WO2012011879A1 - Diesel fuel heater for road vehicles - Google Patents

Diesel fuel heater for road vehicles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012011879A1
WO2012011879A1 PCT/SI2011/000022 SI2011000022W WO2012011879A1 WO 2012011879 A1 WO2012011879 A1 WO 2012011879A1 SI 2011000022 W SI2011000022 W SI 2011000022W WO 2012011879 A1 WO2012011879 A1 WO 2012011879A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
guides
heating elements
housing
height
legs
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SI2011/000022
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Iztok SKOČIR
Igor Dolenc
Aleš BIZJAK
Original Assignee
Hidria Aet Družba Za Proi̇zvodnjo Vžignih Sistemov In Elektronike D.O.O.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hidria Aet Družba Za Proi̇zvodnjo Vžignih Sistemov In Elektronike D.O.O. filed Critical Hidria Aet Družba Za Proi̇zvodnjo Vžignih Sistemov In Elektronike D.O.O.
Priority to EP11731152.2A priority Critical patent/EP2596227A1/en
Publication of WO2012011879A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012011879A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • F02M31/12—Apparatus for thermally treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture for heating electrically
    • F02M31/125—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
    • F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
    • F02M37/22—Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines, e.g. arrangements in the feeding system
    • F02M37/30—Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines, e.g. arrangements in the feeding system characterised by heating means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2201/00—Details relating to filtering apparatus
    • B01D2201/50—Means for dissipating electrostatic charges
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B2203/00—Aspects relating to Ohmic resistive heating covered by group H05B3/00
    • H05B2203/02—Heaters using heating elements having a positive temperature coefficient
    • 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

