US2300450A - Apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 3, 1942. G. E. SAUSSURE 2,300,450

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING LUBRICANT RECEPTACLES AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 22, 1938 mam/r 455 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Nov. 3, 1942. e. E. SAUSSURE APPARATUS FOR CLEANING LUBRICANT RECEPTACLES AND THE LIKE '4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 22, 19:58

bum/r 5456' ,5

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ATTORNEY.

Nov. 3, 1942. E, s ussu 2,300,450

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING LUBRICANT RECEPTACLES AND THE LIKE Filed March 22, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN 70R.

A TTORNEYZ Nov. 3, 1942. s. E. SAUSSURE APPARATUS FOR CLEANING LUBRICANT RECEPTACLES AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 22, 1938 I INVENIUR C. QQMnz.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 3 1942 APPARATUS FOR CLEANING LUBRICANT RECEPTACLES AND THE LIKE George 'E. Saussure, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Internal Motor Cleaner Company, Pittsburgh, H Pa., a'corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 22, 1938, Serial No. 197,428

16 Claims. (01. 184-15) This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like, and has particular application to the art of cleansing or flushing the crank cases of internal combustion engines, the transmission and difl'erential cases of motor vehicles, and other similar receptacles.

The general principle employed is that of supplying a cleansing or flushing oil to the previously drained lubricant receptacle in order to remove waste and foreign matter therefrom, and includes the refining or reclaiming of the flushing oil for re-use.

It is a prime object of my invention to provide a cleaning apparatus capable of supplying, recirculating, removing and refining or reclaiming a body of flushing fluid or oil forcleansing or flushing a lubricant receptacle, operable through a system of conduits and a master control for successively performing these and other steps in a selective cycle of operation.

Another object hereof is to heat the flushing oil in relation to and during the circulation thereof in such a manner that only that portion of the oil utilized is heated, thereby dispensing with the losses incurred in heating an entire supply of oil as when heating in a reservoir or the like.

I also contemplate the recirculation and reheating of an initially supplied quantity of flushing oil for proper loosening and removal of the foreign material from the lubricant receptacle.

A further object is to provide for increasing the capacity of the apparatus to enable the same to be readily usable for cleansing large receptacles, as for example, the crank cases of Diesel engines, by simple connection with additional containers of oil and withoutin any way affecting the normay operation of the device.

Still further objects are: to provide a centralized control for rapid and eificient adjustment of the apparatus .in the various steps necessary to a complete and thorough cleansing cycle; to provide for the positive segregation and removal of the foreign materials entrained in the flushing oil, including the heating of the dirty oil prior to .filtrationthereof; andto provide an apparatus flcient capacity for continued service over a long,

period of time.

v, Additional objects and advantages will become tion, illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the control device of Fig. 1, showing the conduit connections therewith;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the control device or valve of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 isa longitudinal sectional view taken through one of the circulation heaters;

Fig. 6 is a similar view taken at right angle to the view of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-section taken on the line VIIVII of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram of the heating system and the actuation thereof by the control device.

In the drawings, theapparatus has been illustrated in operative relation with some ofjthe elements spaced apart more than may bereduired in actual practice, for the sake of clarityfinfollowing the fluid circulation therethroug hfit being understood that it is intended that the,- apparatus may be suitably mounted and enclosed within a cabinet or housing indicated by the dotted line 9.

'The apparatus may be best described by its relation to and inter-connection with a central control device or valve In. Said control device may be of any suitable construction embodying means for establishing communicating circulation between a fluid pump II and a plurality of utilizing means. Said device acts as a fluid distributor for separately connecting the pump in invention, the construction and form of which is covered in a separate application-of even date, bearing Serial No. 197,429, now Patent No. 2,240,- 227, issued April 29, 1941, to which reference may be had-.for a more detailed description of. the said device. l k

Generally, the device H) as preferred, includes a pair of stationary members l2'and l3, between and in contact with which a plate I4 is rotatably mounted by a shaft l5 journalled in the station- Fig. 1 is a front elevational view, partly in sec- 55 ary members. (See Fig.4) The pressure con duit l6 and the suction conduit I! from the pump ll connect with separate inner annular distributing channels l8 and I9 respectively, said chanice line or return conduit 52.

nels each having a port or passage 28 and 2| respectively, extending through the rotatable plate l4.

Ports 2!! and 2| are diametrically disposed for alinernent with diametrically disposed pairs of ports or rearward discharge openings 22 in the member l3, whereby through rotation of the plate l4 by the indicator handle 23 on shaft l in the front of the device, the pump ll may be connected in fluid circulation with any of a series of the diametric pairs of ports. Suitable sealing means are provided for preventing leakage between the stationary and rotatable members of the device, and means, such as a rear spring 24, is provided for maintaining the members in operative assembly.

Referring to the embodiment of Fig. 1, 25 and 25 designate a diametric pair of circulation or discharge ports in the control device "I, the port 25 connecting the fluid supply or reservoir 2'! of a filter unit 28 through a conduit 29 and by-pass connection 30. The port 215 is connected, through by-pass connection 3|, with a conduit 32, the latter having therein a sight glass 33, a flow meter 34 of usual and well known construction, and a circulation heater 35.. V In another pair of diametric ports 35 and 31 of control device M, the port is connected through a by-pass'connection 35a with the discharge conduit 38 from a trap 39, which trap is connected in a conduit 48 having a sight glass 40a therein. Port .31 of said pair is connected with a second circulation heater 4| in a conduit 42, which conduit connects the filter unit 28 as at 43.

The outlet conduit 44 from heater 35 is preferably provided with a valve casing 45, having at least three ports for controlling the flow therethrough as hereinafter set forth, one of said ports being connected to conduit 44.

Another of the ports of the valve casing 45 is I provided with a flexible service conduit 45 connecting with the inlet passage 41 of an adapter 49 which is applied to and secured in the usual drain opening 55 of a lubricant receptacle, such as an internal combustion engine crank case 5|.

The adapter 49 preferably has a separate outlet passage 48 to which is connected a flexible serv- 45a. designates a valve casing having one of its ports connected with the conduit 48, and another port connecting the conduit 52.

Further referring to the port connections oi the control device I 0, a port 53 is connected by v a conduit 54 with the conduit 32 at a point between the meter 34 and heater 35, and its diametrically disposed port 55 is connected through by-pass 35a with the conduit 38 and trap 39.

32a designates a check valve in conduit 32 between the meter 34 and the Junction of conduits 32 and 54.

Additional pairs of ports in the control device III are provided, as for example, at 58-51, the port 55 connecting with a conduit 58, including a suitable flexible portion 53, for use in connection with an additional oil supply or drum 55. Port 51 connects through by-pass connection 3| and meter 34 with the conduit 32.

Also, a conduit 5| having flexible portion 52 connects the device ill by a port 53, the latter having its diametric port 54 connected with conduit 29 through by-pass connection 35, said line "-52 being also adapted for use in conjunction with said additional oil supply", as will hereinafter appear. 5

In the operation of my invention, as for example in cleansing or flushing the engine of an ing 53.

The adapter 49 is then secured in said opening as by screw threads or other suitable means, whereby to connect the interior of the crank case with the conduits 45 and 52. While separate entrance may be made to the crank case by the insertion of each conduit, I prefer to more conveniently provide for delivery and withdrawal of fluid through the single adapter having the aforesaid separate branch passages" and 48 communicating with conduits 45 and 52 respectively.

With a supply of flushing liquid or oil in the reservoir 21, the pump ii is placed in motion as by a suitable driving motor indicated at 51. The handle 23 of the control device I0 is placed in position #1, thus placing ports 25 and 25 in communication with the pump to draw oil fromthe reservoir 21, through conduits '29 and 38 into the control device through port 25, through the pump back to the control device and into conduit 32 through port 25 and by-pass 3|. In this position ports 54 and 51 are closed by the control device.

The flushing oil is thereby passed through sight glass 33' where its clean condition may be observed, through meter 34 to measure the quantity supplied to the crank case, and through the heater 35 to conduit 44. The valve of casing 45 is placed in position to deliver said oil to conduit 48 whereby it enters the crank case through adapter 49.

When the desired quantity of oil has been delivered to the crank case 5|, as indicated by the meter 34, the member i 4 of control device i8 is rotated to position #3, thereby placing conduits 45 and 52 in circulation through port 53, conduit 54, heater 35 and pipe 44 in communication with the pump and crank case for recirculating flow of oil, the return flow taking place by way of conduit 52, valve casing 45a, conduit 49, sight glass 40a, trap 39, conduit 38, by-pass 35a and port 55. The oil thus returning from the crank case is then passed throu'gh'pump and control device, and from the latter by port 53 through conduits 54 and 32, heater 35, and conduits 44 and 45, to adapter 49 and returned into the crank case. During such circulating flow, check valve 32a prevents the back flow of the dirty oil to meter 34.

Such continuous recirculation through the crank case is maintained for a suflicient period sludge, metal particles and other foreign matter from the crank case, the flushing oil being maintained at a suitable temperature by the heater 35. The trap 39 may be of. any suitable construction, as for example, employing a plurality of screening baiiies as illustrated, and a sump for collection of the foreign matter removed from the oil. It will be noted that the trap functions in advance of the control device and pump, whereby injurious metal particles and the like are removed so as to prevent the passage thereof through the said device and pump.

By the continuous heating and recirculating introduction and removal of the flushing oil at the lowermost portion of the crank case, I am enabled to remove the foreign particles such as metal pieces, etc.. which normally settle to the manissued April 29, 1941 Attention is called to the fact that the foregoing initial fiushing process is preferably utilized while the engine of theautomobile or the like is still, whereby to better remove thev foreign matter from the oil pump screen and inner parts of the engine, without the abrasive foreign parti-' cles being conveyed to the oil passages of the engine, or being sucked against and held by th pump screen. I

Following the recirculation operation, the control'device member I4 is rotated to position #4, whereby ports 36 and 31 are placed in communication with the pump II, and the body of circulating oil is drawn from thecrank case through conduits 52, 40, trap 39, conduit 38, and by-pass connection 36a to port 36, from whence the dirty oil passes by conduit l'l through the pump back to the control device ill and out through port 31 by conduit 42 and heater 4| to the filter 28. The dirty oil passes upwardly through the filter to the reservoir 21 for re-use.

In order to clean the oiling system throughout the motor, the foregoing operations are preferably followed by supplying a fresh chargeof clean oil to the crank case by rotating member ll of the control device to position #1 as before. When the required quantity is delivered, the cleaner apparatus is stopped, and the automobile engine is run to distribute the flushing oil therethrough, following which the recirculation cycle may again be utilized for trapping removal of the foreign matter. -These operations may be continued until the flushing oil returns clean, indicating that the engine is entirely clean.

In the event it is desired to cleanse the crank case of a large Diesel engine or the like, it is necessary to provide for the supply and refining or reclaiming of additional quantities of flushing oil. By means of my invention, I am enabled to draw upon an additional separate supply of oil for this purpose, to refine or reclaim such oil during the operation of the apparatus, and to return such additional oil to its separate container.

For this purpose, member l4 of the control device I is rotated to position #2, whereby, through alined ports 56 and 51, flushing oil is drawn from container 60 through conduits 59 and 58, through the device to and pump II, and is delivered through port 51 and by-pass 3| to meter 34, conduit 32, heater 35, conduits 44, valve casing 45 and conduit 46, and to the crank case 5| through inlet 41 of adapter 49. Such additional oil may of course be recirculated as hereinbefore described in connection with position #3 of the control device. a

To refine or reclaim the added oil when the flushing operation is completed, member l4 of the control device I0 is rotated to position #4, whereupon the oil is returned through the filter 28 to reservoir 21 as before.

When the reservoir 21 is substantially filled,

the control device is adjusted to position #5,,

thereby establishing pump circulation through ports 63 and 64 to draw the oil from the filter reservoir throughconduit 29 and 'by-pass 30 to port 64, through device l0, conduits l1 and i6 and pump l I, for discharge from port 63through conduit 62 to the container 60. The filtration and returning steps of position #4 and #5may then be repeateduntii the volumev of added oil has been filtered andreturneo. to the container Should more oil be inadvertently returned to container 60 than is desired, upon adjusting the control device to position #6, the conditions of position #5 become reversed, andthe pump ll provides a flow in the reverse direction to that described for position #5, wherebyoil is delivered from the container 60 to the reservoir 21 as will be readily understood. This circulation of position #6 is likewise utilized for initially chargingthe apparatus reservoir with a supply of flushing oil.

When cleansing or flushing automobile crank cases, it is desirable to also clean the transmission and differential cases. This may be readily accomplished by my invention through the use f an additional delivery conduit 65 connected with a port of the valve casing 45 and with a second valve casing 66. By means of said valves the heated flushing oil supplied by operation #1 of the apparatus may be diverted to said conduit, and by conduit 61 and separate flexible conduits 68-69,.the oil is separately forced into the transmission and differential cases 10 and II respectively. Suitable valves 12 are provided in conduits 68 and 69 for separately controlling the same.

The oil so supplied to the cases 70 and 'Il may be retained therein by valve of casing 45 until the crank case cleaning is completed. For the return thereof, a conduit 13 connects valve 66 and valve 45a of the conduit 52, and upon proper adjustment of said valves, the dirty oil may be drawn from the cases by operation #4, through trap 39 and back to filter 28. Additional separate supply and return operations may however be employed to complete the cleansing of the said cases 10 and H. I

In the described cleansing or flushing opera-- tions, the use of heated flushing oil materially increases the efficiency of the process, both in removing the sludge and foreign material, and in filtering or reclaiming the used flushing oil. My invention contemplates heating the oil during its circulation, and in relation to the control of the apparatus.

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 illustrate a preferred form of circulation heater, it being understood that my invention is not to be limited thereto, as other heaters capable of heating .theifiushing oil during the flow thereof may be employed. As illustrated, the heater comprises a pair of parallel elongated looped tubular electric heating elements 18 and 19 containing the usual spiral resistor elements as indicated in the broken-away portions in Fig. 5. Loops 18 and 19 are disposed one inside the loop of the other as shown, and are secured to a common header or base in fluid-tight connection, Suitable connections are made through said header from the elements to external binding posts Bl for electrically connecting said elements as hereinafter described.

The elements are enclosed in a jacket 82, preferably having the irregular shape as shown in Fig. 7, whereby a substantially uniform transverse flow area is maintained around the legs of theheating elements, the said area being sum ciently restricted, and together with the longitudinal dimension of the heater, determining the proper heating of the oil passed therethrough.

At thelower or entrance end, the jacket is secured to the header 80, and at the upper end tapers into connection with its outlet conduit connection". 84 designates a lateral inlet connection at the lower portion of the jacket.

It will be noted that the heater 85 is located to receive the oil passed through and therefore measured by the meter 84.

Likewise'the heater 4| is located in relation to the circulation so as to only receive the quantity of oil which has been so metered. In other words, the heating system of my invention only acts upon the required volume of oil being utilized, and no'more.

To further the efficiency and economy attained by such heating system, I prefer to energize the electric heaters in accordance with the flow of fluid therethrough, which aim may be accomplished by actuation of the heater control by or through the control device In, as for example, as indicated in Fig. 8.

Thus, the stem or shaft l of the control device III is provided with a ring contact 85 insulated from and rotatable with said shaft, said contact being energized by a brush 86 from one side 81 of a source of electrical power E. A radial contactor arm 88 extends from the ring 85 for contact with an arcuate series of independent contacts la, 2a, 3a and 411, said series of contacts being spaced in radial alinement with the respective positions #1, #2, #Sand #4 of the control device l0.

Contacts la, 2a. and 3a are connected by a wire 89 with the other side 98 of the source of power E, said wire 89 also connecting element I8 of heater 35 in series therewith. Similarly, contact 4a is connected in series with element 18 of heater 4| and line 98 by a wire 92.

In operation, when the control device is in position #1, the circuit through contact la will be made, to energize the heater 35, whereby the oil passing therethrough from meter 34 will become heated for delivery to the crank case or other lubricant receptacle. In position #2, a circuit through contact 2a and heater 35 will be made to heat theadditional oil being introduced, as from container 60, which oil is likewise metered.

Similarly, during the recirculation cycle of pos tion #3, the circuit through contact 3a and heater 35 will be made to continue to heat the quantity of oil previously supplied. And further, upon returning any or all of such oil to the filter 28 in operation #4, the circuit is separately made through contact 4a and heater 4|.

93 designates one wire connection and 94 the other, whereby the elements 19 of each of heaters 35 and 4| may be placed in parallel. through manual switches 95, with the elements 18 of their respective heaters, whereby additional heating may be provided if necessary,

It is therefore seen that the electrical heating employed is energized in relation to the flow of flushing oil, and is operable only during the flow through the respective heaters, thereby providing the exact heating desired both as to its point of appl cation as well as the duration thereof.

The filter unit 28 may be of any suitable construction. I prefer to employ, however, a double filter of the character illustrated, including an outer filter 96 and an inner filter 91, each consisting of a plurality of layers of fullers earth or the like, and layers of mineral wool or the like, as indicated. In between the layers are provided perforate plates and layers of material, such as burlap. Traps 98 are provided at the lower entrance end of the inner filter and also at the upper-end thereof, the latter being in communicationwith a trap 98 at the lower portion of the outer filter through a perforate conduit lllll.

For proper suction feed from the reservoir 21, and to insure priming of the pump II, the conduit 29 connects with a flexible conduit 29a which has the open end thereof supported by a float llll. Such means also tend to prevent the delivery of sediment which may be present in the bottom of the reservoir. I02 indicates an air vent for the reservoir 21. a I

Fig. 2 illustrates a simplified form of the invention which may be employed for types of flushing service requiring an apparatus of lesser capacity. Such a machine may be manufactured and sold at a lower price and yet may be operated'to cleanse or flush crank cases and the like with the same high efficiency of the larger and more expensive machine.

The control device or valve Illa has a lesser number of pairs of ports and adjustment positions. In position 1, oil is drawn from the reservoir 21:: of filter unit 28a through a conduit 291), through the control device and pump I la, andis delivered from the control device through meter 34a and heater 35a in conduit 32b to flexible conduit 48a, and to the crank case 5| through adapter 49a.

Position #2 of the control device connects the latter and the pump in circulation with the crank case, whereby the supplied oil is drawn therefrom through flexible conduit 52a from adapter 49a, through conduit 40b, trap 39a, conduit 38a, and by-pass connection 36b, and delivered from the control device through conduit 84a to conduit 32b. The flow preferably enters the latter conduit at a point between the meter 34a and heater 35a in advance of a check valve 320 preventing a back-flow through the said meter, and providing for'flow through the heater and conduit 48a to the crank case.

In this manner the desired re-circulation of the flushing oil is provided with accompanying heating by the single heater 35a, the said heater being preferably energized in connection with the movement of the control device Illa as hereinbefore set forth. The foreign matter in the crank case is removed and collected by trap 38a as before.

In position #3 of the control device, the dirty oil is returned through conduits 52a and 48b, trap 39a, conduit 38a and by-pass connection 38b to the pump and control device, and is delivered from the latter through a conduit 42a to the fllter unit' 28:; for refining as before. The filter unit 280 is preferably of the same general character as hereinbefore described.

My invention provides an apparatus for 'cleansing lubricant receptacles having a positive circulating flow at all times which produces a highly efficient cleansing or flushing treatment with accompanying economy of operation.

, What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like, the combination with a fluid supply, of a conduit adapted to be connected with the lubricant receptacle to be cleaned, a heater in said conduit, a pump, a central unitary control device including means for connecting the fluid supply and conduit with the pump for delivering fluid to the receptacle and including means for operating the heater in relation to said fluid delivery.- i

2. In an apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like, the combination with a fluid supply. of a conduit adapted to be connected with .the lubricant receptacle to' be cleaned, a pump, means in the conduit for measuring the quantity of fluid delivered therethrough, a heater in said conduit, and a central control device including means connecting the fluid supply and conduit with the pump for delivering fluid through'the measuring means and heater to the receptacle and including means for actuating the heater simultaneously with the fluid delivery through said measuring means.

3. In an apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like, the combination with a fluid supply, of a conduit adapted to be connected with the lubricant receptacle to be cleaned, a pump, a circulation controlling valve between the fluid supply and said conduit for connecting the fluid supply and conduit with thepump for delivering fluid to the receptacle, means in the conduit for measuring the quantity of'fluid delivered therethrough, a heater in said conduit,

and means actuated by and connected with the circulation controlling valve for operating the heater only during the flow of fluid through the latter.

4. In an apparatus for'cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like, the combination with a fluid reservoir and a filter, of a pump, an adjustable control valve for selectively connecting the device also being adjustable for selectively connecting the pair of conduits with the pump for recirculating the delivered fluid in the receptacle prior to the-return thereof from the receptacle to the filter. a

7. In an apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like, the combination with a fluid reservoir and a filter, of a pump, a pair of conduits adapted to be connected with the lubricant receptacle to be cleaned, a single adjustable, control device for selectively connecting the fluid reservoir and, one ofthe conduits with the pump for delivering fluid to the. receptacle, and for separately connecting the filter with one' of said conduits for returning the fluid from the receptacle to the filter, means in such circulation for receptacle, a heater and thermal generating means therefor operable by and with the control fluid reservoir and a' lubricant receptaclewith the pump for delivering fluid to said receptacle, and for connecting the lubricant receptacle and filter with the pump for returning the fluid from the receptacle to the filter, means in such circufluid reservoir and a lubricant receptacle with the pump for delivering fluid to said receptacle, and for connecting the lubricant receptacle and filter with the pump for returning the fluid from the receptacle to the filter, means in such circulation for measuring the quantity of fluid delivered to the receptacle, a heater operable to heat the fluid during the flow thereof to'said recep-" tacle, a second heater operable to heat the fluid during the flow thereof from the receptacle to the filter, and thermal controlling means for said heaters in operative connection with the adjustable control valve.

6. In an apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like, the combination with a fluid reservoir and a filter, of a pump, a pair of conduits adapted to be connected with the lubricant receptacle to be cleaned, a single adjustable control device for selectively connecting the fluid reservoir and one of the conduits with the pump for delivering fluid to the receptacle, and for separately connecting the filter with one of said conduits for returning the fluid from the receptacle to the filter, a heater operable by and with the control device to heat the fluid during the flow thereof to the receptacle only, said control able control valve for selectively connecting the valve to heat the fluid during the flow thereof to the receptacle, said control device also being adjustable for selectively connecting: the"v pair of conduits with the pump for recirculating the delivered fluid in the receptacle prior to the return thereof from the receptacle to the filter.

, 8. In an apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like, the combination with a fluid reservoir and a filter, of a pump, a pair of conduits adapted to be connected with the lubricant receptacle to be cleaned, a central unitary adjustable control device for selectively connecting the fluid reservoir and oneof the conduits with the pump for delivering fluid to the receptacle, and for separately connecting the filter with one of said conduits for returning the fluid from the receptacle to the filter, means in such circulation for measuring the quantity of fluid delivered to the receptacle, said control device also being adjustable for selectively connecting the pair of conduits withthe pump for recirculating the delivered fluid in the receptacle prior to the return thereof from the 'receptacle to the filter, means for generating heat for heating the measured fluid upon the initial delivery'thereof to the receptacle and during the recirculation thereof,

and controlling means for such generation con-. sisting of a circuit regulating device in operative connection with the control valve.

9. In an apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and. the like, the combination with a fluid reservoir and a filter, of a pump, a pair of conduits adapted to be connected with the lubricant receptacle to be cleaned, a single adjustable control device for selectively connecting the fluid reservoir and one of the conduits with the pump for delivering fluid to the receptacle, and for separately connecting the filter with one of said conduits for returning the fluid from the receptacle to the filter, means in such circulation for measuring the quantity. of fluid delivered to the receptacle, a heater operable to heat the fluid during the flow thereof to the receptacle, said control device also being adjustable for selectively connecting the pair of conduits with the pump for recirculating the delivered fluid in the receptacle prior to the return thereof from the receptacle to the filter, and means preventing the back flow of fluid through the measuring means during such recirculation while providing for flow-through the heater and conduit to the lubricant receptacle.

10. In an apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like, the combination with a fluid reservoir and a filter, of a pump, a single adjustable control valve for selectively connecting the fluid reservoirand a lubricant receptacle with the pump for delivering fluid to the receptacle and for separately connecting the lubricant receptacle and filter with the pump for returning the fluid from the receptacle to the filter, a trap through which said returning fluid before reaching the control valve and pump, means for measuring the quantity of fluid delivered to the receptacle, a heater operable to heat thefiuid during the flow thereof to said receptacle, and heat supply means therefor operatively connected with the control valve.

11. In an apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like, the combination with a fluid reservoir and a filter, of a. pump, a pair of uring the quantity of fluid delivered to the receptacle, and means dependent on operation of ceptacles and the like, the combination with a fluid reservoir and a filter, of a pump, a pair -01 conduits adapted to be connected with the conduits adapted to be connected with the lubricant receptacle to be cleaned, an adjustable control valve for selectively connecting the fluid reservoir and one of the conduits with the pump for delivering fluid to the receptacle, and for separately connecting the filter with one of said conduits for returning the fluid from the receptacle to the filter, said control valve also being adjustable for selectively connecting the pair of conduits with the pump for recirculating the delivered fluid in the receptacle prior; to the return thereof from the receptacle to the filter, a trap through which the fluid before reaching the control device and pump during the return flow to the filter and during the said recirculation of the fluid, and means for heating the fluid upon the initial delivery thereof to the receptacle and during the recirculation thereof, said heating means being dependent on operation of the control valve.

. 12. In an apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like, the combination with a.

fluid reservoir and a filter, of a pump, an adjust able control device for selectively connecting the fluid reservoir and. the receptacle to be cleaned,

and for separately connecting the receptacle and filter with the pump, whereby fluid may be delivered to the receptacle from the reservoir and returned therefrom to the filter, electrical heating the heating means only during the fiow of fluid therethrough.

13. Inan apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like, the combination with a fluid reservoir and a filter, of a pump, a conduit adapted to be connected with the lubricant receptacle to be cleaned, adjustable control means for selectively connecting the fluid reservoir and said conduit with the pump for delivering fluid to the receptacle, a conduit adapted to connect with an additional supply of fluid, said control means being adjustable to connect the last mentioned conduit with the pump and the first conduit for delivering additional fluid to the receptacle, means in said first conduit for measlubricant vreceptacle to be cleaned, adjustable control means for selectively connecting the fluid reservoir and one of said conduits with the pump for delivering fluid to the receptacle, an intervening meter, a check valve preventing return flow through said one conduit. a conduit adapted to connect with an additional supply of fluid, said control means being adjustable to connect said last mentioned conduit with'the pump and said delivery conduit for delivering additional fluid to the receptacle, the control means also being adjustable to connect the other of said pair of conduits with the pump and filter for returning the fluid from the receptacle to the filter and reservoir.

15. In an apparatus for cleaning lubricant receptacles and the like, the combination with a fluid reservoir and a filter, of a pump, a pair of conduits adapted to be connected with the lubricant receptacle to be cleaned, adjustable control means for selectively connecting the fluid reservoir and one'ofsaid conduits with the pump for delivering fluid to the receptacle, an intervening meter, a check valve preventing return flow through said one conduit, a second 'pair of conduits adapted to connect with an additional fluid supply, said control means being adjustable to connect one of said second pair of conduits with the pump and said delivery conduit for delivering additional fluid to the receptacle, the control means also being adjustable to connect the other of said first pair of conduits with the pump and filter for returning fluid from the "receptacle to the filter and reservoir, and for separately connecting the other of said second pair of conduits with the reservoir and pump for delivering said returned fluid to-the additional fluid supply.

16. Apparatus for alternately supplying solvent to, and removing solvent'from, the crankcases of automobile engines or the like, comprising conduit means engageable with the crankcase to be cleaned, a clean-solvent supply reservoir, a return flow receiving chamber, means for conducting outgoing clean solvent from said reservoir into said conduit, including piping intermediate the two, a flow-meter operatively connected with said piping, and means for conducting returning dirt-laden solvent from said conduit into said receiving chamber, including p pin Icy-passing said flow-meter.

/ GEORGE E. SAUSSURE.

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