Methods and systems for performing, monitoring and analyzing multiple machine fluid processes

• US 9,062,575 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2004
• Issued: 06/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPM Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: RPM Industries LLC
• Inventors: Apostolides, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schneider, Craig
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wentlandt, Nicole
• Application Number:
  US10/820,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20050173004A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,093 Days
• Field of Search: 137/512, 417/568, 62/77, 622/92, 184/1.5, 141/383
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/0408 Sump drainage devices, e.g. valves, plugs
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/0458 Lubricant filling and draining
• 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: F16K 15/00 Check valves valves specially adapted for inflatable balls A63B41/00
• 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 137/7838 Plural

Abstract

Various fluid system and fluid operation embodiments include a first valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of the first valve with an outlet of the first valve in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system; a second valve has an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the first valve, and the second valve is structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at the outlet of the second valve; and, an inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the first valve and the outlet of the second valve at a common refill/evacuation location. Systems and methods incorporating electronic valves, configurations of multiple check valve assemblies, and modules of valve assemblies are also provided herein. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Claims

1. A valve system comprising:

a first valve assembly structured for use in connection with at least one fluid reservoir in a first fluid system of a machine, the first valve assembly comprising,

a first check valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of said first check valve, further comprising an outlet of said first check valve being structured for fluid communication with a first portion of said first fluid system, wherein the application of positive pressure from a first inlet/outlet port at a first common refill/evacuation location causes fluid to flow from the first common refill/evacuation location through said first check valve into the first portion of said first fluid system to said fluid reservoir of said first fluid system;

a second check valve having an outlet in fluid communication with said inlet of said first check valve, said second check valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at said outlet of said second check valve, further comprising an inlet of said second check valve being structured for fluid communication with at least the first portion of said first fluid system, wherein the application of negative pressure from the first inlet/outlet port at the first common refill/evacuation location causes fluid to flow from the first portion of said first fluid system including said fluid reservoir through said second check valve into the first common refill/evacuation location, wherein said outlet of said first check valve is in fluid communication with said inlet of said second check valve;

the first inlet/outlet port in direct fluid communication with said inlet of said first check valve and in direct fluid communication with said outlet of said second check valve at the first common refill/evacuation location;

a second valve assembly structured for use in connection with at least one fluid reservoir in a second fluid system of the machine, the second valve assembly comprising,

a third check valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of said third check valve, further comprising an outlet of said third check valve being structured for fluid communication with a second portion of said second fluid system, wherein the application of positive pressure causes from a second inlet/outlet port at a second common refill/evacuation location fluid to flow from the second common refill/evacuation location through said third check valve into the second portion of said second fluid system to said fluid reservoir of said second fluid system;

a fourth check valve having an outlet in fluid communication with said inlet of said third check valve, said fourth check valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at said outlet of said fourth check valve, further comprising an inlet of said fourth check valve being structured for fluid communication with at least the second portion of said second fluid system, wherein the application of negative pressure from a second inlet/outlet port at the second common refill/evacuation location causes fluid to flow from the second portion of said second fluid system including said fluid reservoir of said second fluid system through said fourth check valve into the second common refill/evacuation location, wherein said outlet of said third check valve is in fluid communication with said inlet of said fourth check valve;

the second inlet/outlet port in direct fluid communication with said inlet of said third check valve and in direct fluid communication with said outlet of said fourth check valve at the second common refill/evacuation location; and

,

at least one quick disconnect coupling operatively associated with at least one of said first inlet/outlet port or said second inlet/outlet port, wherein said quick disconnect coupling includes a port structured for establishing fluid communication for the inlet/outlet port externally with respect to said fluid system.

2. The valve system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first portion of said first fluid system and said second portion of said second fluid system includes at least a pre-filter portion.

3. The valve system of claim 2, further comprising said pre-filter portion being in fluid communication with at least one fluid filter.

4. The valve system of claim 1, further comprising at least one fluid component in fluid communication with at least one of said inlet/outlet ports.

5. The valve system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least a third valve assembly structured for use in connection with at least one fluid reservoir in a third fluid system of the machine, the third valve assembly comprising,

a fifth check valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of said fifth check valve, further comprising an outlet of said fifth check valve being structured for fluid communication with a third portion of said third fluid system, wherein the application of positive pressure from a third inlet/outlet port at a third common refill/evacuation location causes fluid to flow from the third common refill/evacuation location through said fifth check valve into said third fluid system to said fluid reservoir of said third fluid system;

a sixth check valve having an outlet in fluid communication with said inlet of said fifth check valve, said sixth check valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at said outlet of said sixth check valve, further comprising an inlet of said sixth check valve being structured for fluid communication with at least the third portion of said third fluid system, wherein the application of negative pressure from the third inlet/outlet port at the third common refill/evacuation location causes fluid to flow from the third portion of said third fluid system including said fluid reservoir of said third fluid system through said sixth check valve into the third common refill/evacuation location, wherein said outlet of said fifth check valve is in fluid communication with said inlet of said sixth check valve; and

,

the third inlet/outlet port in direct fluid communication with said inlet of said fifth check valve and in direct fluid communication with said outlet of said sixth check valve at the third common refill/evacuation location.

6. The valve system of claim 5, wherein at least one of said first portion of said first fluid system, said second portion of said second fluid system, and said third portion of said third fluid system includes at least a pre-filter portion.

7. The valve system of claim 6, further comprising said pre-filter portion being in fluid communication with at least one fluid filter.

8. The valve system of claim 5, further comprising at least one fluid component in fluid communication with at least one of said inlet/outlet ports.