Apparatus for preventing freeze-up of a pressure regulator valve in a liquified petroleum fuel system

An apparatus for preventing freeze-up of a pressure regulator valve in a liquified petroleum fuel system by heating the valve and by heating liquified petroleum fuel, that is expanded to a gas, to a selected temperature in the range of approximately 80.degree. F. to 140.degree. F. comprising:

• a. an internal combustion engine for providing a source of heat;
• b. a fuel expansion chamber for holding the liquified petroleum fuel during expansion to a gaseous state;
• c. a heat pipe coupled to said internal combustion engine and to said fuel expansion chamber for transferring heat from said internal combustion engine to the regulator valve and to said fuel expansion chamber in an amount sufficient to maintain the fuel at a selected temperature in the temperature range of 80.degree. F. to 140.degree. F. after the fuel has expanded to a gaseous state;
• and
• d. a working fluid disposed in said heat pipe for transferring heat from said internal combustion engine to the regulator valve and to said fuel expansion chamber, said working fluid having a latent heat of vaporization and being provided in a quantity sufficient to maintain the selected temperature of the fuel in the temperature range of 80.degree. F. to 140.degree. F.