Glow plug control device for diesel engines
First Claim
1. A thermal control device for controlling the heating of diesel engine glow plugs or the like, comprising:
- a base, a first bimetal element supported at one end on the base, first electrical heater means adjacent the surface of the first bimetal element for heating the bimetal element, a second bimetal element supported at one end on the base, second electrical heater means adjacent the surface of the second bimetal element, switch means operated by each of the bimetal elements, the switch means having normally closed contacts connected in series, and means responsive to a current through the series connected normally closed contacts for turning on the glow plugs, whereby either bimetal element when heated interrupts current to the glow plugs, the thermal responsive time of the first bimetal element, first heater means, and switch means being substantially faster than the response time of the second bimetal element, second heater means, and switch means.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal device for controlling the temperature of glow plugs in a diesel engine in which current is applied to the glow plugs from the battery through a relay, the relay in turn being actuated by a thermally controlled switch controlled by a heater. The heater applies heat to the thermal-sensitive switch. The relay also controls current through the heater so that the heater cycles in unison with the glow plugs. The thermally-operated switch includes a bimetallic element which is heated by the heater. The bimetallic element is mounted in the engine block so as to be subject to the same ambient temperature conditions as the glow plugs. A thermal timer responsive to the same ambient temperature conditions includes a resistance heater element energized from the alternator. The thermal timer switch de-energizes the relay when heated to a predetermined temperature.
-
Citations
7 Claims
-
1. A thermal control device for controlling the heating of diesel engine glow plugs or the like, comprising:
- a base, a first bimetal element supported at one end on the base, first electrical heater means adjacent the surface of the first bimetal element for heating the bimetal element, a second bimetal element supported at one end on the base, second electrical heater means adjacent the surface of the second bimetal element, switch means operated by each of the bimetal elements, the switch means having normally closed contacts connected in series, and means responsive to a current through the series connected normally closed contacts for turning on the glow plugs, whereby either bimetal element when heated interrupts current to the glow plugs, the thermal responsive time of the first bimetal element, first heater means, and switch means being substantially faster than the response time of the second bimetal element, second heater means, and switch means.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Specification