Directional conduit guide support

• US 8,627,845 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2010
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auto-Mark Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Auto-Mark Incorporated
• Inventors: Hanson, Matthew N., Fandrei, Philip F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schneider, Craig
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRICE, CRAIG JAMES
• Application Number:
  US12/660,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20110210183A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 137/3, 137/377, 137/379, 137/381, 137/599.12, 137/806, 137/896, 222/74, 134/102.1, 134/102.2, 134/172, 134/169.A, 138/DIG.8, 138/110, 138/106, 138/121
• US Class Current: 137/379
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/00 Adding substances to exhaust gases
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/06 the substance being in the gaseous form
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2077/045 by flushing or rinsing
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/1035 Details of the valve housing
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/00 Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture adding secondary air to fuel-air mixture F02M23/00; adding exhaust gases F02M26/00; fuel-injection apparatus operating simultaneously on two or more fuels or on a liquid fuel and another liquid F02M43/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/10144 Connections of intake ducts to each other or to another device
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/10209 Fluid connections to the air intake system; their arrangement of pipes, valves or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7043 Guards and shields
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7051 Nozzle abutment for scratch or damage prevention
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7058 Sanitary covers or shields

Abstract

The present invention provides a delivery system for providing an atomized treatment agent like a cleaner or lubricant to a specific internal location of a closed mechanical system like an internal combustion engine. The atomized treatment agent is delivered via a flexible, non-rigid conduit to the desired internal location of the engine between, e.g., the ID/OD coupling joint between the air inlet hose and the throttle body. A special conduit support guide, the end of which is inserted through the ID/OD coupling joint, provides the proper geometry for gently configuring the conduit to enter the ID/OD coupling joint without crimping and controlling the directional approach and distance of the conduit free end inside the engine.

Claims

1. A delivery system for discharging an atomized treatment agent into an interior of a closed mechanical system having a fluidizing gas inlet collar joined to an overlaid gas supply hose via an ID/OD coupling, joint for receiving passage of a gas through the gas supply hose into the closed mechanical system in a longitudinal direction, such system comprising:

(a) a pressurized container holding the atomized treatment agent for treating an interior surface or working part contained inside the closed mechanical system;

(b) a flexible conduit for delivering the atomized treatment agent from the container to the closed mechanical system;

(c) a guide support for the flexible conduit having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the guide support comprising;

(i) a first body portion with a configuration curved outwardly from the longitudinal axis;

(ii) a second body portion having a distal end, the second body portion integrally connected to the outwardly curved first body portion with a configuration that curves back towards the longitudinal axis so that the second body portion forms a hook;

(iii) an open channel formed into an entire length of an inner side surface of the guide support partially extending into the first and second body portions along the transverse axis, said channel having dimensions configured to partially surround an exterior surface of the flexible conduit;

(iv) with the flexible conduit disposed inside the open channel, the second body portion of the guide support being positioned between the closed mechanical system fluidizing gas inlet collar and the air supply hose with the second body portion with the hook causing the flexible conduit to extend inside the closed mechanical system with the distal end pointed in a same direction as a fluidizing gas flow;

(d) wherein the atomized treatment agent is delivered by the flexible conduit from the pressurized container to an interior location of the closed mechanical system; and

(e) wherein the flexible conduit is disposed inside the channel of the rigid guide support, so that the guide support protects the flexible conduit from crimping.

2. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the closed mechanical system is an article of machinery or equipment.

3. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the closed mechanical system is a forced air heating, ventilation, or air conditioning duct.

4. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the atomized treatment agent is a cleaner.

5. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the atomized treatment agent is a lubricant.

6. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the atomized treatment agent is an anti-mold or fungus agent.

7. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the atomized treatment agent is a condensation or moisture treatment agent.

8. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the atomized treatment agent is an air freshener or scent.

9. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the atomized treatment agent is delivered through the flexible conduit as an aerosol.

10. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the atomized treatment agent is delivered through the flexible conduit by means of compressed gas.

11. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the fluidizing gas is air.

12. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the fluidizing gas is an industrial gas.

13. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein the closed mechanical system is an internal combustion engine.

14. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein a cleaner is discharged into a throttle body of the internal combustion engine to dissolve unwanted residue deposits on an internal surface or working part within the engine.

15. The delivery system of claim 13, wherein a lubricant is discharged into a throttle body of the internal combustion engine to lubricate a working part within the engine.