Vehicle fluid change apparatus

• US 6,941,969 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2003
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPM Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: RPM Industries LLC
• Inventors: Apostolides, John
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US10/414,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20040045609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 137/560, 184/196.S, 184/1.5, 184/6.3
• US Class Current: 137/565.17
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/0408 Sump drainage devices, e.g. valves, plugs
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2001/123 using two or more pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/005 Filling or draining of fluid systems
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2037/006 Filling
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 21/02 Lubricating nipples
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 21/04 Nozzles for connection of lubricating equipment to nipples
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 39/06 by filtration filters in general B01D; magnetic separators B03C1/00; centrifugal separators or filters B04B5/005
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6855 Vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8376 Combined
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86035 Combined with fluid receiver
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86163 Parallel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86823 Rotary valve

Abstract

A fluid transfer system includes elongated conduits connected at one end with couplings to a plurality of fluid reservoirs of a machine or engine and at the other end with a control valve for selective quick evacuation. Evacuation is powered by a pump operably connected to the control valve. Another embodiment includes a first pump for the evacuation of an engine oil reservoir and a second pump for the selective evacuation of transmission and hydraulic fluid reservoirs. The control valve and the pumps may be operated remotely through electrical switches on brackets or on a service panel. Associated methods of removing fluids and replacing fluids from a plurality of reservoirs includes coupling the fluid transfer system to the reservoirs.

Claims

1. A fluid transfer system for removing fluids from a plurality of reservoirs of different types of fluids on an engine powered apparatus, the system comprising:

a pump;

a common flow controller selectively controlling flow from the reservoirs of different types of fluids to the pump; and

a network of conduits arranged to connect;

each of said reservoirs of different types of fluids to the flow controller;

the flow controller to the pump; and

the pump to an outlet port for discharging fluid removed from a selected one of the reservoirs through the outlet port.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump is mounted on the apparatus.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoirs include engine, transmission and hydraulic fluid reservoirs.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising flexible conduit coupled to the outlet port.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump is mounted on a separate apparatus.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a battery for supplying power to the pump.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump is handheld.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump is powered by alternating current supplied from a remote source of alternating current.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the outlet port is discharged into a receptacle on a separate vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the control valve is selectively actuated through an electrical switch.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the electrical switch is mounted on a bracket adjacent the outlet port.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the electrical switch is mounted on a service panel.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid replacement system for at least one reservoir fluidically coupled thereto for permitting corresponding replacement fluid to be added to such reservoir fluidically in advance of a filter for such fluid.

14. A fluid transfer system for removing fluids from a plurality of reservoirs of different types of fluids on an engine powered apparatus, the system comprising:

a pump;

a common flow controller selectively controlling flow from the reservoirs of different types of fluids to the pump;

a plurality of reservoir conduits coupling each of said reservoir of different types of fluids to the flow controller;

a pump conduit coupling the flow controller to the pump; and

an outlet conduit coupling the pump to an outlet port for discharging fluid removed from a selected one of the reservoirs through the outlet port.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the pump is mounted on the apparatus.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a fluid replacement system for at least one reservoir fluidically coupled thereto for permitting corresponding replacement fluid to be added to such reservoir such that the replacement fluid flows through a corresponding filter prior to entering the reservoir.

17. A fluid transfer system for removing fluid from first, second and third reservoirs of different types of fluids on an engine powered apparatus, the system comprising:

a first pump;

a first network of conduits coupling the first reservoir to the first pump and the first pump to a first outlet port for discharging fluid removed from the first reservoir through said first outlet port;

a second pump;

a control valve selectively controlling flow from the second and third reservoirs to the second pump; and

a second network of conduits coupling;

each of the second and third reservoirs of different types of fluids to the control valve;

the control valve to the second pump; and

the second pump to a second outlet port for discharging fluids removed from a selected one of the second and third reservoirs through said second outlet port.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first and second pumps are mounted on the apparatus.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the first pump is an engine prelubrication pump.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the first reservoir comprises an engine oil reservoir, and the second and third reservoirs comprise transmission and hydraulic reservoirs, respectively.

