Importance

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Abstract

A fluid change system (10) for use in changing fluid, i.e. motor oil from machinery. The system has a portable 'suitcase' unit (12) and a unit (14) for recharging the suitcase unit. The suitcase unit (12) has a used fluid tank (22) for collecting and storing used fluid under vacuum, a new fluid tank (20) for storing and delivering new fluid, and a compressed air tank (18). A four-way valve (56) controls the inflow of used fluid into and new fluid out of the suitcase unit (12). The suitcase unit (12) has recharge ports (58, 60, 62, 64, and 66) through which the new fluid tank (20) will be refilled with new fluid and recharged with pressurized inert gas, the used fluid tank (22) will be emptied of used fluid and placed under a vacuum, and the compressed air tank (18) will be refilled with compressed air. A venturi operable by air from the compressed air tank (18) permits the user to put extra vacuum on the used fluid tank (22) as the need arises. The suitcase recharge unit (14) provides a station into which the suitcase portion (12) is engageable, and has a recharge port engagement manifold (190) with a number of transfer ports (192, 194, 196, 198, and 200) which are engageable with the recharge ports (58, 60, 62, 64, and 66) of the suitcase unit (12). A computer (212) controls the recharge sequence in which the operation of valves (202, 204, 206, 208, and 210) controls flow of fluids through the transfer ports (192, 194, 196, 198, and 200) from sources of compressed air (216), inert gas (218), vacuum (214), and new fluid (222), and a vessel (220) for used fluid collected from the suitcase unit (12).

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First Claim