Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for heating fuel injected into a Diesel engine fuel tank, said apparatus comprising a heat exchanger, heat-carrying fluid supply means, pipe means connecting the heat-carrying fluid supply means to the heat exchanger, means for connecting the heat exchanger to the fuel tank, a vessel for containing a reserve supply of hot fuel and containing at least one auxiliary source of heat, an injection pump having an inlet and an outlet, a thermostat valve comprising three ways, first pipe means connecting a first of said ways to the outlet of the injection pump, second pipe means connecting a second of said ways to the vessel and third pipe means connecting a third of said ways to the fuel tank, pipe means connecting the inlet of the injection pump to the vessel, the thermostat valve being arranged to connect the outlet of the injection pump to the vessel below a previously-fixed temperature of the fuel in the vessel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for heating fuel injected into a Diesel engine fuel tank, said apparatus comprising a heat exchanger, heat-carrying fluid supply means, pipe means connecting the heat-carrying fluid supply means to the heat exchanger, means for connecting the heat exchanger to the fuel tank, a vessel for containing a reserve supply of hot fuel and containing at least one auxiliary source of heat, an injection pump having an inlet and an outlet, a thermostat valve comprising three ways, first pipe means connecting a first of said ways to the outlet of the injection pump, second pipe means connecting a second of said ways to the vessel and third pipe means connecting a third of said ways to the fuel tank, pipe means connecting the inlet of the injection pump to the vessel, the thermostat valve being arranged to connect the outlet of the injection pump to the vessel below a previously-fixed temperature of the fuel in the vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermostat connects said outlet of the injection pump to the fuel tank beyond a temperature adjusted to between about 30° C. and 60° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the thermostat valve is a wax thermostat valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the heat-carrying fluid is a cooling liquid for said engine, said pipe means connecting said supply means to the exchanger including a thermostat valve which is arranged to supply said heat-carrying fluid to the heat exchanger when the temperature of the cooling liquid reaches a predetermined value adjusted to between about 35° C. and 60° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the heat-carrying fluid is constituted by the exhaust gases of the engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the heat-carrying fluid is constituted by the lubricating oil of the engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the auxiliary source of heat placed in said vessel is an electric resistor for connection to a battery of the engine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said vessel further comprises a second auxiliary source of heat constituted by an electric resistor for connection to a source of electricity exterior to the engine.