초록 ▼

In an engine cooling system, an upper coolant chamber and a lower coolant chamber of a typical engine, such as an internal combustion engine or fuel cell, are formed adjacent to the heat-emitting components of the engine, and a substantially anhydrous, boilable liquid coolant having a saturation tem

In an engine cooling system, an upper coolant chamber and a lower coolant chamber of a typical engine, such as an internal combustion engine or fuel cell, are formed adjacent to the heat-emitting components of the engine, and a substantially anhydrous, boilable liquid coolant having a saturation temperature higher than that of water is received within the engine coolant chambers. A coolant expansion reservoir defining an expansion chamber is coupled in fluid communication between the engine coolant chambers and the engine's ambient atmosphere for receiving coolant from the engine coolant chambers and permitting coolant flow between the expansion chamber and engine coolant chambers with thermal expansion and contraction of the coolant. The expansion reservoir is mounted within a desorption environment formed within the vehicle's engine bay on the exhaust side of the radiator for heating the coolant within the expansion chamber to a temperature at or above a predetermined temperature during a substantial period of engine operation in order to vaporize substantially all water from the coolant and thereby maintain the coolant in a substantially anhydrous state.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] An engine cooling system, comprising:at least one engine coolant chamber formed adjacent to heat-emitting components of the engine;a substantially anhydrous, boilable liquid coolant having a saturation temperature higher than that of water and received within the at least one engine

[ I claim:] [1.] An engine cooling system, comprising:at least one engine coolant chamber formed adjacent to heat-emitting components of the engine;a substantially anhydrous, boilable liquid coolant having a saturation temperature higher than that of water and received within the at least one engine coolant chamber;first means coupled in fluid communication between the at least one engine coolant chamber and the engine's ambient atmosphere for receiving coolant from the at least one engine coolant chamber and permitting coolant flow between the first means and the at least one engine coolant chamber with thermal expansion and contraction of the coolant; andsecond means for heating coolant within the first means to a temperature at or above a predetermined temperature during engine operation for vaporizing substantially all water from the coolant and thereby maintaining the coolant in a substantially anhydrous state. [18.] A method of cooling an engine having at least one engine coolant chamber formed adjacent to heat-emitting components of the engine, comprising the steps of:pumping a substantially anhydrous, boilable liquid coolant having a saturation temperature higher than that of water and distributing the pumped coolant through the at least one engine coolant chamber;directing coolant from the at least one engine coolant chamber into an expansion chamber and permitting coolant flow between the engine coolant chamber and expansion chamber;heating the coolant within the expansion chamber to a temperature at or above a predetermined temperature and in turn vaporizing substantially all water from the coolant; andventilating the expansion chamber to exhaust vapor therefrom and maintain the coolant in a substantially anhydrous state. A method of cooling an engine as defined in claim 18, comprising the step of maintaining the coolant in the expansion chamber at or above the predetermined temperature during at least 50% of the total periods of engine operation.