Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-23
2001-07-31
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
Combined
C141S065000, C184S001500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267160
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hydraulic fluid exchanging devices, and more particularly to an apparatus for achieving a proper flow alignment condition between the fluid exchange device and an automotive automatic transmission.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The market environment for automatic transmission fluid exchange systems has undergone relatively rapid recent expansion. Many such devices have been developed for such use. One unresolved problem has been the inherent need for an inexpensive fluid exchanger which is simple to operate and which supports desirable features of some known, more complex and expensive exchange units, such as the bypass circuits and flow alignment mechanisms as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,064 to Viken. In particular, Viken '064 discloses a flow alignment device for aligning the flow of fluid within the exchange device with the fluid flowing in the accessed transmission circuit. Additional desirable features include an indicating system to notify the operator of the device's different modes of operation. These modes may include a fresh fluid filling mode, a fresh fluid completion mode, a fluid exchange mode, and a fluid exchange completion mode of operation. Another limitation has been time consuming fluid exchanges for vehicles with low flow rate transmissions. Some transmissions provide slow flow rate under certain conditions (such as cold ATF fluid) which limits the operability of the displacement type fluid exchangers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Addressing the deficiencies of the conventional art, the instant invention resolves the problems in an efficient, and cost effective manner. The present invention relates to a simple, easy to operate, inexpensive fluid exchanger for automatic transmissions or hydraulic circulating systems and the like of vehicles, machinery, aircraft and equipment. The fluid exchange system includes numerous desirable features, including a flow alignment device, a bypass device for removing a portion of the exchange device from the fluid exchange process, and proximity sensors which detect the presence of or absence of a retained separation member of the exchange device. The proximity sensors relay information that the fluid receptacle is either full of fresh fluid or spent fluid. Additionally, a proximity operated bypass valve assembly is used to automatically transfer the mode of operation from fluid exchanging to a bypass mode wherein the incoming spent fluid conduit is coupled to the outgoing fresh fluid supply conduit. The fluid bypass circuit protects the transmission from disruption of fluid circulation in its cooling circuit when the fresh fluid supply of the unit is depleted. An optional external pump pack can be used to fill a portion of the device and/or empty the device. The optional external pump pack can also be used to provide boost to the incoming spent fluid conduit to speed up the fluid exchange by augmenting the flow through the invention if a very low flow automatic transmission is being serviced.
The proximity indicating system is implemented to notify the operator by light and tone when the device is depleted of its fresh fluid supply and has entered the bypass mode of operation. Similarly, the proximity indicating system may indicate, during filling of fresh fluid, that the fresh fluid portion of the receptacle is filled with fresh fluid while the spent fluid portion is depleted. For enhanced portability, the LEDs and associated indicating circuitry may be battery operated.
Additionally, the instant invention provides effective, inexpensive means to obtain fluid flow alignment between the device and the hydraulic fluid circulation system. A low resistance combination flow meter/sightglass is utilized to provide the operator with an indicator of proper fluid flow through the system in the exchange mode and the subsequently utilized bypass mode.
A further feature of the present invention is the optional pump pack which provides a safe and rapid means of recharging the unit for a subsequent fluid exchange without using a forced-feed bulk fluid supply system. Connection may be made with a suitable quick connect coupling between a fresh fluid supply port and the bulk fluid supply. The optional pump pack may also be used to provide boost of the fluid flow otherwise provided solely by the internal pump of the transmission being serviced. Boost power can be especially useful for some low flow or low pressure situations.
The present invention may be used in conjunction with or in relation to inventions disclosed in the following U.S. patent applications of the applicant:
Dual Chamber Fluid Exchange Apparatus, Ser. No. 09/235,562, filed Jan. 22, 1999;
Self Regulating Valve for a Fluid Exchange Apparatus, Ser. No. 09/235,561, filed Jan. 22, 1999; and
Auto Loading Fluid Exchanger and Method of Use, Ser. No. 09/301,851, filed Apr. 29, 1999.
All documents within these applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are further disclosed in the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3073332 (1963-01-01), Strader
patent: 4635671 (1987-01-01), Viegas
patent: 5318080 (1994-06-01), Viken
patent: 5472064 (1995-12-01), Viken
patent: 5806629 (1998-08-01), Dixon
patent: 6062275 (2000-05-01), Rome
patent: 6065567 (2000-05-01), Comacho
patent: 6082416 (2000-07-01), Viken
deVore Peter
Huson Gregory L.
Klos John F.
Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren Ltd.
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