Abstract:
A fluid delivery apparatus provides for controlled delivery of fluids into a fluid system. The fluid delivery apparatus can allow a defined volume of fluid to be delivered to the fluid system cleanly, minimizing fluid waste and spillage. The fluid delivery apparatus can provide a mechanical advantage allowing the fluid to be delivered easily and efficiently to a pressurized fluid system. The apparatus can have a piston and handle arrangement that can reduce wear of the apparatus.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/732,916, filed on Dec. 11, 2000, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    This invention relates introducing fluid into a fluid system.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    Leak detection additives can be used to detect leaks in fluid systems, such as climate control systems, hydraulic systems, engine oil systems, automatic transmission systems, fuel systems, brake systems, or radiator coolant systems. Climate control systems include heating, cooling, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. Some leak detection additives are emissive substances such as, for example, fluorescent or phosphorescent dyes. Suitable leak detection additives used in climate control systems include naphthalimide dyes, perylene dyes, thioxanthane dyes, coumarin dyes, or fluorescein dyes. Leaks can be detected by observing light emission from the dye at leak sites by exciting the dye with a light source having suitable wavelength or intensity. In general, the dyes fluoresce brightly when excited by light in the 190 to 700 nanometer wavelength range.  
           [0004]    A variety of systems have been developed to introduce leak detection dyes into air conditioning systems. For example, previous injector designs include flow chamber systems and syringe-type systems for introducing liquid dyes into the system. A flow-chamber system generally has a reservoir into which a leak detection dye solution is poured or a dye capsule is loaded and sealed. A carrier is then passed through the reservoir to transport the dye into the system. A syringe-type system generally has a chamber that is loaded by pouring the leak detection dye into the chamber or is preloaded by the manufacturer. The dye is then forced from the chamber into the closed system. Other injector systems include mist diffusers.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0005]    In general, a fluid delivery apparatus is a device that provides for controlled delivery of fluids into a fluid system. The fluid delivery apparatus can allow a defined volume of fluid to be delivered to the fluid system cleanly, minimizing fluid waste and spillage. The fluid delivery apparatus can provide a mechanical advantage allowing the fluid to be delivered easily and efficiently to a pressurized fluid system, which can have a pressure of 100 psi or greater, for example 150 psi. The apparatus can have a piston and handle arrangement that can reduce wear of the apparatus.  
           [0006]    In one aspect, an apparatus for adding fluid to a fluid system includes a body having a cavity, an output port fluidly connected to the cavity, an input port fluidly connected to the cavity by a channel, and a piston orifice fluidly connected to the cavity. The apparatus also includes a piston extending into the cavity through the piston orifice, an intake valve within the channel, and an output valve proximate to the output port. A pressure valve can be between the intake valve and the input port. The apparatus can include a container sealable to the input port.  
           [0007]    In another aspect, an apparatus for adding fluid to a fluid system includes a container sealed to an input port of a body forming an internal volume, and a pressure valve in fluid communication with the internal volume.  
           [0008]    In another aspect, an apparatus for adding fluid to a fluid system includes a piston extending into a cavity of a body through a piston orifice, a pivot bar having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally connected to the body, and a handle pivotally connected to the second end of the pivot bar.  
           [0009]    The apparatus can include a connector fluidly connected to the output port capable of fluidly coupling the apparatus to the fluid system. The apparatus can include a suction tube fluidly connected to the channel. The suction tube can extend away from the body and toward the output port. In certain embodiments, the apparatus can include a retaining rod connected to the cavity and extending into a retaining slot in the piston.  
           [0010]    The apparatus can include a handle pivotally connected to the body. The handle can be pivotally connected to the piston. The apparatus can include a handle brace connected to the body. The handle and the handle brace can extend away from the body in substantially the same direction.  
           [0011]    The apparatus can include a container. The suction tube can extend from the channel and through the input port and into the container. The container can be threadably connected to a threaded input port. The length and configuration of the suction tube can be unique to each container size based on the height and diameter of the container. A fluid receiving end of the suction tube can be directed towards the output port. The neck of the container or the input port can have a Society of Plastics Industry designation of 24-410. The container can be made of a high density polyethylene, a medium density polyethylene, a low density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or a polypropylene. The container can be cylindrical, can have a concave bottom, and can come in various volumetric sizes. The container can have an eight fluid ounce, four fluid ounce or two fluid ounce nominal capacity.  
           [0012]    In another aspect, a method for introducing fluid into a fluid system includes transferring a fluid from a container into a cavity of a fluid delivery apparatus, thereby reducing pressure in the container, introducing the fluid from the cavity into the fluid system, and equalizing pressure within the container to ambient pressure. The fluid delivery apparatus can include a pressure valve to equalize pressure in the container. Transferring can include moving fluid into the cavity by actuating a handle. A pressure valve can equalize the pressure in the internal volume. Equalizing pressure can include equalizing to atmospheric pressure. 
       
    
    
       [0013]    Other features and advantages of the apparatus will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.  
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    FIGS.  1 - 2  are schematic diagrams depicting cut-away views of a fluid delivery apparatus.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram depicting a fluid delivery apparatus.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a neck of a container.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example of a container.  
         [0018]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus  100  for delivering fluid into a fluid system includes a body  105 , a piston  110  and a handle  120 . The body  105  includes a cavity  125 , an output port  130 , an input port  135 , a channel  140  and a piston orifice  145 . The cavity  125  can be a volume fluidly connected to the output port  130 , the channel  140  and the piston orifice  145 .  
         [0020]    An output valve  155  can be inserted in the cavity  125  near the output port  130 . The output valve can be a one way or check valve biased in a closed position that allows fluid to flow, in one direction, out of the cavity  125 . The output port  130  can allow attachment of a connector (not shown), for example, a hose capable of fluidly connecting to a fluid system. For example, the output port  130  can include a quick-connect or threaded fitting which mates with a complementary fitting on the hose.  
         [0021]    The input port  135  can be fluidly connected to the body  105  by the channel  140 . The input port  135  can be attachable to a container  115  to form an internal volume  138 . For example, the input port  135  can include threads that threadably attach to threads on a neck  165  of the container  115 . The container  115  can be a square, rectangular, cylindrical or rounded vessel that can be filled with a fluid. The container  115  includes bottom  175  that can be flat or slightly concave. The container  115  can have a volume of 2 to 24 fluid ounces, for example, 2, 4 or 8 fluid ounces, and the cavity  125  can have a volume of {fraction (1/16)} to ¼ fluid ounce, for example, ⅛ fluid ounce.  
         [0022]    Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an example of a container  115  having a nominal capacity of eight fluid ounces can include a body  200  and a neck  210 . The body can have a height from container bottom  212  to neck bottom  214  of 135 mm and an outer diameter of 50.8 mm. The neck  210  can have a height of 21 mm. The inner orifice diameter  218  at the top of the neck can be 19.2 mm with an outer diameter  219  of 21.5 mm and a thread diameter  220  of 23.7 mm. The neck  210  can be threaded at 8 threads per inch (tpi) with a pitch of 3.18 mm and a helix angle  221  of 2°34′ so that the container can be threadably connected to the input port  135 . The neck can have a Society of Plastics Industry designation of 24-410. The input port can be threaded at a thread density of  8  threads per inch, with an inner diameter of 22 mm and a thread diameter of 24.1 mm in order to threadably connect with the neck. Similarly, a four fluid ounce nominal capacity container can have an analogous, yet shorter, neck configuration having a height of 16.7 mm, a body height of 100.9 mm and a body diameter of 42.5 mm. A two fluid ounce nominal capacity container can have an analogous neck configuration, a body height of 73.0 mm and a diameter of 35.3 mm.  
         [0023]    An intake valve  160  can be located within the channel  140 . The intake valve  160  can be a one way or check valve biased in a closed position that allows fluid to flow, in one direction, from the container  115  to pass through the channel  140  and into the cavity  125 . An access plug  163  can be located on the body  105  to access the intake valve  160 .  
         [0024]    The body  105  can include a pressure valve  170 . The pressure valve  170  can be located on the channel  140  between the input port  135  and the intake valve  160 . In another implementation, the pressure valve  170  can be on the container  115 . The pressure valve  170  can include a one way or check valve biased in a closed position that allows ambient air pressure to flow into the channel  140  to equalize pressure in the container  115  as fluid is transferred from the container  115  to the cavity  125 . The pressure valve  170  also maintains fluid in the container  115 .  
         [0025]    A suction tube  180  can be a rounded tube that connects to the channel and extends into the container  115  to the container bottom  175 . The suction tube  180  can be directed towards the output port  130 , for example, by a bend or an angle directing an end of the suction tube  180  in that direction. Suction tube  180  is attached to the channel  140  and extends through the input port  135  into the container  115 . The suction tube can have an outer diameter of 6.00 mm and an inner diameter of 4.00 mm. The suction tube can be specifically designed for each container size to achieve complete, or near complete, fluid removal for each container size. Thus, each separate container size has a different tube length to ensure maximum fluid removal. The bend in the tube prevents the tube from forming a vacuum with the vessel bottom by sealing to the bottom when under suction and at the same time promotes complete emptying of the container. To facilitate maximum fluid removal from the eight fluid ounce nominal capacity cylindrical container described above, the tube can have a length of 162.8 mm, with a 16° bend from vertical directed towards the output port  130  starting at 71.25 mm from a fluid receiving end of the tube. The bend creates an offset of 20.40 mm from vertical towards the output port at the fluid receiving end. The suction tube for the four fluid ounce nominal capacity container described above can be  124 . 2  mm in height with the 16° bend 55.2 mm from the fluid receiving end of the tube resulting in a 15.8 mm offset from vertical towards the output port. The suction tube for the two  2  fluid ounce nominal capacity container described above can be 102.2 mm in height, with the 16° bend occurring 42.2 mm from the bottom of the tube resulting in a 12.1 mm offset from vertical towards the output port.  
         [0026]    The piston  110  can be a cylindrical plunger that fits snugly through the piston orifice  145  and into the cavity  125 . The shape of the piston  110  and fit of the piston  110  within the piston orifice  145  allows reciprocating motion of the piston  110  within the cavity  125 , while preventing fluid from leaking by the piston  110  and out of the piston orifice  145 . A spring  150  can envelope the piston  110  between the handle  120  and the piston orifice  145  that biases the piston  110  in a direction out of the cavity  125 .  
         [0027]    A retaining rod  148  can be connected to the body  105  inside the cavity  125 . A retaining slot  153  can be a cutout or hollow portion of the piston  110  that allows the piston  110  to travel along an axis substantially perpendicular to the retaining rod  148 . In one implementation, the retaining slot can extend completely through the piston  110  and the retaining rod  148  connects to the body  105  in two locations. In other implementations, the retaining slot  153  can be a groove extending partly into the piston  110  and the retaining rod  148  extends into the groove. A sealing ring  158  on the piston  110  can form a seal with the piston orifice  145  and can prevent leakage of fluid from the cavity  125 .  
         [0028]    Referring to FIG. 2, fluid delivery apparatus  101  includes a body  105 , a piston  110 , a container  115  with an internal volume  138 , a handle  120 , a cavity  125 , an output port  130 , a channel  140 , a piston orifice  145 , an output valve  155  and an intake valve  160  as configured and described above with respect to FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the internal volume  138  of the container  115  can decrease by movement of a plug  270  slideably installed within an end of the container  115 . The plug  270  compensates for a decrease in fluid volume when fluid is transferred from the container  115  to the cavity  125  by sliding into the container  115 .  
         [0029]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the handle  120  can pivotally attach to the piston  110  and to a pivot bar  185  that pivotally attaches to the body  105  by, for example, an extension member  190  on the body  105 . Referring to FIG. 1, a handle brace  195  can be connected to support the apparatus  100  while operating the handle  120 .  
         [0030]    Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the apparatus  100  as shown in FIG. 1 includes a body  105 , a piston  110 , a handle  120 , an output port  130 , an input port  135 , a spring  150 , a pressure valve  170  a pivot bar  185 , an extension member  190 , and a handle brace  195 .  
         [0031]    The components of the apparatus  100  can be made from cast, machined or molded rigid materials, such as metal or plastic.  
         [0032]    A method for using the apparatus to add fluid into a fluid system includes transferring fluid from the container  115  into the cavity  125 , thereby reducing pressure in the container, introducing the fluid from the cavity into the fluid system, and equalizing pressure within the container  115  to ambient pressure.  
         [0033]    Transferring fluid from the container into the cavity can include filling the container  115  with fluid, attaching the container  115  to the channel  140  and operating the handle  120  to move the piston  110  out of the cavity  125 , creating lower pressure in the cavity  125 . Fluid is drawn from the container  115  into the suction tube  180 , passing through the intake valve  160  in the channel  140  and into the cavity  125 .  
         [0034]    Introducing the fluid from the cavity into the fluid system can include attaching the output port  130  to a fluid system with a connector, such as a hose, and moving the handle  120  to drive the piston  110  into the cavity  125 . The decreased volume in the cavity  125  causes the fluid in the cavity  125  to flow from the cavity  125  through the output valve  155 , passing through the output port  130 , and into the fluid system. Release of the handle  120  causes the cavity  125  to be filled with the fluid since a spring  150  biases the handle in to draw the piston  110  out of the piston orifice  145 .  
         [0035]    Equalizing pressure within the container to ambient pressure can include actuation of the pressure valve  170  to equalize pressure in the container  115 . The reduced pressure in the container can actuate the pressure valve  170  and permit gas, for example, air from the atmosphere, to enter the container  115 . Once the pressure has been equalized, the pressure valve  170  closes, which can maintain the fluid in the container  115 . Equalizing can occur during or after transferring of the fluid.  
         [0036]    The apparatus can be utilized to add fluid to a fluid system. The fluid system can be a closed system or an open system. The system can be a lubricating, braking, heating, air conditioning or other hydraulic system. The system can be a component of a mobile vehicle, such as an automobile. The closed system can be an assembled system. The open system, can be an unassembled or disassembled system. The fluid can include a lubricant, a dye, such as a leak detection dye, or other system additive. For example, in one implementation the fluid can include a leak detection dye that is added to an air conditioning or climate control system in an automobile. The leak detection dye can be a naphthalimide, a thioxanthane or other emissive organic compound.  
         [0037]    A number of implementations of a fluid delivery apparatus have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the fluid delivery apparatus. For example, the piston can be actuated by operation of an electric motor, by pneumatic pressure or by hydraulic pressure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.