GB2112922A - Engine cooling system - Google Patents

Abstract

The system comprises two radiators (1, 2) one radiator (1) in circuit with the engine body (6) and the other in circuit with conduits which cool the exhaust gases so that the engine temperature (150 DEG C) can be relatively high and that of the gases at the exhaust outlet (145 DEG C) can be relatively low. The radiators (1, 2) are located close together but spaced apart and the space between them is sealed with foam. The exhaust gases pass through a water jacket (8) and a water cooled silencer (9) which has a centrifugal effect on the water, jackets (8) and (9) being part of the conduit means in circuit with the radiator (2). The cooling apparatus is included in a high pressure water jetting unit the apparatus being mounted on a base (14) provided with channels (16) for lifting via a fork lift and a four-point lifting facility (15) on a cage mounted on the base. The apparatus is especially for cooling diesel engines and the high pressure water jetting pump unit is especially, for use on offshore platforms, thus complying with safety regulations concerning the use of diesel-driven equipment in zone 2 areas. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An engine cooling apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for cooling an engine, especially but not exclusively, diesel engines.

The invention also relates to a high pressure water jetting pump unit especially, but not exclusively, for use on offshore platforms and thus complying with safety regulations concerning the use of diesel-driven equipment in zone 2 areas.

A disadvantage of diesel engines is that they do not operate with efficiency at low temperatures.

However, in order that the exhaust gases are at an acceptable temperature in zone 2 areas, it has, until now been necessary to operate diesel engines at relatively low temperatures.

An object of the invention is to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantage.

A major part of any offshore platform is its pipe system covering a wide spectrum of functions and maintenance of the system is essential because a minor problem can have disproportionate cost effect due to loss of production, if it is not quickly rectified.

Accordingly another object of the invention is to provide a jetting-unit which can be easily transported and installed.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for cooling an engine, comprising at least two radiators each having water circulating conduit means, one of said radiators being in circuit with the engine body and the other n circuit with the exhaust gases whereby the engine temperature can be relatively high and the exhaust gases at the exhaust outlet can be relatively low.

Preferably, the radiators are located close together but spaced apart and the space between them is sealed against air ingress between the radiators.

Preferably also, a portion of the exhaust gases radiator conduit means is contained in at least one water jacket.

Preferably also at least two water jackets are provided, one of which is a silencer water jacket.

In use the operating temperature of the engine is approximately 1 500C (to a maximum of 2000C) while the exhaust gases exhaust at a temperature of approximately 1 450C (to a maximum of 2000 C).

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a high pressure water jetting unit comprising a base on which at least two radiators, engine and load driven by the engine, and conduit means for circulating water through the engine body and one of the radiators and through the other radiator and around the exhaust gas piping, means for lifting the unit.

Preferably said lifting means comprises fork lift channels in the base and/or lifting edges on a cage mounted on the base.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a side elevation of the engine cooling apparatus and jetting unit according to the invention.

The jetting unit is mounted on a base, which comprises a steel sheet 14, and includes the engine cooling apparatus.

The engine 6 is mounted with a large fan 3 fitted to the front thereof, the blades of the fan 3 being adjustable to give a variable flow of air through two radiators 1, 2 mounted in front of the engine.

The radiators 1, 2 are fitted with expansion tanks 5, 4 and stand side on to i.e. transversely of the engine and are spaced apart a short distance, e.g. 50 mm, the space between being sealed with foam or the like to prevent air ingress between the radiators.

The radiator 1 closest to the engine 6 is connected to the engine through an oil cooler (not shown) then engine water pump 12, through the engine block 6 and out through thermostats 1 7 designed to open at 1 450C and back through the radiator 1 to cool to 550C or ambient temperature.

The front radiator 2 is connected through a seawater pump (not shown) to engine water cooled manifold 7. The water passes through the manifold 7 out and through a 1800 bend exhaust water jacket 8 and through a water cooled silencer. The exhaust gas pipe 20 also passes through the water jacket 8 and silencer 9 to exhaust to atmosphere at outlet 10.

The water entering the silencer 9 has a centrifugal effect. The temperature of the water leaving the silencer is approximately 900C and passes to the radiator to loose approximately 350C before passing into the water conduit system again.

The system may include a second 1 800 water cooled bend and a water cooled spark arrestor or case water cooling at the silencer end according to temperatures of various engines and their design.

A control, now shown, which is usually of the pneumatic type, is incorporated in the main safety control panel for the protection of the engine and cooling system by putting low level coolant water reservoirs and float control valves adjacent to the radiators and set to shut the engine off if either falls below 90% of capacity.

The unit is portable, fork lift channels 1 6 being provided in the skid. In addition a frame is built around the apparatus and a 4 point lift facility 1 5 is provided on the top corners of the frame. A safety wire guard screen (not shown) is provided on the sides of the frame at least at the radiator end and vertical bars are provided at least at the radiator end of the frame.

In use, the diesel engine and all its surface area are cooled to a maximum temperature of 2000C, usually approximately 1 500C. In addition, the cooling system on the engine exhaust keeps the surface of all exhausts to a maximum of 200"C so that the exhaust gases should not reach more than 2000C.

The unit will then satisfy safety regulations concerning the use of diesel-driven equipment in zone 2 area and can therefore be used for high pressure jet cleaning operations on offshore platforms.

As the unit is self-contained and portable, it can be quickly loaded for transporting to a platform which requires servicing, and once there, quickly installed and operated.

Claims (8)

1 Apparatus for cooling an engine, comprising at least two radiators each having water circulating conduit means, one of said radiators being in circuit with the engine body and another in circuit with conduit means for cooling the exhaust gases whereby the engine temperature can be relatively high and the exhaust gases at the exhaust outlet can be relatively low.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the radiators are located close together but spaced apart and the space between them is sealed against air ingress between the radiators.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the exhaust gases pass through at least one water jacket forming part of the conduit means in circuit with said other radiators.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which at least two water jackets are provided, one of which is a water cooled silencer.

5. A high pressure water jetting unit comprising a base on which is mounted at least two radiators, engine and load driven by the engine, and conduit means for circulating water through the engine body and one of the radiators and through the other radiator and around the exhaust gas piping, means for lifting the unit.

6. A unit as claimed in claim 6, in which said lifting means comprises fork lift channels in the base and/or lifting edges on a cage mounted on the base.

7. Apparatus for cooling an engine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A high pressure water jetting unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.