WO2003021091A2

WO2003021091A2 - Ship-engine overheating alarm system

Info

Publication number: WO2003021091A2
Application number: PCT/HR2002/000040
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ivan Skrmeta
Original assignee: Ekrmeta Ivan
Priority date: 2001-09-03
Filing date: 2002-09-02
Publication date: 2003-03-13
Also published as: HRP20010645A2; AU2002330655A1; HRPK20010645B1; WO2003021091A3

Abstract

The ship-engine overheating alarm system is intended for fitting in inboard or outboard engines equipped with water-cooled exhaust collectors The system comprises the thermostat (3) with the probe (4) fitted on the exhaust collector (2). The probe (4) registers when the exhaust-collector temperature exceeds the allowed one, when the cooling-water circulation is, for any reason, decreased or interrupted, The probe registers such overheating and generates signal for closing of contacts (5) in the thermostat (3), closing thereby the electric circuit in which there are the light alarm (8) and/or the sound alarm (9) with the battery (10). This enables avoiding of engine overheating and occurrence of larger damages.

Description

SHIP-ENGINE OVERHEATING ALARM SYSTEM

INVENTION DESCRIPTION

1 FIELD OF APPLICATION

The invention relates to an overheating alarm system for petrol and diesel engines whose exhaust collector is water cooled. Normally, these are ship engines pinboard snd outboard).

2. TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Ship-engine overheating most often results from the circulation pump failure or blocking of the cooling fluid intake duct In both cases, the cooling fluid stops circulating- The intake duct is usually blocked in the Z~drive housing, caused probably by the Z-drive having caught a plastic bag or another object in navigation, which objec closes th intake duct md, thereby, interrupts the cooling-fluid circulation, The same happens in case of failure of the circulation pump which drives cooling fluid through the exhaust collector, in this case, the temperature rises at the very engine much slower than at the exhaust collector. The circulation failure of t e coofing-fiuid passing through the exhaust collector is therefore to be noticed timely, and the system will register overheating of the exhaust collector and will initiate adequate sound or light a\&r .

3. STATE OF THE ART

Presently used engine overheating alarm systems are related directly to the allowed engine marginal temperature. The overheating alarm measures temperature at the engine block. This normally extends the overheating time, moreover so since, in practice, instrument readings are, normally, not performed constantly, and the problem is noticed only when the engine power starts decreasing or there appears the characteristic smell of an overheated engine. The engine temperature instrument is read only then. There is no sound or light signal, which makes the problem larger, and significant damages unavoidable.

4. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The ship-engine overheating aiarm system, according to this invention, relates to registering the engine temperature increase at the exhaust collector, and comprises thermostat with temperature increase probe that is placed on the exhaust collector, Interruption of cooling of exhaust gases and increase of temperature above the allowed one is registered by probe on the exhaust collector which send signal to the thermostat which, in turn, activates adequate light or sound alarm.

This way it is possible, without significant consequences, to repair the malfunction before occurrence of a significant temperature increase and larger damages. The invention functions regardless of whether the cooling system is direct or through a heat exchanger.

5. ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION

Figure 1. shows diagram of the engine overheating alarm system

The figure clearly shows the location and wiring of the light or sound alarm.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION EMBODIMENT

As shown in the Figure 1 , overheating aiarm system for engines equipped with water-cooled exhaust collectors include thermostat 3 with contacts 5 and the temperature increase probe 4. and cables 6 connecting the thermostat to the battery 10. In the same electric circuit, there are fuse 7 as well as light alarm 8 and sound alarm 9.

The probe 4 is placed on the exhaust collector 2 through which pass the engine 1 exhaust gases and which is cooled by water from the engine cooling system, if, for any reason, the cooling-water circulation is decreased or interrupted, the exhaust gasses temperature will rise and the probe 4 will register this. This will result in closing the contacts 5 in the thermostat 3. This will close the electric circuit from the battery 10 through the thermostat 3, and starting the light alarm 8 ønά the sound aiarm 9, that will warn on the exhaust collector overheating, probably caused by a stoppage in the cooling system. This way, the crew may act and repair the malfunction promptly, before the engine is grossly overheated, which would otherwise cause significant damages.

To improve the safety, the alarm system is equipped with both light anά sound alarm, although it can be made with one alarm only. A temperature indicator may also be fifed on the exhaust collector, but this is not crucial. Thus, this enables a quality control of the most often problem with the cooling- water circulation - ship engine overheating, thereby also avoiding of significant damages, in practice, such a system requires fine adjustment of the thermostat 3 since temperature at the exhaust collector varies, depending on whether the engine is running. Namely, the exhaust-collector temperature is somewhat lower while the engine is working then immediately after its stopping. If the engine is started again after a short period of rest, the temperature will rise for a short period of time and will probably start the alarm til! the temperature regains its normal value, although there is no malfunction in the cooling system. Thus, it may happen that the aiarm is activated for a short period of time, until the normal cooling-wafer circulation is established. This may be avoided by adjusting the thermostat to a higher value. haY g in mind the short exhaust-collector temperature increase. Such adjustment will not influence the aiarm operation quality. The engine operators may consider this as a normal engine and alarm operation.

7. INVENTION APPLICATION

The ship-engine overheating alarm system, according to this invention, is intended for fitting to ship engines, petrol and diesei, inboard and outboard, whose exhaust collector is water cooled.

The investment into the system is insignificant as compared to the protection it offers. Work safety is significantly enhanced &nύ larger isfunctions and damages that are most often with this type of engines are prevented.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Ship-engine overheating alarm system for engines with water-cooled exhaust collectors, whose overheating often results from decreased or interrupted cooling-water circulation, w h e re in , it comprises thermostat (3), probe (4) placed to the exhaust collector (2), light alarm (8) and sound alarm (9); the probe (4) initiating signal when the exhaust gases temperature in the collector is exceeded above the allowed one. which signal establishes contacts (5) in the thermostat (3). closing thereby the electric circuit from the battery {10} to initiate the light alarm (8) snό the sound alarm (9).

2. The system as claimed in Claim 1. wh ere in the aiarm may be light (8) and/or sound (9).