NATUROGLU HASAN (TR)
WO1995033920A1 | 1995-12-14 |
US20170198626A1 | 2017-07-13 | |||
DE19646933A1 | 1998-05-14 | |||
EP1998019A1 | 2008-12-03 |
CLAIMS 1. A thermostat assembly (10), comprising a lower frame (12) including inlet (12.2) portion coming from engine outlet (Eo), secondary inlet (12.3) or more inlet portions coming from any other system outlet, - a valve structure (15) characterized in that it comprises at least one deflector (15.2) element that is positioned in front of each inlet coming from any other system outlet. 2. A thermostat assembly (10) according to the claim 1 and characterized in that deflector (15.2) element could be positioned on any region of mentioned valve structure (15) or on the inner surface of the lower frame (12). 3. A thermostat assembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims and characterized in that deflector (15.2) element can be located vertically with a small incline toward outside, vertically with a small incline toward inside or just vertically. 4. A thermostat assembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims and characterized in that deflector (15.2) element is an extension positioned on the upper valve element (15.1). 5. A thermostat assembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims and characterized in that said valve structure (15) has one deflector (15.2) element positioned in front of the secondary inlet (12.3) coming from EGR outlet (Exo). |
Technical Field
The invention relates a valve structure which allows thermostat to react according to just the temperature of the coolant coming from engine outlet in the thermostat assemblies having more than one inlet.
Specifically, the present invention relates to a thermostat assembly having a valve structure which prevents that thermo-actuator senses the temperature of the coolant coming from other inlets (except the coolant coming from engine outlet).
Besides, the present invention relates to a valve structure including at least one deflector element that is positioned in front of each inlet coming from any other system outlet except cooling system.
Prior Art
Thermostat assembly within engine cooling system provides proper cooling of the engine and its parts by determining the flow ratio between bypass circuitry and heat exchange circuity according to the actual temperature value of engine coolant. The change in the flow ratio between bypass circuitry and heat exchange circuity is possible with the change in the opening ratio between bypass inlet window and radiator inlet window or bypass outlet window and radiator outlet window. The change in the opening ratio is provided by the forward and backward motion of the valve structure guided by means of an thermo-actuator throughout thermostat interior space. The forward and backward motion of the valve structure is provided by the motion of the piston element of the thermo-actuator.
In the conventional one inlet-two outlet thermostat assemblies, the piston element moves forward or backward according to the temperature of the engine outlet coolant coming from inlet. When the temperature value of the coolant coming from engine outlet is below than a first threshold value, the actuator continues to be stay at fully closed position, consequently the valve structure too. At this fully closed position of the actuator, valve structure allows coolant flow from inlet to bypass outlet and prevents coolant flow from inlet to radiator outlet by closing upper valve seat via upper valve element.
When the piston starts to move forward as a result of the increase in the coolant temperature (exceeding the first threshold value), other portion of the actuator (actuator body) starts to move backward due to the piston seat that restricts the forward motion of the piston end. The backward motion of the actuator body causes the backward motion of the valve structure too thanks to the force applied on sleeve seat of valve structure by sleeve portion of the actuator.
When the temperature value of the coolant coming from engine outlet is equal or above than a second threshold value, opening of the actuator reaches its maximum point (full backward motion), consequently opening of the valve structure too. At this fully open position of the actuator, valve structure allows coolant coming from inlet to flow toward radiator outlet and prevents coolant flow from inlet to bypass outlet by closing the lower valve seat via lower valve element. At this temperature values above than the second threshold, the coolant coming from engine outlet continues to flow from inlet to radiator outlet throughout heat exchange circuitry comprising engine channels, radiator channels, water pump and thermostat assembly.
However, as a result of design restrictions, the thermostat assemblies could have one or more inlets (for example; the inlet coming from exhaust recovery (EGR) system) except the inlet coming from engine outlet. The temperatures of the coolants coming from other inlets are generally relatively cold or warm respect to the temperature of the coolant coming from engine outlet. Besides, the coolants coming from other inlets contact directly or indirectly with the heat sensitive portion of the thermo actuator. As a result of this undesired contact, the heat sensitive portion of the thermo-actuator cannot sense the temperature value of the coolant coming from engine outlet via inlet. So, it becomes impossible to control the valve element according to the temperature of actual engine coolant. This situation causes inefficiency of engine coolant system and consequently the inefficiency of the vehicle.
The document US9534857B2 mentions a deflector positioned between the temperature sensing element and the heat exchanger outlet. The deflector is shaped and configured to impede directed impingement of cooled liquid flow exiting the heat exchanger outlet on the temperature sensing element during activation of the valve. However, here it is not mentioned about a valve structure which prevents that thermo-actuator senses the temperature of the coolants coming from other inlets except the engine outlet.
The document US6585167B2 mentions a thermostatic valve structure including a mixing device which divides the inflowing hot water into several flows, namely two radially directed flows and an axial flow flowing round the end of a sleeve. The deflection takes place within the hollow cylindrical valve element. Inflowing water is firstly axially directed and at least part of this axial flow is radially deflected and then strikes the second axial flow. Thus, mixing takes place at a point which is still clearly distanced from the temperature sensor. However, here it is not mentioned about a valve structure which prevents that thermo-actuator senses the temperature of the coolants coming from other inlets except the engine outlet.
