Fluid transfer system

• US 6,988,506 B1
• Filed: 01/21/2003
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPM Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: RPM Industries LLC
• Inventors: Apostolides, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US10/347,958
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 137/560, 137/565.25, 137/351, 137/13, 184/1.5, 184/105.1
• US Class Current: 137/13
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/04 Filling or draining lubricant of or from machines or engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0391 Affecting flow by the addition of material or energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6881 Automotive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8376 Combined
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86099 Hand pump

Abstract

A portable fluid transfer conduit is disclosed having an elongated flexible conduit having an inlet and outlet port. A coupling is postured at the inlet port for receiving fluid from a fluid source such as prelubrication pump. A flow control member is located at the discharge end which includes an activator for controlling the flow of fluid. The flow control member may include a handheld pump where the fluid source does not have a powered flow.

Claims

1. A method of sampling a lubrication fluid from an engine lubrication system without operating the engine, the engine lubrication system having a supplemental pump that has a discharge port comprising:

activating the supplemental pump to pressurize the lubrication system without activating the engine; and

removing a sample of lubrication fluid from a sampling port fluidically communicating with the discharge port of the supplemental pump.

2. A method of removing fluid from a fluid system within an engine and replacing the removed fluid with replacement fluid from a source of replacement fluid, the method comprising:

removably coupling an inlet end of a conduit to an engine port on the engine in communication with the fluid system, the conduit having an outlet end and a handheld pump integrally mounted to the conduit between the inlet end and outlet end; and

actuating the pump to pump the fluid from the fluid system through the outlet end of the conduit.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising detaching the conduit from the engine port after a desired amount of fluid has drained from the fluid system.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising attaching a source of replacement fluid to the engine port and pumping a desired amount of replacement fluid from the source of replacement fluid into the fluid system through the engine port.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

coupling a source of air pressure to the engine fluid system remote to said engine port prior to coupling the conduit to the engine port;

applying air pressure to the fluid system;

disconnecting the source of air pressure from the engine port; and

coupling the conduit to the engine port.

6. A method of sampling a lubrication fluid from an engine lubrication system without operating the engine, the engine lubrication system having a prelubrication pump that has a discharge port comprising:

activating the prelubrication pump to pressurize the lubrication system without activating the engine; and

removing a sample of lubrication fluid from a sampling port fluidically communicating with the discharge ed port of the prelubrication pump.

7. A method of replacing fluid in a fluid system within a vehicle engine in a vehicle that has a supplemental pump on the engine or vehicle that is operably connected to the fluid system, said method comprising:

providing a quick connect coupling having a first quick connect coupling portion in fluid communication with the fluid system and a second quick connect coupling portion in fluid communication with the discharge of the supplemental pump;

attaching a conduit to the second quick connect coupling portion;

activating the supplemental pump to pump fluid from the fluid system through the second quick connect coupling portion and through the conduit wherein it discharges therefrom;

deactivating the supplemental pump;

detaching the conduit from the second quick connect coupling portion;

admitting replacement fluid from a source of replacement fluid through the first quick connect coupling portion and into the fluid system;

disconnecting the source of replacement fluid; and

connecting the first quick connect coupling portion to the second quick connect coupling portion.

8. A fluid transfer apparatus for removing fluid from a fluid reservoir on a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end;

an inlet coupler attached to said inlet end and removably attachable to a port in communication with the fluid reservoir;

a supplemental handheld pump fluidically coupled to said conduit; and

pump controller communicating with said supplemental pump for selective activation thereof such that when said supplemental pump is activated, fluid flows from the fluid reservoir on the vehicle and through said conduit to said outlet end of said conduit when said coupler is attached in fluidic communication with said port.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a nozzle affixed to said outlet end of said conduit.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said outlet end discharges into a waste oil-receiving receptacle.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said pump has a self-contained battery for supplying power thereto.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said inlet coupler comprises a quick disconnect fitting.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said pump controller comprises a trigger switch assembly coupled to said conduit and electronically connected to said supplemental pump, said trigger switch assembly mounted adjacent to said outlet end to facilitate manual support and manipulation of said outlet end.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said trigger switch assembly comprises:

a guard; and

a grip means attached to the guard.

15. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said conduit is up to 30 feet long and wherein said pump is located adjacent to said inlet end thereof.

16. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said pump is powered by alternating current supplied from a remote source of alternating current through a conductor attached therebetween.

17. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a fluid sensor coupled to said inlet coupler and said pump.

18. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said inlet coupler comprises a valve.

19. A fluid transfer apparatus for use in connection with a vehicle having an engine with an oil reservoir, comprising:

a prelubrication pump supported on the engine or vehicle and being fluidically connected to said oil reservoir, and having an outlet;

at least one portable conduit having an inlet port connectable to said outlet and an outlet port; and

a pump controller operably connected to said prelubrication pump for selective activation thereof such that when said pump is activated fluid flows from the oil reservoir for the vehicle and through said conduit to said outlet port when said inlet port is attached in fluidic communication with said outlet of said prelubrication pump.

20. A fluid transfer apparatus for use in connection with engine powered equipment having a hydraulic fluid reservoir, comprising:

a prelubrication pump supported on the engine powered equipment and being fluidically connected to said hydraulic fluid reservoir, and having an outlet;

at least one portable conduit having an inlet port and an outlet port;

a coupler at said inlet port and connectable to said outlet; and

a pump controller operably connected to said prelubrication pump for selective activation thereof such that when said pump is activated fluid flows from the hydraulic fluid reservoir for the engine powered equipment and through said conduit to said outlet port when said coupler is attached in fluidic communication with said outlet of said prelubrication pump.

