Fuel injector cleaning system

• US 6,000,413 A
• Filed: 09/01/1998
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Original Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Inventors: Chen, Ieon C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US09/145,144
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 134/102.2, 134/113, 134/169 R, 134/169 A, 123/198 A, 222/81, 222/82, 222/400.7, 222/396, 222/399, 239/309, 239/373
• US Class Current: 134/102.2
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/04 Cleaning of, preventing corrosion or erosion in, or preventing unwanted deposits in, combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 65/007 Cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 65/008 of injectors only

Abstract

An automotive cleaning and pressure check device for placing the interior of a canister into fluid communication with an internal combustion engine via a fluid hose. The cleaning and pressure check device comprises a manifold body having first and second fluid ducts extending therethrough. Attached to the manifold body is a first coupling member. The fluid hose is releasably attachable to the first coupling member and placeable into fluid communication with the first fluid duct thereby. Also attached to the manifold body are an elongate fluid tube and a pressure gauge, both of which are fluidly connected to the first fluid duct. A pressure regulator is also attached to the manifold body and fluidly connected to the second fluid duct. The pressure regulator is operable to selectively place the second fluid duct into fluid communication with at least one of a pressurized air source and ambient air. Disposed within the manifold body is a shut-off valve which is operable to selectively block the flow of fluid between the fluid tube and the first coupling member, and a safety check valve which is operable to selectively block the flow of fluid through the second fluid duct. The manifold body is configured to permit the releasable attachment of the canister thereto in a manner wherein the fluid tube extends into the interior of the canister and the second fluid duct is in fluid communication therewith.

Claims

1. A cleaning and pressure check device for placing the interior of a canister into fluid communication with an internal combustion engine via a fluid hose, the cleaning and pressure check device comprising:

a manifold body having first and second fluid ducts extending therethrough;

a first coupling member attached to the manifold body, the fluid hose being releasably attachable to the first coupling member and placeable into fluid communication with the first fluid duct thereby;

an elongate fluid tube attached to and extending from the manifold body, the fluid tube being fluidly connected to the first fluid duct;

a pressure gauge attached to the manifold body and fluidly connected to the first fluid duct;

a pressure regulator attached to the manifold body and fluidly connected to the second fluid duct, the pressure regulator being operable to selectively place the second fluid duct into fluid communication with at least one of a pressurized air source and ambient air;

a shut-off valve disposed within the manifold body and operable to selectively block the flow of fluid between the fluid tube and the first coupling member; and

a safety check valve disposed within the manifold body and operable to selectively block the flow of fluid through the second fluid duct;

the manifold body being configured to permit the releasable attachment of the canister thereto in a manner wherein the fluid tube extends into the interior of the canister and the second fluid duct is in fluid communication therewith.

2. The cleaning and pressure check device of claim 1 further comprising a hanger member attached to the manifold body for suspending the manifold body from a support structure.

3. The cleaning and pressure check device of claim 1 wherein the pressure gauge is releasably attached to a second coupling member which is attached to the manifold body and places the pressure gauge into fluid communication with the first fluid duct.

4. The cleaning and pressure check device of claim 3 wherein the first and second coupling members each comprise a quick-connect coupling.

5. The cleaning and pressure check device of claim 1 wherein:

the safety check valve is disposed within the second fluid duct and movable between a closed position whereat the flow of fluid through the second fluid duct is blocked thereby and an open position whereat the flow of fluid through the second fluid duct is unobstructed;

the manifold body being configured such that the attachment of the canister thereto facilitates the movement of the safety check valve to the open position such that fluid may flow between the pressure regulator and the interior of the canister via the second fluid duct.

6. The cleaning and pressure check device of claim 5 wherein the canister includes an externally threaded neck portion and the manifold body includes an internally threaded recess formed therein which circumvents the fluid tube and is sized to threadably receive the neck portion for facilitating the releasable attachment of the canister to the manifold body, the second fluid duct being in fluid communication with the interior of the recess.

7. The cleaning and pressure check device of claim 6 further in combination with a safety cap which is mounted within the neck portion of the canister and comprises:

a main web portion which is adapted to facilitate the movement of the safety check valve to the open position when the neck portion is fully threadably received into the recess; and

a puncture region which is disposed in the main web portion and piercable by the fluid tube for allowing the fluid tube to be advanced through the safety cap into the interior of the canister.

8. The cleaning and pressure check device of claim 7 wherein the safety cap further comprises an O-ring for forming a fluid-tight seal against the manifold body when the neck portion is threadably received into the recess.

9. The cleaning and pressure check device of claim 1 wherein:

the first fluid duct defines a first segment which fluidly communicates with the first coupling member, a second segment which fluidly communicates with the fluid tube, a third segment which fluidly communicates with the pressure gauge, and a junction whereat the first, second and third segments fluidly communicate with each other; and

the shut-off valve is disposed within the second segment of the first fluid duct.