Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
287 words
In combination with a cold, fluid-cooled automotive engine, apparatus for heating said cold engine to facilitate starting thereof, said apparatus comprising: an automotive service engine having a pressurized fluid-cooling system; first and second fluid conduit segments permanently connected to and in communication with the fluid cooling system of said cold engine; coupling means adjacent the outermost ends of said first and second segments for detachably connecting said segments to selectively present a closed fluid loop with said cold engine system, and alternately open-ended conduit segments when said coupling means are detached; first and second conduit sections permanently connected to and in communication with the fluid cooling system of said service engine; coupling structures adjacent the outermost ends of said first and second sections for detachably connecting said sections to selectively present a closed fluid loop with said service engine system, and alternately open-ended conduit sections when said coupling structures are detached; a pair of fluid-transfer conduits of length to span the distance between said conduit segments and sections; and attachment means adjacent the opposed ends of said transfer conduits for detachably connecting one of the transfer conduits between the coupling means of one of said segments and the coupling structure of one of said sections, and for detachably connecting the other of said transfer conduits between the remaining segment coupling means and section coupling structure, when said segments and sections are detached, in order to define a closed fluid loop with the cooling systems of said cold and service engines, whereby, upon running of said service engine with the cooling fluid therein in a heated condition, such heated fluid is circulated throughout the last-mentioned closed fluid loop for heating said cold engine and for facilitating starting thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
287 words
In combination with a cold, fluid-cooled automotive engine, apparatus for heating said cold engine to facilitate starting thereof, said apparatus comprising: an automotive service engine having a pressurized fluid-cooling system; first and second fluid conduit segments permanently connected to and in communication with the fluid cooling system of said cold engine; coupling means adjacent the outermost ends of said first and second segments for detachably connecting said segments to selectively present a closed fluid loop with said cold engine system, and alternately open-ended conduit segments when said coupling means are detached; first and second conduit sections permanently connected to and in communication with the fluid cooling system of said service engine; coupling structures adjacent the outermost ends of said first and second sections for detachably connecting said sections to selectively present a closed fluid loop with said service engine system, and alternately open-ended conduit sections when said coupling structures are detached; a pair of fluid-transfer conduits of length to span the distance between said conduit segments and sections; and attachment means adjacent the opposed ends of said transfer conduits for detachably connecting one of the transfer conduits between the coupling means of one of said segments and the coupling structure of one of said sections, and for detachably connecting the other of said transfer conduits between the remaining segment coupling means and section coupling structure, when said segments and sections are detached, in order to define a closed fluid loop with the cooling systems of said cold and service engines, whereby, upon running of said service engine with the cooling fluid therein in a heated condition, such heated fluid is circulated throughout the last-mentioned closed fluid loop for heating said cold engine and for facilitating starting thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sections are each coupled to fluid-conveying T-joints, the latter being operatively connected to the heater hoses of said service engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2 including selectively operable valve structure interposed in one of said sections for selectively preventing fluid flow through the sections when the latter are coupled together.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of heating a cold, fluid-cooled automotive engine provided with a pair of fluid conduit segments operatively and permanently connected to the fluid-cooling system thereof and having corresponding detachable coupling means adjacent the outermost ends thereof connecting said segments to present a closed fluid loop with the cooling system of said engine, said method comprising the steps of: moving a mobile service vehicle having a heated service engine with a pressurized fluid-cooling system to a position adjacent said cold automotive engine; detaching said coupling means to present a pair of elongated, open-ended conduit segments connected to the fluid-cooling system of said cold engine; connecting said segments to respective fluid transfer conduits operatively connected to the pressurized fluid-cooling system of said service engine to present a closed fluid loop between said cold and service engines; running said service engine to effect circulation of the heated cooling fluid throughout said closed fluid loop for a sufficient time to heat said cold engine; disconnecting said segments from said tranfer conduits; and reconnecting said fluid conduit segments.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of heating a cold, fluid-cooled automotive engine provided with a pair of fluid conduit segments operatively and permanently connected to the fluid-cooling system thereof and having corresponding detachable coupling means adjacent the outermost ends thereof connecting said segments to present a closed fluid loop with the cooling system of said engine, said method comprising the steps of: moving a mobile service vehicle having a heated service engine with a pressurized fluid-cooling system to a position adjacent said cold automotive engine; detaching said coupling means to present a pair of elongated, open-ended conduit segments connected to the fluid-cooling system of said cold engine; connecting said segments to respective fluid transfer conduits operatively connected to the pressurized fluid-cooling system of said service engine to present a closed fluid loop between said cold and service engines; running said service engine to effect circulation of the heated cooling fluid throughout said closed fluid loop for a sufficient time to heat said cold engine; disconnecting said segments from said tranfer conduits; and reconnecting said fluid conduit segments.