OIL FILLING ASSEMBLY, SYSTEM, AND METHOD

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to assemblies, systems, and methods for filling an oil tank, and, more particularly, to assemblies, systems, and methods for filling an oil tank of an engine of an aircraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various vehicles include engines that are used for propulsion. For example, various aircraft include one or more turbofan engines that are secured to wings. Known aircraft engines include numerous components that need to be lubricated in order to efficiently and effectively operate. As such, the engines include oil tanks that are configured to receive oil that is used to lubricate components of the engines, such as gear boxes.

In order to provide oil to an engine, an individual typically pours oil into the oil tank of the engine. For known aircraft engines, the process of filling an oil tank takes about one to three minutes per quart of oil that is added. Often, an individual pours oil directly from an oil receptacle into the oil tank. As can be appreciated, aircraft engines are relatively large, and require a relatively large volume of oil (such as 25 quarts of oil or more per engine). As such, the process of filling an oil tank of an engine may be labor and time intensive.

Further, the process of filling an oil tank of an engine may lead to oil spills. For example, if an individual attempts to fill the oil tank too quickly, oil may overflow. Also, if the individual is not careful during the filling operation, oil may spill outside of the oil tank. Overflowing and/or spilled oil is typically wasted. Depending on a particular engine configuration and extend of spillage, the spilled oil can be collected by a scupper intake port and directed out via one or more drains and into other components of the engine, such as within the bottom of an engine fan cowl of a turbofan engine. Excess, wasted oil may pool at the bottom of a fan cowl, which may be aesthetically undesirable degrade surfaces of the fan cowl, and lead to inspections and/or delays.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A need exists for a system and method of increasing an oil fill rate of an engine. A need also exists for reducing spillage during an oil filling operation.

With those needs in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an oil filling assembly that is configured to couple to an intake port (such as a scupper intake port) of an engine to fill an oil tank connected to the intake port. The intake port is located behind an access door of the engine. The oil filling assembly includes a hopper defining an oil retention chamber that is configured to receive oil, and a coupler extending from the hopper. The coupler includes a neck defining an oil outlet fluidly connected to the oil retention chamber. The coupler is configured to removably mount to the intake port of the engine, and may allow the oil filling assembly to be self-supported.

In at least one embodiment, the hopper is configured to extend through an access opening of the engine and hold the access door open when the coupler is mounted to the intake port. The hopper may be upwardly and outwardly curved. Such a configuration provides maintenance personnel with a visual indication of the oil filling assembly when in use to prevent or otherwise reduce a possibility of the oil filling assembly being left inside an engine by mistake. The configuration also prevents or otherwise reduces a risk of accidental closure of an oil access door on a fan cowl.

In at least one embodiment, the neck includes a sealing member that sealingly engages the intake port when the coupler is mounted to the intake port. The coupler may also include a shroud surrounding the neck.

The oil filling assembly may include a plunger including a plug that is configured to be removably inserted into the oil outlet of the neck. The plug prevents (or otherwise reduces the possibility of) oil from passing through the oil outlet when the plug is inserted into the oil outlet. The plug may include a sealing member that is configured to sealingly engage the neck at an area that defines at least portion of the oil outlet.

The oil filling assembly may include a cap that is removably secured to the hopper opposite from the coupler.

In at least one embodiment, the hopper and the coupler are integrally formed and molded as a single piece. In at least one embodiment, the hopper is configured to modularly connect to the coupler and at least one other different coupler, while the coupler is configured to modularly connect to the hopper and at least one different hopper.

In at least one embodiment, the coupler includes one or more locking members that are configured to securely lock the oil filling assembly to the intake port in an upright position. For example, the locking members may include one or more tabs that are configured to be urged through one or more reciprocal slots of the intake port, and the oil filling assembly is configured to be rotated into a locked upright position. As another example, the locking members may include one or more latches that are configured to securely latch onto a portion of the intake port.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an oil filling system that includes an engine including a main housing, an oil tank secured within the main housing, and an intake port in fluid communication with the oil tank. The intake port is behind an access door that selectively covers and uncovers an access opening of the main housing. The system also includes an oil filling assembly that is configured to couple to the intake port of the engine to fill the oil tank.

In at least one embodiment, the oil filling assembly includes a hopper defining an oil retention chamber that is configured to receive oil, and a coupler extending from the hopper. The coupler includes a neck defining an oil outlet fluidly connected to the oil retention chamber. The coupler is configured to removably mount to the intake port of the engine. The hopper extends through the access opening of the engine and holds the access door open when the coupler is mounted to the intake port. A plunger including a plug is configured to be removably inserted into the oil outlet of the neck. The plug prevents or otherwise reduces the possibility of oil from passing through the oil outlet when the plug is inserted into the oil outlet. A cap is removably secured to the hopper opposite from the coupler.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an oil filling method that includes removably mounting a coupler of an oil filling assembly to an intake port of an engine oil tank. The intake port is located behind an access door of the engine. The removably mounting includes extending a hopper coupled to the coupler through an access opening of the engine and holding the access door open with the hopper when the coupler is mounted to the intake port. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes retaining oil within an oil retention chamber of the hopper, unplugging an oil outlet defined by a neck of the coupler that is fluidly connected to the oil retention chamber, and passing the oil from the oil retention chamber into an oil tank of the engine that is fluidly connected to the intake port through the unplugging. That is, the plugged hopper may be filled with oil, and then mounted to an oil tank of the engine. The plug may then be removed so that the oil retained within the hopper passes into the oil tank. In at least one embodiment, the removably mounting includes securely locking the oil filling assembly to the intake port in an upright position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a front perspective view of an oil filling assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a bottom perspective view of an oil filling assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a bottom perspective view of a coupler of an oil filling assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a bottom view of a cap, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a front view of a plunger, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a front perspective view of a plunger, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a top perspective view of a plug, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a top perspective view of a plug, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a top perspective view of a plug, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a front perspective view of a hopper, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of a front perspective view of a coupler, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic representation of a bottom perspective view of a coupler, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a top perspective view of a hopper, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic representation of a simplified view of an aircraft engine, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic representation of an oil filling assembly extending through an access opening of an aircraft engine, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of an internal perspective view of an aircraft engine, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic representation a top perspective view of a scupper intake port coupled to an oil tank, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective view of an oil filling assembly connected to an oil tank, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective, partial sectional internal view of an oil filling assembly connected to an oil tank, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective bottom view of an oil filling assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective view of an oil filling assembly secured to an intake port of a scupper, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic representation of a top view of an intake port of a scupper, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic representation of an internal view of an oil filling assembly secured to an intake port of a scupper, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective view of an oil filling assembly secured to an intake port of a scupper, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 illustrates a flow chart of a method for filling an oil tank of an engine, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic representation of a front perspective view of an aircraft, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 illustrates an axial cross-sectional view of a plug, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or steps. Further, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular condition may include additional elements not having that condition.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an oil filling assembly, system, and method that reduce the amount of time for filling an oil tank of an engine, thereby allowing operators to redistribute resources, reduce costs, and allow for quicker dispatch of vehicles, such as aircraft. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an assembly, system, and method that reduce oil spillage, thereby reducing a likelihood of fluid ingression into other components of an engine, such as a fan cowl of an aircraft engine.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an oil filling assembly for filling an oil tank of an engine, such as that of an aircraft. The oil tank is fluidly connected to an intake port through which oil is accepted. The intake port is located behind an access door. The oil filling assembly includes a hopper for receiving oil, and a coupler that removably connects to the intake port of the engine. The hopper is configured to hold the access door open when the coupler is connected to the intake port.

In at least one embodiment, the oil filling assembly includes a sealing member (such as an O-ring secured within a groove) that sealingly engages the intake port of the oil tank, thereby preventing (or reducing the likelihood of) oil from spilling when the oil tank is filled, as the excess oil remains inside the oil filling assembly. For example, the coupler may include a groove that retains an O-ring that sealingly engages an interior surface of the intake port (such as a scupper intake port).

In at least one embodiment, the oil filling assembly is configured to be securely coupled to the intake port in an upright position, so that an operator is not required to hold the oil filling assembly in position while the oil tank is being filled. For example, the coupler may include one or more tabs that are configured to fit through reciprocal keyhole slots of the intake port. After being inserted into the slots, the oil filling assembly is then rotated into a secure position in which the oil filling assembly is locked in the upright position with respect to the intake port. In at least one other embodiment, the oil filling assembly may include one or more latches that are configured to latchably secure the oil filling assembly to the intake port. As such, operators are free to leave the oil filling assembly unattended while coupled to the intake port of the oil tank, thereby allowing the operators to perform other duties.

In at least one embodiment, the oil filling assembly includes a removable plug that is inserted into the coupler to prevent (or otherwise reduce the possibility of) oil from flowing out of the coupler and into the oil tank. The plug is used to sealingly plug the coupler so that the when the oil filling assembly is removed from the intake port, excess oil does not spill from the oil filling assembly.

The oil filling assembly is configured to retain a large amount of oil (such as at least three quarts) and is able to fill an oil tank at a faster rate as compared to prior known methods.

The oil filling assembly may be shaped so that, when in use, the oil filling assembly holds an oil tank access door open, making it visible to an operator and more likely that an operator will not forget that the oil filling assembly has been placed in the intake port of the oil tank.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a front perspective view of an oil filling assembly 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The oil filling assembly 100 includes a hopper 102 defining an internal oil retention chamber (hidden from view in FIG. 1). The hopper 102 includes a first or top end 104 and a second or bottom end 106. The oil retention chamber extends through the hopper 102 from the first end 104 to the second end 106. The hopper 102 may be an elongated structure that is configured to retain a relatively large volume of oil (such as at three quarts) within the oil retention chamber. The pressure exerted by the increasing height, or head, of oil increases a fill rate (that is, reduces a time of filling) of oil into an oil tank. The oil filling assembly 100 may include a handle. For example, a handle may outwardly extend from an outer surface of the hopper 102.

In at least one embodiment, a cap 108 is removably secured to the first end 104. The cap 108 includes a cover panel 110 that connects to an annular rim 112. The cap 108 may connect to the first end 104 through various interfaces, such as a threadable interface, an interference fit, a snapable connection, and/or the like. An opening 114 may be formed through the cover panel 110. When coupled to the first end 104, the cap 108 is configured to cover the oil retention chamber of the hopper 102.

A coupler 116 extends downwardly from the second end 106 of the hopper 102. The coupler 116 includes an oil outlet (hidden from view in FIG. 1) that is configured to couple to an intake port of an oil tank system of an engine.

A plunger 118 extends into the oil retention chamber of the hopper 102. The plunger 118 includes an extension beam 120 having a first or top end 121 that connects to a handle 122. The extension beam 120 also has a second or bottom end (hidden from view in FIG. 1) that connects to a plug (hidden from view in FIG. 1) that extends into and sealingly plugs the oil outlet of the coupler 116 when inserted therein. The handle 122 may be a ring, as shown. Optionally, the handle 122 may include a bar, post, tabs, or other such protuberances.

As shown, the plunger 118 extends through the opening 114 of the cap 108. In at least one other embodiment, the plunger 118 may be integrally formed with the cap 108 as a single unitary piece. For example, the handle 122 may upwardly extend from an upper surface of the cover panel 110, while the plunger 118 extends from a lower surface of the cover panel 110.

The hopper 102 and the coupler 116 may be integrally formed as a single piece. For example, the hopper 102 and the coupler 116 may be integrally molded and formed as a piece of injection-molded plastic. In at least one other embodiment, the hopper and the coupler 116 may be integrally formed and molded a single piece of metal. In at least one other embodiment, the coupler 116 and the hopper 102 may be separate and distinct components that are assembled and secured together, such as through one or more coupling interfaces, fasteners, welds, and/or the like.

The hopper 102 may outwardly and upwardly curve from the second end 106 to the first end 104. As shown, the hopper 102 includes an elongated main body 103 that outwardly and upwardly twists, thereby providing an elongated structure that is capable of retaining an increased volume of oil, as opposed to a straight cylinder of the same height. Further, the twisted main body 103 is sized and shaped to extend through an access opening of an engine, as described with respect to FIG. 15, for example. When the oil filling assembly 100 is secured to an intake port of an engine, the outward and upward curved shaped of the hopper 102 outwardly protrudes through the access opening of the engine, and may hold an access door of the engine open, in order to provide a clear visual indication that the oil filling assembly 100 is coupled to the intake port. Alternatively, the oil filling assembly 100 may be shaped and sized differently than shown. For example, the hopper 102 may be sized and shaped as a linear tube.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a bottom perspective view of the oil filling assembly 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The cap 108 and the plunger 118, both of which are shown in FIG. 1, are not shown in FIG. 2.

The internal oil retention chamber 124 of the hopper 102 is defined between the first end 104 and the second end 106. The second end 106 leads into the oil outlet 126 defined by an internal neck 128 of the coupler 116.

The coupler 116 may include a perimeter shroud 130 that extends around an outer perimeter of the neck 128. Optionally, the coupler 116 may not include the shroud 130.

In operation, the coupler 116 is securely coupled to an intake port of an oil tank of an engine, such that the oil outlet 126 of the coupler 116 is in fluid communication with an oil inlet of the intake port. Oil that is retained within the oil retention chamber 124 flows into the oil outlet 126 and into the oil inlet of the intake port.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a bottom perspective view of the coupler 116 of the oil filling assembly 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the shroud 130 is spaced apart from and surrounds an outer perimeter of the neck 128. A sealing member 132, such as an O-ring, may be secured around an outer surface of the neck 128. For example, the sealing member 132 may be retained within a groove formed around the neck 128. The sealing member 132 is configured to sealingly engage the intake port of the engine to reduce the likelihood of oil leaking through an interface between the neck 128 and the intake port.

A notch 127 may be formed at a lower edge portion of the shroud 130. The notch 127 is configured to mate with a reciprocal portion of an engine to properly orient the oil filling assembly 100 relative to the intake port. Optionally, the coupler 116 may include additional notches. In at least one other embodiment, the shroud 130 may not include any notches.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a bottom view of the cap 108, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The cover panel 110 connects to the annular rim 112. The cover panel 110 and the rim 112 may be integrally formed as a single piece, such as a single piece of injection-molded plastic. The opening 114 is sized and shaped to allow the extension beam 120 of the plunger 118 (shown in FIG. 1) to pass therethrough. The opening 114 may be smaller or larger than shown.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a front view of the plunger 118, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The first end 121 of the extension beam 120 connects to the handle 122, while the second end 123 of the extension beam 120 connects to the plug 134, which is configured to extend into and sealingly plug the oil outlet 126 of the coupler 116 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). The plug 134 may include a sealing member 136 (such as an O-ring) that extends around an outer surface. The sealing member 136 sealingly engages an internal surface of the neck 128 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) that defines at least a portion of the oil outlet 126 to provide a fluid-tight seal that prevents (or otherwise reduces the possibility of) oil from passing out of the oil outlet 126.

As shown, a diameter and/or perimeter of the extension beam 120 may gradually increase from the end 121 to the end 123. In this manner, the extension beam 120 may provide a conic shape. Optionally, the extension beam 120 may be shaped and sized in a different manner. For example, the extension beam 120 may be a tube having a constant diameter throughout its length, a flat beam, or the like.

The plug 134 may have a cylindrical body 138. An annular groove 137 may be formed around the body 138. The groove 137 retains the sealing member 136.

FIG. 27 illustrates an axial cross-sectional view of a plug 134, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure (different than the plug 134 shown in FIG. 5). In this embodiment, the plug 134 includes a ball valve 400 coupled to a bracket 402. A handle 404 may extend from the bracket 402. The ball valve 400 may be disposed within an internal chamber 406 of the bracket 402. A first end 408 of the bracket threadably couples to the hopper 102, while an opposite second end 410 threadably couples to a coupler 412. Fluid flows through the ball valve 400 in the open position and stops when the handle 404 turns the ball valve 400 to the closed position.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a front perspective view of the plunger 118, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the plug 134 may be a separate and distinct component that is secured to the extension beam 120. For example, the plug 134 may be formed from a sealing material, such as rubber or other such elastomeric materials. As such, a separate and distinct sealing member need not be secured around the plug 134. As shown, the plug 134 may include a cylindrical end that is sized and shaped to sealingly fit into the oil outlet 126 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a top perspective view of the plug 134, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the plug 134 has a conic body 140 that is sized and shaped to sealingly plug the oil outlet 126 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a top perspective view of the plug 134, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the plug 134 has a spherical body 142 that is sized and shaped to sealingly plug the oil outlet 126 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a top perspective view of the plug 134, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the plug 134 has a body 144 that tapers down from an upper end 146 to a lower end 148. The plug 134 is sized and shaped to sealingly plug the oil outlet 126 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). Referring to FIGS. 5-9, the plug 134 may be sized and shaped differently than shown.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a front perspective view of the hopper 102, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The hopper 102 is sized and shaped similar to the hopper 102 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. That is, the hopper 102 outwardly and upwardly curves and twists from the bottom end 106 to the top end 104. The hopper 102 is sized and shaped in such a fashion so as to noticeably extend through an access opening of an engine cowl and hold open an access door.

As shown, the hopper 102 is not connected to a coupler. Instead, the hopper 102 is formed as a separate and distinct piece so that the hopper 102 may be modularly coupled to various different types of couplers. The modularity of the hopper 102 allows the hopper to be fit to different sized oil tanks having different sized intake ports.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of a front perspective view of the coupler 116, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the coupler 116 includes a funnel 150 that is configured to connect to a bottom end 106 of the hopper 102 (such as any of those shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 10). The funnel 150 directly connects to the neck 128. As shown, the coupler 116 may not include a shroud.

One or more locking members 152 (such as arcuate tabs) extend downwardly from a rim connected to the neck 128. The locking members 152 are configured to mate with reciprocal structures of an intake port of an oil tank of an engine in order to securely lock the coupler 116 (and therefore the oil filling assembly) thereto.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic representation of a bottom perspective view of the coupler 116 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The coupler 116 is similar to the coupler 116 shown in FIGS. 1-3. The shroud 130 surrounds the neck 128. A funnel (hidden from view in FIG. 12) similar to the funnel 150 shown in FIG. 11 may connect to the neck 128.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a top perspective view of the hopper 102, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the hopper 102 may be formed as a linear cylinder.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 13, the hopper 102 is particularly sized and shaped to fit through a particular access opening of an engine, and hold a particular access door open, so as to be easily and readily recognized by an operator. The hopper 102 may be sized and shaped differently than shown in FIGS. 10 and 13. In at least one embodiment, the hopper 102 of FIG. 13 may be coupled to the hopper 102 of FIG. 10, in order to provide a single hopper structure that is configured to extend further out from an access opening of an engine.

Referring to FIGS. 10-13, variations of the hopper 102 and the coupler 116 (including those having different sizes and shapes than shown) may be formed to provide a modular assembly. In this manner, a customized oil filling assembly may be formed through modular components.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic representation of a simplified view of an aircraft engine 200, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The aircraft engine 200 includes a main housing 202 that retains a fan 208, an engine core 204, and an acoustic inlet barrel 210 positioned proximate to an air intake inlet 212 of the aircraft engine 200.

An access door 214 is secured to the main housing 202 and is configured to be selectively moved between closed and open positions. For example, the access door 214 may be selectively moved (such as through pivotal motion) between a closed position (in which an access opening is closed), and an open position (in which the access opening is exposed). In the open position, an intake port (such as a scupper intake port) of an oil tank of the aircraft engine is exposed. As such, the oil filling assembly 100 (shown in FIGS. 1-3, for example) may be coupled to the intake port to allow oil to be added to the oil tank.

The aircraft engine 200 may include more or less components than shown. Further, the access door 214 may be located at various other areas of the main housing 202 than shown.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic representation of the oil filling assembly 100 extending through the access opening 216 of the aircraft engine 200, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of clarity, the access door 214 is not shown in FIG. 15. An oil filling system 201 is defined by the oil filling assembly 100 coupled to the engine 200.

When coupled to the intake port of the oil tank of the engine 200, the oil filling assembly 100 conspicuously protrudes through the access opening 216, and may also hold open the access door 214 (shown in FIG. 14). As such, an operator is able to quickly and readily see that the oil filling assembly 100 is still coupled to the engine 200, which reduces the potential that the operator will forget to remove the oil filling assembly 100 after oil has been added to the oil tank.

As noted, the outward and upward curved and twisted shape of the hopper 102 is configured to extend out of the access opening, and also ensure that the top end 104 is substantially level with a ground surface on which an aircraft, for example, rests. As such, the top end 104 may not be tilted relative to the ground surface, thereby reducing a likelihood of oil spilling out of the oil retention chamber 124 from the top end 104.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of an internal perspective view of an aircraft engine 200, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of clarity, the main housing or cover is not shown in FIG. 16.

The engine 200 includes a fan frame assembly 220, an engine core 222, and the acoustic inlet barrel 210 positioned proximate to the air intake inlet 212. An oil tank 230 is mounted outside of the fan frame assembly 220 within the main housing. Optionally, the oil tank 230 may be located at various other areas. The access opening 216 shown in FIG. 14 is proximate to the engine oil tank 230.

A scupper 232 is coupled to the oil tank 230. The scupper 232 provides an intake port to the oil tank 230. A scupper drain 234 is coupled to the scupper 232. The scupper drain 234 allows excess oil to drain from the scupper 232. The oil tank 230 connects to an oil inlet line 236 that is configured to deliver oil to one or more components (such as a gear box) that are configured to be lubricated. An oil return line 238 connects to the components to a return port of the oil tank 230. In this manner, oil circulates between the oil tank 230 and the components to be lubricated.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic representation a top perspective view of the scupper 232 coupled to the oil tank 230, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The scupper 232 includes a removable cap 240 that is configured to be disengaged and removed to expose a fill passage of an intake port into which oil is poured.

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective view of the oil filling assembly 100 connected to the oil tank 230, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 16-18, the coupler 116 of the oil filling assembly 100 securely couples to the scupper 232, thereby securing the oil filling assembly 100 to the scupper 232 without the need for an operator holding the oil filling assembly 100. The hopper 102 extends outside of the access opening 216 (shown in FIG. 15). As shown, the plunger 118 is secured to the oil filling assembly 100.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective internal, partial sectional view of the oil filling assembly connected to the oil tank 230, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the neck 128 of the coupler 116 directly mates with an intake port 250 of the scupper 232. For example, the neck 128 mates into the intake port 250. The sealing member 132 sealingly engages an interior surface of the intake port 250 to prevent (or otherwise reduce the possibility of) oil from leaking therethrough.

Further, when the plug 134 of the plunger 118 is inserted into the neck 128, oil within the oil retention chamber 124 is prevented from passing into the intake port 250. The sealing member 136 of the plug 134 sealingly engages internal surfaces of the neck 128 that define at least a portion of the oil outlet 126 to prevent (or otherwise reduce the possibility of) oil from leaking therethrough.

In order to fill the oil tank 230, the cap 108 may first be removed. After the cap 108 is removed, oil may be poured into the oil retention chamber 124. After a desired amount of oil is filled into the oil retention chamber 124, the plunger 118 may be removed, such that the plug 134 is removed from the oil outlet 126. Oil then flows through the intake port 250 and into the oil tank 230. The sealing member 132 prevents oil from leaking through the interface between coupler 116 and the scupper 232.

Optionally, oil may first be poured into the oil retention chamber 124 having the plug inserted into the neck 128. The plug 134 prevents the oil from flowing out of the oil outlet 126. After a desired amount of oil is filled into the oil retention chamber 124, the cap 108 may be mounted on the hopper 102 to prevent oil from spilling out of the top end 106. The oil filling assembly 100 having the retained oil may then be moved to the engine 200 and mounted onto the scupper 232. After the oil filling assembly 100 is mounted onto the scupper 232, the plunger 118 may be manipulated so that the plug 134 is removed from the oil outlet 126, thereby allowing the retained oil to flow through the intake port 250 into the oil tank 230.

After the oil filling assembly 100 is used to fill the oil tank 230 with a desired amount of oil, the plunger 118 is manipulated to ensure that the plug 134 sealingly closes the oil outlet 126. The oil filling assembly 100 may then be removed from the scupper 232. Upon removal, the plug 134 prevents excess oil from leaking out of the oil outlet 126, while the cap 108 reduces the likelihood that excess oil spills out of the top end 106 of the hopper 102.

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective bottom view of an oil filling assembly 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 20, the coupler 116 includes a funnel 150 that is configured to connect to the bottom end 106 of the hopper 102. The funnel 150 directly connects to the neck 128. As shown, the coupler 116 may not include a shroud.

One or more locking members 152 (such as arcuate tabs) extend downwardly from a rim 153 connected to the neck 128. The locking members 152 are configured to mate with reciprocal structures of an intake port of an engine in order to securely lock the coupler 116 (and therefore the oil filling assembly) thereto. The coupler 116 may include more or less locking members 152 than shown.

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective view of the oil filling assembly 100 secured to the intake port 250 of the scupper 232, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the locking members 152 securely mate with reciprocal structures of the scupper 232 to securely lock the oil filling assembly 100 in an upright position with respect to the scupper 232, so that an operator need not hold onto the oil filling assembly 100 during a filling operation.

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic representation of a top view of the intake port 250 of the scupper 232, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic representation of an internal view of the oil filling assembly 100 secured to the intake port 250 of the scupper 232, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the intake port 250 includes a housing 251 having a central fill passage 252 formed therethrough. Keyhole slots 254 and 256 (shown in FIG. 22) are formed through the housing 251 and are configured to receive the locking member 152 of the coupler 116 (shown in FIGS. 20 and 23). The locking members 152 may be sized and shaped differently, and the keyhole slots 254 and 256 may be sized and shaped to receive the locking members 152 in particular orientations. The intake port 250 may include more or less keyhole slots than shown.

Referring to FIGS. 20-23, in order to secure the oil filling assembly 100 to the intake port 250, the locking members 152 are aligned with respective keyhole slots 254 and 256, and the oil filling assembly 100 is urged towards the intake port 250 such that the locking members 152 pass into the respective keyhole slots 254 and 256. After the locking members 152 pass through the keyhole slots 254 and 256, the oil filling assembly 100 is rotated relative to the intake port 250 in the direction of arc A (shown in FIG. 22), such as through a 45, 60, or 90 degree turn, thereby trapping the locking members 152 underneath a rim 260 of the intake port 250, and securely locking the oil filling assembly 100 to the scupper 232. In order to remove the oil filling assembly 100 from the intake port 250, the process is reversed.

As shown in FIG. 23, in particular, a sealing member 132 is retained within a groove formed in the neck 128. The sealing member 132 provides a fluid-tight seal between the intake port 250 and the neck 128, thereby preventing, minimizing, or reducing leakage therebetween.

FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective view of an oil filling assembly 100 secured to an intake port 250 of a scupper 232, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the coupler 116 of the oil filling assembly 100 may include one or more latches 270 that are configured to latch onto a portion of the scupper 232 (such as onto an outer protuberance of the scupper 232) to secure the oil filling assembly 100 in an upright position relative to the scupper 232.

Alternatively, the coupler 116 may include internal threads that are configured to threadably engage outer threads of a rim of the intake port 250. In this embodiment, the oil filling assembly 100 may be threadably secured to the scupper 232 in a stable upright orientation. As another alternative, the coupler 116 may removably couple to the scupper 232 in an upright position through one or more pins, magnets, adhesives, and/or the like.

FIG. 25 illustrates a flow chart of a method for filling an oil tank of an engine, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The method begins at 300, at which a coupler of an oil filling assembly is mounted to an intake port of a scupper. Then at 302, a plug is removed from the oil outlet of the coupler.

Once the plug is removed from the oil outlet, at 304, oil is allowed to flow from a hopper of the oil filling assembly into the intake port through the unplugged oil outlet. At 306, it is determined whether oil in the oil tank is at a desired level. If not, the method returns to 304.

If, however, the oil in the oil tank is at a desired level, the method proceeds from 306 to 308, at which the oil outlet of the coupler is plugged, thereby preventing oil from leaking out of the oil outlet. At 310, the hopper of the oil filling assembly is covered, such as with a cap, to prevent oil from spilling out of the top end of the hopper. Then, at 312, the oil filling assembly is removed from the intake port of the scupper. The process then ends at 314.

FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic representation of a front perspective view of an aircraft 300, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The aircraft 300 includes a propulsion system 312 that may include two turbofan engines 200, for example, each of which may be similar to the engine 200 shown and described with respect to FIGS. 14-19. Optionally, the propulsion system 312 may include more engines 200 than shown. The engines 200 are carried by wings 316 of the aircraft 300. In other embodiments, the engines 200 may be carried by a fuselage 318 and/or an empennage 320. The empennage 320 may also support horizontal stabilizers 322 and a vertical stabilizer 324. The fuselage 318 of the aircraft 300 defines an internal cabin, which may include a cockpit 330, one or more work sections (for example, galleys, personnel carry-on baggage areas, and the like), one or more passenger sections (for example, first class, business class, and coach sections), and an aft section in which an aft rest area assembly may be positioned.

Oil may be filled into oil tanks of the engines 200 through the oil filling assemblies 100 described above. Optionally, the oil filling assemblies 100 may be used to fill oil tanks of engines of various other vehicles, other than aircraft. For example, the oil filling assemblies 100 may be used with respect to engines of land-based vehicles (such as automobiles, trucks, trains, or the like), water craft, space craft, and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1-27, embodiments of the present disclosure provide assemblies, systems, and methods for increasing oil fill rates (that is, reducing filling times) of engines. The assemblies, systems, and methods are configured to reduce a likelihood of oil spillage during an oil filling operation.

The oil filling assemblies 100 described above are configured to quickly and efficiently fill oil tanks of engines and reduce wasted oil as spillage is eliminated, minimized, or otherwise reduced. Because oil spillage is reduced, there is less excess, wasted oil within an engine. Further, the oil filling assembly 100 may be securely locked and self-supported in upright positions with respect to intake ports of oil tanks, thereby allowing operators to perform other tasks during oil filling operations.

The hopper 102 provides a relatively long body that defines a relatively large oil retention chamber 124 that is able to retain a relatively large volume of oil (such as at least three quarts of oil). The pressure exerted by the relatively large volume of oil within the oil retention chamber 124 increases the exit rate of oil out of the unplugged oil outlet 126.

The oil outlet 126 may be plugged through manipulation of the plunger 118 after an oil filling operation, thereby preventing undesired oil leakage out of the oil outlet 126. Further, the hopper 102 may be covered by a cap 108 to prevent oil from spilling out of the top of the hopper 102.

When the oil filling assembly 100 is operatively coupled to the intake port 250 of the scupper 232, the hopper 102 conspicuously extends out of the access opening 216, and may hold open the access door 214. In this manner, the oil filling assembly 100 is plainly visible to an operator.

While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.

As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configured to” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed, constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an object that is merely capable of being modified to perform the task or operation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as used herein.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the disclosure without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the disclosure, the embodiments are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the various embodiments of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

OIL FILLING ASSEMBLY, SYSTEM, AND METHOD

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims