US2621643A - Liquid heating device - Google Patents

Description

Patented Dec. 16, 1952 UNITED PATENT OFFICE LIQUID' 'HEATING DEVICE Tage V; PedersenpRosc'oe, Ill.

".ApplicatioiiYSeDtember 1651948, Serial No. 493189 "lfl' Claims. 1 This inventionrelates to"anfimproved heating device for'use in Obtaining afavorable temperaturecondition of the liquid contained in the jacket .sp'ace' of an engine, "or the like.

11am fully aware of themanypriorheating .these devices has been in the expensive; inst'alla- 'ltions required, that isinthe requirement ofspecially-Jprepared' jacket tap ports," and: the need for space to accommodate the necessary tubing leading between the heating device and fea 'ch' of the-jacket ports. Jinlxthe attempts to provide a high' "capacity. heat source whereby the jacket. liquid could be heated .ysiifficiently to carry? the heat intothe vnormal radiator unit for the engine.

I have found. that it is necessary only to gain I a favorable temperature conditionin'thejacket -spaceslof an engine, 'and' that a comparatively -low capacity heater will maintain" the jacket @liquidsiifiiciently' warm to reduce the viscosity of .the lubricatingfoils on" the cylinderwalls and enf a'ble easy engine starting. I Accordingly; 'an-important object of this invention resides in the .provision of a heating device which will accomfplish-Qthe v above stated purposes.

TIt is also. an objectmff'the invention "to provide simple jheating ldevice which: is adapted foriconnectionwith the'jacket.space oian engine at. .only. one jacket port, ltherebylsirnplyfing' the problem. or installation and materially.- reducing .the expense connected therewith.

.. I.A.further. object of. my inventionis to. be found in.lthe..provision of a heater device which per- -forrn's'its functionin an intermittent or percola torLprocessof. imparting heat to a. relatively sniall volume. of. fluid. and inwhich theifluid is rapidly converted to an expanded vaporcapabler-ofselfdischarge .into the larger volume'of jacket" fluid.

..Other: objects of the. invention. are to be found inltheYform, construction and assembly of the several cooperating parts of the presentheating .device,"a110f whichcontribute to thesimple, unitaryanature thereofy and conduce to its inexpensive initial cost.

-The' features-and method of installing my improvedheating device are clearly shown'in the accompanying drawing, and a full understanding In" principle,

A further difficulty has been v "thereof may" be"had from the =descript-ionf 'given -'withr'eferencethereto.

In" the drawing:

Fig. 1 illustrates one "method of installing the 5 present heating'-'-device' in connection witl'r a jacket-structure of aliquid cooled enginefor'the dike;

"Fig. 2illustrates another installation of the heatingdevice, as well as indicating its constructionin longitudinal section, and

Fig.3 is a 'transversesection of the device taken at line 3'3 "in Fig. 2.

In the-drawing; the-presently improved heating device (Fig. 2)""'maybe seen to'comprise a tubular metal housing lhaving a-reduceddiameter throat zone 2 adj acent theexternally'thread- "ed end nipplep'ortion 3', a metal heaterunit cell "element 4' nested inwardly of the slightly diamn etrally"enlargedopenend portion 5 of-thehousing hand a closure cap 6 slidably'mounted'over the housing end 5. The cell element 4 isprovided with a flange 1 at its outer open'end,"and.this lflange I is adapted to seat againsttheinternal ""shouldered 'zone' 8of"the' housing I. "Whenas- "sembled', the celllfl'ange T is adapted to be brazed "'or' otherwise aflixed'to the'shouldered Zone 3120 form a complete seal; whereby the 'interior :space 9? of the housing is. fully closed opposite the mounting nipple end 3.

.Ther'heatingnnit for disposition within' the cell element 4 is comprised; of" a. spool body f I 0 formed of. ceramic or'other' insulator material, and Ianelectrical resistance coil 1 I carried by. the spool. As i'ndicated'," the spool I0 is formed with an""en1arged base end 'IZ, a similarly...enlarg"ed .head end'l3. and an. intervening cylindrical. body zone hlYvvhich is diametrally reduced. The-base end] 2 is formed with a .diametral slot-l5 which communicates with .an. axially directed bore 46,

the. latter. bore extending throughthe spooli'and opening at thew head vend I 3. The enlargedhe'ad -end 13 of the spool isprovided at onezone withv a peripheral notch 11' which extends axiallylthere- .Tthrough. 'Ihespool .lo-is also: provided.-with 45 axially directed and diametrally spaced sockets 5o spool In in the following manner.. One-end. of

--the coil .wire is wound about one post element l 9 ..and.the wire is then-threaded throughthe .axial bore l6 and. passed radially outwardly along the ebasevend slot l 5. Thecslot i 5 is-made sufficient- 55 1y deep (axially of the spool) to open in the body zone l4, and consequently the wire may be brought directly onto the body where it is wound in a spiral coil over the full length of the body 14. In order to prevent the coil turns from contacting, the body [4 is spirally grooved or surficially threaded to a depth sufficient for purposes of trapping each turn. After completing the coil H, the end of the wire is dropped into the peripheral notch l1 and wound about the opposite terminal post [9.

