Motor Flushing System

Abstract

A marine flushing apparatus for an inboard motor, generator set or air conditioning unit of an aquatic vessel, the apparatus including a fresh water holding tank with a level indicator on board the vessel, at least one flushing pump for each motor or generator set, a solenoid valve located between the at least one flushing pump and the motor or generator set and a raw water feed and the fresh water holding tank and a controller to check at actuation, the level of fresh water in the fresh water holding tank and to abort startup of a flushing sequence if the level is insufficient and to actuate a flushing sequence if the level is sufficient wherein, if the level is sufficient, the controller insures that the solenoid valve these energized after actuation of the at least one flushing pump to ensure that the raw water feed is replaced by fresh water from the fresh water holding tank without substantial interruption.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to marine flushing systems. More specifically, the invention relates to a motor flushing inlet and system for use in flushing an in board boat motor, in particular heat exchangers, with fresh water.BACKGROUND ART[0002]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 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 water can cause a build up of residual salt on the internal workings of the heat exchangers, and restricts heat transfer, thu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a device and process for flushing a marine engine. It uses a solenoid valve to control the flow of fluid through the engine. When the engine is running, the valve is closed, allowing coolant fluid to flow through and out of the engine. When the engine is not running, the valve is opened, allowing fresh water or flushing fluid to flow. This helps to keep the engine cool and clean.

Problems solved by technology

The flow of salt 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, and the water in the cooling system is stagnant.

Unfortunately, flushing boat motors can be difficult and time consuming.

However, internal inboard boat motors are not easily switched to a fresh water source, and are inherently more difficult to access.

This not only puts the motor out of service for a period of time, but is also expensive, time consuming, and the chemicals are generally bad for the environment.

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