A dual heating process is performed in the absence of an open flame. Heat is created by a rotating prime mover(s) driving a fluid shear heater. Heat is also collected from a cooling system of the prime mover, and from any exhaust heat generated by the prime mover. The heat energy collected from all of these sources is transmitted through heat exchangers to a fluid where heat energy is desired. The fluid being heated may be glycol or air, depending on the type of heat desired.

A hydrodynamic heater includes an inlet port for receiving a stream of fluid from an external source and an outlet port for discharging a stream of heated fluid from the hydrodynamic heater. A hydrodynamic chamber operates to selectively heat fluid present within an interior region of the hydrodynamic chamber. The hydrodynamic chamber includes an inlet port located proximate a center of the interior region of the hydrodynamic chamber and an outlet port located along an interior wall of the hydrodynamic chamber. The hydrodynamic chamber inlet port is fluidly connected to the inlet port of the hydrodynamic heater. The hydrodynamic heater includes a control valve fluidly connected to the hydrodynamic chamber outlet port and the hydrodynamic heater outlet port. A fluid metering device connected in series with the control valve is fluidly connected to the hydrodynamic chamber outlet port and the hydrodynamic heater outlet port.

A vehicle heating system having a first viscous clutch and a pump and viscous clutch mechanism. The first viscous clutch has a first clutch input member. The pump and viscous clutch mechanism has a pump and a second viscous clutch. The pump includes a pump input member, while the second viscous clutch includes a second clutch input member. One of the pump input member and the second clutch input member is drivingly coupled to a portion of the first viscous clutch.

A hydrodynamic heater includes an inlet port for receiving a stream of fluid from an external source and an outlet port for discharging a stream of heated fluid from the hydrodynamic heater. A hydrodynamic chamber operates to selectively heat fluid present within an interior region of the hydrodynamic chamber. The hydrodynamic chamber includes an inlet port located proximate a center of the interior region of the hydrodynamic chamber and an outlet port located along an interior wall of the hydrodynamic chamber. The hydrodynamic chamber inlet port is fluidly connected to the inlet port of the hydrodynamic heater. The hydrodynamic heater includes a control valve fluidly connected to the hydrodynamic chamber outlet port and the hydrodynamic heater outlet port. A fluid metering device connected in series with the control valve is fluidly connected to the hydrodynamic chamber outlet port and the hydrodynamic heater outlet port.

A dual heating process is performed in the absence of an open flame. Heat is created by a rotating prime mover(s) driving a fluid shear heater. Heat is also collected from a cooling system of the prime mover, and from any exhaust heat generated by the prime mover. The heat energy collected from all of these sources is transmitted through heat exchangers to a fluid where heat energy is desired. The fluid being heated may be glycol or air, depending on the type of heat desired.