Internal combustion engine cooling system
First Claim
1. A cooling device of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a thermal storage device that stores a portion of a coolant that circulates in an internal combustion engine and that keeps the stored coolant warm; and
a valve device that is provided between the thermal storage device and the internal combustion engine and controls the flow of the coolant, the valve device including a first port in fluid communication with the internal combustion engine and a second port in fluid communication with the thermal storage device,wherein the valve device restricts the flow of the coolant from the first port to the second port and allows flow from the second port to the first port at a first coolant temperature, and wherein the valve device loosens the restriction on the flow of the coolant from the first port to the second port when the temperature of the coolant increases to a second coolant temperature that is higher than the first coolant temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A check valve having a thermostat function is provided between an engine and a thermal storage tank that stores a portion of the coolant circulating in the engine. The check valve restricts the flow of the coolant from the engine to the thermal storage tank, and loosens the restriction when the temperature of the coolant increases. Through such operation of the check valve, the warm coolant is collected in the thermal storage tank and engine preheating may be performed before engine start. Thus, by providing between the engine and the thermal storage tank the check valve that operates in response to the temperature of the coolant, engine preheating can be accomplished with a simple structure and at a low cost, without using a three-way valve and performing an electrical valve switching control.
34 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A cooling device of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
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a thermal storage device that stores a portion of a coolant that circulates in an internal combustion engine and that keeps the stored coolant warm; and a valve device that is provided between the thermal storage device and the internal combustion engine and controls the flow of the coolant, the valve device including a first port in fluid communication with the internal combustion engine and a second port in fluid communication with the thermal storage device, wherein the valve device restricts the flow of the coolant from the first port to the second port and allows flow from the second port to the first port at a first coolant temperature, and wherein the valve device loosens the restriction on the flow of the coolant from the first port to the second port when the temperature of the coolant increases to a second coolant temperature that is higher than the first coolant temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification