Abstract:
Various fluid system and fluid operation embodiments include a first valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of the first valve with an outlet of the first valve in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system; a second valve has an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the first valve, and the second valve is structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at the outlet of the second valve; and, an inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the first valve and the outlet of the second valve at a common refill/evacuation location. Systems and methods incorporating electronic valves, configurations of multiple check valve assemblies, and modules of valve assemblies are also provided herein. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Machines such as large-capacity diesel engine systems used in connection with construction equipment, earth-moving equipment, transportation equipment (e.g., locomotives) and the like, are often implemented in adverse operating conditions. Typical operating conditions for such equipment can require extensive maintenance, repair and overhaul work to sustain the equipment and its components, including the engine systems. As a consequence of adverse equipment operating conditions, certain equipment components may be exhausted long before the expected end of their useful lives. This component exhaustion can occur despite efforts to ensure proper component installation and maintenance, including periodic maintenance of equipment oil supply and lubrication systems, for example. Extensive and premature wear of large-capacity diesel engines, for example, can be caused by a combination of factors, including inadequate lubrication of components prior to engine ignition, failure to adhere to prescribed maintenance schedules, failure to collect and analyze data associated with equipment operation, system malfunction, general misuse of the equipment, and other factors. 
     Methods and systems for data collection and analysis are therefore needed that can extend the useful life of equipment components. Component movement and interaction during various periods of equipment operation can impact the continued effective operation and useful life expectancy of the engine system. In connection with operation and/or maintenance of the engine system during such periods, important data such as, for example, temperature, oil pressure, time to evacuate an oil sump, and historical data regarding previous engine ignition cycles can be collected and analyzed. Conventional equipment methods and systems, however, typically do not collect and analyze data during various stages of machine operation to assist in operation or maintenance of the machine and its components. 
     In addition, in the context of performing machine maintenance, there is often a need for performing multiple evacuations and/or refills of fluid receptacles. Such fluid receptacles may include, for example and without limitation, oil sumps, transmission fluid reservoirs, fuel tanks, waste-receiving receptacles, hydraulic fluid reservoirs, and other like receptacles associated with machine operation and maintenance. In many situations, such fluid evacuation and fluid refill processes may not be timed and/or sequenced to maximize performance of maintenance on a machine. Furthermore, data crucial to scheduling maintenance and monitoring performance issues with machines are often neither collected nor analyzed during fluid evacuations, fluid refills, or other fluid processing activities. 
     Many industrial machines and equipment have requirements for fluid exchanges. Examples of these fluid exchanges include changing the oil in motors and engines or hydraulic fluid in presses and lifting equipment. Countless other examples exist, but what is generally common to these machines or equipment is the fact that the outlet port is inconveniently located. Typically this is the result of having to remove the fluid from a sump or drainage point that is located at the bottom of the machine to utilize gravity flow. 
     The tasks of removing and refilling machine fluids may be difficult or time consuming because of the usually inconvenient location of the fittings required to perform these fluid operations. Some machines, however, may include fluid circulation pumps that are installed and applied in locations that are external to the machine. Also, some equipment may be provided with one or more internally or externally located pre-lubrication devices that permit oil or fluid to commence circulation prior to the activation of the primary equipment or engine on which the pre-lubrication device is installed. Illustrative of such devices is the pre-lubrication device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,431, which is incorporated herein by reference, and which is typically fitted to a diesel engine used in power equipment, trucks and/or heavy equipment. 
     Furthermore, in certain off-road heavy equipment, reservoirs containing fluids may contain scores of gallons of fluid, which can consume unacceptably long periods of time to drain and refill. For example, in some equipment, an engine oil sump or reservoir may contain up to 150 gallons of oil; a transmission sump may contain up to 100 gallons of transmission fluid; and a separate reservoir of hydraulic fluid to power hydraulic functions may contain up to 500 gallons of hydraulic fluid. Downtime costs for relatively large machines and other pieces of equipment can be substantial. Accordingly, if downtime for maintenance in such machines can be minimized, then substantial economic benefits often result. In addition, there are numerous comparatively smaller devices and motors for which access to fluid discharge ports is difficult to reach or in which the fluid must be assisted for removal. Examples include marine engines and the like. In some small-sized pieces of equipment, the engine must be inverted to remove oil, for example, or other fluids. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,526,782; 5,257,678; and, 4,977,978. 
     Thus, what are needed are improved methods and systems for performing fluid maintenance functions, such as fluid evacuation and refill processes, for example, in connection with machine operation and maintenance. What are also needed are enhanced methods and systems for sequencing and timing fluid operations, while collecting, storing and/or analyzing data pertinent to the performance and results of such fluid transfer operations. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides various embodiments of a valve assembly. The embodiments may include a first check valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of the first check valve, further comprising an outlet of the first check valve being in fluid communication with at least a portion of a fluid system; a second check valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the first check valve, the second check valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at the outlet of the second check valve; and, an inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the first check valve and the outlet of the second check valve at a common refill/evacuation location. In certain embodiments, the fluid system portion includes at least a pre-filter portion. 
     The present invention provides various embodiments of a valve system. The embodiments may include a first valve assembly comprising, a first check valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of the first check valve, further comprising an outlet of the first check valve being in fluid communication with a first portion of a fluid system; a second check valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the first check valve, the second check valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at the outlet of the second check valve; a first inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the first check valve and the outlet of the second check valve at a first common refill/evacuation location; a second valve assembly comprising, a third check valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of the third check valve, further comprising an outlet of the third check valve being in fluid communication with a second portion of a fluid system; a fourth check valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the third check valve, the fourth check valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at the outlet of the fourth check valve; and, a second inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the third check valve and the outlet of the fourth check valve at a second common refill/evacuation location. The valve system may further include at least a third valve assembly comprising, a fifth check valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of the fifth check valve, further comprising an outlet of the fifth check valve being in fluid communication with a third portion of a fluid system; a sixth check valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the fifth check valve, the sixth check valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at the outlet of the sixth check valve; and, a third inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the fifth check valve and the outlet of the sixth check valve at a third common refill/evacuation location. 
     Embodiments of a valve assembly provided in accordance with the present invention may include a first electronic valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to sensing application of positive pressure at an inlet of the first electronic valve, further comprising an outlet of the first electronic valve being in fluid communication with a first portion of a fluid system; a second electronic valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the first electronic valve, the second electronic valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to sensing application of negative pressure at the outlet of the electronic check valve; and, an inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the first electronic valve and the outlet of the second electronic valve at a common refill/evacuation location. 
     Embodiments of a valve system provided in accordance with the present invention may include a first electronic valve assembly comprising, a first electronic valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to sensing application of positive pressure at an inlet of the first electronic valve, further comprising an outlet of the first electronic valve being in fluid communication with a first portion of a fluid system; a second electronic valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the first electronic valve, the second electronic valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to sensing application of negative pressure at the outlet of the electronic check valve; a first inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the first electronic valve and the outlet of the second electronic valve at a first common refill/evacuation location; at least a second electronic valve assembly comprising, a third electronic valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to sensing application of positive pressure at an inlet of the third electronic valve, further comprising an outlet of the third electronic valve being in fluid communication with a second portion of a fluid system; a fourth electronic valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the third electronic valve, the fourth electronic valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to sensing application of negative pressure at the outlet of the fourth electronic check valve; and, a second inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the third electronic valve and the outlet of the fourth electronic valve at a second common refill/evacuation location. 
     Embodiments of a module provided in accordance with the present invention may include a first valve assembly comprising a first check valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of the first check valve, further comprising an outlet of the first check valve being in fluid communication with a first portion of a fluid system; a second check valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the first check valve, the second check valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at the outlet of the second check valve; a first inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the first check valve and the outlet of the second check valve at a first common refill/evacuation location; at least a second valve assembly comprising, a third check valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of the third check valve, further comprising an outlet of the third check valve being in fluid communication with a second portion of a fluid system; a fourth check valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the third check valve, the fourth check valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at the outlet of the fourth check valve; a second inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the third check valve and the outlet of the fourth check valve at a second common refill/evacuation location; and, the first and second valve assemblies being coupled together to form the module. 
     Embodiments of a module provided in accordance with the present invention may include a first electronic valve assembly comprising a first electronic valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to sensing application of positive pressure at an inlet of the first electronic valve, further comprising an outlet of the first electronic valve being in fluid communication with a first portion of a fluid system; a second electronic valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the first electronic valve, the second electronic valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to sensing application of negative pressure at the outlet of the electronic check valve; a first inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the first electronic valve and the outlet of the second electronic valve at a first common refill/evacuation location; at least a second electronic valve assembly comprising a third electronic valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to sensing application of positive pressure at an inlet of the third electronic valve, further comprising an outlet of the third electronic valve being in fluid communication with a second portion of a fluid system; a fourth electronic valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the third electronic valve, the fourth electronic valve being structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to sensing application of negative pressure at the outlet of the fourth electronic check valve; a second inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the third electronic valve and the outlet of the fourth electronic valve at a second common refill/evacuation location; and, the first and second electronic valve assemblies being coupled together to form the module. 
     Embodiments of a method of performing at least one fluid operation in a fluid system are provided in accordance with the present invention. Embodiments of the method may include structuring a first check valve to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of the first check valve, further structuring the first check valve with an outlet in fluid communication with a first portion of a fluid system; structuring a second check valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the first check valve, further structuring the second check valve to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at the outlet of the second check valve; and, positioning an inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the first check valve and the outlet of the second check valve at a common refill/evacuation location. 
     Embodiments of a method of performing a fluid operation may be provided in accordance with the present invention. Embodiments of the method may include structuring a first check valve to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of the first check valve, further structuring the first check valve with an outlet in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system; structuring a second check valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the first check valve, further structuring the second check valve to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at the outlet of the second check valve; positioning an inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the first check valve and the outlet of the second check valve at a common refill/evacuation location; applying positive pressure at the common refill/evacuation location to purge at least a pre-filter portion of the portion of a fluid system; applying negative pressure at the common refill/evacuation location to evacuate fluid through the inlet/outlet port; and, applying positive pressure at the common refill/evacuation location to refill at least one fluid through at least the portion of a fluid system. 
     Embodiments of a power supply system structured for use in association with a machine for which at least one fluid service operation is performed may also be provided in accordance with the present invention. Embodiments of the power supply system may include a power receptacle positioned within the vicinity of an inlet/outlet port of a fluid system of the machine; and, a power source supplying electrical power to the power receptacle, the power source being electrically operatively associated with a power source of the machine for which the fluid service operation is performed. 
     Embodiments of a connection/disconnection detection system structured for use in association with at least first and second coupling portions of a fluid system of a machine may be provided in accordance with the present invention. Embodiments of the detection system may include a first electrical contact operatively associated with the first coupling portion; a second electrical contact operatively associated with the second coupling portion; and, a signal processor configured to receive electrical signals from the second electrical contact of the second coupling portion representative of association or disassociation of the first and second electrical contacts of the coupling portions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a single-reservoir conduit system; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  showing a coupling; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of a pump integrally included in a flow control means; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are two views of one embodiment of a coupling for use with various embodiments of the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 7  is diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a conduit, and a coupling for oil purges; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a multiple-reservoir conduit system; 
         FIG. 9  is an electrical schematic diagram for one embodiment of the system of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an elevation view of one embodiment of a service panel for a fluid evacuation system; 
         FIG. 11  is an electrical schematic for one embodiment of the system of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a hydraulic schematic diagram of one embodiment of a fluid evacuation system; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a dual-pump multiple-reservoir conduit system; 
         FIG. 14  is an electrical schematic diagram for one embodiment of the system of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an elevation view of one embodiment of a control panel for a fluid evacuation system; 
         FIG. 16  is an electrical diagram for one embodiment of the system of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a hydraulic schematic diagram of one embodiment of a multiple pump fluid evacuation system; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a replacement fluid conduit system; 
         FIG. 19  includes a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a fluid system configured for performing one or more fluid processes in accordance with the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 20  includes a schematic diagram displaying one embodiment of a control module and various embodiments of data devices configured for use in accordance with various embodiments of the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 21  includes a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of an internal data module configured for use in accordance with various embodiments of the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 22  includes a process flow diagram illustrating one method embodiment provided in accordance with the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 23  includes a schematic diagram of one system embodiment provided in accordance with the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 24  includes a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a fluid system configured for performing one or more fluid processes in accordance with the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 25A  includes an exploded, isometric view of one illustrative embodiment of a junction block assembly structured for use in accordance with various embodiments of the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 25B  includes an isometric view of the junction block assembly of  FIG. 23A ; 
         FIG. 25C  includes a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a fluid system including a junction block assembly, a screen and a pump installed within the fluid system; 
         FIG. 26  includes a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a fluid system configured for performing one or more fluid processes in accordance with the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 27  includes a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a fluid system configured for performing one or more fluid processes in accordance with the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 28  includes a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a fluid system configured for performing one or more fluid processes in accordance with the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 29  includes a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a fluid system configured for performing one or more fluid processes in accordance with the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 30  includes a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a fluid system configured for performing one or more fluid processes in accordance with the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 31  includes a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a fluid system configured for performing one or more fluid processes in accordance with the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 32  includes a schematic representation of a valve assembly structured in accordance with embodiments of the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 33  includes a schematic representation of a valve system structured in accordance with embodiments of the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 34  includes a schematic representation of a valve assembly structured in accordance with embodiments of the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 35  includes a schematic representation of a valve system provided in accordance with embodiments of the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 36  includes a schematic representation of an illustrative fluid system provided in accordance with various embodiments of the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 37  includes a flow chart illustrating various aspects of fluid operations that can be performed in accordance with the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 38  includes a schematic representation of a module of valve assemblies provided in accordance with the present systems and methods; 
         FIG. 39  includes a schematic representation of an electronic valve module provided in accordance with various embodiments shown in  FIG. 38 ; 
         FIG. 40  includes a schematic representation of a valve module provided in accordance with various embodiments of  FIGS. 38 and 39 ; 
         FIG. 41A through 41C  illustrate various modes of operation for a schematically represented connection/disconnection detection system provided in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 42  includes a schematic representation of a power supply system provided in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The term “machine” as applied herein may include any equipment suitable for use in accordance with the present methods and systems. Examples of “machines” as applied herein can include, without limitation, a lubrication system, engines, diesel engines, large-scale diesel engines, motors, rotating equipment, generators, aircraft engines, emergency machines, emergency generators, compressors, equipment that includes a machine (e.g., such as mining equipment, construction equipment, marine equipment, aircraft, and the like), and other like machines. In various portions of the disclosure herein, the example of an “engine” is employed for convenience of disclosure in describing various embodiments and aspects of the present systems and methods. It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, that such use of “engine” as one example of a type of machine is intended merely for said convenience of disclosure and is not intended to limit the scope of application of the present systems and methods. 
     The term “evacuation” as applied to the systems and methods disclosed herein may include evacuation of any portion of a fluid of a machine, a receptacle, a reservoir, or other like fluid-retaining system or apparatus. Similarly, the term “refill” as applied to the systems and methods disclosed herein may include refill of any portion of the fluid capacity of a machine, receptacle, reservoir, or other like fluid-retaining system or apparatus. 
     The term “valve system” as applied to the systems and methods disclosed herein may include any combination of valves, pipes, disconnects, adapters and other like structural components configured for performing one or more fluid refill and/or fluid evacuation processes. Examples of valves included within a valve system may include, without limitation, single-position valves, multi-position valves (e.g., such as junction block assemblies or five-way control valves), and other types of valves with or without electronic control for actuating the various possible open/closed positions of such valves. The “multi-position valve” expression, as applied herein, can include a unitary valve mechanism (e.g., a single junction block assembly), or a reasonable combination of a unitary valve mechanism and other valve components. 
     Where suitable and applicable to the various embodiments of the present systems and methods discussed herein, it can be appreciated that various components, structures, elements, and other configurations may be applied or installed in a location considered external or internal to the operation of a particular machine. In applicable portions herein where the use of pumps and/or supplemental pumps is disclosed, for example, such pumps may be positioned, installed, or operated as internal components of a machine and/or as externally positioned components that assist, or otherwise operate in conjunction with, the functions of the machine. 
     As used herein, the term “subsequent” or variations thereof (e.g., “subsequently”) as used with respect to performance of process or method steps is not intended to exclude other potential process or method steps from occurring or being performed between steps that are considered “subsequent” with respect to each other. For example, as applied herein, if step Y occurs “subsequent to” step X, then the intended meaning of “subsequent to” is that step Y occurs at some point in time after step X occurs, but other steps may occur in the time period that elapses between the occurrence of step X and step Y. In like fashion, the term “prior” or variations thereof (e.g., “prior to”) as used with respect to performance of process or method steps described herein is not intended to exclude other potential process or method steps from occurring or being performed between steps that are considered “prior to” with respect to each other. 
     As employed herein, the term “type” or “kind” used with regard to various fluids discussed herein is intended to distinguish different types or kinds of fluids between/among each other. For example, oil is considered one “type” of fluid, transmission fluid is considered another, different “type” of fluid, and hydraulic fluid is considered another, different “type” of fluid. It should be noted, for example, that a used amount of a “type” of fluid is not considered different with respect to a clean or fresh fluid of the same “type” (e.g., clean oil used in a fluid refill or replacement process for a machine is not considered a different “type” of fluid with respect to the used oil drained from the machine during a fluid evacuation process). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a portable fluid transfer conduit  10  is shown having an inlet port  11  and outlet port  12 . Flexibly extending between inlet and outlet ports  11  and  12  is flexible tubing  13 . In various embodiments of the present systems and methods, the tubing  13  may be made from a natural or synthetic rubber material, braided stainless steel or polymeric extruded material such as polyethylene or styrene. 
     A coupling  14  is attached to the inlet  11 . As shown, the coupling  14  is the male mateable end of a quick disconnect coupling more clearly shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Alternatively, coupling  14  can be any type of fitting such as a screw in or a bayonet type coupling. In one embodiment, a fitting is adapted to the outlet of the fluid source. On devices such as a pre-lubrication pump similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,431, for example, a bypass or connector means can be inserted on the pressure side of the pump to divert the oil from the engine to the fluid transfer conduit  10 . An example is disclosed in the discussion of  FIGS. 5 and 6  presented hereinbelow. 
     Positioned adjacent outlet port  12  is flow control means  16 . Flow control means comprises, in one embodiment, an electric or mechanical valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the conduit activated by switch  17 . This embodiment is useful where the fluid source does not incorporate a pump means and/or the fluid is gravity transferred. On the other hand, in the case where means such as a pre-lubrication device is used, flow control means  16  is preferably a pass through conduit having switch  17  sealably mounted thereon. Switch  17  is electrically connected by conductor  18  to electrical connector  19 , which is adapted to connect with the pump circuit to activate the pump and control the flow of fluid. Where flow control means  16  comprises an electric valve, conductor  18  and connector  19  are typically connected to a source of electrical power such as a battery terminal, a magnetic switch, relay contacts or other electromechanical means for activating the pumping means. 
     To drain a fluid such as oil or hydraulic oil, for example, from a machine or other piece of equipment involves connecting coupling  14  to the outlet of the pump and initiating the pump through activation of flow control switch  17  or by use of gravity. It can be appreciated that in situations where a pre-lubrication pump is used, a valve is not usually required. The outlet port of fluid transfer conduit  10  is positioned at a remote and convenient location to discharge the fluid into a waste-receiving receptacle. Such waste-receiving receptacles are generally known in the art and may commonly comprise barrels or service vehicles, for example, or other receptacles or reservoirs adapted to receive and transport waste oil or other contaminated vehicle fluids. 
     In one embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , fluid transfer conduit  20  comprises a conduit  23  having an inlet port  21  and an outlet port  22 . Inlet port  21  includes a coupling  24 , preferably a mateable coupling as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In this operational example, flow control means  26  comprises a small suction, diaphragm, piston or reciprocating pump  28  and may include therein a battery pack. Flow control means  16  includes an activator switch  27  in the form of a “trigger switch” having a guard  29  and grip means  31  to facilitate holding the discharge end of the fluid transfer conduit  20 . It can be appreciated that in applications where a relatively long transfer conduit is applied such as, for example, a transfer conduit of 20 to 30 feet in length, the pump  28  can be located adjacent to, or in close proximity to, the coupling means  14 . 
     Many types of small portable pumps suitable for use as the pump  28  are commercially available. A number of pumps are better suited for heavier or more viscous fluids but are not capable of operating with battery power. In such cases, a power cable such as conductor  18  and connector  19  can be used in addition to the various embodiments described herein. Typically, the electrical power required to operate the pump  28  can be supplied by a vehicle storage battery or an AC pump can be connected to an AC outlet as a power source. In general, smaller pump means are suitable and applicable in the consumer market, and the comparatively larger pump means are applicable to the industrial market. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , examples of coupling means  14 , 41  for use with various embodiments of the present systems and methods are shown. Coupling means  14 , 41  are adaptable, for example, to fluid transfer conduit embodiments shown with respect to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 . Coupling means  41  connects to the engine oil port (not shown), whereas coupling means  14  is attached to conduit  10 . Such coupling means are well known in the art and comprise a male quick connector fitting  30  and a female mateable quick connector fitting  32 . Also shown is an electrical receptor  33  for receiving electrical connector  19 . In various embodiments, it is also possible to include a sensing means on the coupling means  14 , 41  to indicate that the sump is dry and to signal for shut down of the pump. A cap  34  is shown for protecting receptor  33  between periods of use. As shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , receptor  33  and fitting  32  are mounted on a bracket  36  that is connected to a source of fluid  37 , such as a pre-lubrication pump, for example (not shown). In this embodiment, the fitting  32  is connected on the output or high-pressure side of the fluid source system. In application to a pre-lubrication system, for example, the fitting  32  is interposed in the high-pressure pump discharge line between the pump and an engine or other machine. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , one embodiment of a sampling port  39  is shown that can be used to sample oil in a pre-lubrication system where the pre-lubrication pumps flows through portion  37 . It can be appreciated that this embodiment has the advantage of being able to provide a live sample of oil, or other fluid used in this embodiment, without requiring the engine or other machine to be in a fully operational state. 
     As shown in the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 7 , an additional fitting  40  is attached to an external air supply  42 . In one aspect, the fitting  40  is a female fitting adapted to couple to an air supply (not shown). By attaching an air source to the fitting  40  prior to or during the removal of oil from the engine, oil resident in the channels can be removed to the sump and the oil in the filter system can be at least partially or substantially removed to facilitate removal of the filter. In many embodiments that employ such an air supply, it may be desirable to have the source of air at a pressure from about 90 to 150 pounds per square inch, for example. 
     It has been discovered that a vehicle or other equipment having, for example, an engine reservoir  105 , hydraulic fluid reservoir  107  and a transmission fluid reservoir  109 , may be more efficiently serviced and risks of environmental contamination may be reduced, if the various service locations for such reservoirs are in relatively close proximity. For example, and without limitation, if the service locations for such reservoirs are within about 3 to 10 feet from each other, service can usually be accomplished by relatively few technicians and within an acceptable amount of time. Also, the risks from environmental contamination caused, for example, by spillage when several lines and fluid containers are disconnected and connected, can be reduced if such close proximity of service locations is provided. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates one embodiment for a single-pump multiple reservoir conduit system  100 , which may be used, for example, to evacuate the engine reservoir  105 , the hydraulic reservoir  107  and the transmission or other fluid reservoir  109  of a machine through a quick connect port  112  that may be mounted on a bracket  173  or to an evacuation port  153  in a control panel  150  (see discussion hereinbelow). A pump  128 , and each of the reservoirs  105 ,  107  and  109  are connected to a control valve  116  through a network of conduits  113 . In one embodiment, the pump  128  may be a dedicated evacuation pump, for example, or may be an engine pre-lubrication pump, for example. The network of conduits includes a first conduit  400  connected to the hydraulic reservoir  107  at a first end  402  by a first coupling  406 , and to the control valve  116  at a second end  404  by a second coupling  408 . Similarly, a second conduit  410  is connected at a first end  414  to the engine reservoir  105  by a first coupling  416 , and to the control valve  116  at a second end  412  by a second coupling  418 . A third conduit  420  is connected at a first end  422  to the transmission reservoir  109  by a first coupling  426 , and to the control valve  116  at a second end  424  by a second coupling  428 . A fourth conduit  430  is connected to the pump  128  at a first end  432  by a first coupling  436  and to the outlet port  112  at a second end  434  by a second coupling  438 . A fifth conduit  461  is connected to the pump  128  at a first end  463  by a first coupling  467  and to the control valve  116  at a second end  465  by a second coupling  469 . 
     In one example embodiment, the control valve  116  is a three-position, four-port directional valve, which controls the connection of the pump  128  with each of the conduits  410 ,  400  and  420  leading to the reservoirs  105 ,  107  and  109 , respectively. In one aspect, the control valve  116  has one default position, which is the engine sump  105  position. The control valve  116  and the pump  128  may be operated from a remote bracket  173  by an electrical evacuator switch attached to a connector  172 , and a toggle selector switch  174 , respectively. 
     As will be appreciated, in the operation of the system of  FIG. 8 , the control valve  116  determines which of the reservoirs  105 ,  107  or  109  will be in fluid communication with the pump  128  through the conduit network  113 . Specifically, the selector switch  174  determines the position of the control valve  116 . The switch connected at the connector  172  serves as the on-off switch for the pump  128 , and may be mounted on the bracket  173  or may be mounted on a tethered switch connected to connector  172 . In operation, the selector switch  174  controls the position of the control valve  116  to determine which reservoir  105 ,  107  or  109  is evacuated. When the switch connected to connector  172  is energized, the pump  128  is energized, thereby providing negative pressure on line  461  and, in turn, to the control valve  116 . The fluid in the reservoir  105 ,  107  or  109  fluidly coupled to the control valve  116  is drawn into line  461 , through pump  128 , through line  430  and to coupling  112  for discharge into a suitable receptacle and/or into a fluid line for further processing. 
       FIG. 9  shows one illustrative embodiment of the electrical circuitry for the embodiment of the single-pump, multiple reservoir system of  FIG. 8 . A relay switch  158  is connected to the motor  162  of the pump  128  to start and stop the pump motor  162  when the start switch  172  is activated to provide power from a direct current source, for example, or other suitable power source. In one aspect, the relay switch  158  stops the motor when a low flow condition is detected in any of the conduits  400 ,  410 , and  420  during evacuation by the sensor  180 . The control valve  116  is electrically operated through two solenoids  164  and  166  connected to a selector switch  174 . The selector switch  174  is also connected to the start switch  172 . In one embodiment, the start switch  172  includes a single-pole, normally open switch, and the selector switch  174  includes a single-pole double-throw switch. 
     Although three reservoirs are shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the number of reservoirs is not limited to three. For embodiments with N reservoirs, for example, there are N reservoir conduits connecting each reservoir with the control valve, such as the conduits  400 ,  410  and  420  of  FIG. 8 . A pump conduit, such as conduit  461 , for example, connects the control valve  116  to the pump  128 , and an outlet conduit, such as conduit  430 , for example, connects the pump  128  to the outlet port  112 . It can be appreciated that, for N reservoirs, the control valve  116  has one default position and N−1 selector activated positions. 
     The control valve  116  may also be operated from a centralized location, such as a service panel. An embodiment of a remote single service panel  150  for a single pump, which includes switches for the actuation of the pump  128  and the control valve  116  in addition to switches for ignition and ports for sampling engine, transmission and hydraulic fluids, is shown in  FIG. 10 . A selector switch  152  on the service panel  150  is connected to the control valve  116  to enable an operator to select the reservoir to be evacuated. A switch for controlling evacuation  154 , an emergency evacuation stop switch  156 , and an evacuation connect port  153  (coupled, for example, to the line  430 ) for connecting/disconnecting the pump  128  may also be mounted on the service panel  150 . Additionally, a transmission oil sampling port  50 , an engine oil sampling port  52 , and a hydraulic oil sampling port  54  may be mounted on the service panel  150  for with the transmission, engine and hydraulic reservoirs respectively. The service panel  150  may also include an oil filter  56  having an oil inlet line  44 , transmission oil filter, a fuel filter  58 , a fuel separator  60 , hydraulic oil filter, a remote ignition selector  62  and an ignition switch  64 . Thus, service locations, such as control panel  150 , may be provided for virtually all machine, vehicle, and/or engine fluid service needs. 
     An embodiment of the electrical diagram for the service panel of  FIG. 10  is shown in  FIG. 11 . A motor relay  76  is connected to the pump motor  80  connected to pump  128  to start and stop the pump motor  80  when the start  154  and emergency stop  156  switches, respectively, are operated. The relay switch  76  stops the motor when a low flow condition is detected by sensor  69  during evacuation. The evacuation selector switch  152 , which is electrically connected to the start switch  154  and to the emergency stop switch  156 , enables the selective evacuation of the hydraulic reservoir  107  or transmission reservoir  109  through the operation of a hydraulic reservoir solenoid valve coil  65  and a transmission reservoir solenoid valve coil  67 , respectively. The default position in  FIG. 11  is the evacuation of the engine reservoir  105 , but it will be appreciated that any of the reservoirs may be chosen as the default position, and that the number of reservoirs may not be limited to three. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , each of the lines  410 ,  420  and  400  may also be coupled to a corresponding check valve  170 ,  170 ′ or  170 ″, respectively, to allow flow in one direction only as well as a check valve  170 ′″ around pump  128 . Optionally, a line  439  (shown in dotted lines) may be provided with appropriate valving around the pump  128 , which is connected to a quick disconnect coupling  440 . In this embodiment, the truck pump  160  of a lubrication evacuation truck may be used to evacuate fluids. The truck pump  160  evacuates through permanent line  472  or quick disconnect line  474  to a truck waste tank  470 . If pump  128  is used and the truck pump  160  is not used, a conduit  460  may be connected by application of appropriate valving through the permanent line  472  or the quick disconnect  474  to the lubrication truck waste tank  470 . 
       FIGS. 13 through 17  illustrate embodiments for a dual-pump multiple reservoir conduit system  200  including a first pump  230  in fluid communication with an engine reservoir  505 , and a second pump  228  in fluid communication with a hydraulic reservoir  507  and a transmission reservoir  509 . However, it will be appreciated that more pumps may be used or the pumps may be connected to different reservoirs within the spirit and scope of the invention. In this embodiment, the first pump  230  evacuates the engine oil through a first outlet port  312  operated with an electrical switch connected to a connector  372  on a remote bracket  373  or mounted on a service panel  250 . A first conduit  520  is connected to the engine reservoir  505  at a first end  522  by a first coupling  524 , and to the first pump  230  at a second end  526  by a second coupling  528 . A second conduit  530  is connected at a first end  532  to the first pump  230  by a first coupling  534 , and to the first outlet port  312  at a second end  536  by a second coupling  538 . The outlet port  312  may be connected to a conduit to provide for pre-lubrication of the engine. Alternatively, the second conduit  530  may also be fluidically connected to a coupling  251  in a control panel  250 , discussed below. The second pump  228  is connected to a control valve  616  and evacuates fluid from the transmission reservoir  509  or the hydraulic reservoir  407  to a second outlet port  212  by operating the selector switch  274  and an evacuation switch connected to connector  272  which, together with the outlet port  212 , may be mounted on a second bracket  273 . The second pump  228  and each of the reservoirs  507 ,  509  are connected to a control valve  616  through of a network of conduits  513 . The network of conduits  513  includes a first network conduit  540 , which is connected at a first end  542  to the hydraulic reservoir  507  by a first coupling  546 , and to the control valve  616  at a second end  544  by a second coupling  548 . A second network conduit  550  is connected at a first end  554  to the transmission reservoir  509  by a first coupling  558 , and to the valve  616  at a second end  552  by a second coupling  556 . A third network conduit  580  is connected to the pump  228  at a first end  582  by a first coupling  586  and to the outlet port  212  at a second end  584  by a second quick coupling  588 . Alternatively, the conduit  580  may be fluidically connected to a coupling  253  on the control panel  250 . A fourth network conduit  590  is connected to the second pump  228  at a first end  592  by a first coupling  596  and to the control valve  616  at a second end  594  by a second quick coupling  598 . A flexible conduit  315  may be used connect the outlet ports  312  or  212  to a waste oil container or to a port of a lubrication truck leading to a waste oil tank  570  on the lube truck, as shown in  FIG. 17 . The control valve  616  provides for the selective evacuation of the transmission  509  or hydraulic reservoir  507 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an electrical diagram for an embodiment of a dual-pump multiple reservoir evacuation system illustrated in  FIG. 13 . Each pump motor  263  and  262  is connected to a corresponding relay switch  258  and  259 , and each relay switch is powered, for example, by a portable source of 12V or 24V DC current. First and second motor relay switches  258 ,  259  are connected to a first and second normally open start switches  372  and  272 . Between each relay and the corresponding start switch, low flow sensors  280  and  281 , respectively, may be activated to intervene and stop the corresponding motor when a low flow condition is detected. A source of electric current is connected to the second relay switch  259 , to the selector switch  274  and to the start switch  372  and  272 . A two-position control valve  216  controls flow to the hydraulic reservoir  507  and the transmission reservoir  509 , and is shown with a hydraulic reservoir as the default position, although any of the reservoirs may be the default reservoir. 
     It will be appreciated that the number of conduits connected to the first and second pumps need not be limited to a total of three. For example, the first pump  230  may be connected to N 1  reservoirs and the second pump  228  may be connected to N 2  reservoirs for a total number of N=N 1 +N 2 .  FIG. 13  illustrates a first example of an embodiment where N 1  is equal to 1 and N 2  is equal to 2. In a second example of the same embodiment, N 1  is still equal to 1, but N 2  is a number greater that 2. In the second example, the control valve  616  is connected to N 2  reservoir conduits, such as conduits  540  and  550 . In both examples, the second pump is connected to the control valve  616  with pump conduit  590 , and to the second outlet  212  with outlet conduit  580 . 
     An embodiment for a remote service panel  250  including controls for a dual-pump multiple reservoir evacuation system is shown in  FIG. 15 . It includes start  254  and stop  256  switches, a selector switch  252  and evacuation disconnect ports  251 ,  253  for the first pump  230  and second pump  228 . A line  900  connected to the unfiltered side of the engine oil filter head may also be connected to a pressure-regulated air supply to purge the engine of used oil before adding replacement oil through the same port. On the same service panel sample ports  910 ,  912 ,  914  for the transmission, engine and hydraulic fluid reservoirs respectively may be mounted, as well as a remote ignition selector  918  and a remote ignition switch  916 . 
