AU2009100369B4

AU2009100369B4 - Motor Flushing Apparatus and System

Info

Publication number: AU2009100369B4
Application number: AU2009100369A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gregory Wayne Maxwell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-22
Filing date: 2009-04-22
Publication date: 2012-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2017-04-22
Also published as: AU2009100369A4

Abstract

A water inlet apparatus 10 for flushing a boat motor with fresh water is provided. A system incorporating the apparatus 10 is also provided. The apparatus has a substantially cylindrical body portion 11. At one end of the body portion 11 is a primary water inlet 12, and at the other end there is a water outlet 13. Perpendicularly disposed is a secondary inlet 14 which is in fluid communication with the body portion 11. The secondary inlet 14 has a threaded portion 15, and is affixed to the body portion 11 by a circumferential weld 16. A valve is attached to the secondary inlet 14 via the threaded portion 15 to allow fresh water to enter the body portion during flushing.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: MOTOR FLUSHING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing known to me/us: 2 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a motor flushing apparatus and system. More specifically, the invention relates to a motor flushing system and water inlet device adapted for flushing an inboard boat motor with fresh water. 5 BACKGROUNDART [Mere reference to background art herein should not be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in relation to the invention.] Cooling systems in marine or boat motors typically intake water from the body of water that the motor is operated in. Where a boat motor is utilised in salt water, the 10 cooling system of the boat motor therefore typically pumps salt water through the internal cavities of the motor for cooling purposes. For example, salt water is circulated through heat exchangers which extract heat generated from the motor through means of heat transfer from the internal workings of the motor to a medium such as salt water, and removes the excessive heat generated to stop the engine over heating. The flow of salt 15 water can cause a build up of residual salt on the internal workings of the heat exchangers, and restricts heat transfer, thus causing the motor to build up excessive heat internally. This can cause large amounts of, if not catastrophic, damage to the engine. Furthermore, salt water is corrosive and can cause permanent damage to the internals of the cooling system and/or motor. In particular, a lot of corrosion occurs when the boat motor is off, 20 and the water in the cooling system is stagnant. It is therefore desirable to flush the boat motor after use, to purge the salt water from the engine and replace it with less corrosive fresh water. Unfortunately, flushing boat motors can be difficult and time consuming. External outboard boat motors may be flushed by running them in fresh water, or by 25 utilise a provided a flushing system and/or procedure. However, internal inboard boat motors are not easily switched to a fresh water source, and are inherently more difficult to access. As a result, frequent chemical cleaning is often required of certain parts, such as the heat exchanges, to reduce corrosion and salt build up. This not only puts the motor out of service for a period of time, but is also expensive, time consuming, and the 30 chemicals are generally bad for the environment.

3 It is an aim of this invention to provide a motor flushing system and/or water inlet device which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 5 According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for flushing a boat motor with fresh water, the system comprising: a water inlet apparatus having a primary and a secondary inlet; a fresh water source connected to the secondary inlet during flushing for providing fresh water to the water inlet apparatus; and 10 a valve located adjacent or within the secondary inlet to selectively enable fluid flow between the fresh water source and the water inlet apparatus. Typically, the water inlet apparatus is sealably engaged with, and in fluid communication with, a standard water inlet portion of the boat motor. The water inlet apparatus may be removably engaged with the standard water inlet. Typically, the 15 primary inlet is utilised for water supply to the motor during normal motor operation, and the secondary inlet is utilised for water supply to the motor during flushing. The water inlet apparatus is preferably shaped to ensure water inlet to the motor is not impeded by the water inlet apparatus. For example, the primary inlet is preferably sized appropriately in relation to the secondary inlet, typically being larger in dimension than the secondary 20 inlet. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a boat motor water inlet apparatus for switching between different water sources to the boat motor, the apparatus comprising: a body portion having a primary inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet is adapted 25 to sealably engage with a standard water inlet portion on the boat motor; a secondary inlet in fluid communication with the body portion; and a valve adjacent or within the secondary inlet for selectively enabling fluid flow between the secondary inlet and the body portion. Preferably, the inlets have a circular cross section, and even more preferably the 30 inlets are substantially cylindrical. The secondary inlet is preferably arranged at an angle 4 to the primary inlet; e.g. the secondary inlet may be perpendicular to the primary inlet. The inlets may be of any suitable size, but preferably the primary inlet has a diameter of approximately 10 to 100mm, or even more preferably the primary inlet has a diameter of approximately 50mm. The secondary inlet is preferably smaller, and preferably has a 5 diameter of approximately 20mm. The water inlet.apparatus is preferably approximately 85mm long. Preferably, the water inlet apparatus is made from stainless steel, and even more preferably, the water inlet apparatus is made from 1.2mm 316 grade stainless steel. Other materials such as plastic may be used, but as the apparatus will typically be fitted substantially permanently, 10 stainless steel is preferred. Unless otherwise specified, no limitation is intended in relation to the dimensions or materials described above. The apparatus is preferably capable of withstanding pressures of at least 6 bar (85 psi). Preferably, the water inlet apparatus is sealably engaged with a standard water inlet portion on the boat motor. Even more preferably, the water inlet apparatus is an 15 aftermarket addition to standard water inlet portions on boat motors, and the water inlet apparatus may also be removable. This allows a water inlet apparatus to be retrofitted to existing boats motors. Preferably, the boat motor is an inboard motor. Preferably, the water inlet apparatus is engaged with the standard water inlet portion by fitting a portion of the water inlet apparatus into the standard water inlet pipe 20 and fastening a hose clamp around the overlap to fixedly hold the water inlet apparatus with respect to the standard water inlet portion. Even more preferably, the portion of the water inlet apparatus at least includes the outlet. The water inlet apparatus may have a conduit connected to the primary and/or secondary inlets, which may be fastened in a similar manner. Preferably, the primary inlet and/or the outlet have a circumferential 25 ridge, or flange, to provide a tight fit between the water inlet apparatus and the overlap. The circumferential ridge, or flange may also provide an abutment or anchor configuration against which a clamping means may find additional purchase. Preferably, the secondary inlet has a connection thread to which a valve and/or fresh water source, such as a hose, can be connected. Where valve is connected to the 30 connection thread, it is envisaged that the fresh water source will be connected in fluid 5 communication with the other side of the valve. The fresh water source, such as a hose is therefore preferably removeably connected during use. In an embodiment of the invention, there is also provided a method for flushing an inboard boat motor with fresh water, the method comprising the steps of: 5 connecting a fresh water source to a secondary inlet that is in fluid communication with a primary water inlet to the boat motor; opening a normally closed valve between the secondary inlet and the primary water inlet; flushing the motor with fresh water from the fresh water source; 10 closing the valve; and disconnecting the fresh water source to the secondary inlet. Preferably, the step of flushing the motor with fresh water is undertaken with the motor at idle. Typically, the method will further comprise the step of turning the boat motor on before flushing the motor, and turning the boat motor off after flushing the 15 motor. Even more preferably, the boat motor is turned off directly after flushing the motor and before closing the valve. It is to be understood that references to the boat motor may include all accessories and parts connected with, or utilised in, the operation of the motor. For example, a motor typically includes heat exchangers and sea strainers, and the flushing preferably purges 20 water (e.g. salt water) and residues (e.g. salt) in the heat exchangers, and/or other parts with fresh water. In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practice, one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a water inlet apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates a side elevation view of a water inlet apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