  • the present invention relates to a diesel fuel heater for road vehicles. It is a problem with diesel-powered vehicles that the fuel gels at low temperatures, obstructing the unhindered flow of the fuel, particularly through the fuel filter. Therefore, the fuel has to be heated prior to entering the filter.
  • PTC Platinum Temperature Coefficient
  • Typical prior-art heater designs are disclosed in patents US 4,479,477, EP 0 367 631, EP 0 162 939 and EP 0 581 176. It is characteristic of all these designs that the heaters are secured to the fuel filter and that PTC elements are utilized as heating elements.
  • the PTC elements are placed in electrical and thermal contact with at least one metal plate which increases the effective heating surface area of the PTC heating elements.
  • the electrical and thermal contact between the metal plate and the PTC element is ensured by means of springs.
  • the effective heating surface area is reduced by the various cutouts in the metal surfaces, neither do the auxiliary elements, the springs in particular, help increase the heating surface area.
  • the effective heating surface i. e. the surface area of the metal heating plates
  • the auxiliary elements should contribute to the overall extent thereof.
  • Figure 1 the heater in cross-section
  • Figure 2 the heater in front view
  • Figure 3 the heater in projection.
  • the housing 1 of the heater is shaped so that it can be attached to the upper part of the housing of the fuel filter.
  • the heater has an inlet for the fuel entering the heater, and an outlet for the fuel flowing out into the filter. While passing through the heater housing, the fuel flows over the bottom metal heating plate 3, the top metal heating plate 4, the PTC heating elements 5 and the torsion spring 8, whereby it is heated.
  • the guides 6 are of a preferably cylindrical shape, exhibiting a larger diameter in the portion proximal to the housing 1 and then tapering off stepwise to a smaller diameter.
  • the larger diameter is of the order of magnitude of 2.5 to 4 mm, whereas the smaller diameter is of the order of magnitude of 1 to 2 mm.
  • the stepped tapering-off serves as support for the bottom heating plate 3 which is provided with bores, said bores being aligned with the guides 6 and being just slightly larger than the smaller diameter of the guide 6.
  • the bottom plate 3 is vertically, horizontally, as well as rotationally positioned.
  • the guides 6 are positioned on the bottom of the housing 1 such as to also allow the heating elements 5 to be positioned on the bottom plate 3.
  • the heating elements 5 have the shape of a button, which is to say, a short cylinder.
  • the guides 6 on the bottom of the housing 1 are positioned in groups, each group defining a circumference, so that the top portions of the guides 3 encircle the respective heating element 5. As per the invention, three guides 6 are employed for each heating element 5.
  • the heating elements 5 in the heater are disposed along a circumference, the center whereof coincides with the center of the circular housing 1.
  • the embodiment at hand represents a design with four heating elements 5, but there may be three or more.
  • the height of the guide 6 in the smaller-diameter portion is lower than the height of the heating elements 5.
  • the guides 7 are of a cylindrical shape, and of a diameter preferably equal or similar to the smaller diameter of the guides 6.
  • the height of the guides 7 is such as to protrude slightly, preferably about 1 mm, above the height of the heating elements 5.
  • the guides 7 on the bottom of the housing 1 are positioned in such a way as not to coincide with the heating elements 5 or the guides 6.
  • the bottom plate 3 and the top plate 4 are provided with two bores, said bores being aligned with the guides 7 and being just slightly larger than the diameter of the guide 7.
  • the top plate 4 with its two bores is fitted over the two guides 7, resting on the heating elements 5.
  • said column 9 is cylindrically shaped, in which case it is also provided with a vertical groove to allow the positioning of the spring 8.
  • the spring 8 is fitted over the column 9 in a positionally defined manner.
  • the spring 8 is shaped as a torsion spring having alternating down-bent legs 8b and up-bent legs 8c.
  • the torsion spring 8 is made of a flexible, thermally and electrically conductive metal having a rim 8e, from which a positioning leg 8d extends inwards toward the column 9, and the above-described legs 8b and 8c extend outwards.
  • the number of down-bent legs 8b is equal to the number of heating elements 5.
  • the legs 8b are shaped such as to press against the top plate 4 in spots located directly above the underlying heating elements 5.
  • the legs 8b are additionally horizontally bent on their bottom end so as to rest upon the top plate 4 with the largest surface possible, ensuring thermal contact and increasing the effective heating surface area of the heater .
  • the position of the down-bent legs 8b is such that the said legs 8b press against the top plate 4 in spots located directly above the centers of the underlying heating elements 5.
  • the heating elements 5 are squeezed between the bottom plate 3 and the top plate 4, having electrical and thermal contact with both plates.
  • the spring 8 may be vertically fixed to the column 9, or it may be vertically movable and fixed by means of the cover 2 on which it rests.
  • the cover 2 is secured to the housing of the fuel filter by means of friction welding. With this type of welding, an electrostatic charge is generated, which is removed to the plate 4 via the spring 8.
  • the plates 3 and 4 are electrically connected in ways known in the art to a source of electric power for powering the heating bodies 5.
  • the present invention ensures that the effective heating surface area is maximized, and allows the static electricity to be removed.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Resistance Heating (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a diesel fuel heater for road vehicles. The inventive fuel heater is characterized in that, extending vertically, i. e. axially, from the bottom of the housing (1), there are guides (6) which are of a preferably cylindrical shape, exhibiting a larger diameter in the portion proximal to the housing (1) and then tapering off stepwise to a smaller diameter, the height of the guides (6) in the smaller-diameter portion being lower than the height of the heating elements (5), and further guides (7) which are of a preferably cylindrical shape and of a diameter preferably equal or similar to the smaller diameter of the guides (6), the height of the guides (7) being such as to protrude slightly, preferably about 1 mm, above the height of the heating elements (5), wherein the structure of the bottom plate (3), the heating elements (5) and the top plate (4) is being pressed against by legs (8b) of a torsion spring (8). The torsion spring (8) is fitted over the column (9) and has alternating down-bent legs (8b) and up-bent legs (8c), wherein the number of down-bent legs (8b) is equal to the number of heating elements (5) and the legs (8b) are shaped such as to press against the top plate (4) in spots located directly above the underlying heating elements (5).

Description

Diesel Fuel Heater for Road Vehicles
The present invention relates to a diesel fuel heater for road vehicles. It is a problem with diesel-powered vehicles that the fuel gels at low temperatures, obstructing the unhindered flow of the fuel, particularly through the fuel filter. Therefore, the fuel has to be heated prior to entering the filter.
Most prior-art heaters are secured to the fuel filter and they mostly employ PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) elements as heating elements. PTC elements are convenient in that they allow the heating power to be self-regulated in dependence of temperature.
Typical prior-art heater designs are disclosed in patents US 4,479,477, EP 0 367 631, EP 0 162 939 and EP 0 581 176. It is characteristic of all these designs that the heaters are secured to the fuel filter and that PTC elements are utilized as heating elements. The PTC elements are placed in electrical and thermal contact with at least one metal plate which increases the effective heating surface area of the PTC heating elements. The electrical and thermal contact between the metal plate and the PTC element is ensured by means of springs. In all prior-art designs the effective heating surface area is reduced by the various cutouts in the metal surfaces, neither do the auxiliary elements, the springs in particular, help increase the heating surface area.
In order for the heater to function most efficiently, the effective heating surface, i. e. the surface area of the metal heating plates, should be as large as possible and the auxiliary elements should contribute to the overall extent thereof.
It is therefore a primary object of the instant invention to increase the effective heating surface area. At the same time, the structure should facilitate the discharge of static electricity from the heater cover.
As per the invention, the said object is achieved according to the independent patent claim.
The invention shall hereinafter be described according to an embodiment thereof and with reference to the accompanying drawings, representing:
Figure 1: the heater in cross-section,
Figure 2: the heater in front view,
Figure 3: the heater in projection.
The housing 1 of the heater is shaped so that it can be attached to the upper part of the housing of the fuel filter. The heater has an inlet for the fuel entering the heater, and an outlet for the fuel flowing out into the filter. While passing through the heater housing, the fuel flows over the bottom metal heating plate 3, the top metal heating plate 4, the PTC heating elements 5 and the torsion spring 8, whereby it is heated. There are two types of guides extending vertically, i. e. axially, from the bottom of the housing 1: the guides 6 and the guides 7. The guides 6 are of a preferably cylindrical shape, exhibiting a larger diameter in the portion proximal to the housing 1 and then tapering off stepwise to a smaller diameter. The larger diameter is of the order of magnitude of 2.5 to 4 mm, whereas the smaller diameter is of the order of magnitude of 1 to 2 mm. The stepped tapering-off serves as support for the bottom heating plate 3 which is provided with bores, said bores being aligned with the guides 6 and being just slightly larger than the smaller diameter of the guide 6. When fitted onto the guides 6, the bottom plate 3 is vertically, horizontally, as well as rotationally positioned. The guides 6 are positioned on the bottom of the housing 1 such as to also allow the heating elements 5 to be positioned on the bottom plate 3. The heating elements 5 have the shape of a button, which is to say, a short cylinder. The guides 6 on the bottom of the housing 1 are positioned in groups, each group defining a circumference, so that the top portions of the guides 3 encircle the respective heating element 5. As per the invention, three guides 6 are employed for each heating element 5. The heating elements 5 in the heater are disposed along a circumference, the center whereof coincides with the center of the circular housing 1. The embodiment at hand represents a design with four heating elements 5, but there may be three or more. The height of the guide 6 in the smaller-diameter portion is lower than the height of the heating elements 5.
The guides 7 are of a cylindrical shape, and of a diameter preferably equal or similar to the smaller diameter of the guides 6. The embodiment being discussed envisions two guides 7, however there can be more than two. The height of the guides 7 is such as to protrude slightly, preferably about 1 mm, above the height of the heating elements 5. The guides 7 on the bottom of the housing 1 are positioned in such a way as not to coincide with the heating elements 5 or the guides 6. The bottom plate 3 and the top plate 4 are provided with two bores, said bores being aligned with the guides 7 and being just slightly larger than the diameter of the guide 7. The top plate 4 with its two bores is fitted over the two guides 7, resting on the heating elements 5.
At the bottom center of the housing 1 there is a column 9 rising almost to the height of the cover 2 of the housing 1. According to the disclosed and preferred embodiment, said column 9 is cylindrically shaped, in which case it is also provided with a vertical groove to allow the positioning of the spring 8. The spring 8 is fitted over the column 9 in a positionally defined manner. The spring 8 is shaped as a torsion spring having alternating down-bent legs 8b and up-bent legs 8c. The torsion spring 8 is made of a flexible, thermally and electrically conductive metal having a rim 8e, from which a positioning leg 8d extends inwards toward the column 9, and the above-described legs 8b and 8c extend outwards. The number of down-bent legs 8b is equal to the number of heating elements 5. The legs 8b are shaped such as to press against the top plate 4 in spots located directly above the underlying heating elements 5. The legs 8b are additionally horizontally bent on their bottom end so as to rest upon the top plate 4 with the largest surface possible, ensuring thermal contact and increasing the effective heating surface area of the heater .
The position of the down-bent legs 8b is such that the said legs 8b press against the top plate 4 in spots located directly above the centers of the underlying heating elements 5.
As a result, the heating elements 5 are squeezed between the bottom plate 3 and the top plate 4, having electrical and thermal contact with both plates. The spring 8 may be vertically fixed to the column 9, or it may be vertically movable and fixed by means of the cover 2 on which it rests. The cover 2 is secured to the housing of the fuel filter by means of friction welding. With this type of welding, an electrostatic charge is generated, which is removed to the plate 4 via the spring 8. The plates 3 and 4 are electrically connected in ways known in the art to a source of electric power for powering the heating bodies 5.
The present invention ensures that the effective heating surface area is maximized, and allows the static electricity to be removed.

