Motor Oil Heating System, Product and Method

Abstract

A motor oil heating system for a vehicle comprising one or more solar panels comprised of one or more photovoltaic cells; one or more heaters thermally coupled to the motor oil, wherein the solar panels are electrically coupled to the heaters and power the heaters based on a voltage generated by the solar panel such that the heaters warm the engine oil.

1 . An oil heating system for a vehicle comprising:
 one or more solar panels comprised of one or more photovoltaic cells; and   one or more heaters physically connected to a component selected from the group consisting of an oil reservoir of an engine, an oil pan of an engine, and a transmission block,   wherein the solar panels are electrically coupled to the heaters and power the heaters based on a voltage generated by the solar panel such that the heaters warm the oil above ambient temperature reducing the viscosity of the oil thus facilitating pumping the oil when the engine initially begins to operate.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the heaters is thermally coupled to the motor oil, 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the heater is a heating pad affixed to an exterior of an oil pan. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the heater is physically positioned to enter into either an interior of an engine block or an oil pan. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising:
 at least one battery; and   at least one control module electrically coupled to the battery, the solar panel and the heater,   wherein the control module switches power to the heater between the battery and the solar panel.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the control module is a timer. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising:
 at least one battery electrically coupled to said solar panel; and   at least one voltage regulator for controlling power between the battery, the solar panels an the heaters,   wherein the voltage regulator controls power to heater based on the output of the solar panel and the charge state of the battery.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a control module; and   an electrical connector connected to a power supply,   wherein the control module switches power to the heaters between the power supply and the solar panel.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a temperature probe for measuring the temperature of the oil and selectively applying an electrical current to the heaters based on the temperature of the oil. 
     
     
         10 . An oil heating system for a vehicle comprising:
 one or more solar panels comprised of one or more photovoltaic cells;   one or more heaters physically connected to the oil,   a timer; and   a battery,   wherein the solar panels are electrically connected to the battery, said battery being electrically connected to the timer, said timer providing power to the heaters at a predetermined interval such that the heaters heat the oil thus reducing the viscosity of the oil and facilitating pumping the oil when the engine initially begins to operate.   
     
     
         11 . A motor oil heating system for a vehicle, comprising:
 one or more solar panels comprised of one or more photovoltaic cells;   one or more heaters physically connected to an oil pan of an engine;   a battery;   a control module; and   a vehicle ignition component,   wherein the vehicle ignition component is electrically coupled to the control module, the control module being electrically coupled to the battery, said battery configured to provide an electrical charge to the one or more heaters such that the one or more heaters heat motor oil in the oil pan thus reducing viscosity of the motor oil and facilitating pumping of the motor oil when the engine is started.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the control module is a switch. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the switch is activated by an ignition component. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a plug electrically coupled to the battery, wherein the plug is configured to provide electrical charge to the battery.   
     
     
         15 . A method of increasing fuel efficiency of an engine comprising the following steps in any order:
 connecting at least one heater to an oil reservoir of the engine, and   coupling the heating element to one or more solar panels,   wherein when the engine is not operating, the temperature of the oil is raised above ambient temperatures reducing the viscosity of the oil thus facilitating pumping the oil when the engine initially begins to operate.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the following steps in any order:
 coupling the heating element to one or more control modules; and   coupling the control modules to one or more solar panels,   wherein said connecting at least one heater to an oil reservoir of the engine is thermally coupled.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the control module is a timer for providing power to the heaters at a predetermined interval such that the oil is not continuously heated. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the coupling of at least one heating element is to one or more power sources. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the power source is a solar panel comprising one or more photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the heating element is coupled to the power source though a control module so that power sources are selectively coupled to the heating element. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further wherein one of the one or more power sources is 120 VAC power. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the control module is selected from the group consisting of a timer, voltage regulator and switch. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the heating element is a heating pad. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20  for increasing the fuel efficiency of an engine further comprising:
 connecting at least one heating element to an oil reservoir of the engine;   coupling the heating element to one or more solar panels; and   heating the oil from a cold start temperature to the operating temperature of the engine, wherein the cold start temperature is greater than the freezing point of the oil,   wherein when the engine is not operating, the temperature of the oil is raised reducing the viscosity of the oil thus facilitating pumping the oil when the engine initially begins to operate.   
     
     
         25 . The method of claim  26  wherein the increased fuel efficiency is maximized in a temperature range from about a cold start temperature of greater than 32 degrees Fahrenheit to an optimal heated temperature of 112 degrees Fahrenheit.