Abstract: An engine cooling system and method that will allow an engine cooling fan to be driven independently of the engine speed. The engine cooling fan is driven by the engine crankshaft, but includes an electronically controllable fan clutch between the fan and the crankshaft. A control module electronically controls the engagement of the fan clutch based upon engine and vehicle operating conditions. A water pump for pumping coolant through the engine cooling system may also be driven by the crankshaft of the engine, but with an electronically controlled pump clutch between the engine crankshaft and the water pump.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for supporting and sealing a heat exchanger unit. Specifically, a unitary header and tank unit is disclosed comprising a condenser header and tank unit arranged in parallel relation to a radiator header and tank unit. The unitary header and tank unit is formed from a single piece of stamped material. The single piece of material is stamped to include a perpendicular extrusion and two base portions, each base portion being perforated. The partial separation of the perpendicular extrusion into two flange portions allows the base portions to be folded over onto the flange portions thereby forming two header and tank units with a single internal partition. Additionally, a fin unit is disclosed that is capable of traversing the heat exchange fins of multiple heat exchangers.

Abstract: An engine cooling system and method that will allow an engine cooling fan to be driven independently of the engine speed. The engine cooling fan is driven by the engine crankshaft, but includes an electronically controllable fan clutch between the fan and the crankshaft. A control module electronically controls the engagement of the fan clutch based upon engine and vehicle operating conditions. A water pump for pumping coolant through the engine cooling system may also be driven by the crankshaft of the engine, but with an electronically controlled pump clutch between the engine crankshaft and the water pump.

Abstract: An engine cooling system and method that will allow an engine water pump to be driven independently of the engine speed. The engine water pump is driven by the engine crankshaft, but includes an electronically controllable pump clutch between the water pump and the crankshaft. A control module electronically controls the engagement of the pump clutch based upon engine and vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: A rotary valve provides single point flow control of coolant within the cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The valve distributes coolant flow from the engine in predetermined flow modes to either 1) the radiator and heater simultaneously, 2) a bypass circuit only, 3) the heater only, or 4) the radiator and bypass simultaneously. The single-point coolant control results in advantages of shorter warm-up times, a lower pressure drop (reducing power consumption by the pump), reduced engine emissions and fuel consumption, improved cabin heater performance, and improved engine durability due to reduced thermal shocks to the engine components by virtue of more precise control of engine operating temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for supporting and sealing a heat exchanger unit. Specifically, a unitary header and tank unit is disclosed comprising a condenser header and tank unit arranged in parallel relation to a radiator header and tank unit. The unitary header and tank unit is formed from a single piece of stamped material. The single piece of material is stamped to include a perpendicular extrusion and two base portions, each base portion being perforated. The partial separation of the perpendicular extrusion into two flange portions allows the base portions to be folded over onto the flange portions thereby forming two header and tank units with a single internal partition. Additionally, a fin unit is disclosed that is capable of traversing the heat exchange fins of multiple heat exchangers.