With Heating Means Patents (Class 123/142.5R)
  • Patent number: 8997707
    Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes, during stopped engine operation, burning fuel in an engine intake heater to generate heated gas, the heated gas bypassing engine cylinders via an exhaust gas recirculation passage. The method further includes during combusting engine operation, burning fuel in the engine intake heater to generate heated gas, and flowing the heated gas through combusting engine cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20150000624
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for heating the heat engine (7) of a vehicle, comprising: a reactor (3) in which a reagent that can cause an exothermic reaction with a reaction fluid is disposed, a circuit (5) for supplying reaction fluid to the reactor (3), a heat-exchange circuit (8) between the reactor (3) and the heat engine (7) of the vehicle, and a circuit (9) for regenerating the reagent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Damien Alfano, Pauline Lartigue, Thierry Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140373798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger (1) for a vehicle comprising a heat engine, said exchanger comprising a first circuit, a second circuit and a tank. According to the invention, the first circuit comprises first ducts for conveying exhaust gases, the second circuit comprises second ducts for conveying a heat-transfer fluid, and the tank can receive a reagent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Damien Alfano, Pauline Lartigue, Thierry Cheng, José Antonio De La Fuente
  • Publication number: 20140299084
    Abstract: A temperature control system and method that preheats both an engine coolant and an engine lubricant of a work vehicle to promote a successful start-up of the work vehicle, especially when operating the work vehicle in a cold environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Michael A. Adams, Jason G. Knipper
  • Patent number: 8833322
    Abstract: A portable work apparatus has a combustion engine for driving a work tool. An air/fuel mixture is supplied to the engine via a carburetor which is provided with an electrical heating element for heating to a given temperature. The heating element is connected to a switch via which electrical energy, which is provided by a generator driven by the engine, is supplied. When a given temperature is exceeded, the switch interrupts the energy supply. To achieve an exact temperature control, the ohmic resistance value of the heating element is stored in a memory in dependence on the temperature. The current flowing through the heating element and the voltage drop at the heating element are measured and the instantaneous resistance of the heating element is calculated therefrom. This calculated value is compared to the value stored in the memory to open or close the switch in dependence on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heinrich Leufen, Jörg Präger, David Fallscheer, Rolf Walter, Michael Link
  • Patent number: 8800521
    Abstract: An electric vehicle powertrain includes a battery configured to couple with an external power source, a power plant including at least one three-phase electric motor, and a power controller configured to receive electrical energy from the battery and to controllably provide electrical energy to the at least one electric motor. The electric motor includes a stator having a plurality of electrical windings and a rotor having a magnetic field orientation, with the rotor being configured to rotate relative to the stator. The power controller is configured to warm an engine fluid by determining the position of the rotor relative to the stator; determining a DC current for each of the three motor phases such that the electromagnetic field of the stator mirrors the magnetic field orientation of the rotor; and by providing the determined DC currents to the electric motor to resistively heat the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shawn Scott Hawkins, Christopher J. Twarog, Paul F. Turnbull
  • Patent number: 8726870
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic heater is provided having a rotational member and a stationary member. The rotational member is operable to rotate relative to the stationary member about an axis so as to induce fluid shear and therefore, thermal energy to the working fluid. The hydrodynamic heater may be a component of a heat generation system comprising an internal combustion engine having a drive shaft for rotating the rotational member of the hydrodynamic heater. The heat generated by the hydrodynamic heater, as well as the heat generated by the engine from the engine exhaust and engine cooling system, is combined to heat a working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Patrick M. Cronin
  • Patent number: 8683969
    Abstract: During the time period from the start of an engine to the completion of a catalyst warming-up, the drive of a blower in an air-conditioning equipment is inhibited to suppress the heat-exchange of the air, which is caused to flow in an air duct by the drive of the blower, with cooling water in a heater core disposed in a circulating passage. Therefore, the heat generated in the engine is restrained from being fed to the inside of a compartment through that air after fed to the cooling water. As a result, the temperatures of the engine and the cooling water rise quickly, and the temperature of the exhaust of the engine rises so that the heat is efficiently fed to the catalyst through the exhaust. This means that the heat generated in the engine is preferentially fed through the exhaust to the catalyst that is the portion needing the feed of heat at a low temperature, other than the compartment in the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Morita, Yuki Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20140034005
    Abstract: The invention relates to a climatically controlled box for a motor vehicle, having a heating device (18) and a cooling device. In order to increase the range of motor vehicles which comprise at least one electric drive device, an internal combustion engine (4) is arranged in the climatically controlled box (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: DR. Ing. h.c. F. Porche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Miroslaw Oslislok, Bjoern Pehnert
  • Patent number: 8622040
    Abstract: A transmission fluid heater for a motor vehicle includes a fluid pan mounted on the transmission for storing a supply of transmission fluid. The fluid pan has an inner chamber storing the transmission fluid, and an outer chamber surrounding the inner chamber. An inlet to the outer chamber communicates with a source of engine exhaust gas and an outlet from the outer chamber exhausts the exhaust gas. An inlet valve opens and shuts the communication of engine exhaust gas to the inlet. A plurality of heat exchanger fins enhancing the transfer of heat from the engine exhaust gas within the outer chamber to the transmission fluid is stored within the inner chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, James L Lanzon, Andrew L. Bartos
  • Publication number: 20130213335
    Abstract: A powertrain/driveline warm-up system includes a vehicle controller, an electrical power source interfacing with the vehicle controller, at least one heater interfacing with the vehicle controller and at least a portion of a vehicle powertrain provided in thermal contact with the at least one heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Thomas, John Edward Brevick
  • Patent number: 8353265
    Abstract: Methods for achieving efficient vehicle component heating are provided. One example method for controlling the warming of powertrain lubricants during engine warm-up from a cold start, the engine having an output crankshaft, includes selectively driving a lubricant heating device with the crankshaft during the cold start based on lubricant temperature. The method further includes directing the powertrain lubricants to the lubricant heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20120304949
    Abstract: The internal combustion engine is provided with a variable volume device which uses the change of pressure of the combustion chamber as the drive source, when the pressure of the combustion chamber reaches a predetermined control pressure, and changes the volume of the space communicated with the combustion chamber by compression of the spring device. The spring device includes a tubular part which communicates with the combustion chamber and a movement member which is arranged movably inside the tubular part. The variable volume device includes a heating device which is formed so as to be able to heat a region, in the wall surface of the tubular part, forming a space communicating with the combustion chamber when the movement member moves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Ashizawa
  • Publication number: 20120291738
    Abstract: An engine preheating system supports starting industrial and/or diesel engines in cold weather, eliminating the need for cold weather idling. The system preheats the engine coolant, bringing the entire machine up to a warm starting condition. This provides good lubrication and immediate heat availability. The system is fully portable and does not rely on commercial power, operable at any location. The system utilizes propane fuel, which is widely available. The propane fuel burns quietly and cleanly as opposed to fuel oil. The system includes numerous safety features, such as flow indicators and modern microprocessor technology to ensure safe operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Lee Hobart, John Bennett Hobart
  • Publication number: 20120216767
    Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes, during stopped engine operation, burning fuel in an engine intake heater to generate heated gas, the heated gas bypassing engine cylinders via an exhaust gas recirculation passage. The method further includes during combusting engine operation, burning fuel in the engine intake heater to generate heated gas, and flowing the heated gas through combusting engine cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20120125278
    Abstract: A method for heating engine and/or transmission oil of a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, the engine and/or transmission oil being heated with the aid of the waste heat of a charging device for at least one battery and/or the waste heat of the at least one battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Klaus Ries-Mueller
  • Publication number: 20120118254
    Abstract: A portable work apparatus has a combustion engine for driving a work tool. An air/fuel mixture is supplied to the engine via a carburetor which is provided with an electrical heating element for heating to a given temperature. The heating element is connected to a switch via which electrical energy, which is provided by a generator driven by the engine, is supplied. When a given temperature is exceeded, the switch interrupts the energy supply. To achieve an exact temperature control, the ohmic resistance value of the heating element is stored in a memory in dependence on the temperature. The current flowing through the heating element and the voltage drop at the heating element are measured and the instantaneous resistance of the heating element is calculated therefrom. This calculated value is compared to the value stored in the memory to open or close the switch in dependence on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Heinrich Leufen, Jörg Präger, David Fallscheer, Rolf Walter, Michael Link
  • Patent number: 8151753
    Abstract: In a warm-up system that pre-warms up of an engine (E) by transferring heat from a heat source to an engine cooling water circulation circuit (1) of a vehicle, a residential hot water circuit (2) that uses a household heat source is provided as the heat source, and a one-touch connector (3) is provided in the engine cooling water circulation circuit (1) and the residential hot water circuit (2). The one-touch connector (3) connects the two circuits (1, 2) prior to start-up of the engine (E) such that heat is transferred to the engine cooling water circulation circuit (1), and disconnects the two circuits (1, 2) following heat transfer in preparation for start-up of the engine (E).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Naohisa Kamiyama, Shiro Nakajima, Satoshi Tamagawa, Ryoichi Hori
  • Patent number: 7886705
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine is disclosed. The thermal management system may have a first hydraulic circuit configured to circulate a fluid through the engine. The thermal management system may also have a second hydraulic circuit pressurized by the engine to heat the fluid during operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Holler, Scott D. Vollmer, Travis S. Johnson, Sudhakar R. Kakani, Matthew R. Hulen, Randall J. Anliker, Michael W. Edwards, Larry L. Spurgeon, Victor L. Sheldon, Jr., Robert C. Horst
  • Patent number: 7730863
    Abstract: An inexpensive warm-up apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a simple structure and eliminating the need of forming a hole in a heat storage material retainer or the need for a seal around the hole or an electrical circuit. A heat storage material retainer (14) accommodating a latent heat type heat storage material (X) is arranged in a water jacket (13). The heat storage material retainer (14) has a nucleation device (2) that accelerates phase transition of the heat storage material in a supercooled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takasuke Shikida
  • Publication number: 20090272353
    Abstract: An auxiliary engine warming system for a primary engine in a diesel locomotive including: a modular engine assembly including an auxiliary diesel engine, the assembly displaceable as a unit from and to a frame for the engine warming system; an auxiliary fuel tank including a fuel line detachably connected to the auxiliary engine and including a first fitting detachably connectable to a first fuel line for a fuel tank for the diesel; at least one temperature sensor interfacable with the diesel locomotive and arranged to monitor at least one temperature condition for the diesel locomotive; and an emergency dialer for automatically dialing a preprogrammed number and transmitting an alert message in response to an alarm signal from the at least one temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Power Drives, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley R. Gates, Brian D. Gross, Kevin W. O'Neal
  • Publication number: 20090126667
    Abstract: A warming-up device of an internal combustion engine includes a latent heat storage material accommodated in the interior of the internal combustion engine and radiating heat based on a phase change, and a nucleation device within the heat storage material and operating to prompt the phase change of the heat storage material under a supercooled state. The nucleation device is operated based on an oscillation generated at a time of starting the engine. As a result, the warming-up device of the internal combustion engine dispenses with a machining operation for forming a through port passing through the interior and an outside of the heat storage material, a seal around the through port and an electric circuit, and the device is inexpensive and has a simple structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takasuke Shikida, Ryu Hamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20090071428
    Abstract: In a warm-up system that pre-warms up of an engine (E) by transferring heat from a heat source to an engine cooling water circulation circuit (1) of a vehicle, a residential hot water circuit (2) that uses a household heat source is provided as the heat source, and a one-touch connector (3) is provided in the engine cooling water circulation circuit (1) and the residential hot water circuit (2). The one-touch connector (3) connects the two circuits (1, 2) prior to start-up of the engine (E) such that heat is transferred to the engine cooling water circulation circuit (1), and disconnects the two circuits (1, 2) following heat transfer in preparation for start-up of the engine (E).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Naohisa Kamiyama, Shiro Nakajima, Satoshi Tamagawa, Ryoichi Hori
  • Publication number: 20090031978
    Abstract: A heat accumulator (1) is formed by connecting a first container (4) and a second container (5) using a spring (6). The first container (4) has a wall-shaped inner side wall that corresponds to the shape of a cylinder bore wall (7). Provided on this inner side wall is a flexible structural part (8). The flexible structural part (8) is formed of highly elastic resin. The second container (5) has a similar structure. A heat storage medium within the first container (4) and the second container (5) absorbs heat, which generates a change of phase from a solid to a liquid. When this happens, the volume of the heat storage medium increases. The increase in the heat storage medium projects the flexible structural part (8), and separates the first container (4) and the second container (5) from the cylinder bore wall (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDODHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideo Kobayashi, Katuhiko Arisawa, Kenichi Yamada, Yoshio Yamashita, Kunihiko Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20080295791
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine is disclosed. The thermal management system may have a first hydraulic circuit configured to circulate a fluid through the engine. The thermal management system may also have a second hydraulic circuit pressurized by the engine to heat the fluid during operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Dennis P. Holler, Scott D. Vollmer, Travis S. Johnson, Sudhakar R. Kakani, Matthew R. Hulen, Randall J. Anliker, Michael W. Edwards, Larry L. Spurgeon, Victor L. Sheldon, JR., Robert C. Horst
  • Publication number: 20080202461
    Abstract: A method for installing a heated piston into a cylinder sleeve that is initially smaller than the piston includes: receiving the engine block at a heating station, heating the engine cylinder sleeve with heated air for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature such that a temperature of the cylinder sleeve is equal to or greater than a temperature of the piston, and inserting the piston into the heated cylinder sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Brent C. Rankin, Michael Bergman, Phillip Ford
  • Publication number: 20080135006
    Abstract: An inexpensive warm-up apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a simple structure and eliminating the need of forming a hole in a heat storage material retainer or the need for a seal around the hole or an electrical circuit. A heat storage material retainer (14) accommodating a latent heat type heat storage material (X) is arranged in a water jacket (13). The heat storage material retainer (14) has a nucleation device (2) that accelerates phase transition of the heat storage material in a supercooled state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takasuke Shikida
  • Patent number: 7270098
    Abstract: A heater for a liquid has a combustion chamber, a jacket for the liquid extending about the combustion chamber and a burner head assembly connected to the combustion chamber. The burner head assembly includes a housing having a burner mounted thereon and a hollow interior. A control module and a fan are mounted in the hollow interior, the fan being connected to an electric motor. A compressor and a fuel pump are mounted on the housing and are operatively connected to the electric motor. The control module may include controls for exercising components of the heater prior to combustion, thereby verifying operation of these components. Preferably there is a speed control for the motor, such as a closed loop speed control which regulates motor speed and accordingly output of the heater. Preferably there is a backup system using a lookup table in the event that the closed loop speed control fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Teleflex Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Young, Douglas Thompson Paul, Angelo Faccone
  • Patent number: 7162987
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for temporarily warming a plurality of vehicle engines includes a warm fluid circulation loop; an engine fluid circulation loop; a fluid heater; a fluid to fluid heat exchangers; a warm fluid pump; and an engine fluid pump. The warm fluid circulation loop connects the warm fluid heater to the fluid to fluid heat exchanger. The engine fluid circulation loop transfers engine fluid from engine fluid systems to the fluid to fluid heat exchanger. The fluid heater heats the fluid in the warm fluid circulation loop and the warm fluid is then circulated through the warm fluid circulation loop to the fluid to fluid heat exchanger to warm the engine fluid in the engine fluid circulation loop. The warmed engine fluid circulates through the engine fluid system warming the vehicle engine. The apparatus is configured to warm a plurality of vehicle engines at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Dryair Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Bourgault, Larry Dancey
  • Patent number: 7159554
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for managing the vehicle warm-up phase in a cold start situation. The vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic retarder upstream of the set of gears of the transmission that dissipates heat in the engine coolant. Said method is based on the use of the hydraulic retarder, with the vehicle at a standstill, to accelerate the vehicle warm-up phase, in particular the warming of the cabin, the transmission oil, the oil of the brake cooling system and the engine cooling water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Astra Veicoli Industriali S.p.A.
    Inventor: Claudio Catalano
  • Patent number: 7107954
    Abstract: An engine is arranged in such a way that while the engine is running, cooling fluid flows along a flow path that goes into a cylinder block (12) from an inlet (12b) at one end side of the engine main body (10), goes around the first cylinder (13) to the fourth cylinder (16) arranged in a row to go by way of the other end side of the engine main body (10), and then goes to a cylinder head (11) through a communication channel (17) and a flow path that goes into the cylinder block (12) through the inlet (12b) at the one end side of the engine main body (10) and then directly goes to the cylinder head (11) through the communication channel (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshio Yamashita, Rentaro Kuroki
  • Patent number: 7040269
    Abstract: The warm-up period of the internal combustion engine is reduced by operating an electric machine as an additional load of the combustion engine in order to obtain a specific excessive increase in the heat loss of combustion engine. To this end, the magnetizing current of the electric machine such as, for example, a starter generator with field-oriented regulation, can be regulated in order to obtain a specific decrease in the degree of efficiency of the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Uwe Dehrmann, Marco Falco, Hans-Peter Johanning
  • Patent number: 7025026
    Abstract: A burner head assembly for a burner includes a housing having a hollow interior and an exterior. There is a control module within the hollow interior. The module has internal connectors within the hollow interior and external connectors on the exterior of the housing, whereby electrical connections to the module can be made internally and externally with respect to the housing without requiring apertures in the housing and wiring extending through the apertures. For example, the control module may include a circuit board, the circuit board having a portion within the hollow interior and which extends to the exterior. The exterior and interior connectors are connected to the circuit board. The housing may have two portions, the control module being fitted between the two portions of the housing. Preferably the control module is sealingly received between the two portions of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Teleflex Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Young, Craig Fisher, Angelo Faccone, Alexander Schwartzman
  • Patent number: 6945207
    Abstract: A system and method for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allowing shutdown of such large engine in all weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the primary engine coolant and lube-oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube-oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. In warm weather, the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for air conditioning and other hotel loads. The auxiliary power unit isolates the primary engine batteries during operation and provides electrical power for hotel and non-vital loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: CSX Transportation, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence J Biess, Christer Gotmalm
  • Patent number: 6928972
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allow shutdown of the engine in various weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit (APU) comprising a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling, and the APU provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. The APU automatically starts in response to a low coolant temperature, low battery voltage, and low air reservoir pressure. It may also start automatically after extended shutdown to ensure reliability. Automatic primary engine shutdown is defeated if the secondary engine is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: CSXT Intellectual Properties Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J Biess, Christer T Gotmalm
  • Patent number: 6928973
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a technology capable of increasing a heat quantity of a combustion gas discharged from a combustion heater in an internal combustion engine having the combustion heater. To accomplish this object, the internal combustion engine having the combustion heater comprises a combustion chamber (17d) for combusting a fuel, an engine cooling water circulating between the combustion chamber (17d) and an engine-related element, a heat exchange unit (17a, 17c, 150) for performing a heat exchange between the engine cooling water and a combustion gas produced in the combustion chamber (17d), and heat exchange rate decreasing means (149, 205) for decreasing a heat exchange rate in said heat exchange unit (17a, 17c, 150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6918365
    Abstract: A system comprising an internal combustion engine, which particularly serves to provide the locomotion of a vehicle, and a fuel cell, which serves, among other things, to generate current for electrical units of the vehicle is provided. In order to utilize the heat loss of the fuel cell when the vehicle is stationary as well as the residual heat of the fuel cell for the internal combustion engine, a thermal coupling of the fuel cell and the internal combustion engine is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz-Josef Wetzel, Joachim Tachtler
  • Patent number: 6843216
    Abstract: The internal combustion engine includes an engine preheating apparatus for preheating the internal combustion engine upon or before starting thereof. This internal combustion engine further includes an air-fuel ratio controller for setting an air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine that is preheated, to a value higher than that of the internal combustion engine that is not preheated, and/or an ignition-timing controller for retarding an ignition timing of the internal combustion engine that is preheated as compared with the ignition timing of the internal combustion engine that is not preheated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Suzuki, Katuhiko Arisawa, Masakazu Tabata
  • Patent number: 6772722
    Abstract: A burner head assembly for a burner includes a housing having a hollow interior and an exterior. There is a control module within the hollow interior. The module has internal connectors within the hollow interior and external connectors on the exterior of the housing, whereby electrical connections to the module can be made internally and externally with respect to the housing without requiring apertures in the housing and wiring extending through the apertures. For example, the control module may include a circuit board, the circuit board having a portion within the hollow interior and which extends to the exterior. The exterior and interior connectors are connected to the circuit board. The housing may have two portions, the control module being fitted between the two portions of the housing. Preferably the control module is sealingly received between the two portions of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Teleflex Canada Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jonathan Young, Craig Fisher, Angelo Faccone, Alexander Schwartzman
  • Patent number: 6718925
    Abstract: In a heat storage tank, an elbow pipe member defining a water introduction passage is formed by connecting an inlet-side cylinder portion and an outlet-side cylinder portion to have a corner portion. A step portion is disposed in the water introduction passage around a position where center lines of both the cylinder portions are crossed with each other. The step portion has a collision surface that is set to cross with a line parallel to the center line of the inlet-side cylinder portion, so that water introduced from the inlet-side cylinder portion collides with the collision surface of the step portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Toyoshima, Toshio Morikawa, Koichi Ban
  • Patent number: 6575129
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method of reducing emissions in the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder to which an air/fuel mixture is supplied when a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine rotates, at least one inlet valve, at least one exhaust valve, control members for controlling the opening and closing of the inlet and exhaust valves, and a piston reciprocating between a top dead-center position and a bottom dead-center position in the cylinder. The method includes the steps of supplying an air/fuel mixture with lambda value greater than 1 to the cylinder, controlling the internal combustion engine so that it works at high load, and controlling the inlet valve so that it opens after the piston has passed the top dead-center position. According to an embodiment of the invention, the internal combustion engine is controlled so that the crankshaft rotates at an essentially constant speed within a range of about 1000 to about 2000 rpm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Göran Almkvist, Karin Thorn, Sten Sjöström
  • Patent number: 6520136
    Abstract: A warm-up control device for an internal-combustion engine comprises a heat storage device for storing a heating medium heated during operation of the engine, supplies the heating medium stored in the heat storage device to a drive device (a transmission and the like) prior to the start of the engine or:at the start of the engine, and supplies the heating medium stored in the heat storage device to the drive device while maintaining a condition where the heating medium is circulated in the path excluding the heat storage device and including the drive device after the start of the engine. The warm-up control device supplies the heating medium heat-insulated and stored in the heat storage device during operation of the engine, and sets the ratio between the amount of the heating medium supplied from the heat storage device to the and the amount of the heating medium supplied from the heat storage device to the drive device, on the basis of the temperature of the engine and the temperature of the drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Ito, Makoto Suzuki, Katuhiko Arisawa, Masakazu Tabata
  • Patent number: 6470844
    Abstract: A system and method for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allowing shutdown of such large engine in all weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the primary engine coolant and lube-oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube-oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. In warm weather, the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for air conditioning and other hotel loads. The auxiliary power unit isolates the primary engine batteries during operation and provides electrical power for hotel and non-vital loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: CSX Transportation, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J Biess
  • Patent number: 6422190
    Abstract: A heating system (1) is provided mounted in a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine. The system (1) includes an additional heating system (2 or 3) or an auxiliary heating system (4). The additional heating system (2 or 3) or the auxiliary heating system (4), or a part thereof, is made in the shape of a modular component mounted on or connected to interfaces (I, II, III, IV) of the heating system which are specific for each vehicle. The modular component can optionally be replaced by another modular component of the same type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: J. Eberspächer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Görtler, Sabine Kiesel
  • Patent number: 6397807
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a combustion heater is capable of enhancing an engine starting characteristic by improving warm-up of the engine and ensuring a sufficient oxygen content in intake air of the engine. An ECU executes, at the engine starting time, an augmentation control of augmenting the oxygen content in the engine intake air by an air blow fan. Under this augmentation control, the engine intake air is supplemented with the oxygen, and, with this supplement, the engine intake air becomes the intake air with oxygen content that is effective enough for starting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6374790
    Abstract: A model airplane engine uses a heated backplate to replace the conventional, non-heated backplate of the engine. The backplate incorporates a heater, which is electrically, temporarily energized during the start cycle of the engine. The higher temperature of the engine results in vaporization of the fuel prior to its entry into the combustion cylinder thus preventing crankcase and cylinder flooding and allowing easy starts during operation in cold weather, and also makes possible the use of inexpensive low-volatility heavier fuels, rather than special, expensive fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Veritay Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin A. Vassallo, C. David Gierke
  • Patent number: 6293241
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with a combustion heater for elevating a temperature of an engine related element, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that may effectively performs temperature elevation of an exhaust gas purifying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6244232
    Abstract: A control apparatus and method for controlling an automotive heater apparatus. The heater apparatus includes a coolant circuit for cooling an engine, a coolant circulating through the circuit, a heat generator for transferring heat to the coolant, and a heater core for transferring heat from the coolant. The heat generator houses a viscous fluid and a rotor selectively connected to and disconnected from the engine by a clutch. The clutch connects the engine with the rotor to shear the viscous fluid and generate heat. When the rotating speed of the rotor exceeds a rotor speed limit, which varies in accordance with the detected coolant temperature, the clutch disconnects the rotor of the heat generator from the engine and de-activates the heat generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ban, Shigeru Suzuki, Hidefumi Mori, Tatsuyuki Hoshino, Toshio Morikawa, Toshihiro Oshima
  • Patent number: RE40286
    Abstract: A system and method for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allowing shutdown of such large engine in all weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the primary engine coolant and lube-oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube-oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. In warm weather, the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for air conditioning and other hotel loads. The auxiliary power unit isolates the primary engine batteries during operation and provides electrical power for hotel and non-vital loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: CSX Transportation, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Biess, Christer T. Gotmalm