US3751978A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle motor block tester and method of using the same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-09-30
•
Granted: 1973-08-14
•
Expires: 1991-09-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for supporting a motor block in a position for applying fluid pressure thereto for testing the block for leaks in the water courses defined by the block, by supplying fluid under pressure through an adaptor connected to the water pump opening of the block. The block is mounted on a frame which permits tilting for inspection of the underside of the block. Hydraulic or electric lifts may be utilized for moving the frame. The frame has means for securely clamping the block being tested in place thereon. A method of testing a motor block for leaks, including the steps of supplying a fluid under pressure into the water course passages of the block. A low viscosity fluid having a coloring material may be used, such as naptha, or ethylene glycol or the like. The fluid is supplied under pressure through the water pump opening of the block and leaks are disclosed by the escape of the fluid through cracks, openings, pin holes, or the like in the block communicating with the water courses therein.
Inventors
- 👤 C Crawford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
Apparatus for testing motor blocks to detect the presence of cracks, fissures, pin holes, and the like communicating the water courses of the block, oil passages and cylinder bores therein, said apparatus including: a supporting base; a clamping frame swingably carried by said base; first clamping means on said clamping frame for engaging and clamping the sides of the base of a motor block to hold the same against lateral or longitudinal movement on the frame; a closure and seal member having seal means thereon engageable with the head face of the block for closing the water courses opening therethrough; second clamping means adjustably connected with said swingable clamping frame engageable with said closure and seal member for clamping the closure and seal member securely against head face of the block and for clamping the block in place in engagement with said first clamping means on the frame against vertical or tilting movement thereon or out of engagement with said first clamping means; water pump adapter means for connection to the water pump opening of the block for conducting testing fluid into the water courses of the block; means connected with said adapter means for delivering testing fluid under pressure to the block through the adapter means and including means movable with said adapter when said clamping frame is swung on said base; and means for moving the clamping frame with respect to the base with the motor block secured on said clamping frame and moving therewith with testing fluid under pressure delivered into said block to expose the lower portion of the block for inspection for leaks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
Apparatus for testing motor blocks to detect the presence of cracks, fissures, pin holes, and the like communicating the water courses of the block, oil passages and cylinder bores therein, said apparatus including: a supporting base; a clamping frame swingably carried by said base; first clamping means on said clamping frame for engaging and clamping the sides of the base of a motor block to hold the same against lateral or longitudinal movement on the frame; a closure and seal member having seal means thereon engageable with the head face of the block for closing the water courses opening therethrough; second clamping means adjustably connected with said swingable clamping frame engageable with said closure and seal member for clamping the closure and seal member securely against head face of the block and for clamping the block in place in engagement with said first clamping means on the frame against vertical or tilting movement thereon or out of engagement with said first clamping means; water pump adapter means for connection to the water pump opening of the block for conducting testing fluid into the water courses of the block; means connected with said adapter means for delivering testing fluid under pressure to the block through the adapter means and including means movable with said adapter when said clamping frame is swung on said base; and means for moving the clamping frame with respect to the base with the motor block secured on said clamping frame and moving therewith with testing fluid under pressure delivered into said block to expose the lower portion of the block for inspection for leaks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
A testing apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the first clamping means for clamping the base of the block on the movable frame comprises a pair of parallel support members having horizontal opposed inwardly extending supporting members and upwardly extending clamping members projecting from the supporting members; means for moving one of said support members in parallel relationship toward and away from the other to clamp a motor block base between said upwardly extending clamping members of said support members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
Testing apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1, wherein the movable supporting frame is pivotally connected to the base along one edge of the frame and at one side of the base whereby the frame is swingable above the base along an axis overlying the longitudinal edge of the base and the movable frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said clamping frame with respect to said base includes: means pivotally connecting said clamping frame along one longitudinal edge thereof to the base; and means for swinging said clamping frame about said pivotal connection to tilt the frame and a block carried thereby above the frame for inspection of the lower portion of the block during testing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 4 wherein the means for swinging the supporting frame comprises: fluid operated cylinders connected between the base and the movable clamping frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the closure and seal means comprises a flat imperforate rigid plate having a sealing member on one surface thereof disposed to engage the head face of a block to be tested for sealing the water courses opening through said face of said block; and means engageable by said second clamping means for clamping said closure and seal means in closing and sealing engagement with the face of the block.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the second clamping means for clamping the closure and seal means in place on the head face of the block for closing the water courses opening therethrough comprises: a flexible member secured at one end to the movable clamping frame and having means at its other end for adjustably securing said end to the clamping frame and for adjustably tightening the flexible member to hold the closure and seal means securely in place.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the second clamping means for clamping the closure and seal meanS on the head face of the block being tested comprises: a pair of laterally spaced parallel bars secured on the swingable clamping frame; and a rigid clamp member having pair of hook means engageable with the bars and having clamping screw means between said hook means movable toward and away from the face of the block for clamping the closure and seal means in closing sealing engagement with the face of the block.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of testing a motor block for detecting cracks, pin holes, fissures or the like communicating the water courses of the block with the oil passages and cylinder bores, and with the exterior thereof which comprises: connecting a source of testing fluid under pressure to the water pump opening of the block; heating the testing fluid to an elevated temperature, closing the water course openings through the head face of the block; forcing heated testing fluid under elevated pressure into the water courses through the water pump opening; indicating by escape of testing fluid into the oil passages and cylinder bores of the block the presence of leaks between the water courses and the oil passages, cylinder bores, crank case wall of the exterior of the block; and moving the block about its longitudinal axis to expose the base of the block for inspection to determine the presence of leaks indicated by the escaped testing fluid, if any.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of testing a motor block for detecting cracks, pin holes, fissures or the like communicating the water courses of the block with the oil passages and cylinder bores, and with the exterior thereof which comprises: connecting a source of testing fluid under pressure to the water pump opening of the block; heating the testing fluid to an elevated temperature, closing the water course openings through the head face of the block; forcing heated testing fluid under elevated pressure into the water courses through the water pump opening; indicating by escape of testing fluid into the oil passages and cylinder bores of the block the presence of leaks between the water courses and the oil passages, cylinder bores, crank case wall of the exterior of the block; and moving the block about its longitudinal axis to expose the base of the block for inspection to determine the presence of leaks indicated by the escaped testing fluid, if any.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the testing fluid comprises a low viscosity, light gravity liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the testing fluid comprises naptha.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the testing fluid comprises ethylene glycol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the testing fluid comprises a low viscosity, light gravity hydrocarbon liquid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9 including the step of withdrawing the testing fluid from the water courses of the block after completing the pressure test.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 9 including treating the testing fluid with a coloring material for facilitating observation of the escape of such fluid from the water courses of the block being tested to the oil passages, cylinder bores, crank case wall or exterior of the block.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 9 including the step of closing the freeze plug openings of the block by freeze plugs prior to forcing the testing fluid into the water courses of the block, whereby the seal of the freeze plugs with the block may be tested simultaneously with the test for other leaks.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |