Dispenser for anti-corrosion fluids

Abstract

There is a dispenser for the delivery of an anti-corrosion fluid during flushing of a marine engine cooling system. The dispenser comprises a housing 1′ with a chamber 2′ for the anti-corrosion fluid, an inlet 5′ to the housing for connection to a supply of fresh water, an outlet 6′ from the housing for connection to the cooling system and a valve 3′ for selectively diverting inlet water either directly to the cooling system or through a mixing 3A, 3B so that the water is combined with the anti-corrosion fluid from the chamber 2′ before entering the cooling system.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to fluid dispensers. More particularly although not exclusively it discloses apparatus for the injection of anti-corrosion fluids into cooling systems during marine engine flushing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] All liquid cooled marine engines require periodic flushing to reduce corrosion and the buildup of deposits in coolant passageways. With marine engines which are used in salt water corrosion of the cooling system occurs particularly quickly without frequent flushing. Most manufactures therefore recommend that the motor be flushed out each time it is removed from the water. The flushing operation typically involves the connection of a fresh water supply such as a garden hose to the water inlet. The motor is then run for a period sufficient to expel any salt, sand or other deposits. While this procedure reduces the amount of internal corrosion, for complete protection it is still necessary to circulate anti-corrosion chemicals through the cooling system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Accordingly, this invention discloses a dispenser for the metered delivery of an anti-corrosion fluid or the like during the flushing of an engine cooling system, said dispenser including a housing with at least one chamber therein, an inlet for connection to a supply of fresh water, an outlet for connection to said cooling system and a user operable valve for selectively diverting the inlet water either directly to said cooling system or through a mixing means whereby said water is combined with a metered amount of said anti-corrosion fluid from the chamber before entering said cooling system.

[0004] It is further preferred that the dispenser be adaptable to inject undiluted anti-corrosion fluid into the cooling system using the pressure of the fresh water supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of one form of dispenser according to this invention, and

[0007] FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Referring first to FIG. 1 the dispenser may comprise a moulded plastic housing 1 having at least one interior chamber 2, a user operable selector valve 3, a filler hole 4, an inlet fitting 5 and outlet fitting 6. The inlet and outlet fittings may be of any suitable design but preferably they are adapted for use with the standard snap connectors used on domestic garden hoses.

[0009] While the design of the valve has yet to be finalised by the inventor it would preferably be operable at a first position to channel the inlet water directly through to the outlet 6, at a second position to mix the inlet water with the fluid contents of chamber 2 and at a third position to terminate flow altogether.

[0010] In use of the dispenser chamber 2 is initially filled with any suitable type of anti-corrosion fluid through the filler hole 4, the inlet 5 is then connected to a conventional garden hose 7 and the outlet connected to the engine cooling system via a second hose 8. In the case of outboard motors special purpose “ears” are commonly available for attachment over the cooling water intake ports on the motor leg. In the case of inboards hose couplings are usually provided on the engine. Initially, with the selector valve placed in the first position, fresh water is flushed through the cooling system to remove any salt, sand or other foreign material. Following this the valve may be moved to its second position at which the anti-corrosion fluid from chamber 2 is mixed with the water circulating through the engine. The nature of this fluid would preferably be to neutralise any corrosive agents remaining in the cooling system and also to leave a residual coating on the inside of the engine to provide ongoing protection. Once the anti-corrosion treatment is finished the water flow is terminated by moving the selector valve to its third position and the device is disconnected from the engine.

[0011] Preferably, although it is not essential to the invention, a second chamber may be provided in the dispenser housing to contain additional cleaning and/or conditioning additives for the cooling system.

[0012] With the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the main components that correspond in function to those of FIG. 1 are identified by the same numbers which however are primed (′) to distinguish them.

[0013] In this case the selector valve 3′ includes a shaft 3A which is rotatable in a sleeve 3B within the housing 1′. The shaft has apertures 3C and 3D extending diametrically through adjacent the top and bottom. These apertures are located in the same horizontal plane as ports 3E and 3F in the sleeve. The lower aperture 3D is also located downstream of the upper aperture 3C.

[0014] With the selector valve at a first position shown in FIG. 2 the apertures 3C and 3D are disposed at right angles to the ports 3E and 3F with the result that the water is blocked from entering chamber 2′ and must flow along passageway 9 without mixing with the anti-corrosion fluid. In this configuration the fresh water is channeled directly to the engine without any additives.

[0015] With the selector valve at the second position of FIG. 3 the apertures 3C and 3D are aligned respectively with ports 3E and 3F. A portion of the inlet water therefore enters chamber 2′ through the upper ports whereby it mixes with anticorrosion fluid and subsequently exits through the lower ports to rejoin the flow through passageway 9 to the engine.

[0016] Although not shown in the drawings the knob for the selector valve may also be marked in any suitable fashion to identify the aforementioned flow positions relative to the housing.

[0017] Preferably a number of valve settings intermediate the first and second positions would be available to vary the amount of additive mixture introduced into the flow stream.

[0018] It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the examples described comprises a novel and unique anti-corrosion dispenser to facilitate the flushing of engine cooling systems. Clearly however the examples disclosed are only the currently preferred forms of this invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the shape and configuration of the dispenser housing, the number of interior fluid chambers and the mode of operation of the selector valve may all be changed according to application or design preference. Also, while it is currently envisaged that the dispenser would be constructed from moulded plastic the invention extends to the use of any other suitable material.

[0019] For the purposes of this specification expressions such as “top”, “bottom”, “upper” and “lower” etc. refer to the dispensers in one position of use as illustrated and are not to be taken as limiting.

Claims

1. A dispenser for the delivery of an anti-corrosion fluid during flushing of a marine engine cooling system, said dispenser including a housing with at least one chamber for said anti-corrosion fluid, an inlet to said housing for connection to a supply of fresh water, an outlet from said housing for connection to said cooling system and a valve for selectively diverting inlet water either directly to said cooling system or through a mixing means whereby said water is combined with the anti-corrosion fluid from said chamber before entering said cooling system.

2. The dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve includes a shaft which is rotatable in a sleeve within said housing.

3. The dispenser as claimed in claim 2 wherein said shaft has apertures extending diametrically therethrough.

4. The dispenser as claimed in claim 3 wherein said apertures are alignable with ports in said sleeve.

5. The dispenser as claimed in claim 4 wherein when said valve is at a first position said apertures are disposed at right angles to said ports whereby flow of inlet water through said chamber is blocked and when said valve is at a second position the apertures are aligned with said ports whereby a portion of the inlet water flows through said chamber to mix with said anti-corrosion fluid.

6. The dispenser as claimed in claim 5 wherein when the flow of inlet water through said chamber is blocked said water flows to the outlet through a passageway around the periphery of said chamber.

7. The dispenser as claimed in claim 6 wherein said apertures include an upper aperture adjacent the top of said sleeve and a lower aperture adjacent the bottom of said sleeve with said lower aperture being downstream of said upper aperture whereby when said valve is at the second position said it portion of the inlet water enters the chamber through said upper aperture and exits through said lower aperture.

8. The dispenser as claimed in claim 7 where said valve has settings intermediate said first and second positions.

9. The dispenser as claimed in claim 8 wherein said housing is formed from moulded plastic.