WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID HEATING APPARATUS, CONTROL SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF USING SAME

• US 20140299308A1
• Filed: 04/01/2014
• Published: 10/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Shayne Elliott
• Original Assignee: Shayne Elliott
• Inventors: Elliott, Shayne
• Application Number:
  US14/242,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20140299308A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/292
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/487 the liquid being heated nozzles provided with heating means B60S1/52

Abstract

An apparatus for heating and controlling windshield washer fluid temperature is provided, comprising a washer fluid reservoir; a hollow conductive tube in the reservoir containing a heated working fluid for delivering heat to the washer fluid; a valve for controlling the flow rate of the working fluid through the tube; and a control system for controlling the temperature of the fluid in the reservoir. A method for controlling the heating of the washer fluid and for storing heated washer fluid is also disclosed. The apparatus may be installed at the time of manufacture of the vehicle or installed after market as a retro-fit kit. The windshield washer apparatus and control system permits vehicles to operate in cold environments for sustained periods of time at various speeds without thermal shock to the windshield during cleaning with washer fluid.

Claims

1. An apparatus for heating and controlling fluid temperature, the apparatus comprising:

a windshield washer fluid reservoir,

a heat tube disposed in the reservoir,

a valve for controlling a flow rate of a working fluid through the tube,

a control system for controlling a temperature of a fluid in the reservoir, the control system comprising

a first sensor disposed within the reservoir for measuring a first temperature within the reservoir,

a second sensor disposed outside of the reservoir for measuring a second temperature, and

a controller for adjusting the valve based on a differential between the first and second temperatures and the predetermined temperature differentials, and

a power source for delivering power to the control system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a microprocessor for storing predetermined temperature differentials between the first temperature and the second temperature, comparing the temperature differentials with the receiving measured first and second temperatures, and maintaining a temperature of the fluid in the reservoir.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid in the reservoir comprises washer fluid.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises an actuator.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pump for moving the working fluid through the tube.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises a heat conductive material.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the working fluid comprises a heated working fluid.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the working fluid comprises a vehicle coolant fluid.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the working fluid comprises a vehicle coolant fluid.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the working fluid comprises a temperature that is greater than an ambient temperature.

11. A method for heating and controlling windshield washer fluid temperature in a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing apparatus for heating and controlling fluid temperature comprising providing

a windshield washer fluid reservoir,

a heat tube disposed in the reservoir,

a valve for controlling a flow rate of a working fluid through the tube,

a control system for controlling a temperature of a fluid in the reservoir, the control system comprising

a first sensor disposed within the reservoir for measuring a first temperature within the reservoir,

a second sensor disposed outside of the reservoir for measuring a second temperature, and

a controller for adjusting the valve based on a differential between the first and second temperatures and the predetermined temperature differentials, and

a power source for delivering power to the control system providing a stored predetermined temperature differential,

measuring a first temperature in the reservoir,

measuring a second temperature outside of the reservoir,

storing the first and second measured temperatures,

calculating an actual temperature differential between the measured temperatures,

comparing the actual temperature differential with the stored predetermined temperature differential, and

adjusting the delivery of heat to the fluid in the reservoir by adjusting the position of the valve in response to a differential between the actual temperature differential with the stored predetermined temperature differential.

13. The method of claim 13, the providing comprising providing a microprocessor for storing predetermined temperature differentials between the first temperature and the second temperature, comparing the temperature differentials with the receiving measured first and second temperatures, and maintaining a temperature of the fluid in the reservoir.

12. The method of claim 13, the adjusting the delivery of heat to the fluid in the reservoir comprises

closing the valve if the actual temperature differential is equal to or less than the stored temperature differential, or

opening the valve if the actual temperature differential is greater than the stored temperature differential.

14. The method of claim 13, the providing comprising providing the fluid in the reservoir comprises washer fluid.

15. The method of claim 13, the providing comprising providing the controller comprises an actuator.

16. The method of claim 13, the providing comprising providing a pump for moving the working fluid through the tube.

17. The method of claim 13, the providing comprising providing the tube comprises a heat conductive material.

18. The method of claim 13, the providing comprising providing the working fluid comprises a heated working fluid.

19. The method of claim 13, the providing comprising providing the working fluid comprises a vehicle coolant fluid.

20. The method of claim 13, the providing comprising providing the working fluid comprises a vehicle coolant fluid.

21. The method of claim 13, the providing comprising providing the working fluid comprises a temperature that is greater than an ambient temperature.