Patent ID: 8544609

Claim:
An automated industrial gate or sluice valve stem lubrication system, comprising: a valve actuator coupled to a valve stem, the valve stem having a valve stem surface; a source of grease lubricant, wherein the lubricant is in fluid communication with the valve stem surface, a pump operatively coupled to a motor, wherein the lubricant flows through the pump such that the pump is in fluid communication with the lubricant; an at least partially automated control system in communication with at least one of the pump and the motor, and in communication with a source of at least one start input, wherein the at least one start input is one of a signal that the valve actuator is moving, a signal that the valve stem is in a desired position, and a signal providing stored valve actuation history; and wherein the automated control system is structured and arranged with respect to the source/motor/pump combination such that the pump pumps lubricant onto the valve stem surface upon receipt of, or at least within a given time of receipt of, the at least one start input.