IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0889707
(2004-07-13)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Rogers,C. James
- Zobel,Werner
- Voss,Mark G.
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Modine Manufacturing Company
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대리인 / 주소 |
Wood, Phillips, Katz, Clark &
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
8 인용 특허 :
16 |
초록
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A coolant system includes a heat exchange circuit capable of being in a heat exchange relationship with a heat generating component, such as an engine, to remove thermal energy from the engine and transfer the thermal energy to a coolant, and an insulated tank in fluid communication with the heat ex
A coolant system includes a heat exchange circuit capable of being in a heat exchange relationship with a heat generating component, such as an engine, to remove thermal energy from the engine and transfer the thermal energy to a coolant, and an insulated tank in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit. The system also includes a control and associated conduits and valves for passing coolant through the heat exchange circuit and the insulated tank so as to fill the tank with a first volume of coolant in a first operational state, for passing an additional amount of coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the insulated tank so as to fill the insulated tank with a second volume of coolant which is greater than the first volume of coolant in a second operational state, and for passing the additional amount of coolant from the insulated tank to the heat exchange circuit in a third operational state. A method of operating the coolant system to store thermal energy is also provided.
대표청구항
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The invention claimed is: 1. A coolant system comprising: a heat exchange circuit capable of being in a heat exchange relationship with an engine to remove thermal energy from the engine and transfer the thermal energy to a coolant; an insulated tank in fluid communication with the heat exchange ci
The invention claimed is: 1. A coolant system comprising: a heat exchange circuit capable of being in a heat exchange relationship with an engine to remove thermal energy from the engine and transfer the thermal energy to a coolant; an insulated tank in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit; and a control and associated conduits and valves for passing coolant through the heat exchange circuit and the insulated tank so as to fill the tank with a first volume of coolant in a first operational state, for passing an additional amount of coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the insulated tank so as to fill the insulated tank with a second volume of coolant which is greater than the first volume of coolant in a second operational state, and for passing the additional amount of coolant from the insulated tank to the heat exchange circuit in a third operational state. 2. The coolant system according to claim 1, wherein: the insulated tank has first and second ports, and the control comprises a first valve in fluid communication with the first port and the heat exchange circuit, a second valve in fluid communication with the second port and the heat exchange circuit, the first and second valves having a first operational state wherein both valves are open to allow coolant to pass from the heat exchange circuit through the tank and a second operational state wherein the first valve is open and the second valve is closed to allow coolant to enter or exit the tank, and a pump in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit and the first valve and having a first operational state wherein the pump passes coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the tank and a second operational state wherein the pump passes coolant from the tank to the heat exchange circuit. 3. The coolant system according to claim 2, wherein the pump comprises a reversible, positive displacement pump. 4. The coolant system according to claim 3, further comprising a conduit in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit and the first port of the tank to allow coolant to pass between the heat exchange circuit and the tank without passing through the first valve. 5. The coolant system according to claim 4, further comprising a third valve in fluid communication with the conduit to limit the flow of coolant from the tank to the heat exchange circuit through the conduit. 6. The coolant system according to claim 5, wherein the third valve comprises a check valve. 7. The coolant system according to claim 2, further comprising a coolant-to-air heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first valve and the pump to receive coolant passing between the tank and the heat exchange circuit. 8. The coolant system according to claim 2, wherein the heat exchange circuit comprises a radiator, an engine jacket in fluid communication with the radiator, and a circulation pump in fluid communication with the radiator and the engine jacket to pass coolant between the radiator and the engine jacket. 9. The coolant system according to claim 1, wherein: the insulated tank has a first wall; and the control includes a second wall which with the first wall defines a coolant reservoir therebetween in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit, the second wall being moveable relative to the first wall between first and second positions to vary the volume of the coolant reservoir between the first volume and the second volume. 10. The coolant system according to claim 9, wherein the first wall encloses a space, and the second wall is disposed in the space to divide the space to define the coolant reservoir and a control fluid reservoir, the coolant reservoir and the control fluid reservoir being hydraulically isolated from each other. 11. The coolant system according to claim 10, wherein the second wall comprises a flexible membrane. 12. The coolant system according to claim 10, the control further comprising a pump in fluid communication with the control fluid reservoir to pass control fluid into the control fluid reservoir in a first operational state to move the second wall in a first direction and to pass fluid out of the control fluid reservoir in a second operation state to move the second wall in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 13. The coolant system according to claim 12, the control further comprising a valve in fluid communication with the control fluid reservoir and the pump, the valve having a first operational state wherein the valve is open to allow fluid to pass between the control fluid reservoir and the pump and a second operational state wherein the valve is closed to limit fluid from passing between the control fluid reservoir and the pump. 14. A coolant system comprising: a heat exchange circuit capable of being in a heat exchange relationship with an engine to remove thermal energy from the engine and transfer the thermal energy to a coolant; an insulated tank having first and second ports; a first valve in fluid communication with the first port and the heat exchange circuit; a second valve in fluid communication with the second port and the heat exchange circuit; the first and second valves having a first operational state wherein both valves are open to allow coolant to pass from the heat exchange circuit through the tank and a second operational state wherein the first valve is open and the second valve is closed to allow coolant to enter or exit the tank to alter the volume of coolant stored in the tank; and a pump in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit and the first valve and having a first operational state wherein the pump passes coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the tank and a second operational state wherein the pump passes coolant from the tank to the heat exchange circuit. 15. A coolant system comprising: a heat exchange circuit capable of being in a heat exchange relationship with an engine to remove thermal energy from the engine and transfer the thermal energy to a coolant; an insulated tank having a first wall; and a second wall which with the first wall defines a coolant reservoir therebetween in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit, the second wall being moveable relative to the first wall between first and second positions to vary the volume of the coolant reservoir between the first volume and the second volume, wherein the first wall encloses a space, and the second wall is disposed in the space to divide the space to define the coolant reservoir and a control fluid reservoir, the coolant reservoir and the control fluid reservoir being hydraulically isolated from each other. 16. A method of operating a coolant system to store thermal energy comprising the steps of: providing an engine, a heat exchange circuit in a heat exchange relationship with the engine to remove thermal energy from the engine and transfer the thermal energy to a coolant and an insulated tank; passing the coolant through the heat exchange circuit and the insulated tank so as to fill the tank with a first volume of coolant in a first operational state; passing an additional amount of coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the insulated tank so as to fill the insulated tank with a second volume of coolant which is greater than the first volume of coolant in a second operational state; retaining the second volume of coolant in the insulated tank in a third operational state; and passing the additional amount of coolant from the insulated tank to the heat exchange circuit in a fourth operational state. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of passing an additional amount of coolant from the heat exchange circuit to the insulated tank comprises the sequential steps of deactivating the engine, waiting a period of time, and passing an additional amount of coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the insulated tank so as to fill the insulated tank with a second volume of coolant which is greater than the first volume of coolant in a second operational state after the period of time has elapsed. 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of passing the additional amount of coolant from the insulated tank to the heat exchange circuit comprises the sequential steps of determining whether an engine activation signal is present, and passing the additional amount of coolant from the insulated tank to the heat exchange circuit in a fourth operational state if the engine activation signal is present. 19. The method according to claim 16, wherein: the step of providing an insulated tank comprises the step of providing an insulated tank with first and second spaced walls defining a coolant reservoir therebetween in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit, the second wall being moveable relative to the first wall to vary the volume of the coolant reservoir; the step of passing an additional amount of coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the insulated tank comprises the step of moving the second wall in a first direction to draw coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the coolant reservoir; and the step of passing the additional amount of coolant from the insulated tank to the heat exchange circuit comprises the step of moving the second wall in a second direction opposite to the first direction to exhaust the coolant from the coolant reservoir into the heat exchange circuit. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of moving the second wall in a first direction to draw coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the coolant reservoir comprises the sequential steps of deactivating the engine, waiting a period of time, and moving the second wall in a first direction to draw coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the coolant reservoir after the period of time has elapsed. 21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of moving the second wall in a second direction opposite to the first direction to exhaust the coolant from the coolant reservoir into the heat exchange circuit comprises the sequential steps of determining whether an engine activation signal is present, and moving the second wall in a second direction opposite to the first direction to exhaust the coolant from the coolant reservoir into the heat exchange circuit if the engine activation signal is present. 22. A coolant system comprising: a heat exchange circuit capable of being in a heat exchange relationship with a heat generating component to remove thermal energy therefrom and transfer the thermal energy to a coolant; an insulated tank in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit; and a control and associated conduits and valves for passing coolant through the heat exchange circuit and the insulated tank so as to fill the tank with a first volume of coolant in a first operational state, for passing an additional amount of coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the insulated tank so as to fill the insulated tank with a second volume of coolant which is greater than the first volume of coolant in a second operational state, and for passing the additional amount of coolant from the insulated tank to the heat exchange circuit in a third operational state. 23. The coolant system according to claim 22, wherein: the insulated tank has first and second ports, and the control comprises a first valve in fluid communication with the first port and the heat exchange circuit, a second valve in fluid communication with the second port and the heat exchange circuit, the first and second valves having a first operational state wherein both valves are open to allow coolant to pass from the heat exchange circuit through the tank and a second operational state wherein the first valve is open and the second valve is closed to allow coolant to enter or exit the tank, and a pump in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit and the first valve and having a first operational state wherein the pump passes coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the tank and a second operational state wherein the pump passes coolant from the tank to the heat exchange circuit. 24. The coolant system according to claim 23, wherein the pump comprises a reversible, positive displacement pump. 25. The coolant system according to claim 24, further comprising a conduit in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit and the first port of the tank to allow coolant to pass between the heat exchange circuit and the tank without passing through the first valve. 26. The coolant system according to claim 25, further comprising a third valve in fluid communication with the conduit to limit the flow of coolant from the tank to the heat exchange circuit through the conduit. 27. The coolant system according to claim 26, wherein the third valve comprises a check valve. 28. The coolant system according to claim 22, wherein: the insulated tank has a first wall; and the control includes a second wall which with the first wall defines a coolant reservoir therebetween in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit, the second wall being moveable relative to the first wall between first and second positions to vary the volume of the coolant reservoir between the first volume and the second volume. 29. The coolant system according to claim 28, wherein the first wall encloses a space, and the second wall is disposed in the space to divide the space to define the coolant reservoir and a control fluid reservoir, the coolant reservoir and the control fluid reservoir being hydraulically isolated from each other. 30. The coolant system according to claim 29, wherein the second wall comprises a flexible membrane. 31. The coolant system according to claim 29, the control further comprising a pump in fluid communication with the control fluid reservoir to pass control fluid into the control fluid reservoir in a first operational state to move the second wall in a first direction and to pass fluid out of the control fluid reservoir in a second operation state to move the second wall in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 32. The coolant system according to claim 31, the control further comprising a valve in fluid communication with the control fluid reservoir and the pump, the valve having a first operational state wherein the valve is open to allow fluid to pass between the control fluid reservoir and the pump and a second operational state wherein the valve is closed to limit fluid from passing between the control fluid reservoir and the pump. 33. A coolant system comprising: a heat exchange circuit capable of being in a heat exchange relationship with a heat generating component to remove thermal energy therefrom and transfer the thermal energy to a coolant; an insulated tank having first and second ports; a first valve in fluid communication with the first port and the heat exchange circuit; a second valve in fluid communication with the second port and the heat exchange circuit; the first and second valves having a first operational state wherein both valves are open to allow coolant to pass from the heat exchange circuit through the tank and a second operational state wherein the first valve is open and the second valve is closed to allow coolant to enter or exit the tank to alter the volume of coolant stored in the tank; and a pump in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit and the first valve and having a first operational state wherein the pump passes coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the tank and a second operational state wherein the pump passes coolant from the tank to the heat exchange circuit. 34. A coolant system comprising: a heat exchange circuit capable of being in a heat exchange relationship with a heat generating component to remove thermal energy therefrom and transfer the thermal energy to a coolant; an insulated tank having a first wall; and a second wall which with the first wall defines a coolant reservoir therebetween in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit, the second wall being moveable relative to the first wall between first and second positions to vary the volume of the coolant reservoir between the first volume and the second volume, wherein the first wall encloses a space, and the second wall is disposed in the space to divide the space to define the coolant reservoir and a control fluid reservoir, the coolant reservoir and the control fluid reservoir being hydraulically isolated from each other. 35. A method of operating a coolant system to store thermal energy comprising the steps of: providing a heat exchange circuit in a heat exchange relationship with a heat generating component to remove thermal energy therefrom and transfer the thermal energy to a coolant and an insulated tank; passing the coolant through the heat exchange circuit and the insulated tank so as to fill the tank with a first volume of coolant in a first operational state; passing an additional amount of coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the insulated tank so as to fill the insulated tank with a second volume of coolant which is greater than the first volume of coolant in a second operational state; retaining the second volume of coolant in the insulated tank in a third operational state; and passing the additional amount of coolant from the insulated tank to the heat exchange circuit in a fourth operational state. 36. The method according to claim 35, wherein: the step of providing an insulated tank comprises the step of providing an insulated tank with first and second spaced walls defining a coolant reservoir therebetween in fluid communication with the heat exchange circuit, the second wall being moveable relative to the first wall to vary the volume of the coolant reservoir; the step of passing an additional amount of coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the insulated tank comprises the step of moving the second wall in a first direction to draw coolant from the heat exchange circuit into the coolant reservoir; and the step of passing the additional amount of coolant from the insulated tank to the heat exchange circuit comprises the step of moving the second wall in a second direction opposite to the first direction to exhaust the coolant from the coolant reservoir into the heat exchange circuit.
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