; transmitting data from said sensors to said telemetry device; and transmitting telemetry data from said telemetry device to said remote site.

31. A method as claimed in Claim 30, further comprising the telemetry device gathering data from said sensors and storing said data for subsequent transmission.

32. A method as claimed in Claim 31, further comprising the telemetry device transmitting said data periodically.

33. A method as claimed in Claim 31 or Claim 32, further comprising the telemetry device transmitting said data in response to an alarm event.

34. A method as claimed in any of Claims 30 to 33, wherein the telemetry device is a slave device in communication with a master telemetry device, the method further comprising the slave device transmitting data to the master device.

35. A method as claimed in Claim 34, further comprising the master device sending a request signal to the slave device and, in response, the slave device sending said telemetry data to the master device.

36. A method as claimed in Claim 34 or Claim 35, wherein the slave and master modules are hardwired for data transmission therebetween.

37. A method as claimed in Claim 34 or Claim 35, wherein the slave and master modules are provided with wireless transmitters and receivers for data transmission therebetween.

38. A method as claimed in any of Claims 30 to 37, further comprising capturing an image of the lubricant dispenser, a component part thereof or the surrounding area using a digital camera and thereby generating digital image data, and transmitting said digital image data using the telemetry module.

39. A method as claimed in any of Claims 30 to 38, further comprising notifying a user, via a portable wireless device, of an occurrence detected at the rail lubricant dispenser.

40. One or more telemetry devices arranged to implement a method as claimed in any of Claims 30 to 39.

41. A method of monitoring the status or performance of a rail lubricant dispenser substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any combination of the accompanying drawings.