Internal-combustion engines – Cooling – System drained and/or heat-storing
Patent
1999-04-12
2000-04-18
Kamen, Noah P.
Internal-combustion engines
Cooling
System drained and/or heat-storing
123198D, 137 62, F01P 1102
Patent
active
060502304
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The invention relates generally to drain valves for locomotive diesel engine cooling systems, and more particularly to temperature sensitive drain valves for such cooling systems.
2. Related Prior Art
Locomotive diesel engine cooling systems usually use water and corrosion inhibitors as a heat transfer medium. One of the problems that may be encountered in the operation of such a cooling system is the freezing of coolant in cold weather when the engine of the locomotive is not running. If the coolant freezes, the resulting expansion of the coolant medium can seriously damage the cooling system.
In order to prevent the coolant from freezing, a coolant drain valve is often incorporated in the cooling system. It is known to provide automatically actuating drain valves which operate to open and afford the drainage of coolant from the system when a certain temperature condition is met. For example, it is generally known for such drain valves to be operable when the coolant temperature drops to a temperature somewhat above freezing. For example, it is known for drain valves to open if the coolant temperature falls to approximately 45.degree. F.
The drain valve in a cooling system is typically placed at a low point in the cooling system so that all of the coolant can drain out when the valve is opened. Also, the drain valve is usually located in a position so that the drain valve is exposed to ambient air surrounding the locomotive, so that the coolant temperature in the proximity of the drain valve can reliably be expected to be the coolest in the system.
It is also known to incorporate electrically operable drain valves in a locomotive engine cooling system. Such drain valves depend on the electrical system of the locomotive to provide the energy to open a solenoid or plunger to open and close the valve. For example, it is known to provide a drain valve having an electrically operated solenoid that is connected to a 74 volt DC (74 VDC) line and that draws current from the electrical system to actuate the plunger and to thereby open and close the valve. In such electrical systems, it is known to provide a battery which provides a nominal 74 VDC output.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One of the problems addressed by the invention is the concern that the electrical system of the locomotive may fail under freezing conditions. Specifically, if the voltage or potential provided by the locomotive's electrical system to the drain valve, namely the battery, fails when the engine is not running and the temperature falls to a threshold low temperature, then the electrically operated solenoid will not actuate, and the coolant system will not be drained of coolant before freezing.
The invention addresses this concern by providing a coolant system including a conduit for conducting a flow of coolant, an electrical system including a power source having a nominal voltage, and a drain valve assembly including a controller that monitors the voltage of the locomotive electric system and including a drain valve operated by the controller at different coolant temperatures depending on the status of the locomotive's electrical system.
In general, the invention provides a locomotive cooling system including a conduit adapted to conduct a flow of coolant and a power source providing a nominal voltage. The system also includes a valve assembly having a valve body which defines a drain passage communicable with the conduit. The valve body also includes a plunger that is movable between a closed position wherein the conduit and the drain passage are separated and an open position wherein the conduit and the drain passage are in fluid communication. The valve assembly also includes a control for moving the plunger between the closed position and the open position depending on the coolant temperature and the voltage of the power source. The control includes a temperature sensor for detecting the coolant temperature and is connected to the power source. The control operates to move the plunger f
REFERENCES:
patent: 4126108 (1978-11-01), Christensen
patent: 4216554 (1980-08-01), Glueckert et al.
patent: 4231384 (1980-11-01), Christensen
patent: 4232696 (1980-11-01), Burris et al.
patent: 4508132 (1985-04-01), Mayfield, Jr. et al.
patent: 4766925 (1988-08-01), Frantz
patent: 5113892 (1992-05-01), Hull et al.
Blakeslee Lorin D.
Seiler Steven J.
General Electric Company
Kamen Noah P.
Prime Manufacturing Corp.
LandOfFree
Locomotive engine cooling system drain valve with low voltage se does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Locomotive engine cooling system drain valve with low voltage se, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Locomotive engine cooling system drain valve with low voltage se will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2328768