WO2014070027A1

WO2014070027A1 - Supporting-start-up heater for the pressure regulator and vaporizer in automotive gas fuelling installations and the method of supporting-start-up heating of in automotive gas fuelling installations

Info

Publication number: WO2014070027A1
Application number: PCT/PL2013/000137
Authority: WO
Inventors: Spółka Akcyjna AC; Bogdan KUŹMA
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-31
Filing date: 2013-10-30
Publication date: 2014-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2015-04-30

Abstract

Heater (1, 10, 20) made in the form of a body (2, 11, 21), which has any shape and is made of material of good heat conductive properties, advantageously aluminium or copper, especially in the shape adapted to at least one shape of the surface of a pressure regulator and vaporizer (6, 40), the body (2, 11, 21) being equipped with at least one electric heating element (3) and a temperature sensor (33) and at least the front external surface of the body (2, 11, 21) or a part of it is covered with a thermal shield (B), which is made of a temperature resistant material. The body includes a chamber (22), the borehole of which leads to the contact surface (12, 23), in which chamber a grease nipple (S) is mounted in order to supply thermal grease (A) having a heat conductivity value greater than 2,8 W/rn-K, to the contact surface (12, 23), which is connected to each heating element (3).

Description

Supporting-start-up heater for the pressure regulator and vaporizer in automotive gas fuelling installations and the method of supporting-start-up heating of in automotive gas fuelling installations

The present invention is the supporting-start-up heater for the pressure regulator and vaporizer in automotive gas fuelling installations and the method of supporting-start-up heating of in automotive gas fuelling installations.

LPG/CNG/LNG gas fuel installations for internal combustion engines shall ensure unproblematic operation on gas during start-up of the cold engine. As shown in practice, it is difficult or even impossible. In the state of art gas fuelling installations (up to IV generation) cold engine start-up is done on gasoline, while as the engine temperature raises the temperature of pressure ^' regulator and vaporizer also raises, causing better heating and vaporization of gas fuel, which in turn enables switching the engine operation into gas fuel. It occurred that the way to quicken gas vaporization is the additional heating of pressure regulato.r and vaporizer, for example with heating elements included therein, as shown for example in EP 1 455 077 A2. It occurs that, such constructed pressure regulators and vaporizers are complicated structures and therefore expensive in manufacturing and may not be used in existing automotive gas fuelling installations, as their complementary component or improvement .

Therefore it is an object of the invention to provide a simple, additional device that could be used in the state of art gas fuelling installations pressure regulators and vaporizers, in order to obtain quick heating and vaporization of gas fuel, flowing through the pressure regulator and vaporizer and which would enable the creation of a common montage kit with pressure regulator and vaporizer. The second object of the invention is to create the method of supporting- start-up heating of the . gas fuelling installation with the described supporting-start-up heater.

The object of the supporting-start-up heater was achieved by creating the supporting-start-up heater in form of a body of any shape made of the material having good heat transfer properties, advantageously aluminum or copper, especially in the shape adapted at least to the surface of pressure regulator and vaporizer, while the body is equipped with at least one heating element and temperature sensor and at least the front surface of the body or its part, is covered with thermal shield.

Advantageously said thermal . shield is made of the temperature resistant material.

The body of the invention includes a chamber, the bore of which leads to the contact surface and includes a lubricant fitting, supplying the thermo conductive mean of the heat transfer value > 2,8 W/m-k to the contact surface, which is connected to every heating element.

In case the front contact surface of the pressure regulator and vaporizer is equipped with reinforcing ribs, for example reinforcing fins, then also the contact surface of the body shall have appropriate recessions, forming the connection between the lubricant fitting and the channels leading to the chambers, in which the heating element is situated.

The thermo conductive mean is a grease or a bond.

Advantageously, the heater and the pressure regulator and vaporizer form together a montage kit, equipped with mounting clamps .

Body of the heater is adapted to different shapes and sizes of pressure regulators and vaporizers covers.

^•An object of the invention, in relation to the supporting- start-up heating method, with the use of supporting-start-up heater in automotive LPG/CNG/LNG gas fuelling installations, is achieved by supplying the heat from the supporting-startup heater to the pressure regulator and vaporizer before start-up, during start-up and after start-up of the engine, in order to heat and vaporize gas fuel, after setting the gas fuel dose, independently from the gasoline injection times for particular stages of engine operation.

In case of gas fuelling installations with more than one pressure regulator and vaporizer, additional ^' heat is supplied to only one pressure regulator and vaporizer and the remaining pressure regulators and vaporizers are started after obtaining set temperature of the coolant.

The advantage of the invention is obtaining the additional heat' for the · direct heating of gas fuel flowing in the area of pressure regulator and vaporizer cover, in automotive gas fuelling installations, in case they are not equipped in special, additional electrically heated pressure regulators and vaporizers. It is also significant that the heater construction is simple and ensures high efficiency of heat transfer between the heater and pressure regulator and vaporizer, remaining on unchanged level during the whole period of operation and that it ensures the capability of heat accumulation over long time period, which is important in case of low temperatures. The heater may be used or easily adapted to the state of art pressure regulators and vaporizers.

The amount of heat lead to the heater is determined so, as on one hand not to load excessively the electricity generation process, necessary for engine and vehicle operation and on the other hand ensure the necessary heat dose, enabling to obtain the optimal conditions for engine operation on gas fuel within a short time. The amount of heat is obtained by manufacturing the heater of the material of good heat transfer properties, cheap and simple in treatment, so as it's contact surface can be adapted to the mounting spot on other pressure regulator and vaporizer.

Because the heater is mounted on the pressure regulator and vaporizer cover in such way, so as not to limit the aces to the bolts mounting the pressure regulator and vaporizer cover, the technical inspection of pressure regulator and vaporizer are not obstructed.

. Manufacturing the heater and the pressure regulator and vaporizer in form of single montage kit enables its unproblematic use in the state of art gas fuelling installations.

It is also significant that in the installations with multiple pressure regulators and vaporizers, it is only required to install single . supporting-start-up heater on single pressure regulator and .vaporizer, so as additional heat is lead only to single pressure regulator and vaporizer and the remaining pressure regulators and vaporizers are started only after set temperature of coolant is reached.

The embodiments of the invention are shown on the drawing, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a schematic, partially cross-section, view of the pressure regulator and vaporizer with the heater; Fig. 2 shows the gas fuelling installation diagram for Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows the supporting-start-up heater itself; Fig. 4 shows the supporting-start-up heater in perspective; Fig. 5 shows the top view of the kit of Fig. 4; Fig.6 shows the longitudinal section of the supporting-start-up heater and the cover of the pressure regulator and vaporizer of Fig.4; and Fig. 7 shows the view of the montage kit consisting of the supporting-start-up heater and the pressure regulator and vaporizer of Fig. 4.

The object of the supporting-start-up heater of the invention is to generate additional heat for the direct heating of gas fuel, flowing in the area of ^: the cover of the pressure regulator and vaporizer in automotive gas fuelling installations, in which pressure regulators and vaporizers are not equipped with special, additional electric heating. Heating the gas fuel directly in the pressure regulator and vaporizer significantly quickens vaporization of gas fuel therein, both before the start-up of internal combustion engine, during the start-up and after its start-up, when the engine runs at full load, operates in unfavorable thermal conditions. Same time gas fuel dose is set - independently from the gasoline injection times for particular stages of engine operation, in order to ensure engine operation on gas fuel.

Fig. 1 shows a concept of additional heating of the pressure regulator and vaporizer 5 with the use of supporting- start-up heater 1, referred below as heater. Heater 1 is mounted on the pressure regulator and vaporizer 5 and especially on its cover. Heater 1 consists of the body 2, including electric heating elements 3, presented as glow tubes. Heat from glow tubes 3 is conducted with conductive means in form of thermal grease A, as described below. For this purpose, the body 2 includes appropriate channels 4, leading the thermal grease Δ to glow plugs 3 and the contact surface of the body 2 of pressure regulator and vaporizer 5. In the body 2 there is a temperature sensor 6 (Fig.2). Temperature sensor 6 is connected to the controller 7, which controls the operation of glow plugs 3, after the engine reaches certain temperature it starts, the solenoid valve 8 and cooperates with the controller 10 in order to set the gas fuel dose during start-up and heating up of the engine.

Method of supporting-start-up heating with the use of heater 1, basing upon supplying the heat from the heater, before internal combustion engine start-up, during its startup and after its start-up, in order to heat and vaporize the gas fuel flowing in the area of the pressure regulator and vaporizer cover, while setting the gas fuel dose independently from the gasoline injection times.

In case of gas fuelling installations with more than one pressure regulator and vaporizer, additional heat is supplied to only one pressure regulator and vaporizer, and the remaining pressure regulators and vaporizers are started after obtaining set temperature of the coolant.

Figs. 3 - 6 show further improvements of the heater of Fig. 1.

Fig.. 3 shows one possible construction of the heater 10, which is of any shape, made of thermo conductive material, for example aluminum, copper, which shape is adapted to the front surface of pressure regulator and vaporizer and installed on its. cover in a way it does not obstruct the access to the bolts mounting the cover to pressure regulator and vaporizer body.

This shape constitutes the body 11, on the side surface of which there is at least one electric heating element 3 installed, which can be in form of glow plug, spiral wire, power resistor, semi-conductor or similar (Fig. 3 shows two glow plugs 3 ) .

Side surface of the body 11 houses also temperature sensor, power for the glow plugs 3 is supplied through thermistors, not shown on the drawing, but further described in reference to Fig. 4. Heating elements, eventually also the temperature sensor may also be located on the front surface of the body 11.

Body 11 includes contact surface 12, directly in contact with the front surface of the cover of pressure regulator and vaporizer 5 (not shown) . However this is not necessary. Heater 10 is mounted to the cover of pressure regulator and vaporizer with bolts, also not shown.

Front surface of the body 11 may be protected with thermal shield B, made of the material resistant to high temperatures, described further below.

There is also the possibility, not shown, to equip the body 11 with grease nipple for single dosing of thermal grease, described further in relation to Fig. 4 and 6.

. In this case, the body 11 includes chamber 15, in which grease nipple is mounted, the borehole of which leads to the contact surface 12. In the area between chambers 13, in which glow plugs 3 are mounted and contact surface 12, there is a connection for the thermal grease, formed by the gap 14. In general, gap 14 is used also for unproblematic montage of the body 11 on the cover of pressure regulator and vaporizer 5.

The embodiment of the heater 20, shown on Figs. 4 - 6 includes body 21, appropriate for the concept of the heater 1 shape in reference to Fig. 1.

Shape of the body 21 results from the shape of the front surface of the cover 41 of pressure regulator and vaporizer 40 and especially from the fact that the surface is shaped with radial reinforcement fins 41.1.

In such case, the whole surface of the body 21 is not adhering to the cover 41, but is in contact through respective radial recesses and indirectly through said thermal grease A of heat transfer value >2,8 W/m-k, in form of thermal grease or thermal bond, which fills all empty spaces, as further described in relation to Fig. 5 and especially Fig. 6. Heater 20, and especially its body 21 is mounted on the cover 41 of the pressure regulator and vaporizer 40 with bolts 30 (Figs. 4 and 5). Construction of pressure regulator and vaporizer 40 shall not be described as it is widely known.

On the side surface of the body 21, there is at least one said electric heating element 3, here in form of three glow plugs, which are supplied with power through thermistors 31 mounted on the body 21 with screws 32. Temperature sensor 33 is mounted between glow plugs 3.

Number of electric heating elements 3 depends on the size of gas fuelling installation, i.e. the size (capacity) of pressure regulator and vaporizer, thermal efficiency of heating element, vehicle battery capacity and the power of its electrical installation and from atmospheric conditions, in which the vehicle is used..

In the symmetry axis of the body 21, although it is not necessary, grease nipple S is located for supplying thermal grease A into the body 21, after it is mounted on the cover 41 of pressure regulator and vaporizer 40, which was shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Thermal grease A is introduced through grease nipple S only once during the whole period of operation.

It is advantageous to use said thermal grease A to lubricate the surface of the body 21, in contact with the surface of the cover 41 or the cover 41.. In this way all the irregularities of the surfaces of the body 21 and the cover 41 of the pressure regulator and vaporizer are eliminated.

Body 21 is equipped with said thermal shield B made of the material resistant to high temperatures.

Thermal shield B may be for example manufactured by spraying or dipping in liquid . plastic or in form of overlaying or bonded insert . Thermal shield B may be mounted on the whole body or only on its front surface or in selected spots, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Thermal shield B enables quick heating up of the body 21 and in result quicker heat conduction to the pressure regulator and vaporizer 40 and longer heat accumulation,. especially advantageous during wintertime.

On the section of the heater 20, shown in Fig. 6, it can be seen that the body 21 is shaped differently than the body 10, shown in Fig. 3, in scope of the contact surface for the contact with the cover 41 of the pressure regulator and vaporizer, because it is shaped with radial reinforcement fins 41.1. On the front surface of the body 21, there is a chamber 22 with borehole, in which the grease nipple S is placed. The borehole leads to the contact surface 23, in which radial recesses 24 are formed, into which the radial reinforcement fins 51.1 are housed. Such radial recesses 33, after the heater is mounted, form channels 25, which are connected with each connection channel 26, leading to each chamber 27, in which the glow plug 3 is placed. In this way, through the grease nipple S a connection with all the spots of adherence between the body 21 and cover 41 is established for introduction of thermal grease A, the amount of which is adapted so as to fill all the "empty" spaces in body 21 and cover 41 of the pressure regulator and vaporizer.

The heater 1, 10, 20 of the invention plays the role of heat source, which in certain conditions of the internal combustion engine operation, transfers its heat to the gas fuel flowing through the pressure regulator and vaporizer.

Although the above description of Figs. 1 to 6 refers mainly to the supporting-start-up heater 1, 10, 20 itself, there is no impediment, so as it constitutes a single montage kit together with pressure regulator and vaporizer, as shown in Fig. 7.

In this case the clamp 34 is mounted with bolts 35 on the heater and especially on its body 2, 11, 21. Therefore it is possible to use such montage kit as an additional part of the state of art gas fuelling installations.

Claims

1. Supporting-start-up heater for the pressure regulator and vaporizer in automotive , LPG/CNG/NLG gas fuelling installations, including at least one electric heating element

(3), characterized in that, it has the form of the body (2, 11, 21), which has any shape and is made of material of good heat conductive properties, advantageously aluminum or copper, especially in the shape adapted to at least one shape of the surface of pressure regulator and vaporizer (6, 40), the body

(2, 11, 21) is equipped with at least one electric heating element (3) and temperature se'nsor (33) and at least the front external surface of the body (2, 11, 21) or its part is covered with thermal shield (B) .

2. Heater, according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermal shield (B) of the body (2, 11, 21) is made of the temperature resistant material.

3. Heater, according to claim 2, characterized in that the body (11, 21) includes chamber (22) , the borehole of which leads to the contact surface (12, 23) , in which chamber the grease nipple (S) is mounted in order to supply thermal grease, (A) of the heat conductivity value >-2,8 W/m-k, to the contact surface (12, 23), which is connected to each heating element ( 3 ) .

4. Heater, according to claim 3, characterized in that in case the front contact surface of the pressure regulator and vaporizer (40) is equipped with reinforcement ribs, for example reinforcement fins (41), the contact surface (23) of the body (21) includes respective recessions (34), constituting a connection between grease nipple (S) and channels (26), leading to chambers (27)·, in which heating element (3) is located.

5. Heater, according to claim 4, characterized in that' the thermal grease (A) is grease or bond.

6. Heater, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heater (1, 10, 20) constitutes a montage kit together with pressure regulator and vaporizer (5, 40) .

7. Heater, according to claim 6, ^~ characterized in that the montage kit is equipped with clamp (34) for mounting.

8. Heater, according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (2, 11, 21) is adapted to different shapes and sizes of pressure regulators and vaporizers covers.

9. Method of supporting-start-up heating, with the use of supporting-start-up heater according to previous claims, in automotive LPG/CNG/LNG gas fuelling installations including at least one pressure regulator and vaporizer, characterized in that the heat is supplied to the pressure regulator and vaporizer from the supporting-start-up heater (1, 10, 20) before start-up, during start-up and after start-up of the engine, in order to heat and vaporize gas fuel, after setting the gas fuel dose, independently from the gasoline injection times for particular stages of engine operation.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that in case of gas fuelling installations including more than one pressure regulator and vaporizer, additional heat is supplied to only one pressure regulator and vaporizer and the remaining pressure regulators and vaporizers are started after obtaining set temperature of the coolant.