Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A heat-assisted starting apparatus for a liquid-cooled internal-combustion engine including a liquid cooling system, an insulated reservoir capable of holding a substantial volume of the cooling system coolant, and coolant-transfer and retransfer means operative in a first cycle for discharging coolant from the cooling system to the reservoir incident to engine shut-down and in a second cycle for charging the cooling system from the reservoir incident to engine start-up, the improvement comprising: an accumulator liquid-connected to the reservoir; pump means serving in the first cycle and connected between the cooling system and the reservoir for discharging coolant from the cooling system to the reservoir and simultaneously pressurizing the accumulator; coolant-charge means connected between the reservoir and operative in the second cycle, independently of the pump means and under pressure stored in the accumulator during operation in the first cycle, for charging the cooling system from the reservoir; and control means selectively operative for selecting between operation in said first and second cycles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A heat-assisted starting apparatus for a liquid-cooled internal-combustion engine including a liquid cooling system, an insulated reservoir capable of holding a substantial volume of the cooling system coolant, and coolant-transfer and retransfer means operative in a first cycle for discharging coolant from the cooling system to the reservoir incident to engine shut-down and in a second cycle for charging the cooling system from the reservoir incident to engine start-up, the improvement comprising: an accumulator liquid-connected to the reservoir; pump means serving in the first cycle and connected between the cooling system and the reservoir for discharging coolant from the cooling system to the reservoir and simultaneously pressurizing the accumulator; coolant-charge means connected between the reservoir and operative in the second cycle, independently of the pump means and under pressure stored in the accumulator during operation in the first cycle, for charging the cooling system from the reservoir; and control means selectively operative for selecting between operation in said first and second cycles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, the further improvement comprising means associated with the coolant-charge means for by-passing the pump during operation in the second cycle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1, the further improvement comprising time-delay means associated with the control means and responsive to a preselected rise in coolant temperature following engine shut-down to delay operation in the first cycle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 3, the further improvement comprising means responsive to a preselected diminution of coolant in the coolant system during the first cycle for automatically stopping operation of the pump means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1, the further improvement comprising time-delay means associated with the control means for delaying starting of the engine following operation in the second cycle until the cooling system has been charged with a preselected volume of coolant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, the further improvement comprising valve means in the control means selectively connectible to effectuate the pump means discharge and the coolant charge means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 1, the further improvement comprising first time-delay means associated with the control means and responsive to a preselected rise in coolant temperature following engine shut-down to delay operation in the first cycle until said temperature is attained, and second time-delay means associated with the control means for delaying starting of the engine following operation in the second cycle until the cooling system has been charged with a preselected volume of coolant.