21. A fluid transfer apparatus for use in connection with engine powered equipment having a hydraulic fluid reservoir, comprising:

a prelubrication pump supported on the engine powered equipment and being fluidically connected to said hydraulic fluid reservoir, and having an outlet;

at least one portable conduit having an inlet port connectable to said outlet, and an outlet port; and

a pump controller operably connected to said prelubrication pump for selective activation thereof such that when said pump is activated, fluid flows from the hydraulic fluid reservoir for the engine powered equipment and through said conduit to said outlet port when said coupler is attached in fluidic communication with said prelubrication pump.

22. A fluid transfer system for removing fluids from at least one fluid reservoir on an engine powered apparatus, the system comprising:

a prelubrication pump fluidically connected to said at least one fluid reservoir, and having an outlet;

at least one portable conduit having an inlet port connectable to the outlet, and an outlet port; and

a pump controller operably connected to the prelubrication pump for selective activation thereof such that when said pump is activated, fluid flows from sad at least one fluid reservoir for the apparatus and through said conduit to said outlet port when said inlet port is attached in fluidic communication with said outlet of said prelubrication pump.

23. A fluid transfer system for removing fluids from at least one fluid reservoir on an engine powered apparatus, the system comprising:

a pump supported on said engine powered apparatus and fluidically connected to said at least one fluid reservoir, and having an outlet;

at least one portable conduit having an inlet port fluidically connectable to the outlet, and an outlet port; and

a pump controller operably connected to said pump such that when said pump is activated, fluid flows from said at least one fluid reservoir on the apparatus and through said conduit to said outlet port when said conduit is in fluidic communication with said pump.

24. Fluid changing apparatus for an engine having a fluid system, said fluid changing apparatus comprising:

a conduit having an outlet end and an inlet end;

a first quick disconnect portion fluidically coupled to said inlet end of said conduit;

a third quick disconnect portion fluidically coupled to the engine and which communicates with the fluid system;

a second quick disconnect portion fluidically coupled to a discharge port of a pump arranged to pump a fluid to said fluid system, said second quick disconnect portion adapted to be removably fluidically coupled to said third quick disconnect portion during normal operation of the engine, or to said first quick disconnect portion to remove fluid from said fluid system; and

a flow controller operatively communicating with said pump for selective activation thereof such that when said pump is activated, fluid flows from the fluid system for the engine and through said conduit to said outlet port when said first quick disconnect portion is attached in fluidic communication with said second quick disconnect portion.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said conduit is portable.

26. A fluid, transfer system for use in connection with a vehicle engine having a supplemental pump supported on the engine or vehicle and operably connected to a fluid reservoir for the engine, said fluid transfer system comprising:

A. at least one portable conduit having an inlet and outlet port;

B. coupler at said inlet port for fluidically coupling said fluid conduit to the supplemental pump; and

C. pump controller communicating with the supplemental pump for selective activation thereof such that when the pump is activated, fluid flows from the fluid reservoir for the engine and through said conduit to said outlet port when said coupler is attached in fluidic communication with the supplemental pump.

27. A fluid transfer system for use in connection with an engine powered apparatus having a pump supported on the apparatus and operably connected to a fluid reservoir for the apparatus, said fluid transfer system comprising:

A. at least one portable conduit having an inlet and outlet port;

B. coupler at said inlet port for fluidically coupling said fluid conduit to the pump; and

C. pump controller communicating with the pump supported on the engine powered apparatus for selective activation thereof such that when the pump is activated, fluid flows from the fluid reservoir for the apparatus and through said conduit to said outlet port when said coupler is attached in fluidic communication with the pump.

28. A fluid transfer system for removing fluid from a fluid reservoir on an engine powered apparatus, the system comprising:

a pump mounted on the engine powered apparatus and fluidically connected to said reservoir, and having an outlet;

at least one portable conduit having an inlet port fluidically connectable to the outlet, and an outlet port; and

a pump controller operably connected to the pump for selective activation thereof such that when said pump is activated, fluid flows from the fluid reservoir for the apparatus and through said conduit to said outlet port when said inlet port is attached in fluidic communication with said outlet of said pump.

29. Fluid changing apparatus for an engine having a fluid system, said fluid changing apparatus comprising:

a portable conduit having an outlet end and an inlet end;

a first quick disconnect portion fluidically coupled to said inlet end of said portable conduit;

a mounting bracket supporting a second quick disconnect portion fluidically coupled to a discharge port of a pump mounted adjacent to said engine and arranged to pump a fluid from said fluid system, said second quick disconnect portion adapted to be removably fluidically coupled to said first quick disconnect portion to remove fluid from said fluid system; and

a flow controller operatively connected to said pump for selective activation thereof such that when said pump is activated, fluid flows from said fluid system and through said outlet end when said first quick disconnect portion is fluidically coupled to said second quick disconnect portion.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said flow controller is mounted on said bracket.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said flow controller is mounted on said conduit.

32. Fluid changing apparatus for an engine powered apparatus having a fluid system, said fluid changing apparatus comprising:

a portable conduit having an outlet end and an inlet end;

a first quick disconnect portion fluidically coupled to said inlet end of said portable conduit;

a mounting bracket supporting a coupler fluidically coupled to a discharge port of a pump mounted adjacent to said engine powered apparatus and arranged to pump a fluid from said fluid system, said coupler adapted to be removably fluidically coupled to said inlet end to remove fluid from said fluid system; and

a flow controller operatively connected to said pump for selective activation thereof such that when said pump is activated, fluid flows from said fluid system and through said outlet end when said first quick disconnect portion is fluidically coupled to said second disconnect portion.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said flow controller is mounted on said bracket.

34. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said flow controller is mounted on said conduit.