Total fluid exchange system for automatic transmissions

Abstract

A system for providing total fluid exchange for an automatic transmission which interconnects with the transmission's opened cooling circuit to deliver new, fresh fluid to the transmission while simultaneously extracting the spent, used fluid. The system provides a means of quick and random interconnection to an opened cooling circuit and means of identifying and aligning direction of flow in such cooling circuit. The system can accurately calibrate and regulate the rate that fresh fluid will flow into the transmission to be the same as that at which the used fluid is extracted, both of which are regulated to flow at the same rate that fluid normally circulates at in the cooling circuit when it is closed under similar operating conditions. Quick coupling devices are used for ease and speed of interconnection of the system into operative position, for quick removal of the system and for reconnection of the opened cooling circuit for ease of repeat, periodic servicing by the system as a regular maintenance procedure.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A total fluid exchange system for vehicles having an automatic transmission and a fluid cooling circuit including the transmission and a fluid cooler with interconnecting fluid flow lines therebetween, said system including: a. means for interconnecting the system into a selected one of the fluid flow lines;   b. a source of fresh fluid for exchange with used, spent fluid existing in the circuit;   c. a receptacle for receiving the used, spent fluid;   d. means for delivering fresh fluid from said fresh fluid source to said system;   e. means for determining the direction of flow of fluid through the cooling circuit;   f. means for aligning the flow of fluid through the system with the flow through the cooling circuit whereby used, spent fluid is dispersed therefrom and fresh fluid replaces the same; and,   g. means for determining the clarity of the used, spent fluid and the clarity of the fresh fluid to determine the total replacement of the used, spent fluid with fresh fluid.   
     
     
       2. The system as set for in claim 1 and: a. said means for delivering fluid from said fresh fluid source includes a source of pressurized gas communicating with said fresh fluid source; and   b. means for controlling the pressure of the gas delivered from said gas source to said fresh fluid source.   
     
     
       3. The system as set forth in claim 1 and: a. valve means arranged and constructed to provide a fluid bypass whereby used, spent fluid is allowed to flow through the system; and   b. tap means associated with said valve for determining the clarity of the used, spent fluid flowing through the system by drawing off a selected amount of used, spent fluid from the cooling circuit.   
     
     
       4. The system as set forth in claim 3 and; a. said valve means including a positionable valve body to selectively provide said fluid bypass in a first position; and,   b. said valve body being shiftable to a second position to allow flow of fresh fluid into the system to disburse the used, spent fluid to said spent fluid receptacle.   
     
     
       5. The system as set forth in claim 1 and a fluid flow reversing valve including: a. a positionable valve body having a first position to allow fluid to flow directly therethrough; and,   b. said positionable valve body being shiftable to a second position whereby fluid flow through said system is reversable in association with said means for determining the direction of flow of fluid through the cooling system.   
     
     
       6. The system as set forth in claim 2; and, a. fluid pressure indicating means arranged adjacent said source of fresh fluid to determine the pressure of fluid being delivered therefrom;   b. fluid pressure indicating means arranged adjacent said used, spent fluid receptacle to determine the pressure of fluid being delivered thereto; and,   c. means for controlling the pressure of the gas delivered from said gas source being adjustable whereby said fluid pressures of fluid being delivered from said fresh fluid source and fluid being delivered to said used, spent fluid receptacle may be substantially balanced to prevent operation of the transmission in a dry state.   
     
     
       7. The system as set forth in claim 1 and, a. said means for interconnecting said system into said selected one of said fluid flow lines including quick change, male and female hydraulic connectors arranged on said system; and,   b. compatible male and female connectors arranged on respective ends of said interconnecting fluid flow lines of said cooling circuit whereby said system may be rapidly positioned into said cooling circuit.   
     
     
       8. The system as set forth in claim 1 and, a. said means for determining the direction of flow of fluid through the cooling circuit and said means for aligning the flow of fluid through the system include electronically operable members; and,   b. microprocessor means arranged and constructed to receive signals from said electronically operable members and controlling said means for aligning the flow in response to the flow direction determination.   
     
