GB2121922A

GB2121922A - Engine thermostat

Info

Publication number: GB2121922A
Application number: GB08217520A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-06-17
Filing date: 1982-06-17
Publication date: 1984-01-04
Also published as: HK61888A; GB2121922B

Abstract

A thermostat (10) for a liquid cooling system of an engine comprising a seat member (14) having a flow opening therethrough, a closure member (20) movable between an open position spaced from the seat member (14) and a closed position in engagement with the seat member wherein it closes the flow opening, the closure member or the seat member having an aperture therethrough, a device (22) for biasing the closure member to the closed position, a temperature responsive device (18) for moving the closure member to an open position against the force of the biasing device, and a fusible plug in the closure member or seat member aperture that is adapted to melt at a predetermined temperature. In the event of failure of the temperature responsive device of the thermostat, the fusible plug will melt at the predetermined temperature and open the aperture in the closure member (20) or the seat member (14) to allow the flow of cooling liquid past the closure member when it is in the closed position. In another embodiment, the closure or seat member is provided with a plurality of apertures having fusible plugs therein that are fusible at different temperatures to more closely control engine temperature. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A fusible aquatic device that will override the failure of a defective thermostat or the like within a motor Thermostats presently used for automobile engines or the like, although they generally serve their intended purpose, are subject to certain disadvantages. First of all, they do not control engine temperature within a sufficiently narrow range to insure efficient engine operation.

Secondly, in the event of failure of the thermostat mechanism, the thermostat is closed to prevent the flow of cooling liquid which results in overheating of the engine.

A need has arisen, therefore, for a thermostat that closely controls engine temperature for fuel savings and permits an adequate flow of cooling liquid therethrough to prevent engine overheating in the event of failure of the operating mechanism of the thermostat.

The thermostat of the present invention is not subject to the above-described disadvantages of known thermostats. It comprises a seat member having a flow opening therethrough, a closure member movable between an open position spaced from the seat member and a closed position in engagement with the seat member wherein it closes the flow opening, the closure member or seat member having an aperture therethrough, device for biasing the closure member to the closed position, a temperature responsive device for moving the closure member to an open position against the force of the biasing device, and a fusible plug in the closure member or seat member aperture that is adapted to melt at a predetermined temperature.In the event of failure of the temperature responsive device of the thermostat, the fusible plug will melt at the predetermined temperature and open the aperture in the closure member or the seat member to allow the flow of cooling liquid past the closure member when it is in the closed position.

In a second embodiment, the closure member or the seat member is provided with a plurality of apertures therethrough having fusible plugs therein which are fusible at different predetermined temperatures to more closely control engine temperature.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the thermostat of the present invention; Figure 2 is an expioded side elevational view of the closure member and the biasing spring of the thermostat shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the closure member shown in Figure 2, with fusible plugs in the apertures therethrough; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the fusible plugs removed from the apertures through the closure member; and Figure 5 is a partial, enlarged side elevational view of the thermostat shown in Figure 1 , with the apertures and fusible plugs therein located in the seat member rather than the closure member.

Figure 1 illustrates a thermostat 10 for the liquid cooling system of an engine or the like, having a frame 12 with an annular valve seat member 14 having a flow opening (not shown) therethrough. Attached to the frame 12 is a stem 1 6 which extends through the flow opening formed by the valve seat 14.

The stem 1 6 has a portion thereof disposed within a container 1 8 which contains thermally responsive, expansible-contractible material (not shown). The stem 16 and container 18 may be of the type disclosed in United States Patents Nos.

2,806,375 and 2,806,376, or may be of any other suitable type well known in the art. During expansion of the thermally responsive material within the container 1 8, there is relative movement between the stem 1 6 and the container 1 8 in a direction one away from the other.

A closure member 20 is secured to the container 1 8 for movement therewith. A helical spring 22 encompasses the container 1 8 and has one end portion in engagement with the closure member 20 and the other end portion in engagement with the frame 12. Accordingly, the spring 22 serves to urge the closure member 20 to a closed position in engagement with the valve seat 1 4 to close the flow opening therethrough, as shown in Figure 1.

In the event of the inoperativeness of the actuating container 1 8 or the thermally responsive .material therewithin, the spring 22 maintains the closure member 20 in the closed position against the valve seat 14, thereby preventing the flow of liquid past the thermostat 1 0. In such a case, the temperature of the cooling liquid in contact with the thermostat may become excessively high because of a lack of flow or circulation of the liquid through the cooling system of the engine or the like.

A significant feature of the present invention is the provision of a thermostat which can closely control the temperature of the cooling liquid and which will allow for the flow of cooling liquid therethrough in the event of failure of the thermostat mechanism. This is accomplished by providing at least one aperture F2 extending through the closure member 20, as shown in Figure 4. The aperture F2 is closed by a fusible plug F1 (Figure 3) which is adapted to melt at a predetermined temperature.In the event of failure of the thermostat mechanism, the temperature of the cooling liquid in contact with the thermostat will rise to the predetermined temperature to cause melting of the fusible plug F1 to open the aperture F2 and allow the flow of cooling liquid through the aperture and thus through the thermostat, thereby preventing overheating of the engine or the like in which the thermostat is utilized.

As shown in Figure 5, at least one aperture FF2 and fusible plug FF, may be provided in the valve seat 14 instead of the closure member 20, and will serve the same purpose as the aperture F2 and fusible plug F1 in the closure member 20, as hereinbefore described.

In accordance with the scope of the present invention, the closure member 20 or valve seat 14 may be provided with a plurality of apertures having fusible plugs therein, with the fusible plugs melting at the same or different predetermined temperatures. When the plugs are fusible at different predetermined temperatures, the temperature of the cooling liquid and the engine can be closely controlled to effect fuel savings.

in tests conducted by an independent agency on a 225 cubic inch, six cylinder automobile engine at 2000 rpm and at 2200 rpm, it has been found that fuel efficiency can drop significantly when the motor operating temperature differs from the peak efficiency temperature. For example, fuel consumption can drop in excess of 6% for a 50 Fahrenheit change from peak efficiency temperature.

The fusible plug or plugs F1, FF1, may be formed of any suitable material, such as a typical In, Bi, Sn formula or Cd, Bi, Pb formula.

Claims

1. A thermostat for a liquid cooling system, comprising: a seat member having a flow opening therethrough, a closure member movable between an open position spaced from said seat member and a closed position in engagement with said seat member wherein it closes said flow opening, said closure member having an aperture therethrough, means for biasing said closure member to the closed position, temperature responsive means for moving said closure member to said open position against the force of said biasing means, and fusible means in said aperture adapted to melt at a predetermined temperature, whereby said fusible means will melt and open said aperture at said predetermined temperature to allow flow of cooling liquid past said closure member when it is in a closed position.

2. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein said fusible means is In, Bi, Sn, and/or other chemical formula.

3. A thermostat according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said fusible means comprises a compressed chemical formula within the closure member aperture.

4. A thermostat according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said closure member comprises a plurality of apertures therethrough, and fusible means in said apertures adapted to melt at different predetermined temperatures to closely control the temperature of the cooling liquid.

5. A thermostat for a liquid cooling system, comprising: a seat member having a flow opening therethrough, a closure member movable between an open position spaced from said seat member and a closed position in engagement with said seat member wherein it closes said flow opening, means for biasing said closure member to the closed position, temperature responsive means for moving said closure member to said open position against the force of said biasing means, and said seat member having an aperture therethrough and fusible means in said aperture adapted to melt at a predetermined temperature, whereby said fusible means will melt and open said aperture at said predetermined temperature to allow flow of cooling liquid past said seat member when said closure member is in a closed position.

6. The thermostat of claim 5 wherein said seat member comprises a plurality of apertures therethrough, and fusible means in said apertures adapted to melt at different predetermined temperatures to closely control the temperature of the cooling liquid.

7. A thermostat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 or in Figures 1, 2 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.