Engine coolant thermostat with overtemperature protection
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorsRobert L. Fiedler, Richard L. Elkin, William R. Brooks, John E. Barrath
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An engine coolant thermostat of the type having a thermally expansible wax power element acting against a diaphragm and piston to move a poppet. The poppet has a retainer attached thereto which has portions sliding in slots on the thermostat housing; and these portions contact the ends of the slots to limit piston travel in the event of exposure to overtemperature and prevent failure of the thermostat.
Claims18
A thermostatically operated valve for controlling flow of engine coolant comprising:
- (a) a housing having a mounting portion adapted for mounting in an engine coolant flow passage and including an annular valve seat and an extension portion defining a plurality of stop surfaces;
- (b) a poppet disposed for movement between a closed position on said seat and an open position away from said seat;
- (c) a thermally responsive element (TRE) disposed on said extension portion distal said valve seat and including an operating member extending therefrom and operatively contacting said poppet for effecting movement of said poppet between said open and closed positions
- (d) retaining member associated with said poppet and having a pair of oppositely directed outwardly extending portions with each of said pair of portions operative upon exposure of said TRE to overtemperature conditions, to contact stop surfaces for limiting opening movement of said poppet and operating member.
A method of limiting opening of a thermostatic valve comprising:
- (a) disposing a poppet for movement with respect to an annular valve seat on a housing;
- (b) disposing a thermally responsive element distal said poppet and moving the poppet in response to temperature changes sensed by the element;
- (c) disposing a retaining member for movement with said poppet and applying a bias force to said retaining member and urging said poppet to the closed position;
- (d) configuring stops on said housing and contacting said stops with said retainer and limiting movement of said poppet and operating member in the poppet opening direction.
A thermostatically operated valve for use in controlling flow of engine coolant comprising:
- (a) a housing having a mounting portion adapted for mounting in an engine coolant flow passage and including an annular valve seat and an extension portion extending from said mounting portion in a direction generally perpendicular to said valve seat, said housing defining stop surfaces thereon;
- (b) a valve member disposed for movement between a closed position on said seat and an open position away from said seat;
- (c) a thermally responsive element (TRE) disposed on said extension portion distal said valve seat and including an operating member extending therefrom and operatively contacting said poppet between said open and closed positions;
- (d) a retainer associated with said poppet, said retainer having portions thereof operative to contact said stop surfaces for limiting movement of said poppet and operating member;
- and,
- (e) a spring having one reaction end contacting said housing and another reaction end contacting said retainer for biasing said poppet to the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.