US3799244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Service vehicle for manhole operation
Assignee: SERVICE DYNAMICS Inc
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Filing: 1972-02-28
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A wheeled service vehicle for manhole operation adapted for towing and comprising a chassis frame mounting a variety of equipment, the vehicle and equipment all being self-contained and including a prime mover with several pieces of equipment driven thereby. A housing for the vehicle is independently removable from the chassis frame without disturbing the equipment thereby making access and servicing of the equipment a simple matter. The equipment includes a generator driven by the prime mover to provide electrical power, a water pump driven by the prime mover and means for conditioning air supplied by a blower powered by the generator. Novel heat exchange means enables the air furnished by the blower to be warmed by the exhaust and coolant of the prime mover. The prime mover is fueled by bottled fuel and means are provided to warm the bottles for cold weather operation.
Inventors
- 👤 R Strauss
- 👤 C Lawrenz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/14; E; E03; E03F; E03F7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
294 words
A vehicle for manhole operation or the like and comprising a chassis frame mounting wheels and having means for coupling the same to a truck or the like to be towed thereby, power and powered equipment mounted on said chassis frame and including at least a liquid cooled prime mover adapted to produce hot exhaust gases when operating, a generator coupled to the prime mover and aDapted to provide electricity and there being electrical outlets for said electricity, a collapsible air conduit, a blower connected to blow air into said conduit, and a boxlike housing mounted on said chassis frame and covering all of said power and powered equipment, there being an access door in said housing to enable extending said conduit outside of the housing to lead air to a manhole or the like, an air connection between the blower and the outside of said housing so that the blower draws ambient air into the said blower and expels the same by way of said conduit, means driving the blower and powered by the electricity from said generator, and means for heating the air in said conduit, said last-mentioned means comprising a first heat exchanger and means for leading the exhaust gases and the cooling liquid from said prime mover therethrough in physically separated but heat exchanging relationship and a second heat exchanger having means for leadingg the liquid passed through the first heat exchanger and the air driven by said blower into said conduit in physically separated but heat exchanging relationship, the second heat exchanger being disposed between the blower and the conduit and there being means to lead the liquid from the second heat exchanger back to said prime mover and to expel the exhaust gases from said first heat exchanger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
294 words
A vehicle for manhole operation or the like and comprising a chassis frame mounting wheels and having means for coupling the same to a truck or the like to be towed thereby, power and powered equipment mounted on said chassis frame and including at least a liquid cooled prime mover adapted to produce hot exhaust gases when operating, a generator coupled to the prime mover and aDapted to provide electricity and there being electrical outlets for said electricity, a collapsible air conduit, a blower connected to blow air into said conduit, and a boxlike housing mounted on said chassis frame and covering all of said power and powered equipment, there being an access door in said housing to enable extending said conduit outside of the housing to lead air to a manhole or the like, an air connection between the blower and the outside of said housing so that the blower draws ambient air into the said blower and expels the same by way of said conduit, means driving the blower and powered by the electricity from said generator, and means for heating the air in said conduit, said last-mentioned means comprising a first heat exchanger and means for leading the exhaust gases and the cooling liquid from said prime mover therethrough in physically separated but heat exchanging relationship and a second heat exchanger having means for leadingg the liquid passed through the first heat exchanger and the air driven by said blower into said conduit in physically separated but heat exchanging relationship, the second heat exchanger being disposed between the blower and the conduit and there being means to lead the liquid from the second heat exchanger back to said prime mover and to expel the exhaust gases from said first heat exchanger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which said prime mover includes a radiator for cooling the liquid of said prime mover, said radiator having an inlet and an outlet, there being a hose from the prime mover block to the inlet, there being a conduit connecting the outlet of said radiator to said first heat exchanger to lead the radiator liquid to said first heat exchanger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
88 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which there is an exhaust muffler, an exhaust stack, a switching box and an outlet plenum mounted in said housing, a pipe connecting from the prime mover to the switching box, another pipe connecting from the outlet plenum to the exhaust stack, the muffler and first heat exchanger each being connected between said switching box and outlet plenum, and means for directing the exhaust gases entering the switching box to pass either through said muffler or said first heat exchanger.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
The vehicle as claimed in claim 3 in which said last means comprise a diverting vane pivotally mounted in said switching box and manually controllable from the exterior thereof, the vane being movable between two positions, one in which it blocks exhaust gas flow to said first heat exchanger and opens a passage to said muffler and the other in which it blocks flow to said muffler and diverts exhaust gas flow to said first heat exchanger.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicle as claimed in claim 3 in which said vane is mounted on a shaft passing through said switching box and there is a lever connected with said shaft on the exterior of said switching box.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
253 words
The combination with an internal combustion liquid-cooled engine having a radiator provided with an inlet and outlet, a combination chamber exhaust outlet for discharging the burnt gases, a connection from the engine block to said radiator inlet and an inlet for liquid to said block, of means for selectively warming air, said latter means including a blower and a conduit, the blower being driven by the engine and drawing air from a source and directing same through the conduit, a first heat exchanger, a muffler, a switch box, an outlet plenum, the first heat exchanger and muffler being respectively connected between said switch box and plenum, a first pipe connected from the exhaust outlet to said switch box and the switch box being operable to direct burnt gases to flow to said plenum either through said muffler or first heat exchanger and be discharged from said plenum, a second pipe connected from said radiator outlet to said first heat exchanger whereby to direct liquid to flow through said first heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with burnt gases flowing through said first heat Exchanger, a second heat exchanger between the blower and conduit and a third pipe extending from said first heat exchanger to said second heat exchanger to cause heated liquid to flow through said second heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the air flowing through said second heat exchanger, and a fourth pipe connected from said second heat exchanger to the block inlet to lead liquid back to said engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
253 words
The combination with an internal combustion liquid-cooled engine having a radiator provided with an inlet and outlet, a combination chamber exhaust outlet for discharging the burnt gases, a connection from the engine block to said radiator inlet and an inlet for liquid to said block, of means for selectively warming air, said latter means including a blower and a conduit, the blower being driven by the engine and drawing air from a source and directing same through the conduit, a first heat exchanger, a muffler, a switch box, an outlet plenum, the first heat exchanger and muffler being respectively connected between said switch box and plenum, a first pipe connected from the exhaust outlet to said switch box and the switch box being operable to direct burnt gases to flow to said plenum either through said muffler or first heat exchanger and be discharged from said plenum, a second pipe connected from said radiator outlet to said first heat exchanger whereby to direct liquid to flow through said first heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with burnt gases flowing through said first heat Exchanger, a second heat exchanger between the blower and conduit and a third pipe extending from said first heat exchanger to said second heat exchanger to cause heated liquid to flow through said second heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the air flowing through said second heat exchanger, and a fourth pipe connected from said second heat exchanger to the block inlet to lead liquid back to said engine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination as claimed in claim 6 in which there is a diverting vane in said switch box controlled from the exterior of the box and movable between positions diverting exhaust gases to said first heat exchanger or blocking said gases from said first heat exchanger and permitting flow to said muffler.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3672445A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |