Abstract: A dual mode thermal actuator (hereafter “the actuator”) includes a first cup defining a first chamber filled with thermally-responsive wax and a second cup defining a second chamber filled with thermally-responsive wax. A piston is disposed between the first and second cups. A first guide is received by the first cup. The first guide surrounds the piston and extends axially away from the first cup. A second guide is received by the second cup. The second guide surrounds the piston and extends axially away from the second cup. Expansion of the wax in the first chamber or expansion of the wax in the second chamber causes the actuator to go from a retracted position to an extended position. Expansion of the wax in the first chamber and expansion of the wax in the second chamber also causes the actuator to go from the retracted position to the extended position.

Abstract: A dual mode thermal actuator (hereafter “the actuator”) comprises a first cup defining a first chamber filled with thermally-responsive wax and a second cup defining a second chamber filled with thermally-responsive wax. A piston is disposed between the first and second cups. A first guide is received by the first cup. The first guide surrounds the piston and extends axially away from the first cup. A second guide is received by the second cup. The second guide surrounds the piston and extends axially away from the second cup. Expansion of the wax in the first chamber or expansion of the wax in the second chamber causes the actuator to go from a retracted position to an extended position. Expansion of the wax in the first chamber and expansion of the wax in the second chamber also causes the actuator to go from the retracted position to the extended position.

Abstract: The temperature switch includes a housing, an actuator, a switch, and a force buffer situated between the actuator and the switch. The switch is movable between a first and second state in response to imposition and release of an actuating force FA. The force buffer transmits the actuating force FA from the actuator to the switch when compressed a first distance in the first direction by extension of the actuator in response to an increase in temperature ?T1. At temperature T1, the force buffer transmits the force FA to move the switch from the first state to the second state. The actuator retracts a second distance in the second direction in response to a decrease in temperature ?T2. At temperature T2, the force buffer releases the force FA and the switch moves from the second state to the first state.

Abstract: A wax filled actuator includes a piston in direct contact with the thermally responsive wax material. A cup containing the wax is mechanically secured to a guide that receives and controls axial movement of the piston in response to expansion and contraction of the wax. A seal between the cup and guide prevents leakage of the wax. Another seal surrounds the piston and prevents leakage of the wax around the piston. In a disclosed embodiment, the piston has a cylindrical, polished outside surface that aids in preventing adhesion of the wax to the piston. In a disclosed embodiment, the seal surrounding the piston is a radially compressed annular elastomeric member. The seal surrounding the piston may be disposed between flat, annular wipers. The seal and wipers may be axially retained between the guide and a washer trapped between the cup and guide.

Abstract: A thermally actuated flow control valve mounted to a housing to control fluid flow based on temperature is provided. The control valve has a relief bias member in a cap projecting outside of the housing. Within the housing, the control valve has an actuator extending into a return bias container and a valve member. The actuator includes a thermally responsive material that expands and contracts in response to fluid flow over a predetermined range of temperatures. The actuator extends to close the valve member against a valve seat within the housing when the thermally responsive material expands. A return member moves the valve member away from the valve seat when the thermally responsive material contracts. The return bias container allows the relief bias member to accommodate pressures and temperatures beyond the predetermined range.

Abstract: The temperature switch includes a housing, an actuator, a switch, and a force buffer situated between the actuator and the switch. The switch is movable between a first and second state in response to imposition and release of an actuating force FA. The force buffer transmits the actuating force FA from the actuator to the switch when compressed a first distance in the first direction by extension of the actuator in response to an increase in temperature ?T1. At temperature T1, the force buffer transmits the force FA to move the switch from the first state to the second state. The actuator retracts a second distance in the second direction in response to a decrease in temperature ?T2. At temperature T2, the force buffer releases the force FA and the switch moves from the second state to the first state.

Abstract: A thermally actuated flow control valve comprises a wax filled actuator assembly including a guide, a piston, a cup and a diaphragm. The cup is disposed at the guide first end and defines a cavity that receives a thermally activated pellet. The thermally activated pellet, diaphragm and piston act in concert to exert a variable actuating force as a temperature of a fluid increases between a first temperature T1 and a second temperature T2. The valve is arranged so that the cup and wax are directly exposed to fluid flowing through the valve and a peripheral shoulder of the cup acts as a valve member to control flow through the valve. One end of the guide also acts as a valve member to control flow between an inlet and outlet of a return flow pathway.

Abstract: A wax filled actuator includes a piston in direct contact with the thermally responsive wax material. A cup containing the wax is mechanically secured to a guide that receives and controls axial movement of the piston in response to expansion and contraction of the wax. A seal between the cup and guide prevents leakage of the wax. Another seal surrounds the piston and prevents leakage of the wax around the piston. In a disclosed embodiment, the piston has a cylindrical, polished outside surface that aids in preventing adhesion of the wax to the piston. In a disclosed embodiment, the seal surrounding the piston is a radially compressed annular elastomeric member. The seal surrounding the piston may be disposed between flat, annular wipers. The seal and wipers may be axially retained between the guide and a washer trapped between the cup and guide.

Abstract: A thermally actuated flow control valve mounted to a housing to control fluid flow based on temperature is provided. The control valve has a relief bias member in a cap projecting outside of the housing. Within the housing, the control valve has an actuator extending into a return bias container and a valve member. The actuator includes a thermally responsive material that expands and contracts in response to fluid flow over a predetermined range of temperatures. The actuator extends to close the valve member against a valve seat within the housing when the thermally responsive material expands. A return member moves the valve member away from the valve seat when the thermally responsive material contracts. The return bias container allows the relief bias member to accommodate pressures and temperatures beyond the predetermined range.

Abstract: A self-contained thermal mixing valve includes a cap defining a bore, a relief spring and abutment plate within the bore, and a temperature responsive actuator arranged to generate an actuation force against said abutment plate when exposed to a predetermined increase in temperature. A slide is secured to the actuator and moves with the actuator in response to temperature changes. The slide defines a mixing chamber surrounding the temperature sensitive part of the actuator and includes a fluid flow slot axially aligned with the temperature sensitive part of the actuator. The slide is configured to move along a bore which includes axially offset fluid flow inlets, causing the fluid flow slot to vary fluid flow from the fluid flow inlets into the mixing chamber to produce a mixed outflow within a predetermined temperature range. The relief spring provides mechanical relief to the actuator in over-temperature situations.

Abstract: A self-contained thermally actuated flow-control valve assembly comprises a base, an actuator, and a return member. The base has a longitudinal axis, a stop surface and a retention wall. The actuator has a generally cylindrical guide, a piston, a diaphragm, a thermally active pellet, and a generally cylindrical cup. The guide has an exterior surface on which a plurality of retention members are configured. The piston assembly is coaxial with the longitudinal axis. The generally cylindrical cup has a leading wall, a sidewall contiguous with the leading wall, and a trailing shoulder axially opposite the leading wall. The return member has axially opposed first and second ends. The first end engages the retention members and the second end engaging the base. The return member exerts a biasing force on the actuator axially towards said base. The actuator exerts a variable actuating force in a direction axially opposite the biasing force.

Abstract: A thermally actuated power element comprising an actuator having a guide, defining a generally cylindrical bore extending between first and second guide ends. The guide first end has a generally convex valve member projecting radially between the bore and a valve member periphery, defining a plurality of substantially identical flow depressions. The flow depressions are configured radially intermediate the cylindrical bore and the periphery, while an annular valve member seal surface extends between a radial boundary of the flow depressions and the periphery. A piston having axially opposed first and second piston ends is partially received in the generally cylindrical cavity. A generally concave cup defines a cavity and contains a thermally active pellet, and a diaphragm is received in the guide second end intermediate the cup and said piston. A generally cylindrical return member engages the guide adjacent the periphery.

Abstract: A self-contained thermal mixing valve includes a cap defining a bore, a relief spring and abutment plate within the bore, and a temperature responsive actuator arranged to generate an actuation force against said abutment plate when exposed to a predetermined increase in temperature. A slide is secured to the actuator and moves with the actuator in response to temperature changes. The slide defines a mixing chamber surrounding the temperature sensitive part of the actuator and includes a fluid flow slot axially aligned with the temperature sensitive part of the actuator. The slide is configured to move along a bore which includes axially offset fluid flow inlets, causing the fluid flow slot to vary fluid flow from the fluid flow inlets into the mixing chamber to produce a mixed outflow within a predetermined temperature range. The relief spring provide mechanical relief to the actuator in over-temperature situations.

Abstract: A thermally actuated flow control valve comprises a wax filled actuator assembly including a guide, a piston, a cup and a diaphragm. The cup is disposed at the guide first end and defines a cavity that receives a thermally activated pellet. The thermally activated pellet, diaphragm and piston act in concert to exert a variable actuating force as a temperature of a fluid increases between a first temperature T1 and a second temperature T2. The valve is arranged so that the cup and wax are directly exposed to fluid flowing through the valve and a peripheral shoulder of the cup acts as a valve member to control flow through the valve. One end of the guide also acts as a valve member to control flow between an inlet and outlet of a return flow pathway.

Abstract: A thermally actuated power element comprising an actuator having a guide, defining a generally cylindrical bore extending between first and second guide ends. The guide first end has a generally convex valve member projecting radially between the bore and a valve member periphery, defining a plurality of substantially identical flow depressions. The flow depressions are configured radially intermediate the cylindrical bore and the periphery, while an annular valve member seal surface extends between a radial boundary of the flow depressions and the periphery. A piston having axially opposed first and second piston ends is partially received in the generally cylindrical cavity. A generally concave cup defines a cavity and contains a thermally active pellet, and a diaphragm is received in the guide second end intermediate the cup and said piston. A generally cylindrical return member engages the guide adjacent the periphery.

Abstract: A self-contained thermally actuated flow-control valve assembly comprises a base, an actuator, and a return member. The base has a longitudinal axis, a stop surface and a retention wall. The actuator has a generally cylindrical guide, a piston, a diaphragm, a thermally active pellet, and a generally cylindrical cup. The guide has an exterior surface on which a plurality of retention members are configured. The piston assembly is coaxial with the longitudinal axis. The generally cylindrical cup has a leading wall, a sidewall contiguous with the leading wall, and a trailing shoulder axially opposite the leading wall. The return member has axially opposed first and second ends. The first end engages the retention members and the second end engaging the base. The return member exerts a biasing force on the actuator axially towards said base. The actuator exerts a variable actuating force in a direction axially opposite the biasing force.

Abstract: A by-pass valve fitting assembly in which the valve element is retained in a cage having a front end support rigidly trapped between a cylindrical body and an inlet fitting, with the other end cantilevered in a flow cavity of the body, such that the biasing spring is seated in the cantilevered support to urge the valve element through the front support against a sealing face on the inlet fitting.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger, and flow control valve assembly associated with a heat exchanger, of the type wherein the temperature responsive flow control valve is integrated with the heat exchanger the valve assembly is well suited for mounting at the discharge port of the heat exchanger, without relying on rigid interaction with the inside wall of the discharge header or the tube ends in the discharge header. In this manner, the same basic valve assembly can be utilized in a variety of heat exchanger headers, merely by adapting the connection between the end of the valve assembly closest to the discharge port, and the housing or related structure of the heat exchanger at the discharge port. To the extent a relatively standard size valve assembly is to be used with heat exchangers having discharge conduits of different cross sectional area or shape, a baffle member can be placed around the valve assembly before insertion into the header.

Abstract: A thermal actuator and component part wherein the guide tube of the thermal actuator is integral with the component part. The cup containing the thermally responsive wax is crimped over a flange on the end of the guide tube. An actuating piston is positioned in the guide tube. The component part has a portion having a larger external diameter than the external diameter of the cup. The thermal actuator and component part are assembled by enclosing a split die member about the component part and integral guide tube member, placing the split die member with the component part and tube member into a lower tool member and advancing an upper tool member containing the cup toward the die member to cause the wall of the cup member to be crimped around the flange.

Abstract: A self-contained thermal actuator positions the piston return member inside the actuator cup. The inventive configuration eliminates the guide and diaphragm seal that closed the open end of the wax filled cup in the typical thermal actuator configuration. The piston and an O-ring seal seated in an annular recess defined by the piston contain the thermally responsive wax. A return member within the cup and engaged between axially spaced, radially overlapping shoulders on the cup and piston biases the piston toward its pre-actuation position. The return member may be a spring or an elastomeric O-ring that also seals the thermal actuator against intrusion of contaminants from the use environment. The piston is closely received in the cup for guided axial reciprocation therein.