US4574620A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fixturing and process for pressurizing engine cylinders
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-10-01
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Granted: 1986-03-11
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Expires: 2004-10-01
Abstract
Abstract Fixturing and processes for automotive diagnostic and repair procedures are disclosed involving simultaneous pressurizing of the cylinders of a piston internal combustion engine for servicing the engine. The fixturing includes a manifold body having passages and a number of outlet ports pressurized by connection to a source of air pressure, each port being fitted with a pressure coupling for connection to one end of a pressure hose. Each pressure coupling includes a check valve which closes the associated outlet port if a pressure hose is not coupled thereto so that fewer hoses than the total number of outlet ports may be pressurized. Checks for leaking valves and piston rings are conducted by removal of one hose at a time after pressurization of all of the cylinders, while checks for head gasket leaks and valve servicing are conducted while a number of cylinders are simultaneously pressurized.
Inventors
- 👤 Arnold Cohl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
Fixturing for servicing internal combustion engines of the type having a plurality of engine cylinders, each provided with a threaded spark plug opening, said fixturing enabling simultaneous pressurizing of a plurality of engine cylinders for performing servicing of said engine, comprising: a manifold body formed with a series of outlet ports and an inlet port, and also formed with a series of internal passages in communication with each of said inlet and outlet ports and with each other; a series of quick disconnect pressure coupling-check valve assemblies received within each of said outlet ports, each assembly enabling connection of pressure hoses to a respective outlet port to establish fluid communication therewith, while closing off fluid communication of the associated outlet port with said internal passages upon removal of said pressure hose; a corresponding series of pressure hoses each having a coupling fitting at one end matable with said quick connect pressure coupling-check valve assemblies, and each having a threaded fitting at the other end threadably engageable with an engine spark plug opening; an inlet fitting installed in said inlet port enabling connection to a quick connect coupling for pressurizing said internal passages, whereby any number of said pressure hoses may be installed in respective spark plug openings to enable simultaneous pressurization of any number of engine cylinders, up to the total number of outlet ports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
Fixturing for servicing internal combustion engines of the type having a plurality of engine cylinders, each provided with a threaded spark plug opening, said fixturing enabling simultaneous pressurizing of a plurality of engine cylinders for performing servicing of said engine, comprising: a manifold body formed with a series of outlet ports and an inlet port, and also formed with a series of internal passages in communication with each of said inlet and outlet ports and with each other; a series of quick disconnect pressure coupling-check valve assemblies received within each of said outlet ports, each assembly enabling connection of pressure hoses to a respective outlet port to establish fluid communication therewith, while closing off fluid communication of the associated outlet port with said internal passages upon removal of said pressure hose; a corresponding series of pressure hoses each having a coupling fitting at one end matable with said quick connect pressure coupling-check valve assemblies, and each having a threaded fitting at the other end threadably engageable with an engine spark plug opening; an inlet fitting installed in said inlet port enabling connection to a quick connect coupling for pressurizing said internal passages, whereby any number of said pressure hoses may be installed in respective spark plug openings to enable simultaneous pressurization of any number of engine cylinders, up to the total number of outlet ports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The fixturing according to claim 1 wherein said manifold body is cylindrically shaped, and each of said inlet and outlet ports are disposed about the periphery of said cylindrical manifold body so that each of the quick connect pressure coupling-check valve assemblies extend outwardly from said periphery of said manifold body at an angle to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fixturing according to claim 2 wherein each of said outlet ports are arrayed about one half of the periphery of said manifold body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fixturing according to claim 1 wherein said manifold body is formed with four outlet ports, whereby said fixturing may be employed to pressurize the cylinders of one bank of either a V-6 or V-8 engine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The fixturing according to claim 1 wherein each of said threaded fittings mounted on said pressure hoses includes a stepped diameter end, with different diameter threads formed on each step, matable with different diameter spark plug openings to thereby enable use of said fixturing with differing diameter spark plug openings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
108 words
A process of simultaneously pressurizing differing numbers of the cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine for servicing thereof, comprising the steps of: simultaneously pressurizing a number of outlet ports of a manifold body while controlling opening of said ports with check valving associated with each of said outlet ports; installing a corresponding number of pressure hoses to said number of cylinders by threadably mating one end of a respective one of said hoses with a spark plug opening; coupling the other end of each of said hoses with a respective one of said outlet ports so as to open said check valving and pressurize said associated cylinder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
A process of simultaneously pressurizing differing numbers of the cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine for servicing thereof, comprising the steps of: simultaneously pressurizing a number of outlet ports of a manifold body while controlling opening of said ports with check valving associated with each of said outlet ports; installing a corresponding number of pressure hoses to said number of cylinders by threadably mating one end of a respective one of said hoses with a spark plug opening; coupling the other end of each of said hoses with a respective one of said outlet ports so as to open said check valving and pressurize said associated cylinder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process according to claim 6 wherein four outlet ports are pressurized to enable simultaneous pressurizing of from one to four engine cylinders.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process according to claim 6 applied to a vee engine wherein all of the cylinders of one bank of said vee engine are simultaneously pressurized to pressure balance the force of said pressure on the pistons of said pressurized cylinders.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
A process of detecting leaks from a combustion chamber of a multicylinder internal combustion piston engine of the type having a plurality of combustion chambers, a plurality of spark plug openings, each entering into a respective one of said plurality of combustion chambers, comprising the steps of: pressurizing all of said combustion chambers simultaneously through each respective spark plug opening with a fluid under pressure; and, successively depressurizing each of said combustion chambers while detecting any flow of said fluid out from any of said combustion chambers to thereby identify any leaks from one of said combustion chambers by cessation of outflow upon depressurization of said leaking combustion chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
109 words
A process of detecting leaks from a combustion chamber of a multicylinder internal combustion piston engine of the type having a plurality of combustion chambers, a plurality of spark plug openings, each entering into a respective one of said plurality of combustion chambers, comprising the steps of: pressurizing all of said combustion chambers simultaneously through each respective spark plug opening with a fluid under pressure; and, successively depressurizing each of said combustion chambers while detecting any flow of said fluid out from any of said combustion chambers to thereby identify any leaks from one of said combustion chambers by cessation of outflow upon depressurization of said leaking combustion chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process according to claim 9 wherein said fluid used in said pressurizing step is a gas and wherein said step of detecting outflow comprises the step of observing bubbles in coolant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process according to claim 9 wherein said engine is of the type including intake valves and a carburetor, and wherein said step of detecting outflow of fluid comprises the step of detecting flow at said carburetor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process according to claim 9 including exhaust valves and an exhaust pipe system and wherein said detecting step includes the step of detecting outflow of fluid from said exhaust pipe system.
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) | 1989-03-10 | 1989-09-09 | 1990-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-10 | 1993-09-09 | 1994-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-10 | 1997-09-09 | 1998-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |