Lubricant supply device

Abstract

A lubricant supply device that reliably removes air from lubricant such as grease and supplies the grease to an object of lubrication. An air detection sensor that detects air is disposed in a grease introduction hole of a grease transporting path. Grease supplied by a pump passes through the grease introduction hole, a chamber divided by a spool and a grease discharge port, and is introduced into the lubricated parts of a machine. If air in the grease is detected by the air detection sensor, a controller drives a switching valve, moves the spool by pressurized air, and connects the grease introduction hole to an air exhaust port. The air mixed in with the grease is then expelled from the air exhaust port. When the air detection sensor no longer detects air, the controller switches the switching valve, returns the spool to its original position, and discharges grease from the grease discharge port. The lubricant supply device detects and removes air that is mixed in with the grease just before the grease is introduced into the lubricated parts of the machine, and therefore can remove the air more reliably.

1 . A lubricant supply device for supplying lubricant pressurized by a pump to an object of lubrication through a lubricant transporting path, comprising: 
 a sensor for detecting air in the lubricant transporting path;    air discharge means for discharging air from the lubricant transporting path; and    a controller for controlling said air discharging means to discharge air from the lubricant transporting path in response to an air detection signal from said sensor.    
   
   
       2 . A lubricant supply device according to  claim 1 , wherein said air discharge means comprises: switching means for selectively connecting the lubricant transporting path at a position downstream of said sensor to either a port for transporting lubricant or a port for discharging air; and actuating means for actuating said switching means, 
 wherein said controller controls said actuating means to actuate said switching means so that the lubricant transporting path is connected to the port for discharging air when the air detection signal is issued from said sensor.