Patent Publication Number: US-2007119789-A1

Title: Method of filtering a fluid and remote filtering station

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      Generally, the invention relates to methods and devices for detached filtering of an operating fluid of a machine where the operating fluid is diverted from the machine, filtered and returned to the machine. More specifically, the invention relates to such methods and devices which utilize a pumping device of the machine being serviced to move the operating fluid during the detached filtering procedure.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      Contaminated operating fluid is one of the leading causes of component wear and failure in most types of mechanical equipment. All equipment manufactures recommend regular cleaning or changing of operating fluid. This is particularly true where the operating fluid is a hydraulic fluid.  
      Operating fluids of mechanical devices routinely become contaminated during operation of the respective mechanical device. Such contamination occurs from particulate material created during normal wear of components of the mechanical device. Such contamination also often occurs from external particulate material which enters the mechanical device during operation of the mechanical device. Particulate material, if left in the operating fluid, can cause wear to various parts of the mechanical device. Contamination of operating fluids of mechanical devices also occurs from introduction of a fluid having a different composition than the respective operating fluid into the operating fluid. Many different fluids may cause such contamination of an operating fluid including operating fluids of a different composition and water.  
      Mechanical devices which use an operating fluids will typically have a pumping device to circulate the operating fluid during operation of the mechanical device. Often this circulation will involve movement within a transfer conduit. It is routinely known in the art to position a filter in communication with the transfer conduit. This provides for the operating fluid to be diverted from the transfer conduit and into the filter, through a filter material, and back into the transfer conduit. The filter material of the filter acts to trap at least certain particulate matter from the operating fluid and thus remove that particulate matter trapped by the filter material from the operating fluid being circulated.  
      Numerous methods exist to filter an operating fluid of a mechanical device. Examples of operating fluids which may be subject to filtering include hydraulic fluids, lubricating oils, drive fluids and cooling fluids.  
      Many varied compositions of fluids are known for use as hydraulic fluids. Such hydraulic fluids are moved through a conduit under pressure to power movement of a component. Examples of such components which are powered to move based upon the pressure of the hydraulic fluid include expanding and/or contracting cylinders, motors which produce rotational output and various switches, amongst others.  
      Many varied compositions of fluids are known for use as lubricating oils. Many of these are based upon a petroleum derivative. Such lubricating oils are typically used to reduce friction between contacting components where movement routinely occurs between the contacting components during operation of the mechanical device.  
      Many varied compositions of fluids are known for use as drive fluids, such as used in automatic transmissions. Such fluids typically act as a separator between components where a first component is powered to rotate and the drive fluid transfers the rotation of the first component to a second component. This arrangement provides for the two (2) components to have different rotational speed at some particular moment while the first component&#39;s power is still transferred to the second component.  
      Many varied compositions of fluids are known for use as cooling fluids. Such cooling fluids typically are circulated about a machine in various conduits while extracting heat from the machine for external cooling of the fluid. Typically, the circulation of the cooling fluid will include passage through a radiator type device where heat from the cooling fluid is dispersed external from the machine. It is known to provide mechanical arrangements where hydraulic fluids, lubricating fluids and drive fluids also perform a secondary function as a medium for extraction of heat from the fluid or from the mechanical components which the fluid comes into contact with.  
      It is known in the art to provide periodic maintenance on mechanical devices which use an operating fluid where the operating fluid is cleaned or replaced. The most common conventionally known method for providing this periodic maintenance is referred to as changing the fluid. This procedure typically involves removing at least the majority of the existing operating fluid from the mechanical device, removing the existing filter, installing an unused filter and installing new fresh operating fluid. During this changing procedure of the operating fluid the mechanical device normally will not be operating. A drain plug often will be positioned at a lower extremity of the operating fluid containment area and is removed to allow gravity discharge of the operating fluid from the mechanical device. The drain plug is typically left out until the flow of operating fluid slows to a drip. During this period, the used filter normally is removed and replaced with a new filter. Then the drain plug is replaced and new, or reconditioned, operating fluid is installed in the mechanical device. While this process is acceptable in most situations some of the old operating fluid remains in the mechanical device. Additionally, the removed used operating fluid must be discarded in some acceptable manner.  
      It is known to provide an operating fluid draining device having a probe and an external pump. The probe is inserted into the mechanical device, typically through a dip stick conduit, to a lower extremity of the operating fluid of the mechanical device. Then the external pump is operated to drain the operating fluid. During the maintenance operation the filter is replaced and new or reconditioned operating fluid is installed. Various of these devices provide external filtering of the operating fluid with return of the filtered operating fluid to the mechanical device. Certain of these devices are known for periodic maintenance of hydraulic fluid.  
      In the field of mechanical devices which utilize a hydraulic fluid to power movement of components, typically a plurality of hydraulic units will exist which may be selectively operated by an operator. These hydraulic units may perform various useful functions. Examples of such hydraulic units include cylinders which may be expanded and/or retracted under power and motors which produce rotational output. A problem which exists with providing periodic maintenance on the hydraulic fluid is that hydraulic fluid resides in the hydraulic units and in conduits leading to and from them beyond valves which control the respective hydraulic units. Conventional periodic maintenance of such mechanical devices typically drain and replace the hydraulic fluid existing in the reservoir tank, leaving a quantity of old fluid within the various conduits and various hydraulic units. This produces a maintenance cycle which is less thorough than desired. Additionally, hydraulic fluid, depending upon the particular composition of the fluid, is quite expensive to replace during changing procedures. This produces considerable expensive to fleet administrators when applied to a fleet of machines or vehicles. Another issue of great concern is the transport and disposal of used and/or contaminated hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic fluid, whether new, reconditioned or used, must be handled with great care due to the significant environmental impact which may result from improper handling or improper disposal. Certain types of equipment may be deployed as a part of their respective function away from a central maintenance facility. This requires either transporting the equipment to a maintenance facility or performing the periodic maintenance ‘in the field’ where the equipment is deployed. Transport of the equipment for such periodic maintenance may involve considerable expense, considerable man hours and considerable down time for the equipment. Performing periodic maintenance ‘in the field’ where the equipment is deployed using conventionally known methods may involve considerable risk of leakage or spilling of hydraulic fluid which potentially may damage the environment. When conventional changing of the hydraulic fluid occurs ‘in the field’ clean hydraulic fluid must be transported to the site and the old used hydraulic-fluid must be transported from the site. Transport of hydraulic fluids pose obvious risks including from highway accidents involving the transport vehicle.  
      Various deficiencies exist with each of the known methods of providing periodic maintenance of operating fluids in mechanical devices. As can be seen various attempts have been made to provide ready easy periodic maintenance of operating fluids in mechanical devices. These attempts have been less efficient than desired. As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a filtering method which filters the operating fluid of a mechanical device to a desired level of purity while utilizing the pumping device of the mechanical device with return of the filtered operating fluid to the mechanical device. This arrangement provides for a flushing of the conduits which the operating fluid typically is pumped through by the pumping device of the mechanical device. The present invention substantially fulfills these needs.  
     SUMMARY  
      In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of providing periodic maintenance of operating fluids in mechanical devices, your applicant has devised a method of filtering an operating fluid contained in a mechanical device. The mechanical device will have a pumping device which routinely provides for a movement of the operating fluid about the mechanical device. The routine movement of the operating fluid taking place at least partially within a transfer conduit of the mechanical device. The method of filtering utilizes the pumping device of the mechanical device for movement of the operating fluid during the filtering procedure. The method of filtering the operating fluid contained in the mechanical device uses the following steps. Providing a remote filtering station having a filter, a first conduit for fluid transfer from the mechanical device to the filter and a second conduit for fluid transfer from the filter to the mechanical device. Connecting the provided first conduit relative to the transfer conduit of the mechanical device for the fluid transfer of the operating fluid from the transfer conduit of the mechanical device to the first conduit. Connecting the provided second conduit relative to the transfer conduit of the mechanical device downstream of the connection of the provided first conduit to the transfer conduit of the mechanical device for the fluid transfer of the operating fluid from the provided second conduit to the transfer conduit of the mechanical device. Operating the pumping device of the mechanical device to move the operating fluid through the transfer conduit of the mechanical device and into the provided first conduit and through the filter of the provided remote filtering station and through the provided second conduit and into the transfer conduit of the mechanical device. Disconnecting the provided first conduit from the transfer conduit of the mechanical device. Disconnecting the provided second conduit from the transfer conduit of the mechanical device.  
      My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combinations of them herein disclosed and it is distinguished from the prior art in these particular combinations of these structures for the functions specified.  
      There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
      It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide for a periodic maintenance filtering of an operating fluid of a mechanical device where the mechanical device is operated during at least a portion of the filtering procedure with return of the filtered operating fluid to the mechanical device.  
      Other objects include;  
      a) to provide for a periodic maintenance filtering of a hydraulic fluid of a mechanical device.  
      b) to provide for the periodic maintenance filtering of the hydraulic fluid with operation of all hydraulic units of the mechanical device during the filtering procedure where generally all of the hydraulic fluid of the mechanical device is passed through a filter of a remote filtering station.  
      c) to provide for the periodic maintenance of the operating fluid of the mechanical device to use a pumping device of the mechanical device to move the operating fluid.  
      d) to provide for a filter replacement adapter to take the place of an existing filter of the mechanical device during the filtering procedure.  
      e) to provide for the filter replacement adapter to have a first conduit to contain the operating fluid being pumped out of the mechanical device by the pumping device of the mechanical device during transfer of the operating fluid to a remote filtering station.  
      f) to provide for the filter replacement adapter to have a second conduit to contain the operating fluid being pumped through the remote filtering station by the pumping device of the mechanical device during transfer of the operating fluid back to the mechanical device.  
      g) to provide for the filter replacement adapter to have an outer portion which remains generally axially stationary during installation of the filter replacement adapter on the mechanical device and an inner, or tightening, portion which penetrates the outer portion and which is rotated during installation of the filter replacement adapter on the mechanical device.  
      h) to provide for a pressure gauge on the remote filtering station to permit monitoring of a fluid pressure of the operating fluid being delivered to the remote filtering station.  
      i) to provide for a flow gauge on the remote filtering station to permit monitoring of a flow rate of the operating fluid passing through the remote filtering station.  
      j) to provide for a fluid release valve-on the remote filtering station to permit withdrawal of a sample of the operating fluid downstream of a filter of the remote filtering station.  
      k) to provide for a second filter on the remote filtering station to permit additional filtering of the operating fluid passing through the remote filtering station.  
      l) to provide for the second filter of the remote filtering station to have characteristics which permit filtering of the operating fluid where the filtering qualities of the second filter of the remote filtering station are different from the filtering qualities of the first filter of the remote filtering station.  
      m) to provide for the first filter of the remote filtering station to have filtering qualities which remove particulate material from the operating fluid and for the second filter of the remote filtering station to have filtering qualities which remove specific compositions of matter, such as water, from the operating fluid.  
      n) to provide for filtering of operating fluid during a periodic maintenance procedure wherein the existing operating fluid is returned to a nearly new condition and remains in the mechanical device thereby eliminating the requirement of disposing of the existing operating fluid as exists with conventional changing of the operating fluid during a periodic maintenance procedure.  
      o) to provide for the periodic maintenance to return the operating fluid of the mechanical device to the nearly new condition to occur at any desired physical location including at the location of deployment of the mechanical device on a work site.  
      p) to provide for an elimination of transport of hazardous operating fluids from a location of acquisition of new, or reconditioned, operating fluid and to a location of disposal of used operating fluid as is required with changing of the operating fluid during conventional periodic maintenance procedures.  
      q) to provide for the filter replacement adapter to have two conduits extending therefrom, with respective quick connect/release fittings thereon, wherein the connection of conduits, with corresponding respective quick connect/release fittings thereon, from a filter housing unit to the extending conduits of the filter replacement adapter may occur at a convenient location beyond the perimeter of structures of the mechanical device.  
      These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein;  
       FIG. 1 a  is a top plan view of a remote filtering station.  
       FIG. 1   b  is an elevational view of the remote filtering station depicted in  FIG. 1   a.    
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a filter replacement adapter.  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the assembled filter replacement adapter depicted in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view of an outer portion as taken from the section line ‘ 4 ’ in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of an,inner portion as taken from the section line ‘ 5 ’ in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart of a method of filtering.  
       FIG. 7   a  through  FIG. 7   d  are elevational views of the filtering station and a portion of a mechanical device in various stages during a filtering procedure.  
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a portion of a filter bracket of the mechanical device as taken from the section line ‘ 8 ’ in  FIG. 7   b.   
    
    
     DESCRIPTION  
      Many different methods and devices having features of the present invention are possible. The following description describes the preferred embodiment of select features of those methods and devices and various combinations thereof. These features may be deployed in various combinations to arrive at various desired working configurations of methods and devices.  
      Reference is hereafter made to the drawings where like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views.  
      The term operating fluid as used herein refers to any fluid, having any composition of matter, which performs some desired function in use with a machine. Such functions include as a hydraulic fluid to transfer power under pressure, as a lubricating fluid to reduce friction between components, as a drive fluid to transfer power from one component to another component and as a cooling fluid to extract heat from a component or components.  
