Fluid heater temperature control apparatus and method

• US 20040170411A1
• Filed: 02/28/2003
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Kuebler, Karl-Heinz, Harris, Daryl G., Bissonnette, Lee A., Benner, Mark M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,850,699 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 392/484
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/488 electrically
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 1/121 using electric energy supply
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/1818 Arrangement or mounting of electric heating means

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling fluid temperature in a fluid heater apparatus which supplies heat to fluid from a controllable heater element(s) which includes establishing a discharge temperature range between a first high temperature and a second low temperature. The temperature of the fluid is measured and, in response to the measured temperature, activation of the heater elements is controlled to maintain the temperature of the fluid within the temperature range. The heater elements can be independently controllable for temperature control.

Claims

1. A method for heating fluid comprising the steps of:

establishing a predefined fluid discharge temperature range between first and second distinct temperatures;

providing heating means to supply thermal energy to fluid;

measuring the temperature of the fluid; and

in response to the measured temperature, controlling activation of the heating means to maintain the temperature of the fluid within the temperature range.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing heating means further comprises the step of:

providing the heating means as a plurality of discrete heater elements; and

independently controlling activation of each of the heater elements.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of maintaining the temperature of the fluid within the temperature range further comprises the step of:

independent controlling as least two of the heater elements.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of establishing the temperature range comprises the step of:

establishing the first temperature is a high temperature for the temperature range; and

establishing the second temperature as a lower end of the temperature range.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of establishing the temperature range further comprises the steps of:

establishing the first temperature at about 70°

C.; and

establishing the second temperature at about 50°

C.

6. An apparatus for heating fluid comprising:

an enclosure;

a fluid flow path extending through the enclosure for the passage of fluid through the enclosure;

heating means for supplying thermal energy to the fluid in the fluid flow path in the body;

means for sensing the temperature of the fluid in the body; and

control means, responsive to the temperature sensing means, for controlling the activation of the heating means to maintain the temperature of the fluid in the body within a predefined discharge temperature range.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the heating means comprises:

a plurality of discrete heater elements, at least certain of the heater elements being independently controllable.

8. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the predetermined operating temperature range is defined by first high temperature and a second lower temperature.

9. A vehicle wash apparatus comprising:

a fluid reservoir for containing a wash fluid;

a pump coupled to the fluid reservoir for pumping fluid from the reservoir;

a spray nozzle fluidically coupled to the pump for discharging fluid onto a cleanable surface; and

a heater apparatus disposed in fluid flow communication between the pump and the spray nozzle, the heater apparatus including;

an enclosure;

a fluid flow path extending through the enclosure for the passage of fluid through the enclosure;

heating means for supplying thermal energy to the fluid in the fluid flow path in the body;

means for sensing the temperature of the fluid in the body; and

control means, responsive to the temperature sensing means, for controlling the activation of the heating means to maintain the temperature of the fluid in the body within a predefined discharge temperature range.