Electronic winterizer

• US 5,263,885 A
• Filed: 12/21/1992
• Issued: 11/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Montague
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Montague
• Inventors: Montague, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Basinger, Sherman D.
• Application Number:
  US07/993,641
• Time in Patent Office: 337 Days
• Field of Search: 440/88, 440/113, 440/900
• US Class Current: 440/88.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/383 for handling cooling-water in outboard drives B63H20/28; in machines or engines in general F01P3/00
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/20 concerning atmospheric freezing conditions, e.g. automatically draining or heating during frosty weather
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2007/146 using valves
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2050/04 using direct cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/205 Flushing
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 61/045 for marine engines

Abstract

The electronic winterizer is a device that is installed in the interior of a boat. It winterizes an inboard/outboard engine without the use of a person knowledgeable of this process. It can be accomplished in or out of the water. The invention allows a boat owner to operate his inboard/outboard engine in cold temperatures without having to employ a person to winterize the engine each time he uses it. Thus it is made useful all winter. To operate, the inboard/outboard engine is first started. After the engine reaches an acceptable temperature, the thermostat is opened. While the engine is running the operator turns on a switch that is mounted in the dash of the driver'"'"'s console. The switch activates an electronic timer that operates a DC powered valve and pump. At the time of operation the valve opens and the pump starts. The pump drains antifreeze from a holding tank that is also installed in the boat'"'"'s interior. The pump dispenses antifreeze through the open valve and into the injector. The injector is mounted in the hose that provides coolant to the engine and outdrive. The antifreeze passes through the injector at such an angle that it mixes the antifreeze and water coolant to a ratio acceptable to prevent the unit from freezing.

Claims

1. A powered electronic winterizer kit for use as an alternative method of preparing a coolant system for a marine inboard/outboard engine for cold weather;

said kit comprising;

an electric switch mounted to a driver'"'"'s console;

an electric timer mounted to said switch;

a wiring harness connecting said switch to a pump and a valve;

a holding tank for antifreeze;

an injector mounted in the coolant system for said inboard/outboard engine, said injector controlling the ratio at which antifreeze is distributed to water coolant in the coolant system;

a plurality of hoses connecting the holding tank to said pump, to said valve, and to said injector; and

wherein said switch activates said timer to operate said pump and valve for a predetermined period of time, said pump during the predetermined period of time dispensing antifreeze from said tank to said injector and into the coolant system for said engine.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the coolant system of said marine inboard/outboard engine comprises an intermediate housing, a thermostat, and a hose between said intermediate housing and said thermostat, said injector being installed into said hose.

3. The kit of claim 2 wherein said injector comprises a larger tube having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and a smaller tube located between said inlet opening and said outlet opening and forming an angle of 45°

with said larger tube so as to mix the antifreeze with the water coolant at an acceptable rate.