US3096818A

US3096818A - Integral ebullient cooler

Info

Publication number: US3096818A
Application number: US49733A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry W Evans; Loyd W Disler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-07-13
Filing date: 1960-08-15
Publication date: 1963-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 1980-07-09

Description

July 9, 1963 H. w. EVANS ETAL 3,096,818

INTEGRAL EBULLIENT COOLER Original'Filed July 15, 1959 FIG 3 FIG.4

INVENTORSI LOYD W. DISLER HARRY W. EVANS Y Z/A W ATTORNEY 3,11%,818 INTEGRAL EBULLENT COOLER Harry W. Evans, 4409 S. Lewis, and Loyd W. Disier, 6703 E. 27th, both of Tulsa, Okla.

Original application Study 13, 1959, Ser. No. 826,553, now Patent No. 3,030,077, dated Apr. 17, 1962. Divided and this application Aug. 15, 1960, Ser. No. 49,733

Claims. (Cl. 165111) This invention relates to an integral ebullient cooler. More particularly, the invention relates to a device adaptable for use with an engine providing a means of ebullient cooling for the engine, and wherein the elements making up the cooling system are integrally united in a novel means particularly adapting the device for use with engines applied to mobile equipment.

This is a divisional application of co-pending application Serial Number 826,553, filed July 13, 1959, entitled: Integral Ebullient Cooler, now Patent No. 3,030,077, granted April 17, 1962.

Ebullient cooling as a means of maintaining internal combustion engines at even and proper operating tem peratures has, within the last few years, gained increased recognition as a superior cooling means. For many years the standard cooling systems for internal combustion engines, especially for engines used in mobile operations and particularly in automobiles and trucks, has consisted primarily of a radiator and a water pump. In this well known system water is continuously circulated through the engine cooling jacket and a radiator. The radiator is subjected to moving air whereby the coolant at all times is maintained in a liquid state.

An improvement to this standard cooling system is a pressurized system wherein the coolant is maintained under a pressure. The primary advantage of this system is that the liquid coolant, usually water, will not boil away and require replacing as rapidly as occurs when the coolant is open to atmospheric pressure. In the pressurized cooling system, nevertheless, the coolant at all times remains in the liquid state, which means that the operating temperature of the engine effectively remains below the boiling temperature of the coolant.

It has been determined that engines operate for greater lengths of service when the operating temperature is above that at which water boils. The main reason for the improved engine life appears to be that the lubricating oil, when maintained at a temperature above the boiling point of water, does not become diluted with water through processes of condensation. Since the presence of water is the primary basis for the formation of acids in lubricating oil, the maintenance of the engine temperature above the boiling point of water means that no acids will be formed in the lubricating oil to attack the engine components. For these and other reasons, increased interest has been demonstrated in the adaptation of the ebullient cooling system to mobile internal combustion engines.

. There is, however, a deterrent to the ready adaptation of the ebullient cooling system to automobile and truck engines and to other engines requiring mobility, and that is that the present arrangement of ebullient cooling systems typically consists of three elements. The first is the steam condenser where steam, generated in the engine as it engages the engine jacket water system, is returned to water or condensate. The second component required is a steam and water separator which separates the condensate from the steam, returning the condensate to the engine and routing the steam to the steam condenser. The third component typically found in an ebullient cooling system is a condensate storage container where condensate is stored providing a reserve for the system so that small losses from evaporation and leakage will not impair the efficient operation of the cooling system. These com- 3,096,818 Patented July 9, 1963 ponents must necessarily be connected with a network of pipe. The ebullient cooling system utilizing the basic components enumerated works completely satisfactorily fOr stationary engines where size and space requirements are not a limitation. The ebullient cooling system utilizing these individual components, however, does not readily adapt itself for mobile applications because of the unwieldiness of the various components and the piping required.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an ebullient cooling system of an integral arrangement whereby the major components of the system are integrated into a unitary cooling device.

Another object of this invention is to provide an integral ebullient cooling system including means of maintaining engine lubricating oil at a uniform temperature.

Another object of this invention is to provide an integral ebullient cooling system wherein the steam condenser, steam and water separator, condensate reserve, and accessory piping components are arranged in a compact unitary cooling system particularly adaptable for mobile internal combustion engines.

Another object of this invention is to provide an integral ebullient cooling system which will be more economical to manufacture, assemble and maintain.

These and other objects and a better understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the attached drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of the integral ebullient cooler.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the integral ebullient cooler as mounted in relation to an internal combustion engine.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGURES 1 and 2 the external configuration of the integral ebullient cooler of this invention is shown. The integral ebullient cooler, indicated generally by the number 10, is a unitary mechanism composed of three basic structures, which, though described according to their basic functions, are united in a unique manner under the scope of this invention to achieve a new product. The first basic element is a water separator vessel 17, which is desirably of an elongated configuration. The second basic element is a steam condenser section 14 and the third basic element is a condensate storage tank 16. Condensate storage tank 16 is also desirably of an elongated configuration.

Steam condenser 14 is a series of vertical finned tubes 18 which communicate between the interior of water separator 12 and condensate storage tank 16. The integral ebullient cooler 10 is positioned with respect to internal combustion engine 20 so that a fan 24 driven either directly by crank shaft 26 or by a fan belt 28 is disposed to move air past the finned tubes 18.

An: engine steam pipe 30 connects from the water jacket outlet of engine 20 to the upper portion of water separator 12. An engine condensate pipe 32 carries condensate water from water separator 12 to the inlet of the water jacket system of engine 20.

A condensate recirculation pipe 34 extends from the lower portion of condensate storage tank 16 to the upper portion of water separator 12. Interposed in the condensate recirculation pipe 34 is a centrifugal pump 36, driven by fan belt 28. The function of pump 36 is to recirculate condensate from the condensate storage tank 16 to water separator 12.

An overflow pipe 38 connects the water separator 12, at a point approximately at its middle elevation, with the upper portion of condensate storage tank 16. The function of condensate recirculation pipe 34, centrifugal pump 36 and overflow pipe 38 will be described in greater detail subsequently.

To provide a supplemental function in addition to the function of maintaining engine 20 at or below a predetermined maximum operating temperature, the integral ebullient cooler includes provision for maintaining the temperature of the engine lubricating oil within a range of temperatures wherein the lubrication oil will have an extended service period. A lube oil heat exchanger 40 is positioned in association with condensate storage tank 16 and includes a heat exchange tube 42. Oil flows from engine 20 through oil pipe 44A, through heatexchanger tube 42, and back to engine 10 through oil pipe 4413. Heat exchanger tube 42 brings the lube oil into a temperature contact with the condensate in condensate storage tank 16 so that the temperature of the lube oil is substantially equalized with that of the condensate.

Positioned in water separator 12 is a distribution trough 46. Recirculation condensate flowing into water separator 12 from condensate recirculation pipe 34, as circulated by centrifugal pump 36, flows onto distribution trough 46, which extends substantially the length of water separator 12, so that the recirculation water overflows the distribution trough 46 along its full length. This serves to achieve a better distribution of the recirculated water in water separator 12. Positioned belowthe distribution trough 46 is a condensate distributor 48 composed of a fine mesh of material, such as steel wool. Water flowing over distribution trough 46 engages condensate distributer 48 and the fine mesh breaks the overflow water into larger surface areas so that increased opportunity is provided for steam entering the water separator 12 through engine steam pipe 31) to engage the recirculated condensate. This causes a portion of the steam from engine steam pipe 30 to condense directly into condensate.

Water separator 12 is divided into three separate but interconnected areas (this is best shown in FIGURE 4). Two separator plates 50, extending the length of Water separator 12 are vertically positioned on each side of the area of finned tubes 18 -of steam condenser portion 14. Separator plates 50 have a height of approximately onehalf of the over iallheight of water separator 12. This provides condensate storage areas 52A and 5213. Condensate extractor elements 54, which extend the length of Wat-er separator 12, are supported vertically between the top of water separator 12 and the top of separator plates 50'. Condensate extractors 54 are formed of material similar to condensate distributer 48, that is, of a fine mesh such as steel wool, so that steam flowing through the condensate extractors 54 will be stripped of droplets of condensate which the steam may carry.

The third area of water separator v12 is steam area 56 which includes substantially all of the space directly above steam condenser portion 14. Steam entering the water sepanator 12 from-steam pipe 30 flows through condensate extractors 54-, into steam area 56 and from there down through finned tubes 18 into condensate storage tank 16. Steam, in passing down through the finned tubes '18, undergoes a reduction in temperature and is transformed thereby into condensate by the effect of air moved through the steam condenser 14 by fan 24. To permit water to flow from condensate storage area 52A tocondensate storage area 52B of water separator 12, a trough 58 is provided connecting the two condensate storage areas so that overflow from storage area 52A will flow intostorage area 52B.

Operation The "function'of the integral ebullient cooler of this invention may be described as follows: Heat from the combustion of fuel in engine 20 transforms water in the engine cooling jacket into steam which flows out of en- 4. gine' 20 through steam pip'e30 and into water separator 12. Steam passes through condensate extractor 54 where any droplets of condensate will be trapped and fall directly into condensate storage area 5213. Steam passing through condensate extractor 54 enters steam area 56 and flows down through the finned tubes 18 of steam condenser portion 14. As the steam moves downward through finned tubes 18, a portion of the heat of the steam is absorbed by air moved by fan 24 past the finned tubes 18 condensing the steam into water. The condensed water falls through the finned tubes 18 into condensate storage tank 16.

Condensate is moved by centrifugal pump 36 through condensate recirculation pipe 34 from the lower portion of condensate storage tank 16 to the distribution trough 46 in the upper portion of water separator 12. Water overflowing the distribution trough 46 flows down through condensate distributor 48 which provides additional opport-unity for steam entering the upper portion of water separator 12 to engage the returned condensate and be directly condensed into water. The recirculated water passes through condensate distributer 48 and into condensate storage area 52A. Water flows to trough 56 from condensate storage area 52A and into condensate storage area 523. Water from condensate storage area 523 flows through engine condensate pipe 32 into engine 20 as a liquid where it is transformed in the engine water jacket system back into steam and the cycle is repeated as the steam flows through the engine steam pipe 39.

In order to make certain that sufficient water is always present in condensate storage area 52B to provide all of the water required for engine 20, centrifugal pump 36 is designed to recirculate more condensate through condensate recirculation pipe 34 than is required. To prevent the overflow of water from

condensate storage areas

52A and 52B down into finned tubes 18, an overflow pipe 38 is provided. As can be seen in FIGURE 3, the overflow occurs when the

condensate storage areas

52A and 52B are substantially full. This prevents clogging of finned tubes 18 with excess amounts of condensate :and leaves them substantially open at all times to receive the passage of steam.

Lube oil heat exchanger 40 functions to maintain the lubricating oil of engine 20 at a desired temperature whether the engine is operating under extremely cold or extremely hot conditions. If the ambient temperature in which the engine is operating is cold, then the lubricatingoil of the engine would tend to remain below the desired operating temperature which, as previously described, should be above the boiling point of water. When the ambient temperature is cold, lubricating oil flowing through heat exchanger tubes 42 is exposed to the temperature of the condensate contained in the condensate storage tank 16 and is heated. If, on the other hand, engine 20 is operating in an extremely high ambient temperature so that the temperature of the lubricating oil has a tendency to rise above the desired maximum levels, then the flow of lubricating oil through the lube oil heat exchanger 40 will function to cool the oil since the temperature of water in condensate storage tank 16 will always be below boiling point. that the oil heat exchanger 40 incorporated in conjunction with the integral ebullient cooling system of this invention provides means whereby the temperature of the lubricating oil of engine 20 may be maintained within the optimum operating range regardless of the ambient temperature.

The advantages of the integral ebullient cooler of this invention are many. Included in these advantages are first, the several different components making up the ebullient cooling system currently used in industry are united in a unique manner wherein the function of the components have been inter-related. Second, the integral ebullient cooling system of this invention provides a com- It can be seen therefore pact arrangement ideally adapting ebullient cooling for use with internal combustion engines applied to mobile equipment. Third, the integral ebullient cooling system provides a means of cooling internal combustion engines which can be manufactured substantially as economically as present water cooling systems and which has innumerable advantages in extending the service life and perfornnance of the engines. And fourth, the provision of a lubricating oil heat exchanger 40 in conjunction with the integral ebullient cooling system provides an economical means of maintaining the lubricating oil of the engine within desired temperature ranges.

This invention has been particularly described wherein the coolant or liquid utilized to perform the cooling function, has been termed water. It is obvious that any other coolant liquid which is transformed into a vapor by the acceptance of heat within the engine would function in the same manner as water described in this invention and the application of this inventionto such other liquid coolants is included in this disclosure.

The integral ebullient cooler of this invention has been described as it is particularly adaptable to automobiles and trucks. It is just as applicable to stationary engines where simplicity, economy and compactness of the cooling system is desired.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity it manifests that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

We claim:

1. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cooling system wherein a coolant enters said engine substantially as a liquid and leaves said engine substantially as a vapor, an integral ebullient cooler, said cooler having,

an enclosed upper liquid separator, said liquid separator having a condensate storage area in the lower portion thereof and a vapor storage area in the upper portion thereof;

a conduit means communicating said engine with said upper vapor area of said liquid separator for conducting vapors from said engine to said separator;

a lower condensate storage tank;

a vapor condenser communicating at the upper end with said vapor area of said liquid separator and at the lower end with said condensate storage tank;

a condensate recirculation pipe communicating at the lower end with the lower portion of said condensate storage tank and at the upper end with the said vapor storage area of said liquid separator;

a pump means in said condensate recirculation pipe for conveying liquid from said condensate storage tank to said liquid separator; and,

a conduit means communicating at one end with said liquid storage area of said liquid separator and at the other end with said engine whereby liquid is conducted to said engine.

2. An integral ebullient cooler according to claim 1 including an overflow pipe communicating at one end with the upper portion of said liquid storage area of said liquid separator and at the other end with said condensate storage tank whereby excess liquid in said liquid storage area is returned to said condensate storage tank.

3. An integral ebullient cooler according to claim 1 including a condensate extractor positioned in said liquid separator whereby said vapor flowing into said liquid separator passes through said condensate extractor and into said vapor area and extracted condensate droplets fall into said condensate storage area.

4. An integral ebullient cooler according to claim 1 including a distribution trough positioned substantially horizontally and transversely within said upper liquid separator to receive condensate flowing into said upper liquid separator from said condensate recirculation pipe.

5. An integral ebullient cooler according to claim 1 including a condensate distributor supported within said liquid separator substantially contiguous to and below said distribution trough whereby condensate overflowing said trough drains through said condensate distributor to provide greater contact of condensate and vapor within said liquid separator.

Wolf July 16, 1935 Hull Oct. 21, 1952

Claims

1. IN COMBINATION WITH AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE HAVING A COOLING SYSTEM WHEREIN A COOLANT ENTERS SAID ENGINE SUBSTANTIALLY AS A LIQUID AND LEAVES SAID ENGINE SUBSTANTIALLY AS A VAPOR, AN INTERGRAL EBULLIENT COOLER, SAID COOLER HAVING AN ENCLOSED UPPER LIQUID SEPARATOR, SAID LIQUID SEPARATOR HAVING A CONDENSATE STORAGE AREA IN THE LOWER PORTION THEREOF AND A VAPOR STORAGE AREA IN THE UPPER PORTION THEREOF; A CONDUIT MEANS COMMUNICATING SAID ENGINE WITH SAID UPPER VAPOR AREA OF SAID LIQUID SEPARATOR FOR CONDUCTING VAPORS FROM SAID ENGINE TO SAID SEPARATOR; A LOWER CONDENSATE STORAGE TANK; A VAPOR CONDENSER STORAGE TANK; WITH SAID VAPOR AREA OF SAID LIQUID SEPARATOR AND AT THE LOWER END WITH SAID CONDENSATE STORAGE TANK; A CONDENSATE RECIRCULATION PIPE COMMUNICATING AT THE LOWER END WITH THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID CONDENSATE STORAGE TANK AND AT THE UPPER END WITH THE SAID VAPOR STORAGE AREA OF SAID LIQUID SEPARATOR; A PUMP MEANS IN SAID CONDENSATE RECIRCULATION PIPE FOR CONVEYING LIQUID FROM SAID CONDENSATE STORAGE TANK TO SAID LIQUID SEPARATOR; AND, A CONDUIT MEANS COMMUNICATING AT ONE END WITH SAID LIQUID STORAGE AREA OF SAID LIQUID SEPARATOR AND AT THE OTHER END WITH SAID ENGINE WHEREBY LIQUID IS CONDUCTED TO SAID ENGINE.