Fluid friction vehicle heaters
First Claim
1. A viscous fluid type heater comprising:
- a heating chamber for accommodating viscous fluid therein;
a rotor located in the heating chamber, wherein the rotor rotates to shear and heat the viscous fluid;
a heat exchange chamber adjacent to the heating chamber, wherein heat generated in the heating chamber is transferred to the heat exchange chamber and heats circulating fluid passing through the heat exchange chamber;
a sub-chamber for containing viscous fluid;
a delivery passage for connecting the sub-chamber to the heating chamber to allow viscous fluid to move into the heating chamber from the sub-chamber;
a recovery passage for connecting the heating chamber to the sub-chamber to allow viscous fluid to move into the sub-chamber from the heating chamber;
a valve body for selectively opening and closing the delivery passage; and
a valve actuator for actuating the valve body; and
an adjuster for adjusting the amount of the viscous fluid in the heating chamber, wherein the adjuster includes a holding chamber located below the heating chamber to communicate with the heating chamber, the holding chamber having a variable volume.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A viscous fluid type heater includes a heating chamber for holding viscous fluid and a rotor located in the heating chamber. A holding chamber is located below the heating chamber to communicate with the heating chamber. A plunger, which is actuated by a solenoid, is movable between a forward position for maximizing the volume of the holding chamber and a rearward position for minimizing the volume of the holding chamber. When the plunger is at the forward position, viscous fluid is discharged from the heating chamber to the holding chamber. When the plunger is at the rearward position, viscous fluid is supplied from the holding chamber to the heating chamber. This allows the load of the heater to be removed or reinstated selectively. In an engine-driven vehicle, the engine can thus started without being hindered by the heater.
13 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A viscous fluid type heater comprising:
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a heating chamber for accommodating viscous fluid therein; a rotor located in the heating chamber, wherein the rotor rotates to shear and heat the viscous fluid; a heat exchange chamber adjacent to the heating chamber, wherein heat generated in the heating chamber is transferred to the heat exchange chamber and heats circulating fluid passing through the heat exchange chamber; a sub-chamber for containing viscous fluid; a delivery passage for connecting the sub-chamber to the heating chamber to allow viscous fluid to move into the heating chamber from the sub-chamber; a recovery passage for connecting the heating chamber to the sub-chamber to allow viscous fluid to move into the sub-chamber from the heating chamber; a valve body for selectively opening and closing the delivery passage; and a valve actuator for actuating the valve body; and an adjuster for adjusting the amount of the viscous fluid in the heating chamber, wherein the adjuster includes a holding chamber located below the heating chamber to communicate with the heating chamber, the holding chamber having a variable volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19)
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10. A viscous fluid type heater mounted in a vehicle, wherein the heater is driven by a vehicle engine, the heater comprising:
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a heating chamber for accommodating viscous fluid therein; a rotor located in the heating chamber to be rotated by the engine, wherein the rotor rotates to shear and heat the viscous fluid; a heat exchange chamber adjacent to the heating chamber, wherein heat generated in the heating chamber is transferred to the heat exchange chamber and heats circulating fluid passing through the heat exchange chamber; a sub-chamber for containing viscous fluid; a delivery passage for connecting the sub-chamber to the heating chamber to allow viscous fluid to move into the heating chamber from the sub-chamber; a recovery passage for connecting the heating chamber to the sub-chamber to allow viscous fluid to move into the sub-chamber from the heating chamber; a valve body for selectively opening and closing the delivery passage; and a valve actuator for actuating the valve body; and an adjuster for adjusting the amount of the viscous fluid in the heating chamber, wherein the adjuster includes a holding chamber located below the heating chamber to communicate with the heating chamber, the adjuster being constructed and arranged to increase the volume of the holding chamber at certain times to transfer viscous fluid from the heating chamber to the holding chamber and to decrease the volume of the holding chamber at certain times to transfer viscous fluid from the holding chamber to heating chamber. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21)
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Specification