Patent Application
20150176616
The present disclosure generally relates to pressurizable and fluid-retaining vessels. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a heater system for pressurizable and fluid-retaining vessels.
Machines, such as motor graders, snow ploughs, wheel loaders, and the like, may operate in cold climatic conditions. These machines may be subjected to damage due to low temperatures, as various systems in these machines, such as cooling system, lubrication system, transmission system, braking system, and the like, may be affected due to freezing ambient temperatures. The cooling system and the lubrication system of a machine may lose heat after sometime upon shutdown. However, the transmission system and the hydraulic system may lose heat more rapidly due to exposure to a relatively cold ambience. Such transmission system may include one or more accumulators, which may be damaged due to the cold ambience. More particularly, the accumulator generally includes a flexible diaphragm, which separates gas from hydraulic oil. Modern diaphragm style accumulators are designed to operate in a moderate temperature range, however, mobile equipment often pushes the limits of accumulator technology in arctic climates. Exposure to temperatures below the rated temperatures can lead to cracking and eventual failure of the diaphragm.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,167 discloses a mechanical accumulator coupled with an accumulator pump. The accumulator pump includes an accumulator pump block plate with a bore, which receives a thermostatically controlled electric heater assembly. The electric heater assembly ensures that hydraulic fluid in the passage of the accumulator pump, block plate and associated components are at an optimum temperature in extremely cold weather. This reference discusses indirect heating of the hydraulic fluid to be delivered to the accumulator. However, the '167 reference fails to address a mechanism to directly heat the accumulator.
Various aspects of the present disclosure describe a heater system for a pressurizable and fluid-retaining vessel. The heater system includes a frame assembly, a heater element, a temperature controller, and an insulation member. The frame assembly includes a first portion, which is structured and arranged to at least partially overlay the pressurizable and fluid-retaining vessel. Further, the frame assembly includes a second portion, which is structured and arranged to mountably couple to a machine. The heater element is adapted to communicate heat to the pressurizable and fluid-retaining vessel. The heater element is supported within the first portion of the frame assembly. The temperature controller is adapted to regulate temperature of the pressurizable and fluid-retaining vessel. The insulation member is adapted to enclose the pressurizable and fluid-retaining vessel and the heater element.
Referring to
The pressurizable and fluid-retaining vessels 10 and 10′ are housed within the insulation member 16 and 16′. The pressurizable and fluid-retaining vessels 10 and 10′ are hereinafter referred to as vessels. The vessel 10 is covered by the insulation member 16 and the vessel 10′ is covered by the insulation member 16′, a partial cut-out of the vessel 10′ is illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
A corner formed by the lateral sides 36 and 42 defines a recess portion 50. Similarly, a corner formed by the lateral sides 38 and 40 defines a recess portion 50′. The recess portions 50 and 50′ are disposed substantially diagonally opposite to each other. The recess portion 50 includes a wall portion 52, which is perpendicular to the second portion 46. The wall portion 52 is structured to include a slot via which the heater element 20 may be plugged in to the frame assembly 18 and supported within the frame assembly 18. The heater element 20 is connected to an adapter 54, via a first wire 56. The adapter 54 may connect to a machine harness (not shown).
Further, the frame assembly 18 houses the primary temperature controller 22 and the secondary temperature controller 24. The primary temperature controller 22 and the secondary temperature controller 24 are arranged within the frame assembly 18 and beneath the concave surface 48 of the first portion 44. The primary temperature controller 22 and the secondary temperature controller 24 are in contact with the first portion 44 to monitor the temperature of the vessel 10. The primary temperature controller 22 and the secondary temperature controller 24 are functional between a high temperature threshold and a low temperature threshold. The primary temperature controller 22 is connected to the adapter 54, via a second wire 58. The primary temperature controller 22 and the secondary temperature controller 24 are connected to each other via an integrated wire 60.
In addition, the second portion 46 includes a machined pocket 62 and a bracket 64. The machined pocket 62 is potted with a suitable substance to seal the wires 56, 58, and 60, and the temperature controllers 22 and 24, in place. The bracket 64 is structured to hold the first wire 56 and the second wire 58. The second portion 46 also includes an opening of the through-hole 34, which allows the tail portion 30 (
In operation, the vessels 10 and 10′ are attached to the heater system 14, which maintains temperature of the vessels 10 and 10′ at an optimum level, that is, generally above −26 Centigrade. The heater element 20 draws power via the adapter 54 and results in heating of the heater element 20. As the heater element 20 is housed within the frame assembly 18, the heater element 20 communicates heat to the vessel 10. In this way, the heater element 20 transfers heat to the first portion 44, via conduction. As the first portion 44 heats, the concave surface 48 of the frame assembly 18 transfers the heat to the base portion 28 of the vessel 10, via conduction. When the heat of the base portion 28 of the vessel 10 increases, temperature of hydraulic fluid inside the vessel 10 also increases. This allows for maintenance of the temperature of the hydraulic fluid in the vessel 10 at an optimum value. In this manner, damage to diaphragm of the vessel 10 in cold climatic conditions is mitigated.
During a heating process, the primary temperature controller 22 monitors the high and low temperature thresholds of the vessel 10. Upon detection of the high temperature threshold of the vessel 10, the primary temperature controller 22 regulates the heating process of the vessel 10 by halting the operation of the heater element 20. In circumstances, when the primary temperature controller 22 fails, the secondary temperature controller 24 may come into operation to monitor the temperature of the vessel 10. Also, the insulation member 16 allows for a more effective heating process as the vessel 10 and the heater system 14 are shielded from the ambient surroundings. This reduces heat loss from the vessel 10 and the heater system 14 to an ambient environment. Reduction in heat loss results in rapid heating of the vessel 10. Hence, this reduces the time elapsed in heating the vessel 10 to the optimum temperature.
The heater system 14 employs the heater element 20, which heats the vessel 10, directly. The insulation member 16 adds to the efficiency of this heating process. Installation of the frame assembly 18, below the vessel 10, causes the heat induced by the heater element 20, to rise in the vessel 10. This results in a relatively fast rate of heating of the vessel 10. In addition, the temperature controllers 22 and 24 are embedded in the frame assembly 18, to monitor the temperature of the vessel 10 and keep the heating process below the high temperature threshold.
The many features and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the disclosure that fall within the true spirit and scope thereof. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within the scope of the disclosure.
