Valves For Fluid Coolant Patents (Class 123/41.08)
  • Patent number: 7082900
    Abstract: In an outboard engine system, a first opening communicating with a cooling water discharge passage and a second opening communicating with a cooling water supply passage are formed adjacent to each other in an upper wall of a cooling water passage forming member. A relief valve is provided in a first opening at a position remote from a tilt shaft. The relief valve includes a valve seat provided at the upper wall and facing downward. A valve body is seated on the valve seat from below. Accordingly, any cooling water staying in an upper portion of the relief valve leaks through gaps between the valve seat and the valve body to be discharged easily. When the outboard engine system is tilted upward about the tilt shaft, the opening provided with the relief valve is moved upward so that the cooling water is discharged smoothly through the other opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Tawa, Yoshihiko Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7073576
    Abstract: Circulation system for the coolant in an oil cooler (13) adapted to cool down the oil of the automatic transmission (2) of a motor vehicle in which the drain conduit (15) for the coolant from the oil cooler (13) of the transmission (2) is connected to said return conduit from the radiator, and that the exit mouth (16), of said drain conduit is inserted in the return conduit forming an angle A, said angle being more than 0° and less than 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Fiat Auto S.p.A.
    Inventor: Piero Peirasso
  • Patent number: 7070118
    Abstract: A vehicle cooling device for radiating the heat using a refrigerant includes a main valve for controlling a flow distribution of the refrigerant distributed to a radiator and to at least one of conduits among conduits where the refrigerant flows bypassing the radiator in accordance with a valve opening degree, a thermo element for varying the valve opening degree in accordance with the temperature of the refrigerant, the thermo element including a temperature sensing portion, a water pump for circulating the refrigerant via the main valve, the water pump including an inlet, a radiator conduit provided downstream of the radiator, the inlet of the water pump and the radiator conduit arranged being opposite to each other along an operational direction of the main valve, and the temperature sensing portion of the thermo element positioned at the inlet side of the water pump relative to the main valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippon Thermostat Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Yukio Kawasaki, Toshitaka Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7069880
    Abstract: A heater diverter valve (20) is provided in an engine cooling system having a radiator and a circulating pump, The valve has a first inlet (31) connected to a heater so that coolant flowing through the engine and then through the heater is returned to the pump return line through the valve via the first inlet and an outlet (33). A second inlet (32) is connected to engine and transmission oil coolers so that coolant which flows from the engine supply line through the coolers is returned to the pump return line via the second inlet and the outlet. The valve includes a shuttle (24) which at lower coolant temperatures closes off the second inlet (32) to prevent coolant flow. The second inlet (32) is opened at higher temperatures when a wax type thermal actuator pushes the shuttle towards the first inlet (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William Richard Hutchins
  • Patent number: 6955141
    Abstract: A cooling system has a diverter valve to selectively control the flow of coolant through an internal combustion engine having a cylinder block with a cooling jacket and a cylinder head mounted on the block with a cooling jacket. A controller, responsive to the temperature of the block and the head, controls the diverter valve and a water pump to provide adequate coolant flow through the head and the block as needed to maintain optimal operating temperatures. After the engine is shut off, the controller continues to operate the water pump and a cooling fan to continue to cool the engine for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Chandran B. Santanam, Dimitrios Rizoulis, Balaji Maniam, Gary D. Mandrusiak
  • Patent number: 6920845
    Abstract: A multi-port rotary valve used to distribute coolant to an engine cooling system comprises a valve body having a plurality of outlet ports for directing coolant flow to a radiator circuit, a heater circuit, and an auxiliary circuit. An internal gear driven rotary disc includes a gear driven mechanism located on an inner circumference of the rotary disc. The rotary disc includes two apertures positioned on a top surface of the rotary disc for regulating predetermined flow paths and flow rates to the plurality of ports. An inlet housing body which includes an inlet port mates with the valve body and encases the rotary disc. An actuator which is coupled to a drive gear mounted internal to the inlet housing body is responsive to a control signal for transmitting a torque to the internal drive gear for rotating the rotary disc to regulate coolant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lelkes, Peter Lengyel, Zheng Lou
