Abstract:
A contaminant flushing machine for removing contaminants from a container, such as an engine transmission or transmission cooler which includes hoses for coupling to the transmission cooler and a pump for circulating fluid through the hoses and the transmission cooler and a fluid filter having a reduced tendency towards causing vaporization of the fluid. Also included in the contaminant flushing machine is an automatic aeration system for injecting air into the circulating fluid at predetermined intervals. Additionally, a reverse flow piping circuit is included to permit automatic and electric manipulation of the flow direction of fluid through said transmission cooler while at the same time not altering the direction of flow of fluid through the pump.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 09/809,705, which was filed on Mar. 15, 2001, which application is a divisional of prior application Ser. No. 09/204,133 filed on Dec. 2, 1998, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,133. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to fluid filtering and more particularly relates to a method and apparatus for removing contaminants from a container having petroleum based fluids therein, through a process of circulating, heating and filtering such fluids outside of the container.  
           [0003]    In the past, automotive engineers and technicians have been among the many people to recognize the need for an ability to flush contaminants from fluid containing enclosures or systems. One example of such a fluid containing system is a transmission/transmission cooler system in which transmission fluid therein is normally cooled during operation of a vehicle by passing the transmission fluid through the transmission cooler. Such systems frequently contain tiny metal shavings resulting from wear of internal parts. It is desirable to provide an effective way to remove such metal shavings and other contaminants from the system without the need for completely dismantling the transmission and cooling system.  
           [0004]    Systems for extracting transmission fluid from the system, then heating it and circulating this fluid through an external filter to thereby flush out contaminants from the transmission and cooling system, have enjoyed considerable success in the past. However, these systems have had several drawbacks. For example, it often takes an extended period of time to heat the fluid to a sufficiently elevated temperature to maximize the removal of contaminants and sediment. This limits the usefulness of such systems, especially for use on vehicles which are generally in revenue generating service. Another problem has often been an undesirable odor which results from circulating heated fluid through a filter. Finally, these systems have often required considerable attention by a trained operator during performance of the flushing operations.  
           [0005]    Consequently, there exists a need for improved methods and apparatuses for flushing contaminants from a fluid container.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide enhanced ability to clean contaminants and sediment from a fluid container.  
           [0007]    It is a feature of the present invention to include reverse flow switching mechanism in a contaminant flushing apparatus of the present invention.  
           [0008]    It is an advantage of the present invention to reduce the effort and complexity involved in reversing a flow direction during the flushing process.  
           [0009]    It is another object of the present invention to provide for increased in-field utilization of a flushing system.  
           [0010]    It is another feature of the present invention to include a fluid aeration mechanism for reducing the requisite heating time for the fluid.  
           [0011]    It is another advantage of the present invention to provide for reduced heating times and, therefore, reduce the overall time required to perform the flushing operation and thereby increase the overall in-field utilization of the flushing equipment of the present invention.  
           [0012]    It is yet another object of the present invention to reduce undesirable odors emanating from the flushing equipment.  
           [0013]    It is yet another feature of the present invention to include a filtering mechanism which results in reduced vaporization of oil passing therethrough.  
           [0014]    It is yet another advantage of the present invention to reduce the undesirable odors associated with vaporization and evaporation of heated petroleum fluids.  
           [0015]    The present invention is an improved method and apparatus for removing contaminants from a container having fluids and contaminants therein which is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features, and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out in a “hands free” operation in the sense that manual manipulation of swapping of hoses between the flushing equipment and the fluid container is eliminated. Instead, this is now accomplished automatically inside the flushing equipment. Additionally, the invention is carried out in an “odorless” system in the sense that much of the undesirable odor of vaporized heated petroleum fluids is reduced.  
           [0016]    Accordingly, the present invention is a method and apparatus for flushing contaminants from a fluid container comprising a pump, a fluid heater, and apparatus for injecting air into the fluid.  
           [0017]    In an alternate embodiment, the present invention includes a pump, a heater, and a flow direction switching mechanism for reversing the flow of fluid through a container having contaminants therein.  
