Bypass Patents (Class 236/34.5)
  • Patent number: 8991719
    Abstract: A thermal by-pass valve for a heat exchange circuit includes a housing forming a chamber and a by-pass valve port surrounded by a valve seat. The valve port is located between first and second sections of the chamber. First and second oil ports open into the first section. At least a third port opens into the second section. A thermally sensitive actuator is mounted in the first section and has a body and a piston located at one end. The body is movable in the chamber in response to extension of the piston. A valve member is operably mounted on the body and is movable by extension of the piston. A spacer projects from and is connected to the body and forms a passage through which the piston extends. The spacer acts to maintain the adjacent end of the actuator body at least the length of the passage away from an end of the chamber. The spacer can have a valve portion to close a further valve port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Owen Sheppard
  • Patent number: 8991339
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multiple zone vehicle radiator, including: a housing; a first zone included in the housing; a second zone included in the housing; a baffle between the first and second zone, located in an outlet manifold of the housing; and a zone modifier configured to regulate coolant distribution between the first zone and second zone according to predetermined conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Thomas Gooden, Scott Russo, Michael Joseph Giunta
  • Patent number: 8978596
    Abstract: A powertrain cooling system includes a coolant pump and coolant flow passages. A first three-position valve is operatively connected with an outlet of the coolant pump and has a first, a second, and a third position to at least partially establish different coolant flow modes through the coolant flow passages. Coolant flow from the coolant pump is blocked from both the cylinder head and the engine block in a first coolant flow mode when the three-position valve is in the first position. Coolant flow from the coolant pump is provided to the cylinder head and is blocked from the engine block in a second coolant flow mode when the three-position valve is in the second position. Coolant flows from the coolant pump to the engine block and from the engine block to the cylinder head in a third coolant flow mode when the three-position valve is in the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Daniel B. Glassford
  • Patent number: 8978992
    Abstract: A cooler bypass valve apparatus installed the apparatus between a heat exchanger and conduits coupled to a device carrying fluid that needs to be cooled. A housing includes an inlet port and first and second outlet ports. At least one thermal actuator and at least one valve are mounted in a fluid flow passageway in the housing and operative in response to the fluid temperature to move the at least one valve between operative positions opening and closing fluid flow from the inlet port through the first and second outlet ports between a heat exchanger bypass loop and a heat exchanger cooling loop. In another aspect, two thermal actuators control a separate valve associated with the first and second outlets between open and closed positions enabling fluid flow from the inlet port exclusively through one of the first and second outlet ports or in a combined partial flow through both of the first and second outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Jiffy-Tite Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Zillig, Robert Howard Stoll, Joseph Anthony Giarrizzo, Michael Jonas, Arthur J. Murray
  • Patent number: 8973537
    Abstract: An engine system may include a thermostat casing connected to a first, second, third, and fourth flow channels, a valve guide in which a main valve that opens and closes the first flow channel is formed at one side, a closing valve that opens and closes the second flow channel is formed at the other side, and a bypass valve is formed adjacent to the closing valve, an elastic member that elastically supports the valve guide to enable the main valve to block the first flow channel and the closing valve to block the second flow channel, a driver that moves the valve guide so that the main valve opens the first flow channel and the closing valve opens the second flow channel according to a temperature of a coolant, and a control unit that controls the temperature and a flow of the coolant by controlling the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Philgi Lee, Gyuhwan Kim, Jae Suk Park, Yong Jeong Kim
  • Publication number: 20150053778
    Abstract: A thermostat device (1) for a cooling system in a motor vehicle, includes an inlet duct (3) to receive cooling fluid that is circulated through the combustion engine of the motor vehicle, an inlet opening (17) to receive cooling fluid from a pilot line in the cooling system, a first and second outlet duct (5a, 5b); an axially displaceable valve rod (11), on which a valve body (10) is secured; a temperature-dependent activating element (14) of a wax which is arranged to influence the displacement position of the valve rod in dependence upon the temperature of the cooling fluid that is received via the inlet opening (17); and the inlet opening is connected with the second outlet duct (5b) via a connecting duct (18) that extends in an axial direction through the valve rod. Also a cooling system including such a thermostat device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Scania CV AB
    Inventor: Fredrik Uhman
  • Publication number: 20150053777
    Abstract: A water-cooling apparatus for cooling an engine includes a radiator for cooling coolant, a first flow passage connected with the engine, a second flow passage branched from the first flow passage and connected with the radiator, a third flow passage whose one end is connected with the radiator and whose another end is connected with the first flow passage at a downstream from the branched point of the second flow passage, a regulating valve on the first flow passage for regulating a flow volume of the coolant in the radiator, and a pump on the first flow passage for circulating the coolant through the engine and/or the radiator. The regulating valve is configured to flows the coolant from the radiator to the first flow passage when it is opened. The apparatus has a simple circulation flow path, and thereby appropriate cooling can be done by regulating the flow volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Mitsuru Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20150056530
    Abstract: A fuel cell is used for generating driving energy for a vehicle. The reserve-tank inlet valve is located between a suction side of the coolant pump and a position in the coolant circuit at which a pressure of the coolant controlled by the reserve-tank inlet valve is an intermediate value between a discharge pressure of the coolant pump and a suction pressure of the coolant pump during an operation of the coolant pump. Even if the fuel cell is stopped generating electric power, the coolant pump is made continue operating even when the vehicle is traveling in a case that a coolant temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. The coolant pump is made stop rotating after the coolant temperature becomes lower than or equal to the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Michio Nishikawa, Takurou Furukoshi, Shunjiro Kikawa, Keigo Suematsu
  • Patent number: 8960562
    Abstract: A transmission fluid circuit includes a transmission, a cooler, and a valve. The transmission receives and expels a fluid. The cooler receives and expels the fluid to the transmission. The valve directs the flow of fluid received from the transmission to one of the transmission and the fluid cooler. The valve includes a housing, a spool and an actuator. The housing defines a cavity. The spool is movable longitudinally in the cavity between a first position and a second position to direct the flow of the fluid from the cavity to the cooler or the transmission. The actuator is operatively connected to the spool and includes a smart material which is activated in response to the temperature of the fluid in the cavity having at least a first temperature and deactivated in response to the fluid in the cavity having a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Paul G. Otanez, Shushan Bai
  • Publication number: 20140374495
    Abstract: A valve includes a housing including a plurality of ports including an inlet port in communication with a radiator. The valve includes a cylinder located in the housing that includes a plurality of apertures and a fail safe opening. The cylinder is moveable such that one of the plurality of apertures can be aligned with one of the plurality of ports of the housing to determine a flow of a fluid through the valve. The valve includes a moveable feature moveable with and relative to the cylinder, and the moveable feature covers the fail safe opening of the cylinder when a temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve is below a threshold temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: David S. Malone
  • Patent number: 8910489
    Abstract: A heat pump system for a vehicle includes a water cooled condenser that uses a coolant as a heat exchange media and uses waste heat generated from a motor and an electronic device to improve heating performance, efficiency, and dehumidifying performance. A control method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Hyun Choi, Jae Yeon Kim, Yong Woong Cha, Wan Je Cho, Jungha Park, Jaesan Kim, Man Hee Park, Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 8893979
    Abstract: A thermo-element having incorporated in a case a heat expansion body which expands and contracts according to a change in temperature includes: a piston disposed along the axis direction within the case, protruding outward from the opening on one end side of the case, and advancing and receding as the hear expansion body expands and contracts; a guide member disposed within the case and which slidably holds the piston; and a first valve element fitted to an outside portion of the case, in the side of the case, and opening and closing a fluid flow path. A fit-in section of the first valve element and insertion sections of the guide member inserted within the case are displaced from each other in the axis direction and the radial direction of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumito Kusakabe
  • Publication number: 20140224891
    Abstract: A vehicular coolant control valve configured so that the opened state thereof can be switched between a state allowing a normal amount of fluid to pass and a state allowing a lesser amount of fluid to pass. The control valve includes a valve body having a magnetic body and controlling fluid flow, a valve seat constituting a fluid flow channel and coming into contact with the valve body to close the flow channel, a solenoid magnetically maintaining a contact state between the valve body and valve seat, and an urging mechanism urging the valve body opposite to a flow direction of the fluid. The valve body includes a first valve body maintaining a contact state with the valve seat when the solenoid is excited and a second valve body allowing passage of a small amount of the fluid when the first valve body is in contact with the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanobu Matsusaka, Tadayoshi Sato, Naoto Yumisashi
  • Patent number: 8800883
    Abstract: An actuator device including: a case housing an expandable material, a moving part that can move in translation as a result of the expansion and/or contraction of the expandable material, and a heater to heat the expandable material. The device also includes: a position sensor which measures the current position of the aforementioned moving part; and a positioner to position the moving part, including a controller acting on the above-mentioned heater according to the current measured position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Bernard Guilhamat, Sebastien Dauve, Jonathan Fernandez, Florent Marquet
  • Publication number: 20140158784
    Abstract: A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle has an internal combustion engine with a coolant outlet connected to a coolant inlet of a fuel operated heater and wherein a coolant outlet of the fuel operated heater is connected to a coolant inlet of an HVAC heater, a coolant outlet of the HVAC heater further being connected to a coolant inlet of the internal combustion engine. The vehicle also has a temperature sensor at the coolant outlet of the internal combustion engine and a temperature sensor at the coolant outlet of the fuel operated heater. The vehicle has a three way valve arranged between the coolant outlet of the HVAC heater and the coolant inlet of the internal combustion engine such that there is a connection between the coolant outlet of the HVAC heater and the coolant inlet of the fuel operated heater, the connection bypassing the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: V2 Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Partnership Handelsbolag
    Inventors: Thomas Lundberg, Ahmed El-Bahrawy, Barne Corneliusson
  • Publication number: 20140103124
    Abstract: A control method of an electrical thermostat that includes an operating heater heating wax so as to operate an operating valve that may be disposed to close a coolant passage according to an exemplary embodiment of may include detecting a coolant temperature of coolant circulating a coolant passage, determining whether the coolant temperature may be included in a predetermined heating temperature range, performing a coolant heating mode by supplying a predetermined level of power to the operating heater for a predetermined time, if the coolant temperature may be within the heating temperature range, and stopping the coolant heating mode in a condition that the operating valve may be closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Inzicontrols Co., Ltd., Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Philgi Lee, Gyuhwan Kim, Jae Suk Park, Yong Jeong Kim
  • Patent number: 8690072
    Abstract: A valve including a body and a plug is disclosed. The body has a pair of ports and a tubular structure having a side wall and an open end and defining interiorly a first subchamber communicating with one port. The wall has an opening. The body defines a second subchamber communicating with the other port, extending around the wall and beyond the end to communicate with the end and the opening. The plug has an opening, is mounted to the structure and telescopes between first and second positions. At the second position, the plug is disposed at least partly in the second subchamber and the valve defines, between the ports: a first flow path through the wall opening; and a second flow path through the open end of the structure, via the plug opening. At the first position, the plug and structure restrict flow through the first and second paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Yuri Peric, Doug Vanderwees
  • Publication number: 20140034740
    Abstract: A fail-safe engine coolant thermostat includes a body having a bore with an inlet and an outlet. A thermal actuator capable of extended and retracted positions due to coolant temperature is disposed in the body. A valve plate is pivotally mounted in the body to open and close fluid flow through the body. A connecting member is coupled between the thermal actuator and the valve plate to pivot the valve plate to the closed flow position. A pivot connection of the valve plate to the body is diametrically off center to the valve plate to pivot to the fluid flow open position under coolant fluid flow pressure unless the thermal actuator, at cold fluid temperatures, pivots the value plate to the closed position through the connecting member. An adjustment is provided for the connecting member to enable adjustment of the valve plate to the full closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Darrel R. Sand
  • Publication number: 20140027522
    Abstract: A thermostat structure may include a valve configured to open or close a flow path through which a coolant flows, and a spring configured to elastically bias the valve to control a flow rate of the coolant flowing to an engine by automatically opening or closing the valve according to a change in a temperature of the coolant, wherein an upper portion of the spring may be coupled to a valve guide configured to support the valve, and may be formed in a shape of a semi-beehive having a uniform radius at a portion coupled to the valve guide and having an increasing radius as being closer to the lower portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Philgi LEE
  • Publication number: 20140000862
    Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine in a vehicle comprises a variable-speed coolant pump for providing a coolant flow to a plurality of heat-transfer nodes coupled in a coolant loop with the pump. Each node generates a flow rate request based on an operating state of the node. The coolant loop is configurable to a plurality of restriction states. A pump controller receives the flow rate requests, maps each respective flow request to a pump flow rate that would produce the respective pump flow rate request, selects a largest mapped pump flow rate, identifies a restriction state in which the coolant loop is configured, selects a pump speed in response to the selected flow rate and the identified restriction state, and commands operation of the pump to produce the selected pump speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Osama A. Abihana, Scott M. Robichaud, Scott J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140000536
    Abstract: A powertrain cooling system includes a coolant pump and coolant flow passages. A first three-position valve is operatively connected with an outlet of the coolant pump and has a first, a second, and a third position to at least partially establish different coolant flow modes through the coolant flow passages. Coolant flow from the coolant pump is blocked from both the cylinder head and the engine block in a first coolant flow mode when the three-position valve is in the first position. Coolant flow from the coolant pump is provided to the cylinder head and is blocked from the engine block in a second coolant flow mode when the three-position valve is in the second position. Coolant flows from the coolant pump to the engine block and from the engine block to the cylinder head in a third coolant flow mode when the three-position valve is in the third position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Daniel B. Glassford
  • Patent number: 8561580
    Abstract: In an engine, a block-side flow path for circulating cooling water to cool a cylinder block, and a head-side flow path for circulating cooling water to cool a cylinder head are formed. A head-side outlet temperature of cooling water flowing out of the head-side flow path is adjusted by using a water pump that pressure sends the cooling water to both the block-side flow path and the head-side flow path. A block-side outlet temperature of cooling water flowing out of the block-side flow path is adjusted by a first thermostat that changes a flow amount of the cooling water flowing out of the block-side flow path. The cooling water flowing out of the block-side flow path is used as a heat source of first and second heater cores for heating air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuharu Kakehashi, Michio Nishikawa, Mitsunobu Uchida
  • Publication number: 20130240634
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostat valve for a cooling system of an internal combustion engine with a coolant stoppage function, comprising a first bypass valve element and a second bypass valve element, a main valve element to be arranged in a counterpart to a connection to a coolant radiator, and a crossmember to be arranged between an engine outlet and an engine inlet, which crossmember forms a valve seat for the first bypass valve element and the second bypass valve element, wherein, on its outer side, the crossmember has a collar which forms an axial supporting region for the counterpart and which is loaded in the axial direction by a compression spring, with the result that the collar is forced in the direction of the counterpart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: BEHR THERMOT-TRONIK GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Auweder
  • Patent number: 8534569
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryu Hamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20130221116
    Abstract: A cooling water control valve apparatus capable of independently controlling flow rates of cooling water in two lines with a single apparatus for cooling water control and capable of achieving cost reduction. A cooling water control valve apparatus which adjusts a flow rate of cooling water for cooling an object to be cooled includes two inlet ports through which cooling water is introduced, an electrical control valve which is arranged at a first passage communicated with one of the inlet ports and which adjusts a flow rate of cooling water flowing through the first passage with electronic control, and a thermosensitive valve which is arranged at a second passage communicated with the other of inlet ports and which adjusts a flow rate of cooing water flowing through the second passage owing to displacement of a temperature detecting medium with temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicants: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION, MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventors: MINUKI CORPORATION, SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130213600
    Abstract: A coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination apparatus opens a changeover valve to increase the temperature of a coolant in a heater passageway if the amount of increase of the detected heater inlet coolant temperature value obtained when the intake air amount of an engine becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value is small. Then, if the amount of increase in the detected heater inlet coolant temperature value after the changeover valve opens is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the apparatus determines that the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor is normal. If the amount of increase in the detected heater inlet coolant temperature value is smaller than the predetermined value, the apparatus determines that the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor is abnormal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuki Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20130175022
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an electric vehicle includes a motor circuit for cooling a motor circuit thermal load, a cabin heating circuit for heating a cabin heater and a battery circuit for managing the temperature of a battery circuit thermal load. All of these circuits can fluidically communicate with each other and a single radiator can cool the fluid from all of these circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Jonathan King, Rick Rajaie, Richard A. DeVogelaere, Adam J. Naish
  • Patent number: 8469083
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling a liquid has an inlet and an outlet for a liquid to be cooled. A bypass is provided that bypasses the heat exchanger. A valve controls flow of liquid into the heat exchanger or into the bypass. The valve has a valve seat, a valve cone, and at least one spring made of a shape memory material. The at least one spring counteracts a liquid pressure existing in the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Jainek, Alexander Wöll
  • Publication number: 20130126624
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermostat device which can both stabilise operation during the initial stages of valve opening, and can stabilise the temperature of a liquid coolant which is circulated in a cooling system circuit. A circular sealing lip (29) is provided on the outer periphery of an approach section (24) of a main valve (21), said approach section being to a cylindrical valve seat (11), and the circular sealing lip is elastically pressure welded to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical valve seat (11) when the valve is closed. The circular sealing lip (29) is provided so as to form a waveform having concavity and convexity curving in the drive direction of the main valve (21), due to a thermo-sensitive movable body (31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Hee Wan Park
  • Patent number: 8430071
    Abstract: An engine cooling system for a vehicle, and method of operation, includes both an engine driven main coolant pump that may be disengaged by a clutch and an electrically driven auxiliary coolant pump, where each can be used separately or they can be used together to control the amount of coolant flow through the engine cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Carlson, George T Washburn
  • Patent number: 8418931
    Abstract: A system for cooling an engine is described. The system includes a heat exchanger having a first heat exchange portion that removes heat energy from coolant fluid flowing therein, and a second heat exchange portion that removes heat energy from coolant fluid flowing therein; a first thermostat integral to the heat exchanger and fluidically and mechanically coupled to at least one of the first and second heat exchange portions; and a second thermostat, integral to the heat exchanger and fluidically and mechanically coupled to at least one of the first and second heat exchange portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Hornblower Meyer
  • Publication number: 20130048741
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve assembly for a cooling system of an internal combustion engine provided with a radiator is provided. The thermostatic valve assembly includes a valve body having an inlet from the radiator, an inlet from the engine and an outlet to the engine. A main valve plate opens and closes the pathway of a cooling fluid from the radiator. A wax element is placed in a chamber of the valve body in fluid communication with the inlets and the outlet. The wax element has a piston mechanically connected to the main valve plate at a distal end. A main spring keeps the main valve plate closed until a target temperature of the cooling fluid coming from the engine is reached. An auxiliary valve plate opens and closes a direct pathway of the cooling fluid from the radiator to the chamber in which the wax element is placed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Luca BORGIA, Carmine PEZZELLA
  • Patent number: 8360634
    Abstract: A thermostat disposed to operate in a direction that is normal to the direction of flow of the fluid for which the thermostat regulates the temperature. In one embodiment, the thermostat comprises two mating faces, their movement being controlled either by the expansion or contraction of the carefully selected and apportioned materials in the thermostat pack or by a sensor-triggered controller in response to the temperature of the fluid to which the thermostat is exposed. The first type or Type 1 is normally closed, typically for use in liquid-cooled engines. The second type or Type 2 is normally open, typically for use in industrial applications, such as in solvent evaporation/recycle units where it is desirable to stop direct coolant flow into a paint gun cleaner or a similar equipment, when the temperature of the coolant reaches beyond a pre-determined upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: T. Yomi Obidi
  • Publication number: 20120312884
    Abstract: In order to configure a thermostat device to be attached to a vehicle (engine or the like) by a simple structure with a required minimum number of components and improve the assembly performance thereof, the thermostat device is provided with a casing (2) which comprises a first coolant flow path (2B), a second coolant path (2D), and a thermostat accommodating part communicating with the first and second coolant flow paths, a cover (3) which comprises a third coolant flow path (2C) communicating with the thermostat accommodating part and covers the thermostat accommodating part, and a thermostat (10) which comprises a thermoelement (10h) that moves forward and backward according to the change of the temperature of a coolant flowing through the thermostat accommodating part. The thermostat device is provided with a temperature sensor (20) which is provided to face the inside of the thermostat accommodating part and detects the temperature of the coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: NIPPON THERMOSTAT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Noriyasu Yajima
  • Publication number: 20120301755
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the temperature of a traction battery in a hybrid vehicle, where the hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for traction power. The method includes providing a first temperature regulating circuit for the internal combustion engine, providing a second temperature regulating circuit for the traction battery, heating the traction battery by an electrical heater provided in the second temperature regulating circuit in series with a pump, a radiator and the traction battery, transferring power to the heater via a DC/DC converter in the second temperature regulating circuit from the electrical motor, which electrical motor is driven by the internal combustion engine, while the battery is below a predetermined temperature interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Tobias Axelsson, Guy Mouden, Johan Larsson, Jerker Lennevi
  • Publication number: 20120279462
    Abstract: A control valve unit for a liquid circuit of an internal combustion engine, includes a valve housing (1) having at least one inlet opening (2) or outlet opening (2?) and at least two outlet openings (31, 32, 33) or inlet openings (31?, 32?, 33?) and at least two closing elements (41, 42, 43) actuated by a control device (22). The closing elements selectively open or close an associated outlet or inlet opening. The closing elements may be continuously adjusted between maximum open and closed positions. The control device (22) includes at least one displaceable or rotatable cam (6) and includes at least two cam tracks (71, 72, 73), each of which is assigned to a closing element (41, 42, 43) and acts on at least one driving pin (11) that is in contact with said closing element (41, 42, 43). The cams (6) are adjusted by an actuator (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Stéphane Warnery, Pascal Noiseau, Mickael Cormerais
  • Patent number: 8291561
    Abstract: The thermostat installing structure is provided, according to which a thermostat can be installed stably in the circulation path of cooling medium, and the circulation path of cooling medium can be also fastened to the body of an internal combustion engine without causing any damage to the function of the thermostat. The thermostat (5) comprises a frame (12) formed integrally with an annular supporting substrate (6) having the inner circumferential edge portion serving as a valve seat (6a) and regulating a projecting head portion (7a) of an extendable rod (7), whereby the thermostat is installed between the circulation path of cooling medium and the cooling medium channel of the internal combustion engine in a manner that the circulation path of cooling medium and the internal combustion engine body are integrally fastened by fixing the thermostat at a predetermined position in the circulation path of cooling medium with the fixing means and thereafter fitting a gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Uchiyama Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Takaya
  • Publication number: 20120248204
    Abstract: A radiator thermostat (1) to be fitted onto a radiator valve (4) is provided. The radiator thermostat (1) has a transmission element (5, 105, 205) that transmits a compressive force to the valve pin (8) of the radiator valve. An electric motor (12) is provided to drive the transmission element (5, 105, 205). The transmission element (5, 105, 205) is preloaded with a counter force (F2) that acts in opposition to the valve force (F1) using a spring (18; 20; 32). Thus, when moving the transmission element (5, 105, 205), the motor (12) has only to overcome the differential force (df).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel Baur, Bernhard Blocher, Stefan Schwamberger
