Apparatus for removal of lubricating composition and methods for using same

Claim 1

An apparatus for removing lubricating composition from the crankcase oil pan of an internal combustion engine through the lubricating composition dipstick well of said engine which comprises: a hollow probe, having first and second ends, through which said lubricating composition passes from said oil pan, said first end of said probe being capable of reaching the proximity of the bottom inside surface of said oil pan through said dipstick well; a conduit, having first and second ends, through which said lubricating composition passes from said probe means, said first end of said conduit being attached to said second end of said probe means so as to provide fluid communication between said probe means and said conduit; a vacuum chamber being attached to and providing fluid communication with said second end of said conduit, said vacuum chamber being under sufficient vacuum so as to cause lubricating composition to pass from said conduit into said vacuum chamber and to be collected therein; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said vacuum chamber capable of providing said vacuum chamber with the desired level of vacuum; and an adjustable signalling means for providing a distinctly audible pitch acting in response to the amount of vapor flowing to said vacuum chamber to signal when removal of said lubricating oil composition from said crankcase oil pan is complete.

Claim 2

An apparatus for removing lubricating composition from the crankcase oil pan of an internal combustion engine through the lubricating composition dipstick well of said engine which comprises: a hollow probe, having first and second ends, through which said lubricating composition passes from said oil pan, said first end of said probe being capable of reaching the proximity of the bottom inside surface of said oil pan through said dipstick well; a conduit, having first and second ends, through which said lubricating composition passes from said probe means, said first end of said conduit being attached to said second end of said probe means so as to provide fluid communication between said probe means and said conduit; a vacuum chamber being attached to and providing fluid communication with said second end of said conduit, said vacuum chamber being under sufficient vacuum so as to cause lubricating composition to pass from said conduit into said vacuum chamber and to be collected therein; a vacuum source in fluid communication with said vacuum chamber capable of providing said vacuum chamber with the desired level of vacuum; and an adjustable signalling means for providing a distinctly audible pitch acting in response to the amount of vapor flowing to said vacuum chamber to signal when removal of said lubricating oil composition from said crankcase oil pan is complete.

Claim 8

An apparatus for removing lubricating composition from the crankcase oil pan of an internal combustion engine through the lubricating composition dipstick well of said engine which comprises: a hollow probe, having first and second ends, through which said lubricating composition passes from said oil pan, said first end of said probe being capable of reaching the proximity of the bottom inside surface of said oil pan through said dipstick well; a conduit, having first and second ends, through which said lubricating composition passes from said probe means, said first end of said conduit being attached to said second end of said probe means so as to provide fluid communication between said probe means and said conduit; a vacuum chamber being attached to and providing fluid communication with said second end of said conduit, said vacuum chamber being under sufficient vacuum so as to cause lubricating composition to pass from said conduit into said vacuum chamber and to be collected therein; and an aspirator driven by the flow of gaseous medium in fluid communication with said vacuum chamber capable of providing said vacuum chamber with the desired level of vacuum, said aspirator having first and second portions, said first portion having an adjustable plug extending into said second portion, which are mutually positioned so that as said removal of lubricating composition is completed, the flow of gas from said crankcase to said vacuum chamber and through said aspirator acts to emit a sound having a different pitch, thereby audibly signalling when removal of said lubricating oil composition from said crankcase oil pan is complete.

Claim 9

An apparatus for removing lubricating composition from the crankcase oil pan of an internal combustion engine through the lubricating composition dipstick well of said engine which comprises: a hollow probe, having first and second ends, through which said lubricating composition passes from said oil pan, said first end of said probe being capable of reaching the proximity of the bottom inside surface of said oil pan through said dipstick well; a conduit, having first and second ends, through which said lubricating composition passes from said probe means, said first end of said conduit being attached to said second end of said probe means so as to provide fluid communication between said probe means and said conduit; a vacuum chamber being attached to and providing fluid communication with said second end of said conduit, said vacuum chamber being under sufficient vacuum so as to cause lubricating composition to pass from said conduit into said vacuum chamber and to be collected therein; and an aspirator driven by the flow of gaseous medium in fluid communication with said vacuum chamber capable of providing said vacuum chamber with the desired level of vacuum, said aspirator having first and second portions, said first portion having an adjustable plug extending into said second portion, which are mutually positioned so that as said removal of lubricating composition is completed, the flow of gas from said crankcase to said vacuum chamber and through said aspirator acts to emit a sound having a different pitch, thereby audibly signalling when removal of said lubricating oil composition from said crankcase oil pan is complete.