Electronically controlled thermostat

• US 6,598,565 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2001
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fishman Thermo Technologies Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Eli Elkayam, Joseph Fishman
• Inventors: Fishman, Joseph, Elkayam, Eli
• Primary Examiner(s): Yuen, Henry C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ali, Hyder
• Application Number:
  US09/962,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20020053325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 123/41.1, 236/34.5, 236/101.C
• US Class Current: 123/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2070/04 using electrical heating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/167 by adjusting the pre-set temperature according to engine parameters, e.g. engine load, engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1921 using a thermal motor

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine by controlling the flow of a liquid engine coolant to a radiator is disclosed. The apparatus includes a thermostat having a thermally responsive valve for substantially blocking or opening the flow of coolant to the radiator to maintain the engine at or about a preferred engine operating temperature. Also included is a thermally activated actuator for opening the valve in response to an engine condition such as load or a need for power. The actuator is activated at a temperature different than the thermostat. A source of electro thermal energy is provided to motivate the actuator so the valve may be opened on demand. In one aspect the invention provides a method of controlling the temperature of the engine by opening the valve in response to engine monitoring.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine by controlling a flow of a liquid engine coolant, the apparatus comprising:

a thermostat having an extendible piston and a temperature responsive valve for substantially blocking and substantially unblocking the flow of said liquid coolant to a radiator, said thermostat having a first temperature activation range;

a thermally activated actuator operatively connected to said valve, said actuator having a second temperature activation range above said first temperature activation range said operative connection being configured to permit said actuator to position said valve independent from said piston; and

a source of electrothermal energy for activating said actuator to cause said temperature responsive valve to unblock the flow of said liquid coolant on demand.

2. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the thermally activated actuator includes a second extendible piston.

3. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thermally activated actuator includes a thermally expansive material.

4. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine as claimed in claim 1 wherein thermally activated actuator includes a spring to return said actuator to a rest position.

5. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine as claimed in claim 4 wherein said rest position is a retracted position.

6. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine as claimed in claim 1 wherein first temperature activation range is about 102°

C. to 112°

C.

7. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second temperature activation range is above a high end of said first activation temperature range.

8. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine as claimed in claim 1 wherein second temperature activation range begins at a temperature about 25°

higher than a high end of said first temperature activation range.

9. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine as claimed in claim 1 wherein an engine control module includes one or more sensors for monitoring engine performance and wherein said electronic control module determines a desired engine temperature based on one or more outputs from said sensors, and initiates said actuator to achieve the desired engine temperature.

10. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine as claimed in claim 9 wherein said engine control module includes sensors to sense one or more of coolant temperature, acceleration, RPM, torque, and engine load.

11. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine by controlling a flow of liquid engine coolant, the apparatus comprising:

a thermostat having a temperature responsive valve for substantially blocking and substantially unblocking the flow of said liquid coolant to a radiator, said thermostat having a first thermally expansive material having a first temperature activation range;

a thermally activated actuator operatively connected to said valve, said actuator having a second thermally expansive material having a second temperature activation range above said first temperature activation range, said second thermally expansive material being housed in a housing which is immersed in said liquid coolant; and

a source of electrothermal energy for activating said actuator to case said temperature responsive valve to unblock the flow of said liquid coolant on demand.

12. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine by controlling a flow of liquid engine coolant, the apparatus comprising:

a thermostat having a temperature responsive valve for substantially blocking and substantially unblocking the flow of said liquid coolant to a radiator, said thermostat having a first temperature activation range and including a body and a first extendible piston extending from said body;

a thermally activated actuator operatively connected to said valve, said actuator having a second temperature activation range above said first temperature activation range and a second extendible piston, said second extendible piston of said actuator bypassing said first extendible piston to act on said body of said thermostat.

13. A method of controlling a temperature of an engine having a coolant circulation system comprising the steps of:

a) providing a thermally activated actuator;

b) providing a thermostat having a fixed thrust surface and an openable valve including by a valve body;

c) operatively connecting said thermally activated actuator to said valve body of said thermostat to permit said actuator to position said valve independent from said thermostat;

d) monitoring said engine to determine when to open said valve; and

e) opening said valve by activating said thermally activated actuator in response to said engine monitoring.

14. An apparatus for Controlling a temperature of an engine, said apparatus comprising:

a thermostat having a thermally controlled valve which opens to a first position in response to a coolant temperature, said first position corresponding to a first rate of coolant flow sufficient for maintaining an optimum engine temperature, said valve having a body and an extendible piston for positioning said body;

a thermally controlled actuator, bypassing said extendible piston and acting on said valve body, for opening said valve to a second position, said second position corresponding to a second rate of coolant flow sufficient to permit said engine to cool to a power delivering temperature below said optimum temperature; and

a heater associated with said actuator, said heater being initiated when additional power is required.

15. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine as claimed in claim 14 wherein said optimum temperature is between about 102 and 112 degrees C.

16. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine as claimed in claim 14 wherein said power delivering temperature is between about 70 degrees C. and about 80 degrees C.

17. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine as claimed in claim 14 wherein said first rate of coolant flow is between about 1 and 2 cubic meters per hour.

18. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine as claimed in claim 14 wherein said second rate of coolant flow is about 10 cubic meters per hour.

19. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of an engine by controlling flow of a liquid coolant, the apparatus comprising:

a thermostat having a temperature responsive valve for substantially blocking and substantially unblocking the flow of said liquid coolant to a radiator, said thermostat having a first temperature activation range;

a thermally activated actuator operatively connected to said valve, said actuator having a second temperature activation range above said first temperature activation range; and

means for activating said actuator bypassing said temperature responsive valve to unblock the flow of said liquid coolant on demand.