Method and apparatus for cooling a heat engine of widely variable power
US5309870A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 1992 |
| Grant date | May 10, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF01P2060/10
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A cooling system for a motor vehicle engine includes a heat exchanger, ducting connecting the engine and the heat exchanger in a closed circuit, and a pump for circulating coolant fluid in the circuit. The heat exchanger is arranged to act as a condenser when required, and the pump is an electric pump which circulates the coolant fluid between the engine and the heat exchanger. The system includes a three-way thermostatic valve, which causes the fraction of the cooling fluid delivered into the heat exchanger, in relation to the constant flow passing through the engine, to be varied progressively from 0 to 100%. When the engine is working at its highest power, the fluid vaporises in the engine and condenses in the heat exchanger, while at lower power levels the heat exchanger operates like a conventional cooling radiator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.