Claims

Patent Claims
1. Diesel fuel heater for road vehicles, wherein the heater is secured to the housing of the fuel filter and PTC heating elements are positioned by means of guides between two electrically and thermally conductive plates, the top plate thereof being pressed upon by springs, characterized in that, extending vertically, i. e. axially, from the bottom of the housing (1), there are guides (6) which are of a preferably cylindrical shape, exhibiting a larger diameter in the portion proximal to the housing (1) and then tapering off stepwise to a smaller diameter, the height of the guides (6) in the smaller-diameter portion being lower than the height of the heating elements (5), and further guides (7) which are of a preferably cylindrical shape and of a diameter preferably equal or similar to the smaller diameter of the guides (6), the height of the guides (7) being such as to protrude slightly, preferably about 1 mm, above the height of the heating elements (5), wherein the structure of the bottom plate (3) , the heating elements (5) and the top plate (4) is being pressed
- against by legs (8b) of a torsion spring (8).
2. Diesel fuel heater according to Claim 1, characterized in that the plate (3) has bores aligned with the guides (6, 7) and the plate (4) has bores aligned with the guides (7) .
3. Diesel fuel heater according to Claim 1, characterized in that the guides (6) on the bottom of the housing (1) are positioned such as to allow the bottom plate (3) to be positioned, and the heating elements (5) to be positioned on the bottom plate (3) .
4. Diesel fuel heater according to Claim 1, characterized in that the guides (6) on the bottom of the housing (1) are positioned in groups, each group defining a circumference, so that the top portions of the guides (3) encircle the respective heating elements (5) .
5. Diesel fuel heater according to Claim 1, characterized in that the torsion spring (8) is fitted over the column (9), said spring (8) having alternating down- bent legs (8b) and up-bent legs (8c), wherein the number of down-bent legs (8b) is equal to the number of heating elements (5), the legs (8b) being shaped such as to press against the top plate (4) in spots located directly above the underlying heating elements (5) .
PCT/SI2011/000022 2010-07-22 2011-05-12 Diesel fuel heater for road vehicles WO2012011879A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11731152.2A EP2596227A1 (en) 2010-07-22 2011-05-12 Diesel fuel heater for road vehicles

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SIP-201000216 2010-07-22
SI201000216A SI23436A (en) 2010-07-22 2010-07-22 Diesel fuel heater for road vehicles

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012011879A1 true WO2012011879A1 (en) 2012-01-26

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PCT/SI2011/000022 WO2012011879A1 (en) 2010-07-22 2011-05-12 Diesel fuel heater for road vehicles

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP2596227A1 (en)
SI (1) SI23436A (en)
WO (1) WO2012011879A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2458191A1 (en) * 2010-11-26 2012-05-30 DBK David + Baader GmbH Heating device

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4406785A (en) * 1981-12-24 1983-09-27 Gte Products Corporation Diesel fuel heater
US4479477A (en) 1983-04-29 1984-10-30 Gte Products Corporation Diesel fuel heater and combined filter-heater assembly
EP0162939A1 (en) 1984-05-29 1985-12-04 David + Baader DBK Spezialfabrik Elektrischer Apparate und Heizwiderstände GmbH Fuel heater for a diesel engine
EP0367631A1 (en) 1988-11-04 1990-05-09 Elmwood Sensors Limited Fuel heaters
EP0581176A2 (en) 1992-07-30 1994-02-02 Robert Bosch Gmbh Electrical heating device for diesel fuel
EP1158158A1 (en) * 2000-05-25 2001-11-28 David + Baader DBK GmbH PTC heating device
WO2011076493A1 (en) * 2009-12-21 2011-06-30 Robert Bosch Gmbh Heating device for a fuel filter

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4406785A (en) * 1981-12-24 1983-09-27 Gte Products Corporation Diesel fuel heater
US4479477A (en) 1983-04-29 1984-10-30 Gte Products Corporation Diesel fuel heater and combined filter-heater assembly
EP0162939A1 (en) 1984-05-29 1985-12-04 David + Baader DBK Spezialfabrik Elektrischer Apparate und Heizwiderstände GmbH Fuel heater for a diesel engine
EP0367631A1 (en) 1988-11-04 1990-05-09 Elmwood Sensors Limited Fuel heaters
EP0581176A2 (en) 1992-07-30 1994-02-02 Robert Bosch Gmbh Electrical heating device for diesel fuel
EP1158158A1 (en) * 2000-05-25 2001-11-28 David + Baader DBK GmbH PTC heating device
WO2011076493A1 (en) * 2009-12-21 2011-06-30 Robert Bosch Gmbh Heating device for a fuel filter

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2458191A1 (en) * 2010-11-26 2012-05-30 DBK David + Baader GmbH Heating device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2596227A1 (en) 2013-05-29
SI23436A (en) 2012-01-31

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