Vehicle radiator cleaning and testing system

A unitary system for cleaning a vehicle radiator engine block and heater system in one quick operation without removal from the vehicle, or for cleaning and servicing the radiator after it has been removed from the vehicle, together with means for testing the radiator for leaks. The system includes a tank for receiving a radiator or heater core which has been removed from the vehicle for cleaning or repairing; a steam generator carried by the tank; a rack, also carried by the tank, and plumbing associated with said components whereby to deliver steam to the interior of a radiator within the tank and to direct steam and a cleaning solution, which has passed through the radiator, under pressure, upon the exterior of the radiator in the tank. The system also includes suitable fittings whereby a source of air under regulated pressure may be placed in communication with a radiator in the tank. The steam generator is provided with an independent outlet so that steam alone may be used to thaw a frozen cooling system. There is also provided a detergent cannister, carried by the tank and in communication with the steam generator for use in steam cleaning.

BACKGROUND ART 
It has long been the custom, in shops devoted to the cleaning and testing 
of vehicle radiators, to have several individual pieces of equipment such 
as for instance a boil-out vat; a testing tank; a dryer; and a flushing 
and paint booth, these individual components being independently but 
successively used and clean, test and repair a radiator for leaks; and to 
paint radiator, after repair thereof. 
Applicant is the owner of U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,498, issued Oct. 7, 1975 and 
which teaches a steam generator of the type used, as a separate piece of 
equipiment, for generating a source of steam to be used in connection with 
the cleaning and back flushing of automobile radiators, either on or off 
of the vehicle. 
By the present invention, the entire system for cleaning and testing the 
radiator is presented as a unitary component in the form of a portable 
tank which carries a steam generator and a testing, repairing and painting 
rack, the tank also having associated tgerewith suitable fittings and 
couplings whereby steam or a mixture of steam and detergent may be 
utilized to clean a radiator on the vehicle. 
Itf is important, however, that when a vehicle radiator is to be cleaned, 
tested, repaired and painted, only the single piece of equipment 
hereinafter disclosed is necessary to accomplished the entire operation 
and it is not necessary, as has hereinbefore been the case, to employ 
several different pieces of equipment for cleaning, testing, repairing and 
painting. 
Manifestly, the space requirements for such equipment are considerably less 
than as has heretofore been the case, as is the expense of installation 
and operation of the equipment. 
Thus, the unitary system hereinafter disclosed may be purchased and 
utilized as a single piece of equipment in a radiator shop and merely with 
electrical, water and air connections is ready to use in cleaning and 
testing radiators both on a vehicle and after a radiator has been removed 
from a vehicle. A significant advantage is the very short time, on the 
order of seven to ten minutes, required to have the system ready for use, 
as compared with previously known systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The system hereinafter described comprises apparatus broadly designated by 
the numeral 10 and which includes, as its primary components, a wheeled 
tank 12 having a steam generator 14 carried thereby and a rack 16, also 
carried by the tank 12. The tank 12 is polygonal is configuration and 
includes a bottom 18, an upstanding front wall 20, back wall 22; and 
opposed end walls 24 and 26. A lid 28 is hingedly carried by the back wall 
22 and can be swung from a position closing the top of the tank 12 to an 
open position, as illustrated for instance in FIG. 4 of the drawing. 
The steam generator 14 is carried by the outer face of end wall 24 and is 
in the form of an insulated pressure cylinder 30, as best shown for 
instance in FIG. 6 of the drawing. Cylinder 30 is provided with a water 
inlet 32 adjacent the bottom wall thereof and receives therewithin a pair 
of heating elements 34 and 36, the configuration of one of said heating 
elements, such as 34 for instance, being shown in FIG. 7 of the drawing. A 
plurality of coils 38 surround the cylinder 30 and water is delivered to 
the upper end of said coils whereby the water may pass through coils 38 to 
be heated and thence into the cylinder 30, through inlet 32, all to the 
end that steam is generated, the steam being releasable from the cylinder 
30 as by an outlet 40 which is at the top of the pressure cylinder 30. 
A manifold 42 is carried by the exterior of the front wall 20 of tank 12 
and is in communication with steam outlet 40 by means of suitable piping 
44 which communicates with a tube 46, there being a valve 48 interposed 
between piping 44 and tube 46 for controlling the flow of steam from 
outlet 40 to the manifold 42. 
