CA2088941A1 - Drywell block heater - Google Patents

Drywell block heater

Info

Publication number
CA2088941A1
CA2088941A1 CA002088941A CA2088941A CA2088941A1 CA 2088941 A1 CA2088941 A1 CA 2088941A1 CA 002088941 A CA002088941 A CA 002088941A CA 2088941 A CA2088941 A CA 2088941A CA 2088941 A1 CA2088941 A1 CA 2088941A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
heater
bore
heating element
combination
sheathed heating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002088941A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Joe D'angelo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pyroil Canada Ltd
Original Assignee
Pyroil Canada Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pyroil Canada Ltd filed Critical Pyroil Canada Ltd
Priority to CA002088941A priority Critical patent/CA2088941A1/en
Publication of CA2088941A1 publication Critical patent/CA2088941A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02NSTARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02N19/00Starting aids for combustion engines, not otherwise provided for
    • F02N19/02Aiding engine start by thermal means, e.g. using lighted wicks
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B3/00Ohmic-resistance heating
    • H05B3/40Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes
    • H05B3/42Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes non-flexible
    • H05B3/48Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes non-flexible heating conductor embedded in insulating material

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Resistance Heating (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
DRYWELL BLOCK HEATER

A heater for insertion into a drywell of an automotive engine block comprises a sheathed heating element having a pair of terminals; a metal body having axially opposed ends surrounding the sheathed heating element in intimate physical contact therewith so as to form a continuous solid thermal flow path between the sheathed heating element and the outer surface of the body, with the pair of terminals projecting from the body adjacent one axial end thereof; the body having a circular transverse cross-section in at least medial portions. The material from which the body of the heater is formed preferably will have a similar coefficient of expansion to that of the engine block.

Description

208~941 DRYWELL BLOCK HEATER

This invention relates to block heaters for automotive vehicles.
It is w811 known, particularly in cold climates, to use electric heaters to warm the engines of automobiles to facilitate starting. Generally speaking, where the engine uses a water jacket for cooling purposes, an immersion heater has been used, which may conveniently be fitted into a core plug of the engine block.
This will normally entail sealing the interface between the heater and the core plug opening to prevent leakage of the coolant, and the use of some type of yoke to retain the heater and seal against the pressure developed in the cooling systern in operation o the vehicle. These heaters operate at a relatively high watts density, whereby the temperature of the heat may become dangerously high in the event that the heaters are operated without immersion. For this reason many sa:Pety codes require that the heaters burn-out at relatively low temperatures.
While replacement of ~ese heaters is not clifflcult, it nnay be beyond the capability of many automobile owners. and it will necessitate draining the coolant system.

-.
2~8~9~

Other types of heaters are known includmg those in which the heater is immersed in the sump oil of the vehicle, but these are generally less preferred due to potential hazards and the thermal degradation of the lubricating oil and stabilizers which may occur. Still other types of heaters are known which clainpS onto the outside of the engine block or sump, but ~hese ~e relatively inef~cisnt.
The present invention contemplates the use of a drywell block heating arrangement, wherein a blind bore is formed in the metal of the engine block, into which bore is fitted the heater of the invention. The heater comprises a sheathed electrical heating element which may be similar to that which is usedfor irnmersion heating of the water jacket, which is to say a resistance coil embedded in an insulating medium such as magnesium oxide, with a surrounding metal sheath, all firrnly compacted to provide a good heat transference between the resistance coil and dhe metal sheadh. Typically the heat-mg element will have a heat output of about 400 watts, and the watts density at the metal sheath will be about 12 watts/cm2. The drywell block heaters further comprise a metal body which is in intimate contact with dle metal sheath so as to provide a h~at sink therefoF with a continuous, solid thermal flow path between the sheath and the outer surface of the metal body. Generally speaking it will be preferred that the metal body will be cast onto the shea~ed electrical heating element.
Desirably, the heater body will be arranged to have a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the engine block, and to this end ~e metal from which the heater body is formed will suitably be the sarne as that o-f the engine block, with aluminum being preferred for its high thermal conductivity.

208~9~1 As earlier indicated, the body of the drywell heater serves as a heat sink for the sheathed electrical heating element. Typically and preferably, the body will have a surface area such that the watts density at its surface is in the range of S to 10 watts/cm~, with about 8 watts/cm2 being suited in the arrangement set out S in the preferred embodiment. This type of heater may be operated in free air if desired, when the surface will attain temperatures in the vicinity of 500C, without burn-out of the electrical resistance element.
The bore into which the heater of the invention is inserted will have a complementary cross-section to that of the heater body, with a circular cross-section being preferred. It is also preferred that the cross-section be constraint in at least medlal portions of the body. The r~lative dimensions of the bore and heater body cross-sections will suitably be such as to permit the heater body to be inserted mto the bore or withdrawn therefrom under a manually applied force without the use of any tool; the relative dimensions will also be such that when the heater is energized, at least medial portions of the body will have expanded to form a good thermal flow path with the bore wall before the medial portions have attained a temperature of about 200C. The thermal conductivity between the bodyof the heater and the bore wall will be suitably and preferably enhanced by smoothly machining the outer surface of the heater body and the bore wall. The thermal conductivity across the interface may be further increased by such expedients as applying a thin film of a heat ~ansfer fluid such as silicone oil or grease to the outer surface of the heater body, although in practise this has not been found to be necessary. Normally the operating temperature in the vicinity of 2as~s~l the heater body/bore wall interface will not exceed 200C even where the level of the coolant is an aluminum engine block is low, and whexe normal coolant levels are maintained, operating temperatures at the interface will be not in excess ofabout 150C. The relatively low operadng temperature attained by the drywell heater of the invention even under adverse conditions increases the safety of operadon in comparison to immersion type heaters, whereby safety codes established for the drywell heater do not mandate the use of any thermal protection switch in the electrical circuit of the heater or any safe burn-out provision.
It will be understoocl that the bore in which the clrywell heater of the invention is located does not communicate in any manner with the cooling or lubricating fluids of the engine. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that there is no necessity to provide the heater with any seal to retain these fluids, or any yoke to retain the heater m position against the pressure of the cooling or lubricating fluids. A simple spring clip attachment is described in relation to the preferred embodiment to retain the heater in posidon against adventitious external faces and this or equivalent means will normally be provided. It is possible that a seal or baffle arrangement may be pre-ferred to guard against the adventitious entry of water into the b(>re.
These foregoing objects and aspects of the invention, together with other objects, aspects and advantages thereof will be more apparent from the ~ollowing description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with 2o889~l ~e following drawings, wherein:
FICJ. 1 - shows the drywell heater of the inventic~n in side elevation with hidden detail shown in dotted outline;
FIG 2 - is a rear end elevation of the heater;
FIG. 3 - is a front end elevation of the heater;
FIG. 4 - is a cross-section of line 4-4 of Fig. l;
FIG. 5 - shows a fragment of an engine block of an automotive vehicle, with the heater of Fig. 1 positioned for entry therein, and FIG. 6 - is a transverse mid section of Fig. 5.
Referring to the drawings in detail, a drywell block heater in accordance with the invention is identified generally by the numeral 10. Heater 10 comprises a sheathed electric heating element 12 comprising a resistance coil14 embedded in an insulating medium 16 typically consisting of magnesium oxide, and an outer sheath 18 of copper tubing, compacted to provide good thermal flow path between the resistance coil and the sheath. Heating element 12 is formed into a hairpin shape, and has a terminal back 20 including electrical terminals at one axial end. As thus described, heating element is similar to an element used in the manufacture of an immersion type block heater, al~ough a somewhat heavier gauge of wire may be used to form resistance coil 14 to reduce the possibility of burn-out, and the hair pin shape may be somewhat more compact than for an immersion heater.

20~941 Heater 10 fur~her comprises an aluminum body 24 which is cast about heating element 12. Body 24 is cylindrical, and generally speaking has a smoo~ly machined constant circular cross-section therealong, with mino~ va~iations permissible such as flats 28 on which are located identifying code markings. A
S spring clip 30 is disposed on body 24 adjacent the terminal end thereof, and to project radially outwardly therefrom.
A cast aluminum engine block 40 is defined by walls including an upper face 42 ~md side walls 44 and a plurality of working cylinders 46 in communication with upper face 42. A water jacket 48 surrouncls cylinders 46. A
boss 50 is formed on side wall 44 integrally with block 40. A circulau bore 52isformed in boss 50 defined by bore wall 54 which is smoothly machined to a diameter which is such that the body 24 of heater 10 may be nolmally inserted therein with a close fit.
Generally speaking, the diameter of bore 52 will be not greater than about 0.14 mm (0.005 in) than the diameter of body 24. Considering body 24 to have a diameter when cold of about 17 mm (0.66 in), and a maximum tolerance, this will expand to provide a strong interference fit with bore wall 54 by such time as the surface temperature of body 24 reaches 20()C, to form therewith a continuous solid thermal flow path between block 40 and heating element 12. A
detent tab 60 is disposed on block 40 adjacent the entrance to bore 52 to engagewith clip 30 to releasably retain heater 10 in the bore.

~7l! 8 ~ 9 ~ 1 P 124-9 CA

It will be apparent that many changes may be made to the illustrative embodiment while falling within the scope of the invention, and it is intended that all such changes be covered by the claims appended hereto.

Claims (19)

1. A heater for insertion into a drywell of an automotive engine block comprising a sheathed heating element having a pair of terminals; a metal body having axially opposed ends surrounding said sheathed heating element in intimate physical contact therewith so as to form a continuous solid thermal flow path between said sheathed heating element and the outer surface of said body, with said pair of terminals projecting from said body adjacent one axial end thereof;said body having a circular transverse cross-section in at least medial portionsthereof.
2. A heater as defined in Claim 1, wherein said body is cast onto said sheathed heating element.
3. A heater as defined in Claim 1, wherein said body has a uniform cross-section in at least medial portions thereof.
4. A heater as defined in Claim 1, wherein said body is aluminum.
5. A heater as defined in Claim 1, including clip means disposed on said body adjacent said one axial end.
6. A heater as defined in Claim 1, wherein said heater has a heat output at the exterior surface of said body of between 5 to 10 watts/cm2.
7. A heater as defined in Claim 6, wherein said heat output is about 8 watts/cm2.
8. A heater as defined in Claim 1, wherein said body has a smooth cylindrical outer surface.
9. A heater as defined in Claim 1, wherein said body is coated with a heat transfer fluid.
10. In combination, an automotive engine including an engine block defined by wall means including an upper face intersected by at least one working cylinder and a sidewall depending from said upper face; said block having a bore opening therein defined by a bore wall communicating with said wall means, said bore wall being devoid of any opening therein; said bore having a circular cross-section therealong; a heater received in said bore; said heater comprising a sheathed electrical heating element and a metal body in which said sheathed heating element is contained to provide a continuous solid thermal flow path therebetween; said body and said block having a similar coefficient of thermal expansion; said body having a uniform cross-section therealong complementary to that of said bore, and means for retaining said heater in said bore.
11. A combination as defined in Claim 10, wherein said body is insertable into said bore under hand pressure when both said body and said bore wall are at normal ambient temperature.
12. A combination as defined in Claim 10, wherein said body is cast onto said sheathed heating element.
13. A combination as defined in Claim 10, wherein said bore has a constant diameter therealong.
14. A combination as defined in Claim 10, wherein said body and said block are aluminum.
15. A combination as defined in Claim 11, wherein said bore wall and said heater body have relative diameters such that said heater body will expand when heated in the normal course of its operation to a surface temperature of not more than 200° to form a continuous thermal interface across at least medial portions of said heater body and said bore wall.
16. A combination as defined in Claim 10, wherein said heater has a heat output at the exterior surface of said body of between 5 to 10 watts/cm2.
17. A combination as defined in Claim 16, wherein said heat output is about 8 watts/cm2.
18. A combination as defined in Claim 10, wherein said bore wall and said body each have a smoothly machined surface to enhance heat transference therebetween.
19. A combination as defined in Claim 10, wherein at least one of said bore wall and said body are coated with a heat transfer fluid.
CA002088941A 1993-02-05 1993-02-05 Drywell block heater Abandoned CA2088941A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002088941A CA2088941A1 (en) 1993-02-05 1993-02-05 Drywell block heater

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002088941A CA2088941A1 (en) 1993-02-05 1993-02-05 Drywell block heater

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2088941A1 true CA2088941A1 (en) 1994-08-06

Family

ID=4151111

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002088941A Abandoned CA2088941A1 (en) 1993-02-05 1993-02-05 Drywell block heater

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2088941A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1156211A2 (en) * 2000-05-17 2001-11-21 Noma Company Core plug block heater and method
CN104533686A (en) * 2014-12-23 2015-04-22 泰豪科技股份有限公司 Quick auxiliary preheating device for engine in low-temperature environment

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1156211A2 (en) * 2000-05-17 2001-11-21 Noma Company Core plug block heater and method
EP1156211A3 (en) * 2000-05-17 2005-07-27 Noma Company Core plug block heater and method
CN104533686A (en) * 2014-12-23 2015-04-22 泰豪科技股份有限公司 Quick auxiliary preheating device for engine in low-temperature environment

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FZDE Dead