Fresh water marine engine flushing assembly and system

Marine propulsion – Means for accomodating or moving engine fluids – Cooling for engine

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C440S08800J

Reexamination Certificate

active

06645024

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an assembly and system for flushing the cooling system of a marine engine with fresh water which originates from an on-board, maintained water supply. The maintained water supply may also serve as the primary source of water used for drinking, cleaning, toilet functions, etc.
2. Description of the Related Art
The internal flushing of marine engines, of varying types, especially when the water craft and associated marine engine is used in salt water is often problematic and time consuming. However, the flushing procedure of the engine's cooling system is normally considered imperative to extending the life of the engine and assuring its reliable operation. After use, and depending upon the marine environment in which the boat is operated, the engine may contain salt water, sand, mud, and a variety of different contaminants or debris, all of which have a tendency to corrode the engine if not properly removed on a timely basis. Often after each use, the boat operator must flush the cooling system of the engine mechanically, using an external, fresh water source and one or more flushing devices which are known and commercially available.
In general terms the cleaning or flushing process may involve the forcing of clean or fresh water through the cooling system of the engine to remove the salt water and other contaminants therefrom. This is accomplished by introducing a forced flow or stream of water through the cooling system. However, the majority of the more commonly used flushing devices are for the most part externally applied. As such, these known devices must be attached to the marine engine in some effective manner so as to establish fluid communication with the interior of the engine and the cooling system in particular. The aforementioned external water source used to create the forced flow of fresh water through the engine is commonly a conventional water hose.
Other known or conventional methods include the use of mechanical devices applied to the engine, and/or to the water hose which is used as the supply of fresh flushing water. Examples of such devices are commonly known as “earmuffs” which serve to attach the water hose to the water inlet at the bottom of engine column, such as in an outboard or outboard/inboard motor. It is well recognized that such conventional techniques are inconvenient in that a water hose of sufficient length is frequently not available. Also the flushing of the cooling system of various types of marine engines involve other mechanical devices or procedures which have a tendency to tax the physical stamina or at the very least requires a significant amount of time being spent.
In an effort to overcome many of the disadvantages and problems of the type set forth above a number of different approaches to flushing fresh water through a marine engine have been attempted. By way of example only, it is also known to provide portable flushing assemblies which include the use of a portable, external water reservoir structured for the temporary storage of water. Utilizing such a system or procedure still requires a supply of water being connected to the temporary reservoir and therefore involves the use of a water hose of the type set forth above. In addition, such known systems must also include some type of delivery system which serves to establish a fluid connection or communication between the temporary water reservoir and the cooling system or interior workings of the marine engine. As such, a delivery system often requires the use of a water pump which in turn necessitates access to some type of power source not associated with the water craft.
The inconvenience of such known or conventional marine engine flushing systems is therefore apparent. While, it is assumed that known flushing devices and procedures of the type set forth above may be at least minimally operative for their intended function and purpose, they do not significantly overcome long recognized problems and disadvantages existing in the marine industry. This is at least partially due to the fact that known systems of the type described still have to be connected to and disconnected from the engine being flushed. Such systems still require establishing fluid communication with a conventional source of water each time the flushing system is utilized. Other known disadvantages associated with conventional flushing systems or devices comprise the inability to effectively flush a marine engine when the water craft is not operating or is in a location which prevents the operation of the marine engine in a safe manner.
Accordingly, there is a significant and long recognized need in the marine industry for an improved flushing assembly and system which overcomes the problems and disadvantages of the type set forth above. Such an improved flushing assembly should be unique in its operation, at least to the extent of being continuously disposed in an operative position including being permanently attached to the marine engine. As such, the improved flushing assembly should be operative to provide for the passage of cooling water through the marine engine in the conventional fashion while the marine engine is operating to power the water craft. In addition, a preferred and improved flushing assembly and system should not rely on access to a conventional water source not associated with the water craft, such as a water hose, each time flushing of the marine engine is required.
To the contrary, a preferred flushing assembly should have an established access to an existing path of fluid flow disposed between a permanent, on-board, continuously maintained fresh water supply and the marine engine. Such a fresh water supply could also be the common source of water for other applications on the water craft and/or be provided in the form of an auxiliary fresh water reservoir. Such an auxiliary reservoir would also be permanently maintained on-board the water craft. In either of these embodiments a supply of fresh water would be continuously available for the flushing of the marine engine whenever and wherever the operator deems necessary.
Finally, such an improved flushing assembly and system should be capable of being either remotely controlled such as by electrical activation of the operative components thereof.
Alternatively and/or in conjunction with the remote control and electrical activation, the control of fresh water from the maintained water supply should be capable of being manually controlled or activated. The permanently installed nature of such a preferred flushing system and assembly allows the operation of the marine engine in a conventional fashion, wherein cooling water is forced through the marine engine. Also, after operation of the engine it may be flushed with fresh water without requiring any connection/disconnection of externally mounted devices, as is common in conventional flushing assemblies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed towards an assembly and system structured to flush one or more marine engines of a water craft with fresh water in a manner which overcomes the disadvantages and problems associated with conventional or known flushing systems. At least one distinguishing feature of the various preferred embodiments of the flushing assembly and system of the present invention is the utilization of fresh water permanently stored on-board the water craft as a maintained water supply. Depending upon the size and purpose of a given water craft, a permanent water reservoir is normally included as part of the craft's operating equipment. Water is maintained within the permanent reservoir and utilized for a variety of utilitarian purposes such as drinking, cleaning, toilet operation, etc.
Therefore, the flushing assembly and system of the present invention utilizes the stored fresh water from the maintained water supply to flush the cooling system of the one or more marine engines associated with the water craft. It is of course recognized that the w

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