AU2007205774A1 - Sump plug - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): WILLIAM ADAMS PTY LTD Invention Title: SUMP PLUG The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: 2 SUMP PLUG SThe present invention relates to a plug for use in a sump through which fluids, typically oil in the sump, can be drained.

Background of the Invention In The process of draining and changing oil in an internal combustion engine can be a dirty and even a hazardous process. Waste engine oil is usually drained from a sump through a small hole located at the bottom of the sump. A threaded plug is removed to allow oil to drain out, usually into a container. Leaks and spills can occur while handling waste oil. Aside from being messy and time consuming to clean up spills, heavy drums full of waste oil often need to be manually carried in order to be disposed. This causes occupational health problems and double handling of the waste. Handling of heavy drums may also be a potential environmental hazard as there is an increased probability of spills entering waste water drainage systems and being absorbed by soil.

The danger to health occurs if human skin comes into contact with oil, which is often very hot. Repeated exposure to oil can be hazardous to the skin.

Contact with hot oil may occur, for instance, where a vehicle undergoes a quick 'drive through' service and the engine oil needs to be changed before it can cool down.

Changing oil can also be time consuming as the drainage operation is limited to the time oil takes to drain out of the sump under gravity; and the lower the oil level in the sump the slower the oil flow through the sump hole.

Keeping servicing time to a minimum is particularly N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\60000-60999\P6O786.AU.1\Specie\P6786.AU.1 Specification Final.docl3IOB/07 3 significant for large vehicles such as trucks and semitrailers that are constantly in use on the road. These vehicles require engine oil to be changed approximately every 20,000 km and often servicing of the truck is carried out mid route at designated stations or workshops where the vehicle can only stop for the amount of time required to carry out service of the vehicle.

The present invention addresses the need for a system for quickly, cleanly and effectively draining fluid from the sump.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided a sump plug comprising a body adapted to be fitted in an aperture in a sump, a bore extending through the body and a biased valve located in the bore and biased towards a closed position to prevent transfer of fluid through the bore when closed, the valve being operable under an opening force to allow transfer of fluid.

In a preferred embodiment the body has a mounting portion located at one end and an outer flange located at an opposite end, wherein the mounting portion comprises an external thread for screwing the sump plug into an aperture in the sump and the outer flange is adapted to seat, with a seal ring, against a machined exterior surface of the sump.

Preferably, the bore at the outer flange forms a socket for receiving a tool for applying the opening force, the socket having an internal thread compatible with the receiving the tool. The external opening of the socket is adapted to support a seal, and typically an O-ring.

The socket is preferably provided at its external opening N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\600DO-60999\P60786.AU.l\Speci8\P60786.AU.1 Specification Final.docl3/08/07 4 0 with a dust plug which screws into the mouth and provides a secondary means for preventing transfer of fluid or entry of dirt.

In the preferred embodiment the valve is a check valve and has a stem and a closure member at the end of the stem that sits against a valve seat. The valve is held axially central in the bore by a guide mounted at the end of the stem opposite to the closure member. A support integral with the body adjacent the closure member also assists in holding the valve axially central. The guide is attached C to and moveable with the valve. The valve is biased towards the closed position by way of a spring located around the stem and seated between the guide and the support on the plug body.

There is also provided a system for transferring fluid to and from a sump including the sump plug described above and an adaptor having an elongated body with a throughbore. Located at one end of the adaptor body is a spigot while the opposite end has a quick connect coupling attachment. In a preferred embodiment the quick connect coupling attachment is adapted to couple with a corresponding attachment on a hose. The spigot is adapted to be inserted into the socket and held therein by a screw thread. As the adaptor is threaded into the sump plug it applies a force onto the end of the stem and the guide against the spring force and lifts the closure member off the valve seat thereby allowing transfer of fluid through the sump plug.

The guide preferably has three ribs extending from a centre that are equally spaced to form a shape when viewing from the end. The support in the body includes a circular aperture through which the valve stem extends and contains three kidney-shaped apertures through which fluid can flow.

N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\60000 -60999\P6O786.AU.1\Specis\P6078AU.1 Specification Final.docl3/OS/07 5 The system in a preferred embodiment includes a source of low pressure to assist in drawing or suctioning the fluid out from a sump at a faster rate than that possible under gravity. The system may also include a pump such as a diaphragm pump to pump new fluid through the sump plug and into the sump.

There is also provided a method of transferring fluid through a sump plug having the features described above, including inserting an adaptor connected to a hose into the sump plug and applying a force against the valve to thereby open the valve and allow the transfer of fluid.

Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment, incorporating all aspects of the invention, will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures la, lb and Ic illustrate a sump plug in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where Figure la is a rear end view of the sump plug with a dust plug removed; Figure lb is a side sectional view of the sump plug with a dust plug; and Figure Ic is a front end view of the sump plug; Figure 2a is a side sectional view of the sump plug in a closed position and with the dust plug removed; Figure 2b is a front end view of the sump plug of Figure 2a with the valve removed; Figure 3 illustrates in part side sectional view the sump plug system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the sump plug in an open position; and N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\60000-60999\P60786.AU.1\Specie\P60786.AU.1 Specification Final.docl3/08/07 6 Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are side sectional views illustrating different types of sumps in which the sump plug of the present invention can be used.

Detailed Description of the Invention The drawings illustrate a sump plug 10 having a main body 11 that is adapted to be mounted into a draining aperture in a sump. A bore 13 extends through the length of body 11 and carried therein is a biased valve, or poppet typically a check valve, that is movable between an open and a closed position. Valve 15 is biased by a spring 16 to remain normally in the closed position as illustrated in Figures Ib and 2a.

The valve is operable under the influence of a tool to move to the open position as illustrated in Figure 3 to open a passage through bore 13 and allow the transfer of fluid through the sump plug to and from the sump, that is, for draining or filling the sump.

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate examples of sumps 20 into which the sump plug 10 can be installed by retrofitting into pre-existing drainage apertures. The sump plug is located towards the bottom of the sump 20 in order for as much oil as possible contained in the sump to drain through the sump plug 10. The sump plug 10 may be mounted in a vertical sump wall as illustrated in Figure 4b or in a horizontal wall as illustrated in Figure 4c. There may be more than one sump plug 10 fitted in a sump Aside from the seals, sump plug 10 including body 11 and valve 15 is made of metal, usually anodised metal.

At one end of main body 11 is a mounting portion 12 having an external thread for locating the sump plug 10 into a N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\60000-60999\P60786.AU.1\Speci\P607B6.AU.1 Specification Final.docl3/08/07 7 sump 20 by threadably engaging the sump plug in the drainage aperture. At the opposite end to the mounting portion 12 body 11 has an outer flange 14 that is adapted to lie against an exterior wall of the sump. A flange seal 17 in the form of an O-ring located in a recess 18 is designed to sit against the exterior sump wall to seal the plug 10 and prevent the egress of oil that may escape through the drainage hole past the mounting portion.

Figure lb illustrates sump plug 10 in a closed position and fitted with dust plug 22 which acts as a secondary sealing means to valve 15 in blocking transfer of fluid through bore 13 in the event that valve 15 fails. In practice dust plug 22 also prevents dust, dirt, and other foreign particles from entering bore 13.

Valve 15 comprises a circular, planar closure member 24 that lies against a valve seat 27 provided at the bore opening at the mounting portion 12 of the sump plug Closure member 24 is perpendicularly and centrally mounted onto the end of a valve stem 25 that locates axially centrally of bore 13 by being held in place by a support 28 integral with body 11 which contains a central orifice 29 for guiding and holding valve stem 25. As seen best in Figures 2a and 2b support 28 also has flow apertures through which fluid flows.

The end of the valve stem 25 opposite to the closure member 24 carries a Y-guide 26 for ensuring that the valve stem 25 remains aligned axially central aligned in bore 13 as the valve moves between an open and closed position.

The Y-guide at the end of the stem is in the form of a circular planar member that guides the stem 25 to slide in the bore and contains apertures through which fluid is transferred.

Y-guide 26 contains a central orifice 31 into which the N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\60000-60999\P60786.AU.1\Specis\P60786.AU. Specification Final.docl3/08/07 8 end of valve stem locates, and three equally spaced ribs 32 extending outwardly from the Y-guide orifice 31 towards the walls of bore 13 to form a shape when viewed from the end. The ends of ribs 32 slide close to or on the walls of the bore. Y-guide 26 is thereby adapted to slide along the bore 13 while maintaining valve stem 25 in a centrally aligned position. Ribs 32 are substantially narrow in the axial direction of the bore so to allow the passage of fluid between ribs 32.

Spring 16 is typically a compression spring that surrounds valve stem 25 and is seated between movable Y-guide and fixed support 28. In normal use, spring 16 biases Y-guide away from support 28 and therefore closure member 24 against valve seat 27.

At the bore end opposite valve seat 27 the bore opens into a socket 35 (Figure 2a). Socket 35 contains an internal thread 36 with which components such as dust plug 22 can be threaded. Socket 35 is adapted to receive a tool that imparts a force onto Y-guide 26 and valve stem 25 to push the valve open.

The tool inserted into socket 35 and used to open valve is referred to herein as an adaptor 40 and is illustrated in Figure 3. The adaptor 40 is a form of fluid coupling that is cylindrical in nature having flanges 41, shoulders 47 and a bore (not shown) that extends axially through the centre of the adaptor.

At one end of the bore adjacent one flange 41 there is a spigot 44 which carries an external thread 45 for engagement with socket thread 36. Spigot 44 is adapted to be inserted into socket 35 and threaded therein to impart a pushing force on the end of the valve 15 and on the Yguide 26 against the force of spring 16 to lift closure member 24 off valve seat 27 and open the passage for fluid N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\60000-60999\P60786.AU1\Specis\P60786.AU.1 Specification Final.docl3/08/07 9 to transfer through bore 13 of sump plug 10 and the bore of adaptor At the opposite end of adaptor 42 to spigot 44 the adaptor is formed with a coupling attachment 46 that is designed to form a quick connect and dry coupling with a corresponding attachment to which is connected a hose (not shown). The coupling attachment 46 contains a check valve which obstructs flow through adaptor bore until a corresponding attachment is engaged with the coupling attachment 46.

The quick connect coupling serves two purposes: firstly to allow for quick connection to drain or fill oil in the sump; and secondly to provide for a clean, dry connection of a hose to the sump without spilling oil. The adaptor is firstly engaged with the sump plug which opens valve Unconnected, the adaptor coupling attachment maintains the bore of the adaptor 40 closed and prevents any flow of oil. Once connected to a hose coupling attachment 46 opens and oil is allowed to flow through the sump plug, adaptor and hose in a quick and clean manner.

The hose leads drained oil to an oil waste collection.

When filling the sump with new oil the hose delivers fresh oil from an oil source through to the adaptor and then through the sump plug to the sump.

In one embodiment, drainage of oil from a sump takes place under gravity feed. In another embodiment a scavenge/suction pump combination is provided in-line with the hose to create a low pressure to draw oil from the sump at a faster positive rate. This is useful for increasing the speed at which an entire sump can be drained and hence reducing service time. Similarly, a pump may be placed in line with a hose to pump new oil back into the sump at a high rate rather than feeding oil N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\60000-60999\P60786.AU.l\Specis\P60786.AU.l Specification Final.docl3/08/07 10 through the inlet at the top of an engine.

The maximum draining and filling flow rates are dependent on the diameter size of the bores of the adaptor and sump plug as well as the constriction caused by the Y-guide 26 and flow apertures in the support 28. The present invention provides an easy and clean system and method of draining fluid from the sump and optionally a means for filling the sump with fluid. By incorporating a scavenge/suction pump and/or pump the rate of draining and filling can be increased to decrease the time spent in transferring fluid and servicing a vehicle.

The invention reduces instance of leakage and the nature of the sump plug is such that only the outer flange 14 and dust plug 22 protrude from the exterior wall of the sump.

In effect, this is only a minimal protrusion from the sump exterior wall that is unlikely to interfere with the operation of the vehicle and with other vehicle components, or become damaged which can occur when driving on unsealed roads.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

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Claims (19)

1. A sump plug comprising a body adapted to be fitted in an aperture in a sump, a bore extending through the body and a biased valve located in the bore and biased towards a closed position to prevent unintentional transfer of fluid through the bore when closed, the valve being operable under an opening force to allow transfer of fluid.

2. The sump plug claimed in claim 1 wherein the body includes a mounting portion at one end thereof for connecting the sump plug into an aperture in a sump, and at the other end thereof there is provided an outer flange adapted to seat against an exterior surface of the sump.

3. The sump plug claimed in claim 2 wherein the bore at the outer flange forms a socket for receiving a tool that is adapted to apply the opening force on the valve to allow transfer of fluid.

4. The sump plug claimed in claim 3 wherein the socket has an internal thread compatible with a thread on the receiving tool and an external opening of the socket includes a seal that is adapted to seal against the receiving tool.

The sump plug claimed in claim 3 wherein the socket receives a dust plug.

6. The sump plug claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the valve is a check valve held axially central in the bore and biased towards the closed position against a valve seat by way of a biasing means.

7. The sump plug claimed in claim 6 wherein the biasing means is a spring located between a guide mounted at one end of the check valve and a spring support integral with the body in the bore. N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\60000-60999\P60786.AU.l\Speci\P60786.AU.l Specification Final.docl3/08/07 12

8. A system for transferring fluid to and from a sump including the sump plug claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, and an adaptor having an elongated body with a through- bore which is engageable with the sump plug to apply an opening force thereon.

9. The system claimed in claim 8 wherein the adaptor includes a spigot that is inserted into a corresponding socket formed in the bore at one end of the sump plug body, whereby as the spigot is inserted into the socket the spigot applies an opening force onto an end of the valve thereby opening the valve and allowing transfer of fluid through the sump plug.

The system claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein one end of the adaptor includes a quick connect coupling attachment for coupling the adaptor to a hose.

11. The system claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 including a source of low pressure in line with the sump plug and adaptor for drawing fluid out of the sump and through the sump plug and adaptor.

12. The system claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 including a pump in line with a sump plug and adaptor for pumping new fluid through the adaptor and sump plug and into the sump.

13. The system claimed in claim 9 wherein a spigot on the adaptor extends into the bore beyond the socket and bears directly against the check valve.

14. A method of transferring fluid through a sump plug claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, including inserting an adaptor connected to a hose into the sump plug and applying an opening force against the valve to thereby open the valve and allow the transfer of fluid.

The method claimed in claim 14 including connecting N;\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\60000-60999\P60786.AU.l\Specis\P60786.AU.1 Specification Final.docl3/08/07 13 the hose to a source of low pressure to assist in draining oil from the sump through the sump plug and adaptor and through the hose.

16. The method claimed in claim 14 including connecting a pump to the hose to pump new fluid from a fluid source through the hose, through the adaptor and sump plug and into the sump.

17. A sump plug, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A system for transferring fluid to and from a sump, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A method of transferring fluid through a sump plug, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. N:\Meborne\Cases\Patent\6000-60999\P6786.AU.\Specis\P6786.AJ.1 Specification Final docl3/08/07