CA1167778A - Oil cleaning and recycling system - Google Patents
Oil cleaning and recycling systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1167778A CA1167778A CA000386810A CA386810A CA1167778A CA 1167778 A CA1167778 A CA 1167778A CA 000386810 A CA000386810 A CA 000386810A CA 386810 A CA386810 A CA 386810A CA 1167778 A CA1167778 A CA 1167778A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- oil
- engine
- lubricating oil
- predetermined
- level
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
- F01M11/00—Component parts, details or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01M1/00 - F01M9/00
- F01M11/04—Filling or draining lubricant of or from machines or engines
- F01M11/0458—Lubricant filling and draining
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
- F01M11/00—Component parts, details or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01M1/00 - F01M9/00
- F01M11/06—Means for keeping lubricant level constant or for accommodating movement or position of machines or engines
- F01M11/061—Means for keeping lubricant level constant
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
- F01M11/00—Component parts, details or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01M1/00 - F01M9/00
- F01M11/10—Indicating devices; Other safety devices
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
- F01M11/00—Component parts, details or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01M1/00 - F01M9/00
- F01M11/04—Filling or draining lubricant of or from machines or engines
- F01M11/0458—Lubricant filling and draining
- F01M2011/0466—Filling or draining during running
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
- F01M11/00—Component parts, details or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01M1/00 - F01M9/00
- F01M11/04—Filling or draining lubricant of or from machines or engines
- F01M11/0458—Lubricant filling and draining
- F01M2011/0466—Filling or draining during running
- F01M2011/0475—Filling or draining during running with combustion of used lubricant in the engine
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B3/00—Engines characterised by air compression and subsequent fuel addition
- F02B3/06—Engines characterised by air compression and subsequent fuel addition with compression ignition
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The invention is designed for use with a diesel engine in over-the-road trucks and periodically extracts a given quantity of oil from the oil pan of the engine and injects that quantity into the fuel tank for burning along with the regular fuel. In turn, an automatic oil level sensing device keeps the proper level of oil in the pan thus ensuring a constant infusion of fresh oil into the engine's oil supply as well as a periodic purging of old oil.
The invention is designed for use with a diesel engine in over-the-road trucks and periodically extracts a given quantity of oil from the oil pan of the engine and injects that quantity into the fuel tank for burning along with the regular fuel. In turn, an automatic oil level sensing device keeps the proper level of oil in the pan thus ensuring a constant infusion of fresh oil into the engine's oil supply as well as a periodic purging of old oil.
Description
7 '7 '~ ~
OIL C~NGING SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of over-the-road trucking, it i8 highly desirable to be able to minimize the amount of service required on a vehicle ln order that the vehicle be available for use on the road. The changing of oil and corresponding filter accounts for a substantial portion of the maintenance which will be performed on an over-the-road truck during is lifetime. Further, the service life of a diesel engine is directly related to the cleanliness of the oil run in the engine.
Thus, it is an ob~ect of this invention to provide a device which wlll substantially reduce the amount of maintenance time required in changing the oil on an over-the-road truck as well as any diesel powered vehicle and which will provide for the oil to remain substantlally clean and effective.
SUMMARY OF T~IE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention an oil changing system is provided whereby predetermined amounts of lubricating oil are removed from an engine lubrication system at pPriodic intervals. The periodic intervals are established such that the entire contents of the lubrication system are removed during a mileage interval corresponding to a normal oil change interval~ The lubricating oil removed from the lubricating system i8 deposited with diesel fuel and thus consumed by the combustion thereof in the diesel engine. The lubricating oil removed from the lubricating system is replaced so as to maintain a desired oll level by either conventional or other means.
To this end, a small oil extractor pump is mounted to the oil output off the oil filter of a diegel engine. The output of the pump is directed to the fuel tank of the engine for burning along with the conventional diesel fuel.
Operation of the pump is signalled by an impulse timer which is in turn connected to the ignition of the vehicle. The impulse timer is set so that the ' 7 ~
oil extractor pump ls cycled periodically during vehicle operation to direct a predetermined amount of engine oil out of the oil pan and into the fuel tank.
An oil level sensor is provided in the oil pan of the engine to sense ~7hen the oil level has fallen below a predetermined point. The sen~or is in turn connected to a solenoid valve which selectively allows oil from a reservoir to be directed into the oil pan and/or other portion of the oil system of the truck so as to maintain the oil level at the predetermined point. The oil reservoir is de6irably pressurlzed by the air reservoir which 1~ present on most over-the-road trucks as part of the braking system. Such pressuri~atlon allows the oil reservoir to be located at any height relative to the engine of the truck. The existing air reservoir also serves to actuate the oil extractor pump by way of a solenold va~ve which i8 attached to the impulse timer mentioned above.
Provision is also made for pressurizing and depressuri~in~ the oil reservoir in such a manner as to prevent the spewing of oil and to retain the cap of the reservoir.
These and other ob~ects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent as the following description is read in conjunction wlth the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to the views, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE _RAWING
Figure 1 is a schematic of the invention.
DETAI_ED DESCRIPTION
In accordance with this invention an oil changing system is provided whereby predetermined amounts of lubricating oil are removed from an engine lubrication system at periodlc intervals. The perlodic intervals are established such that the entire con~ents of lubricating oil within the lubrication system are removed from the lubrication system during a period of ~ ~ 6~ "7 ~
time corresponding to a normal oil change interval. The lubricating oil removed from the lubricating system is deposited wLth diesel fuel and thus consumed by the combustion thereof in the die6el englne. rhe lubricating oil removed from the lubricating system is replaced so as to maintain a desired oil level by either conventional means or preferably, by the mearls described and claimed in my above-referenced copending application. Further description will be given with reference to the Figure of Drawing.
The oil changing sy6tem in accordance with this invention is sche~atically illustrated in the Figure of Drawing. An impulse timer 12 is connected to a power source 14. The power source 14 is the equiv~lent of the ignitlon system in a key-operated vehicle and thus source 14 and similarly impulse timer 12 are activated only when the engine 16 of the vehicle is running. Impulse timer 12 is set to produce a short (preferably seven seconds) impulse of power periodically through lead 18 to solenoid valves 20, 22 and 24. The input slde of first solenoid valve 20 is connected by line 26 to an air reservoir 28. The output of first solenoid valve 20 is connected v~a line 32 to air/oil cylinder 34. Valve 20 is a three-~ay valve and in the non-energized position connects output line 32 to vent 30 and thus vents the air side 38 of cylinder 34 and allows piston 36 and cylinder 34 to assume the position shown in Figure lo When solenoid valve 20 is energized, lines 26 and 32 are connected thereby pressurizing the air chamber 38 of cylinder 34 and forcing piston 36 towards the right of cylinder 34. Second solenoid valve 22 is normally open in its non-energized state and connects a source of engine pressurized oil 40 to the input of solenoid valve 22. This source of pressurized oll 40 may be the output from the oil filter on the engine. I~le output 42 of solenoid valve 22 is connected to T-fitting 44 which is connected on one side via conduit 46 to the oil chamber 48 of air/oil cylinder 34.
~he third solenoid valve 24 is of the normally closed type and the lnput ~ 16~7~8 50 of valve 24 is connected to the remainlng branch of T-fittlng 44. The output 52 of the third valve 24 is connected to the fuel return llne 54 or may be routed directly to the fuel tanks if so deslred.
Thls concludes the description of the components ln the oil removlng portion of the apparatus in accordance with this invention. As a preferred feature, the oil within the lubrication system is replaced by the oil replenishing system described below. However, the means for maintaining a predetermined oil level may be a conventional oil addition port.
~ ngine 16 generally has an oil pan 56. Shown in phantom on oil pan 56 are the desired oil level 58 and the dangerously low level 60. The desired level 58 is that level at which it is desired to maintain the oil level in the engine. The dangerously low level 60 is that level at which, if reached, operation of the vehicle should immediately cease until the oil has been brought to a proper level. A sensor 62 is located ln oil pan 56 at the dangerously low level 60. This sensor is then connected to an indicator lamp 64 on the instrument panel 66 which will serve to instruct the operator to immediately shut the engine down. The normal dipstick in the engine is replaced by a dipstick sensor 68, wherein the dipstick is for~ed of a fipiral wound material with a hollow core leaving room for a wire to run downward to the sensor 70 located at the bottom thereof. This use of the dipstick is an oil sensor allows very precise location of the desire~ lavel 58 in the engineO
Such location which is formed by comparing dlpstick 68 to the regular dipstick removed from the engine while giving much re accurate level 58 as opposed to attempting to drill pan 56 for a sensor similar to sensor 62. Sensor 70 is connected to time delay unit ~2 by means of leads 74. Time delay unit 72 activates sensor 70 approximately two minutes after engine 16 has been shut off. This allows time for oil in the engine to draln back to pan 56 thereby allowing a true reading of the level to be obtained. After this two-minute 7 ~ 8 interval, sensor 70 is activated ~or approximately seven minutes thereby allowing sensor 70 to 6ense whether the level ln the pan 56 has fallen below desired level 58. If the actual level is below the desired level 58, delay unit 72 activates by means of leads 76 solenoid va:Lve 78. The intake line 80 of valve 78 is connected to an oil reservoir 82 containing pressurized oil therein. The output line 84 of valve 78 leads to the valve cover or other portion of englne 16 wherein fresh oil may be added. Of course, when oil has come back up to desired level 58, sensor 70 will detect that condition and through the time delay unit 7Z shut off solenoid valve 78. Sensor 70 i9 activated for approxlmately seven mlnutes in the desired embodiment after the two-minute delay so as to allow sufflclent time for the oil level to be brought back up to desired level 58 yet not have power runnlng to sensor 70 at all times.
Briefly, oil reservolr 82 is pressurized by air reservoir 28. Line 86 leads from air reservoir 28 to air valve 88 which is a three-way type having a vent 90 and an output 92. Valve 88 is connected via output 92 to bracket 94 which is fixed to oil reservoir 82 as shown.
Oil reservoir 82 may be a generally cylindrical tank as shown and, due to the pres~urization as will be re fully decribed hereinafter, may be located anywhere where there is space about the vehicle. The output line 92 of valve 88 is attached to a bracket g4 which is in turn attached to the top of reservoir 82. A flexible yet pressure resistant hose 96 connects line 92 to quick-disconnect fitting 98 of the type commonly used for air tools and the like which is in turn attached to elbow 100 which leads into reservoir 82.
~his air line upon opening of valve 88 serves to pressurize reservoir 82.
Flexible hose 96 is fastened to the top of a filler cap 104 which is secured by a cam-loc fitting 102 of the type well known in the art~ The length of hose 96 is such that lid 104 may not be removed from reservoir 82 ~ithout fitting 98 .
being disconnected. This serves to restrain lid 104.
OPERATION OF PREF~RR~D OIL LEVEL MAINTENANCE M~ANS
When the vehicle i6 started, power source 14 iæ energized along with impulse timer 12~ After a predetermined period of time, impulse timer 12 energizes solenoid valves 20, 22 and 24. At that time, valve 22 closes and valves 20 and 24 are opened thereby allowlng the air from air reservoir 28 to pass through lines 26 and 32 and into air chamber 38 of cylinder 34O Thence, piston 36 is pressed to the rlght of Fig. 1 thereby forcing the oll in oil chamber 48 through passage 46, Junction 44, line 50 and 52 to the fuel return line 54. After approximately seven seconds being energized, impulse timer 12 shuts off thereby opening valve 22, closing valve 24 and causing valve 20 to move to the vent positlon whereby the pressurized oil from the system forces piston 36 to the position shown in Fig. 1 and air in air chamber 38 ln line 32 is vented through vent 30 to the atmosphere. Thus, this portion of the system is ready for the ne~t cycle.
Everytime the engine is turned off, after a delay of appro~i~ately two minutes in which time the oil has a chance to drain back into oil pan 56, time delay unit 72 activates dlpstick sensor 70. If sensor 70 sense the presence of oil at the desired level 58, nothing further happens. Should sensor 70 not detect oil, delay unit 72 activates and opens solenoid valve 78, thereby allowing the oil to flow from oil reservoir 82 through lines 80 and 84 and into engine 16. This continues until sensor 70 detects the presence of oil at which time solenoid valve 78 is shut off.
Air reservoir 28 is the conventional reservoir present on most over-the-road trucks for pressurizatlon of brakes and the like. When it is desired to fill oil reservoir 82, valve 88 is turned to the vent position wherein the air pressurizing reservoir 82 is vented through vent 90 to the atmosphere. Then quick-disconnect fitting 98 is uncoupled and cam-loc fitting 1 1 6 ~
102 unlatched allowing removal of lid 104 for refilling of reservolr 82. It is to be noted that fittinK 9~ must be disconnected before lid 104 may be removed from the reservoir for filling by insuring that lid 104 will not be blo~n off reservoir 82 if reservoir 82 i8 pressuri~ed.
OPERATION OF OIL RE~OVAL MEANS
. ~ _ _ . . _ In the preferred embodiment, impulse timer 12 is set to activate air/oil cylinder 34 once for every eight minutes of engine operation; that is, for every eight minutes that power source 14 is activated. For each cycle of cylinder 34, approximately .8 ounces of oil is extracted from the oil pan and delivered to the fuel tank. If the truck averages 35 miles per hour of operation, this system will result in an effective complete change of oil every 9,000 mile~ with a truck having a 10-gallon oil capacity. The use of such a system allows the operator to control precisely the amount of impurities and solids suspended in the oil merely by changing the interv3l on which the impulse timer l2 operates.
By injecting new oil into the engine lubrication system, the additive package present in oils is maintained at a de&irably high level and at an average level higher than that which will result from the normal change-type cycle. Further, by burning used oll along with the conventional diesel fuel, the full heat value of the used oil is extracted. ~n summary the instant invention allows near maintenance-free operation of the oll system of the truck with only a very occasional check on the reservoir to make sure that it is up to the desired level.
While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
OIL C~NGING SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of over-the-road trucking, it i8 highly desirable to be able to minimize the amount of service required on a vehicle ln order that the vehicle be available for use on the road. The changing of oil and corresponding filter accounts for a substantial portion of the maintenance which will be performed on an over-the-road truck during is lifetime. Further, the service life of a diesel engine is directly related to the cleanliness of the oil run in the engine.
Thus, it is an ob~ect of this invention to provide a device which wlll substantially reduce the amount of maintenance time required in changing the oil on an over-the-road truck as well as any diesel powered vehicle and which will provide for the oil to remain substantlally clean and effective.
SUMMARY OF T~IE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention an oil changing system is provided whereby predetermined amounts of lubricating oil are removed from an engine lubrication system at pPriodic intervals. The periodic intervals are established such that the entire contents of the lubrication system are removed during a mileage interval corresponding to a normal oil change interval~ The lubricating oil removed from the lubricating system i8 deposited with diesel fuel and thus consumed by the combustion thereof in the diesel engine. The lubricating oil removed from the lubricating system is replaced so as to maintain a desired oll level by either conventional or other means.
To this end, a small oil extractor pump is mounted to the oil output off the oil filter of a diegel engine. The output of the pump is directed to the fuel tank of the engine for burning along with the conventional diesel fuel.
Operation of the pump is signalled by an impulse timer which is in turn connected to the ignition of the vehicle. The impulse timer is set so that the ' 7 ~
oil extractor pump ls cycled periodically during vehicle operation to direct a predetermined amount of engine oil out of the oil pan and into the fuel tank.
An oil level sensor is provided in the oil pan of the engine to sense ~7hen the oil level has fallen below a predetermined point. The sen~or is in turn connected to a solenoid valve which selectively allows oil from a reservoir to be directed into the oil pan and/or other portion of the oil system of the truck so as to maintain the oil level at the predetermined point. The oil reservoir is de6irably pressurlzed by the air reservoir which 1~ present on most over-the-road trucks as part of the braking system. Such pressuri~atlon allows the oil reservoir to be located at any height relative to the engine of the truck. The existing air reservoir also serves to actuate the oil extractor pump by way of a solenold va~ve which i8 attached to the impulse timer mentioned above.
Provision is also made for pressurizing and depressuri~in~ the oil reservoir in such a manner as to prevent the spewing of oil and to retain the cap of the reservoir.
These and other ob~ects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent as the following description is read in conjunction wlth the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to the views, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE _RAWING
Figure 1 is a schematic of the invention.
DETAI_ED DESCRIPTION
In accordance with this invention an oil changing system is provided whereby predetermined amounts of lubricating oil are removed from an engine lubrication system at periodlc intervals. The perlodic intervals are established such that the entire con~ents of lubricating oil within the lubrication system are removed from the lubrication system during a period of ~ ~ 6~ "7 ~
time corresponding to a normal oil change interval. The lubricating oil removed from the lubricating system is deposited wLth diesel fuel and thus consumed by the combustion thereof in the die6el englne. rhe lubricating oil removed from the lubricating system is replaced so as to maintain a desired oil level by either conventional means or preferably, by the mearls described and claimed in my above-referenced copending application. Further description will be given with reference to the Figure of Drawing.
The oil changing sy6tem in accordance with this invention is sche~atically illustrated in the Figure of Drawing. An impulse timer 12 is connected to a power source 14. The power source 14 is the equiv~lent of the ignitlon system in a key-operated vehicle and thus source 14 and similarly impulse timer 12 are activated only when the engine 16 of the vehicle is running. Impulse timer 12 is set to produce a short (preferably seven seconds) impulse of power periodically through lead 18 to solenoid valves 20, 22 and 24. The input slde of first solenoid valve 20 is connected by line 26 to an air reservoir 28. The output of first solenoid valve 20 is connected v~a line 32 to air/oil cylinder 34. Valve 20 is a three-~ay valve and in the non-energized position connects output line 32 to vent 30 and thus vents the air side 38 of cylinder 34 and allows piston 36 and cylinder 34 to assume the position shown in Figure lo When solenoid valve 20 is energized, lines 26 and 32 are connected thereby pressurizing the air chamber 38 of cylinder 34 and forcing piston 36 towards the right of cylinder 34. Second solenoid valve 22 is normally open in its non-energized state and connects a source of engine pressurized oil 40 to the input of solenoid valve 22. This source of pressurized oll 40 may be the output from the oil filter on the engine. I~le output 42 of solenoid valve 22 is connected to T-fitting 44 which is connected on one side via conduit 46 to the oil chamber 48 of air/oil cylinder 34.
~he third solenoid valve 24 is of the normally closed type and the lnput ~ 16~7~8 50 of valve 24 is connected to the remainlng branch of T-fittlng 44. The output 52 of the third valve 24 is connected to the fuel return llne 54 or may be routed directly to the fuel tanks if so deslred.
Thls concludes the description of the components ln the oil removlng portion of the apparatus in accordance with this invention. As a preferred feature, the oil within the lubrication system is replaced by the oil replenishing system described below. However, the means for maintaining a predetermined oil level may be a conventional oil addition port.
~ ngine 16 generally has an oil pan 56. Shown in phantom on oil pan 56 are the desired oil level 58 and the dangerously low level 60. The desired level 58 is that level at which it is desired to maintain the oil level in the engine. The dangerously low level 60 is that level at which, if reached, operation of the vehicle should immediately cease until the oil has been brought to a proper level. A sensor 62 is located ln oil pan 56 at the dangerously low level 60. This sensor is then connected to an indicator lamp 64 on the instrument panel 66 which will serve to instruct the operator to immediately shut the engine down. The normal dipstick in the engine is replaced by a dipstick sensor 68, wherein the dipstick is for~ed of a fipiral wound material with a hollow core leaving room for a wire to run downward to the sensor 70 located at the bottom thereof. This use of the dipstick is an oil sensor allows very precise location of the desire~ lavel 58 in the engineO
Such location which is formed by comparing dlpstick 68 to the regular dipstick removed from the engine while giving much re accurate level 58 as opposed to attempting to drill pan 56 for a sensor similar to sensor 62. Sensor 70 is connected to time delay unit ~2 by means of leads 74. Time delay unit 72 activates sensor 70 approximately two minutes after engine 16 has been shut off. This allows time for oil in the engine to draln back to pan 56 thereby allowing a true reading of the level to be obtained. After this two-minute 7 ~ 8 interval, sensor 70 is activated ~or approximately seven minutes thereby allowing sensor 70 to 6ense whether the level ln the pan 56 has fallen below desired level 58. If the actual level is below the desired level 58, delay unit 72 activates by means of leads 76 solenoid va:Lve 78. The intake line 80 of valve 78 is connected to an oil reservoir 82 containing pressurized oil therein. The output line 84 of valve 78 leads to the valve cover or other portion of englne 16 wherein fresh oil may be added. Of course, when oil has come back up to desired level 58, sensor 70 will detect that condition and through the time delay unit 7Z shut off solenoid valve 78. Sensor 70 i9 activated for approxlmately seven mlnutes in the desired embodiment after the two-minute delay so as to allow sufflclent time for the oil level to be brought back up to desired level 58 yet not have power runnlng to sensor 70 at all times.
Briefly, oil reservolr 82 is pressurized by air reservoir 28. Line 86 leads from air reservoir 28 to air valve 88 which is a three-way type having a vent 90 and an output 92. Valve 88 is connected via output 92 to bracket 94 which is fixed to oil reservoir 82 as shown.
Oil reservoir 82 may be a generally cylindrical tank as shown and, due to the pres~urization as will be re fully decribed hereinafter, may be located anywhere where there is space about the vehicle. The output line 92 of valve 88 is attached to a bracket g4 which is in turn attached to the top of reservoir 82. A flexible yet pressure resistant hose 96 connects line 92 to quick-disconnect fitting 98 of the type commonly used for air tools and the like which is in turn attached to elbow 100 which leads into reservoir 82.
~his air line upon opening of valve 88 serves to pressurize reservoir 82.
Flexible hose 96 is fastened to the top of a filler cap 104 which is secured by a cam-loc fitting 102 of the type well known in the art~ The length of hose 96 is such that lid 104 may not be removed from reservoir 82 ~ithout fitting 98 .
being disconnected. This serves to restrain lid 104.
OPERATION OF PREF~RR~D OIL LEVEL MAINTENANCE M~ANS
When the vehicle i6 started, power source 14 iæ energized along with impulse timer 12~ After a predetermined period of time, impulse timer 12 energizes solenoid valves 20, 22 and 24. At that time, valve 22 closes and valves 20 and 24 are opened thereby allowlng the air from air reservoir 28 to pass through lines 26 and 32 and into air chamber 38 of cylinder 34O Thence, piston 36 is pressed to the rlght of Fig. 1 thereby forcing the oll in oil chamber 48 through passage 46, Junction 44, line 50 and 52 to the fuel return line 54. After approximately seven seconds being energized, impulse timer 12 shuts off thereby opening valve 22, closing valve 24 and causing valve 20 to move to the vent positlon whereby the pressurized oil from the system forces piston 36 to the position shown in Fig. 1 and air in air chamber 38 ln line 32 is vented through vent 30 to the atmosphere. Thus, this portion of the system is ready for the ne~t cycle.
Everytime the engine is turned off, after a delay of appro~i~ately two minutes in which time the oil has a chance to drain back into oil pan 56, time delay unit 72 activates dlpstick sensor 70. If sensor 70 sense the presence of oil at the desired level 58, nothing further happens. Should sensor 70 not detect oil, delay unit 72 activates and opens solenoid valve 78, thereby allowing the oil to flow from oil reservoir 82 through lines 80 and 84 and into engine 16. This continues until sensor 70 detects the presence of oil at which time solenoid valve 78 is shut off.
Air reservoir 28 is the conventional reservoir present on most over-the-road trucks for pressurizatlon of brakes and the like. When it is desired to fill oil reservoir 82, valve 88 is turned to the vent position wherein the air pressurizing reservoir 82 is vented through vent 90 to the atmosphere. Then quick-disconnect fitting 98 is uncoupled and cam-loc fitting 1 1 6 ~
102 unlatched allowing removal of lid 104 for refilling of reservolr 82. It is to be noted that fittinK 9~ must be disconnected before lid 104 may be removed from the reservoir for filling by insuring that lid 104 will not be blo~n off reservoir 82 if reservoir 82 i8 pressuri~ed.
OPERATION OF OIL RE~OVAL MEANS
. ~ _ _ . . _ In the preferred embodiment, impulse timer 12 is set to activate air/oil cylinder 34 once for every eight minutes of engine operation; that is, for every eight minutes that power source 14 is activated. For each cycle of cylinder 34, approximately .8 ounces of oil is extracted from the oil pan and delivered to the fuel tank. If the truck averages 35 miles per hour of operation, this system will result in an effective complete change of oil every 9,000 mile~ with a truck having a 10-gallon oil capacity. The use of such a system allows the operator to control precisely the amount of impurities and solids suspended in the oil merely by changing the interv3l on which the impulse timer l2 operates.
By injecting new oil into the engine lubrication system, the additive package present in oils is maintained at a de&irably high level and at an average level higher than that which will result from the normal change-type cycle. Further, by burning used oll along with the conventional diesel fuel, the full heat value of the used oil is extracted. ~n summary the instant invention allows near maintenance-free operation of the oll system of the truck with only a very occasional check on the reservoir to make sure that it is up to the desired level.
While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (11)
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An oil changing system for automatically metering control amounts of engine lubricating oil into the diesel fuel supply of diesel engines as the engine operates comprising:
a fuel tank remote from the engine containing diesel fuel oil;
an engine lubrication system containing a predetermined quantity of a lubricating oil different from said diesel fuel oil and including an oil pan;
control means for generating a regular periodic signal at preset time intervals during engine operation, said time intervals corresponding to a predetermined oil change interval to provide for desired oil removal from said engine lubrication system;
fixed displacement pump means communicating with said engine lubrication system and with said fuel tank said pump means being intermittently operable in response to said signal during engine operation for a controlled limited duration in response. to each periodic signal generated to withdraw a limited predetermined amount of said lubricating oil from said engine lubrication system and to transport said limited amount into said fuel tank for thorough mixing of lubricating oil and fuel oil for subsequent combustion of the resultant mixture in the engine as fuel said predetermined amount of lubricating oil withdrawn by said pump means at each signal interval and such predetermined intervals being such that said predetermined quantity of lubricating oil is withdrawn from said engine lubrication system over a predetermined lubricating oil drain time period; and means for maintaining a predetermined oil level in said oil pan;
whereby lubricating oil removed by said pump means is replaced and the lubricating oil in said lubrication systems maintains a substantially constant acceptable contaminant level and the need for discrete periodic oil changes is eliminated.
a fuel tank remote from the engine containing diesel fuel oil;
an engine lubrication system containing a predetermined quantity of a lubricating oil different from said diesel fuel oil and including an oil pan;
control means for generating a regular periodic signal at preset time intervals during engine operation, said time intervals corresponding to a predetermined oil change interval to provide for desired oil removal from said engine lubrication system;
fixed displacement pump means communicating with said engine lubrication system and with said fuel tank said pump means being intermittently operable in response to said signal during engine operation for a controlled limited duration in response. to each periodic signal generated to withdraw a limited predetermined amount of said lubricating oil from said engine lubrication system and to transport said limited amount into said fuel tank for thorough mixing of lubricating oil and fuel oil for subsequent combustion of the resultant mixture in the engine as fuel said predetermined amount of lubricating oil withdrawn by said pump means at each signal interval and such predetermined intervals being such that said predetermined quantity of lubricating oil is withdrawn from said engine lubrication system over a predetermined lubricating oil drain time period; and means for maintaining a predetermined oil level in said oil pan;
whereby lubricating oil removed by said pump means is replaced and the lubricating oil in said lubrication systems maintains a substantially constant acceptable contaminant level and the need for discrete periodic oil changes is eliminated.
2. The oil changing system of claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining comprises means for sensing whether the oil in said pan is at said predetermined level.
3. The oil changing system of claim 2 wherein said sensing means is mounted on the dipstick of the engine.
4. The oil changing system of claim 2 wherein said means for maintaining further comprises time delay means connected to said sensing means so that oil will be added to said oil pan only when said oil level has fallen below said predetermined level for a predetermined period of time.
5. The oil changing system of claim 4, said level maintaining means further comprising an oil reservoir responsive to said sensing means.
6. The oil changing system of claim 5 wherein said oil reservoir is pressurized.
7. The oil changing system of claim 69 said system further comprising a valve, said valve comprising:
an inlet connectable to a source of pressurized air;
an outlet connected to said oil reservoir;
a vent to the atmosphere;
an open position connecting said inlet and said outlet; and a closed position connecting said outlet and said vent.
an inlet connectable to a source of pressurized air;
an outlet connected to said oil reservoir;
a vent to the atmosphere;
an open position connecting said inlet and said outlet; and a closed position connecting said outlet and said vent.
8. The oil changing system of claim 7 said system further comprising:
conduit means connecting said valve outlet and said oil reservoir;
filling means on said oil reservoir; and detachable fitting means connecting said conduit means and said oil reservoir, said conduit means being attached to said filling means and of such a length as to prevent removal of said filling means without detaching said fitting means.
conduit means connecting said valve outlet and said oil reservoir;
filling means on said oil reservoir; and detachable fitting means connecting said conduit means and said oil reservoir, said conduit means being attached to said filling means and of such a length as to prevent removal of said filling means without detaching said fitting means.
9. The oil changing system of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises an impulse timer energized by the vehicle ignition circuit.
10. An oil changing system for automatically metering discrete amounts of engine lubricating oil into the diesel fuel supply for a diesel engine, comprising:
a fuel tank remote from a diesel engine for containing diesel fuel oil;
an engine lubrication system containing a predetermined quantity of lubricating oil, said lubricating oil being different from said diesel fuel oil and including an oil pan;
control means for generating a regular periodic signal at preset time intervals during engine operation, said time intervals correspondong to a predetermined oil change interval to provide for desired oil removal from said engine lubrication system;
fixed displacement pump means communicating with said engine lubrication system and with said fuel tank, said fixed displacement pump means being intermittently operable in response to said signal during engine operation for a controlled, limited duration in response to each periodic signal generated to withdraw a limited, predetermined amount of said lubricating oil from said engine lubrication system and to direct said limited predetermined amount of said lubricating oil into said fuel tank for mixing of said lubricating oil and said fuel oil for subsequent combustion thereof in the engine as a fuel, said predetermined amount of lubricating oil withdrawn by said pump means at each signal interval and such predetermined intervals being such that said predetermined quantity of lubricating oil is withdrawn from said engine lubrication system over a predetermined lubricating oil drain period;
whereby upon replenishment of lubricating oil with fresh lubricating oil a constant, acceptable contaminant level is established and maintained in said lubricating oil and the need for periodic discrete oil changes is eliminated.
a fuel tank remote from a diesel engine for containing diesel fuel oil;
an engine lubrication system containing a predetermined quantity of lubricating oil, said lubricating oil being different from said diesel fuel oil and including an oil pan;
control means for generating a regular periodic signal at preset time intervals during engine operation, said time intervals correspondong to a predetermined oil change interval to provide for desired oil removal from said engine lubrication system;
fixed displacement pump means communicating with said engine lubrication system and with said fuel tank, said fixed displacement pump means being intermittently operable in response to said signal during engine operation for a controlled, limited duration in response to each periodic signal generated to withdraw a limited, predetermined amount of said lubricating oil from said engine lubrication system and to direct said limited predetermined amount of said lubricating oil into said fuel tank for mixing of said lubricating oil and said fuel oil for subsequent combustion thereof in the engine as a fuel, said predetermined amount of lubricating oil withdrawn by said pump means at each signal interval and such predetermined intervals being such that said predetermined quantity of lubricating oil is withdrawn from said engine lubrication system over a predetermined lubricating oil drain period;
whereby upon replenishment of lubricating oil with fresh lubricating oil a constant, acceptable contaminant level is established and maintained in said lubricating oil and the need for periodic discrete oil changes is eliminated.
11. The oil changing system of claim 10 wherein said engine has an oil filter having an output of clean filtered oil, said predetermined amount being withdrawn from said filter output.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US19207780A | 1980-09-29 | 1980-09-29 | |
| US192,077 | 1980-09-29 | ||
| US218,918 | 1980-12-22 | ||
| US06/218,918 US4421078A (en) | 1980-09-29 | 1980-12-22 | Oil changing system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1167778A true CA1167778A (en) | 1984-05-22 |
Family
ID=26887700
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000386810A Expired CA1167778A (en) | 1980-09-29 | 1981-09-28 | Oil cleaning and recycling system |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| BR (1) | BR8106246A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1167778A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3138144A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2491127A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2084667B (en) |
| MX (1) | MX153733A (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0146532B1 (en) * | 1983-12-15 | 1989-03-15 | Van der Meulen, Alfred | Process for controlling a lubrication system for internal-combustion engines, and device for performing the process |
| JPS62159889A (en) * | 1986-01-08 | 1987-07-15 | Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd | Lubricating method |
| DE3906759C2 (en) * | 1989-03-03 | 1997-01-30 | Fuchs Petrolub Ag Oel & Chemie | Method and device for lubricating an internal combustion engine |
| FR2666652B1 (en) * | 1990-09-07 | 1994-01-14 | Gaz De France | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING LIQUID INTO A PRESSURE TANK. |
| IT1250322B (en) * | 1991-10-24 | 1995-04-07 | Iveco Fiat | AUTOMATIC ENGINE OIL TOPPING UP DEVICE. |
| IT1281064B1 (en) * | 1995-12-12 | 1998-02-11 | Iveco Fiat | DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC TOPPING UP OF LIQUID IN A CONTAINER. |
| DE19747854A1 (en) * | 1997-10-30 | 1999-05-12 | Fuchs Petrolub Ag | Method and device for the lubrication and simultaneous fuel supply of a vegetable oil-compatible internal combustion engine |
| DE19747853A1 (en) | 1997-10-30 | 1999-05-06 | Fuchs Petrolub Ag | Method and device for the lubrication and simultaneous fuel supply of an internal combustion engine |
| WO2003033957A1 (en) | 2001-10-11 | 2003-04-24 | Fuchs Petrolub Ag | Method for lubricating at least two units of a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine |
| US7316992B2 (en) | 2004-09-24 | 2008-01-08 | A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S | Method and system for modifying a used hydrocarbon fluid to create a cylinder oil |
| ATE440933T1 (en) * | 2004-09-24 | 2009-09-15 | Ap Moeller Maersk As | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MODIFICATION OF A USED HYDROCARBON FLUID FOR PRODUCING A CYLINDER OIL |
| JP5148316B2 (en) | 2008-02-26 | 2013-02-20 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Oil quantity monitoring device for motorcycles |
Family Cites Families (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1352123A (en) * | 1918-11-14 | 1920-09-07 | Ind Res Corp | Fuel-feed system |
| US2539604A (en) * | 1947-11-20 | 1951-01-30 | Bruce D Woolley | Oil level indicator for automotive vehicles |
| GB720222A (en) * | 1952-07-07 | 1954-12-15 | Cav Ltd | A lubrication and fuel oil system for internal combustion engines |
| GB867711A (en) * | 1956-09-29 | 1961-05-10 | Maschf Augsburg Nuernberg Ag | Means for creating a controlled consumption of lubricating oil in injection type internal combustion engines |
| US3447636A (en) * | 1967-07-24 | 1969-06-03 | Ralph J Bonfilio | Automatic oil exchanging system |
| DE1751313C3 (en) * | 1968-05-09 | 1974-01-03 | Daimler-Benz Ag, 7000 Stuttgart | Device for automatically refilling the amount of oil in the oil pan of piston engines and machines, in particular internal combustion engines |
| US3561565A (en) * | 1969-09-15 | 1971-02-09 | Dennis Frederick Woor | Pulse-actuated lubrication system |
| US3638031A (en) * | 1970-07-27 | 1972-01-25 | Diesel Kiki Co | Central oil feeding automatic control device for vehicles |
| GB1454184A (en) * | 1974-09-18 | 1976-10-27 | Assa Ab | Lubrication system |
| US4095571A (en) * | 1976-08-16 | 1978-06-20 | Cummins Engine Company, Inc. | Filtering and mixing apparatus |
| DE3019877C2 (en) * | 1979-05-26 | 1989-02-23 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Yokohama, Kanagawa | Device and method for changing oil in an internal combustion engine |
| DE3006903A1 (en) * | 1980-02-23 | 1981-09-03 | Klöckner-Humboldt-Deutz AG, 5000 Köln | Oil system for IC engine - has metering pump drawing off used oil and discharging it into fuel |
-
1981
- 1981-09-24 GB GB8128957A patent/GB2084667B/en not_active Expired
- 1981-09-25 DE DE19813138144 patent/DE3138144A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1981-09-28 CA CA000386810A patent/CA1167778A/en not_active Expired
- 1981-09-28 FR FR8118219A patent/FR2491127A1/en active Granted
- 1981-09-29 MX MX18939081A patent/MX153733A/en unknown
- 1981-09-29 BR BR8106246A patent/BR8106246A/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BR8106246A (en) | 1982-06-15 |
| GB2084667B (en) | 1984-08-08 |
| FR2491127B1 (en) | 1985-03-29 |
| MX153733A (en) | 1986-12-29 |
| GB2084667A (en) | 1982-04-15 |
| DE3138144A1 (en) | 1982-04-15 |
| FR2491127A1 (en) | 1982-04-02 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |