System, method and tube assembly for heating automotive fluids

Abstract

A tube heating assembly having a heating tube with proximate and distal end portions, a manifold insert disposed concentrically within the heating tube and likewise having proximate and distal end portions, and a pair of end caps removably secured to the proximate and distal end portions of the manifold insert and the heating tube respectively. The manifold insert includes a raised spiral thread on its surface. An electrical assembly such as a resistive path applied to the outer surface of the heating tube is used to heat the tube. The tube heating assembly may be embodied in a system and method for delivering an automotive fluid in a vehicle, wherein the tube heating assembly is installed as a heat exchanger in a fluid delivery path through which the fluid is pumped, preferably in pulses to enhance heating of the fluid.

1 . A tube heating assembly, comprising: 
 (a) a heating tube having a proximate and a distal end portion;    (b) a manifold insert having a proximate and a distal end portion and being disposed within the heating tube; and    (c) a pair of end caps removably secured to the proximate and distal end portions of the manifold insert and the heating tube respectively.    
   
   
       2 . The tube heating assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold insert includes a surface configuration adapted to induce turbulence in a fluid flowing between the manifold insert and the heating tube.  
   
   
       3 . The tube heating assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the surface configuration of the manifold insert comprises a raised spiral thread on the surface of the manifold insert.  
   
   
       4 . A tube heating assembly, comprising: 
 (a) a tube;    (b) an electrical assembly that heats the tube; and    (c) a manifold insert disposed within the tube.    
   
   
       5 . The tube heating assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the electrical assembly is a resistive path applied to the outside of the tube.  
   
   
       6 . The tube heating assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the tube and manifold insert have proximate and distal end portions and further comprising a pair of end caps removably secured to the proximate and distal end portions of the manifold insert and the tube respectively.  
   
   
       7 . In combination with an automotive vehicle having a fluid delivery system, a tube heating assembly in the fluid delivery system for heating a fluid conveyed therein, the tube heating assembly comprising: 
 (a) a heating tube having a proximate and a distal end portion;    (b) a manifold insert having a proximate and a distal end portion and being disposed within the heating tube and defining an annular fluid heat exchange path therebetween;    (c) a pair of end caps secured to the proximate and distal end portions of the manifold insert and the heating tube respectively, the end caps being connected respectively with inlet and outlet sections of the fluid delivery system for directing fluid flow through the annular fluid heat exchange path; and    (d) an electrical assembly that heats the tube.    
   
   
       8 . A system for delivering a heated fluid, comprising a fluid supply, a fluid delivery path comprising a heat exchanger, and an arrangement for pumping fluid in pulses from the fluid supply through the fluid delivery path.  
   
   
       9 . A system for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 8 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a tube heating assembly.  
   
   
       10 . A system for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 9 , wherein the tube heating assembly comprises: 
 (a) a heating tube having a proximate and a distal end portion;    (b) a manifold insert having a proximate and a distal end portion, the manifold insert being disposed within the heating tube and defining an annular fluid heat exchange path therebetween; and    (c) a pair of end caps secured to the proximate and distal end portions of the manifold insert and the heating tube respectively, the end caps being connected respectively with inlet and outlet sections of the fluid delivery system for directing fluid flow through the annular fluid heat exchange path.    
   
   
       11 . A system for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 10 , wherein the manifold insert includes a surface configuration adapted to induce turbulence in a fluid flowing between the manifold insert and the heating tube.  
   
   
       12 . The tube heating assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the surface configuration of the manifold insert comprises a raised spiral thread on the surface of the manifold insert.  
   
   
       13 . A system for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 9 , wherein the tube heating assembly, comprises: 
 (a) a tube;    (b) an electrical assembly that heats the tube; and    (c) a manifold insert disposed concentrically within the tube.    
   
   
       14 . A system for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 13 , wherein the electrical assembly is a resistive path applied to the outside of the tube.  
   
   
       15 . A system for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 13 , wherein the tube and manifold insert have proximate and distal end portions and further comprising a pair of end caps removably secured to the proximate and distal end portions of the manifold insert and the tube respectively.  
   
   
       16 . A system for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 8 , wherein the pumping arrangement comprises a pump motor and a pulse interface for cycling the pump motor between energized and non-energized states.  
   
   
       17 . A system for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 8 , wherein the pumping arrangement comprises a valve in the delivery path and a device for cycling the valve between opened and closed states.  
   
   
       18 . In combination with an automotive vehicle having at least one fluid flow system, a system for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 8 , wherein the fluid supply comprises an automotive fluid.  
   
   
       19 . A method for delivering a heated fluid, comprising the steps of providing a fluid supply, and delivering a fluid in pulses from the fluid supply along a delivery path including a heat exchanger.  
   
   
       20 . A method for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 19 , further comprising transporting the fluid in a turbulent path through the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       21 . A method for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 19 , further comprising transporting the fluid in a spiral path through the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       22 . A method for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 19 , further comprising applying electrically resistive heat to the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       23 . A method for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 19 , wherein the delivering of the fluid in pulses comprises cycling a fluid pump motor between energized and non-energized states.  
   
   
       24 . A method for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 19 , wherein the delivering of the fluid in pulses comprises cycling a valve in the delivery path between opened and closed states.  
   
   
       25 . In an automotive vehicle having at least one fluid flow system, a method for delivering a heated fluid according to  claim 19 , wherein the fluid supply comprises an automotive fluid.