Air intake heater system and methods
AssigneeHidria Aet
InventorsPeter Ursic, Janez Urbas, Dean Kravos
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An air heater for heating intake air for an internal combustion engine is provided. The air heater may have a heating element with improved air flow redirection. The air heater may include a controller that is formed as an integral component with another component of an internal combustion engine such as an air intake manifold cover. The heater may include thermocouple circuitry for sensing the temperature of the heating element. Methods of calibrating the thermocouple circuitry are also provided. Methods of controlling the air heater while performing engine start are also provided.
Claims21
A method of operating an air heater system of an engine while starting the engine, the air heater system having an air heater having a heating element and a controller and the engine having a starter motor connected to a battery, the method including:
- activating the air heater to heat the heating element for a predetermined amount of time prior to activating the starter motor;
- reducing the supply of power to the air heater after the predetermined amount of time has elapsed;
- activating the starter motor after the step of reducing the supply of power to the air heater;
- and
- activating the air heater a second time to heat the heating element after a second amount of time while the starting motor remains activated.
A method of operating an air heater system during engine start of an engine, the air heater system having an air heater having a heating element and a controller and the engine having a starter motor connected to a battery, the method including:
- activating the air heater to heat the heating element for a predetermined amount of time prior to activating the starter motor;
- reducing the supply of power to the air heater after the predetermined amount of time has elapsed;
- activating the starter motor after the step of reducing the supply of power to the air heater;
- monitoring the voltage of the battery;
- and
- activating the air heater a second time to heat the heating element when the voltage of the battery is above a predetermined value while the starting motor remains activated.
A method of operating an air heater system of an engine while starting the engine, the air heater system having an air heater having a heating element and a controller and the engine having a starter motor connected to a battery, the method including:
- activating the air heater at a first power level to heat the heating element until a desired air heater temperature is reached;
- reducing the supply of power to a lower value and maintaining the desired air heater temperature;
- activating the starter motor while monitoring the battery voltage;
- and
- activating the air heater a second time to heat the heating element with lower power during engine cranking.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.