Linear proportional valve

• US 20040026521A1
• Filed: 05/22/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hanon Systems Efp Canada Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Magna Powertrain Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stark, Ronald G., Colas, Alex
• Granted Patent: US 6,915,958 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/34.5
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2007/146 using valves
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/167 by adjusting the pre-set temperature according to engine parameters, e.g. engine load, engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/134 measuring the temperature of mixed fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 236/02 Fail safe

Abstract

A valve assembly for automatically and proportionally controlling the flow of coolant fluid between an engine and a radiator for cooling the fluid heated by the engine in response to changes in the fluid temperature within a predetermined temperature range. The valve assembly includes a housing having a fluid chamber extending between opposing first and second ends: A radiator port extends between the radiator and the first end of the chamber. A bypass port extends between the engine outlet and the chamber. An engine port extends between the engine inlet and the chamber. A main valve is slidably received within the chamber for movement in and out of engagement with the first end of the chamber for closing and opening fluid flow between the radiator and the chamber. A secondary valve is slidably received within the chamber for movement with the main valve in and out of engagement with the first end of the chamber for opening and closing fluid flow between the bypass port and the chamber. A drive assembly is operatively coupled between the secondary valve and a central control for automatically and proportionally opening and closing the main and secondary valves in response to changes in the fluid temperature within a preselected temperature range.

Claims

1. A valve controlling the flow of coolant between an engine and a radiator in an automotive vehicle, the valve comprising:

a housing having a chamber formed therein extending between opposing first and second ends;

a radiator port extending between the radiator and the first end of the chamber for passing coolant flowing between the radiator and the chamber;

a bypass port extending between an outlet from the engine and the chamber for passing coolant flowing between the engine and the chamber;

an engine port extending between an inlet from the engine and the chamber for passing coolant flowing from one or both of the radiator and bypass ports between the inlet of the engine and the chamber;

a main valve slidably received within the housing for movement in and out of engagement with the first end of the chamber for closing or opening fluid flow between the radiator and the chamber;

a secondary valve slidably received within the housing for movement with the main valve in and out of engagement with the first end of the chamber for opening or closing fluid flow between the bypass port and the chamber; and

a drive assembly operatively coupled between the secondary valve and a central control for automatically and proportionally opening and closing the main and secondary valves in response to changes in the temperature of the coolant within a predetermined temperature range.

2. The valve of claim 1 wherein the main valve comprises a cylindrical body including a first ring radially extending from the cylindrical body for engaging the first end of the chamber.

3. The valve of claim 2 wherein the main valve includes a conical first guide positioned on an end of the cylindrical body corresponding to a position of the first end, the first guide concentrically engaging a bore for allowing fluid flow between the radiator port and the chamber.

4. The valve of claim 2 including a second guide extending longitudinally from the first ring in a direction of the second end of the chamber for maintaining alignment of the main valve within the chamber.

5. The valve of claim 2 wherein the secondary valve comprises a cylindrical member having a second ring extending axially from the cylindrical member and a third ring axially extending from the cylindrical member longitudinally spaced from the second ring.

6. The valve of claim 5 wherein the secondary valve includes a central bore extending from the second ring to the third ring and terminating at a bottom surface.

7. The valve of claim 6 including a spring disposed the central bore, a first end of the spring engaging the bottom surface And a second end of the spring engaging the first ring of the main valve member for maintaining unified movement of the main and secondary valves.

8. The valve of claim 5 wherein the third ring includes an annular gasket slot for receiving an o-ring to prevent cooling fluid from passing the third ring in a direction of the second end of the chamber.

9. The valve of claim 5 wherein the secondary valve includes a rack having teeth formed thereon, the rack extending from the third ring for engaging the drive assembly.

10. The valve of claim 1 further including a wax motor disposed between the radiator port and the main valve for providing a failsafe mechanism if the drive assembly can not move the secondary valve.

11. The valve of claim 10 wherein the wax motor extends from a locator formed in the radiator port to a bore formed in a conical first guide of the main valve.

12. The valve of claim 1 wherein the drive assembly comprises an electric motor coupled to a worm mechanism connected to a rack of the secondary valve.

13. The valve of claim 1 wherein the first end wall includes a gasket secured to the first end wall for engaging a first ring of the main valve.

14. The valve of claim 13 wherein the gasket faces towards the second end wall avoiding direct fluid flow between the radiator and engine ports.

15. A valve controlling the flow of coolant between an engine and a radiator in an automotive vehicle, the valve comprising:

a housing having a chamber formed therein extending between opposing first and second ends;

a radiator port extending between the radiator and the first end of the chamber for passing coolant flowing between the radiator and the chamber;

a bypass port extending between an outlet from the engine and the chamber for passing coolant flowing between the engine and the chamber;

an engine port extending between an inlet from the engine and the chamber for passing coolant flowing from one or both of the radiator and bypass ports between the inlet of the engine and the chamber;

a main valve slidably received within the housing for movement in and out of engagement with the first end of the chamber for closing or opening fluid flow between the radiator and the chamber;

a secondary valve slidably received within the housing for movement with the main valve in and out of engagement with the first end of the chamber for opening or closing fluid flow between the bypass port and the chamber;

a wax motor disposed between the radiator port and the main valve, the wax motor moving with the main valve during normal operation of the valve wherein a drive assembly operatively coupled between the secondary valve and a central control automatically and proportionally opens and closes the main and secondary valves in response to changes in the temperature of the coolant;

the wax motor expanding if the drive assembly fails to open and close the main and secondary valves whereby transfer of coolant between the radiator and engine is facilitated.

16. The valve of claim 15 wherein the main valve comprises a cylindrical body including a first ring radially extending from the cylindrical body for engaging the first end of the chamber.

17. The valve of claim 16 wherein the main valve includes a conical first guide positioned on an end of the cylindrical body corresponding to a position of the first end, the first guide concentrically engaging a bore for allowing fluid flow between the radiator port and the chamber.

18. The valve of claim 16 including a second guide extending longitudinally from the first ring in a direction of the second end of the chamber for maintaining alignment of the main valve within the chamber.

19. The valve of claim 16 wherein the secondary valve comprises a cylindrical member having a second ring extending axially from the cylindrical member and a third ring axially extending from the cylindrical member longitudinally spaced from the second ring.

20. The valve of claim 19 wherein the secondary valve includes a central bore extending from the second ring to the third ring and terminating at a bottom surface.

21. The valve of claim 20 including a spring disposed the central bore, a first end of the spring engaging the bottom surface And a second end of the spring engaging the first ring of the main valve member for maintaining unified movement of the main and secondary valves.

22. The valve of claim 19 wherein the third ring includes an annular gasket slot for receiving an o-ring to prevent cooling fluid from passing the third ring in a direction of the second end of the chamber.

23. The valve of claim 19 wherein the secondary valve includes a rack having teeth formed thereon, the rack extending from the third ring for engaging the drive assembly.

24. The valve of claim 15 wherein the first end wall includes a gasket secured to the first end wall for engaging a first ring of the main valve.

25. The valve of claim 24 wherein the gasket faces towards the second end wall avoiding direct fluid flow between the radiator and engine ports.