# US 10,371,427 B2 · Liquid collection and evaporation device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,427 B2 - Document ID: US10371427B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/951,326 - Filed: 2018-04-12 - Published: 2018-10-25 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-04-21 - Assignees: Continental Automotive GmbH - Applicants: Continental Automotive GmbH - Inventors: Eusebio-Marius Albert; Vlad Parsan; Alexandra Fanu; Alexandru Giurgica - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371427B2 ## CPC - F16K 41/00: Spindle sealings - B60H 1/00885: {Controlling the flow of heating or cooling liquid, e.g. valves or pumps (B60H1/00899 takes precedence; constructions of valves B60H1/00485)} - F16K 41/026: {for rotating valves} - F25B 49/027: {Condenser control arrangements} - B60H 2001/00307: {Component temperature regulation using a liquid flow} - F01P 3/20: Cooling circuits not specific to a single part of engine or machine (F01P3/22 takes precedence) - F01P 2007/146: {using valves} - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - F01P: COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with cooling of propulsion units in vehicles B60K11/00; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials C09K5/00; {cooling of gas-turbine engines F02C7/12}; heat exchange in general, radiators F28) ## Abstract A liquid collection and evaporation device is proposed for use between a cooling water regulating valve of a vehicle and an actuator device for actuating the valve. The liquid collection and evaporation device includes a separation tank for collecting and evaporating liquid droplets emerging from the cooling water regulating valve. The separation tank here has a connection to the valve, a connection to the actuator device, and also a multiplicity of openings which firstly prevent the liquid droplets from emerging from the tank and secondly permit droplet evaporation because of waste heat acting on the tank. The invention furthermore relates to a valve unit with such a liquid collection and evaporation device, and to a vehicle with such a valve unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liquid collection and evaporation device for use between a cooling water regulating valve and an actuator device for actuating the cooling water regulating valve, comprising: a separation tank for collecting and evaporating liquid droplets emerging from the cooling water regulating valve; a first connection which connects the valve to the separation tank; a second connection which connects the actuator device to the separation tank; and a multiplicity of openings formed as part of the separation tank; wherein the multiplicity of openings prevent the liquid droplets from emerging from the tank and permit droplet evaporation when the tank is exposed to waste heat. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the separation tank is provided with the openings on at least one end side facing the valve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the separation tank is provided with the openings on at least one end side facing the actuator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, each of the multiplicity of openings further comprising a shape such that a portion of each of the multiplicity of openings extends into the interior of the separation tank, forming an encircling elevation in the interior of the separation tank, holding back the liquid droplets. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the diameter of each of the multiplicity of openings tapers in the direction of the separation tank. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, each of the multiplicity of openings being of conical design. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first connection between the separation tank and the valve is liquid-tight. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the second connection between the separation tank and the actuator device is liquid-tight. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, the separation tank further comprising: at least two trays which are connected to one another in a liquid-tight manner; and a collection and evaporation volume formed by the connection of the at least two trays; wherein at least one of the multiplicity of openings is formed as part of at least one of the two trays. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, wherein a portion of the multiplicity of openings is formed as part of one of the at least two trays, and another porton of the multiplicity of openings is formed as part of another of the at least two trays. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising: a first metal sheet, a first of the at least two trays is formed by deforming the first metal sheet, and a portion of the multiplicity of openings are formed into the first metal sheet; and a second metal sheet a second of the at least two trays is formed by deforming the second metal sheet, and a portion of the multiplicity of openings are formed into the second metal sheet; wherein each of the multiplicity of openings are deformed into the interior of the separation tank such that the multiplicity of openings form an encircling elevation in the interior of the separation tank. ### Claim 12 A valve unit, comprising: a cooling water regulating valve; an actuator device for actuating the valve; a liquid collection and evaporation device arranged between the cooling water regulating valve and the actuator device, the liquid collection and evaporation device further comprising: a separation tank for collecting and evaporating liquid droplets emerging from the cooling water regulating valve; a first connection which connects the valve to the separation tank; a second connection which connects the actuator device to the separation tank; and a multiplicity of openings formed as part of the separation tank; wherein the multiplicity of openings prevent the liquid droplets from emerging from the tank and permit droplet evaporation when the tank is exposed to waste heat. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The valve unit of claim 12, wherein the separation tank is provided with the openings on at least one end side facing at least one of the valve or the actuator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The valve unit of claim 12, each of the multiplicity of openings further comprising a shape such that a portion of each of the multiplicity of openings extends into the interior of the separation tank, forming an encircling elevation in the interior of the separation tank, holding back the liquid droplets. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The valve unit of claim 14, wherein the diameter of each of the multiplicity of openings tapers in the direction of the separation tank. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The valve unit of claim 15, each of the multiplicity of openings being of conical design. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The valve unit of claim 12, wherein the first connection between the separation tank and the valve is liquid-tight, and the second connection between the separation tank and the actuator device is liquid-tight. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The valve unit of claim 12, the separation tank further comprising: at least two trays which are connected to one another in a liquid-tight manner; and a collection and evaporation volume formed by the connection of the at least two trays; wherein at least one of the multiplicity of openings is formed as part of at least one of the two trays. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The valve unit of claim 18, wherein a portion of the multiplicity of openings is formed as part of one of the at least two trays and another porton of the multiplicity of openings is formed as part of another of the at least two trays. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The device as claimed in claim 18, further comprising: a first metal sheet, a first of the at least two trays is formed by deforming the first metal sheet, and a portion of the multiplicity of openings are formed into the first metal sheet; and a second metal sheet a second of the at least two trays is formed by deforming the second metal sheet, and a portion of the multiplicity of openings are formed into the second metal sheet; wherein each of the multiplicity of openings are deformed into the interior of the separation tank such that the multiplicity of openings form an encircling elevation in the interior of the separation tank.