Connector
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsChris Leck, Duncan Scholtes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector for an engine cooling system is provided. The connecter may be located in a chamber with two inlets and an outlet. The connector may include a thermostatic valve. A temperature sensitive element may move the thermostatic valve between an open and closed position. A pressure relief valve may also be incorporated into the thermostatic valve. An engine cooling system comprising the connector is also provided.
Claims20
A connector for an engine cooling system, the connector comprising:
- a first inlet;
- a second inlet;
- an outlet;
- a chamber in fluidic communication with the first inlet, second inlet and the outlet;
- a thermostatic valve provided within the chamber, the thermostatic valve configured to selectively restrict flow from the first inlet to the outlet, wherein the thermostatic valve is arranged such that fluid from the second inlet passes through the chamber to the outlet and is in thermal communication with the thermostatic valve, such that the thermostatic valve opens or closes in response to a temperature of the fluid from the second inlet;
- and
- a pressure relief valve provided within the chamber and within a flow path from the first inlet to the outlet, the pressure relief valve opening in response to a pressure of fluid at the first inlet to bypass the thermostatic valve, and wherein the pressure relief valve is integrated into the thermostatic valve.
An engine cooling system including a connector, the connector comprising:
- a first inlet;
- a second inlet;
- an outlet;
- a chamber in fluidic communication with the first inlet, second inlet and the outlet;
- a thermostatic valve positioned in the chamber, the thermostatic valve movable between an open position and closed position in response to a temperature of fluid from the second inlet, the closed position of thermostatic valve restricting flow from the first inlet to the outlet;
- and
- a pressure relief valve integrated into the thermostatic valve, the pressure relief valve positioned in a flow path bypassing the thermostatic valve, the pressure relief valve blocking the bypassing flow path in a closed position.
The engine cooling system of claim 16, wherein the pressure valve moves from a closed position an open position a distance away from the temperature valve element when a pressure differential exceeds a pressure threshold.
A vehicle including a connector within an engine cooling system, the connector comprising:
- a first inlet;
- a second inlet;
- an outlet;
- a chamber connected to the first inlet, second inlet and the outlet;
- a thermostatic valve positioned in the chamber and movable between an open position and closed position in response to a temperature of a fluid, the thermostatic valve positioned to block fluid flow in a closed position;
- and
- a pressure relief valve integrated into the thermostatic valve, the pressure relief valve positioned to block fluid flow through a bypass channel in a closed position and the bypass channel extending through or around the thermostatic valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.