Patent GB-421919-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for cleaning crank-cases, gear boxes, or related parts of internal combustion engines
IPC: F02B77/04
Filed: 1933-11-15
Abstract: 421,919. Cleaning engine sumps, gear-boxes, or other oil-containing parts. DELANO, J. K., 176, Pennyfield Avenue, New York, U.S.A. Nov. 15, 1933, No. 31885. [Class 116] [See also Group XI] Apparatus for cleaning crank cases, gearboxes, &c. comprises means for injecting steam and a cleaning liquid under pressure into the interior of the casing to be cleaned. The injection of the heated mixture may be followed by the introduction of cleaning fluid to flush the casing. The apparatus for supplying the steam and cleansing fluid may be mounted on wheels and has a hose 31 terminating in a nozzle which is inserted into the drain hole 48 of the crank-case to be cleaned. The nozzle has a central tube 40 connected to the hose 31 and provided with a valve 51 which is opened against its spring 55 by the pressure of steam and/or cleaning fluid. Oil from the crank-case is collected in a conical funnel-member 41 surrounding the central tube 40 and provided with an outlet tube 42 connected by a hose 34 to a collecting pail 35. Water is heated by its passage through coils 65, 67 on the legs of a transformer 66 provided with short-circuiting strips 122, 125. After waste oil has been drained from the crank-case 36, the nozzle 40 is inserted into the drain-hole 48. The operation of switch 115 closes the circuit of the transformer primary 116 and heating of the coil 67 closes contacts 150, 151, energizing relay 131 which completes the circuit of the motor 18 over contacts 108, 109 of a tilting mercury switch 104. A pump 21 driven by the motor withdraws oil from the tanks 15, 29 and forces it through a pipe 78 of relatively small bore to a pipe 68 leading to the discharge hose 31. Water withdrawn from the tanks 16, 30 is forced through the heating coils 65, 67 in which it is transformed into steam and fed to the hose 31 and nozzle 32. If the temperature in the smaller coil 65 rises above a predetermined level, a thermostatic strip 82 closes contact 140 short circuiting relay 118 which releases switch 115 and cuts off current from the transformer 66. If, on the other hand, the temperature of the fluid in the pipe coils 67 falls below a predetermined value, a thermostatic strip 126 opens contacts 150, 151, releasing magnet 131 which opens the circuit of the motor 18 whereby the amount of liquid passing through the heating coils is considerably reduced. When the water in the tank 16 has fallen to a predetermined level a sliding arm 92 tilts the mercury switch 104 opening contacts 108, 109 in the circuit of the motor 18 and closing contacts 106, 107 which in conjunction with contacts 110, 111 of a second mercury switch 105 complete the circuit of a motor 19. Pump 22 operated by the motor draws oil at a greater rate from the tanks 15, 29 and forces it through a pipe 83 to the nozzle to flush out the interior of the casing. When the level in the tank 15 has fallen to a predetermined level the tilting of the mercury switch 105 opens contacts 110, 111 and closes contacts 112, 113 short-circuiting the magnet 118 which releases the switch 115 and opens the circuit of the motor and transformer.