Electromechanical failsafe thermostat

An apparatus for controlling a temperature for an engine by controlling a flow of a liquid engine coolant through a coolant conduit, the apparatus comprising:

• a thermostat having a body containing a thermally expandable material and a temperature responsive valve attached to said body for substantially blocking and substantially unblocking the flow of said liquid coolant to a radiator, said temperature responsive valve responding to a temperature of said liquid coolant within said conduit and having a spring urging the valve to a closed position and a thermally actuated piston to open the valve as the temperature of said liquid coolant rises;
• an electromechanical actuator mountable outside of said conduit and controlled by an engine control system in response to engine conditions;
• and
• a connector assembly extending through said coolant conduit between said electromechanical actuator and said valve, said connector assembly being positioned relative to said valve to cause said spring to be compressed as said electromechanical actuator opens said valve wherein said valve is opened and closed in response to a coolant temperature by said thermostat and positioned within a range of travel by said electromechanical actuator in response to engine demand, wherein said connector assembly includes a thrust connector sized and shaped to seat against said body of said thermostat whereby motion of the electromechanical actuator is translated into linear displacement of said valve, and wherein said thrust connector is in the form of an elongated tube having a slot formed along one side thereof, wherein the slot is sized and shaped to permit said thrust connector to be mounted over an arm fixing in place a receptacle into which said piston fits.