Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
  • F28D7/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
  • F28D7/0008—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits for one medium being in heat conductive contact with the conduits for the other medium
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
  • F02M31/00—Apparatus for thermally treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture
  • F02M31/02—Apparatus for thermally treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture for heating
  • F02M31/16—Other apparatus for heating fuel
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
  • F02M31/00—Apparatus for thermally treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture
  • F02M31/20—Apparatus for thermally treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture for cooling
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L53/00—Heating of pipes or pipe systems; Cooling of pipes or pipe systems
  • F16L53/30—Heating of pipes or pipe systems
  • F16L53/32—Heating of pipes or pipe systems using hot fluids
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L53/00—Heating of pipes or pipe systems; Cooling of pipes or pipe systems
  • F16L53/70—Cooling of pipes or pipe systems
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F2275/00—Fastening; Joining
  • F28F2275/08—Fastening; Joining by clamping or clipping
  • F28F2275/085—Fastening; Joining by clamping or clipping with snap connection
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
  • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
  • Y02T10/12—Improving ICE efficiencies

Definitions

• This invention relates to a heat transfer device in which a liquid medium is used as a source of heating or cooling.
• an internal combustion engine e.g., a gasoline or diesel powered automobile engine
• the fuel and air are mixed in a prescribed ratio for combustion.
• the fuel Prior to combustion the fuel is vaporized to form a homogeneous air-fuel mixture.
• a small portion of the air-fuel mixture introduced into the combustion chamber escapes into the crankcase of the engine block by passing around the piston rings during the compression stroke, just before combustion.
• a small amount of the gases resulting from the combustion is forced passed the piston rings and into the engine crankcase.
• gases commonly known as blow-by-gases, collect in the crankcase and are subsequently directed into the intake manifold.
• preheaters have been used to preheat diesel fuel before it is transferred to the - engine to prevent wax buildup and melt the wax before the fuel gets to the fuel filter.
• These preheaters generally include- a housing divided into several chambers such that fuel can be passed through an inner chamber while a heated liquid medium is passed through a larger outer chamber which surrounds the inner chamber. The heated liquid medium in the outer chamber is in heat exchange relationship with the fuel in the inner chamber and heats the fuel as it passes therethrough.
• the PCV systems generally include a hose which communicates the crankcase with the intake manifold with an air flow control valve, or PCV valve, in the flow path of the hose for regulating the flow of air into the intake manifold according to either the amount of the intake manifold vacuum or the amount of pressure or vacuum in the engine crankcase.
• PCV valve air flow control valve
• crankcase emission control devices have been proposed for preventing the liquid contaminant from reaching the intake manifold and the combustion chambers during engine performance. Such devices, however, utilize filters or valve means which are ' expensive to produce, and difficult and cumbersome to use, or, which interfere with the vapor flow in such a way as to be undesirable for use in an internal combustion engine.
• the present invention may be used for simultaneously cooling and condensing crankcase emissions and vapors. As a result of the crankcase vapors being cooled, oil vapors in the crankcase emissions condense and form oil droplets which accumulate and are returned to the oil crankcase by gravity.
• heat exchange devices have been used in compression refrigeration systems to sub-cool liquid refrigerant.
• the heat exchange takes place between the refrigerant in the liquid line and any liquid present in the suction line of the refrigeration system.
• the fountain-type heat exchanger which is a double tube device in which the liquid refrigerant passes through the space between the inner and outer tubes. Heat exchange is effected as the liquid refrigerant passes through the outer shell in heat exchange relation with the cool suction gas passing through the inner tube.
• the other type of heat exchange device commonly used is a coil type heat exchanger, which has a coil made of small diameter tubing within a large copper tube shell. It is also possible to solder together lengths of the liquid refrigerant and suction gas lines to effect heat exchange.
• a related object is to achieve proper vaporization of the fuel while minimizing any disruption to the fuel line.
• Another related object is to provide an improved preheater for either diesel or gasoline fuel which increases the efficiency of such fuel in both the fluid and gaseous state.
• a related object is to simultaneously cool heated crankcase oil vapors flowing through the bracket chamber and transfer heat to fuel passing through the fuel line.
