VARIABLE FLOW FLUID EXCHANGE MACHINE

Abstract

A vehicle fluid exchange machine is disclosed that allows the technician to control the flow into the vehicle or stand-alone cooling or hydraulic system either manually or automatically based on a safe working pressure for the vehicle. If the vehicle's cooling system can handle a higher pressure for example, the technician may adjust the machine's flow to a flow rate consistent with the higher pressure rating while monitoring the pressure across the system. The default setting for the air injection process is automatic, but can also be switched to manual by the technician.

Claims

1. A fluid exchange machine, comprising: a chassis having at least a pair of wheels mounted on an axle; a fluid tank supported on the axle, the fluid tank having a heating element and a level switch; an air vent diffuser in fluid communication with the fluid tank; a controller; a variable speed motor and pump combination for causing a fluid flow; a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the fluid tank; a flow meter; a flow control valve; first and second hoses connectable to a vehicle cooling lines and heat exchanger; a dedicated air line configured to inject air into the fluid flow; and a reversing valve for reversing a direction of the fluid flow.

2. The fluid exchange machine of claim 1, further comprising a filter screen for visually inspecting a purity of the fluid flow.

3. The fluid exchange machine of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor for determining a temperature of the fluid flow.

4. The fluid exchange machine of claim 1, further comprising a solenoid valve between the air line and a source of pressurized air.

5. The fluid exchange machine of claim 4, further comprising a check valve disposed between the variable speed motor and pump combination, and the flow control valve.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] FIG. 1 is an elevated, perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an example of an air burst cycle that may be used in conjunction with the fluid exchange machine; and

[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a fluid flushing machine of the type embodied by the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The present invention is a vehicle fluid exchange machine that allows the technician to control the flow into the vehicle or stand-alone cooling or hydraulic system either manually or automatically based on a safe working pressure for the vehicle. If the vehicle's cooling system can handle 70 psi of pressure for example, the technician may adjust the machine's flow to a flow rate consistent with this rating while monitoring the pressure across the system. The default setting for the air injection process is automatic, but can also be switched to manual by the technician. When in automatic mode, a program is performed by the controller to have the machine conduct the following steps.

[0014] The controller monitors four parameters (which can be changed at the technician's discretion by using the user interface at the setup prompt and adjusting the settings) to control:

[0015] 1. Length of time that the air is introduced to the flow of the working fluid;

[0016] 2. Length of time that the air is turned off to the flow of working fluid;

[0017] 3. Number of times that item 1 occurs; and

[0018] 4. Length of time to wait until item 1-3 is repeated.

[0019] The timing and iterations can be explored to determine the best “routine” for cleaning the cooler and program those settings into the machine for future use.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The fluid exchange machine 10 includes a fresh fluid tank 12 that is mounted on an axle supporting two wheels 14 so that the machine 10 can easily be moved adjacent a vehicle as needed. A convenient handle 16 can also be provided to steer or pull the machine 10 into position. An electrical power module 18 is connected to the support frame and receives electrical power from a standard power outlet via an electrical cable to allow for standard shops to utilize the machine on a fifteen amp breaker typically found in these locations. Two hoses 36, 38 are connected to a manual switching valve 42 that allows the flow to reverse direction when required by the conditions of the vehicle's component. A check valve 58 is located downstream of the pump to ensure that air is directed in the direction of fluid flow when purging fluid from the hoses.

[0021] A display panel 22 provides a user with an LED display and incorporates various buttons, knobs, or inputs to activate and operate the machine 10. The controller 40 in the power module 18 is programmed to conduct the various fluid exchange operations utilized by the machine, and the system can be programmed to control the pump automatically using the motor so as to run for a specified period of time selectable by the user which when complete is signaled by the machine by various tones, lights, and screen messages.

[0022] The machine 10 includes a ¾ horsepower electric motor 26 that drives a fluid pump 28. The fluid pump 28 delivers fresh fluid from the tank 12 into the vehicle's cooling/transmission/brake system 30 while flushing the old, leftover fluid through a fine mesh screen 48 and through a ten to twenty micron filtration filter 50. The fluid then returns to the main tank 12 (with optional heating if required) and is recirculated back through the component. Air injection is programmatically controlled using four parameters, air burst on time, off time, number of bursts, and time between burst patterns. FIG. 2 illustrates one exemplary cycle for the programmed air burst intervals.

[0023] Excess flow and controlled flow out of the priority flow control is joined together post filter and returned to the tank 12 to extend the life of the filter elements. The tank is vented to the atmosphere through a breather valve and any liquid is captured in a bottle 34 to prevent operators from breathing vapors. Fluid temperature, flow, pressure, tank level, and filter status are monitored by the sensors and displayed to the user.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the major components of the fluid exchange machine. The vehicle's radiator 30 is shown connected by the two hoses 36, 38 to component and lines being flushed. The tank 12 is filled with fresh fluid and includes a pressure transducer MT1 to measure the back pressure and pressure in the hydraulic circuit during the fluid exchange operation. The tank 12 includes a heating element 90 that can be used to elevate the temperature of the fluid to be circulated. The pressure data is fed to a controller 40 that can be used to monitor and control the air delivery and fluid flow rates. The hoses 36, 38 are equipped with a flow reversing valve 42 to control the direction of the flow into and out of the transmission 30. Upstream of the reversing valve on the first hose is a flow meter 44 and check valve 58, and downstream of the reversing valve on the second hose is a sixty micron filter screen 48 and a ten to twenty micron absolute filter 50. The filter screen 48 is used to visually inspect the fluid exiting the transmission to determine the level of contaminants and fouling, and to determine when the fluid exchange is sufficiently complete. Between the flow meter 44 and the reversing valve 42 on the first hose 36 is an air line 52 that is connected to a pressurized source of air 54. A solenoid 56 may be located on the air line 52 to control the air injection either manually or automatically.

[0025] Each of the first and second hoses 36, 38 is connected at their opposite end to a manually operated reverser valve 46. The tank 12 includes a level switch 60 that can cease operation of the machine 10 if the fluid level drops below a predetermined level that makes it unsafe to continue. The tank 12 is connected to a motor 26 and pump 28 to feed the manually operated priority flow control valve 46. A pressure transducer MT1 is disposed between the motor/pump to monitor the pressure of the fluid leaving the pump. This information is also conveyed to the controller 40 for managing the system.

[0026] The fixed displacement gear pump 28 is preferably driven by a single phase AC motor 26. Fluid flows past the pressure sensor MT1 and into manual priority flow control valve 46 (pressure compensated with internal 120 psi relief valve). The flow passes through the check valve 58 and a 0-10 gallons per minute positive displacement flow meter 44. The air injection line 52 attaches just after flow meter 44. With or without air injection, the flow moves into the open center reversing valve 42 and then into component 30 being flushed, and then back to the reversing valve 42 and into the fine mesh screen filter 48. After exiting the filter, the flow moves into a dual paper based spin on filter or 10-20 micron absolute filter 50. Excess flow and controlled flow moves out of priority flow control tee together after cellulose filter and return to the tank 12. The tank 12 is vented to atmosphere through a diffuser 64 and bottle 34.

[0027] When the user begins the operation, a program automatically starts the motor/pump operation and runs for specified periods of times selectable by the user. Air injection may be programmatically controlled using the controller 40. Specifically the controller has the option of selecting an air injection pattern based on the measured flow rate if enabled. Temperature, flow, and pressure are monitored and reported to the user via the LED display. Air injection is not performed upon initial startup of flush cycle and at the end of flush cycle so that accurate reading of flow and pressure can be obtained.

[0028] While the foregoing describes one preferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that there are many different substitutions and rearrangements of the various components that would still function within the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention should not be construed as limited to any single embodiment described or depicted, but rather the invention's scope is measured by a totality of the information provided.