DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1 , service apparatus 100 includes body 10 with reduced pressure channel 15 having lower reduced pressure port 20 and upper reduced pressure port 25 , fluid channel 30 having lower fluid port 35 and upper fluid port 40 and connector 45 on body 10 . Upper reduced pressure port 25 may have a hose fitting 48 that is sufficiently sized to accept a section of flexible hose (not shown). Reduced pressure channel 15 can contain valve 50 that closes channel 15 when fluid enters lower reduced pressure port 20 . Valve 50 can include float ball 55 proximate to lower reduced pressure port 20 that is buoyant in the fluid of the fluid system. Float ball 55 sits in recess 56 such that reduced pressure channel 15 passes substantially over ball 55 . Fluid can enter lower reduced pressure port 20 or recess 56 to cause ball 55 to rise and close channel 15 . Lower reduced pressure port 20 can be on a side of the apparatus. In other embodiments, lower reduced pressure port 20 can be at the end of the apparatus.

[0036] Connector 45 is sized to fit snugly into a fluid system orifice (not shown). Sleeve 60 , which is composed of resilient material, can be fitted around the connector and held in place at the lower end of the body by retainer 80 . Sleeve compressor 70 can be movably attached by threads to the outside of body 10 and positioned above bearing 75 that contacts sleeve 60 . Sleeve compressor 70 can be a knob that is rotated, forcing the knob toward sleeve 60 , thereby compressing the sleeve and expanding it outwardly to seal with the orifice. In other embodiments, the sleeve compressor can be movable by a threaded bolt extending into the body (not shown) that can be tightened to compress and thereby expand the sleeve. In another embodiment, the sleeve compressor can be moved by a cam (not shown) external to the body. The cam can be rotated, for example with a lever, forcing the sleeve compressor into the sleeve, thereby causing the sleeve to compress and expand. In order to accommodate different diameter fluid system orifices, sleeve 60 can be replaced with a sleeve having a smaller or larger diameter by removing retainer 80 , slipping sleeve 60 off of body 10 , and installing a new sleeve having a different diameter. Alternatively, a supplemental sleeve (not shown), which has an inner opening that corresponds to the outer diameter of sleeve 60 , can be slipped over the outer surface of sleeve 60 to accommodate a larger diameter system orifice. In certain embodiments, a sealing member can form the seal with the fluid system orifice.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B , service apparatus 100 includes body 10 , connector 45 , sleeve 60 , lower reduced pressure port 20 , upper reduced pressure port 25 , lower fluid port 35 and upper fluid port 40 . Upper fluid port 40 is connected to a valve 65 to control fluid flow or leak test the system. Valve 65 can be a ball valve, as shown. Valve 65 can connect to a fluid hose (not shown) via quick connect fitting 90 . Upper reduced pressure port 25 may connect to hose fitting 48 that connects to a pressure-reducing source (not shown). Retainer 80 may be attached to the bottom of the body by screws.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3 , service apparatus 100 can be configured as a system 400 to drain fluid from fluid system 310 . For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , fluid system 310 can include a radiator of a cooling system of an internal combustion engine, in which case coolant is drained from the system. Service apparatus 100 is sealed to orifice 405 of reservoir 410 . Sleeve compressor 70 is rotated to create an airtight seal between apparatus 100 and orifice 405 . Valve 65 can be positioned to seal upper fluid port 40 . Drainage wand 415 is connected to upper fluid port 40 and inserted in system 310 . Drainage wand 415 can be a flexible hose or a plastic tube having a diameter sufficiently small to be inserted through orifice 315 of system 310 . Alternatively, a first end of a hose is connected to upper fluid port 40 and the other end of the hose is connected to drainage wand 415 . One end of hose 325 is connected to upper reduced pressure port 25 . The other end of hose 325 is connected to a pressure-reducing source 335 , such as a venturi, which can include a muffler to reduce noise or a section of hose extending from case 350 . When pressure-reducing source 335 is a venturi, it is connected to air source 355 to generate a reduced pressure in reservoir 410 . Reservoir 410 can be a container that withstands the reduced pressure applied to the system without collapsing or includes a pressure regulator or other release mechanism to avoid collapse. For example, the pressure regulator can be a pressure relief valve 700 , as described below and shown in FIG. 7 , which can prevent the pressure of the internal volume of the container from decreasing below a threshold reduction from ambient pressure that would otherwise cause the container to collapse.

[0039] In operation, the pressure can be reduced by, for example, 1-25 inches of mercury to drain the system. Valve 65 is opened, thereby applying the reduced pressure to system 310 . The reduced pressure pulls fluid from system 310 , through hose 320 and apparatus 100 and into reservoir 410 . If the fluid has filled reservoir 410 , the float ball rises in the fluid, thereby blocking the application of reduced pressure and stopping the flow of fluid. Reservoir 410 can be sealed and the used fluid can be disposed of or recycled.

[0040] When servicing fluid system 310 , other draining methods may be employed. For example, a drain valve (not shown) in the system, for example, at the bottom of a radiator, can be opened to drain the system by gravity. In other cases, a system hose (not shown) may be removed to allow the fluid to drain from system 310 .

[0041] Referring to FIG. 4 , apparatus 100 can be used to test system 310 for leaks. With radiator 310 drained, or partially drained of fluid, service apparatus 100 can be sealed to orifice 315 of system 310 . Reduced pressure is applied to system 310 with valve 65 in a closed position. The occurrence of air pockets can be reduced by reducing the pressure in the system as much as possible. The pressure can be reduced by, for example, 25 inches of mercury or more. Valve 360 is then closed to stop application of the reduced pressure to the system and seal the system for leak testing. For a predetermined period of time, such as 5-10 minutes, the pressure of the system can be monitored at gauge 340 . A change of pressure indicates a leak in system 310 . A leak in the system can be repaired before filling it with replacement fluid.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 4 , system service apparatus 100 can be part of a system 300 to fill a fluid system with fluid. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , fluid system 310 can include a radiator of a cooling system of an internal combustion engine, in which case coolant is added to the system. The system can be empty, partially filled, or nearly filled when the apparatus is used to fill it. Service apparatus 100 is installed in orifice 315 of system 310 . Sleeve compressor 70 is rotated to create an airtight seal between the apparatus 100 and orifice 315 . One end of hose 320 is connected to upper fluid port 40 . The other end of hose 320 is placed inside fluid source 330 , which can be a container filled with a fluid. One end of a second hose 325 is connected to upper reduced pressure port 25 . The other end of hose 325 is connected to pressure reducing source 335 . As shown, service apparatus 100 may be packaged in a case 350 that houses pressure reducing source 335 and pressure gauge 340 .

[0043] When pressure-reducing source 335 is a venturi, it is connected to air source 355 to generate a reduced pressure in system 310 . The reduced pressure pulls fluid from reservoir 330 through hose 320 and apparatus 100 , and into system 310 . The reduced pressure can be applied continuously to the apparatus 100 during the filling process. As the fluid level in system 310 rises and reaches orifice 315 , the fluid causes float ball 55 to rise and close the channel in the apparatus, stopping the reduced pressure applied to the system and, consequently, stopping the flow of fluid into system 310 through hose 320 . The system can be run after the filling process has stopped, while the reduced pressure is being applied, to remove air that may continue to reside in the system. Alternatively, apparatus 100 can be removed from the system, the system can be run for, for example, 1-5 minutes, to move air pockets in the system, and apparatus 100 can be used to reduce pressure in the system and fill the system a second time. This process can be repeated to further reduce the amount of air in the system. After filling is complete, apparatus 100 can be removed from system 310 .

[0044] The body 10 , valve 65 , valve 360 , pressure reducing source 335 , pressure gauge 340 , reservoir 410 , and receptacle 330 can be made from rigid materials such as machined, molded or cast metal or plastic. The sleeve 60 and hose 320 , hose 325 , and wand 415 can be made of resilient materials such as a rubber or plastic composition. The float ball 55 can be made of a material that has a specific gravity that is lighter than the system fluid, yet heavy enough to avoid blocking the reduced pressure channel 15 in the absence of the fluid. For example, the float ball can be made of polypropylene.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 5 , service apparatus 500 includes body 10 with reduced pressure channel 15 having lower reduced pressure port 20 and upper reduced pressure port 25 , fluid channel 30 having lower fluid port 35 and upper fluid port 40 and connector 45 on body 10 . Reduced pressure channel 15 can contain valve 50 that closes channel 15 when fluid enters lower reduced pressure port 20 . Valve 50 can include float ball 55 proximate to lower reduced pressure port 20 that is buoyant in the fluid of the fluid system. Float ball 55 sits in recess 56 such that reduced pressure channel 15 passes substantially over ball 55 . Fluid can enter lower reduced pressure port 20 or recess 56 to cause float ball 55 to rise and close channel 15 when float ball contacts float ball seal 57 . The connector 45 configured to form a seal with an orifice of the fluid system can include sealing member 62 . Sealing member 62 on body 10 is configured to form a seal with the orifice when placed on the orifice (not shown). The sealing member can form the seal without mechanical adjustment of sealing member dimensions.

[0046] Sealing member 62 can be a ring of resilient material, for example, a continuous ring, which is fitted around the body 10 . Sealing member 62 can be held in place at the lower end of the body 10 by retainer 80 . The resilient material can include a rubber, such as butyl rubber or silicone rubber. The sealing member can have a hardness between Shore OO durometer of 20 and Shore A durometer of 80, or Shore A durometer of 20 to 60, such as a Shore A durometer of 40.

[0047] Sealing member 62 can seat onto a fluid system orifice or reservoir orifice to form a seal. The seal can be improved by applying reduced pressure to the upper reduced pressure port 25 . When orifice is a radiator neck of a cooling system, the apparatus can form a seal with smallest orifice 91 , typically having an inside diameter of 1.10 inches, and with largest orifice 92 , typically having an inside diameter of 2.70 inches.

[0048] Sealing member 62 can have a flat surface or a square shape such as a gasket. The gasket can be sized to seal with orifices, such as radiator necks, ranging in inside diameter from 1 inch to 2.5 inches. In other embodiments, sealing member 62 can be tapered, such as a plug having a wide surface adjacent to the upper ports, which tapers to a narrow surface adjacent to the lower ports. The taper of the plug can allow the apparatus to seal with different sized fluid system orifices. In other embodiments, sealing member 62 can be a bladder having an annular or donut shape, which can be filled with a gel, such as, for example, a silicone, to give the sealing member a compliant texture that conforms to the shape of the orifice. The bladder can be sized to fit various diameter fluid system orifices. The bladder can be bonded to body 10 with an adhesive instead of using retainer 80 to affix the bladder to the body. Alternatively, the bladder can be bonded to a ring (not shown), which can attach to the body. In other embodiments, sealing member 62 can be an o-ring combined with a sizing ring that holds the o-ring in place. The o-ring and sizing ring can have a range of sizes to accommodate fluid system orifices of varying diameters. The sizing ring can fit between the o-ring and the body to seal with the fluid system orifice. In other embodiments, sealing member 62 can be an elongated plug having a lip, such as a wedge-shaped sealing lip, extending away from the plug that forms a seal with an inner surface of the orifice when inserted into the orifice. The sealing lip can be sized to accommodate a range of orifice inside diameters, for example, from 1.0 inch to 1.2 inches. The plug with sealing lip can have several different sizes to accommodate other orifice inside diameters, such as 1 inch, 1.5 inch, 1.75 inch and 2.0 inch orifices.

[0049] Referring generally to FIGS. 6A and 6B , two perspective views of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5 includes body 10 , upper reduced pressure port 25 , upper fluid port 40 , connector 45 , lower reduced pressure port 20 and lower fluid port 35 . Connector 45 includes sealing member 62 and extends perpendicularly from the body to position the lower fluid ports down into the neck of a fluid system orifice. Sealing member 62 is fixed to the body 10 by retainer 80 . Float ball 55 rests in recess 56 when no fluid is present.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 7, a pressure relief valve 700 penetrates wall 702 of the reservoir. Pressure relief valve 700 includes a cylindrical body 705 , a vent control knob 710 , a mounting nut 715 , a sealing member 717 , a poppet 720 , a poppet holder 725 , and a poppet spring 730 . Vent control knob 710 is external to the reservoir and poppet 720 is internal to the reservoir. Mounting nut 715 presses wall 702 into sealing member 717 to seal the internal volume of the reservoir from the external atmosphere.

[0051] The body 705 includes an outer wall 735 , an inner wall 740 , a threaded vent port 745 , neck 750 , a sealing surface 755 , and a threaded poppet port 760 . The outer wall 735 of the neck 750 includes threads for attaching the mounting nut 715 . The threaded vent port 745 threadably attaches the vent control knob 710 to the body 705 . The threaded poppet port 760 threadably attaches the inner wall 740 to the poppet holder 725 . The poppet holder 725 includes an elongated cylindrical aperture 765 .

[0052] The poppet 720 has a shaft 775 that fits into the aperture 765 . The poppet 770 also has a head 780 with a beveled edge 785 that retains a sealing ring 787 which contacts the sealing surface 755 of the body 705 when the valve is in a closed position. The poppet spring 730 upwardly biases the poppet 720 in the closed position, as shown.

[0053] The poppet 720 moves from the closed position to an open position when the pressure internal to the reservoir is reduced below a threshold level relative to pressure external to the reservoir. The threshold level for opening the poppet 720 is determined by the spring constant of the poppet spring 730 . The spring 730 can be selected to open before the reduced pressure internal to the reservoir collapses the reservoir. For example, a threshold level of 7 to 9 inches of mercury can collapse a plastic container, a result that can be avoided with the pressure release valve.

[0054] Under circumstances where maintaining the pressure release valve in an open position is desired, such as when coolant is poured from the reservoir, the poppet 720 can be maintained in an open position by screwing the vent control knob 710 into body 705 to hold the poppet 720 in an open position.

[0055] A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the apparatus can be used to drain, leak test, and fill a variety of closed fluid-containing systems, such as engine cooling systems, engine oil systems, hydraulic systems or brake systems. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.