VEHICLE HEAT EXCHANGER AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING FUNCTIONS

• US 20090159239A1
• Filed: 12/22/2007
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Valeo Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Suessemilch, Frank, Desai, Sameer
• Application Number:
  US11/963,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20090159239A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/71
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/0276 Draining or purging
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/029 Expansion reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2007/143 using restrictions
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/00 Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/18 Arrangements or mounting of liquid-to-air heat-exchangers such arrangements on cylinders or cylinder heads F01P3/04; relative to vehicles B60K11/04
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/085 with cylindrical plug
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0414 Plug channel at 90 degrees to the inlet
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/144 the securing element being U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2265/06 by using means for draining heat exchange media from heat exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/0258 of quick acting type, e.g. with snap action

Abstract

A vehicle heat exchanger includes at least one end tank and a protruding fluid outlet formed integrally and in fluid communication with the at least one end tank. A push-connect fitting is configured to removably attach to the protruding fluid outlet, and to selectively perform at least a draining function.

Claims

1. A vehicle heat exchanger, comprising:

at least one end tank;

a protruding fluid outlet formed integrally and in fluid communication with the at least one end tank; and

a push-connect fitting configured to removably attach to the protruding fluid outlet, and to selectively perform at least a draining function.

2. The vehicle heat exchanger as defined in claim 1 wherein the push-connect fitting is configured to perform additional functions, one of which is to selectively convey a fluid to at least one conduit in a fluid circuit.

3. The vehicle heat exchanger as defined in claim 2 wherein the fluid circuit is a water circuit, a hydraulic circuit, a transmission fluid circuit, an engine oil circuit, or a power steering fluid circuit.

4. The vehicle heat exchanger as defined in claim 2 wherein the push-connect fitting further includes a valve or valves for controlling each of the draining and additional functions.

5. The vehicle heat exchanger as defined in claim 1 wherein the push-connect fitting further includes a drain cock for controlling the draining function.

6. The vehicle heat exchanger as defined in claim 1 wherein the push-connect fitting further includes a drain port.

7. The vehicle heat exchanger as defined in claim 6 wherein the push-connect fitting further includes a fluid flow port to allow fluid communication with a predetermined location.

8. The vehicle heat exchanger as defined in claim 7 wherein the drain port is configured such that fluid flows at a first flow rate, wherein the fluid flow port is configured such that fluid flows at a second flow rate, and wherein the first and second flow rates are the same or different.

9. The vehicle heat exchanger as defined in claim 1 wherein the push-connect fitting further includes a control valve, a heat exchanger, a sensor, or combinations thereof operatively connected thereto.

10. The vehicle heat exchanger as defined in claim 1 wherein the push-connect fitting further includes:

a body having two ends and defining a fluid pathway therein;

a connector formed integrally with one of the two ends of the body;

a drain cock positioned within an other of the two ends of the body; and

a drain port configured to selectively receive the drain cock;

wherein the connector is positioned about 90°

relative to the drain cock.

11. The vehicle heat exchanger as defined in claim 1 wherein the push-connect fitting is formed of a polymeric material or a metal material.

12. A method for selectively controlling at least one function for a vehicle heat exchanger, the method comprising:

forming a protruding fluid outlet integrally and in fluid communication with at least one end tank;

removably attaching a push-connect fitting to the protruding fluid outlet; and

selectively occluding or enabling at least a draining function of the push-connect fitting.

13. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the push-connect fitting is configured to perform additional functions, and wherein the method further comprises selectively conveying a fluid to at least one conduit in a fluid circuit via the push-connect fitting.

14. The method as defined in claim 13 wherein selectively conveying is controlled via a valve or valves of the push-connect fitting.

15. The method as defined in claim 12, further comprising occluding the draining function by configuring a drain cock of the push-connect fitting in a closed position.

16. The method as defined in claim 12, further comprising enabling the draining function by configuring a drain cock of the push-connect fitting in an open position.

17. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the draining function is occluded, and wherein the method further comprises conveying a fluid to at least one conduit in a fluid circuit via a fluid flow port formed integrally with the push-connect fitting.

18. The method as defined in claim 12, further comprising operatively connecting a control valve, a heat exchanger, a sensor, a fluid conveying hose, or combinations thereof to the push-connect fitting.

19. The method as defined in claim 18 wherein operatively connecting is accomplished prior to removably attaching the push-connect fitting to the protruding fluid outlet.