AU2322901A - Mobile lubrication apparatus - Google Patents

Description

P/00/01i1 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

S.

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: "MOBILE LUBRICATION APPARATUS" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: MOBILE LUBRICATION APPARATUS This invention is concerned with a mobile lubrication apparatus for carrying out on-site lubrication services to machinery.

The invention is concerned particularly, although not exclusively with a mobile apparatus and method for carrying out onsite lubrication to motor vehicles.

Of recent years, on-site lubrication and servicing of motor vehicles has gained acceptance as a more convenient means of meeting vehicle service schedules than having to deliver a vehicle to a workshop, finding alternative transport to home or work and then :having to return later in the day to collect the vehicle. On-site servicing can be performed at a vehicle owner's home or workplace at an agreed time thereby substantially reducing the inconvenience of delivery to and collection from a workshop and otherwise being o00o without a vehicle for a day.

While satisfying a vehicle owner's requirement for .o oleo convenience, such mobile lubrication services are raising concerns in local government authorities on environmental issues associated with on-site lubrication procedures and the transport vehicles for providing lubrication services.

Typically, a mobile lubrication service vehicle will comprise a closed van in which there are located a plurality of 20 litre containers, typically for lubrication oils, coolant, transmission oil and water as well as a 20-50 litre container for waste oil. Usually, each 20 litre container has a hand operated pump with a delivery hose and nozzle attached thereto.

The on-site service procedure typically involves jacking up the vehicle to obtain access to the sump drain plug which is removed to allow used oil to drain into a shallow dish-like container. When drainage of used oil is complete, the contents of the dish-like container are poured into the waste oil drum via a funnel. Individual containers of fresh lubricant or other engine fluids are then carried from the transport vehicle to a position adjacent the vehicle being serviced and the required amount of fresh or top-up fluid is pumped by hand into the respective fluid reservoirs of the vehicle.

These procedures, while simple, are prone to accidental spillage of fresh and used lubricating oils, either as drips or small discharges from delivery hose nozzles or larger spills arising from mishandling of fluid supply vessels.

Such spillages give rise to unsightly and dangerously slippery stains on a vehicle owner's driveway or on the street pavement.

Either way, spilt oil ultimately finds its way into storm water drains giving rise to costly treatment processes before final discharge into a waterway.

Moreover, the practice of some mobile lubrication service vehicles do not adequately secure fresh and waste fluid containers in 4 their vehicle with substantial oil spills arising from upended containers or burst containers during transportation. A risk of a very large oil spill exists in the event that the service vehicle is involved in even a relatively minor traffic accident.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least some of the disadvantages associated with mobile lubrication service vehicles and on-site vehicle service procedures.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a mobile lubrication service apparatus, said apparatus including:a fluid tight well having securably located therein one or more fluid supply vessels, each with a respective fluid supply conduit; and, at least one fluid receiving vessel to receive waste fluids, said apparatus characterised in that any spillage or leakage from said fluid supply vessels and/or said fluid receiving vessel is trapped within said fluid tight well which has a volumetric capacity greater than the volumetric capacity of said one or more fluid supply vessels and said fluid receiving vessel.

The fluid tight well may have an open top.

Alternatively the fluid tight well may include one or more closable access hatches.

Suitably the closable access hatches have fluid tight seals associated therewith.

Suitably said fluid supply vessels each include an inlet port and an outlet port.

The at least one fluid receiving vessel preferably include an inlet port and an outlet port.

If required said fluid supply vessels and/or said fluid receiving vessel may be removably located in said fluid tight well.

Said fluid supply vessels and/or said at least one fluid receiving vessel may be integrally formed with said fluid tight well.

Suitably, a pump means is provided to selectively dispense fluid from said fluid supply vessels.

If required, a pump means may be provided to discharge fluid *.from said fluid receiving vessel.

A pump means also may be provided to introduce waste fluids into said fluid receiving vessel.

•go* 15 Preferably, fluid metering means is associated with at least one of said fluid supply vessel to dispense a predetermined volume of fluid.

The pump means to selectively dispense fluid from a fluid supply vessel is preferably a source of pressurized air.

The pump means to selectively discharge waste fluids from said fluid receiving vessel is preferably a source of pressurized air.

If required, the pump means to introduce waste fluids into said fluid receiving vessel is a source of air at reduced pressure in fluid communication with an upper interior region of said fluid receiving vessel.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:- FIG 1 shows schematically a part cross sectional side elevation.

FIG 2 shows a rear elevation.

In FIG 1 the apparatus has a rectangular well shaped body 1 having a floor 2 and a side wall 3 surrounding the floor to form a fluid 10 tight well.

o* a Located within body 1 are a plurality of fluid supply vessels 4 o.

.7 to supply a choice of engine lubricating oils to different viscosities, automatic transmission fluid, coolant and water. The outlet ports of each supply vessel 4 are coupled via conduits 6 to respective 4 valves 7 mounted on a bulkhead 8 at the rear of the apparatus.

Vessels 4 each include a sealable inlet port 4a to facilitate in situ refilling with fresh fluid as vessels 4 are secured by a clamping means (not shown) such as tensionable strap, bracket or the like.

a i Also located within body 1 is a waste fluid receiving vessel 9 which for convenience is located transversely of body 1. Vessel 9 has an outlet port 10 coupled to a leakproof hose toggle coupling 11 via conduit 12. Toggle coupling 11 is a conventional type of leak proof coupling used in transportation of bulk fuels and lubricants and 7 includes a removable plug (not shown) to enhance the leak proof nature of the coupling when no hose is connected to it.

Vessel 9 has a waste oil inlet port 13 located in the upper wall thereof and is coupled via conduit 14 to another toggle coupling An internal combustion engine powered air compressor 16 and air receiver 17 are located in a compartment 18 bounded on one side by bulkhead 18a and a source of pressurized air is fed via conduit 19 and regulating valve 20 to the upper part of waste fluid receiving vessel 9. A branch line 19a couples vessels 4 to the source of pressurized air controlled by regulator 20 in conduit 19. Vessels 4 may be coupled to the source of pressurized air by individually valued conduits or by a manifold.

A vacuum conduit 21 extends from the upper region of vessel 9 to the intake manifold 22 of the engine powering compressor 16.

a Conduit 6a is coupled to a fluid supply vessel 4 containing water and a branch line 6b coupled thereto provides a supply of water to a faucet 23 positioned above a handbasin 24 to enable an operator to wash his/her hands. A drain conduit 25 extends between hand basin 24 and waste fluid receiving vessel 9.

Valves 7 each have coupled thereto a dispensing hose 26 with a dispensing nozzle 27 and a control valve 28. When not in use hoses 26 may be stored in compartment 28 and are accessible by a tilt up door 29. A drip tray 30 is positioned below valves 7 to collect fluid drips from stored hoses or drips occurring when hoses are coupled or uncoupled from valves 7. In the event of a more sever spillage, drip tray 30 overflows into the well shaped interior of body 1.

For dispensing finite volumes of say, engine oil or transmission oil to effect an oil change rather than a top-up, a metering valve 34 having an adjustable volume control may be set to dispense a predetermined volume of fluid.

For the efficient and safe removal of waste engine and transmission oils from a vehicle, hose 31 has an elongate flexible nozzle 32 to reach the bottom of a motor or gearbox sump. A valve 33 enables nozzles 32 to be coupled to collection vessel 9 when a partial vacuum is applied via conduit 21 coupled to intake manifold 22.

•co• eoe 15 A source of compressed air is available via a quick release coupling 35 mounted on the rear of body 1. Coupling 35 is coupled to the high pressure side of conduit 19 upstream of regulator 20 via conduit 36.

Each of conduits 12, 36, 19a, 14, 19 and 21 include an isolating valve 37. Suitably isolating valves 37 are electrically actuated solenoid valves which are coupled via a controller (not shown) to open or close in a desired sequence depending upon the function being carried out. For example when vessel 9 is being 9 pressurized, the isolating valve in conduit must be open while the isolating valve in conduit 21 must be closed.

FIG 2 shows a rear view of the apparatus of FIG 1 with fluid supply vessels 4 shown in phantom.

Also shown in phantom is a central dividing wall 38 which extends between bulkheads 8 and 18a to provide a mounting surface for tools, coiled hoses or the like.

Body 1 has a cover 39 which forms a working surface or benchtop on either side of dividing wall. These working surfaces and the storage space within the region above body 1 are accessible via tilt up side hatches °°It readily will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the invention is readily adaptable for a variety of mobile forms. For example the apparatus may be adapted as a trailer to be towed by a vehicle. Alternatively it may be adapted to fit into a utility truck or a SU": flat bed truck or even a closed van.

.o The well-like body may be fabricated from sheet steel or aluminium or it may be fabricated from a suitable plastics material.

A particular advantage of the apparatus according to the invention is that it may be readily scaled up or down in size to suit large scale or small scale operations.

In use, the mobile vehicle supporting the apparatus can be positioned adjacent a motor vehicle to be serviced in a driveway or at the side of a roadway.

With compressor 16 in operation, isolating valve 31 in conduit 19 is closed and isolating valve 37 in conduit 21 is opened to create a partial vacuum in waste fluid receiving vessel 9. The elongate flexible nozzle 32 on hose 31 is inserted into the vehicle's engine sump via the dipstick tube and valve 33 is opened to cause waste oil to flow into vessel 9.

When the engine sump has been drained, valve 33 is closed and hose 31 is returned to the apparatus for storage. Isolating valves 37 in conduits 19 and 21 are reversed to pressurize vessels 4 via branch line 19a. After setting metering valve to a volume suitable for the vehicle being serviced, valve 7 for the appropriate choice of oil viscosity is opened and, by means of valve 28, fresh lubricating oil in a predetermined volume is delivered via hose 26 to the oil filler 6 io 15 aperture of the vehicle engine.

At the end of the day when the mobile apparatus returns to base or otherwise when the receiving vessel is full and/or the supply vessels require replenishment, the waste fluid receiving tank can be emptied into an approved waste oil storage vessel or otherwise disposed of at an approved disposal site.

Drainage is achieved by coupling a drainage hose to coupling 11 and then pressurizing vessel 9 with isolating valve 37 in an open position with other fluid conduit isolating valves in a closed position.

11 Transmission oil, coolant fluid, and water for top up purposes can be quickly, safely and conveniently delivered to a respective fluid reservoir in a vehicle via a respective hose.

If other minor service tasks such as tyre rotation, brake inspection or the like which required the vehicle to be jacked up, an air jack can be coupled to quick release coupling 35 for selective operation.

The apparatus according to one of its many aspects is particularly convenient for operators in that the space above the 10 working surface between the upright bulkheads provides ample o*l°* o• 4 storage space for spare parts eg. filters, fan belts etc as well as tools ,g4 required for on-site service activities.

The main advantage over the prior art of the mobile apparatus according to the invention is security against spillage of fresh and 4 waste fluids during transportation and storage as well as the substantially reduced risks of fluid spillage during the on-site service procedures.

~It readily will be apparent to a skilled addressee that many 4 o4 modifications and variations may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

For example, The Mobile lubrication apparatus according to the invention may be adapted for on site servicing of industrial machinery, aircraft, marine vessels or such apparatus may be adapted 12 to service toilets in vehicles, vessels and aircraft requiring holding tanks for waste and fresh or chemically treated water for flushing purposes. The apparatus may also be adapted to service chemical treatment apparatus where there is required the replenishment of one or more fresh liquid chemicals and the removal and disposal of spent liquid chemicals.

Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

go* oo

Claims (17)

1. A mobile lubrication service apparatus, said apparatus including:- a fluid tight well having securably located therein one or more of fluid supply vessels, each with a respective fluid supply conduit; and, at least one fluid receiving vessel to receive waste fluids, said apparatus characterised in that any spillage or leakage from said fluid supply vessels and/or said fluid receiving vessel is trapped within said fluid tight well which has a volumetric capacity greater than the 0* volumetric capacity of said one or more fluid supply vessels and said ,'fluid receiving vessel.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid tight well has an open top. 15

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid tight well includes one or more closable access hatches.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the closable access hatches have fluid tight seals associated therewith.

An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said fluid supply vessels each include an inlet port and an outlet port.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the at least one fluid receiving vessel includes an inlet port and an outlet port. 14

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said fluid supply vessels and/or said fluid receiving vessel are removably located in said fluid tight well.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said fluid supply vessels and/or said at least one fluid receiving vessel are integrally formed with said fluid tight well.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one pump is provided to selectively dispense fluid from said fluid supply vessels.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one pump is provided to discharge fluid from said fluid receiving vessel.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one pump is provided to introduce waste fluids into said fluid receiving vessel.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein fluid metering means are associated with at least one of said fluid supply vessels to dispense a predetermined volume of fluid.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the at least one pump to selectively dispense fluid from a fluid supply vessel is a source of pressurised air in fluid communication with a respective fluid supply vessel.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the at least one pump to selective discharge waste fluids from said fluid receiving vessel is a source of pressurised air in fluid communication with a respective third receiving vessel.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the at least one pump to introduce waste fluids into said fluid receiving vessel is a source of air at reduced pressure in fluid communication with said fluid receiving vessel.

16. A mobile lubrication apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A method for performing an on site lubrication service utilising @9° an apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 9 9* o@