  • Patent number: 6918357
    Abstract: A valve for regulating fluid flow and associated method of use. The valve includes a stepper motor, a first valve chamber having an inlet port, a second valve chamber having an outlet port, wherein the first valve chamber includes an opening between the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber, a first member that is rotatable and operatively attached to the stepper motor, a second member that engages the first member for linear movement of the second member between a first position and a second position when the first member is rotated by the stepper motor, and a sealing mechanism that is operatively attached to the second member, wherein the sealing mechanism can move adjacent to the opening when the second member is in the first position and the sealing mechanism can move away from the opening when the second member is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventor: Robert R. Norris
  • Patent number: 6907343
    Abstract: In a malfunction detecting system of an engine cooling apparatus constituted as a radiator having a thermostat that opens/closes a communicating passage between the engine and the radiator, estimated coolant temperature is calculated using a thermal load parameter correlated to rise in the coolant temperature after engine starting, whilst an engine standing time period is detected. Then, the detected engine standing time period is compared with a predetermined value and based on a result of comparison, one of preset threshold values including a malfunction discrimination threshold value and a malfunction discrimination execute threshold value is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Tsukamoto, Eisaku Gosyo
  • Patent number: 6889633
    Abstract: There is provided an engine cooling system, in which operation tendency information calculating section provided in a control unit calculates values representing the tendency of engine operation, and a control valve provided in a cooling water circulating device is controlled based on the values. It is therefore possible to control the cooling water to a proper temperature conforming to the engine operating condition and improve both the engine power and the fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuaki Murakami, Tetsuro Ishida
  • Patent number: 6886503
    Abstract: An improved cooling system for a turbo charged internal combustion engine is disclosed. A conduit connects a pressurizing engine air intake to the cooling system to raise the pressure in the cooling system thereby enabling an increase of the maximum temperature which coolant in the cooling system can reach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Langervik
  • Patent number: 6851992
    Abstract: To provide a cooling system for a jet propulsion boat in which the number of components are reduced and the construction is simplified. A cooling system for a jet propulsion boat is a system in which a jet propulsion unit is provided at a rear portion of the vessel body. The jet propulsion unit is driven by the engine to emit a jet of water for propelling the boat. The engine is cooled by flowing a part of the jet of water in the engine-cooling flow path as cooling water. The cooling system for a jet propulsion boat comprises a constantly opened flow path having a constant cross sectional area and a flow regulating valve that opens the valve body when the primary pressure exceeds a prescribed value. The opening of the opened valve body is varied according to the primary pressure in the engine-cooling flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisashi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 6834624
    Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, is a pressure responsive valve for a marine engine that facilitates balanced operation of the engine. In an exemplary embodiment, the valve includes a first chamber and a second chamber. Coolant is in flow communication with the valve first chamber, and the engine cylinder head water jackets are in flow communication with the valve second chamber. A flow channel is between the valve first and second chambers, and a plunger is biased to close the flow channel to normally prevent flow from the first chamber to the second chamber. A diaphragm is coupled to the plunger and is responsive to pressure in the first chamber. During operation of the engine at low revolutions per minute (rpm), the pressure of the coolant in the valve first chamber is not sufficient to cause the diaphragm to move the plunger to the open position. As the engine speed increases, the pressure of the coolant also increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Todd D. Craft, James E. Macier
  • Patent number: 6821171
    Abstract: A cooling system for a marine engine conducts water from a coolant pump through the cylinder head and exhaust conduit prior to conducting the cooling water through the cylinder block. This raises the temperature of the water prior to its entering the cooling passages of the cylinder block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Wynveen, David J. Belter, Timothy S. Reid
  • Publication number: 20040216700
    Abstract: An engine cooling system has a primary cooling circuit having with a coolant pump to pump coolant to the engine, an engine return line, a radiator and a bypass in parallel with the radiator. The primary circuit also has a flow control valve to control flow between the radiator and the bypass to allow fluid to flow from the radiator only when coolant temperature is above normal operating temperature. The system also has a secondary cooling circuit with a heat exchanger and a temperature responsive control valve and a heater circuit connected to a passenger compartment heater. The temperature responsive conrol valve shuts off flow through both or one of the inlets depending on coolant temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: William R. Hutchins
  • Publication number: 20040216701
    Abstract: An engine cooling system has a primary cooling circuit with a pump to circulate liquid coolant through an engine, the coolant being returned to the pump via a radiator and a bypass arranged in parallel. A temperature-responsive control valve controls flow as between said radiator and the bypass. The valve housing defines: a hot inlet connected to the bypass, a cold inlet connected to the radiator, and a valve chamber. The valve further includes a first valve member in the valve chamber movable between two limits to control the flow of coolant from the hot inlet to the outlet, a second valve member in the valve chamber movable between two limits to control coolant flow from the cold inlet to the outlet; and a temperature-responsive actuator to move the first and second valve members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: William R. Hutchins
  • Publication number: 20040181333
    Abstract: In a malfunction detecting system of an engine cooling apparatus constituted as a radiator having a thermostat that opens/closes a communicating passage between the engine and the radiator, estimated coolant temperature is calculated using a thermal load parameter correlated to rise in the coolant temperature after engine starting, whilst an engine standing time period is detected. Then, the detected engine standing time period is compared with a predetermined value and based on a result of comparison, one of preset threshold values including a malfunction discrimination threshold value and a malfunction discrimination execute threshold value is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshinori Tsukamoto, Eisaku Gosyo
  • Publication number: 20040169090
    Abstract: A vehicle cooling device for radiating the heat using a refrigerant includes a main valve for controlling a flow distribution of the refrigerant distributed to a radiator and to at least one of conduits among conduits where the refrigerant flows bypassing the radiator in accordance with a valve opening degree, a thermo element for varying the valve opening degree in accordance with the temperature of the refrigerant, the thermo element including a temperature sensing portion, a water pump for circulating the refrigerant via the main valve, the water pump including an inlet, a radiator conduit provided downstream of the radiator, the inlet of the water pump and the radiator conduit arranged being opposite to each other along an operational direction of the main valve, and the temperature sensing portion of the thermo element positioned at the inlet side of the water pump relative to the main valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicants: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NIPPON THERMOSTAT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukio Kawasaki, Toshitaka Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6758172
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of cooling an engine for an automobile, in particular to a method of operating a cooling system having a variable coolant flow control valve. The cooling system is operated in dependence upon the difference between a desired operating temperature and a measured operating temperature. If this difference falls within a first and a second predetermined threshold, the temperature control is effected by operation of the valve in dependence upon the difference. The method also includes operation of a variable speed fan and a variable speed pump, in dependence upon the difference between a desired operating temperature and a measured operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Richard Morgan, James Richard Vanschagen, Kevin Paul Cutts, Martin Green, Nicholas Harmer, Simon Petrovich
  • Patent number: 6745995
    Abstract: An improved cooling system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The system utilizes an electronically controlled butterfly valve to control coolant flow between the engine and a radiator, thereby maintaining the engine temperature at a substantially optimum temperature. The valve includes a valve housing having an inlet port in fluid communication with an outlet port. A valve core is seated in the housing for selectively opening and closing the outlet port. A driving mechanism is operatively coupled to the valve core for positioning the valve core between open and closed positions relative to the outlet port. A damping mechanism is coupled between the driving mechanism and the valve core for preventing the driving mechanism from locking in the open or closed position during loading of the valve core with the housing and inlet or outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Tesma International Inc.
