GB2272972A - Safety device for water cooling system - Google Patents
Safety device for water cooling system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2272972A GB2272972A GB9324485A GB9324485A GB2272972A GB 2272972 A GB2272972 A GB 2272972A GB 9324485 A GB9324485 A GB 9324485A GB 9324485 A GB9324485 A GB 9324485A GB 2272972 A GB2272972 A GB 2272972A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- safety device
- sensor
- water
- tee
- waste pipe
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 46
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 title description 6
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002351 wastewater Substances 0.000 abstract 2
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 description 3
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 1
- 244000207740 Lemna minor Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000006439 Lemna minor Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000014676 Phragmites communis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000001855 Portulaca oleracea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001960 triggered effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01P—MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK; INDICATING PRESENCE, ABSENCE, OR DIRECTION, OF MOVEMENT
- G01P13/00—Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement
- G01P13/008—Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement by using a window mounted in the fluid carrying tube
- G01P13/0086—Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement by using a window mounted in the fluid carrying tube with photo-electric detection
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
- G01F23/28—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
- G01F23/284—Electromagnetic waves
- G01F23/292—Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet
- G01F23/2921—Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet for discrete levels
- G01F23/2922—Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet for discrete levels with light-conducting sensing elements, e.g. prisms
- G01F23/2925—Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet for discrete levels with light-conducting sensing elements, e.g. prisms using electrical detecting means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B61/00—Adaptations of engines for driving vehicles or for driving propellers; Combinations of engines with gearing
- F02B61/04—Adaptations of engines for driving vehicles or for driving propellers; Combinations of engines with gearing for driving propellers
- F02B61/045—Adaptations of engines for driving vehicles or for driving propellers; Combinations of engines with gearing for driving propellers for marine engines
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Indicating Or Recording The Presence, Absence, Or Direction Of Movement (AREA)
Abstract
A safety device for continuous waste water cooled boat motors to detect a blockage in the water coolant system comprises a flow sensor 20 mounted in the coolant waste water pipe 15. Electrical connection 17 provides an audible or visual signal (18, 19) in the absence of flowing coolant water, as detected by a reflected infra red light beam sensor pip 25. The sensor comprises a light emitting diode and photosensor arranged so that a light path is established between them only when water does not cover the photosensor pip 25. As an alternative or in addition to an audible or visual signal, the safety device may stop the motor. The safety device 16 may be fixed in a silicon tube 24 inserted into the coolant waste pipe 15 or in a through bore 27 of a block (26) slid on to the waste pipe 15 which is apertured to receive the sensor 20 through a side bore (28). <IMAGE>
Description
Title - Safetv Device for Motor
This invention relates to a safety device for a motor such as an outboard motor or inboard motor for a boat.
It is convenient for motors used in boats to be water cooled.
Water is taken in from a region below the boat, typically the propeller mounting, and is pumped through a cooling jacket surrounding the motor.
In a particular form of cooling system, known as a "continuous waste" system, the heated water is then discharged to waste. It is with this type of continuous waste cooling system that the present invention is concerned.
Problems occur with continuous waste systems if the boat is used in a water course where weeds, mud, sand or other debris might block the water intake. Overheating of the motor then results.
This can cause damage to the motor if it is not stopped and action taken to unclog the water intake. The overheated motor may be difficult to re-start, even if long term damage has not resulted.
The inability to re-start the motor can lead to a potentially dangerous situation in that the craft will lose "way" or steerage when motionless and can therefore drift into weirs or into the path of oncoming vessels. In waterways swollen by rain or hampered by duckweed a vessel can be continually stopped by debris clogging the water intake.
It is an object of the invention to provide a safety device for use in a continuous waste cooling system of a motor such as an outboard motor or inboard motor for a boat.
According to the invention there is provided a safety device adapted to be fitted to a water coolant waste pipe of a continuous waste system, the safety device comprising a flow sensor adapted to be inserted into the flow in said coolant waste pipe and arranged to detect the presence or absence of water flowing through the pipe.
The invention provides early warning that water flow has stopped thus enabling the inlet to be unclogged before the motor overheats and before the vessel loses headway or it enables the helmsman to reach shore before the engine stops.
Preferably, the safety device detects the presence or absence of water and provides an immediate signal of the absence of water.
The safety device may comprise a block having a through bore through which the coolant waste pipe is inserted, the block also having a perpendicularly disposed side bore adapted to receive the sensor.
It will be appreciated that the waste pipe will be perforated at the position of the side bore to receive the sensor.
The side bore may be tapped and the sensor may be externally screw threaded to engage within it.
An abutment may be provided on the sensor to locate it in the correct position in communication with the waste pipe.
Alternatively, the safety device may comprise a Tee inserted in a portion of the coolant waste pipe, the sensor being mounted within the branch of the Tee so as to detect the presence or absence of water in the body of the Tee.
The sensor may be provided with an external screw thread and the branch of the Tee may be internally screw threaded to receive the sensor.
The sensor may comprise a Tee of silicon tube, the branch of the
Tee being filled with a silicon filler to secure the sensor in position projecting slightly in to the silicon tube.
