EP1258452A1 - Device and method for recuperating a used liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

The collecting system consists of a container (1) connected to a source of a used fluid, especially on a vehicle, by a hose (6) with end couplings (7, 8). The container is located inside a closed chamber (15) and is equipped with a means for emptying the used fluid via a closed circuit. The inlet (2) of the container, to which the hose is connected, has a shutter (4) which closes the inlet until the hose coupling is fixed onto it. The hose has a flow meter (9) to measure the amount of fluid passing through it, and the container has a gauge (16) to indicate the volume of fluid inside it.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for recovery including a used fluid recovery container, in particular from a vehicle, and a first hose fitted to one of its ends of a first nozzle arranged to mate with an orifice evacuation of a circuit containing the used fluid.

Periodically, it is necessary to replace the fluids used lubrication systems, cooling systems and circuits hydraulics of motor machines because these fluids lose, during their existence, part of their properties: either by degradation or because they are charged with particles from different materials torn off by thermal shock and corrosion by the liquid circulating in the circuit. These particles, which can accumulate and form deposits, may damage the engine.

In the current state of the art, the personnel of maintenance, unscrew a fluid drain plug and collect the fluid used flowing by gravity into a container. The staff of maintenance then pours the contents of the container into an open barrel of liquid waste.

In recent years, a renewed interest in ecology and therefore the recycling of waste, particularly used fluids, has leads many people to imagine methods of cleaner and more environmentally friendly recovery. But none take into consideration an essential point of recycling which is the integrity of the waste, in particular used fluids. The point is important since it is easy to recycle, even to recondition a pure homogeneous product whereas this same product, once contaminated by other waste, becomes intractable and is condemned to incineration or landfilling, these two methods being expensive and harmful for the environment.

The object of the present invention is to provide an assembly which ensures the integrity of the used fluid, recovered not only during of the sample but also during its temporary storage, in order to allow possible repackaging under conditions economically acceptable.

This goal is achieved by providing a recovery device, according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises a closed enclosure in which said container is located, the first pipe being connected to the other end at a first orifice leading to said container, the container also being provided with an evacuation means for emptying using a closed circuit the used fluid.

Said device therefore makes it possible to recover the used fluid thanks to the connection of the first nozzle to the discharge port of the circuit containing the used fluid to be recycled which allows the used fluid to end up in the container without anyone having access to it. The operation fluid flow is then done either by gravity or by pressure on the circuit containing the fluid, either by suction of the fluid via a pump. A once the container is filled, the operator can empty the full container, for example towards a tank. This emptying, carried out in a closed circuit, can be done either by sucking the used liquid towards the tank, either by introducing a pressure to inside the container so as to cause the discharge of the used fluid to the tank or by letting the liquid flow by gravity to the tank. In all cases, the emptying will be carried out in a closed circuit towards the tank, this which prevents the used liquid from being contaminated and therefore makes it easily reusable.

According to a second embodiment, said first pipe includes, at the end opposite the first end piece, a second end piece arranged to be locked on the first orifice leading to the container, this first orifice being provided with a shutter device intended to block access to the container when the second nozzle is not locked on the first port. This embodiment makes it possible to carry out the recovery of the used fluid by locking the second nozzle on the first hole which causes the shutter to disengage and allows the flow of the used fluid towards the canister. In addition, when the operator unlocks the second end of the first hole leading to the container, the shutter device of the first orifice leading to the container is triggered, prohibiting access to the contents of the container. This configuration therefore allows guarantee the integrity of the waste thus recovered since it makes it impossible any external contamination.

According to a third embodiment according to the invention, the recovery device is characterized in that it comprises means outlet provided with an inlet arranged to be connected to a source of compressed fluid, the compressed fluid being intended to push the waste fluid from said container to a drain opening of said container. This arrangement makes it possible to introduce a compressed fluid inside the can of so as to expel the used fluid through an opening in the container. So the emptying will be accelerated by the pressure of the compressed fluid on the fluid use.

According to a fourth embodiment according to the invention, the recovery device may include recovery means provided with a second pipe arranged to be tuned, by one of its end, to a tank for used fluid and the other end having a third nozzle, arranged to be locked on said container.

In this way, this second hose can be used only for emptying, the hose can for example be connected to a tank orifice also having a closure device by a nozzle specific, or be connected in a sealed manner to the tank. So the emptying used fluid takes place in a closed circuit so as to guarantee the integrity of the used fluid to be recycled.

The invention will now be described in more detail using the drawings which show examples of embodiment of a following assembly the invention.

la figure 1a illustre schématiquement une forme de réalisation d'un dispositif de récupération comprenant un bidon;

la figure 1b illustre schématiquement une forme de réalisation d'un dispositif de récupération comprenant un tuyau;

la figure 2 illustre schématiquement le fonctionnement du dispositif de récupération lors de la récupération d'un fluide usagé issu d'un véhicule;

la figure 3 illustre schématiquement une méthode d'enlèvement des déchets liquides suivant l'invention; et

la figure 4 illustre schématiquement une forme de réalisation préférée du dispositif de récupération suivant l'invention.

la figure 5 illustre schématiquement une forme de réalisation préférentielle d'un procédé de remplacement de fluide usagé d'un circuit.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1a schematically illustrates an embodiment of a recovery device comprising a container;

Figure 1b schematically illustrates an embodiment of a recovery device comprising a pipe;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates the operation of the recovery device during the recovery of a used fluid from a vehicle;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a method of removing liquid waste according to the invention; and

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of the recovery device according to the invention.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of a process for replacing used fluid in a circuit.

In the drawings, the same reference has been assigned to a same or similar element.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the recovery according to the invention comprises a can 1, for example a barrel 200 liters, located in a closed enclosure 15, provided with a first port 2 and optionally an inlet for compressed fluid 3, each provided with a shutter device 4 and 5 intended to block access to the can of hermetically in case of non-supply of fluid. The set includes also a first pipe 6 provided at one of its ends with a first nozzle 7 arranged to mate with a discharge opening of a circuit containing the used fluid and at the other end of a second nozzle 8 arranged to be locked on the first port. The first pipe 6 can also be permanently connected to container 1. In the latter case, it is permanently attached to the first port. These tips can possibly be crimped on the pipe so as to produce an element unibloc. The pipe could possibly be fitted with a flow meter 9 to control the total amount of fluid flowing through the hose to the container to prevent overflow of the container.

This recovery device makes it possible to carry out the maintenance of the circuits containing the used fluid while protecting the integrity of waste as illustrated in figure 2. The operator couples in a first time the first nozzle 7 of the first pipe on the orifice evacuation of a circuit containing the used fluid, in this case, the orifice for removing the coolant from an explosion engine. In one second time, The operator locks the second nozzle 8 of the first pipe on the first port 2 leading to the empty or partially filled container. This locking causes disengagement of the shutter 4, which allows the fluid to end up in the container without being able to access it. The used fluid in this case flows by gravity. In order to facilitate this It is possible to place a pressure pump on the circuit to push the fluid towards the container or even place a vacuum pump on the canister to suck the used fluid towards the canister.

When the hose is fitted with a flow meter, the operator can, knowing the maximum capacity of the container and reading the flow meter, calculate the filling rate of said container and thus prevent the liquid used remains blocked in hose 6. Similarly, an electronic device or mechanic can either warn the maintenance operator that he must drain full container either order a valve, placed on the pipe or on the first orifice, which will cut the filling of the container. In addition, the can can also be fitted with a 16 gauge indicating the liquid level used in this can.

Once the filling operation is completed, the operator can unlock the second nozzle from the first orifice of said full container. At during this unlocking operation, the shutter device of the first opening of the full container snaps into place, preventing access to the contents of the phony and thus protecting the integrity of the content.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the removal waste of used fluid, stored in the can, can be done in circuit closed, as illustrated in figure 3. This is achieved by locking a third end piece 18 of a second pipe 17, connected to a movable tank 21, on the first orifice provided with a shutter device. This mobile tank is intended to take the used fluid to the recycling plant or storage. So the recovery device can be connected via this second hose to a tank for used fluid without passing through the first pipe. Each pipe can then have its own specificities such as the type of nozzle, the length of the hose, the thickness of the hose. On the other hand, a fourth end piece 12 of a third pipe 13, connected to an air source compressed can be connected to input 3 for compressed fluid.

These two operations cause on the one hand the disengagement the shutter of the first orifice and on the other hand allows the fluid used to evacuate, pushed by compressed air towards the tank. Moreover, the inlet for compressed fluid, such as compressed air, can be provided a system allowing only the passage of a compressed gas making difficult passage of uncompressed liquid or gas (i.e. from of a predetermined pressure).

In addition, this inlet for compressed fluid can also be provided with a shutter system intended to prevent access to the container when the supply of compressed fluid is not blocked.

According to another embodiment, as illustrated in the figure 4, the evacuation means for draining the used fluid, in a closed circuit, includes a second pipe arranged to be connected at one end from said pipe to a tank for used fluid and provided at the other end with a third tip. This third nozzle is designed to be locked on a second orifice 19 having a shutter device intended to block access to the container when the third nozzle is not locked. Of this way, when emptying the container, the operator is no longer obliged to interchange the second nozzle with the third on the first port end of the second pipe.

Furthermore, referring to FIG. 4, the device for recovery may include a valve device 20 allowing, independently of the shutter systems, to seal tightly selectively accessing either the first port or the second port. In this case, when the actuating handle 22 of the valve is in drain position, it blocks all access via the first port (even when the second nozzle is attached to the first port) and opens the access for the second orifice, the latter keeping its access blocked as long as the third nozzle is not locked on the second port.

So when the operator wants to empty the container, he places firstly the valve 23 in the filling position, the valve in this position allows access via the first port and prohibited access via the second. Then, the operator locks the third nozzle on the second orifice 19, which opens access to the shutter at the level of the shutter can. The operator then places the actuation handle 22 of the device valve in drain position which blocks access to the container via the first orifice by closing the valve 23 and allows passage via the second orifice 19 by opening the valve 24. It is then possible via the inlet of compressed fluid introduce compressed air into the container which will push the used liquid contained in the container to drain via the second orifice through the second pipe to the used fluid tank.

This system therefore allows greater flexibility of use since the operator is no longer obliged to unlock the end caps of the orifices to carry out one or other of the operations of recovery or emptying.

Referring to Figure 5, the recovery device according to the invention can be used in a process allowing the replacement of used coolant in a cooling. According to the process, an opening is made, at a location of the circuit, in this case between the radiator and the engine block. The opening creates an inlet 10 for supplying new fluid and a discharge port 11 for the used fluid. The operator locks, in a first time, the second end of the first pipe on the first port from the can. This locking causes the shutter to disengage, which which allows access to said container. Once this locking is done, the two elements may be sealed so as to prevent the unlocking of the second tip on the first port. In a second time, the operator couples the first end of the first pipe to the orifice evacuation of said circuit. The operator then couples, in a third time, a fifth nozzle 25, located at the end of a fourth pipe 26, on the inlet for supplying the new fluid, this fourth pipe being connected to a source 14 containing the new fluid, for example a tank placed in the maintenance room. The operator operates, in a fourth time, the pumping of the new fluid from said source via the fourth pipe to the circuit, said new fluid pushing, through the circuit, the used fluid, to the container via the first pipe. The can being provided with an air passage intended to balance the pressure in the container, when of its filling.

In addition, flow meters placed on the first and second hoses measure both the amount of new fluid introduced into the circuit and the quantity of used fluid discharged from the circuit. This system allows you to correlate the two quantities again introduced fluid and used fluid evacuated which facilitates control over the nature of the contents of the container. Indeed, in the case of filling the first container via the first hose with another liquid waste, both flowmeter measurements will no longer be correlated since a first amount of new liquid will pass through the second pipe while a quantity, substantially identical to the first quantity, of used liquid will pass through the first pipe plus the amount of the other waste liquid.

REFERENCES OF FIGURES

1

can

2

first port

3

inlet for compressed fluid

4

shutter device of the first orifice

5

inlet valve for compressed fluid

6

first pipe

7

first tip

8

second tip

9

flowmeter

10

inlet port

11

drain port

12

fourth tip

13

third pipe

14

source containing the new fluid

15

closed enclosure

16

gauge

17

second pipe

18

third tip

19

second port

20

valve device

21

mobile tank

22

actuator

23

first port valve

24

second port valve

25

fifth tip

26

26 fourth pipe

Claims (13)

Recovery device comprising a container (1) for recovering used fluid, in particular from a vehicle and a first pipe (6) provided at one of its ends with a first nozzle (7) arranged to couple to a discharge opening of a circuit containing the used fluid, characterized in that it comprises a closed enclosure (15) in which said container is located, the first pipe being connected at the other end to a first opening leading said container, the container being further provided with an evacuation means for draining the used fluid using a closed circuit. Recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first pipe comprises at said other end a second end piece (8) arranged to be locked on said first port (2) leading to said container, this first port (2) being provided a shutter device (4) intended to block access to said container when the second endpiece is not locked on the first orifice. Recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first pipe is provided with a flow meter (9) intended to measure the quantity of liquid discharged through the first pipe. Recovery device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the container is provided with a gauge (16) intended to measure the quantity of used fluid stored in the container. Recovery device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the discharge means comprises an inlet (3) arranged to be connected to a source of compressed fluid and the compressed fluid being intended to push the used fluid from said container to a drain opening of said container. Recovery device according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the discharge means comprises a second pipe (17) arranged to be connected by one end of said second pipe to a tank (21) for used fluid and provided at the other end of a third nozzle (18), arranged to be locked on said container. Recovery device according to claims 1-5, characterized in that it comprises a second orifice (19) leading to said container accessible from outside the closed enclosure, this second orifice (19) having a shutter device intended to block access to said container when no nozzle is locked on said second orifice. Recovery device according to claim 5, characterized in that the evacuation means comprises a suction source. Recovery device according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that the discharge means comprises a pressure means situated inside said container intended to exert a pressure on the used fluid so as to force it to be evacuated. through said second port. Recovery device according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that it comprises a valve device (20) allowing, independently of the shutter devices of the first and second orifices, to block access to the filling position in the filling position outside via the second opening and allow access leading to said container, and blocking in the emptying position the access leading to said container through the first opening and allowing access to the outside through the second opening and allowing to the outside through the second opening. Recovery device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one end fitting provided with a shutter device arranged to plug the end of the pipe corresponding to the end fitting when the latter is not not locked on the hole corresponding to the nozzle. Method for renewing a used fluid in a circuit, which method comprises the following steps: open the circuit so as to form an inlet orifice (10) for supplying a new fluid and an outlet orifice (11) for discharging the used fluid; coupling a first nozzle, located at the end of a first pipe, to the outlet orifice for evacuation of the used fluid; coupling a fifth nozzle (25), located at the end of a fourth pipe (26), on the inlet orifice for supplying the new fluid, this fourth pipe being connected to a source of new fluid (14); pumping the new fluid from the source of new fluid through the fourth pipe to the circuit; characterized in that the process comprises, before starting the pumping of the new fluid, a locking of a second nozzle, located at the other end of a first pipe, on a first orifice, provided with a shutter device, d '' a container and subsequent disengagement of the shutter allowing access to the container. Method for filling the used fluid with a circuit according to Claim 6, characterized in that this method comprises the steps for measure the quantity of new fluid introduced into the circuit; measure the quantity of used fluid discharged from the circuit; check the correlation between the two quantities of new fluid introduced and used fluid discharged.

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