Patent ID: 6244232
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B60H,F24V

Abstract:
A heater apparatus comprising a first heat source, a fluid circuit for circulating a first fluid for cooling the first heat source, a second heat source for transferring heat to the first fluid, the second heat source for housing a second fluid, a rotor rotatably supported within the second heat source for being selectively connected to and disconnected from the first heat source by a clutch, the clutch for connecting a power source with the rotor to cause the rotation of the rotor to shear the second fluid and generate heat, and a heater core for transferring heat from the first fluid, the heater apparatus further comprising:a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the first fluid;a speed sensor for detecting the rotating speed of the rotor;a controller for computing a variable rotating speed limit for the rotor based on the detected first fluid temperature;a memory for storing a first fluid temperature limit;a temperature determiner for determining whether the detected first fluid temperature has exceeded the first fluid temperature limit;a speed determiner for determining whether the detected rotor rotating speed has exceeded the variable rotating speed limit; anda driver for disengaging the clutch to disconnect the rotor from the power source and stop the shearing of the second fluid, wherein the driver disengages the clutch when the temperature determiner determines that the detected first fluid temperature has exceeded the first fluid temperature limit and the driver disengages the clutch when the speed determiner determines that the detected rotor rotating speed has exceeded the variable rotating speed limit.