Abstract:
A fluid change apparatus consisting of two components. One component is associated with the engine and the other component is associated with a source of new fluid and a receptacle for old fluid. The present invention provides a fast connection between the two components that completely compartmentalizes the fluids.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed to a fluid change apparatus for removing used fluid from an engine and inserting new fluid into the engine. In particular, the present invention is directed to a fluid change apparatus that removes used fluid from the engine and inserts new fluid into the engine while compartmentalizing the fluids and preventing contamination of the environment.  
         [0002]     Oil change systems for engines are known in the art. However, most oil change systems are prone to contaminating the environment with used oil. This becomes a severe problem when a great deal of oil change activity occurs at a particular location, such as a car rental fleet facilities or an airline maintenance facility. Similar problems arise when changing other engine fluids such as transmission fluids and coolants. Portable oil change systems are also known, but are generally susceptible to the same problems.  
         [0003]     In high-use facilities such as car rental fleet facilities and airline maintenance facilities, there is a need for a fast fluid change apparatus that contains all fluids without contaminating the environment. Such fluids may include, but are not limited to: engine oils, both synthetic and petroleum-based; hydraulic fluids; coolants; transmission oils; and differential oils.  
         [0004]     The present invention meets this need by providing a fluid change apparatus consisting of two components. One component is associated with the engine and the other component is associated with a source of new fluid and a receptacle for old fluid. The present invention provides a fast connection between the two components that completely compartmentalizes the fluids.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention is a fluid change apparatus for removing used fluid from an engine and inserting new fluid into the engine, comprising a first portion adapted to be connected to the engine and a second portion mating with the first portion and adapted to be connected to a source of new fluid and to a receptacle for old fluid. The first portion is adapted to be connected to the engine by a first connection to remove old fluid from the engine and by a second connection to insert new fluid into the engine. The second portion is adapted to be connected to the receptacle for old fluid by a third connection to transfer old fluid to the receptacle and is adapted to be connected to the source of new fluid by a fourth connection to transfer new fluid from the source. The first connection is removably connected to the third connection and the second connection is removably connected to the fourth connection by mating the first portion with the second portion. A trigger is provided to activate a mechanism for mating the first and second portions. Either the first portion or the second portion may be mobile or stationary.  
         [0006]     The invention also includes a spring-loaded trigger within the second portion for making and breaking a connection between the source of new fluid and the new fluid port and simultaneously making a connection between the old fluid drain port and the old fluid receptacle. Separate pumps may be provided for new fluid and old fluid.  
         [0007]     A principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it completely compartmentalizes fluids, preventing contamination of the environment.  
         [0008]     Another principal object and advantage of the present invention is that if provides a quick connect/disconnect between two components.  
         [0009]     Another principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it provides a quick connect/disconnect for both old fluid removal and new fluid insertion. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention associated with an engine.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of one component of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a detailed perspective view of a second component of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a detailed perspective view of another embodiment of one of the components of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention associated with a maintenance facility.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of part of the apparatus of  FIG. 2 , with some structure cut away to show internal structure. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]     The fluid change apparatus of the present invention is generally shown in the Figures as reference numerals  10 ,  110 ,  210 .  
         [0018]     In one aspect ( FIG. 1 ), the apparatus  10  comprises a first portion  12  adapted to be connected to an engine E and a second portion  14  mating with the first portion  12  and adapted to be connected to a source S of new fluid and to a receptacle R for old fluid.  
         [0019]     Preferably, the first portion  12  is adapted to be connected to the engine by a first connection  16  to remove old fluid from the engine and by a second connection  18  to insert new fluid into the engine. Preferably, the first connection  16  and second connection  18  comprise hoses  20  and couplers  22 .  
         [0020]     Preferably, the second portion  14  is adapted to be connected to the receptacle R for old fluid by a third connection  24  to transfer old fluid to the receptacle R and is adapted to be connected to the source of new fluid S by a fourth connection  26  to transfer new fluid from the source S. Preferably, the third connection  24  and fourth connection  26  further comprise hoses and couplers.  
         [0021]     Preferably, the first connection  16  is removably connected to the third connection  24  and the second connection  18  is removably connected to the fourth connection  26 . Preferably, these connections are made when the second portion  14  mates with the first portion  12 .  
         [0022]     Preferably ( FIG. 5  and  7 ), the second portion  14  further comprises a body  28 , connectors  30  within the body  28  mating with connectors  32  on the first portion  12 , and a mechanism  34  mating the second portion  14  with the first portion  12 . Preferably, the apparatus  10  further comprises a trigger  36  activating the mechanism  34 . Preferably, the trigger  36  is spring-loaded.  
         [0023]     The first portion  12  may be stationary with the second portion  14  mobile. Alternatively, the first portion  12  may be mobile and the second portion  14  may be stationary.  
         [0024]     In another aspect ( FIG. 1 ), the apparatus  110  further comprises a first portion  112  connectable to the new fluid port N on an engine E and to the old fluid drain port O on the engine E by separate connections  113 . The apparatus  110  further comprises a second portion  114  removably connectable to the first portion  112  and having connections to the source S of new fluid and to the receptable R for old fluid. Preferably, the apparatus  10  further comprises a mechanism  134  mating the first portion  112  with the second portion  114  and connecting the source S of new fluid to the new fluid port N on the engine E and also connecting the old fluid drain port O on the engine E. Preferably, the apparatus  112  further comprise a trigger  136  activating the mechanism  134 . Preferably, the trigger  136  is spring-loaded. The first portion  112  may be stationary and the second portion  114  may be mobile. Alternatively, the first portion  112  may be movable while the second portion  114  may be fixed.  
         [0025]     In a third aspect ( FIG. 1 ), the apparatus  210  further comprises an engine-mounted first portion  212  connected to the new fluid port N and to the old fluid drain port O by separate connections. The apparatus  210  further comprises a first pump P 1  pumping old fluid from the engine E to the old fluid receptacle and a second pump P 2  pumping new fluid from the source S to new fluid port N. The apparatus further comprises a mobile second portion  214  connected to a source S of new fluid and to an old fluid receptacle R and being removably connectable to the first portion  212 , thereby connecting the new fluid port N to the source S and connecting the old fluid drain port O to the receptacle R. The apparatus further comprises a spring-loaded trigger  236  within the second portion  214 , the trigger  236  making and breaking a connection between the source S and the new fluid port N and simultaneously making a connection between the old fluid drain port O and the receptacle R.  
         [0026]     Preferably, the second portion  214  is insertable into the first portion  212  and inserting the second portion  214  into the first portion  212  simultaneously connects the engine&#39;s old fluid drain port O to the receptacle R and connects the engine&#39;s new fluid port N to the source of new fluid.  
         [0027]     Operation of the present invention is as follows.  
         [0028]     In the case where the first portion is stationary, the first portion  12 ,  112 , or  212  may be located at a central maintenance facility where the source S of new fluid and the receptacle R for old fluid are co-located. Advantageously, the second, mobile portion  14 ,  114 , or  214  may be mounted on a vehicle on which is also mounted a tank containing old fluid collected from various engines. The vehicle is brought into the central maintenance facility and the second, mobile portion  14 ,  114  or  214  is connected to the first portion  12 ,  112 , or  212  as previously described. Old fluid from the tank on the vehicle is then transferred to the receptacle R, and another tank on the vehicle is replenished with new fluid from the source S. The vehicle may then be taken to another location where an engine is located, and the second, mobile portion  14 ,  114 ,  214  may be connected to another first portion  12 ,  112 ,  212  mounted, for example, on the engine, for draining old fluid and replenishing new fluid.  
         [0029]     In another scenario, the first portion  12 ,  112 ,  212  is mobile and may be mounted on a boat, truck, car, aircraft, or other vehicle and be connected to the engine as previously described. The vehicle is brought to a maintenance facility where the second portion  14 ,  114 ,  214  is connected to the first portion  12 ,  112 ,  212  as previously described. Old fluid is then removed from the vehicle&#39;s engine and new fluid is inserted into the vehicle&#39;s engine as previously described.  
         [0030]     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.  
         [0031]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.