GB2545090A

GB2545090A - Container and use of container for a fluid reservoir system

Info

Publication number: GB2545090A
Application number: GB1619455.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Goodier Steven; Sebastian Harding Piers; Keith Jepps Gary; James Mcpherson Thomas
Original assignee: Castrol Ltd
Current assignee: Castrol Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-19
Filing date: 2013-11-19
Publication date: 2017-06-07
Also published as: GB2523041A; GB201619455D0; WO2014076315A2; WO2014076315A3; GB2523041B; GB201509623D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a container 10 and the use of a container for providing a fluid reservoir system for a vehicle. The container is formed of a plastics material and is attachable to the fluid system of an engine. The plastic material preferably comprising acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate and nylon composites. The fluid is preferably a lubricating fluid.

Description

CONTAINER AND USE OF CONTAINER FOR A FLUID RESERVOIR SYSTEM

This invention relates to fluid systems for vehicles and engines. Aspects of the invention relate to a fluid reservoir system for use in a fluid system for a vehicle, for example for a vehicle engine. Aspects of the invention also provide a method of replacing spent fluid in a container for a fluid system in a vehicle.

Many vehicle engines use one or more fluids for their operation. Such fluids are often liquids. For example, internal combustion engines use liquid lubricating oil compositions. Also, electric engines use heat exchange liquids for example to cool the engine, to heat the engine or to cool and heat the engine during different operating conditions. Such fluids are generally provided in a fluid system associated with the engine, the fluid system commonly including a fluid reservoir system including a reservoir associated with the engine for holding the fluid. During the operation life of the vehicle, it is usual for the fluid to require renewing and periodic replacement.

Conventional periodic replacement of engine lubricating oil composition in a vehicle engine usually involves draining the lubricating oil composition from the engine fluid system via an engine sump. The replacement process may also involve removing and replacing an engine oil filter. Such a procedure would normally require access to the engine sump drain plug and oil filter from the underside of the engine, may require the use of hand tools and usually requires a suitable collection method for the drained lubricating oil composition. As a result, the replacement of lubricating oil in a vehicle engine is a relatively long and involved procedure.

Attempts have been made to propose a quick-change oil filter/reservoir system for an internal combustion engine having a primary oil pump and oil sump comprising a cartridge containing an oil filter element and supply of oil, the cartridge having non-manipulative and self-sealing input and output fittings.

For example, WOOl/53663 describes a removable and disposable oil cartridge device linked to an internal combustion engine regulating interface for manually filling or emptying and automatically regulating the engine lubricating oil, wherein the interface comprises a system of controlled valves in which the controlled valve system provides a configuration of specific circuits for each of the requirements for the proper running of the engine (lack of oil, stable running conditions, oil overflow) and the proper filling or emptying when the cartridge is manually changed.

However, arrangements such as that of the type described in WOOl/53663 are considered to have disadvantages for example in relation to a lack of ease of connection and removal of the cartridge as well as issues associated with reuse of the cartridge, its refilling and/or recycling of cartridge components, as well as restrictions on the types of materials that can be used to provide the cartridge and its components.

The present invention seeks to mitigate or overcome some or all of those or other problems.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a container for containing fluid for use in the fluid system of an engine, the container attachable to the fluid system of an engine and comprising a rigid housing formed of a plastics material.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided ase of a container attachable to the fluid system of an engine, the container comprising a rigid housing formed of a plastics material, to contain a fluid for use in the fluid system of the engine.

The plastics material may comprise acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate and composites comprising nylon.

The fluid may be a lubricating fluid for an engine.

Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side cross sectional view of a container according to an aspect of the present invention when assembled;

Figure 2 is a side cross sectional view of a container according to an aspect of the present invention when disassembled; and

Figures 3a to 3f show a range of example constructions for an inner liner used in the container of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figure 1, a container 10 has a rigid outer housing 20 formed from a plastics material. In the present example, the material comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Other suitable materials include polycarbonate and composites comprising nylon. Alternatively, or additionally, the housing 20 may comprise metal for example aluminium.

Coupled to the housing 20 via a locking ring connector 80 is a liner assembly comprising a flexible liner 40 and coupling mechanism 60. The coupling mechanism 60 has one or more valves 61 that, in use when the container 10 is attached to the fluid system of a vehicle engine, engage with a valve mechanism of the engine’s fluid system (not shown). The valves 61 of the container 10 and the valve mechanism are arranged such that fluid flow between the liner 40 of the container 10 and the fluid system of the vehicle engine can be controlled in the desired way.

In the present example, the coupling mechanism 60 is formed substantially from an engineering plastics material. Other materials could be used, for example other rigid materials such as other plastics materials or metal. The valve assembly 61 is preferably formed from substantially the same or similar material. This may facilitate recycling.

The coupling mechanism 60 includes a quick-release connector 62 for central connection to a corresponding connector (not shown) on a vehicle.

The liner 40 is attached to a collar 21 on the coupling mechanism 60 to provide a fluid tight connection such that the contents of the liner 40 cannot escape from the liner 40 other than by passing through the valves 61. Liner 40 can be formed from any material that is capable of containing the appropriate fluid, but here is made of a flexible plastics material, for example nylon. In use the container 10 is connected by the connector 62 to a vehicle engine and the opening and closing of valve 61 controlled to allow the contents of the liner 40 to be passed into one or more fluid systems in the engine. For example, the container 10 may contain lubricating oil for a vehicle engine, with the oil being passed in and out of the container 10 as required from the lubrication. As part of this the container 10 may comprise an integral filter (not shown) for filtering the fluid in use.

Once it is necessary to change the fluid in the fluid system of the vehicle engine the container 10 can be removed from the connection by disconnection of the connector 62 from the corresponding connector in the engine system. It is then necessary to dispose of or regenerate the fluid. Preferably, parts of the container are recovered for reuse or recycled. This can be done by removal of the outer housing 20 by disconnection of the locking ring 80 so that the inner assembly comprising the coupling mechanism 60 and liner 40 is removed from within the outer housing 20. The outer housing 20 can then be reused by the insertion of a fresh liner 40 and coupling mechanism 60, or recycled as required.

The contents of the inner liner 40 can then either be recycled together with the coupling mechanism 60 and liner 40, or the liner 40 can be compressed to remove its contents for recycling before destruction of the remaining components of the coupling assembly 60 and liner 40.

Figures 3a-f show example configurations for the construction of the inner liner 40. In each case a thin flexible material is used to form the liner 40. The appropriate configuration can be chosen from these or other possibilities for example dependent upon the type of material being used for the liner 40 and the physical requirements in terms of heat and pressure that may be necessary for the liner 40 to tolerate in operation. These example configurations include a two-piece single seam configuration (Figure 3a), a “wound cylinder” configuration (Figure 3b), a two-part cylinder (Figure 3c), a “square box” configuration (Figure 3d), a “juice carton” type configuration (Figure 3e) and a “three-part cube” configuration (Figure 3f). In each case the seams between the component elements are joined, for example by heat welding, or by the addition of an adhesive substance. An open section, here at the base of each liner 40, remains for attachment of the coupling mechanism 60.

In an alternative method, the liner 40 may comprise a flexible sheet of nylon from which is cut an aperture, the coupling mechanism 60 being heat welded to the liner in the aperture. The liner material 40 may then be folded around the components of the coupling mechanism and the edges of the flexible sheet may then be joined, for example by heat welding, to form one or more seams.

In other methods, the liner 40 may be vacuum formed, for example from a nylon material. The formed liner 40 may then be connected to the coupling mechanism by any appropriate method.

In any of the examples above, the liner may be heat welded, ultra sonic or laser welded to the coupling mechanism 60. These or other methods may be used, for example depending on the materials used for the liner 40 and the coupling mechanism 60.

In examples of the invention, the coupling mechanism may simply be inserted into the liner during the fabrication method, the liner preferably the being subsequently sealed to the coupling mechanism 60. The coupling mechanism 60 and lines 40 then form a sealed fluid containment unit which is then mounted in the housing 20. The liner 40 may be empty, partially or completely filled with the fluid on mounting in the housing 20.

With containers such as examples described herein, it is possible to provide a fluid supply to a vehicle engine 4, for example a supply of lubricant in an engine without integral sump in the engine. In examples, it can be possible to provide a removable supply reservoir of fluid that can be refilled and/or recycled.

While aspects of the invention have been described in relation to vehicle engines and examples of the invention described the use of engine lubricating oil compositions, it is envisaged that features of the invention could find other applications.

For example, a container according to an aspect of the invention could be used in relation to a fluid reservoir in the fluid system of a wide range of apparatus or equipment. For example, the container could find application in relation to various static and movable machines, for example industrial machines such as a lathe, or manufacture and assembly equipment, to an engine, or to a vehicle.

Examples of a container of an aspect of the invention could thus be used to supply lubricant composition to a fluid system to provide lubricant to a region of the apparatus or equipment, for example to a region including one or more moving parts, for example a gearbox. In an example of an aspect of the invention there is provided a container for a wind turbine, for example to provide lubricating composition to one or more parts of the wind turbine apparatus.

The container may supply a lubricant composition to the apparatus, or may supply fluid other than lubricant to the apparatus. For example, the fluid may comprise a fuel composition, for example gasoline or diesel The container of an aspect of the invention may be for supply the fluid for example to the fuel supply system of the apparatus. For example, the container may supply fuel to a vehicle, or tool, for example to a car, motorcycle or lawn mower.

In another example, the container is used to supply a fluid, for example lubricant and/or fuel, to a hand tool, for example a hedge trimmer or leaf blower.

The fluid may comprise for example an aqueous or other solvent-based composition, for example a cleaning composition. The fluid may for example comprise windscreen wash fluid. A reservoir of an example of an aspect of the invention may be for supplying fluid to the windscreen washer fluid delivery system for example of a vehicle.

Thus in some examples of aspects of the invention the fluid system of the apparatus may comprise a fluid circulation system, or may comprise a fluid delivery system.

The liner may comprise a flexible material, for example a plastics material. In some examples the liner may comprise two or more sections joined together. For example, the liner may be formed from a two-piece single seam closing, a wound cylinder closure, a two-part cylinder closure, a square box, a juice-carton style closure or a cube closure.

In use of the container, preferably fluid is stored in the liner of the container and, when the container is coupled to the fluid system of the vehicle, fluid passes between the liner and the fluid system of the vehicle via the coupling mechanism.

Preferably the liner is sealed to the coupling mechanism. Preferably the liner and coupling mechanism have a fluid-tight connection between them. Suitably, the coupling mechanism and the liner define a reservoir for fluid.

The coupling mechanism may include for example a connector for connection of the container to the fluid system of a vehicle. Preferably, the coupling mechanism includes at least one valve for controlling the flow of the fluid into and/or out of the container between the liner and the fluid system of the vehicle. Suitably, the coupling mechanism includes at least one valve for controlling the flow of fluid, for example liquid, into a reservoir defined by the liner, at least one valve for controlling the flow of fluid, for example liquid, out from a reservoir defined by the liner and at least one vent valve for allowing gas and/or vapour to flow into or out from the reservoir, for example to control the pressure therein. When the coupling mechanism connects the container to the fluid system of the vehicle the vent valve may be connected to the engine, for example to the fluid system of the vehicle or for example to an air inlet manifold when the engine is an internal combustion engine.

The coupling mechanism and liner arrangement may additionally include other components, for example a fluid filter. For example, where the fluid includes a lubricant, an oil filter may be included in the liner.

The liner and preferably additionally the coupling mechanism are removable from the housing. Thus when the fluid is to be replaced in the vehicle, the used liner and used fluid can be removed from the housing for recycle or disposal. The housing can then be reused to house a fresh liner which may contain fresh or regenerated fluid. In this way the components of the container which have been most in contact with the fluid, including the liner and optionally components of the coupling mechanism, can be removed from the housing. The housing can then be reused.

The housing may comprise a rigid or semi-rigid material. In examples of the invention, the housing may be formed from a recyclable material. The housing may include a plastics material or metal or both. The housing may be formed by injection moulding, vacuum moulding, or pressing, 3D printing, additive manufacturing, or other method. The container may be such that the liner can be inserted and removed from the housing when either containing fluid, for example full or part-full with fluid or when empty. Thus, the housing may include an aperture for the insertion of the liner. The aperture may be sized such that the liner can be mounted in the housing when fluid is present in the liner. In some examples, the liner will be mounted through the aperture into the housing before fluid is filled into the liner.

The inner liner and coupling mechanism may be formed to provide a sealed unit. In some cases the unit is disposable after use. In other examples, the liner and coupling mechanism, or parts of them, will be recyclable and/or reusable.

By providing a container according to examples of the invention, it may be possible to provide a container for which the materials for the outer housing and inner liner can be selected to improve operation and handling of the container, even during repeated use of one or more components of the container.

In examples of the invention, the outer housing, is rigid. In examples of the invention, the outer housing, is substantially isolated from contact with fluid which is held within the liner. In examples of the invention, the outer housing, is rigid and is substantially isolated from contact with fluid which is held within the liner. These and other examples provide a benefit that, the need to clean the housing before reuse is reduced, or may be simplified if little or no fluid, for example lubricant, has come into contact with it. Furthermore, avoidance of contact between the outer housing and any lubricant within the container may facilitate end of life recycling of the housing, for example if the housing is manufactured from plastics material, as it will have little contamination by the fluid, This can enable a greater range of materials and manufacturing methods to be used for the manufacture of the housing than might otherwise be the case. Preferably the housing provides some protection to the inner liner, for example from the vehicle engine environment. While the surfaces of the housing could include one or more apertures, in many examples, it is preferably for the surfaces of the housing to be substantially continuous. Thus the housing can provide a barrier to the inner liner being exposed to for example heat, dirt and other components.

The provision of an inner liner in some examples can reduce or eliminate the need for the cleaning of reusable components of the container, which could otherwise require aggressive and potentially toxic chemicals as well as expense to effect cleaning.

Furthermore, in some examples, the inner liner does not require additional structural integrity its wall section and the materials used in it can be reduced significantly. This can mean that the components of the container which cannot be recycled can be reduced, minimising the amount of contaminated material that is sent to landfill or where incinerated. Furthermore, in examples of the invention the inner liner is not exposed to the engine bay of the vehicle into which the container is introduced, so the materials used by it are not required to be resistant to chemicals and salts other than the fluid contained in the liner. By removing the requirement for structural integrity in some examples from the inner liner it is also easier to empty the inner liner by crushing or external pressurisation and also it increases the flexibility of the manufacture of the inner liner by enabling manufacturing methods such as blow moulding and forming from flexible film. It also enables the use of a wide range of methods of bonding of the coupling mechanism which can increase manufacturing flexibility.

In other examples, the liner comprises rigid or semi-rigid material.

The liner is preferably releasably mounted to the housing by a housing connection mechanism. The housing connection mechanism may for example comprise a locking device which releasably locks the liner within the housing. In other examples, the liner is semi-permanently mounted in the housing, for example using adhesive and/or a thermal welding or other technique to form a bond between a part of a component including the liner, and the housing.

In some examples, for example where a releasable locking system is used, the liner may be mounted in and removed from the housing without causing damage to the liner and/or to the coupling mechanism. In such a case therefore, the coupling mechanism might be reused. In other examples, the removal of the liner may involve damage to the liner and/or to the coupling mechanism. For example, where the liner and/or coupling mechanism have been bonded to the housing, the liner and/or coupling mechanism may be cut from the housing to remove the liner.

The operation of carrying out a fluid change for the vehicle may be simplified where a container of examples of the invention is employed as a fluid reservoir. For example, when the fluid of the vehicle is to be replaced, the container housing the fluid is decoupled from the car by decoupling the coupling mechanism. A fresh container including fresh fluid can then be coupled to the vehicle. Thus the entire fluid replacement process can be simple and quick. Removed container can then be processed for reuse. The liner and coupling mechanism can be removed from the housing and a new liner and coupling mechanism can be mounted in the housing. The removed liner and its contents can be recycled and/or disposed of as necessary. A further aspect of the invention provides a container for use as a fluid reservoir in the fluid system of a vehicle engine, the container comprising: an outer housing; an inner liner at least partly within the outer housing; and a coupling mechanism for coupling the container to a fluid system of the vehicle engine to form a fluid connection between the inner liner and the fluid system; wherein the liner and coupling mechanism are formed as a sealed unit; and wherein the liner and coupling mechanism are removable from the housing.

Preferably the coupling mechanism is for removably coupling the container to the fluid system.

The container may comprise an engine lubricating oil composition in the inner liner. A vehicle may comprise an engine and a fluid system for supplying fluid to the engine, the vehicle further comprising a container, for example as described herein, the container being removably coupled to the fluid system. A method of replacing spent fluid in a container with fresh fluid, may comprise removing the liner from the housing, and mounting a replacement liner into the housing. The removed liner may include the spent fluid on removal from the housing in some examples. In some examples, the replacement liner may already be filled with the fresh fluid.

In other examples, the method may include the step of removing fluid from the liner before removal of the liner from the housing. In some arrangements, the replacement liner may be mounted in the housing empty, the method including the step of filling fluid into the liner.

Preferably the liner and coupling mechanism form a sealed unit and the sealed unit is mounted into the housing.

Also provided by the invention is a liner unit for a container in which the liner unit includes the liner and the coupling mechanism. The liner may be sealed to the coupling mechanism. The liner unit may further include fluid in the liner.

Also provided by an aspect of the invention is a fluid storage device for use in a fluid reservoir system for a fluid system in a vehicle, the fluid storage device including a flexible liner for containing the fluid and a coupling mechanism, wherein the liner and coupling mechanism are formed as a sealed unit, the coupling mechanism including a connector for connecting the fluid storage device to the fluid system in the vehicle and a fluid passage and associated valve for control of flow of the fluid between the fluid system and the liner. The fluid storage device may further include the fluid in the liner. The fluid is prevented from passing out of the liner through the passage before connection of the fluid storage device to the vehicle, for example by the valve.

The coupling mechanism may comprise fluid ports, for example a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port and a vent port. The ports may comprise self-sealing valves. In general, self-sealing ports have the characteristic that when corresponding ports are being connected, a seal is made between the connecting ports before valve or valves open to allow fluid to flow. On disconnection, the valve or valves close to seal off each of the ports before the seal between the ports is broken. Suitable valves include spring loaded poppet valves and biased non-return valves. Each self-sealing port container may provide a “dry break” in which no fluid flows on connection or disconnection of the ports. Alternatively, each self-sealing port may provide a “damp break” in which there is flow of only a non-essential amount of fluid, for example a few drips of liquid, on disconnection or connection of the port.

In some examples, the inlet fluid port and the outlet fluid port may each or both comprise a non-return valve. Suitably, the vent port does not comprise a non-return valve.

In at least some examples the reservoir may be a reservoir for a fluid which is a liquid. In at least some examples the container contains a fluid, for example a liquid. The liquid may be a liquid for a self-sustaining fluid system for example lubricating oil composition for example an engine lubricating oil composition or a heat exchange fluid for example a heat exchange fluid for an electric engine. The liquid may be a liquid for a nonsustaining fluid system, for example deicer, water and/or detergent.

In some examples of the invention the fluid comprises a lubricating oil composition for example an engine lubricating oil composition. According to at least some examples, the engine lubricating oil composition is a lubricating oil composition for an internal combustion engine, for example a spark ignition internal combustion engine and/or a compression internal combustion engine. The lubricating oil composition may have heat exchange properties.

The lubricating oil composition may comprise at least one base stock and at least one lubricating oil additive. Suitable base stocks include bio-derived base stocks, mineral oil derived base stocks, synthetic base stocks and semi synthetic base stocks. Suitable lubricating oil composition additives, for example engine lubricating oil composition additives are known in the art. Examples of additives include organic and/or inorganic compounds. Typically, according to at least some examples, the engine lubricating oil composition comprises about 60 to 90 % by weight in total of base stocks and about 40 to 10 % by weight additives. Suitable lubricating oil compositions include lubricating oil compositions for internal combustion engines.

The lubricating oil composition, for example an engine lubricating oil composition may be a mono-viscosity grade or a multi-viscosity grade engine lubricating oil composition. Examples of suitable engine lubricating oil compositions include single purpose lubricating oil compositions and multi-purpose lubricating oil compositions.

Thus, the container may be provided as a self-contained system containing fresh, refreshed or unused lubricating oil composition (for example lubricating oil composition including engine lubricating oil composition) which may conveniently replace a container on a fluid system which container containing used or spent fluid. If the container also comprises a filter, this also is replaced together with the spent or used fluid.

In some examples, the fluid may comprise a heat transfer fluid, for example a heat exchange fluid for an electric engine. Suitable heat exchange fluids for electric engines include aqueous and non-aqueous fluids. Suitable heat exchange fluids for electric engines include those which comprise organic and/or non-organic performance boosting additives. Suitable heat exchange fluids include be man-made or bio-derived fluids, for example Betaine. According to at least some embodiments, the heat exchange fluids have fire retarding characteristics and/or hydraulic characteristics. Suitable heat exchange fluids include phase change fluids. Suitable heat exchange fluids include molten metals and salts. Suitable heat exchange fluids include nanofluids. Nanofluids comprise nanoparticles suspended in a base fluid, which may be solid, liquid or gas. Suitable heat exchange fluids include gases and liquids. Suitable heat exchange fluids include liquefied gases.

Whilst fluid systems for vehicles, for example vehicle engines, have been described herein, the present invention also relates to fluid systems for engines in general whether or not associated with a vehicle.

The engine may be an internal combustion engine. Suitable internal combustion engines include spark ignition internal combustion engines and compression ignition internal combustion engines. The engine may be an electric engine.

Suitable vehicles include motorcycles, earthmoving vehicles, mining vehicles, heavy duty vehicles and passenger cars.

The invention extends to methods and/or apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, features of method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa.

It will be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modification of detail can be made within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Each feature disclosed in the description, and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.

Claims

1. Container for containing fluid for use in the fluid system of an engine, the container attachable to the fluid system of an engine and comprising a rigid housing formed of a plastics material.

2. Container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastics material comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate and composites comprising nylon.

3. Container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluid is a lubricating fluid for an engine.

4. Use of a container attachable to the fluid system of an engine, the container comprising a rigid housing formed of a plastics material, to contain a fluid for use in the fluid system of the engine.

5. Use as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plastics material comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate and composites comprising nylon.

6. Use as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the fluid is a lubricating fluid for an engine.