Apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a cooling system for a marine propulsion device
A cooling system for a marine propulsion device provides a bypass loop around a cooling pump that allows the flow of cooling water through certain components to be reduced or increased as a function of the temperature of those components while causing a full flow of cooling water to flow through other selected heat emitting devices. Using this configuration of components and bypass conduits, the operating condition of the cooling water pump can be continually monitored, including the condition of its flexible vanes. By observing the effective cooling capacity of the system under conditions with the bypass valve open and closed, the effectiveness of the cooling water pump can be assessed and a suggestion of maintenance can be provided.
1. A cooling system for a marine propulsion device, comprising:
a cooling passage disposed in thermal communication with a heat emitting component;
a pump having an outlet port connected in fluid communication with an outlet conduit and an inlet port connected in fluid communication with an inlet conduit, said inlet conduit being configured to conduct water to said pump from a body of water in which said marine propulsion device is operated, said outlet conduit being connected in fluid communication with said cooling passage;
a bypass conduit connected in fluid communication between said outlet conduit and said inlet conduit;
an exhaust conduit connected in fluid communication with said outlet conduit, said bypass conduit being connected to said outlet conduit between said pump and said exhaust conduit;
a valve connected in fluid communication with said bypass conduit and configured to affect the rate of flow of water from said outlet conduit to said inlet conduit; and
a controller connected in signal communication with said valve and configured to control said valve as a function of a sensed operating parameter of said marine propulsion device.
2. The cooling system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a fuel cooler connected in fluid communication with said outlet conduit between said pump and said valve.
3. The cooling system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a steering fluid cooler connected in fluid communication with said outlet conduit between said pump and said valve.
4. The cooling system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an oil cooler connected in fluid communication with said outlet conduit, said bypass conduit being connected to said outlet conduit between said pump and said oil cooler.
5. The cooling system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a temperature sensor connected in signal communication with said controller and disposed in thermal communication with said exhaust conduit, said sensed operating parameter of said marine propulsion device being a sensed temperature of said exhaust conduit.
6. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein:
said heat emitting component is a heat exchanger.
7. The cooling system of claim 6 , further comprising:
an engine having a cooling channel configured to conduct a coolant in thermal communication with heat producing portions of said engine, and in thermal communication with a water channel of said heat exchanger, said water channel of said heat exchanger being disposed in fluid communication with said outlet conduit.
8. The cooling system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a temperature sensor connected in signal communication with said controller and disposed in thermal communication with said coolant, said sensed operating parameter of said marine propulsion device being a sensed temperature of said coolant.
9. A cooling system for a marine propulsion device, comprising:
a cooling passage disposed in thermal communication with a coolant channel of a heat exchanger;
a pump having an outlet port connected in fluid communication with an outlet conduit and an inlet port connected in fluid communication with an inlet conduit, said inlet conduit being configured to conduct water to said pump from a body of water in which said marine propulsion device is operated, said outlet conduit being connected in fluid communication with said cooling passage;
a bypass conduit connected in fluid communication between said outlet conduit and said inlet conduit;
a valve connected in fluid communication with said bypass conduit and configured to affect the rate of flow of water from said outlet conduit to said inlet conduit;
a fuel cooler connected in fluid communication with said outlet conduit between said pump and said valve;
a steering fluid cooler connected in fluid communication with said outlet conduit between said pump and said valve; and
a controller connected in signal communication with said valve and configured to control said valve as a function of a sensed operating parameter of said marine propulsion device.
10. The cooling system of claim 9 , further comprising:
an oil cooler connected in fluid communication with said outlet conduit, said bypass conduit being connected to said outlet conduit between said pump and said oil cooler.
11. The cooling system of claim 10 , further comprising:
an exhaust conduit connected in fluid communication with said outlet conduit, said bypass conduit being connected to said outlet conduit between said pump and said exhaust conduit.
12. The cooling system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a first temperature sensor connected in signal communication with said controller and disposed in thermal communication with said exhaust conduit, said sensed operating parameter of said marine propulsion device being a function of a sensed temperature of said exhaust conduit.
13. The cooling system of claim 12 , further comprising:
an engine having a cooling jacket configured to conduct a coolant in thermal communication with heat producing portions of said engine, said cooling jacket being connected in fluid communication with said coolant channel of said heat exchanger and in thermal communication with a water channel of said heat exchanger, said water channel of said heat exchanger being disposed in fluid communication with said outlet conduit.
14. The cooling system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a second temperature sensor connected in signal communication with said controller and disposed in thermal communication with said coolant, said sensed operating parameter of said marine propulsion device being a function of a sensed temperature of said coolant.
15. A cooling system for a marine propulsion device, comprising:
a cooling passage disposed in thermal communication with a coolant channel of a heat exchanger;
a pump having an outlet port connected in fluid communication with an outlet conduit and an inlet port connected in fluid communication with an inlet conduit, said inlet conduit being configured to conduct water to said pump from a body of water in which said marine propulsion device is operated, said outlet conduit being connected in fluid communication with said cooling passage;
a bypass conduit connected in fluid communication between said outlet conduit and said inlet conduit;
a valve connected in fluid communication with said bypass conduit and configured to affect the rate of flow of water from said outlet conduit to said inlet conduit;
a controller connected in signal communication with said valve and configured to control said valve as a function of a sensed operating parameter of said marine propulsion device;
a fuel cooler connected in fluid communication with said outlet conduit between said pump and said valve;
a steering fluid cooler connected in fluid communication with said outlet conduit between said pump and said valve;
an oil cooler connected in fluid communication with said outlet conduit, said bypass conduit being connected to said outlet conduit between said pump and said oil cooler;
an exhaust conduit connected in fluid communication with said outlet conduit, said bypass conduit being connected to said outlet conduit between said pump and said exhaust conduit.
16. The cooling system of claim 15 , further comprising:
an engine having a cooling jacket configured to conduct a coolant in thermal communication with heat producing portions of said engine, said cooling jacket being connected in fluid communication with said coolant channel of said heat exchanger and in thermal communication with a water channel of said heat exchanger, said water channel of said heat exchanger being disposed in fluid communication with said outlet conduit.
17. The cooling system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a first temperature sensor connected in signal communication with said controller and disposed in thermal communication with said exhaust conduit, said sensed operating parameter of said marine propulsion device being a function of a sensed temperature of said exhaust conduit; and
a second temperature sensor connected in signal communication with said controller and disposed in thermal communication with said coolant, said sensed operating parameter of said marine propulsion device being a function of a sensed temperature of said coolant.