Engine flushing device and method of using

• US 6,776,677 B1
• Filed: 05/15/2003
• Issued: 08/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dallas L. Knapp Jr
• Original Assignee: Dallas L. Knapp Jr
• Inventors: Knapp, Dallas L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): BASINGER, SHERMAN D
• Application Number:
  US10/441,301
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 440/88, 440/88.R, 440/88.C, 440/88.N, 134/22.11, 134/22.12, 134/22.18, 134/166.R, 134/166.C
• US Class Current: 440/88.00N
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/12 the vessels being motor-driven B63H21/175, B63H21/18 take precedence; cooling circuits with liquid-to-liquid heat-exchange relative to marine vessels F01P3/207
• 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: B63J 4/006 for treating waste water or sewage
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/205 Flushing

Abstract

An engine flushing device and an associated method of using the device for use in purging trapped water within the cooling chamber of an engine are disclosed. The device includes a connector attachable to an output of a garden hose; a conduit; a shutoff valve having a shutoff gate; a fluid entry valve having a fluid entry gate; and a tube which is operationally attachable to the intake port of the engine. The method includes the steps of adjoining, affixing, aligning, conjoining, connecting, coupling, lining, mating, moving, obtaining, placing, positioning, running, and turning.

Claims

1. An engine flushing device for purging existing water trapped within respective cooling chambers of a first and second engines, the first and second engines having respective first and second intake ports connected to respective first and second onboard cooling lines, said device comprising:

a tri-junction conduit connector having a first outlet, a second outlet and an inlet, the inlet of said tri-junction conduit connector is operatively attachable to an outlet of a garden hose;

a first conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of said first conduit is operatively attached to the first outlet said tri-junction conduit connector;

a first shutoff valve having an inlet, an outlet and a first shutoff gate, the inlet of said first shutoff valve is operatively attached to the outlet of said first conduit,

when the first shutoff gate of said first shutoff valve is positioned in a first open position then the inlet and outlet of said first shutoff valve are in fluid communications with each other,

when the first shutoff gate of said first shutoff valve is positioned in a first closed position then the inlet and outlet of said first shutoff valve are not in fluid communications with each other;

a first bypass valve having a first inlet, a second inlet, an outlet, and a first bypass gate, the first inlet of said first bypass valve is operatively attached to the outlet of said first shutoff valve, the second inlet of said first bypass valve is operatively attachable to an outlet of the first onboard cooling line,

when the first bypass gate of said first bypass valve is positioned in a first bypass position then the first inlet of the first bypass valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of said first shutoff valve,

when the first bypass gate of said first bypass valve is positioned in a first flow through position and when the second inlet of said first bypass valve is operatively attached to the outlet of the first onboard cooling line then the second inlet of the first bypass valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of the first onboard cooling line;

a first fluid entry valve having a first inlet, a second inlet, an outlet and a first fluid entry gate, the first inlet of said first fluid entry valve is operatively attached to the outlet of said first bypass valve,

when the first fluid entry gate of said first fluid entry valve is positioned in a first detour position then the first inlet of said first fluid entry valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of said first fluid entry valve,

when the first fluid entry gate of said first fluid entry valve is positioned in an first fluid introduction position then the second inlet of said first fluid entry valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of said first fluid entry valve;

a first tube having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of said first tube is operatively attached to the outlet said first fluid entry valve, the outlet of said first tube is operatively attachable to the first intake port of the first engine;

a second conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of said second conduit is operatively attached to the second outlet said tri-junction conduit connector;

a second shutoff valve having an inlet, an outlet and a second shutoff gate, the inlet of said second shutoff valve is operatively attached to the outlet of said second conduit,

when the second shutoff gate of said second shutoff valve is positioned in a second open position then the inlet and outlet of said second shutoff valve are in fluid communications with each other,

when the second shutoff gate of said second shutoff valve is positioned in a second closed position then the inlet and outlet of said second shutoff valve are not in fluid communications with each other;

a second bypass valve having a first inlet, a second inlet, an outlet, and a second bypass gate, the first inlet of said second bypass valve is operatively attached to the outlet of said second shutoff valve, the second inlet of said second bypass valve is operatively attachable to an outlet of the second onboard cooling line,

when the second bypass gate of said second bypass valve is positioned in a second bypass position then the first inlet of the second bypass valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of said second shutoff valve,

