Engine cleaning

Abstract: A reservoir (2) for re-usable cleaning fluid and filter (3) for filtering fluid draining into the reservoir (2) are positioned below an engine or supported engine component positioned at a cleaning zone. Cleaning fluid is delivered to the cleaning zone from the cleaning fluid held in the reservoir (2) and the delivered cleaning fluid then drains into the reservoir (2) (via the filter)(3) from the cleaning zone above the reservoir (2). The cleaning fluid is re-circulated and filtered for continuous use.

Description: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning an engine or engine components, in particular a vehicle engine or engine components. The cleaning of engines and/or engine components normally takes place in an outdoor environment or in a garage premises or forecourt and is often a hazardous operation. Most cleaning procedures simply involve pouring or splashing copious quantities of cleaning fluid on to the engine and allowing the dirty fluid to drain onto the ground. Vehicle engine cleaning fluids normally contain toxic substances which makes this process especially hazardous. Such a process can also be expensive, especially when several vehicle engines are cleaned and due to the high wastage of cleaning fluid. It is therefore the purpose of the present invention to reduce the aforementioned problems and provide a safe, efficient and cost-effective way in which to clean vehicle engines and/or engine components. UK Patent No. GB2147012B describes cleaning apparatus comprising a central well within an open top catch tank or collection tank, and a mesh screen disposed within the open catch tank. Cleaning fluid is delivered from the well to a cleaning zone via a flexible pipe and nozzle. The apparatus is intended to be positioned below the cleaning zone such that used cleaning fluid flows back to the well via the mesh screen and collection tank. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided apparatus for cleaning an engine or engine components, the apparatus comprising: (i) a reservoir for re-usable cleaning fluid; (ii) filter means supported over the reservoir to filter cleaning fluid draining into to reservoir from a cleaning zone orientated over the filter means; characterised in that the apparatus comprises closure means comprising one or more closure elements which are slidably movable from an access position, in which the reservoir is substantially open, to a closed position in which the reservoir is substantially closed. The reservoir and filter means are preferably shaped and dimensioned to fit below an engine of a vehicle and, in particular, an automobile engine in situ in the engine compartment. The filter means is preferably orientated to filter fluid draining into the reservoir, under gravity, from the cleaning zone, which cleaning zone is preferably directly above the filter means and also preferably the reservoir. The filter means may be received within the reservoir (above the level of the fluid) or supported above the reservoir. The filter means may be permanently fixed to the reservoir or, more preferably, may be removable (for example for cleaning purposes). The filter means is adapted to filter out any dirt and/or contaminants from the cleaning fluid draining into the reservoir such that the cleaning fluid collecting in the reservoir is substantially "clean". Typically the filter means comprises a filter element which is preferably substantially planar. Desirably the filter means is replaceable and/or cleanable subsequent to use. Support means may be provided for supporting the filter element in position. The support means may, for example, be a reticulated mesh element spanning the reservoir. The filter element may comprise, for example, a paper or a foam filter or may simply comprise a reticulated or mesh element. The filter element collects dirt and/or contaminants draining from the cleaning zone. The area of the engine or engine components treated by the cleaning fluid is referred to as the "cleaning zone". The flexible fluid line of the fluid delivery means preferably leads to a spray head such as a spray gun or nozzle. The flexible line is arranged to carry "clean" or filtered cleaning fluid to the spray head which is preferably manipulatable to provide controlled delivery of the cleaning fluid to the engine or engine components at the cleaning zone. The volume of fluid provided in the reserovir is preferably such that as the cleaning fluid drains into the reservoir, the spray gun may be operated continuously to deliver a desired amount of fluid. Preferably the spray gun is linked to air compression means by a flexible tube so that, advantageously, a pressurized spray of fluid may be delivered. In an alternative embodiment, the fluid delivery means may comprise a pump which can pump the cleaning fluid through the spray head. Preferably, the pump is electronically controlled and/or flame retardant. The apparatus comprises closure means to close the reservoir (and also preferably the filter means) when the apparatus is not in use, for safety reasons. In one embodiment, the closure means comprises one or more leaves arranged to slide to the closed position from the access position, under the influence of biasing means, such as for example, a respective spring. The or each leaf may function as a respective fluid drip tray which is orientated in the access position to direct the flow of fluid draining into the reservoir. The leaves are preferably arranged to adopt a flattened configuration covering the reservoir when orientated in the closed position; in the access position the leaf or leaves preferably adopt a tilted configuration. Separation means is preferably provided to hold the or each leaf in the access position when the apparatus is in use. The separation means may preferably comprise fusible elements (typically elements arranged to melt upon heating, thereby permitting the leaf or leaves to be biased to the closed position). The fusible elements may comprise lead or plastics pins engageable with a receiving formation or formations having at least one hole, the separation means preferably being adapted to abut and hold the leaf or leaves in the access position. The receiving formation or formations may comprise a plurality of holes such that, advantageously, the leaf or leaves can be mechanically adjusted to varied access positions. The apparatus is adaptable to collect cleaning fluid from a vehicle engine of different sizes. In the event of the cleaning fluid catching fire, the lead or plastics pins melt such that the separation means is disengaged and the fluid drip trays are biased to the closed position. The fire can therefore be starved of oxygen and extinguished almost immediately. Preferably, the apparatus is mobile allowing it to be easily transported. In one embodiment the apparatus may comprise a movable handle adapted to steer the apparatus in a desired direction. Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise a fixed handle having a storage tray. In a further embodiment of the apparatus, the reservoir may be arranged to be positioned below a structure for supporting engine components, so that in such a configuration the apparatus may be used to clean engine components. Typically, the structure comprises a drain through tray supported on a set of legs. Preferably, the reservoir has socket means which are fixed on to or releasable from the reservoir, in which the socket means are engageable with the set of legs of the structure. In this arrangement the tray is held directly above the reservoir. Engine components may be placed in the tray and washed with cleaning fluid, the fluid draining into the reservoir from the tray, typically through perforations or the like in the base of the tray. Advantageously, one or more components may be placed in the tray and washed at the same time. It is preferred that fluid delivery means is arranged to deliver cleaning fluid to the cleaning zone, the fluid delivery means including a fluid line extending from the reservoir. Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of cleaning an engine or engine components, the method comprising: (i) providing apparatus as defined above; (ii) arranging the apparatus below an engine or supported engine component positioned at a cleaning zone; (iii) delivering cleaning fluid to the cleaning zone from cleaning fluid held in the reservoir; and, (iv) filtering the cleaning fluid draining into the reservoir from a cleaning zone above the reservoir. When delivering the cleaning fluid to the engine (or supported component), the fluid washes the engine (or component) and removes any dirt and/or contaminants. Thus, the fluid collecting in the reservoir is "clean" and may be re-used to further clean the same and/or different engine or engine components. The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of the apparatus according to the invention for use in performing the method according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the apparatus according to the invention and an automobile under which the apparatus is placed; Figure 3 is a schematic end-on view of the reservoir according to the apparatus of the invention; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the handle means of the apparatus according to the invention; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; and, Figure 6 is a schematic view of the reservoir in an elevated position according to the apparatus of the invention. Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated an apparatus for cleaning an engine or engine components generally designated by the reference numeral 1. The apparatus 1 comprises a reservoir 2 for holding a re-usable cleaning fluid and a filter 3 to filter out dirt and/or contaminants from the cleaning fluid draining into the reservoir 2. The reservoir 2 is provided with a closure arrangement in the form of a pair of fluid drip trays 4,5. Each fluid drip tray 4,5 is resiliently biased to a closed, flattened position by respective springs 18,19 (shown most clearly in Figure 3). The fluid drip trays 4,5 are maintained in a closed position when the apparatus 1 is stored and not in use, for safety reasons. The fluid drip trays 4,5 are kept apart in an open (access) position when the apparatus 1 is in use by a separation arrangement 6 which is further described below in relation to Figure 3. Fluid delivery means generally designated by reference numeral 11 comprises a spray gun 8 linked to the reservoir 2 by means of a flexible fluid line 9. The flexible fluid line 9 carries cleaning fluid from the reservoir 2 to the spray gun 8 which is triggered to deliver a quantity of cleaning fluid to the engine, or component. The spray gun 8 may be triggered several times in order to deliver a large amount of fluid. The spray gun 8 is also linked to air compression means, which causes the spray gun 8 to release a pressurised spray of fluid or to an electronically controlled pump (not shown), which pumps the fluid through the spray gun 8, by means of a flexible tube 10. The apparatus 1 also has a movable handle 7 with wheels 14,15 at one end of the reservoir 2 to steer the apparatus. The apparatus 1 also has wheels 12,13 attached to the reservoir 2 to easily transport the apparatus (the rear wheels are not shown). Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated apparatus 1 which when used to clean an automobile engine 16 according to the method of the invention, the reservoir 2 is positioned under the engine 16 by means of the movable handle 7. The fluid drip trays 4,5 of the reservoir 2 are held in an open (access) position and can be manually adjusted inwardly and outwardly to varied access positions to accommodate for varying sizes of automobile engines. A volume of cleaning fluid is poured into the reservoir 2 prior to positioning the reservoir 2 under engine 16. The spray gun 8 is then triggered to deliver cleaning fluid to the engine 16. The cleaning fluid washes the engine 16 and removes any dirt and/or contaminants. The cleaning fluid draining back into the reservoir 2 is filtered to remove the dirt and/or contaminants, so that the fluid collecting in the reservoir 2 may be re-used. The spray gun 8 is triggered again to feed fluid (by suction) from the reservoir 2 to the gun 8 so that more fluid may be delivered to the engine 16. The spray gun 8 may be operated continuously until the engine 16 is thoroughly washed. Referring to Figure 3, there is illustrated reservoir 2 holding a quantity of cleaning fluid 17. The reservoir 2 comprises a filter 3 positioned above the cleaning fluid 17, and fluid drip trays 4,5 which are held in an open access position. The filter 3 is permanently fixed to the reservoir 2 or may be releasable for cleaning purposes. The fluid drip trays 4,5 are normally biased to a closed position by spring coils 18,19, each of the spring coils 18,19 being connected to a free end of each tray 4,5 and the reservoir wall 24. The trays 4,5 are held in an open position through which cleaning fluid drains into the reservoir 2 by a separation arrangement which comprises a socket member 22 having a plurality of holes 20 and connecting pins 21,23 engageable with the holes 20. When pins 21,23 are engaged in the specified holes 20, the trays 4,5 are held in a fixed, tilted configuration. The trays 4,5 can be opened further by inserting pins 21,23 into holes 20 closer to the reservoir wall 24. The connecting pins 21,23 may be lead or plastics pins which melt when there is a build-up of heat, such that, in a situation where the cleaning fluid in the reservoir 2 catches fire, the pins 21,23 melt and cause automatic closure of the trays 4,5 by the spring coils 18,19. Referring to Figure 4, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the apparatus, in which the reservoir 2 is connected to a handle arrangement which comprises extended arms 26,27. A storage tray 25 can be placed on top of arms 26,27 for holding the spray gun 8 when not in use or various other implements. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the apparatus in which the reservoir 2 comprises fixed or releasable socket means 29 which is engageable with legs 30 of structure 31 (shown in Figure 6). The apparatus also includes a modified handle arrangement 28. As shown in Figure 6, the structure 31 comprises a tray 32 having perforations supported on a set of legs 30. The legs 30 engage with the socket means 29 of the reservoir 2 so that the tray 32 is positioned directly above the reservoir 2. In this configuration, the apparatus may be used to clean engine components. An engine component is placed in tray 32 and washed with cleaning fluid from the fluid delivery means 11. The cleaning fluid then drains into reservoir 2 to be filtered for re-use. One or more engine components may be placed in tray 32 and washed at the same time.

Claims: Apparatus for cleaning an engine or engine components (1), the apparatus comprising: (i) a reservoir (2) for re-usable cleaning fluid; (ii) filter means (3) supported over the reservoir (2) to filter cleaning fluid draining into the reservoir (2) from a cleaning zone orientated over the filter means (3); characterised in that the apparatus comprises closure means comprising one or more closure elements (4,5) which are slidably movable from an access position, in which the reservoir (2) is substantially open, to a closed position in which the reservoir (2) is substantially closed. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that fluid delivery means (11) is arranged to deliver cleaning fluid to the cleaning zone, the fluid delivery means (11) including a fluid line (9) extending from the reservoir (12). Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the filter means (3) is orientated to filter fluid draining into the reservoir (2), under gravity, from the cleaning zone. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter means (3) is removable, and/or comprises a substantially planar filter element (preferably a reticulated mesh element spanning the reservoir (2)) and/or comprises a disposable flexible sheet. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that fluid delivery means (11) is arranged to deliver cleaning fluid to the cleaning zone, the fluid delivery means (11) including a fluid line (9) extending from the reservoir (2) the fluid line comprising a flexible fluid line (9) and desirably leading to a spray head (8) positionable above the engine (1) to spray cleaning fluid in the direction of the cleaning zone. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised by holding means (6) is provided for holding the or each closure element (4,5) in the access position, the holding means (6) preferably being arranged to release the closure element in predetermined circumstances such as elevated temperature (the holding means preferably being fusible). Apparatus according to any preceding of claim, characterised in that biasing means (18,19) is provided to move the closure element from the access position to the closed position. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the respective closure element comprises a leaf (4,5) extending outwardly from the reservoir (2) (preferably at an inclined angle) when orientated in the access position. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising: (i) mobile mounting means (14,15) for movably supporting the reservoir (2), and/or, (ii) handle means (7) for towing or pushing the apparatus. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the reservoir (2) and filter (3) are shaped and dimensioned to be positioned below a vehicle engine (16) in situ in the engine compartment of the vehicle. A method of cleaning an engine or engine components, the method comprising: (i) providing apparatus according to claim 10; (ii) arranging the apparatus below an engine (16) or supported engine component positioned at a cleaning zone; (iii) delivering cleaning fluid to the cleaning zone from cleaning fluid held in the reservoir (2) of the apparatus; and, (iv) filtering the cleaning fluid draining into the reservoir (2) from the cleaning zone above the reservoir (2).

Inventors: YARNOLD DENNIS ROY, YARNOLD, DENNIS ROY
Applicants: YARNOLD DENNIS ROY, YARNOLD, DENNIS ROY
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B08B17
IPC codes: B60S3, B08B17, B08B3