Pressure-vacuum cooling system for internal combustion engine utilizing reservoir

• US 4,479,460 A
• Filed: 11/22/1982
• Issued: 10/30/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Webber, Robert C.
• Original Assignee: Webber, Robert C.
• Inventors: Webber, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Application Number:
  US06/443,601
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 123/41.01, 123/41.02, 123/41.15, 123/41.27, 123/41.54, 123/41.21, 220/203, 220/303, 220/DIG. 32, 220/85 VR, 220/85 VS, 220/DIG. 9, 220/420, 220/421, 165/132, 165/148
• US Class Current: 123/41.27
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/02 Liquid-coolant filling, overflow, venting, or draining devices automatic draining during freezing conditions F01P11/20
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/18 concerning coolant pressure, coolant flow, or liquid-coolant level

Abstract

A coolant system for an internal combustion engine equipped with a radiator, involving the use of a reservoir utilized in a semi-hermetically sealed relationship with the engine and radiator, such that only rarely does additional coolant liquid need be added to the coolant system. This system has the safety of a pressure cap set to release in the pressure range of between 10 and 20 pounds per square inch, but no readmission valve is utilized in the cap, thus excluding unwanted atmospheric air from the coolant system. The reservoir is preferably insulated and of elongate configuration.

Claims

1. A pressure-vacuum cooling system for an internal combustion engine equipped with a radiator, wherein the cooling system is semi-hermetically sealed and may have on occasion a pressure less than atmospheric pressure, and wherein a connector for fluid is interposed between the engine and the radiator, through which connector, liquid coolant flows when the engine is operating, said system including conduit means attached to the connector and to a storage tank for coolant, said storage tank having insulation means such that its contents are shielded from the heat of the engine and/or ambient heat, said insulation means involving double sidewalls, with the space between said sidewalls evacuated, conduit means forming a path for coolant to flow on occasion between the radiator and engine on the one hand, and said storage tank on the other, a removable cap which, when removed, enables additional liquid, when needed, to be added to said cooling system, said cap having therein a one way valve set to open in the pressure range of between 10 and 20 pounds per square inch when the engine is operating and the coolant has been heated thereby, said cap when in place, effectively preventing the admission of any atmospheric air to the cooling system after the engine has thereafter ceased operation and the liquid coolant has cooled, such that a pressure below ambient may be maintained in the system.

2. A pressure-vacuum cooling system for an internal combustion engine equipped with a radiator, wherein the cooling system may have on occasion a pressure less than atmospheric pressure, a connector for fluid interposed between the engine and the radiator, through which connector liquid coolant flows where the engine is operating, said system including conduit means attached to the connector and to a generally elongate storage tank for coolant, said conduit means forming a path for coolant to flow on occasion between the radiator and engine on the one hand, and said storage tank on the other, a removable cap which, when removed, enables additional liquid, when needed, to be added to said cooling system, said cap having therein a one way valve set to open in the pressure range of between 10 and 20 pounds per square inch when the engine is operating and the coolant has been heated thereby, said cap when in place, effectively preventing the admission of any atmospheric air to the cooling system after the engine has thereafter ceased operation and the liquid coolant has cooled, said storage tank containing in its interior a tube through which liquid coolant can enter or leave, said tube being connected to said conduit means and disposed substantially parallel to the conterline of said storage tank, and orifice means in said tube near the point of its entry into the interior of said storage tank, said orifice means facilitating the removal of any air trapped in said storage tank at such time as the liquid coolant becomes heated as a result of engine operation, irrespective of said storage tank being utilized in a generally-vertical, or a generally-horizontal position.

3. The pressure-vacuum cooling system as defined in claim 2 wherein said tube has a hook-shaped portion, and said orifice means is located in a short tube disposed generally in the plane of said hook-shaped portion.

4. The pressure-vacuum cooling system as defined in claim 2 wherein insulating means is utilized to shield said storage tank from engine and/or ambient heat.

5. the pressure-vacuum cooling system as defined in claim 4 wherein double sidewalls represent said insulating means, the space between which sidewalls is evacuated.

6. The pressure-vacuum system as defined in claim 4 wherein said insulating means in represented by external insulation.

7. A reservoir for use in conjunction with a semi-hermetically sealed coolant system for an internal combustion engine have a radiator, said reservoir having a generally cylindrical inner chamber with closed ends, in which inner chamber liquid coolant may be held at pressures either higher or lower than atmospheric, said generally cylindrical inner chamber being surrounded by a generally cylindrical outer chamber having closed ends, at least one fluid connection from said radiator to said inner chamber, such that liquid coolant may either be added to, or removed from, said inner chamber, the space between said chambers being evacuated such that the liquid contents of said inner chamber may to a considerable extent be insulated from heat from the engine, or from ambient sources.

8. The reservoir as defined in claim 7 in which a tube is mounted inside said inner chamber, which tube connects to said fluid connection, and serves as the ingress and egress of coolant to or from said inner chamber, said tube having a hook-shaped lower portion spaced away from the bottom as well as away from the sidewall of said inner chamber, thus diminishing the likelihood of sludge being drawn into the cooling system of the engine, irrespective of the utilization of the reservoir in a generally-horizontal, or generally-vertical position.

9. The reservoir as defined in claim 8 in which said tube is equipped with an orifice adjacent the entry location of said tube into said inner chamber, such that any air trapped inside said inner chamber can be removed readily.

10. The reservoir as defined in claim 8 wherein an orifice for air removal is provided in said tube, said orifice being located in a short, ancillary tube located generally in the plane of said hook-shaped lower portion, and disposed near the entry location of said tube into said inner chamber, such orifice enabling the ready removal of air from said inner chamber.

11. The reservoir as defined in clain 7 wherein pressure sensing means is utilized such that a signal may be given to an operator as to the pressure in said inner chamber.