    Inventors: Fuzheng Hu, David Mark Pascoe
  • Publication number: 20040094102
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuating device with an electromotive rotary drive, via which an actuating element can be driven rotatably about an axis of rotation between a first end position and a second end position and can be acted upon out of the first end position by a spring. The electromotive actuating drive includes a reversing drive and the spring action upon the actuating element is effective between the first end position and an intermediate position. The spring action is ineffective between the intermediate position and the second end position. The intermediate position lies between the first end position and the second end position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Eugen Bernarding, Rajko Colic, Thomas Mann
  • Patent number: 6712028
    Abstract: A cooling system has a system bypass to reduce parasitic losses in an internal combustion engine. The system bypass has a diverter valve actuated by a control module to selectively control the amount of coolant flow through the engine without regard to the speed of the water pump. As less coolant is needed to cool the engine, the diverter valve directs more coolant through the bypass to be recirculated to the water pump. The energy absorbed by the water pump is reduced by the reduced coolant flow, which increases the efficiency of the system and reduces engine parasitic losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph E. Robbins, Chandran B. Santanam
  • Publication number: 20040011305
    Abstract: The invention is based on a method for monitoring a cooling fluid circuit (16) of an internal combustion engine (10), with at least one heat exchanger (18, 22), a regulating valve (26), a cooling fluid pump (32), and an electronic control unit (76). The invention proposes that the control unit (76) predetermine a permissible upper and lower deviation of a reference parameter from a desired value, based on operating parameters of the internal combustion engine (10) and with the aid of deviation characteristic fields (56, 58), and that it compare these permissible upper and lower deviations to a difference between a desired value and an actual value of the reference parameter, wherein the actual value is determined based on parameters of the volumetric flow of the cooling fluid, possibly with the aid of characteristic fields (42, 46, 74).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Roland Herynek, Martin Vollmer
  • Patent number: 6672919
    Abstract: Temperature control system for marine engine exhaust system. The control system lowers flow of cooling water to water jacket and exhaust gas conduit of the exhaust system at low engine speeds. The control system is typically activated at and below a predetermined engine speed. Once activated, the control system operates to reduce flow of cooling water to the exhaust system. The control can operate in an on/off mode, or can modulate rate of flow of water through the exhaust system, or both. However the water flow is limited, a predetermined minimum flow of cooling water is maintained through the exhaust system, at least either at periodic intervals, or at a constant but lowered rate, to maintain cooling in the exhaust system on rubber components of the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas William Beson
  • Patent number: 6659050
    Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling the amount of coolant exiting an engine is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve housing that is mounted to the engine and defines a passage that is in fluid communication with a coolant outlet in the engine. A motor in the valve housing drives a valve shaft that extends into the passage and on which a butterfly valve plate is mounted. The physical geometry of the inventive assembly is not significantly effected by changes in coolant temperature or coolant contamination and the integrates the valve member and actuator in a single assembly to improve packaging and material use and eliminates potential coolant leak points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Creech, Reed K. Hauck, Phillip James Weis
  • Publication number: 20030217707
    Abstract: A water-cooled type engine cooling apparatus includes: an oil cooler that circulates cooling water flowing out of a water-cooled type engine; a water temperature detection unit that detects temperature of the cooling water; a switching unit that switches the oil cooler from an operating state to a halt state, and vice versa; and a switching control unit that controls switching of the switching unit. The switching control unit controls the switching unit to switch the oil cooler into the halt state when the temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit is lower than a preset temperature, and controls the switching unit to switch the oil cooler into the operating state when the temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit is not lower than the preset temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuru Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 6640168
    Abstract: A method for detecting errors in a motor vehicle engine cooling system is proposed according to the invention, in which an algorithm is used to not only detect an error in the cooling system, but to also determine whether the thermostat valve or the temperature sensor are defective. Differentiated error detection is achieved in that a second temperature model band is calculated for the case in which the thermostat remains in the opened state. A first temperature model band is calculated for the case in which the cooling system is in order. By comparing the course of the curve for the measured actual temperature with the two temperature model bands, a selective diagnosis can be carried out and determine whether the temperature sensor or the thermostat valve is defective. No additional hardware expenditures are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kastner, Peter Wiltsch
  • Publication number: 20030196613
    Abstract: A method for cooling a motor vehicle engine consists in regulating the volume and the flow rate of a coolant fluid in a hydraulic circuit provided with a degassing bypass hose equipped with an electronically controlled proportional actuator and with means forming direct return of fluid or bypass. The method comprises a step of determining the temperature of the cooling liquid, a step of comparing the temperature of the cooling liquid with a first and second threshold temperature, and a step of controlling the opening of the actuator such that, when the fluid temperature is between the first and the second threshold temperatures, the degree at which the actuator is opened is at least temporarily proportional to the cooling fluid temperature. The invention also concerns a device for cooling a motor vehicle engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Ludovic Tomasseli, Armel Le Lievre
  • Patent number: 6626140
    Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine is disclosed having a power take off housing located at one end of the engine. A crankshaft is operatively connected to a drive shaft and the cam shaft within the power take off housing. Furthermore, the crankshaft is operatively coupled within the power take off housing to at least one of a generator, an engine starting mechanism, a balance shaft, and a supercharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Bombardier-Rotax GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Aichinger, Rudolf Tscherne, Alois Wolfsgruber, Michael Sonnleitner, Johann Holzleitner
  • Publication number: 20030177985
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve for a coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine, with a housing through which the flow is capable of passing and which has a first throughflow orifice for connection to a first coolant line, a second throughflow orifice for connection to a second coolant line, and a third throughflow orifice for connection to a third coolant line, and with a closure member which is mounted in the housing and which can be adjusted by an actuating unit, the closure member having a first shut-off element for shutting off the first throughflow orifice and a second shut-off element, coupled to the first shut-off element, for shutting off the second throughflow orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Werner Engelin, Hartmut Engels, Erhard Rau, Jochen Weeber, Frank Weinert
  • Patent number: 6598566
    Abstract: In a water-cooled outboard marine engine, a heat transfer portion is provided in an exit passage located between an outlet end of a cylinder water jacket and a cooling water outlet passage at a position upstream of the thermostat valve. Thus, when the thermostat valve has opened and the cooling water expelled from the water jacket via the thermostat valve has been replaced by freshly introduced cooling water, the heat transfer portion having a certain heat capacity warms the freshly introduced cooling water so that the rapid change in the cooling water temperature at the thermostat valve and the resulting hunting of the thermostat valve can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouji Yasuda, Hideaki Takada, Yoshihiko Fukuda, Mitsuharu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20030136357
    Abstract: A flow control valve used in a cooling system of a water cooling type includes a first valve body and a first valve seat for controlling a quantity of radiator flow which returns from an engine to a pump through a radiator, a second valve body and a second valve seat for controlling a quantity of bypass flow which returns from the engine to the pump without passing through the radiator, and a step motor for displacing the valve bodies integrally as a valve unit. The first valve body, the first valve seat, the second valve body, and the second valve seat are so arranged that, in a range where the radiator flow quantity becomes practically zero, the bypass flow is permitted to flow at a slightly larger quantity than the radiator flow and, in other ranges, the bypass flow quantity is equal to or lower than the radiator flow quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Kobayashi, Hirohisa Ito, Daisuke Yamamoto, Shigetaka Yoshikawa, Yoshikazu Shinpo, Isao Takagi
  • Patent number: 6561140
    Abstract: An outboard motor includes a housing unit adapted to be mounted on an associated watercraft. An engine is mounted on the housing unit. The housing unit defines a water delivery passage and a water discharge passage. Both the passages communicate with each other through a lower opening. The water delivery passage is arranged to deliver cooling water to the engine. The water discharge passage is arranged to discharge the cooling water from the engine. The discharge passage communicates with a location out of the housing unit through an upper opening. A pressure relief valve unit extends through the lower and upper openings. The pressure relief valve unit allows the cooling water in the delivery passage to move to the discharge passage when a pressure of the delivery passage becomes greater than a preset pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuru Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20030075120
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of cooling an internal combustion engine, to an internal combustion engine assembly. The invention provides an internal combustion engine which has a primary and a secondary flow of coolant together with a method of cooling such and engine. The secondary flow of coolant is injected into the primary flow of coolant in dependence upon a variable provided by a sensor, which provides an indication of the temperature of the engine body in the region where the secondary flow of coolant mixes with the primary flow of coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Christian John Brace, Niall Andrew Fraser Campbell, John Gary Hawley, Matthew James Leathard, Kevin Robinson, Alexios Vagenas, Mathew Haigh, Chris Whelan, Steven Joyce, Iaim Gouldson
  • Patent number: 6539899
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Davide F. Piccirilli, Leonhard Bartsch, Keith E. Liederman, Matti K. Vint, Joseph V. Bejster, Nicholas P. Harmer, Martin Green, Mathew E. Haigh, Ali Jalilevand
  • Patent number: 6532910
    Abstract: An improved cooling system for a turbo charged internal combustion engine is disclosed. A conduit connects a pressurizing engine air intake to the cooling system to raise the pressure in the cooling system thereby enabling an increase of the maximum temperature which coolant in the cooling system can reach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Langervik
  • Patent number: 6516755
    Abstract: In a cooling circuit for an internal combustion engine including a cylinder block with a cylinder head wherein the cooling circuit includes a coolant pump with a coolant duct extending from the pump to the engine for supplying coolant thereto, the coolant duct includes a valve arranged between the coolant pump and the engine for controlling the flow of coolant through the coolant duct to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Jens von Gregory
  • Patent number: 6500038
    Abstract: A marine propulsion system is provided with a hydrophobic membrane disposed across a port of its cooling system which allows air to pass through the membrane, but inhibits water from passing through it. During draining procedures, air can freely pass into the cooling system through the membrane to replace evacuated water and avoid the formation of low pressure regions within the cooling system. During initiation of the marine propulsion engine, following a period when what has been drained from the cooling system, air can freely pass through the membrane to be expelled from the cooling system as it is replaced by water pumped in the cooling system by a sea pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jaeger, Thomas W. Boyer
  • Patent number: 6450134
    Abstract: Temperature control for a liquid cooled internal combustion engine having a radiator through which liquid is circulated from a hose having a circular liquid passage orifice of a specified diameter. The temperature of the engine after being dully warmed up has a minimum value when the orifice is unobstructed and full open, the engine temperature increasing as the opening in the orifice is restricted and decreased. An internal rotating blade in slidable engagement with the orifice can assume any position with respect to the orifice between a minimum position at which the rotating blade produces a minimum restriction of the orifice and a maximum position at which the rotating blade produces a maximum restriction of the orifice. A manually operated device connected to the rotating blade places the rotating blade in any desired position between minimum and maximum positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Del Sole
  • Publication number: 20020112678
    Abstract: An improved cooling system for a turbo charged internal combustion engine is disclosed. A conduit connects a pressurizing engine air intake to the cooling system to raise the pressure in the cooling system thereby enabling an increase of the maximum temperature which coolant in the cooling system can reach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Langervik
  • Publication number: 20020108587
    Abstract: An outboard motor includes a housing unit adapted to be mounted on an associated watercraft. An engine is mounted on the housing unit. The housing unit defines a water delivery passage and a water discharge passage. Both the passages communicate with each other through a lower opening. The water delivery passage is arranged to deliver cooling water to the engine. The water discharge passage is arranged to discharge the cooling water from the engine. The discharge passage communicates with a location out of the housing unit through an upper opening. A pressure relief valve unit extends through the lower and upper openings. The pressure relief valve unit allows the cooling water in the delivery passage to move to the discharge passage when a pressure of the delivery passage becomes greater than a preset pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Mitsuru Nagashima
  • Patent number: 6394057
    Abstract: An arrangement of components for an engine includes an improved construction. An exhaust system of the engine has an exhaust manifold extending along an cylinder body. At least a part of an air induction system of the engine exists to overlap with the exhaust manifold in a view along an extending axis of the exhaust manifold. A cooling system having at least two coolant passages is further provided. A coolant flow control mechanism is arranged to prevent only the coolant within one of the passages from flowing therethrough when temperature of the coolant is lower than a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihito Fukuoka, Hiroshi Oishi
  • Patent number: 6343573
    Abstract: A system for controlling coolant flow in an engine includes a housing where coolant from a radiator and a bypass passage are mixed, the housing enclosing: a water pump having an impeller, a heat responding element downstream from the impeller and having a piston that extends when a temperature is above a predetermined amount, a linkage connected to the piston, and a valve upstream from the impeller and connected to the linkage so extension of the piston causes the valve to open so radiator coolant flows. A bypass valve also upstream from the impeller is connected to the linkage so extension of the piston causes adjustment of opening of the bypass valve, coolant from the bypass passage flowing when the bypass valve is open. The two valves are ganged so total flow is kept constant. A thermistor accelerates the action of the piston by quickly heating the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20010042525
    Abstract: In a control arrangement for the flow of a coolant of a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine having a radiator for cooling the coolant, a pump for pumping the coolant through the cooling circuit and a control element for controlling the flow of the coolant and wherein a radiator circuit including the engine, the coolant pump and the radiator and a short circuit by-passing the radiator are provided, the control element includes flow control means for selectively establishing a flow circuit through either one or both of the radiator and radiator by-pass flow circuits and also for blocking both the radiator and radiator by-pass flow circuits providing for rapid engine warm-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: Kai Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20010042532
    Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine is disclosed having a power take off housing located at one end of the engine. A crankshaft is operatively connected to a drive shaft and the cam shaft within the power take off housing. Furthermore, the crankshaft is operatively coupled within the power take off housing to at least one of a generator, an engine starting mechanism, a balance shaft, and a supercharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Manfred Aichinger, Rudolf Tscherne, Alois Wolfsgruber, Michael Sonnleitner, Johann Holzleitner
  • Publication number: 20010023668
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for a single piece integrated front module housing for an internal combustion engine, which decreases engine complexity, manufacturing time and production costs. The front module housing comprises a thermostat housing, a water pump housing, at least one coolant passage, an oil pump housing, and at least one oil passage. The front module housing further comprises a power steering pump mounting, an oil pressure regulating valve housing, at least one support boss member, an at least one sensor housing. There is provided a method for an integrated one-piece front module housing, comprising the steps of forming a front module housing casting mold and cores, forming the front module housing via introduction of molten material into the mold, removing the front module housing from the mold and removing the casting core from the cast front module housing, and finishing the front module housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventor: Saul A. Guzman
  • Patent number: 6273033
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle with a coolant system, includes a cab heater (23) and a cooling element (21) for cooling exhaust recirculating to the inlet side of the engine (1). The cooling element has a coolant outlet (26), which communicates with the coolant inlet (22) of the cab heater to quickly heat the cab heater with the aid of the exhaust when the engine is cold-started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Niklas Enander, Arne Andersson
  • Patent number: 6263839
    Abstract: An improved overheat detection system for an engine having at least one coolant jacket which is drained of coolant when the engine is not running. The coolant jacket has an inlet portion into which the coolant is supplied and an outlet portion from which the coolant is discharged during the engine is running. In one feature of this invention, the overheat detection system has a sensor for sensing a temperature associated with the coolant jacket at an aft part of the coolant jacket including the outlet portion. In another feature of this invention, the overheat detection system has at least two sensors, one is positioned at a fore part of the coolant jacket including the inlet portion and another is positioned downstream of the former sensor, and both sensors for sensing each temperature associated with the coolant jacket. The overheat detection system is arranged to output an overheat signal in the event the temperature sensed by the sensor or at least one of the sensors is above a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiko Hoshiba, Kazuhiro Nakamura, Yasuo Suganuma
  • Patent number: 6260515
    Abstract: To provide an engine cooling system including a water pump for circulating cooling water in order to cool an engine, and a thermostat provided in the water pump in such a manner as to be openable/closable depending on the temperature of cooling water. The thermostat is provided in the water pump with a reduced number of parts, to thereby reduce the cost, weight and the number of assembling steps. A casing of a water pump is composed of a pump body for rotatably supporting a pump shaft and a pump cover connected to the pump body in such a manner as to cover an impeller fixed to the pump shaft. A thermostat is contained in a containing portion formed in the pump cover in such a manner as to be held between the pump body and the pump cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Tosaka, Makoto Harada, Tsuguto Inayama
  • Publication number: 20010003692
    Abstract: An outboard motor has an exhaust pipe assembly extending through a driveshaft housing. The exhaust pipe is separated into an upstream exhaust pipe and a downstream exhaust pipe which are formed separately from each other. The upstream exhaust pipe depends into the driveshaft housing and has a lower end connected to a pipe support member. An upper end of the downstream exhaust pipe connects to the pipe support member in a manner to communicate with the upstream exhaust pipe. The downstream pipe depends through an opening in a bottom wall of the driveshaft housing, and a mount at the lower end of the pipe is connected to the driveshaft housing in order to secure the pipe in place. The upper end of the downstream exhaust pipe is fit into the pipe support member without the use of fasteners. In this configuration, the downstream exhaust pipe can be removed independently of the upstream exhaust pipe, and can be drawn downwardly through the opening during removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Inventors: Jun Nakata, Yasuhiko Shibata
  • Patent number: 6182617
    Abstract: Apparatus for improving the operation of a water-cooled internal combustion engine system which may include at least an internal combustion water-cooled engine, a radiator with interconnecting supply and return passageways, a water circulating pump means and means to regulate the temperature of the water; said apparatus enabling selectably controlling the cooling water temperature regulation, said improved operation including at least improved fuel economy, increased power output and/or increased heat output of a vehicle's interior heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Donald Bigcharles