Diesel engine pre-heater United States Patent 6112713 A diesel engine pre-heater is provided that is connected within the diesel engine's exhaust system in a manner that forces the hot exhaust gases to pass directly through an internal chamber. Additionally, coolant from the engine's cooling system is routed through an internal network of passages within the heat exchanger. As the coolant flows through this system, the heat from the exhaust is transferred to the coolant which is then routed back to the diesel engine. The heated coolant then transfers its heat to the cold engine as it circulates, thus, greatly decreasing the time required to bring the engine up to operating temperature. Some of the coolant heated by the heat exchanger is also routed to the heater core of the cab's heating system. This allows the cab's heater to provide warm air to the interior cab of a truck much more quickly than a standard heating system. Additionally, the heat exchanger is also used to heat the diesel fuel before it enters the engine. This is accomplished routing the fuel through a shell on the outside of the heat exchanger which effectively warms the fuel to a temperature which ensures that the fuel will not gel, thereby enabling the fuel to flow efficiently at all temperatures.

MacKenzie - December, 1996 – 5584269

Engine block heater United States Patent 5584269 An engine block heater comprising a propane circulation heater in which engine coolant is heated in a jacket surrounding an inner chamber which is open at both ends to accommodate an industrial size portable propane torch. The jacket is inclined to the horizontal and has a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet which, in use, are connected to the engine block. When the torch is lit, coolant from the engine flows, driven by natural convection forces so that cold coolant from the engine is replaced with heated coolant.

MacKenzie - December, 1996 – 5584269

Engine block heater United States Patent 5021633 It is difficult if not impossible to install conventional engine block heaters robotically. The present device includes a cylindrical body with a heater element extending upon one side thereof and operatively connected to terminals on the other side thereof with a sealing o-ring around the body portion for sealing engagement with a cylindrical aperture formed in the engine block wall. A retainer ring surrounds the outer end of the body portion having at least one of standing portion formed thereon with an aperture formed therethrough and a corresponding screw-threaded aperture is formed in the wall of the block to one side of the aperture into which the heater engages. Installation by robotic means includes a probe engaging the aperture in the off-standing portion of the ring and into the screw threaded aperture of the block to locate the heater radially and in alignment with the aperture in the block whereupon the heater is pushed into sealing engagement with the aperture, the probe is removed and a retaining bolt is inserted into the aperture in the retaining ring and screw threadably engaged in the screw threaded aperture in the block thereby retaining the heater in position with all of the above steps being accomplished robotically.

Schaefer - June, 1991 – 5021633

Engine preheating device United States Patent 5005542 An engine preheating device for heating internal combustion engines prior to operation utilizes a propane torch and conventional propane supply tank. A hollow cylindrical housing is supported in upright orientation by a plurality of circumferentially spaced support legs. A helical heat exchanger coil is disposed in coaxial relation within the housing. An inlet conduit is coupled to a bottom end of the coil and an outlet conduit is coupled to an upper end of the coil. Quick connect couplings secure the inlet and outlet conduits to a water jacket of an internal combustion engine. An arcuate tubular elbow has a first end mounted in coaxial relation within the bottom end of the housing. A propane torch head is inserted within the elbow and is connected by a conduit to a propane supply tank. A flame diffuser is suspended within the coil by a tube connected to a top cover. In use, anti-freeze from the engine water jacket is heated within the coil by the propane torch head and caused to flow in a thermal cycle through the engine block.

Rissanen - April, 1991 – 5005542

Engine heater United States Patent 4445469 An engine heater for airplanes or automobiles burning propane gas to heat the engine. The heater employs electrical power to control the combustion of the propane gas and to propel the heated combustion products toward the engine. The unit may utilize a building's usual line current of 115 volts a.c.; it may also rectify this a.c. voltage to provide d.c. power capable of charging the battery on the vehicle. In the absence of the 115 V. a.c., the heater may simply connect to its own battery or the battery of the airplane or the automobile in order to warm the vehicle's engine and battery to facilitate the commencement of the vehicle's operation. The heater unit includes connections to the appropriate source of power for the heater's operation. When connecting the 115 volts a.c. source, it transforms the voltage to the appropriate magnitude to operate the heater. The unit may also include a gas pilot light, an ignition coil for the pilot light, and two electrically controlled valves. The first valve permits the passage of propane to the pilot light while the second valve allows the passage of the propane to assure the proper functioning of the unit. Without a source of electricity to assure the proper functioning of the unit, both valves close and prevent the escape of propane.

Suhayda - May, 1984 – 4445469

Self-contained engine warmer United States Patent 4010725 A self-contained device for preheating or maintaining a predetermined heat in an internal combustion engine. The device includes a so-called infrared burner that is adapted to be positioned in heat exchanging relationship with a portion of the engine, a fuel source for the burner, and an ignition source for igniting the burner. The ignition source is adapted to be suitably powered, for example, by the battery of the associated engine. White - March, 1977 – 4010725

Portable preheating system for internal combustion engines United States Patent 4392609 A portable liquid heater for preheating internal combustion engines with the heater consisting of a liquid reservoir, a heating chamber, and a circulating pump. The liquid of the reservoir may be preheated before introduction into the combustion engine system, or the like in the engine may

be exhausted therefrom and heated by the apparatus and circulated back into the combustion engine system. Conterio - July, 1983 – 4392609

Parts of the System

1. A car heater has several different parts that work together to create heat inside the car. The most important part is the heat core, which is like a radiator. This part traps heat from the engine and then turns it into heat for the passengers in the car. The heat core and the blower motor, another important part, transfer the heat from the engine to the car's interior. This happens thanks to a few other parts that include the coolant, thermostat and heat control valve.

Coolant

2. An engine creates a lot of heat because there is a tremendous amount of friction in its working parts. The combustion of gas in the cylinders also creates a great deal of heat. Under normal conditions, this heat is directed away from the motor by the coolant system. The coolant is pumped into the engine and then back out again. It is heated during this process, so as it leaves the engine it is drawing heat away from the engine. In a sense, it is transferring heat from one location to another like a train moving loads of coal or products from one station to another. This has to occur, otherwise the engine will become too hot. Sensitive gaskets and parts can be damaged, and the engine block can crack.

How a Car is Heated

3. When it is cold outside the heat from the cooling system is harnessed to keep passengers warm. As the coolant is pumped out of the car engine it travels through the heat core. The heat core strips the heat from the coolant (helping to return it to its normal temperature) and the coolant then circulates back into the pump and into the engine. The heat core becomes very hot after several minutes. It is like a boiler and blower. When you want heat inside the car, the blower fan (mounted behind the heat core) turns on and now directs heat back into the car through the open vents, keeping everybody toasty warm.

Thermostat

4. The thermostat in your car is similar to the one in your home. It detects when a car engine is hot enough to receive coolant. Once the engine reaches a set temperature, the thermostat opens and begins the flow of coolant into the engine. This starts the cooling and heating cycle, as described above.

5. 1,2,3,4- By Steve Smith

How Does a Car's Heater Work?

Contributor

By Isaiah Incognito

Cooling System

1. The engine in a car produces a lot of heat, and the car can only continue to run without overheating because of the cooling system. Water or antifreeze is pumped through the engine, where it absorbs heat. It then pumps into the radiator, where it makes several passes by metal fins, which wick some of the heat away. Even so, the fluid is usually about 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heater Core

2. Small hoses, called heater hoses branch off from the main radiator system. They run to the heater core, a kind of miniature radiator. Metal fins in the heater core then absorb some of the heat from the heater hoses. The fluid is then pumped back into the main radiator system. The heater core does provide some additional cooling, but its main function is to power the car's heating system.

Heating System

3. A small fan blows on the heater core. This fan blows through an air filter and into the car, sending hot air into the passenger compartment. The fan is usually adjustable, with at least three different speeds. The vents are typically adjustable as well. Heating ducts can be opened or closed to direct heat near the windows, directly at the passengers, or into the foot wells. There is also a temperature control, which mixes air from the heater core with outside air, allowing the riders to control the temperature of the air coming into the car.

How Does a Heater Core Work?

Contributor

By Derek Odom

Heater Core

1. The heater core in a vehicle works much like the radiator does; hot coolant passes through tubes that help cool the liquid down. They are much smaller than the radiator, however, and are not used as a primary cooling system. Heater cores also use cooling fins, and are normally made out of aluminum for maximum heat transfer.

Components

2. The heater core is usually located under the dash of the automobile, and in most cases is very difficult to get to in case repair is needed. The two heater hoses that jut off of the water pump carry the water into and out of the cab of the vehicle, where it passes through the heater core. Once it cycles through the heater core, it is directed back out of the cab via the return heater hose. It is then dumped back into the main system where it flows through the block and radiator again.

How it Works

3. While the coolant is in the heater core, a fan blows the hot air that is coming off of the heater core through the ducting of the car, ultimately resulting in what we call the "heater." Once the heater controls are turned on a valve opens. This allows the heat from the core to pass through the vent system and enter the cabin. Depending on the fan speed, the hot air will come out slower or faster. Older systems required someone in the passenger compartment to manually turn the valve on or off via a lever. Today, it is done using engine vacuum and solenoids.

Problems

4. Like radiators, over time, heater cores will wear out. Corrosion is a major enemy to heater cores, and can be a source of blockage for the coolant because it effectively narrows the tubes. This can cause unusual amounts of pressure, which in turn can lead to leaks. If the coolant is not flushed and changed regularly, the small tubes in the core can get clogged up with residue, reducing or completely eliminating coolant flow.

What Uses Them?

5. Only water-cooled engines use a heater core. Air cooled models such as an older Volkswagen use only air from the motor's cooling fan, which is channeled into the passenger compartment and used as heat. The reason that turning on the heater sometimes works to cool down a hot engine is that it uses essentially the same process the radiator does. By turning the heater on full blast, the fan blows cooler air over the heater core, and effectively cools the liquid inside a bit. While this is not sufficient to use as the vehicle's only cooling system, it can help in a pinch.

Pre-heating

entire heating446 x 370 - 39k - jpgpurkautomotive.com

Heating System260 x 246 - 23k - jpgwhiterockautorepair.com