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Automated oil-change system and method

  • US 7,686,136 B2
  • Filed: 11/08/2004
  • Issued: 03/30/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2004
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An automatic oil-change system for an engine comprising:

  • a first oil container;

    a second oil container;

    one or more valves associated with the first oil container and the second oil container, the one or more valves comprising;

    a three-way oil pump valve that connects the first oil container and the second oil container to an oil pump, the three-way oil pump valve controlling oil flow from the first oil container and the second oil container to the oil pump;

    a three-way return valve that connects a bottom fitting in an oil pan to the first oil container and the second oil container, the three-way return valve controlling oil flow from the oil pan to the first oil container and the second oil container; and

    a three-way vacuum valve that connects the first oil container and the second oil container to a vacuum system of the engine, the three-way vacuum valve controlling air flow from the first oil container and the second oil container to the vacuum system of the engine; and

    a vacuum regulator located between the three-way vacuum valve and the vacuum system of the engine, wherein the vacuum regulator regulates the vacuum within the first oil container and the second oil container to ensure that a maximum limit is not exceeded;

    wherein the engine is provided with oil from the first oil container when the valves are in a first configuration; and

    wherein the engine is provided with oil from the second oil container when the valves are in a second configuration; and

    a controller operable to switch the valves from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to the valves remaining in the first configuration for a predefined distance, as measured over multiple initializations of the engine.

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