     
       9. The system as set forth in claim 1 and said means for delivering fluid from said fresh fluid source including electronically operable pump means. 
     
     
       10. The system as set forth in claim 9 and said means for determining the clarity of used spent fluid and clarity of fresh fluid including infrared, electronically operable means whereby the total transfer and replacement of used, spent fluid with fresh fluid may be electronically determined. .Iadd. 
     
     
       11.  A fluid exchange system for use in exchanging a used fluid with a fresh fluid in a vehicle having an automatic transmission and a fluid cooling circuit operatively connected to conduct a circulated fluid therein, said fresh fluid being contained in and dispensed from a source external to said vehicle, said used fluid initially being contained within said fluid cooling circuit and discharged into a receptacle external to said vehicle, said fluid exchange system comprising: at least one fluid line interconnected to the fluid exchange system, the source, and the fluid cooling circuit to conduct fresh fluid from the source into the fluid cooling circuit;   a flow indicator operatively connected to the fluid exchange system for determining an operational direction of flow of the circulated fluid within the fluid cooling circuit; and   an alignment mechanism operatively connected to the fluid exchange system for aligning the flow of the fresh fluid relative to the flow of circulated fluid within the fluid cooling circuit..Iaddend..Iadd.12. The fluid exchange system of claim 11 which is used by a user, the fluid exchange system further comprising:   a visual indicator disposed in operative association with the fluid exchange system for the user to determine the clarity of the circulated fluid..Iaddend..Iadd.13. The fluid exchange system of claim 12 wherein the visual indicator permits the user to identify substantially total replacement of the used fluid with the fresh fluid based upon the observed clarity of the circulated fluid at a point external to the vehicle..Iaddend..Iadd.14. The fluid exchange system of claim 12 wherein the visual indicator permits the user to verify the relative proportion of the used fluid and the fresh fluid in the circulated fluid based upon the observed clarity of the circulated fluid at a point external to the   
     
     
        vehicle..Iaddend..Iadd.15.  The fluid exchange system of claim 14 wherein the visual indicator permits the user to verify substantially total replacement of the used fluid with the fresh fluid based upon the observed clarity of the circulated fluid being discharged from the fluid cooling circuit..Iaddend..Iadd.16. The fluid exchange system of claim 11 further comprising: a tap operatively associated with said at least one fluid line for determining the clarity of the circulated fluid by drawing off an amount of the circulated fluid discharged from the cooling circuit through said tap..Iaddend..Iadd.17. The fluid exchange system of claim 11 further comprising:   an indicator disposed in operative association with the fluid exchange system to determine the clarity of the circulated fluid..Iaddend..Iadd.18. The fluid exchange system of claim 17 wherein the indicator comprises:   an infrared sensor, said infrared sensor producing a signal corresponding to the relative clarity of the circulated fluid at the indicator..Iaddend..Iadd.19. The fluid exchange system of claim 18 wherein the indicator permits verification of substantially total replacement of the used fluid with the fresh fluid based upon the detected clarity of the circulated fluid at a point external to the vehicle..Iaddend..Iadd.20. The fluid exchange system of claim 18 wherein the indicator permits verification of substantially total replacement of the used fluid with the fresh fluid based upon the detected clarity of the circulated fluid being   
     
     
        discharged from the fluid cooling circuit..Iaddend..Iadd.21.  The fluid exchange system of claim 11 further comprising: a valve operatively connected to the fluid exchange system and arranged to provide a fluid bypass such that the circulated fluid flows through said valve from the fluid cooling circuit; and   an indicator for determining the direction of flow of the circulated fluid flowing through said valve..Iaddend..Iadd.22. The fluid exchange system of claim 11 further comprising:   a flow-reversing valve including a valve body moveable between a first position and a second position, said valve body directing either the used fluid or the new fluid to flow therethrough in a first direction when said flow-reversing valve is oriented in said first direction, and directing the used fluid or the new fluid to flow therethrough in a second direction opposite to said first direction when said flow-reversing valve is oriented in said second direction, such that said flow-reversing valve permits reversing the flow of the used fluid or the new fluid with reference to the flow direction of circulated fluid within the fluid cooling system..Iaddend..Iadd.23. The fluid exchange system of claim 22 further comprising:   a visual indicator disposed in operative association with the fluid exchange system to determine by visual observation the flow direction of the circulated fluid being discharged from the fluid cooling circuit, such that the flow-reversing valve may be selectively moved from the first position to the second position to redirect the flow therethrough in   
     
     
        response to said visual observation..Iaddend..Iadd.24.  The fluid exchange system of claim 22 further comprising: an indicator disposed in operative association with the fluid exchange system to determine the flow direction of circulated fluid being discharged from the fluid cooling circuit, such that the flow-reversing valve may be responsively moved from the first position to the second position to redirect the flow therethrough..Iaddend..Iadd.25. The fluid exchange system of claim 11 wherein the fresh fluid is pressurized generally proximate to the source..Iaddend..Iadd.26. The fluid exchange system of claim 25 further comprising:   a control mechanism to adjust the pressure exerted on the fresh fluid..Iaddend..Iadd.27. The fluid exchange system of claim 26 wherein the control mechanism operates in response to a signal produced by the fluid exchange system..Iaddend..Iadd.28. The fluid exchange system of claim 25 wherein the source of the fresh fluid is pressurized with a gas..Iaddend..Iadd.29. The fluid exchange system of claim 25 further comprising:   a first fluid pressure indicator operatively connected to the source to determine the pressure of the fresh fluid being delivered therefrom;   a second fluid pressure indicator operatively connected to the receptacle to determine the pressure of the circulated fluid being discharged therein;   a pressure source for exerting pressure on the fresh fluid contained within the source; and   a pressure control to adjust the pressure exerted by said pressure source on the fresh fluid in response to a pressure differential measured between said first fluid pressure indicator and said second fluid pressure   
     
     
        indicator..Iaddend..Iadd.30.  The fluid exchange system of claim 29 wherein the pressure exerted by the pressure source on the fresh fluid is adjusted such that the pressure differential is substantially balanced so as to prevent operation of the transmission of the vehicle without a sufficient quantity of either the used fluid or the fresh fluid being 
     
     
        contained therein..Iaddend..Iadd.31.  The fluid exchange system of claim 11 further comprising: at least one quick coupling assembly for interconnecting the fluid exchange system to the at least one fluid line, said at least one quick coupling assembly permitting rapid manual connection between the fluid exchange system and the at least one fluid line..Iaddend..Iadd.32. The fluid exchange system of claim 30 wherein the at least one quick coupling assembly includes a male hydraulic connector and a female hydraulic connector which matingly engages said male connector in fluid communication therewith..Iaddend..Iadd.33. The fluid exchange system of claim 11 further comprising:   at least one quick coupling assembly for interconnecting the at least one fluid line to the fluid cooling circuit, said at least one quick coupling assembly permitting rapid manual connection between the at least one fluid line and the fluid cooling circuit..Iaddend..Iadd.34. The fluid exchange system of claim 33 wherein the at least one quick coupling assembly includes a male hydraulic connector and a female hydraulic connector which matingly engages said male connector in fluid communication therewith..Iaddend..Iadd.35. The fluid exchange system of claim 11 wherein the flow indicator produces an output signal and the alignment mechanism operates in response to an input signal, the fluid exchange system further comprising:   a microprocessor connected to the flow indicator and the alignment mechanism to receive the output signal from the flow indicator and transmit the input signal to the alignment mechanism in response to the microprocessor determining an incorrect orientation in the operative connection between the fluid cooling circuit and the fluid exchange system..Iaddend..Iadd.36. The fluid exchange system of claim 11 further comprising:   a pump for delivering the fresh fluid from the source to the fluid cooling circuit..Iaddend..Iadd.37. The fluid exchange system of claim 36 wherein the pump is electronically controlled..Iaddend..Iadd.38. The fluid exchange system of claim 37 wherein the pump operates in response to an input signal, the fluid exchange system further comprising:   a microprocessor connected to the fluid exchange system and the pump to transmit the input signal to the pump in response to substantially total   
     
     
        replacement of the used fluid with the fresh fluid..Iaddend..Iadd.39.  A method for exchanging a used fluid with a fresh fluid in a vehicle having a transmission connected to a fluid circuit for conducting a circulated fluid therein in an operational direction, said used fluid initially being contained within said transmission and said fluid circuit, at least a substantial portion of which is subsequently discharged into a receptacle, said fresh fluid initially being contained in a source container, said method comprising the steps of: providing a fluid exchange system having a fluid flow alignment mechanism;   connecting said fluid exchange system to the fluid circuit of the vehicle such that the fresh fluid flows from the source container into the transmission;   operating said fluid flow alignment mechanism to align the flow of the fresh fluid relative to the flow of the circulated fluid within the fluid circuit; and   pumping a quantity of the fresh fluid sufficient to substantially replace the used fluid within the transmission and the fluid circuit from the source container into the transmission and the fluid circuit within the vehicle as the used fluid is expelled from the transmission and the fluid circuit into the receptacle at substantially equivalent volumetric flow rates..Iaddend..Iadd.40. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of pumping is accomplished by operating the transmission..Iaddend..Iadd.41. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of pumping the quantity of fresh fluid is assisted by exerting a gas pressure on the fresh fluid..Iaddend..Iadd.42. The method of claim 39 wherein the fluid exchange system includes an indicator disposed in operative association with the fluid exchange system to determine the clarity of the circulated fluid, the method further comprising the step of:   verifying that substantially total replacement of the used fluid within the transmission and fluid circuit with the fresh fluid has been achieved based upon the clarity of the circulated fluid detected at a point   
     
     
        external to the vehicle..Iaddend..Iadd.43.  The method of claim 39 wherein the fluid exchange system includes a valve operatively connected to the fluid exchange system and arranged to provide a fluid bypass, said valve having a valve body moveable between a first position and a second position, said valve body defining a fluid flow direction when oriented in said first position and reversing said fluid flow direction when oriented in said second position, and an indicator for determining the direction of flow of the circulated fluid flowing through said valve, said method comprising the steps of: determining the fluid flow direction of the circulated fluid through the valve;   comparing whether the fluid flow direction is correct given the relative connections between the source, the fluid exchange system, the transmission, and the fluid circuit; and   selectively moving the valve body to the second position so as to reverse said fluid flow direction through the valve if the fluid flow direction is   
     
     
        not correct..Iaddend..Iadd.44.  A fluid exchange system for use in exchanging a used fluid with a fresh fluid in a vehicle having an automatic transmission and a fluid cooling circuit operatively connected to conduct a circulated fluid therein, said fresh fluid being contained in and dispensed from a source external to said vehicle, said used fluid initially being contained within said fluid cooling circuit and discharged into a receptacle external to said vehicle, said fluid exchange system comprising: at least one fluid line interconnected to the fluid exchange system, the source, and the fluid cooling circuit to conduct fresh fluid from the source into the fluid cooling circuit; and   an alignment mechanism operatively connected to the fluid exchange system for aligning the flow of the fresh fluid relative to the flow of circulated fluid within the fluid cooling circuit..Iaddend..Iadd.45. The fluid exchange system of claim 44 further comprising:   a flow indicator operatively connected to the fluid exchange system for determining an operational direction of flow of the circulated fluid within the fluid cooling circuit..Iaddend..Iadd.46. The fluid exchange system of claim 45 wherein the flow indicator is a visual flow indicator..Iaddend.