Heater core enhancer for use in warming up an automobile
First Claim
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1. A heater core enhancer for heating the engine an passenger compartment of an automobile having an engine and a heater core for heating the passenger compartment, a heater core supply hose providing fluid communication from the engine to the heater core, a heater core return hose providing fluid communication from the heater core to the engine, the heater core enhancer comprising:
- a) a thermostat comprising;
i) a thermostat intake coupled to the heater core return hose;
ii) a return output coupled to the heater core return hose;
iii) a temperature sensitive and responsive clement disposed within the thermostat for measuring the temperature of coolant in the heater core return hose; and
iv) a diverted output, such that coolant flowing from the heater core through the heater core return hose flows into the thermostat intake and is presented to the temperature sensitive and responsive element which proportions the coolant flow between the return output and the diverted output depending upon the temperature of the coolant; and
b) a heater comprising;
i) a heating element for heating coolant to be supplied to the heating core;
ii) a heater input coupled between the diverted output and the heating element for receiving coolant from the heating core; and
iii) a heater output in fluid connection with the heater core supply hose and coupled to the heating element for providing coolant flow from the heating element with any flow from the engine to the heater core.
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Abstract
A heater core enhancer for the coolant system of an automobile engine which includes a thermostat and a heater. The heater core enhancer operates to more rapidly heat the engine and the passenger compartment of an automobile.
31 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A heater core enhancer for heating the engine an passenger compartment of an automobile having an engine and a heater core for heating the passenger compartment, a heater core supply hose providing fluid communication from the engine to the heater core, a heater core return hose providing fluid communication from the heater core to the engine, the heater core enhancer comprising:
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a) a thermostat comprising; i) a thermostat intake coupled to the heater core return hose; ii) a return output coupled to the heater core return hose; iii) a temperature sensitive and responsive clement disposed within the thermostat for measuring the temperature of coolant in the heater core return hose; and iv) a diverted output, such that coolant flowing from the heater core through the heater core return hose flows into the thermostat intake and is presented to the temperature sensitive and responsive element which proportions the coolant flow between the return output and the diverted output depending upon the temperature of the coolant; and b) a heater comprising; i) a heating element for heating coolant to be supplied to the heating core; ii) a heater input coupled between the diverted output and the heating element for receiving coolant from the heating core; and iii) a heater output in fluid connection with the heater core supply hose and coupled to the heating element for providing coolant flow from the heating element with any flow from the engine to the heater core. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of increasing the temperature of a passenger compartment and an engine of an automobile upon engine start using a heater core enhancer and comprising the steps of:
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monitoring the temperature of a coolant flow in an existing engine coolant system after the heater core; diverting at least a portion of the coolant flow along a secondary flow path when the temperature of the engine coolant is below a preselected temperature; passing the portion of the coolant flow through a heater; raising the temperature of the portion of the coolant flow with the heater; and recombining the portion of the coolant flow into the engine coolant flow such that it returns to the heater core. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification