Adapters for flushing an internal combustion engine

An adapter system for use with an internal combustion engine flushing apparatus which permits connection to the crank case and the oil filter of internal combustion engines. A first adapter enables a conduit hose of a flushing apparatus to be connected with the drain plug port of an oil pan of the engine. In one form this first adapter fits within the drain plug port of internal combustion engines and a connector and upwardly directed hose are attached to the adapter. This adapter is intended to be permanently in place. In another form of the drain port adapter, the construction is relatively slim in overall depth thereby to facilitate location in awkward positions. An oil filter adapter includes adapter cap with an elongated threaded post which fits at the oil filter port leading to the oil filter adapter of the internal combustion engine. The cap for the adapter is connected to the post. The post is surrounded by a cylindrical ring which is part of the oil filter construction of the engine. A second conduit from the flushing apparatus can be connected to the vehicle engine so that a flushing solution in the apparatus can be circulated through and clean the internal combustion engine.

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
This invention relates to Ser. No. 07/969,387 filed Oct. 30, 1992 entitled 
SYSTEM FOR CLEANING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, now U.S. Pat. No. 
5,383,481. The contents of these applications are incorporated by 
reference herein. 
BACKGROUND 
Effectively cleaning internal areas of heavy duty internal combustion 
engines is valuable. 
This invention relates to engine cleaning and flushing internal parts of an 
internal combustion engine. More particularly, the invention is concerned 
with adapter for use with cleaning and flushing apparatus. Such adapters 
are to enable connection to the oil drain port and an oil filter port. 
Many foreign particles are suspended within the oil of internal combustion 
engines. These particles are removed by the filter of the internal 
combustion engine or otherwise removed when the oil is periodically 
drained for replacement by new oil. However, it is recognized that many of 
these foreign particles are not removed by the filter system or by the 
periodic changing of the lubricating oil. As a result, foreign particles 
accumulate within the internal combustion engine and can ultimately lead 
to premature wear if not damage to the engine. 
As a result of some of the drawbacks of the filter system and periodic oil 
changes, it has been recognized that a flushing apparatus can be used for 
removing some of the foreign particles which accumulate, particularly 
within the crank case of an internal combustion engine. With this flushing 
apparatus, a conduit is connected to the drain plug port at the oil pan of 
the engine. Another conduit is connected to the oil filter port leading to 
the oil filter adapter of the engine. These two conduits are maintained in 
a series circulation pattern so that a cleansing fluid or flushing fluid 
can be pumped through the vehicle engine in one conduit and out of the 
vehicle engine with foreign particles in the other conduit. 
In some situations the oil pan port is located in an awkward location. This 
makes drainage of the port difficult, and often results in infrequent 
drainage of lubricant from the internal combustion engine. 
Oil filter ports leading to the oil filter adapter of the engine differ in 
both size and construction from engine to engine. In some cases, 
projections extend from the oil filter adapter out of the oil filter port 
in order to enable mounting of the filter. 
Often the structure and location of the oil filter port is of a nature that 
connecting the adapter with the oil filter port is also awkward. In some 
internal combustion engines, the location of the oil filter and its 
construction makes it difficult to attach an adapter to the oil filter 
opening. 
There is a need to provide an adapter system for use with an internal 
combustion engine flushing apparatus and which enables connection of a 
flushing apparatus to a drain port and filter port of internal combustion 
engines, particularly heavy duty engines located in awkward places. 
There is also a need to provide for efficiently connecting the flushing 
fluid conduit from an internal engine flushing apparatus to the drain plug 
port and the oil filter port of an internal combustion engine, 
particularly large industrial type engines. 
SUMMARY 
The invention seeks to fulfill the above needs. 
The invention relates to an adapter system for use with an internal 
combustion engine flushing apparatus which permits connection to ports in 
the crank case and oil filter of the engine. 
The flushing apparatus includes a first liquid conduit for delivery of a 
flushing liquid from the flushing apparatus to the engine. The flushing 
apparatus also includes a second conduit for return of the flushing liquid 
from the engine back to the flushing apparatus. 
The adapter system is highly effective for use in heavy duty industrial, 
marine and trucking internal combustion engines and generally automotive 
vehicle internal combustion engines. 
