BACKGROUND

[0001] An auxiliary power unit (APU) is a device on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. APUs are commonly found on large aircraft to provide electrical energy. For example, an aircraft APU can produce 115V alternating current (AC) at 400 Hz to run the electrical systems of the aircraft.

|0002| As will be appreciated, an APU is a type of engine unit. Thus, engine units comprise APUs and other types of power producing devices. As will also be appreciated, an engine unit is typically tested before installation onto the aircraft. For example, the engine unit ma be tested after initial production and prior to delivery to the assembler of the aircraft. This test includes the measurement of various parameters during operation. Thus, the engine unit must be filled with a variety of fluids, including for example, oil for said test operation. However, the engine unit is not delivered to the assembler of the aircraft with fluids. As such, the engine unit must be drained of all fluids before delivery.

[0003] Disposing the fluid that was in the engine unit during testing is not cost effective, nor is it environmentally desirable. Accordingly, a better system and method to deal with this situation is needed.

SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the foregoing, an oil storage and filtration system for an engine unit includes an on/off valve that selectively receives supply air. The on/off valve defines an operating phase when receiving the supply air and in an on position and a standby phase when in an off position or not receiving the supply air. The oil storage and filtration system also includes a ft!l/drain valve that receives the supply air from the on/off valve during the operating phase. During the operating phase, the fill/drain valve defines a drain state and a fill state which respectively correspond to emptying and filling oil from/into the engine unit. The oil storage and filtration system also includes a control valve that receives the supply air from the on/off valve during the operating phase, a pressure/vacuum valve in fluid communication with the control valve, and a storage tank in fluid communication with the pressure/vacuum valve. The storage tank is configure to store oil In three conditions. The three conditions include a pressurized condition during the fill state, a vacuum condition during the drain state, and an atmospheric condition during the standby phase. The oil storage and filtration system also includes a vacuum generator in selective fluid communication with the control valve. The vacuum generator is in fluid communication with the storage tank during the drain state and fluidly isolated from the storage tank during the fill state.

[00 OS] According to an aspect, a method of processing oil from an engine unit includes fluidly connecting an oil storage and filtration system to supply air, selectively providing the supply air to the oil storage and filtration system, and fluidly connecting the oil storage and filtration system to the engine unit so that the oil storage and filtration system is selectively removable from the engine unit. The method also includes depressurizing a storage tank of the oil storage and filtration system to transfer the oil from the engine unit to the storage tank through a storage tank intake tine, storing the oil in the storage tank of the oil storage and filtration system, and pressurizing the storage tank of the oil storage and filtration system to transfer the oil from the storage tank through a storage tank exhaust line to the engine unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is rear perspective view of an oil storage and filtration system;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the oil storage and filtration system;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a schematic of the oil storage and filtration system; and

[0009] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of processing oil from the engine unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] An oil storage and filtration system 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-3. With specific attention first directed to FIG. 3, a schematic of the oil storage and filtration system 10 that is configured to be detachably connected to an engine unit 94 is shown. St will be appreciated that the term "engine unit” includes "auxiliary power units” (APUs) and that these terms can be use interchangeability without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The oil storage and filtration system 10 can include an on/off valve 12 that receives supply air 14, a ft!l/drain valve 16, a control va!ve 18, an orifice 20, and a safety reservoir tank 22. The oil storage and nitration system 10 can also include an oil suction nozzle 24, an oil suction check valve 26, a sight glass 28, a sight glass check valve 30, and a storage tank 32 with a bottom end 34 and a top end 36.

[0011] The oil storage and filtration system 10 can also Include an intake line 38 with an intake line distal end 38a, an air port 40, a tank pressure relief valve 42, a manual ball valve 44, an exhaust Sine 46 with an exhaust Sine distal end 46a, an oil gauge 48, an oii filter 50, and an oil dispensing nozzle 52 The oil storage and filtration system 10 can further include a pressure/vacuum valve 54, a silencer 56, a vacuum generator 58, an air pressure gauge 60, an air pressure regulator 62, and a supply air check valve 64.

[0012] As will be appreciated, the below discussion regarding Sines, branches, and pilots detail how the supply air 14 is fluidly communicated between the various components. The various lines, branches, and pilots could be made of any number of materials and have a variety of shapes and sizes without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, as tong as the lines, branches, and pilots communicate the supply air 14 between the components so that the oii storage and filtration system 10 can operate as described hereinafter, it is acceptable

[0013] A first line 68 fluidly connects the supply air 14 and the on/off valve 12 A second line 68 fluidly connects the on/off valve 12 and the control valve 18. A first branch 70 extends from the first line 66 to the fiH/drain valve 16 and a second branch 72 extends from the first line 66 to the supply air check valve 64 A first pilot 74 extends from the first line 66 to the control valve 18 and a third branch 76 extends from the first line 66 to the safety reservoir tank 22.

[0014] A second pilot 78 fluidly connects the control valve 18 and the pressure/vacuum valve 54 and a third pilot 80 fluidly connects the control valve 18 and the fill/drain vatve 16 A fourth pilot 82 fluidly connects the fiH/drain valve 16 and the pressure/vacuum valve 54. A fourth branch 84 fluidly connects the air pressure regulator 62 and the pressure/vacuum valve 54 with the air pressure gauge 60 disposed therebetween. A third line 86 and a fourth line 88 each fluidly connect the pressure/vacuum valve 54 and the vacuum generator 58. A fifth line 90 fluidly connects the pressure/vacuum valve 54 and the storage tank 32.

[001 S] The on/off valve 12 selectively receives the supply air 14 and defines an operating phase when receiving the supply air 14 and in an on position. The on/off valve 12 also defines a standby phase when in an off position or not receiving the supply air 14. it Is envisioned that the supply air 14 woul be between 100 RSI and 180 PS! and of a typical volume that is supplied In an industrial setting. It is noted that ait references to pressure in the present disclosure are of gauge pressure, not absolute pressure. Thus, the above noted pressures would be 100 PS I to 180 PSI greater than atmospheric pressure.

[0016] The fiil/drain valve 18 receives the supply air 14 from the on/off vaive 12 during the operating phase. Further, during the operating phase, the fiil/drain vaive 16 defines a drain state and a fiti state. The air pressure regulator 62 regulates a pressure of the supply air 14 that is provided to the pressure/vacuum valve 54.

[0017] The controi valve 18 receives air from the first pilot 74 from the on/off vaive 12 and the supply air 14 during the operating phase and the pressure/vacuum valve 54 is in fluid communication with the control vaive 18. The controi valve 18 monitors a pressure of the supply air 14 and is fluid!y disposed between the safety reservoir tank 22 or the fiil/drain valve 16 and the pressure/vacuum valve 54.

[0018] The orifice 20 restricts the air flow from safety reservoir tank 22 when the supply air 14 has dropped to 0 PSI. This allows the controi valve 18 to supply air from safety reservoir tank 22 to the pressure/vacuum valve 54 which allows the storage tank 32 to stabilize to 0 PSI or atmospheric condition. The pressure/vacuum valve 54 closes when the safety reservoir tank 22 pressure falls below 40 PSI. Thus, any oil is contained in the storage tank 32 at 0 PSI or atmospheric condition.

[0019] The safety reservoir tank 22 is fluidly Isolated from the oil and is fluidly connected to the control valve 18. The safety reservoir tank 22 receives the supply air 14 from the on/off valve 12 during the operating phase. The safety reservoir tank 22 can be made of any number of materials and have a variety of shapes without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the safety reservoir tank 22 can have a capacity of 37 cubic inches with a 0.010" orifice and be rated to a pressure of at least 180 PS!. The safety reservoir tank 22 can maintain a pressure of over 40 PSI to the pressure/vacuum valve 54 long enough to allow stabilization of storage tank 32 at 0 PSI or atmospheric condition.

[0020] The oil suction check valve 26 prevents oil that may be between the oil suction nozzle 24 and the sight glass 28 from leaking from the oil suction nozzle 24. Further, as a matter of design redundancy, the sight glass check valve 30 prevents oil in the storage tank 32 from exiting through the oil suction nozzle 24.

[0021] The sight glass 28 provides a visual indication of a flowing status of the oil. Thus, a user of the oil storage and filtration system 10 can easily ascertain whether oil is being deposited into the storage tank 32. The sight glass 28 is fluidly connected to the storage tank 32 such that the sight glass 28 is fluidly disposed between the oii suction nozzle 24 and the storage tank 32.

[0022] The storage tank 32 is in fluid communication with the pressure/vacuum valve 54 and is configured to store oii in three conditions. These conditions are a pressurized condition during the fill state, a vacuum condition during the drain state, and an atmospheric condition during the standby phase. The storage tank 32 includes the top end 36 and the bottom end 34 that are disposed at opposite ends of the storage tank 32. The storage tank 32 can be made of any number of materials and have a variety of shapes without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the storage tank 32 can have any capacity and he rated to a pressure of that is higher than the regulated pressure and 27 inches of Hg {vacuum}. For example, these values could be 60 PSI and a vacuum of 27 in. of Hg.

[0023] As will be described in more detail hereinafter, the storage tank 32 is utilized as both a vacuum tank an a pressurized tank for emptying and filling the oil from the engine unit 94. Thus, multiple tanks are not needed, thereby reducing the overall size and weight of the oil storage and filtration system 10. As wilt be appreciated, this also reduces the cost to make the oil storage and filtration system 10.

[0024] It should also be understood that the storage tank 32 and the oil storage and filtration system 10 are configured such that the oil in the storage tank 32 remains distinct from the supply air 14 in the storage tank 32. Notably, the presence or absence of the supply air 14 in the storage tank 32 is merely utilized to pressurize or create a vacuum in the storage tank 32 so as to communicate the oil out of or into the storage tank 32, respectively. Any mixing of the oi! in the storage tank 32 with the supply air in the storage tank 32 could result in decreased performance of the oil when it is received in the engine unit 94

[00 53 The top end 38 of the storage tank 32 defines the air port 40 that, through the fifth line 90, is in fluid communication with the pressure/vacuum valve 54 The air port 40 is positioned such that the oil is not communicated through the air port 40. Thus, the oil does not exit the storage tank 32 through the air port 40 and subsequently through the fifth line 90 and the pressure/vacuum valve 54. This prevents the oil from being released to the environment through the silencer 58 As will be appreciated, it is desirable to prevent said release to minimize environmental impacts and optimize operation of the components of the oil filtration system 10.

[0026] The intake tine 38 extends into the storage tank 32 to communicate the oil from outside the storage tank 32 into the storage tank 32 and defines an intake line length. The exhaust line 46 extends into the storage tank 32 to communicate the oil from inside the storage tank 32 to outside of the storage tank 32 and defines an exhaust line length

[0027] The intake line 38 includes an intake Sine distal end 38a and the exhaust line 48 includes an exhaust line distal end 46a The Intake line distal end 38a can be spaced from bottom end 34 and the exhaust line distal end 48a can also be space from bottom end 34. This arrangement ensures that a maximum amount of oil can be removed from the storage tank 32 when the engine unit 94 is being filled.

[0028] The oil suction nozzle 24 is fluidly connected to the storage tank 32 and is configured to be detachably connected to the engine unit 94. Further, the oil dispensing nozzle 52 is fluidly connected to the storage tank 32 and is configured to be detachably connected to the engine unit 94. As shown In FIGS. 2-3, the oil suction nozzle 24 and the oil dispensing nozzle 52 are configured to allo for rapid attachment and detachment to the engine unit 94.

[0029] The tank pressure relief valve 42 is configured to open when an excess pressure is developed in the storage tank 32. Thus, the tank pressure relief valve 42 ensures that an over-pressure situation does not develop in the storage tank 32 to avoid a rupture or splitting of the storage tank 32 by venting any excess supply air 14 that would be in the storage tank 32. Further, the manual bail valve 44 can be utilized to manually vent any supply air 14 that is in the storage tank 32.

[0030] The oil gauge 48 can be of typical construction and provides a numerical indication to a user regarding the pressure or vacuum that is existing in the storage tank 32 to the oil filter 50. The oil filter 50 filters the oil and is fluidly connected to the storage tank 32 such that the oil filter 50 is fluidly disposed between the oil dispensing nozzle 52 and the storage tank 32. The oil filter 50 is configured to remove a variety of contaminants and foreign bodies from the oil. The oil filter 50 may be made of a variety of materials and have a variety of shapes without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The oil filter 50 may be removably attached so as to provide easy replacement when no longer serviceable.

[0031] The pressure/vacuum valve 54 is fluidly connected to the on/off valve 12 such that the air pressure regulator 62 is disposed therebetween. The pressure/vacuum valve 54 controls whether the supply air 14 is utilized to operate the vacuum generator 58 to generate a vacuum to communicate the oil from the engine unit 94 into the storage tank 32 or to prevent the supply air 14 from being communicated to the vacuum generator 58 so that no vacuum is generated. Additionally, the pressure/vacuum valve 54 can divert the supply air 14 to the storage tank 32 to communicate the oil from the storage tank 32 to the engine unit 94.

