Cooling controller for internal-combustion engine

• US 6,481,387 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2001
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nippon Thermostat Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nippon Thermostat Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Sano, Mitsuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ali, Hyder
• Application Number:
  US09/787,026
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 123/41.44, 123/41.1, 123/41.12, 123/41.15, 623/231
• US Class Current: 123/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00735 Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/16 concerning coolant temperature F01P11/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2007/146 using valves
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/32 Engine outcoming fluid temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2031/20 Warning devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2060/14 Condenser
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/08 by cutting in or out of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 9/06 by use of refrigerating apparatus, e.g. of compressor or absorber type

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling controller for cooling an internal-combustion engine such as an internal-combustion engine for an automobile, comprising a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the cooling medium placed in a first or second circulation channel, and a flow control for controlling the flow of the cooling medium placed in the first or second circulation channel.

The first circulation channel passes through the engine and the radiator as in a conventional cooling system. The second circulation channel, which is used in case of a detected failure of the radiator or thermostat valve, includes the heat exchanger of the automobile'"'"'s air-conditioning system. When the failure is detected an air conditioner controller maximizes the amount of heat radiated from the air conditioning exchanger to prevent overheating.

Claims

1. A cooling system for an internal-combustion engine comprising:

a first heat exchanger;

a first circulation channel for circulating a cooling medium between said internal-combustion engine and said first heat exchanger to radiate heat generated in said internal-combustion engine through circulation of said cooling medium;

a second heat exchanger;

a second circulation channel, wherein said second heat exchanger is located in said second circulation channel, and wherein said cooling medium flows through said second circulation channel;

a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of said cooling medium, wherein said temperature detector is placed in at least one of said first or second circulation channels;

a flow controller for controlling the flow of said cooling medium;

an internal-combustion engine control unit for controlling said internal-combustion engine;

an air conditioner for air conditioning said automobile cabin utilizing the heat radiation of said second heat exchanger; and

an air conditioner controller for controlling said air conditioner;

wherein said air conditioner controller outputs an operating signal which maximizes an amount of heat radiated from said second heat exchanger when an abnormality of any driving condition of said internal-combustion engine relating to engine overheat is detected via an abnormality signal from said internal-combustion engine control unit.

2. The cooling system for an internal-combustion engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flow controller opens or closes a valve based on a flow control signal from said internal-combustion engine control unit to control the flow of said cooling medium.

3. The cooling system for an internal-combustion engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said temperature detector is located substantially adjacent to said internal-combustion engine.

4. The cooling system for an internal-combustion engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second circulation channels share a cooling medium passage inside said internal-combustion engine.

5. The cooling system for an internal-combustion engine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a cooling medium pump which circulates said cooling medium through said first and second circulation channels;

wherein said first circulation channel includes a bypass channel for bypassing said first heat exchanger;

wherein said first heat exchanger has an input channel portion and an output channel portion;

wherein said flow controller is a three-way configured flow control device, having a normally-open-when-cool port connected to said bypass channel, a normally-closed-when-cool port connected to one of said input and output channel portions of said first heat exchanger, and an always-open common port connected to a channel portion leading to said cooling medium pump;

wherein said flow controller is controlled to flow said cooling medium through said bypass channel when said temperature of said cooling medium is lower than a first designated temperature, and wherein said flow controller is controlled to flow said cooling medium through said first heat exchanger when said temperature of said cooling medium is higher than a second designated temperature.

6. The cooling system for an internal-combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

a fan for increasing heat dissipation from said first heat exchanger; and

a fan controller for turning on said fan when said temperature of said cooling medium is higher than a third designated temperature.

7. The cooling system for an internal-combustion engine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an air conditioning fan, wherein said air conditioner controller maximizes the flow of air by said air conditioning fan in order to maximize said amount of heat radiated from said second heat exchanger.

8. The cooling system for an internal-combustion engine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a warning indicator, located in said automobile cabin, that displays a warning message when said abnormality of any driving condition of said internal-combustion engine relating to engine overheat is detected via said abnormality signal from said internal-combustion engine control unit.