WO2019078767A1

WO2019078767A1 - Engine heater system operated with at least one accumulator

Info

Publication number: WO2019078767A1
Application number: PCT/SE2018/000026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ola ENGMAN
Original assignee: Nor Green Tech Concept Ab
Priority date: 2017-10-18
Filing date: 2018-10-18
Publication date: 2019-04-25

Abstract

Engine heater system (1), intended to heat a vehicle engine and/or at least one space in the vehicle, which system (1) comprises or is connected to at least one fluidized heating system (5). The heating system (5) comprises at least one first subsystem (7) connected to the engine block (4) and at least one second subsystem (8) connected to the vehicle heat pack (6). The subsystems (7, 8) can be coupled and disconnected via at least one first valve (9) and at least one second valve (10). The first subsystem (7) comprises at least one first circulation pump (11) and a first heater (12) and the second subsystem (8) comprises at least one second circulation pump (13). The system (1) comprises at least one subsystem with separate accumulators (16) for operating at least one of the system heaters in the subsystems (7, 8) and / or heat exchanger fan assembly (23) in the inner space.

Description

Engine heater system operated with at least one accumulator

Technical area

The present invention relates to an engine heater system according to the claims. Technical Background and Prior Art

In cold weather, it is problematic, or impossible, to start a vehicle engine if it is not heated before starting. Equipment for heating the vehicles engines, so-called engine heaters, has therefore been developed in several variants. Starting with a cold engine increases the wear on the engine parts and results in increased emissions of exhaust gases compared to the start of the heated engine.

Another problem in cold weather is that the vehicle's compartment is cooled quickly. In order to heat the vehicle's compartment, different variants of the cabin heaters have been developed. Both electric heaters and diesel / gas heater have been developed. The problem with electric heaters is that they consume electrical energy that is supplied via connection to an external power grid or consumes energy from the vehicle's battery. When operating electric heaters from the vehicle's battery, these risk being charged to such an extent that the engine cannot be started without charging the batteries.

Working vehicles such as lorries or other work vehicles relate to situations where the driver pause, breaks or the like. In cold weather, low temperature, the cab has to be heated to make it comfortable for the driver. This can happen if the driver has started the engine and heats the cab with the regular heating system or alternatively the vehicle is fitted with a diesel or gas heater and the cab is heated with it. This has the disadvantage of the formation of exhaust gases which are unnecessarily burdened on the environment.

Another problem with existing designs is that the system for heating the engine and compartment is a common system and does not consist of separate subsystems such as in the present system. This means that known systems need to heat the entire system and not only choose to heat engine or compartment. Known systems therefore lack the ability to control the energy to the part of the system that needs it, ie engine or compartment. Known constructions therefore also have problems with controlling the compartment and engine heater in a simple way with a separate unit. Equipment for heating the engine's engine so-called engine heater is known in the past. For example, in the patent US2006032844A1, a system is disclosed for use in heating a vehicle engine. The system includes valve and pump and electric heater. The construction differs to a substantial extent from the construction in accordance with the present patent application. This system lacks the ability to separate the engine and compartment part therefore does not give it the same opportunity to heat the right part when needed and thus reduce the energy requirement.

The patent application W09845596A1 describes a device for use in heating a vehicle engine. The equipment includes valve and pump and a "kind of thermos" for storing hot water. The construction differs to a significant extent from the construction in accordance with the present patent application. This equipment lacks the ability to separate the engine and the compartment part therefore does not give it the same opportunity to heat the right part when needed and thus reduce the energy requirement

The patent application DE32177S8A describes a device intended to be used for the heating of a motor vehicle. The equipment includes valve and pump and electric heater. This equipment has only one pump and one heater, which means that it cannot be controlled to heat either the compartment and or motor and therefore it would require significantly more energy. The construction differs to a significant extent from the construction in accordance with the present patent application. This equipment lacks the ability to separate the engine and the compartment part therefore does not give it the same opportunity to heat the right part when needed and thus reduce the energy requirement

The patent US5749329A describes a device intended for use in the heating of a vehicle's engine. The equipment includes valve and pump as well as a "kind of thermos" for storing hot water. The construction differs to a significant extent from the construction in accordance with the present patent application. This equipment is based on storing heat in some kind of thermos while traveling and then able to use it to heat the engine during idle before starting. It is unlikely that this heat stored in water media will suffice to heat the compartment during the night and the engine before starting.

The patent US2002195068 A 1 describes a system intended for use in the heating of a vehicle engine. The system includes valve and pump and a "kind of thermos" for storing hot water. The construction differs to a significant extent from the construction in accordance with the present patent application. This system is based on storing heat in some kind of thermos during travel and then able to use it to heat engine during idle before starting. It is unlikely that this heat stored in water media will suffice to heat the compartment during the night and the engine before starting.

The object of the present invention

The purpose of the present patent application is to eliminate or substantially reduce at least one of the aforesaid, or any of the following description, problems with the existing types of engine heater and engine heating and / or vehicle compartment systems. The object is solved with a system according to the claims.

Brief description of figures

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the

accompanying schematic drawings, which exemplify the presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows schematically a first embodiment of the system. Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the system. Detailed Description of the Invention

With reference to the figures, a system 1 according to the present invention will be described in more detail. The system 1 is intended to be connected to or integrated with a vehicle (not shown in figure) and the vehicle's electrical system 2. The vehicle comprises at least one engine 3 with engine block 4 and at least one internal space such as the cabin's cab, compartment or the like. The vehicle further comprises at least one heating system 5 with a heat pack 6. The heating system 5 consists of a fluid system which is preferably water with optional additives such as, for example, the addition of glycol. The vehicle may otherwise be of various types and is not limiting to the present invention.

The heating system S is modified to include at least one first subsystem 7 and at least one second subsystem 8. The first subsystem 7 may be coupled or coupled to the second subsystem 8. The interconnection of the first subsystem 7 and the second subsystem 8 is done in the exemplary the system of at least one first valve 9 and at least one second valve 10 which can be operated between an open and a closed position. The first subsystem 7 comprises at least one circulation pump 11 and at least one heater 12, heat generating unit or the like. The second subsystem 8 comprises at least one second circulation pump 13 and at least one second heater 14, heat generating unit or the like. The first heater 12 and the second heater 14 are preferably electrically powered. In alternative embodiments, one or both heaters may be powered by another technical solution suitable for the purpose.

The system 1 comprises a subsystem 15 for supply, supply of electrical energy which is connected or integrated with the vehicle's electrical system 2. The subsystem 15 comprises at least one accumulator 16, battery pack, battery or the like. During operation of the motor 3, electrical energy is generated by at least one generator, not shown in figures. The electrical energy from the generator charges the accumulator 16 or the accumulators 16. In order to adjust the voltage from the electrical energy from the generator to the voltage of the accumulator 16 or accumulators 16, at least one step-up converter (not shown in the figure) or other suitable means for using the device is used to adjust voltage levels. Electrical energy can also be supplied to subsystem 15 by connection to an external power grid in connection with the vehicle preferably standing still. The stored electrical energy in accumulator 16, battery pack, battery or the like is used to drive at least one of the heaters 12 and 14 when the need for heat is present and the engine is turned off.

The system 1 further comprises a control system 17 comprising at least one control unit 18. Control system 17 is connected to, or integrated with, the vehicle control system. The control unit 18 may be a fixed or mobile device. The control system 17 comprises at least one sensor 19 which senses the temperature in the vehicle compartment. The system further comprises at least one second sensor 20 which senses the temperature outside the vehicle. The control system comprises at least a third sensor 21 which senses the temperature of the engine block heating subsystem. The system further comprises at least a fourth sensor 22 which senses the temperature of the subsystem comprising the heat packet 6.

The system comprises at least one fan 23, or fan assembly, in the passenger compartment. The fan 23 is controlled by the control system 17. In the preferred embodiment, the fan 23 is a heat-generating fan assembly which heats the air as it flows through the device. Preferably the air is heated to suit the fan of electrical energy. The stored electrical energy in accumulator 16, battery pack, battery or the like is used to drive the fan device when the need for heat is present and the engine is turned off.

The system 1 comprises hoses, interconnections and the like which connects different components of the system to each other. Referring to Figure 2, an alternative embodiment of the present system is shown. In the embodiment, the first subsystem 7 includes a third valve 24 and the second subsystem 8 a fourth valve 25. The valves 24 and 25 can be operated between a closed and an open position. With valves 24 and 25 it can be ensured that no flow passes through circulation pumps 11 and 13 when valves 9 and 10 are open when subsystems 7 and 8 form a common circuit.

Use of the system

The system is connected to an existing vehicle or integrated with the vehicle in the

manufacture of this vehicle.

During travel, or operation of the vehicle engine, the system 1 battery 16 is recharged from the vehicle's electrical system 2 via at least one step-up converter to a voltage adapted for the selected battery accumulator 16 or the like. The selection of accumulator 16, or accumulators 16, is based on the power requirements present when using the system 1.

During break/pause, the system 1 is started and controls the valves 9 and 10 so that the coolant circulates between heater 14 and heat pack 6, the circulation pump 13 is started and signal is sent to the vehicle to start the passenger compartment 23. The climate is controlled by the system controller 19 which controls the supplied power, circulation pumps 11 and 13, valves and the hood fan to the desired temperature.

Considering the outdoor temperature sensed by the sensor 20 and the desired departure time, the function can be controlled by the control unit of the system 1 (control unit) 18 so that the circulation pumps 11 and 13, valves 9 and 10 and heater 12 and 14 of the system begin to heat the engine block 4 also so that you have an acceptable temperature on engine 3 before starting this, taking into consideration the environment to avoid cold start.

The system 1 can be controlled so that only the passenger compartment, only the engine or combination of the two optional can be heated during pause/break. If only the engine is to be heated, subsystem 7 will be activated. Only heating of the compartment will enable subsystem 8 and/or the electrically powered heat exchanger fan 24. Both subsystems 7 and 8 can be activated simultaneously.

Furthermore, it is thought that fast-charging accumulators 16 when loading/unloading at terminals to thereby charge "greener" electricity instead of the vehicle's generator and or solar panels. The accumulators 16 are selected to provide the power required for the desired function based on power requirements.

Although some preferred embodiments have been described in detail, variations and modifications within the scope of the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains and all such are considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, it is conceivable that the present system is used for purposes and applications other than those disclosed in the present patent application.

In alternative embodiments of the heating system, as exemplified in this patent application, the heating system may be used in applications other than those disclosed in this patent application. The invention sets forth electrical current from accumulators as an energy source, but it can be replaced by other energy sources that are environmentally friendly, for example, fuels such as LNG and others.

The system 1 can be defined as an additive to an existing heating system in a vehicle or as a system comprising the existing heating system with corresponding modification in accordance with the inventive concept.

The present invention may also be defined as a method of using the system in accordance with the present patent application.

Advantages of the invention

With the present invention, a number of advantages are achieved. Firstly, an improved engine heater system is obtained which solves, or reduces, at least one of the technical problems mentioned in the background or in the description. The system has the advantage that this solves problems by using separate coupe and engine systems, which allows you to control energy to the circuit that needs it, and not to heat the entire system all the time. The system further has the advantage that this includes at least one separate battery pack with sufficient capacity for the vehicle, so the gain is high during pause break cannot compromise the start of the vehicle. The system also has the advantage that this has few moving parts so that operational reliability is increased significantly, that is, fewer shutdowns, which gives higher availability of the vehicle. The system also has an additional advantage that it enables control of the control of the passenger compartment and engine heater with a smart control unit.

Claims

1. Engine heater system (1) intended to heat a vehicle engine and/or at least one space in the vehicle, which system (1) comprises or is connected to at least one fluidized heating system (5) characterized in that the heating system (5) comprises at least a first subsystem (7) connected to the engine block (4) and at least one second subsystem (8) connected to the vehicle's heat packet (6), which subsystems (7, 8) can be coupled and disconnected from each other via at least one first valve (9) and at least one second pump (10) and the first subsystem (7) comprises at least one first circulation pump (11) and a first heater (12) and the second subsystem (8) comprises at least one second circulation pump (13) and at least one second heater (14) and that the system (1) comprises at least one subsystem with separate accumulators (16) for operating at least one of the system heaters in the subsystems (7, 8) and/or heat exchanger fan assembly (23) in the inner space.

2. System (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the first subsystem (7)

comprises at least one third valve (24) and the second subsystem (8) comprises at least one fourth valve (25).

3. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the space in the vehicle consists of the cab of the vehicle or the vehicle compartment.

4. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the

accumulators are charged via at least one step-up converter with which the voltage of the generated electrical energy can adapt to the voltage level of the accumulators (16).

5. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fan device (23) is electrically driven.

6. Method for using system according to claim S characterized in that the system is used in a space in a vehicle and is connected to the vehicle's electrical system and that while driving the vehicle, the vehicle's electrical system must via electronic control charge the accumulators so that at rest, the system can allow the system to heat the vehicle without risk starting problems.