Marine engine cooling

Claim 2

A cooling system for marine engines comprising: water circulation means including a water jacketed manifold having circulating water inlet and outlet means by which a certain normal volume of circulating water is maintained in the water jacket, and raw water inlet and outlet means positioned higher in the jacket than the circulating water inlet and outlet means, the outlet means being so disposed in proximity to the inlet means whereby a preferred path for raw water entering and leaving the jacket thereby is established and raw water tends to flow through the jacket without substantial mixing between it and the circulating water contained therein when the jacket contains the normal volume of circulating water, mixing therebetween occurring when the amount of circulating water decreases below the normal volume.

Claim 3

The system according to claim 1 wherein: the circulating water inlet and outlet means are in a lower portion of the jacket toward opposite ends thereof respectively and the raw water inlet and outlet means are in an upper portion and toward one end thereof.

Claim 4

The system according to claim 2 wherein the raw water inlet and outlet means are positioned toward the inlet end of the jacket.

Claim 5

A cooling system for marine engines comprising: an exhaust manifold having a water jacket with two pairs of water inlets and outlets by means of which water may flow through the jacket, the first inlet and outlet pair being positioned respectively at substantially opposite ends of the jacket and in the upper portion thereof at a higher level than the second pair; a tube positioned longitudinally in the jacket and having an inlet and outlet end, the outlet end being connected to the upper outlet of the jacket, the tube being shorter in length than the jacket and terminating a distance from the upper inlet but aligned therewith to provIde a gap across which water entering the upper inlet must pass in order to enter the tube inlet and flow therethrough, the gap also making it possible at certain times for water to fall into the interior of the jacket; cooling system circulation means, including pump means and thermostatic valve means interconnecting the engine and lower second jacket inlet and outlet pair for forming a circulation path for the flow of water through the engine cooling system, including the manifold jacket; dumping means controlled by the thermostatic valve means for dumping some of the water from the cooling circulation means when its temperature exceeds a certain predetermined value during engine operation; other circulation means, including pumps means and fresh water inlet means connected to the upper water inlet on the jacket, and means connected to the upper water outlet for accept-ing water which flows into the upper inlet, crosses the gap and enters the tube to exit at the upper water outlet, substantially most of the water crossing the gap and entering the tube inlet when the water in the cooling circulation means substantially fills the jacket whereas some of the water falls into the jacket and mixes with the water therein when the jacket is not substantially full; whereby the engine manifold is maintained at a certain operating temperature which prevents condensation of exhaust gases in the manifold during engine operation and whereby relatively cool raw water may be mixed in the jacket with circulating water when required.

Claim 6

A cooling system for marine engines comprising: an exhaust manifold having a water jacket with two pairs of water inlets and outlets by means of which water may flow through the jacket, the first inlet and outlet pair being positioned respectively at substantially opposite ends of the jacket and in the upper portion thereof at a higher level than the second pair; a tube positioned longitudinally in the jacket and having an inlet and outlet end, the outlet end being connected to the upper outlet of the jacket, the tube being shorter in length than the jacket and terminating a distance from the upper inlet but aligned therewith to provIde a gap across which water entering the upper inlet must pass in order to enter the tube inlet and flow therethrough, the gap also making it possible at certain times for water to fall into the interior of the jacket; cooling system circulation means, including pump means and thermostatic valve means interconnecting the engine and lower second jacket inlet and outlet pair for forming a circulation path for the flow of water through the engine cooling system, including the manifold jacket; dumping means controlled by the thermostatic valve means for dumping some of the water from the cooling circulation means when its temperature exceeds a certain predetermined value during engine operation; other circulation means, including pumps means and fresh water inlet means connected to the upper water inlet on the jacket, and means connected to the upper water outlet for accept-ing water which flows into the upper inlet, crosses the gap and enters the tube to exit at the upper water outlet, substantially most of the water crossing the gap and entering the tube inlet when the water in the cooling circulation means substantially fills the jacket whereas some of the water falls into the jacket and mixes with the water therein when the jacket is not substantially full; whereby the engine manifold is maintained at a certain operating temperature which prevents condensation of exhaust gases in the manifold during engine operation and whereby relatively cool raw water may be mixed in the jacket with circulating water when required.

Claim 7

The system according to claim 4 wherein the tube is made of heat exchange material to promote heat exchange between the cool water flowing therethrough and the heated water in the jacket.