Fluid flow control device and method
AssigneeJaguar Land Rover Limited
InventorWilliam Hutchins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid flow control device controls flow of coolant in a motor vehicle motor cooling system. The flow control device includes first and second coolant inlets and first and second coolant outlets. The flow control device is operable selectively to direct coolant flowing into the device to flow out from the flow device through one or both of the first and second outlets in dependence on a temperature of fluid flowing through the device.
Claims16
A fluid flow control device for controlling flow of coolant in a motor vehicle motor cooling system, the flow control device having first and second coolant inlets and first and second coolant outlets, the flow control device being operable selectively to direct coolant flowing into the device to flow out from the flow device through one or both of the first and second outlets,
- wherein outlet valve means is provided for selectively directing fluid to flow out from the device through the first outlet only, through both the first and second outlets, or through the second outlet only responsive to the temperature of fluid flowing through the device,
- wherein the outlet valve means comprises an outlet closure member having a first closure portion operable to close the first outlet and a second closure portion operable to close the second outlet,
- wherein the device is operable to actuate the outlet closure member between first and second positions in dependence on a temperature of fluid flowing through the device, in the first position the outlet closure member being arranged to allow fluid to flow out from the device through the first outlet and not through the second outlet, in the second position the outlet closure member being arranged to allow fluid to flow out from the device through the second outlet and not the first outlet, wherein at a position intermediate the first and second positions the outlet closure member is arranged to allow fluid to flow out from the device through both the first and second outlets,
- wherein the device comprises inlet valve means for selectively allowing fluid to flow into the device through the second inlet, the inlet valve means being operable between a closed condition in which fluid is prevented from flowing through the inlet valve means by an inlet closure member and an open condition in which fluid is permitted to flow through the inlet valve means,
- wherein the outlet closure member and the inlet closure member are substantially coaxial with each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.