US 4,235,100 A · Comprehensive coolant system tester

Abstract

A comprehensive automotive cooling system testing apparatus allows for the separate testing of the radiator and the engine block cooling passageways, in addition to the testing of the radiator cap and the complete cooling system. The testing apparatus includes a master pressurizing test unit, and adaptors to attach the unit to the various portions of the cooling system. The master pressurization test unit includes a gauge for visually observing the level of pressure, an air inlet for connecting the device to an external source of pressurized air, a manual pressure relief valve for releasing pressure when the testing is finished, and an automatic pressure relief valve for releasing pressure from the portion of the cooling system under test whenever the pressure reaches a predetermined level. The various portions of the master test unit are mounted to an air conduit which is attached to a cap similar to a radiator cap. A cylindrical adaptor is used to attach the master pressuring test unit to test a radiator filler cap. A hollow stepped cylindrical member is utilized to attach the master pressurizing test unit to a radiator hose when the radiator or engine block portions of the cooling system are to be separately tested. Solid stepped plugs are also provided for insertion into the other coolant hoses to seal the hoses.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A comprehensive automotive cooling system testing apparatus for testing all of the portions of said system, including the radiator filler cap, radiator, an engine block cooling passage portions of said system, not withstanding variations in radiator hose diameter or the like, said apparatus comprising:

master pressurization test means for selectively pressurizing said portions with air, said master test means including a central open chamber, means for connecting a source of pressurized air to said central open chamber, said means including a coupling for connecting said chamber to said portion under test, means for visually observing the level of pressure within said portion, and means for releasing said pressure from said portion, whereby the integrity of said portion is determined by the level of pressure said portion will withstand without leaking;
adapting means for securing to said coupling and for attaching said pressurizing means to said radiator filler cap portion of said system;
means for testing said radiator, with said radiator disconnected from said block via said radiator hoses, said testing means including stepped plug means for sealing at least one of said radiator hoses;
and
means for testing said block with said radiator disconnected, said means including stepped hollow cylindrical means for coupling said master test means to one of said hoses;
whereby a single master test means may be selectively employed to separately test (1) the filler cap (2) the entire coolant system excluding the filler cap, (3) the radiator and (4) the engine block.

3 more elements

A device for pressure testing the liquid cooling system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said cooling system being of the type having connected thereto by hoses a radiator and a vehicle heating system, said device allowing testing of said cooling system with said radiator and said heating system disconnected and comprising:

a plurality of solid cylindrical plug means for sealing said heating system hoses and one of said radiator hoses, said plug means each having a plurality of adjacent sections of decreasing diameter to seal said heating system hoses and one of said radiator hoses when said plug means are inserted therein;
cooling system pressuring means, connected to the remaining radiator hose, for pressurizing said cooling system with air, said pressurizing means including means for connecting a source of pressurized air to said cooling system, means for visually observing the level of pressure in such cooling system, and means for releasing said pressure in said cooling system to prevent damage to said system or to end said testing of said cooling system, whereby the integrity of said cooling system is determined by the level of pressure said cooling system withstands without leaking.

A comprehensive automotive cooling system testing apparatus for testing all portions of said system, including the radiator filler cap, radiator and engine block cooling passage portions of said system, notwithstanding variations in radiator hose diameter or the like, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a pressurizing device for selectively pressurizing one or all of said portions of said cooling system, said pressurizing device including
(i) a flanged cap,
(ii) a spring-biased air inlet valve for allowing pressurized air to enter said device from an external source of air and for preventing air from escaping from said device when said external source of pressurized air is removed,
(iii) a low-pressure gauge for monitoring the level of pressure within said portion of said cooling system being tested, and
(iv) an air conduit, interconnecting said cap, said air valve, and said gauge, for passing air from said inlet valve to said gauge and to said portion of said system under test through said cap, whereby the integrity of said portion is determined by the level of pressure said portion will withstand without leaking, said pressurizing device being directly connectable to the filling neck of a radiator to test said radiator;
(b) a hollow flanged adapting tube sealingly connectable between said cap and said radiator cap portion of said cooling system, said flanged cap thereby allowing said pressurizing device to test said radiator cap;
(c) a stepped plug for sealing one of said radiator hoses to allow said pressurizing device to test said radiator, with said radiator disconnected from said engine block via said radiator hoses;
and
(d) a stepped flanged cylinder for coupling said pressurizing device to said engine block with said radiator disconnected.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Comprehensive coolant system tester

Life of this patent

Comprehensive coolant system tester

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25