Abstract:
A system for warming the engine of a water-cooled vehicle by exchanging coolant with a warm vehicle or a storage tank of warmed coolant. The system utilizes a fitting that, in one position, allows for normal function of the cooling system of a vehicle, and in another position the fitting allows for fluid exchange with an outside source, such as another vehicle. The outside source can be a second vehicle equipped with a fitting or a standalone heater. Fluid transfer hoses are connected to each fitting to exchange coolant between vehicles.

Description:
PRIORITY/CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/926,689, filed Jan. 13, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The presently disclosed and claimed technology generally relates to an apparatus for warming a cold vehicle, and more particularly to a fitting for exchanging fluid between a warm vehicle and a cold vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Liquid cooled engines become problematic in cold climates. The cold weather can cause the oil and coolant to become more viscous. The more viscous fluids can provide less lubrication as well as making it more difficult for the engine to start. In this cold weather the batteries are also much less effective. In extreme climates this can even result in the inability of the vehicle to start. 
         [0004]    Systems have been developed that utilize electricity to heat the vehicle fluids or the entire engine to make starting them in cold weather easier. One solution is just to keep the engine running at all times. This is not cost effective, especially for a fleet of vehicles. Electric engine heating systems require installation of the system on the vehicle and then connecting the system to an electrical source, such as a regular a/c outlet at a home or shop. These systems are typically unworkable in some operations where the vehicles are kept in remote locations. This can happen in a number of situations including farming, ranching, construction and other operations where more than one vehicle is being used. In the situations where the vehicles are in remote locations, the electrical heating solution is not available due to the distance from the nearest outlet. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    The purpose of the Summary of the Invention is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Summary of the Invention is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0006]    Still other features and advantages of the claimed invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature. 
         [0007]    Disclosed is an engine warming system for a water cooled vehicle. The system allows for the exchange of warm fluid (coolant) from a warmed vehicle or portable tank of warmed coolant, into a cold vehicle while returning fluid from the cold vehicle to a second vehicle or fluid exchanging vessel. The system is made up of a fluid exchange fitting in one vehicle that has two positions, one for normal circulation of fluid in the vehicle cooling system, and one position for sending the coolant of the first vehicle to a second vehicle or coolant reserve tank, for replacement by warmed coolant from a second vehicle or coolant tank. On one version, identical fluid exchange fittings are in a first and a second vehicle, and the two fittings are connected by fluid transfer hoses. There is a conduit between the left and right half allowing for fluid to flow between the two halves as well as a conduit valve located within the conduit for closing or opening the conduit for the fluid flow. This fitting is installed in at least a first vehicle that will require heating. 
         [0008]    The fluid exchange fitting has a first inlet port, a first outlet port, a second inlet port, and a second outlet port. The fluid exchange fitting has either one or three valves to switch between the first position and the second position. 
         [0009]    The fluid exchange tank can be of several configurations. One option is to have a second fluid exchange fitting mounted on a second vehicle, where the second vehicle provides the heated fluid from its own cooling system. The second vehicle is started at a location remote from the cold vehicle and driven to the cold vehicle. A second option is to have the fluid exchange tank as a standalone unit allowing for direct connection to the fluid exchange fitting on the cold vehicle. The standalone unit could be placed on a truck bed or ATV and driven to the cold vehicle. 
         [0010]    A typical configuration in which one vehicle is equipped with a first fluid exchange fitting and a second vehicle is equipped with a second fluid exchange fitting. The two fluid exchange fittings are connected by a first fluid transfer hose and a second fluid transfer hose. These can connect using quick release fittings, for ease of connection. The first fluid transfer hose is connected to the second outlet port of the fluid exchange fitting at one end, and at the other end is attached to the second inlet port of the second fluid exchange fitting. The second fluid exchange hose in this configuration would be attached from the second outlet port of the second fluid exchange fitting to the second inlet port of the first fluid exchange fitting. In this way, coolant fluid could pass from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, and warm fluid from the second vehicle would pass into the cooling system of the first vehicle. 
         [0011]    Each of the cooling systems of the two vehicles could operate as normally configured by moving the valve or valves of each fluid exchange fitting to a first position. In the first position, coolant enters the fluid exchange fitting at the first inlet port, and exits at the second inlet port and continues on through the cooling system of the vehicle. The cooling system of the vehicle would include a heater, a radiator, a water pump and fluid exchange passages in the block of the engine. If both the first and the second vehicle are set so that the fluid exchange fittings are in the first position, both vehicles&#39; cooling system would operate normally. If the two fluid exchange fittings are connected by a first and a second fluid transfer hose, and the valve or valves of the fluid exchange fittings were set to a second position, then coolant would circulate between the two vehicles. 
         [0012]    The fluid exchange fittings can take several configurations. One of these configurations utilizes a single valve and has a disc shaped hub which is mounted in a fluid exchange fitting body. The disc shaped hub has three passages, a first, a second and a third passage. The first passage connects the first inlet port with the first outlet port, and supports normal circulation of coolant within the vehicle&#39;s cooling system. By turning the valve, the disc shaped hub is also turned, and a second and a third passage is rotated into the second position so that the first inlet port sends coolant to the second outlet port. Fluid from the second vehicle returns to the fluid exchange fitting through the second inlet port and exits the fluid exchange fitting out the first outlet port, and continues on through the rest of the cooling system of the first vehicle. 
         [0013]    Other designs for fluid exchange fitting are foreseeable. One alternative embodiment utilizes a single valve having a first passage, a second passage and a third passage. The valve further provides for a first position and a second position. In the first position the second passage creates a fluid path between the first outlet port and the first inlet port. As in the previously described embodiment, this allows the cooling system of the vehicle to function as originally designed. In the second position the first passage creates a fluid path between the second inlet port and the first outlet port. Additionally, in the second position, the third passage creates a fluid path between the first inlet port and the second outlet port. When placed in the second position with the coolant hose and the first transfer hose and second transfer hose connected as previously described the fluid exchange fitting functions to allow external heated fluid to pass through second inlet port through the first passage through the first outlet port and then through the vehicle heater hose. Vehicle coolant hose then returns the displaced fluid to fluid exchange fitting into first inlet port through third passage and out second outlet port then through second transfer hose and then is returned to fluid exchange tank for reheating. The fluid exchange fittings can be mounted in a heater house, a flexible rubber coolant hose, on in a rigid metal tube which is part of the cooling system of a vehicle. 
         [0014]    Fluid exchange tank can be of several designs. One potential design is to have a second fluid exchanging fitting connected to a second vehicle. The second vehicle is driven into proximity of the cold vehicle that is to be heated and then the first transfer hose and second transfer hose are connected prior to changing valves to allow for fluid communication between the vehicles. Another potential design is to have a standalone fluid heater. This system could be located on the bed of a truck, 4 wheeler, cart, or other vehicle and could potentially have the first transfer hose and second transfer hose permanently attached. The standalone unit could be powered by a variety of sources including gasoline, diesel or electrical power provided by a battery or by the transportation vehicle. Further, the transfer hoses  36  &amp;  38  can be connected in different ways such as by a quick disconnect fitting or similar devices. The heater hose can be connected to the first outlet port and first inlet port by thread slip fittings or other fittings that are configured for connecting the fluid exchange fitting  12  and the heater hose  28 . 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram depicting the fluid flow through two vehicles in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concepts. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a fluid exchange fitting in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concepts. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a fluid exchange fitting in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concepts. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of fluid exchange fittings illustrating first and second positions of a valve setting on the fluid exchange fitting. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side view fluid exchange tank and heater mounted in a second vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concepts. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view fluid exchange fitting in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concepts. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the connection between two vehicles each having a fluid exchange fitting. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims. 
         [0023]    Certain preferred embodiments of the disclosed technology are shown  FIGS. 1 through 7 . 
         [0024]    Disclosed in  FIG. 1  is a diagram of an engine warming system  10  for use on liquid cooled vehicles such as cars, trucks and machinery that is stored in a cold environment. This could include heavy equipment such as earth movers, graders, dump trucks, tracked vehicles, tractors, combines, harvestors, loaders, tractor trailer rigs, as well as boats, snow mobiles, snow vehicles, 4 wheelers, generators, or other equipment using water cooled internal combustion engines. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a first vehicle  34  and a second vehicle  66  connected to each other for coolant exchange. The first vehicle  34  would typically be cold and therefore hard to start, and the second vehicle  66  would be warm and provide warm or hot coolant to first vehicle  34 . A typical automobile system is “warmed up” when the coolant is heated to above 212 F. in a pressurized system. This “warmed” coolant would be exchanged with a cold vehicle&#39;s coolant in the disclosed system. The system  10  could optionally include a loop of heated coolant for heating the battery  68  of the cold vehicle, by use of a coolant filled jacket or box, or by use of one or more tubes which surround the cold battery and transfer heat into the cold battery. 
         [0026]    Shown in  FIG. 1  is a cooling system  36  in each of the vehicles, which includes a coolant hose  32 . Coolant is circulated through the cooling system by a water pump  70 , with coolant circulating through a radiator  72  and from there through the coolant hose  32 , which could be a heater hose. The coolant hose  32  would return coolant to the cooling system  36 , or as shown in  FIG. 1  could route coolant adjacent to or surrounding a battery  68 , to warm up the battery for more powerful starting. This system includes a first fluid exchange fitting  12  in the first vehicle  34 , and a second fluid exchange fitting  48  in the second vehicle  66 . 
         [0027]    Also shown is a first fluid transfer hose  44  and a second fluid transfer hose  46 , which are used to transfer fluid from the warm vehicle  66  to the cold vehicle  34  and vice versa. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows one configuration of the fluid exchange fitting which would be installed in the coolant hose  32  of the first or the second vehicle. The fluid exchange fitting  12  shown in  FIG. 2  includes a first conduit  54  which is a straight piece of pipe which has a first valve  56  in the approximate center of the first conduit  54 . At one end of the first conduit  54  is a first inlet port  14  and at the other end is a first outlet port  16 . Attached to the first conduit  54  is a second conduit  58 , which has a second valve  60 . Also attached to the first conduit  54  is a third conduit  62 , with a third valve  64 . When attached to a coolant hose  32 , coolant would enter at the first inlet port  14  and if the second valve  60  and the third valve  64  were in a closed position and the first valve  56  was in an open position, then fluid would flow directly from first inlet port  14  to first outlet port  16  and circulate in a normal manner through the cooling system of the vehicle. The position described above is called the first position. The second position would be when the first valve  56  is closed, and the second and third valve  60  and  64  are open. When this occurred, if the second fluid exchange fitting  48  in a second vehicle is also in the second position and has transfer hoses attached, then the two systems would cause hot coolant from the second vehicle to flow into the cooling system of the cold first vehicle, and cold coolant from the first vehicle would flow into the warmed up and running second vehicle. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the same version of the fluid exchange fitting as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  shows an alternate embodiment of fluid exchange fitting  12 , which is identical to the fluid exchange fitting  48  found in the second vehicle. Also shown in  FIG. 4  is the fluid exchange fitting  12  in the first position  22  and a second position  24 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the fluid exchange fitting has a fitting body  50  and a disc shaped hub  52 . The fitting body  50  has the same inlet and outlet ports as shown in the previous figures, which includes a first inlet port  14 , a first outlet port  16 , a second inlet port  18  and a second outlet port  20 . The disc shaped hub  52  includes a first passage  26 , a second passage  28 , and a third passage  30 , which are hollow openings inside the disc shaped hub. When connected as shown in the upper view of  FIG. 4 , the fluid exchange fitting  12  is in the first position  22 , and fluid from the coolant hose  32  goes directly through the first passage  26  and out the first outlet port  16  and back into the coolant hose  32 , to continue circulating through the cooling system of the vehicle. In the lower view in  FIG. 4 , the disc shaped hub  52  is turned to the second position  24  and the second passage  28  aligns with the first inlet port  14  so that coolant passes through the fluid exchange fitting  12  and exits through the second outlet port  20 . In this position, the third conduit  30  alligns with the second inlet port  18  and routes fluid through the third passage  30  to exit out the first outlet port  16 , to reenter the coolant hose  32 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  shows a configuration of the device in which the fluid to be warmed and exchanged is in a fluid exchange tank  38 . It is connected to the first vehicle with a first fluid transfer hose  44  and a second fluid transfer hose  46  and further includes a heater  74  and a pump  76 . The fluid exchange tank  38  could be on any vehicle, such as a pickup, a  4  wheeler, a snowmobile, or a non-motorized dolly or wagon. The fluid exchange tank includes a receiving port  40 , and a discharge port  42 , with the receiving port connected to 1 st  transfer hose  44 , and the discharge port  42  connected to 2 nd  fluid transfer hose  46 . This configuration is simply a different version of the system which uses a second vehicle as the fluid exchange tank, and illustrates a system which does not require use of a second fluid exchange fitting. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the fluid exchange fitting  12  shown in  FIG. 4 , in which the fitting body  50  encloses a rotatable disc shaped hub  52 , in which are found a first passage  26 , second passage  28  and third passage  30 . Shown in  FIG. 6  is a first inlet port  14 , a second outlet port  20 , a second inlet port  18  and indicated, but not visible is a first outlet port  16 . Shown is a first valve  56  which is used to turn the disc shaped hub to a first position or a second position. 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  shows a more detailed version of how the fluid exchange fittings are connected to each other in two separate vehicles.  FIG. 7  is a different view of the same set up in  FIG. 1 , but the fluid exchange fittings  12  and  48  are shown in greater detail. Both of these fittings could be set up with the fluid exchange fittings of  FIG. 4  or the fluid exchange fittings of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0034]    While certain exemplary embodiments are shown in the figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.