System for and method of draining fluid

Abstract

A system for draining fluid comprises a drain adapter configured for attachment to a first fluid container, an actuator that is removably attachable to the drain adapter and a second fluid container. The drain adapter has a closed position, in which fluid is prevented from draining from the first fluid container, and an open position, in which the fluid is allowed to drain from the first fluid container. The drain adapter is self-biased to the closed position. Attachment of the actuator to the drain adapter causes the drain adapter to be in the open position and removal of the actuator from the drain adapter causes the drain adapter to return to the closed position. The second fluid container is removably attachable to the drain adapter and contains fluid drained from the first fluid container when the drain adapter is in the open position.

1 . A system for draining fluid comprising: 
 a drain adapter configured for attachment to a first fluid container, the drain adapter having a closed position in which fluid is prevented from draining from the first fluid container and an open position in which the fluid is allowed to drain from the first fluid container, the drain adapter being self-biased to the closed position;    an actuator that is removably attachable to the drain adapter, wherein attachment of the actuator to the drain adapter causes the drain adapter to be in the open position and removal of the actuator from the drain adapter causes the drain adapter to return to the closed position; and    a second fluid container that is removably attachable to the drain adapter for containing fluid drained from the first fluid container when the drain adapter is in the open position.    
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid container is part of machinery.  
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the drain adapter remains attached to the machinery during operation of the machinery.  
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the machinery comprises an internal combustion engine and the first fluid container is an oil pan of the internal combustion engine.  
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the drain adapter is attached to the machinery by a threaded valve collar that replaces a threaded plug.  
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is attached to the drain adapter by sliding the actuator into an opening in the drain adapter.  
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 6 , further comprising means for obtaining a mechanical advantage for converting a force of sliding the actuator into a valve-opening force.  
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the drain adapter comprises an outer sleeve and an inner housing, the inner housing containing a valve and the outer sleeve being slidable with respect to the inner housing.  
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second fluid container comprises a flexible bag.  
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the drain adapter comprises a valve collar having a valve seat, a valve having a valve stem that extends through the valve collar and a coil spring that biases the valve and the valve seat into contact with each other to close the valve.  
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the valve is opened by the actuator separating the valve from the valve seat by pushing the valve into the first fluid container.  
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the drain adapter comprises an opening and the actuator comprises a wedge wherein insertion of the wedge into the opening causes the wedge to slidably engage the drain adapter to open the valve.  
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the drain adapter comprises a valve collar having a valve seat, a valve and a non-coiled spring retainer that biases the valve and the valve seat into contact with each other to close the valve.  
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the valve is opened by the actuator separating the valve from the valve seat by pushing the valve in a direction away from the first fluid container.  
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the drain adapter comprises an opening and the actuator comprises a wedge wherein insertion of the wedge into the opening causes the wedge to slidably engage the drain adapter to open the valve.  
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to the actuator wherein the handle is removably attachable to the second fluid container.  
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a valve for retaining fluid in the second fluid container.  
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein attachment of the handle to the second fluid container causes the valve to be opened and removal of the handle from the second fluid container causes the valve to be closed.  
   
   
       19 . A method of draining fluid comprising: 
 installing a drain adapter to a first fluid container, the drain adapter having a closed position in which fluid is prevented from draining from the first fluid container and an open position in which the fluid is allowed to drain from the first fluid container, the drain adapter being self-biased to the closed position;    attaching a second fluid container to an actuator;    attaching the actuator to the drain adaptor which causes the drain adapter to be in the open position such that fluid drains from the first fluid container to the second fluid container;    detaching the second fluid container from the drain adapter which causes the drain adapter to revert to the closed position; and    detaching the second fluid container from the actuator.    
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said attaching the second fluid container to an actuator opens a valve for containing fluid in the second fluid container and wherein said detaching the second fluid container from the actuator closes the valve.  
   
   
       21 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said attaching the actuator to the drain adaptor comprises sliding the actuator into an opening.  
   
   
       22 . The system according to  claim 21 , the drain adapter having outer sleeve and an inner housing and wherein said attaching the actuator to the drain adaptor further comprises sliding the outer sleeve with respect to the inner housing.  
   
   
       23 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said steps of attaching a second fluid container to an actuator, attaching the actuator to the drain adaptor, detaching the second fluid container from the drain adapter, and detaching the second fluid container from the actuator do not involve manipulation of a threaded fastener.