US5063513A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle preheater control
Assignee: Uusi LLC
•
Filing: 1990-06-15
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Granted: 1991-11-05
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Expires: 2010-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A control unit for operating an auxiliary vehicle heater at cold temperature. The unit can be preprogrammed or manually actuated and includes a plurality of sensors and control outputs for operating the auxiliary heater. The time of operation is based upon sensed ambient temperature. A compartment fan is operated automatically by the control unit to warm the passenger compartment.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. Shank
- 👤 Nadi S. Findikli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:37
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60H; B60H1/00; B60H1/22; B60H1/2203; B60H1/2206; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1902; G05D23/1904; B60H2001/2228; B60H2001/2234
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
Apparatus comprising: a. an auxiliary heating system for transferring heat to a motor vehicle prior to start-up of a motor vehicle engine including: i. an auxiliary energy source separate from said motor vehicle engine for transferring heat to a motor vehicle engine cooling system; and ii. an auxiliary pump for moving a coolant through said motor vehicle engine cooling system as heat is transferred to said cooling system from said auxiliary energy source; b. input means mounted to said vehicle in a location accessible to a motorist and including one or more input switches for actuating the auxiliary heating system; c. control means coupled to said input means to initiate operation of said auxiliary energy source prior to a projected vehicle start time; said control means including: i. a memory for storing said projected vehicle start time as entered by the motorist through the one or more input switches; and ii. activator for means coupled to the auxiliary energy source for activating the auxiliary energy source; and d. sensor means for sensing a temperature of said coolant prior to operation of said auxiliary energy source and coupling a signal corresponding to said temperature to the control means for enabling said control means to determine a time interval said auxiliary energy source is to operate based upon said sensed temperature and the projected vehicle start time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
Apparatus comprising: a. an auxiliary heating system for transferring heat to a motor vehicle prior to start-up of a motor vehicle engine including: i. an auxiliary energy source separate from said motor vehicle engine for transferring heat to a motor vehicle engine cooling system; and ii. an auxiliary pump for moving a coolant through said motor vehicle engine cooling system as heat is transferred to said cooling system from said auxiliary energy source; b. input means mounted to said vehicle in a location accessible to a motorist and including one or more input switches for actuating the auxiliary heating system; c. control means coupled to said input means to initiate operation of said auxiliary energy source prior to a projected vehicle start time; said control means including: i. a memory for storing said projected vehicle start time as entered by the motorist through the one or more input switches; and ii. activator for means coupled to the auxiliary energy source for activating the auxiliary energy source; and d. sensor means for sensing a temperature of said coolant prior to operation of said auxiliary energy source and coupling a signal corresponding to said temperature to the control means for enabling said control means to determine a time interval said auxiliary energy source is to operate based upon said sensed temperature and the projected vehicle start time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises timer means for automatically actuating said auxiliary energy source a predetermined time prior to said projected vehicle start time based upon said temperature of said coolant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises: a. means for determining said temperature of coolant in said vehicle cooling system a predetermined time prior to said projected vehicle start time; and b. means for actuating said auxiliary energy source in a controlled manner based upon said sensed temperature of said coolant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means memory comprises means for storing a plurality of preset target ignition times and wherein said activator means activates said auxiliary energy source prior to each of said plurality of said preset target ignition times.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary source comprises: a. combustion chamber; b. a glow plug for initiating combustion within said combustion chamber; c. a fuel pump for routing fuel to said combustion chamber; and d. a combustion fan.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said input means and control means are mounted to a common mounting assembly within a housing and wherein the housing includes a visual display for displaying a time of day to allow said projected vehicle start time to be selected by the motorist through activation of said one or more input switches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said visual display comprises means for indicating a status of auxiliary energy source operation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of heating a motor vehicle with an auxiliary heater prior to starting a motor vehicle engine comprising the steps of: a. setting a motor vehicle start time corresponding to a projected start of said motor vehicle engine; b. at a predetermined time prior to said start time sensing an ambient temperature; and c. based on said sensed ambient temperature activating said auxiliary heater at a time prior to said start time to heat said motor vehicle.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of heating a motor vehicle with an auxiliary heater prior to starting a motor vehicle engine comprising the steps of: a. setting a motor vehicle start time corresponding to a projected start of said motor vehicle engine; b. at a predetermined time prior to said start time sensing an ambient temperature; and c. based on said sensed ambient temperature activating said auxiliary heater at a time prior to said start time to heat said motor vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 wherein in addition to activating said auxiliary heater, a fan for transferring heat to said passenger compartment is also activated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
153 words
Control apparatus for controlling operation of an auxiliary vehicle heater comprising: a. input means mounted to a vehicle in a location accessible to a vehicle operator and including one or more operator actuatable switches for actuating one or more auxiliary heating control functions; b. control means coupled to said input means for initiating operation of said auxiliary vehicle heater prior to a projected vehicle start time entered by actuation of the one or more operator-actuable switches; c. sensor means for sensing a temperature of a coolant and transmitting a signal corresponding to the temperature to said control means to enable the control means to determine a time interval the auxiliary energy source is to operate based upon said sensed temperature; and d. support means for mounting said input means and control means to position said input means in a convenient location for operator input and for enclosing said control means within a housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
153 words
Control apparatus for controlling operation of an auxiliary vehicle heater comprising: a. input means mounted to a vehicle in a location accessible to a vehicle operator and including one or more operator actuatable switches for actuating one or more auxiliary heating control functions; b. control means coupled to said input means for initiating operation of said auxiliary vehicle heater prior to a projected vehicle start time entered by actuation of the one or more operator-actuable switches; c. sensor means for sensing a temperature of a coolant and transmitting a signal corresponding to the temperature to said control means to enable the control means to determine a time interval the auxiliary energy source is to operate based upon said sensed temperature; and d. support means for mounting said input means and control means to position said input means in a convenient location for operator input and for enclosing said control means within a housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The control apparatus of claim 10 wherein the input means comprises a display for displaying a time of day which can be changed by actuation of the one or more operator-actuable switches to adjust the projected vehicle start time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus comprising: a. an auxiliary heating system for transferring heat energy to a motor vehicle engine cooling system comprising: i. a combustion heater having an igniter which, when energized causes a fuel to burn and give off energy for heating a coolant within said cooling system; and ii. a pump for circulating heated coolant through said cooling system to transfer heat away from said coolant; b. an igniter circuit for energizing said igniter; c. control circuitry including an output for activating said igniter circuit at a time before an anticipated vehicle start time based upon sensed temperature; d. a sensor for monitoring an ambient temperature and coupling a signal corresponding to the ambient temperature to said control circuit; e. an input unit mounted a vehicle passenger compartment for transmitting a projected vehicle start time to said control circuit; and f. said control circuit determining an igniter activation time based upon sensed temperature and projected vehicle start time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus comprising: a. an auxiliary heating system for transferring heat energy to a motor vehicle engine cooling system comprising: i. a combustion heater having an igniter which, when energized causes a fuel to burn and give off energy for heating a coolant within said cooling system; and ii. a pump for circulating heated coolant through said cooling system to transfer heat away from said coolant; b. an igniter circuit for energizing said igniter; c. control circuitry including an output for activating said igniter circuit at a time before an anticipated vehicle start time based upon sensed temperature; d. a sensor for monitoring an ambient temperature and coupling a signal corresponding to the ambient temperature to said control circuit; e. an input unit mounted a vehicle passenger compartment for transmitting a projected vehicle start time to said control circuit; and f. said control circuit determining an igniter activation time based upon sensed temperature and projected vehicle start time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
198 words
Apparatus comprising: a. means for transferring heat to a motor vehicle prior to start-up of a motor vehicle engine including: an auxiliary energy source separate from said motor vehicle engine for transferring heat to a motor vehicle engine cooling system; and ii. a pump for routing a coolant through said motor vehicle engine cooling system as heat is transferred to said cooling system; b. input means mounted to said vehicle in a location accessible to a motorist for actuating one or more auxiliary heating control functions; c. control means coupled to said input means to initiate operation of said auxiliary energy source prior to a projected vehicle start time, said control means comprising: i. a timer for storing said projected vehicle start time; ii. means for sensing said temperature of coolant in said vehicle cooling system a predetermined time prior to said start time; and iii. means for actuating said auxiliary energy source in a controlled manner based upon said sensed temperature of said coolant; and d. sensor means for sensing a temperature of said coolant for enabling said control means to determine a time interval said auxiliary energy source is to operate based upon said sensed temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
198 words
Apparatus comprising: a. means for transferring heat to a motor vehicle prior to start-up of a motor vehicle engine including: an auxiliary energy source separate from said motor vehicle engine for transferring heat to a motor vehicle engine cooling system; and ii. a pump for routing a coolant through said motor vehicle engine cooling system as heat is transferred to said cooling system; b. input means mounted to said vehicle in a location accessible to a motorist for actuating one or more auxiliary heating control functions; c. control means coupled to said input means to initiate operation of said auxiliary energy source prior to a projected vehicle start time, said control means comprising: i. a timer for storing said projected vehicle start time; ii. means for sensing said temperature of coolant in said vehicle cooling system a predetermined time prior to said start time; and iii. means for actuating said auxiliary energy source in a controlled manner based upon said sensed temperature of said coolant; and d. sensor means for sensing a temperature of said coolant for enabling said control means to determine a time interval said auxiliary energy source is to operate based upon said sensed temperature.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of heating a motor vehicle with an auxiliary heater prior to starting a motor vehicle engine comprising the steps of: a. setting a motor vehicle start time corresponding to a projected start of said motor vehicle engine; b. at a predetermined time prior t said start time sensing a temperature of a motor vehicle coolant; and c. based on said sensed coolant temperature activating said auxiliary at a time prior to said start time to heat said motor vehicle.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of heating a motor vehicle with an auxiliary heater prior to starting a motor vehicle engine comprising the steps of: a. setting a motor vehicle start time corresponding to a projected start of said motor vehicle engine; b. at a predetermined time prior t said start time sensing a temperature of a motor vehicle coolant; and c. based on said sensed coolant temperature activating said auxiliary at a time prior to said start time to heat said motor vehicle.
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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) | 1994-11-04 | 1995-05-06 | 1995-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-04 | 1999-05-06 | 1999-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-04 | 2003-05-06 | 2003-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |