Power plants – Pressure fluid source and motor – Pulsator
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-30
2001-05-22
Look, Edward K. (Department: 3745)
Power plants
Pressure fluid source and motor
Pulsator
C060S327000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233933
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the removal of contaminants from a hydraulic system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The braking system of a motor vehicle is generally bled by opening the bleed valve for each brake individually and pumping the brakes. This procedure not only requires two people but is also very time-consuming.
These drawbacks are overcome by U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,823 in which a reciprocating pump is used to pump brake fluid into the servo cylinders of the braking system. Bleeding of a brake is complete when clear brake fluid enters the reservoir of the master cylinder. In order for the person bleeding the brakes to ascertain that clear brake fluid is entering the reservoir, a long feed line must be provided from the pump to the brake being bled. This is cumbersome.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,417 employs a motor-driven rotary pump for bleeding a braking system. The pump inlet is immersed in the reservoir of the master cylinder while the pump outlet is connected to a manifold. Flexible hoses lead from the manifold to the bleed valves of the respective servo cylinders. In operation, brake fluid is pumped from the reservoir to the servo cylinders via the manifold and the flexible hoses. The brake fluid returns to the reservoir through the brake lines of the braking system. This arrangement is complicated and, in addition, requires considerable time to set up.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,629 eliminates these problems by injecting brake fluid into the servo cylinders via a syringe. However, the syringe is associated with its own difficulties. To begin with, two hands are required to operate the syringe. Furthermore, the syringe cannot be very large since otherwise the force necessary to operate the syringe becomes excessive. Due to the limited size of the syringe, the syringe must be refilled frequently thereby increasing the time to bleed the braking system. In addition, the refilling operation requires disconnection of the syringe from the brake system and the attendant risk of introducing air upon reconnection. Moreover, following the injection of brake fluid with the syringe, the master cylinder must be observed to insure that all air bubbles are dissipated. Finally, as a practical matter people tend to impart too much force to the syringe at the beginning of each bleeding operation and cause rapid flow and upward splashing and/or spilling of fluid from the master cylinder.
Prior applications Ser. Nos. 08/441,107 and 08/738,776 disclose a portable pump or fluid conveying device which is simpler and quicker than the syringe. Although the pump operates very satisfactorily, it has been found that enhancements in the delivery of fluid would be desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to improve the supply of fluid to hydraulic systems.
The preceding object, as well as other which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by the invention.
One aspect of the invention resides in a kit for delivering fluid to a hydraulic system. The kit comprises a first conduit, a second conduit, and a portable fluid conveying device for introducing fluid into the hydraulic system. The device is connectible to the conduits and includes means for metering fluid.
With a pump or syringe, control over the rate of discharge is difficult to achieve. In contrast, the metering means of the fluid conveying device of the invention makes it possible to regulate the flow of fluid relatively simply.
Another aspect of the invention resides in an arrangement for delivering fluid to hydraulic systems. The arrangement comprises a fluid conveying device for introducing fluid into hydraulic systems, and a pressure bleeder containing hydraulic fluid.
When using a syringe or hand pump, the energy for feeding fluid to a hydraulic system is supplied manually which is tiring. With a power pump, on the other hand, it is difficult to regulate the flow of fluid. The pressure bleeder in the arrangement of the invention enables the manual effort for operating a syringe or hand pump to be reduced inasmuch as the bleeder is a source of energy. At the same time, the pressure bleeder allows the flow of fluid to be controlled in a relatively simple fashion.
An additional aspect of the invention resides in a method of delivering fluid to a hydraulic system. The method comprises the step of feeding hydraulic fluid from a pressure bleeder to the system.
The hydraulic system may have a servo member with an opening and/or a master member with an opening. The hydraulic fluid from the pressure bleeder can then be fed into the hydraulic system through the opening in the servo member or through the opening in the master member. In the latter case, the method can further comprise the steps of providing an adapter designed to fit into openings of different size, and inserting the adapter in the opening of the master member prior to feeding hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic system. The hydraulic fluid is here fed into the hydraulic system via the adapter. The adapter may have a frustoconical end portion and such end portion may be inserted in the opening of the master member.
The can also comprise the step of metering the hydraulic fluid which issues from the pressure bleeder. The metering step may involve regulating the amount of hydraulic fluid which is fed into the hydraulic system in substantial proportion to displacement of a metering element.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be forthcoming from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Durando Antonio R.
Look Edward K.
Phoenix Systems, L.L.C.
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