Methods and systems for performing, monitoring and analyzing multiple machine fluid processes

Abstract

A valve system for an engine driven apparatus having a fluid system having a fluid reservoir includes a valve assembly structured for use in connection with the fluid reservoir in the fluid system that comprises a first check valve having an outlet and an inlet and a second check valve having an outlet and an inlet, an inlet/outlet port at a common refill/evacuation location, where the inlet/outlet port is in fluid communication with the outlet of the second check valve and the inlet of the first check valve, where application of positive pressure from the inlet/outlet port causes fluid to flow from the common refill/evacuation location through the first check valve into the fluid system, and where application of negative pressure from the inlet/outlet port causes fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir through the second check valve into the first common refill/evacuation location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A valve system for an engine driven apparatus having a fluid system having a fluid reservoir, the valve system comprising:
 a valve assembly structured for use in connection with the fluid reservoir in the fluid system, the valve assembly comprising:
 a first check valve having an outlet and an inlet; 
 a second check valve having an outlet and an inlet, the outlet of the second check valve in fluid communication with the inlet of the first check valve, and the outlet of the first check valve in fluid communication with the inlet of said second check valve; 
 an inlet/outlet port at a common refill/evacuation location, wherein the inlet/outlet port is in fluid communication with the outlet of the second check valve and the inlet of the first check valve; and 
 wherein the first check valve is structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to an application of positive pressure at the inlet of the first check valve, wherein the outlet of the first check valve is in fluid communication with the fluid system, wherein application of positive pressure from the inlet/outlet port causes fluid to flow from the common refill/evacuation location through the first check valve into the fluid system; and 
 wherein the second check valve is structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at the outlet of the second check valve, wherein the inlet of the second check valve is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, wherein application of negative pressure from the inlet/outlet port causes fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir through the second check valve into the first common refill/evacuation location. 
   
     
     
         2 . The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the first inlet/outlet port is in direct fluid communication with the inlet of said first check valve and the first inlet/outlet port is in direct fluid communication with the outlet of said second check valve at the common refill/evacuation location. 
     
     
         3 . The valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one quick disconnect coupling operatively associated with the inlet/outlet port, wherein the quick disconnect coupling comprises a second port structured for establishing fluid communication for the inlet/outlet port externally with respect to the fluid system. 
     
     
         4 . The valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one quick disconnect coupling operatively associated with the inlet/outlet port, wherein the quick disconnect coupling comprises a second port structured for establishing fluid communication for the inlet/outlet port externally with respect to the fluid system, and wherein the first inlet/outlet port is in direct fluid communication with the inlet of said first check valve and the first inlet/outlet port is in direct fluid communication with the outlet of said second check valve at the common refill/evacuation location. 
     
     
         5 . The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid system comprises at least a pre-filter portion. 
     
     
         6 . The valve system of  claim 2 , wherein the pre-filter portion is in fluid communication with at least one fluid filter. 
     
     
         7 . The valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fluid component in fluid communication with the inlet/outlet port. 
     
     
         8 . The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the first check valve is an electronic first check valve and wherein the second check valve is an electronic second check valve, the valve system further comprising a control module operatively associated with at least one of the electronic first check valve, the electronic second check valve, or the electronic first check valve and the electronic second check valve. 
     
     
         9 . The valve system of  claim 8 , wherein the control module is configured to actuate the at least one of the electronic first check valve, the electronic second check valve, or the electronic first check valve and the electronic second check valve upon determining a predetermined pressure level is met. 
     
     
         10 . The valve system of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one pressure sensor associated with at least one of the electronic first check valve, the electronic second check valve, or the electronic first check valve and the electronic second check valve, and operatively associated with the control module. 
     
     
         11 . The valve system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor communicates a first signal to control module, wherein the first signal indicates an application of positive pressure at the common refill/evacuation location. 
     
     
         12 . The valve system of  claim 11 , wherein the control module actuates the electronic first check valve in response to receiving the first signal from the at least one pressure sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The valve system of  claim 11 , wherein the control module actuates the electronic second check valve in response to receiving the first signal from the at least one pressure sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The valve system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor communicates a second signal to control module, wherein the second signal indicates an application of negative pressure at the common refill/evacuation location. 
     
     
         15 . The valve system of  claim 14 , wherein the control module actuates the electronic second check valve in response to receiving the second signal from the at least one pressure sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The valve system of  claim 14 , wherein the control module actuates the electronic first check valve in response to receiving the second signal from the at least one pressure sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The valve system of  claim 3 , further comprising a fluid component coupled to the second port. 
     
     
         18 . The valve system of  claim 17 , wherein the fluid component is off-board with respect to the fluid system.