The completed coil on the spool i is placed in the cell element 4, there first having been applied a coating of a nonconductive cement over the entire assembly to fix the same in place and assure that there can be no contact of the wire with the metal cell walls. The cap 6 is provided with an insulator bushing in its center aperture, and a current supply cord 2| is passed through this bushing. The individual wire strands 22 of the cord 2| are separated, stripped of insulation and secured one to each of the terminal post elements l9 by means of solderless connectors 23. The opposite end of the cord 2| is provided with a proper plug (not shown) for connection into a 110 volt current source. source may be either alternating or direct current.

Prior to pressing cap 6 into place on the enlargement 5 of housing I, the outer end space thereof is filled with a body 24 of insulating ce ment or the like to secure and maintain the separate disposition of the current wires 22 and the post elements 19. It is now fully apparent that the heating unit is completely insulated against short circuiting contact with any adjacent portion of the metal of the cell 4, cap 5 or housing I. It is also important to note, that the grooves or threaded channel formed in the surface of the spool body I4 serves to locate and retain the several turns of the coil l I in spaced relation, some additional assistance being derived from the application of the nonconductive cement coating over the coil.

The heating device, as constructed and assembled in the manner above described, is adapted for mounting in a threaded port 24 formed in the boss zone 25 of a jacket wall 25 associated with the body or block 2'! of an engine (not shown). The preferred location of the port 24 is at a low zone of the jacket space 28 for the engine. In Fig. 1, the nipple end 3 of the device is shown as threaded directly into the port 24, final turning up of the device being had by means of the tool engaging flats formed exteriorly on the surface of the throat zone 2. In this mounting, the heating device extends substantially horizontally of the engine and the fluid in the jacket space 28 flows into and fills the chamber or space 9 of the device. A preferred method of mounting the device is shown in Fig. 2, wherein the use of an adapter fitting 30 of angular type is shown. The fitting 30 is first threaded into jacket port 24 with its outer angularly directed end turned downwardly. The device may then be threaded into the fitting, whereby it will assume an angular position with its nipple end 3 uppermost. The engine cooling fluid will then flow downwardly into the space 9 of the device, and in this angular disposition of the device there will be no pocket or area likely to trap the fluid or fluid vapors generated by the heat passing through the walls of the cell element 4.

In operation, the heating device is threadedly mounted in the port 24 formed in the engine jacket wall at a low point of the entire jacketed space for such engine. The cooling fluid will then The flow by gravity into the chamber 9 of the device, and any air initially trapped in the chamber 9 will eventually be expelled. The cord 2| is then connected with a suitable source of current, and the heating coil H will then be energized. The coil H generates heat rapidly and in a concentrated or localized zone. The fluid in chamber 9 receives the heat and is rapidly changed to a vaporous condition, as steam, to cause its expulsion from the chamber 9 into the jacket space 28. After the heated vapors leave the chamber 9, the cooler liquid of the jacket will enter and, in turn, be converted to vapor by contact at the outer surfaces of the cell 4. This liquid-to-vapor generating and expelling process continues so long as the current is on the coil II, and in this manner the entire body of jacket fluid may be warmed either by direct contact with the cell 4 or by mingling with the heated vapors passing from the device into the engine jacket. The action of the device is that of a percolator, in which a liquid is brought into a confined zone, and is heated rapidly to expand and vaporize theliquid, or a sufiicient quantity thereof to effect its selfexpulsion from the heating zone. In the present device, the inflow of liquid and the outflow of ex.- panded liquid and vapor occurs through a common passage, thereby making the conditions of reverse flow intermittent. Consequently, there is no circulation, as such, through the device, and the expense and diiiiculty of providing a one-way circulating system is avoided.

Having now fully described and explained the preferred form of my invention, I wish it to be understood that certain structural modifications may be possible therefor, without avoiding the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims:

I claim:

1. The combination with an engine having a cooling liquid jacket space, of a heater device mountable in a wall of the jacket, the device being formed to provide a chamber for receiving jacket liquid and a restricted port opening to the jacket space, and a heating unit carried by said device in heat-exchange relation with the liquid in the chamber, such that jacket liquid flowing into the chamber through said port is thermally expanded and vaporized to cause its expulsion from the chamber and return through said port to the jacket space prior to a further flow of jacket liquid to the chamber.

2. In combination with a jacketed space for a cooling liquid, a housing mounted on the jacket and having a single restricted avenue of communication with the liquid in the jacket space, and means disposed in said housing for supplying heat to the liquid entering the housing whereby the liquid takes on heat and is vaporized sufiiciently to cause its expulsion to the jacketspace by way of said single avenue of communication, said means comprising a cell element in direct contact with the liquid, and an electrical resistance coil in said cell element disposed in heat exchange relation closely adjacent the walls of the cell element.

3. In combination with an engine having a cooling liquid jacket space provided with a restricted port at a low zone of such jacket space, an electrically energized heating device mounted in said jacket port for heating the liquid, said device comprising a housing open at one end to the jacket space at said restricted port and through which liquid passes to the housing and vaporized liquid is expelled from the housing to the jacket space, a cell element closing the opposite end of said housing and defining a housing chamber for the liquid, and an electrically energized heating unit disposed in said cell in heatexchange relation with the walls thereof for rapidly veporizing the liquid to cause its expulsion to the jacket space.

4. A heating device for use with an engine jacket cooling fluid, the jacket having a port in a wall thereof, said device including a tubular housing having a restricted passage nipple end for mounting connection at the jacket port and through which jacket fluid is constrained to pass to said housing and vaporized liquid is expelled from the housing to the jacket space, a tubular cell element closing the opposite end of said housing and having its walls spaced from the housing walls to define a chamber for jacket fluid, and an electrically energized heating unit mounted in said cell element in heat-exchange relation with the cell walls for rapidly vaporizing the liquid to cause its expulsion to the jacket space.

5. In combination with an engine having a cooling fluid jacketed space through which the fluid normally flows in cooling the engine, the jacket being provided with a port at a low zone thereof, a fluid heating device mounted at the jacket port for receiving fluid from the jacket, said device including a housing open at one end to said port by a restricted passage, an element closing the opposite end of said housing and extending thereinto in spaced and nested relation to form with the housing a chamber for jacket fluid, an electrically energized heating unit in said element in heat-exchange relation therewith to pass heat to the fluid in said chamber, the heated fluid being expelled from the chamber by vaporization for return to the jacket space by way of the port, and means electrically insulating and sealing the unit in said element.

6. The combination with an engine jacket space for cooling fluid and in which the jacket is provided with a port at a low point thereof, an elongate, tubular housing having a reduced diameter throat zone, a nipple end portion adjacent thereto, and an opposite open end, a cell element nested in said opposite end of the housing in spaced relation to form a chamber internally of the housing, the cell element having a flanged connection with the housing and adapted to seal the chamber at the flange, an electrically energized heating unit mounted in said cell in heatexchange relation with the cell walls, means electrically insulating said unit from said cell and housing, a closure cap for said opposite end of the housing to retain the heating unit in position, and an adapter mounting said device in the jacket port with the longitudinal axis of said housing directed angularly to elevate the nipple end thereof above the chamber, whereby jacket fluid flows by gravity into the chamber and is expelled reversely through the nipple and adapter by vaporization effects upon heating.

'7. A fluid heating device for connection with a body of fluid to be heated, the device including a housing open at one end zone for reversible fluid flow connection with the body of fluid, a cell element disposed in said housing and adapted to seal the opposite end zone thereon-the cell being 6 otherwise spaced from said housing to provide a chamber for receiving the fluid, a spool disposed in said cell and provided with opposite end flanges to space the intervening surface of the spool from the cell walls, a resistance wire wrapped about said spool surface, post elements on said spool for securing the ends of said wire in spaced relation, a current supply cord electrically connected at said post elements with said resistance wire, a body of insulating material embedding said post elements and connections in spaced relation, and a closure for said housing seated over and retaining the insulating body in posi- 'tion.

8. A heating device as defined by claim 7, and further characterized in that the intervening surface of said spool is surficially, spirally grooved to provide a seat for the resistance Wire wrapped thereon, whereby to maintain the several turns of the wire in spaced relation and electrically separate.

9. A fluid heating device for connection with a body of fluid to be heated, the device comprising a cylindrical housing having one end reduced to provide a nipple for connection with the body of fluid, and the opposite end zone enlarged to provide an internal shouldered seat, a cylindrical cell element having a closed end and a flanged end, said element being disposed within said housing and connected thereto by said flange at the shouldered seat, the flange connection at said seat affording a seal closing the space between the cell and housing to provide a chamber for receiving fluid through said nipple, a spool element of insulating material in said cell and formed at its ends with flanges to retain the intervening portions spaced from said cell, an electrical resistance wire coiled about the intervening portion of said spool, means on said spool to anchor the respective wire end portions in spaced relation, means for supplying an electrical current to said resistance wire, and means closing the enlarged end of said housing and electrically insulating said wire anchor means from contact with the housing.

10. A fluid heating device as defined by claim 9, and further characterized in that the intervening portion of said spool element between its end flanges is surficially threaded to provide a retaining seat for said resistance wire.

TAGE V. P EDERSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,185,849 Smith June 6, 1916 1,386,844 Cowen Aug. 9, 1921 1,511,779 Sardeson et a1 Oct. 14, 1924 1,584,245 Robinson May 11, 1926 1,916,237 Sloan July 4, 1933 2,096,635 Goodwin Oct. 19, 1937 2,401,847 Urbant et al June 11, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 94,924 Switzerland of 1921

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