Engine cleaning

Details Engine cleaning Engine cleaning

1999-01-29

2001-09-18

Stinson, Frankie L. (Department: 1746)

Cleaning and liquid contact with solids

Apparatus

With treating fluid purifying or separating means

C134S16600C, C134S16900A, C134S183000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06289905

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning an engine or engine components, in particular a vehicle engine or engine components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The cleaning of engines and/or engine components normally takes place in an outdoor environment or in a garage premises or forecourt and is often a hazardous operation. Most cleaning procedures simply involve pouring or splashing copious quantities of cleaning fluid on to the engine and allowing the dirty fluid to drain onto the ground. Vehicle engine cleaning fluids normally contain toxic substances which makes this process especially hazardous. Such a process can also be expensive, especially when several vehicle engines are cleaned and due to the high wastage of cleaning fluid.
It is therefore the purpose of the present invention to reduce the aforementioned problems and provide a safe, efficient and cost-effective way in which to clean vehicle engines and/or engine components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for cleaning an engine or engine components, the apparatus comprising:
i) a reservoir for re-usable cleaning fluid;
ii) filter means arranged to filter cleaning fluid draining into the reservoir from a cleaning zone orientated over the filter means; and,
iii) fluid delivery means arranged to deliver cleaning fluid to the cleaning zone, the fluid delivery means including a fluid line extending from the reservoir.
The reservoir and filter means are preferably shaped and dimensioned to fit below an engine of a vehicle and, in particular, an automobile engine in situ in the engine compartment.
The filter means is preferably orientated to filter fluid draining into the reservoir, under gravity, from the cleaning zone, which cleaning zone is preferably directly above the filter means and also preferably the reservoir. The filter means may be received within the reservoir (above the level of the fluid) or supported above the reservoir. The filter means may be permanently fixed to the reservoir or, more preferably, may be removable (for example for cleaning purposes).
The filter means is adapted to filter out any dirt and/or contaminants from the cleaning fluid draining into the reservoir such that the cleaning fluid collecting in the reservoir is substantially “clean”. Typically the filter means comprises a filter element which is preferably substantially planar. Desirably the filter means is replaceable and/or cleanable subsequent to use. Support means may be provided for supporting the filter element in position. The support means may, for example, be a reticulated mesh element spanning the reservoir.
The filter element may comprise, for example, a paper or a foam filter or may simply comprise a reticulated or mesh element. The filter element collects dirt and/or contaminants draining from the cleaning zone.
The area of the engine or engine components treated by the cleaning fluid is referred to as the “cleaning zone”. The flexible fluid line of the fluid delivery means preferably leads to a spray head such as a spray gun or nozzle. The flexible line is arranged to carry “clean” or filtered cleaning fluid to the spray head which is preferably manipulatable to provide controlled delivery of the cleaning fluid to the engine or engine components at the cleaning zone. The volume of fluid provided in the reserovir is preferably such that as the cleaning fluid drains into the reservoir, the spray gun may be operated continuously to deliver a desired amount of fluid.
Preferably the spray gun is linked to air compression means by a flexible tube so that, advantageously, a pressurized spray of fluid may be delivered. In an alternative embodiment, the fluid delivery means may comprise a pump which can pump the cleaning fluid through the spray head. Preferably, the pump is electronically controlled and/or flame retardant.
The apparatus preferably comprises closure means to close the reservoir (and also preferably the filter means) when the apparatus is not in use, for safety reasons. Preferably the closure means comprises one or more leaves movable from an access position in which fluid may drain into the reservoir, to a closed position substantially covering the reservoir. Preferably the or each leaf comprising the closure means is arranged to slide to the closed position from the access position, preferably under the influence of biasing means, such as for example, a respective spring.
The or each leaf may function as a respective fluid drip tray which is orientated in the access position to direct the flow of fluid draining into the reservoir. The leaves are preferably arranged to adopt a flattened configuration covering the reservoir when orientated in the closed position; in the access position the leaf or leaves preferably adopt a tilted configuration.
Separation means is preferably provided to hold the or each leaf in the access position when the apparatus is in use. The separation means may preferably comprise fusible elements (typically elements arranged to melt upon heating, thereby permitting the leaf or leaves to be biased to the closed position).
The fusible elements may comprise lead or plastics pins engageable with a receiving formation or formations having at least one hole, the separation means preferably being adapted to abut and hold the leaf or leaves in the access position. The receiving formation or formations may comprise a plurality of holes such that, advantageously, the leaf or leaves can be mechanically adjusted to varied access positions.
The apparatus is adaptable to collect cleaning fluid from a vehicle engine of different sizes. In the event of the cleaning fluid catching fire, the lead or plastics pins melt such that the separation means is disengaged and the fluid drip trays are biased to the closed position. The fire can therefore be starved of oxygen and extinguished almost immediately.
Preferably, the apparatus is mobile allowing it to be easily transported. In one embodiment the apparatus may comprise a movable handle adapted to steer the apparatus in a desired direction. Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise a fixed handle having a storage tray.
In a further embodiment of the apparatus, the reservoir may be arranged to be positioned below a structure for supporting engine components, so that in such a configuration the apparatus may be used to clean engine components. Typically, the structure comprises a drain through tray supported on a set of legs. Preferably, the reservoir has socket means which are fixed on to or releasable from the reservoir, in which the socket means are engageable with the set of legs of the structure. In this arrangement the tray is held directly above the reservoir. Engine components may be placed in the tray and washed with cleaning fluid, the fluid draining into the reservoir from the tray, typically through perforations or the like in the base of the tray. Advantageously, one or more components may be placed in the tray and washed at the same time.
According to a second aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for cleaning an engine or engine components, the apparatus comprising:
i) a reservoir for re-usable cleaning fluid;
ii) filter means arranged to filter cleaning fluid draining into the reservoir from a cleaning zone orientated over the filter means; and
iii) closure means movable from an access position, in which fluid may drain into the reservoir, to a closed position substantially covering the reservoir.
Desirably, the closure means is in accordance with the preferred features described above.
It is preferred that fluid delivery means is arranged to deliver cleaning fluid to the cleaning zone, the fluid delivery means including a fluid line extending from the reservoir.
According to a third aspect, the invention provides a method of cleaning an engine or engine components, the method comprising:
i) providing a reservoir for re-usable cleaning fluid and filter means for filtering fluid draining into the reservoir;
ii) arranging the reservoir and

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