Apparatus for controlling the flow of cooling fluid in an engine

A thermostatic mixing valve for a fluid cooling system of an internal combustion engine, wherein the fluid cooling system includes a circulating pump, a first flow path from the engine through a radiator and back to the engine and a second, bypass flow path from an outlet of the engine to an inlet of the engine, comprising:

• a body having a cylindrical chamber and an outlet at an axial end of the cylindrical chamber;
• at least one first inlet port into the cylindrical chamber at a level remote from said outlet of the body, said first inlet port being in communications with the radiator;
• at least one second inlet port into the cylindrical chamber at a level between the level of said first inlet port and said outlet of the body, said second inlet port being in communication with the engine;
• a first thermostatic element having a first part mounted in the cylindrical chamber and a second part moveable relative to said first part in response to the temperature of fluid in the cylindrical chamber;
• a second thermostatic element mounted on the valve body at an axial end of the cylindrical chamber opposite said outlet, said second thermostatic element having a stationary first part and a second part engaging the first part of said first thermostatic element, said second part of said second thermostatic element being moveable in response to at least one selected condition;
• and
• a cylindrical skirt positioned in the cylindrical chamber in sliding, sealing engagement with the valve body, said cylindrical skirt being connected to said first thermostatic element and being gradually moveable with said first thermostatic element between a position obstructing said first inlet port and permitting full flow through said second inlet port and a position obstructing said second inlet port and permitting full flow through said first inlet port.

Apparatus for controlling the flow of cooling fluid in a cooling system for an internal combustion engine, wherein the cooling system includes a circulating pump, a first flow path from the engine through a heat exchanger and back to the engine and a second, bypass flow path from an outlet of the engine to an inlet of the engine, comprising:

• a thermostatic mixing valve having a body defining a chamber;
• at least one first inlet port into said chamber, said first inlet port being in communication with the heat exchanger;
• at least one second inlet port into said chamber, said second inlet port being in communication with the engine;
• an outlet port into said chamber, said outlet port being in communication with the engine;
• means for controlling fluid flow from said first and second inlet ports to said outlet port;
• and
• means for operating said fluid flow control means, said operating means comprising a first thermostatic element mounted in said chamber and connected to said fluid flow controlling means, said first thermostatic element being responsive to the temperature of fluid in said chamber to operate said fluid flow controlling means, and a second thermostatic element connected to said first thermostatic element, said second thermostatic element being responsive to parameters other than the temperature of fluid in said chamber to move first thermostatic element and, thereby, operate said fluid flow controlling means.

A thermostatic mixing valve for a fluid cooling system of an internal combustion engine, wherein the fluid cooling system includes a circulating pump, a first flow path from the engine through a radiator and back to the engine and a second, bypass flow path from an outlet of the engine to an inlet of the engine, comprising:

• a body having a cylindrical chamber and an outlet at an axial end of the cylindrical chamber;
• at least one first inlet port into the cylindrical chamber at a level remote from said outlet of the body, said first inlet port being in communication with the radiator;
• at least one second inlet port into the cylindrical chamber at a level between the level of said first inlet port and said outlet of the body, said second inlet port being in communication with the engine;
• a first thermostatic element having a first part mounted in the cylindrical chamber and a second part moveable relative to said first part in response to the temperature of fluid in the cylindrical chamber;
• and
• a cylindrical skirt positioned in the cylindrical chamber in sliding, sealing engagement with the valve body, said cylindrical skirt being connected to said first thermostatic element and being gradually moveable with said first thermostatic element between a position obstructing said first inlet port and permitting full flow through said second inlet port and a position obstructing said second inlet port and permitting full flow through said first inlet port, said skirt having intermediate positions partially obstructing both said first inlet port and said second inlet port,
• wherein said first and second inlet ports each have a dimension parallel to the axis of the cylindrical chamber, each said dimension having an end remote from the outlet of said body, and said skirt has an axial length approximately equal to the axial distance between said remote end of the axial dimension of the first inlet port and said remote end of the axial dimension of the second inlet port.