Claims: CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A coolant conditioning system for an engine, said coolant conditioning system comprising:
a degassing tank adapted for separating a gas and a coolant from a coolant-gas mixture from the engine, the degassing tank provided in fluid communication with the engine and a pump of the coolant conditioning system.
2. A coolant conditioning system for an engine, said coolant conditioning system comprising:
a degassing tank adapted for separating a gas and a coolant from a coolant-gas mixture from the engine, the degassing tank provided in fluid communication with the engine and a pump of the coolant conditioning system, wherein the coolant separated from the coolant-gas mixture is circulated to the pump.
3. A coolant conditioning system for an engine, said coolant conditioning system comprising:
a pump adapted for circulating a coolant to the engine; and
a control unit configured to communicate with a control unit of the engine to control the pump to stop after a predetermined amount of time.
4.A coolant conditioning system for an engine, said coolant conditioning system comprising:
a pump adapted for circulating a coolant to the engine; and
a control unit configured to communicate with a control unit of the engine to control the pump to stop after a predetermined amount of time on stopping the engine.
5. An engine comprising:
a control unit comprising a means for stopping the engine, the control unit provided in communication with the engine and a control unit of a coolant conditioning system, wherein the control unit of the engine is configured to stop the engine and to control said control unit of the coolant conditioning system to stop a pump of the coolant conditioning system after a predetermined amount of time on activation of the means for stopping the engine.
6. An engine comprising:
a control unit comprising a means for stopping a coolant conditioning system, the control unit provided in communication with the engine and a control unit of the coolant conditioning system, wherein the control unit of the engine is configured to stop the engine and to control said control unit of the coolant conditioning system to stop a pump of the coolant conditioning system after a predetermined amount of time on activation of the means for stopping the coolant conditioning system during the operation of the engine.
7. The coolant conditioning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the degassing tank is provided in fluid communication with the engine at a highest point in a coolant circuit of the engine.
8. The coolant conditioning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the degassing tank is provided in fluid communication with a cylinder head of the engine.
, Description:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“A COOLANT CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR AN ENGINE”

APPLICANTS:

Name Nationality Address
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited Indian Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.,
MRV, Mahindra World City (MWC),
Plot No. 41/1, Anjur Post, Chengalpattu,
Kanchipuram District – 603204 (TN) INDIA
AVL INDIA PVT. LTD Indian AVL INDIA PVT. LTD.
Plot No.-376-377, Phase-IV
Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon
Haryana-122015 India

