GB2108663A

GB2108663A - Automotive thermostatic fluid control device

Info

Publication number: GB2108663A
Application number: GB08231032A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Backman Wong
Original assignee: Thomson International Co
Current assignee: Thomson International Co
Priority date: 1981-11-05
Filing date: 1982-10-29
Publication date: 1983-05-18
Also published as: CA1195965A; GB2108663B; DE3240939A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermally responsive fluid control valve device for use in the coolant system of an automotive type engine. In one embodiment, thermally responsive fluid control valve device includes frame members (10) (20) which consist of two sheet metal members attached together. The frame members include integral engagement portions (60) (80) which are adapted to engage surfaces within the coolant system for positioning and sealing the fluid control valve device within the coolant system. A thermal actuator (38) carries a closure member (50) which cooperates with a valve seat portion (12) of frame member (10). The actuator (38) is attached to the frame member (10) at a bridge portion (14). The device is retained in the coolant system by foot portions (60) and a sealing ring (80). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Automotive thermostatic fluid control valve device The cooling systems of many automotive engines are of the by-pass type, in which coolant fluid which flows to the valve device from an upstream conduit is directed to flow in either or both or two downstream conduits. In such a system, coolant fluid is constantly circulating during operation of the engine, and a thermally responsive valve device controls flow of the fluid to the downstream conduits.

It is an object of this invention to provide a thermostatic fluid control valve which is adapted to be mounted within a by-pass type coolant system of an automotive engine.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a thermopiastic fluid control valve which can be constructed at relatively low costs.

A thermostatic fluid control valve device embodying this invention comprises a two piece frame structure which is preferably constructed of sheet metal material. One of the frame members includes an annular stationary valve seat portion forming a fluid port therethrough with an integral bridge extending over the fluid port. The second frame member includes a ring portion and a plurality of leg portions and a plurality of foot portions, all integral. A movable closure member is engageable with the valve seat portion of the first frame member to close the fluid port.

A thermally responsive actuator member is operably joined to the closure member for movement thereof. The frame structure is adapted to be firmly positioned between two engagement surfaces within fluid conduit within which the thermostatic valve device is mounted.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of a thermostatic vlave device embodying this invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the thermostatic valve device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, drawn on a larger scale that FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the thermostatic valve device of FIGS. 1 2 and 2 mounted within a portion of a conduit of a cooling system of an automotive engine. This view shows the closure member of the thermostatic valve device in one position of operation.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, but showing the closure member of the thermostatic valve device in another position of operation.

A thermostatic fluid control valve device 8 embodying this invention, as shown in the drawings, includes an upper frame member 10, which is preferably basically of sheet metal material, and includes an annular valve seat portion 12, which forms a flow passage therethrough and an integral bridge portion 14 which extends over the flow passage.

A lower frame member 20 is also preferably of sheet metal material and has a pair of spaced apart leg portions 24, integrally joined at the lower parts thereof by a ring portion 28. The upper parts of the leg portions are shown as having laterally extending wings 30. The upper ends of the leg portions 24 extend through openings 36 in the annular valve seat portion 12 of the upper frame member 10 and are bent over or attached in any suitable manner to the annular valve seat portion 12 to secure the lower frame member 20 to the upper frame member 10. The wings 30 of the leg portions 24 engage the lower surface of the annularvalve seat portion 12 of the upper frame member 10. Thus, the lower frame member 20 is rigidly attached to the upper frame member 1 0.

Substantially confined within the upper frame member 10 and the lower frame member 20 is a thermally responsive actuator device 38. The thermally responsive actuator device 38 includes a rigid container 40, provided with thermally responsive expansive material therein, such as wax or the like, and an actuator rod 42.

The lower portion of the rigid container 40 is encompassed by the ring portion 28 of the lower frame member 20. The upper portion of the rigid container 40 is attached to a closure member 50.

The closure member 50 is preferably of sheet metal material. A coil spring 54 encompassesphe container 40 and is compressed between the closure member 50 and the ring portion 28. The ring portion 28 has an upstanding flange 56 which is encompassed by the lower part of the spring 54.

Thus, the coil spcing 54 urges the closure member 50 toward the annular valve seat portion 12 of the upper frame member 10, and the closure member 50 is normally in engagement with the annular valve seat portion 1 2. The actuator rod 42 is in engagement with the bridge portion 1 4 of the upper frame member 10. Integral with the leg portions 24 and the ring portion 28 of the lower frame member 20 are extentions or foot portions 60. The foot portions 60 are angular with respect to the leg portions 24.

The thermostatic valve device 8 embodying this invention is adapted to be positioned within a conduit of a cooling system of an automotive engine. FIGS. 3 and 4 show a conduit structure 64 provided with a fixed portion 66 with which the foot portions or extensions 60 of the lower frame member 20 are in engagement. A removable conduit member 70 substantially encloses the thermally responsive fluid control valve device 8.