           [0018]    In yet another alternate embodiment, the present invention includes a pump, a heater, and a filter apparatus which is configured to reduce vaporization of heated oil passing therethrough. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a prior art contaminant flushing  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of a contaminant flushing machine, of the present invention, including a reverse flow valve circuit and an automatic aeration control assembly.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a simplified flow diagram of the method of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the filter  222  of FIG. 2.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is an electrical diagram of portions of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]    Now referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like matter throughout and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a simplified diagram of a prior art contaminant flushing machine, generally designated  100 , which is coupled to an automobile transmission cooler  102  by connecting hoses  104  and  106 . Hoses  104  and  106  may be special heat resistant hoses or other types. Additionally, hoses may be replaced with pipes, (flexible or not) tubes, or any structure capable of carrying fluid under pressure. Hose  104  is coupled to temperature gauge  108 . Also shown is a reservoir  120  which receives transmission fluid from line  104  by first passing such fluid through filter  122 . Transmission fluid is disposed in the reservoir which will be extracted through port  126  and line  128  by pump  110 . As the transmission fluid is pumped through pump  110  and on to heater  130 , it is pressurized and heated to predetermined levels. Exiting from heater  130  is line  132 , which is coupled through check valve  133  to T coupling  134 , which has an exit port  136 , as well as an air cleaning port  138 . Air cleaning port  138  is coupled to air line  140 , which is available from an air compressor (not shown). Disposed between air line  140  and port  138  is a check valve  142  which prohibits transmission fluid from being exhausted from the system through the air line  140 . Additionally, there is shown a pressure gauge  144  for measuring the pressure inside the line  140  and a manual valve  141  for selectively coupling the air line  140  with “T”  134 . The purpose of the assembly  134 ,  138 ,  140 ,  142  and  144  is to permit easy purging of any transmission oil left in the lines after the flushing process has been completed. Exit port  136  is directly coupled to line  106 , which enters the transmission cooler  102 . The terms “lines”, “pipes”, “hoses”, or “tubes” may be used interchangeably herein. They are intended to reflect the many possible structures which could be used to transport fluids.  
         [0026]    Now referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a simplified diagram of a contaminant flushing machine, of the present invention, generally designated  200 , which is coupled to an automobile transmission cooler  102  by connecting hoses  104  and  106 .  
         [0027]    Throughout this disclosure and description, the applicant refers to a transmission cooler, transmission fluid and other examples. These references are merely exemplary of the many different types of fluid containers and fluid types which could be utilized in conjunction with the present invention. For example, the present invention is intended to include and address systems for cleaning engine oil from an internal combustion engine, as well as hydraulic oil from a hydraulic system. Various other systems, fluids and containers are contemplated and could be readily substituted still within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Hose  104  is coupled through T  218 , electric valve  220 , which may be any electrically operated valve or any suitable substitute, through T  221  and then to vapor retarding filter  222 . Also shown is reservoir  120 , which receives transmission fluid from line  104  by first passing such fluid through filter  222 , which is described in more detail below and shown in more detail in FIG. 4. The transmission fluid is removed from cooler  102  and disposed in reservoir  120 , which then is extracted through port  126  and line  128  by pump  110 . As the transmission fluid is pumped through pump  110  and on to heater  130 , it is pressurized and heated to predetermined levels. Exiting from heater  130  is line  132 , which is coupled through check valve  133  to T coupling  134 , which has an exit port  136 , as well as an aeration port  238 . Aeration port  238  is coupled to air line  140 , which is available from an air compressor (not shown). Disposed between air line  140  and port  238  is check valve  142 , which prohibits transmission fluid from being exhausted from the system through the air line  140 . Additionally, there is a pressure gauge  144  for measuring pressure inside the line  140  and an electronic valve  241  for electrically and selectively coupling the air line  140  with the T  134 . The purpose of assembly  134 ,  238 ,  140 , 142 ,  144 , and  241  is to permit regulation of air injection into line  106 . Electrical valve  241  is coupled to an electronic control apparatus which is shown and described in more detail below in the text relating to FIG. 5. The oil pumped by pump  110  and passing through heater  130 , check valve  133 , and T  134  into line  106  progresses in a direction toward cooler  102 , but may be diverted from a direct path into cooler  102  by electronic switches  206 ,  208 ,  216 , and  220  in conjunction with T&#39;s  202 ,  210 , 218 , and  221 , which interconnect lines  104  and  106  and permit an alternate flow direction of oil through cooler  102  depending upon the configurations of switches of valves  206 ,  208 ,  216 , and  221 . When valves  216  and  206  are closed, and valve  208  is open (as shown in FIG. 2), the oil in line  106  will proceed directly into cooler  102  and therethrough to line  104 . However, if valve  206  is opened, valve  216  is opened and valves  208  and  220  closed, then oil exiting port  136  of T  134  will pass through T  210  through line  214  through valve  216  through T  218  and then toward cooler  102 . Once in cooler  102 , it will be able to exit therefrom on line  106  through T  202  and through valve  206  and line  204  to T  221  if valves  208  and  220  are closed. Consequently, by changing the configuration of valves  206 ,  216 ,  220 , and  208 , the flow direction of fluid through cooler  1   02  can be reversed. Valves  206 ,  216 ,  220 , and  228  may be an electric coil valve or any suitable substitute which would provide for manipulation of a valve in response to an input electrical signal.  