21. The system of claim 17, further comprising first and second conduits coupled to the first and second outlet ports respectively.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the first and second outlet ports discharge into at least one waste receiving receptacle.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the apparatus has a battery for supplying power to the first and second pumps.

24. The system of claim 17, wherein the first pump is handheld.

25. The system of claim 17, wherein the second pump is handheld.

26. The system of claim 17, wherein the first pump is powered by alternating current supplied from a remote source of alternating current.

27. The system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the outlet ports discharges into a receptacle on a separate vehicle.

28. The system of claim 17, wherein the first pump is activated through a first electrical switch.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the second pump is actuated through a second electrical switch.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the first electrical switch is mounted on a first bracket.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the second electrical switch is mounted on a second bracket.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein the first and second electrical switches are mounted on a service panel.

33. The system of claim 29 wherein the first and second outlet ports are mounted on a service panel.

34. The system of claim 29, wherein the first electrical switch is mounted on a first panel.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the second electrical switch is mounted on a second panel.

36. The system of claim 30, wherein the first bracket is adjacent to the first outlet port.

37. The system of claim 31, wherein the second bracket is adjacent to the second outlet port.

38. The system of claim 17, further comprising a fluid replacement system for at least one reservoir fluidically coupled thereto for permitting corresponding replacement fluid to be added to such reservoir such that the replacement fluid flows through a corresponding filter prior to entering the reservoir.

39. A fluid transfer system for removing fluid from first, second and third reservoirs of different types of fluids on an engine powered vehicle, the system comprising:

a first pump;

a first reservoir conduit coupling the first reservoir to the first pump;

a first outlet conduit coupling the first pump to a first outlet port for discharging fluid removed from said first reservoir through said first outlet port;

a second pump;

a control valve selectively controlling flow from the second and third reservoirs of different types of fluids to the second pump; and

a second reservoir conduit coupling the second reservoir to the control valve;

a third reservoir conduit coupling the third reservoir to the control valve;

a second pump conduit coupling the control valve to the second pump; and

a second outlet conduit coupling the second pump to a second outlet port for discharging fluid removed from a selected one of said second and third reservoirs through said second outlet port.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the first and second pumps are mounted on the vehicle.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the first pump is actuated through a first electrical switch.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the second pump is actuated through a second electrical switch.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the second electrical switch is mounted on a second bracket.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the second bracket is adjacent to the second outlet port.

45. The system of claim 42, wherein the first and second electrical switches are mounted on a service panel.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein the first and second outlet ports are mounted on a service panel.

47. The system of claim 41, wherein the first electrical switch is mounted on a first bracket.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the first bracket is adjacent to the first outlet port.

49. The system of claim 39, further comprising at least one sampling port for a corresponding reservoir.

50. The system of claim 39, further comprising a fluid replacement system for at least one reservoir fluidically coupled thereto for permitting corresponding replacement fluid to be added to such reservoir such that the replacement fluid flows through a corresponding filter prior to entering the reservoir.

51. A fluid transfer system for removing fluid from a plurality of reservoirs of different types of fluids on an engine powered vehicle including a first fluid reservoir and two or more other reservoirs of different types of fluids, the system comprising:

a first pump;

a first reservoir conduit coupling the first reservoir to the first pump;

a first outlet conduit coupling the first pump to a first outlet port for discharging fluid removed from said first reservoir through said first outlet port;

a second pump;

a control valve selectively controlling flow from the other reservoirs of different types of fluids to the second pump; and

other reservoir conduits, each of the other reservoir conduits coupling one of the other reservoirs of different types of fluids correspondingly to the control valve;

a second pump conduit coupling the control valve to the second pump; and

a second outlet conduit coupling the second pump to a second outlet port for discharging fluid removed from a selected one of said other reservoir through said second outlet port.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the first and second pumps are mounted on the vehicle.

