초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for maintaining equipment, such as an engine, in readiness for use while it is otherwise nonoperational. The equipment or engine is of the type having a closed liquid recirculation system. The present method and apparatus bypasses the usual recirculating pump in this system. A

A method and apparatus for maintaining equipment, such as an engine, in readiness for use while it is otherwise nonoperational. The equipment or engine is of the type having a closed liquid recirculation system. The present method and apparatus bypasses the usual recirculating pump in this system. An external supply power removes liquid from the sump or reservoir, and diverts the liquid from passage through the normal recirculating pump of the recirculating system. The diverted liquid is conditioned to a predetermined temperature by passage through a heat exchanger. It is pressurized by operation of the supply pump. It is then directed into the equipment recirculation system downstream from the outlet of the system\s recirculating pump. The pressurized and temperature conditioned liquid is then forced through the equipment passages in the recirculation system. This maintains the equipment at a temperature in readiness for use. In the case of a lubrication liquid system, it also maintains proper lubrication of the equipment elements during periods in which the equipment is not being used.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for maintaining an engine in readiness for use while nonoperational, wherein the engine includes a closed liquid recirculation system having a liquid supply and a recirculating pump, the recirculating pump being adapted to direct pressurized liquid through the system while the engine is

An apparatus for maintaining an engine in readiness for use while nonoperational, wherein the engine includes a closed liquid recirculation system having a liquid supply and a recirculating pump, the recirculating pump being adapted to direct pressurized liquid through the system while the engine is operational; said apparatus comprising: a supply pump having an inlet and an outlet; motor means operatively connected to the supply pump for driving the pump so as to impart a predetermined pressure to liquid at the pump outlet when said motor means is operating; a supply conduit adapted to be operatively connected between the pump inlet and the liquid supply of the closed liquid recirculation system of the engine; a heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet; said heat exchanger including heating element means for transferring heat to liquid passing through the heat exchanger between its inlet and outlet; said inlet of the heat exchanger being in open communication with the outlet of the supply pump; and a delivery conduit adapted to be operatively connected between the outlet of the heat exchanger and the closed liquid recirculation system of the engine at a location downstream from the recirculating pump thereof.