US1813667A - Apparatus for cooling internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Description

J y 1931- H. HARTENSTEIN 1,313,667

APPARATUS FOR QOOLING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Oct. 18, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jsq 'f' C y 7, 1931- H. L. HARTENSTEIN' APPARATUS FOR COOLING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES ile 001;- 18. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 QNQN 67m ZZZ/m Patented July 7, 1 931 A Ens-MA L. elim nate or thinner); IiiiING-ES AI I-AIEKEn's' mes fioIliiiei'ifmrinnen COMBUSTION ENGINES Lethe seerenginesnsed 'for pmilefiln meter d enyelncles"; t is otviqnsly impesslew to"eo'o1 the 'engine ny mea ns ef Water 'eb iin'dfrem a sonree"etitsrdeefithe vehicle, and "when use cl fortlris purpose, l the practice is -tecool the engines by? means ofi'it iqrfantity of liquid "c'znried'i by the vehiclelwvhlch isjr'ecirculated through "the j aclrets ofthe engine cylinders 'e'nd is Ynaint'eihedht a relati ely low tenip'emtn-re by :cl'rculeting P it" through =21 {apparatus 1nenntecl"on'=-the tehicle, zisimlly a newer v hibh has-'suitahlemirculilting pineconnecti'ons Withthe f jacltts of 30 the"enginefcyiiners.

' As is genertilly' well-known,"elsoywhere'ivateri's tlre'eo dies-medianames it is in a very 'lerg'e'percentge' of "czises tllere is denget ef its freezing-in severe weiithet in cdse the rengrille "is" prmltted to'stand for aiiy considerable length of time, thus preventing 'circrrlet-innbl" th weanling lnedinnrandin rnan-yrez'fses mun-m;- in rupture of the 'radiator"cells or tnbes thus re uiringithatthey'be replaced.

:Tl1is *ol5jectiel1ehle feature is usrrally renetlierl by mixing With the: cooling rheditnn a quantity? of 'wlrat -'is-: rs1-felly known. ancl referrecl'sto as 'zin'-'*anti-'freezing" mixture or selntinh, "which hasthemharactefistic of impe-rtiiig' t'o th 'e-entirehe'dy ofithcooling medium a freezing; point 1n aterially-zlower t-han that of water or other coolingjnedi-um l'ised.

lhe snlntiongenerally n'sedco'nsist'sof denzitura'l alcohol wzitr, the {fireportiens of which vary with "the temfierziture' agai-nst There -=a1"e, however; many elifierent anti freezing'nlifitures; the freezingzpo'ints vary ing tn a greziter or less eXten'ttancl-the relative 'qnzlntlties' ef "waterand" sblntion toziemsed will, of course; very *hcc'ordin gly. --."Bhecorrect prepbrtiens =f0r 'iiferent freezing mixtures is; however; "usniilly 'sp ecified in avail able formuleenol; neetl not be here considereilin-clet'ail. 4

'Hiile: a-nti freezing' mixtures are ofasgreat :valuei in; the :respectthet'they prevent new: fingio he cooling niedi-1-1m-, t1i1ey 'alse po'ssess cert-en l rherent'objectionablecharacteristics, a principal one of Whiclrfsthattheyitre'more volatile than the "i'fifii with which they fire coinnronly -r'i'sech and; therefore; appreciably ,EQCl'llCB' the boiling: pint ofthe cooling-me- "It-is recognizecl that internal combustion engines; operate: meet efiicientlyat; tenrper'atnresof from-170 to -1-80-degrees R, r which isniateri-allyj'below the boiling point of Wiltlil but appreciably above that of the antifreezingso'lutim. The same is also-true of other anti-frfeezing "soli'itions centainingw eleehol'. It therefore fol-lowsthfit; even an efilcient operatin'g temperaturesfthe'use of cooling-mediet containing anti-freezingolutionwvillresultin e :Itapid conversion of the alcoholic cmltntyof theyc oolin-g hretlia-fi-ntlfllso of-e. relatively small portion of therwaterinto-yizapor; and steam; which pass out "through the overfl'r'ivi pine fancl are lost, and also very frequently the boiling or ebullition isso Violent thetmuch; oi 'the liquid Solution itselfis blown out oft theove'l'fio'wi pipe. Obvilensl-y this condition will be aggmmted: athigher temperatures, y Such-losses:lmtnrelly. result 1 inrap-idlyf diminishing both the quantity and quality of the cooling; i'nefidinnrto such anextent that itsifreezing point is correspondingly raised and -itscoolingbzvpacityis cletzrea'secl to the extent of-such losses, which inust be rep-lenishedby additional-solution in order to maintain both its anti-freezing and cooling qualities at the proper standard, and for the replenishment of such losses it is customary to add a mixture containing three parts of alcohol and one part of water; and if the proper proportion of anti-freezing solution is not restored ormaintained, this would tend to cause freezing of the radiator-if there is too little ofthe anti-freezing solution-or overheating and improper operation of the engine if there is too much of the anti-freezing solution.

The object of the present invention is to provide means, in association with the usual radiators of internal combustion engines used for propelling motor driven vehicles, constructed and arranged to prevent loss of the ingredients of cooling media used to prevent overheating of internal combustion engines, thereby preventing deterioration of such cooling media, with its attendant injurious efiects; and also to prevent the attendant large economic loss resulting therefrom.

Stated generally, I attain the objects of the invention by condensing means installed so as to communicate with what may be designated the high temperature side of the cocling system of the engine, that is between the discharge from the jackets of the engine cylinders, constructed and arranged to receive vaporized cooling medium generated in the jackets as it passes to the radiator, and to condense practically all of the vaporized cooling medium and to return it to the cooling system in liquid form.

In what I now consider to be the preferable embodiment of my invention, the improved condenser consists of a coil made of suitable thin metal tubing, preferably copper, supported upon a suitable base portion which forms a cap or closure for the filling opening of the radiator, the lower end of said body portion being screw-threaded to engage the same. Preferably, also, said coil comprises a return section which leads back into the radiator in register with and which ter minates in close proximity to the end of the overflow pipe of the radiator (not shown) forming, in effect, a closure or liquid seal therefor which will prevent vaporized cooling medium from entering the same and thus running to waste.

To render the condenser more sightly in appearance and also to protect the coil from damage or breakage by being struck, the condenser also preferably' comprises a casing which encloses said coil, said casing preferably being skeletoned or cut out to permit free access of the air to the coil.

The invention also comprises the various other features and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which this invention is fully illustrated,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating apparatus for cooling internal combustion engines embodyin this invention and improvements, exemplifying the same as applied in use for cooling the cylinders of an engine of an automobile or other motor driven vehicle.

Figure 2 is a front View of a condenser embodying this invention and improvements, shown as applied in use to the radiator of a motor driven vehicle.

Figure 3 is a view substantially similar to Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale, parts thereof being shown in section on the line 33 of Fig. 4.

Figure l is a top plan view of the coil showing the casing in plan section on the line 4ll of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional View on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Figure 6 is an elevation showing another form of condenser.

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of Fig. 6. 1

Figure 8 is a sectional View on line 8-8, Fig. 6. t

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view illustrating another modification.

Figure 10 is a view partly in side elevation, partly in section of another form of the invention.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 of still another form of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings I have, for purposes of clear and definite illustration, shown a cooling apparatus embodying my invention and improvements as applied in use for cooling the cylinders of internal combustion engines used for propelling an automobile or other motor driven vehicle.

Describing the invention with particular reference to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, A, Fig. 1, indicates, diagrammatically, the engine of a motor vehicle, B, the radiator for cooling the water which circulates through the jackets of the. engine cylinders, a, a pipes which connect the extreme cylinder jackets with the upper and lower ends of the radiator B, and C indicates a condenser embodying this invention and improvements supported in the filling opening of the radiator whcih communicates with the vapor space therein.

Excepting as regards the condenser C, all of tie foregoing parts may be of any usual or approved construction.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, the condenser C consists essentially of a coil 0 made of tubing which is a good conductor of heat, preferably copper, supported with the open lower end of the tube forming said coil in communication with the vapor space in the upper part of the radiator B, and which condenser projects above the radiator in position to be exposed to air currents produced either by the wind or by movement of the vehicle.

As shown, the coil is supported'by a base portion,designated' as a whole 0, said base portion comprising a plate 1 formed through which is a hole 2, in which the lower end of the tube forming thecoil c issecured. The'lower end ofthe basepo'rtion c is threaded to engage inthefillingopening 3-0f the radiatorforniedby the 'thilnble 4 on said radiator.

For reasons'p'resently apparent, means are provided-for adjusting the condenser C axially. As shown, this is effected 'by forming the base portion 0 in two parts, consisting of the plate l and' abushi'ng 5, the lower end of s'aidbushing 'b'eing screw-threaded di rectly into'the'filling opening 3 and the lower end of the plate 1 terminating in a circular projection 6 fitted to turn in a hole 6 formed in the upper end of the bushing 5, the plate 1 and bushing being connected by anut 7 threaded to the lower end of the circular projection 6 on said plate 1 and which is adapted to'bear against an interior shoulder 8 on the bushing 5. In practice, the nut 7 is adjusted so that the plate 1 is held in position frictionally,thus permitting the coil 0 and parts directly associated therewith to beturned into desired-position. A tight joint can be formed between the parts of said base portion by'meansof apaclring gasket 9 inserted between 'thenut 7 and the shoulder 8.

The front and back sides of the coil 0 may be flat, thus-exposing a greater radiating surface to air currents traversing the condenser thanwould otherwise be the case, and it is to provide for adjustingsaid condenser with a flat side in front that the described provision for axial adjustment of the condenser is provided for.

Toprotect the coil 0 from injury, a casing 0 may beprovided to enclose the coil, the sides of said casing being skeletoned to permit free access of the air to the coil. As

' shown,said casing 0 may be provided'on all portion 0' of the condenser, ispref-erably recessed'as at 12 to reducethe'weightthereof.

With the described construction, it is obvious that steam or vapor from the cooling medium will rise into the Vapor space of the radiator and will pass thence upwardly into the coil 0, where it willbecondensed, the pitch of the coil being such that all-condensation-therein will drain by gravity back into the radiator. Toprevent unvaporized liquid particles from being blown upwardly into the coil 0-, as might occur if the co olingama dium wereheatedto a temperature considerably in excess of its boilingpoint, which would cause violent ebullition thereof, a baf fie 13 maybe provi'dedwithin "the recess To permit'steam and other li 'ht vaporsto rise freely into the coil 0, said 'c'oil'preferably comprises apipe sectionlt which'is reversely bent at the' top of' thecoil and extends down.- wardly in'the spacedefined bythe'convolutions of the @011- and through an opening formed'in the platel of the baseportion, the lower end of the pipe preferablyregistering with the overflow pipe 15 of the radiator.

Preferably, also, the lower end of said'pipe section 14: is bent as shown? at 16 to form a trap in' which condensation-will collect, thus sealing the lower end of said pipe-soth'at, ex cepting at very excessivetemperaturesysteam and vapor will notflow'through the coil to pass to waste throng-lithe overflow pipe15.

Preferably, also, the open lower end of the pipe section 14 extends'intosuch close-proaimity to the openupper'end of theov'erfiow pipe 15 that said overflow pipe'willformin effect a continuation of said-pipesecti'on 14, thus preventing steam and vapors from "entering said overflowpipe directly from the vapor space and beinglost.

This invention will also. prevent loss of anti-freezing solution by condensingdt and returning the condensation to the body of coolinginedium, thus maintaining a cooling medium having a substantially constant boiling point and also preventing'to a great extent the loss of anti-freezingsolution;

Obviouslythe condenser and casing may be of any desired shape or configuration.

In order to conveniently supplycoolingsolution to the radiator and communicating chambers, the casingmay be hinged to the base plate, suitable means being'providedfor securing the hinged section ofthe condenser in operative position. 7 I

Such a construction is shown in Figs. 6'to :8, inclusive, in which B indicates'the radiator,

4 theiill opening thereof, C the'condenser,

as a whole, 0 the base portionxof the condenser,- comprising a -l)L1Sh1ng' 5 having screwthreaded engagement witlithe fill opening 3,

and aplate ,1 hingedthereto at 17, '0 a'coil,

shown as circular inform, the-lower end of which issecured in the plate 1, 0 the casing which encloses the coil '0, provided with slots 10' permitting access of air currents to the coil, "and. 14 the return'section of'the coil eX- tending from the upper end thereof downwardly through the plate 1 into register with the overflow pipe of the radiator, not shown.

A spring catch 18 secured to the plate 1 engages a shoulder 19 on the bushing 5', to hold the casing in position.

As a further modification of this invention, the return pipe may comprise two branches, one of which is preferably arranged in substantial alignment with the upper section thereof and extends somewhat below the level of the cooling medium in the radiator, and having the lower end thereof contracted, the relation being such that any liquid which may find its way into said return pipe will drain by gravity into the radiator, while, due to the small size of its contracted lower end, very little liquid will be forced into the same by any sudden pressure impulses in the radiator. The other branch or section of said return pipe is off-set as at 14 from the com mon upper section thereof and is connected laterally into the same, its lower end be ng arranged in register with the overflow pipe 15 of the radiator and extendinginto close proximity to the open upper end of said overflow pipe, so that said overflow pipe will form in effect a continuation or extension of said branch return pipe, thus preventing excessive pressures from being generated in the radiator and its connections, due to overheating and violet ebullition of the cooling medium, which would tend to cause flooding of the condenser and possible rupture and other possible damage to the radiator. Obviously,

,with the construction described, any excess pressure in the radiator will at once be relieved by discharge of a portion of the contents of the radiatorin the form of steam or cooling medium heated to an excessively high temperaturethrough the condenser to the overflow pipe of the radiator, thereby preventing damage to the radiator and all other objectionable results, excepting the loss of cooling medium, which can readily be replenished.

This modification is shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, in which C indicates the condenser as a whole, 0 the base portion thereof, comprising the plate 1 and bushing 5 se cured in the fill opening 3 of the radiator, c the coil, the lower end of which is secured in the plate 1 c the skeletoned casing which encloses the coil, and 1& the return section of the coil, which, comprises two branches 1& and 14:, of which the branch 1& is arranged substantially in line with the common upper section of said return pipe and extends downwards through the plate 1 below the designed liquid level in the radiator, the lower end of which branch is contracted, as shown at 20 the relation being such that liquid will drain by gravity from the common upper section of said return pipe directly into the radiator. The branch 14 is off-set from the common upper section of said return pipe and extends downwards through the plate 1 with its lower end in register with the open upper end of the overflow pipe 15 of the radiator and into such close proximity thereto that it will form, in effect, a closure therefor adapted to prevent cooling medium from passing directly from the radiator into the overflow pipe and thus to waste.

The apparatus thus far has been described as a unit complete in itself, including a base portion adapted to form ,a closure for the filling opening of the radiator and to replace the usual radiator cap. However, the device may be constructed to form an attachment readily adapted to be attached to the usual radiator cap. Such a construction is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings in which the usual fill cap 20 is employed with the fill opening a. This cap is provided with an opening 21 which is now usually employed for the attachment of a meter or some ornament, which is adapted to be removed so that the same cap 20 may be employed in connection with this invention.

In Figure 10 the coil 22 is connected by its extremities 23 and 24: to a supporting base 25, the latter beingprovided with a chamber 26 therein with which the ends of the coil have communication. The base 25 is provided with a tubular depending portion 27 which is exteriorly screw threaded as at 28 and is adapted to be passed through the opening 21 in the cap 20 to project therebeyond.

Nuts 29 are threaded upon the tubular proj ection 27 soas to clamp or secure the base 25 to the cap 20. j

If desired a gasket or suitable packing 30 may be interposed between the nuts and the inner face of the cap 20 so as to provide a fluid tight joint and thereby prevent the escape of vapor through the cap 20 to the atmosphere.

The inlet end 23 of the coil 22 is preferably arranged in alignment with the opening in the tubular portion 27 so that the vapors from the radiator will pass into the coil, and the outlet 24 of the return pipe 31 of the coil is preferably arranged out of alignment with the opening in the projection 27, a bafiie plate 32 being preferably provided so as to prevent the vapor from passing directly into the pipe 31.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig ure 11 the ends 33 and-3at of the coil35 project into a hollow plug like device-36, the latter bein preferably provided with a head 37, which rests against the outer face of the cap 20. The body portion of the plug proj ects through the opening 21 in the cap and nuts 38 are screwed upon the plug to cooperate with the head 37 to clamp the plug to the cap 20. A suitable packing or gasket 39 may be provided to form a fluid tight joint.

The extremity 40 of the end 34 of the coil is preferably contracted so as to insure the entrance of a greater portion of the vapor into the end 33 of the coil 35.

I Vith the forms of the invention shown in Figures 10 and 11 it will be manifest that by removing the ornament or meter which is now employed in devices of this character the present invention maybe readily applied and may as readily be removed when desired.

Obviously a suitable casing (not shown) may be provided, if desired, for protecting the coil, and the coil may be of any desired length and diameter.

While the preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

I/Vhat is claimed as new is 1. In cooling apparatus for internal combustion engines embodying a radiator having a fill opening and a vapor space with which the condenser communicates in the upper end of the radiator, a condenser comprising a base portion adapted to be removably secured in the said fill opening and forming a closure therefor, and a coilsecured in said base with its attached end in communication with said vapor space, the pitch of said coil being such that condensation will drain therefrom into said radiator, said coil comprising an open ended return section which communicates with the end of the coil proper remote from the base portion of the condenser, said return section being reversely bent and extending through an opening in said base portion in register with the overflow pipe of the radiator.

2. In cooling apparatus for internal combustion engines embodying a radiator having a fill opening and a vapor space with which the condenser communicates in the upper end of the radiator, a condenser comprising a base portion adapted to be removably secured in the fill opening and forming a closure therefor, and a coil secured in said base with its attached end in communication with said vapor space, the pitch of said coil being such that condensation will drain therefrom into said radiator, said coil comprising an open ended return section which communicates with the end of the coil proper remote from latter will form practically a continuation of the return section of said coil.

3. In cooling apparatus for internal combustion engines embodying a radiator having a fill opening and a vapor space with which the condenser communicates in the upper end of the radiator, a condenser comprising a base portion adapted to be removably secured in the fill opening toform a closure therefor, and a coil secured in said base with its attached end in communication with said vapor space, the pitch of said coil being such that condensation will drain therefrom into said radiator, said coil comprising an open ended return section which communicates with the end of the coil proper remote from the base portion of the condenser, said return section extending through an opening in said base portion and being reversely bent to form a seal adapted to prevent vapors from entering it from the said vapor space.

In testimony whereof I have signed m name to this specification on this 30th day of September, A. D. 1926.

HERMAN L. HARTENSTEIN.

the base portion of the condenser, said return

Images