Abstract:
The present invention relates to an injection system/device and method of using for use in an automatic transmission fluid changing machine. The device including at least a reservoir capable of containing automatic transmission fluid additives; a pressure pump; a plurality of supply lines in fluid communication with the reservoir and a supply line of an ATF changing machine via the pressure pump; and a control mechanism capable of switching the injector assembly on and off; wherein the pressure pump is capable of producing higher pressures in the automatic transmission fluid additives than exist in a fluid from the ATF changing machine.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This non-provisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/303,337 filed on 11 Feb. 2010 and is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an assembly and improved methodology for servicing and conditioning land transportation vehicles to maintain the operational efficiency of the vehicle as well as extend the useful life of the transmission of the vehicle. More particularly, the present invention describes a method, assembly, and operational parameters for the injection and circulation of chemical additives, most notably, transmission fluid and/or other chemical compounds, into a preferably sealed transmission environment via a transmission fluid flush and replacement circulation system. 
         [0003]    In a particularly preferred embodiment, the present invention sets forth a assembly for injecting and circulating replacement transmission fluid and/or transmission cleaning and stabilizing additives directly into the transmission system of an automotive vehicle through replacement lines which are in fluid connection between the vehicle to facilitate full and complete fluid transfer between the present invention and the automotive vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Generally speaking, the selection, purchase, and financing of an automotive vehicle is exercised with great care and consideration by consumers due to the fact that most consumers, especially business and commercial fleet buyers, rely upon the vehicle&#39;s long term operational viability to serve the intended purpose of reliable transport and cartage. At the same time, it is recognized that regular and preventative vehicle maintenance on the part of consumers and vehicle operators is a necessary and integral part of ensuring the operational viability of the vehicle over time. 
         [0005]    Efforts and processes to maintain, extend, and improve the useful life of land transportation vehicles, especially automotive vehicles, have been a constant focus and pursuit since the internal combustion engine was first utilized in transportation vehicles. Of particular interest to the present invention is the ability to improve and maintain the useful life of transmissions used with vehicle engines in traditional vehicle powertrain technology. To improve and maintain both operational efficiency and the useful life of a transmission, it is well known that the automatic transmission fluid (“ATF”), the fluid and chemical compound used to assist and facilitate the operation and movement of a vehicle transmission, should ideally be changed, flushed, and/or replaced on a periodic basis or at least upon a predetermined amount of miles driven by the underlying vehicle based upon its size, type, and functionality. The specific function of ATF in a vehicle transmission is well known in the automotive field and has been the focus of many prior art products, devices, and methods. 
         [0006]    Most notably, different types of land transportation vehicles and transmission designs create a variety of specialized ATF needs and applications. For example, certain types of vehicles, driving environments, and/or cartage/towing requirements can place a wide variety of requirements upon a vehicle transmission. Although these differing operational parameters may present separate challenges to the proper functionality of a transmission, all vehicle transmissions are reliant upon the “useful life” of the underlying ATF contained within the transmission. Very similar to the use of traditional motor oils in the vehicle environment, ATF is a chemical compound which effectively “breaks down”—on a molecular level—over time as the transmission is engaged during the operation of the vehicle. Again, similar to the use of traditional motor oil in an engine, the operational efficiency of a transmission is enhanced, maintained, and safeguarded through the periodic changing, replacing, or “flushing” of old, used, or spent ATF from the transmission and the introduction/circulation of new or clean ATF into the transmission. 
         [0007]    As can readily be appreciated by the fact that transmission technology is well known in the art, the prior art is also likewise characterized by a number of systems/methods employed to change or replace ATF in a vehicle. Essentially, these existing and prior art methodologies generally comprise steps of removing or flushing the existing or “used” ATF from the transmission of a stationary vehicle, while simultaneously replacing or injecting new or “clean” ATF into a closed loop system, all while the vehicle is running. Such existing or prior art methods may also introduce a certain amount of new or “clean” ATF for circulation with the transmission prior to completely replacing the entire ATF (e.g. loop mode) from a source of new or “clean” ATF, typically an ATF tank that contains the replacement ATF. In addition, with respect to traditional “non-sealed” transmissions, it is possible to manually add a designated and/or desired amount of ATF into the vehicle transmission through a designated point of entry. 
         [0008]    Although these prior art systems and methods can achieve effective ATF replacement and are advantageous in many vehicle applications, modern vehicles designs, as well as developments in chemical compound technology, have resulted in both more sophisticated transmission designs as well as additional specialized chemical additives (“ATF additives”) that can be used to clean and/or augment the function of ATF in a vehicle transmission. One such development in transmission design is a “sealed” transmission system which removes the traditional “dipstick” from many vehicles and also substantially curtail, if not eliminate, the ability to manually check or add both ATF and ATF additives to the sealed transmission. 
         [0009]    Thus, there is a need in the art to develop an effective assembly which can employ and reliably replace/introduce both ATF and/or ATF additives to a wide array of transmission designs in an efficient and complete manner which ensures that the required amount of ATF, and the desired amount of ATF additives, are successfully introduced and retained within the vehicle transmission. Typically, the prior art systems/devices require that the desired ATF additive is first added directly to the&#39;ATF tank containing the new or “clean” ATF to also be placed in the vehicle transmission. One example of such an ATF additive is more commonly known as a “flush cleaner”—comprising special chemical additives used to clean the surfaces of the transmission. Another example of an ATF additive is/are various ATF conditioners that may extend the life of the ATF and/or otherwise assist in the efficient operation and/or performance of the specific transmission design. Given the specialty nature of some modern automotive vehicles (i.e. based upon towing capacity, cartage requirements, hybrid vehicles, etc.), it is anticipated that the amount and variety of ATF additives will likewise increase to meet these more specialized automotive needs and designs, especially in sealed transmission systems. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, there is both a technical and industry need to for a assembly which can fully and reliably introduce the desired amount of ATF and selected ATF additive(s) into automotive vehicles in an efficient and complete manner, particular for vehicles having sealed transmission designs. Specifically, it is believed that the introduction of the ATF and/or the selected ATF additive(s) (in both quantity and timing) may be critical for the ATF and selected ATF additives to function as intended and thereby maintain and preserve the operational parameters of the automotive vehicle transmission for the standard useful life of the underlying vehicle. 
         [0011]    The present invention overcomes the drawbacks and disadvantages found in these prior art systems. First, existing systems/devices only allow for the addition of ATF through either a filling port in the transmission (e.g. where a traditional ATF check “dipstick” is located) or require the addition of ATF additives directly into the replacement ATF tank housing the “clean” ATF. This is especially true for “sealed” transmission designs which do not typically utilize or possess independent ports for ATF introduction. Second, these prior art systems have inherent technical limitations in that less than the full or ideal amount of ATF and/or ATF additives will actually be introduced into the vehicle transmission itself. In addition, the prior art systems may result in decreased effectiveness due to less than optimal concentrations of the selected ATF additives being added to the vehicle transmission (i.e. less than the full amount of ATF additive). For example, a cleaner ATF additive may remain in the new ATF at too high of a concentration while the conditioner ATF additive is at too low of a concentration. 
         [0012]    The following and existing prior art devices, systems, and literature may pertain to this subject matter and technology, including the following patent documents: USPUB 20080143779; U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,013; U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,363; U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,170; U.S. Pat. No. 6,986,283; U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,872; U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,657; U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,701; U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,855; U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,629; U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,567; U.S. Pat. No. 6,959,740; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,531, all incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention is directed to a system/assembly/device, and methodology designed to overcome the various drawbacks and disadvantages found in the prior art and described above. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a system and methodology which provide an effective and complete means to introduce not only ATF, but one or more additional ATF additives, into the ATF change or “flush” process in a designated sequence and in designated/desired amounts depending upon the underlying vehicle application. It should be noted that the use of the terms “system” and “assembly” and “device” should be considered as synonymous as it relates to the structure of the present invention. 
         [0014]    Although the present invention is most efficiently employed with vehicles that are equipped with a “sealed” transmission system, it is recognized that use and utility of the present invention is not limited to “sealed” transmission systems and may be employed in a wide variety of transmission applications for any number of land transportation vehicles, as well as marine applications. 
         [0015]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an ATF and/or ATF additive injection system that may be retrofitted to existing ATF change devices, preferably outside of their pumping mechanisms, and may be controlled independently from them. 
         [0016]    It should be appreciated that the above referenced advantages, attributes, aspects and examples of the present invention are non-limiting, as others exist within the scope of the present invention, as shown and described herein. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary depiction of the present invention as assembled to an ATF replacement machine that is hooked up to a vehicle. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary depiction of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    The present invention relates generally to a system and methodology to achieve a desired, complete, and efficient change or flush of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) and/or any desired ATF additives in conjunction with the transmission of a land transportation vehicle. More particularly, the present invention comprises either or both of a stand-alone system or a retrofitted design for use with existing products consisting of an injection system for introducing ATF and/or ATF additives to the transmission of a land transportation vehicle as part of the standard ATF changing or flush process that is typically part of regularly scheduled maintenance for the applicable vehicle. It is contemplated that the present invention may be retrofitted and/or employed with prior art and existing ATF changing or flush technology (e.g. within the same housing) or may be a completely separate stand-alone unit or system. For the sake of efficient design and operational ease of use, the injection system is preferably packaged as part of an overall or stand-alone ATF changing or flush product. Such an integrated system is most commonly found and utilized at automotive repair facilities, dealers, as well as “quick service” oil change venues and similar retail establishments available to the general public. 
         [0020]    Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present invention comprises an ATF and/or ATF additive injection system  10  which functions and facilitates the addition of one or more ATF additive(s) in conjunction with the flow of ATF. In short, the present invention facilitates the introduction of both ATF and/or one or more ATF additives into the selected vehicle as part of the ATF changing or flush operation. It is contemplated that the desired or selected ATF additive(s) can be introduced into the system either simultaneously with the ATF or as part of a separate and discrete step which allows for the desired and verifiable measurement of selected ATF additive(s) which may be most beneficial for the underlying automotive vehicle application. The injection system  10  may allow for the introduction of desired and selected ATF additive(s) to the vehicle independent of the existing ATF changing machine pumping mechanism and/or the any necessary involvement of the vehicle itself through direct introduction into the supply lines that lead from the ATF changing machine into the vehicle transmission. It is believed that this may be particularly beneficial due to the fact that the chemical and/or corrosive nature certain ATF additive(s), especially cleaning additives, may damage or even reduce the functionality of the pumps, hardware, or other equipment used in the changing machine technology. It is also beneficial to meter, measure, time, and control the amount and timing of the introduction of the ATF additive(s) based upon the utility of specific ATF additive(s) to specific transmission designs. 
         [0021]    The present invention consisting of an ATF additive injection system  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , may also consist of at least one reservoir  20 , at least one pressure pump  30 , a plurality of supply lines  40 , and a control mechanism  50 . 
         [0022]    The reservoir or reservoirs  20  functions to hold and retain the ATF additive(s) before they are introduced into the ATF change or flush process. The reservoir  20  may exist in any number of configurations, shapes, or volumetric sizes capable of retaining liquid materials. The reservoir  20  is preferably large enough to hold and retain sufficient volumes of either ATF or ATF additive(s) for use in a wide variety of vehicle applications, and may also employ a preprinted or notched indicator of the liquid volume capacity of the reservoir or reservoirs  20 . 
         [0023]    In a particularly preferred embodiment, the reservoir  20  is comprised of a cylindrical tank with a tapered bottom. The tapered bottom allows substantially all the liquid contents to flow from the reservoir  20  in when the injector system  10  is activated and operational. It is also preferable that the reservoir  20  include at least partially transparent or translucent wall section, to allow the presence and flow of the ATF additive(s) to be visually ascertained. The reservoir  20  may also include a cover  22  with a port and cap  24  (e.g. self closing) to allow for the introduction of the ATF additive(s) to the ATF tank. It may also include an exit port  26  at the bottom to allow the ATF additive(s) to flow from the ATF tank into the rest of the injector system  10 . 
         [0024]    In those applications where the present invention is retrofitted or reconditioned to work with prior art or existing transmission flush devices (i.e. where the injector system  10  may be retrofitted with existing ATF fluid changing technology), the reservoir  20  may be attached to the existing ATF fluid changing technology via a bracket or some other means for connecting the reservoir  20  to the existing ATF fluid changing technology. In a preferred embodiment, the reservoir  20  is attached to an exterior portion of the existing ATF fluid changing technology by employing a conventional L-shaped bracket structure  28 . 
         [0025]    The pressure pump  30  functions to fluidly transfer the ATF additive(s) supplied from the reservoir  20  by introducing the ATF and/or the ATF additive(s) into the ATF changing machine output lines (lines leading from the present invention to the transmission of the vehicle). The pressure pump or pumps  30  should be of sufficient power and located within a relatively short distance from the introduction point (e.g. where the ATF and/or ATF additive(s) enter the output lines). In a preferred embodiment, the pressure pump  30  is at least about a 50 psi (3.5 Kg/cm 2 ) pump, more preferably at least about a 75 psi (5.2 Kg/cm 2 ) pump and most preferably about a 100 psi (7.0 Kg/cm 2 ) pump to 150 psi (10.5 Kg/cm 2 ). Also in a preferred embodiment, the pressure pump  30  is no further that about 1.0 m away from the introduction point between the injector system  10  and the changing machine output lines (supply line  68 ). The combination of pump power and distance should be sufficient to allow either or both of the ATF or ATF additive(s) to be forced into the ATF change machine&#39;s output lines while the change machine is in operation. 
         [0026]    The plurality of supply lines  40  functions to transport the ATF and/or the ATF additive(s) from the reservoir  20 , to the pressure pump  30  and finally into the output lines of the ATF change machine. The lines should have sufficient capacity to handle the volume and pressure of the injector system  10 . Additionally, there is preferably at least one air vent  42  (preferably automatically operated) and at least one check valve  44  within the system  10 . The air vent  42  allows air to be purged from the injector system  10 , when needed, and the check valve  44  allows flow of the ATF and/or ATF additive(s) in substantially a single direction. 
         [0027]    The control means  50  functions to activate and deactivate the injector system  10 . It is contemplated that the control means  50  may consist of a basic manually actuated electrical switch component to one through a more sophisticated switch mechanism which includes numerous subcomponents which may automatically activate and deactivate the injector system  10  based upon the desired function and/or with feedback/communication with any sensors and/or the ATF changing machine. 
         [0028]    Generally speaking, the materials contemplated for each of the components described above are appropriate for the given functions. 
         [0029]    In a first preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , an ATF changing machine  60  hooked up to a vehicle with the injector system  10  is presented. 
         [0030]    In this embodiment, the machine  60  includes two or more tanks (old ATF  62  and new ATF  64 ) fluidly connected to a vehicle  100  (e.g. to the transmission system (not shown)) via two or more supply lines  66 ,  68 . There is also a bridging line  70  that connects lines  66  and  68  when the machine is used in a loop mode, a loop mode being when little or no ATF is being allowed to flow into or out of the tanks  62  and  64 . The machine  60  includes a main ATF pump  72 , which functions to add fluid from the new ATF tank  64  into the vehicle transmission system (via line  68 ). 
         [0031]    The injector system  10 , in this embodiment, includes a reservoir tank  20 , a plurality of supply lines  40 , a pressure pump  30  (with a control means  50 ) and one or more check valves  44  and at least one air vent  42 . The check valve(s) function to prevent unwanted fluid from entering at least part of the system  10  from the machine  60 . 
         [0032]    In this embodiment, the reservoir tank  20  is capable of holding up to about 1.0 liters of additives, although it is contemplated that this tank  20  may be as be up to 5 times smaller or larger. It is preferred that the tank have a tapered bottom. 
         [0033]    The supply lines  40  fluidly connect the tank  20  to the pressure pump  30  and from there to the supply line  68 . One or more check valves  44  are also included in the supply path (see→arrow) injector system  10  and preferably are located after the pump  30 . It is contemplated that the system  10  is capable of introducing any desired additive to the ATF fluid when the machine  60  is in loop mode or in changing mode (e.g. replacing old ATF fluid with new) by activating the injector system  10  (e.g. pushing button such as part of control means  50 ). 
       Method 
       [0034]    It is contemplated that there is an inventive method provided herein. It may include the use of the injector system  10  as described above in a process of changing the injecting and circulating replacement transmission fluid and/or transmission cleaning and stabilizing additives directly into the transmission system of an automotive vehicle through replacement lines which are in fluid connection between the vehicle to facilitate full and complete fluid transfer between the present invention and the automotive vehicle. The contemplated method includes the steps of: providing an ATF changing machine as previously described; providing an injector system as previously described in fluid communication with the ATF changing machine; adding an additive to a reservoir of the injector system; activating the injector system while the ATF changing machine is connected to a vehicle&#39;s automatic transmission system and the vehicle engine is running thus injecting the additive to a supply line of the ATF changing machine. It is also contemplated that the ATF changing machine may be in a closed loop mode (e.g. no new automatic transmission fluid is being added or removed from the vehicle) and the additive is a cleaning additive. It is also contemplated that the ATF changing machine may be in mode in which “new” fluid is being added and the “old” fluid is being removed to the vehicle&#39;s automatic transmission system and the injector system is providing an additive to the “new” fluid supply side of the ATF changing machine. Additionally, the method may include the steps of connecting the injector system to the ATF changing machine in the first place. It should be appreciated that the steps described above are an illustrative example and not limited to the order in which they are presented. 
         [0035]    Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible based upon given vehicle applications. Plural structural components can be provided by a single integrated structure. Alternatively, a single integrated structure might be divided into separate plural components. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such a feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0036]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed. A person of ordinary skill in the art would realize however, that certain modifications would come within the teachings of this invention. 
         [0037]    Further, any numerical values recited in the above application include all values from the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of a component or a value of a process variable such as, for example, temperature, pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intended that values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. are expressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner. 
         [0038]    Still further, unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints. The use of “about” or “approximately” in connection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about 20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of at least the specified endpoints. 
         [0039]    The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
         [0040]    The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified, and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. 
         [0041]    The use of the terms “comprising”, “consisting”, or “including” used to describe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of the elements, ingredients, components or steps. 
         [0042]    Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might be divided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps. The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient, component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements, ingredients, components or steps.