Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – Evacuation apparatus
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-07
2001-04-10
Douglas, Steven O. (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
Evacuation apparatus
C141S067000, C141S095000, C184S001500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213173
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for purging engine oil filters and lubricating passages with air during the oil changing procedure of a vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates to a method for sensing and controlling the pressure when air purging the lubrication passages to expediently remove the oil therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The benefits of routine oil changes in an internal combustion engine are well known. Routine oil changes have been shown to increase engine life and performance. With repeated prolonged use, motor oil builds up suspended particles, metallic and non-metallic, from the abrasive and adhesive wear of engine parts against one another and from products of incomplete combustion and improper air intake. The particles in turn cause abrasive wear of the engine bearings, piston rings and other moving parts and the reduction of the motor oil lubricity as various additives and lubricating components become depleted. This adversely affects engine performance and if left unchanged can destroy or cripple the engine performance. It is recommended by at least one oil manufacturer that the level of total solid concentration be limited to levels below 3.0%.
To obtain satisfactory engine performance, and maintain solids concentration levels in the motor oil lower than the recommended 3.0%, changing the motor oil in an internal combustion engine is necessary. In currently designed vehicles, the oil pan serves the purpose of a reservoir for circulation of engine oil. Engine lubrication is generally accomplished through a gear-type pump. Oil from the pump passes through the oil filter before going to the engine oil galleries from where it provides lubrication to the various engine components.
To remove the contaminated oil, the drain plug, generally located in the lowermost region of the oil pan, is opened. The spent oil containing suspended particles is permitted to flow under gravity out of the pan into a suitable receptacle. After the spent oil is removed, the plug is replaced and fresh oil is added to the engine through a separate opening in the engine valve cover. The process of gravity drainage does not remove all of the spent oil with its metallic and non-metallic particles which stick to the oil pan container walls, as well as engine components such as the crank shaft, connecting rods, pistons and the like which are exposed to the motor oil spray lubrication. These particles remain to be mixed with fresh motor oil Thus the concentration of contaminants is lowered by dilution and only a part of the total contaminates are actually eliminated.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a method which removes spent oil more completely and easily from the internal combustion engine. It would also be desirable to provide a system which reduces the amount of spent oil handling as required in the conventional oil change service method.
It is further desirable to provide an automated system that includes a source of compressed air and a means for supplying the compressed air for purging fluid from the internal combustion engine. It is finally desirable to provide a means for automatically sensing and controlling the air pressure inside the crankcase as well as deactivating the compressed air at a predetermined time to prevent over pressurizing of the crankcase and thereby adversely affecting the seals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes an apparatus for changing oil that is external and separable from the internal combustion engine. The external device would be operably connectible to fresh oil storage means and waste oil storage means. The external apparatus preferably includes air purge means for purging fluid retained within the oil filter and any fluid remaining in the lubrication system passages of the internal combustion engine, such that all waste fluid can be deposited within the oil pan reservoir. The pump means of the external apparatus draws waste fluid from the oil pan reservoir for deposit in the appropriate waste storage means.
In operation, the present invention provides a method for quickly and efficiently removing waste oil from an internal combustion engine and replenishing the lubrication system of the internal combustion engine with fresh oil. Additionally, the present invention provides purging of fluid from the oil filter and lubrication passages of the internal combustion engine with pressurized air means. The current invention provides a means for deactivating the compressed air after purging the engine oil filter and lubrication passages of liquid in order to prevent overpressurizing of the crankcase.
The means for deactivating the air purge includes a computer monitored program. The computer monitors the air pressure leaving the oil changing apparatus. When the purged air initially enters the oil filter and lubrication passages, there will be resistance and a corresponding back pressure due to the fact that the filter and passages are still full of oil. This initial back pressure is averaged over the first few seconds and this becomes the average base pressure. The purge air pressure gradually forces the oil out of the filter and passages into the oil pan. As the passages are being cleared, the resistance will decrease, resulting in a corresponding drop in back pressure. At the same time the air will enter the crankcase, which may result in the build up of pressure inside the crankcase. Crankcases are typically equipped with positive crankcase ventilation devices (PCV valves), which prevent overpressurizing of the crankcase, which may cause seals to fail, resulting in loss of lubricating oil. It is desirable however to have an additional safeguard to prevent pressure buildup resulting from the purge air entering the crankcase, in case of malfunction of the PCV device. The present invention monitors the back pressure of the purge air and deactivates the flow of purge air when the pressure drop exceeds a certain predetermined value from the average base pressure. Thus the present invention will ensure the completion of the purging of the oil filter and passages, while preventing undesirable pressure build up inside the crankcase.
Other modifications, characteristics, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the attached drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5062398 (1991-11-01), Bedi et al.
patent: 5263445 (1993-11-01), Bedi et al.
patent: 5273085 (1993-12-01), Edwards et al.
patent: 5676842 (1997-10-01), Bedi et al.
Bedi Ram D.
van der Griendt A. John
deVore Peter
Douglas Steven O.
K. J. Manufacturing Co.
Young & Basile P.C.
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