The adapter system generally comprises an oil pan adapter sized to fit 
within the drain plug port of the oil pan of the internal combustion 
engine. Means is associated with the adapter to enable the adapter to fit 
within the drain plug port. 
An oil filter adapter is comprised of a plurality of adapter pieces. These 
adapter pieces are selectively respectively usable at the drain port and 
oil filter port leading to the lubrication system of the internal 
combustion engine. 
According to the invention the oil drain adapter is for sealing location in 
the oil drain port. There is an aperture through an elbow element with an 
inlet and an outlet. 
In one preferred form of the invention there are radial finger formations 
adjacent to the elbow inlet, and the fingers provided to engage a 
connector. The connector has radial key elements for engaging with the 
radial fingers in a sealing relationship. The connector also includes an 
inlet and an outlet. The outlet to the connector has external threads for 
engaging the drain port. The connector and elbow element form a sealing 
engagement when the fingers and key elements are effectively engaged and 
the fingers engage in a circumferential groove in the connector. The 
connector is threaded into the drain port, and then the elbow element is 
swiveled into a locked engagement with the connector. A sealing ring is 
located between the interface of the connector and the elbow element. 
The radial fingers are projecting elements which are radially disposed 
relative to the axis through the inlet limb of the elbow element and to 
the connector. Preferably the radial fingers are two oppositely directed 
radial elements. The key elements in the connecter are radial slots. The 
radial fingers and radial slots interengage in a swivel relationship to 
facilitate selective removal or locking connection of the elbow element 
and connector. In a circumferentially turned position, the radial fingers 
lock in a circumferentially directed groove adjacent to the radial slots. 
In this locking circumferential position the fingers are radially offset 
relative to the slots. 
There is an elongated hose means for connection with the outlet of the 
elbow element. Fluid can flow from the interior of the engine block 
through the connector, the elbow and the hose. The free end of the hose 
can be selectively closed thereby to close the pathway against fluid flow 
when necessary, for instance, when the engine is operating. 
The connector abuts an underside of the perimeter about the oil drain port 
in a flush relationship, and the elbow element is located flush with the 
connector. In this arrangement a slim depth is needed below the oil pan 
port for affixing the oil drain port adapter in position. A direct fluid 
flow is obtainable through the unobstructed and interconnected bore 
constituted by the interconnected connector and elbow elements. 
In another preferred form of the invention for an oil pan port there is 
provided the interconnected connector and elbow elements related in 
sealing engagement. The connector has internal threads for connection with 
external threads associated with the inlet end of the elbow element. The 
threads are preferably tapered thereby to provide a self-sealing 
engagement. Outside side faces of the connector are provided with faces 
for permitting wrenching of the connector into engagement in the oil pan 
port, and wrenching engagement of the elbow element with the connector. 
The elbow element is preferably multicomponent and one of the components 
are relatively rotatable about at least the axes through at least one of 
the arms of the elbow element. 
In the embodiment with the multicomponent swivelable elbow there is 
provided means to secure the hose relative to and preferably adjacent to, 
the engine. Anchor means facilitates affixing the hose relatively adjacent 
to the engine. Preferably the hose includes a quick release fitting for 
connection with the elbow. There is also a quick action fitting at the 
free end of the hose. 
The hose has an elbow shape so that the free end of the hose points 
upwardly. The free end of the hose includes the quick action fitting for 
connection with a fitting at the end of a hose of an engine cleaning unit. 
The hose is a braided metallic element and the end of the hose extends 
above the oil level in the oil pan and extends and points upwardly. The 
connector, elbow and hose with quick action fitting are intended for 
permanent location connected to the oil drain port. 
The oil filter adapter comprises a plurality of components. A first 
component is a cap for disposition over the oil filter port. Means is 
associated with this cap for connection to a fitting on an end of a 
conduit from the flushing apparatus. The cap is also provided with a 
second component, namely the threaded elongated post which projects into 
the oil filter port. 
The oil filter adapter includes an elongated post for connection on one end 
of a cap of the adapter. The other end of the post is connected with the 
oil filter opening of an engine block. The connection of the post to the 
oil filter opening is selectively effected either with a threaded screw 
connection or a friction engaging connection. The elongated post 
threadingly engages with the cap at the end remote from the oil filter 
opening on the engine block. 
The oil filter adapter associated with the engine includes a ring. The cap 
is sized for connection to the ring. There is a sealing connection between 
the cap and the ring, and the post is located in the ring. 
The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying 
drawings.

DESCRIPTION 
Engine 
In FIG. 1, "E" designates a portion of an internal combustion engine which 
is only schematically illustrated. The engine E includes an engine block 
20 having a cylinder head 22 and a valve cover 24. An oil pan 26 is 
secured to the lower end of the engine block 20. 
The operating components of the internal combustion engine are neither 
illustrated nor described in detail since they are well known and of a 
conventional arrangement. A crank shaft 28 is schematically illustrated 
within the engine block 20 and receives oil from an oil passage 30. In 
like manner, the valves and other components within the engine block and 
particularly the cam shaft and lifter arrangement receive lubrication oil 
through a second oil passageway 32. 
Located within the oil pan 26 is an oil pump 34 which is in fluid 
communication with an oil filter port 36 through a duct 38. In normal 
operation, a conventional oil filter is located at this oil filter port 
and receives the lubricating oil of the engine for cleaning same. 
The oil pan 26 is provided with a drain plug port 40. In this case, a 
conventional drain plug (not shown) would normally be threadedly secured 
within the drain plug port 40 and removed therefrom when it is desired to 
drain the oil from the crank case and particularly the oil pan of the 
internal combustion engine. 
Flushing Apparatus 
A flushing apparatus is conventional, and it is neither illustrated nor 
described in any detail. Reference can be made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,489,245 
dated Jan. 13, 1970 to E. R. Broadwell for "Apparatus for Flushing 
Internal Combustion Engines". 
The flushing apparatus usually includes a pumping mechanism as well as one 
conduit for introducing a flushing liquid into the internal combustion 
engine and a second conduit for removing the flushing liquid from the 
internal combustion engine. The one conduit leads to the oil filter 
adapter of the engine E through the oil filter port 36 in the engine block 
20. The other conduit leads to the crank case and particularly, the oil 
pan through the oil pump drain plug port 40. More preferably, in these 
commercial internal combustion engine flushing apparatus, the flushing 
fluid is introduced at the oil filter port leading to the oil filter 
adapter in the engine block and the flushing fluid is removed from the 
conduit connected to the drain plug port 40 in the oil pan 26 of the 
engine E. 
Oil Pan Adapter for Permanent Location in Drain Port 
The oil pan adapter system includes a first adapter 50 which is more fully 
illustrated in FIGS. 2-5. This adapter 50 is connected to an end of a 
flushing liquid conduit 52 forming part of an internal combustion engine 
flushing apparatus. 
The adapter 50 is connected to the conduit 52 for connection to a hose of 
the flushing apparatus through barbed circumferential elements 54 in the 
manner illustrated in FIG. 2. The elements 54 are formed about the outlet 
end of an elbow element 56. 
The elbow element has two limbs 57 and 58 extending at right angles 
relative to each other. 
Limb 57 with barbs are connected to the conduit 52 by a force fit, the 
conduit 52 being expanded to fit over the barbs 54. In this manner the 
conduit 52 cannot be easily removed from the elbow element 56. An 
effective seal is obtained between elbow element 56 and the conduit 52. 
The connector 62 provides multiple flat faces 150 to facilitate the 
wrenching of the connector 62 into position in the drain port 40. The 
outside surface above the faces 150 includes a threaded portion 63 for 
engagement with internally threaded 64 of the port 40. By having the 
threads 64 be a tapered configuration an effective self seal is obtained. 
A component 160 of a multicomponent construction constituting an elbow 
element 56 is arranged for threading engagement with internal threads 161 
of the connector 62, These threads are also tapered to provide for a self 
seal, The outside face 162 of the element 160 are flat to facilitate a 
wrenching engagement of the components 160 and 62, 
The elbow element 56 has a second component 163 which forms the 90.degree. 
bend of the elbow element 56, The component 163 is fed through the bore 
164 of the component 160 to effect assembly of the elbow element 56, A 
sealing ring 165 is located between a circumferential lip 166 at the inlet 
end of element 163 and a shoulder 167 formed in the bore 164 of element 
160, This provides for sealing, A further sleeve 168 fits in the bore 164 
to ensure positive and sealing placement of the components when the 
component 160 is engaged with connector 62. 
