1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus used strictly for the assisted cooling of external automotive heat exchangers used to cool a liquid or air during operations of an internal combustion engine.
2. Background of Related Art
The present invention relates to automotive engines reliant upon a heat exchanger system for engine heat dissipation. A typical type heat exchanger used for automotive applications is commonly referred to as a radiator which allows air to flow through a series of cooling fins attached to a series of incorporated inner liquid passageways, as air flows through the cooling fins heat is allowed to dissipate from a circulated cooling liquid housed inside these inner passageways. A vehicle when operating under extreme conditions collects heat build up internally within the engine due to internal fuel combustion. This heat is then transferred from the engine's internal metal structure into a sealed surrounding liquid jacket housing a constant flow of liquid needed to provide stabilization to the engine's temperature. This internal liquid is constantly circulated through the system once operational temperatures are achieved via a mechanical pumping system attached and driven by the engine. When the circulated cooling liquid arrives to the inlet of the radiator the cooling effect begins and typically after circulation through the radiator a normal temperature drop of approximately 30 degrees is achieved. During prolonged engine load demands and sometimes due to higher ambient air temperatures, engine combustion temperatures can rise contributing to increasing liquid temperatures. Under extreme temperature conditions, over-expansion of the liquid can occur and can potentially lead to a liquid boil-over situation. During these conditions the cooling liquid is allowed to escape from the system and if engine operations are allowed to continue even higher temperature are achieved due to cooling liquid loss. It is under these conditions if engine operations are not shut down, severe engine damage can result.
Under extreme engine operations, a simple solution to prevent and control overheating conditions is the practice of spraying a mist of water in front of the radiator. This method in most applications has proven to reduce engine temperatures an additional 20 degrees in approximately 1 minute.
In so far as known, other liquid misting methods or apparatus designed for other applications have multiple disadvantages if tried to be adapted to automotive applications:
There truly exists a need for a dedicated liquid misting device strictly designed for automotive heat exchangers. Vehicles such as RV's and trucks used for towing constantly operate under extreme load demands and are considered a high risk for mechanical break downs due to engine overheating conditions.
A pulsed mist of liquid sprayed onto the frontal area of a vehicle's radiator, oil or air cooler from a spray nozzle offers additional cooling protection when a vehicle's engine temperature starts to rise to an unsafe condition. The automotive misting method and apparatus consists of a liquid reservoir incorporating the use of an electric liquid pump and when switched on, an electrical circuit pulses timed electrical current to the electric pump. Using this method has proven to extend the liquid's operational range while reducing the routine for replenishment to the reservoir. The pumped liquid mist is transferred via a transfer tube or hose through a directional flow valve, (designed to prevent siphoning of the liquid from the reservoir when the system is not in operation), to a spray nozzle or to a series of spray nozzles depending on the size of the application. The spray nozzles are mounted in the grill or air intake area of the vehicle with the mounting location prior to the heat exchanger. The sprayed mist of liquid is dependant on incoming air flow to help the liquid atomize with the air and push the spray onto and through the cooling fins of the heat exchanger. A liquid recycling tray is further utilized and mount below the heat exchanger on a paralleling angle with angled deflection extensions extending outwards and are designed to catch excessive liquid run off, (due to applying to much liquid to the heat exchange). This collected liquid run off is trapped and transferred back to the liquid reservoir via a drain hose connection located at an incorporated low point in the floor of the recycling tray. This trapped liquid is then transferred back to the reservoir due to vacuum created by the non-venting of the reservoir and the pumping action of the liquid to the spray nozzle.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20060185627 A1 | Aug 2006 | US |