Electronically controlled thermostat
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine by controlling a flow of a liquid engine coolant, the apparatus comprising:
- a thermostat having a temperature responsive valve for substantially blocking and substantially unblocking the flow of said liquid coolant to a radiator, said thermostat having a first temperature activation range;
a thermally activated actuator operatively connected to said valve, said actuator having a second temperature activation range above said first temperature activation range; and
a source of electrothermal energy for activating said actuator to cause said temperature responsive valve to unblock the flow of said liquid coolant on demand.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine by controlling the flow of a liquid engine coolant to a radiator is disclosed. The apparatus includes a thermostat having a thermally responsive valve for substantially blocking or opening the flow of coolant to the radiator to maintain the engine at or about a preferred engine operating temperature. Also included is a thermally activated actuator for opening the valve in response to an engine condition such as load or a need for power. The actuator is activated at a temperature different than the thermostat. A source of electro thermal energy is provided to motivate the actuator so the valve may be opened on demand. In one aspect the invention provides a method of controlling the temperature of the engine by opening the valve in response to engine monitoring.
11 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine by controlling a flow of a liquid engine coolant, the apparatus comprising:
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a thermostat having a temperature responsive valve for substantially blocking and substantially unblocking the flow of said liquid coolant to a radiator, said thermostat having a first temperature activation range;
a thermally activated actuator operatively connected to said valve, said actuator having a second temperature activation range above said first temperature activation range; and
a source of electrothermal energy for activating said actuator to cause said temperature responsive valve to unblock the flow of said liquid coolant on demand. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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13. A method of controlling a temperature of an engine having a coolant circulation system comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a thermally activated actuator;
b) providing a thermostat having a fixed thrust surface and an openable valve including by a valve body;
c) operatively connecting said thermally activated actuator to said valve body of said thermostat;
d) monitoring said engine to determine when to open said valve; and
e) opening said valve by activating said thermally activated actuator in response to said engine monitoring.
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14. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine, said apparatus comprising:
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a thermostat having a thermally controlled valve which opens to a first position in response to a coolant temperature, said first position corresponding to a first rate of coolant flow sufficient for maintaining an optimum engine temperature;
a thermally controlled actuator for opening said valve to a second position, said second position corresponding to a second rate of coolant flow sufficient to permit said engine to cool to a power delivering temperature below said optimum temperature; and
a heater associated with said actuator, said heater being initiated when additional power is required.
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Specification