      The term mechanical device as used herein refers to any mechanical device which routinely uses an operating fluid to perform some desired function with, or for, the mechanical device. The mechanical device may be an entire machine or may be merely a portion of the entire machine. The mechanical device may be stationarily positioned where it does not move from an installed location during routine operation of the mechanical device. Alternatively, the mechanical device may be a vehicle, or attached to a vehicle, which moves about The mechanical device may be on a transport vehicle which moves about while the mechanical device only operates while the transport vehicle is stationary. The mechanical device may have a single general component, or component set, which the operating fluid acts with or upon. Alternatively, the mechanical device may have a plurality of components which the operating fluid acts with or upon. In the case where the operating fluid is a hydraulic fluid the mechanical device may have many hydraulic units which may be selectively operated utilizing power delivered through pressure of the hydraulic fluid.  
      The term conduit refers to containment passageways and is not limited to any structural member or class of structural members, such as a hose member or tubular member. Additionally, the term conduit is not limited to a single type or material for the containment passageway(s) of the conduit, but may, if desired, be a mixture of different types of materials. The term conduit is also not limited to a single configuration of containment passageway throughout the conduit. The term transfer conduit, as applied to mechanical devices, may have many types of containment structures and may branch off into many separate and distinct conduits or may combine from many separate and distinct conduits into a single conduit. Preferably, all of the operating fluid being circulated by the mechanical device during performance of the filtering procedure of the present invention will pass through the transfer conduit of the mechanical device at the point of diversion to the filter of the remote filtering station so that all of the operating fluid has an opportunity to be filtered by the filter of the remote filtering station of the present invention.  
      It is understood that the mechanical device, and all components of the mechanical device including the operating fluid, upon which a filtering procedure based upon the present invention is being performed are workpieces and form no part of any structure of the present invention. Certain of these structures of the mechanical device will be manipulated as part of a step of a method of the present invention while others may be so manipulated as part of a step of a method of the present invention.  
      The mechanical device upon which the method of filtering of an operating fluid will be performed will have a pumping device and a transfer conduit. The pumping device will provide for a movement of the operating fluid about the mechanical device at least partially within the transfer conduit. Depending upon the function of the mechanical device and the function of the operating fluid the mechanical device may have a hydraulic unit capable of being operated through a range of motion in response to movement of the operating fluid, in the form of hydraulic fluid, through the transfer conduit utilizing the pumping device. Depending upon the configuration of the mechanical device the mechanical device may have a filter bracket in communication with the transfer conduit and a filter connected to the filter bracket. Certain mechanical devices utilize hydraulic units to drive wheels for movement of the mechanical device. When such is the case, the remote filtering station may be entirely placed upon the mechanical device where the mechanical device may operate those hydraulic units which provide propulsion and therefore move the mechanical device about during at least a portion of the filtering procedure.  
      The specific reference to the drawings utilize a remote filtering station  20 , see  FIG. 7   c  and  FIG. 7   d,  having a filter replacement adapter  22 , a first conduit  24 , a filter housing unit  26  and a second conduit  28 . Remote filtering station  20  is depicted operating on a mechanical device  30 , see  FIG. 7   a  through  FIG. 7   d,  having a reservoir  32  containing a hydraulic fluid  34  as the applicable operating fluid. Those of ordinary skill in the art may make use of the description contained herein to practice the method upon any applicable mechanical device having an operating fluid.  
      The method of filtering will be performed on mechanical device  30 . Mechanical device  30  has a transfer conduit  36  having hydraulic fluid  34  contained therein. A pumping device  38  provides for movement of the hydraulic fluid within transfer conduit  36  under pressure. A hydraulic unit  40  is capable of being operated through a range of motion between a retracted position  42 , see  FIG. 7   c,  and an expanded position  44 , see  FIG. 7   d,  in response to power delivered through transfer conduit  36  from pumping device  38 . A filter bracket  46  is positioned within transfer conduit  36  and routinely has a filter  48  attached thereto, see  FIG. 7   a.  Filter  48  has internal threads, not shown, about an aperture as conventionally known in the art. Filter bracket  46  has a filter mounting shaft  50 , see  FIG. 8 , which has external threads  52  thereon which mates with the internal threads of filter  48  to retain filter  48  securely to filter bracket  46 .  
      Various of the views depict remote filtering station  20 , or portions thereof, to provide for a maintenance filtering of hydraulic fluid  34  of mechanical device  30 . Various of the components of the invention are described separately but, if applicable, all provided components, excluding the workpieces, may be considered to be part of remote filtering station  20 . Filter housing unit  26  has a first coupling  54 , a second coupling  56  and a first filter  58 . First coupling  54  has a quick connect/release fitting  60  and second coupling  56  has a quick connect/release fitting  62 .  FIG. 7   c  and  FIG. 7   d  depict first conduit  24  for fluid containment during transfer from filter replacement adapter  22  to filter housing unit  26 . First conduit  24  provides for containing hydraulic fluid  34  during transit from mechanical device  30  during operation of pumping device  38  of mechanical device  30  into filter housing unit  26  during the maintenance filtering of hydraulic fluid  34 . A portion of first conduit  24  is depicted as a first extension hose  64  and has a first quick connect/release fitting  66  and a second quick connect/release fitting  68  at opposing ends thereof for ready attachment and detachment. First quick connect/release fitting  66  of first extension hose  64  connects to quick connect/release fitting  60  of first coupling  54  of filter housing unit  26 . Second conduit  28  provides for containing hydraulic fluid  34  during transfer from filter housing unit  26  to filter replacement adapter  22 . Second conduit  28  provides for containing hydraulic fluid  34  during transit to mechanical device  30  during operation of pumping device  38  of mechanical device  30  from filter housing unit  26  during the maintenance filtering of hydraulic fluid  34 . A portion of second conduit  28  is depicted as a second extension hose  70  and has a first quick connect/release fitting  72  and a second quick connect/release fitting  74  at opposing ends thereof for ready attachment and detachment. First quick connect/release fitting  72  of second extension hose  70  connects to quick connect/release fitting  62  of second coupling  56  of filter housing unit  26 . First conduit  24  is considered to be all conduit leading to first filter  58  of filter housing unit  26 . Second conduit  28  is considered to be all conduit beyond first filter  58  or beyond first filter  58  and a second filter  76  when second filter  76  is present. While couplings  54  and  56  are desirable for ease of manipulation, storage and transport of filter housing unit  26  they are optional.  
      Filter housing unit  26  has a spill containment perimeter  78 , see  FIG. 1   a  and  FIG. 1   b,  to contain any spilled operating fluid. The facing portion of spill containment perimeter  78  has been removed in  FIG. 1   b  to reveal the various components positioned therebehind. In the preferred embodiment depicted spill containment perimeter  78  is a continuation of a floor  80  with suitable sealing, such as by welding, at the various corners  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  88 .  
      First filter  58  is positioned within first conduit  24  between first coupling  54  and second coupling  56  of second conduit  28  wherein hydraulic fluid  34  moves through first filter  58  of filter housing unit  26  during operation of pumping device  38  of mechanical device  30  during the maintenance filtering of hydraulic fluid  34 . First filter  58  of filter housing unit  26  provides for at least a portion of particulate material  90 , see  FIG. 7   d,  contained in hydraulic fluid  34  to be trapped within first filter  58  of filter housing unit  26  and therefore removed from hydraulic fluid  34  prior to movement to second conduit  28 . The means to divert hydraulic fluid  34  from transfer conduit  36  of mechanical device  30  during operation of pumping device  38  of mechanical device  30  to first conduit  24  during the maintenance filtering of hydraulic fluid  34  is performed by filter replacement adapter  22 . The means to return hydraulic fluid  34  to transfer conduit  36  of mechanical device  30  during operation of pumping device  38  of mechanical device  30  from second conduit  28  during the maintenance filtering of hydraulic fluid  34  is performed by filter replacement adapter  22 .  
      Filter housing unit  26  further is depicted as having a pressure gauge  92 , means to draw a sample  94 , a flow gauge  96  and second filter  76 . Pressure gauge  92  provides for a monitoring of a fluid back pressure during the filtering of hydraulic fluid  34  during operation of pumping device  38  of mechanical device  30 . The means to draw sample  94  of hydraulic fluid  34  is depicted as a release valve  98  positioned within second conduit  28 . This provides for sample  94  to be taken from downstream side of first filter  58  of filter housing unit  26 . Flow gauge  96  provides for monitoring of a flow rate of hydraulic fluid  34  passing flow gauge  96 . Flow gauge  96  is depicted installed in first conduit  24 .  
      Second filter  76  provides for subsequent filtering of hydraulic fluid  34  following the filtering of hydraulic fluid  34  by first filter  58  of filter housing unit  26 . Second filter  76  preferably has characteristics which permit filtering of operating fluid  34  where the filtering qualities of second filter  76  are different from the filtering qualities of first filter  58 . In the most preferred embodiment depicted first filter  58  has filtering qualities which remove particulate material  90  from operating fluid  34  while second filter  76  has filtering qualities which remove liquid contaminants, such as water, from operating fluid  34 . Second filter  76  is positioned in a bypass conduit  100  which leaves second conduit  28  and returns to second conduit  28 . A diversion valve  102 , as conventionally known to provide for full flow diversion at a junction in a selective direction, is positioned in junction  104  of second conduit  28  where bypass conduit  100  first leaves second conduit  28 . When diversion valve  102  is in a pass through orientation  106 , see  FIG. 1   a,  hydraulic fluid  34  moves along second conduit  28  without passing through second filter  76 . A check valve  108 , as conventionally known to provide for unidirectional flow of a fluid, is positioned in a second filter output conduit  110  to prevent back flow of hydraulic fluid  34  into second filter  76  when diversion valve  102  is in pass through orientation  106 . When diversion valve  102  is in a diversion orientation, not shown, hydraulic fluid  34  moves through bypass conduit  100  and through second filter  76  and through second filter output conduit  110  and into second conduit  28 . This arrangement permits operator selection of whether hydraulic fluid  34  passes through just first filter  58  or through first filter  58  and second filter  76 . Suitable bracing structure, as conventionally known in the art and not depicted in the various views, would be provided to ensure strong and durable integrity of filter housing unit  26  and the various components.  
      Filter replacement adapter  22 , specifically see  FIG. 3 , has means to divert and means to return. Filter replacement adapter  22  replaces, see  FIG. 7   c,  filter  48 , see  FIG. 7   a,  of mechanical device  30  during the maintenance filtering of hydraulic fluid  34 .  
      Referring now specifically to  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 5 , filter replacement adapter  22  is constructed of an outer portion  112 , an inner portion  114 , a wear plate  116 , a lower o-ring seal  118 , an upper o-ring seal  120 , a snap ring  122 , a seal  124 , an input fitting  126 , a first semi-permanent hose  128 , an output fitting  130  and a second semi-permanent hose  132 .  
      Referring now specifically to  FIG. 4 , outer portion  112  has an output port  134 , an input port  136  and a passageway  138  extending therethrough. Passageway  138  has a lower o-ring seating trench  140  and an upper o-ring seating trench  142 , with upper o-ring seal  120  positioned therein for clarity of understanding. Passageway  138  has a radial cavity  144  positioned between lower o-ring seating trench  140  and upper o-ring seating trench  142  which partially defines a lower fluid reservoir  146 . A seal trench  148  radially surrounds passageway  138  at an upper extent  150  of outer portion  112 . Seal trench  148  receives seal  124  therein with a portion of seal  124  extending above seal trench  148 . An upper cavity  152  resides between passageway  138  and seal trench  148  which partially defines a top fluid reservoir  154 . A flow channel  156  connects output port  134  with upper cavity  152 . A pressure release passageway  158  penetrates outer portion  112  from output port  134  to passageway  138  above upper o-ring seating trench  142 . Output port  134  has threads  160  therein to receive threads  162 , see  FIG. 2 , of output fitting  130 . Input port  136  has threads  164  therein to receive threads  166 , see  FIG. 2 , of input fitting  126 . Outer portion  112  preferably is machined from a single piece of material to have the various features as depicted in the various views for the preferred embodiment although many other fabrication methods exist and may be employed.  
      Referring now specifically to  FIG. 5 , inner portion  114  has a base  168  and a shaft  170 . A return port  172  penetrates shaft  170  and is in communication with a return flow channel  174  which extends through shaft  170 . Inner portion  114  has internal threads  176  at an upper extent  178  of inner portion  114  within return flow channel  174 . Internal threads  176  mate with external threads  52  of filter bracket  46 , see  FIG. 8 , of mechanical device  30  during installation of-filter replacement adapter  22  on mechanical device  30 . Shaft  170  of inner portion  114  has a pressure release reservoir  180  radially extending about shaft  170 . A pressure release passageway  182  penetrates shaft  170  from pressure release reservoir  180  to return flow channel  174 . A snap ring trench  184  radially surrounds shaft  170  to receive snap ring  122 , see  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , to retain inner portion  114  within passageway  138  of outer portion  112 . Return port  172  will be in communication with radial cavity  144  of outer portion  112  to further define lower fluid reservoir  146  and permit transfer of fluid through input port  136  of outer portion  112  and through return flow channel  174  of inner portion  114 . Inner portion  114  preferably is machined from a single piece of material to have the various features as depicted in the various views for the preferred embodiment although many other fabrication methods exist and may be employed.  