         [0028]    Now referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a simplified flow diagram of the steps of the method of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows one method of the present invention, generally designated  300 . The first step  302  is to provide the necessary equipment to perform the service including providing a reservoir of clean fluid, a filtering screen, a source of compressed air, a pump, a heater, a reverse flow network, and connecting hoses. This equipment may be the same equipment as shown in FIG. 2. Step  304  is connecting the equipment to the transmission cooler. Again transmissions, transmission oil, and transmission coolers are used herein as merely a convenient example of the many other uses of the present invention. Step  306  is to establish flow through the equipment by engaging the pump. Step  308  is to begin heating the oil as it passes through the equipment, this is done by engaging the in-line heater. Step  310  is to inject air into the circulating oil. This step  310  may proceed step  308  if desired. The injection of air into the oil may facilitate a more rapid heating of the oil to a desired temperature. The injection of air may be in pulses which could be from three to nine seconds in duration, or other duration. The pulse may last as long as it takes to force all of the oil out of the cooling system and hoses with a very short burst of air at the end. The time between pulses may be between two to three minutes or otherwise. This step of air injection may be automated by the use of electric timers etc. Other means of regulating the cycling of air injection may be used instead of time such as flow volume monitoring and flow pressure monitoring. Step  312  is to check the filter screen to see if contaminants are present. In accordance with decision step  314 , if screen is not clean it should be cleaned, in accordance with step  316  and after a wait of a length of time for more oil to pass through the filter screen, step  312  is repeated. If the screen is clean then the direction of flow through the connecting hoses is reversed, in accordance with step  318 . This flow reversing step may be automated with the use of timers and electric valves. Depending on the desired level of contamination removal, the steps  312 ,  314 , and  316  can be repeated in the reverse direction. The flow can be then returned to its original direction if so desired. When the desired level of contamination removal has occurred the process can be terminated, in accordance with step  320  and the pump, air injection apparatus and heater disengaged and the hoses disconnected.  
         [0029]    Now referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a filter  222  of the present invention, in it intended environment, generally designated  400 , which include hose  104 . Filter  222  is a preferred filter, but it should be understood that other filters could be substituted in FIG. 2 without depriving the present invention of all of its advantages. Filter  222  is shown having a input line  104  and top section  402  having a top oil dispersing region  404  and an inlet port  406 . The size and shape of filter  222 , may depend upon particular uses of the system. However, it is believed that having a relatively large and unrestricted oil dispersing region  404  may lead to less vaporization of oil as it encounters the filter  222 . The screen  408 , is disposed between top  402  and bottom  410 . Screen  408  may be any type of filter but a  28  micron filter may be preferred. Bottom  410  is divided in to numerous oil collecting areas which are separated by ridges  422 ,  424 ,  426 ,  428 . The areas and their defining ridges have drain holes  412 ,  414 ,  416  and  418  respectively disposed therein. The oil enters filter  222 , through input port  406 , spreads out across the dispersing area  404  and passes through the screen  408 . The oil is then collected in the bottom  410  and drains through the drain holes into the reservoir  120 .  
         [0030]    Now referring to FIG. 5, there is shown an electronic wiring diagram of the present invention, generally, designated  500 , which shows a particular wiring arrangement of the present invention. The lines connecting the various points may be insulated electric wires or other conductors. The system include a relay  502  and another relay  504 . Also shown is a timer  506  for regulating the air injection process. Timer  506  may be a Dayton 1H3C8F. Also shown is a timer  508  for manipulating the electric valves  208 ,  206 ,  216  and  220  used in the network for reversing flow direction. Timer  508  may be a Dayton 6A855. System  500  also includes thermostats  510  and  512 . Various other switches and diodes which are individually well known and common in the industry are also shown including reverse flow switch  530 , pump switch  532 , heater switch  534 , auto switch  536 , air injection manual override switch  538  and diode  540 .  
         [0031]    It is thought that the method and apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, steps and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all other material advantages, the form herein described being merely a preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof.