Abstract: A shut-off or throttle valve comprises a housing defining a flow passage and a valve flap to be pivoted about an axis of rotation extending across the flow cross-section of the valve. The valve flap in its closed position is located in a closing plane containing said axis of rotation and extending transversely to the direction of fluid flow and is spaced at its edges in all positions from the housing such that the respective spacing cannot be overcome by thermal expansions to be expected in operation. The peripheral portions of the valve flap cooperate with abutment edges serving as a front seal. The flap surface is subdivided by the axis of rotation into a pair of sections. Each section has associated therewith an abutment edge extending towards the axis of rotation such that the abutment edges are positioned on opposite sides of the valve flap.

Abstract: A method of operating cooling fluid circuit of an internal combustion engine for an automotive vehicle at cold start of said engine. Said cooling fluid circuit includes pump means, a heat storage and a cabin heating system heat exchanger interconnected between said heat storage and said engine. The method comprises unloading said heat storage to transfer heat thereof to cooling fluid circulating in said cooling fluid circuit and operating said heat exchanger so as to transfer at least some of the heat of the circulating cooling fluid to heating air of said cabin heating system.

Abstract: A heat storage, in particular for automotive vehicles, includes a storage housing which consists of an internal casing of a not round cross-section and an external casing enclosing the former in spaced relationship and a heat insulation, in particular a not supportive high vacuum insulation, enclosed between the internal and external casings. The cross-section of the casing shell of at least the internal casing comprises circular arc segments. The casing shell is supported at the transitions between the circular arc segments and adjacent cross-sectional portions of the container shell. Supplemental or alternative to such structure of the circular arc segments the external casing shell and the internal casing shell can be rigidly connected by connection elements so as to form an insulation container havina walls of sandwich-structure.

Abstract: In the operation of heat storage devices in particular for reusable heat in automotive vehicles, and in particular for heating the engine at cold start, a coolant circulates in a cooling fluid circuit extending through the engine, with the coolant flowing between a heat source and/or a heat consumer and an heat storage device being used as the storage medium. At cold start, circulation of the coolant in the cooling fluid circuit occurs via the heat storage device and such circulation is terminated as soon as the temperatures of the coolant at the inlet and the outlet of the heat storage device have approximated each other to a predetermined value.

Abstract: In a sensible heat storage for automotive vehicles, in particular for heating the engine at cold start, the heat carrier for sensible heat between a heat source and/or heat sink and the heat storage is at the same time the storage medium and is adapted to be circulated independently of engine operation. Circulation of the heat carrier across the heat storage is initiated at the latest when the engine is started. It is continued until the whole contents of the heat storage have been replaced. Circulation of the heat carrier across the heat storage is resumed at the latest when the ignition of the engine is switched off, and it is continued until the contents of the heat storage have been completely replaced.