Portable device and method for enhanced recovery of lubricants from engine sumps and the like

A device for recovering fluid from a reservoir having a lower drain comprising:

• a first coupling connectable to a drain of a reservoir and having an internal passage for fluid flow therethrough;
• a conduit having a first end connected to the first coupling for fluid flow into the conduit and a second end opposite the first end;
• a valve at the second end of the conduit to control fluid flow through the conduit and being normally set to a closed position to prevent fluid flow therethrough;
• a probe defining a fluid passage and having a tip portion for actuating the valve from the closed position to an open position upon insertion of the tip portion in the valve to allow fluid flow through the valve and the probe;
• a portable receptacle attached to the probe for collecting fluid when the valve is actuated to the open position;
• a portable pump to reduce the pressure in the receptacle to draw fluid through the conduit and into the receptacle, the portable pump being a manual pump that is selectively operated to reduce pressure in the portable receptacle to draw fluid into the portable receptacle when the probe actuates the valve to the open position;
• and
• the pump further comprising a compressible body portion having an expanded position and a collapsed position and an inlet and an outlet, the inlet allowing air to be draw from the receptacle as the bellow body normally shifts from the collapsed to the expanded position and the outlet allows air to discharge from the bellow body as the bellow body is manually shifted from the expanded position to the collapsed position.

A method for recovering fluid from a reservoir having a lower drain, comprising the steps of:

• attaching a first coupling having an internal passage for fluid flow to a drain of a reservoir;
• providing a conduit having a first end connected to the first coupling and a second end having a valve to control fluid flow through the conduit, the valve being normally set to a closed position to prevent fluid flow therethrough;
• attaching a second coupling to a portable reservoir through which both air and fluid passes;
• providing a probe capable of delivering fluid to the portable reservoir through the second coupling;
• inserting the probe into the valve and actuating the valve to an open position with the probe to permit fluid flow therethrough the probe;
• collecting fluid flowing through the conduit and the probe in the portable receptacle;
• providing a portable pump being lightweight for manual transportation along with the portable receptacle;
• activating the portable pump to draw air through the second coupling to reduce pressure in the portable receptacle to draw fluid through the conduit and into the portable receptacle;
• and
• disconnecting the probe from the valve to shift the valve to the closed position.