Claims
- 1. A device for precise replacement of liquid, which may be augmented by makeup or be for makeup alone, in general, which device Comprises boundaries for at least one incoming liquid volume and at least one exiting liquid volume, and between or among the incoming and exiting liquid volumes at least one pressure-transmitting barrier, wherein the device includes at least one of the following: multiple units of the device; delivery of multiple, separate liquids; various rates or replacement; topping up of expended liquids and/or their additives; use of vacuum force from operation of the mechanism to induce replacement; and/or use of pneumatic, hydraulic and/or mechanical actuated force to induce replacement, can be provided as or in conjunction with the device.
- 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the makeup augmentation includes not only a device for precise replacement where expelled liquid is regulated by incoming liquid but also a contrivance for expelling liquid not regulated by incoming liquid.
- 3. The device of claim 2, wherein multiple device units for precise replacement of a liquid are present.
- 4. The device of claim 2, wherein a multi-part pressure-transmitting barrier is present.
- 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said pressure-transmitting barrier is a multi-unit diaphragm and/or flexible bag set.
- 6. The device of claim 4, wherein said pressure-transmitting barrier is a multi-part piston.
- 7. The device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of pressure-transmitting barriers are present to provide for multiple sequential liquid delivery capability.
- 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said plurality of pressure-transmitting barriers are composed of stackable pistons.
- 9. The device of claim 1, wherein rate of replacement is other than 1:1.
- 10. The device of claim 2, wherein use of vacuum force from operation of the mechanism induces replacement.
- 11. A method for precise replacement with optional makeup of a liquid in a mechanism by operation of the device, which may occur before, during or after operation of the mechanism, which method comprises, but not necessarily in series, the following steps: providing an operating mechanism; providing a liquid for the operating mechanism; providing a liquid-handling device as claimed in claim 1; providing at least one liquid for the device; and replacing a liquid of the operating mechanism or a component portion thereof.
- 12. The method of claim 11, which occurs during normal operation of the operating mechanism.
- 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the operating mechanism is installed in a motor vehicle and is/are an internal combustion engine and/or an automatic transmission; the liquid is motor oil and/or transmission fluid, and the normal operation is driving.
CROSS-REFERENCES
[0001] Priority under 35 USC 119(e) is claimed of U.S. application Ser. Nos. 60/092,127 filed on Jul. 9, 1998 and 60/132,087 filed on Apr. 30, 1999. The complete specifications of those provisional patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60092127 |
Jul 1998 |
US |
|
60132087 |
Apr 1999 |
US |