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US3888084A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal recovery system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-05-20
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Granted: 1975-06-10
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Expires: 1994-05-20
Abstract
Abstract The thermal recovery system is used in conjunction with an internal combustion engine cooling and exhaust system and includes a heat exchanger having a coil containing refrigerant which absorbs heat from the coolant leaving the engine to produce high pressure refrigerant gas. The gas is supplied to a refrigerant motor connected to the engine crankshaft, and gas discharged from the motor is pumped back to the heat exchanger. The coolant discharged from the first heat exchanger is passed to a second heat exchanger having a coil conveying engine exhaust gas which imparts heat to the coolant prior to being recycled to the engine. The coolant can be diverted to the engine radiator in the event that the engine becomes overheated.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilbert L Hawkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:16
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K23/00; F01K23/12; F01K23/14; F01K23/02; F01K23/06; F01K23/065; F01N; F01N5/00; F01N5/02; F02; F02G; F02G5/00; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
In combination with an internal combustion engine of the type having a cooling and exhaust system in which coolant is circulated from an engine outlet port at relatively high temperature through an outflow conduit to a radiator and from the radiator through a return conduit to an engine inlet port at a relatively low temperature, and in which exhaust gases are passed from the engine through an exhaust port, a thermal recovery system comprising: a. a first heat exchanger means operatively cOnnected between the outflow conduit and the return conduit in by-pass relation to the radiator to receive coolant from the engine and discharge coolant into the return conduit, said first heat exchanger means including a first coil means containing refrigerant to absorb heat from the coolant, b. refrigerant operated motor means, c. conduit means delivering refrigerant from the first coil means to the motor means to energize the motor means, d. drive means operatively connecting the motor means and the engine crankshaft, e. pump means between the motor means and the first coil means, f. conduit means delivering refrigerant from the motor means to the pump means, g. drive means operatively connecting the motor means and the pump means to energize the pump means, h. conduit means delivering refrigerant from the pump means to the first coil means, i. a second heat exchanger means disposed in the return conduit to receive coolant from the first heat exchanger means and discharge coolant into the inlet port, said second heat exchanger means including a second coil means operatively connected to the engine exhaust port to convey exhaust gases and impart heat to the coolant prior to entering the inlet port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
279 words
In combination with an internal combustion engine of the type having a cooling and exhaust system in which coolant is circulated from an engine outlet port at relatively high temperature through an outflow conduit to a radiator and from the radiator through a return conduit to an engine inlet port at a relatively low temperature, and in which exhaust gases are passed from the engine through an exhaust port, a thermal recovery system comprising: a. a first heat exchanger means operatively cOnnected between the outflow conduit and the return conduit in by-pass relation to the radiator to receive coolant from the engine and discharge coolant into the return conduit, said first heat exchanger means including a first coil means containing refrigerant to absorb heat from the coolant, b. refrigerant operated motor means, c. conduit means delivering refrigerant from the first coil means to the motor means to energize the motor means, d. drive means operatively connecting the motor means and the engine crankshaft, e. pump means between the motor means and the first coil means, f. conduit means delivering refrigerant from the motor means to the pump means, g. drive means operatively connecting the motor means and the pump means to energize the pump means, h. conduit means delivering refrigerant from the pump means to the first coil means, i. a second heat exchanger means disposed in the return conduit to receive coolant from the first heat exchanger means and discharge coolant into the inlet port, said second heat exchanger means including a second coil means operatively connected to the engine exhaust port to convey exhaust gases and impart heat to the coolant prior to entering the inlet port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, in which: j. the drive means connecting the motor means and the engine crankshaft includes clutch means, k. the conduit means delivering refrigerant from the first coil means to the motor means includes cut-off valve means, l. switch means is provided for substantially simultaneous disengagement of the clutch means and the cut-off valve means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, in which: j. valve means is provided controlling flow through the outflow conduit including a thermostatically operated valve disposed between the first heat exchanger means and the radiator to selectively control coolant flow through the first heat exchanger means and the radiator, said valve opening to divert flow to the radiator at a predetermined coolant temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, in which: j. the motor means includes a driveshaft, k. the drive means connecting the motor means and the engine crankshaft includes clutch means selectively disengaging said driveshaft from the engine crankshaft, and l. the drive means connecting the motor means and the pump means is connected to said motor driveshaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, in which: l. the conduit means delivering refrigerant from the motor means to the pump means includes a condenser means communicating with the motor means and a receiver means communicating with the evaporator means and the pump means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
297 words
In combination with an internal combustion engine of the type having a cooling and exhaust system in which coolant is circulated from an engine outlet port at relatively high temperature through an outflow conduit to a radiator and from the radiator through a return conduit to an engine inlet port at a relatively low temperature, and in which exhaust gases are passed from the engine through an exhaust port, a thermal recovery system comprising: a. a first heat exchanger means operatively connected between the outflow conduit and the return conduit in by-pass relation to the radiator to receive coolant from the engine and discharge coolant into the return conduit, said first heat exchanger means including a separate pass in heat exchange relationship with the coolant containing refrigerant to absorb heat from the coolant, b. refrigerant operated motor means, c. conduit means delivering refrigerant from the separate pass of the first heat exchanger means to the motor means to energize the motor means, d. drive means operatively connecting the motor means and the engine crankshaft, e. pump means between the motor means and the separate pass of the first heat exchanger means, f. conduit means delivering refrigerant from the motor meaNs to the pump means, g. drive means for energizing the pump means, h. conduit means delivering refrigerant from the pump means to the separate pass of the first heat exchanger means, i. a second heat exchanger means disposed in the return conduit to receive coolant from the first heat exchanger means and discharge coolant into the inlet port, said second heat exchanger means including a separate pass in heat exchanger relationship with the coolant operatively connected to the engine exhaust port to convey exhaust gases and impart heat to the coolant prior to entering the inlet port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
297 words
In combination with an internal combustion engine of the type having a cooling and exhaust system in which coolant is circulated from an engine outlet port at relatively high temperature through an outflow conduit to a radiator and from the radiator through a return conduit to an engine inlet port at a relatively low temperature, and in which exhaust gases are passed from the engine through an exhaust port, a thermal recovery system comprising: a. a first heat exchanger means operatively connected between the outflow conduit and the return conduit in by-pass relation to the radiator to receive coolant from the engine and discharge coolant into the return conduit, said first heat exchanger means including a separate pass in heat exchange relationship with the coolant containing refrigerant to absorb heat from the coolant, b. refrigerant operated motor means, c. conduit means delivering refrigerant from the separate pass of the first heat exchanger means to the motor means to energize the motor means, d. drive means operatively connecting the motor means and the engine crankshaft, e. pump means between the motor means and the separate pass of the first heat exchanger means, f. conduit means delivering refrigerant from the motor meaNs to the pump means, g. drive means for energizing the pump means, h. conduit means delivering refrigerant from the pump means to the separate pass of the first heat exchanger means, i. a second heat exchanger means disposed in the return conduit to receive coolant from the first heat exchanger means and discharge coolant into the inlet port, said second heat exchanger means including a separate pass in heat exchanger relationship with the coolant operatively connected to the engine exhaust port to convey exhaust gases and impart heat to the coolant prior to entering the inlet port.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-12-09 | 1979-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-09 | 1982-12-09 | 1983-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-09 | 1986-12-09 | 1987-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |