Self contained lubricant dispenser

BACKGROUND ART

0001While larger vehicle maintenance and service facilities have a number of options for automated metered dispensing of fluids, smaller facilities performing relatively few daily oil changes (e. g. 5) have less choice. In such applications, lubricants may be dispensed by (1) pouring from quart/litre containers; (2) hand pumping from a bulk container; or (3) filling a bucket or other container with the desired quantity of lubricant and then pouring from that container into the vehicle.

0002<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US5242271A"><text>US5242271</text></patcit>, according to the preamble of claim 1, discloses a device for dispensing oils, antifreeze and other fluids from drums or other bulk containers which has a rotary air motor which powers a gerotor-type pumping element. The pumping element has at least one magnet thereon and an electronics package is provided which counts the number of magnetic pulses which occur during the rotation of the gerotor and converts it over to the quantity of material pumped. A valve controls the flow of air to the air motor which in turn allows an operator to control the dispensing of fluid from the outlet of the pumping element.

0003<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="FR2786477"><text>FR2786477</text></patcit> discloses a fuel distributor gun which is fitted with one or more integrated displays which indicate the amount of fuel dispensed and the price per litre and the total price. The displays are on the upper face of the body of the gun in front of the handgrip, there dimensions are such that the displays are visible during filling of a vehicles fuel tank.

0004<patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="DE8705299"><text>DE8705299</text></patcit> discloses a device comprising a hydroelectric pump motor, a piston measuring pump, a flow meter, a tube connecting a container with the pump and a dispensing valve.

0005<patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US4719991A"><text>US4719991</text></patcit> discloses a lubricant distribution system which includes a standard oil storage tank, a pump, a retractable hose reel for discharging the lubricant, and a saddle bracket for mounting the reel to the covered upper surface of the tank. The bracket is configured to facilitate attachment of the reel to a lubricant containing tank in an operative system by connecting to the tank at the ventilation cap fitting of the tank, and to be supported and levelled upon the tank with adjustable feet.

0006<patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US4883202A"><text>US4883202</text></patcit> discloses an anti-spill apparatus including a liquid recovery system, for use with a liquid pumping system, which recovers and returns to a liquid container, any liquid which is inadvertently emitted by the liquid pumping system. The apparatus contemplates a pump, having a feeder hose received in a liquid containing barrel, for conveying chemicals and the like contained in the barrel, to a remote location and a new mounting system for mounting the pump on the barrel. The recovery system includes a splash guard which encases a portion of the pump, a recovery hose coupled between a downstream portion of the feeder hose and the splash guard, and a drain spout which receives the liquid from the splash guard and conveys it to the liquid container.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

0007It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a portable integrated oil dispensing unit primarily for use in auto repair shops and low volume service stations where low volume, infrequent fluid dispense is desired. Thus, the invention consists of a dispenser as defined by claim 1.

0008Towards this end, the integrated design incorporates a dispense valve, a meter, a hose, an AC powered (plug it into a normal wall socket) electric pump, power cord and adjustable fluid suction tube, all packaged in one portable unit.. The unit is capable of dispensing fluids such as standard SAE grade automotive motor oils, automatic transmission fluid (ATF), gear lube, hydraulic oil and engine coolant (antifreeze) The pump motor will shut down at completion of dispense; and emergency shut-off can be provided These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

0009<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> is a schematic view of the lubricant dispenser of the instant invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref> is a view of the lubricant dispenser of the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.</li></ul>

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

0010The instant invention, generally designated 10, is comprised of a flow meter 1 ion conjunction with a pump 2. In the preferred embodiment, these two elements are combined wherein pump 2 is of the gerotor type and the flow meter 1 is formed by locating a Hall Effect sensor 2a in the gerotor housing so as to count the pulses generated by movement of the gerotor teeth due to fluid flow therethrough.

0011A DC motor 3 drives pump 2 through a gearbox 12 to reduce the rpm level. In the preferred embodiment, the motor 3 runs at 20,000 RPM and is geared down to around 600 rpm to yield a flow rate of around 6.8 litres (1.5 gallons) per minute. Dispenser 10 is designed for mounting on a bulk fluid container 4 and has a suction tube 5 depending downwardly into container 4. A portable base 6 may be provided.

0012Dispensing hose 7 leads to dispense valve 8 which has a display 8a thereon to indicate the amount dispensed. Dispense valve 8 is provided with a non-drip nozzle 14 which requires a pressure of about 138 kPa (20 psi) in order to open and provide fluid flow.

0013Dispense valve 8 also has a trigger 8b which is an electrical switch rather than a mechanical valve and communicates with control 16 either via a wireless link or through one or more wires 7A incorporated into hose 7. A hose reel 11 or hose rack (for winding up hose) is desirably incorporated into the unit 10. Flow meter 1 transmits volume dispense information to display 8a either via a wireless link or through one or more wires 7A incorporated into hose 7.

0014For operation, all the operator need do is insert suction tube 5 into container 4 and place unit 10 on top of container 4. After plugging in the unit, it is ready to dispense. The unit first has to be primed, that is, by opening the dispense valve 8 until fluid flows from valve 8. At that point, flow meter 1 will read the amount dispensed. The flow meter/display combination and associated control electronics are also capable of performing preset dispense, that is, a desired amount (e.g. 4.7 litres (5 quarts)) is designated by the operator and the unit ceases dispensing when that amount has been dispensed.

0015It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made to the lubricant dispenser without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.