Flow alignment structure for fluid exchange apparatus
OwnerJames P. Vikeninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for exchanging used hydraulic fluid with fresh hydraulic fluid in an accessed hydraulic fluid system. The system including a fluid exchange assembly having a fluid receptacle and an interior fluid separation member, which may be a distendable diaphragm member. The exchange system further includes features of automatic fluid flow alignment, an exchange mode indicating system, and a bypass system for removing at least a portion of the exchange system during a bypass mode of operation. The invention particularly relates to an automatic flow alignment structure for use in association with a fluid exchange apparatus for extracting and exchanging used hydraulic fluid with fresh fluid.
Claims20
A fluid exchange device for exchanging used fluid in a hydraulic system with fresh fluid, said hydraulic system accessed to define a pumping conduit and a return conduit, said fluid exchange device comprising:
- an inlet conduit for receiving used fluid from the pumping conduit and an outlet conduit for supplying fresh fluid to the return conduit;
- a valve body having at least a pair of inlet ports and an outlet port, said outlet port coupled to the inlet conduit of the fluid exchange device;
- and
- a valve interiorly received within said valve body, said valve capable of moving within the valve body between a first position and second position;
- whereas when a first one of said at least a pair of inlet ports is in fluid communication with the pumping conduit, and the other one of said at least a pair of inlet ports is in fluid communication with the return conduit, the valve is in said first position and said valve body outlet port is fluidly coupled to the first one of said at least a pair of inlet ports;
- and
- whereas when the first one of said at least a pair of inlet ports is in fluid communication with the return conduit, and the other one of at least a pair of inlet ports is in fluid communication with the pumping conduit, the valve is in said second position and said valve body outlet port is fluidly coupled to the other one of said at least a pair of inlet ports.
A fluid exchange device for exchanging used fluid in a hydraulic system with fresh fluid, said hydraulic system accessed to define a pumping conduit and a return conduit, said fluid exchange device comprising:
- an inlet conduit for receiving used fluid from the pumping conduit of the hydraulic system;
- an outlet conduit for supplying fresh fluid to the return conduit of the hydraulic system;
- a valve body having a first and second inlet port and an outlet port, said outlet port coupled to the inlet conduit of the fluid exchange device;
- and
- a valve interiorly received within said valve body, said valve capable of moving within the valve body between a first position and second position;
- whereas when a first inlet port is in fluid communication with the pumping conduit, and the second inlet port is in fluid communication with the return conduit, the valve is in said first position and said valve body outlet port is fluidly coupled to the first inlet port to receive used fluid from the hydraulic system;
- and
- whereas when the first inlet port is in fluid communication with the return conduit, and the second inlet port is in fluid communication with the pumping conduit, the valve is in said second position and said valve body outlet port is fluidly coupled to the second inlet port to receive used fluid from the hydraulic system.
A method of exchanging used hydraulic fluid with fresh hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic system having an internal pump and an external fluid cooling circuit, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a fluid receptacle having a first end and a second end and a movable fluid separation member therebetween, said separation member defining a used fluid portion and a fresh fluid portion within the receptacle;
- coupling the used fluid portion of the receptacle to the hydraulic system;
- coupling the fresh fluid portion of the receptacle to the hydraulic system;
- providing an alignment valve structure between the receptacle and the hydraulic system, said alignment valve structure having a first inlet port and an opposed second inlet port, and said alignment valve structure having a valve body receiving a movable valve therewithin;
- and
- allowing the valve to move within the valve body as used hydraulic fluid flows from the hydraulic system to the used fluid portion of the receptacle, said valve permitting used fluid from the hydraulic system to flow through either the first inlet port or the opposed second inlet port.
A fluid exchange device for exchanging used fluid in a hydraulic system with fresh fluid, said hydraulic system accessed to define a pumping conduit and a return conduit, said fluid exchange device comprising:
- an inlet conduit for receiving used fluid from the hydraulic system;
- an outlet port for supplying fresh fluid from the hydraulic system;
- a valve body having a first and second inlet port and an outlet port, said outlet port coupled to the inlet conduit of the fluid exchange device;
- and
- a valve interiorly received within said valve body, said valve capable of moving within the valve body between a first position and second position;
- whereas when a first inlet port is in fluid communication with the pumping conduit, and the second inlet port is in fluid communication with the return conduit, the valve is biased into said first position and said valve body outlet port is fluidly coupled to the first inlet port to receive used fluid from the hydraulic system;
- and
- whereas when the first inlet port is in fluid communication with the return conduit, and the second inlet port is in fluid communication with the pumping conduit, the valve is biased into said second position and said valve body outlet port is fluidly coupled to the second inlet port to receive used fluid from the hydraulic system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.