Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ENGINE WARMING SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The presently disclosed and claimed technology generally relates to
an apparatus for
warming a cold vehicle, and more particularly to a fitting for exchanging
fluid between a warm
vehicle and a cold vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Liquid cooled engines become problematic in cold climates. The cold
weather can
cause the oil and coolant to become more viscous. The more viscous fluids can
provide less
lubrication as well as making it more difficult for the engine to start. In
this cold weather the
batteries are also much less effective. In extreme climates this can even
result in the inability of
the vehicle to start.
[0003] Systems have been developed that utilize electricity to heat the
vehicle fluids or
the entire engine to make starting them in cold weather easier. One solution
is just to keep the
engine running at all times. This is not cost effective, especially for a
fleet of vehicles. Electric
engine heating systems require installation of the system on the vehicle and
then connecting
the system to an electrical source, such as a regular a/c outlet at a home or
shop. These
systems are typically unworkable in some operations where the vehicles are
kept in remote
locations. This can happen in a number of situations including farming,
ranching, construction
and other operations where more than one vehicle is being used. In the
situations where the
vehicles are in remote locations, the electrical heating solution is not
available due to the
distance from the nearest outlet.
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SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] The purpose of the Summary of the Invention is to enable the public,
and especially
the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar
with patent or legal
terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the
nature and essence
of the technical disclosure of the application. The Summary of the Invention
is neither intended
to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims,
nor is it intended to
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
[0005] Still other features and advantages of the claimed invention will
become readily
apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description
describing preferred
embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode
contemplated by
carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of
modification in
various obvious respects all without departing from the invention.
Accordingly, the description
of the preferred embodiments is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and
not as restrictive
in nature.
[0006] Disclosed is an engine warming system for a water cooled vehicle.
The system
allows for the exchange of warm fluid (coolant) from a warmed vehicle or
portable tank of
warmed coolant, into a cold vehicle while returning fluid from the cold
vehicle to a second
vehicle or fluid exchanging vessel. The system is made up of a fluid exchange
fitting in one
vehicle that has two positions, one for normal circulation of fluid in the
vehicle cooling system,
and one position for sending the coolant of the first vehicle to a second
vehicle or coolant
reserve tank, for replacement by warmed coolant from a second vehicle or
coolant tank. On
one version, identical fluid exchange fittings are in a first and a second
vehicle, and the two
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fittings are connected by fluid transfer hoses. There is a conduit between the
left and right half
allowing for fluid to flow between the two halves as well as a conduit valve
located within the
conduit for closing or opening the conduit for the fluid flow. This fitting is
installed in at least a
first vehicle that will require heating.
[0007] The fluid exchange fitting has a first inlet port, a first outlet
port, a second inlet port,
and a second outlet port. The fluid exchange fitting has either one or three
valves to switch
between the first position and the second position.
[0008] The fluid exchange tank can be of several configurations. One option
is to have a
second fluid exchange fitting mounted on a second vehicle, where the second
vehicle provides
the heated fluid from its own cooling system. The second vehicle is started at
a location remote
from the cold vehicle and driven to the cold vehicle. A second option is to
have the fluid
exchange tank as a standalone unit allowing for direct connection to the fluid
exchange fitting
on the cold vehicle. The standalone unit could be placed on a truck bed or ATV
and driven to
the cold vehicle.
[0009] A typical configuration in which one vehicle is equipped with a
first fluid exchange
fitting and a second vehicle is equipped with a second fluid exchange fitting.
The two fluid
exchange fittings are connected by a first fluid transfer hose and a second
fluid transfer hose.
These can connect using quick release fittings, for ease of connection. The
first fluid transfer
hose is connected to the second outlet port of the fluid exchange fitting at
one end, and at the
other end is attached to the second inlet port of the second fluid exchange
fitting. The second
fluid exchange hose in this configuration would be attached from the second
outlet port of the
second fluid exchange fitting to the second inlet port of the first fluid
exchange fitting. In this
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way, coolant fluid could pass from the first vehicle to the second vehicle,
and warm fluid from
the second vehicle would pass into the cooling system of the first vehicle.
[0010] Each of the cooling systems of the two vehicles could operate as
normally
configured by moving the valve or valves of each fluid exchange fitting to a
first position. In the
first position, coolant enters the fluid exchange fitting at the first inlet
port, and exits at the
second inlet port and continues on through the cooling system of the vehicle.
The cooling
system of the vehicle would include a heater, a radiator, a water pump and
fluid exchange
passages in the block of the engine. If both the first and the second vehicle
are set so that the
fluid exchange fittings are in the first position, both vehicles' cooling
system would operate
normally. If the two fluid exchange fittings are connected by a first and a
second fluid transfer
hose, and the valve or valves of the fluid exchange fittings were set to a
second position, then
coolant would circulate between the two vehicles.
