US1734963A - Thermostatic control of cooling circulation - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 12, 1929. w. B. CLIFFORD THERMOSTATIC CONTROL OF COOLING CIRCULATION Filed Nov. 24, 1926 [MW 0 WW a 6% T l 5 2 Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WALTER B. CLIFFORD, F CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CLIFFORD MANUFACTURING 00., 0F BGSTON,'MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE THERMOSTATIC CONTROL OF COOLING CIRCULATION Application filed November 24, 1926. Serial No. 150,581

The present invention relates to improvements in apparatus for controlling cooling fluid flow of an internal combustion motor thermostatically, and more particularly to to an apparatus of this character employed in motor vehicles.

In a typical installation of this character a thermostatically-controlled valve is inserted directly in the circulating system,

either adjacent to the upper portion of the motor block or the upper portion of the radiator. This valve remains closed, retarding or completely stopping circulation through the block until the temperature of the cooling fluid therein has been elevated'to a predetermined point. Thereafter, operation of the thermostat opens the valve and permits circulation of water, or othercooling fluid, into and through the radiator.

In typical installations of this character the valve is designed to open from 135 to 165"' F, depending upon the circulating system and the location of the valve. Ordinarily. when the thermostat unit is located in the radiator inlet, the valve is caused to open at a lower temperature than when the unit is located in immediate proximity to the motor block. In either event, it is desir able that when the predetermined temperat-ure within the circulating system has been reached that the valve shall open as rapidly as possible and permit a relatively free circulation of water with a minimum rise of temperature above the opening point.

To this end the primary object of the present invention is to provide a thermostatically controlled unit in which the range or spread of temperature from commencement of opening-to full opening of the valve is reduced to a minimum.

. With this and other objects in view, therefore, the various features of the invention consist in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts the preferred form 0 the invention,

Fig. 1 represents a section in elevation of an installation embodying the features of the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken upon the line 2--2 of Fig. 1:

Referring to the drawings, the top of the cylinder block is indicated at 10, and has connected theretoa sleeve casting 12 which encloses a thermostatic unit 14. The casting is provided interiorly with a chamber 16 communicating directly with the water space 18 of the block and permitting the passage of water upwardly about the thermostatic unit. The upper portion of the sleeve casting is surmounted by an outlet casting 20, which is adapted tobe connected in any desired mannor with the usual radiator connections. T he entire assembly is rigidly connected to the top of the cylinder block by through bolts 22. The thermostatic unit comprises essentially a thin drawn or stamped shell 30 having a series of openings 3% for the free passage of water. Mounted within the shell is a metallic bellows 34 rigidly connected to the shell at the closed end by a threaded stud 36 and nut 40. The opposite free end of the bellows carries an elongated stud 42 upon the upper end on which is mounted a valve 44. This valve is retained in adjusted position uponthe stud by a nut 46 and a spring '48 surrounding the stud and holding the valve against the nut.'

Mounted on the stud below the valve is a stop member 50 held against a shoulder 52 by the spring 48, and comprising generally radiating arms 54 which engage with the under side of an annulus 56 to limit the opening movement of the valve. The annulus 56, as indicated particularly in Fig. 1, is formed by a bent metal strip clamped in the upper portion of the shell 30 by the inturned flange 60. This annulus not only limits the upward movement of the valve but the upper portion of the annulus constitutes a seat for the valve 44 when in the closed position shown in the drawing. As will be evident to those skilled in the art, the metallic bellows is filled with a vaporizable. liquid at a pressure substantially less than atmospheric, and for all temperatures below the predetermined opening point exerts a pull upon the valve sufficient to maintain it in closed position against the head of inner portion of the valve from whence the water therebeneath. When the predeterdirection of flow is reversed in contact with mined opening point is reached, the water the annular chamber to exert'a reaction efl'ect head, due to the action of the pump, is suifion the valve. cient to overcome the pull of the bellows WALTER B. CLIFFORD.

which has been reduced by increase of vapor pressure therein, and the valve opens. According to the present invention, this opening tendency is reatly accentuated by a velocity or reaction ead created through the novel 7 shape of the valve. As will be observed from an inspection of Fig. 1, the valve 44 is provided with a raised annular portion 65 inter-- mediate its inner and outer circumferences to 1f0rm a reversely curved annular chamber at the under side of the head, of such a character that the water is turned through 180 degrees and a substantial reaction eifect is exerted thereby. It will be evident that when the valve rises from its seat, the water current,

due to its substantial change in direction, exerts a reaction effect tending to further elevate the valve without an increase in pressure head. This substantial addition to the elevating force beneath the valve causes it to open with a range of temperature materially less than would be possible if the pressure head alone were relied upon. After the water has passed from beneath the valve, it is guided upwardly by the converging walls 67 shaped to avoid the formation of an edd current and to reduce the desired reaction e ect. In connection with the'utilization of this velocity. head, it will be noted that the arms 54 of the '35 stop member 50 are relatively thin transversely of the direction of flow of the water, and are relatively thicker in the direction of flow, which is accomplished by stamping the arms from a thin sheet and thereafter turning the 40 arms through an angle of 90 with the plane of the sheet. This causes the arms, in fully .open position, to present the least obstruction to the water way and avoids so far as possible, the formation of undesirable eddy currents 4.5 below the valve.

Whatis claimed is 1. Temperature-controlled apparatus comprising metallic bellows, an open cage connected withthe bellows at one end, a valve opening formed in the cage, a valve connected with the opposite end of the bellows and cooperating with the opening, the valve being shaped and designed in conjunction With the valve opening to reverse the direction of flow of water therebeneath upon opening in a manner to cause the exertion of a substantial re action head in a direction to open the valve.

Temperature-controlled apparatus comprising an expansible metallic bellows, a cage connected to the bellows at oneend having a valve opening therein, a valve connected with the free end of the bellows and having a re-' versely-curved, annular chamber adjacent the valve opening, and means for directing liquid fi fiow.through the valve opening against the

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