Vehicle preheater control
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus comprising:
- a. an auxiliary heating system for transferring heat to a motor vehicle prior to start-up of a motor vehicle engine including;
i. an auxiliary energy source separate from said motor vehicle engine for transferring heat to a motor vehicle engine cooling system; and
ii. an auxiliary pump for moving a coolant through said motor vehicle engine cooling system as heat is transferred to said cooling system from said auxiliary energy source;
b. input means mounted to said vehicle in a location accessible to a motorist and including one or more input switches for actuating the auxiliary heating system;
c. control means coupled to said input means to initiate operation of said auxiliary energy source prior to a projected vehicle start time;
said control means including;
i. a memory for storing said projected vehicle start time as entered by the motorist through the one or more input switches; and
ii. activator for means coupled to the auxiliary energy source for activating the auxiliary energy source; and
d. sensor means for sensing a temperature of said coolant prior to operation of said auxiliary energy source and coupling a signal corresponding to said temperature to the control means for enabling said control means to determine a time interval said auxiliary energy source is to operate based upon said sensed temperature and the projected vehicle start time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control unit for operating an auxiliary vehicle heater at cold temperature. The unit can be preprogrammed or manually actuated and includes a plurality of sensors and control outputs for operating the auxiliary heater. The time of operation is based upon sensed ambient temperature. A compartment fan is operated automatically by the control unit to warm the passenger compartment.
71 Citations
14 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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a. an auxiliary heating system for transferring heat to a motor vehicle prior to start-up of a motor vehicle engine including; i. an auxiliary energy source separate from said motor vehicle engine for transferring heat to a motor vehicle engine cooling system; and ii. an auxiliary pump for moving a coolant through said motor vehicle engine cooling system as heat is transferred to said cooling system from said auxiliary energy source; b. input means mounted to said vehicle in a location accessible to a motorist and including one or more input switches for actuating the auxiliary heating system; c. control means coupled to said input means to initiate operation of said auxiliary energy source prior to a projected vehicle start time;
said control means including;i. a memory for storing said projected vehicle start time as entered by the motorist through the one or more input switches; and ii. activator for means coupled to the auxiliary energy source for activating the auxiliary energy source; and d. sensor means for sensing a temperature of said coolant prior to operation of said auxiliary energy source and coupling a signal corresponding to said temperature to the control means for enabling said control means to determine a time interval said auxiliary energy source is to operate based upon said sensed temperature and the projected vehicle start time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of heating a motor vehicle with an auxiliary heater prior to starting a motor vehicle engine comprising the steps of:
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a. setting a motor vehicle start time corresponding to a projected start of said motor vehicle engine; b. at a predetermined time prior to said start time sensing an ambient temperature; and c. based on said sensed ambient temperature activating said auxiliary heater at a time prior to said start time to heat said motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. Control apparatus for controlling operation of an auxiliary vehicle heater comprising:
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a. input means mounted to a vehicle in a location accessible to a vehicle operator and including one or more operator actuatable switches for actuating one or more auxiliary heating control functions; b. control means coupled to said input means for initiating operation of said auxiliary vehicle heater prior to a projected vehicle start time entered by actuation of the one or more operator-actuable switches; c. sensor means for sensing a temperature of a coolant and transmitting a signal corresponding to the temperature to said control means to enable the control means to determine a time interval the auxiliary energy source is to operate based upon said sensed temperature; and d. support means for mounting said input means and control means to position said input means in a convenient location for operator input and for enclosing said control means within a housing. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. Apparatus comprising:
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a. an auxiliary heating system for transferring heat energy to a motor vehicle engine cooling system comprising; i. a combustion heater having an igniter which, when energized causes a fuel to burn and give off energy for heating a coolant within said cooling system; and ii. a pump for circulating heated coolant through said cooling system to transfer heat away from said coolant; b. an igniter circuit for energizing said igniter; c. control circuitry including an output for activating said igniter circuit at a time before an anticipated vehicle start time based upon sensed temperature; d. a sensor for monitoring an ambient temperature and coupling a signal corresponding to the ambient temperature to said control circuit; e. an input unit mounted a vehicle passenger compartment for transmitting a projected vehicle start time to said control circuit; and f. said control circuit determining an igniter activation time based upon sensed temperature and projected vehicle start time.
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13. Apparatus comprising:
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a. means for transferring heat to a motor vehicle prior to start-up of a motor vehicle engine including; an auxiliary energy source separate from said motor vehicle engine for transferring heat to a motor vehicle engine cooling system; and ii. a pump for routing a coolant through said motor vehicle engine cooling system as heat is transferred to said cooling system; b. input means mounted to said vehicle in a location accessible to a motorist for actuating one or more auxiliary heating control functions; c. control means coupled to said input means to initiate operation of said auxiliary energy source prior to a projected vehicle start time, said control means comprising; i. a timer for storing said projected vehicle start time; ii. means for sensing said temperature of coolant in said vehicle cooling system a predetermined time prior to said start time; and iii. means for actuating said auxiliary energy source in a controlled manner based upon said sensed temperature of said coolant; and d. sensor means for sensing a temperature of said coolant for enabling said control means to determine a time interval said auxiliary energy source is to operate based upon said sensed temperature.
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14. A method of heating a motor vehicle with an auxiliary heater prior to starting a motor vehicle engine comprising the steps of:
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a. setting a motor vehicle start time corresponding to a projected start of said motor vehicle engine; b. at a predetermined time prior t said start time sensing a temperature of a motor vehicle coolant; and c. based on said sensed coolant temperature activating said auxiliary at a time prior to said start time to heat said motor vehicle.
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Specification