US1747772A - Means for heating the crank cases of engines - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 18, 1930. c, HAZE 1,747,772

MEANS FOR HEATING THE CRANK CASES OF ENGINES Filed A rii 13, 1925 Patented Feb. 18, 193% CORNIE N. HAZE, 0F SHELDON, IOWA MEAN$ FOB HEATING THE CRANK CASES OF ENGINES Application filed April 13, 1925. Serial No. 22,701.

10 Considerable difficulty has been experienced by automobilists in the colder climates, and particularly during the winter months, in the starting of automobiles, as well as in obtaining the greatest efficiency in the operation thereof, due largely to the chilling of the oil in the engine crank cases and the incident defective circulation of the oil and lubrication of the engine bearings, etc.; and it is the primary object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages in a novel and improved manner, whereby the oil may be maintained at a proper temperature, and in a manner so as not to interfere with the utiliza tion of the exhaust gases for heating purposes in addition to that of heating the crank case of an engine or the like. It is also an object to provide associated means whereby the heating mechanism for the crank case may be rendered inoperative, at will, without rendering inactive the use of the said exhaust gases for other heating purposes.

More particularly, the invention includes heating means coupled with a main exhaust pipe connecting with the exhaust manifold of an engine, the said means being adapted to project through the crank case in a manner whereby to obtain. the greatest efficiency in heating, and suitable valve mechanism being employed whereby to regulate the discharge of the exhaust gases either through the main exhaust pipe or through the heating means passing through the crank case, together with associated car heating means having connections with the main exhaust pipe whereby the exhaust gases may be utilized for heating the car body regardless of whether or not the heating means for the crank case is in use.

Other improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangement of parts will be appreciated from the following description, which for an understanding of the invention is to be considered in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof and wherein is disclosed for the purpose of illustration a convenient and satisfactory embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings,

Figure l is an elevation of a motor or engine crank casing and associated parts, with my improvements applied, parts being broken away; and

Figures 2, 3, and 4, are detail views enlarged, partly in section, disclosing more particularly the valve-controlled conduits constituting a part of my improvements.

With more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several figures, 1 designates an exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine, and 2 a crank case of any of the approved types, the lower portion of which forms an oil chamber or receptacle, and the bottom of the crank case being preferably curved as indicated at 3.

A main exhaust pipe 4; preferably extends longitudinally of the crank case along one side thereof, said main supply pipe being adapted to connect in any desired manner with a car heating member diagrammatically illustrated at 5 and of any of the approved types wherein the exhaust is used as a heating medium for the car. Since this particular car heating member, per se, constitutes no part of the present invention, it is not necessary to illustrate or describe the same in detail, it being understood that the exhaust gases after leaving the heater 5 are adapted to discharge to the outside in the usual manner.

The main exhaust pipe 4 has an upwardly projecting part 6 connecting at its upper terminal with the lower terminal 7 of the exhaust manifold 1. Connecting with the main pipe 4 preferably at the point of connection of the latter with the upwardly projecting part 6 is a branch pipe 8 which projects downwardly over one side of the crank case to a point adjacent the lower wall of the crank case, said branch pipe 8 being preferably adjacent the outer surface of the crank case and at its lower end having an oif-set part projecting through the side wall of the crank case adjacent the bottom surface of the latter. This branch pipe 8 constitutes the inlet pipe of the heating element to be presently described, and a similar branch pipe 9 constitutes an outlet pipe for said heating element, the outlet branch pipe 9 also preferably lying adjacent the outer surface of the crank case at the end thereof opposite the,

point of connection of the branch pipe 8 and having an offset part at its lower end prolet branch pipes 8 and 9, respectively.

T his heating element 11 may if desired have a series of bends intermediate its length so as to increase its heating area, but as illustrated the pipe is continuous and is preferably curved so as to correspond generally with the curvature of the bottom of the crank case, with the result that greater heating efficiency is obtained than would be the case if said pipe 11 projected through the crank case in a straight line.

It is desirable to make possible the disconnection of the heating means for the crank case at times, for instance after the engine has run for a sufficient period to impart to the oil the proper degree of heat for highest efficiency, and to this end a valve,preferably a rotary valve 12-is provided at the point of connection between the main exhaust pipe 1 and the heater branch pipe 8, the said valve in one of its positions being adapted to establish communication between the exhaust manifold and the branch pipe 8, at which time the connection between the exhaust manifold and the main exhaust pipe, 4 will be shut OH; and in another position the said valve 12 being adapted to establish direct communication between the exhaust manifold 1 and the main exhaust pipe 4:, at which latter time the branch pipe 8 will be shut off from communication With the exhaust manifold 1. Suitable means for operating the valve 12 is provided, this means preferably taking the form of an actuating rod 13 connecting with the rock arm 14 which latter in turn connects with a projecting terminal 15 onthe valve 12. This actuating rod 13 preferably projects through the dash-board of the vehicle and preferably terminates in a handle part 15 for manual manipulation, as de-' sired, by the operator while the vehicle is in motion. 7

It may be desirable to also provide means for closing the outlet branch 9 0f the crank case heating element, and to this end a manually operable rotatable valve 16 may be provided, the same being controlled in any suitable manner as by the projecting wing nut 17, the said valve 16 having a suitable bypass adapted to establish or shutoff communication through the pipe 9, as stated, or

main exhaust pipe 4 being at this time shutv off, and as said gases pass through the inlet branch pipe 8, the latter being closeto the crank case will tend to supply a preliminary heating medium to the wall of the latter. The exhaust gases as they leave the heating element 11 pass upwardly through the outlet branch 9 which also being close to the side wall of the casing further imparts heat to the wall of the casing 2, the gases passing from the outlet branch 9 to the main exhaust pipe 4 through which they pass into the heating element 5 for imparting heat to the vehicle in any approved manner. Now, assuming that the oil has been heated to the proper temperature by the mechanism just described, and it is desired to render this heating mechanism inoperative for the time being, the operator actuates the valve 12 through the medium of the rod 13 and operating means 15, whereby to establish direct communication between the exhaust manifold 1 and the main exhaust pipe 4, which simultaneously shuts off communication through the inlet branch pipe 8, with the result that the exhaust gases pass directly to the car heating element 15. At this time, if desired, the valve 16 may also be closed.

While I have described the mechanism as being applied preferably to a motor vehicle, it is understood that the heating mechanism may equally be of advantage in connection with stationary engines.

What I claim as new, is :7 if 7 1. An attachment for motor vehicle engines having an exhaust manifold, a crank case, and a'heating element for the vehicle, said attachment comprising a heating member arranged within the crank case, pipe connection between one end of the heating memher and the exhaust manifold and between the tion between said heating member and the heating element.

2. In a heating attachment for motor vehicles and the like having an exhaust manifold and a crank case, the combination of a main exhaust pipe communicating with the exhaust manifold, a heating conduit arranged with the crank case, inlet and exhaust branch pipes leading from said conduit and connecting with the main exhaust pipe, and a valve adapted to alternately establish communication between the exhaust manifold and the conduit'a'nd between the exhaust manifold and main exhaust pipe.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an exhaust manifold, a car heating element, a crank case, a heating conduit positioned within the crank case, a main exhaust pipe establishing communication between the exhaust manifold and said car heating element, branch pipes lead ing from said main exhaust pipe at a point between the heating element and exhaust manifold and connecting with opposite ends of said heating conduit, and means for shutting off communication between the exhaust manifold and said heating conduit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature. at GORNIE N. HAZE.

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