The sensor may detect presence or absence of water by means of a reflected light beam which may be an infra red beam.
In a preferred form, a light emitting diode and photosensor are arranged so that a light path is established between them only when water does not cover the photosensor.
The sensor may be electrically powered by battery or by generator means associated with the motor being cooled.
In use, when the sensor detects the absence of water in the coolant waste pipe, an electrical signal may be arranged to operate a remote audible and/or visual alarm.
The safety device may be associated with another alarm of the boat.
The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a motor boat outboard motor,
diagrammatically illustrating the safety device in
use,
Figure 2 is a detailed view of the safety device partly in
section,
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a sensor forming part of
the safety device,
Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the sensor of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of another embodiment of
the safety device,
Figure 6 is a circuit diagram.
Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the drawings, this diagrammatically illustrates a motor boat outboard motor 10 having a depending propeller mount 11 on which a propeller (not shown) is mounted to drive the boat.
A water pump 12 is mounted in association with the motor 10 and serves to draw water through a water inlet pipe 13 which extends down the propeller mounting 11 to a point near the propeller.
The water inlet tube feeds into a water jacket 14 formed of a plurality of cooling tubes formed in the housing of the motor 10 in generally known manner. When the water has been circulated through the water jacket 14, it is discharged outboard via a coolant waste pipe 15.
A safety device generally indicated at 16 is mounted in the coolant waste pipe and is illustrated in more detail in Figures 2-4 of the drawings. The safety device 16 comprises a sensor which senses the presence or absence of water passing through the coolant waste pipe 15 and produces a signal when no water flows.
The signal is transmitted via suitable wiring 17 to a warning device which may comprise a light 18 mounted on a control panel or an audible alarm 19 which will warn the boatman that the motor is in a potentially overheating situation because no coolant water is flowing through the water jacket 14. The necessary action can then be taken to stop the motor and to unclog the water inlet 13.
Turning to Figure 2-4 of the drawings, a generally known type of water flow sensor 20 forms part of the safety device 16. It is externally screw threaded at 21 and is mounted in a branch 22 of a Tee generally indicated at 23. The remainder of the Tee is formed as a silicon tube 24 which is connected in line with the coolant waste pipe 15 as shown in Figure 1. The sensor is sealed in place using silicon filler and includes a sensor pip 25 which projects into the path of water flow.
Silicon filler also protects the sensor and enables it to perform in spite of the aggressive environments that it will encounter.
Ambient to 60"C is expected.
In use, an electrical supply to the sensor 20 produces a light beam at the pip 25, reflection of which can be detected by the sensor. There is a change in the quantity of light reflected depending on where the water is or is not flowing through the silicon tube 24. The sensor switch exploits the principle of total internal reflection. An integral light emitting diode and photosensor are arranged so that when the water does not cover the sensor, a light path is established between them, providing an immediate signal.
When water ceases to flow, indicating a blockage in the water inlet 13, an electrical signal is generated and is transmitted through the wiring 17 to operate the visual or audible signal 18 or 19. Alternatively the signal 17 may be arranged to cut out the motor so as automatically to prevent overheating.
Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the safety device 16 which is used in circumstances where it is not wished to interrupt the existing coolant waste pipe 15.
A water flow sensor 20 is in this case fitted into one face of a block 26. The block 26 has a through bore 27 which is a close sliding fit on the coolant waste pipe 15 and is slid to a convenient position. The block 26 has a side bore 28 which is internally screw threaded and which intersects with the through bore 27.
In order to fit the sensor device 16, an aperture is made as indicated in Figure 5 through the side wall of the coolant waste pipe 15 in line with the threaded side bore 28 and the sensor 20 is screwed in using its external screw threads 21. When the sensor has been positioned so that the pip 25 occupies the dotted line position, an abutment 29 locates the sensor 20 in position.
The signal connections of the device are as set out in connection with the preceding embodiment.
In more detail, the circuitry can be seen in Figure 6. The sensor 20 has four output lines A, B, C and D. Line D is earthed. A switch 30 has four settings indicated by numerals 1 to 4. Setting 2 is "off" and setting 1 is the normal operational setting. Setting 3 is a test setting, in which a direct connection is made between the power supply 31 and the audible and/or visual warning device 19 through transistor 32, caused to conduct via resistor 36.
When the sensor 20 detects the absence of flow, the change in potential of line C causes transistor 32 to conduct, completing a circuit through the audible warning device 19 and sounding the alarm. It will be appreciated that other forms of circuitry can be used to achieve the desired result.
Reed switches 33 may be part of a general alarm system of the boat and, when the general alarm is triggered switches 33 close and relay 34 operates, also giving an alarm signal.
The sensor withstands oils, petrol and detergents, all of which may be found in the coolant water. Since it has no moving parts high reliability is to be expected.
Claims (17)
1. A safety device adapted to be fitted to a water coolant
waste pipe of a continuous waste system, the safety device
comprising a flow sensor adapted to be inserted into the
flow in said coolant waste pipe and arranged to detect the
presence or absence of water flowing through the pipe.
2. A safety device according to claim 1 which provides an
immediate signal of the absence of water.
3. A safety device according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising
a block having a through bore into which said coolant waste
pipe is inserted, the block also having a perpendicularly
disposed side bore adapted to receive the sensor.
4. A safety device according to claim 3 wherein the side bore
is tapped and the sensor is externally screw threaded to
engage within it.
5. A safety device according to claim 4 wherein a lock nut is
provided on the sensor to lock it in position in
communication with the coolant waste pipe.
6. A safety device according to claim 1 or claim 2 and
comprising a Tee inserted in a portion of the coolant waste
pipe, the sensor being mounted within the branch of the Tee
so as to detect the presence or absence of water in the
body of the Tee.
7. A safety device according to claim 6 wherein the sensor is
provided with an external screw thread and the branch of
the Tee is internally screw threaded to receive the sensor.
8. A safety device according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the
Tee is of silicon tube and the branch of the Tee is filled
with a silicon filler to secure the sensor in position
projecting slightly into the silicon tube.
9. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein
the sensor detects the presence or absence of water by
means of a reflected light beam.
10. A safety device according to claim 9 wherein the light beam
is an infra red beam.
11. A safety device according to claim 9 or claim 10 and
comprising a light emitting diode and a photosensor
arranged so that a light path is established between them
only when water does not cover the photosensor.
12. A safety device according to any one of claims 9 to 11
wherein the sensor is electrically powered by a battery.
13. A safety device according to any of claims 9 to 11 wherein
the sensor is electrically powered by generator means
associated with the motor being cooled.
14. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein
the sensor provides an electrical signal to operate a
remote audible or visual alarm.
15. A safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 13
wherein the sensor provides an electrical signal to cut out
the operation of the motor.
16. A safety device for a motor substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures
1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
17. A safety device for a motor substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures
1 to 4 as modified by Figure 5 of the accompanying
drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9324485A GB2272972B (en) | 1992-11-28 | 1993-11-29 | Safety device for outboard motor |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB929224978A GB9224978D0 (en) | 1992-11-28 | 1992-11-28 | Safety device for motor |
| GB9324485A GB2272972B (en) | 1992-11-28 | 1993-11-29 | Safety device for outboard motor |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9324485D0 GB9324485D0 (en) | 1994-01-12 |
| GB2272972A true GB2272972A (en) | 1994-06-01 |
| GB2272972B GB2272972B (en) | 1997-05-14 |
Family
ID=26302067
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9324485A Expired - Fee Related GB2272972B (en) | 1992-11-28 | 1993-11-29 | Safety device for outboard motor |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2272972B (en) |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1123020A (en) * | 1965-12-18 | 1968-08-07 | Elfa Elsterwerda Veb | Milking machines |
| GB1563241A (en) * | 1975-11-28 | 1980-03-19 | Citroen Sa | Electric switch device for monitoring the flow and temperature of a coolant |
| US4203099A (en) * | 1978-06-21 | 1980-05-13 | Elser Farms Corporation | Sensor for soft drink dispenser |
| WO1986004409A1 (en) * | 1985-01-18 | 1986-07-31 | The Victoria University Of Manchester | A device for detecting the presence or absence of liquid in a vessel |
| GB2185309A (en) * | 1986-01-14 | 1987-07-15 | Romotex Limited | Gas bubble detector |
| US4691669A (en) * | 1986-03-17 | 1987-09-08 | Otteman John H | Engine overheat protection system |
| US5072595A (en) * | 1990-09-19 | 1991-12-17 | Barbier William J | Apparatus for detecting small bubbles in a pressurized fluid stream |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4615303A (en) * | 1984-01-23 | 1986-10-07 | Sackett Robert L | Fluid flow failure detection means |
-
1993
- 1993-11-29 GB GB9324485A patent/GB2272972B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1123020A (en) * | 1965-12-18 | 1968-08-07 | Elfa Elsterwerda Veb | Milking machines |
| GB1563241A (en) * | 1975-11-28 | 1980-03-19 | Citroen Sa | Electric switch device for monitoring the flow and temperature of a coolant |
| US4203099A (en) * | 1978-06-21 | 1980-05-13 | Elser Farms Corporation | Sensor for soft drink dispenser |
| WO1986004409A1 (en) * | 1985-01-18 | 1986-07-31 | The Victoria University Of Manchester | A device for detecting the presence or absence of liquid in a vessel |
| GB2185309A (en) * | 1986-01-14 | 1987-07-15 | Romotex Limited | Gas bubble detector |
| US4691669A (en) * | 1986-03-17 | 1987-09-08 | Otteman John H | Engine overheat protection system |
| US5072595A (en) * | 1990-09-19 | 1991-12-17 | Barbier William J | Apparatus for detecting small bubbles in a pressurized fluid stream |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9324485D0 (en) | 1994-01-12 |
| GB2272972B (en) | 1997-05-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20011129 |