Cooling systems
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsJohn Moffat, Chris James Leck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for controlling a cooling system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine permits rapid warm-up of the engine by the use of two electrically-operated valves in addition to a conventional thermostat. The method includes controlling a bypass valve and a heater valve to both remain closed at low coolant temperatures and engine speed to inhibit coolant flow through the engine. A control unit opens the bypass valve to prevent cavitation in the water pump if engine speed and/or load exceeds a certain value. The heater valve is opened when a threshold engine coolant temperature is reached permitting warming of the heater matrix.
Claims12
A method of operating a cooling system for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine wherein the cooling system includes a pump for supplying coolant to the engine, an outflow conduit for connecting the pump outlet to the engine, and a return circuit for connecting the engine to the pump inlet, the return circuit comprising three branches, a first branch including a first valve, a second branch including a radiator and thermostat, and a third branch including a heater matrix a degas tank and a second valve, the method including;
- monitoring at least one engine operating condition and engine coolant temperature;
- opening the first valve if the at least one engine operating condition exceeds a threshold level;
- and
- opening the second valve if engine coolant temperature exceeds a first threshold temperature.
A method for operating a cooling system in a vehicle having an engine, and a cooling circuit connected to the engine and including a first branch having a first valve, a second branch having a radiator and a thermostat, and a third branch having a heater matrix, a degas tank, and a second valve, comprising:
- executing instructions using an electronic control unit electronically coupled to the first valve and the second valve to open the first and second valves for a predetermined period after the engine is started and then close the first and second valves.
A method for controlling an engine having a cooling circuit connected to the engine with a first branch including a first valve, a second branch including a radiator and a thermostat, and a third branch including a heater matrix, a degas tank, and a second valve, the method comprising electronically controlling the first and second valves to open for a predetermined period after the engine is started.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.