US3621907A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cooling system for locomotive engines and the like
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1970-04-30
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1990-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A locomotive cooling system has radiators mounted above the normal coolant level during engine shutdown in the engine and water tank so as to drain the radiators when the engine stops, to avoid the possibility of freezing the water therein. An automatic pressure relief and overflow valve is provided which is open during engine shutdown to drain excess water from the cooling system so as to prevent the retaining of any coolant in the radiators. When the engine is operating, the valve is normally closed by engine lubricating oil pressure to permit normal pressure buildup in the engine cooling system. However, the valve opens to relieve excess pressure in the cooling system. Manual opening means are also provided to relieve system pressure during engine operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Ephraim Jr
- 👤 Ludvik F Koci
- 👤 Humberto Suarez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:50
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01P; F01P11/00; F01P11/14; F01P11/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2703
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
An engine cooling system for a locomotive or the like, said cooling system comprising means defining coolant passages in such engine and a circulating pump having an outlet connected to supply coolant to said passages, a radiator mounted at a high point in the cooling system, said radiator being connected between the outlet of said engine coolant passages and the inlet of said circulating pump to complete a closed circulation system, a water tank mounted at a lower level than said radiator but above the inlet to said circulating pump, said tank being connected to said pump inlet and being adapted to maintain a head of water coolant at said pump inlet, and a drain valve connecting with an upper portion of said water tank, said valve including means responsive to a predetermined condition of engine operation to close the valve during engine operation so as to permit the cooling system to be pressurized and to open the valve when the engine is stopped to drain excess water in the systEm so as to maintain during engine shutdown, a water level below the radiators to prevent any possibility of the radiators being damaged due to freezing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
An engine cooling system for a locomotive or the like, said cooling system comprising means defining coolant passages in such engine and a circulating pump having an outlet connected to supply coolant to said passages, a radiator mounted at a high point in the cooling system, said radiator being connected between the outlet of said engine coolant passages and the inlet of said circulating pump to complete a closed circulation system, a water tank mounted at a lower level than said radiator but above the inlet to said circulating pump, said tank being connected to said pump inlet and being adapted to maintain a head of water coolant at said pump inlet, and a drain valve connecting with an upper portion of said water tank, said valve including means responsive to a predetermined condition of engine operation to close the valve during engine operation so as to permit the cooling system to be pressurized and to open the valve when the engine is stopped to drain excess water in the systEm so as to maintain during engine shutdown, a water level below the radiators to prevent any possibility of the radiators being damaged due to freezing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cooling system of claim 1 wherein said drain valve is additionally responsive to pressure in the cooling system so as to open to relieve any excessive pressure buildup in said system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said drain valve further includes manual actuating means to permit said valve to be manually opened during engine operation so as to relieve the system pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
An engine cooling system having a coolant supply tank and a drain valve connecting with an upper portion of said tank, said drain valve being responsive to a predetermined condition of engine operation to close during engine operation so as to permit the cooling system to become pressurized and to open when the engine is stopped to drain excess coolant from the system so as to maintain a predetermined maximum water level during engine shutdown.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
An engine cooling system having a coolant supply tank and a drain valve connecting with an upper portion of said tank, said drain valve being responsive to a predetermined condition of engine operation to close during engine operation so as to permit the cooling system to become pressurized and to open when the engine is stopped to drain excess coolant from the system so as to maintain a predetermined maximum water level during engine shutdown.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cooling system of claim 4 wherein said drain valve is connected to the engine lubricating oil system and is closed by the buildup of pressure in said oil system during engine operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a pressurized cooling water system of a diesel engine, the combination with a storage tank and a radiator exposed to ambient air and connected to and positioned above the level of the tank for gravity draining thereinto when the engine is stopped, of a drain port in a side of the tank at a level at which the tank therebelow during running of the engine has sufficient excess water capacity to contain the then water content of the radiator, and an automatic dump valve connected to said dump port for automatically opening said port for and closing said port against dumping respectively on stopping and running of said engine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a pressurized cooling water system of a diesel engine, the combination with a storage tank and a radiator exposed to ambient air and connected to and positioned above the level of the tank for gravity draining thereinto when the engine is stopped, of a drain port in a side of the tank at a level at which the tank therebelow during running of the engine has sufficient excess water capacity to contain the then water content of the radiator, and an automatic dump valve connected to said dump port for automatically opening said port for and closing said port against dumping respectively on stopping and running of said engine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |