Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of mounting an oil cooler on the side of an engine block comprising the steps of: (i) providing the cooler with a back-plate and a tubular rigid coolant flow coupling that projects rearwardly from the back-plate and terminates in an inlet opening that is directed laterally of the axis of the coupling; (ii) locating the back-plate on the side of the engine block with the coupling inserted as a push-fit in an aperture in the block with the inlet opening directed upstream of a flow of coolant in the block; and (iii) fastening the cooler to the side of the engine block with fasteners that engage the back-plate and block.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of mounting an oil cooler on the side of an engine block comprising the steps of: (i) providing the cooler with a back-plate and a tubular rigid coolant flow coupling that projects rearwardly from the back-plate and terminates in an inlet opening that is directed laterally of the axis of the coupling; (ii) locating the back-plate on the side of the engine block with the coupling inserted as a push-fit in an aperture in the block with the inlet opening directed upstream of a flow of coolant in the block; and (iii) fastening the cooler to the side of the engine block with fasteners that engage the back-plate and block.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the coupling is a separate component that is fitted into an aperture in the back-plate of the cooler.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which an annular seal is provided between the coupling and the aperture in the block into which it is inserted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which formations are provided on the coupling and back-plate that cooperate to orientate the coupling angularly about its axis so that the inlet opening is directed upstream of the flow of coolant in the block.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the coupling projects into a coolant flow passage in the block so as to produce a drop in pressure in the flow passage downstream of the coupling, a further coolant flow connection being provided between the cooler and the flow passage downstream of the coupling so as to return a flow of coolant from the cooler to the block.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 in which said further connection comprises mating surfaces that extend laterally of the axis of the coupling so that they are brought into face-to-face sealing contact when the coupling is inserted into the aperture in the block.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which a tubular rigid connector is provided as a push-fit with the block and the cooler to provide an air vent connection from the cooler to the block at a high point in the cooler, the axis of the connector being parallel to the axis of the coupling so that both the connector and the coupling can be inserted together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
An engine comprising an engine block with a coolant flow passage therein, and an oil cooler having a back-plate and a tubular rigid coolant flow coupling that projects rearwardly from the back-plate and terminates in an inlet opening that is directed laterally of the axis of the coupling, the cooler being mounted on the engine block with the coupling inserted as a push-fit in an aperture in the block that opens into the coolant flow passage so that the inlet opening is directed upstream of the flow of coolant in the passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
An engine comprising an engine block with a coolant flow passage therein, and an oil cooler having a back-plate and a tubular rigid coolant flow coupling that projects rearwardly from the back-plate and terminates in an inlet opening that is directed laterally of the axis of the coupling, the cooler being mounted on the engine block with the coupling inserted as a push-fit in an aperture in the block that opens into the coolant flow passage so that the inlet opening is directed upstream of the flow of coolant in the passage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An engine as claimed in claim 8 in which the coupling and respective apertures in the block and cooler are axially aligned.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
An engine as claimed in claim 8 in which the coupling is permanently fixed in the aperture in the cooler.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An engine as claimed in claim 8 in which the coupling is an inlet flow coupling for coolant from the block to the cooler.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
An engine as claimed in claim 8 which includes a further coolant flow connection between the cooler and the flow passage downstream of the coupling so as to return a flow of coolant from the cooler to the block.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
An engine as claimed in claim 12 in which a tubular connector is provided as a push-fit with the engine and the cooler to provide an air vent connection from the cooler to the engine at a high point in the cooler.