Apparatus and Method

Abstract

An apparatus configured to control fluid distribution between at least one fluid circulation system ( 2 ) associated with equipment ( 3 ) and at least two replaceable fluid containers ( 4 ), the apparatus having: a fluid path ( 5 ) configured to couple to at least one fluid port ( 6 ) of the fluid circulation system ( 2 ), and to at least one fluid port ( 7 ) of each of the replaceable fluid containers ( 4 ), the fluid path ( 5 ) having at least one valve ( 8 ) between the fluid circulation system ( 2 ) and at least one replaceable fluid container ( 4 ); and a control apparatus ( 9 ) configured to control the at least one valve ( 8 ) to control the flow of fluid between the fluid circulation system ( 2 ) and the at least two replaceable fluid containers ( 4 ).

1 . Control apparatus configured to control fluid distribution between at least one fluid circulation system associated with equipment and at least two independently replaceable fluid containers, the apparatus comprising:
 a fluid path configured to couple at least one fluid port of the fluid circulation system to at least one fluid port of each of the replaceable fluid containers,   the fluid path comprising at least one valve between the fluid circulation system and at least one replaceable fluid container; and   a control apparatus configured to control the at least one valve to control the flow of fluid between the fluid circulation system and the at least two replaceable fluid containers.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid path is configured to couple at least one of:
 a fluid inlet port of at least one replaceable fluid container to a fluid scavenging port of the fluid circulation system;   a fluid outlet port of at least one replaceable fluid container to a fluid supply port of the fluid circulation system, or   at least one vent port of at least one replaceable fluid container to a vent port of the fluid circulation system.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the fluid path comprises at least one of:
 a valve between the fluid outlet port of at least one replaceable fluid container and the fluid supply port of the fluid circulation system; 
 a valve between the vent port of at least one replaceable fluid container and the vent port of the fluid circulation system, or 
 at least one pump configured to cause the fluid to flow in the fluid path. 
 
     
     
         4 . Fluid change system comprising:
 at least two independently replaceable fluid containers;   a fluid circulation system; and   a control apparatus configured to control fluid distribution between the fluid circulation system and the at least two independently replaceable fluid containers;   wherein the fluid distribution is uninterrupted in the absence of one of the independently replaceable fluid containers.   
     
     
         5 . Fluid change system of  claim 4 , wherein the fluid is a lubricant. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . Method of maintaining the operation of equipment, the apparatus having a fluid circulation system associated therewith and requiring fluid to circulate in the fluid circulation system to operate, the method comprising:
 Selecting a first independently replaceable fluid container from at least two independently replaceable fluid containers;   Opening a fluid path between the first independently replaceable fluid container and the fluid circulation system;   Selecting a second independently replaceable fluid container from at least two independently replaceable fluid containers;   Opening a fluid path between the second independently replaceable fluid container and the fluid circulation system;   Determining that the first replaceable fluid container can be removed from the apparatus; and   Using the second independently replaceable fluid container to maintain the operation of the equipment during the removal of the first independently replaceable fluid container.   
     
     
         8 . Method of  claim 7 , wherein electing a first independently replaceable fluid container from at least two independently replaceable fluid containers comprises:
 Analysing the condition of a fluid present in a fluid circulation system of the apparatus;   Using the condition, determining a fluid attribute requirement to enable the continuing operation of the equipment;   Determining whether a first fluid contained in a first replaceable fluid container meets the fluid attribute requirement;   Determining whether second fluid contained in a second replaceable fluid container meets the fluid attribute requirement; and   Based on the determination, selecting either the first or the second fluid to supplement the fluid present in the circulation system.   
     
     
         9 . Method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 controlling at least one valve to enable circulation of fluid between the at least one independently replaceable fluid containers and the fluid circulation system.   
     
     
         10 . Method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 Controlling the return of fluid from the fluid circulation system to at least one of the independently replaceable fluid containers; and   Controlling the at least one valve to selectively inhibit a fluid to flow between the fluid circulation system and one or more independently replaceable fluid containers.   
     
     
         11 . Method of  claim 7 , wherein determining that the first replaceable fluid container can be removed from the apparatus further comprises:
 Calculating an expected duration of use of the one or more independently replaceable fluid containers based on the performance of the independently replaceable fluid container; or   Calculating an expected duration of use of the one or more independently replaceable fluid containers based on the performance of the equipment.   
     
     
         12 . A computer program stored on a non-transitory medium, which when run on a processor causes the processor to carry out the steps of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         13 . Use of the apparatus of  claim 1  in:
 A vehicle, a motorcycle, a passenger car, a van, a truck, a coach, a heavy duty vehicle, an earthmoving vehicle, a mining vehicle, an off-highway vehicle, a yacht, a motor boat, a pleasure craft, a jet-ski, a fishing vessel, an airborne vessel; 
 an industrial machine; 
 a motor, an engine, a drivetrain, a gearbox; or 
 a reverse engine, a generator or a wind turbine. 
 
     
     
         14 . Use of the system of any of  claim 4  in:
 A vehicle, a motorcycle, a passenger car, a van, a truck, a coach, a heavy duty vehicle, an earthmoving vehicle, a mining vehicle, an off-highway vehicle, a yacht, a motor boat, a pleasure craft, a jet-ski, a fishing vessel, an airborne vessel; 
 an industrial machine; 
 a motor, an engine, a drivetrain, a gearbox; or 
 a reverse engine, a generator or a wind turbine. 
 
     
     
         15 . Use of the method of  claim 7  in:
 A vehicle, a motorcycle, a passenger car, a van, a truck, a coach, a heavy duty vehicle, an earthmoving vehicle, a mining vehicle, an off-highway vehicle, a yacht, a motor boat, a pleasure craft, a jet-ski, a fishing vessel, an airborne vessel; 
 an industrial machine; 
 a motor, an engine, a drivetrain, a gearbox; or 
 a reverse engine, a generator or a wind turbine.