      Wear plate  116  resides between inner portion  114  and outer portion  112 , see  FIG. 3 , and prevents excessive abrasion between inner portion  114  and outer portion  112 . Wear plate  116  preferably is formed from a nylon material which prevents binding therebetween with either inner portion  114  or outer portion  112  thereby reducing any tendency to impart rotation to outer portion  112  from rotational manipulation of inner portion  114 .  
      When operation of pumping device  38  of mechanical device  30  is terminated during the filtering procedure fluid pressure may exist within remote filtering station  20 , including first conduit  24 , second conduit  28  and filter replacement adapter  22 . Pressure release passageway  158  of outer portion  112  of filter replacement adapter  22  cooperates with pressure release reservoir  180  and pressure release passageway  182  of inner portion  114  of filter replacement adapter  22  to equalize pressure where undue leakage of operating fluid  34  does not occur during removal of remote filtering station  20 , including filter replacement adapter  22 , from mechanical device  30 . Due to the small size of pressure release passageways  158  and  182  inconsequential quantities of operating fluid  34  are diverted back to transfer conduit  36  of mechanical device  30  without passing through first filter  58  of filter housing unit  26 .  
      When assembled, see  FIG. 3 , inner portion  114  is rotatable within passageway  138  of outer portion  112 . Such rotation being facilitated by manipulation of base  168  of inner portion  114 . This manipulation permitting internal threads  176  of shaft  170  to selectively engage and disengage external threads  52  of filter bracket  46  of mechanical device  30  for installation and removal of filter replacement adapter  22 . Upper o-ring seal  120  and lower o-ring seal  118  each contact outer portion  112  and inner portion  114  to prevent passage thereby of fluid contained in either respective lower fluid reservoir  146  or top fluid reservoir  154 .  
      During installation of filter replacement adapter  22  outer portion  112  remains generally axially stationary relative to filter bracket  46  of mechanical device  30 . Seal  124  of outer portion  112  mates with a filter contact surface  186 , see  FIG. 8 , of filter bracket  46  of mechanical device  30  following removal of filter  48  from mechanical device  30 .  
      A first semi-permanent hose  128  attaches to output fitting  130  and a second semi-permanent hose  132  attaches to input fitting  126 . First hose  128  and second hose  132  may be rigidly attached to outer portion  112  or may be releaseably attached thereto. First semi-permanent hose  128  is part of first conduit  24  while second semi-permanent hose  132  is part of second conduit  28 . First semi-permanent hose  128  has a quick connect/release fitting  188  at a terminal end thereof for ready attachment and detachment from second quick connect/release fitting  68  of first extension hose  64 . Second semi-permanent hose  132  has a quick connect/release fitting  190  at a terminal end thereof for ready attachment and detachment from second quick connect/release fitting  74  of second extension hose  70 .  
      Of course first extension hose  64  and second extension hose  70  may attach directly to filter replacement adapter  22  in the absence of semi-permanent hoses  128  and  132 . Preferably first semi-permanent hose  128  and second semi-permanent hose  132  will be of a sufficient length to provide for ready and easy attachment of first extension hose  64  and second extension hose  70 , following installation of filter replacement adapter  22  on mechanical device  30 , beyond any surrounding structures of mechanical device  30 . If desired, quick connect/release fittings may be installed on filter replacement adapter  22  for ready and easy attachment of first extension hose  64  and second extension hose  70 . Filter bracket  46  of mechanical device  30  is well known in the art. Filter mounting shaft  50 , see  FIG. 8 , has a conduit  192  which is part of transfer conduit  36  of mechanical device  30  where operating fluid may be pumped therethrough. Filter bracket  46  also has at least one (1) conduit  194  positioned adjacent filter mounting shaft  50  and which is part of transfer conduit  36  of mechanical device  30  where operating fluid may be pumped therethrough. During routine filtering of the operating fluid during operation of mechanical device  30  the operating fluid is routinely pumped through conduit  194 , through filter  48  and through conduit  192  of filter mounting shaft  50 . Filter  48  covers and contains conduit  194  to prevent leakage of operating fluid from mechanical device  30  at this portion of filter bracket  46 .  
