# US 2013/0152818 A1 · Fuel heating system for a multi-engine machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0152818 A1 - Document ID: US20130152818A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/326,758 - Filed: 2011-12-15 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-15 - Inventors: Matthew G. HOLL - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152818A1 ## CPC - B61C 17/04: Arrangement or disposition of driving cabins, footplates or engine rooms; Ventilation thereof (driving cabins and accessories B61D) - B61C 5/04: Arrangement or disposition of exhaust apparatus - F02M 31/14: by using heat from working cylinders or cylinder heads - B61C: LOCOMOTIVES; MOTOR RAILCARS (vehicles in general B60; frames or bogies B61F; special railroad equipment for locomotives B61J, B61K) - F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF ## Abstract A fuel heating system for a machine is disclosed. The fuel heating system may have a fuel tank, and a fuel supply line fluidly connected to the fuel tank, to a first engine, and to a second engine. The fuel heating system may also have a first heat exchanger fluidly connected to the first engine to transfer heat from the first engine to fuel in the fuel supply line. In addition, the fuel heating system may have a second heat exchanger fluidly connected to transfer heat from the second engine to fuel in the fuel supply line. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fuel heating system, comprising: a fuel tank; a fuel supply line fluidly connected to the fuel tank, to a first engine, and to a second engine; a first heat exchanger fluidly connected to transfer heat from the first engine to fuel in the fuel supply line; and a second heat exchanger fluidly connected to transfer heat from the second engine to fuel in the fuel supply line. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fuel heating system of claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged in series relative to the fuel supply line. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fuel heating system of claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger heats the fuel in the fuel supply line when the first engine is operative and the second engine is inoperative or when both are operative, and the second heat exchanger heats the fuel in the fuel supply line when the first engine is inoperative and the second engine is operative or when both are operative. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fuel heating system of claim 1, further including: a first thermostatic valve configured to control a flow rate of coolant from the first engine through the first heat exchanger such that the fuel in the fuel supply line is heated to a first temperature in the first heat exchanger; and a second thermostatic valve configured to control the flow rate of coolant from the second engine through the second heat exchanger such that the fuel in the fuel supply line is heated to a second temperature in the second heat exchanger. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fuel heating system of claim 1, further including a controller configured to start at least one of the first and second engines when both the first engine and the second engine are inoperative and a temperature of fuel in the fuel supply line is below a threshold temperature. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The fuel heating system of claim 5, wherein the threshold temperature is a temperature below which wax compounds precipitate out of the fuel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The fuel heating system of claim 6, wherein the threshold temperature is about 32° F. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The fuel heating system of claim 2, wherein the first engine is configured to generate more power than the second engine. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The fuel heating system of claim 4, wherein fuel is heated to a temperature of about 85° F. within the first and second heat exchangers. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fuel heating system of claim 1, wherein the fuel supply line supplies fuel to the first engine after passing through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. ### Claim 11 A method of heating fuel, comprising: circulating coolant from a first engine through a first heat exchanger; circulating coolant from a second engine through a second heat exchanger; selectively directing fuel through the first and second heat exchangers to at least one of the first and second engines. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second heat exchangers are arranged in series. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further including: controlling a flow rate of coolant from the first engine through the first heat exchanger such that the fuel is heated to a first temperature; and controlling a flow rate of coolant from the second engine through the second heat exchanger such that the fuel is heated to a second higher temperature. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further including: detecting a temperature of fuel in the fuel supply line directed through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; and starting at least one of the first and second engines in response to a temperature of fuel in the fuel supply line being below a threshold temperature. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein fuel directed to the first engine and the second engine is heated in the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to a temperature above precipitation temperature of the fuel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the fuel is heated to a temperature of above about 32° F. ### Claim 17 A locomotive comprising: a platform; a plurality of wheels configured to support the platform; a fuel tank mounted to the platform; a first engine mounted to the platform; a second engine mounted on the platform; a fuel supply line fluidly connecting the fuel tank to the first engine and to the second engine; a fuel filter in the fuel supply line upstream of the first and second engines; a fuel valve configured to direct a desired amount of fuel to the first engine and the second engine; a first heat exchanger fluidly connected to transfer heat from the first engine to fuel in the fuel supply line; a second heat exchanger fluidly connected to transfer heat from the second engine to fuel in the fuel supply line; a first thermostatic valve to control a flow rate of coolant from the first engine through the first heat exchanger; and a second thermostatic valve to control a flow rate of coolant from the second engine through the second heat exchanger. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The locomotive of claim 17, wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged in series. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The locomotive of claim 17, wherein the first engine is configured to generate more power than the second engine. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The locomotive of claim 17, further including a controller configured to start at least one of the first and second engines when both the first engine and the second engine are inoperative and a temperature of fuel in the fuel supply line is below a threshold temperature.