Performance Enhancement System

Abstract

A flow controller for an engine cooling system is disclosed and claimed. The flow controller includes a housing and a valve. The housing defines a first entrance, a second entrance, and an exit. A main coolant flow path is defined by the first entrance with the exit, and a bypass coolant flow path is defined by the second entrance with the exit. The first entrance is adapted to be connected to the cooler, the second entrance is adapted to be connected to the engine bypass port, and the exit is adapted to be connected to the pump. With the valve closed, the main flow path is blocked; that is, coolant from the cooler and/or reservoir is prevented from entering the pump.

1 . A flow controller for a engine cooling system including a cooler, a coolant pump, and an engine bypass port, the flow controller comprising:
 a housing defining a first entrance, a second entrance, and an exit, said first entrance defining a main coolant flow path with said exit, said second entrance defining a bypass coolant flow path with said exit; and   a valve positioned along said main flow path downstream from said second entrance;   wherein said first entrance is adapted to be connected to the cooler, said second entrance is adapted to be connected to the engine bypass port, and said exit is adapted to be connected to the pump.   
     
     
         2 . The flow controller of  claim 1 , wherein said valve is a temperature controlled valve. 
     
     
         3 . The flow controller of  claim 2 , wherein said valve is configured to be in a closed position if said main coolant flow has a temperature below a threshold value and in an open position if said main coolant flow temperature is above said threshold value. 
     
     
         4 . The flow controller of  claim 3 , wherein said threshold value is approximately 130° F. 
     
     
         5 . The flow controller of  claim 1 , wherein said housing is formed of nylon reinforced fiberglass. 
     
     
         6 . The flow controller of  claim 1 , wherein the flow controller is adapted to be positioned intermediate the pump and the cooler. 
     
     
         7 . The flow controller of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling system further includes a coolant reservoir and said first entrance is adapted to be connected to the reservoir. 
     
     
         8 . The flow controller of  claim 7 , wherein the flow controller is adapted to be positioned intermediate the pump and the reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . The flow controller of  claim 1 , wherein said main coolant flow path has a first diameter and said bypass coolant flow path has a second diameter, said first diameter being approximately twice said second diameter. 
     
     
         10 . A method of protecting an engine having a cooling system that includes a cooler, a coolant pump, and an engine bypass port, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a flow controller including a housing and a valve, said housing defining a first entrance, a second entrance, and an exit, said first entrance defining a main coolant flow path with said exit, said second entrance defining a bypass coolant flow path with said exit, said valve being positioned along said main flow path downstream from said second entrance;   placing said first entrance in fluid communication with the cooler;   placing said second entrance in fluid communication with the engine bypass port; and   placing said exit in fluid communication with the pump.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said providing includes providing a valve that is a temperature controlled valve. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said providing further includes providing a temperature controlled valve that is configured to be in a closed position if said main coolant flow has a temperature below a threshold value and in an open position if said main coolant flow temperature is above said threshold value. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said providing further includes providing a temperature controlled valve having a threshold value of approximately 130° F. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said providing includes providing a housing formed of nylon reinforced fiberglass. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cooling system further includes a coolant reservoir in fluid communication with the cooler and said placing said first entrance in fluid communication with the cooler includes placing said first entrance in fluid communication with the reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said providing a flow controller includes providing said flow controller intermediate the pump and the reservoir. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein providing a flow controller includes providing a controller defining a main coolant flow path having a first diameter and a bypass coolant flow path having a second diameter, said first diameter being approximately twice said second diameter.