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. A method for observing leaks in an oil filter, comprising:
mounting an oil filter on an adapter of a manifold of an oil filter-leak pressure-test station providing a mounted oil filter;
placing the manifold with the mounted oil filter in a vise or submersion reservoir;
pressurizing the oil filter-leak pressure-test station, thereby pressurizing the mounted oil filter;
observing one or more leaks in the mounted oil filter;
opening a valve vent of the oil filter-leak pressure-test station to vent air and reduce pressure in the oil filter-leak pressure-test station wherein opening the valve vent of the oil filter-leak pressure-test station to vent air and reduce pressure in the oil filter-leak pressure-test station comprises passing air through a wire mesh of an overflow reservoir, which wire mesh gives oil vapor in the air a substrate upon which to condense;
unmounting the mounted oil filter; and
repairing the one or more leaks in the oil filter or discarding the oil filter.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein pressurizing the oil filter-leak pressure-test station comprises pressurizing the mounted oil filter such that the internal pressure of the mounted oil filter is sufficient for observing the one or more leaks in the mounted oil filter without affecting the structural integrity of the mounted oil filter or bursting the mounted oil filter.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein observing the one or more leaks in the mounted oil filter comprises directly observing formation of 1) oil bubbles from the one or more leaks in the mounted oil filter or 2) water bubbles from the one or more leaks in the mounted oil filter while in the submersion reservoir.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein observing the one or more leaks in the mounted oil filter comprises directly observing a hissing sound as air escapes the mounted oil filter through the one or more leaks in the mounted oil filter.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein observing the one or more leaks in the mounted oil filter comprises indirectly observing the one or more leaks by depressurization of the oil filter-leak pressure-test station as determined by a pressure gauge.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein passing air through a wire mesh of an overflow reservoir includes periodically emptying or draining the overflow reservoir of condensed oil vapor.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein unmounting the mounted oil filter comprises removing the mounted oil filter from the adapter for the make and model of the oil filter.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein mounting the oil filter on the adapter of the manifold of the oil filter-leak pressure-test station comprises mounting the oil filter on the adapter for the make and model of the oil filter.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the oil filter-leak pressure-test station contains a plurality of different oil filter adapters for fluidly coupling different oil filter makes and models to the manifold of the oil filter-leak pressure-test station.
10. A method for an oil filter-leak pressure-test station, comprising:
configuring a manifold to accommodate a plurality of different oil filter adapters for fluidly coupling different oil filter makes and models to the manifold;
configuring an air pump to modify an internal pressure of an oil filter;
configuring a pressure gauge to measure an internal pressure of an oil filter; and
configuring an interface fitting 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.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein configuring the interface fitting includes configuring quick-disconnect-type fittings for one or more conduits of the plurality of conduits to facilitate quickly connecting to or disconnecting from the interface fitting.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein configuring the quick-disconnect-type fittings includes utilizing pneumatic connectors.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein configuring the interface fitting comprises utilizing one or more pneumatic couplers.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein configuring the manifold includes configuring the manifold 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 method of claim 14 , wherein configuring the manifold to be placed in a securing means includes configuring the manifold to be secured in a vise or a submersion reservoir.
16. The method of claim 10 , further comprising fluidly connecting a vent valve to the interface fitting.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein fluidly connecting the vent valve to the interface fitting includes configuring the vent valve to open so as to vent air and reduce pressure in the oil filter-leak pressure-test station subsequent to an oil filter-leak pressure test.
18. The method of claim 10 , further comprising fluidly connecting an overflow reservoir to the interface fitting through an intermediate vent valve.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein fluidly connecting the overflow reservoir to the interface fitting through an intermediate vent valve includes configuring the overflow reservoir to collect oil mist condensate on a wire mesh when the vent valve is opened to vent air and reduce pressure in the oil filter-leak pressure-test station.