6 Figure 3 illustrates an exploded side elevation view of a water inlet apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 illustrates an end side elevation view of a water inlet apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 5 Figure 5 illustrates a top plan view of a water inlet apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Illustrated in the figures is a water inlet apparatus 10 having a substantially cylindrical body portion 11. At one end of the body portion 11 is a primary water inlet 12, 10 and at the other end there is a water outlet 13. Perpendicularly disposed is a secondary inlet 14 which is in fluid communication with the body portion 11. The secondary inlet 14 has a threaded portion 15, and is affixed to the body portion 11 by a circumferential weld 16. A valve (not shown) is attached to the secondary inlet 14 via the threaded portion 15. 15 The water inlet apparatus 10 is easily installed inline with a standard water inlet portion of a boat motor (not shown) by fitting a portion of the water inlet apparatus 10 in to the standard water inlet portion and fastening a hose clamp (not shown) around the overlap to fixedly hold the water inlet apparatus 10 in place with respect to the standard water inlet portion. To facilitate the connection between the water inlet apparatus 10 and 20 the standard water inlet portion, the body portion 11 of the water inlet apparatus 10 has a circumferential ridge 17. The ridge 17 not only provides a better seal between the water inlet apparatus 10 and the standard water inlet portion, but it also provides a raised portion against which the hose clamp can be fastened. Then the boat motor is in use, the pressure in the standard water inlet portion is 25 reduced such that water flows into the inlet and through the boat motor for cooling purposes. There is no change in this behaviour with the water inlet apparatus 10 installed, as when the boat motor is in use, water flows substantially unimpeded into the primary inlet 12 and out of the outlet 13 to the standard water inlet portion.

7 After use, the water inlet apparatus 10 can be utilised to flush the boat motor with fresh water. In order to do this, a fresh water source, such as a hose, is connected to the other side of the valve, and the valve is opened. The fresh water consequently flows in to the secondary inlet 14 and flushes the boat motor with fresh water. In particular, the heat 5 exchangers are flushed while the motor is running at idle. When flushed, the motor is turned off, the valve is closed, and the water source is disconnected. The water cooled components of the motor are accordingly surrounded by fresh water after flushing. The fresh water remains in the instead of salt water until further use, reducing corrosion to the motor, and the build up of salt. This prolongs the life of the motor, further reducing 10 required maintenance and repairs to the salt water cooling system without the need for environmentally unfriendly chemicals. By flushing the motor and adding fresh water to the salt water side of the motor and, particularly the heat exchanger system, upon completion of a journey, salt build up and corrosion are greatly reduced. This provides may advantages, including improving 15 fuel economy due to more efficient motor operation, and reducing the possibility of the motor overheating. Furthermore, the flushing also prolongs the life of the zinc anodes which are there to protect the intervals of a motor from salt attack during use and non-use. Advantageously, the water inlet apparatus 10 is a one off purchase, and is easily installed and utilised. 20 It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The foregoing embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art. 25 Accordingly, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction and operation described and illustrated, but only by the following claims which are intended, where the applicable law permits, to include all suitable modifications and equivalents within the spirit and concept of the invention. Throughout this specification, including the claims, where the context permits, the 30 term "comprise" and variants thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising" are to be 8 interpreted as including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers.

Claims

1. A system for flushing an inboard boat motor with fresh water, the system comprising: a water inlet apparatus for inclusion into an engine cooling conduit and having a primary flowpath for cooling fluid, the primary flowpath defined by a coaxial primary inlet and primary outlet and a secondary flowpath for a flushing fluid, the secondary flowpath defined by a secondary inlet and the primary outlet wherein the secondary inlet is offset from the primary outlet; a fresh water source connected to the secondary inlet during flushing for providing fresh water to the water inlet apparatus; and a valve located immediately adjacent the secondary inlet to selectively enable fluid flow between the fresh water source and the water inlet apparatus.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water inlet apparatus is sealably engaged with, and in fluid communication with, a standard water inlet portion of the boat motor.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the water inlet apparatus is removably engaged with the standard water inlet.

4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary inlet is utilised during normal motor operation, and the secondary inlet is utilised during flushing.

5. An inboard boat motor water inlet apparatus for switching between different water sources inlet to the inboard boat motor, the apparatus comprising: a body portion having a primary flowpath for cooling fluid, the primary flowpath defined by a coaxial primary inlet and primary outlet , wherein the primary outlet is adapted to sealably engage with a standard water inlet portion on the boat motor; a secondary inlet in fluid communication with the body portion and defining a secondary flowpath for a flushing fluid with the primary outlet wherein the secondary inlet is offset from the primary outlet; and a valve immediately adjacent the secondary inlet for selectively enabling fluid flow between the secondary inlet and the body portion.