Patent Publication Number: US-6988506-B1

Title: Fluid transfer system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/836,610, filed Apr. 16, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,219, issued Aug. 13, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/435,375, filed Nov. 5, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,732, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/961,339, filed Oct. 30, 1997, now abandoned. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to fluid transfer conduit having flow control means and an adapter means for connection with a source of fluid, and, in particular, to a portable fluid transfer conduit that is useful in the removal of fluids from equipment which do not have conveniently located outlet ports. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many industrial machines and equipment have requirements for fluid exchanges. Examples of these include changing the oil in motors and engines or hydraulic fluid in presses and lifting equipment. Countless other examples exist, but what is generally common to these machines or equipment is the fact that the outlet port is inconveniently located. Typically this is the result of having to remove the fluid from a sump or drainage point that is located at the bottom of the machine to utilize gravity flow. 
   While the task of removal is not difficult, it is often time consuming because of the inconvenient location of the fittings. However, in a number of the newer or retrofit machines, fluid circulation pumps are provided which are external to the machine or engine. Also, some of the newer equipment is fitted with external prelubrication devices which permit oil or fluid to commence circulation prior to the activation of the primary equipment or engine on which it is fitted. Illustrative of such devices is the prelubrication device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,431 which is incorporated herein by reference, which is typically fitted to a diesel engine used in power equipment, trucks or heavy equipment. Also, circulation devices used to heat hydraulic fluid are applicable to the present invention. 
   Additionally there are numerous smaller devices and motors where access to fluid discharge ports is difficult to reach or in which the fluid must be assisted for removal. Examples include marine engines and the like. In some small sized equipment, the engine must be inverted to remove the oil or other fluid. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,526,782, 5,257,678 and 4,977,978. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide portable fluid transfer conduit that will facilitate the removal of fluids remote from the discharge port. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a conduit for use in fluid transfer that is adapted to fit a discharge port and remotely control the flow of fluid from an engine or equipment. Another object of the invention is to provide a portable transfer conduit that includes fluid pump means for extracting fluid from a machine or engine. A further object of the invention is adapter means for connecting the fluid transfer conduit to an outlet port for such fluid. Another object of the invention is an adapter connector for coupling an air evacuation means to purge or remove part of the fluid from the channels of the machine and filter. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   Generally, the present invention comprises a portable fluid transfer conduit having at least one flexible fluid conduit, Typically the conduit is made from a rubber or polymeric material, stainless steel braiding or the like. In most typical applications it comprises a polyethylene or propropylene tubing. The conduit includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port is adapted for connection with the discharge port of a fluid source such as the sump of an engine or a prelubrication pump. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a coupler means is provided at the inlet port to couple the conduit with discharge port of the fluid source. Most preferably, a quick connect-disconnect fitting is secured to the inlet port of the conduit and a mateable fitting therewith at the discharge port. 
   A flow control means is positioned adjacent the outlet port of the conduit for controlling the flow of fluid from said source, such as a engine sump, through the conduit. In one preferred embodiment, the flow control means includes an actuator electrically connected to means for pumping the fluid from said fluid source, such as a prelubrication pump used in a diesel or internal combustion engine. In this embodiment, the flow control actuator includes disconnectable electrical connection means for control of the pump means. 
   In a second preferred embodiment, the flow control means comprises a pump for pumping the fluid from the fluid source through the conduit. The actuator includes electrical means such as a battery pack or connections to an external source of power such as an electrical wall outlet or battery on vehicle or equipment. The electrical connection is similar to the first embodiment in which disconnectable electric connectors are used. In the case of the battery pack or portable power source, the preferred pump is a light weight dc-motor driven pump in which a small light weight rechargeable battery pack is mounted as part of the flow control means. 
   In another embodiment in the invention, a quick connect conduit having a female coupling is used to connect an air gun or supply source of air pressure. The conduit includes a fitting in the line between the prelubrication pump and the system filter. This is preferably used prior to the removal of oil from the system to clear oil channels and at least some of the oil from the filter to simplify oil removal and make it safer for the workers. 

   
     While the present invention facilitates the removal of fluid from machines, engines, hydraulic systems and the like, other advantages of the invention will become apparent from a perusal of the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevation of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  showing a quick connect coupling; 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention having a pump integrally included in the flow control means; 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 ; and 
       FIG. 5 and 6  are two views of a quick connect coupling for use with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 7  is diagrammatic view of a conduit, a quick connect coupling for oil purges. 
   

   PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a portable fluid transfer conduit  10  having an inlet port  11  and outlet port  12 . Flexibly extending between inlet and outlet ports  11  and  12  is flexible tubing  13 . Tubing  13  is preferably made from a natural or synthetic rubber material, braided stainless steel or polymeric extruded material such as polyethylene or styrene. 
   Attached to inlet  11  is coupling  14 . As shown, coupling  14  is the male mateable end of a quick disconnect coupling more clearly shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Alternatively, coupling  14  can be any type of fitting such as a screw in or a bayonet type coupling. Preferably, however, a quick connect fitting is adapted to the outlet of the fluid source. On devices such as a prelubrication pump similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,431, a bypass or connector means is easily inserted on the pressure side of the pump to divert the oil from the engine to the fluid transfer conduit  10 . An example is disclosed relative to  FIGS. 5 and 6  below. 
   Positioned adjacent outlet port  12  is flow control means  16 . Flow control means comprises in one embodiment an electric or mechanical valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the conduit activated by switch  17 . This embodiment is useful where the fluid source does not incorporate a pump means and/or the fluid is gravity transferred. On the other hand, in the case where means such as a prelubrication device is used, flow control means  16  is preferably a pass through conduit having switch  17  sealably mounted thereon. Switch  17  is electrically connected by conductor  18  to electrical connector  19  which is adapted to connect with the pump circuit to activate the pump and control the flow of fluid. Where flow control means  16  comprises an electric valve, conductor  18  and connector  19  are typically connected to a source of electrical power such as a battery terminal, a magnetic switch, relay contacts or other electromechanical means for activating the pumping means. 
   To drain a fluid such as oil or hydraulic oil from a piece of equipment is a simple matter of connecting coupling  14  to the outlet of the pump and initiating the pump through activation of flow control switch  17  or gravity flow. It should be noted that where a prelubrication pump is used, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,431 a valve is not required. The outlet port of fluid transfer conduit  10  is positioned at a remote and convenient location to discharge the fluid into a waste oil-receiving receptacle. Such waste oil-receiving receptacles are known in the art and may commonly comprise barrels or service vehicles adapted to receive and transport waste oil or other contaminated vehicle fluids. 
   In another preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , fluid transfer conduit  20  comprises a conduit  23  having an inlet port  21  and an outlet port  22 . Inlet port  21  includes a coupling  24 , preferably a mateable quick connect coupling as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In this embodiment, flow control means  16  comprises a small suction, diaphragm, piston or reciprocating pump  28  preferably including a battery pack within. Flow control means  16  includes activator switch  27  preferably in the form of a “trigger switch” having guard  29  and grip means  31  to facilitate holding the discharge end of fluid transfer conduit  20 . It should be noted, however, that where a long transfer conduit is contemplated, for example 20 to 30 feet in length, it is desirable to locate the pump adjacent or in close proximity to coupling means  24 . 
   Many types of small portable pumps  28  are commercially available on the market. A number of pumps are better suited for heavier or more viscose fluids but are not capable of being run with battery power. In such cases, a power cable such as conductor  18  and connector  19  can be used in this embodiment as well. Typically, the electrical power required can be supplied by a vehicle storage battery or an a-c pump can be connected to an a-c outlet. 
   The smaller pump means are especially useful in the consumer market and the larger pumps are specially applicable to the industrial market. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6  an example of a preferred coupling means  14  and  41  are respectively shown. Coupling means  14  and  41  are adaptable to both fluid transfer conduit embodiments shown with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Coupling  41  connects to the engine oil port (not shown) whereas coupling  14  is attached to conduit  10 . Such couplings are well known in the art and comprise a male quick connector fitting  30  and a female mateable quick connector fitting  32 . Also shown is an electrical receptor  33  for receiving electrical connector  19 . It is also possible to include a sensing means on the coupling to indicate that the sump is dry and signal for shut down of the pump. A cap  34  is shown for protecting receptor  33  between periods of use. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , receptor  33  and fitting  32  are mounted on a bracket  36  which is then connected to a source of fluid  37 , such as a prelubrication pump, not otherwise shown. In this embodiment, fitting  32  is connected in the output or high pressure side of the fluid source system. In the case of a prelubrication system, fitting  32  is interposed in the high pressure pump discharge line between pump and an engine. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6  is a sampling port  39  can used to sample oil in a prelubrication system where the prelubrication pumps flows in to  37 . This has the advantage of providing a live sample of oil without requiring the engine to be running. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , an additional fitting  40  attached to air supply  42  is mounted on bracket  36 . Preferably fitting  40  is quick connect female fitting adapted to a couple to air supply (not shown). By attaching an air source to fitting  40  prior to the removal of oil from the engine, oil resident in the channels can be removed to the sump and the oil in the filter system at least partially removed to facilitate removal of the filter, especially if it is hot. Typically, it is desirable to have the source of air at a pressure from about 90 to 150 Psi. 
   While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in particularity the invention may be otherwise embodied with in the scope of the appended claims.