Patent Publication Number: US-6981574-B1

Title: Dipstick oil change system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing oil with respect to an engine, and more specifically, the invention provides a method and apparatus for changing the oil disposed in an engine through the conduit sheathing the dipstick. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The benefits of routine oil changes in an internal combustion engine are well known. Routine oil changes have been shown to increase engine life and performance. With repeated prolonged use, motor oil builds up suspended particles, metallic and non-metallic, from the abrasive wear of engine parts against one another and from products of incomplete combustion and improper air intake. The particles in turn cause abrasive wear of the engine bearings, piston rings and other moving parts and the reduction of the motor oil lubricity as various additives and lubricating components become depleted. This adversely affects engine performance and if left unchanged can destroy or cripple the engine performance. It is recommended by at least one oil manufacturer that the level of total solid concentration be limited to levels below 0.03%. 
   To obtain satisfactory engine performance, and maintain solids concentration levels in the motor oil lower than the recommended 0.03%, changing the motor oil in an internal combustion engine is necessary. In currently designed vehicles, the oil pan serves the purpose of a reservoir for circulation of engine oil. Engine lubrication is generally accomplished through a gear-type pump. Oil from the pump passes through the oil filter before going to the engine oil galleries where it provides lubrication to the various engine components. 
   To remove the contaminated oil, the drain plug, generally located in the lowermost region of the oil pan, is opened. The spent oil containing suspended particles is permitted to flow under gravity out of the pan into a suitable receptacle. After the spent oil is removed, the plug is replaced and fresh oil is added to the engine through a separate opening in the engine valve cover. The process of gravity drainage does not remove all of the spent oil with its metallic and non-metallic particles which stick to the oil pan container walls, as well as engine components such as the crank shaft, connecting rods, pistons and the like which are exposed to the motor oil spray lubrication. These particles can remain to be mixed with fresh motor oil Thus the concentration of contaminants is lowered by dilution but only a part of the total contaminates are actually eliminated. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides au apparatus and method for removing oil from an engine has an oil pan and an oil inlet. The system according to the present invention includes a conduit positionable with respect to the engine. The conduit can be fixedly or immovably connected to the engine. The conduit includes a first opening positioned in the oil pan of the engine and a second opening positioned outside of the oil pan of the engine. A seal that can be opened and closed is positioned over the second opening. The seal can include a quick connect fit oil can be removed from the oil pan through the conduit. 
   The conduit can also include a third opening. The dipstick of the vehicle can be inserted in the third opening and extend to the first opening in the oil pan. The invention can also include a seal, such as a gasket or o-ring for sealing the dipstick and the third opening. 
   The invention can also include a vacuum or pump to draw oil out of the oil pan through the conduit. The vacuum or pump can include a quick connect fitting to engage the quick connect fitting positioned over the second opening. When the vacuum is engaged with the second opening, a vacuum can be applied to draw oil out of the oil pan and into a container. 
   Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the dipstick oil change system associated with an engine; and 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of an conduit according to the invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The invention provides a method and apparatus, or an oil change system  10  for moving oil with respect to an engine  14  having an oil pan  16  and an oil inlet  18 . The system  10  includes a conduit  12  positionable with respect to the engine  14 . The conduit  12  includes a first opening  20  positionable internal with respect to the oil pan  16  of the engine  14 . The conduit  12  also includes a second opening positionable external with respect to the oil pan  16  of the engine  14 . The system  10  also includes sealing means  24  engagable with respect to the second opening  22  to selectively seal the second opening  22 . During an oil change, oil disposed in the oil pan can be drawn out of the oil pan through the conduit  12 . 
   The conduit  12  can be positioned with respect to the engine  14  with means  26  for fixedly associating, or immovably associating, the conduit  12  with respect to the engine  14 . In particular, means  26  can include fasteners, a clasp, a bracket and the like for maintaining the position of the conduit  12  relative to the engine  14  while the associated vehicle is moving and while the associated vehicle is not moving. The conduit  12  can be inserted with respect to an aperture  28  defined by the oil pan  16 . The first opening  20  of the conduit  12  can be disposed approximate the lowest or deepest portion of the oil pan  16  to increase the likelihood that all of the oil disposed in the oil pan  16  can be drawn out of the oil pan  16  through the conduit  12 . The second opening  22  of the conduit  12  is positionable external with respect to the oil pan and the engine so that oil disposed in the oil pan  16  can be drawn out of the oil pan  16  during an oil change. Sealing means  24  is engagable with respect to the second opening  22  to selectively seal the second opening  22 . For example, the second opening can be sealed when oil disposed in the oil pan  16  is not being removed from the oil pan and can be unsealed or open when oil is being removed. Sealing means  24  can include a quick connect fitting  30 . The invention can also include a cap  32  positionable over the quick connect fitting  30  to protect the fitting  30  between oil changes. 
   The conduit  12  can also include or define a third opening  34 . A dipstick  36  can be formed to be insertable with respect to the third opening  34 . The second and third openings can be adjacent with respect to one another approximate a top or upper portion of the engine. It can be desirable to position the second opening such that the second opening is readily accessible when the vehicle&#39;s hood is raised or the cab is rotated to expose the engine. 
   The conduit  12  can define a T-shape or Y-shape with a junction portion  54 . The conduit  12  can include a first portion  56  extending from the junction portion  54  to the first opening  20 . A second portion  58  of the conduit  12  can extend from the junction portion  54  to the second opening  22 . The conduit  12  can also include a third portion  60  extending from the junction portion  54  to the third opening  34 . The portions  56 ,  58  and  60  can be substantially similar in diameter. Alternatively, the diameters of the portions  56  and  60  can be substantially similar and the diameter of the portion  58  can be less than the diameters of the portions  56  and  60 . 
   The invention can also include second sealing means  38  to seal the dipstick  36  with respect to the third opening  34 . Sealing means  38  can include a gasket or an o-ring. In operation, vacuum means  40  can engage the second opening  22  in fluid communication and define a vacuum with respect to the second opening  22  to move oil disposed in the oil pan  16  with respect to the engine  14  through the conduit  12 . Sealing means  38  reduces the likelihood that air will enter the third opening and detract or compromise the effectiveness of the vacuum defined by vacuum means  40  for drawing oil through the conduit  12 . Vacuum means  40  can include a quick connect fitting  42  engagable with the quick connect fitting  30  to place the vacuum means  40  in fluid communication with the second opening  22 , the conduit  12 , and the oil pan  16 . Vacuum means  40  can include a pump for defining a vacuum to draw oil disposed in the oil pan  16  out of the oil pan  16 , through the conduit  12  and into vacuum means  40 . Vacuum means  40  can include a flexible or inflexible conduit  44  operably associated with the quick connect fitting  42 . In operation, the cap  32  can be removed with respect to the quick connect fitting  30 . The quick connect fitting  42  can be engaged with the quick connect fitting  30 . Vacuum means  40  can be engaged to define a vacuum and draw oil disposed in the oil pan  16  through the conduit  12  and into the vacuum means  40 . 
   While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.