when the second bypass gate of said second bypass valve is positioned in a second flow through position and when the second inlet of said second bypass valve is operatively attached to the outlet of the second onboard cooling line then the second inlet of the second bypass valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of the second onboard cooling line;

a second fluid entry valve having a first inlet, a second inlet, an outlet and a second fluid entry gate, the first inlet of said second fluid entry valve is operatively attached to the outlet of said second bypass valve,

when the second fluid entry gate of said second fluid entry valve is positioned in a second detour position then the first inlet of said second fluid entry valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of said second fluid entry valve,

when the second fluid entry gate of said second fluid entry valve is positioned in a second fluid introduction position then the second inlet of said second fluid entry valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of said second fluid entry valve; and

a second tube having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of said second tube is operatively attached to the outlet said second fluid entry valve, the outlet of said second tube is operatively attachable to the second intake port of the second engine.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a first funnel having a bottom end operatively attachable to the second inlet of said first fluid entry valve.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a first funnel having a bottom end operatively attached to the second inlet of the first fluid entry valve.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second funnel having a bottom end operatively attachable to the second inlet of said second fluid entry valve.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second funnel having a bottom end operatively attached to the second inlet of said second fluid entry valve.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said tri-junction conduit is a T-junction conduit.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said tri-junction conduit is a Y-junction conduit.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is made of plastic.

9. A method of using an engine flushing device for purging existing water trapped within respective cooling chambers of a first and second engines of a boat, the first and second engines having respective first and second intake ports connected to respective first and second onboard cooling lines, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining the engine flushing device comprising;

a tri-junction conduit connector having a first outlet, a second outlet and an inlet, the inlet of the tri-junction conduit connector is operatively attachable to an outlet of a garden hose;

a first conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the first conduit is operatively attached to the first outlet the tri-junction conduit connector;

a first shutoff valve having an inlet, an outlet and a first shutoff gate, the inlet of the first shutoff valve is operatively attached to the outlet of the first conduit,

when the first shutoff gate of the first shutoff valve is positioned in a first open position then the inlet and outlet of the first shutoff valve are in fluid communications with each other,

when the first shutoff gate of the first shutoff valve is positioned in a first closed position then the inlet and outlet of the first shutoff valve are not in fluid communications with each other;

a first bypass valve having a first inlet, a second inlet, an outlet, and a first bypass gate, the first inlet of the first bypass valve is operatively attached to the outlet of the first shutoff valve, the second inlet of the first bypass valve is operatively attachable to an outlet of the first onboard cooling line,

when the first bypass gate of the first bypass valve is positioned in a first bypass position then the first inlet of the first bypass valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of the first shutoff valve,

when the first bypass gate of the first bypass valve is positioned in a first flow through position and when the second inlet of the first bypass valve is operatively attached to the outlet of the first onboard cooling line then the second inlet of the first bypass valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of the first onboard cooling line;

a first fluid entry valve having a first inlet, a second inlet, an outlet and a first fluid entry gate, the first inlet of the first fluid entry valve is operatively attached to the outlet of the first bypass valve,

when the first fluid entry gate of the first fluid entry valve is positioned in a first detour position then the first inlet of the first fluid entry valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of the first fluid entry valve,

when the first fluid entry gate of the first fluid entry valve is positioned in an first fluid introduction position then the second inlet of the first fluid entry valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of the first fluid entry valve;

a first tube having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the first tube is operatively attached to the outlet the first fluid entry valve, the outlet of the first tube is operatively attachable to the first intake port of the first engine;

a second conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the second conduit is operatively attached to the second outlet the tri-junction conduit connector;

a second shutoff valve having an inlet, an outlet and a second shutoff gate, the inlet of the second shutoff valve is operatively attached to the outlet of the second conduit,

when the second shutoff gate of the second shutoff valve is positioned in a second open position then the inlet and outlet of the second shutoff valve are in fluid communications with each other,

when the second shutoff gate of the second shutoff valve is positioned in a second closed position then the inlet and outlet of the second shutoff valve are not in fluid communications with each other;

a second bypass valve having a first inlet, a second inlet, an outlet, and a second bypass gate, the first inlet of the second bypass valve is operatively attached to the outlet of the second shutoff valve, the second inlet of the second bypass valve is operatively attachable to an outlet of the second onboard cooling line,

when the second bypass gate of the second bypass valve is positioned in a second bypass position then the first inlet of the second bypass valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of the second shutoff valve,

when the second bypass gate of the second bypass valve is positioned in a second flow through position and when the second inlet of the second bypass valve is operatively attached to the outlet of the second onboard cooling line then the second inlet of the second bypass valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of the second onboard cooling line;

a second fluid entry valve having a first inlet, a second inlet, an outlet and a second fluid entry gate, the first inlet of the second fluid entry valve is operatively attached to the outlet of the second bypass valve,

when the second fluid entry gate of the second fluid entry valve is positioned in a second detour position then the fist inlet of the second fluid entry valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of the second fluid entry valve,

when the second fluid entry gate of the second fluid entry valve is positioned in a second fluid introduction position then the second inlet of the second fluid entry valve is in fluid communications with the outlet of the second fluid entry valve;

a second tube having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the second tube is operatively attached to the outlet the second fluid entry valve, the outlet of the second tube is operatively attachable to the second intake port of the second engine;

adjoining operatively together the second inlet of the first bypass valve of the device to the outlet of the first onboard cooling line;

affixing operatively together the second inlet of the second bypass valve of the device to the outlet of the second onboard cooling line;

conjoining operatively together the outlet of the first tube of the device to the first intake port of the first engine;

coupling operatively together the outlet of the second tube of the device to the second intake port of the second engine, wherein said steps of adjoining, affixing, conjoining, and coupling comprise attaching the device onto the boat;

connecting operatively together an inlet of the garden hose to a water faucet;

mating operatively together the outlet of the garden hose to the inlet of the tri-junction conduit connector of the attached device;

aligning the first shutoff gate of the first shutoff valve of the attached device into the first open position;

placing the first bypass gate of the first bypass valve of the attached device in the first bypass position;

positioning the second bypass gate of the second bypass valve of the attached device in the second bypass position;

moving the first fluid entry gate of the first fluid entry valve of the attached device in the first detour position;

lining up the second fluid entry gate of the second fluid entry valve of the attached device in the second detour position, wherein said steps of aligning, lining, mating, placing, and positioning comprise configuring the attached device into a flushing mode;

turning on the water faucet when the device is in the flushing mode; and

running the first and second engines when the device is in the flushing mode, said step of running is performed subsequent to said turning step.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising

finding a first funnel having a bottom end;

getting a winterizing solution;

mounting operatively the bottom end of the first funnel to the second inlet of the first fluid entry valve of the attached device;

pouring an aliquot of the winterizing solution into the first funnel operatively mounted to the second inlet of the first fluid entry valve of the attached device;

placing the first bypass gate of the first bypass valve of the attached device in the first fluid introduction position when the first funnel is operatively mounted to the second inlet of the first fluid entry valve of the attached device and when pouring the aliquot of the wintering solution into the first funnel while running the first engine;

re-moving the first fluid entry gate of the first fluid entry valve of the attached device in the first detour position, said re-moving step performed subsequent to said placing step;

reposing operatively the bottom end of the first funnel to the second inlet of the second fluid entry valve of the attached device;

dispensing a portion of the winterizing solution into the first funnel operatively reposed to the second inlet of the second valve of the attached device;

setting the second bypass gate of the second bypass valve of the attached device in tie second fluid introduction position when the first funnel is operatively reposed to the second inlet of the second fluid entry valve of the attached device and when dispensing the portion of the winterizing solution into the first funnel while running the second engine; and

realigning the second fluid entry gate of the second fluid entry valve of the attached device in the second detour position, said re-lining up step performed subsequent to said setting step.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

disconnecting operatively the outlet of the garden hose from the inlet of the tri-junction conduit connector of the attached device.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

switching the first shutoff gate of the first shutoff valve of the attached device from the first open position to the first closed position;

pivoting the second shutoff gate of the second shutoff valve of the attached device from the second open position to the second closed position;

twisting the first bypass gate of the first bypass valve of the attached device from the first bypass position to the first flow through position;

rotating the second bypass gate of the second bypass valve of the attached device from the second bypass position to the second flow through position;

assuring that the first fluid entry valve is in the first detour position; and

verifying that the second fluid entry valve of the attached device is in the second detour position.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of:

driving the boat in a body of water when the first shutoff gate of the first shutoff valve of the attached device is in the first closed position, when the second shutoff gate of the second shutoff valve of the attached device is in the second closed position, when the first bypass gate of the first bypass valve of the attached device is in the first flow through position, and when the second bypass gate of the second bypass valve of the attached device is in the second flow through position.