Internal combustion engine with a coolant loop

Abstract

In an internal combustion engine including a coolant loop for cooling a component of the engine, and a thermostatic valve for controlling the coolant flow in said loop, a temperature control device is provided which comprises a purely mechanical temperature sensor disposed in intimate heat transfer relationship with the component, and mechanical means extend between the temperature sensor and the thermostatic valve and define a path for transmitting temperature-related information from the former to the latter.

1 . An internal combustion engine including a coolant loop for cooling a component of said engine, a thermostatic valve for controlling the coolant flow in said loop, and a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of said engine component, said temperature control device comprising a purely mechanical temperature sensor disposed in intimate heat transfer relationship with said engine component, and mechanical means connecting said temperature sensor to said thermostatic valve and forming a path for transmitting temperature-related information from the temperature sensor to the thermostatic valve.  
   
   
       2 . An internal combustion engine according to  claim 1 , wherein said mechanical means comprises a tube.  
   
   
       3 . An internal combustion engine according to  claim 2 , wherein said tube has a temperature-responsive expansion material disposed therein.  
   
   
       4 . An internal combustion engine according to  claim 2 , wherein said temperature sensor comprises a tubular member disposed in physical contact with said engine component, and a temperature-responsive expansion element disposed in said tubular member.  
   
   
       5 . An internal combustion engine according to  claim 4 , wherein said expansion element comprises wax.  
   
   
       6 . An internal combustion engine according to  claim 1 , wherein said engine component is a cylinder head, said temperature sensor being disposed within said cylinder head.  
   
   
       7 . An internal combustion engine according to  claim 1 , wherein said engine component is a generator having a winding, said temperature sensor being disposed within said winding.