By-pass valve for heat exchanger

• US 8,083,209 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2009
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kozdras, Mark Stephen, Sheppard, Jeff, Arundine, Robert, Tonellato, Silvio, Bettio, Dario
• Primary Examiner(s): FOX, JOHN C
• Application Number:
  US12/428,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20090199916A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 251/11, 251/77, 251/337, 137/505.37, 137/517, 137/597, 165/297, 165/298, 236/34.5, 236/93.R
• US Class Current: 251/337
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2250/06 Derivation channels, e.g. bypass
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1333 measuring the temperature of incoming fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7922 Spring biased
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7925 Piston-type valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7929 Spring coaxial with valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86726 Valve with bypass connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8778 Spring biased

Abstract

A valve that includes a housing defining first and second bores having a central axis, and a peripheral valve seat. An actuator is located in the first bore and has a reciprocating seal disposed for movement along the central axis for engaging the valve seat and closing the valve. A coiled return spring is mounted in the housing for urging the reciprocating seal towards the chamber to open the valve, the return spring having a first end connected to the reciprocating seal and a second end engaging a spring support in the housing facing the first bore. The return spring may have a larger diameter at its second end than its first end. The housing may include a third bore in communication with the second bore and having a different cross-sectional area than the second bore. The return spring could be supported by a discrete spring support located in one of the bores.

Claims

1. A by-pass valve for a heat exchanger circuit, the by-pass valve comprising:

a housing defining a communicating first bore and second bore with a peripheral valve seat located at a junction thereof about a valve opening, the first bore, second bore and valve opening forming at least a portion of a closable flow path between a first opening and a second opening in the housing;

an actuator located in the first bore and having a reciprocating seal disposed for movement to engage the valve seat and close the valve opening;

a coiled return spring mounted in the housing for urging the reciprocating seal towards the first bore to open the valve opening, the return spring having a first end acting on the reciprocating seal, and a second end; and

a discrete spring support extending across the second bore and having a surface supporting the second end of the return spring, the spring support including at least one fluid flow opening there through for fluid flowing through the valve opening.

2. The by-pass valve of claim 1 wherein the housing defines in the second bore a support surface for supporting the discrete spring support about a periphery thereof.

3. The by-pass valve of claim 2 wherein the support surface includes an annular seat about a periphery of the second bore.

4. The by-pass valve of claim 1 including a third bore in direct communication with the second bore, the second bore communicating directly with the first bore, the second bore having a larger cross-sectional flow area than the third bore, wherein a peripheral seat located at a transition between the second bore and the third bore provides a support surface for supporting the discrete spring support.

5. The by-pass valve of claim 1 wherein the spring support includes a substantially planar disk having a plurality of flow openings formed therethrough.

6. The by-pass valve of claim 1 wherein the spring support has a cup-like profile, including an annular wall having an outer peripheral flange at a first end thereof and a radially inwardly extending flange at an opposite end thereof, the opposite end being located further from the first bore than the first end thereof, the peripheral flange engaging the support surface about the periphery of the second bore, the second end of the return spring being received within the annular wall and engaging the inwardly extending flange, the at least one flow opening being defined by the inwardly extending flange.

7. The by-pass valve of claim 6 wherein the annular wall tapers inward from the first end of the spring support to the opposite end thereof and flow openings pass through the annular wall.

8. The by-pass valve of claim 1 wherein the spring support has a cup-like profile, including an annular wall having an outer peripheral flange at a first end thereof and an annular spring seat at an opposite end thereof, the opposite end being located closer to the first bore than the first end thereof, the peripheral flange engaging the support surface about the periphery of the second bore, the second end of the return spring being received within the spring seat.

9. The by-pass valve of claim 1 wherein the reciprocating seal includes a reciprocating central shaft disposed along a central axis of the first bore and having a closed end portion, and an annular sealing member slidably mounted on the central shaft and extending outward from the central shaft to engage the valve seat and together with the closed end portion close the valve opening;

and the actuator includes bias means for urging the annular sealing member toward the valve seat, the return spring having its first end connected to the closed end portion.

10. The by-pass valve of claim 9 wherein the annular sealing member and the valve seat have sloping surfaces that cooperate when in a closed position.

11. The by-pass valve of claim 1 wherein the spring support remains stationary relative to the housing during operation of the by-pass valve.