US20040165997A1

US20040165997A1 - Equi-pressure pump for cleaning an engine

Info

Publication number: US20040165997A1
Application number: US10/374,575
Authority: US
Inventors: Chih-An Kuo; Chien-Li Teng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-02-26
Filing date: 2003-02-26
Publication date: 2004-08-26

Abstract

An engine cleaning pump includes two piston heads reciprocally and movably received in two separate sleeves. When pressured air enters to force the two piston heads to move to the left, cleaning solution sucked from the fourth connector is able to flow to the first connector to carry the contaminated oil out of the engine. When the two piston heads are moved to the right, the cleaning solution forces the third ball away to pass through the oil entrance to enter the internal of the engine so as to clean the inside of the engine.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an equi-pressure pump, and more particularly to a pump having two chambers with the same pressure when employed to clean an engine with pressured air and cleaning solution.

2. Description of Related Art

An automobile, after running for a period of time, often experiences backfire, oil circulation blockage and many other problems causing the automobile to become sluggish. It is because of the contamination in the oil to cause the automobile to react slowly to control signals. The most harmful contamination in the oil to cause the automobile a problem is dirt. The dirt will accumulate in the oil pipes, in the engine and in the hull, which deteriorates the automobile condition.

In order to obviate the foregoing defects in the automobile, a chemical spray is developed to the market. The user just sprays the chemical compound directly to the area where contaminant accumulated. The chemical compound acts as a solvents so that the accumulated contaminant in the engine is dissolved and will flow with the oil into the hull. Periodically, when the user change the oil, the dirt is also removed. Although the chemical compound does dissolve the dirt accumulated every part in the engine where oil lubricates, little particles of contaminant is still left in the oil and will attach to side walls of cylinders or nozzles while flowing with the oil. That is, the cleaning effect of using the chemical compound is not as good as expected.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved equi-pressure pump to mitigate and obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved equi-pressure pump for cleaning an engine. The pump has two chambers formed on opposite sides of the pump and maintained equal pressure inside the chambers at all times to allow pressured air and cleaning solution to respectively flow through the two chambers. As a result of allowing pressured air and cleaning solution to flow through the two chambers, the internal structure of the engine is completely cleaned.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the equi-pressure pump of the present invention; [0009]
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the central block; [0010]
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the assembled pump; [0011]
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the assembled pump from a direction perpendicular to that in FIG. 3; [0012]
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the movement of working fluid in the pump; and [0013]
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the movement of the working fluid in the pump from another angle.[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the qusi-pressure pump in accordance with the present invention includes a central block ([0015] 10), a first sealing block (30) and a second sealing block (40). Two sleeves (20,20′) are respectively sandwiched between the central block (10) and the first sealing block (30) and the central block (10) and the second sealing block (40). Bolts (60) are provided to securely combine the first sealing block (30) and the second sealing block (40) so that the central block (10) is securely sandwiched between the first sealing block (30) and the second sealing block (40) via the sleeves (20,20′).
With reference to FIG. 2, the central block ([0016] 10) has a lateral passage (11) defined through the central block (10), an axial passage (12) axially extending through the central block (10) so as to be perpendicular to the lateral passage (11), an L-shaped first path (13), an L-shaped second path (14), a first parallel channel (15), a second parallel channel (16), an upper hole (17) and a lower hole (18).
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again and taking FIG. 4 for reference, the L-shaped first path ([0017] 13) and the L-shaped second path (14) are divided by the axial passage (12). A first distal end of the first path (13) extends into the lateral passage (11) and a second distal end of the first path (13) extends into the axial passage (12) so that the first path (13) communicates the lateral passage (11) with the axial passage (12). A first distal end of the second path (14) extends into the lateral passage (11) and a second distal end of the second path (14) extends into the axial passage (12) so that the second path (14) communicates the lateral passage (11) with the axial passage (12). A first hole (113) and a second hole (114) are defined in a side face defining the lateral passage (11) to communicate with air outside the central block (10). A sealing ring (19) is provided in two distal ends of the axial passage (12).
The sleeve ([0018] 20) defines therein a first chamber (21) and the sleeve (20′) defines therein a second chamber (21 1). The first hole (113) communicates with the first chamber (21) and the second hole (114) communicates with the second chamber (211). A shaft (22) movably received in the axial passage (12) has two protrusions (221,222) respectively formed on a mediate portion of the shaft (22), a first piston head (23) securely mounted on a first distal end of the shaft (22) and a second piston head (231) securely mounted on a second distal end of the shaft (22). The first piston head (23) is received in the first chamber (21) and the second piston head (231) is received in the second chamber (211) so that the first piston head (23) and the second piston head (231) are able to seal the first chamber (21) and the second chamber (211) in an air-tight manner.
The first sealing block ([0019] 30) securely connected to the sleeve (20) defines therein a first receiving room (31) in communication with the first chamber (21), an upper room (32) in communication with the first receiving room (31) for receiving therein a ball (34) and a lower room (33) in communication with the first receiving room (31) for receiving therein a ball (35).
The second sealing block ([0020] 40) securely connected to the sleeve (20′) defines therein a second receiving room (41) in communication with the second chamber (211), an upper room (42) in communication with the second receiving room (41) for receiving therein a ball (44) and a lower room (43) in communication with the second receiving room (41) for receiving therein a ball (45).
A moving element ([0021] 50) is received in the lateral passage (11) and has an H shape in cross section. The moving element (50) has two protruded portions (51) respectively formed on opposite sides of the moving element (50). Each of the two protruded portions (51) has a seal (52) mounted therearound and a cushion (53) mounted on a center of the protruded portion (51). A button (111) is provided on opposite distal ends of the lateral passage (11) and has a rod (112) extending therethrough to engage with the cushion (53) of opposite sides of the moving element (50). A first hole (113) is defined in the central block (10) to communicate the lateral passage (11) with the first chamber (21). A second hole (114) is defined in the central block to communicate the lateral passage (11) with the second chamber (211). It is noted that a shoulder (321,421) is defined in the upper room (32,42) to support the ball (34,44).
A first connector ([0022] 36,46) is connected to an opening of the upper room (32,42) and a second connector (37,47) is connected to an opening of the lower room (33,43). An air hose (171) is inserted in the upper hole (17) to connect to an air compressor. The first connector (36,46) has a recess (361,461) defined in a bottom of the first connector (36,46). The first connector (46) is connected to an oil entrance hole in the engine. The second connector (47) is connected to a cleaning solution source. The first connector (36) is connected to the oil reservoir and the second connector (37) is connected to the oil outlet in the engine.
Therefore, when the pressured air is pumped in through the air hose ([0023] 171) to the lateral passage (11) via the upper hole (17), the pressured air passes through a mediate portion between the two protruded portions (51) and enters the first chamber (21) to move the first piston head (23) as well as the shaft (22) to move to the left. While the first piston head (23) is moved to the left, the second piston head (231) is driven to move so that the fluid in the second chamber (211) is forced to enter the second hole (114), the lateral passage (11), the first path (13) and into the axial passage (12). After the fluid is in the axial passage (12), the fluid continues to enter the lower hole (18) through a mediate portion between the two protrusions (221,222). Eventually, the fluid enters a muffler (181) connected to the lower hole (18) for reducing noise.
While the shaft ([0024] 22) is moving to the left, the temporary suction by the movement of the second piston head (231) draws in the cleaning solution from the second connector (47). The cleaning solution forces the ball (45) away and enters the second chamber (211). Further, the leftward movement of the first piston head (23) is able to force the oil in the first chamber (21) to move to the receiving room (31) and the upper room (32) by pushing away the ball (34). Thus the contaminated oil together with the cleaning solution is able to be collected by the oil reservoir.
When the shaft ([0025] 22) is moving leftward, the pressured air flowing through the upper hole (17), the lateral passage (11), the first hole (113) and into the first chamber (21) is able to enter the first parallel channel (15). Because the first parallel channel (15) communicates with the axial passage (12), the pressured air is able to flow through the second path (14) and into the lateral passage (11) to move the moving element (50) leftward.
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the pressured air in the lateral passage ([0026] 11) from the upper hole (17) is able to enter the second hole (114) due to the movement of the moving element (50) and then the second chamber (211) to push the second piston head (231) together with the shaft (22) rightward. The rightward movement of the second piston head (231) draws in the cleaning solution from the second connector (47) to the second chamber (211). The cleaning solution is then able to push the ball (44) away and then enters the internal of the engine to proceed cleaning via the second connector (46). The recess (461) is defined to ensure that the cleaning solution enters the second connector (46) and the shoulder (421) ensures that the cleaning solution is able to push away the ball (44) and enter the upper room (42).
When the first piston head ([0027] 23) moves to the right, the air in the first chamber (21) is thus forced to enter the first hole (113). Therefore, the air enters the lateral passage (11) and passes the second path (14) to enter the axial passage (12) and the lower hole (18), eventually the muffler (181) to reduce noise.
The air entering the second chamber ([0028] 211) is able to flow through the second parallel channel (16) and into the axial passage (12). Because the axial passage (12) communicates with the first path (13), the air the able to enter the lateral passage (11) to push the moving element (50) to the right. As a result, the first piston head (23) and the second piston head (231) are able to reciprocally move from left to the right or vice versa. Therefore, after cleaning the internal of the engine, the cleaning solution enters the receiving room (31) and then goes to the oil reservoir. When the second piston head (231) moves to the right, the cleaning solution forces the ball (44) away and enters the upper room (42) and the second connector (46). Eventually, the cleaning solution goes through the second connector (46) and into the internal of the engine to clean the contaminant.
In summary, the advantages of the present invention are: [0029]
The pump provides two chambers with equal pressure and two piston heads that move as one. The power required to activate the pump is pressured air. Therefore, the pump is environment friendly. [0030]
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. [0031]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A pump for cleaning an engine, the pump comprising:

a central block having a lateral passage defined through the central block, an axial passage axially extending through the central block so as to be perpendicular to the lateral passage, an L-shaped first path, an L-shaped second path, a first parallel channel, a second parallel channel, an upper hole and a lower hole, wherein the L-shaped first path and the L-shaped second path are divided by the axial passage, a first distal end of the first path extends into the lateral passage and a second distal end of the first path extends into the axial passage so that the first path communicates the lateral passage with the axial passage, a first distal end of the second path extends into the lateral passage and a second distal end of the second path extends into the axial passage so that the second path communicates the lateral passage with the axial passage, a first hole and a second hole are defined in a side face defining the lateral passage to communicate with air outside the central block, a sealing ring is provided in two distal ends of the axial passage;

a first sleeve securely connected to a side of the central block and defining therein a first chamber and a second sleeve securely connected to a side of the central block to be opposite to the first sleeve and defining therein a second chamber, wherein the first hole communicates with the first chamber and the second hole communicates with the second chamber, a shaft is movably received in the axial passage and has two protrusions respectively formed on a mediate portion of the shaft, a first piston head is securely mounted on a first distal end of the shaft and a second piston head is securely mounted on a second distal end of the shaft, the first piston head is received in the first chamber and the second piston head is received in the second chamber so that the first piston head and the second piston head are able to seal the first chamber and the second chamber in an air-tight manner;

a first sealing block securely connected to the first sleeve and defining therein a first receiving room in communication with the first chamber, an upper room in communication with the first receiving room for receiving therein a first ball and a lower room in communication with the first receiving room for receiving therein a second ball;

a second sealing block securely connected to the second sleeve and defining therein a second receiving room in communication with the second chamber, an upper room in communication with the second receiving room for receiving therein a third ball and a lower room in communication with the second receiving room for receiving therein a fourth ball;

a moving element that is received in the lateral passage and has an H shape in cross section, the moving element has two protruded portions respectively formed on opposite sides of the moving element, each of the two protruded portions has a seal mounted therearound and a cushion mounted on a center of the protruded portion, a button is provided on opposite distal ends of the lateral passage and has a rod extending therethrough to engage with the cushion of opposite sides of the moving element to respectively engage with the cushions, the first hole defined in the central block communicates the lateral passage with the first chamber, the second hole defined in the central block communicates the lateral passage with the second chamber;

wherein a first connector is inserted into the upper room of the first sealing block for connecting to an oil reservoir, a second connector is inserted into the lower room of the first sealing block for connecting to an oil outlet of the engine, a third connector is inserted into the upper room of the second sealing block for connecting to an oil entrance and a fourth connector is inserted into the lower room of the second sealing block for connecting to a cleaning solution, a air hose is inserted into an upper hole defined to communicate with the lateral passage for connecting to a pressured air such that by driven of the pressured air, the first and second piston heads are able to move reciprocally back and forth and contaminated oil together with the cleaning solution is sent to the oil reservoir and the internal of the engine is cleaned.

2. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein a shoulder is defined in the upper first and third rooms to support the first and third balls.

3. The pump as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and the third connectors respectively have a recess defined in a bottom face thereof to ensure that the cleaning solution is able to enter the third connector and the contaminated oil is able to flow into the first connector.

4. The pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein a lower hole is defined in the central block to communicate with the axial passage to connect to a muffler.