Idea for Diesel Engine Economizer

Diesel engine economizer – Many times diesel trucks or locomotives are left to idle for hours and sometimes days to avoid restarting due to cold weather or other reasons.  There are systems out there to automatically start these engines periodically to keep them warm and loose.  Instead, how about a smaller gasoline engine to cycle and warm the engine oil and coolant?  This small gasoline engine could also multi-task like other concepts in this issue.  A computer controlled gas engine/generator could have many tasks and various assigned priorities – keep diesel engine warm and loose, keep cab warm, keep battery charged, keep air reservoir charged, keep refrigeration compressor charged, power the glow plugs, etc.  All these functions could be done with a small gasoline engine running at a comfortable load consistently – delegating the engine power/warmth to various tasks in the diesel system.  The result would be economy and probably less parts – plus the whole unit could be replaced or swapped out for maintenance.  The power distribution could be done electronically with electric pumps or mechanically with a clutch system.

In addition, in this system, the heat could be generated from a catalytic heater to supply heat instead of using the gas or diesel engine to keep the diesel engine warm.  Maybe, the kerosene could be used as a heater fuel and inject the kerosene in the fuel line as needed, during very cold weather.  Again, the multi-tasking principle could be used to send the heat to the needed areas – fuel warming, engine coolant warming, cab heater, battery warming, etc.
Advanced versions could even have an abnormal status alert to the driver via Internet or cellular telephone.  Using these communication tools, the driver could start the gasoline auxiliary engine or main diesel engine remotely if desired.
Possible Start Building Blocks –

• Existing concepts for geothermal heating, heat pumps, hot water heating systems, chemical heating systems, etc.


• USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 123/522, 219/205, 122/7R

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!