     An embodiment of an electrical diagram for the panel of  FIG. 15  is shown in  FIG. 16 . The pump motors  963  and  962  for the pumps  230  and  228 , respectively, are connected to corresponding relay switches  958  and  959 , respectively, and each relay switch is powered, for example, by a source of 12V or 24V DC current. The first and second motor relay switches  958 ,  959  are connected to the selector switch  252  and a normally closed emergency stop switch  256 . Between each relay and the emergency stop switch  256 , low flow sensors  280  and  281 , respectively, intervene to stop the respective motor when a low flow condition is detected. The selector switch  252  is connected to a valve coil  966  and a normally open start switch  254 . In  FIG. 16 , electrical wiring for the transmission reservoir is depicted in the selector switch  254 , corresponding to contact points including the letter “T” designation. For clarity of disclosure, some wiring for the hydraulic and engine reservoirs, corresponding to contact points “H” and “E” of the selector switch  966 , has been omitted. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a hydraulic diagram for an embodiment of a dual-pump multiple reservoir evacuation system. The first and second pumps  230  and  228  evacuate fluid from each of the selected reservoirs to ports  312  and  212 , which may be mounted on brackets  373  and  273 , respectively, or to the connectors  251  and  253  on the control panel  250 . The flow from each reservoir  505 ,  507  and  509  may be controlled in one-way direction by check valves downstream from each reservoir. Check valves  705 ,  707  and  709  are connected downstream from the engine reservoir  505 , the hydraulic reservoir  507  and the transmission reservoir  509  respectively. Check valves  720  and  722  are also mounted on bypass pipes  711  and  712 , respectively, bypassing the first pump  230  and the second pump  228 , respectively. A control valve  216 , controls flow to the transmission reservoir  509  and to the hydraulic reservoir  507 , and is shown with default position to the hydraulic reservoir  507 . The discharge from bracket couplings  212  and  312  or control panel connectors  251  and  253  may be coupled to a discharge container or to a conduit  315  mounted on a lube truck. In that case, evacuated fluid passes through properly valved line  360  around lube truck pump  160  and directly into reservoir  570 . Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the pumps  230  and  228  may be bypassed by lines  574  and  576 , respectively, and appropriate valving provided in order that evacuation suction may be provided by the pump  160  on the lube truck. That discharge may then pass directly to the lube truck reservoir  570  via, for example, a fixed line  372 , a quick connection line  374 , a flexible conduit, or another suitable fluid system configuration. 
     Either single-pump multiple reservoir system (as described in connection with  FIGS. 8 through 12 ) or the dual-pump multiple reservoir systems (as described in connection with  FIGS. 13 through 17 ) may be used to remove fluid from any of the reservoirs on a machine or vehicle, by attaching evacuation conduits to the reservoirs as shown in the respective figures, operating the control valve to select a reservoir and actuating the pump to pump fluid from the selected reservoir to an outlet port for discharge. Additionally, after draining a selected reservoir, replacement fluid may be admitted into the appropriate cavity as shown schematically in  FIG. 18 , by attaching to a conduit  972  connected to the unfiltered side of the fluid system (e.g., to the cavity&#39;s filter head  970 ), and a replacement fluid conduit  974 , by means of a coupling  976 . The coupling  976  is connected to a replacement fluid source  978 . For example, engine oil can be input into line  44  in the embodiment in  FIG. 10  or into line  900  in the embodiment in  FIG. 15 , in each case before the oil filter head. It can be appreciated that the fluid cavities corresponding to the other reservoirs discussed herein can also be refilled by inputting replacement fluid on the unfiltered side of the respective filters of such fluid cavities. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , one embodiment of a fluid system  1001  including a machine (wherein the machine in this example embodiment is an engine  1002 ) connected to a pump  1004  is shown. In one aspect of this embodiment, the pump  1004  may be a supplemental pump or engine pre-lubrication pump, for example, and/or may be installed and operated at a local location or a remote location with respect to the position and operation of the engine  1002 . The pump  1004  is configured for fluid communication and operation in association with an evacuation bracket  1006 . Based on the mode of operation of the engine  1002 , a fluid circuit may be completed or interrupted by a quick disconnect  1008 . During a fluid evacuation procedure, for example, the evacuation bracket  1006  can be used, in association with the operation of the pump  1004 , to evacuate various fluids from the engine  1002 . In addition, in the embodiment of  FIG. 19  and in various embodiments of the present systems and methods described herein, a control module  1100  can be operatively associated with various components of the fluid system  1001 . Also, an internal data module  1200  can be operatively associated with the engine  1002  for receiving, storing and/or processing data related to functions performed within the fluid system  1001 . In another aspect, a supplemental filter system  1010  may be operatively installed in association with the evacuation bracket  1006  and the quick disconnect  1008 , for example. In various aspects of the present systems and methods, the supplemental filter system  1010  may be, for example, a fine filtration system as that term is understood in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 20 , in one illustrative embodiment, the control module  1100  includes various components for controlling and monitoring a fluid system, as well as for monitoring, collecting and analyzing data associated with various fluid system and method embodiments described herein. The control module  1100  includes a processor  1102  for executing various commands within, and directing the function of, the various components of the control module  1100 . One or more sensor inputs  1104  can be provided in the control module  1100  for receiving and processing data communicated from one or more sensors  1105  installed within a fluid system. Sensors  1105  applicable to operation of a machine can include, without limitation, sensors to detect temperature, sensors to detect pressure, sensors to detect voltage, sensors to detect current, sensors to detect contaminants, sensors to detect cycle time, flow sensors and/or other sensors suitable for detecting various conditions experienced by the machine during the various stages of operation of the machine. In addition, one or more indicators  1106  can be provided within the control module  1100  for providing alerts or notifications of conditions detected and communicated to the control module  1100 . Such indicators  1106  can be conventional audio, visual, or audiovisual indications of a condition detected within a fluid system. The control module  1100  may also include one or more data storage media  1108  for storing, retrieving and/or reporting data communicated to the control module  1100 . Data stored within the data storage media  1108  may include a variety of data collected from the condition of the fluid system including, for example and without limitation, oil condition, particle count of contaminants, cycle time data for time to evacuate or time to refill a given reservoir, fluid receptacle or other fluid storage/retention medium. 
     The control module  1100  further includes one or more controls  1110  for permitting manipulation of various elements of a fluid system and/or for receiving and processing data communicated from a fluid system. Machine controls  1110 A can be provided for controlling various aspects of an engine, for example, such as ignition, pre-lubrication operations, initiating a fluid evacuation process, initiating a fluid refill process, and various other machine operations. Pump controls  1110 B can be provided for controlling the action of a pump or supplemental pump operatively associated with a fluid system, such as the fluid system of a machine, for example. One or more valve controls  1110 C can be provided to actuate the position (e.g., open, closed, or other position) of one or more valves included within a fluid system. In addition, one or more multi-position valve controls  1110 D can be provided to operate a multi-way valve (e.g., a five-way valve), or another multi-position valve apparatus or system such as a junction block assembly, for example (described hereinafter). In addition, evacuation bracket controls  1110 E can be provided for the particular function of one or more evacuation brackets included within, or introduced into, a fluid system. 
     It can be appreciated that any portion of the above-described controls  1110  may be manually actuated by a machine operator, for example, or automatically actuated as part of execution of instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, for example. In one illustrative example, the pump controls  1110 B may be operatively associated automatically with manual actuation of the machine controls  1110 A, such as in the event of a pre-lubrication process initiated during ignition of an engine, for example. 
     In addition, in various embodiments described herein, it can be appreciated that the controls  1110  need not be located within the same location such as included within the same service panel, for example, or other like centralized location. It can be further appreciated that the controls  1110  may be operatively associated with a machine, a fluid system, a valve system, or other component of the present embodiments by one or more wireline and/or wireless communication methods or systems. Thus, in various embodiments described herein, it can be seen that the controls  1110  may be considered clustered for a particular application of the present embodiments while not necessarily being physically located in a single, centralized location such as installed on a service panel, for example. 
     Data can be communicated to the control module  1100  to and/or from a fluid system through a variety of methods and systems. In various embodiments disclosed herein, data may be communicated, for example, by a wireline connection, communicated by satellite communications, cellular communications, infrared and/or communicated in accordance with a protocol such as IEEE 802.11, for example, or other wireless or radio frequency communication protocol among other similar types of communication methods and systems. As shown in  FIG. 20 , one or more data devices  1150  can be employed in operative association with the control module  1100  for the purpose of receiving, processing, inputting and/or storing data and/or for cooperating with the control module  1100  to control, monitor or otherwise manipulate one or more components included within a fluid system. Examples of data devices  1150  include, for example and without limitation, personal computers  1150 A, laptops  1150 B, and personal digital assistants (PDA&#39;s)  1150 C, and other data devices suitable for executing instructions on one or more computer-readable media. 
     Various types of sensors  1105  can be employed in various embodiments of the present systems and methods to detect one or more conditions of a fluid system. For example, the sensors  1105  can detect one or more of the following conditions within a fluid system: engine oil pressure, oil temperature in the engine, amount of current drawn by a pre-lubrication circuit, presence of contaminants (such as oil contaminants, for example) in the engine, amount of time that has elapsed for performance of one or more cycles of various engine operations (i.e., cycle time) such as pre-lubrication operations, fluid evacuation operations, fluid refill operations, fluid flow rates, and others. One example of a sensor  1105  that may be used in accordance with various embodiments of the present systems and methods is a contamination sensor marketed under the “LUBRIGARD” trade designation (Lubrigard Limited, United Kingdom, North America, Europe). A contamination sensor can provide information regarding oxidation products, water, glycol, metallic wear particles, and/or other contaminants that may be present in the engine oil, hydraulic oil, gearbox oil, transmission oil, compressor oil and/or other fluids used in various machines. In various aspects of the present methods and systems, the contamination sensor may be employed during one or more fluid processes, for example, such as a fluid evacuation process or a fluid refill process. 
     It can be appreciated that the control module  1100  can receive and store data associated with activation and deactivation of various components of a fluid system and operation of a machine, such as an engine, for example, included within the fluid system. Cycle time, for example, can be calculated from analysis of collected data to provide an indication of elapsed time for completing evacuation and/or refill operations. For a given oil temperature or temperature range (e.g., as can be detected and communicated by a temperature sensor), an average cycle time, for example, can be calculated through analysis of two or more collected cycle times. In one aspect, the present methods and systems can determine whether the most recently elapsed cycle time deviates from a nominal average cycle time, or range of cycle times, for a given oil temperature or temperature range. In addition, factors may be known such as the type and viscosity of fluids (e.g., such as oil) used in connection with operation of the machine. An unacceptable deviation from a nominal cycle time, or range of times, can result in recording a fault in a data storage medium  1108  of the control module  1100 . It can be appreciated that many other types of fault conditions may detected, analyzed and recorded in connection with practice of the present systems and methods. In other illustrative examples, conditions associated with battery voltage, current, and/or the presence of contaminants in the machine, for example, may be detected, analyzed, and one or more fault conditions recorded by the control module  1100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 21 , in various embodiments of the present methods and systems, data collected from fluid system operation can be stored on an internal data module  1200  installed on or near a machine. The internal data module  1200  can include a processor  1202  with an operatively associated memory  1204 . In one aspect, the internal data module  1200  can be a “one-shot” circuit, as that term is understood by those skilled in the art. The internal data module  1200  can be configured to receive and store data related to various conditions of a fluid system, a machine, a valve, a pump, or other components of a fluid system. In one embodiment, the internal data module  1200  can store data in the memory  1204  prior to engine ignition and then transfer the stored data to the control module  1100 , for example, or another computer system, once engine ignition is initiated. In another embodiment, the internal data module  1200  can store condition data for subsequent download to the control module  1100  or another suitable computer system. In various embodiments, the internal data module  1200  can be configured for use in performing data collection and storage functions when the control module  1100  is not otherwise active (e.g., during various machine service operations). In this manner, the internal data module  1200  can be employed to store data corresponding to the electrical events associated with an oil change, for example, or another type of fluid evacuation or refill procedure and can transmit data related to the procedure to the control module  1100 . In various embodiments, the internal data module  1200  can be a stand-alone, discrete module, or can be configured for full or partial integration into the operation of the control module  1100 . 
     Collected and analyzed data, as well as recorded fault events, can be stored in association with the control module  1100 , the internal data module  1200 , and/or at a remote location. In various embodiments of the present methods and systems, the control module  1100  and/or the internal data module  1200  can be configured for operation as integral components of a machine or as remote components not installed locally on the machine. The collected and analyzed information can be stored in one or more of the data storage media  1108  of the control module  1100 , or on another conventional storage suitable for use in connection with the control module  1100 . The information can also be stored externally with respect to a machine and its components. As shown in  FIG. 20 , data can be transmitted wirelessly by a radio frequency communication or by a wireline connection from the control module  1100  to one or more data devices  1150 . The personal digital assistant  1150 C, for example, may be configured and employed as a computer system for receiving and processing data collected from the control module  1100  during fluid evacuation and fluid refill processes. 
     In one illustrative example, information related to an oil change event, such as the time duration of the oil change, for example, and other engine conditions can be recorded and processed in connection with operation of the control module  1100  and/or the internal data module  1200  and/or their operatively associated storage medium or media. The date and time of the oil change event, for example, can also be recorded for one or more such oil changes. Analysis of the data may assume that a substantially constant volume of oil at a given temperature evacuates from, or refills into, the engine lubrication system in a consistent and repeatable amount of time. A calculation can be made that considers the amount of time needed for an oil change at a given temperature (as detected by an oil temperature sensor, for example), and other factors such as the type and viscosity of the oil. Using this calculation, the amount of oil evacuated from, or refilled into, the engine can be calculated. While the example of an engine is employed herein, it can be appreciated that the principles of the present methods and systems described herein can be readily applied, for example, to hydraulic fluid reservoirs, transmission fluid reservoirs, and a variety of other types of fluid reservoirs. The calculated evacuated/refilled oil amount can be compared against a nominal value for the sump capacity. If the calculated amount is greater than or less than the nominal value or tolerance range for such calculations, this information can be recorded as a fault for further investigation and/or maintenance. In one embodiment, the fault recorded can be recorded electronically, such as in association with operation of the control module  1100 . One or more notifications can be generated for an operator of the engine by use of the indicators  1106 , for example, to advise the operator that a fault has been recorded by the system. In application to various embodiments described herein, the notification can take the form of an audible signal, a visual or text signal, or some reasonable combination of such signals. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 22 , one embodiment of a method for performing multiple fluid evacuation and refill processes is shown. In step  1222 , a need for a fluid change is identified, such as a fluid change in the fluid reservoir of a machine, for example. Identification of fluid change needs/desires and subsequent functions performed in the fluid system can be controlled in connection with a control module (in accordance with the above discussion). In step  1224 , the configuration of a valve system included within a fluid system can be adjusted to permit a fluid evacuation process to be performed in operative association with the identified fluid reservoir. It can be appreciated that adjustments to configuration of the valve system performed in step  1224  can be facilitated in an automated manner such as by operative association of the fluid system with the control module  1100 , for example, by a manual operator adjustment, or some reasonable combination of automated and manual processes. The identified fluid reservoir is evacuated in step  1226 . In optional step  1227 , which can be performed prior to the evacuation process of step  1226 , a conventional purge procedure can be performed on a fluid system associated with the reservoir to remove waste fluids, to resist spillage of fluids, to resist environmental contamination potentially caused by waste fluids, and/or to promote safety of an operator, for example, or other personnel by resisting contact between waste fluids (and potentially harmful components of waste fluids) and the operator. In one aspect, the purge procedure of step  1227  can be performed prior to performance of a subsequent fluid refill process, for example, for the reservoir. In one illustrative embodiment, the purge procedure can include an air purge procedure, for example. In step  1228  the valve system can be configured to permit a fluid refill process to be performed in connection with the identified fluid reservoir. In step  1230 , a fluid replacement source is accessed, and the identified fluid reservoir is refilled in step  1232 . In one aspect of the present methods and systems, it can be appreciated that the refill procedure of step  1232  can be performed by delivering the refill fluid pre-filter with respect to the identified fluid reservoir. 
     In step  1234 , a determination is made as to whether an additional fluid change process is required or desired. If it is determined that an additional reservoir does require a fluid change, then the valve system is configured in step  1236  to permit a fluid evacuation process to occur for the additionally identified reservoir, which additionally identified reservoir can include a fluid which is similar or dissimilar with respect to the fluid of the first identified reservoir. It can be appreciated that adjustments to the valve system performed in step  1236  can be facilitated in an automated manner such as by operative association of the fluid system with the control module  1100 , for example, by a manual operator adjustment, or some reasonable combination of automated and manual processes. In step  1238 , fluid within the additional reservoir is evacuated. In optional step  1227  (also described above), which can be performed prior to the evacuation process of step  1238 , a conventional purge procedure can be performed on a fluid system associated with the reservoir to remove waste fluids, to resist spillage of fluids, to resist environmental contamination potentially caused by waste fluids, and/or to promote safety of an operator, for example, or other personnel by resisting contact between waste fluids (and potentially harmful components of waste fluids) and the operator. In one aspect, the purge procedure of step  1227  can be performed prior to performance of a subsequent fluid refill process, for example, for the reservoir. In step  1240 , the valve system can be configured to permit a fluid refill process for the additional reservoir. In step  1242 , a fluid replacement source is accessed, and the additional reservoir is refilled with fluid in step  1244  to the unfiltered side of the fluid system. In one aspect of the present methods and systems, it can be appreciated that the refill procedure of step  1244  can be performed by delivering the refill fluid pre-filter with respect to the additional reservoir. The process can then return to step  1234  to identify additional reservoirs for which fluid changes may be needed or desired. It can be seen that the method shown in  FIG. 22  permits multiple fluids to be evacuated and/or refilled for multiple reservoirs associated with a machine, from potentially multiple fluid replacement sources or reservoirs, in an automated or substantially automated manner. 
     In various embodiments of the present methods and systems, data can be collected, stored and/or analyzed for multiple reservoirs connected with, or operatively associated with, a machine. Referring again to  FIG. 22 , a control module or other data device (as described hereinabove), for example, can be employed in step  1248  to collect data  1248 A, store data  1248 B, and/or analyze data  1248 C in accordance with one or more of the process steps shown in  FIG. 22 , as well as other steps performed in connection with operation and/or maintenance functions of a machine. In one example aspect, it can be seen that the control module can be applied in step  1248  to collect and analyze time-stamp information associated with an event such as an evacuation/refill process performed in connection with an oil reservoir, for example. In other aspects of the present methods and systems, it can be appreciated that many types of data can be collected, analyzed, and/or stored in connection with the function of multiple reservoirs. Data such as current valve position, valve type, and/or reservoir type, for example, can be collected in connection with performance of an evacuation/refill procedure for a first reservoir. A further evacuation/refill procedure, or another process step, can then be initiated for the first reservoir or for an additionally identified reservoir. Likewise, data such as current valve position, valve type, reservoir type, for example, can be collected in association with the evacuation/refill procedure for the additionally identified reservoir, for example, or another process step. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 23 , one embodiment of a system for performing multiple fluid evacuation and fluid refill processes is shown in schematic form. A first junction block assembly  1252  having a plurality of ports (represented by positions A,B,C,D,E and F) is connected through conventional piping or hydraulic hoses, for example, to the suction side  1254  of a pump  1256 . A second junction block assembly  1258  having a plurality of ports (represented by positions G,H,I,J,K and L) is also connected through conventional piping or hydraulic hoses, for example, to the pressure side  1260  of the pump  1256 . In one aspect, the system may include a disconnect  1262 , such as a quick disconnect and bracket assembly, for example, in the piping. In various aspects of the system, a control module  1100  can be operatively associated with various control, sensing, and monitoring functions performed in association with operation of the system. It can be appreciated that the junction block assemblies  1252 , 1258  are shown merely for purposes of illustration. One or both of the junction block assemblies  1252 , 1258  could be replaced with other multi-position valves, for example, or other suitable types of valves. It can be further appreciated that the system shown in  FIG. 23  can be configured to perform multiple fluid refill and/or fluid evacuation processes in connection with one or more machine reservoirs, one or more fluid replacement sources, and/or one or more waste-receiving receptacles. 
     In one operational example of the valve system of  FIG. 23  (which valve system includes the first and second junction block assemblies  1252 , 1258 ), ports D and G can be connected through piping to a machine  1251  such as a machine engine, for example. Port E can be configured to be a refill port that permits fluid to be introduced to the valve system such as from a fluid replacement source, for example. Port K can be configured as an evacuation port that permits fluid to be evacuated through the second junction block assembly  1258  from the machine  1251 , which evacuation may be facilitated by a quick disconnect and bracket assembly, for example. Port A is in fluid communication with the pump  1256  on the suction side  1254  of the pump  1256 , and Port J is in fluid communication with the pump  1256  on the pressure side  1260  of the pump  1256 . 
     In a first configuration of the illustrative valve system of  FIG. 23 , all ports of the first junction block assembly  1252  are closed except for port A, which is in communication with the suction side  1254  of the pump  1256 , and port D, which is in an open position and in communication with the machine  1251 . In addition, all ports of the second junction block assembly  1258  are closed except for port J, which is in communication with the pressure side  1260  of the pump  1256 , and port K, which is in an open position in this configuration. The pump  1256  can be activated to evacuate fluid from the machine  1251  as drawn through the piping and through port D, through port A, through the pump  1256 , through port J, and ultimately through port K. Once the fluid evacuation process is completed, all ports of the first and second junction block assemblies  1252 , 1258  can be closed, except for the refill port E and ports A, J and G. The pump  1256  can be activated to draw fluid from port E through the piping and through port A, through the pump  1256 , through port J, and through port G into the machine  1251 . Based on this operational example, it can be seen how opening and closing various ports in various configurations of the valve system permits multiple evacuation and refill processes to be performed from multiple fluid replacement sources to multiple machine reservoirs in a variety of sequences. It can also be seen that a common evacuation point (e.g., port K) can be provided for various fluid processes that are performed by use of the valve system. In addition, it can be appreciated that different types of fluids (e.g., without limitation, engine oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, coolants, and other machine fluids) can be alternately and/or sequentially evacuated/refilled in connection with the various embodiments of the present methods and systems. 
     Various aspects of the following disclosure include operational examples for the various system and method embodiments described herein. It can be appreciated that such operational examples are provided merely for convenience of disclosure, and that no particular aspect or aspects of these operational examples are intended to limit the scope of application of the present systems and methods. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 24 ,  25 A and  25 B, a fluid system  1301  is provided including an engine  1302  and a pump  1304  operatively connected to a junction block assembly  1400 . As shown in  FIGS. 25A and 25B , the junction block assembly  1400  includes a substantially cube-shaped body  1402  having a plurality of ports, such as ports  1404 A,  1404 B,  1404 C, for example, formed therein. The junction block assembly  1400  can include any conventional material suitable for use in connection with the various fluid evacuation and refill processes described herein such as, for example and without limitation, aluminum, stainless steel, and other like materials. In the embodiment shown, the junction block assembly  1400  may possess a plurality of ports up to six ports, for example. 
     In one embodiment of the junction block assembly  1400 , one or more screens  1406  may be inserted between the body  1402  and one or more adapter fittings  1408  structured to be received, such as threadedly received, for example, into the junction block assembly  1400 . It can be appreciated that one or more of the screens  1406  can be positioned within the junction block assembly  1400  and/or more generally at any suitable location within the fluid systems described herein. In one embodiment, one or more of the screens  1406  may be formed as an integral assembly with one or more of the adapter fittings  1408 . In one aspect of such an integral arrangement, the screen  1406  can be positioned at a common location at which particles and other contaminants present in a fluid system may be trapped, inspected and/or removed from the fluid system. In other aspects, the screens  1406  and/or adapter fittings  1408  may be installed in conjunction with other components of a fluid system such as a pump, for example. 
     In one illustrative fluid system embodiment, the screen  1406  can be positioned in the junction block assembly  1400  at a common outlet port of the junction block assembly  1400 , wherein during operation of the fluid system the common outlet port is in fluid communication with the suction side or inlet port of a pump. In this embodiment, one or more fluids received into the junction block assembly  1400  from one or more fluid reservoirs can each be filtered by the screen  1406  positioned within the common outlet port of the junction block assembly  1400 . 
     In one aspect of the present embodiments, the adapter fitting  1408  can include a permanent or removably insertable plug that resists fluid from entering or exiting the particular port of the junction block assembly  1400  in which the adapter fitting  1408  is installed. In another aspect, the adapter fitting can include a magnetic plug, for example, to attract and capture ferrous materials, for example, and other particles or contaminants susceptible to magnetic attraction to the magnetic plug. It can be seen that, in a fluid system, a junction block assembly  1400  including an adapter fitting  1408  having a magnetic plug can be employed as a central or common location at which particles or contaminants present in the fluid system can be trapped, collected, inspected and/or analyzed. In one embodiment in which the magnetic plug is removably insertable from the junction block assembly, the magnetic plug can assist the junction block assembly  1400  in becoming a material/debris trap that allows for periodic inspections, for example, for detecting metal particles, for example, that may indicate damage, or the potential for damage, occurring in the reservoir or a related machine system. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 25C , one example illustration of an embodiment a portion of a fluid system  1452  provided in accordance with the present methods and systems is shown. The fluid system  1452  includes a pump  1454  in fluid communication with a junction block assembly  1400 . In addition, a screen  1456  is positioned within a section of piping  1458  located between the pump  1454  and the junction block assembly  1400  on a suction side  1460  of the pump  1454 . In other aspects, it can be appreciated that the screen  1456  can be positioned to function at a variety of locations within the fluid system  1452  or other fluid systems. In the embodiment shown, it can be seen that the screen  1456  may act as a common location for collecting, trapping, and/or filtering particles, debris and/or contaminants flowing through the fluid system  1452 . During operation of the pump  1454  within the filter system  1452 , for example, particles, debris and/or contaminants are drawn from various other portions (not shown) of the fluid system  1452  through the section of piping  1458  including the screen  1456  to trap, collect, and/or filter those particles, debris, and/or contaminants, before fluid is permitted to flow to the suction side  1460  of the pump  1454  to be drawn into the pump  1454 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 24 , the junction block assembly  1400  can be connected to a fluid evacuation/refill port  1306  that permits fluids to exit (during a fluid evacuation process) or enter (during a fluid refill process) the fluid system  1301 . During an evacuation process, valve  1308  is actuated (such as by operation of a machine control  1110 A of the control module  1100 , for example, or by manual operation) to a closed position, and the pump  1304  is activated to evacuate fluid from the engine  1302  through the port  1306  connected to the junction block assembly  1400 . It can be seen that the junction block assembly  1400  is appropriately positioned/actuated to permit fluid to flow from the pump  1304  to the port  1306  during the evacuation procedure. During a refill procedure, the valve  1308  can be moved to an open position, and the junction block assembly  1400  can be appropriately positioned/actuated to permit fluid to flow from a reservoir and/or other apparatus (not shown) attached to the port  1306  to refill one or more fluid reservoirs via unfiltered or pre-filtered passages, for example, or other receptacles of the engine  1302 . 
     In various embodiments described herein, a conventional filter  1310  can be provided in association with a component such as an engine, for example, to filter contaminants or other particles that pass through the fluid system  1301  during the refill procedure and/or during normal operation of the engine  1302 . It can be appreciated that the type and/or configuration of conventional filters installed within or in association with the components of the fluid system  1301  can be provided in a variety of ways as will be evident to those skilled in the art. 
     The control module  1100  and the internal data module  1200  interact with the fluid system  1301 , and more generally other fluid systems described hereinafter, as previously discussed hereinabove with reference to  FIGS. 20 and 21 . For convenience of disclosure, specific interaction and operation of the control module  1100  and the internal data module  1200  with fluid system embodiments described hereinafter are generally not described in detail, because such embodiments would be understood by those skilled in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 26 , in another embodiment of the present systems and methods, a fluid system  1501  is provided in which an engine  1502  is connected to a junction block assembly  1400  through a valve  1504 . A reservoir  1506  is also connected to the junction block assembly  1400  through a valve  1508 . In addition, a pump  1510  is connected to the junction block assembly  1400 , and the pump  1510  is also connected to an evacuation bracket and quick disconnect assembly  1512  in accordance with such assemblies as previously described hereinabove. In one operational example of this embodiment, a fluid evacuation process may be performed by opening valve  1504  and closing valve  1508  to evacuate fluid from the engine  1502  through an evacuation port of the junction block assembly  1400 . In one aspect, the fluid evacuation procedure can be performed by the operation of the pump  1510  to remove fluid from the engine  1502  through the evacuation bracket and quick disconnect assembly  1512 . The engine  1502  can then be refilled by connecting a fluid replacement source, for example, or another reservoir to the evacuation bracket and quick disconnect assembly  1512 . The reservoir  1506  can be evacuated by closing the valve  1504 , opening the valve  1508 , adjusting the positions of the various ports of the junction block assembly  1400 , and operating the pump  1510  to evacuate fluid from the reservoir  1506  through the evacuation bracket and quick disconnect assembly  1512 . In various embodiments of the present systems and methods, the reservoir  1506  may contain, for example and without limitation, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, lubricants such as oil, water, or another fluid used in addition to the operation of the engine  1502  and/or the overall function of the fluid system  1501 . In another aspect, a supplemental filter system  1514  may be operatively associated with the evacuation bracket and quick disconnect assembly  1512 . In various aspects, the supplemental filter system  1514  may be, for example, a fine filtration system as that term is understood in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 27 , in various embodiments of the present systems and methods, a fluid system  1601  is provided in which an engine  1602  is connected to a first junction block assembly  1400  through a valve  1604 . A reservoir  1606  is also connected to the junction block assembly  1400  through a valve  1608 . The junction block assembly  1400  also includes an evacuation/refill port  1610  structured for receiving fluids introduced into the fluid system  1601 , such as during a refill process, for example. In addition, a pump  1612  is connected to the first junction block assembly  1400 , and the pump  1612  is also connected to a second junction block assembly  1400 ′ through an optional valve  1614 . The second junction block assembly  1400 ′ includes an evacuation/refill port  1616  for removing/introducing fluids into the fluid system  1601 , such as by an evacuation process or by a refill process, for example. In addition, the reservoir  1606  includes a fluid connection through a valve  1618  to the second junction block assembly  1400 ′, and the engine  1602  also includes a fluid connection to the second junction block assembly  1400 ′ through a valve  1620 . It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the fluid system  1601  permits a variety of combinations for performing evacuation and/or refill processes. The positions of the valves  1604 , 1608 , 1614 , 1618  and  1620 , in operative interaction with the actuation of the first and second junction block assemblies  1400 , 1400 ′ provide this variety of combinations for introducing or removing fluids, respectively and where applicable, through the ports  1610 , 1616 . 
     In one aspect of an example of a fluid evacuation process, the engine  1602  can be identified for performance of one or more fluid refill/evacuation processes. Fluid can be evacuated from the engine  1602 , for example, by opening valves  1604 , 1614 , closing valves  1608 , 1618 , 1620 , adjusting the positions of ports associated with the first and second junction block assemblies  1400 , 1400 ′ (e.g., closing off ports not employed in a given fluid process, and other like adjustments), and activating the pump  1612  to draw fluid through the refill/evacuation port  1616 . A subsequent refill process can be performed for the engine  1602  by closing valves  1604 , 1608 , 1618 , opening valves  1614 , 1620 , adjusting the appropriate positions of the ports of the first and second junction block assemblies  1400 , 1400 ′ (e.g., closing off ports not employed in a given fluid process, and other like adjustments), and activating the pump  1612  to refill fluid into the engine  1602  by drawing the fluid from the evacuation/refill port  1610 , through the pump  1612 , to the engine  1602 . It can be appreciated that the fluid employed for the fluid refill process for the engine  1602  can be drawn from one or more fluid replacement sources (not shown) operatively connected to the evacuation/refill port  1610  of the first junction block assembly  1400 . In one aspect, the type of fluid drawn from the engine  1602  during the fluid evacuation process is of the same type as the fluid refilled into the engine  1602  during the fluid refill process. 
     In other steps of this operational example, the reservoir  1606  can be identified for a fluid evacuation/refill process. The valves  1604 , 1618 , 1620  can be closed, the positions of the ports of the first and second junction block assemblies  1400 , 1400 ′ can be adjusted (e.g., closing off ports not employed in a given fluid process, and other like adjustments), valves  1608 , 1614  can be opened, and the action of the pump  1612  can be employed to draw fluid from the reservoir  1606  through the evacuation/refill port  1616  of the second junction block assembly  1400 ′. In a subsequent fluid refill process, valves  1604 , 1608 , 1620  can be closed, valves  1614 , 1618  can be opened, and the pump  1612  can be employed to draw fluid through the evacuation/refill port  1610  of the first junction block assembly  1400  into the reservoir  1606  in the refill process. It can be appreciated that the fluid employed in the fluid refill process can be drawn from one or more fluid replacement sources (not shown) operatively associated with the evacuation/refill port  1610  of the first junction block assembly  1400 . In one aspect, the type of fluid drawn from the reservoir  1606  during the fluid evacuation process is of the same type as the fluid refilled into the reservoir  1606  during the fluid refill process. In various embodiments of the present systems and methods, the reservoir  1606  may contain, for example and without limitation, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, lubricants such as oil, water, or another fluid used in addition to the operation of the engine  1602  and/or the overall function of the fluid system  1601 . 
