초록 ▼

A fuel heater is provided for internal combustion engines utilized on motorized vehicles and utilizing a fuel stored as a liquid. The fuel passes through a frusto-conically shaped coil within a heat exchanger wherein heat is transferred thereto from engine heated cooling fluid which enters the excha

A fuel heater is provided for internal combustion engines utilized on motorized vehicles and utilizing a fuel stored as a liquid. The fuel passes through a frusto-conically shaped coil within a heat exchanger wherein heat is transferred thereto from engine heated cooling fluid which enters the exchanger tangentially and exits axially therefrom. Flow of the fluid through the exchanger is controlled by the speed of the water pump and by an ambient temperature sensitive valve. Preferably, there is also a restriction device for the liquid which sets an initial temperature therein which temperature after setting is generally maintained by cooperation between the pump and the ambient temperature sensitive valve.

대표청구항 ▼

A fuel heating system in combination with an internal combustion engine utilizing the fuel for powering a motorized vehicle; said vehicle including a cooling mechanism wherein cooling fluid is recirculated through the engine and a fuel pump means for pumping the fuel from storage to the engine; said

A fuel heating system in combination with an internal combustion engine utilizing the fuel for powering a motorized vehicle; said vehicle including a cooling mechanism wherein cooling fluid is recirculated through the engine and a fuel pump means for pumping the fuel from storage to the engine; said fuel heating system comprising: (a) a heat exchanger having said fuel flowing therethrough and said fuel receiving heat therein; (b) said heat exchanger being flow connected with a flow path of said fuel between said pump means and said engine; (c) said heat exchanger also having said fluid flowing therethrough after being heated by said engine; said fluid and said fuel being separated so as not to mix; (d) engine thermostat means for controlling the temperature of said fluid after flowing through and being heated by said engine operating under normal conditions; (e) cooling fluid pump means controlling flow of fluid through said engine in association with said thermostat; said cooling fluid pump means under normal operating conditions varying flow of said fluid through said engine in approximate proportion to use of said fuel which is in approximate proportion to speed of the engine; (f) regulating means controlling flow of said fluid through said heat exchanger in cooperation with said cooling fluid pump means and being responsive to ambient air temperature; (g) whereby under constant ambient air temperature said heated fluid at a substantially constant temperature flows into said heat exchanger in approximate proportion to said fuel and thereby heats said fuel to a relatively constant temperature and flow of said heated fluid increases as ambient air temperature decreases and decreases as ambient air temperature increases thereby maintaining a relatively constant temperature in said fuel prior to entry thereof into said engine, wherein: (h) said heat exchanger is a concurrent shell and tube type with said fuel flowing through said tube and said fluid flowing through said shell about said tube; and (i) said tube comprises a frusto-conical shaped helix.