• a still further object of this invention is to enhance the performance of the preheater by connecting a second bracket member to a car heater system or to the closed liquid coolant circuit through which liquid coolant flows, so that as hot air or hot coolant water flows through the bracket heat is imparted to the fuel line.
• a further object of this invention is to provide a heat transfer bracket which may be placed on either a fuel line or refrigerant line and which may be locked in thermal contact with such a line without the necessity of cutting or disconnecting the engine fuel line or the refrigerant line.
• the inlet and outlet ports include a cylindrical tube or other suitable member for connection to the heating or cooling medium.
• one bracket member may be connected to the PCV hose and heat transferred from the crankcase emissions circulating through the bracket member to the fuel line.
• the heat transfer device according to the present invention is relatively easy to install, safe, inexpensive to fabricate and essentially it requires no maintenance.
• Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional internal combustion engine showing an ⁇ embodiment of the present invention communicating with a fuel line.
• Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a conventional compression refrigeration system showing an embodiment of the present invention communicating ⁇ with the liquid refrigerant line.
• Figure 3 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the use of only one bracket member.
• crankcase 18 When PCV valve 21 is open, the blow-by-gases which collect in crankcase 18 flow through the first segment of PCV hose 20 into inlet port 25 and thence through bracket 26 and outlet port 27 from which they are introduced into combustion
• the coolant fluid of engine 10 is contained in an area referred to as the water jacket (not shown) .
• the thermostat (not shown) is closed and the coolant in the jacket cannot circulate. As soon as the coolant
• thermostat will open and allow the coolant to flow from the engine through upper coolant hose 15 into radiator 16. The coolant is then pumped through lower coolant hose 17 back into engine 10.
• Hose 34 is connected to the car heater hose (not shown) for using the controls of the car heater (also not shown) to open and close coolant conduit 31. It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to use with any particular type coolant, but may be used with various coolants and mixtures thereof, such as water, ethylene glycol, etc.
• the hot coolant which circulates through engine 10 and radiator 16 flows through hose 31 into inlet port 28 through bracket 30 and out through outlet port 29 for circulation through hose 34 and back into upper coolant hose 15. Consequently, when the coolant is at the desired temperature, it is introduced into bracket 30 which is clamped adjacent to fuel line 24 so as to preheat fuel flowing within the line.
• brackets 26 and 30 include outwardly extending rectangular flange members 40 and 41, respectively. Each flange 40 and 41 comprises a central opening 43 which is adapted to receive a nut and bolt assembly (not shown) . As ⁇ preferably embodied, brackets 26 and 30 are clamped in thermal contact around fuel line 24 by joining flanges 40 and 41 using a nut and bolt assembly. It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to use with any particular joining member, but may be used with various joining members, such as a hinged clamp.
• the heat transfer device of the invention comprises a pair of elongated semi-circular shaped hollow brackets 26 and 30 each having a longitudinal chamber which permits a liquid heating or cooling medium to pass therethrough according to whether a heating or cooling effect is desired.
• bracket 26 is attached to the crankcase emission line thus allowing crankcase vapors to pass therethrough ⁇ while at the same time allowing heated oil vapors to condense therein for return to the crankcase.
• brackets 26 and 30 each include an outer semi-circular shaped housing wall 44 having an inner wall 45 parallel thereto, with inlet port and outlet port means formed in outer wall 44.
• brackets 26 and 30 are positioned against a straight line segment of fuel line 24 such that brackets 26 and 30 are in thermal contact with fuel line 24.
• PCV valve 21 open to allow flow through PCV hose 20
• crankcase vapors are forced out of crankcase 18, through the first segment of the PCV hose 20 and then through inlet tube 25a of bracket 26.
• inlet tube 25a Once passed inlet tube 25a, the- vapors enter the interior chamber of bracket 26 wherein the vapors dissipate heat through bracket 26 to fuel line 24 and condense as a film of liquid on the interior walls of bracket 26.
• the liquid collected on the interior bracket walls will return to crankcase 18 by virtue of gravitational forces either during operation ' of the engine or after the engine stops.
• bracket 26 provides a surface for thermal contact with fuel line 24 so that heat is transferred from bracket 26 to the fuel in line 24.
• the coolant fluid using the car heater controls, is allowed to flow through hose 31 and then through inlet tube 28a of bracket 30. Once past inlet tube 28a, the coolant enters the interior chamber of bracket 30 wherein the coolant dissipates heat energy with respect to fuel line 24.
• the present invention provides a heat transfer bracket device which can utilize either hot crankcase vapors or hot engine coolant, or both, to preheat fuel prior to combustion.
• this embodiment of the present invention provides a safeguard against the bracket device failing for if one of the two heat transfer fluid systems fails, the other will work.
• both heat transfer fluids may be circulated through brackets 26 and 30 at the same time, or they may be used intermittently at different time intervals.
• either heat transfer fluid may be used initially with the other heat transfer fluid in reserve.
• bracket 26' is constructed from a suitable heat conducting material such as stainless steel or aluminium and has a thickness of greater than one inch. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the thickness of bracket 26' will contribute . to the heat transfer effect as the heat conducting material from which ' bracket 26' is constructed will absorb heat energy from the surrounding atmosphere during engine operation. The heat energy so absorbed by bracket 26' will enhance the heat transfer effect. As in the case of bracket 26, when bracket 26' is used to preheat fuel it is connected to the PCV hose and heat is transferred from the crankcase emissions circulating through bracket 26' to the fuel line.
• a suitable heat conducting material such as stainless steel or aluminium
• brackets 26 and 30 act as a heat exchanger in a refrigeration or air conditioning device. It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to use with any particular u refrigeration system, but may be used in connection with various refrigeration systems such as compression refrigeration systems. The operation of compression refrigeration system 50 will be briefly described only to the extent believed necessary to facilitate a complete understanding of the present invention.
• liquid refrigerant is circulated by compressor 60 through liquid line 52.
• the liquid refrigerant is passed through flow control device 58 to evaporator
• the liquid refrigerant expands, absorbs heat and vaporizes, changing to a low-pressure gas at the outlet of evaporator 54. Refrigeration results from "the absorption of heat during vaporization in evaporator 54. Compressor 60 then pumps this suction gas from evaporator 54 through suction gas line 55 and increases its pressure. The high-pressure suction -gas is compressed. by compressor 60 and then discharged to condenser 56 where heat is removed from the gas causing it to condense to a warm, high-pressure liquid. This cycle is then repeated. The overall efficiency of the refrigeration system is increased by lowering the temperature of the liquid refrigerant before it reaches flow control device 58. It is, therefore, a principal purpose of the present invention to provide a heat exchange bracket device which sub-cools the liquid refrigerant prior to its circulation through flow control device
• Inlet port 25 of bracket 26 is connected to a first segment of suction line 55 to receive low-pressure gas from evaporator 54.
• Outlet port 27 is connected to a second segment of suction line 55 which carries the heated gas to compressor 60 where the gas is cooled.
• bracket 30 may be disconnected from the refrigeration system and merely serve as the counterpart to which bracket 26 is joined. If, however, additional cooling of the liquid refrigerant is desired, then inlet port 28 of bracket 30 may be connected to a source of cold water so that a heat exchange relationship is formed between liquid line 52 and bracket 30 as cold water circulates through the interior chamber of bracket 30 and outlet port 29. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to use with any particular type of cooling medium, but may be used with various coolants and mixtures thereof.
• bracket 26' and plate 70 may be used in place of brackets 26 and 30 when additional cooling is not desired. In this manner only bracket 26' is used to effect a heat exchange with the liquid refrigerant.
• low-pressure gas is discharged from evaporator 54 and flows through the first segment of suction line 55 into
• the low-pressure gas enters the interior chamber of bracket 26 wherein the gas, which is in thermal contact with the liquid refrigerant, expands and absorbs heat causing any liquid remaining in suction

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

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• 1985
  • 1985-09-19 EP EP85904756A patent/EP0215798A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1985-09-19 WO PCT/US1985/001788 patent/WO1986005552A1/en unknown
  • 1985-10-24 GR GR852571A patent/GR852571B/el unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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