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Sommaire du brevet 2361836 

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Disponibilité de l'Abrégé et des Revendications

L'apparition de différences dans le texte et l'image des Revendications et de l'Abrégé dépend du moment auquel le document est publié. Les textes des Revendications et de l'Abrégé sont affichés :

  • lorsque la demande peut être examinée par le public;
  • lorsque le brevet est émis (délivrance).
(12) Demande de brevet: (11) CA 2361836
(54) Titre français: APPAREIL DESTINE A NETTOYER ET A EFFECTUER LA VIDANGE D'UNE TRANSMISSION
(54) Titre anglais: APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND FLUSHING A TRANSMISSION
Statut: Réputée abandonnée et au-delà du délai pour le rétablissement - en attente de la réponse à l’avis de communication rejetée
Données bibliographiques
Abrégés

Abrégé français

Appareil (26) destiné à vider le fluide de transmission usé d'une transmission automatique (20), qui possède un réservoir cylindrique (50) doté d'une plaque de séparation (56) rotative servant à diviser ledit réservoir en deux chambres (52, 54). La première chambre (52) est connectée à l'orifice de sortie de la transmission et la seconde chambre (54) est connectée à l'orifice d'entrée d'un dispositif de refroidissement (22) de fluide de transmission.


Abrégé anglais


An apparatus (26) for removing used transmission fluid from an automatic
transmission (20) wherein a cylindrical reservoir (50) having a rotating wand
(56) therein for dividing the reservoir into two chambers (52, 54), said first
chamber (52) being connected to the transmission outlet and said second
chamber (54) being connected to the fluid input of a transmission fluid cooler
(22).

Revendications

Note : Les revendications sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


CLAIMS
I claim:
1. A total fluid exchange system for vehicles having
an automatic transmission and a fluid cooling circuit
including the transmission and a fluid cooler with
interconnecting fluid flow lines therebetween, said system
including:
a. scans for interconnecting the system into a
selected one of the fluid flow lines;
b. means for introducing an additive into the
transmission and fluid cooling circuit prior to
fluid exchange to aid in cleansing of said
automatic transmission and said fluid cooling
circuit;
c. a source of fresh fluid for exchange with used,
spent fluid existing in the circuit;
d. transmission fluid exchange means for
proportionately exchanging used, spent fluid in
tho transmission and the fluid cooling circuit
with new fluid;
e. means for determining the clarity of the used,
spent fluid and the clarity of the fresh fluid to
determine the total replacement of the used,
spent fluid with fresh fluid.
22

2. A total fluid exchange system for vehicles as set
in Claim 1 wherein said transmission includes a pump for
pumping fluid out of said transmission and through said
fluid cooling circuit and means for interconnecting the
system into a selected one of the fluid flow lines
comprises:
a. a set of adapter hoses comprising a first adapter
hose and a second adapter hose, said first adapter hose
configured to connect with said transmission at the line
where said pump is causing fluid to be expelled from said
transmission and said second adapter hose configured to
connect to said fluid cooling circuit where said fluid
enters said cooling system, said first adapter hose and
said second adapter hose including respective end fittings
sized and configured for mating with the respective said
connection ports of said transmission and said cooling
circuit and
b. a pressure relief valve connected between said
first adapter hose and said second adapter hose whereby the
pressure of fluid flowing from said transmission and to
said cooling circuit is maintained below a predetermined
pressure.
23

3. A total fluid exchange system for vehicles as set
forth in Claim 2 herein said means for introducing an
additive into the transmission and the fluid cooling
circuit to aid in cleansing of said transmission and said
fluid cooling circuit comprises:
a. an additive reservoir having an input port and an
output port, said reservoir being configured to contain an
additive and
b. a transfer and flush switch having a first
(flush) position and a second (transfer) position;
said transfer and flush switch being connected to said
first adapter hose to selective connect said first adapter
hose to the input of said additive reservoir and to
selectively connect said first adapter hose to said
transmission fluid exchange means and
wherein the output of said additive reservoir is
connected to said second adapter hose whereby fluid flowing
from said transmission is caused to flow through said
additive reservoir and to said cooling system to introduce
said additive into the fluid of said transmission and said
fluid cooling circuit to flush said system to thus aid in
cleansing of the fluid and the interiors of said
transmission and said cooling circuit.
24

4. A total fluid exchange system for vehicles as set
forth in Claim 3 wherein said transmission fluid exchange
means for proportionately exchanging used, spent fluid in
the transmission and the fluid cooling circuit with new
fluid comprises:
a. a hollow cylindrical member having an inside
circumference and an outside circumference, a first
detachable end (top) and a second detachable end (bottom)
and an axis along the center of said cylindrical member
between said top and said bottom thereof;
b. a fluid exchange reservoir having a first chamber
and a second chamber which are proportionately variable in
volume and disposed within said cylindrical member;
c. a first fluid outlet connected to said first
chamber for supplying fluid to and from said first chamber
and a second fluid outlet connected to said second chamber
for supplying fluid to and from said second chamber;
d. a wand having a top, a bottom, an inside edge, an
outside edge and a first side and a second side, positioned
inside said cylindrical member with said inside edge
rotatably mounted between said first detachable end (top)
and said second detachable end (bottom) and constituting
said axis thereof and variably separating said first
chamber and said second chamber;
e. a bulkhead permanently positioned between said
top, said bottom, said axis and said inside circumference
25

of said cylindrical member and forming a permanently
positioned separation between said first chamber and said
second chamber;
wherein said first chamber is formed between said wand
and said bulkhead and said second chamber is formed between
said wand and said bulkhead with said wand variably
separating said first chamber and said second chamber and
wherein during said transfer cycle said transfer and
flush switch is positioned in a second position for
transfer of the old fluid from said transmission and said
cooling system, and
wherein fresh fluid is contained in said second
chamber which is connected to said fluid cooling circuit
and
wherein said first chamber is connected to the output
port of said transmission to receive the spent fluid from
said transmission, and
wherein, used transmission fluid from said
transmission is expelled therefrom by said pump of said
transmission into said first chamber, the force of said
fluid causing said wand to rotate about said axis to cause
transmission fluid in said second chamber to be forcibly
removed therefrom and into said cooling system,
whereby, the new fluid in said second chamber is
introduced into said transmission and said fluid cooling
circuit as old spent transmission fluid is received from
said transmission into said first chamber.
26

5. A total fluid exchange system for vehicles as set
forth in Claim 4 wherein said bulkhead further comprises a
concave chamber facing into said first chamber and a
concave chamber facing into said second chamber, said
concave chamber facing into said first chamber being
positioned above the fluid outlet from said first chamber
and wherein said concave chamber facing into said second
chamber is positioned above the fluid outlet from said
first chamber.
27

6. A total fluid exchange system for vehicles as set
forth in Claim 5 wherein said wand further comprises a
first stopper and a second stopper, said first stopper
being fixedly disposed on said first side of said wand near
said outside edge of said wand and in said first chamber of
said fluid exchange reservoir and said second stopper being
fixedly disposed on said second side of said wand near said
outside edge of said wand and in said second chamber of
said fluid exchange reservoir and wherein said first
stopper is disposed for matingly engaging said fluid outlet
from said first chamber of said fluid exchange reservoir to
prevent fluid flow through said fluid outlet when said wand
rotates so that said first side of said wand substantially
engages a first side of said bulkhead and wherein said
second stopper is disposed for matingly engaging said fluid
outlet from said second chamber of said fluid exchange
reservoir to prevent fluid flow through said fluid outlet
when said wand rotates so that said second side of said
wand substantially engages a second side of said bulkhead.
28

7. A total fluid exchange system for vehicles as set
forth in Claim 6 to further comprise a sensor, said sensor
being connected to said wand to indicate the position of
said wand to thereby indicate the volume of said first
chamber and the volume of said second chamber.
29

Description

Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


CA 02361836 2001-08-30
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APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND FLUSHING A TRANSMISSION
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for changing
transmission fluid, and, optionally, flushing the
transmission components and exchanging the fluid with fresh
f luid.
2. Description of Prior Art
Many consumer and industrial devices use automatic
transmissions filled with automatic transmission fluid
(ATF) as the working fluid. At regular intervals, this
automatic transmission fluid should be removed from the
transmission and replaced with fresh fluid as the fluid
properties degrade with time and use and entrain
contaminants and debris which are not fully removed by the
ffilter in the transmission.
Automatic transmissions require transmission fluid
because such fluid is employed in part as a driving means
within the transmission and is additionally employed to
lubricate the internal components within such
transmissions. Over time such fluid becomes less viscous
and thus less efficient in lubricating such components. It
is, therefore, desirable to periodically perform an
exchange of fluid to maintain the viscosity of such fluid
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within the transmission and to maintain the cleanliness of
the transmission and thereby increase the useful life of
the transmission. A complete exchange of fluid is
preferred so that the used fluid as well as undesirable
foreign matter contained therein is completely removed and
is replaced with new, more viscous fluid.
When considering the typical personal automobile, the
process usually involves removing the transmission pan from
the transmission and allowing the fluid to drain therefrom.
The pan typically holds from 1 to 5 quarts of a total 7 to
quart capacity of the transmission. Thus, emptying the
pan and then adding that amount of new f luid only serves
to
dilute the used fluid with some 15 - 50% of new fluid.
After the pan has been drained, it is then reinstalled and
15 new transmission fluid is added through the dipstick tube
to bring the transmission to the proper fluid level.
However, this process has a significant disadvantage.
Specifically, the fluid that is present at a given time in
the oil pan. is only a small portion of the fluid actually
in the transmission. Typically, a good deal of the
transmission fluid remains in the control circuits of the
transmission, the torque converter and the transmission
cooler. Therefore, a traditional transmission fluid change
will really only change about one-quarter to one-third of
the transmission fluid and the transmission will be forced
to operate with a mixture of old fluid and new fluid,
thereby reducing its efficiency. More particularly, this
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invention relates to methods and apparatus in which a
cleansing composition is automatically introduced into the
transmission to cleanse the entire transmission system and
then the fluid is automatically flushed from the
transmission as it is being refilled.
In the field of devices for flushing and filling
fluids in an automobile engine or transmission, various
different embodiments of such apparatus have been known for
a number of years and, by way of example, forms of such
embodiments can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,095,673,
4,674,456, 5,056,621, 5,427,202, 5,447,184, 5,456,295,
5,318,080 and 5,626,170.
Prior art flushing and filling apparatus have some
disadvantageous features associated with them. For
example, flushing and filling automatic transmissions with
fluid or oil according to many prior art methods is a
relatively time-consuming, cumbersome and inefficient
process. The conventional method is to replace the fluid
housed in the pan of the transmission. It is difficult to
remove all of the fluid and to also clean the interior of
the system.
More recently, there have been effort's to change all
of the fluid in an automobile's transmission by
disconnecting a fluid tube and draining the fluid into a
waste oil dump while manually pouring new fluid into the
transmission dipstick hole. This procedure has proven to
be inefficient, inadequate and so time consuming that it
3

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has failed to gain broad popularity.
Another prior method involved disconnecting a
transmission fluid cooler line and allowing one end of such
cooler line carrying used fluid to drain freely, while the
other end of the line was connected to a pressurized tank
which injected unused fluid into the cooler line connected
to the transmission. One major disadvantage associated
with this method is that, in many instances, the rate at
which fluid exits the transmission cannot be matched by the
rate at which unused fluid is injected into the
transmission because the transmission, due to internal
resistances, cannot accept fluid at the same rate as the
rate at which used fluid is flowed by the transmission pump
into an unrestricted cooler line. As such, there is a risk
that the fluid seals, rear bearings and other internal
components of the transmission could suffer damage due to
the progressively diminishing level of fluid in the
transmission during such a process. This difficulty is
compounded by the fact that the flow resistance varies with
the different models of transmissions.
Other work in this field has led to the proposal of a
transmission changer including air pressurized tanks for
supply and extraction of transmission fluid via the
transmission cooling lines. Others use a supply pump
device for supplying transmission fluid at a controlled
rate to the transmission and a flow control device to
control the rate of flow in the supply tube so the volume
4

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of unused fluid does not exceed the volume of used fluid
flowed from the transmission. so the desired fluid level
may be maintained in the transmission throughout the
exchange process.
SUNINIARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly and in general terms, the present invention
provides an automatic transmission fluid cleaner, removal
and replacement device that includes a drain tube that
releasably and selectively connects to an additive
reservoir and a variable drain reservoir and includes a
fill tube releasably connected to a disconnected cooler
line that normally conducts used transmission fluid to the
radiator of the vehicle, and to a port on the radiator to
which the cooler line is normally connected. The drain
tube is selectively connected to an additive reservoir and
the disconnected cooler line is connected to the additive
reservoir such that as the fluid in the transmission is
circulated as connected the additive reservoir will be in
the line of flow and will inject a cleaning additive into
the transmission system and then collectively connected at
their other ends to a drain and fill cylindrical tank which
has chambers therein which are separated by a rotating wand
about it's longitudinal axis to cause used fluid to be
collected and new fluid to be injected into the
transmission system. The transmission fluid pump is
employed to flow used fluid through the disconnected cooler
5

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line and into the drain reservoir while the supply pump
simultaneously injects unused fluid through the supply tube
and into the cooler port of the radiator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These, as well as further objects and advantages of
the invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from a review of the following detailed specification
of my invention, reference being made to the accompanying
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of the invention
showing a transmission fluid reservoir and fluid changing
operation and having means for the introduction of additive
into the system to change or flush and clean the
transmission system, means for collection of the used fluid
is a reservoir as fresh fluid replaces the used fluid in
the transmission, and means for refilling the reservoir
with fresh fluid while collecting the used fluid, with the
later means shown in phantom view.
FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an alternative
embodiment of the invention showing a by-pass line 41 for
the fluid to circulate through the transmission and
radiator while connected to flush transmission apparatus
and means for automatically causing the transmission to be
flushed and exchanged.
FIG. 3 is a view of the radiator of a vehicle showing
the connection from the radiator to the transmission and to
6

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the present invention as it connects to the radiator.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the means
for exchanging the fluid with the top removed.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the means for
exchanging the fluid shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional top view of the means for
exchanging the fluid shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the means for exchanging
the fluid shown in FIGS. 4 - 7.
FIG. 8 is a an elevation pictorial view of the cabinet
housing for the present invention as it would be seen when
the apparatus is connected to a vehicle (not shown).
FIG. 9 is a an elevation pictorial view of the cabinet
of the present invention as it will appear when not
connected to a vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment herein described is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to
explain the principles of the invention and its application
and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to
utilize its teachings.
Referring now more particularly to the drawings,
wherein like numerals represent like elements throughout
the specification.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic block diagram of
7

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the system is presented. A vehicle transmission 20 and a
transmission fluid cooler (radiator) 22 are shown. A first
fluid line 24 (output fluid line) is connected from the
output side of the transmission to the apparatus for
cleaning and flushing the transmission fluid shown
generally as 26.
When line 24 is not connected to the apparatus for
cleaning and flushing the transmission, the radiator 22 is
connected to the transmission 20 as shown by phantom line
24a. This is the normal circuitry of the vehicle. This is
the normal connection between the transmission 20 and the
radiator 22. Thus, it is intended that one wishing to
flush and transfer the fluid from the transmission would
interrupt the flow circuit for the radiator 22 and the
transmission 20, at the transmission's radiator 22 and
cause the present invention 26 to be inserted into the flow
circuit of the transmission and its radiator.
Each transmission has therein a pump 28 which has
sufficient power to cause the transmission fluid of the
transmission 20 to flow from the transmission to radiator
22 and to return to the transmission 20. This causes the
transmission fluid to be cooled during normal operation of
the transmission. Fluid from radiator 22 flows to
transmission 20 through line 30.
One of the two lines 24a and 30, which are the
transmissions normal lines of circulation, are disconnected
from radiator 22. In the preferred embodiment, line 24 is
8

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the discharge line from the transmission. This means that
the transmission fluid flows from the transmission through
line 24, the flow and pressures associated with this
discharge being determined by the parameters of the
internal pump 28 of the transmission. Actually, a first
adapter hose 24 and a second adapter hose 34 are a part of
the apparatus of the present invention and have quick
connectors 32 at a mating end. These quick connectors are
readily available on the market and snap into place. When
they are disconnected, the disconnected end is closed to
prevent any fluid flow from the connectors 32. Connectors
32 are connected to the discharge port 29 of the
transmission and to the input port 27 of the radiator 22 to
cause the fluid to flow from the transmission through the
present invention and to radiator 22.
Referring now to the present invention 26 there is
provided a two-position switch 36 to selectively connect
line 38 to line 40 or line 38 to line 42. When the switch
is in "position 1" (flush), line 38 is connected to line 40
and the input to additive reservoir 44 which is configured
so that an additive may be introduced from reservoir 44
into the transmission and radiator system. The output of
reservoir 44 is connected to said second adapter hose. The
additive is any one of many commercially available products
which may be added to the transmission fluid to cause the
fluid to clean the transmission or to cause the fluid to
coat or otherwise "treat" the interior of the transmission
9

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20 and radiator 22 with additive. The internal operating
pressure of pump 28 of transmission 20 forces the
transmission fluid through lines 24, 38 and 40, through the
additive reservoir 44 and then through lines 46, 48 and 34
to return to transmission 20 through radiator 22. This
causes all of the fluid in the transmission to be exchanged
and treated with the additive. The additive is introduced
into all parts of the transmission and radiator and
completely flushes the entire system using the old
transmission fluid which now has an additive added thereto.
The f luid which now contains the additive is permitted
to circulate thorough the system for at least 5 minutes to
permit the complete reaction between the additive and the
interior of the transmission 20 and radiator 22. During
this phase of operation, the operator may view the fluid
that is passing through flexible line 24 through viewing
window 31 which is a transparent portion inserted into line
24 which may comprise a plastic or glass portion which is
contiguous with the line 24. A similar viewing window 33
in inserted into line 34. Switch 36 is then changed
from its first position (the one where line 40 and additive
44 and line 46 is in the circuit) to its second position
which connects line 38 to line 42.
The viewing windows permit the user of the present
apparatus to see the color of the transmission fluid which
is indicative of the additive's reaction with the
transmission fluid during the first stage of the method for

CA 02361836 2001-08-30
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flushing and the second stage of transferring and
exchanging the fluid from the transmission. The viewing
windows also permit the user to see the color of the fluid
which is being removed from the transmission and the fluid
which is being introduced into the transmission. The
operator thus knows when the cycle has reached its
quiescent point.
Transmission fluid exchange means 50 provides a means
for causing fresh transmission fluid to be introduced into
the transmission while the used transmission fluid is being
removed from the transmission circuit, that is, the
transmission 20 and the radiator 22. The transmission
fluid exchange means 50 comprises a reservoir which has a
first compartment or chamber 52 and a second compartment or
chamber 54, each of which are variable in volume, dependent
upon the location of wand 56 relative to bulkhead 59. The
particular structure of this means will be explained
further hereinafter. For the purpose of understanding the
invention as set forth in FIG. 1, it can be appreciated
that as wand 56 moves in a counterclockwise direction,
compartment 54 will increase in volume while compartment 52
will decrease in volume.
As fluid enters compartment 54, via lines 24, 38 and
42, wand 56 will be forced by the pressure of the
transmission fluid in line 42 to rotate counterclockwise
due to the pressure generated by pump 28 in transmission
20. As the wand moves, the transmission fluid that is
11

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contained in compartment 52 is forced through lines 58, 48
and 34 into radiator 22 and then through line 30 to
transmission 20.
Wand 56 rotates about a central axis 60 which has a
means 62 (FIG. 5) associated therewith which indicates the
rotational position of wand 56 to thus indicate the amount
of fluid that has been transferred from chamber 52 into the
transmission circuit.
Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 1, wand 56 and central
axis 60 have a sensor 62 associated therewith which
indicates the physical position of wand 56 with respect to
compartment 54 and compartment 52. Sensor 62 thus
indicates the amount of fluid which is contained in
compartment 52 and consequently the amount of fluid which
has been removed from compartment 52 and thus has entered
into the transmission 20 and radiator 22. Different
transmissions contain different amounts of fluid ranging
from 7 to 15 quarts.
As will be explained below, the operator of this
invention can cause fresh transmission fluid to be
introduced into chamber 52 in a predetermined amount before
the present apparatus is connected to the vehicle or after
the apparatus is connected to the vehicle. The present
apparatus is connected to the vehicle while the engine is
turned off. If the fluid is introduced into chamber 52
after the present apparatus has been connected to the
vehicle, the engine is turned off during this portion of
12

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the cycle for flushing and transferring the fluid from the
transmission circuit. Actually, there need not even be an
engine in the system at this time since the present
invention may be filed and be ready for use in flushing and
transferring transmission fluid. "Filled" means that
chamber 52 is filled with the new transmission fluid and
chamber 54 is empty, the fluid from chamber 54 having been
expelled from chamber 54 through line 42 and 24b (shown in
phantom in FIG.1) into an external reservoir 70 through
line 24b. Line 24 is disconnected from transmission 20 and
caused to be connected to waste reservoir 70 as shown by
phantom line 24b.
Filling of chamber 52 is accomplished through the
means for filling reservoir 50 and, in particular, chamber
52. Replenishing line 64 is connected by the operator or
connected permanently to a reservoir of fresh transmission
fluid 66 for the introduction of transmission fluid from
the reservoir into chamber 52. This may occur in two
different ways.
The first way may be that the new transmission fluid
to be introduced into the present invention may be under
pressure in reservoir 66 so that when one connects line 64
to the reservoir that the fluid in reservoir 66 will be
forced into chamber 52, through lines 64, 72, 48, and 58,
without the need of pump 68. If that is the case, then the
fluid may flow through line 64, and through line 72, flow
valve 74 and line 48 and line 58, into chamber 52. At this
13

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point in time in the process, line 34 is not connected to
radiator 22. When connector 32 (line 34) is removed from
the radiator, the connector is automatically closed. This
type of connector is readily available on the market. As
the quick disconnect coupling is engaged, it is open to
fluid flow and closed to fluid flow when it is not
connected to a fitting.
The second means for filling new fluid reservoir 50 would
be for the operator to connect line 64 to reservoir 66 and
then to cause pump 68 to pump the transmission fluid from
reservoir 66 into chamber 52 by way of lines 64 and 58. As
the fluid is pumped into reservoir 52, the pressure of the
fluid causes wand 56 to move or rotate in a clockwise
direction to thus expel the spent fluid, the used fluid,
from chamber 54 through lines 42 and 24 (24b shown in
phantom) into waste reservoir 70. Preparatory to removing
the fluid from chamber 54 and filling chamber 52 in either
of the above mentioned fashions, the operator must remove
line 24 from the transmission by way of quick disconnect
coupler 32 and cause line 24 to be disposed so that the
used transmission fluid will be emptied into waste
reservoir 70. This is shown in phantom lines 24b in FIG.
1.
There is a flow valve 74 located in line 72 to thus
enable the fluid from reservoir 66 which is under pressure
to flow through line 72 and lines 48 and 58 into chamber 52
to fill chamber 52. As a safety precaution, there is
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provided a pressure regulated flow valve 76 joined to line
58 and a pressure regulated flow valve 78 connected to line
42 such that line pressure in line 58 or line 42 in excess
of a predetermined limit, for example, 75 psi, will cause
the release of such pressure and the oil reposed in line 58
or 42 may be vented through lines 81, 83 and 85 to safety
reservoir 80 which may ultimately be drained or emptied
through valve 82.
There is also a pressure sensitive valve 84 located
between line 38 and line 48 in line 39. Should the
pressure in line 39 exceed the pressure limits of pressure
sensitive valve 84, then the fluid in line 38 will pass
through line 39, the pressure sensitive valve 84 and into
line 48 and begin to cycle through the radiator 22 and
transmission 20.
A perspective view of the transmission flush and
transfer apparatus is shown in pictorial form in FIG. 9.
Fill line 64 is shown in the stored position, that is, it
is not connected to a source of fresh transmission oil for
introducing the fluid into chamber 52. Line 24 which
serves to cause the old transmission fluid to circulate to
the flush apparatus 26 while line 34 is used to cause the
transmission fluid to be connected to radiator 22 and then
through line 30 back to the transmission 20 to complete the
cycle, as shown in FIG. 1. When the present invention is
not in use, lines 24, 34 and 64 are all retracted within
the housing of the present invention.

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FIG. 3 shows a radiator with the present invention
connected thereto. When the present apparatus is not
connected to the radiator, line 24a is connected to the
radiator at 27. When line 24a is disconnected from
radiator 22, it is connected to line 34 of the present
invention. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is with the
present invention connected to the radiator and
transmission as further shown in FIG. 1.
Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, reservoir 50 is
shown in detail. Reservoir 50 is shown in FIG. 4 in
partial cross-section with the top 86 (FIG. 5) removed.
Bulkhead 59 is fixedly disposed within reservoir 50 between
axis 60 and the outside 88 of said reservoir. Bulkhead 59
is secured to the outside wall 88 of reservoir 50 by bolts
90 (FIG. 5) into female receptacles 92 shown in FIG. 4.
Bulkhead gasket 94 surrounds the entire periphery of
bulkhead 59 and forms a secure seal between the outside
wall 88 of reservoir 50, top 86 of reservoir 50 (FIG. 5),
the axis 60 . and bottom 9 6 . Bottom 9 6 and top 8 6 have
an
elevated surface which conforms to the diameter of
reservoir 50. Bottom 96 has an elevated bottom surface 98
which matingly engages or inserts inside wall 88 of
reservoir 50 as can best be seen in FIG. 5 and in FIG. 8
which is an exploded view of reservoir 50. Top 86 has an
elevated surface 99 which is disposed downwardly to
matingly insert inside wall 88 of cylinder 50 referred to
as the reservoir 50.
16

CA 02361836 2001-08-30
WO 00/55042 PCT/US99/05801
Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 8, wand 56 is permanently
joined to axis 60. Axis 60 has a reduced diameter 102 at
both ends which matingly engages into recesses 104 which
are located in top 86 and bottom 96. Wand gasket 100, as
shown in FIG. 7, has a collar 106 at each end which collar
106 is positioned about the respective ends of axis 60 at
the reduced diameter portion thereof denoted as 102. When
gasket 100 is in place, it conforms to the top, bottom and
outside end of wand 56 where the portions of wand 56 are
positioned against elevated surface 99 of top 86 and
elevated surface 98 of bottom 96 and the outside wall 88 of
cylindrical reservoir 50. This forms a seal which prevents
leakage of fluid thereabout.
Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, as new fluid is
introduced into chamber 52 through line 58, the pressure of
the entering fluid causes wand 56 to rotate
counterclockwise as the chamber fills. As the new fluid
enters chamber 52 , the movement of wand 56 forces the f luid
in chamber 5.4 out through line 42, line 38 and line 24 when
line 24b is connected to waste reservoir 70 as show in
phantom lines 24b in FIG. 1.
As chamber 54 is emptied and chamber 52 is filled,
stopper 110 engages with outlet 112 (FIG. 4) which is
connected to line 42 to stop further fluid from leaving the
chamber. When one is causing the fluid from transmission
20 to flow into chamber 54, the fluid pressure pushes
stopper 110 upwardly to permit fluid flow from transmission
17

CA 02361836 2001-08-30
WO 00/55042 PCT/US99/05801
20 into chamber 54. When fluid in flowing from
transmission 20 into chamber 54 and from chamber 52 through
lines 58, 48, and 34 into radiator 22, the apparatus is in
the transfer mode which introduces new transmission fluid
from chamber 52 into the transmission circuit as old fluid
is removed from transmission 20 into chamber 54 through
lines 24, 38 and 42. When the circuit is in this mode,
switch 36 is set to the transfer mode. Reservoir 50 thus
permits fluid to be introduced into the transmission
circuit and removed therefrom in exact proportions, that
is, the amount of fluid removed is exactly equal to the
amount of fluid being introduced into the transmission
circuit.
Likewise, when chamber 52 is near-empty, stopper 114
engages with outlet 118 to stop further fluid from leaving
reservoir 52. Fresh transmission fluid flows through line
58 and presses fluid stopper 114 upwardly to permit new
fluid to enter chamber 52.
Referring to FIG. 4, bulkhead 59 has a recessed notch
in said first chamber and in said second chamber which is
located above fluid outlet 118 and fluid outlet 112. This
permits stopper 110 and stopper 114 to engage said fluid
outlets 112 and 118, respectively, and wand 56 rotates from
one extreme position to the opposite extreme position, thus
permitting the fluid in said chambers 52 and 54 to be
substantially empty of fluid. Stopper 110 and stopper 114
are fixedly disposed near the bottom of wand 56 and
18

CA 02361836 2001-08-30
WO 00/55042 PCT/US99/05801
positioned such that the stopper will cover opening 112 and
118, respectively.
Referring now to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, one can see that
the entire reservoir 50 is assembled by fixedly positioning
bulkhead 59 to outer wall 88 of reservoir 50 by bolts 90.
Axis 60 and thus wand 56 which constitute an unitary member
is positioned in the recess 104 of bottom 96 and top 86 is
positioned to receive the reduced portion 102 of axis 60
thereinto so that bulkhead 59 and wand 56 are fixedly
positioned inside reservoir 50. To hold top 86 and bottom
96 in a secure position and to thus cause want 56 to be
rotatably disposed inside reservoir 50 and to define
chambers 52 and 54, cylindrical rods 108 are positioned to
secure top 86 to bottom 96 by bolts 116 which pass through
top 86 and bottom 96 to threadably connect with the ends of
rods 108.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an alternative
embodiment of the present invention which is automated in
that switch.means 36a comprises a programmable switching
means, which is readily available on the open market. A
special purpose computer controlled switching means is
programmable so that the operator may predetermine the
amount of time that line 38 is connected to line 41 before
line 38 is then connected to line 40 before line 38 is then
connected to line 42 before line 38 is then again connected
to line 41 to complete the cycle. The various times in
which each phase is to be active may be predetermined based
19

CA 02361836 2001-08-30
WO 00/55042 PCT/US99/05801
upon the particular vehicle being serviced, the amount of
additive and the time the additive is to be circulated
through transmission 20 and radiator 22 and then the amount
of time that the old fluid will be permitted to be forcibly
removed from the transmission circuit into chamber 54 and
new fluid introduced into the transmission circuit from
chamber 52. The term "transmission circuit" refers to the
normal fluid circulation path from transmission 20 through
radiator 22 and back to transmission 20.
While different embodiments available to one skilled
in the art may be utilized to accomplishing the selective
switching process, a three (3) position switch 36a readily
available on the open market is adapted to automatically
cause the flush and transfer cycles to be implemented and
then to return to a position where the fluid from the
transmission is circulated from transmission 20 to radiator
22 when the transmission circuitry is connected to the
present apparatus.
When switch 36a is in a first position, it causes line
38 to be connected to line 41 and to line 48 and line 34
for a return to radiator 22. With this connection, the
automobile may be running after the present invention
apparatus is connected into the transmission circuitry and
before the flush cycle is activated. The flush cycle
refers to the circuit where the additive 44 is being
introduced into the transmission fluid.. Thus, one may
have the engine running before the flush cycle and the

CA 02361836 2001-08-30
WO 00/55042 PCT/LTS99/05801
transfer cycle are activated and after the flush and
transfer cycled are completed and while the present
apparatus is connected into the transmission circuitry.
,~In application, one would interrupt the line 24a (FIG.
2) which normally connects radiator 20 to transmission 22
and cause line 24 to be connected to transmission 20 and
line 34 to be connected to radiator 22. When the apparatus
is so connected, the transmission fluid may flow from the
transmission to the radiator as if the line 24a had not
been interrupted. Should programmable switching means 36a
malfunction so that no fluid is permitted to flow from
transmission 20 to radiator 22 and through the present
apparatus while the engine is running, then the increase in
pressure will be relieved through line 39 by pressure
sensitive valve 84.
When the programmable switching means 36a is
activated, the process or method of the present invention
will automatically and predictably proceed through the
process to completion. The engine of the vehicle would
then be turned off and line 24 disconnected and line 32
disconnected with line 24a being connected so that the
vehicle's transmission 20 will be directly connected to
radiator 22 as it was before one undertook to flush the
transmission.
21

Dessin représentatif
Une figure unique qui représente un dessin illustrant l'invention.
États administratifs

2024-08-01 : Dans le cadre de la transition vers les Brevets de nouvelle génération (BNG), la base de données sur les brevets canadiens (BDBC) contient désormais un Historique d'événement plus détaillé, qui reproduit le Journal des événements de notre nouvelle solution interne.

Veuillez noter que les événements débutant par « Inactive : » se réfèrent à des événements qui ne sont plus utilisés dans notre nouvelle solution interne.

Pour une meilleure compréhension de l'état de la demande ou brevet qui figure sur cette page, la rubrique Mise en garde , et les descriptions de Brevet , Historique d'événement , Taxes périodiques et Historique des paiements devraient être consultées.

Historique d'événement

Description Date
Inactive : CIB désactivée 2011-07-29
Inactive : CIB attribuée 2010-03-25
Inactive : CIB expirée 2010-01-01
Demande non rétablie avant l'échéance 2006-03-17
Le délai pour l'annulation est expiré 2006-03-17
Inactive : CIB de MCD 2006-03-12
Inactive : CIB de MCD 2006-03-12
Réputée abandonnée - omission de répondre à un avis sur les taxes pour le maintien en état 2005-03-17
Lettre envoyée 2003-08-14
Toutes les exigences pour l'examen - jugée conforme 2003-07-09
Requête d'examen reçue 2003-07-09
Exigences pour une requête d'examen - jugée conforme 2003-07-09
Lettre envoyée 2003-01-17
Inactive : Supprimer l'abandon 2003-01-13
Inactive : Abandon. - Aucune rép. à lettre officielle 2002-12-03
Inactive : Transfert individuel 2002-11-19
Inactive : Lettre de courtoisie - Preuve 2001-12-18
Inactive : Page couverture publiée 2001-12-14
Inactive : Notice - Entrée phase nat. - Pas de RE 2001-12-12
Inactive : CIB en 1re position 2001-12-06
Demande reçue - PCT 2001-11-27
Demande publiée (accessible au public) 2000-09-21

Historique d'abandonnement

Date d'abandonnement Raison Date de rétablissement
2005-03-17

Taxes périodiques

Le dernier paiement a été reçu le 2004-02-27

Avis : Si le paiement en totalité n'a pas été reçu au plus tard à la date indiquée, une taxe supplémentaire peut être imposée, soit une des taxes suivantes :

  • taxe de rétablissement ;
  • taxe pour paiement en souffrance ; ou
  • taxe additionnelle pour le renversement d'une péremption réputée.

Les taxes sur les brevets sont ajustées au 1er janvier de chaque année. Les montants ci-dessus sont les montants actuels s'ils sont reçus au plus tard le 31 décembre de l'année en cours.
Veuillez vous référer à la page web des taxes sur les brevets de l'OPIC pour voir tous les montants actuels des taxes.

Historique des taxes

Type de taxes Anniversaire Échéance Date payée
TM (demande, 2e anniv.) - générale 02 2001-03-19 2001-08-30
Taxe nationale de base - générale 2001-08-30
Enregistrement d'un document 2001-08-30
TM (demande, 3e anniv.) - générale 03 2002-03-18 2002-03-18
TM (demande, 4e anniv.) - générale 04 2003-03-17 2003-03-14
Requête d'examen - générale 2003-07-09
TM (demande, 5e anniv.) - générale 05 2004-03-17 2004-02-27
Titulaires au dossier

Les titulaires actuels et antérieures au dossier sont affichés en ordre alphabétique.

Titulaires actuels au dossier
MEGA PRODUCTS, INC.
Titulaires antérieures au dossier
BRUNO TARABOCCHIA
Les propriétaires antérieurs qui ne figurent pas dans la liste des « Propriétaires au dossier » apparaîtront dans d'autres documents au dossier.
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Description du
Document 
Date
(aaaa-mm-jj) 
Nombre de pages   Taille de l'image (Ko) 
Dessin représentatif 2001-12-10 1 10
Description 2001-08-29 21 775
Revendications 2001-08-29 8 221
Abrégé 2001-08-29 1 48
Dessins 2001-08-29 8 174
Avis d'entree dans la phase nationale 2001-12-11 1 195
Demande de preuve ou de transfert manquant 2002-09-02 1 108
Courtoisie - Certificat d'enregistrement (document(s) connexe(s)) 2003-01-16 1 107
Accusé de réception de la requête d'examen 2003-08-13 1 173
Courtoisie - Lettre d'abandon (taxe de maintien en état) 2005-05-11 1 174
PCT 2001-08-29 8 306
Correspondance 2001-12-11 1 25