Fluid handling – Systems – With flow control means for branched passages
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-08
2001-12-11
Fox, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
With flow control means for branched passages
C137S540000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328069
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention relates generally to the purging of contaminated fluids or gases from fluid and gas transport conduits. More specifically, the instant invention relates to a device that provides a simple and efficient means for purging contaminated fluids in an engine lubrication conduit after contaminated oil has been drained from a crankcase and replaced with fresh oil.
Internal combustion engines generally include an oil pan or tank for holding a reserve of oil for use in lubricating metal surfaces during engine operation. During engine operation, an oil pump typically receives oil from the tank, pressurizing a system of supply lines and journals for delivery of oil to bearing surfaces, valve head assemblies and the like. Such lubrication is necessary not only to minimize friction between moving parts, but also to remove heat from internal engine components during operation.
Because of the critical function lubricating oil performs, it is important the oil remain free of byproducts of combustion and metallic fragments that accumulate during engine operation. For this reason, it is common to find a removable filter that may be replaced or cleaned at various intervals. Further, because of the limited filtration ability of most filters, it is also common to drain contaminated oil from the engine and replace it with fresh oil at the same time the filter is cleaned or replaced.
Engine oil replacement generally involves running the engine to operating temperature so as to heat the contaminated oil to allow it to flow freely. The engine is then stopped and the oil is allowed to collect in the tank or crankcase for a period of time. A drain plug is typically provided on the tank or crankcase, which is removed to allow drainage of the contaminated oil. Thereafter, the drain plug is reinstalled and fresh oil added to the engine in sufficient amounts as dictated by the engine manufacturer.
The aforementioned engine may be comprised of a multiple piston/rod sets, bearings, a crankcase, oil pump, cam sets, rocker arms and inlet and exhaust valves. Accordingly, multiple channels, journals, and other conduits exist to deliver lubricating oil to those moving parts.
The oil replacement method discussed above has the undesirable result of leaving a quantity of contaminated oil in the conduit system and crankcase in that only the oil that collects in the tank is replaced. This allows contaminated oil remaining in the conduits and crankcase to mix with fresh oil, so that lubrication maintenance intervals for the engine are shortened.
This problem is particularly troublesome in certain engine designs, such as those found on certain HARLEY DAVIDSON motorcycles. Because some engine designs include a separate tank for the receiving and draining of oil which is remote from the crankcase, a large quantity of contaminated oil remains in the lubrication conduit system and crankcase after oil replacement, because no drain plug is provided on the crankcase.
Thus, the need has arisen for a device that allows for the purging of contaminated oil from an engine during engine oil removal and replacement. The need has further arisen for a device that will accomplish this task that is simple, inexpensive and requires little or no maintenance.
Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to overcome the limitations of lubricating oil replacement presently in use. It is a further object of the instant invention to provide an in-line oil-purging device that allows the convenient and efficient removal of contaminated oil from engine lubrication conduits and crankcase. It is yet a further object of the invention to provide such a device that is simple in operation, inexpensive to construct and requires little or no maintenance.
These, together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features a novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an in-line engine oil purging device for which has many novel features which are not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any prior art oil purging device, either alone or in combination thereof.
In accordance with the present invention, a housing is provided for in-line, serial installation in a fluid conduit such as an engine oil transfer line. The preferred embodiment optionally includes a finned housing to allow the efficient radiating of heat from engine oil to the environment. The housing includes an inlet and a primary and secondary outlet. The inlet and primary outlets are adapted for serial installation in a conduit. The housing is further provided with primary bore and a secondary bore therethrough so as to provide fluid communication between the inlet and the primary and secondary outlets. The primary bore is provided so as to include a check valve within the housing.
The secondary outlet is fitted with a diverter valve to allow a user to selectively open and close the diverter valve. In the preferred embodiment, the check valve allows engine oil to flow through the housing during normal engine operation. A spring is provided to urge the check valve against a valve seat when a negative pressure exists at the primary outlet with respect to the secondary outlet.
The diverter valve remains closed during normal engine operation. The diverter valve is opened during the oil change operation immediately after the engine oil is replaced. The engine is started, pressurizing the oil lines. The pressure differential between the primary outlet and the secondary outlet allows the spring to urge the check valve closed against the valve seat, closing the primary outlet. Contaminated oil remaining in the conduit and crankcase is thus forced through the diverter valve by the pressurized fresh oil, where it is collected by the user. When clean oil is observed flowing from the diverter valve, the diverter valve is closed, the engine is shut off and the engine oil is topped off with clean oil.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof which follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements or uses of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.
The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention.
It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions in so far as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing s
Schumann Daniel L
Schumann Timothy Andrew
Bielen, Jr. Theodore J.
Fox John
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