US2916030A - Heater for internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 8, 1959 w. L. HOETH 2,916,030

HEATER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed July 29, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.)

Walter L. H08) -g 2 l2 INVEA TOR.

Y M M115 Dec. 8, 1959 w. L. HbETH 2,916,030

HEATER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed July 29, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v Fig. 3

Fig.4

Walter L. Hoe/h IN VEN TOR.

BY Q J QW Dec. 8, 1959 w. L. HOETH 2,916,030

HEATER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed July 29, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig- 7 Wa/ferL. Hoe/h IN VEN TOR.

BY m mm HEATER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Walter L. Hoeth, Fairbanks, Alaska Application July 29, 1957, Serial No. 674,882

'3 Claims. or. 123-1425 This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in attachments for internal combustion engines, and more specifically to an improved heater for internal combustion engines.

In extremely cold temperatures the oil of internal combustion engines has a' tendency to congeal. As a result,

not only is the internal combustion engine extremely difficult to start, 'but upon starting the oil does not properly lubricate. As a result, in many instances the bearings and journals receive excessive wear and the cylinder walls become scored. Most civilian establishments attempt to overcome the problem by using lighter weight oils in the winter time. However, most military establishments .use the same weight of oil all year around. In either case the mere changing of the oil is not sufficient to prevent the congealing of the oil due to the low temperatures.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a crank case heater which includes a component submerged in the oil in the crank case or oil pan of the internal combustion engine so that the temperature of the oil remains at all times such as to prevent congealment of the oil.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved crank case heater for an internal combustion engine, the crank case heater being connected to the coolant system of the internal combustion engine whereby the liquid of the coolant system forms a part of the heater, the liquid being first heated and then the liquid heating the oil in the crank case of the internal combustion engine.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved crank case heater of the type which may be used in conjunction with tractors and the like having inspection plates, the crankcase heater including a mounting plate which replaces the normal inspection plate so that the crank case heater may be attached to the internal combustion engine without any structural changes therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved crank case heater which utilizes the coolant of the internal combustion engine for'heat distribution purposes, the heater including a heating element which is submerged in a portion of the coolant with a part of the heater having the coolant disposed therein being submerged in the oil supply of the'engine so as to assure a properdistribution of heat.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved heater for internal combustion engines, the heater being so constructed whereby a conventional type of electrical heating element normally used in coffee makers and the like may be utilized for the purpose of heating the oil of an internal combustion engine.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved heater for internal combustion engines, the heater being mounted in the coolant system of the internal combustionv engine and including a heating element for heating the coolant, the heater being provided with a check valve'to induce thermal siphoning or circulation States Patent of the coolant and therefore not only assuring a concentration of heat for the purpose of heating the oil of the internal combustion engine, but also for heating the coolant throughout the engine.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a crank case in a tractor and shows mounted thereon one form of heater, the general arrangement of the components of the heater being'shown; I

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially by the plane indicated by the section line 22 of Figure 1 and shows the general cross-section of the heater and the manner in which the heater heats the oil disposed in the crankcase;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 33 of Figure 1 and shows the general arrangement of the piping of the heater and the position of the electrical heating element therein;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 44 of Figure l and shows the detail of an inlet fitting which includes a check valve to induce thermal siphoning;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially'upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of Figurel and shows the specific details of the outlet fitting including the mounting of the electrical heating element therein;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken through an oil pan of a conventional type of internal combustion engine for automobiles and the like and shows the mounting of a modified form of heater therein;

A and Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the center of 'the heater of Figure 6 and shows the specific details thereof, an intermediate portion of the heater being broken away.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that thereis illustrated a fragmentary portion of a crankcase 10 of an internal combustion engine. The crank case 10 is defined by an oil pan 12 which includes a side wall 14. The side wall 14 is provided with an inspection opening, as is best illustrated in Figure 2, the inspection opening being referred to by the reference numeral 16 and being for the purpose of inspecting a crank shaft or other components of the internal combustion engine which are normally disposed within the crank case 10. The inspection opening 16 is normally closed by means of an inspection plate (not shown).

Mounted on the side wall 14 and closing the opening 16 is the heater which is the subject of this invention, the heater being referred to in general by the reference numeral 18. The heater 18 includes a mounting plate 20 which is of substantially the same size and configuration as the inspection plate which it replaces. The mounting plate 20 is secured in place on the side wall 14 by a plurality of fasteners 22 and is sealed relative to the side wall 14 by means of a gasket 24.

Carried by the mounting plate 20 is a housing which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 26. The housing 26 includes an elongated body portion 28 whose cross-section is best illustrated in Figure 2. The body portion 28 has the opposite ends thereof closed by end walls 30 and 32. The housing 26 in combination with the mounting plate 20 defines an auxiliary oil receptacle which is communicated with the interior. of the crank case 10 through an opening 34 formed in'the mounting plate 20. It is to be understood that the dimensions of the housing or jacket 26 are such that it does not materially increase the oil capacity of the crank case 10.

Carried by the jacket 26 is a heating unit which is referred to by the reference numeral 36. The heater unit 36 includes a first section of pipe 38 which extends between the end walls 30 and 32 and secured thereto in sealed relation as by welding 40. It is to be noted that the opposite ends of the pipe 38 open through the end walls 30 and 32. The pipe 38 is provided intermediate the ends with a right angle fitting 42 which has threadedly engaged therein a second pipe 44. The second pipe 44 extends at right angles to the first pipe 38 and is closed by a cap 46. As is. best illustrated in Figure 2, the second pipe 44 extends through the opening 34 in the mounting plate 20 and into the oil pan 12. The pipe 44, together with the pipe 38 are submerged in the oil 48 which is disposed in the oil pan 12 and within the auxiliary oil receptacle defined by the jacket 26.

Carried by the end wall 30 is an inlet fitting which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 50. The inlet fitting 50 includes a mounting plate 52 which is secured to the end wall 30 by welding 54. The mounting plate 52 is provided with acentral bore 56 which is aligned with the bore of the pipe 38.

Secured to the mounting plate 52 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners 58 is a flanged fitting 60. The fitting 60 is sealed relative to the mounting plate 52 by means of a gasket 62. The fitting 60 includes an internally threaded boss 64 in which there is threadedly engaged a pipe fitting 66 of a cooling system of the internal combustion engine. The flange fitting 60 is provided with a flap type check valve 68 which abuts against the end of the pipe fitting 66 so as to induce thermal siphoning or circulation of a coolant of the cooling system.

Welded to the end plate 32 as at 70 is a T-shaped outlet fitting 72. The fitting 72 is aligned with the pipe 38 and has threadedly engaged in one end thereof a conventional type of electrical heating element 74. The electrical heating element 74 extends substantially the full length of the pipe 38 for the purpose of heating the coolant disposed therein. The electrical heating element 74 includes an electrical cord 76 having a plug 78 on one end thereof for plugging into any conventional electrical outlet.

Also threadedly engaged in the outlet fitting 72 and extending at right angles to the electrical heating element 74 is an outlet pipe fitting 80 of the cooling system.

Inasmuch as the pipes 38 and 44 are mounted in the cooling system of the internal combustion engine on which the heater 18 is mounted, it will be seen that the pipes 38 and 44 are normally filled with the coolant of the cooling system. The coolant must be a liquid type coolant and is referred to by the reference numeral 82. The electrical heating element 74 is of a conventional type used in conjunction with coffee urns and the like and must rely upon a liquid source for the proper transmission of its heat. Thus the electric heating element 74 properly distributes heat through the pipes 38 and 44 through the media of the coolant 82. Also, a large portion of the heat will pass into the coolant within the internal combustion engine through thermal siphoning or circulation due to the functioning of the check valve 68.

It is to be understood that inasmuch as the plug 78 may be plugged into any conventional electrical outlet, it is merely necessary to park the tractor or other vehicle adjacent such electrical outlet and to plug in the plug 78. During the night the capacity of the heating element 74 will be suflicient to maintain the oil 48 at the desired temperature. It is to be understood that the heating element 74 comes in different capacities and the proper size of heating element may be used in conjunction with the particular vehicle.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, it will be seen that there is illustrated an oil pan 86 of an internal combustion engine such as that used in automobiles. The oil pan 86 includes a bottom wall 88 and side walls 90 and 92. Carried by the side walls 90 and 92 is a heater which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 94.

The side walls 90 and 92 are provided with aligned openings 96 and 98, respectively, in which there are mounted opposite ends of a pipe 100, the pipe 100 extending transversely of the oil pan 86. Welded to the exterior surface of the side wall 90 in alignment with the pipe 100 is a mounting plate 102, the mounting plate being sealed by means of welding 104. It is to be understood that the mounting plate 102 seals the connection between the pipe 100 and the wall 90. The mounting plate 102 is provided with a central opening 106 which is aligned with the bore of the pipe 100.

