Abstract: An open-close control apparatus for an oil drain hole of an engine that includes an intercooler and an oil drain hole formed in an intake passageway. The open-close control apparatus for an oil drain hole includes an open-close valve for opening and closing the oil drain hole and an ECU that performs such a control that the open-close valve opens during a stop of an engine. The ECU prohibits the control of opening and closing the open-close valve if an acquired value of the temperature of the open-close valve is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: In a cooling device for a vehicle having a main passage through which coolant water is circulated between the interior of an engine and a radiator 13, a heater passage through which the coolant water is circulated between the interior of the engine and a heater core 15, and a thermostat 18 that operates in response to the temperature of the coolant water and selectively permits and stops circulation of the coolant water in the main passage, the heater passage is used as a heater/bypass passage, which functions also as a bypass passage, through which the coolant medium is circulated without passing through the radiator 13 when the engine warms up. This makes it unnecessary to form a separate bypass passage, thus simplifying the passage configuration.

Abstract: In a cooling device for a vehicle having a main passage through which coolant water is circulated between the interior of an engine and a radiator 13, a heater passage through which the coolant water is circulated between the interior of the engine and a heater core 15, and a thermostat 18 that operates in response to the temperature of the coolant water and selectively permits and stops circulation of the coolant water in the main passage, the heater passage is used as a heater/bypass passage, which functions also as a bypass passage, through which the coolant medium is circulated without passing through the radiator 13 when the engine warms up. This makes it unnecessary to form a separate bypass passage, thus simplifying the passage configuration.

Abstract: A warming-up device of an internal combustion engine includes a latent heat storage material accommodated in the interior of the internal combustion engine and radiating heat based on a phase change, and a nucleation device within the heat storage material and operating to prompt the phase change of the heat storage material under a supercooled state. The nucleation device is operated based on an oscillation generated at a time of starting the engine. As a result, the warming-up device of the internal combustion engine dispenses with a machining operation for forming a through port passing through the interior and an outside of the heat storage material, a seal around the through port and an electric circuit, and the device is inexpensive and has a simple structure.

Abstract: A container (14), which contains a latent heat storage material (X), is provided in a water jacket (13) of an internal combustion engine. A nucleation device (2) is provided in the container. The nucleation device includes a plate-like member (29), which is formed of bimetal, a water wheel (25), which is located in the water jacket, a rotating body (23), which is located in the container, and claws (24), which extend radially from the rotating body. When coolant starts circulating in the water jacket as the engine is started, the water wheel is rotated, thereby rotating the claws of the rotating body. The claws scratch the surface of the plate-like member to form a new surface. The nucleation device operates to nucleate the heat storage material by bringing the new surface into direct contact with the supercooled heat storage material. Thus, an inexpensive warming-up device of the internal combustion engine having a simple structure is provided.

Abstract: A warming-up device of an internal combustion engine includes a latent heat storage material accommodated in the interior of the internal combustion engine and radiating heat based on a phase change, and a nucleation device within the heat storage material and operating to prompt the phase change of the heat storage material under a supercooled state. The nucleation device is operated based on an oscillation generated at a time of starting the engine. As a result, the warming-up device of the internal combustion engine dispenses with a machining operation for forming a through port passing through the interior and an outside of the heat storage material, a seal around the through port and an electric circuit, and the device is inexpensive and has a simple structure.