The removable conduit member 70 is secured to the fixed portion 66 by means of bolts or cap screws 74. The removable conduit member 70 has an annular internal surface 78 which is engaged by an elastomeric sealing ring 80. The elastomeric sealing ring 80 also engages the upper surface of the annular valve seat portion 12 of the upper frame member 10 and may be attached thereto, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Thus, the thermostatic fluid control valve device 8 is firmly positioned within the conduit structure 64.

The fixed portion 66 of the conduit structure 64 has an opening 82 therein with which the lower part of the lower frame member 20 is positioned.

The removable conduit member 70 has an opening 84 and an opening 88 therein, which are adapted to be in communication with downstream conduit portions of the conduit structure 64 and the cooling system.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, during operation of the engine with which the thermally responsive fluid control valve device 8 embodying this invention is associated, fluid flows upwardly through the opening 82, as illustrated by arrows 90, and normally all of the fluid flows outwardly through the opening 84, as illustrated by an arrow 92.

However, when the temperature of the fluid which engages the thermally responsive actuator device 38 reaches a given predetermined magnitude, the thermally responsive actuator device 38 operates and the closure member 50 is moved downwardly to open the fluid flow passage through the annular valve seat portion 12 of the upper frame member 10. When this occurs, some of the fluid flows upwardly through the opening 88, as illustrated by an arrow 98 in FIG. 4.

Therefore, it is to be understood that a thermostatic fluid control valve device 8 embodying this invention serves as a by-pass fluid control valve device, firmly positioned between two internal surfaces of a fluid conduit structure or system and operable to control flow of fluid from an upstream conduit to two downstream conduits.

FIG. 2 shows that the lower frame member 20 is a single piece of sheet metal material which is cut and formed in the manner illustrated. FIGS. 3 and 4 show that the upper frame member 10 is a single piece of sheet metal material formed in the manner illustrated. It is to be understood, however, that either the upper frame member 10 or the lower frame member 20 may consist of a plurality of pieces which are joined together in any suitable manner. It is therefore to be understood that the thermostatic fluid control valve device 8 embodying this invention may be produced at relatively low costs and may be easily and readily installed within a by-pass cooling system of an automotive engine.

Claims

1. A thermostatic fluid control valve device particularly adapted for use in the cooling system of an automotive engine in which the cooling system has a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, the engagement surfaces being spaced apart, wherein the valve device comprises a first frame member, the first frame member being provided with an annular valve seat portion forming a fluid port and a bridge portion extending over the fluid port, a second frame member, the second frame member including a plurality of leg portions joined together by an integral ring portion, the second frame member also including a plurality of integral foot portions extending laterally from the leg portions, the thermostatic valve device being adapted to be positioned between the first and second engagement surfaces of the cooling system, with the foot portions in engagement with the first engagement surface and with the annular valve seat portion adjacent the second engagement surface, a thermally responsive actuator member having a portion encompassed by the ring portion of the second frame member and a portion in engagement with the bridge portion of the first frame member, a closure member attached to the thermally responsive actuator member and movable with respect to the valve seat portion to close and to open the fluid port.

2. The thermostatic fluid control valve device of Claim 1 ,which includes an elastomeric sealing member in engagement with the second engagement surface and in engagement with the annular valve seat portion of the first frame member.

3. A thermally responsive fluid control valve device according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the first frame member and the second frame member are of sheet metal material and in which the leg portions of the second frame member are attached to the annular valve seat portion of the first frame member to form a frame unit.

4. The thermally responsive fluid control valve device of Claims 1,2, or 3 which includes resilient means encompassing a portion of the thermally responsive actuator member and engaging the closure member and the ring portion of the second frame member and urging the closure member toward the annular valve seat portion.

5. The thermally responsive fluid control valve device of Claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 which includes a plurality of wing portions integral with the leg portions of the second frame member and extending laterally therefrom and in engagement with the annular valve seat portion of the first frame member.

6. In a method of producing a thermostatic fluid control valve device having frame structure, an actuator member, a closure member, and a spring member for mounting in a coolant system of an automotive engine provided with an internal engagement surface comprising forming a portion of the frame structure by cutting a piece of sheet metal material to form an engagement portion with an opening therethrough, with a plurality of leg portions extending from the engagement portion and with foot portions extending from the engagement portion, bending the leg portions to an angle with respect to the engagement portion, and bending the foot portions to an angle with respect to the leg portions, the engagement portion being adpated to encompass a portion of the actuator member to support the spring member which also enages the closure member to urge movement thereof, the foot portions being adpated to engage the internal engagement surface of the coolant system for mounting of the thermostatic fluid control valve device within the coolant system.

7. The method of Claim 6 which includes bending an annular flange to encompass the opening in the engagement portion, the annular flange being adpated to be encompassed by a part of the spring member to retain the spring member with respect to the engagement portion as the spring member engages the engagement portion.

8. The thermostatic fluid control valve device and method substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawings.