PORTABLE AUTOMOTIVE WASTE OIL EXTRACTION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

The embodiments herein are directed to a portable, electric-powered, oil extraction device referred to herein by the acronym EWOK, which stands for “Electric Waste Oil Kit,” and a method for using the same. The EWOK of the instant innovation is comprised of at least a pump with a single inlet and outlet, a detachable inlet strainer to protect the pump, a clear inlet hose, a shutoff valve, a quick-connection outlet fitting, a power switch, a circuit breaker, an optional oil fill cap holder, and optional hose holder. In use the EWOK includes a tubular straw operative to be inserted far enough into an engine dipstick tube to facilitate removal of engine oil when negative pressure sufficient to draw out the oil through the straw is applied to said straw. Engine oil is drawn through the straw and into one or more holding tanks for disposal or other use.

Description

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Automobile engines and other internal combustion engines rely upon petroleum and/or synthetic lubricants to prevent seizing of the metal engine block and to otherwise ensure optimal, long-time performance. Over time, engine oil or engine lubricant breaks down due to use under extreme heat, and also becomes contaminated with dirt and other foreign body material. Used engine oil and/or lubricant periodically must be removed from the engine and replaced with new and clean oil and/or lubricant; used engine oil and/or lubricant is typically drained from the bottom of the engine though a drain hole in the bottom of the engine drain pan. The drain hole is commonly accessed from the underside of the engine and opened by removing a threaded plug. When an automobile engine is drained of oil and/or lubricant, a technician frequently must engage in the awkward maneuver of accessing the underside of the automobile. Commonly the threaded plug is made difficult to remove by the accumulation of road dirt and variations in service-technician-applied torque.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain illustrative embodiments illustrating organization and method of operation, together with objects and advantages may be best understood by reference to the detailed description that follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric drawing of the EWOK device consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric drawing of the straw tube with adapter assembly and quick-connect adapter consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a first use example of the EWOK consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a second use example of the EWOK consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language).

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

It is noted in particular that where a range of values is provided in this specification, each value between the upper and lower limits of that range is also specifically disclosed. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included or excluded in the range as well.

In an embodiment, the instant innovation is a portable, electric powered, oil extraction device referred to herein by the acronym EWOK, which stands for “Electric Waste Oil Kit.” An EWOK is comprised of at least a pump with a single inlet and outlet, an optional inlet strainer to protect the pump, an inlet hose, which may be made from a clear, flow-visible, translucent, or other material, a shutoff valve, a quick-connection outlet fitting, a power switch, a circuit breaker, an optional oil fill cap holder, and optional hose holder.

In an embodiment, the EWOK pump may be any type of pump capable of moving liquid lubricant, such as but not limited to, engine oil. Non-limiting examples of pump types suitable for use as an EWOK pump include gear pumps, centrifugal pumps, diaphragm pumps, positive displacement pumps, screw pumps, and piston pumps.

In an embodiment the EWOK is encased within a housing, or shroud, designed to cover and protect the pump and associated wiring. The housing includes a handle of such surface geometry to make carrying the EWOK by hand comfortable for an average user. The EWOK wiring is protected from potential electrical shorts by an on-board circuit protector, which may be any type of over-current protection device including but not limited to Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) circuit breakers, arc suppressors, circuit interrupters and the like.

In an embodiment, the EWOK may be powered by AC or DC, and power may be supplied through a standard 120-volt electrical outlet, through a 12 volt DC electrical connection, or through a dedicated battery pack. Current flow to power the EWOK is initiated through a power switch, which may be any type of electrical switch including but not limited to toggle, rocker, slider, push-button, or the like. The EWOK rests upon non-marring feet designed to minimize and/or prevent surface damage to the surface of a vehicle and/or building in which the EWOK is contained. Such non-marring characteristic may be made possible through use of materials including, but not limited to, rubber, nylon, plastic or the like.

In an embodiment, the EWOK includes an Inlet Strainer/Filter which prevents metal debris and gravel and similar foreign body materials from clogging and/or damaging the pump. The Strainer/Filter serves as an easy access point to remove clogs caused by any foreign body material. The EWOK incorporates flow-visible tubing, which preferably is clear, but which may be semi-opaque, to connect the pump to a valve/tube-adapter assembly. Such clarity or semi-opacity allows a user to see the presence of oil within the tubing. In an embodiment, clear or semi-opaque tubing could be replaced with opaque tubing and a clear viewport within the opaque tubing to create similar cross-tube visibility.

In an embodiment, the EWOK employs a quick-connect/disconnect outlet connection to enable the user to quickly set up the EWOK for use. The quick-connect/disconnect outlet connection may be connected directly to a length of oil hosing running from the pumping mechanism to one or more holding tanks for any oil extracted. The EWOK employs an inlet valve operative to prevent oil from dripping out of the hose when moving the entire assembly around one or more job sites.

In an embodiment, the EWOK includes a straw-tube adapter connection which attaches the EWOK assembly to a straw-tube. The straw-tube adapter and accompanying straw-tube are characterized by a tiny outer diameter tube operative to be inserted into the dipstick tube of an automotive engine and to suck oil out of the engine case through the dipstick tube, the straw-tube adapter connecting the straw-tube to the flow-visible tubing. The straw-tube adapter and accompanying straw also may be used to drain oil pans or other oil containers.

In an embodiment, the EWOK may include an oil hose holder designed to hook onto and manage the attached hose to maximize ease of carrying the EWOK. The EWOK may include an oil-fill cap holder designed to help prevent oil-fill cap loss.

In an embodiment, the instant innovation is a method of using the portable, electric powered, oil extraction device referred to herein by the acronym EWOK. In order to use the EWOK, a user must gain ready access to the dipstick-tube area of an automotive engine compartment. A user may open the hood of a vehicle being serviced and with access to the engine block assured, may perform the following steps for at least one embodiment of the instant innovation:

• • 1. Remove the dipstick from the dipstick tube.
  • 2. Grab the EWOK by the top handle and place it securely in the engine compartment close to the dipstick tube.
  • 3. Grab the straw tube with adapter and place it down into the open dipstick tube.
  • 4. Connect the straw adapter to the end of the clear tube of the EWOK on the inlet side (which in an embodiment is on the left side of the pump), ensuring it is seated fully. In an embodiment, the straw adapter will be fully seated when its constituent black O-rings are no longer visible.
  • 5. Connect the power cord end to the rear of the EWOK by inserting the connector and twisting it clockwise until it locks with a click.
  • 6. Connect the waste oil hose end to the male fitting on the outlet of the pump (which in an embodiment is on the right side of the pump). The fitting will click when seated fully.
  • 7. Turn the valve located at the end of the clear tube to the ON position (when the valve is in-line with the hose).
  • 8. Flip the power switch on the back of the device to the “on” position to begin pumping oil. The power switch will illuminate when on. Oil will flow up the straw and through the clear tube.
  • 9. Continue pumping until no more oil is seen flowing through the clear hose.
  • 10. Once pumping is complete, flip the power switch on the back of the device to the “off” setting. Switch light will turn off.
  • 11. Turn the valve located at the end of the clear tube to the “off” position (at which point the valve is commonly perpendicular to the hose).
  • 12. Remove the waste oil hose end by pulling down on the quick connect fitting.
  • 13. Remove the power cord on the rear of the EWOK by pulling back on the metal latch and twisting the connector counterclockwise, and then pulling it out.
  • 14. Remove the clear tube from the straw tube with the adapter by simply pulling the two elements apart.
  • 15. Grab the EWOK by the top handle, remove it from the engine compartment, and set it on the ground or other nearby work surface.
  • 16. Pull straw tube with adapter from dipstick tube and replace dipstick.
  • 17. After changing the oil filter, fill vehicle with required amount of oil.

Turning now to FIG. 1, an isometric drawing of the EWOK device consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention is shown. At 1000 is the EWOK assembly consisting of a housing/shroud 1002 with an attachable handle 1004; a pump 1003 with inlet strainer 1008, an outlet 1005, and a quick connect attached to the outlet 1006 (hose not shown); flexible hose 1010 connects inlet 1008 to quick-connector assembly 2006. Straw and adapter assembly 2000 is operative to mate with the distal end of quick-connector assembly 2006.

Turning now to FIG. 2, an isometric drawing of the straw-tube with adapter assembly and quick-connect adapter consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention is shown. Straw-tube and adapter assembly 2000 consists of straw-tube 2004 and straw adapter 2002. The straw-tube 2004 of sufficient diameter to enter and pass through the dipstick port of a vehicle and of sufficient length to extract all fluid within a vehicle oil pan. Straw adapter 2002 is operative to attach straw-tube 2004 to in-flow quick-connect adapter 2006 through use of a friction or threaded connection with distal end 2012 of in-flow quick-connect assembly 2006. In-flow quick-connect assembly 2006 includes a proximal end 2008 operative to connect to the flexible hose (not shown). A valve 2010 is operative to manage and/or interrupt fluid flow between distal end 2012 and proximal end 2008 of in-flow quick-connect assembly 2006.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a first use example of the EWOK consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention is shown. The EWOK is shown in place across the top portion of an automobile engine compartment in which the dipstick tube is located to the left of the main engine block.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a second use example of the EWOK consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention is shown. The EWOK is shown in place across the top portion of an automobile engine compartment in which the dipstick tube is located in front of the main engine block.

While certain illustrative embodiments have been described, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A fluid extraction device, comprising: a housing covering and encasing a pump and wiring associated with said pump;said pump having a single inlet port and a single outlet port;electrical components comprising a start and stop power switch, operation indicator lights, and a power cord contained within said housing;said housing comprising openings through which said inlet port and said outlet port extend;a flexible inlet hose connecting to said single inlet port at the proximal end of said flexible hose;a valve operative to manage and/or interrupt fluid flow;a quick connect attached to said outlet port;said flexible hose further comprising a quick connector assembly at the distal end of the flexible hose;a straw-tube having a straw-adaptor at a proximal end of said straw-tube;the straw-tube of sufficient diameter to enter and pass through the dipstick port of a vehicle and of sufficient length to extract all fluid within a vehicle oil pan;said straw-adaptor operative to attach the straw-tube to the quick connector assembly of said flexible hose so as to form a leak proof attachment;said straw-tube connected to the flexible hose and the flexible hose connected to the inlet port of the pump such that when the fluid extraction device is placed in operation the pump extracts liquid from a reservoir through the flexible hose and transfers the pumped liquid to a separate container through the single outlet port.

2. The fluid extraction device of claim 1, where the housing further comprises a handle on the top portion of said housing of such surface geometry to permit an individual to carry the device.

3. The fluid extraction device of claim 1, further comprising a circuit protector contained within the housing and configured to protect against over-current conditions.

4. The fluid extraction device of claim 1, further comprising non-marring feet disposed and connected to the bottom of the housing upon which the device rests when in use.

5. The fluid extraction device of claim 1, further comprising an inlet strainer/filter disposed between the flexible hose and the inlet port and operative to prevent foreign body materials within the extracted liquid from passing through said pump.

6. The fluid extraction device of claim 1, where the outlet port is connected directly to a separate length of hosing that is disposed from the device to one or more holding tanks during extraction operations.

7. The fluid extraction device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible hose holder attached to the side of said housing to attach the flexible hose when moving or carrying the device between operations and alternate locations.

8. The fluid extraction device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid cap holder designed to prevent fill cap loss of fluid during extraction operations.

9. The fluid extraction device of claim 1, where the straw-tube proximal end straw-adaptor connects to the quick connector assembly at the distal end of the flexible hose.

10. The fluid extraction device of claim 1, where the quick connector assembly further comprises a valve disposed within the quick connector assembly to manage and/or interrupt fluid flow between the distal end and proximal end of said quick connector assembly.