     It can be appreciated that pumps employed in connection with the various fluid systems described herein can be “on-board” or “off-board” with respect to a machine that operates in connection with the fluid system. For example, in one illustrative embodiment, an “off-board” pump could be applied in connection with the evacuation/refill port  1610  with the appropriate configuration of the valve system of the fluid system of  FIG. 27  to perform one or more fluid evacuation/refill processes. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 28 , in various embodiments of the present systems and methods, a fluid system  1701  is provided in which an engine  1702  is connected to both a first multi-position valve  1704  and a second multi-position valve  1706 . One or more reservoirs  1708 , 1709  are also fluidically connected to each of the first and second multi-position valves  1704 , 1706 . In addition, a pump  1710  is provided to facilitate one or more evacuation processes in connection with fluids contained with the engine  1702  and/or the reservoirs  1708 , 1709 . In various embodiments of the present systems and methods, the reservoirs  1708 , 1709  may contain, for example and without limitation, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, lubricants such as oil, water, or another fluid used in addition to the operation of the engine  1702  and/or the overall function of the fluid system  1701 . In one aspect of the operation of the fluid system  1701 , each of the multi-position valves  1704 , 1706  is actuated/positioned to permit the action of the pump  1710  to evacuate and refill fluids from the engine  1702  and the reservoirs  1708 , 1709 , in a sequence determined by an operator, for example, or by an automated determination by the control module  1100 , for example. 
     In one aspect of an operational example, the engine  1702  can be identified for performance of one or more fluid evacuation/refill processes. In a fluid evacuation process, appropriate ports of the multi-position valves  1704 , 1706  are actuated, in conjunction with activation of the pump  1710 , to draw fluid from the engine  1702  through the multi-position valve  1704 , through the pump  1710 , and through a selected port of the multi-position valve  1706  serving as an evacuation port. It can be appreciated that a waste-receiving receptacle, for example (not shown), may be operatively associated with the selected evacuation port of the multi-position valve  1706  to receive and/or store fluid evacuated from the engine  1702 . In a subsequent fluid refill process, appropriate ports of the multi-position valves  1704 , 1706  are actuated, in conjunction with activation of the pump  1710 , to draw fluid from a selected port of the multi-position valve  1704  serving as a refill port, through the pump  1710 , through the multi-position valve  1706 , and to the engine  1702 . It can be appreciated that a fluid replacement source, for example (not shown), may be operatively associated with the selected refill port of the multi-position valve  1704  to provide a source for fluid introduced into the fluid system  1701  and used for the refill process for the engine  1702 . 
     In another aspect of this operational example, the reservoir  1708  can be identified for performance of one or more fluid refill/evacuation processes. In a fluid evacuation process, appropriate ports of the multi-position valves  1704 , 1706  are actuated, in conjunction with activation of the pump  1710 , to draw fluid from the reservoir  1708  through the multi-position valve  1704 , through the pump  1710 , and through a selected port of the multi-position valve  1706  serving as an evacuation port. It can be appreciated that a waste-receiving receptacle, for example (not shown), may be operatively associated with the selected evacuation port of the multi-position valve  1706  to receive and/or store fluid evacuated from the reservoir  1708 . In a subsequent fluid refill process, appropriate ports of the multi-position valves  1704 , 1706  are actuated, in conjunction with activation of the pump  1710 , to draw fluid from a selected port of the multi-position valve  1704  serving as a refill port, through the pump  1710 , through the multi-position valve  1706 , and to the reservoir  1708 . It can be appreciated that a fluid replacement source, for example (not shown), may be operatively associated with the selected refill port of the multi-position valve  1704  to provide a source for fluid introduced into the fluid system  1701  and used for the refill process for the reservoir  1708 . 
     In another aspect of this operational example, the reservoir  1709  can be identified for performance of one or more fluid refill/evacuation processes. In a fluid evacuation process, appropriate ports of the multi-position valves  1704 , 1706  are actuated, in conjunction with activation of the pump  1710 , to draw fluid from the reservoir  1709  through the multi-position valve  1704 , through the pump  1710 , and through a selected port of the multi-position valve  1706  serving as an evacuation port. It can be appreciated that a waste-receiving receptacle, for example (not shown), may be operatively associated with the selected evacuation port of the multi-position valve  1706  to receive and/or store fluid evacuated from the reservoir  1709 . In a subsequent fluid refill process, appropriate ports of the multi-position valves  1704 , 1706  are actuated, in conjunction with activation of the pump  1710 , to draw fluid from a selected port of the multi-position valve  1704  serving as a refill port, through the pump  1710 , through the multi-position valve  1706 , and to the reservoir  1709 . It can be appreciated that a fluid replacement source, for example (not shown), may be operatively associated with the selected refill port of the multi-position valve  1704  to provide a source for fluid introduced into the fluid system  1701  and used for the refill process for the reservoir  1709 . 
     It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that, in accordance with various aspects of the present method and system embodiments, engines, reservoirs and other like receptacles can be first evacuated and subsequently refilled in a manner that permits a pump not to encounter a refill fluid (e.g., a “clean” fluid) of a certain type, until the pump has processed an evacuated fluid (e.g., a “dirty” fluid) of the same type as the refill fluid. It can be seen that this sequence of fluid evacuation/refill processes can reduce the degree of cross-contamination for components or other elements of a fluid system that may be caused by a mixture of different types of fluids. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 29 , in various embodiments of the present systems and methods, a fluid system  1801  is provided in which an engine  1802  is connected to both a first multi-position valve  1804  having a refill port  1806  and a second multi-position valve  1808  having an evacuation port  1810 . A reservoir  1812  is also fluidly connected to each of the first and second multi-position valves  1804 , 1808 . In addition, a pump  1814  is provided to facilitate one or more evacuation and/or refill processes in connection with fluids contained with the engine  1802  and/or the reservoir  1812 . In another aspect, an additional reservoir  1813  is connected between the first multi-position valve  1804  and the second multi-position valve  1806 . In various embodiments of the present systems and methods, the reservoirs  1812 , 1813  may contain, for example and without limitation, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, lubricants such as oil, water, or another fluid used in addition to the operation of the engine  1802  and/or the overall function of the fluid system  1801 . 
     In one example aspect of the operation of the fluid system  1801  shown in  FIG. 29 , the multi-position valves  1804 , 1808  are actuated/positioned to permit the action of the pump  1814  to remove fluid from the reservoir  1812 . Then, in this operational example, the multi-position valves  1804 , 1808  can be actuated/positioned to perform a fluid refill process for the reservoir  1812 . Thereafter, the engine  1802  can be evacuated and then refilled in sequence once the fluid processes involving the reservoir  1812  have been completed. 
     In accordance with previous discussion hereinabove, it can be appreciated that the operative association of the fluid system  1801 , for example, with the control module  1100  permits a variety of sequences and combinations of evacuation and refill processes. Such sequencing can be facilitated by the control module  1100  through a combination of manual and/or automated processes executed in conjunction with the operation of the control module  1100 . It can be seen that such sequencing of evacuation and/or refill operations can be applied to various previously discussed embodiments of the present systems and methods, as well as embodiments discussed hereinafter. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 30 , in various embodiments of the present systems and methods, a fluid system  1901  is provided in which an engine  1902  is connected to a junction block assembly  1400  through a valve  1904 . A first reservoir  1906  is also connected to the junction block assembly  1400  through a valve  1908 . In addition, a second reservoir  1910  is connected to the junction block assembly  1400  through a valve  1912 . The junction block assembly  1400  includes an evacuation port  1914  structured to fluidically connect with a quick disconnect  1916 . In operation of the fluid system  1901 , the quick disconnect  1916  establishes fluid connection between the junction block assembly  1400  and a pump  1918 . In addition, a waste-receiving receptacle  1920  is connected to the pump  1918 . In an example fluid evacuation process, the respective positions of the valves  1904 , 1908 , 1912 , the actuation/position of the junction block assembly  1400 , the connection of the quick disconnect  1916  to the evacuation port  1914 , and the operation of the pump  1918  work in conjunction to perform a fluid evacuation process for each of the engine  1902  and the first and second reservoirs  1906 , 1910 . For example, it can be seen that such a fluid evacuation process results in fluid flowing from the engine  1902  into the waste-receiving receptacle  1920 . It can be appreciated that the functions of the control module  1100 , working in association with the various components of the fluid system  1901 , can result in evacuating fluids, and subsequently refilling fluids, for one or more of the engine  1902  and the reservoirs  1906 , 1910  in a sequential manner. In various embodiments of the present systems and methods, the reservoirs  1906 , 1910  may contain, for example and without limitation, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, lubricants such as oil, water, or another fluid used in addition to the operation of the engine  1902  and/or the overall function of the fluid system  1901 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 31 , in various embodiments of the present systems and methods, a fluid system  2001  is provided in which an engine  2002  is connected to a junction block assembly  1400  through a valve  2004 . A first reservoir  2006  is also connected to the junction block assembly  1400  through a valve  2008 . In addition, a second reservoir  2010  is connected to the junction block assembly  1400  through a valve  2012 . The junction block assembly  1400  includes a refill port  2014  structured to fluidly connect with a quick disconnect  2016 . In operation of the fluid system  2001 , the quick disconnect  2016  establishes fluid connection between the junction block assembly  1400  and a pump  2018 . In addition, a fluid source  2020  is connected to the pump  2018 . In one aspect of the present embodiment, the fluid source may be detachably connected to the pump  2018  so that subsequent fluid sources (not shown) containing a variety of fluids can be introduced to the fluid system  2001  through the action of the pump  2018 . In an example fluid refill process, the respective positions of the valves  2004 , 2008 , 2012 , the actuation/position of the junction block assembly  1400 , the connection of the quick disconnect  2016  to the refill port  2014 , and the operation of the pump  2018  work in conjunction to perform various fluid refill processes for the engine  2002  and the first and second reservoirs  2006 , 2010 . In one example, it can be seen that such a fluid refill process can result in fluid flowing into the engine  2002  (after a prior fluid evacuation process) from the fluid source  2020 . It can be appreciated that the functions of the control module  1100 , working in association with the various components of the fluid system  2001 , can result in evacuating/refilling one or more of the engine  2002  and the reservoirs  2006 , 2010  in a sequential manner. As shown, filters  2022 , 2024 , 2026  may be employed to filter contaminants or other particles present in fluid flowing from the fluid source  2020  to the engine  2002 , the first reservoir  2006 , or the second reservoir  2010  (respectively). In various embodiments of the present systems and methods, the reservoirs  2006 , 2010  may contain, for example and without limitation, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, lubricants such as oil, water, or another fluid used in addition to the operation of the engine  2002  and/or the overall function of the fluid system  2001 . In addition, in another aspect, supplemental filter system  2028  can be installed between the refill port  2014  and the pump  2018 . In various aspects of the present systems and methods, the supplemental filter system  2028  may be, for example, a fine filtration system, as that term is understood in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 32 , in various embodiments of the present invention, a check valve assembly  2100  is provided in accordance with various systems and methods. The assembly  2100  includes a first check valve  2102  having an inlet  2102 A in fluid communication with a common refill/evacuation location  2104  and an outlet  2102 B in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system  2106 . A second check valve  2108  of the assembly  2100  includes an inlet  2108 A in communication with a fluid reservoir  2110 , for example, or another similar structure included within a fluid system. The second check valve  2108  further includes an outlet  2108 B in fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2104 . In addition, an inlet/outlet port  2112  may be structured for fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2104 . 
     In various embodiments, the portion of a fluid system  2106  may include any reasonable combination of valves, pipes, reservoirs and/or other fluidic structures. In certain embodiments, the portion of a fluid system  2106  may be configured to include an operative association with at least a pre-filter portion of the fluid system. In various embodiments, the fluid reservoir  2110  may contain a quantity of a fluid such as oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, or another type of fluid described hereinabove and/or any other fluid suitable for use in accordance with the present systems and methods. In certain embodiments, a quick disconnect  2114  or other similar type of coupling may be operatively associated with the inlet/outlet port  2112  to permit operative association of various fluidic structures such as an external pump, for example, with the inlet/outlet port  2112 . In various embodiments, the inlet/outlet port  2112  may be operatively associated with a clustered service location (as described hereinabove), for example. 
     In various embodiments, the inlet  2102 A of the first check valve  2102  may be structured to respond to application of positive pressure (represented by arrow  2116 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2104 , which response to the positive pressure  2116  includes actuating the first check valve  2102  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “positive” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the positive pressure flow  2116  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the inlet/outlet port  2112  to the inlet  2102 A of the first check valve  2102 ). During a filter purge operation, for example, compressed air may be introduced as positive pressure at the common refill/evacuation location  2104  and the inlet  2102 A of the first check valve  2102 . The positive pressure of the compressed air actuates the first check valve  2102  to permit the compressed air to flow to at least the portion of a fluid system  2016  and/or through passages, valves, filters, reservoirs or other fluidic structures in the fluid system that may contain old or used fluids (e.g., old or used oil). During a refill operation, for example, application of positive pressure  2116  at the common refill/evacuation location  2104  permits fluid flowing from the inlet/outlet port  2112  to flow through the first check valve  2102  to the portion of a fluid system  2106 . 
     Conversely, the second check valve  2108  may be structured to respond to application of negative pressure (represented by arrow  2118 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2104 , which response to the negative pressure  2118  includes actuating the second check valve  2108  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “negative” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the negative pressure flow  2118  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the outlet  2108 B of the second check valve  2108  to the inlet/outlet port  2112 ). During an evacuation operation, for example, application of negative pressure  2118  at the common refill/evacuation location  2104  permits fluid to flow through the second check valve  2108  to the inlet/outlet port  2112  of the assembly  2100 . It can be appreciated that the present systems and methods permit alternative performance of positive pressure fluid operations or negative pressure fluid operations at the common refill/evacuation location  2104 . 
     In various embodiments, the inlet/outlet port  2112  may be in fluid communication with one or more fluid components, such as fluid component  2120  shown in  FIG. 32 . The fluid component  2120  may include one or more of the following fluidic structures, for example and without limitation: a pump that is off-board with respect to a machine being serviced; a pump that is on-board with respect to a machine being serviced; a flow control means (in accordance with embodiments described hereinabove) such as a hand-held device, for example; and/or, a bracket or evacuation bracket (in accordance with embodiments described hereinabove). The fluid component  2120  may also be any other component suitable for supplying positive and/or negative fluid pressure to the inlet/outlet port  2112  in accordance with the various fluid operations described herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 33 , in various embodiments of the present invention, a check valve system  2148  may include multiple check valve assemblies  2150 ,  2170 ,  2190  configured in accordance with the present invention to service multiple fluid reservoirs  2160 ,  2180 ,  2200 , for example, and/or multiple kinds of fluids contained in the fluid reservoirs  2160 ,  2180 ,  2200 . In various embodiments, one or more of the check valve assemblies  2150 ,  2170 ,  2190  may be structured to be part of the same fluid system, or any of the check valve assemblies  2150 ,  2170 ,  2190  may be structured for operation as part of an independently operating fluid system. 
     In the first check valve assembly  2150 , for example, a first check valve  2152  may be structured with an inlet  2152 A in fluid communication with a common refill/evacuation location  2154  and an outlet  2152 B in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system  2156 . In certain embodiments, the portion of a fluid system  2156  may be configured to include an operative association with at least a pre-filter portion of the fluid system. A second check valve  2158  of the assembly  2150  includes an inlet  2158 A in communication with the fluid reservoir  2160 , for example, or another similar structure in fluidic association with the assembly  2150 . The second check valve  2158  further includes an outlet  2158 B in fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2154 . An inlet/outlet port  2162  may be structured for fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2154 . In various embodiments, the inlet/outlet port  2162  may be operatively associated with a clustered service location (as described hereinabove), for example. In certain embodiments, a quick disconnect (not shown) may be operatively associated with the common refill/evacuation location  2154  to permit ready connection and disconnection of fluidic structures in operative association with the common refill/evacuation location  2154 . 
     In various embodiments, the inlet  2152 A of the first check valve  2152  may be structured to respond to application of positive pressure (represented by arrow  2166 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2154 , which response to the positive pressure  2166  includes actuating the first check valve  2152  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “positive” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the positive pressure flow  2166  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the inlet/outlet port  2162  to the inlet  2152 A of the first check valve  2152 ). During a fluid refill operation, for example, application of positive pressure  2166  at the common refill/evacuation location  2154  permits fluid flowing from the inlet/outlet port  2162  to flow through the first check valve  2152  to the portion of a fluid system  2156 . 
     Conversely, the second check valve  2158  may be structured to respond to application of negative pressure (represented by arrow  2168 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2154 , which response to the negative pressure  2168  includes actuating the second check valve  2168  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “negative” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the negative pressure flow  2168  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the outlet  2158 B of the second check valve  2158  to the inlet/outlet port  2162 ). During an evacuation operation, for example, application of negative pressure  2168  at the common refill/evacuation location  2154  permits fluid to flow through the second check valve  2158  to the inlet/outlet port  2162  of the assembly  2150 . It can be appreciated that the present systems and methods permit alternative performance of positive pressure fluid operations or negative pressure fluid operations at the common refill/evacuation location  2154 . 
     In other aspects of the check valve system  2148 , with reference to the second check valve assembly  2170 , a third check valve  2172  may be structured with an inlet  2172 A in fluid communication with a common refill/evacuation location  2174  and an outlet  2172 B in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system  2176 . In certain embodiments, the portion of a fluid system  2176  may be configured to include an operative association with at least a pre-filter portion of the fluid system. A fourth check valve  2178  of the assembly  2150  includes an inlet  2178 A in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir  2180 , for example, or another similar structure fluidically associated with the assembly  2170 . The fourth check valve  2178  further includes an outlet  2178 B in fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2174 . An inlet/outlet port  2182  may be structured for fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2174 . In various embodiments, the inlet/outlet port  2182  may be operatively associated with a clustered service location (as described hereinabove), for example. In certain embodiments, a quick disconnect (not shown) may be operatively associated with the common refill/evacuation location  2174  to permit ready connection or disconnection of fluidic structures in operative association with/from the common refill/evacuation location  2174 . 
     In various embodiments, the inlet  2172 A of the third check valve  2172  may be structured to respond to application of positive pressure (represented by arrow  2186 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2174 , which response to the positive pressure  2186  includes actuating the third check valve  2172  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “positive” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the positive pressure flow  2186  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the inlet/outlet port  2182  to the inlet  2172 A of the third check valve  2172 ). During a refill operation, for example, application of positive pressure  2186  at the common refill/evacuation location  2174  permits fluid flowing from the inlet/outlet port  2182  to flow through the third check valve  2172  to the portion of a fluid system  2176 . 
     Conversely, the fourth check valve  2178  may be structured to respond to application of negative pressure (represented by arrow  2188 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2174 , which response to the negative pressure  2188  includes actuating the fourth check valve  2188  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “negative” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the negative pressure flow  2188  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the outlet  2178 B of the fourth check valve  2178  to the inlet/outlet port  2182 ). During an evacuation operation, for example, application of negative pressure  2188  at the common refill/evacuation location  2174  permits fluid to flow through the fourth check valve  2178  to the inlet/outlet port  2182  of the assembly  2170 . It can be appreciated that the present systems and methods permit alternative performance of positive pressure fluid operations or negative pressure fluid operations at the common refill/evacuation location  2174 . 
     With reference to the third check valve assembly  2190  of the system  2148 , a fifth check valve  2192  may have an inlet  2192 A in fluid communication with a common refill/evacuation location  2194  and an outlet  2192 B in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system  2196 . In certain embodiments, the portion of a fluid system  2196  may be configured to include an operative association with at least a pre-filter portion of the fluid system. A sixth check valve  2198  of the assembly  2190  includes an inlet  2198 A in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir  2200 , for example, or another similar structure fluidically associated with the assembly  2190 . The sixth check valve  2198  further includes an outlet  2198 B in fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2194 . An inlet/outlet port  2202  may be structured for fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2194 . In various embodiments, the inlet/outlet port  2112  may be operatively associated with a clustered service location (as described hereinabove), for example. In certain embodiments, a quick disconnect (not shown) may be operatively associated with the common refill/evacuation location  2194  to permit ready connection and disconnection of fluidic structures in operative association with the common refill/evacuation location  2194 . 
     In various embodiments, the inlet  2192 A of the fifth check valve  2192  may be structured to respond to application of positive pressure (represented by arrow  2206 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2194 , which response to the positive pressure  2206  includes actuating the fifth check valve  2192  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “positive” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the positive pressure flow  2206  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the inlet/outlet port  2202  to the inlet  2192 A of the fifth check valve  2192 ). During a refill operation, for example, application of positive pressure  2206  at the common refill/evacuation location  2194  permits fluid flowing from the inlet/outlet port  2202  to flow through the fifth check valve  2192  to the portion of a fluid system  2196 . 
     Conversely, the sixth check valve  2198  may be structured to respond to application of negative pressure (represented by arrow  2208 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2194 , which response to the negative pressure  2208  includes actuating the sixth check valve  2198  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “negative” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the negative pressure flow  2208  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the outlet  2198 B of the sixth check valve  2198  to the inlet/outlet port  2202 ). During an evacuation operation, for example, application of negative pressure  2208  at the common refill/evacuation location  2194  permits fluid to flow through the sixth check valve  2198  to the inlet/outlet port  2202  of the assembly  2190 . It can be appreciated that the present systems and methods permit alternative performance of positive pressure fluid operations or negative pressure fluid operations at the common refill/evacuation location  2194 . 
     It can be seen that multiple check valve assembly configurations (e.g., such as configurations that include the check valve assemblies  2150 ,  2170 ,  2190 ) permit multiple fluid operations such as refill operations, evacuation operations, and/or filter purge operations, for example, to be performed on multiple fluid reservoirs. It can be appreciated that any number of check valve assemblies may be provided within the scope of the present methods and systems. The illustration of three separate check valve assemblies  2150 ,  2170 ,  2190  in  FIG. 33 , for example, is merely for purposes of convenience of disclosure. More or fewer check valve assemblies may be employed in operative association with fluid systems configured in accordance with the present invention. Each of the portions of a fluid system  2156 ,  2176 ,  2196  may include any reasonable combination of valves, pipes, reservoirs and/or other fluidic structures. In various embodiments, one or more of the fluid reservoirs  2160 ,  2180 ,  2200  may contain a quantity of a fluid such as oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, or another type of fluid described hereinabove and/or any other fluid suitable for use in accordance with the present systems and methods. 
     In various embodiments, any one or more of the inlet/outlet ports  2162 ,  2182 ,  2202  may be in fluid communication with one or more fluid components (not shown) including one or more of the following fluidic structures, for example and without limitation: a pump that is off-board with respect to a machine being serviced; a pump that is on-board with respect to a machine being serviced; a flow control means (in accordance with embodiments described hereinabove) such as a hand-held device, for example; and/or, a bracket or evacuation bracket (in accordance with embodiments described hereinabove). The fluid component may also be any other component suitable for supplying positive and/or negative fluid pressure to the inlet/outlet ports  2162 ,  2182 ,  2202  in accordance with various fluid operations described herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 34 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, an electronic valve assembly  2300  is provided in accordance with the present systems and methods. The assembly  2300  includes a first electronic valve  2302  having an inlet  2302 A in fluid communication with a common refill/evacuation location  2304  and an outlet  2302 B in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system  2306 . In various embodiments, the portion of a fluid system  2306  may include an operative association with at least a pre-filter portion of the fluid system. A second electronic valve  2308  of the assembly  2300  includes an inlet  2308 A in communication with a fluid reservoir  2310 , for example, or another similar structure included within the fluid system  2300 . The second electronic valve  2308  further includes an outlet  2308 B in fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2304 . In addition, an inlet/outlet port  2312  may be structured for fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2304 . 
     The portion of the fluid system  2306  may include any reasonable combination of valves, pipes, reservoirs and/or other fluidic structures. In various embodiments, the fluid reservoir  2310  may contain a quantity of a fluid such as oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, or another type of fluid described hereinabove and/or any other fluid suitable for use in accordance with the present systems and methods. In certain embodiments, a quick disconnect  2314  or other similar type of coupling may be operatively associated with the inlet/outlet port  2312  to permit operative association of various fluidic structures such as an external pump, for example, with the inlet/outlet port  2312 . In various embodiments, the inlet/outlet port  2312  may be operatively associated with a clustered service location (as described hereinabove), for example. 
     In various embodiments, a control module  2316  may be operatively associated with one or both of the electronic valves  2302 ,  2308  to actuate the valves  2302 ,  2308  upon sensing a predetermined pressure level, for example, within the assembly  2300 . One or more sensors such as pressure sensors  2318 ,  2320 , for example, may be operatively associated with the control module  2316  and/or the electronic valves  2302 ,  2308  to provide pressure level information to the control module  2316 . 
     The sensor  2318  associated with the first electronic valve  2302 , for example, may be configured to communicate a signal indicative of application of positive pressure (represented by arrow  2322 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2304 , which response to the positive pressure  2322  includes actuating the first electronic valve  2302  to permit fluid flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “positive” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the positive pressure flow  2322  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the inlet/outlet port  2312  to the inlet  2302 A of the first electronic valve  2302 ). During a refill operation, for example, application of positive pressure  2322  at the common refill/evacuation location  2304 , and subsequent actuation of the first electronic valve  2302  by the control module  2316 , permit fluid to flow from the inlet/outlet port  2312 , through the first electronic valve  2302  to the portion of the fluid system  2306 . 
     In addition, the sensor  2320  associated with the second electronic valve  2308 , for example, may be configured to communicate a signal indicative of application of negative pressure (represented by arrow  2324 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2304 , which response to the negative pressure  2324  includes actuating the second electronic valve  2308  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “negative” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the negative pressure flow  2324  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the outlet  2308 B of the second electronic valve  2308  to the inlet/outlet port  2312 ). During an evacuation operation, for example, application of negative pressure  2324  at the common refill/evacuation location  2304 , and subsequent actuation of the second electronic valve  2308 , permit fluid to flow through the second electronic valve  2308  to the inlet/outlet port  2312  of the assembly  2300 . It can be appreciated that the present systems and methods permit alternative positive pressure fluid operations or negative pressure fluid operations to be performed at the common refill/evacuation location  2304 . 
     In various embodiments, the inlet/outlet port  2312  may be in fluid communication with one or more fluid components, such as fluid component  2326  shown in  FIG. 34 . The fluid component  2326  may include one or more of the following fluidic structures, for example and without limitation: a pump that is off-board with respect to a machine being serviced; a pump that is on-board with respect to a machine being serviced; a flow control means (in accordance with embodiments described hereinabove) such as a hand-held device, for example; and/or, a bracket or evacuation bracket (in accordance with embodiments described hereinabove). The fluid component  2326  may also be any other component suitable for supplying positive and/or negative fluid pressure to the inlet/outlet port  2312  in accordance with the various fluid operations described herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 35 , in various embodiments of the present invention, an electronic valve system  2348  may include multiple electronic valve assemblies  2350 ,  2370 ,  2390  configured in accordance with the present invention to service multiple fluid reservoirs, for example, and/or multiple kinds of fluids contained in the fluid reservoirs. In various embodiments, one or more of the electronic valve assemblies  2350 ,  2370 ,  2390  may be structured to be part of the same fluid system, or any of the electronic valve assemblies  2350 ,  2370 ,  2390  may be structured for operation as part of an independently operating fluid system. In the first electronic valve assembly  2350 , for example, a first electronic valve  2352  may be structured with an inlet  2352 A in fluid communication with a common refill/evacuation location  2354  and an outlet  2352 B in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system  2356 . In certain embodiments, the portion of a fluid system  2356  may be configured to include an operative association with at least a pre-filter portion of the fluid system. A second electronic valve  2358  of the assembly  2350  may include an inlet  2358 A in communication with a fluid reservoir  2360 , for example, or another similar structure in fluidic association with the assembly  2350 . The second electronic valve  2358  further includes an outlet  2358 B in fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2354 . An inlet/outlet port  2362  may be structured for fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2354 . In various embodiments, the inlet/outlet port  2362  may be operatively associated with a clustered service location (as described hereinabove), for example. In certain embodiments, a quick disconnect (not shown) may be operatively associated with the common refill/evacuation location  2354  to permit ready connection/disconnection of fluidic structures to/from operative association with the common refill/evacuation location  2354 . 
     In various embodiments, the inlet  2352 A of the first electronic valve  2352  may be structured to respond to application of positive pressure (represented by arrow  2366 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2354 , which response to the positive pressure  2366  includes actuating the first electronic valve  2352  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “positive” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the positive pressure flow  2366  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the inlet/outlet port  2362  to the inlet  2352 A of the first electronic valve  2352 ). During a refill operation, for example, application of positive pressure  2366  at the common refill/evacuation location  2354  permits fluid flowing from the inlet/outlet port  2362  to flow through the first electronic valve  2352  to the portion of a fluid system  2356 . 
     Conversely, the second electronic valve  2358  may be structured to respond to application of negative pressure (represented by arrow  2368 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2354 , which response to the negative pressure  2368  includes actuating the second electronic valve  2368  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “negative” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the negative pressure flow  2368  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the outlet  2358 B of the second electronic valve  2358  to the inlet/outlet port  2362 ). During an evacuation operation, for example, application of negative pressure  2368  at the common refill/evacuation location  2354  permits fluid to flow through the second electronic valve  2358  to the inlet/outlet port  2362  of the assembly  2350 . It can be appreciated that the present systems and methods permit alternative performance of positive pressure fluid operations or negative pressure fluid operations at the common refill/evacuation location  2354 . 
     In other aspects of the electronic valve system  2348 , with reference to the second electronic valve assembly  2370 , a third electronic valve  2372  may be structured with an inlet  2372 A in fluid communication with a common refill/evacuation location  2374  and an outlet  2372 B in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system  2376 . In certain embodiments, the portion of a fluid system  2376  may be configured to include an operative association with at least a pre-filter portion of the fluid system. A fourth electronic valve  2378  of the assembly  2370  includes an inlet  2378 A in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir  2380 , for example, or another similar structure fluidically associated with the assembly  2370 . The fourth electronic valve  2378  further includes an outlet  2378 B in fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2374 . An inlet/outlet port  2382  may be structured for fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2374 . In various embodiments, the inlet/outlet port  2382  may be operatively associated with a clustered service location (as described hereinabove), for example. In certain embodiments, a quick disconnect (not shown) may be operatively associated with the common refill/evacuation location  2374  to permit ready connection or disconnection of fluidic structures to/from operative association with the common refill/evacuation location  2374 . 
     In various embodiments, the inlet  2372 A of the third electronic valve  2372  may be structured to respond to application of positive pressure (represented by arrow  2386 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2374 , which response to the positive pressure  2386  includes actuating the third electronic valve  2372  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “positive” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the positive pressure flow  2386  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the inlet/outlet port  2382  to the inlet  2372 A of the third electronic valve  2372 ). During a refill operation, for example, application of positive pressure  2386  at the common refill/evacuation location  2374  permits fluid flowing from the inlet/outlet port  2382  to flow through the third electronic valve  2372  to the portion of a fluid system  2376 . 
     Conversely, the fourth electronic valve  2378  may be structured to respond to application of negative pressure (represented by arrow  2388 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2374 , which response to the negative pressure  2388  includes actuating the fourth electronic valve  2388  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “negative” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the negative pressure flow  2388  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the outlet  2378 B of the fourth electronic valve  2378  to the inlet/outlet port  2382 ). During an evacuation operation, for example, application of negative pressure  2388  at the common refill/evacuation location  2374  permits fluid to flow through the fourth electronic valve  2378  to the inlet/outlet port  2382  of the assembly  2370 . It can be appreciated that the present systems and methods permit alternative performance of positive pressure fluid operations or negative pressure fluid operations at the common refill/evacuation location  2374 . 
     With reference to the third electronic valve assembly  2390  of the system  2348 , a fifth electronic valve  2392  may have an inlet  2392 A in fluid communication with a common refill/evacuation location  2394  and an outlet  2392 B in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system  2396 . In certain embodiments, the portion of a fluid system  2396  may be configured to include an operative association with at least a pre-filter portion of the fluid system. A sixth electronic valve  2398  of the assembly  2390  includes an inlet  2398 A in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir  2400 , for example, or another similar structure operatively associated with the assembly  2390 . The sixth electronic valve  2398  further includes an outlet  2398 B in fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2394 . An inlet/outlet port  2402  may be structured for fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2394 . In various embodiments, the inlet/outlet port  2312  may be operatively associated with a clustered service location (as described hereinabove), for example. In certain embodiments, a quick disconnect (not shown) may be operatively associated with the common refill/evacuation location  2394  to permit ready connection or disconnection of fluidic structures to/from operative association with the common refill/evacuation location  2394 . 
     In various embodiments, the inlet  2392 A of the fifth electronic valve  2392  may be structured to respond to application of positive pressure (represented by arrow  2406 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2394 , which response to the positive pressure  2406  includes actuating the fifth electronic valve  2392  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “positive” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the positive pressure flow  2406  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the inlet/outlet port  2402  to the inlet  2392 A of the fifth electronic valve  2392 ). During a refill operation, for example, application of positive pressure  2406  at the common refill/evacuation location  2394  permits fluid flowing from the inlet/outlet port  2402  to flow through the fifth electronic valve  2392  to the portion of a fluid system  2396 . 
     Conversely, the sixth electronic valve  2398  may be structured to respond to application of negative pressure (represented by arrow  2408 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2394 , which response to the negative pressure  2408  includes actuating the sixth electronic valve  2398  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “negative” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the negative pressure flow  2408  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the outlet  2398 B of the sixth electronic valve  2398  to the inlet/outlet port  2402 ). During an evacuation operation, for example, application of negative pressure  2408  at the common refill/evacuation location  2394  permits fluid to flow through the sixth electronic valve  2398  to the inlet/outlet port  2402  of the assembly  2390 . It can be appreciated that the present systems and methods permit alternative performance of positive pressure fluid operations or negative pressure fluid operations at the common refill/evacuation location  2394 . 
     In various embodiments, a control module  2502  may be operatively associated with one or more of the electronic valves  2352 ,  2358 ,  2372 ,  2378 ,  2392 ,  2398  to actuate the valves  2352 ,  2358 ,  2372 ,  2378 ,  2392 ,  2398  upon sensing a predetermined pressure level, for example, within one or more of the assemblies  2350 ,  2370 ,  2390  of the electronic valve system  2348 . One or more sensors such as pressure sensors  2504 ,  2506 ,  2508 ,  2510 ,  2512 ,  2514 , for example, may be operatively associated with the control module  2502  and/or the electronic valves  2352 ,  2358 ,  2372 ,  2378 ,  2392 ,  2398  to provide pressure level information to the control module  2502 . 
     The sensor  2504  associated with the first electronic valve  2352  of the first electronic valve assembly  2350  of the system  2348 , for example, may be configured to communicate a signal indicative of application of positive pressure (represented by arrow  2366 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2354 , which response to the positive pressure  2366  includes actuating the first electronic valve  2352  to permit fluid flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “positive” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the positive pressure flow  2366  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the inlet/outlet port  2362  to the inlet  2352 A of the first electronic valve  2352 ). During a refill operation, for example, application of positive pressure  2366  at the common refill/evacuation location  2354 , and subsequent actuation of the first electronic valve  2352  by the control module  2502 , for example, together permit fluid to flow from the inlet/outlet port  2362 , through the first electronic valve  2352  to the portion of the fluid system  2356 . 
     In addition, the sensor  2506  associated with the second electronic valve  2358 , for example, may be configured to communicate a signal indicative of application of negative pressure (represented by arrow  2368 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2354 , which response to the negative pressure  2368  includes actuating the second electronic valve  2358  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “negative” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the negative pressure flow  2368  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the outlet  2358 B of the second electronic valve  2358  to the inlet/outlet port  2362 ). During an evacuation operation, for example, application of negative pressure  2368  at the common refill/evacuation location  2354 , and subsequent actuation of the second electronic valve  2358 , permit fluid to flow through the second electronic valve  2358  to the inlet/outlet port  2362  of the assembly  2350 . It can be appreciated that the present systems and methods permit alternative positive pressure fluid operations or negative pressure fluid operations to be performed at the common refill/evacuation location  2354 . 
     It can be seen that multiple electronic valve assembly configurations (e.g., such as configurations that include the electronic valve assemblies  2350 ,  2370 ,  2390 ) permit multiple fluid operations such as refill operations, evacuation operations, and/or filter purge operations, for example, to be performed on multiple fluid reservoirs. It can be appreciated that any number of electronic valve assemblies may be provided within the scope of the present methods and systems. The illustration of three separate electronic valve assemblies  2350 ,  2370 ,  2390  in  FIG. 35 , for example, is merely for purposes of convenience of disclosure. More or less electronic valve assemblies may be employed in operative association with fluid systems configured in accordance with the present invention. Each of the portions of a fluid system  2356 ,  2376 ,  2396  may include any reasonable combination of valves, pipes, reservoirs and/or other fluidic structures. In various embodiments, one or more of the fluid reservoirs  2360 ,  2380 ,  2400  may contain a quantity of a fluid such as oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, or another type of fluid described hereinabove and/or any other fluid suitable for use in accordance with the present systems and methods. 
     In various embodiments, any one or more of the inlet/outlet ports  2362 ,  2382 ,  2402  may be in fluid communication with one or more fluid components including one or more of the following fluidic structures, for example and without limitation: a pump that is off-board with respect to a machine being serviced; a pump that is on-board with respect to a machine being serviced; a flow control means (in accordance with embodiments described hereinabove) such as a hand-held device, for example; and/or, a bracket or evacuation bracket (in accordance with embodiments described hereinabove). The fluid component may also be any other component suitable for supplying positive and/or negative fluid pressure to the inlet/outlet ports  2362 ,  2382 ,  2402  in accordance with the various fluid operations described herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 36 , an illustration of a fluid system  2600  in accordance with various aspects of the present systems and methods is provided. The fluid system  2600  includes a first check valve  2602  having an inlet  2602 A in fluid communication with a common refill/evacuation location  2604  and an outlet  2602 B in fluid communication with a pre-filter portion  2606  of the fluid system  2600 . A second check valve  2608  of the fluid system  2600  includes an inlet  2608 A in communication with an engine fluid reservoir  2610 , for example. The second check valve  2608  further includes an outlet  2608 B in fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2604 . In addition, an inlet/outlet port  2612  may be structured for fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2604 . In another aspect, a fluid filter  2614  is in fluid communication with the pre-filter portion  2606  and the fluid reservoir  2610  of the fluid system  2600 . It can be appreciated that the fluid filter  2614  may be, for example and without limitation, an oil filter, a transmission fluid filter, a hydraulic fluid filter or a variety of other types of suitable fluid filters for corresponding types of fluid systems. In various embodiments, a quick disconnect  2616  or other similar type of coupling may be operatively associated with the inlet/outlet port  2612  to permit operative association of various fluidic structures such as an external pump, for example, with the inlet/outlet port  2612 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 37 , a flow chart is provided that includes examples of various fluid operations that may be performed in accordance with the present systems and methods. In step  2702 , and in connection with the fluid system  2600  of  FIG. 36  by way of example, positive pressure may be introduced at the common refill/evacuation location  2604 . A fluid such as air, for example, may be introduced through the inlet/outlet port  2612  to provide positive pressure at the common refill/evacuation location  2604 . The positive pressure actuates the first check valve  2602  and permits the contents of the fluid filter  2614  to be purged in step  2704 . The purged contents of the fluid filter  2614  may be forced by the positive pressure into the engine fluid reservoir  2610 , for example. 
     In step  2706 , negative pressure may be introduced at the common refill/evacuation location  2604  through the inlet/outlet port  2612 . It can be seen that such negative pressure actuates the second check valve  2608  to permit fluid to be evacuated from the engine fluid reservoir  2610  in step  2708  (which evacuated fluid includes the contents of the fluid filter purged in step  2704 ) through the second check valve  2608  to exit through the inlet/outlet port  2612 . In addition, positive pressure may be introduced in step  2710  at the common refill/evacuation location  2604  such as during performance of a refill fluid operation, for example, to refill the contents of the engine fluid reservoir  2610  in step  2712 . It can therefore be seen that the refill fluid encounters the fluid filter  2614  prior to refilling the engine fluid reservoir  2610 , and other operative components of the system  2600 , which enhances filtration of the refill fluid and which may enhance operation of a machine, for example, operatively associated with the system  2600 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 38 , a check valve module  2800  is provided that may include a plurality of check valve assemblies  2820 ,  2840 ,  2860  coupled or ganged together to form the module  2800 . The individual assemblies  2820 ,  2840 ,  2860  may be coupled together by a conventional device or method such as by welding the assemblies  2820 ,  2840 ,  2860  to each other, for example. It can be seen that the module embodiments described herein provide substantially compact and central locations for performance of various fluid operations such as fluid refill, fluid evacuation, and filter purge operations performed on a machine, for example. In various embodiments, one or more of the check valve assemblies  2820 ,  2840 ,  2860  may be structured to be part of the same fluid system, or any of the check valve assemblies  2820 ,  2840 ,  2860  may be structured for operation as part of an independently operating fluid system. 
     In various embodiments, with respect to the first check valve assembly  2820 , for example, a first check valve  2822  may be structured with an inlet  2822 A in fluid communication with a common refill/evacuation location  2824  and an outlet  2822 B in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system  2826 . In certain embodiments, the portion of a fluid system  2826  may be configured to include an operative association with at least a pre-filter portion of the fluid system. A second check valve  2828  of the assembly  2820  includes an inlet  2828 A in communication with a fluid reservoir  2830 , for example, or another similar structure in fluidic association with the assembly  2820 . The second check valve  2828  further includes an outlet  2828 B in fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2824 . An inlet/outlet port  2832  may be structured for fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2824 . In various embodiments, the inlet/outlet port  2832  may be operatively associated with a clustered service location (as described hereinabove), for example. In certain embodiments, a quick disconnect (not shown) may be operatively associated with the common refill/evacuation location  2824  to permit ready connection and disconnection of fluidic structures in operative association with the common refill/evacuation location  2824 . In various embodiments, the check valves  2822 ,  2828  may comprise cartridge type check valves, for example. 
     In various embodiments, the inlet  2822 A of the first check valve  2822  may be structured to respond to application of positive pressure (represented by arrow  2834 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2824 , which response to the positive pressure  2834  includes actuating the first check valve  2822  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “positive” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the positive pressure flow  2834  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the inlet/outlet port  2832  to the inlet  2822 A of the first check valve  2822 ). During a refill operation, for example, application of positive pressure  2834  at the common refill/evacuation location  2824  permits fluid flowing from the inlet/outlet port  2832  to flow through the first check valve  2822  to the portion of a fluid system  2826 . 
     Conversely, the second check valve  2828  may be structured to respond to application of negative pressure (represented by arrow  2836 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2824 , which response to the negative pressure  2836  includes actuating the second check valve  2828  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “negative” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the negative pressure flow  2836  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the outlet  2828 B of the second check valve  2828  to the inlet/outlet port  2832 ). During an evacuation operation, for example, application of negative pressure  2836  at the common refill/evacuation location  2824  permits fluid to flow through the second check valve  2828  to the inlet/outlet port  2832  of the assembly  2820 . It can be appreciated that the present systems and methods permit alternative performance of positive pressure fluid operations or negative pressure fluid operations at the common refill/evacuation location  2824 . 
     In other aspects of the check valve system  2800 , with reference to the second check valve assembly  2840 , a third check valve  2842  may be structured with an inlet  2842 A in fluid communication with a common refill/evacuation location  2844  and an outlet  2842 B in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system  2846 . In certain embodiments, the portion of a fluid system  2846  may be configured to include an operative association with at least a pre-filter portion of the fluid system. A fourth check valve  2848  of the assembly  2840  includes an inlet  2848 A in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir  2850 , for example, or another similar structure fluidically associated with the assembly  2840 . The fourth check valve  2848  further includes an outlet  2848 B in fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2844 . An inlet/outlet port  2852  may be structured for fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2844 . In various embodiments, the inlet/outlet port  2852  may be operatively associated with a clustered service location (as described hereinabove), for example. In certain embodiments, a quick disconnect (not shown) may be operatively associated with the common refill/evacuation location  2844  to permit ready connection or disconnection of fluidic structures in operative association with/from the common refill/evacuation location  2844 . In various embodiments, the check valves  2842 ,  2848  may comprise cartridge type check valves, for example. 
     In various embodiments, the inlet  2842 A of the third check valve  2842  may be structured to respond to application of positive pressure (represented by arrow  2854 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2844 , which response to the positive pressure  2854  includes actuating the third check valve  2842  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “positive” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the positive pressure flow  2854  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the inlet/outlet port  2852  to the inlet  2842 A of the third check valve  2842 ). During a refill operation, for example, application of positive pressure  2854  at the common refill/evacuation location  2844  permits fluid flowing from the inlet/outlet port  2852  to flow through the third check valve  2842  to the portion of a fluid system  2846 . 
     Conversely, the fourth check valve  2848  may be structured to respond to application of negative pressure (represented by arrow  2856 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2844 , which response to the negative pressure  2856  includes actuating the fourth check valve  2848  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “negative” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the negative pressure flow  2856  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the outlet  2848 B of the fourth check valve  2848  to the inlet/outlet port  2852 ). During an evacuation operation, for example, application of negative pressure  2856  at the common refill/evacuation location  2844  permits fluid to flow through the fourth check valve  2848  to the inlet/outlet port  2852  of the assembly  2840 . It can be appreciated that the present systems and methods permit alternative performance of positive pressure fluid operations or negative pressure fluid operations at the common refill/evacuation location  2844 . 
     With reference to the third check valve assembly  2860  of the system  2800 , a fifth check valve  2862  may have an inlet  2862 A in fluid communication with a common refill/evacuation location  2864  and an outlet  2862 B in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system  2866 . In certain embodiments, the portion of a fluid system  2866  may be configured to include an operative association with at least a pre-filter portion of the fluid system. A sixth check valve  2868  of the assembly  2860  includes an inlet  2868 A in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir  2870 , for example, or another similar structure included within the fluid system. The sixth check valve  2868  further includes an outlet  2868 B in fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2864 . An inlet/outlet port  2872  may be structured for fluid communication with the common refill/evacuation location  2864 . In various embodiments, the inlet/outlet port  2872  may be operatively associated with a clustered service location (as described hereinabove), for example. In certain embodiments, a quick disconnect (not shown) may be operatively associated with the common refill/evacuation location  2864  to permit ready connection and disconnection of fluidic structures in operative association with the common refill/evacuation location  2864 . In various embodiments, the check valves  2862 ,  2868  may comprise cartridge type check valves, for example. 
     In various embodiments, the inlet  2862 A of the fifth check valve  2862  may be structured to respond to application of positive pressure (represented by arrow  2874 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2864 , which response to the positive pressure  2874  includes actuating the fifth check valve  2862  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “positive” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the positive pressure flow  2874  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the inlet/outlet port  2872  to the inlet  2862 A of the fifth check valve  2862 ). During a refill operation, for example, application of positive pressure  2874  at the common refill/evacuation location  2864  permits fluid flowing from the inlet/outlet port  2872  to flow through the fifth check valve  2862  to the portion of a fluid system  2866 . 
     Conversely, the sixth check valve  2868  may be structured to respond to application of negative pressure (represented by arrow  2876 ) at the common refill/evacuation location  2864 , which response to the negative pressure  2876  includes actuating the sixth check valve  2868  and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “negative” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the negative pressure flow  2876  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the outlet  2868 B of the sixth check valve  2868  to the inlet/outlet port  2872 ). During an evacuation operation, for example, application of negative pressure  2876  at the common refill/evacuation location  2864  permits fluid to flow through the sixth check valve  2868  to the inlet/outlet port  2872  of the assembly  2860 . It can be appreciated that the present systems and methods permit alternative performance of positive pressure fluid operations or negative pressure fluid operations at the common refill/evacuation location  2864 . 
     It can be seen that multiple check valve assembly configurations (e.g., such as the module  2800  that includes the check valve assemblies  2820 ,  2840 ,  2860 ) permit multiple fluid operations such as refill operations, evacuation operations, and/or filter purge operations, for example, to be performed on multiple fluid reservoirs. It can be appreciated that any number of check valve assemblies may be provided as a module within the scope of the present methods and systems. The illustration of three separate check valve assemblies  2820 ,  2840 ,  2860  in  FIG. 38 , for example, is merely for purposes of convenience of disclosure. More or less check valve assemblies may be employed in operative association with fluid systems configured in accordance with the present invention. Each of the portions of a fluid system  2826 ,  2846 ,  2866  may include any reasonable combination of valves, pipes, reservoirs and/or other fluidic structures. In various embodiments, one or more of the fluid reservoirs  2830 ,  2850 ,  2870  may contain a quantity of a fluid such as oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, or another type of fluid described hereinabove and/or any other fluid suitable for use in accordance with the present systems and methods. 
     In various embodiments, one or more adapter fittings such as fittings  2882 ,  2884 ,  2886 ,  2888 ,  2890 ,  2892 , for example, may promote operative structure of the module  2800  with one or more of the portions of a fluid system  2826 ,  2846 ,  2866 ; one or more of the fluid reservoirs  2830 ,  2850 ,  2870 ; and/or other suitable fluidic structures in operative association with the check valve module  2800 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 39 , an electronic valve module  2900  structured and operative substantially similarly to the check valve module of  FIG. 38  (see previous discussion) is provided. In the embodiments of  FIG. 39 , inserted in place of the check valves  2822 ,  2828 ,  2842 ,  2848 ,  2862 ,  2868 , respectively, are a plurality of electronic valves  2822 ′,  2828 ′,  2842 ′,  2848 ′,  2862 ′,  2868 ′. In analogous accordance with the embodiments of  FIG. 38 , the electronic valve assemblies  2820 ′,  2840 ′,  2860 ′ of  FIG. 39  may be coupled or ganged together to form the electronic module  2900 . The individual assemblies  2820 ′,  2840 ′,  2860 ′ may be coupled together by a conventional device or method such as by welding the assemblies  2820 ′,  2840 ′,  2860 ′ to each other, for example. It can be seen that the module embodiments described herein provide substantially compact and central locations for performance of various fluid operations such as fluid refill, fluid evacuation, and filter purge operations performed on a machine, for example. 
     In various embodiments, a control module  3002  may be operatively associated with one or more of the electronic valves  2822 ′,  2828 ′,  2842 ′,  2848 ′,  2862 ′,  2868 ′ to actuate the valves  2822 ′,  2828 ′,  2842 ′,  2848 ′,  2862 ′,  2868 ′ upon sensing a predetermined pressure level, for example, within one or more of the assemblies  2820 ′,  2840 ′,  2860 ′ of the electronic module  2900 . One or more sensors such as pressure sensors  3004 ,  3006 ,  3008 ,  3010 ,  3012 ,  3014 , for example, may be operatively associated with the control module  3002  and/or the electronic valves  2822 ′,  2828 ′,  2842 ′,  2848 ′,  2862 ′,  2868 ′, respectively, to provide pressure level information, for example, to the control module  3002 . 
     The sensor  3004  associated with the first electronic valve  2822 ′ of the first electronic valve assembly  2820 ′ of the module  2900 , for example, may be configured to communicate a signal indicative of application of positive pressure  2834  at the common refill/evacuation location  2824 , which response to the positive pressure  2834  includes actuating the first electronic valve  2822 ′ to permit fluid flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “positive” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the positive pressure flow  2834  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from the inlet/outlet port  2832  to an inlet  2822 A′ of the first electronic valve  2822 ′). During a refill operation, for example, application of positive pressure  2834  at the common refill/evacuation location  2824 , and subsequent actuation of the first electronic valve  2822 ′ by the control module  3002 , for example, together permit fluid to flow from the inlet/outlet port  2832 , through the first electronic valve  2822 ′ to the portion of the fluid system  2826 . 
     In addition, the sensor  3006  associated with the second electronic valve  2828 ′, for example, may be configured to communicate a signal indicative of application of negative pressure  2836  at the common refill/evacuation location  2824 , which response to the negative pressure  2836  includes actuating the second electronic valve  2828 ′ and permitting fluid to flow therethrough. As applied herein with respect to pressure levels, the term “negative” means pressure which is at a level sufficient to move a fluid or fluids in the direction of the negative pressure flow  2836  (e.g., fluid moving in a direction from an outlet  2828 B′ of the second electronic valve  2828 ′ to the inlet/outlet port  2832 ). During an evacuation operation, for example, application of negative pressure  2836  at the common refill/evacuation location  2824 , and subsequent actuation of the second electronic valve  2828 ′, permit fluid to flow through the second electronic valve  2828 ′ to the inlet/outlet port  2832  of the assembly  2820 ′. It can be appreciated that the present systems and methods permit alternative positive pressure fluid operations or negative pressure fluid operations to be performed at the common refill/evacuation location  2824 . 
     It can be seen that multiple electronic valve assembly configurations (e.g., such as the module  2900  that includes the electronic valve assemblies  2820 ′,  2840 ′,  2860 ′) permit multiple fluid operations such as refill operations, evacuation operations, and/or filter purge operations, for example, to be performed on multiple fluid reservoirs. It can be appreciated that any number of electronic valve assemblies may be provided in a module within the scope of the present methods and systems. The illustration of three separate electronic valve assemblies  2820 ′,  2840 ′,  2860 ′ in  FIG. 39 , for example, is merely for purposes of convenience of disclosure. More or less electronic valve assemblies may be employed in operative association with fluid systems configured in accordance with the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 40 , alternative embodiments of a module  3100  are provided in analogous structural and operative accordance with the embodiments of  FIGS. 38 and 39  (see above). As shown, valves  2822 ″ and  2828 ″ may be threadedly received into a first assembly  2820 ″ of the module  3100 ; valves  2842 ″ and  2848 ″ may be threadedly received into a second assembly  2840 ″ of the module  3100 ; and/or valves  2862 ″ and  2868 ″ may be threadedly received into a third assembly  2860 ″ of the module. In various embodiments, the valves  2822 ″,  2828 ″,  2842 ″,  2848 ″,  2862 ″,  2868 ″ may be, where operatively appropriate for the module  3100 , check valves, electronic valves, or a combination of both check valves and electronic valves. 
     In various embodiments, a control module  3202  may be operatively associated with the module  3100 . As shown in  FIG. 40  by way of illustration, the control module  3002  may be operatively associated with one or more of the valves  2822 ″,  2828 ″,  2842 ″,  2848 ″,  2862 ″,  2868 ″ (which comprise electronic valves in this example) to actuate the valves  2822 ″,  2828 ″,  2842 ″,  2848 ″,  2862 ″,  2868 ″ upon sensing a predetermined pressure level, for example, within one or more of the assemblies  2820 ″,  2840 ″,  2860 ″ of the module  3100 . In accordance with prior discussion hereinabove, one or more sensors such as pressure sensors  3204 ,  3206 ,  3208 ,  3210 ,  3212 ,  3214 , for example, may be operatively associated with the control module  3202  and/or the electronic valves  2822 ″,  2828 ″,  2842 ″,  2848 ″,  2862 ″,  2868 ″, respectively, to provide pressure level information, for example, to the control module  3002 . 
     It can be seen that the various embodiments of valve assemblies and valve systems described herein purge pre-filter portions, filter portions and/or post-filter portions of the various fluid systems described herein. It can be appreciated that any one or more of the fluid operation method steps described herein, alone or in combination, may be performed in accordance with the present systems and methods. The steps may be employed to perform a variety of fluid operations including, for example and without limitation, refill, evacuation, and/or filter purge operations. 
     Where applicable and operational in the context of various embodiments of valve assemblies and systems described herein, one or more valves may be in a normally closed or normally open position prior to, during, or after performance of a particular fluid operation. In addition, one or more types of valves may be employed in certain embodiments of the present systems and methods (e.g., all check valves may be used, all electronic valves may be used, or some reasonable combination of both check valves and electronic valves may be employed). 
     It can be appreciated that, where applicable and operational in the context of various embodiments of valve assemblies and systems described herein, performing a refill fluid operation to a pre-filter portion of a fluid system improves filtration of the refill fluid. In various embodiments, the refill fluid encounters at least one filter, for example, before the refill fluid encounters various other operative components of the fluid system. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 34 ,  35 ,  39  and  40  (and in analogous structural, functional and operational accordance with prior discussion hereinabove with reference to  FIG. 20 , in particular), one or more of the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202  may include various components for controlling and monitoring a fluid system, as well as for monitoring, collecting and analyzing data associated with the various fluid system and method embodiments described herein. For example, the various sensors described in  FIGS. 34 ,  35 ,  39  and  40  can include, for example and without limitation, sensors to detect temperature, pressure, voltage, current, contaminants, cycle time, flow sensors (presence or absence of flow), automatic “off” of one or more pumps in a fluid system, and/or other sensors suitable for detecting various conditions experienced by a machine and its components. The control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202  may also include one or more data storage media for storing, retrieving and/or reporting data communicated to the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202 . Data stored within these data storage media may include a variety of data collected from the condition of a fluid system including, for example and without limitation, oil condition, particle count of contaminants, cycle time data for time to evacuate or time to refill a given reservoir, time stamp data on a reservoir-by-reservoir basis, time stamp data on a system-by-system basis, fluid receptacle or other fluid storage/retention medium. In addition, the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202  may include controls that actuate (e.g., open or close) their respectively associated electronic valves in accordance with pressure levels, for example, sensed at various inlets or outlets of the electronic valves. 
     Data can be communicated to the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202  to and/or from a fluid system through a variety of methods and systems. In various embodiments disclosed herein, data may be communicated, for example, by a wireline connection, communicated by satellite communications, cellular communications, infrared and/or communicated in accordance with a protocol such as IEEE 802.11, for example, or other wireless or radio frequency communication protocol among other similar types of communication methods and systems. One or more data devices can be employed in operative association with the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202  for the purpose of receiving, processing, inputting and/or storing data and/or for cooperating with the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202  to control, monitor or otherwise manipulate one or more components included within a fluid system. Examples of data devices include, for example and without limitation, personal computers, laptops, and personal digital assistants (PDA&#39;s), and other data devices suitable for executing instructions on one or more computer-readable media. 
     In certain embodiments, the various sensors described in  FIGS. 34 ,  35 ,  39  and  40  can be configured to detect one or more of the following conditions within a fluid system: engine oil pressure, oil temperature in the engine, amount of current drawn by a pre-lubrication circuit, presence of contaminants (such as oil contaminants, for example) in the engine, amount of time that has elapsed for performance of one or more cycles of various engine operations (i.e., cycle time) such as fluid purge operations, pre-lubrication operations, fluid evacuation operations, fluid refill operations, fluid flow rates, and others. One example of a sensor that may be used in accordance with various embodiments of the present systems and methods is a contamination sensor marketed under the “LUBRIGARD” trade designation (Lubrigard Limited, United Kingdom, North America, Europe). A contamination sensor can provide information regarding oxidation products, water, glycol, metallic wear particles, and/or other contaminants that may be present in the engine oil, hydraulic oil, gearbox oil, transmission oil, compressor oil and/or other fluids used in various machines. In various aspects of the present methods and systems, the contamination sensor may be employed during one or more fluid processes, for example, such as a fluid evacuation operation or a fluid refill operation. 
     It can be appreciated that the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202  may receive and store data associated with activation and deactivation of various components of a fluid system and operation of a machine, such as an engine, for example, included within the fluid system. Cycle time, for example, can be calculated from analysis of collected data to provide an indication of elapsed time for completing evacuation and/or refill operations. For a given oil temperature or temperature range (e.g., as can be detected and communicated by a temperature sensor), an average cycle time, for example, can be calculated through analysis of two or more collected cycle times. In various aspects, the present methods and systems can determine whether the most recently elapsed cycle time deviates from a nominal average cycle time, or range of cycle times, for a given oil temperature or temperature range. In addition, factors may be known such as the type and viscosity of fluids (e.g., such as oil) used in connection with operation of the machine. An unacceptable deviation from a nominal cycle time, or range of times, can result in recording a fault in data storage media of the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202 . It can be appreciated that many other types of fault conditions may be detected, analyzed and recorded in connection with practice of the present systems and methods. 
     Collected and analyzed data, as well as recorded fault events, can be stored in association with the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202 , internal data modules associated with the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202 , and/or at a remote location. In various embodiments, the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202  may be configured for operation as integral components of a machine or as remote components not installed locally on the machine. The collected and analyzed information can be stored in one or more data storage media of the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202 . The information can also be stored externally with respect to a machine and its components. Data may be transmitted wirelessly by a radio frequency communication or by a wireline connection from the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202  to one or more data devices such as a personal digital assistant, for example, configured and employed as a computer system for receiving and processing data collected from the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202  during fluid evacuation and fluid refill processes. 
     In one illustrative example, information related to an oil filter purge operation, such as the date and time of the filter purge or the cycle time of the filter purge, for example, and/or other machine conditions can be recorded and processed in connection with operation of the control modules  2316 ,  2502 ,  3002 ,  3202 . In addition, the condition (e.g., open or closed) of various valve inlets and outlets, and the date/time at which they are actuated, may be detected, recorded and/or analyzed for various fluid operations. In accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein, data may be collected and recorded on a reservoir-by-reservoir basis and/or on a fluid system-by-fluid system basis as service is performed on a machine, for example. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 41A through 41C , various embodiments of a connection/disconnection detection system  4000  are provided in accordance with the present invention. As shown, a first coupling portion  4002  is fluidically connected to a portion of a first fluid system  4003  (shown partially for convenience of illustration), and a second coupling portion  4004  is fluidically connected to a portion of a second fluid system  4005  (shown partially for convenience of illustration). In various embodiments, the first and second fluid systems may be structured as independently operated fluid systems or may be structured for operation as part of a single fluid system. The first coupling portion  4002  may include one or more electrical contacts  4006 ,  4008  and the second coupling portion  4004  may include at least one electrical contact  4010 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 41B , upon connection of the first coupling portion  4002  to the second coupling portion  4004 , an operative association is established among the electrical contacts  4006 ,  4008 ,  4010 . In the example shown, connection of the coupling portions  4002 ,  4004  is established by inserting the second coupling portion  4004  into the first coupling portion  4002  and rotating the second coupling portion  4004  in the direction of the arrow  4011 . It can be appreciated, however, that any suitable method or device for connecting the coupling portions  4002 ,  4004  may be employed within the scope of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the electrical contacts  4006 ,  4008 ,  4010  may be replaced with any suitable device or method for establishing an electrical operative association using the coupling portions  4002 ,  4004 . Examples of other devices include, without limitation, sensors, contact switches, magnetic switches, Hall effect sensors, and/or any other operationally and structurally suitable devices. 
     In various embodiments, the electrical contacts  4006 ,  4008  are operatively associated with a signal processor  4012 . The signal processor  4012  may include a sensor/receiver  4014  for receiving an electrical signal from the contacts  4006 ,  4008  once the contact  4010  of the first coupling portion  4002  completes an electrical circuit with the contacts  4006 ,  4008  of the second coupling portion  4004  upon connection of the coupling portions  4002 ,  4004 . A transmitter  4016  may be included within the signal processor  4012  for transmitting the electrical signal representative of the connection and/or data representative of the electrical signal to a control module  4018 . The control module  4018  may be configured to function in accordance with the various embodiments of control modules described previously herein. For example, the control module  4018  may record in a suitable storage medium a date and/or a time when connection or disconnection of the coupling portions  4002 ,  4004  has occurred. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 41C , in another mode of operation of the connection/disconnection detection system  4000 , the second coupling portion  4004  may be moved in the direction of the arrow  4026  to initiate disconnection of the second coupling portion  4004  from the first coupling portion  4002 . As shown, the disconnection of the coupling portions  4002 ,  4004  results in disassociation of the electrical contact  4010  from the electrical contacts  4006 ,  4008 . In various embodiments, the sensor/receiver  4014  of the signal processor  4012  may be configured to detect this disassociation of the electrical contacts  4006 ,  4008 ,  4010 . An electrical signal representative of the disconnection and/or a data signal representative of the disconnection of the coupling portions  4002 ,  4004  may be transmitted through the transmitter  4016  for further processing by the control module  4018 . For example, the control module  4018  may record in a suitable storage medium a date and/or a time when the disconnection of the coupling portions  4002 ,  4004  occurred. 
     The signal processor  4012  further may include a power source  4020  for supplying power to operate the various components of the signal processor  4012 . In certain aspects, the power source  4020  may receive electrical energy, for example, from a battery  4022  of a machine  4024  for which various fluid operations are performed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 42 , embodiments of a power supply system  4100  provided in accordance with the present invention are shown. For convenience of disclosure, embodiments of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 32  (previously discussed) are shown in operative association with the power supply system  4100 . It can be appreciated that the power supply system  4100  may be applied, where structurally and functionally appropriate, to various embodiments of fluid systems, assemblies and other fluidic components and fluid operations described herein. 
     The power supply system  4100  may include a power receptacle  4102  structured to receive a power cord, for example, or other electrically operative connection to one or more of the fluid components  2120 . In various embodiments, the power receptacle  4102  is positioned in a location adjacent to or in the vicinity of a fluidic structure, such as the inlet/outlet port  2112 , for example. The power receptacle  4102  may be electrically associated with a machine  4104  for which one or more fluid service operations are performed. In certain embodiments, the power receptacle  4102  may be electrically operatively associated with a battery  4106 , for example, or other power source of the machine  4104 . A converter  4108  may be optionally included within the power supply system  4100  to convert a DC power source of the machine  4104 , for example, to an AC power source at the power receptacle  4102 , for example, which is accessible for electrical connection of the fluid component  2120  to the power receptacle  4102 . In certain embodiments the battery  4106  of the machine  4104  may be replaced or supplemented with an off-board power source, for example, or another power source external to the operation of the machine  4104 . Furthermore, it can be appreciated that the fluid components  2120 , of either the on-board or off-board variety, may have their own independent power sources in lieu of or in addition to external power sources such as the battery  4106  of the machine  4104 , for example. 
     The benefits of the present systems and methods are readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Systems and methods for selectively and/or sequentially performing fluid evacuation and/or refill processes can be useful in performing service and maintenance operations on machines. Such capabilities can ultimately improve the performance and useful life of machines for which such orchestrated fluid evacuation and/or fluid refill procedures are performed. In addition, the use of controls, monitoring, and data storage and analysis in connection with performing multiple fluid evacuation and/or refill processes can further enhance the overall effectiveness of service and maintenance operations performed on a variety of machines. 
     It should be appreciated that all the figures are presented for illustrative purposes and not as construction drawings. Omitted details and modifications or alternative embodiments are within the purview of persons of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been described herein for the purpose of illustrating the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous variations of the details, materials and arrangement of parts may be made within the principle and scope of the invention without departing from the invention as described in the appended claims. 
     The term “computer-readable medium” is defined herein as understood by those skilled in the art. It can be appreciated, for example, that method steps described herein may be performed, in certain embodiments, using instructions stored on a computer-readable medium or media that direct a computer system to perform the method steps. A computer-readable medium can include, for example, memory devices such as diskettes, compact discs of both read-only and writeable varieties, optical disk drives, and hard disk drives. A computer-readable medium can also include memory storage that can be physical, virtual, permanent, temporary, semi-permanent and/or semi-temporary. A computer-readable medium can further include one or more data signals transmitted on one or more carrier waves. 
     As used herein, a “computer” or “computer system” may be a wireless or wireline variety of a microcomputer, minicomputer, laptop, personal data assistant (PDA), cellular phone, pager, processor, or any other computerized device capable of configuration for transmitting and receiving data over a network. Computer devices disclosed herein can include memory for storing certain software applications used in obtaining, processing and communicating data. It can be appreciated that such memory can be internal or external. The memory can also include any means for storing software, including a hard disk, an optical disk, floppy disk, ROM (read only memory), RAM (random access memory), PROM (programmable ROM), EEPROM (extended erasable PROM), and other like computer-readable media. 
     It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that these and other elements may be desirable. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. 
     It can be appreciated that, in some embodiments of the present methods and systems disclosed herein, a single component can be replaced by multiple components, and multiple components replaced by a single component, to perform a given function or functions. Except where such substitution would not be operative to practice the present methods and systems, such substitution is within the scope of the present invention. 
     Examples presented herein are intended to illustrate potential implementations of the present method and system embodiments. It can be appreciated that such examples are intended primarily for purposes of illustration. No particular aspect or aspects of the example method and system embodiments described herein are intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     While the present methods and systems have been principally described in relation to relatively large-scale diesel engines, it should be recognized that the invention is also useful in a wide variety of other types of internal combustion engines. For example, use of the present methods and systems in automotive applications is contemplated, such as in connection with automotive engines. Thus, whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been described herein for the purpose of illustrating the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same, it can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous variations of the details, materials and arrangement of parts may be made within the principle and scope of the invention without departing from the invention as described in the appended claims.