초록 ▼

An apparatus for preventing freeze-up of a pressure regulator valve in a liquified petroleum fuel system by heating the valve, a fuel expansion chamber and the fuel, after it has been expanded to a gaseous state, to counteract the refrigeration action produced by expansion of the gas at atmospheric

An apparatus for preventing freeze-up of a pressure regulator valve in a liquified petroleum fuel system by heating the valve, a fuel expansion chamber and the fuel, after it has been expanded to a gaseous state, to counteract the refrigeration action produced by expansion of the gas at atmospheric pressure. A heat pipe transfers heat from an internal combustion engine to the fuel expansion chamber, regulator valve and fuel. The fuel is heated to a selected temperature in the range of 80°F. to 140°F. The heat pipe can provide structural support to the fuel expansion chamber to facilitate the installation of the fuel conversion system. The heat pipe can comprise a metal pipe or a corrugated metal hose which allows relative movement between the condenser and the evaporator ends of the pipe. Additionally, a heat pipe using a porous wick can be used so that the fuel expansion chamber can be located below the attachment point of the evaporator portion of the heat pipe to the engine.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for preventing freeze-up of a pressure regulator valve in a liquified petroleum fuel system by heating the valve and by heating liquified petroleum fuel, that is expanded to a gas, to a selected temperature in the range of approximately 80°F. to 140°F. comprising: a. an internal combust

An apparatus for preventing freeze-up of a pressure regulator valve in a liquified petroleum fuel system by heating the valve and by heating liquified petroleum fuel, that is expanded to a gas, to a selected temperature in the range of approximately 80°F. to 140°F. comprising: a. an internal combustion engine for providing a source of heat; b. a fuel expansion chamber for holding the liquified petroleum fuel during expansion to a gaseous state; c. a heat pipe coupled to said internal combustion engine and to said fuel expansion chamber for transferring heat from said internal combustion engine to the regulator valve and to said fuel expansion chamber in an amount sufficient to maintain the fuel at a selected temperature in the temperature range of 80°F. to 140°F. after the fuel has expanded to a gaseous state; and d. a working fluid disposed in said heat pipe for transferring heat from said internal combustion engine to the regulator valve and to said fuel expansion chamber, said working fluid having a latent heat of vaporization and being provided in a quantity sufficient to maintain the selected temperature of the fuel in the temperature range of 80°F. to 140°F.