초록 ▼

An engine pre-heater system comprising a housing having a passage extending therethrough for passage of coolant through the pre-heater. The housing provides at least one opening defined therein separate from the passage, and an electric heating element is inserted therein, the heating element projec

An engine pre-heater system comprising a housing having a passage extending therethrough for passage of coolant through the pre-heater. The housing provides at least one opening defined therein separate from the passage, and an electric heating element is inserted therein, the heating element projecting into the passage whereby the heating element is in direct contact with the coolant to heat it. The heating element is supplied with electrical power from a power source for enabling it to heat the coolant, and a lower end of the heating element is L-shaped, the lower end thus being substantially perpendicular in relationship to the remainder of the heating element, giving the heating element a greater surface area with which to contact, and thus heat the coolant. The engine pre-heater system is also operably able to heat the coolant, engine oil and transmission oil, therefore heating the coolant and warming the engine in a faster and more efficient manner for quick start-ups.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An engine pre-heater system for a vehicle comprising: a housing interconnected with a radiator and engine block of the vehicle to form a fluid flow circuit and having a passage extending therethrough for permitting a passage of coolant through the housing, the housing having at least one opening

1. An engine pre-heater system for a vehicle comprising: a housing interconnected with a radiator and engine block of the vehicle to form a fluid flow circuit and having a passage extending therethrough for permitting a passage of coolant through the housing, the housing having at least one opening defined thereon which is in communication with the passage;at least one heating element inserted into the at least one opening of the housing and having a substantially vertical upper stem body and an elongated lower end being connected thereto in a substantially perpendicular relationship to the substantially vertical upper stem body, the elongated lower end being constructed and arranged for insertion into the at least one opening and projecting into the passage whereby the elongated lower end is in direct contact with the coolant in the passage; wherein the connection portion of the heating element is made of austenitic nickel chromium-based super-alloys; and wherein the substantially vertical upper stem body is accessible from an exterior surface of the housing to permit removal of the at least one heating element from the housing without disassembly of the housing and without disconnection of the housing from the fluid flow circuit;an electrical power source constructed and arranged for connection to the at least one heating element to provide electrical power thereto, and for enabling the at least one heating element to directly heat the coolant;a pump in communication with the pre-heater system for continuously circulating the coolant throughout the fluid flow circuit; anda heat transfer means connected to the fluid flow circuit, the heat transfer means being configured to transfer heat from the heated coolant flowing in the fluid flow circuit to a space heated by the pre-heater system; wherein the electrical power source is at least one of a power pack and an electrical battery. 2. The engine pre-heater system of claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted to be mounted generally horizontally. 3. The engine pre-heater system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an inlet adjacent one end of the housing for flow of coolant into the housing and an outlet adjacent the opposite end of the housing for flow of the heated coolant out of the housing. 4. The engine pre-heater system of claim 1, wherein the at least one heating element is a glow plug. 5. The engine pre-heater system of claim 1, further comprising a thermostatic control in association with the at least one heating element and the coolant in the housing, wherein the thermostatic control is adapted to turn the at least one heating element off when a temperature of the coolant exceeds a pre-determined level. 6. The engine pre-heater system of claim 5, wherein the thermostatic control is positioned relative to an inlet of the housing. 7. The engine pre-heater system of claim 5, wherein the thermostatic control is adapted to turn the at least one heating element on when a temperature of the coolant falls below a pre-set level. 8. The engine pre-heater system of claim 1, wherein the passage of the housing extends substantially horizontally throughout a length of the housing. 9. The engine pre-heater system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of openings defined therein, each of which are separate from the passage and each having a corresponding heating element inserted therein. 10. The engine pre-heater system of claim 1, further comprising a remote device for activating, at a distance from an interior of the vehicle, the electrical power source to provide the electrical power to the at least one heating element for pre-heating the engine and pre-heating an interior of the vehicle when an engine of the vehicle is not in operation. 11. The engine pre-heater system of claim 1, wherein the electrical power source is further constructed and arranged for connection to a car battery of the vehicle, for providing electrical power thereto. 12. The engine pre-heater system of claim 1, wherein the elongated lower end of the at least one heating element is connected to the substantially vertical upper stem body at a substantially angled relationship, in a range of between 45 degrees to 90 degrees. 13. An engine pre-heater system for a vehicle comprising: a housing interconnected with a radiator and engine block of the vehicle to form a fluid flow circuit and having a passage extending therethrough for permitting a passage of coolant through the housing, the housing having at least one opening defined thereon which is in communication with the passage;at least one heating element inserted into the at least one opening of the housing and having a substantially vertical upper stem body and an elongated lower end being connected thereto in a substantially perpendicular relationship to the substantially vertical upper stem body, the elongated lower end being constructed and arranged for insertion into the at least one opening and projecting into the passage whereby the elongated lower end is in direct contact with the coolant in the passage; wherein the connection portion of the heating element is made of austenitic nickel chromium-based super-alloys; and wherein the substantially vertical upper stem body is accessible from an exterior surface of the housing to permit removal of the at least one heating element from the housing without disassembly of the housing and without disconnection of the housing from the fluid flow circuit;an electrical power source constructed and arranged for connection to the at least one heating element to provide electrical power thereto, and for enabling the at least one heating element to directly heat the coolant;a pump in communication with the pre-heater system for continuously circulating the coolant throughout the fluid flow circuit; anda heat transfer means connected to the fluid flow circuit, the heat transfer means being configured to transfer heat from the heated coolant flowing in the fluid flow circuit to a space heated by the pre-heater systema remote device for activating, at a distance from an interior of the vehicle, the electrical power source to provide the electrical power to the at least one heating element for pre-heating the engine and pre-eating an interior of the vehicle when an engine of the vehicle is not in operation.