      It is desirable to bind the various hoses of the present invention together for ease of handling. Additionally, it is desirable to mark the various couplings so that errors in connection may be reduced or eliminated. Various sized filter replacement assemblies may be provided to accommodate all applicable mechanical devices to be serviced. Various pairs of extension hoses may be provided to provide for convenient placement of the filter housing unit during filtering procedures. These pairs may all have a generally equal length or may have unique lengths.  
      On certain occasions the mechanical device to be service may not be operational or it may be desired to perform the filtering procedure on stored operating fluid. In these instances it is possible to provide a pumping device with the remote filtering station to provide for movement of the operating fluid through the filter of the filter housing unit.  
      Methods of filtering an operating fluid based upon the present invention will utilize the pumping device of the mechanical device being serviced to move the operating fluid during the filtering procedure.  
       FIG. 6  depicts a method of filtering  196  comprising various steps. ‘Provide remote filtering station’  198  is performed where an embodiment of a device capable of performing the filtering procedure is provided. ‘Remove filter from mechanical device’  200  is performed where an applicable existing filter is removed from the mechanical device. ‘Install filter replacement adapter on mechanical device’  202  is performed where an embodiment of a device having features described elsewhere herein is installed in place of the previously removed existing filter on the mechanical device. ‘Ensure first conduit and second conduit connected from filter replacement adapter to remote filtering station’  204  is performed. Such connection may already exist or such connection must then be made at this point in the method. ‘Operate pumping device of mechanical device’  206  is performed where the operating fluid to be filtered of the mechanical device is circulated. If applicable, ‘operate hydraulic unit within range of motion’  208  is performed to flush any stagnant operating fluid contained therein out and into the steam of operating fluid moving through or toward the provided remote filtering station. Preferably each hydraulic unit will be operated through a respective range of motion twice. Most preferably all such hydraulic units will be operated through their respective range of motions once then the entire process will be repeated where two (2) complete series of operations of the deployed hydraulic units are performed in sequence. At this point preferably each existing hydraulic unit on the mechanical device is so operated to flush any stagnant operating fluid therefrom. At this point in the method ‘filtering occurs’  210  occurs. Various criteria may be utilized to determine when to proceed from this step to the next step with the goal being to provide adequate filtering of the operating fluid to meet predetermined standards. ‘Terminate pumping device of mechanical device’  212  is performed to end the filtering of the operating fluid. Such termination ending the powered movement of the operating fluid through the remote filtering station. ‘Remove filter replacement adapter from mechanical device’  214  is performed where the filter replacement adapter is removed. ‘Install filter on mechanical device’,  216  is performed where the existing filter is replaced, or, more preferably, a new filter is installed on the mechanical device.  
       FIG. 7   a  through  FIG. 7   d  depict a standard filtering procedure based upon the present invention. Filter housing unit  26  is positioned in a convenient location relative to mechanical device  30 . Filter  48  of mechanical device  30  is removed from filter bracket  46 , see change from  FIG. 7   a  to  FIG. 7   b.  Then filter replacement adapter  22  is installed on filter bracket  46  of mechanical device  30 , see  FIG. 7   c.  Then first extension hose  64  and second extension hose  70  are installed to connect filter replacement adapter  22  and filter housing unit  26 , see  FIG. 7   c.  Of course, due to the easy, non-rotational, installation capability of filter replacement adapter  22 , first extension hose  64  and second extension hose  70  may already be attached to filter replacement adapter xx. This arrangement is particularly desirable when multiple mechanical devices  30  are to be serviced at a common location. Then pumping device  38  of mechanical device  30  is operated to move operating fluid  34  through first filter  58  of filter housing unit  26 , see  FIG. 7   c.  During the filtering of operating fluid  34  any hydraulic units  40  will be operated through their respective range of motion, see change from  FIG. 7   c  to  FIG. 7   d  and back. Following completion of the filtering of operating fluid  34  operation of pumping device  38  of mechanical device  30  is terminated. Then filter replacement adapter  22  is removed from filter bracket  46  of mechanical device  30 . If desired extension hoses  64  and  70  may be removed before or after removal of filter replacement adapter  22 . Then filter  48 , or a new filter, is installed on filter bracket  46  of mechanical device  30 .  
      With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, material, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.  
      Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.