Liquid cooling system for internal combustion engine

Abstract

A liquid cooling system for an internal combustion engine includes a coolant pump, an air-to-liquid heat exchanger, and a bypass loop for allowing coolant to circulate from the coolant pump to the engine without passing through the heat exchanger. A thermostatic valve mounted within a thermostat housing and including a temperature-responsive primary valve element and bypass flow control will control the flow of coolant with a spring-loaded valve disc having a conical, annular sealing surface configured for linear contact with the valve seat.

1 . A liquid cooling system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a coolant pump;   an air-to-liquid heat exchanger;   a bypass loop for allowing coolant to circulate from the coolant pump to the engine without passing through the heat exchanger;   a thermostat housing operatively connected with said coolant pump, as well as with said heat exchanger and said bypass loop; and   a thermostatic valve mounted within said thermostat housing, with said thermostatic valve comprising:
 a temperature-responsive primary valve element for controlling a flow of coolant between said coolant pump and said heat exchanger; and 
 a bypass flow control, coupled to said primary valve element, for controlling a flow of coolant through said bypass, with said bypass flow control comprising a resiliently biased valve disc having a conical, annular sealing surface configured for linear contact with a valve seat. 
   
   
   
       2 . A liquid cooling system according to  claim 1 , wherein said valve disc further comprises a plurality of continuously open bypass orifices formed in said valve disc. 
   
   
       3 . A liquid cooling system according to  claim 1 , wherein said valve disc is mounted upon a stem extending from a temperature-responsive element which operates said primary valve element. 
   
   
       4 . A liquid cooling system according to  claim 1 , wherein said valve seat is incorporated within said thermostat housing. 
   
   
       5 . A liquid cooling system according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermostatic valve has at least a first position in which said primary valve element is closed and said bypass flow control is open to a maximum extent, and a second position in which said primary valve element is open and said bypass flow control is open to a minimum extent. 
   
   
       6 . A liquid cooling system according to  claim 1 , wherein said valve disc is spring loaded. 
   
   
       7 . A thermostatic valve for use within a cooling system of a liquid cooled internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a temperature-responsive primary valve element for controlling a flow of coolant between a coolant pump and a heat exchanger; and   a bypass flow control, coupled to said primary valve element, for controlling a flow of coolant through a warm up bypass, with said bypass flow control comprising a valve disc having a conical, annular sealing surface configured for linear contact with a valve seat.   
   
   
       8 . A thermostatic valve according to  claim 7 , wherein said primary valve element is positioned normally closed by a resilient member and opened by a thermally responsive linear actuator. 
   
   
       9 . A thermostatic valve according to  claim 7 , wherein said valve disc is configured to permit a partial flow past the disc when the disc is in contact with a valve seat. 
   
   
       10 . A thermostatic valve for use within a cooling system of a liquid cooled internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a temperature-responsive, linearly actuated primary poppet valve for controlling a flow of coolant between a coolant pump and a heat exchanger; and   a bypass flow control, resiliently coupled to said poppet valve, for controlling a flow of coolant through a warm up bypass, with said bypass flow control comprising a resiliently-loaded valve disc having a frustoconical, annular sealing surface configured for wedging linear contact with a valve seat.   
   
   
       11 . A thermostatic valve according to  claim 10 , wherein said resiliently-loaded valve disc is configured for contact with a valve seat incorporated within a thermostat housing. 
   
   
       12 . A thermostatic valve according to  claim 10 , wherein said resiliently-loaded valve disc is spring-loaded.