Patent ID: 6364010
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: B60S,F28D

Abstract:
In a motor vehicle, an apparatus for heating washer fluid from an engine coolant, comprising:a first conduit for carrying said engine coolant from an input end to an output end, a second conduit for carrying said washer fluid from a first end to a second end, said second conduit being thermally coupled to said first conduit, a washer fluid mixing valve, having a first input line for receiving heated washer fluid from said second end of said second conduit, a second input line for receiving washer fluid at ambient temperature, and a single output line, a first temperature sensor, attached to an outside surface of said motor vehicle for reading a temperature T1, a second temperature sensor, attached to said single output line of said washer fluid mixing valve for reading a temperature T2, and a valve controller, connected to said temperature sensors and to said washer fluid mixing valve, wherein said valve controller causes said washer fluid mixing valve to maintain a desired washer fluid temperature at said single output line by adjusting said washer fluid inputs at said first and second input lines, wherein the temperature of said washer fluid exiting said second end of said second conduit is elevated from the temperature of said washer fluid entering said first end of said second conduit by thermal conduction from said engine coolant in said first conduit.