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to engine testing systems and more particularly but not exclusively to coolant conditioning systems for testing engines.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally a coolant conditioning system is used for supplying a coolant to an engine at a desired temperature during testing of the engine. The coolant conditioning system includes various sensors and components for providing coolant to the engine at the desired temperature.
[003] In the conventional coolant conditioning system during operation of the engine while testing, some amount of combustion gas leaks through the cylinder head gaskets and gets mixed with the coolant. The combustion gas mixed with the coolant affects the flow of coolant in the engine and induces cavitation in engine water pump and creates localized hot spot in coolant circuit and also results in fluctuations in coolant flow.
[004] Further, in the conventional coolant conditioning system whenever the engine being tested is stopped suddenly on an emergency due to any defects or abnormalities in the engine, the coolant conditioning system is also switched off and hence the flow of coolant to the engine is also stopped suddenly. So, the stagnated coolant inside the engine becomes hot and due to the high temperature of stagnated coolant the cylinder head gasket is damaged and may lead to failure of the gasket.
[005] Further, in the conventional coolant conditioning system when the operator by mistake switches off the coolant conditioning system while testing the engine, the engine is operated without the coolant and may lead to failure of the engine.
[006] Therefore, there exists a need for a coolant conditioning system that can eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[007] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a coolant conditioning system that can separate the combustion gases mixed with the coolant.
[008] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a coolant conditioning system that can circulate coolant to an engine during emergency stop of the engine.
[009] Yet, another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a coolant conditioning system that can circulate coolant to an engine during accidental stop of the coolant conditioning system.
[0010] The objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a flow circuit of the coolant conditioning system in conjunction with the engine according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0014] The embodiments herein achieve acoolant conditioning system that can separate the combustion gases mixed with the coolant. Further, embodiments herein achieve a coolant conditioning system that can circulate coolant to an engine during emergency stop of the engine.Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a flow circuit of the coolant conditioning system in conjunction with the engine according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment the coolant conditioning system 100 includes a storage tank 102, a heat exchanger 104, a heater 106, a degassing tank 108, a control unit 110, a pump P, a first flow control valve FCV1,a second flow control valve FCV2, a third flow control valve FCV3, a first pressure sensor PT1, a second pressure sensor PT2, a third pressure sensor PT4, a valve V, a first temperature sensor TT1 anda second temperature sensor TT2.
[0016] In an embodiment the engine 200 includes a control unit 202, a coolant inlet (not shown) and a coolant outlet (not shown).In an embodiment the control unit 202 of the engine includes a means (not shown) for stopping the engine 200 and a means (not shown) for stopping the coolant conditioning system 100. The control unit 202 is used for controlling and monitoring the engine 200 and for controlling the control unit 110 of the coolant conditioning system 100. The control unit 202 is provided in communication with various sensors (not shown) and components (not shown) of the engine 200 for controlling and monitoring the engine 200. Further, the control unit 202 is provided in communication with the control unit 110 of the coolant conditioning system 100 to communicate with the control unit 110 of the coolant conditioning system 100. The coolant inlet is used for the entry of the coolant (not shown) and the coolant outlet is used for the exit of the coolant.
[0017] In an embodiment the pump P is used for circulating the coolant at a desired flow rate to the engine 200. The pump P is controlled by the control unit 110 based on the information provided by the secondpressure sensor PT2. In an embodiment the pump P is a variable flow pump. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of pump P without otherwise deterring the intended function of the pump P as can be deduced from the description.
[0018] In an embodiment the first flow control valve FCV1 is used for controlling the flow rate of water or any liquid flowing to the heat exchanger 104used for cooling the coolant coming from the coolant outlet of the engine 200. The first flow control valve FCV1 is controlled by the control unit 110 based on the information provided by atleast one of first temperature sensor TT1 and the second temperature sensor TT2.
[0019] In an embodiment the second flow control valve FCV2 is used for controlling the flow rate of coolant flowing to the heater 106 and the heat exchanger 104. The second flow control valve FCV2 is controlled by the control unit 110 based on the information provided by at least one of the first temperature sensor TT1 and the second temperature sensor TT2.
[0020] In an embodiment the third flow control valve FCV3 is used for maintaining the pressure of the coolant at the coolant inlet of the engine 200.The third flow control valve FCV3 is controlled by the control unit 110 based on the information provided by the first pressure sensor PT1 and the third pressure sensor PT4.
[0021] In an embodiment the first pressure sensor PT1 is used for monitoring the pressure of the coolant before the pump P. In an embodiment the second pressure sensor PT2 is used for monitoring the pressure of the coolant after the pump P. In an embodiment the third pressure sensor PT4 is used for monitoring the pressure of the coolant at the coolant inlet of the engine 200.
[0022] In an embodiment the valve V is used for manually adjusting the pressure of the coolant at the coolant inlet of the engine 200. In an embodiment the valve V is a ball valve. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of valve V without otherwise deterring the intended function of the valve V as can be deduced from the description.
[0023] In an embodiment the first temperature sensor TT1 is used for monitoring the temperature of the coolant flowing to the coolant inlet of the engine 200. In an embodiment the second temperature sensor TT2 is used for monitoring the temperature of the coolant flowing from the coolant outlet of the engine 200.
[0024] In an embodiment the storage tank 102 is used for storing the coolant (not shown) to provide coolant to the circuit whenever there is loss of coolant. The storage tank 102 is provided in fluid communication with the pump P and with a source (not shown) providing compressed air to maintain the pressure of the coolant in the circuit.
[0025] In an embodiment the heat exchanger 104 is used for cooling the coolant flowing from the coolant outlet of the engine 200. The coolant from the engine 200 is at high temperature and the heat exchanger 104 cools the coolant and thereafter the coolant that is cooled is re-circulated back to the engine 200. In an embodiment the heat exchanger 104 is cooled using water or any other liquid.The heat exchanger 104 is provided in fluid communication with the first flow control valve FCV1, a source (not shown) supplying water or any liquid to the heat exchanger 104, second flow control valve FCV2 and pump P.
[0026] In an embodiment the heater 106 is used for heating the coolant for pre-heating and maintaining the temperature of the coolant. The heater 106 is provided in fluid communication with the pump P and second flow control valve FCV2. The heater 106 is controlled by the control unit 110 and is provided in communication with the control unit 110.
[0027] In an embodiment the degassing tank 108 is used for separating the combustion gas mixed with the coolant. The mixture of coolant and combustion gas is taken from a highest point in the coolant circuit of the engine 200 and fed to the degassing tank 108. In an embodiment the mixture of coolant and combustion gas is taken or received from a cylinder head (not shown) of the engine 200. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to take or receive the mixture of coolant and combustion gas from any other component of the engine 200.The gas and the coolant are separated in the degassing tank 108 and the separated gas is vented to the atmosphere. The separated coolant in the degassing tank is fed to the pump P. The degassing tank 108 is provided in fluid communication with the engine 200 and the pump P.
[0028] In an embodiment the control unit 110 is used for controlling the pump P,first flow control valve FCV1, second flow control valve FCV2, third flow control valve FCV3and the heater 106. The control unit 110 is provided in communication with the control unit 202, pump P,first flow control valve FCV1, second flow control valve FCV2, third flow control valve FCV3, heater 106,first pressure sensor PT1, second pressure sensor PT2, third pressure sensor PT4, first temperature sensor TT1 andsecond temperature sensor TT2.The control unit 110 includes at least one means (not shown) for receiving input from an operator for setting the parameters such as preheating of the coolant, temperature of the coolant, flow/delivery rate of pump P etc.,. Based on the input provided by the operator and the information received from the control unit 202, first pressure sensor PT1, second pressure sensor PT2, third pressure sensor PT4, first temperature sensor TT1, and second temperature sensor TT2, the control unit 110 controls at least one of the pump P, first flow control valve FCV1, second flow control valve FCV2, third flow control valve FCV3and the heater 106.
[0029] In an embodiment the means (not shown) for stopping the engine 200 of the control unit 202 is used for stopping the operation of the engine 200. In an embodiment when the means for stopping the engine 200 is activated by the user, the control unit 202 stops the engine 200 and controls or provides information to the control unit 110 of the coolant conditioning system 100 to stop the pump P after a predetermined amount of time, thereby the coolant conditioning system 100 functions for the predetermined amount of time to circulate the coolant to the engine 200 to remove the heat from the engine 200 and prevent any possible damage to the engine 200.
[0030] In an embodiment the means (not shown) for stopping the coolant conditioning system 100 of the control unit 202 is used for stopping the operation of the pump P of the coolant conditioning system 100. When the means (not shown) for stopping the coolant conditioning system 100 is activated by the user during the operation of the engine 200, the control unit 202 stops the operation of the engine 200 and controls or provides information to the control unit 110 of the coolant conditioning system 100 to stop the pump P after a predetermined amount of time, thereby the coolant conditioning system 100 functions for the predetermined amount of time to circulate the coolant to the engine 200 to remove the heat from the engine 200 and prevent any possible damage to the engine 200. In an embodiment when the means (not shown) for stopping the coolant conditioning system 100 is activated by the user when the engine 200 is already stopped, the control unit 202 controls or provides information to the control unit 110 of the coolant conditioning system 100 to stop the pump P after a predetermined amount of time, thereby the coolant conditioning system 100 functions for the predetermined amount of time to circulate the coolant to the engine 200 to remove the heat from the engine 200 and prevent any possible damage to the engine 200.
[0031] The working of the coolant conditioning system 100 is as follows. The control unit 110 of the coolant conditioning system 100 is provided with required inputs and the coolant conditioning system 100 is started. Thereafter, the engine 200 is started. The pump P of the coolant conditioning system starts pumping the coolant in the circuit and when there is loss of coolant in the circuit, the coolant from the storage tank 102 flows into the circuit. The coolant flows to the heater 106 for heating of the coolant for preheating or maintaining the temperature of the coolant and thereafter the coolant flows to the coolant inlet (not shown) of the engine 200 through the flow control valve FCV2. The coolant absorbs the heat in the engine 200 and becomes hot and the hot coolant comes out of the engine 200 through the coolant outlet (not shown) of the engine 200. The hot coolant flows to the pump P through the flow control valve FCV3. The pump P pumps the hot coolant to the heat exchanger 104 and the heater 106. The heat exchanger 104 reduces the temperature of the coolant and the cold coolant is re-circulated to the engine 200 through the FCV2. Further the heated coolant from the heater 106 flows to the engine 200 through the FCV2. The cooling rate of heat exchanger 104 is controlled by the flow control valve FCV1 through the control unit 110. Further the mixture of gas and coolant from the engine 200 flows to the degassing tank 108 where the gases and coolant are separated and the coolant from the degassing tank 108 flows to the pump P for recirculation. The control unit 110 receives information from the control unit 202, first pressure sensor PT1, second pressure sensor PT2, third pressure sensor PT4, first temperature sensor TT1, second temperature sensor TT2to control the first flow control valve FCV1, second flow control valve FCV2, third flow control valve FCV3, pump P, and heater 106 to control the temperature and flow rate of the coolant to the engine 200.
[0032] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A coolant conditioning system for an engine, said coolant conditioning system comprising:
a degassing tank adapted for separating a gas and a coolant from a coolant-gas mixture from the engine, the degassing tank provided in fluid communication with the engine and a pump of the coolant conditioning system.
2. A coolant conditioning system for an engine, said coolant conditioning system comprising:
a degassing tank adapted for separating a gas and a coolant from a coolant-gas mixture from the engine, the degassing tank provided in fluid communication with the engine and a pump of the coolant conditioning system, wherein the coolant separated from the coolant-gas mixture is circulated to the pump.
3. A coolant conditioning system for an engine, said coolant conditioning system comprising:
a pump adapted for circulating a coolant to the engine; and
a control unit configured to communicate with a control unit of the engine to control the pump to stop after a predetermined amount of time.
4.A coolant conditioning system for an engine, said coolant conditioning system comprising:
a pump adapted for circulating a coolant to the engine; and
a control unit configured to communicate with a control unit of the engine to control the pump to stop after a predetermined amount of time on stopping the engine.
5. An engine comprising:
a control unit comprising a means for stopping the engine, the control unit provided in communication with the engine and a control unit of a coolant conditioning system, wherein the control unit of the engine is configured to stop the engine and to control said control unit of the coolant conditioning system to stop a pump of the coolant conditioning system after a predetermined amount of time on activation of the means for stopping the engine.
6. An engine comprising:
a control unit comprising a means for stopping a coolant conditioning system, the control unit provided in communication with the engine and a control unit of the coolant conditioning system, wherein the control unit of the engine is configured to stop the engine and to control said control unit of the coolant conditioning system to stop a pump of the coolant conditioning system after a predetermined amount of time on activation of the means for stopping the coolant conditioning system during the operation of the engine.
7. The coolant conditioning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the degassing tank is provided in fluid communication with the engine at a highest point in a coolant circuit of the engine.
8. The coolant conditioning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the degassing tank is provided in fluid communication with a cylinder head of the engine.

Dated this 30th December 2015


Signatures:

Name of the Signatory: Dr. Kalyan Chakravarthy

ABSTRACT
A coolant conditioning system for an engine includes a degassing tank for separating a gas and a coolant from a coolant-gas mixture from the engine. The degassing tank is provided in fluid communication with the engine and a pump of the coolant conditioning system.