The steam generator 14 is provided, at the uppermost end thereof, with a 
pressure gauge 49, a thermometer 50 and a safety valve 52. A water level 
sight tube 54 is carried by the sidewall pressure cylinder 30 in order to 
permit visual determination of the water level within the cylinder 30 of 
the steam generator 14. 
The steam outlet 40 of cylinder 30 is also in communication with an 
independent outlet 56 which has a valve 58 interposed therewithin so that 
a steam hose may be coupled with said independent outlet 56 and delivery 
of steam thereto controlled by valve 58 for purposes which will be 
hereinafter described. 
Water is delivered to the steam generator 14 by means of a suitable water 
line 60, which is in communication with a source of water at the site 
where the apparatus 10 is to be used, there being a coupling 62 so that 
the water line 60 may be quickly connected with the apparatus 10 to 
thereby deliver water to the steam generator 14. A valve 64 is provided in 
the piping extending from coupling 62 to the steam generator 14, as is a 
check valve 66 to prevent the back flow of steam. The water line, beyond 
the valve 64 extends along the exterior of the end wall 24 of tank 12 and 
enters the bottom portion of pressure cylinder 30 at water inlet 32, after 
passing through coils 38, whereby water is delivered to the lower portion 
of the pressure cylinder 30 of steam generator 14. 
Suitable electrical controls, for the heating elements 34 and 36 are 
provided, there being an electrical inlet line 68 for the apparatus 10, 
which electrical inlet line is suitably coupled with a control box 70, 
carrying appropriate relays and sensing mechanisms, the control box 70 in 
turn being coupled with switch box 72 by an electrical line 74, there 
being a switch for controlling electrical power to each of elements 34 and 
36, respectively, through an electrical line 76, which leads from the 
switch box 72 to corresponding elements 34 and 36. Switch box 72 is also 
coupled with the upper end of pressure cylinder 30 through electrical 
lines 78 which are connected with a sensor 80 disposed within the interior 
of cylinder 30 so that the water level may be sensed within the cylinder 
30 and, if it is depleted below a certain level, the switches 72 are 
thrown whereby to cut off the electric power to the elements 34 and 36. 
The tank 12 also carries, preferably on the exterior of back wall 22 
thereof, a detergent cannister 82. As shown in FIG. 2, there is a line 
leading from the outlet 40 of steam generator 14 to the bottom of the 
cannister 82, the said line 84 placing outlet 40 in communication with the 
bottom of the cannister 82, there being a valve 86 interposed in said line 
for selectively permitting the flow of steam into the interior of 
cannister 82. The cannister 82 is adapted to receive therewithin a charge 
of suitable detergent or other appropriate radiator cleaning composition, 
which may be in liquid, granular or solid form, whereby the steam entering 
the cannister 82 from the bottom thereof will mix with the detergent and 
the mixture of steam and detergent may exit cannister 82 through an outlet 
line 88 controlled by a valve 90, the line 88 having a quick disconnect 
fitting 92 thereon so that a suitable hose may be coupled with line 88, 
through coupling 92 and the hose used, at a remote location from apparatus 
10 as for instance to clean a radiator which is in place upon a vehicle 
with the mixture of detergent and steam emanating from the cannister 82 
after steam has been run therethrough to mix with the detergent placed 
therein. A filling cap 94 is provided for cannister 82 in order to readily 
permit the filling thereof with a suitable detergent and a pressure gauge 
96 is carried exteriorly of the cannister 82. 
The manifold 42 which is carried on the exterior of front wall 20 of tank 
12, as illustrated for instance in FIGS. 1 and 4, is adapted to deliver 
steam to one or more radiators which have been removed from a vehicle or 
vehicles and which have been placed within the interior of the tank 12 for 
purposes of cleaning the radiator. To this end, the manifold 42 is 
provided with three outlets, 98, 100 and 102, each of said outlets being 
coupled with a corresponding tube 104, 106 and 108, respectively. As is 
apparent from FIGS. 1 and 4, the outlets 98-102 of the manifold 42 are 
individually controllable whereby steam may be permitted to egress from 
only one of said outlets, two of the outlets, or all three outlets if in 
fact there are three radiators in the tank being cleaned simultaneously. 
