Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
1
FLUID METHOD AND SYSTEM
This application claims priority to GB Patent Application No. 1516860.2, filed
September 23, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
This invention relates to a method for use with a fluid container,
particularly a fluid
container for supplying fluid to a fluid circulation system of a vehicle
engine or 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 fluids which can provide heat
exchange
functionality, for example to cool the engine, to heat the engine or to cool
and heat the
engine during different operating conditions. The heat exchange functionality
of the fluids
may be provided in addition to other functions (such as a primary function)
which may
include for example charge conduction and/or electrical connectivity. Such
fluids may be
generally held in containers associated with the engine.
The containers may be filled and may be recycled and/or refilled.
Aspects of the present disclosure are recited in the independent claims.
Optional
features are recited in the dependent claims.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1A shows a schematic block diagram of a first example of a method of
filling
and/or draining a replaceable fluid container for a vehicle or engine;
Figure 1B shows a schematic block diagram of a second example of a method of
filling and/or draining a replaceable fluid container for a vehicle or engine;
Figure 2 shows a diagram of example stages of a lifecycle of a replaceable
container,
the example stages comprising a filling and/or draining stage;
Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of the filling and/or draining stage
of Figure
1;
Figure 4A shows a schematic illustration of an example filling and/or draining
system for carrying out the filling and/or draining stage of Figure 3, with
one example
container;
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
2
Figure 4B shows a schematic illustration of an example filling and/or draining
system
for carrying out the filling and/or draining stage of Figure 3, with a
plurality of example
containers;
Figure 5A shows a schematic illustration of a first example of a filling
and/or
draining interface plate for interfacing between a replaceable fluid container
and a filling
and/or draining system, shown coupled to a replaceable container comprising
three ports;
Figure 5B shows a schematic illustration of a second example of a filling
and/or
draining interface plate for interfacing between a replaceable fluid container
and a filling
and/or draining system, shown coupled to a replaceable fluid container
comprising three
ports;
Figure 6 shows a schematic illustration of a third example of a filling and/or
draining
interface plate for interfacing between a replaceable fluid container and a
filling and/or
draining system, shown coupled to a replaceable fluid container comprising
four ports;
Figure 7 shows a schematic illustration of a vehicle with a replaceable fluid
container
docked with a dock; and
Figure 8 shows a schematic block diagram of an engine fluid circulation system
for
the vehicle or engine.
In the drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements.
Embodiments disclosed with reference to the Figures, for example with
reference to
Figures 1A, 1B and 7, provide a method of filling and/or draining a
replaceable fluid
container 14 (as shown for example in Figure 7) for a vehicle 6 (as shown in
Figure 7) or
an engine 4 (as shown for example in Figure 7).
As described in greater detail below, the replaceable fluid container 14 may
comprise
a fluid reservoir 9 and at least one port.
In the example shown in Figure 7, the container 14 has three ports, i.e.:
a fluid outlet port 91 (sometimes referred to as a "supply port"),
a fluid inlet port 92 (sometimes referred to as a "return port"), and
a vent port 93 (sometimes referred to as a "breather port").
In the example of Figure 7, the container 14 is configured to couple with a
cooperating dock 140 associated with the vehicle 6 or the engine 4, to place
the reservoir 9
in fluidic communication with a fluid circulation system 8 associated with the
vehicle 6 or
engine 4 when the replaceable fluid container 14 is docked with the dock 140.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
3
In some examples, the reservoir 9 may be a specific chamber or the fluid may
simply
be held in the container.
In the present disclosure, and as explained in further detail below,
"replaceable"
means that:
the container can be supplied to the vehicle 6 or the engine 4, full with
fresh and/or
unused fluid, and/or
the container can be inserted in and/or seated in and/or docked with the dock
140, in
a non-destructive manner, and/or
the container can be coupled to the fluid circulation system 8, in a non-
destructive
manner, and/or
the container can be removed from the dock, in a non-destructive manner, i.e.
in a
manner which enables its re-insertion in the dock 140 should that be desired,
and/or
the same (for example after having been refilled) or another (for example full
and/or
new) container can be re-inserted in and/or re-seated in and/or re-docked with
the dock
140, in a non-destructive manner.
It is understood that the term "replaceable" means that the container may be
"removed" and/or "replaced" by another new container and/or the same container
after
having been refilled (in other words the replaceable container may be
"refillable") which
may be re-inserted in the dock or re-coupled to the fluid circulation system.
In the present disclosure, "in a non-destructive manner" means that integrity
of the
container is not altered, except maybe for breakage and/or destruction of
seals (such as
seals on fluid ports) or of other disposable elements of the container.
In the example of Figure 7, the fluid outlet port 91 is configured to couple
with the
fluid circulation system 8 and to provide fluid from the fluid reservoir 9 of
the fluid
container 14. In the example of Figure 7, the fluid is provided via a supply
line 10.
In the example of Figure 7, the fluid inlet port 92 is configured to couple
with the
fluid circulation system 8 to receive fluid that has circulated, e.g. in the
engine 4, into the
fluid reservoir 9. In the example of Figure 7, the fluid is returned via a
fluid return line 12.
The ports 91, 92 of the fluid container 14 may comprise self-sealing couplings
or any
other suitable form of couplings. The dock 140 and container 14 together may
provide a
releasable fastening mechanism, for example a locking mechanism, to hold the
container
14 docked with or to the dock 140.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
4
In the example shown in Figure 7, in addition to the outlet port 91 and the
inlet port
92, the container 14 may have the vent port 93 configured to couple with a
vent 23 of the
fluid circulation system 8 or the vehicle 6 to enable pressure relief as fluid
is drawn into
and out from the reservoir 9. In some examples, the vent port 93 may be
configured to
couple with a vent tube located in the reservoir 9 and extending inwards the
reservoir 9, to
enable pressure relief as fluid is drawn into and out from the reservoir 9. In
some
examples, the vent tube may comprise a breather end, located in the reservoir
9 above a
level corresponding to a predetermined volume of fluid in the reservoir (such
as a nominal
volume of fluid in the container), to enable pressure relief as fluid is drawn
into and out
from the reservoir 9.
As illustrated in Figure 7 the fluid container 2 may comprise a filter 90.
In the example shown in Figure 8, the fluid container 14 may have a connection
sensor 30 for sensing when the fluid container 14 is docked and is in fluid
communication
with the fluid circulation system 8. The fluid container 14 may have a fluid
sensor 22 (also
shown in Figure 4A) to sense at least one characteristic of the fluid in the
container.
With reference to Figures 4A and 4B, embodiments of the disclosure provide a
method, as illustrated in Figure 1A, which comprises:
coupling, at 10, at least one of the ports (e.g. the port 91, the port 92 or
the port 93)
of the replaceable fluid container 14 to a cooperating filling and/or draining
element 600
(as shown in Figure 3) of a filling and/or draining system 700 of a
replaceable fluid
container management facility 701 to place the container 14 or the reservoir 9
in fluidic
communication with the filling and/or draining system 700; and
filling and/or draining, at 11, the fluid reservoir through the port.
The container may have a plurality of ports 91, 92 and 93. Each of the
plurality of
container ports has an operational function. The operational function of each
respective
container port is a function served by the respective port during operation of
the
replaceable fluid container in the engine or vehicle. The operational function
of a container
port may be described herein as the port's "first function". At least one of
the plurality of
ports has a first function of supplying fluid from or of allowing supply of
fluid to the
reservoir 14 (e.g. the fluid outlet port 91 or the fluid inlet port 92,
respectively).
With reference to Figures 4A and 4B, embodiments of the disclosure provide a
method, as illustrated in Figure 1B, which comprises:
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
modifying, at 10a, an operational, or first, function of the at least one
(e.g. the fluid
inlet port 92 or the fluid outlet port 91) of the plurality of ports 91, 92
and 93, so that the
modified port has a second function (different than the first function of
supplying fluid
from or of allowing supply of fluid to the reservoir 9 when the replaceable
fluid container
5 14 is docked with the dock 140), to assist filling and/or draining of the
reservoir; and
optionally filling and/or draining, at 11, the fluid reservoir through the
port (e.g. the
fluid inlet port 92).
In some examples, modifying the operational function of at least one of the
plurality
of ports may comprise modifying the operational function of at least one of
the fluid inlet
port or the fluid outlet port. In some examples, modifying the operational
function of at
least one of the plurality of ports may comprise blocking the fluid inlet
port. In some
examples, the method may comprise opening the fluid inlet port and maintaining
it open
during filling and/or draining of the fluid container.
An example of a filling and/or draining of the fluid container 14 will now be
described with aid of Figures 2 and 3.
The container 14 may be fillable and/or may be recyclable and/or refillable.
As illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 2, a lifecycle of the fluid
container 14 may
for example comprise at least one or more of:
a filling and/or draining stage 101 in which the replaceable container is
filled with the
fluid or drained of used fluid in the replaceable fluid container management
facility 701
(illustrated e.g. in Figures 4A and 4B); and
an operational stage 102 in which the replaceable container is in use in the
vehicle 6.
It should be understood that a drained replaceable fluid container can be
refilled. The
lifecycle of the container may thus comprise a collection and/or supply stage
103 in which
the used containers are collected to be drained, for example at a point of
collection such as
a garage or shop or a dedicated collection point, and in which refilled (also
referred to as
the "recycled") containers are supplied, for example to a point of sale such
as a garage or
shop or perhaps even back to the same vehicle user or owner, for use in a
vehicle or
engine.
As shown in Figure 3, the filling and/or draining stage 101 provides a number
of
processes through which a particular container may pass, which may, in some
non-limiting
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
6
examples, depend upon data associated with at least one of the container, its
contents and
the vehicle or the engine.
As shown these processes may include:
a fluid filling process 1011 and
a fluid draining process 1012.
It should be understood that, in some examples, the fluid filling process 1011
may be
performed, at least partly, in a first management facility 701 and the fluid
draining process
1012 may be performed, at least partly, in a second management facility 701.
In some examples, the first management facility 701 may be different from the
second management facility 701, or may form, at least partly or completely,
part of the
second management facility 701. Similarly, the second management facility 701
may form,
at least partly or completely, part of the first management facility 701.
In some examples, the fluid filling process 1011 and the fluid draining
process 1012
may be performed by a same system 700 or performed respectively by different
systems
700.
Referring now to Figures 4A and 4B, a filling and/or draining system 700 may
be
configured to perform at least some of the steps of the method shown in
Figures 1A and
1B. In the example of Figures 4A and 4B, the system 700 comprises at least one
filling
and/or draining element 600. In some examples described in greater detail
below, the
system 700 may comprise a plurality of elements 600. In some examples, the
plurality of
elements may be configured to provide a different element 600 to each port of
the
container.
In the example of Figures 4A and 4B, the system 700 is located in the
management
facility 701.
In the example of Figures 4A and 4B, the container 14 is configured to be
associated
with the element 600. In the example illustrated by Figure 4A, the element 600
is
configured to place, as explained in greater detail below, the fluid reservoir
9 in fluidic
communication with components of the filling and/or draining system 700. In
the example
of Figures 4A and 4B, the coupling of the element 600 and the container 14 is
such that,
when the fluid reservoir 9 is in fluidic communication with the filling and/or
draining
system 700, the replaceable fluid container 14 is in the same orientation as
when it is
docked with the dock 140 as described with reference to Figure 7. In the
example of
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
7
Figures 4A and 4B, the replaceable fluid container 14 is oriented such that
the bottom of
the container 14 (comprising the ports 91, 92 and 93) is docked with the dock
140. In the
example of Figures 4A and 4B, the port 91 or 92 or 93 is located on the
replaceable fluid
container 14, such that the fluid reservoir 9 is positioned above the port 91
or 92 or 93
when the replaceable fluid container 14 is coupled with the filling and/or
draining element
600 (or e.g. docked with the dock 140 as shown in Figure 7).
It should be understood that the filling and/or draining system 700
(comprising the
element 600) may be configured to fill and/or drain the fluid reservoir 9
through the port
91 or 92 when the container 14 is coupled with the filling and/or draining
element 600 in
the same orientation as when it is docked with the dock 140 (as described with
reference to
Figure 7). In some examples, when the container 14 is coupled with the element
600 in the
same orientation as when it is docked with the dock 140 (as described with
reference to
Figure 7), the element 600 may be configured to prevent or at least inhibit
contamination
(e.g. flooding) of the vent port 93 with fluid. In some examples, when the
container 14 is
coupled with the element 600 in the same orientation as when it is docked with
the dock
140, the element 600 may be configured to block the vent port 93.
Alternatively or
additionally, in some examples, when the container 14 is coupled with the
element 600 in
the same orientation as when it is docked with the dock 140 (as described with
reference to
Figure 7), the vent tube coupled with the vent port 93 is not contaminated
(e.g. flooded)
when fluid is filled into and/or drained out of the reservoir 9, because the
bottom of the
container 14 comprising the ports 91 and 92 is positioned below the fluid
reservoir 9. In
some examples, such an orientation enables the breather end of the vent tube
coupled with
the vent port 93 to be located above the bottom of the container 14
(comprising the ports
91 and 92), and enables the breather end of the vent tube not to be
contaminated (e.g.
flooded) when fluid is filled into and/or drained out of the reservoir 9. In
such examples,
the filling and/or draining of the container 14 may be performed from
underneath the
reservoir 9. In some examples, when the container 14 is coupled with the
element 600 in
the same orientation as when it is docked with the dock 140, the element 600
may be
configured to enable (e.g. by blocking the vent port 93) the vent port 93
and/or the vent
tube (when a vent tube is coupled with the vent port 93) to form an air-lock
to prevent or at
least inhibit contamination (e.g. flooding) of the vent port 93 and/or the
vent tube (when a
vent tube is coupled with the vent port 93) with fluid.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
8
In the example of Figure 4A, the replaceable fluid container may optionally
comprise
an aperture 94 (for example a closeable aperture, e.g. comprising a removeable
screw cap)
spaced from the port 91 or 92 or 93, and through which the removable fluid
container may
be filled and/or drained.
In the example of Figure 4A, the replaceable fluid container 14 has a
plurality of
walls. The walls include:
a first wall 141 which is uppermost when the replaceable fluid container is
coupled
with the element 600 (or docked with the dock 140),
a second wall 142 which is lowermost when the replaceable fluid container 14
is
coupled with the element 600 (or docked with the dock 140), and
a sidewall or sidewalls 143.
In the example of Figure 4A, the aperture 94 extends through the sidewall 143
of the
replaceable fluid container 14. Additionally or alternatively, the container
may comprise an
aperture (not shown in the Figures) through the first wall 141 of the
replaceable fluid
container 14.
In some examples, the element 600 may simply be the coupling to the fluid
reservoir
9. To that effect, the element may comprise at least one port 604 configured
to cooperate
with at least one port of the container 14.
In the example illustrated by Figure 4A, the element 600 comprises a port
actuator
605 to:
disable (e.g. close or maintain closed) a fluid port (and/or any corresponding
valves
as explained below) of the container 14 for inhibiting outflow of fluid from
the container
14, and
activate (e.g. open or maintain open) a fluid port (and/or any corresponding
valves as
explained below) of the container 14 for enabling the fluid to flow through
the port into the
container 14.
The port actuator 605 may comprise a mechanical component, such as a component
configured to cooperate with the ports 91, 92 or 93 of the container 14. For
example where
the ports 91, 92 or 93 comprise a female component, as illustrated in Figure
4A, the port
actuator 605 comprises a male component (such as a nozzle). In some examples,
the male
component may be configured to activate the fluid ports 91, 92 or 93 of the
container 14.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
9
Additionally or alternatively, the port actuator 605 may have an
electromagnetic
actuator, for example actuated by a solenoid. Additionally or alternatively,
the port
actuator 605 may have a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator which is configured to
actuate the
port of the fluid container by a pressurized fluid (such as oil and/or a gas
(such as vapour
and/or air)) provided through a pipework 608, as illustrated in Figure 4A.
It should be understood that the port 604 of the element 600 may comprise self-
sealing couplings or any other suitable form of couplings or valves. In some
examples, the
port actuator 605 may comprise a self-sealing coupling which may comprise a
self-sealing
valve which is biased to a closed position, when the container 14 and the
element 600 are
disconnected. In some non-limiting examples, the valve may comprise an axially
moveable
element and a valve face which may, when in the closed position, rest against
a valve seat
of the port actuator 605, in order to seal the element 600 to prevent or at
least inhibit fluid
flow through the closed valve. When the valve is in the open position, the
valve face does
not rest against the valve seat, and thus allows fluid to flow through the
open valve. It
should be understood that other types of self-sealing coupling may be
envisaged. It should
be understood that the port 604 of the element 600 (or the couplings of the
element 600)
does not necessarily comprise self-sealing couplings or valves.
In some examples, the element 600 may comprise a coupling plate or mount. In
some
examples, the element 600 may comprise a dedicated reception station 640
designed to
receive at least a portion of the fluid container. In the example shown in
Figure 4A, the
reception station 640 may be similar to the dock 140 associated with the
engine 4 or
provided in the vehicle 6 shown in Figure 7.
In the example illustrated by Figure 4A, the system 700 comprises:
a fluid unit 606;
a vent unit 607, and
the pipework 608, configured to fluidically connect the element 600 to the
fluid unit
606 and the vent unit 607, respectively.
In the example illustrated by Figure 4A, the fluid unit 606 comprises a fluid
tank
6061 and a reversible pump 6062. In some examples, the pump 6062 may be
configured
to:
provide, during the filling process 1011, fluid from the tank 6061 to the
container 14
via the pipework 608 of the element 600; and
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
drain, during the draining process 1012, fluid to the tank 6061 from the
container 14
via the pipework 608 of the element 600.
It should be understood that in examples where the system 700 performs only
one of
the filling process or the draining process, the pump 6062 need not
necessarily be
5 reversible.
In some non-limiting examples, the power of the pump 6062 may be suitable to
pump the fluid at a rate of about 1 L/second (other rates are envisaged, for
example higher
rates). In examples where the fluid container 14 has a reservoir of about 4-
5L, the system
700 may be configured to fill or drain the container 14 in about 4 or 5
seconds.
10 In some examples, the pump 6062 may be configured to:
fill and/or drain a portion (e.g. a major portion, e.g., 90%, but other
portions are
envisaged) of the volume of the fluid reservoir 9 at a first rate (for example
at a rate of
about 1 L/second, but other rates are envisaged), and
subsequently fill and/or drain at least some of the remaining volume (e.g., a
minor
portion, e.g., 10%, but other portions are envisaged) of the fluid reservoir
at a second rate
(for example at a rate of about 0.5 L/second, but other rates are envisaged).
As described above, in some examples the second rate is slower than the first
rate,
but the second rate could be higher than the first rate.
In some examples the system 700 may be configured to:
end the filling and/or draining process; and/or
switch from the first rate to the second rate
after a predetermined time period (such as a few seconds, depending on the
power of the
pump 6062).
In the example of Figure 4A, the filling and/or draining system 700 comprises
a
controller 601. In the example illustrated by Figure 4A, the controller 601 is
connected to
the fluid unit 606. The controller 601 shown in Figure 4A is connected to the
pump 6062.
In some examples, the controller 601 may be configured to:
determine a time lapsed during the filling process 1011 and/or the draining
process
1012, and to
end the filling process 1011 and/or the draining process 1012 when the lapsed
time
reaches the predetermined time period.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
11
Additionally or alternatively, as non-limiting examples, the system 700 may be
configured to:
sense an amount of fluid in the fluid container 14; and/or
measure an amount of fluid and/or gas (such as air or vapour) going into
and/or
coming out of the container 14; and/or
measure a pressure across the filter.
In the example of Figure 4A, the system 700 may comprise a weight sensor 24
configured sense, e.g. in real time, the weight of the container 14. It should
be understood
that the sensed amount of fluid could be sensed by another sensor of the
system 700, such
as a flow sensor.
In the example illustrated by Figure 4A, the controller 601 is connected to
the weight
sensor 24 and may be configured to select or modify at least one of the rate
and the time
period of filling and/or draining the fluid reservoir in response to the
sensed amount. The
controller 601 shown in Figure 4A may be configured to stop the filling and/or
draining the
fluid reservoir in response to the sensed amount.
In the example illustrated by Figure 4A, the vent unit 607 comprises a vent
6072
(and optionally a reversible pump 6071). In some examples, the pump 6071 may
be
configured to:
provide, during the draining process 1012, gas from the vent 6072 to the
container 14
via the pipework 608 of the element 600; and
extract, during the filling process 1011, gas to the vent 6072 from the
container 14
via the pipework 608 of the element 600.
The controller 601 shown in Figure 4A is connected to the unit 607. The
controller
601 shown in Figure 4A is connected to the pump 6071.
It should be understood that in examples where the system 700 performs only
one of
the filling process or the draining process, the pump 6071 need not
necessarily be
reversible.
In some examples, the vent 6072 may be fluidically connected to a tank or open
to an
ambient atmosphere, for example via a filter.
In some examples, the pump 6071 and/or 6062 may be operated independently or
simultaneously (in that example the pump 6071 may assist the pump 6062 in the
filling
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
12
process 1011 and/or the draining process 1012). The pump 6071 and/or the pump
6062
shown in Figure 4A may be controlled by the controller 601.
As described in greater detail below, during the filling and/or draining stage
101, in
order to fill the container 14, the system 700 activates and disables the
ports in a controlled
manner, e.g. by the controller 601 shown in Figure 4A.
In the example of Figure 4A, as already stated, when the container 14 is
coupled, at
of Figure 1A, with the element 600 in the same orientation as when it is
docked with the
dock 140, e.g. so that the reservoir 9 is above the ports 91, 92 and 93 (as
described with
reference to Figure 7), the element 600 may be configured to prevent or at
least inhibit
10 contamination (e.g. flooding) of the vent port 93 with fluid.
It should be understood that the container 14 may have a plurality of ports
91, 92 and
93, and that, in the examples of Figures 4A and 4B, in another aspect of the
disclosure, an
operational or first function of the at least one of the plurality of ports
(e.g. the fluid inlet
port 92 or the fluid outlet port 91) may be modified, at 10a of Figure 1B, so
that the
modified port has a second function different than a first function, where the
first function
is:
supplying fluid from the reservoir 9 when the replaceable fluid container 14
is
docked with the dock 140 (e.g. the fluid outlet port 91); or
allowing supply of fluid to the reservoir 9 when the replaceable fluid
container 14 is
docked with the dock 140 (e.g. the fluid inlet port 92) to assist filling
and/or draining of the
reservoir.
With reference to Figures 1B and 4A, in some examples, modifying, at 10a of
Figure
1B, the function of at least one of the ports comprises:
opening the fluid inlet port 92 and the fluid outlet port 91, and
filling the fluid reservoir through both the fluid inlet port 92 and the fluid
outlet port
91 and/or draining the fluid reservoir through both the fluid inlet port 92
and the fluid
outlet port 91 (to enable more rapid filling and/or draining of the fluid
reservoir so that the
fill or drain times can be reduced).
With reference to Figures 1B and 4B, in some examples, modifying, at 10a of
Figure
1B, the function of at least one of the ports comprises:
opening the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port, and
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
13
filling and/or draining the fluid reservoir through one of the fluid inlet
port and the
fluid outlet port (e.g. the inlet port 92) whilst allowing air to enter or
exit the replaceable
fluid container 14 through the other of the fluid inlet port and the fluid
outlet port (e.g. the
outlet port 9) to regulate the internal pressure of the replaceable fluid
container during
filling and/or draining of the fluid reservoir.
With reference to Figures 1B and 4A, in some examples, gas (such as air and/or
vapour) which is pushed by the incoming fluid pumped by the pump 6062 (and/or
extracted by the pump 6071) is allowed to escape the container 14 through the
breather
port 93. Similarly, in that example, gas (such as air and/or vapour) which is
drawn in by
the outflow of fluid pumped by the pump 6062 (and/or the pump 6071) is allowed
to enter
through the breather port 93.
With reference to Figures 1B and 4B, in some examples, modifying, at 10a of
Figure
1B, the function of at least one of the ports may comprise:
blocking the breather port 93 during filling and/or draining of the fluid
reservoir
when both the inlet port and the outlet port are open and gas (such as air of
vapour) may
pass through one of the inlet port and the outlet port. This may avoid
contamination (e.g.
flooding) of the breather port with the fluid.
In some examples, the method may comprise filling the fluid reservoir through
both
the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port simultaneously and/or draining
the fluid
reservoir through both the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port
simultaneously.
In the example illustrated by Figure 4B, the element 600 comprises a plurality
of
container reception stations 640 which can be provided on a conveyor 609 or
other
transport system provided at the stage 101, at the management facility 701. A
plurality of
containers 14 may be passed through the stage 101 (illustrated in Figure 2),
sequentially
(when the facility comprises e.g. only one system 700 or conveyor 609) or in
parallel
(when the facility comprises e.g. a plurality of systems 700 or conveyors
609).
While the above describes the replaceable fluid container 14 coupling directly
to the
filling and/or draining elements 600 of the filling and/or draining system
700, in other
examples, the container 14 may be coupled to the filling and/or draining
system 700
indirectly, for example via a filling and/or draining interface plate.
In embodiments, the filling and/or draining interface plate is configured to
interface
between the replaceable fluid container 14 and the filling and/or draining
system 700. In
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
14
these embodiments, the container 14 may be coupled to filling and/or draining
elements
600 of the filling and/or draining system 700 via the interface plate or to
one or more other
components of the filling and/or draining system 700 via the interface plate.
With reference to Figures 1B and 5A and 5B, in some examples and as described
in
greater detail below, modifying, at 10a of Figure 1B, the function of at least
one of the
ports comprises:
coupling the filling and/or draining interface plate 500 between the
replaceable fluid
container 14 and the filling and/or draining system 700 of the replaceable
fluid container
management facility 701, such that the interface plate 500 couples at least
one of the
plurality of ports of the replaceable fluid container 14 to at least one of
the plurality of
filling and/or draining elements 600 of the filling and/or draining system
700.
In some examples, the interface plate may be configured to control the
couplings of
the container ports 91, 92, 93 to one or more filling and/or draining elements
600 or one or
more fluid lines of the filling and/or draining system 700, for example by
controlling
opening and closing of one or more of the ports.
In embodiments, the filling and/or draining interface plate may be provided
between
the container 14 and the system 700. The filling and/or draining interface
plate may be
configured to control the couplings of the ports to the fluid system, for
example by
controlling the coupling of each port to one or more elements.
In embodiments, a filling and/or draining interface plate is configured to
modify the
function of at least one of the ports 91, 92, 93, for example to assist a
filling and/or
draining operation. In embodiments, the filling and/or draining interface
plate is configured
to modify the function of a port, from a first function, such as a primary
function (such as a
function of the port when the container 14 is in use in a vehicle or engine as
described
herein), to a second function different than the first function.
A modified port function (e.g. the second function) may be provided to assist
filling
and/or draining of the fluid reservoir 9.
A modified port function may be provided to avoid or reduce contamination of
the
breather port 93 with the fluid during filling and/or draining of the fluid
reservoir 9.
In embodiments, the fluid inlet port 92 has the first function of controlling
the inflow
of fluid into the fluid reservoir 9.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
In embodiments, the fluid outlet port 91 has the first function of controlling
the
outflow of fluid from the fluid reservoir 9.
In embodiments, the breather port 93 has the first function of enabling a flow
of air
into and/or out of the removable fluid container 14, for example into or out
of the fluid
5 reservoir 9, for example to regulate the internal pressure of the
replaceable fluid container
14 during filling and/or draining of the fluid reservoir 9.
Figure 5A shows a first example of a filling and/or draining interface plate
500a
arranged for interfacing between a filling and/or draining system 700 and a
replaceable
fluid container 14.
10 The filling and/or draining interface plate 500a of Figure 5A may permit
opening of
both the fluid inlet and outlet ports 92, 91 to allow rapid filling or
draining of the fluid
reservoir 9. The plate may also permit opening of the breather port 93 to
allow air
displaced by the fluid during a filling operation to escape and/or to allow
air to enter the
container during a draining operation.
15 The filling and/or draining interface plate 500a has a first surface 520
and a second
surface 530. The first surface 520 has first, second and third port actuators
521, 522, 523.
The second surface 530 has first and second filling and/or draining system
connections
531, 532.
A first channel 510a extends through the interface plate 500a from the first
connector
531 to the first port actuator 521 and from the first connector 531 to the
second port
actuator 522, for example in a v-shape configuration.
A second channel 512a extends through the interface plate 500 from the second
connector 532 to the third port actuator 523.
The first surface 520 is arranged to receive the replaceable fluid container
14 thereon
and to cooperate with the ports 91, 92, 93 of the replaceable fluid container
14 when the
container 14 is positioned on the interface plate 500a.
The first port actuator 521 is arranged to couple with the fluid inlet port 92
in order
to control opening and/or closing of the fluid inlet port 92. The second port
actuator 522 is
arranged to couple with the fluid outlet port 91 in order to control opening
and/or closing
of the fluid outlet port 91. The third port actuator 523 is arranged to couple
with the
breather port 93 in order to control opening and/or closing of the breather
port 93.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
16
As already stated, each of the port actuators may comprise a mechanical
component
(such as a nozzle) and/or an electromagnetic actuator and/or a hydraulic or
pneumatic
actuator. In the example of Figure 5A, each port actuator may be configured to
open a
container port 91, 92, 93 to which it couples as a consequence of the
mechanical coupling,
or it may it be controlled to open the port by a controller once the coupling
has been
established.
The second surface 530 is arranged to cooperate with one or more filling
and/or
draining elements 600 or one or more fluid lines of the filling and/or
draining system.
The first filling and/or draining system connector 531 is configured to be
coupled to
a first filling and/or draining element 600 of the filling and/or draining
system 700.
The second filling and/or draining system connector 532 is configured to be
coupled
to a second filling and/or draining element 600 of the filling and/or draining
system 700 or
directly to air.
The connectors 531, 532 may comprise ports and may be configured to couple to
port actuators of the first and second filling and/or draining elements 600.
In other
examples, the first and second filling and/or draining elements 600 do not
have port
actuators and instead the connectors 531, 532 couple to fluid lines of the
filling and/or
draining elements 600.
In operation, the replaceable fluid container 14 is positioned on the
interface plate
500a such that:
the fluid inlet port 92 is positioned on the first port actuator 521,
the fluid outlet port 91 is positioned on the second port actuator 522, and
the breather port 93 is positioned on the third port actuator 523.
The positioning of the respective ports on the respective port actuators
couples the
respective ports to the respective port actuators. In this example, the
coupling of a given
port to a given port actuator causes the port actuator to open the port.
The interface plate 500a places the fluid inlet port 92 and the fluid outlet
port 91 in
fluidic communication with the first filling and/or draining element 600 via
the first
channel 510a, and places the breather port 93 in fluidic communication with
the second
filling and/or draining element 600 via the second channel 512a.
In this example, the first filling and/or draining element 600 is configured
to be, or is
operated as, a filling element, that is to say an element 600 through which
fluid is supplied
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
17
to fill the reservoir 9. The second filling and/or draining element 600 is
configured to be, or
is operated as, a breather element, that is to say the element 600 is open or
connected to an
air supply to allow air to flow into or out of the reservoir 9.
The arrows in Figure 5A illustrate a filling operation. Fluid is supplied
through
filling and/or draining element 600 into the first channel 510a, and into the
fluid reservoir 9
via the fluid inlet port 92 and the fluid outlet port 91. Meanwhile, air
passes out of the
reservoir 9 through the breather port 93 and the breather element 600 as the
reservoir 9 fills
with fluid. This may help regulate the pressure within the fluid container 14
during the
filling operation.
In this example, the coupling of the first connector 531 to the fluid inlet
port 92 and
the fluid outlet port 91 by way of the first channel 510a causes fluid to be
supplied into the
reservoir 9 through both of the fluid inlet and outlet ports 92, 91, thereby
modifying the
first of the fluid outlet port 91. By providing fluid to the reservoir 9
through both of the
fluid inlet and the fluid outlet ports 92, 91, the reservoir 9 may be filled
more rapidly than
when filling through the fluid inlet port 92 alone.
The same interface plate 500a may be used during a draining operation on the
fluid
container 14. In this case, the first connector 531 is coupled to a filling
and/or draining
element 600 which is configured to be, or is operated as, a draining element,
that is to say
an element through which fluid is removed or drained from the reservoir 9.
Draining the
reservoir 9 through both the fluid inlet port 92 and the fluid outlet port 91
may allow the
reservoir 9 to be drained at a faster rate than draining through the fluid
outlet port 91 alone.
Again, the breather port 93 allows air to flow into the container 14 as fluid
exits the
container to regulate the internal pressure of the container 14.
Whilst in the example of Figure 5A the interface plate 500a couples the fluid
inlet
and outlet ports 92, 91 to a common filling and/or draining element, in other
examples, the
interface plate 500a may be configured to couple each of the fluid inlet and
outlet ports to
different respective filling and/or draining elements 600, and the filling
and/or draining
system 700 may still be operated to fill through both of the fluid inlet and
outlet ports 92,
91 and/or to drain through both of the fluid inlet and outlet ports 92,91
concurrently.
Whilst in the above example the interface plate 500a couples the breather port
93 to a
filling and/or draining element, in another example the interface plate 500a
is configured to
open the breather port 93 directly to air.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
18
In a variation on the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5A, an interface plate
could be
configured to connect each of the ports 91, 92, 93 to a filling and/or
draining element 600,
either by individual fluid channels or shared fluid channels such as the first
fluid channel
512a in Figure 5A, in order to allow each the filling or draining of the
reservoir 9 through
all of the ports. When, as in Figure 5A, one of the ports is a breather port,
this may involve
running fluid through the breather port. In order to clear the breather port
to allow it to
optimally serve its first function, air could be caused to flow through the
breather port to
expel any fluid therein, for example by pumping a blast of air through the
breather port, or
applying a suction pressure to the breather port to cause air to flow through
it.
Figure 5B shows a second example of a filling and/or draining interface plate
500b
arranged for interfacing between a filling and/or draining system 700 and a
replaceable
fluid container 14.
The filling and/or draining interface plate 500b of Figure 5B may permit
opening of
both the fluid inlet and outlet ports 92, 91 to allow filling and/or draining
through one of
the fluid inlet and outlet ports 92, 91 and breathing/venting of air through
the other of the
fluid inlet and outlet ports 92, 91, whilst blocking the breather port 93 to
allow filling
and/or drain without flooding the breather port 93 with fluid.
The filling and/or draining interface plate 500b has a first surface 520 and a
second
surface 530. The first surface 520 has first and second port actuators 521,
522. The second
surface 530 has first and second filling and/or draining system connections
531, 532. A
first channel 510b extends through the interface plate 500b from the first
connector 531 to
the first port actuator 521. A second channel 512b extends through the
interface plate 500b
from the second connector 532 to the second port actuator 522.
The first surface 520 is arranged to provide a seat for the replaceable fluid
container
14 and to cooperate with the ports of the replaceable fluid container 14 when
the container
14 is positioned on the interface plate 500b.
The first port actuator 521 is arranged to couple with the fluid inlet port 92
in order
to control opening and/or closing of the fluid inlet port 92. The second port
actuator 522 is
arranged to couple with the fluid outlet port 91 in order to control opening
and/or closing
of the fluid outlet port 91.
The second surface 530 is arranged to cooperate with one or more filling
and/or
draining elements 600 or one or more fluid lines of the filling and/or
draining system.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
19
The first filling and/or draining system connector 531 is configured to be
coupled to
a first filling and/or draining element 600 of the filling and/or draining
system. In this
example, the first filling and/or draining element 600 is configured to be, or
is operated as,
a filling element 600 as described above.
The second filling and/or draining system connector 532 is configured to be
coupled
to a second filling and/or draining element 600. In this example, the second
filling and/or
draining element 600 is configured to be, or is operated as, a breather
element 600 as
described above.
The connectors 531, 532 may comprise ports and may be configured to couple to
port actuators of the first and second filling and/or draining elements 600.
In other
examples, the first and second filling and/or draining elements 600 do not
have port
actuators and instead the connectors 531, 532 couple to fluid lines of the
filling and/or
draining elements 600.
No actuator is provided for the breather port 93 and no channel is provided to
allow
air-flow to or from the breather port 93. The interface plate 500b thereby
blocks, restricts
or inhibits airflow through the breather port 93 when the container 14 is
positioned on the
interface plate 500b. This may prevent or reduce contamination of the breather
port 93
with fluid during filling and/or draining of the reservoir 9.
In operation, the replaceable fluid container 14 is positioned on the
interface plate
500b such that the fluid inlet port 92 is positioned on the first port
actuator 521, the fluid
outlet port 91 is positioned on the second port actuator 522 and the breather
port 93 is
blocked by the interface plate 500b. As described above, the positioning of
the respective
ports 91, 92, on the respective port actuators 521, 522 couples the respective
ports to the
respective port actuators and the coupling of a given port to a given port
actuator may
cause the port actuator to open the port.
The interface plate 500b places the fluid inlet port 92 in fluidic
communication with
the first filling and/or draining element 600 via the first channel 510b,
places the fluid
outlet port 91 in fluidic communication with the second filling and/or
draining element 600
via the second channel 512b and restricts or blocks the breather port 93.
Figure 5B illustrates a filling operation. Fluid is supplied through filling
and/or
draining element 600 into the first channel 510b, and into the fluid reservoir
9 via the fluid
inlet port 92. Meanwhile, air passes out of the reservoir 9 through the fluid
outlet port 91
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
and out of the breather element 600 as the reservoir 9 fills with fluid. This
facilitates
regulation the pressure within the fluid container 14 during the filling
operation while the
breather port 93 is restricted or blocked.
In this example, modifying the breather port 93 function by restricting or
blocking
5 the breather port 93 and modifying the fluid outlet port 91 function by
allowing air to vent
through the fluid outlet port 91 may protect the breather port 93 against
contamination and
potential blockage by the fluid whilst allowing the reservoir 9 to "breath" to
regulate the
pressure therein during a filling operation.
The same interface plate 500b may be used during a draining operation on the
fluid
10 container 14. In this case, the first connector is coupled to a filling
and/or draining element
600 which is configured to be, or is operated as, a draining element, that is
to say an
element 600 through which fluid is removed or drained from to be drained from
the
reservoir 9. The fluid outlet port 91 may continue to provide a breather
function.
In another example to that shown in Figure 5B, a third port actuator could be
15 provided on the first surface 520 for controlling actuation of the
breather port 93. In this
example, the interface plate 500b could be configured to restrict or block the
breather port
93 irrespective of whether or not the third port actuator opens the breather
port 93, and/or
the third port actuator could be controlled to keep the breather port 93
closed.
Figure 6 shows an example of a filling and/or draining interface plate 500c
arranged
20 for interfacing between the filling and/or draining system 700 and a
four-port replaceable
fluid container 14. The four-port container 14 may be used in a dry sump
engine, for
example.
The interface plate 500c of Figure 6 may allow rapid filling and/or draining
through
at least one fluid inlet port and at least one fluid outlet port, and
effective breathing/venting
through the breather port and a fourth port of the container (viewed from the
other side
than the containers of Figures 5A and 5B). The filling line interface plate
500c is
configured to open all ports in the container allowing rapid fill or drain.
The replaceable fluid container 14 shown in Figure 6 has four ports, of which
one is a
breather port 93, one is a fluid inlet port 92 and two are fluid outlet ports
91a, 91b. The
fluid outlet ports 91a, 91b have a first function of supplying fluid to
different limbs of a
vehicle or engine fluid circulation system. The fluid outlet ports comprise a
filter 90 for
filtering outgoing fluid. In the illustrated example, a single filter 90 is
provided across both
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
21
of the fluid outlet ports 91a, 91b but in other examples, a separate filter
could be provided
for each.
The interface plate 500c may be configured and may operate similarly to the
interface
plate 500a of Figure 5A. A first channel 510c is provided for coupling the
breather port 93
to a first breather element 600 to allow the breather port 93 to serve its
first function of
pressure regulation. A second channel 512c is provided for coupling the fluid
inlet port 92
and a first of the fluid outlet ports 91a to a filling element 600 to allow
rapid fill of the
reservoir 9. A third channel 514 is provided for coupling the second of the
fluid outlet
ports 91b to a second breather element 600 so that the second fluid outlet
port 91b may
provide a breathing/venting function to assist in regulating the pressure in
the reservoir 9
during rapid filling (or draining) through the second channel. The reservoir 9
may be filled
or drained via the second channel 512c by connecting the second channel 512c
to a filling
element 600 or a draining element 600 as appropriate, or by connecting the
second channel
512c to a filling and/or draining element 600 which may be operated as a
filling element
600 or a draining element 600.
In other examples than that of Figure 6, a four-port container 14 could
comprise any
suitable combination of ports, such as:
a breather port, an outlet port and two inlet ports, or
two breather ports, an inlet port and an outlet port.
One or more of the inlet or outlet ports could comprise a filter or a common
filter
could be shared between one or more of the inlet and outlet ports.
In one example, the first function of port 93 is a breather port, the first
function of
port 91a is a fluid inlet port, the first function of port 91b is a fluid
outlet port, and the first
function of port 92 is a fluid inlet and/or outlet port as may be selected
according to a
requirement of the fluid circulation system to which the container 14 is
coupled. A further
filter may be provided to filter fluid passing through port 92.
One or more or the above interface plates may be configured to open and/or
close one
or more of the container ports in a predetermined sequence. One or more of the
container
ports may be moved from an opened configuration to a closed configuration or
vice versa
to switch from a filling to a draining operation or vice versa or to change a
function of one
or more of the container ports.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
22
In the described embodiments, a given filling and/or draining element may be
configured to serve a single function, for example to "fill" the container by
allowing fluid
to flow towards, optionally comprising pumping fluid towards, the fluid
container or to
"drain" by allowing fluid to flow from, optionally comprising sucking fluid
from, the fluid
container, or it may be adapted to provide two or more different functions,
such as filling
then draining, according to the operation of other elements, such as pumps, in
the fluid
draining and/or circulation system.
By coupling two or more ports of the container to a single filling and/or
draining
element, the filling and/or draining system may be simplified, for example
requiring fewer
individual filling and/or draining elements and associated pumps.
Any of the interface plates described herein may be removably coupleable to
the
filling and/or draining system, may be integral or unitary with the filling
and/or drainage
system and/or may be removably coupleable to the fluid container or may be
integral or
unitary with the removable fluid container.
Any of the interface plates described herein may be provided as a kit of parts
along
with a removable fluid container and/or a filling and/or draining system or a
part thereof
Whilst the above embodiments describe the interface plates coupling container
ports
to respective filling and/or draining elements, in other examples, connectors
of one or more
of the interface plates may be configured to couple one more ports of the
container to any
suitable part of the filling and/or drainage system or, in the case of
breather port
connections, directly to an air supply such as ambient air.
In embodiments, the filling and/or draining elements may be arranged to extend
through the interface plate or may be comprised in the interface plate.
In embodiments, the port actuators which are described above as being features
of an
interface plate may instead be components of the filling and/or draining
system and may be
arranged to extend through one or more channels of the interface plate to
actuate respective
container ports.
In embodiments described herein, the fluid reservoir could be at least
partially
expandable and/or collapsible to reduce the need for pressure regulation by
way of one or
more breather ports. This could allow a breather port to be omitted or to be
used for, for
example to be used only for, filling and/or draining of the fluid, for
example.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
23
A filter 90 may be provided with one or more ports of a given container 14. In
the
examples of Figures 5A and 5B, a filter is provided in across the respective
fluid outlet
ports 91 to filter the outgoing fluid. Optionally the filter 90 of any of the
described
examples may be pre-wetted (e.g. prefilled) with fluid to facilitate the fluid
flow through
the filter 90 during filling and/or draining. This may allow reduction of time
of filling
and/or draining through an otherwise dry filter 90 (a dry filter may provide a
high
resistance to a flow of fluid). Optionally the filter 90 may be pre-wetted
(e.g. prefilled)
with fluid to further reduce time to achieve a predetermined fluid pressure,
following
fitment of a new/refilled container on the vehicle 6.
In some embodiments, pre-wetting of the filter 90 may be achieved by filling
the
reservoir 9, at least initially, through a port which is not associated with
the filter (such that
fluid received through the port not associated with the filter drains into and
fills the filter),
after which the fluid may be allowed to flow through a port associated with
the filter.
In some examples, a replaceable fluid container 14 which has a different
number of
ports than the containers 14 shown in the illustrated embodiments may be
provided.
In the example of Figures 7 and 8, the fluid container 14 has a data provider
1 for
providing data about the fluid container 14 and/or its contents. In this
example, the data
provider 1 is arranged to provide data to an engine control device 2 via a
first
communication link 32.
The data provider 1 of the fluid container 14 may, as shown in Figure 8,
comprise a
processor 105 arranged to receive signals, e.g. from the fluid sensor 22 and
the connection
sensor 30, and to communicate data to the engine control device 2 via the
communication
link 32. The data provider 1 comprises a data store (memory) 104 for storing
data
describing or identifying at least one of the container and the fluid. In
particular, the
memory 104 may store data including at least one of (as non-limiting
examples): the grade
of fluid, the type of fluid, the date on which the fluid was filled, refilled
or replaced, a
unique identifier of the container 14 (such as a unique serial number of the
container), an
indication of whether the container is new, or has previously been refilled or
replaced, an
indication of the vehicle mileage, the number of times the container has been
refilled or
reused, and the total mileage for which the container has been used, and
whether the
container holds new or refilled fluid.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
24
The controller 601 shown in Figure 4A is arranged to read data (including e.g.
control data) from at least one or more of:
the data provider 1 of the fluid container 14 (and perhaps also the sensor
22),
a user alert (for example an audio or visual alert) and/or display 602 to
provide
information to an operator, and
an interlock system 603 that may permit, inhibit or prevent processing of the
fluid
container and/or its contents by the stage 101 by mechanical or other means.
The controller 601 may be arranged to read data from the fluid sensor 22 to
sense the
amount of fluid in the fluid container 14. The filling and/or draining stage
101 may
comprise selecting or modifying at least one of the rate and the time period
of filling and/or
draining the fluid reservoir in response to the sensed amount.
The controller 601 may be arranged to communicate with the data provider 1
carried
by the container 14, to
determine, on the basis of the communication with the data provider, data
associated
with at least one of the container, its contents and the vehicle and to
control the filling and/or draining stage 101 in relation to at least one of
the container
and its contents on the basis of the data associated with at least one of the
container, its
contents and the vehicle.
At the filling and/or draining stage 101, the controller 601 may select:
a set of parameters (such as the type of fluid and/or the filling rate) for
the filling
process 1011 to be carried out on the empty (or drained) fluid container,
dependent upon
data determined by reading the data provider 1; and/or
a set of parameters (such as the type of tank for the drained fluid and/or the
draining
rate) for the draining process 1012 to be carried out on the full fluid
container, dependent
upon data determined by reading the data provider 1; and/or
another process to be carried out on the fluid container (such as sending the
container
to disposal or for further analysis).
For example if the read data indicates that the container 14 has not
previously been
recycled, or has been recycled less than a given number of times, the
controller may add
one to the recycle count in the data provider. For example, if the read data
indicates that
the container 14 has been recycled more than the given number of times, the
controller 601
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
may send the container to a disposal process or may add information in the
data provider
indicating a readiness of the container for disposal.
Embodiments of the disclosure allow the filling and/or draining carried out to
be
appropriate to the specific container and/or its contents or the vehicle with
which it is
5 associated, so enabling, for example, filling and/or draining processes
occurring in a
lifecycle of the fluid container to be at least partially controlled or
informed by data
associated with at least one of the container, its contents and the vehicle
and determined on
the basis of the communication with the data provider. In some examples, the
data provider
may be reprogrammed during the filling and/or draining and/or the data
integrity being
10 checked, or may be reprogrammed in conjunction with (i.e. not
necessarily during) the
filling and/or draining and/or the data integrity being checked.
For example, a mechanical interlock may control, inhibit or prevent coupling
with
the reception station 640 by controlling a docking prevention mechanism to
control
coupling to the reception station 640 (if the reception station is similar to
the dock 140
15 provided in the vehicle 6 shown in Figure 7), so that access is denied
in the event the data
read from the data provider 1 indicates that one of the fluid or fluid
container (or optionally
the vehicle or vehicle make) is inappropriate for the stage 101. Such a
mechanical
interlock system 603 may have an electromagnetic actuator, for example
actuated by a
solenoid, itself controlled by the controller 601. In other cases, the
interlock system 603
20 may be a software or communications interlock that controls, inhibits or
prevents operation
of the stage 101. As another possibility, the interlock system could be
omitted and reliance
placed, e.g. on the user of the alert and/or display 602.
In some examples, the reception station 640 and container 14 together may
provide a
releasable fastening mechanism, for example a locking mechanism, to hold the
container
25 14 docked with or to the reception station 640 of the filling/draining
system 700. In some
examples, the releasable fastening mechanism (such as the locking mechanism)
may form
at least a part of the releasable fastening mechanism (such as the locking
mechanism) also
used to lock the container 14 to the dock 140 associated with the vehicle 6
(as shown in
Figure 7) or the engine 4 (as shown for example in Figure 7).
In the example shown in Figure 7, the fluid circulation system 8 is associated
with
the engine 4 and may be a lubricant system.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
26
The replaceable fluid container 14 is removeably docked with the dock 140 on
the
vehicle 6, and is arranged to supply fluid to the fluid circulation system
during operation of
the vehicle. When initially docked with the vehicle, the replaceable fluid
container 14
contains fluid.
The engine control device 2 comprises a processor 96, and a data store
(memory) 94
configured to store control data for the engine 4 and possibly also other
data, for example
for supply to a device external to the vehicle. The processor 96 is configured
to monitor
and to control the operation of the engine 4, via a second communication link
34. The
engine control device 2 is further configured to obtain data from the data
provider 1 via the
communication link 32 and may control the engine at least partly on the basis
of data
obtained from the data provider 1.
In this example, communication between the processor 96 and data provider 1 is
enabled once the fluid container 14 is docked with the dock 140. Communication
between
the processor 96 and data provider 1 may also be enabled as the fluid
container 14
approaches the dock 140, for example when the data provider 1 comes into
wireless
communication range, if the communications link 32 is a wireless one. The dock
140 may
also have a data provider to enable communication of data to the processor 96
from the
dock. The dock and the data provider or container may be able to communicate
wirelessly
and the dock may be able to communicate with the processor 96 via the
communications
link 32 to enable communication between the processor 96 and data provider 1
as the fluid
container 14 approaches the dock.
The processor 96 is operable to compare data stored in the memory 94 with data
obtained from the data provider 1 of the container 14 and from a communication
interface
106 of the engine 4. For example, the processor 96 may be configured to
compare:
data indicating the expected fluid level based on the mileage since the fluid
was last
refilled, and/or the fluid level sensed by the sensor 22, with
stored data.
In the event that this comparison indicates that the fluid level is changing
more quickly
than expected, the control device 2 may modify a service interval for the
vehicle based on
this comparison.
The fluid may be any type of fluid ancillary to the vehicle's fuel such as a
lubricant,
or coolant, or de-icer, washer fluid, heat exchange, charge conduction and/or
electrical
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
27
connectivity, or any other fluid associated with the engine. As many different
types and
grades of such fluid are available, the data provider may comprise an
identifier of the fluid.
The fluid need not necessarily be circulated back to the fluid container in
operation
of the vehicle but may be passed to another collection point (e.g. a wet sump
for a
lubricant) or may be consumed, for example as in the case of washer fluid.
As mentioned, the container 14 may comprise a filter 90 for filtering the
fluid, for
example when the fluid is an engine lubricating oil. Suitable filters 90 may
comprise paper
and/or metal filter elements. The filter 90 may be suitable for filtering
particles in the range
1 to 100 microns, suitably in the range 2 to 50 microns, for example in the
range 3 to 20
microns. The filter 90 may comprise a filter by-pass for fluid to bypass the
filter, for
example if the filter 90 becomes blocked or unacceptably loaded with material,
which may
cause an unacceptable or undesirable fluid back-pressure through the filter
90. An
advantage of having a filter 90 in the container 14 is that this may allow a
larger filter to be
used than if the filter were in a separate container associated with the
engine fluid
circulation system 8. This may have one or more of the following benefits: (a)
increased
filtration efficiency; (b) finer filtration and (c) increased filter lifetime.
Suitably, in use,
fluid enters the container 14 through the inlet port 92 and is passed to the
top of the
container 14, for example through at least one conduit in the container 14;
some or all of
the fluid is passed through the filter 90 on exiting said conduit; and the
totally or partially
filtered fluid is withdrawn from the base of the container through the outlet
port 91. The
filter 90 may operate at elevated pressure. Many different types and grades of
filter 90 are
available, and in some examples the data provider may comprise an identifier
of the filter.
As mentioned above, the data provider 1 may comprise a data store or memory
storing an identifier of the fluid and/or the filter, and a communication
interface to enable
data stored in the memory of the data provider 1 to be passed via an
appropriate wired or
wireless communication link or network (such as the Internet or a WAN or LAN)
to the
processor 96 of the engine control device or a controller in one of the
lifecycle stages or
another controller, such as a controller (for example a server) associated
with the supplier
of the fluid container and/or its contents and/or associated with the supplier
of a vehicle or
vehicle make associated with the fluid container manufacturer, with or without
the
container being docked with a dock or a dedicated reception station. Any one
or more
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
28
communication paths may be encrypted with communication paths to different
controllers
generally using different encryption schemes.
The data provider 1 may comprise a computer readable identifier for
identifying the
fluid and/or the container, the identifier may be an electronic identifier,
such as a near field
RF communicator, for example a passive or active RFID (RadioFrequency
Identification)
tag, or an NFC (Near Field Communication) communicator.
The data provider 1 may be configured to be read only but, as in examples
discussed
above, may also be writable by an engine control device or any one of the
controllers
mentioned above via an appropriate wired or wireless communication link or
network such
as the Internet or a WAN or LAN.
The data provider 1 may provide simply an identifier identifying the actual
data
which may be accessible by the processor 96 or any one of the controllers
mentioned
above, from its own data store or from a remote data store accessible via a
wired or
wireless communication link or a network such as the Internet or a WAN or LAN.
This
enables accommodation for the possibility that the data associated with an
identifier
provided by a data provider may itself change with time even if the identifier
does not, so
enabling data regarding changes in any one or more of the container, fluid and
or vehicle
to be recorded in association with that identifier without the need for the
data provider to
be writable, for example data may be recorded by the engine control device and
downloaded at service time to a computer data base accessible by the
controllers of the
lifecycle stages or may be provided directly from the engine control device
and/or one or
more of the controllers of the lifecycle stages to a central data base via a
wireless and/or
wired communication link or a network such as the Internet or a WAN or LAN.
The data associated with the data provider may comprise any appropriate data
pertinent to at least one of the fluid, the container and the vehicle. In
examples, the data
associated with the data provider may comprise at least one property of the
fluid selected
from the group consisting of: the amount of fluid, the temperature of fluid,
the pressure of
fluid, the viscosity of fluid, the viscosity index of the fluid, the density
of fluid, the
electrical resistance of fluid, the dielectric constant of fluid, the opacity
of fluid, the
chemical composition of fluid, the origin of the fluid and combinations of two
or more
thereof In some examples, the data associated with the data provider may
comprise at least
one property of the filter.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
29
The data provider need not necessarily have a memory but may simply provide an
identifier that enables access to associated data stored elsewhere. The
identifier may be an
optical identifier, such as a barcode, for example a two-dimensional barcode,
or a colour
coded marker, or optical identifier on the container or even the colour, shape
and/or
configuration of the container. Regardless of how it is provided, the
identifier may be
encrypted and any data communication may be encrypted.
The lifecycle stages other than the operational stages may share a controller
or the
functions of each controller may be distributed to two or more control
devices. The
controllers may be a processor or processors or other computer device with,
where
appropriate, a mechanical and/or electrical interface, to allow control of the
filling and/or
draining system.
Any described communication link may be a wired or wireless communication link
or a combination thereof and could comprise an optical link. Where appropriate
a
communication link may be via a network such as the Internet or a WAN or LAN.
The fluid container has been described as comprising particular types of
sensors.
However, one or both of these sensors may be omitted. Where sensors are used
any type of
sensor, or combination of sensors can be used. For example, to sense the level
of fluid in
the container: a mechanical float, a position sensor, an electrical coil,
capacitive sensors,
resistivity sensors, ultrasonic level detection, visible or infra-red light
detection, pressure
sensing, or other sensors. The sensing system may provide information about
the level in a
continuous range between two fixed points or as discrete levels (e.g. full,
half full, empty).
Additionally, if the level of the liquid increased or decreased rapidly it
could indicate some
form of failure in the engine and provide an early warning mechanism to help
prevent
further damage to the engine. A fluid container may comprise sensors
configured to sense
at least one of a temperature, pressure, viscosity, density, electrical
resistance, dielectric
constant, opacity, chemical composition or amount of the container oil which
data may be
read and used by any of the processor or controllers described above. It will
further be
appreciated that a plurality of fluid sensors could be provided, each to sense
a different
property of the fluid.
Information about the fluid, e.g. oil, quality may be obtained through simple
capacitance or resistivity measurements. These might, for example, indicate
the presence
of water in the oil or of metallic or carbonaceous particulates suspended in
the oil. Optical
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
measurement techniques may be used to assess, for example, clarity and/or
colour of the
fluid.
In the context of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the
fluid ports of the fluid container could comprise any suitable coupling for
retaining the
5 fluid container in fluid communication with the fluid circulation system.
The port
couplings could be arranged to be remotely decoupled from the fluid lines to
place the
fluid container in its uncoupled configuration. It will further be appreciated
that the fluid
container could comprise an actuator to decouple the fluid container from the
circulation
system or from any reception station.
10 As described above the data provider may be a read only or writable
memory. The
fluid container may however also carry a controller that may be part of or
additional to the
data provider. Such a controller may communicate (for example via a wired or
wireless
communication link and or via a network such as the Internet, a WAN or a LAN)
with a
vehicle control device or any of the other controllers mentioned above. Such a
controller
15 may enable, for example, on-container processing of data from a
container sensor and/or
data received from one or more of the controllers with which the fluid
container controller
may communicate and subsequent updating or modifying of any data stored by the
data
provider and/or communication with one or more other controllers of the
results of that
processing.
20 The dock may simply be the coupling to the fluid supply lines or a
coupling plate or
mount or may be a dedicated dock receptacle designed to receive at least a
portion of the
fluid container.
The function of the processors and controllers described above may be provided
by
any appropriate controller or control device, for example by analogue and/or
digital logic,
25 field programmable gate arrays, FPGA, application specific integrated
circuits, ASIC, a
digital signal processor, DSP, or by software loaded into a programmable
general purpose
processor. Aspects of the disclosure provide computer program products, and
tangible
and/or non-transitory media storing instructions to program a processor to
perform any one
or more of the methods described herein.
30 The container may be manufactured from metal and/or plastics material.
Suitable
materials include reinforced thermoplastics material which for example, may be
suitable
for operation at temperatures of up to 150 C for extended periods of time.
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
31
The container may comprise at least one trade mark, logo, product information,
advertising information, other distinguishing feature or combination thereof
The container
may be printed and/or labelled with at least one trade mark, logo, product
information,
advertising information, other distinguishing feature or combination thereof
This may
have an advantage of deterring counterfeiting. The container may be of a
single colour or
multi-coloured. The trademark, logo or other distinguishing feature may be of
the same
colour and/or material as the rest of the container or a different colour
and/or material as
the rest of the container. In some examples, the container may be provided
with packaging,
such as a box or a pallet. In some examples, the packaging may be provided for
a plurality
of containers, and in some examples a box and/or a pallet may be provided for
a plurality
of containers.
It may be possible to apply the present invention to fluid containers for use
with
engines other than in vehicles or for reverse engines or generators and
turbines such as
wind turbines. Suitable vehicles include motorcycles, earthmoving vehicles,
mining
vehicles, heavy duty vehicles and passenger cars. Powered water-borne vessels
are also
envisaged as vehicles, including yachts, motor boats (for example with an
outboard motor),
pleasure craft, jet-skis and fishing vessels. Also envisaged, therefore, are
vehicles
comprising a system of the present disclosure, or having been subject to a
method of the
present disclosure, in addition to methods of transportation comprising the
step of driving
such a vehicle and uses of such a vehicle for transportation.
Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons of skill in the
art in
the context of the present disclosure.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being
strictly
limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise
specified, each such
dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range
surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is
intended to
mean "about 40 mm."
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent
or
application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless
expressly
excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an
admission that it is
prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it
alone, or in any
combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or
discloses any such
CA 02999870 2018-03-23
WO 2017/053755
PCT/US2016/053377
32
invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in
this document
conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document
incorporated by
reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document
shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated
and
described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other
changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It
is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and
modifications
that are within the scope and spirit of this invention.
