US4773473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat-exchanger for fuel in an internal combustion engine
Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
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Filing: 1986-08-06
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Granted: 1988-09-27
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Expires: 2006-08-06
Abstract
Abstract An heat exchange arrangement for a fuel system of an internal-combustion engine vehicle utilizing a heat pipe with an evaporizing zone for cooling the fuel directed from the engine to the fuel tank and a condensation zone located in an air path of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Hansjorg Konitzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:00
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M31/00; F02M31/20; F02M31/005; F02M31/02; F02M31/16; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/0275; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A heat exchange arrangement for a fuel system of an internal-combustion engine, arranged in a motor vehicle fuel system between a reservoir for the fuel and the internal-combustion engine and having a forward-flow fuel line and a return-flow fuel line and a heat pipe means for cooling of the fuel; wherein the heat pipe means has a first evaporator zone end area serving to cool the fuel and arranged as a chamber means through which the fuel return-flow line flows and on other end area acting as a condensation zone wherein an air heat exchanger is arranged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A heat exchange arrangement for a fuel system of an internal-combustion engine, arranged in a motor vehicle fuel system between a reservoir for the fuel and the internal-combustion engine and having a forward-flow fuel line and a return-flow fuel line and a heat pipe means for cooling of the fuel; wherein the heat pipe means has a first evaporator zone end area serving to cool the fuel and arranged as a chamber means through which the fuel return-flow line flows and on other end area acting as a condensation zone wherein an air heat exchanger is arranged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A heat exchange arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the air heat exchanger is arranged in an air guiding means of the automobile in at least one of a cooling air guiding means, a fresh-air source, an air-conditioning-air source, and an exhaust-air guiding means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
118 words
Heat pipe means in a fuel system of an internal-combustion engine of a motor vehicle comprising: a heat pipe means having an evaporator zone in an end area thereof and being surrounded by fuel in a return-flow line of the fuel system leading from the internal-combustion engine to a fuel reservoir; said evaporator zone end area of said heat pipe means cooling the fuel in said return-flow line; said evaporator zone being located in a crash-secure area of the vehicle, arranged toward a rearwardly located end area of the internal-combustion engine in the motor vehicle; and another end area of the heat pipe means forming a condensation zone arranged in an air guiding means of the motor vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
118 words
Heat pipe means in a fuel system of an internal-combustion engine of a motor vehicle comprising: a heat pipe means having an evaporator zone in an end area thereof and being surrounded by fuel in a return-flow line of the fuel system leading from the internal-combustion engine to a fuel reservoir; said evaporator zone end area of said heat pipe means cooling the fuel in said return-flow line; said evaporator zone being located in a crash-secure area of the vehicle, arranged toward a rearwardly located end area of the internal-combustion engine in the motor vehicle; and another end area of the heat pipe means forming a condensation zone arranged in an air guiding means of the motor vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A motor vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the evaporator zone of the heat pipe means is arranged in a chamber that is connected with the fuel return flow line, that is provided adjacent a side of the motor vehicle opposite an engine exhaust of the internal-combustion engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A motor vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the condensation zone of the heat pipe means is arranged upstream of a radiator in the cooling air guiding means of the internal-combustion engine; and wherein heat insulation means is provided for the heat pipe means, located between said two end areas of said heat pipe means and close to heat-emitting devices of the internal-combustion engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A motor vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the condensation zone of the heat pipe means is arranged upstream of a radiator in the cooling air guiding means of the internal-combustion engine; and wherein heat insulation means is provided for the heat pipe means, located between said two end areas of said heat pipe means and close to heat-emitting devices of the internal-combustion engine
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-27 | 1992-03-28 | 1992-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-27 | 1996-03-28 | 1996-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-27 | 2000-03-28 | 2000-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |