Automotive heater apparatus
US6244232A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24V40/00
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A control apparatus and method for controlling an automotive heater apparatus. The heater apparatus includes a coolant circuit for cooling an engine, a coolant circulating through the circuit, a heat generator for transferring heat to the coolant, and a heater core for transferring heat from the coolant. The heat generator houses a viscous fluid and a rotor selectively connected to and disconnected from the engine by a clutch. The clutch connects the engine with the rotor to shear the viscous fluid and generate heat. When the rotating speed of the rotor exceeds a rotor speed limit, which varies in accordance with the detected coolant temperature, the clutch disconnects the rotor of the heat generator from the engine and de-activates the heat generator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.