Bypass device for reservoir and intake conduit heating of power fluids
AssigneeArctic Fox Heaters, Inc.
InventorCharles H. Ramberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for controlling the temperature of a power fluid comprising a temperature responsive mechanical manifold which automatically bypasses a heating or cooling heat exchange medium from flow into a heat exchange conduit in a reservoir tank and around a power fluid intake conduit. Improved heat rise within the power fluid intake conduit is accomplished by a baffle assembly. The bypassing of heat exchange medium from the heat exchange conduit is controlled by the fuel temperature sensed proximate the outlet end of the power fluid intake conduit.
Claims15
A bypass device for use in a power fluid system which heats a power fluid reservoir tank and intake conduit by using a heatable fluid, the bypass device comprising:
- (a) heat exchanger means for heating power fluid located in the reservoir tank and intake conduit, the heat exchanger means comprising (i) a cylindrical, heat conductive, external shell casing which is operatively configured for insertion into the reservoir tank to be in contact with the power fluid, (ii) inlet means for admitting the heatable fluid into the casing, and (iii) outlet means for discharging the heatable fluid from the casing;
- (b) a power fluid intake conduit, supported by the heat exchanger means, including an inlet, an outlet, and a first portion extending generally axially through the heat exchanger means and terminating with the inlet;
- and
- (c) a bypass manifold means, operably connected to the heat exchanger means and the power fluid intake conduit, for selectively admitting flow of the heatable fluid into the heat exchanger inlet means in response to a particular temperature of the power fluid proximate the power fluid intake conduit outlet being below a predetermined minimum value, the bypass manifold means comprising means for completely bypassing the heat exchanger means when the particular temperature of the power fluid exceeds a predetermined maximum value.
A bypass device for controlling a power fluid temperature in a power fluid system having a reservoir tank, the power fluid temperature control occurring at a location in the bypass device so that the power fluid temperature is carefully sensed and controlled while avoiding damage to temperature sensitive elements functioning with the power fluid system, the bypass device comprising:
- (a) heat exchanger means for heating power fluid located in the reservoir tank, the heat exchanger comprising (i) a cylindrical, heat conductive, external shell casing which is operatively configured for insertion into the reservoir tank to be in contact with the power fluid, (ii) inlet means for admitting a heated fluid into the casing, and (iii) outlet means for discharging the heatable fluid from the casing;
- (b) a first power fluid intake conduit, supported by the heat exchanger means, including an inlet, an outlet, and a first portion extending generally axially through the heat exchanger means and terminating with the inlet;
- (c) a second power fluid intake conduit, positioned adjacent the interior surface of the first power fluid intake conduit, including an inlet and an outlet which is operatively configured for insertion into the reservoir tank;
- (d) manifold means, defined by apertures constructed and arranged for providing fluid flow paths for the heated fluid and power fluid, for controlling fluid flow through the bypass device, the manifold means comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and side portions, the bottom portion including connection means for connecting the manifold means with the heat exchanger means and the first power fluid intake conduit;
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- (e) bypass means, located within the manifold means, for selectively admitting flow of the heated fluid through internal chambers of the manifold means and through the heat exchanger means in response to a particular temperature of the power fluid in a power fluid manifold means outlet flow path which is adjacent to a location where the power fluid thermally influences temperature sensitive elements functioning with the power fluid system, the bypass means admitting flow of the heated fluid to the heat exchanger means when the particular temperature of the power fluid is below a predetermined minimum value, and the bypass means bypassing the heat exchanger means when the particular temperature of the power fluid exceeds a predetermined maximum value.
A method for controlling a power fluid temperature in a power fluid system having a reservoir tank by using a bypass device, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a bypass device comprising an external shell heat exchanger casing, a power fluid intake conduit positioned within the heat exchanger casing, and a bypass manifold, operatively coupled to the heat exchanger casing and the power fluid intake conduit, for selectively admitting flow of a heated fluid into the heat exchanger casing or bypassing flow of said heated fluid;
- (b) inserting the bypass device into a power fluid gauge sending unit opening in the reservoir tank;
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- (c) sensing a particular temperature of power fluid which is proximate an outlet of the power fluid intake conduit and controlling the selective admitting or bypassing flow of said heated fluid to maintain the temperature of the power fluid in the reservoir tank substantially near a predetermined value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.