[00111 The fluid exchange fittings can take several configurations. One of
these
configurations utilizes a single valve and has a disc shaped hub which is
mounted in a fluid
exchange fitting body. The disc shaped hub has three passages, a first, a
second and a third
passage. The first passage connects the first inlet port with the first outlet
port, and supports
normal circulation of coolant within the vehicle's cooling system. By turning
the valve, the disc
shaped hub is also turned, and a second and a third passage is rotated into
the second position
so that the first inlet port sends coolant to the second outlet port. Fluid
from the second
vehicle returns to the fluid exchange fitting through the second inlet port
and exits the fluid
exchange fitting out the first outlet port, and continues on through the rest
of the cooling
system of the first vehicle.
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[0012] Other designs for fluid exchange fitting are foreseeable. One
alternative
embodiment utilizes a single valve having a first passage, a second passage
and a third passage.
The valve further provides for a first position and a second position. In the
first position the
second passage creates a fluid path between the first outlet port and the
first inlet port. As in
the previously described embodiment, this allows the cooling system of the
vehicle to function
as originally designed. In the second position the first passage creates a
fluid path between the
second inlet port and the first outlet port. Additionally, in the second
position, the third
passage creates a fluid path between the first inlet port and the second
outlet port. When
placed in the second position with the coolant hose and the first transfer
hose and second
transfer hose connected as previously described the fluid exchange fitting
functions to allow
external heated fluid to pass through second inlet port through the first
passage through the
first outlet port and then through the vehicle heater hose. Vehicle coolant
hose then returns
the displaced fluid to fluid exchange fitting into first inlet port through
third passage and out
second outlet port then through second transfer hose and then is returned to
fluid exchange
tank for reheating. The fluid exchange fittings can be mounted in a heater
house, a flexible
rubber coolant hose, on in a rigid metal tube which is part of the cooling
system of a vehicle.
[0013] Fluid exchange tank can be of several designs. One potential design
is to have a
second fluid exchanging fitting connected to a second vehicle. The second
vehicle is driven into
proximity of the cold vehicle that is to be heated and then the first transfer
hose and second
transfer hose are connected prior to changing valves to allow for fluid
communication between
the vehicles. Another potential design is to have a standalone fluid heater.
This system could
be located on the bed of a truck, four-wheeler, cart, or other vehicle and
could potentially have
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the first transfer hose and second transfer hose permanently attached. The
standalone unit
could be powered by a variety of sources including gasoline, diesel or
electrical power provided
by a battery or by the transportation vehicle. Further, the transfer hoses 36
& 38 can be
connected in different ways such as by a quick disconnect fitting or similar
devices. The heater
hose can be connected to the first outlet port and first inlet port by thread
slip fittings or other
fittings that are configured for connecting the fluid exchange fitting 12 and
the heater hose 28.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Figure 1 is a flow diagram depicting the fluid flow through two
vehicles in
accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concepts.
[0015] Figure 2 is a top view of a fluid exchange fitting in accordance
with an embodiment
of the inventive concepts.
[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fluid exchange fitting in
accordance with an
embodiment of the inventive concepts.
[0017] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of fluid exchange fittings
illustrating first and
second positions of a valve setting on the fluid exchange fitting.
[0018] Figure 5 is a side view fluid exchange tank and heater mounted in a
second vehicle,
in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concepts.
[0019] Figure 6 is a perspective view fluid exchange fitting in accordance
with an
embodiment of the inventive concepts.
[0020] Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the connection between two vehicles
each having a fluid
exchange fitting.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of
various
modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments
thereof have
been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be
understood,
however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the
specific form
disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive
concept(s) is to
cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling
within the scope of
the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims.
[0022] Certain preferred embodiments of the disclosed technology are shown
Figures 1
through 7.
[0023] Disclosed in Fig. 1 is a diagram of an engine warming system 10 for
use on liquid
cooled vehicles such as cars, trucks and machinery that is stored in a cold
environment. This
could include heavy equipment such as earth movers, graders, dump trucks,
tracked vehicles,
tractors, combines, harvesters, loaders, tractor trailer rigs, as well as
boats, snow mobiles,
snow vehicles, 4 wheelers, generators, or other equipment using water cooled
internal
combustion engines.
[0024] Fig. 1 shows a first vehicle 34 and a second vehicle 66 connected to
each other
for coolant exchange. The first vehicle 34 would typically be cold and
therefore hard to start,
and the second vehicle 66 would be warm and provide warm or hot coolant to
first vehicle 34.
A typical automobile system is "warmed up" when the coolant is heated to above
212 F in a
pressurized system. This "warmed" coolant would be exchanged with a cold
vehicle's coolant in
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the disclosed system. The system 10 could optionally include a loop of heated
coolant for
heating the battery 68 of the cold vehicle, by use of a coolant filled jacket
or box, or by use of
one or more tubes which surround the cold battery and transfer heat into the
cold battery.
[0025] Shown in Fig. 1 is a cooling system 36 in each of the vehicles,
which includes a
coolant hose 32. Coolant is circulated through the cooling system by a water
pump 70, with
coolant circulating through a radiator 72 and from there through the coolant
hose 32, which
could be a heater hose. The coolant hose 32 would return coolant to the
cooling system 36, or
as shown in Fig. 1 could route coolant adjacent to or surrounding a battery
68, to warm up the
battery for more powerful starting. This system includes a first fluid
exchange fitting 12 in the
first vehicle 34, and a second fluid exchange fitting 48 in the second vehicle
66.
[0026] Also shown is a first fluid transfer hose 44 and a second fluid
transfer hose 46, which
are used to transfer fluid from the warm vehicle 66 to the cold vehicle 34 and
vice versa.
[0027] Fig. 2 shows one configuration of the fluid exchange fitting which
would be installed
in the coolant hose 32 of the first or the second vehicle. The fluid exchange
fitting 12 shown in
Fig. 2 includes a first conduit 54 which is a straight piece of pipe which has
a first valve 56 in the
approximate center of the first conduit 54. At one end of the first conduit 54
is a first inlet port
14 and at the other end is a first outlet port 16. Attached to the first
conduit 54 is a second
conduit 58, which has a second valve 60. Also attached to the first conduit 54
is a third conduit
62, with a third valve 64. When attached to a coolant hose 32, coolant would
enter at the first
inlet port 14 and if the second valve 60 and the third valve 64 were in a
closed position and the
first valve 56 was in an open position, then fluid would flow directly from
first inlet port 14 to
first outlet port 16 and circulate in a normal manner through the cooling
system of the vehicle.
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The position described above is called the first position. The second position
would be when
the first valve 56 is closed, and the second and third valve 60 and 64 are
open. When this
occurred, if the second fluid exchange fitting 48 in a second vehicle is also
in the second
position and has transfer hoses attached, then the two systems would cause hot
coolant from
the second vehicle to flow into the cooling system of the cold first vehicle,
and cold coolant
from the first vehicle would flow into the warmed up and running second
vehicle.
[0028] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the same version of the fluid
exchange fitting as
shown in Fig. 2.
[0029] Fig. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of fluid exchange fitting 12,
which is identical
to the fluid exchange fitting 48 found in the second vehicle. Also shown in
Fig. 4 is the fluid
exchange fitting 12 in the first position 22 and a second position 24. In the
embodiment shown
in Fig. 4, the fluid exchange fitting has a fitting body 50 and a disc shaped
hub 52. The fitting
body 50 has the same inlet and outlet ports as shown in the previous figures,
which includes a
first inlet port 14, a first outlet port 16, a second inlet port 18 and a
second outlet port 20. The
disc shaped hub 52 includes a first passage 26, a second passage 28, and a
third passage 30,
which are hollow openings inside the disc shaped hub. When connected as shown
in the upper
view of Fig. 4, the fluid exchange fitting 12 is in the first position 22, and
fluid from the coolant
hose 32 goes directly through the first passage 26 and out the first outlet
port 16 and back into
the coolant hose 32, to continue circulating through the cooling system of the
vehicle. In the
lower view in Fig. 4, the disc shaped hub 52 is turned to the second position
24 and the second
passage 28 aligns with the first inlet port 14 so that coolant passes through
the fluid exchange
fitting 12 and exits through the second outlet port 20. In this position, the
third conduit 30
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aligns with the second inlet port 18 and routes fluid through the third
passage 30 to exit out the
first outlet port 16, to reenter the coolant hose 32.
[0030] Fig. 5 shows a configuration of the device in which the fluid to be
warmed and
exchanged is in a fluid exchange tank 38. It is connected to the first vehicle
with a first fluid
transfer hose 44 and a second fluid transfer hose 46 and further includes a
heater 74 and a
pump 76. The fluid exchange tank 38 could be on any vehicle, such as a pickup,
a 4 wheeler, a
snowmobile, or a non-motorized dolly or wagon. The fluid exchange tank
includes a receiving
port 40, and a discharge port 42, with the receiving port connected to 1st
transfer hose 44, and
the discharge port 42 connected to 2' fluid transfer hose 46. This
configuration is simply a
different version of the system which uses a second vehicle as the fluid
exchange tank, and
illustrates a system which does not require use of a second fluid exchange
fitting.
[0031] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the fluid exchange fitting 12
shown in Fig. 4, in
which the fitting body 50 encloses a rotatable disc shaped hub 52, in which
are found a first
passage 26, second passage 28 and third passage 30. Shown in Fig. 6 is a first
inlet port 14, a
second outlet port 20, a second inlet port 18 and indicated, but not visible
is a first outlet port
16. Shown is a first valve 56 which is used to turn the disc shaped hub to a
first position or a
second position.
[0032] Fig. 7 shows a more detailed version of how the fluid exchange
fittings are
connected to each other in two separate vehicles. Fig. 7 is a different view
of the same set up
in Fig. 1, but the fluid exchange fittings 12 and 48 are shown in greater
detail. Both of these
fittings could be set up with the fluid exchange fittings of Fig. 4 or the
fluid exchange fittings of
Figs. 2 and 3.
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[0033] The scope of
the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set
forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation
consistent with the
description as a whole.
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