A second mounting plate 108 is secured to the exterior surface of the side wall 92 by means of welding 110. The mounting plate 108 seals the connection between the pipe 100 and the side wall 92. The mounting plate 108 is provided with a central opening 112 which is aligned with the bore of the pipe 100. l

The heater 94 also includes an inlet fitting 114 which has a mounting flange 116 secured to the mounting plate 102 by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners 118. The flange 116 is sealed with respect to the mounting plate 102 by means of a gasket 120.

The inlet fitting 114 also includes an internally threaded boss 122 in which there is threadedly engaged a pipe 124 of a cooling system of the internal combustion engine of which the oil pan 86 is a part. Positioned within the inlet fitting 114 is a check valve 126 of the flapper type. The check valve 126 engages against the inner end of the pipe 124 and functions to induce thermal siphoning or circulation of coolant through the heater 94 and throughout the internal combustion engine.

Welded to the mounting plate 108 as at 128 is a T shaped outlet fitting 130. The outlet fitting 130 includes a first end 132 having a bore 134 aligned with the bore of the pipe 100. The outlet fitting 130 also includes a second end 136 which has an internally threaded bore 138 in which there is threadedly engaged a threaded portion 140 of an electrical heating element 142. The electrical heating element 142 is of the conventional type used in coifee urns and the like and is provided with an electric cord 144. The electric cord 144 may be provided with a plug (not shown) for plugging into any desired conventional electrical outlet.

The outlet fitting 130 also includes a third end 146 which is internally threaded and which has threadedly engaged therein a pipe 148 of the cooling system.

By connecting the pipe 100 into the cooling system of the internal combustion engine, there is assured a liquid coolant supply within the pipe 100. Inasmuch as the electrical heating element 142 requires that it be submerged in a liquid for the proper transfer of heat therefrom, the coolant serves this purpose. Further, a large amount of heat is distributed throughout the cooling system of the internal combustion engine to assure that the upper portion of the engine is sufficiently heated. Inasmuch as the pipe 100 is disposed below the level of the oil 150 in the oil pan 86 and is completely submerged in the oil 150, it will be seen that the heat transmitted to the pipe 100 by the heating element 142 will be likewise transferred to the oil 150 so as to maintain it at the desired temperature.

When the heater 94 is used in conjunction with a conventional type of internal combustion engine, it is merely necessary for the operator of the vehicle to park the vehicle in such position whereby access to an electric outlet is possible. Then at nighttime the cord 144 is connected to the outlet and when the operator of the vehicle desires to start the vehicle in the morning the internal combustion engine is sufficiently preheated.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A heater for an internal combustion engine, said heater being adapted to be mounted on an oil pan and including a mounting plate, an opening in said mounting plate, a jacket secured to said mounting plate, said jacket forming in combination with said mounting plate an auxiliary oil receptacle, said jacket having ends, a pipe extending through said jacket and passing through said ends, inlet and outlet fittings on opposite ends of said pipe for connection to a coolant system, an electrical heating element disposed within said pipe for direct contact with a coolant and passing out through one of said fittings.

2. In combination with an internal combustion engine having an oil pan with an opening therein, a heater mounted on said oil pan and including a mounting plate, a opening in said mounting plate, said mounting plate opening being aligned with said oil pan opening, a jacket secured to said mounting plate, said jacket forming in combination with said mounting plate an auxiliary oil receptacle, said jacket having ends, a first pipe extending through said jacket and passing through said ends, inlet and outlet fittings on opposite ends of said first pipe for connection to a coolant system, an electrical heating element disposed Within said pipe for direct contact with a coolant and passing out through one of said fittings, a second pipe extending from said first pipe through said opening for positioning within said internal combustion engine oil chamber.

3. A heater for an internal combustion engine, said heater being adapted to be mounted on an oil pan and including a mounting plate, an opening in said mounting plate, a jacket secured to said mounting plate, said jacket forming in combination with said mounting plate an auxiliary oil receptacle, said jacket having ends a pipe extending through said jacket and passing through said ends, inlet and outlet fittings'on opposite ends of said pipe for connection to a coolant system, an electrical heating element disposed said pipe for direct contact with a coolant and passing out through one of said fittings, said inlet fitting including a check valve to induce thermal circulation of water.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,608,537 Swanberg Nov. 30, 1926 1,781,840 Hannegan Nov. 18, 1930 2,122,585 Pollack et a1. July 5, 1938 2,521,462 Kinzelmann Sept. 5, 1950 2,575,274' Hess Nov. 13, 1951 2,712,815 Blessing July 12, 1955,

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