Thus, the first outlet 98 would effectively be controlled by valve 48 
whereby steam would be permitted to pass from outlet 40, through piping 
44, tube 46 into the manifold 42 and thence outlet 98 through tube 104. 
If additional radiators beyond one are to be cleaned within the tank 
simultaneously, the second outlet 100 may be opened by means of valve 110 
and, if a third radiator is to be placed within the tank 12, the third 
outlet 102 may be opened by means of a valve 112. 
When the apparatus of the system is in operation, one or more radiators may 
be removed from a vehicle and placed within the tank 12 whereby to clean 
the same in a manner which will hereinafter be described. It is to be 
noted that the tank 12 is provided with vertical interior partitions 114 
and 116 whereby to define three areas of the interior of the tank 12 
within which a radiator may be placed in a vertical position. 
Thus, for example and within the context, for purposes of this description, 
of cleaning of a single radiator, as is illustrated in the drawings, the 
radiator, broadly designated as 118 would initially be removed from the 
vehicle and cleaned exteriorly as by spraying the same with air or steam. 
The conventional pressure cap having a rating of 4-7 pounds pressure would 
be left on and the hose connections would be suitably capped. An 
appropriate cleaning composition would, prior to the capping of the hose 
connection, be placed within the interior of radiator 118. 
The radiator 118 would then be placed within the tank 12, as between the 
two partitions 114 and 116 as illustrated, the radiator being in a 
vertical position, as if it were still upon the vehicle. 
Once positioned within the tank 12, the tube 104 would be placed into 
communication with the drain plug of the radiator, which would normally be 
at the lowermost portion of the radiator, as positioned within the tank, 
whereby steam would be delivered through the manifold 42, outlet 98 and 
tube 104 into the interior of the radiator. 
The overflow outlet of the radiator, which would normally be positioned 
adjacent the top of the radiator, as the radiator was situated within the 
tank 12, is placed into communication with a hose, such as 120, which hose 
traverses the interior of the tank 12 and is positioned to direct steam 
upon the exterior of the radiator. 
For instance, and as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the hose 120, being used 
when a single radiator is being cleaned, would be carried by the lid 28 of 
the tank 12 to a suitable bracket 122, the free end of the hose 120 being 
provided with a nozzle 124 whereby steam passing through the radiator 118 
and the hose 120 would be directed upon the exterior of the radiator to 
further clean said exterior with the steam and cleaning composition which 
has passed from the radiator 118. 
Thus, steam is delivered to the interior of the radiator through tube 104, 
passes completely through the interior of the radiator 118 and exits 
through the overflow outlet, which is in communication with hose 120, the 
steam and cleaning composition passing through nozzle 124 and thence being 
directed upon the exterior of the radiator being cleaned 
As is apparent from the foregoing description, a certain amount of hot 
water and cleaning solution will be accumulated within the bottom portion 
of the tank 12 during a cleaning operation upon a radiator. To take 
advantage of this collection of hot water and cleaning solution, there is 
provided a perforated pipe 126 which spans the bottom of the tank 12, as 
shown in FIG. 4 for instance, the pipe 126 having a plurality of 
perforations 128 therein whereby to agitate the hot liquid which 
accumulates within the tank 12 during a cleaning operation. 
To accomplish such agitation, there is provided, in communication with the 
pipe 126 an air line 130, shown in FIG. 1, having a check valve 132 and 
which is provided, adjacent the top edge of the tank, with an air inlet 
fitting 134. The fitting 132 is intended to receive a quick connect 
coupling from a source of air under pressure and the flow of air through 
line 130 is controlled by a suitable valve 136, operable by a handle 138. 
It is notable that the handle 138 is of such a construction that it cannot 
be swung to open valve 136 and permit flow of air to line 130 until such 
time as lid 28 of the tank is closed, this functioning as a safety 
feature, so that agitation of the hot solution within the tank cannot 
occur when the lid 28 is open. Thus, when it is desired to open lid 28, 
handle 138 must be swung to a position closing the valve 136 and 
terminating the flow of air through line 130 and thus pipe 126. 
As hereinabove referred to, it is desirable to have an independent source 
of air under pressure closely associated with the apparatus 10 and it will 
be appreciated that such source of air could take the form of an air 
compressor (not shown) actually carried by the tank 12. However, since air 
is readily available in most shops which would normally utilize the 
apparatus 10, such apparatus has been described herein as being adapted to 
receive air under pressure from a suitable source, such as a compressor 
which could be fitted with suitable hoses to deliver air to the apparatus 
10. 
Given a source of air under pressure, it is also to be noted that the 
manifold 42, carries, at the end thereof opposite to that which is in 
communication with tube 46, an air inlet 140, controlled by an air valve 
142 and having in communication therewith an air regulator 144, including 
an air pressure gauge 146. Thus, when air is delivered, from the exterior 
source to the air inlet 140, it passes, upon the opening thereof, through 
valve 142 and regulator 144 along an air line 148 to a point adjacent the 
main inlet to manifold 42. In this regard, a check valve 150 is positioned 
downstream from the point of communication of air line 148 with the 
manifold 42, to prevent escape of air into the steam generator. 
It will be appreciated that, by opening valve 142, after an air line has 
been coupled at 140, air may be selectively delivered through the outlets 
98-102 of the manifold 42. This is a desirable feature inasmuch as it has 
been found to be extremely helpful to the cleaning of a radiator, such as 
118, to permit air under pressure to pass therethrough, either at the same 
time the steam is being delivered to the interior of the radiator or 
independently of the steam being delivered to the radiator, the air 
serving to loosen any scale which may have accumulated in the interior of 
the radiator. 
Thus, while the radiator 118 is being cleaned in the manner hereinabove 
described, air may be selectively delivered, either independently or 
together with the steam, to the interior of the radiator 118 to aid in the 
cleaning thereof. 
Once a radiator such as 118 has been cleaned by the method hereinabove 
described, the tank lid 28 is opened, it being again noted that it is 
necessary to close valve 136 prior to opening the tank lid, and the 
radiator is disconnected from its tube 104 and hose 120 whereby to free 
the same for removal from the interior of the tank. 
Once the radiator has been removed, it may be positioned upon rack 16, as 
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 for instance, and held upon such rack by a 
resilient band or bands such as 152, which bands have suitable hooks 
thereon such as 154 to thereby secure the opposite ends thereof to eyes 
such as 156 which are carried exteriorly of the tank 12 on walls such as 
20 and 22 thereof. Thus, the radiator may be readily placed in a vertical 
position on the rack 16 adjacent the end wall 26 of the tank 12. 
Once the radiator has been so positioned a steam line may be coupled with 
independent outlet 56 and the steam flowing through said line, upon 
opening of valve 58, utilized to spray the radiator to give the same in 
final cleaning. 
If it is then desired to test the radiator for leaks, the usual opening is 
capped, preferably with a cap having a 15-18 pound pressure rating, as are 
the hose connection openings, and the steam line which has been coupled 
with independent outlet 56 is placed into communication with the drain 
plug of the radiator as it is being tested. The overflow tube of the 
radiator being tested is placed in communication with the interior of the 
tank 12 and through a drain line 158, shown in FIG. 4. The drain line 158 
permits liquid flowing therethrough to flow back into the tank 12 once the 
lid of the tank has been closed. 
Thus, and in order to test the radiator while it is upon rack 16, steam 
under pressure is delivered to the interior of the radiator, through the 
drain plug and the steam, and/or liquid, after it has passed through the 
radiator exits through drain line 158 and back into the tank 12. If this 
testing locates leaks in the radiator these may be marked with chalk and 
soldered to seal the same, it being noted that soldering will be 
facilitated since the radiator is in a heated condition. The use of steam 
pressure in testing will readily disclose any leaks due to the expansion 
of the metal when it is heated. 
After repair of any leaks in the radiator, and while the radiator is still 
upon the rack 16, it may be painted, while it is hot, this condition 
permitting the paint to more readilly adhere to the exterior of the 
radiator upon the rack 16. It should be noted that rack 16 can be turned 
to reverse the exposed side of the radiator while it is thereupon and thus 
permit complete painting of the radiator or repair leaks located in the 
radiator. 
Thus, there is presented, in a single piece of apparatus, a unitary system 
for cleaning, testing, repairing and painting a vehicle radiator once it 
has been removed from the vehicle. By the same token, the single piece of 
apparatus provides for the generation of steam or a steam and detergent 
mixture which can be utilized to clean a radiator engine block and heater 
system while it remains in the vehicle.