The free end 169, namely the outlet end of the elbow element 56 has 
circumferential rings 176 forming barbs 54. This facilitates the connector 
with the conduit 52. Effective swiveling can be obtained about 66 between 
the component 160 and the element 163 of the elbow element 56. A swivel 
elbow element is thereby obtained. 
The conduit 52 is formed of a braided metallic wrapped element and is 
shaped in an elbow-type fashion, A first limb 71 is horizontally and 
substantially parallel to the outlet limb 57 of the elbow, There is then a 
bend 72 which turns the conduit upwardly about 60.degree. to form a second 
limb 73 which is directed substantially upwardly, The free end of 74 of 
the conduit 52 is attached to a quick action fitting 75. The fitting 75 is 
for connection with a coupling at the end of the hose from cleaning 
apparatus. 
The construction of the connector unit 62, elbow 56, hose 52 and fitting 75 
is a relatively high quality and is rugged. Clips or anchors 100 may be 
provided to secure this adapter and conduit in a permanent location with 
the drain port 40. Normally the quick action fitting 75 is closed when not 
attached to a hose from the cleaning apparatus. The approximate length of 
the hose can be between 21/2 to 3 feet. The swivel facility provided in 
the elbow 56 can permit for the adapter mechanism to rotate about the axis 
66 as necessary. 
For heavy duty industrial internal combustion engines, such as marine 
engines, trucks and the like, where it is awkward to reach the oil drain 
40, this adapter is permanently located in position. With the quick action 
fitting 75 closed, oil cannot escape from the oil pan. 
Appropriate seals are provided between the connector unit 62, the elbow 56 
and the quick action fitting 75 as necessary. Different clip mechanisms 
100 would secure the hose 52 relative to the engine in a manner that it 
cannot be dislodged or moved under motion, for instance, of a vehicle on 
the road or a boat in water. The adapter unit is thus stable in location 
during the operation of the internal combustion engine. 
Slim Line Drain Port Adapter 
Inlet limb 58 includes a free end 60 which has two radially directed 
fingers 61 for connection with a connector unit 62. The circumferential 
wall 180 about the bore and from which the fingers 61 radiate extends to 
the top 60 of the elbow element 56. 
The connector unit 62 has an externally threaded portion 63 for engagement 
in the internally threaded oil drain port 40. The threads for the oil 
drain port are indicated by numeral 64. The connector 62 has two radially 
directed keys in the form of slots 65 which accommodate the radial fingers 
61 as required. 
The fingers 61 are inserted in the slots 65 and the connector 62 and elbow 
56 are urged towards each other. The elbow 56 and connector unit 62 can 
then be relatively turned or swiveled about the axis 66. The fingers 61 
engage in the circumference groove 67 which is located in the body of the 
connector 62 between the faces 170 and 172 of the connector unit 62 and 
inset from slots 65. In this manner the elbow 56 effectively is locked 
with the connector unit 62. This also acts as a quick release mechanism 
for separating the connector unit 62 from the elbow 56 under swivel action 
as may be necessary. 
The outside of the connector unit 62 is provided with a knurled surface 70 
which facilitates inserting the connector unit 62 into the oil drain port 
40. The connector is anchored in the port 40 by screwing the threaded 
section 63 into engagement with threads 64. The elbow element 56 is then 
attached to the connector unit 62 and turned about the axis 66 and thereby 
locked with the connector unit 62. 
A suitable bore 76 is provided in the elbow 56 and connector unit 62 for 
lubricant or cleaning fluid to pass through the coupling 56 as required. 
The connector element 62 provides a face 170 which is located flush with 
the base of the oil pan. Also by having the length of the threaded portion 
relatively short, a slim profile is obtained, and the connector is located 
in a close relationship in the pan port 40. With a short threaded portion 
it is easy to locate the connector 62 in place. 
The elbow element 56 has a face 171 which engages in a flush relationship 
with a face 172 on the back of the connector 62. A sealing ring 173 is 
housed in a recess in the face 171 to ensure a sealing assembly of the 
elbow 56 and connector 62. The flush relationship of faces 171 and 172 
ensures that the overall depth of the adapter between the end 174 and end 
175 is narrow. This facilitates locating the adapter in position. 
The overall depth of the connector between the end 174 and the face 172 is 
approximately about equal to the overall depth of the elbow between the 
end 60 and the face 175. 
Oil can be drained from the oil pan 26 through the hose 52 and out through 
the cleaning apparatus. (FIG. #1) In other situations when the cleaning 
apparatus is operated, cleaning fluid passes through the connector unit 
62, elbow 56, hose 52, quick action valve fitting 75 and into the hose of 
the cleaning apparatus for recycling and cleaning. The quick action 
fitting 75 is a conventional fitting using a sliding action operable with 
ball bearings to facilitate an opened and/or closed condition. When 
connected slidingly with a bore the quick action fitting 75 is open for 
fluid passage. When disconnected, the sliding action with the ball bearing 
effectively closes the fitting 75. 
Oil Filter Adapter 
The invention also provides an oil filter adapter. This is usually referred 
to as a lubrication system adapter, and is more fully illustrated in FIGS. 
7 to 10. 
In FIG. 7, there is illustrated an oil filter adapter arrangement 72 which 
is provided for connection to the oil filter port 36 of the internal 
combustion engine E. In this case, the components of the adapter set 72 
are connected through a coupling 73 to a flushing fluid conduit or hose 
74. Generally, although not necessarily, this conduit 74 is designed to 
deliver the flushing fluid to the lubricating system of the internal 
combustion engine and the conduit 52 is designed to return the flushing 
fluid back to the flushing apparatus. 
Two oil filter adapter components form part of the adapter. There is 
provided an adapter cap 80 which is sized to be secured to an outer 
cylindrical ring 81 formed on part of the engine block E at the oil filter 
port of the lubricating system forming part of the internal combustion 
engine. 
FIG. 9 illustrates an internally threaded portion 82 extending through the 
port 36 on the internal combustion engine block 20 and which is threaded 
in order to receive a stem of conventional oil filter. The portion 82 
leads to the oil filter adapter of the engine in a conventional manner. 
Other means for mounting the oil filter to the engine block 20 may be 
provided and that the oil filter adapter system of the invention will 
accommodate these other mounting systems. 
When the conventional oil filter is attached to the engine block 20, it is 
usually provided with a projected stem having an externally threaded 
section (not shown) for connection into the threaded portion 82. In this 
case, the oil filter adapter cap 80 is provided with an externally 
threaded post 86, for threaded connection with the threads on the portion 
82 of the engine block. 
The adapter cap 80 is provided with an outer cap 88 provided about its 
periphery with an annularly extending rubber seal 90 sized to engage the 
cylindrical ring 81 of the engine block 20 when the adapter cap 80 is 
threadedly secured on the portion 82 through post 86. In this way, a fluid 
type seal is created with the engine block between a conduit such as the 
conduit 74, and the port 36 leading to the oil filter adapter of the 
internal combustion engine. 
The cap 80 is provided with an outwardly projecting hub 91 and which is 
provided with an internally threaded aperture 92 for receiving a threaded 
nut of a coupling 73. The internally threaded aperture 92 leads to a 
passageway 94 in the hub 90 and the cap 80 and which in turn, leads to 
another internally threaded section 96 in the cap 80. The threaded section 
96 is provided for threaded securement to the threaded section 84 on the 
post 86 so that the conduit 74 communicates with a portion 82 in the 
engine block E. 
In some cases, the central internal threaded section 96 is blocked by 
another oil filter adapter component. Therefore fluid communication 
between a conduit connected at the internally threaded opening 92 and the 
portion 82 of the engine occurs through small openings 98 in the cap 80 
(as best shown in FIG. 9) and which will also lead to the port 36 of the 
internal combustion engine. 
The elongated post 86 has a diametrically reduced threaded end 89. There is 
an externally threaded section 93 which is sized to engage the internally 
threaded section of the adapter cap 80 to be retentively held thereby. The 
post 86 is provided with an externally threaded section 95 at its opposite 
end for securement to the internally threaded portion 82 in the oil filter 
port of the engine block. 
Many more examples of the invention exist each differing from this in 
matters of detail only. The invention is to be determined solely by the 
following claims.