US4027631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combustion engine driven liquid heater
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-07-06
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Granted: 1977-06-07
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Expires: 1996-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A combustion engine driven liquid heater wherein an internal combustion engine is utilized as the primary liquid heating energy source. The internal combustion engine is submerged in a container of liquid to be heated and is adapted to operate in its submerged condition. A friction heater is also submerged in the liquid to be heated and is driven from the internal combustion engine. In addition, the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine is caused to meander throughout the liquid before exhausting to the atmosphere. The liquid thus heated is then flowed through a heat dissipation or radiation system such as might be found in the conventional home. Thus, not only is the heat of combustion and all the heat produced by the power of combustion fully utilized to heat the liquid, but in addition, the heat given off due to friction of engine parts is also captured and fully utilized.
Inventors
- 👤 Elzie E. Lavery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:24
CPC Classifications
F; F22; F22B; F22B3/00; F22B3/06; F24; F24V; F24V40/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An internal combustion engine driven liquid heater comprising a tank containing a liquid to be heated, an internal combustion engine suspended in said tank and submerged in said liquid and adapted to operate in its submerged condition, friction heater means submerged in said liquid and driven from said internal combustion engine, exhaust pipe heat transfer means connected to said engine to exhaust combustion fumes therefrom, said exhaust pipe heat transfer means meandering through said liquid before exhausting to the atmosphere to transfer exhaust heat to said liquid, and means to flow said liquid through a heat dissipation system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An internal combustion engine driven liquid heater comprising a tank containing a liquid to be heated, an internal combustion engine suspended in said tank and submerged in said liquid and adapted to operate in its submerged condition, friction heater means submerged in said liquid and driven from said internal combustion engine, exhaust pipe heat transfer means connected to said engine to exhaust combustion fumes therefrom, said exhaust pipe heat transfer means meandering through said liquid before exhausting to the atmosphere to transfer exhaust heat to said liquid, and means to flow said liquid through a heat dissipation system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combustion engine driven liquid heater of claim 1 including means to recirculate said liquid flowed through the heat dissipation system back to said tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combustion engine driven liquid heater of claim 1 including means to replenish fresh liquid to said tank to a predetermined level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combustion engine driven liquid heater of claim 1 including a cover temporarily secured over said tank and insulation means covering said tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combustion engine driven liquid heater of claim 1 wherein said friction heater means consists of stationary friction pads bearing against rotary means driven from said engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combustion engine driven liquid heater of claim 1 including control means to start and stop said engine and said means to flow said liquid upon command from a thermostat signal at predetermined temperature levels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combustion engine driven liquid heater of claim 1 wherein said engine and said friction heater means are connected together as a unit, said unit being removable from said tank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combustion engine driven liquid heater of claim 1 including clutch means between said engine and said friction heater means to disengage the latter from said engine during starting operation of said engine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combustion engine driven liquid heater of claim 8, wherein said clutch means is a centrifugal clutch engageable at a preselected operation speed of said engine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combustion engine driven liquid heater of claim 1 wherein said means to flow said liquid includes a pump.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combustion engine driven liquid heater of claim 10 wherein said pump is driven from said engine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combustion engine driven liquid heater of claim 1 wherein said engine is a deisel internal combustion engine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combustion engine driven liquid heater of claim 1 including a cover sealing said tank, and a pressure relief valve in said cover to exhaust gases and vapors in said covered tank upon attaining a predetermined danger pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combustion engine driven liquid heater of claim 1 including a thermostat positioned to sense the temperature of said liquid and operable to stop said engine when said liquid attains a predetermined level.
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) | 1980-06-06 | 1980-12-06 | 1981-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-06 | 1984-12-06 | 1985-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-06 | 1988-12-06 | 1989-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |