Valve housing with embedded electrical leads

A valve system for a coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a valve housing defining a flow path for coolant, the valve housing comprising a base and an electrically nonconducting cover;
• a valve disposed within the flow path and operable to open and to close the flow path;
• an electrically controllable operating element disposed wit the flow path and operable to drive the valve;
• and
• a plurality of electrical leads embedded in the cover and disposed to supply electrical power to the operating element, the electrical leads comprising conducting strips and electrical connectors for connecting to the electrically controllable operating element.

A method of providing electrical power to a drive element in a valve system for coolant circuit for an internal combustion engine, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a plastic valve housing for the valve system such that the valve housing defines a flow path for coolant and comprises a portion extending into the flow path, the portion extending into the flow path comprising a mounting receptacle for mounting an operating element thereon, the valve housing further comprising a connecting receptacle for connecting the valve system to an electrical power supply;
• embedding a plurality of electrical leads within the valve housing, the plurality of electrical leads extending from an exterior of the valve housing through the portion of the valve housing extending into the flow paths the electrical leads comprising conducting strips and electrical connectors for connecting the operating element;
• mounting the operating element on the mounting receptacle;
• and
• connecting an electrical power supply to the connecting receptacle.