Prestone Products Corporation

Norman D Berke

Peter M Woyciesjes

Aleksei V Gershun

Richard F Creeron

Stephen M Woodward

Robert J Rosvally

Jerry Motard

A recycling apparatus which preferably treats used antifreeze/coolant in four cycles is disclosed. The recycling apparatus includes a number of tanks for storing the antifreeze/coolant during the various treatment cycles, a number of containers for storing chemical reagents used to chemically treat the antifreeze/coolant and a number of filters used to capture impurities suspended in the treated antifreeze/coolant. During a fill cycle, the used antifreeze/coolant is introduced into a treatment tank and the concentration of the antifreeze/coolant is adjusted, if necessary, to a predefined range. During a mix cycle, the used antifreeze/coolant is mixed with various reagents to adjust the pH value, as well as to coagulate and flocculate the impurities. A reverse mixing and aspiration of the antifreeze/coolant in the tank during the mix cycle ensure that the reagents will mix well and react with the impurities in the used antifreeze/coolant to form a sludge. During a dormant cycle, the fluid in the tank is allowed to set, while the sludge is caused to rise to the top of the fluid. Finally, during a drain and filter cycle, the treated antifreeze/coolant is vacuum-drained from the treatment tank and is filtered and reinhibited before being stored in a storage tank. The treatment tank is preferably conically-shaped with a double step in its apex to assist the removal of sludge during the vacuum evacuation procedure.

Methods and apparatus for recycling used antifreeze/coolant

A drain-and-fill machine is disclosed that can accommodate a cooling system having an inlet-side thermostat. The drain-and-fill machine includes a reservoir of fresh or recycled antifreeze/coolant and a reservoir to receive used antifreeze/coolant. The drain-and-fill machine introduces the fresh or recycled antifreeze/coolant into the cooling system of an automobile while simultaneously draining the used antifreeze/coolant into the used coolant reservoir. When the engine is cold, the engine's inlet side-thermostat will prevent new antifreeze/coolant from entering the cooling system, thereby making it possible to drain the used antifreeze/coolant from the cooling system, without simultaneously replenishing the cooling system with fresh or recycled antifreeze/coolant. The present drain-and-fill machine includes a thermostat disposed in the reservoir drain line having similar operating characteristics to the engine's inlet-side thermostat. The drain line thermostat will thus prevent the used antifreeze/coolant from being drained from the engine's cooling system when the engine's inlet-side thermostat is closed, until the coolant has reached a sufficient temperature to allow both the inlet-side and drain-line thermostats to open.

Drain-and-fill methods and apparatus for automotive cooling systems

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New Milford, CT, United States of America

Norman D Berke