Thermostatic valve device having non-linear flow characteristics

• US 4,164,322 A
• Filed: 09/22/1977
• Issued: 08/14/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Standard-Thomson Corporation (Stant Manufacturing Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Standard-Thomson Corporation (Stant Manufacturing Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wilson, Earl L., Wong, Backman
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Dea, William F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Topolcai, Jr., W. E.
• Application Number:
  US05/835,652
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 236/34, 236/34.5, 236/100, 137/625.3, 137/625.37, 251/210, 251/118, 251/205
• US Class Current: 236/34.5
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1333 measuring the temperature of incoming fluid

Abstract

A thermally responsive valve device having non-linear flow characteristics. The thermally responsive valve device includes movable and stationary valve structure. A movable valve member is movable to adjust the open area of a flow passage, but movement of the movable valve member provides non-linear relationship between the area of the flow passage created and the distance of travel of the movable valve member. The movable and/or the stationary valve member is provided with an irregularly shaped portion so that with slight opening movement of the movable closure member less fluid flow than normal is permitted. As the movable valve member continues to move in an opening direction, the fluid flow increases at a predetermined non-linear rate until a specific flow rate is achieved. This operating characteristic eliminates or dramatically reduces temperature fluctuations in the system.

Claims

1. A thermally responsive fluid flow control valve device for elimination of temperature fluctuations in the fluid in an internal combustion engine cooling system during initial valve opening operation comprising:

a stationary valve member having an annular valve seat portion forming a fluid port and an inclined wall surface leading from the annular valve seat portion, a part of the inclined wall surface having a notch therein for fluid flow therethrough, the notch having a smaller dimension part adjacent the valve seat portion and a greater dimension part spaced from the valve seat portion,

a movable valve member having a closure portion engageable with the annular valve seat portion to close the fluid port, the movable valve member being movable toward and away from the valve seat portion of the stationary valve member, the movable valve member closing the notch when the closure portion thereof is in engagement with the valve seat portion, initial movement of the movable valve member in a direction from the valve seat portion opening the smaller dimension part of the notch and creating a small fluid flow passage in the smaller dimension part of the notch to meter the fluid flow, and increased movement of the movable valve member in a direction from the valve seat portion opening the greater dimension part of the notch and creating a greater fluid flow passage in the notch, increased movement of the movable valve member in a direction from the valve seat portion creating an annular fluid flow passage between the movable valve member and the annular valve seat portion of the stationary valve member for fluid flow therethrough,

thermally responsive actuator means,

means joining the thermally responsive actuator means to the movable valve member for movement thereof in accordance with the temperature sensed by the thermally responsive actuator means.

2. Thermally responsive fluid flow control valve apparatus for elimination of significant fluctuations in the temperature of the fluid flowing in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine during initial valve opening operation of the valve apparatus comprising:

annular valve seat structure forming a fluid port and including a wall encompassing the fluid port, the wall having a notch therein for fluid flow therethrough, the notch having a smaller dimension port and a greater dimension port

a movable closure member engageable with the valve seat structure to close the fluid port and to close the notch in the wall, the closure member being closely encompassed by the wall,

thermally responsive actuator means,

means joining the thermally responsive actuator means to the movable closure member for moving the closure member in a direction from the annular valve seat structure,

initial movement of the closure member in a direction from the annular valve seat structure gradually opening a portion of the notch in the wall for fluid flow therethrough, increased movement of the closure member in a direction from the annular valve seat structure opening a greater portion of the notch for fluid flow therethrough, and increased movement of the closure members in a direction from the annular valve seat structure forming an annular flow passage between the annular valve seat structure and the closure member.

3. Thermally responsive valve apparatus for controlling fluid flow in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine and for elimination of significant temperature fluctuations in the fluid during initial valve opening operation, the valve apparatus being provided with a pair of frame members, there being a first frame member and a second frame member, the first frame member having an annular valve seat forming a fluid port, a movable closure member engageable with the valve seat to close the fluid port, the movable closure member being movable from the valve seat to open the fluid port, thermally responsive actuator means having a first part attached to the movable closure member for movement thereof, the thermally responsive means having a second part attached to the first frame member, the second frame member including guide means for guiding movement of the first part of the actuator means, the improvement comprising:

an annular flow control member attached to the first frame member adjacent the valve seat, the annular flow control member having a plurality of tapered notches therein for flow of fluid therethrough, the notches having a smaller dimension portion adjacent the valve seat and a larger dimension portion spaced from the valve seat, the movable closure member closing the notches when the closure member is in engagement with the valve seat, the closure member gradually opening the smaller dimension portion of the notches when the closure member moves from the valve seat to provide fluid flow through only a portion of the fluid port to meter the fluid flow, further movement of the closure member from the valve seat opening the larger dimension portion of the notches for fluid flow therethrough, the closure member being movable to a position in spaced relationship from the notches to provide an annular opening between the closure member and the valve seat for fluid flow therethrough.

4. Thermally responsive valve apparatus of the type provided with support structure adapted to be positioned within a fluid conduit of the cooling system of an automotive engine, a first portion of the support structure having an annular valve seat forming a fluid port, a second portion of the support structure having an annular guide portion, a thermally responsive actuator device having a first portion attached to the first portion of the support structure and a second portion movable within the guide portion of the second portion of the support structure, a closure member attached to the second portion of the thermally responsive actuator device and movable therewith, the closure member having an annular engagement part engageable with the annular valve seat of the first portion of the support structure to close the fluid port, resilient means engaging the closure member and the second portion of the support structure and urging the closure member toward the valve seat, the improvement comprising:

an annular fluid flow control element joined to the first portion of the support structure adjacent the valve seat and closely encompassing the closure member when the engagement part of the closure member is in engagement with the valve seat, a part of the annular fluid flow control element being provided with a plurality of spaced-apart tapered recesses therein for flow of fluid therethrough, each of the recesses having a smaller part and a larger part, the recesses being closed by the closure member when the engagement part of the closure member is in engagement with the annular valve seat, the closure member gradually opening the smaller part of the tapered recesses as the closure member initially moves in a direction from the valve seat to partially open the fluid port to meter the fluid flow therethrough, further travel of the closure member from the valve seat also opening the larger part of the tapered recesses for fluid flow therethrough in addition to fluid flow through the smaller part of the recesses, the closure member being movable from the valve seat to a position in spaced relationship from the recesses to completely open the fluid port.