As a result, there is a require for a thermostat assembly having a valve structure which prevents that thermo-actuator senses the temperature of the coolant coming from other inlets (except the coolant coming from engine outlet).
Objectives and Short Description of the Invention
The aim of the present invention is to present a thermostat assembly having a valve structure which prevents that thermo-actuator senses the temperature of the coolant coming from other inlets (except the coolant coming from engine outlet).
The another aim of the present invention is to present a valve structure which allows thermostat to react according to just the temperature of the coolant coming from engine outlet in the thermostat assemblies having more than one inlet.
Another aim of the present invention is to present a valve structure including at least one deflector element that is positioned in front of each inlet coming from any other system outlet except cooling system.
Present thermostat assembly comprising a lower frame including inlet portion coming from engine outlet, secondary inlet or more inlet portions coming from any other system outlet, a valve structure and it comprises also at least one deflector element that is positioned in front of each inlet coming from any other system outlet.
Mentioned deflector element could be positioned on any region of mentioned valve structure or on the inner surface of the lower frame.
Said deflector element can be located vertically with a small incline toward outside, vertically with a small incline toward inside or just vertically.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, deflector element is located on the upper valve element as an extension. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, said valve structure has one deflector element positioned in front of the secondary inlet coming from EGR outlet.
Description of the Figures
In Figure 1a, a front perspective view of the present valve structure is given.
In Figure 1b, a top view of the present thermostat assembly is given.
In Figure 2a, a perspective view showing fully closed position of present valve structure in the thermostat frame is given.
In Figure 2b, a front sectional view of the present thermostat assembly in the fully closed position is given.
In Figure 3a, a perspective view showing fully open position of present valve structure in the thermostat frame is given.
In Figure 3b, a front sectional view of the present thermostat assembly in the fully open position is given.
In Figure 4a, a front perspective view of the conventional valve structure is given.
In Figure 4b, a top view of the conventional thermostat assembly is given.
In Figure 5a, a perspective view showing fully closed position of conventional valve structure in the thermostat frame is given.
In Figure 5b, a front sectional view of the conventional thermostat assembly in the fully closed position is given.
In Figure 6a, a perspective view showing fully open position of conventional valve structure in the thermostat frame is given.
In Figure 6b, a front sectional view of the conventional thermostat assembly in the fully open position is given.
Reference Numbers
10. Thermostat assembly 10.1. Thermostat interior space 11. Upper frame
11.1. Piston seat
11.2. Upper valve seat
11.3. Radiator outlet
12. Lower frame
12.1. Lower valve seat
12.2. Inlet
12.3. Secondary inlet
12.4. Bypass outlet
12.5. Spring seat
13. First spring element
14. Second spring element
15. Valve structure
15.1. Upper valve element
15.2. Deflector
15.3. Sleeve seat
16. Lower valve element
20. Thermo-actuator
21. Sleeve
22. Piston
23. Heat sensitive reservoir
51. Primary stream
52. Secondary stream
Eo. Engine outlet
Exo. EGR outlet
Detailed Description of the Invention
This invention relates to a thermostat assembly (10) which has a valve structure (15) which prevents that thermo-actuator (20) senses the temperature of the coolant coming from other inlets (except the coolant coming from engine outlet (Eo)). In the thermostat assemblies having more than one inlet, the heat sensitive reservoir portion of the thermo-actuator is affected from the temperatures of the coolants coming from other system outlets as well as the temperature of the engine outlet coolant. Thanks to the present innovative valve structure (15), it becomes possible that thermostat assembly (10) reacts according to just the temperature of the coolant coming from engine outlet (Eo) in the thermostat assemblies having more than one inlet. In the conventional thermostat assemblies having inlet/inlets coming from any other system outlet/outlets, the coolants coming from inlets contact directly or indirectly with the heat sensitive reservoir portion of the thermo-actuator. Here, since the temperatures of the coolants coming from other inlets are generally relatively cold or warm respect to the temperature of the coolant coming from engine outlet, thermo-actuator cannot sense the real temperature value of the engine outlet coolant. So, it becomes impossible that thermostat assembly provides proper cooling of the engine and engine parts. This causes decreases in the efficiency of the engine cooling system and consequently in the efficiency of the vehicle.
The present invention allows proper cooling of the engine and engine parts in the thermostat assemblies having inlet/inlets coming from any other system outlet/outlets by providing that thermo actuator (20) senses just the temperature of coolant coming from engine outlet (Eo).
The present thermostat assembly (10) comprises an upper frame (11) including piston seat (11.1), upper valve seat (11.2), radiator outlet (11.3) portions, a lower frame (12) including lower valve seat (12.1), inlet (12.2) coming from engine outlet (Eo), secondary inlet (12.3) coming from any other system outlet (for example EGR outlet), bypass outlet (12.4), spring seat (12.5) portions, a valve structure (15) including upper valve element (15.1) portion that seats onto mentioned upper valve seat (11.2) during the fully closed thermostat position, deflector (15.2) that is positioned in front of mentioned secondary inlet (12.3), sleeve seat (15.3) portions, a thermo-actuator (20) including sleeve (21) portion that is located onto mentioned sleeve seat (15.3), piston (22) portion that is located within mentioned piston seat (11.1), heat sensitive reservoir (23) portion that is located within interior space of said valve structure (15), a lower valve element (16) which seats onto mentioned lower valve seat (12.1) during the fully open thermostat position, a first spring element (13) which is located between mentioned valve structure (15) and lower valve element (16), a second spring element (14) which is located between said lower valve element (16) and spring seat (12.5).
In the embodiment of the present invention given in Figures, mentioned secondary inlet (12.3) is EGR outlet (Exo) which comes from the outlet of exhaust recovery system. The deflector (15.2) element is positioned as being corresponding to the secondary inlet (12.3). Although in this embodiment of the invention given in Figures, there is just one deflector (15.2) element, in the other embodiments of the present invention, it is possible that there are more than one deflectors (15.2) which locates as being corresponding to the inlets coming from any other system outlet.
A perspective view of the present valve structure (15) is given in Figure 1a. As seen from this figure, mentioned deflector (15.2) element is as an extension located onto mentioned upper valve element (15.1). Although the deflector (15.2) element here is located vertically with a small incline toward outside, in the other embodiments of this invention, it is possible that the deflector (15.2) element is located just vertically or vertically with a small incline toward inside. Also, with the condition of providing same function, the deflector (15.2) could be positioned on any region of the valve structure (15) or on the inner surface of the lower frame (12). A top view of the present thermostat assembly (10) including innovative valve structure (15) is given in Figure 1b. As seen from this figure, in this embodiment, mentioned deflector (15.2) is positioned in front of the secondary inlet (12.3) coming from EGR outlet (Exo). So, it prevents the EGR outlet (Exo) coolant to contact with heat sensitive reservoir (23) portion by directing it axially.
A perspective view showing fully closed position of the valve structure (15) is given in Figure 2a. A front sectional view of the present thermostat assembly (10) in the fully closed position is given in Figure 2b. As seen from this figure, the secondary inlet (12.3) coolant coming from the EGR outlet (Exo) is deflected toward bypass outlet (12.4) and heater outlet, without having contact with the heat sensitive reservoir (23) portion. The inlet (12.2) coolant coming from engine outlet (Eo) passes through the heat sensitive reservoir (23) portion and then at the lower side of the thermostat interior space (10.1), merges with the flow of the secondary inlet (12.3) coolant. In this figure, primary stream
(51) formed by the flow of the inlet (12.2) coolant coming from engine outlet (Eo), secondary stream
(52) formed by the flow of the secondary inlet (12.3) coolant and their mixing stream are shown. As seen, here, the heat sensitive reservoir (23) portion contacts just with the primary stream (S1) and consequently senses just the temperature of the engine outlet (Eo) coolant. So, here, it is possible that thermo-actuator (20) provides valve control according the temperature of the engine coolant. This increases efficiency of the engine cooling system and consequently the efficiency of the vehicle. As seen from Figure 5b, in the thermostat assemblies having conventional valve structure, both the primary stream (S1) and secondary stream (S2) pass through the heat sensitive reservoir portion in the fully closed thermostat position. This prevents that the heat sensitive reservoir portion senses the real temperature value of the engine coolant. As a result of that, efficiency of the engine cooling system and consequently the efficiency of the vehicle are decreases.
A perspective view showing fully open position of the valve structure (15) is given in Figure 3a. A front sectional view of the present thermostat assembly (10) in the fully open position is given in Figure 3b. As seen from this figure, the secondary inlet (12.3) coolant coming from the EGR outlet (Exo) is deflected toward radiator outlet (11.3), without having contact with the heat sensitive reservoir (23) portion. The inlet (12.2) coolant coming from engine outlet (Eo) passes through the heat sensitive reservoir (23) portion and then merges with the flow of the secondary inlet (12.3) coolant. In this figure, primary stream (S1) formed by the flow of the inlet (12.2) coolant coming from engine outlet (Eo), secondary stream (S2) formed by the flow of the secondary inlet (12.3) coolant and their mixing stream are shown. As seen, here, the heat sensitive reservoir (23) portion contacts just the primary stream (S1) and consequently senses just the temperature of the engine outlet (Eo). So, here, it is possible that thermo-actuator (20) provides valve control according the temperature of the engine coolant. This increases efficiency of the engine cooling system and consequently the efficiency of the vehicle. As seen from Figure 6b, in the thermostat assemblies having conventional valve structure, both the primary stream (S1) and secondary stream (S2) pass through the heat sensitive reservoir portion in the fully open thermostat position. This prevents that the heat sensitive reservoir portion senses the real temperature value of the engine coolant. As a result of that, efficiency of the engine cooling system and consequently the efficiency of the vehicle are decreases.
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