Method and apparatus for heat storage in internal combustion engines

Claim 5

The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of continuously introducing a small amount of said second substance to the lower chamber of said reservoir when said engine is at rest, thereby reacting a small amount of said second substance with said first substance to generate heat and keep said engine warm for an extended period of time.

Claim 6

Apparatus for improving combustion and ignition upon cold start of an internal-combustion engine, comprising: change-of-state heat storage means disposed in heat-exchange relationship with the engine for absorbing engine heat from engine operation and hot soak following engine operation, and for maintaining increased engine temperature by gradually releasing stored heat back to the engine when the engine is at rest.

Claim 7

Apparatus for improving combustion and ignition upon cold start of an internal-combustion engine, comprising: change-of-state heat storage means disposed in heat-exchange relationship with the engine for absorbing engine heat from engine operation and hot soak following engine operation, and for maintaining increased engine temperature by gradually releasing stored heat back to the engine when the engine is at rest.

Claim 8

An improved internal-combustion engine having an intake manifold, and an exhaust manifold wherein the improvement comprises: a heat-storage reservoir in heat-exchange relationship with said intake manifold, and a heat-storage medium disposed in said heat-storage reservoir, whereby engine heat from operation of said engine is transferred from said intake manifold to said heat-storage medium, and whereby stored heat is transferred directly from said heat-storage medium to said intake manifold upon the cooling of said engine after shut-down, thereby maintaining an elevated intake manifold temperature for start-up.

Claim 9

An improved internal-combustion engine having an intake manifold, and an exhaust manifold wherein the improvement comprises: a heat-storage reservoir in heat-exchange relationship with said intake manifold, and a heat-storage medium disposed in said heat-storage reservoir, whereby engine heat from operation of said engine is transferred from said intake manifold to said heat-storage medium, and whereby stored heat is transferred directly from said heat-storage medium to said intake manifold upon the cooling of said engine after shut-down, thereby maintaining an elevated intake manifold temperature for start-up.

Claim 10

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 5 wherein said heat-storage medium is a change-of-state material having a melting point temperature which is less than the normal cycle temperature of said engine.

Claim 11

The improved internal combustion engine of claim 5 or 6 further comprising: a heat exchanger disposed in heat-exchange relationship with said exhaust manifold, and a heating coil passing from said heat exchanger through said heat-storage medium and then back to said heat exchanger.

Claim 12

The improved internal combustion engine of claim 7 having: an expansion chamber disposed along said heating coil outside said heat-storage reservoir, a control valve disposed along said heating coil outside said heat-storage reservoir, a thermostat disposed along said heating coil outside said heat storage reservoir, and a second heat-storage medium disposed inside said heating coil.

Claim 13

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 8 wherein said second heat-storage medium is a change-of-state material having a melting point temperature which is less than the normal exhaust cycle temperature of said engine.

Claim 14

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 5 wherein said reservoir comprises a bladder fitted over the top of said engine, said bladder extending at least over the outside of said intake manifold.

Claim 15

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 5 wherein said reservoir comprises a chamber disposed below said air filter assembly, on top of and in heat-exchange relationship with said intake manifold.

Claim 16

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 5 further comprising: a heat-exchanger disposed in heat-exchange relationship with said exhaust manifold, and a heat storage material conduit for transferring heat storage material from said reservoir to said heat exchanger and back to said reservoir.

Claim 17

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 5 wherein said reservoir comprises a bladder of heat-conductive material adapted to fit over the top of said engine, said bladder having: a lower chamber extending at least over the outside of said intake manifold, said heat-storage medium being disposed in said lower chamber, an upper chamber in said bladder covering said lower chamber, and a second heat-storage medium in said upper chamber.

Claim 18

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 13 wherein said first heat-storage medium is a change-of-state material having a melting point temperature which is less than the normal cycle temperature of said engine.

Claim 19

The improved internal-combustion engine of claims 13 or 14 wherein said second heat-storage medium is water.

Claim 20

The improved internal-combustion engine of claims 13 or 14 wherein said second heat-storage medium is a change-of-state material having a melting point temperature which is less than the normal cycle temperature of said engine.

Claim 21

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 5 wherein said heat-storage reservoir comprises a plurality of heat-storage bags placed on top of said intake manifold, said bags comprising: a flexible casing, an insulating cover at the top of each said bag, a reflective top surface over said insulating cover, and

Claim 22

a heat-conductive bottom surface on each said bag for heat exchange with said intake manifold.

Claim 23

a heat-conductive bottom surface on each said bag for heat exchange with said intake manifold.

Claim 24

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 5 wherein said heat-storage reservoir comprises a cast chamber unitary with said intake manifold, substantially surrounding its functional passages.

Claim 25

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 5 wherein said heat-storage reservoir comprises a container in heat-exchange relationship with said intake manifold, said container further comprising: a first chamber, a second chamber, a check valve connecting said first chamber with said second chamber, said check valve permitting fluid flow only from said second chamber to said first chamber, and a controllable recycling valve for selectively permitting fluid flow from said first chamber to said second chamber, said recycling valve connecting said first chamber and said second chamber, said heat-storage medium comprising a first substance disposed in said second chamber, said first substance being associated with a second substance, which second substance reversably exothermically reacts when mixed with said first substance, whereby, as said engine warms to normal operating temperature and surpasses the heat of reaction between said first substance and said second substance, said reaction ceases and said second substance separates as a gas from said first substance and passes through said check valve to said first chamber and, whereby said controllable recycling valve is opened upon engine start-up, permitting said second substance to mix again with said first substance and thereby generate heat which rapidly warms said intake manifold when additional manifold temperature is needed.

Claim 26

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 19 further comprising: selectable control means for partially opening said controllable recycling valve to permit a continuous small flow of said second substance from said first chamber into said second chamber, to mix with said first substance and thereby generate heat to keep said engine warm between uses.

Claim 27

In an internal-combustion engine having an intake manifold and an air filter assembly, a heat-storage reservoir for maintaining elevated temperature in said intake manifold after said engine has been shut down, comprising: a bladder adapted to fit in heat-exchange relationship ovr the top of a said engine, said bladder having a lower chamber extending substantially over said intake manifold, and an upper chamber covering said lower chamber, a first heat-storage material in said lower chamber, and a second heat-storage material in said upper chamber.

Claim 28

In an internal-combustion engine having an intake manifold and an air filter assembly, a heat-storage reservoir for maintaining elevated temperature in said intake manifold after said engine has been shut down, comprising: a bladder adapted to fit in heat-exchange relationship ovr the top of a said engine, said bladder having a lower chamber extending substantially over said intake manifold, and an upper chamber covering said lower chamber, a first heat-storage material in said lower chamber, and a second heat-storage material in said upper chamber.

Claim 29

The heat-storage reservoir of claim 21 wherein said first heat-storage material has a melting point temperature which is lower than the normal cycle temperature of said engine.

Claim 30

The heat storage reservoir of claim 21 wherein said second heat storage material is water.

Claim 31

In an internal-combustion engine having an upwardly exposed intake manifold surface, a plurality of heat-storage bags for placement on top of said intake manifold surface, said heat storage bags each comprising: a flexible casing, an insulating cover at the top of each said bag, a reflective top surface over said insulating cover, a heat conductive bottom surface for heat exchange with said intake manifold, and a change-of-state heat-storage material in said flexible casing.

Claim 32

In an internal-combustion engine having an upwardly exposed intake manifold surface, a plurality of heat-storage bags for placement on top of said intake manifold surface, said heat storage bags each comprising: a flexible casing, an insulating cover at the top of each said bag, a reflective top surface over said insulating cover, a heat conductive bottom surface for heat exchange with said intake manifold, and a change-of-state heat-storage material in said flexible casing.

Claim 33

An improved intake manifold for an internal-combustion engine having cast, unitary chambers surrounding the functional passageways of said manifold, said chambers being filled with a change-of-state heat-storage material for absorbing and storing heat from operation to said engine by direct heat exchange, and maintaining elevated manifold temperatures when said engine begins to cool down from normal cycle temperature.

Claim 34

An improved intake manifold for an internal-combustion engine having cast, unitary chambers surrounding the functional passageways of said manifold, said chambers being filled with a change-of-state heat-storage material for absorbing and storing heat from operation to said engine by direct heat exchange, and maintaining elevated manifold temperatures when said engine begins to cool down from normal cycle temperature.

Claim 35

In an internal-combustion engine having an intake manifold and a top air filter assembly, a heat-storage container for storing heat generated by said engine when running and for releasing stored heat to said intake manifold after said engine has been shut down, comprising: a container disposed below said air filter assembly, and in heat exchange relationship with said intake manifold, and a change-of-state heat-storage material disposed in said container.

Claim 36

In an internal-combustion engine having an intake manifold and a top air filter assembly, a heat-storage container for storing heat generated by said engine when running and for releasing stored heat to said intake manifold after said engine has been shut down, comprising: a container disposed below said air filter assembly, and in heat exchange relationship with said intake manifold, and a change-of-state heat-storage material disposed in said container.

Claim 37

The heat-storage container of claim 26 having: an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a check valve connecting said upper chamber with said lower chamber, said check valve permitting fluid flow from said lower chamber to said upper chamber, a controllable recycling valve for selectively permitting fluid flow from said upper chamber to said lower chamber, said recycling valve connecting said upper chamber and said lower chamber, and a first substance disposed in said lower chamber, said first substance being associated with a second substance which reversably exothermically reacts when mixed with said first substance, whereby as said engine warms to normal operating temperature and surpasses the heat of reaction of said first substance and said second substance, said reaction ceases and said second substance separates as a vapor from said first substance and passes through said check valve to said upper chamber where it cools and condenses upon the cooling of said engine below the boiling point of said second substance, and whereby said controllable recycling valve is opened upon engine start-up, permitting said cooled second substance to flow into said lower chamber and mix with said first substance, thereby generating heat which rapidly warms said intake manifold.

Claim 38

The heat storage container of claim 27 further comprising: selectable means for partially opening said controllable recycling valve to cause a slow flow of said cooled second substance into said lower chamber to mix with said first substance, thereby generating heat which keeps said engine warm for an extended period of time between uses.

Claim 39

In an internal-combustion engine having an intake manifold, an air filter assembly and an exhaust manifold, a heat-storage reservoir for maintaining elevated temperature in said intake manifold after said engine has been shut down, comprising: a bladder adapted to fit over the top of said engine, said bladder extending generally over said intake manifold, and a first heat-storage medium in said bladder, whereby said heat-storage medium absorbs heat from said intake manifold while said engine is hot, and transfers heat back to said intake manifold upon cooling of said engine.

Claim 40

In an internal-combustion engine having an intake manifold, an air filter assembly and an exhaust manifold, a heat-storage reservoir for maintaining elevated temperature in said intake manifold after said engine has been shut down, comprising: a bladder adapted to fit over the top of said engine, said bladder extending generally over said intake manifold, and a first heat-storage medium in said bladder, whereby said heat-storage medium absorbs heat from said intake manifold while said engine is hot, and transfers heat back to said intake manifold upon cooling of said engine.

Claim 41

The heat-storage reservoir of claim 29 further comprising: a heating coil disposed inside said bladder around its perimeter, in heat-exchange relationship with said heat-storage medium, a second heat-storage medium in said coil, a heat exchanger in heat-exchange relationship with said exhaust manifold, said heating coil passing from said bladder to said heat exchanger, an expansion chamber attached to said heat coil outside said bladder, and a thermostat/valve attached to said heating coil outside said bladder, whereby the heat of said exhaust manifold is absorbed by said second heat-storage medium in said heat exchanger and is transferred to said first heat-storage medium inside said bladder, which in turn releases stored heat to said intake manifold keeping said manifold warm during cooling of said engine.

Claim 42

The heat-storage reservoir of claim 30 wherein said second heat-storage medium is a change-of-state material having a melting point temperature lower than the normal exhaust cycle temperature of said engine.

Claim 43

The heat-storage reservoir of claim 29, 30 or 31 wherein said first heat-storage medium is water.

Claim 44

The heat-storage reservoir of claim 32 wherein said second heat-storage medium is a change-of-state material having a vaporization point temperature lower than the normal cycle temperature of said exhaust manifold, and a melting point above normal ambient temperature.

Claim 45

The heat storage reservoir of claim 30, 31, or 33 wherein said first heat-storage medium is a change-of-state material having a melting point temperature lower than the normal cycle temperature of said engine.

Claim 46

An improved internal-combustion engine having an intake manifold with an air-intake cleaner, and an exhaust manifold wherein the improvement comprises: a heat-storage reservoir shaped to conform to the shape of said air-intake cleaner and normally in heat-exchange relationship with said air-intake cleaner, while readily removable therefrom, and a heat-storage medium disposed in said heat-storage reservoir, whereby engine heat from operation of said engine is transferred from said intake manifold via said air-intake cleaner to said heat-storage medium.

Claim 47

An improved internal-combustion engine having an intake manifold with an air-intake cleaner, and an exhaust manifold wherein the improvement comprises: a heat-storage reservoir shaped to conform to the shape of said air-intake cleaner and normally in heat-exchange relationship with said air-intake cleaner, while readily removable therefrom, and a heat-storage medium disposed in said heat-storage reservoir, whereby engine heat from operation of said engine is transferred from said intake manifold via said air-intake cleaner to said heat-storage medium.

Claim 48

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 35 wherein said reservoir comprises a shaped ladder fitted over the top of said air-intake cleaner.

Claim 49

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 35 wherein said reservoir comprises a shaped badder of heat-conductive material adapted to fit over the top of said air-intake cleaner, said bladder having: a lower chamber extending generally over the outside of said air-intake cleaner, said heat-storage medium being disposed in said lower chamber, an upper chamber in said bladder covering said lower chamber, and a second heat-storage medium in said upper chamber.

Claim 50

The improved internal-combustion engine of claim 35 wherein said heat-storage reservoir comprises a plurality of heat-storage bags placed on top of said air-intake cleaner, said bags comprising: a flexible casing, an insulating cover at the top of each said bag, a reflective top surface over said insulating cover, and a heat-conductive bottom surface on each said bag for heat exchange with said air-intake cleaner.

Claim 51

In an internal-combustion engine having an intake manifold and an air filter assembly, a removable heat-storage reservoir able to maintain elevated temperature in said intake manifold after said engine has been shut down, comprising: a shaped bladder adapted to fit removably in heat-exchange relationship over the top of a said engine.

Claim 52

In an internal-combustion engine having an intake manifold and an air filter assembly, a removable heat-storage reservoir able to maintain elevated temperature in said intake manifold after said engine has been shut down, comprising: a shaped bladder adapted to fit removably in heat-exchange relationship over the top of a said engine.

Claim 53

The engine of claim 39 wherein said bladder has a lower chamber extending substantially over a portion of said intake manifold, and an upper chamber covering said lower chamber, a first heat-storage material in said lower chamber, and a second heat-storage material in said upper chamber.