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Title:
FLUSHING APPARATUS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/1997/017533
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
There is provided flushing apparatus comprising a housing (10) enclosing a space (11) adapted to contain water. A valve (24) allows selective introduction of a flushing liquid to the space (11). A delivery pipe (14) extends from a lower portion of the space (11) and is integrally formed with an exit stub (15) welded to the housing (10), the exit stub (15) being connectable to the cooling system of the vehicle whereby liquid may be delivered under pressure against the closing bias of the cooling system thermostat. Pressurizing air is admitted to the housing via a supply valve (21). An adjustable pressure relief valve and pressure gauge mounting assembly (19) is provided for the housing (10). A depressurizing valve (23) is provided to allow depressurization of the housing (10) without disconnection of the mains water supply from the valve (24) connecting the stub (12) to the mains.

Inventors:
SEFTON ROBIN JAMES (NZ)
Application Number:
PCT/AU1995/000742
Publication Date:
May 15, 1997
Filing Date:
November 08, 1995
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
FAIRBROTHER PAUL GARNET (AU)
SEFTON ROBIN JAMES (NZ)
International Classes:
F01P11/06; F02B77/04; F28G9/00; (IPC1-7): F01P11/06; F28G9/00
Foreign References:
AU5203379A1980-05-29
AU4936090A1990-08-16
AU4316779A1979-08-02
AU3296193A1994-02-10
AU4288678A1979-06-28
US4161979A1979-07-24
US5159956A1992-11-03
US5193491A1993-03-16
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Claims:
THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Flushing apparatus including: a reservoir adapted to contain a flushing liquid; pressurizing means for said liquid; and delivery means for passing said pressurized liquid into an engine cooling system against the closing bias of a thermostat therein.
2. Flushing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said reservoir comprises a pressurizable housing adapted to contain said flushing liquid.
3. Flushing apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said pressurizing means comprises application of compressed air to a headspace head space allowed above liquid in said housing.
4. Flushing apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said delivery means comprises a conduit from said housing having an inlet disposed beneath a selected liquid level within said housing and an outlet connectable to said cooling system.
5. Flushing apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein said flushing liquid is selected from water and compositions thereof.
6. Flushing apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein said flushing liquid is mains supply water and wherein said reservoir is in fluid connection with said mains supply via flow control means.
7. Flushing apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said control means includes a non return valve to prevent inadvertant passage of flushing liquid into said mains water supply upon pressurization of said flushing liquid.
8. Flushing apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein said pressurizing means includes pressure limiting means.
9. A method of flushing the cooling system of an engine including the steps of: pressurizing a flushing liquid, and introducing said pressurized liquid to said cooling system whereby said liquid passes through the cooling system against the closing bias of a thermostat therein.
10. A method of flushing the cooling system of an engine substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to the accompanying drawings.
11. Flushing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Description:
FLUSHING APPARATUS This invention relates to flushing apparatus. This invention has particular reference to flushing apparatus suitable for flushing automobile cooling systems and the invention will be further described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it is envisaged that this application would find other applications such as in the flushing of fresh or raw water cooled marine engines.

Flushing apparatus is required to remove corrosion products and other deposits from the cooling systems of internal combustion engines and particularly automotive engines. In general, prior art back-flushing apparatus comprises means for injecting an energetic water and air mixture which is introduced to the cooling system after the thermostat has been removed from its housing. One type of prior art apparatus requires cutting of the heater hoses of the engine and inclusion of an adaptor for the apparatus. Others require removal of several hoses. All prior art methods require removal of the thermostat. The present invention aims to substantially alleviate at least one of the above disadvantages and to provide flushing apparatus which will be reliable and efficient in use. Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter become apparent. With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in flushing apparatus including:-

a reservoir adapted to contain a flushing liquid; pressurizing means for said liquid; and delivery means for passing said pressurized liquid into an engine cooling system against the closing bias of a thermostat therein.

The reservoir preferably comprises a pressurizable housing adapted to contain the flushing liquid which may be pressurized therewithin. Pressurization may be achieved by the introduction of compressed air into a head space allowed above the liquid. Alternatively, the housing may be provided with delivery pump means although air pressurization is preferred since an air supply is available in service centres and the container may be supplied therewith and moved the vehicle to be serviced. The flushing liquid is preferably water or compositions thereof and may include materials capable of dissolving or dislodging engine cooling system deposits such as complexing acids or the like. Preferably, the flushing liquid is disposable to waste without special treatment or care. The housing is preferably connectable to a mains water supply via flow control means to control filling of the apparatus. The flow control means may for example comprise a valve or the like operable to allow introduction of water to the housing. Additionally, the control means may include a non return valve downstream of the control valve to prevent inadvertant passage of flushing liquid into the water supply upon pressurization of the housing. The control means may

also comprise additive introduction means whereby additives may be metered into the housing and mixed with the incoming water as the water is introduced to the housing.

The housing preferably includes a delivery conduit extending from a lower portion of the housing whereby pressurization of the head space in the housing may deliver flushing fluid by displacement. Preferably, the delivery conduit comprises a rigid pipe secured in the housing and terminated in a stub to which a flexible connection hose may be attached to provide for connection to the cooling system in situ.

It is preferred that the housing be capable of being brought to the engine within the service environment and to this end is preferably provided with wheels or other means permitting the apparatus to be delivered to close proximity to the engine, the cooling system of which is to be flushed. If desired, the apparatus may be provided with pressure limiting means to limit the pressure inside the housing to a desired pressure which may be, for example, 30 PSI. The apparatus may further be provided with pressure gauge means such that the operating pressure of the apparatus may be monitored. This is particularly desirable if the pressure limiting means comprises an adjustable means whereby the gauge may be used in cooperation with the adjustable means to select an operating pressure for the apparatus.

In a further aspect, this invention resides broadly in a method of flushing the cooling system of an engine including

the steps of:- pressurizing a flushing liquid, and introducing said pressurized liquid to said cooling system whereby said liquid passes through the cooling system against the closing bias of a thermostat therein.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: FIGS. 1 and 2 are side and front views respectively of apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and FIG 3 is an perspective view of an upper portion of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the figures, there is provided flushing apparatus comprising a welded steel housing 10 enclosing a space 11 adapted to contain approximately 40 litres of water. The housing 10 is manufactured of sheet steel and is adapted to be run at an operating pressure of 40 pounds per square inch. A threaded stub pipe 12 is provided with a valve 24 to allow selective introduction of a flushing liquid to the space 11 and a further threaded stud pipe 13 is provided to allow the connection of a combined adjustable pressure relief valve and pressure gauge mounting assembly 19 to the housing.

A delivery pipe 14 extends from a lower portion of the space 11 and is integrally formed with an exit stub 15 welded to the housing 10. Transportability of the apparatus is provided by an axle 16 upon which wheels 18 are mounted, and

an operating handle 17.

Pressurizing air is admitted to the housing via an inlet stub 20 adapted to be connected to an air supply through a supply valve 21. Tool rails 22 are welded to the outside of the housing 10 for convenience.

A depressurizing valve 23 is provided to allow depressurization of the housing 10 without disconnection of the mains water supply from the valve 24 connecting the stub 12 to the mains.

In use, water is admitted to the housing through the stub 12 and is allowed to substantially fill the housing interior space 11. The outlet tail 15 is connected to the cooling system of a vehicle (not shown) by removal of a hose such that pressurization of the system forces the thermostat open against its closing bias.

Pressurizing air is connected to and introduced through the inlet stub 20, resulting in the water being displaced under pressure from the base of the housing and forced into the cooling system, to circulate thereabout and to be passed out of the open end of the disconnected hose. When all of the water has been passed, the end of the cycle is indicated by air purging of the system with a sudden pressure drop and closure of the thermostat under the influence of the spring. The use of water, an incompressible fluid, as opposed to energetic water/air mixtures renders it unnecessary to remove the thermostat from the thermostat housing.

It will of course be realised that while the above has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.




 
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