Abstract: A system, a differential, and method for maintaining temperature of a fluid circulating in a housing enclosing a gear system, contains a first heat exchanger positioned interior the housing. A first insulation layer is coupled to the housing and having a face in complete contact with the housing. A second fluid passageway formed between the outer surface of the gear and the primary heat transfer surface for the flow of the fluid circulating within the housing therethrough, wherein the fluid is brought into heat transfer relationship with the first heat exchange fluid flowing through said heat exchanger by means of rotation of the gear system.

Abstract: Various ways to integrate control valves into the structure of a heat exchanger are disclosed. The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger assembly that includes a heat exchanger and a valve integration unit. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of alternating first and second fluid passages in heat exchange relation, and at least one inlet manifold and one outlet manifold interconnected by one of the plurality of first or second fluid passages. The valve integration unit is fixedly attached to heat exchanger and includes a fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one of the inlet and outlet manifolds. A valve mechanism is mounted within the valve integration unit in fluid communication with the fluid passage, the valve mechanism controlling the flow of a heat exchange fluid through the fluid passage.

Abstract: A system, a differential, and method for maintaining temperature of a fluid circulating in a housing enclosing a gear system, contains a first heat exchanger positioned interior the housing. A first insulation layer is coupled to the housing and having a face in complete contact with the housing. A second fluid passageway formed between the outer surface of the gear and the primary heat transfer surface for the flow of the fluid circulating within the housing therethrough, wherein the fluid is brought into heat transfer relationship with the first heat exchange fluid flowing through said heat exchanger by means of rotation of the gear system.

Abstract: Various ways to integrate control valves into the structure of a heat exchanger are disclosed. The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger assembly that includes a heat exchanger and a valve integration unit. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of alternating first and second fluid passages in heat exchange relation, and at least one inlet manifold and one outlet manifold interconnected by one of the plurality of first or second fluid passages. The valve integration unit is fixedly attached to heat exchanger and includes a fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one of the inlet and outlet manifolds. A valve mechanism is mounted within the valve integration unit in fluid communication with the fluid passage, the valve mechanism controlling the flow of a heat exchange fluid through the fluid passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to various ways in which to integrate control valves into the structure of a heat exchanger. The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger assembly that includes a heat exchanger and a valve integration unit. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of alternating first and second fluid passages in heat exchange relation, and at least one inlet manifold and one outlet manifold interconnected by one of the plurality of first or second fluid passages. The valve integration unit is fixedly attached to heat exchanger and includes a fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one of the inlet and outlet manifolds. A valve mechanism is mounted within the valve integration unit in fluid communication with the fluid passage, the valve mechanism controlling the flow of a heat exchange fluid through said fluid passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to various ways in which to integrate control valves into the structure of a heat exchanger. The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger assembly that includes a heat exchanger and a valve integration unit. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of alternating first and second fluid passages in heat exchange relation, and at least one inlet manifold and one outlet manifold interconnected by one of the plurality of first or second fluid passages. The valve integration unit is fixedly attached to heat exchanger and includes a fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one of the inlet and outlet manifolds. A valve mechanism is mounted within the valve integration unit in fluid communication with the fluid passage, the valve mechanism controlling the flow of a heat exchange fluid through said fluid passage.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus containing a heat exchanger and a thermally actuated bypass valve is described. The heat exchanger has a plurality of plates defining a first, a second and a bypass channels. A first fluid inlet manifold is in fluid communication with the first and the bypass channels. The bypass valve is positioned in the first fluid inlet manifold, and contains a sleeve having a first slot and a second slot, that permit fluid flow from a first fluid inlet to the bypass channel and to the first fluid inlet manifold, respectively. A drum is positioned within the sleeve and is movable from a first position to a second position. The drum has an aperture permitting first fluid flow to the first slot in the first position and to the second slot in the second position. An actuator engages the drum and actuates it to move from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to various ways in which to integrate control valves into the structure of a heat exchanger. Accordingly, there is provided a heat exchanger assembly comprising a heat exchanger and a valve integration unit. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of alternating first and second fluid passages in heat exchange relation, and at least one inlet manifold and one outlet manifold interconnected by one of the plurality of first or second fluid passages, the valve integration unit being fixedly attached to heat exchanger and comprising a fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one of the inlet and outlet manifolds. A valve mechanism is mounted within the valve integration unit in fluid communication with the fluid passage, the valve mechanism controlling the flow of a heat exchange fluid through said fluid passage.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus containing a heat exchanger and a thermally actuated bypass valve is described. The heat exchanger has a plurality of plates defining a first, a second and a bypass channels. A first fluid inlet manifold is in fluid communication with the first and the bypass channels. The bypass valve is positioned in the first fluid inlet manifold, and contains a sleeve having a first slot and a second slot, that permit fluid flow from a first fluid inlet to the bypass channel and to the first fluid inlet manifold, respectively. A drum is positioned within the sleeve and is movable from a first position to a second position. The drum has an aperture permitting first fluid flow to the first slot in the first position and to the second slot in the second position. An actuator engages the drum and actuates it to move from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus containing a heat exchanger, a fitting at the fluid inlet and a thermally actuated bypass valve positioned in a fluid inlet manifold of the heat exchanger. The valve contains a sleeve having first and second slots, that permit fluid flow from a fluid inlet to a bypass or fluid inlet manifold. A drum positioned within the sleeve is movable from a first to a second position, and has an aperture that permits fluid flow to the first or second slot. An actuator engages the drum and actuates it to move from the first to the second position. The sleeve further contains a lip positioned between the fitting and a bypass channel cover plate for affixing the sleeve in position.

Abstract: The invention relates to valve system configurations for an active warm-up (AWU) system for an automobile to improve warm-up conditions without delaying cabin warm-up or defrost times. More specifically, the invention relates to a system for heating/cooling transmission fluid of an automobile by controlling the source of the heat exchange fluid for transferring heat to/from the transmission fluid during different start-up conditions using a series of various valves arranged in series intermediate a first heat exchanger associated with cabin warm-up/defrost of the passenger compartment and a second heat exchanger for transferring heat to/from the transmission fluid.

Abstract: A valve apparatus having a first housing coupled to a second housing. The first housing having a first chamber in fluid communication with a first inlet and a first outlet. The first chamber adapted for receiving a thermal actuator moveable from a first position to a second position in response to temperature of a first fluid in the first chamber. The second housing having a second chamber in fluid communication with a first and a second ports, the second chamber being fluidly sealed from the first chamber. The second chamber adapted for receiving a valve mechanism, which is operatively coupled to the thermal actuator and moveable from a first valve position preventing flow of a second fluid from the first port to the second port to a second valve position permitting flow of the second fluid from the first port to the second port upon actuation by the thermal actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to valve system configurations for an active warm-up (AWU) system for an automobile to improve warm-up conditions without delaying cabin warm-up or defrost times. More specifically, the invention relates to a system for heating/cooling transmission fluid of an automobile by controlling the source of the heat exchange fluid for transferring heat to/from the transmission fluid during different start-up conditions using a series of various valves arranged in series intermediate a first heat exchanger associated with cabin warm-up/defrost of the passenger compartment and a second heat exchanger for transferring heat to/from the transmission fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to various ways in which to integrate control valves into the structure of a heat exchanger. Accordingly, there is provided a heat exchanger assembly comprising a heat exchanger and a valve integration unit. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of alternating first and second fluid passages in heat exchange relation, and at least one inlet manifold and one outlet manifold interconnected by one of the plurality of first or second fluid passages, the valve integration unit being fixedly attached to heat exchanger and comprising a fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one of the inlet and outlet manifolds. A valve mechanism is mounted within the valve integration unit in fluid communication with the fluid passage, the valve mechanism controlling the flow of a heat exchange fluid through said fluid passage.

Abstract: A by-pass valve for a heat exchanger circuit. The by-pass valve includes a housing defining a serially communicating first bore, second bore and third bore substantially aligned along a central axis with a valve seat facing the first bore at a juncture between the first bore and second bore and a spring seat facing the second bore at a juncture between the second bore and third bore, the first bore, second bore and third bore forming at least a portion of a closable flow path between a first opening and a second opening in the housing. An actuator located in the housing has a reciprocating seal disposed for movement along the central axis for engaging the valve seat and closing a valve opening between the first bore and second bore. A coiled return spring is mounted in the housing for urging the reciprocating seal towards the first bore to open the valve opening, the return spring having a first end acting on the reciprocating seal and a second end engaging the spring seat.

Abstract: A valve apparatus having a first housing coupled to a second housing. The first housing having a first chamber in fluid communication with a first inlet and a first outlet. The first chamber adapted for receiving a thermal actuator moveable from a first position to a second position in response to temperature of a first fluid in the first chamber. The second housing having a second chamber in fluid communication with a first and a second ports, the second chamber being fluidly sealed from the first chamber. The second chamber adapted for receiving a valve mechanism, which is operatively coupled to the thermal actuator and moveable from a first valve position preventing flow of a second fluid from the first port to the second port to a second valve position permitting flow of the second fluid from the first port to the second port upon actuation by the thermal actuator.

Abstract: A valve that includes a housing defining first and second bores having a central axis, and a peripheral valve seat. An actuator is located in the first bore and has a reciprocating seal disposed for movement along the central axis for engaging the valve seat and closing the valve. A coiled return spring is mounted in the housing for urging the reciprocating seal towards the chamber to open the valve, the return spring having a first end connected to the reciprocating seal and a second end engaging a spring support in the housing facing the first bore. The return spring may have a larger diameter at its second end than its first end. The housing may include a third bore in communication with the second bore and having a different cross-sectional area than the second bore. The return spring could be supported by a discrete spring support located in one of the bores.

Abstract: A by-pass valve for a heat exchanger circuit. The by-pass valve includes a housing defining a serially communicating first bore, second bore and third bore substantially aligned along a central axis with a valve seat facing the first bore at a juncture between the first bore and second bore and a spring seat facing the second bore at a juncture between the second bore and third bore, the first bore, second bore and third bore forming at least a portion of a closable flow path between a first opening and a second opening in the housing. An actuator located in the housing has a reciprocating seal disposed for movement along the central axis for engaging the valve seat and closing a valve opening between the first bore and second bore. A coiled return spring is mounted in the housing for urging the reciprocating seal towards the first bore to open the valve opening, the return spring having a first end acting on the reciprocating seal and a second end engaging the spring seat.

Abstract: A connector assembly having a male member, a female member and a retainer for releasably securing the male member and the female member. The retainer has inner retainer arms for engaging the male member and an interior portion of the female member, and an outer retainer flange for engaging an outer portion of the female member.

Abstract: A valve that includes a housing defining first and second bores having a central axis, and a peripheral valve seat. An actuator is located in the first bore and has a reciprocating seal disposed for movement along the central axis for engaging the valve seat and closing the valve. A coiled return spring is mounted in the housing for urging the reciprocating seal towards the chamber to open the valve, the return spring having a first end connected to the reciprocating seal and a second end engaging a spring support in the housing facing the first bore. The return spring may have a larger diameter at its second end than its first end. The housing may include a third bore in communication with the second bore and having a different cross-sectional area than the second bore. The return spring could be supported by a discrete spring support located in one of the bores.