Patent Application
20150196999
The present disclosure generally relates to the use of hand-held removal tools in removing strainers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a strainer removal tool for the removal of a strainer from a fill neck of a liquid container.
As it relates to the operation of low-emission regulated engines, an aftertreatment system is associated with treating the exhaust of an engine system. The aftertreatment system is configured to treat and reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and/or other unfavorable compounds present in an exhaust gas flow. In order to reduce NOx, the aftertreatment system may include a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system having a reductant delivery module. The reductant delivery module may include a tank to store a reductant. The reductant from the tank may be delivered to a reductant injector via a pump and reductant delivery lines.
In existing SCR systems, it is typical for the tank of the reductant delivery module to include a debris removal device between the tank and the pump, such as a filter element. The filter element is generally used to remove particulate matter from the liquid to avoid contamination of the liquid reductant. Such filter element may be specialized, expensive and difficult to service and clean, resulting in engine shutdown. Over a period of time, the filter element becomes clogged with particulate contamination from the reductant that is pumped into the tank. Hence, the filter elements may require frequent service. The filter elements may be hard to access and difficult to disconnect, which makes removal of the filter elements from the tanks cumbersome and time consuming Moreover, the reductant is generally a liquid which an operator does not want to touch, get on clothes or spill on the ground. Therefore, care must be taken to remove for service and install the new or cleaned filter element after the service.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,495,320 discloses an apparatus to grip filter cartridges and unseat them. The apparatus includes arcuate-shaped jaw portions to provide inward pressure in an attempt to hold the filter cartridge for removal. However such filter cartridge may still be prone to movement relative to the jaw portions and slippage of the filter cartridge is likely as it is being removed.
Various aspects of the present disclosure describe a strainer removal tool for removal of a strainer from a fill neck of a liquid container. The strainer is engaged with the fill neck of the liquid container via at least one locking tab. The at least one locking tab has a perimeter portion and a neck portion. The at least one locking tab is movable in a radial direction, which unlocks the strainer from the fill neck. This facilitates simultaneous selective ejection of the strainer by longitudinal movement of the strainer, via depression of the locking tab of the strainer. The strainer removal tool includes a first member and a second member. The first member has a first handle portion and a first jaw portion. Similarly, the second member includes a second handle portion and a second jaw portion. Each of the first jaw portion and the second jaw portion includes tip portions. Each tip portion includes a tooth portion, a recessed portion and a clamp profile. The tooth portion is positioned radially inward to engage the locking tab of the strainer. The recessed portion of the tip portion includes a cut-out portion to receive the perimeter portion of the locking tab of the strainer. The clamp profile has a radial portion, which overlays the perimeter portion of the locking tab. The first member is pivotably attached to the second member between the handle portions and the jaw portions. The first jaw portion and the second jaw portion are moveable radially inwards towards each other, in response to selective movement of the handle portions of the first member and second member.
Referring to
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The first jaw portion 48 and the second jaw portion 48′ both include tip portions 52, 52′. The tip portions 52, 52′ include tooth portions 54, 54′, clamp profiles 56, 56′, and recessed portions 58, 58′. The tooth portions 54, 54′ are structured to be positioned radially inward to engage the locking tabs 28, 28′ of the strainer 20. The tooth portions 54, 54′ are connected to the clamp profiles 56, 56′, each of which has a radial portion that overlays the perimeter portions 36, 36′ of the locking tabs 28, 28′. The clamp profiles 56, 56′ are connected to the recessed portions 58, 58′, which have cut-out portions such that the recessed portions 58, 58′ mate with the perimeter portions 36, 36′. In response to selective movement of the first handle portion 44 and the second handle portion 44′, the first jaw portion 48 and the second jaw portion 48′ move towards each other.
Referring to
In addition, as shown in
During the removal process, the tip portions 52, 52′ are squeezed by manipulation of the first handle portion 44 and the second handle portion 44′. As the tip portions 52, 52′ move close to each other, the tooth portions 54, 54′, the clamp profiles 56, 56′, and the recessed portions 58, 58′ depress the first wing portions 30, 30′ and the second wing portions 32, 32′ of the locking tabs 28, 28′. As shown in
In operation, the strainer removal tool 22 is inserted in the fill neck 14 and engages with the strainer 20. The tooth portions 54, 54′ are engaged with the first wing portions 30, 30′ of the locking tabs 28, 28′. This implies that the clamp profiles 56, 56′ overlay the perimeter portions 36, 36′ of the second wing portions 32, 32′. Due to the profile of the recessed portions 58, 58′, the perimeter portions 36, 36′ of the second wing portions 32, 32′ mate with the recessed portions 58, 58′. Upon securing all the above mentioned engagements, the first handle portion 44 and the second handle portion 44′ are manipulated in a way such that the first jaw portion 48 and the second jaw portion 48′ move towards each other and against the locking tabs 28, 28′, to attain a relatively tight engagement of the tip portions 52, 52′ with the locking tabs 28, 28′. This results in depression of the first wing portions 30, 30′ and the second wing portions 32, 32′ in a radially inward direction. Depression of the locking tabs 28, 28′ leads to disengagement of the locking tabs 28, 28′ with the retention fins 60, 60′ of the fill neck 14. Upon disengagement of the locking tabs 28, 28′, the strainer removal tool 22 pulls out the strainer 20 from the fill neck 14.
The disclosed strainer removal tool 22 is equipped with the tip portions 52, 52′ structured to engage with the locking tabs 28, 28′ of the strainer 20. The tip portions 52, 52′, hence, efficiently mate with the first wing portions 30, 30′ of the locking tabs 28, 28′. This prevents damage to the locking tabs 28, 28′ of the strainer 20. The strainer removal tool 22 is convenient to use and facilitates efficient removal of the strainer 20.
The many features and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, are intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the disclosure that fall within the true spirit and scope thereof. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described herein. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within the scope of the disclosure.
