Method and apparatus for automatically refilling a leaking liquid cooling system as an engine operates by utilizing a radiator and a remote coolant reservoir

Claim 1

Apparatus for modifying an existing engine liquid cooling system to automatically replace coolant discharged from a leak as the engine operates, said cooling system comprising: a. a radiator having upper and lower surfaces and a horizontal centerline lying equidistant between the upper and lower surfaces; b. first means for transferring coolant from the engine to said radiator; c. second means for transferring coolant from said radiator to the engine; d. a filler neck disposed at a high point on said radiator; e. means for sealing said filler neck to the ambient atmosphere; f. a coolant overflow fitting coupled to said filler neck; g. a threaded receptacle coupled to a low point in said radiator; h. a coolant reservoir physically spaced apart from said radiator, vented to the atmopshere, and having a lower surface positioned above the centerline of said radiator and an upper surface positioned in proximity to or above the upper surface of said radiator, said reservoir including a supply of coolant; i. a coolant transfer conduit having a first end coupled to said overflow fitting and a second end coupled to said reservoir; and j. a first one way check valve coupled in series with the fluid flow path from said radiator through said coolant transfer conduit into said reservoir for permitting fluid flow from said radiator into said reservoir when the pressure within said cooling system exceeds a predetermined maximum value; said cooling system modification apparatus comprising: (a) a second one way check valve having an input port and an output port coupled in liquid communication with said drain cock and in series with said coolant refill conduit and located between said coolant reservoir and said radiator for transferring coolant from said reservoir into said radiator when the pressure differential across said check valve exceeds a predetermined value; and (b) a coolant refill conduit having a first end coupled to a low point in said reservoir and a second end coupled to said second one way check valve; whereby a reduction in the cooling system operating pressure caused by a cooling system leak opens said second check valve and transfers coolant from said reservoir into said cooling system.

Claim 31

The method for modifying the cooling system of an internal combustion engine having a remotely positioned coolant accumulator to enable the supply of coolant circulating within said cooling system to be replenished as said engine is operating, said cooling system comprising: a. a radiator including: i. first means for transferring coolant from said engine to said radiator; ii. second means for transferring coolant from said radiator to said engine; iii. a filler neck disposed at a high point in said cooling system; iv. a coolant overflow fitting coupled to said filler neck; b. a coolant reservoir physically spaced apart from said radiator and vented to the atmosphere, said reservoir having a lower surface positioned above the lower surface of said radiator and including a supply of replacement coolant; c. a coolant transfer conduit having a first end coupled to said overflow fitting and a second end coupled to said reservoir; d. a pressure cap for sealing said filler neck to the ambient atmosphere and for venting said radiator to the atmosphere when the internal radiator pressure exceeds a predetermined value; said method comprising the steps of: a. connecting one end of a coolant refill conduit to a low point in said reservoir and a second end to a low point in said radiator; and b. connecting a low pressure one way check valve in series with said coolant refill conduit for enabling fluid to flow from said reservoir into said radiator when the pressure differential across said check valve exceeds a predetermined value, whereby depressurization of said cooling system causes replacement coolant to flow from said reservoir through said coolant replenishment conduit into said radiator as said engine is operating.

Claim 32

The method for modifying the cooling system of an internal combustion engine having a remotely positioned coolant accumulator to enable the supply of coolant circulating within said cooling system to be replenished as said engine is operating, said cooling system comprising: a. a radiator including: i. first means for transferring coolant from said engine to said radiator; ii. second means for transferring coolant from said radiator to said engine; iii. a filler neck disposed at a high point in said cooling system; iv. a coolant overflow fitting coupled to said filler neck; b. a coolant reservoir physically spaced apart from said radiator and vented to the atmosphere, said reservoir having a lower surface positioned above the lower surface of said radiator and including a supply of replacement coolant; c. a coolant transfer conduit having a first end coupled to said overflow fitting and a second end coupled to said reservoir; d. a pressure cap for sealing said filler neck to the ambient atmosphere and for venting said radiator to the atmosphere when the internal radiator pressure exceeds a predetermined value; said method comprising the steps of: a. connecting one end of a coolant refill conduit to a low point in said reservoir and a second end to a low point in said radiator; and b. connecting a low pressure one way check valve in series with said coolant refill conduit for enabling fluid to flow from said reservoir into said radiator when the pressure differential across said check valve exceeds a predetermined value, whereby depressurization of said cooling system causes replacement coolant to flow from said reservoir through said coolant replenishment conduit into said radiator as said engine is operating.