Pressure testing apparatus
OwnerBruce Carrinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pressure testing apparatus for a cooling system of an internal combustion engine said pressure testing apparatus comprising a first air conduit (11), means (11A, 117A) for regulating air pressure associated with the first conduit (11) and an exhaust conduit (70, 120) in fluid communication with the first air conduit (11) for exhausting of coolant from the cooling system after use and selectively actuatable valve means (61, 116) controlling the flow of coolant from the first air conduit (11) into the exhaust conduit (70, 120), whereby, in use, pressurized air can be supplied to the cooling system to pressurize the cooling system to facilitate the detection of any fluid leaks present.
Claims7
An internal combustion engine cooling system pressure testing apparatus connectable to a source of pressurized air, said pressure testing apparatus comprising:
- a first air conduit;
- means for regulating air pressure associated with the first air conduit to maintain air pressure at a predetermined value;
- means for switching off the flow of pressurized air from the source;
- and,
- an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the first air conduit for exhausting of coolant from the cooling system after use and selectively actuatable valve means controlling flow of coolant from the first air conduit into the exhaust conduit,
- wherein the selectively actuatable valve means is a three-way valve facilitating flow of pressurized air into the first air conduit or flow of coolant into the exhaust conduit or maintaining the pressure of the pressurized air in the cooling system at a constant value and thereby functioning as said switching means.
An internal combustion engine cooling system pressure testing apparatus connectable to a source of pressurized air, said pressure testing apparatus comprising:
- a first air conduit;
- means for regulating air pressure associated with the first air conduit to maintain air pressure at a predetermined value;
- means for switching off the flow of pressurized air from the source;
- and,
- an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the first air conduit for exhausting of coolant from the cooling system after use and selectively actuatable valve means controlling flow of coolant from the first air conduit into the exhaust conduit,
- wherein the selectively actuatable valve means is a three-way valve facilitating flow of pressurized air into the first air conduit or flow of coolant into the exhaust conduit or maintaining the pressure of the pressurized air in the cooling system at a constant value and thereby functioning as said switching means,
- wherein said pressure testing apparatus is retained within a casing having on an external surface thereof a pressure indicator, a window indicating a position of an adjustment means of the selectively actuatable valve means and an actuating handle for the regulating means which is accessible through a wall of the casing.
A method of pressure testing a cooling system of an internal combustion engine including the steps of:
- (i) placing the cooling system in fluid communication with a source of pressurized air;
- (ii) passing pressurized air into the cooling system;
- (iii) adjusting the pressure developed within the cooling system to a predetermined value which may accord with manufacturers' specifications which is usually less than a maximum pressure rating of the cooling system;
- (iv) switching off the source of pressurized air;
- and
- (v) checking for pressure leaks within said cooling system;
- and
- (vi) exhausting coolant from the cooling system by directing flow of coolant into a receptacle from an exhaust conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.