Fluid handling – Processes
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-06
2001-01-09
Rivell, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Processes
C137S565170, C137S899000, C184S001500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170505
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
“Not Applicable”.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
“Not Applicable”.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the art of fluid handling, and particularly to an apparatus for use in servicing an automotive vehicle such that a fluid reservoir forming a part of the vehicle can be drained and refilled.
Lubricants and other fluids are typically used in various components of a vehicle to facilitate proper functioning of the components. For example, front and rear differential assemblies, power transfer assemblies, manual transmission assemblies and transaxle assemblies all employ fluids, and each of these components are provided with a casing or other reservoir for storing such fluids.
Because fluids used in these and other components become contaminated and collect debris over time in operation, it is necessary to replace the fluids periodically. If the reservoir of the component includes a drain plug at a lower end thereof, replacement of the fluid is accomplished by first removing the drain plug to drain the old fluid, and then replacing the drain plug and refilling the reservoir with new fluid. Several different known methods are employed to refill the reservoirs of vehicle components. For example, the replacement fluid can be squeezed from a bottle, or a pressurized supply can be provided which dispenses new fluid to the emptied reservoir. Conventionally, pressurized systems dispense fluid under pressure to the reservoir either manually by a hand pump or pneumatically by a air-operated pump.
A known problem encountered in the use of the conventional methods is that the drain plug of a component leaks once it has been removed and replaced. Such leakage results when the plug is not fully tightened upon replacement, or when the seal of the plug fails. In either case, the problem creates the need for additional service to the vehicle, and is an unwanted distraction that increases the time required to perform the service.
If the component to be serviced does not include a drain plug a suction device is required for draining the old fluid. Typically, the suction device includes a line that is placed in the reservoir and a source of negative pressure such as an air-driven, venturi-effect vacuum that is connected to the line for drawing the fluid from the reservoir. Once the fluid is withdrawn from the reservoir with such a device, the vacuum line is removed, and the reservoir is refilled with replacement fluid in the manner described above.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to solve the technical problems left unaddressed by the prior art, and to provide a fluid replacement apparatus that can be used both to drain an old fluid from a reservoir and to refill the reservoir with a replacement fluid.
In accordance with these and other objects evident from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes a bi-directional pump having first and second ports, a service line connected to the first port and including a free end adapted for receipt in the reservoir of the vehicle, a supply line connected to the second port and including a free end adapted for receipt in the replacement fluid container, and a drain line connected to the second port. The supply line includes a check valve that permits fluid flow in a direction toward the pump while preventing the flow of fluid in a direction away from the pump, and the drain line includes a check valve that permits fluid flow in a direction away from the pump while preventing the flow of fluid in a direction toward the pump. A switch is provided on the apparatus, and is movable between an “off” position in which the pump is off, a first “on” position in which the pump operates in a first direction forcing fluid from the first port to the second port so that fluid is drained from the reservoir, and a second “on” position in which the pump operates in a second direction forcing fluid from the second port to the first port so that fluid from the container is pumped into the reservoir.
By providing a construction in accordance with the present invention, numerous advantages are realized. For example, the inventive construction permits the service line to be placed in the reservoir of a component at the beginning of the service and to remain in place during both draining of the original fluid and filling of the replacement fluid. Thus, it is not necessary to use separate means for draining the reservoir than for filling, and less time is required to perform the service. In addition, the inventive construction provides for the use of more than one replacement fluid so that additives and the like can be introduced by the apparatus during the service without requiring removal of the service line.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1506652 (1924-08-01), Maker
patent: 2158914 (1939-05-01), Rinehart
patent: 3095062 (1963-06-01), Neely
patent: 3867999 (1975-02-01), Cox
patent: 4095673 (1978-06-01), Takeuchi
patent: 4240523 (1980-12-01), Nestor et al.
patent: 4354574 (1982-10-01), Kieber
patent: 4938315 (1990-07-01), Ohta et al.
patent: 5056621 (1991-10-01), Trevino
patent: 5562181 (1996-10-01), Elkin et al.
patent: 5853068 (1998-12-01), Dixon et al.
BG Products, Inc.
Rivell John
Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
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