Method and apparatus for automobile warming-up

Abstract

This invention provides a method and an apparatus for automobile warming-up. The apparatus includes a sealed container that is filled with phase changed materials that can form supercooled liquid; a status sensor that monitors the status of the phase change material; a trigger system that induces the supercooled liquid to crystallization; a temperature sensor that monitors the temperature of the phase change materials; and a finned heat exchanger or coiled tube that is connected with the coolant recirculation system of an automobile. After an automobile is ignited, its engine heats the liquid coolant in coolant recirculation system. The heated coolant carries heat energy to the apparatus, which stores the heat energy. When the automobile is started later, the apparatus releases the stored heat energy to heat the coolant, which then warms up the automobile by coolant recirculation system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] In cold weather, automobiles need to be warmed up before they are driven. If an automobile is not warmed up, frost will form on the windshield. The frost blocks drivers' sight, makes driving very difficult, even impossible. Of course, it is not comfortable to drive an automobile with cold cabin. [0002] Normally, drivers warm up their automobiles by idling them. The idling process generates heat energy by burning fuel in engine. The heat energy warms up the engine and the coolant (which is the mixture of water and anti-freezing substances, normally being ethylene glycol) within the recirculation system of an automobile. Then, the coolant carries the heat energy to heater core, which then transfers the heat energy to the cabin of an automobile. The warm air from the heater core prevents formation of frost on the windshield of an automobile. Therefore, the drivers can have clear sight when they drive. [0003] Although an idling process can warm up auto...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

If an automobile is not warmed up, frost will form on the windshield.

The frost blocks drivers' sight, makes driving very difficult, even impossible.

Of course, it is not comfortable to drive an automobile with cold cabin.

Although an idling process can warm up automobiles, the idling process itself consumes fuel and increases carbon dioxide emission.

The increase of fuel consumption definitely increases the cost to drive an automobile.

More important is that the increase of carbon dioxide emission leads to global warm weather, which is a big issue to human being.

The global warm weather could cause serious disasters to human being and the earth that we live on.

In very cold weather, for example, −30 Celsius degrees, the lubricating system of the engine of an automobile does not work well.

The friction damage of the engine is very serious.

This decreases the efficiency, and shorts the life, of the engine of an automobile.

The unburned hydrocarbon is emitted to atmospheres, and causes air pollution.

It is not convenient.

Moreover, this method consumes a lot of electric power.

In some parking area, electric power is not available.

The block heater becomes useless in this case.

Another shortage of this method is that the installation of a block heater is not easy.

It increases the production cost of automobiles.

Since it is installed in engine block, it may lead engine leaking sometime.

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