PORTABLE ENGINE PREHEATER FIRED BY PROPANE

• US 20120291738A1
• Filed: 05/21/2012
• Published: 11/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Bennett Hobart, Richard Lee Hobart
• Original Assignee: John Bennett Hobart, Richard Lee Hobart
• Inventors: Hobart, Richard Lee, Hobart, John Bennett
• Granted Patent: US 9,464,616 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/142.5R
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/10 by heating of engine coolants

Abstract

An engine preheating system supports starting industrial and/or diesel engines in cold weather, eliminating the need for cold weather idling. The system preheats the engine coolant, bringing the entire machine up to a warm starting condition. This provides good lubrication and immediate heat availability. The system is fully portable and does not rely on commercial power, operable at any location. The system utilizes propane fuel, which is widely available. The propane fuel burns quietly and cleanly as opposed to fuel oil. The system includes numerous safety features, such as flow indicators and modern microprocessor technology to ensure safe operation.

Claims

1. An engine preheater comprising:

a propane fuel burner adapted to receive propane fuel;

an air blower delivering air to the propane fuel burner; and

a horizontal heat exchanger adapted to transfer heat from hot gas from the propane fuel burner to a coolant flow from an engine.

2. The engine preheater of claim 1, further comprising an isolation valve and solenoid valve controlling the flow of propane fuel to the propane fuel burner.

3. The engine preheater of claim 2, further comprising a pressure regulation valve controlling a pressure of propane fuel to the propane fuel burner.

4. The engine preheater of claim 1, further comprising a flow detector to monitor flow of coolant from the engine.

5. The engine preheater of claim 1, further comprising a flow meter to measure flow of air from the air blower.

6. The engine preheater of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor to control the flow of propane fuel to the propane fuel burner, activate the air blower and circulation pump based on inputs from one or more sensors.

7. The engine preheater of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors include flow meters, thermistors, thermocouples and flame detectors.

8. The engine preheater of claim 1, further comprising a bypass air stream to cool exhaust flow from the heat exchanger.

9. A method for maintaining or preheating coolant of an engine to a warm condition, the method comprising:

flowing coolant from the engine through a horizontal heat exchanger;

receiving hot gas into the heat exchanger from a propane fuel burner, the hot gas transferring heat to the coolant in the heat exchanger;

returning heated coolant to the engine; and

regulating total process through a microprocessor, the microprocessor adapted to receive data from one or more sensors.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more sensors include flow sensors, flow meters, thermistors, thermocouples and flame detectors.