Lubrication control system

Abstract

A system is provided. The system includes a lubrication feeder and a controller. The controller is in communication with the lubrication feeder. The controller is configured to activate the lubrication feeder according to a position of an implement and a temperature associated with the machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for lubricating a machine having an implement, the system comprising:
 a lubrication feeder; and   a controller in communication with the lubrication feeder, the controller configured to activate the lubrication feeder according to a position of the implement and a temperature associated with the machine.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further including an implement position sensor communicably coupled to the controller, the implement position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the position of the implement. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature associated with the machine includes at least one of a lubrication tank temperature, a coolant temperature, and an exhaust manifold temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  further including a temperature sensor communicably coupled to the controller, the temperature sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the lubrication tank temperature. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3  further including a temperature sensor communicably coupled to the controller, the temperature sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the coolant temperature. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3  further including a temperature sensor communicably coupled to the controller, the temperature sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the exhaust manifold temperature. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the machine is one of an asphalt paver, excavator, off-highway mining truck, front shovel, and backhoe loader. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to activate the lubrication feeder according to an operator command. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to activate the lubrication feeder according to an operation mode of the lubrication feeder. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to de-activate the lubrication feeder according to an operation mode of a power source of the machine. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 receiving a position signal indicative of a position of an implement of a machine;   receiving a temperature signal indicative of a temperature associated with the machine; and   activating a lubrication feeder of the machine according to the received position signal and the temperature signal.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein receiving a temperature signal indicative of a temperature associated with the machine further includes receiving a signal indicative of a lubrication tank temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein receiving a temperature signal indicative of a temperature associated with the machine further includes receiving a signal indicative of a coolant temperature. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein receiving a temperature signal indicative of a temperature associated with the machine further includes receiving a signal indicative of an exhaust manifold temperature. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  further including receiving a signal indicative of an operation mode of the lubrication feeder. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  further including activating the lubrication feeder according to an operator command. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  further including de-activating the lubrication feeder according to an operation mode of a power source of the machine. 
     
     
         18 . A computer based system for lubricating a machine comprising:
 a communication interface communicating with a memory;   the memory configured to communicate with a processor; and   the processor, in response to executing a computer program, performs operations comprising:
 receiving a position signal indicative of a position of an implement of a machine; 
 receiving a temperature signal indicative of a temperature associated with the machine; and 
 activating a lubrication feeder of the machine according to the received position signal and the temperature signal. 
   
     
     
         19 . A machine comprising:
 a power source;   an implement for performing one or more desired operations; and   a lubrication system including:
 a lubrication feeder; and 
 a controller in communication with the lubrication feeder, the controller configured to activate the lubrication feeder according to a position of the implement and a temperature associated with the machine. 
   
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 19 , wherein the machine is one of an asphalt paver, excavator, off-highway mining truck, front shovel, and backhoe loader.