Fluid cooling system

Abstract

A fluid cooling system for an engine ( 101 ). The fluid cooling system comprises a junction ( 105 ), the junction comprising: a primary duct ( 102 ) suitable for conveying fluid into the junction; and a secondary duct ( 103 ) and a tertiary duct ( 104 ), the secondary and tertiary ducts being in fluid communication with the primary duct and being suitable for conveying fluid out of the junction. The secondary duct is arranged at a substantially oblique angle to the primary duct at the point at which the secondary duct meets the primary duct, and the tertiary duct is arranged at a substantially acute angle to the primary duct at the point at which the tertiary duct meets the primary duct.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A fluid cooling system for an engine, the fluid cooling system comprising a first cooling jacket suitable for cooling at least part of a piston cylinder head, a second cooling jacket suitable for cooling at least part of a piston cylinder and a junction, the junction comprising:
 a primary duct suitable for conveying fluid into the junction; and   a secondary duct and a tertiary duct, the secondary and tertiary ducts being in fluid communication with the primary duct and being suitable for conveying fluid out of the junction,   the secondary duct being in further fluid communication with the first cooling jacket and the tertiary duct being in further fluid communication with the second cooling jacket,   wherein the secondary duct is arranged at a substantially obtuse angle to the primary duct at the point at which the secondary duct meets the primary duct, and the tertiary duct is arranged at a substantially acute angle to the primary duct at the point at which the tertiary duct meets the primary duct.   
     
     
         16 . A fluid cooling system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the primary and secondary ducts form a single duct. 
     
     
         17 . A fluid cooling system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the engine is an internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         18 . A fluid cooling system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the tertiary duct is connected to a lower portion of the second cooling jacket. 
     
     
         19 . A fluid cooling system as claimed in  claim 15 , comprising a pump suitable for pumping fluid into the junction. 
     
     
         20 . A fluid cooling system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         21 . A fluid cooling system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the secondary duct has a bore substantially the same as a bore of the primary duct. 
     
     
         22 . A fluid cooling system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the tertiary duct has a bore smaller than a bore of the secondary duct. 
     
     
         23 . A fluid cooling system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the second cooling jacket comprises a heater. 
     
     
         24 . A fluid cooling system as claimed in  claim 15 , comprising an exit duct from the second cooling jacket and a valve to control a flow of fluid from the second cooling jacket via the exit duct. 
     
     
         25 . A fluid cooling system as claimed in  claim 15 , the fluid cooling system having a typical orientation for use, wherein the tertiary duct reaches the second cooling jacket at a point substantially lower than the junction when the fluid cooling system is in the typical orientation. 
     
     
         26 . A method of cooling an engine, the method comprising:
 providing a fluid cooling system comprising a first cooling jacket suitable for cooling at least part of a piston cylinder head, a second cooling jacket suitable for cooling at least part of a piston cylinder and a junction, the junction comprising:
 a primary duct suitable for conveying fluid into the junction; and 
 a secondary duct and a tertiary duct, the secondary and tertiary ducts being in fluid communication with the primary duct and being suitable for conveying fluid out of the junction, 
 the secondary duct being in further fluid communication with the first cooling jacket and the tertiary duct being in further fluid communication with the second cooling jacket, 
 wherein the secondary duct is arranged at a substantially obtuse angle to the primary duct at the point at which the secondary duct meets the primary duct, and the tertiary duct is arranged at a substantially acute angle to the primary duct at the point at which the tertiary duct meets the primary duct; 
   attaching the fluid cooling system to the engine; and   pumping fluid around the fluid cooling system.   
     
     
         27 . An engine comprising a fluid cooling system as claimed in  claim 15 . 
     
     
         28 . A vehicle comprising an engine according to  claim 27 .