Patents Assigned to Behr Thermot-Tronik GmbH
  • Publication number: 20070164123
    Abstract: In a thermostatic valve for connecting an automatic transmission with an oil cooler, wherein the connection between an inlet conduit 12 for oil coming from the transmission and an outlet conduit 13 to the oil cooler is released or blocked by means of a valve slider element 22, which is actuated by a thermostatic actuating element 16, 17 and is spring-loaded by a restoring spring 21, the valve slider element 22 with the restoring spring 21 is designed as a pressure-control valve which, with the open connection between the inlet conduit 12 for oil coming from the transmission and the outlet conduit 13 to the oil cooler, opens a bypass conduit 24 when a predetermined pressure of the oil is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: Behr Thermot-tronik GmbH
    Inventors: Eike Willers, Andreas Auweder
  • Patent number: 7172133
    Abstract: Expansion or elastic material working element, particularly for operating a thermostatic valve, having a housing and a movable working pin led out of the housing, the housing containing expansion material and a heating device with an electrical resistance element applied to a support. More particularly for increasing the response speed of such a device, according to the invention the support has a cavity and the resistance heating element is a heating conductor wound around the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignees: Eichenauer Heizelemente GmbH & Co. KG, Behr Thermot-Tronik GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Starck, Barbu Scarlat Frunzetti, Wolfgang Richter
  • Publication number: 20050242311
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an expansion element for thermostatic valves, having a housing, an expansion material arranged in the housing, an actuating element, which can be moved relative to the housing when the volume of the expansion material changes, and electrically activated means for heating the expansion material. In accordance with the invention, the means for heating the expansion material has two electrodes, which are in contact with the expansion material, the expansion material is electrically conductive and constitutes an electrical resistor. The invention is employed, for example, in connection with thermostatic valves in coolant systems of motor vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicant: Behr Thermot-tronik GmbH
    Inventors: Eike Willers, Harald Ruoff
  • Publication number: 20050229873
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, in order to shorten the cold-starting phase, it is provided that upon a shut off of the engine, essentially the entire amount of coolant is pumped out of a cooling system into a normally empty heat insulated reservoir, from which the coolant is fed back into the cooling system again upon subsequent start up of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Applicant: Behr Thermot-tronik GmbH
    Inventor: Eike Willers
  • Publication number: 20050181647
    Abstract: In connection with a thermostat valve which, together with a housing cover member, constitutes a structural unit, it is provided that a cross arm member is secured on a housing cover by means of a snap-in connection and is provided with flanges extending into a fastening surface of the housing cover member intended for contact with the main housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Applicant: Behr Thermot-tronik GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Dehnen, Thomas Kovacs
  • Patent number: 6695217
    Abstract: A regulating valve for a heat-transferring medium has a valve member controllable primarily by an electrical actuating member, but in the event of failure of the electrical actuating member, a thermostatic actuating member, operating independently of the electrical actuating member and of electric power, is provided in order to prevent damage to the system by driving the valve member when a predetermined temperature is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-Tronik GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Leu, Jörg Luckner
  • Patent number: 6644248
    Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine with at least two cylinder rows, in particular for a V-engine for a motor vehicle, has a coolant radiator and a thermostat valve for controlling a flow of coolant from coolant outlets of the cylinder rows, through or bypassing the coolant radiator, and back to the coolant inlets of the cylinder rows. The coolant outlet of one of the cylinder rows is directly connected with an inlet of the coolant radiator, and the coolant outlet of another cylinder row is directly connected with a bypass inlet of the thermostat valve. A bi-directional intermediate line is arranged between the bypass inlet of the thermostat valve and the inlet of the coolant radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-Tronik GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Luckner, Albrecht Kreissig, Jürgen Kunze, Eike Willers
  • Patent number: 6644619
    Abstract: An improved housing for a thermostatic valve has a nonconducting cover that features a projection into the interior of the valve housing. Mounted on the projection is a thermostatic operating element, which operates to control the valve when wax inside the thermostatic operating element is heated. A pair of electrical leads, connectable to an exterior power source, are embedded within the cover, extending through the projection and connecting to a heating element within the thermostatic operating element. When electrical current is applied to the heating element through the embedded electrical leads, the wax is heated, thereby expanding, driving a work piston of the thermostatic operating element, and opening the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-Tronik GmbH
    Inventors: Waldemar Friesenhahn, Barbu Frunzetti, Wolfgang Richter
  • Patent number: 6601544
    Abstract: In a thermoset valve for a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine of the type having a housing (11) containing a thermostatic operating element (10) whose piston (12) actuates a valve element (13), a base plate (17) is affixed to the housing (11) and supports a fixed abutment (25) for a restoring spring (24) which loads the valve element (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-Tronik GmbH
    Inventors: Waldemar Friesenhahn, Ulrich Dehnen, Barbu Frunzetti
  • Patent number: 6595164
    Abstract: An improved unified cooling system for an internal combustion engine that generally includes a cylinder head and a cylinder block, in which the cylinder head and cylinder block are maintained at different operating temperatures despite using only a single coolant pump. The coolant pump pumps fresh coolant through the cylinder head and cylinder block. Coolant valves, which may be thermostatic valves or electrically actuable proportional valves, lie downstream of the cylinder head and cylinder block and individually control the amount of coolant flowing through the cylinder head and cylinder block so as to maintain a lower operating temperature for the cylinder head than for the cylinder block. Coolant is directed, in various configurations, through any or all of an oil cooler, a heat exchanger for a heater for a vehicle interior, and a coolant radiator, before being directed back to the coolant pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-Tronik GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Kunze, Peter Leu, Petra Röser, Eike Willers
  • Patent number: 6584941
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve for an internal combustion engine cooling system comprises a valve housing, a temperature-sensitive operating element, and a closure member adjustably movable by the operating element. The valve housing comprises a radiator connection opening, an engine connection opening, and a auxiliary connection opening, and defines a radiator coolant flow path between the radiator connection opening and the auxiliary connection opening, a short circuit coolant flow path between the engine connection opening and the auxiliary connection opening. Each of the radiator and short circuit coolant flow paths pass around the operating element. The closure member is movable to a first position wherein the radiator connection opening is interrupted and the engine connection opening is opened and to a second position wherein the radiator connection opening is opened and the engine connection opening is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-Tronik GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Richter
  • Patent number: 6520418
    Abstract: An improved thermostatic valve has an axially open annular slide and a base plate which together form a gasket seat, and has a restoring spring, which biases the annular slide in the direction toward the base plate. The restoring spring is mounted upon an abutment that is connected to the base plate instead of to the valve housing. The configuration of the claimed invention permits a thermostatic valve that may be assembled and tested prior to installation on an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-tronik GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Kunze, Immanuel Buschatz
  • Patent number: 6460335
    Abstract: An actuator for a device such as a tappet of a valve. The actuator having a thermostatic operating element electrically heated by an electrical heating element, and including an operating piston. A proportional piston stroke regulator detects and controls the position of the operating piston. The proportional piston stroke regulator includes a piston travel detection device, that detects the actual position of the operating piston, connected to a conventional closed-loop controller which compares the measured piston position to a predetermined piston control position entered into the closed-loop controller. Based on the comparison, the closed-loop controller regulates the electrical supply to the electrical heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-tronik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Immanuel Buschatz
  • Patent number: 6404321
    Abstract: An actuator for a device such as a valve controlling coolant for an automotive engine. The actuator has a base body on which is supported an electrically heatable thermostatic operating element having an operating piston that moves a motion transfer member that is in actuating engagement with a moveable actuating element of the device being actuated. The motion transfer member has a flange on which is supported a compression spring that maintains the motion transfer member in following engagement with the operating piston. The components of the actuator are enclosed within an outer housing that has a window of transparent material located so that when the components are in the Inactivated condition, the flange will not be visible through the window and when the components are activated, the flange will be visible through the window, thereby providing an indication of the condition of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-tronik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Immanuel Buschatz
  • Patent number: 6401670
    Abstract: A device for regulating transmission oil temperature having a heat exchanger through which the oil flows and to which coolant from an internal combustion engine can be supplied through at least one valve controlled by a thermostatic operating element immersed in the oil, the device includes a flow control body attached to a heat exchanger in a flange-like manner, the flow control body containing an oil channel connected to an oil outlet of the heat exchanger into which a housing enclosing the thermostatic operating element projects for the detection of and response to the temperature of the oil exiting the heat exchanger, the thermostatic operating element having a work piston connected to an extension member which is connected to the at least one valve in the flow control body, the valve disposed between at least one coolant inlet and a coolant opening to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-tronik GmbH & Co,
    Inventors: Barbu Frunzetti, Erwin Olescher
  • Patent number: 6371059
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve arranged in the coolant circuit of an internal-combustion engine, has a main valve which is acted upon by cold coolant flow on the one side, and by hot coolant flow on the other side. The valve is actuated as a function of the coolant temperature by way of an expansion material element equipped with an electric heating device. To minimize the coldside influence onto the expansion material element, a capsule which stores the expansion material, has an end which limits the expansion material lower at the level of the closed main valve or on the mixing chamber side. At this end, a ring-shaped or sleeve-shaped heating element is arranged coaxially adjacent the control pin, or, individual heating elements are distributed along the circumference of the control pin in an adjacent manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Behr Thermot-tronik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Heinz Lemberger, Peter Leu, Manfred Kurz
  • Patent number: 6101987
    Abstract: A method of cooling coolant in a coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes: evaluating parameters of the internal combustion engine and the motor vehicle with a thermostatic valve control device; based on the evaluation of the parameters, controlling with the thermostatic valve control device adjustment of a thermostatic valve for controlling coolant flow from a radiator and coolant flow from a bypass line around the radiator into a combined coolant flow to the internal combustion engine; communicating a signal based on the evaluation of the parameters from the thermostatic valve control device to a fan control device which controls operation of a fan that cools coolant in the radiator to a target temperature; and setting the target temperature of the fan control device through the communication. Subsequently, the fan control device controls the cooling by the fan as a function of the target temperature set by the signal received from the thermostatic valve control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-Tronik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Roland Saur, Peter Leu, Gunter Kalmbach
  • Patent number: 6065682
    Abstract: In connection with a thermostatic valve, in particular for regulating a coolant supply to a transmission fluid cooler, two valves are provided, which are respectively adjustable by means of thermostatic operating elements. Two thermostatic operating elements are associated with a valve and engage a valve element, which is adjustable for opening a second valve, in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Behr Thermot- tronik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Barbu-Scarlat Frunzetti
  • Patent number: 5996619
    Abstract: A control valve having a sliding valve member body movable into valve closing position against a valve seat in an outflow conduit. The body has a conical outer end for controlling the flow through the valve and a plurality of fins extending radially from the outer end into engagement with the outflow conduit to guide the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-tronik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Roland Saur, Manfred Kurz
  • Patent number: 5979778
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve arrangement includes a stop element disposed at a fixed location on a shaft that extends from and is fixedly connected to a thermostatic element housing. The stop element is located between the housing and a retaining ring which retains a bypass valve disc slidably mounted on and in direct contact with the shaft, and the bypass valve disc is located between the retaining ring and the stop element. An abutment member is slidably mounted directly on the shaft between the housing and the stop member. A bypass spring urges the bypass valve disc into engagement with the retaining ring and an additional spring urges the abutment member into engagement with the stop element. A shoulder of the bypass valve disc engages the abutment member when it is displaced by a predetermined distance along the shaft toward the housing against the bypass spring. The shoulder extends axially along the shaft at a radial spacing therefrom which is sufficient to permit the stop element to move therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-Tronik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Roland Saur