FLUID COOLING DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20110067853A1
• Filed: 09/02/2010
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Incorporated (Cooper-Standard Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Incorporated (Cooper-Standard Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: OSTAPOWICZ, Adam, MOSER, George, SOMMER, Gordon
• Application Number:
  US12/874,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20110067853A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/297
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/002 Cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2007/143 using restrictions
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/40 Oil temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2060/04 Lubricant cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0089 Oil coolers
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 7/1684 the conduits having a non-circular cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2250/06 Derivation channels, e.g. bypass
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2255/04 comprising shape memory alloys or bimetallic elements
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 27/02 for controlling the distribution of heat-exchange media between different channels static flow control means in header boxes F28F9/026; arrangements of guide plates or guide vanes F28F9/22, F28F25/12

Abstract

A fluid cooling device for a motor vehicle includes a fluid inlet tank and a fluid outlet tank. A plurality of heat transfer tubes provide constant fluid communication between the inlet tank and the outlet tank. A bypass arrangement selectively provides additional fluid communication between the fluid inlet tank and the fluid outlet tank. A bi-metallic valve is moveable from a first position to a second position in response to an increase in temperature of the fluid such that the valve member closes the at least one bypass tube to preclude additional fluid communication between the fluid inlet tank and the fluid outlet tank when the valve member is in the second position and the valve member opens the bypass tube to provide additional fluid communication between the inlet tank and the outlet tank in the first position.

Claims

1. A fluid cooling device for a fluid of a motor vehicle, the fluid cooling device comprising:

a fluid inlet tank;

a fluid outlet tank;

a plurality of heat transfer tubes providing constant fluid communication between the inlet tank and the outlet tank; and

at least one bypass tube for selectively providing additional fluid communication between the fluid inlet tank and the fluid outlet tank; and

a bi-metallic valve moveable from a first position to a second position in response to an increase in temperature of the fluid such that the valve member closes the at least one bypass tube to preclude additional fluid communication between the fluid inlet tank and the fluid outlet tank when the valve member is in the second position and the valve member opens the bypass tube to provide additional fluid communication between the inlet tank and the outlet tank in the first position.

2. The fluid cooling device of claim 1, wherein the valve member is a temperature responsive valve.

3. The fluid cooling device of claim 2, where the temperature responsive valve includes a bi-metal element movable from the first position to the second position in response to a change in temperature.

4. The fluid cooling device of claim 3, wherein the bi-metal element is a strip that is generally U-shaped.

5. The fluid cooling device of claim 3, wherein the fluid cooling device is an oil cooler.

6. A method of a fluid of a motor vehicle with a fluid cooling device, the fluid cooling device including a fluid inlet tank, a fluid outlet tank, and a plurality of heat transfer tubes providing constant fluid communication between the inlet tank and the outlet tank, the method including:

providing a bypass arrangement for selectively providing additional fluid communication between the fluid inlet tank and the fluid outlet tank;

operating the fluid cooling device under a first operating condition wherein the temperature of the fluid is below a predetermined temperature and the bypass arrangement provides additional fluid communication between the fluid inlet tank and the fluid outlet tank; and

operating the fluid cooling device under a second operating condition wherein the temperature of the fluid is above the predetermined temperature and the bypass arrangement precludes additional fluid communication between the inlet tank and the outlet tank under a second operating condition.