[0032] The silencer 56 is configured to reduce a noise caused by a discharge of the supply air 14 from the oil storage and filtration system 10. The silencer 56 is fluidly connected to the vacuum generator 58. Further, the silencer 56 is a terminus for flow of the supply air 14, The silencer 56 can be of a variety of types of construction without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0033] The vacuum generator 58 utilizes the supply air 14 to generate vacuum which is selectively communicated to the storage tank 32. The vacuum generator 58 utilizes a venturi to generate the vacuum, as is known in the art. The vacuum generator 58 is in selective fluid communication with the control valve 18 (via the pressure/vacuum valve 54) and is in fluid communication with the storage tank 32 during the drain state and fluidly isolated from the storage tank 32 during the fill state. Additionally, the vacuum generator 58 is fluidly disposed between the silencer 58 and the pressure/vacuum valve 54.

0034] With reference to FIGS. 1-2, the oil storage and filtration system 10 is shown. The oil storage and filtration system 10 can include a frame 92 to which the safety reservoir tank 22 and the storage tank 32 are attached. The frame 92 can be made of a variety of materials. The frame 92 includes an upper en 92a and a lower end 92b that are disposed at opposite vertical ends of the frame 92 to one another. The upper end 92a is configured to be contacted by a user to move the oil storage and filtration system 10. As will be appreciated, it is desirable to be able to move the oil storage and filtration system 10 to different locations, depending upon the location of the engine unit 94. The lower end 92b of the frame 92 is configured to be connected to at least one wheel 96 to aid in moving the or! storage and filtration system 10.

[0035] With reference to FIG. 4, a method 100 of processing oil from an engine unit 94 is shown. At 102, an oil storage and filtration system 10 is fluidly connected to supply air 14. At 104, the supply air 14 is selectively provided to the oil storage and filtration system 10. At 106, the oil storage and filtratio system 10 is fluidly connected to the engine unit 94. At 108, a portion of the supply air 14 is stored in the safety reservoir tank 22. At 110, a fluid pressure of the supply air 14 is monitored. At 112, the storage tank 32 is depressurized, and at 114 the oil is stored in the storage tank 32 At 116, the storage tank 32 is pressurized. At 118, the oil from the storage tank 32 is filtered. At 120, the oil is received in the engine unit 94 At 122, a pressure/vacuum valve 54 is actuated with the portion of the supply air 14 from the safety reservoir tank 22. This actuation occurs when the monitored fluid pressure of the supply air 14 Is less than a predetermined value, for example 40 PS! or when the monitored fluid pressure of the supply air 14 is equal to zero, i.e., the absolute pressure of the supply air 14 is equal to atmospheric pressure. At 124, a pressure of the storage tank 32 is equalized to atmospheric pressure due to actuation of the pressure/vacuum valve 54.

[0036] Operation of the oil storage and filtration system 10 to drain the oil from the engine unit 94 will now be described. The supply air 14 is connected to the on/off valve 12. Further, the fill/drain valve 18 is set to the drain position and the on/off valve 12 is set to the on position. This allows the supply air 14 to go to the fill/drain valve 16 and the supply air check valve 64 that goes to the air pressure regulator 62. The supply air 14 is also communicated to a pilot valve on the control vaive 18 and the orifice 20 and fills the safety reservoir tank 22.

0037] Suppiy air 14 in the first pitot 74 moves the control valve 18 to the operating position. This allows the supply air 14, which could be approximately 100 PSS, to be communicated to the fiS!/drain valve 16 and through the control valve 18 to a piiot of the pressure/vacuum vaive 54.

[0038} The pressure/vacuum valve 54 is then moved into the vacuum position since the filS/drain valve 16 is in the drain position. Thus, the suppiy air 14 is communicated through the air pressure regulator 62, into the pressure/vacuum valve 54 and is diverted through the third line 86 that goes to the vacuum generator 58. The pressure/vacuum valve 54 is also open to the storage tank 32 which allows a vacuum to be created from the vacuum generator 58 to suck out of the storage tank 32. Thus, the suction and the pressure are both exiting the oil storage and filtration system 10 through the silencer 66.

[0039] This results in oii being removed from the engine unit 94 and into the oil storage and filtration system 10. The oil from the engine unit 94 is communicated through the oil suction check vaive 26 and can travel through a hose or other communicative means through the sight glass 28 and then through the sight glass check valve 30 The oil then passes through the distal end 38a of the intake Sine 38 and into the storage tank 32. At the top end 36 of the storage tank 32, there can be the tank pressure relief valve 42 and the manual ball valve 44. The manual ball valve 44 can he used to verify that the storage tank 32 is empty and the gauge 48 can also be used to verify that the storage tank 32 has no pressure or vacuum.

[0040] If the on/off valve 12 is moved to off or if the supply air 14 is disconnected, or if the supply air 14 drops below a predetermined pressure, the on/off valve 12 automatically moves to the off position. The predetermined pressure could be approximately 40 PSI. This opens an exit port on the on/off valve 12 which relieves all the pressure of the lines.

[0041] The supply air check valve 64 maintains pressure on the tank side of the air pressure regulator 62, but that pressure is already exiting through the vacuum generator 58. The pressure/vacuum valve 54 is held open by the air from the safety reservoir tank 22 so when the pressured air is released through the on/off valve 12, the control valve 18 automatically springs to divert the air from the safety reservoir tank 22 over to the pilot line that holds the pressure/vacuum valve 54 in the vacuum position. This allows all the vacuum to leave the storage tank 32 and reach an equilibrium of atmospheric pressure in the storage tank 32.

[0042] Now, operation of the oil storage and filtration system 10 to transfer the oii from the storage tank 32 to the engine unit 94 will now be described. The supply air 14 is connected to the on/off valve 12. Further, the fiiS/drain valve 16 is set to the fill position and the on/off valve 12 is set to the on position. This allows the supply air 14 to go to the fill/drain valve 16 and the supply air check valve 64 that goes to the air pressure regulator 62. The supply air 14 is also communicated to a pilot valve on the control valve 18 and the orifice 20 and fills the safety reservoir tank 22.

[0043] When there is sufficient pressure, typically at least 40 RSI, the control valve 18 moves to the operating position. The pressure/vacuum valve 54 is dosed, but when the on/off valve 12 Is set to the on position, It Is energized. The supply air 14 goes through the fill/drain valve 18 that is in the fill position, and the pilot on the pressure/vacuum valve 54 Is actuated, which pushes the pressure/vacuum valve 54 into the pressurized position.

[0044] This allows the supply air 14 to go from the air pressure regulator 62 into the storage tank 32 and the supply air 14 is isolated from the vacuum generator 58. As such, air pressure in the storage tank 32, which can be approximately 40 to 60 PS I, forces the oil out of the storage tank 32, by the oil gauge 48 and through the oil filter 50. Then, the filtered oil from the storage tank 32 passes through the oil dispensing nozzle 52 into the engine unit 94.

[0045] If the on/off valve 12 is moved to off or if the supply air 14 is disconnected, or if the supply air 14 drops below a predetermined pressure, the on/off valve 12 automatically moves to the off position. The predetermined pressure could be approximately 40 PSI. This opens an exit port on the on/off valve 12 which relieves all the pressure of the lines. The control valve 18 will spring back to the safety position and air from the safety reservoir tank 22 will actuate the pressure/vacuum valve 54 back into the vacuum position to get rid of any pressurized air In the storage tank 32.

[0046] When the pressure/vacuum valve 54 is in the vacuum position, the air pressure in the storage tank 32 blows through the vacuum generator 58 and out the silencer 56. Then, the oil storage and filtration system 10 is normalized to atmospheric pressure and the safety reservoir tank 22 is empty (l.e. _t the air in the safety reservoir tank 22 is communicated through the orifice 20 to the on/off valve 12). Once the air is out of the safety reservoir tank 22, the pressure/vacuum valve 54 returns to the closed position and there is a closed system with no pressure or vacuum. Stated plainly, all components an lines, branches, and pilots are at atmospheric pressure. This automatic release of all of the stored energy (pressure or vacuum) greatly enhances safe operation of the oil storage and filtration system 10, while still preventing the release of the oil into the environment.

[0047] The oil storage and filtration system 10 and the method 100 of processing oil from an engine unit 94 provide numerous advantages. These advantages include the ability to reuse the oil utilized during engine unit testing for an indefinite period of time. This avoids the cost of purchasing additional oil and also the subsequent costs associated with disposal of the oil. Further, other than the supply air 14, no external electrical power, pumps or drive systems are needed. Further, the oil storage and filtration system 10 is self-regulated and includes safety devices to prevent overpressure and oil leaks. Additionally, the oil storage and filtration system 10 is portable.

[00483 An oil storage and filtration system and a method of processing oil from an engine unit have been described above with particularity. Modifications and alterations will occur to those upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. The invention, however, is not limited to only the embodiments described above instead, the invention is broadly defined by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.