  • Patent number: 8251296
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve (3) that comprises a housing (20) and a thermostatic member (52) having a mobile piston (58) that carries a plug (76) for controlling the fluid flow between two accesses to the housing. In order to simplify the manufacture and the maintenance of the valve, inter alia, a hollow body (54) bearing the thermostatic member is adapted both to be rigidly connected to the fixed portion of the thermostatic member so that the piston can extend inside the inner chamber (64) of the body and so that the plug controls the fluid flow through said chamber, and to be received and sealingly blocked in an inner volume (V20) of the housing so that the fluid cannot flow between the two accesses through the chamber, while a thermostatic assembly (50), defined by the bearing body and the thermostatic member connected together, can be urged as a whole into the inner volume of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Vernet
    Inventor: Lionel James Mabboux
  • Patent number: 8220720
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve for a cooling system in an internal combustion engine. The valve includes a common short-circuit element (21) having a short circuit valve gate (26) and a short circuit valve disc (25) and is arranged upstream in the extending direction of the thermostatic working element (16). A common valve seat is provided, wherein an overpressure valve (32) opening into the mixing chamber (15) is provided in the common valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-Tronik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Auweder, Eike Willers
  • Patent number: 8220421
    Abstract: A cooling system for cooling an internal combustion engine includes a first portion, a second portion and a bypass valve. The first portion forms a first fluid chamber through which a cooling medium passes as it flows from the engine to a heater that utilizes heat generated by the internal combustion engine. The second portion forms a second fluid chamber through which the cooling medium passes as it flows from the heater to the engine. The second fluid chamber is arranged adjacent to the first fluid chamber. The bypass valve is arranged inside the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber to form a bypass flow passage connecting the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber. The bypass valve is configured and arranged to automatically close the bypass flow passage when a temperature of the cooling medium is equal to or higher than a first prescribed temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Utsuno
  • Patent number: 8215381
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method to control excessive temperature changes in a coolant circuit includes providing a coolant circuit including a bypass flow pathway bypassing a heat exchanger, said coolant circuit at an elevated operating temperature; providing an adjustable coolant flow through said bypass flow pathway and said heat exchanger; providing a coolant pump in said coolant circuit; determining a temperature change in said coolant circuit in response to initiating a coolant flow from said heat exchanger into said coolant circuit, said temperature change greater than a predetermined limit; and in response to said determined temperature change, adjusting at least one or more of said coolant pump speed and said coolant flow to maintain said coolant circuit within a predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Samuel Schwartz, Brian D. Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 8205802
    Abstract: A premounted unit includes a pipe stub and a thermostatic valve. The pipe stub includes a valve seat mechanically biased by a valve spring against the valve seat and resting at its other end against a mating rest element. The unit further includes an expansible element which is configured between a segment of the pipe stub and the valve member and which opens the thermostatic valve as a function of temperature against the force of the valve spring. The unit further includes a U-shaped retention yoke of which the central strip rests against the mating rest element and the legs are connected to an annular cap element thereby recesses being constituted at mutually opposite sides at the inside of the annular cap element and the legs of the retention yoke being fitted at its ends with outwardly pointing hook elements that engage the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rolf Habermann
  • Patent number: 8201524
    Abstract: A device for controlling opening of a cooling circuit control valve system of an internal combustion engine, containing a coolant, which is automatically opened under effect of a cooling liquid being heated to a standard temperature. The control performs an early controlled opening of the control valve system of a cooling circuit located upstream of a heat exchanger before the temperature of the cooling liquid reaches a set temperature value for activating the opening of the control valve system, which is itself lower than the standard temperature, the controlled opening being performed only when the control valve system is first opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Christophe Mounetou, Franck Pinteau, Emmanuel Premier, Francis Boutonnet, Vasco Afonso, Franck Breuille-Martin
  • Publication number: 20120138696
    Abstract: Provided is a control method of an electric thermostat that can reduce cooling loss and friction loss of an engine by variably controlling opening/closing characteristic of the electric thermostat in accordance with metal surface temperature at a region with the maximum thermal load in the engine, can improve fuel efficiency by reducing the operation time and the number of operation times of a cooling fan of a radiator, and can improve heating performance for the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Taekyong RYU
  • Patent number: 8186604
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a movable temperature sensing member capable of sensing mainly the temperature of high-temperature coolant flowing in from a high-temperature coolant port and driving toward the side of the high-temperature coolant port in dependence upon the sensed temperature; a main valve fitted integrally to the movable temperature sensing member and constructed so as to render a low-temperature coolant port and a mixing compartment openable in conformity to the driving of the movable temperature sensing member toward the side of the high-temperature coolant port, thereby controlling the inflow rate of low-temperature coolant from the low-temperature coolant port to the mixing compartment; and a high-temperature coolant inducing part communicating with the high-temperature coolant port and adapted to regulate the flow of high-temperature coolant from the high-temperature coolant port toward the surround of the movable temperature sensing member and effect outflow thereof to the mixing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: Fuji Bellows Co., Ltd., Corea Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hee Wan Park
  • Publication number: 20120091212
    Abstract: An actuator device including: a case housing an expandable material, a moving part that can move in translation as a result of the expansion and/or contraction of the expandable material, and a heater to heat the expandable material. The device also includes: a position sensor which measures the current position of the aforementioned moving part; and a positioner to position the moving part, including a controller acting on the above-mentioned heater according to the current measured position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Bernard Guilhamat, Sebastien Dauve, Jonathan Fernandez, Florent Marquet
  • Patent number: 8141790
    Abstract: A by-pass valve for a heat exchanger circuit that includes a cooler has a chamber and ports for flow of fluid into and out of this chamber. A thermally sensitive actuator is mounted in the chamber and can extend or retract in dependence on its body temperature as influenced by temperature of the fluid. A by-pass valve seat is arranged in a valve housing along with a by-pass valve member movable by the actuator into or out of engagement with the seat. A relief valve is mounted in the chamber and has a relief valve member movable between closed and open positions in order to close or open pressure relief ports. This relief valve member is biased towards the closed position. Excessive pressure build up in an end section of the chamber causes the relief valve member to move to its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Owen Sheppard
  • Patent number: 8109242
    Abstract: A cooling system for an engine is disclosed. The cooling system may have a pump driven by the engine to pressurize coolant, a single heat exchanger configured to cool pressurized coolant, and an aftercooler configured to transfer heat from air entering the engine to pressurized coolant. The cooling system may also have a multi-thermostat arrangement configured to always direct at least a portion of the pressurized coolant from the pump through the aftercooler, and selectively direct pressurized coolant from the pump through the single heat exchanger. The multi-thermostat arrangement may also be configured to selectively mix pressurized coolant from the aftercooler with a remaining portion of the pressurized coolant from the pump to form a coolant mixture, and to selectively direct the coolant mixture through the engine or around the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Sridhar Deivasigamani
  • Patent number: 8066197
    Abstract: A thermal bypass valve for a heat exchanger circuit includes a valve housing forming a valve chamber including a bypass passage and ports for the flow of heat exchange fluid into and out of the valve chamber as well as a bypass port defined by a valve seat. Two axially aligned thermally sensitive actuators are mounted in the chamber, each with an actuator body and its own movable piston extendible from one end of the body. One of these pistons operably engages the actuatory body associated with the other piston. Each actuator body is normally movable in the chamber in response to extension of its piston. One of the actuators extends its piston at a higher temperature than the temperature required for the other actuator to extend its piston. A bypass valve member is mounted on one of the actuators and can be moved by either actuator from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Owen Sheppard