Oil filter-leak pressure-test station
An apparatus and a method are provided for an oil filter-leak pressure-test station. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station comprises an air pump, a pressure gauge, a vent valve, an overflow reservoir, and a manifold configured to receive an oil filter. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station is configured to apply a desired internal air pressure to an oil filter for observing the oil filter assembly for any potential leaks, such as along a seal ring, rolled seam or a nut-end. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station is also configured to be mounted in a vise or similar mechanical attachment for observation to determine the extent or existence of any leak in the oil filter. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station may also be submerged in water using a submersion reservoir, so as to determine the existence and location of any leaks.
1. An oil filter-leak pressure-test station, comprising:
a manifold configured to receive an oil filter;
an air pump configured to modify an internal pressure of an oil filter;
a pressure gauge configured to measure an internal pressure of an oil filter;
a vent valve configured to isolate a flow of a working fluid,
wherein working fluid upstream of the vent valve is prevented from reaching other components of the oil filter-leak pressure-test station downstream of the vent valve; and
an interface fitting configured to fluidly couple the manifold, the air pump, the pressure gauge, and the vent valve.
2. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station of claim 1 ,
wherein the manifold is configured to be placed in a securing means for securing the manifold for determining by observation an existence or an extent of a leak in an oil filter.
3. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one conduit per oil filter-leak pressure-test station component selected from the manifold, the air pump, the pressure gauge, and the vent valve,
wherein the at least one conduit fluidly couples the oil filter-leak pressure-test station component to the interface fitting.
4. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station of claim 3 ,
wherein one or more of the conduits comprises a quick-release attachment configured for high pressure.
5. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of adapters configured to fluidly couple any of a number of different oil filters to the manifold.
6. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station of claim 1 , further comprising:
an overflow reservoir configured to collect oil mist condensate and prevent oil from reaching other components of the oil filter-leak pressure-test station downstream of the vent valve.
7. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station of claim 1 ,
wherein the manifold includes one or more engagement points configured to respectively receive one or more adapters for oil filters.
8. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station of claim 1 ,
wherein the interface fitting comprises a non-corrosive metal.
9. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station of claim 1 ,
wherein the vent valve is an isolation valve.
10. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station of claim 1 ,
wherein the manifold comprises an adapter configured to receive an oil filter.
11. An apparatus, comprising:
a manifold,
wherein the manifold is configured to accommodate a plurality of different oil filter adapters for fluidly coupling different oil filter makes and models to the manifold;
an air pump configured to modify an internal pressure of an oil filter;
a pressure gauge configured to measure an internal pressure of an oil filter; and
an interface fitting,
wherein the interface fitting is configured to fluidly couple the manifold, the air pump, and the pressure gauge through a plurality of interface fitting-bound conduits including at least one conduit from each of the manifold, the air pump, and the pressure gauge.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 ,
wherein one or more conduits of the plurality of conduits comprises quick-disconnect-type fittings for quickly connecting to or disconnecting from the interface fitting.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 ,
wherein the quick-disconnect-type fittings comprise pneumatic connectors, and
wherein the interface fitting respectively comprises one or more pneumatic couplers.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 ,
wherein the manifold is configured to be placed in a securing means for securing the manifold for determining by observation an existence or an extent of a leak in an oil filter.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 ,
wherein the securing means is a vise or a submersion reservoir.
16. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a vent valve fluidly connected to the interface fitting,
wherein the vent valve is configured to open to vent air and reduce pressure in the apparatus subsequent to an oil filter-leak pressure test.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
an overflow reservoir fluidly connected to the interface fitting through an intermediate vent valve,
wherein the overflow reservoir is configured to collect oil mist condensate on a wire mesh when the vent valve is opened to vent air and reduce pressure in the apparatus.
18. An apparatus, comprising:
one or more manifolds,
wherein the one or more manifolds are each configured to accommodate a plurality of different oil filter adapters for fluidly coupling different oil filter makes and models to the one or more manifolds;
an air pump configured to modify an internal pressure of an oil filter;
a pressure gauge configured to measure an internal pressure of one or more oil filters; and
an interface fitting,
wherein the interface fitting is configured to fluidly couple the one or more manifolds, the air pump, and the pressure gauge through a plurality of interface fitting-bound conduits including at least one conduit from each of the one or more manifolds, the air pump, and the pressure gauge.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising:
a vent valve fluidly connected to the interface fitting,
wherein the vent valve is configured to open to vent air and reduce pressure in the apparatus subsequent to an oil filter-leak pressure test; and
an overflow reservoir fluidly connected to the vent valve,
wherein the overflow reservoir is configured to collect oil mist condensate on a wire mesh when the vent valve is opened to vent air and reduce pressure in the apparatus.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 ,
wherein the apparatus comprises at least two manifolds for simultaneously testing at least two oil filters.