Abstract: A fluid control thermostatic valve contains thermally responsive wax. As temperature rises, the wax expands thus pushing a deformable member up a confined path defined by guide 40 until the member contacts a fixed post 60. An immobile retainer 72 is secured to the fixed post 60. Force from the elastic member against the post causes actuator 30 to separate from retainer 72, thus opening a flow passage. The control valve is unique because retainer 72 functions as both a valve seat for actuator 30 and a fixed support for spring 84.

Abstract: The disclosed fluid flow control valve provides alternatively acting valves to define a bypass fluid flow path during warm-up and a steady state (cooling) flow path thereafter. A first valve closes a fluid flow return path from a fluid cooler, while the second valve closes the bypass flow path between the fluid source and fluid return. The actuator itself forms one of the valves, while a second valve member is slidably secured to the actuator to engage a valve seat in the bypass passage. The actuator is responsive to a temperature increase above a predetermined set-point by generating an axial force F to move the actuator from a bypass position to a steady state (cooling) position. The second valve member is biased toward an axially extended position by a bias member. Excess fluid pressure in the “hot” side of the valve body moves the valve member relative to the actuator to regulate pressure delivered to the fluid cooler.