53. The system of claim 51 wherein the first pump comprises a gear pump.

54. The system of claim 51 wherein the second pump comprises a gear pump.

55. The system of claim 51 wherein the first pump is an engine prelubrication pump.

56. The system of claim 51, further comprising a fluid replacement system for at least one reservoir fluidically coupled thereto for permitting corresponding replacement fluid to be added to such reservoir such that the replacement fluid flows through a corresponding filter prior to entering the reservoir.

57. A fluid transfer system for removing fluid from first, second and third reservoirs of different types of fluids in connection with an engine powered vehicle having a first pump supported on the vehicle and operably connected to the first fluid reservoir, the system comprising:

a first network of conduits arranged to connect by couplings the first pump to a first outlet port for discharging fluid from said first reservoir through said first outlet port;

a second pump;

a control valve selectively controlling flow from the second and third reservoirs of different types of fluids to the second pump; and

a second network of conduits arranged to connect;

each of the second and third reservoirs of different types of fluids to the control valve;

the control valve to the second pump; and

the second pump to a second outlet port for discharging fluid from a selected one of the second and third reservoir through said second outlet port.

58. The system of claim 57 wherein the first pump is an engine prelubrication pump.

59. The system of claim 57, further comprising a fluid replacement system for at least one reservoir fluidically coupled thereto for permitting corresponding replacement fluid to be added to such reservoir such that the replacement fluid flows through a corresponding filter prior to entering the reservoir.

60. A system of total fluid service for an engine powered vehicle having at least two reservoirs of different types of fluids including a first fluid reservoir and at least one other reservoir of a different type of fluid, the system comprising:

a fluid evacuation system having a pump coupled to said first and at least one other reservoir for selectively removing fluids from the reservoirs of different types of fluids; and

a detachable fluid replacement system for selectively adding replacement fluids to the reservoirs of different types of fluids.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the fluid replacement system comprises:

a portable replacement fluid conduit having a first and a second end, the first end connectable to a new fluid source and the second end detachably connectable to a corresponding fluid cavity coupled to one of the reservoirs such that the replacement fluid flows through a corresponding filter prior to entering the reservoir.

62. The system of claim 61, further comprising a flow meter valve attached to the replacement fluid conduit to regulate flow from the new fluid source to the corresponding fluid cavity.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the first pump is actuated through a first electrical switch, the control valve is selectively actuated through a second electrical switch, and the first and second electrical switches are mounted on a service panel.

64. The system of claim 63 wherein the first and second outlet ports are mounted on the service panel.

65. The system of claim 60, wherein the fluid evacuation system comprises:

a first pump;

a first reservoir conduit coupling the first reservoir to the first pump;

a first outlet conduit coupling the first pump to a first outlet port;

a second pump;

a control valve selectively controlling flow from at least one other reservoir to the second pump; and

at least one other reservoir conduit, each of the other reservoir conduits coupling one of the other reservoirs correspondingly to the control valve;

a second pump conduit coupling the control valve to the second pump; and

a second outlet conduit coupling the second pump to a second outlet port.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein the first pump is actuated through a first electrical switch, the second pump is actuated through a second electrical switch, the first electrical switch is mounted on a first service panel and the second electrical switch is mounted on a second service panel.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the first outlet port is mounted on the first service panel and the second outlet port is mounted on the second service panel.

68. The system of claim 65, wherein the first pump is actuated through a first electrical switch and the second pump is actuated through a second electrical switch.

69. The system of claim 68, wherein the first and second electrical switches are mounted on a bracket.

70. The system of claim 68, wherein the first electrical switch is mounted on a first bracket and the second electrical switch is mounted on a second bracket.

71. The system of claim 65, wherein at least one sampling port for a corresponding reservoir is mounted on a service panel.

72. The system of claim 60, further comprising a fluid replacement system for at least one reservoir fluidically coupled thereto for permitting corresponding replacement fluid to be added to such reservoir such that the replacement fluid flows through a corresponding filter prior to entering the reservoir.

73. A fluid transfer system for removing fluid from at least three reservoirs of different types of fluids on an engine powered vehicle including a first reservoir and at least two other reservoirs of different types of fluids, the system comprising:

a first pump;

a first reservoir conduit coupling the first reservoir to the first pump;

a first outlet conduit coupling the first pump to a first outlet port for discharging fluid removed from said first reservoir through said first outlet port;

a second pump;

at least one other reservoir conduit, each of said other reservoir conduits coupling said other reservoirs to the second pump; and

a second outlet conduit coupling the second pump to a second outlet port for discharging fluid removed from a selected one of said other reservoir through said second outlet port.

74. The system of claim 73, further comprising a fluid replacement system for at least one reservoir fluidically coupled thereto for permitting corresponding replacement fluid to be added to such reservoir such that the replacement fluid flows through a corresponding filter prior to entering the reservoir.

75. A fluid transfer system for removing fluids from a plurality of reservoirs of different types of fluids on an engine powered apparatus, the system comprising:

a pump fluidically coupled to each of said reservoirs; and

a pump controller operably connected to the pump; and

a flow controller coupled between the reservoirs and the pump to control from which reservoir fluid is removed.

76. The system of claim 75 wherein said flow controller comprises a control valve.

77. The system of claim 76 wherein the controls for said pump controller and said flow controller are mounted on a service panel.

78. The system of claim 75 wherein said pump is mounted on said apparatus.

79. A fluid transfer system for removing fluids from a plurality of fluid reservoirs of different types of fluids on an engine powered vehicle, the system comprising:

a pump;

a control valve assembly;

a plurality of fluid conduits fluidically coupling said plurality of fluid reservoirs to said control valve assembly, fluidically coupling said control valve assembly to said pump, and fluidically coupling the pump to an outlet port;

wherein the plurality of reservoirs comprise at least two of engine oil, transmission fluid, and hydraulic fluid reservoirs of said vehicle, and said control valve assembly is operable to selectively communicate a selected one of the plurality of reservoirs with said pump through at least one said fluid conduit for draining said selected one of the plurality of reservoirs through said outlet port.

80. The system of claim 79, wherein the pump is mounted on the vehicle.

81. The system of claim 79, further comprising a flexible conduit coupled to the outlet port.

82. The system of claim 79, wherein the pump is mounted on an apparatus separate and remote from said vehicle.

83. The system of claim 79, wherein the vehicle has a battery and the pump is operatively coupled to, so as to be selectively powered by, the battery.

84. A fluid transfer system for removing fluids from first, second and third fluid reservoirs of different types of fluids on an engine powered vehicle, the system comprising:

a first pump;

a first network of fluid conduits fluidically coupling said first reservoir to said first pump and fluidically coupling the first pump to a first outlet port for discharging fluid removed from the first reservoir;

a second pump;

a control valve assembly;

a second network of fluid conduits fluidically coupling said second and third reservoirs to said control valve assembly, fluidically coupling said control valve assembly to said second pump, and fluidically coupling the second pump to a second outlet port;

wherein the first reservoir comprises an engine oil reservoir of said vehicle, and the second and third reservoirs comprise transmission and hydraulic reservoirs, respectively, of said vehicle and said control valve assembly is operable to selectively communicate a selected one of said second and third reservoirs with said second pump through at least one of the fluid conduits of said second network of fluid conduits for draining said selected one of said second and third reservoirs through said outlet port.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein the first and second pumps are mounted on the vehicle.

86. The system of claim 84, further comprising first and second flexible conduits coupled to the first and second outlet ports, respectively.

87. The system of claim 84, wherein the vehicle has a battery and the first and second pumps are operatively coupled to, so as to be selectively powered by, the battery.

88. The system of claim 84, further comprising a first electrical control switch operatively coupled to said first pump to selectively control actuation thereof, said first switch being disposed remote from said first pump, adjacent the first outlet port.

89. The system of claim 84, further comprising a controller for controlling said control valve assembly to select the selected one of the plurality of reservoirs for communication with said pump, said controller being provided remote from said control valve assembly.

90. The system of claim 84, wherein the first pump comprises a prelubrication pump mounted on the vehicle.

91. The system of claim 84, further comprising a controller for controlling said control valve assembly to select the selected one of the second and third reservoirs for communication with said second pump, said controller being provided remote from said control valve assembly.