System and method for engine block cooling
US9719408B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 2014 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 17, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF01P2025/64
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method is disclosed for improving fuel economy in an internal combustion engine. The method may involve sensing a temperature of an engine block and determining a block thermal energy representing an ability of the block to reject heat. An open loop control scheme may be used together with the block thermal energy to predict if a coolant in the block is about to enter a boiling condition and, when this is about to occur, to open a block valve to permit a flow of coolant through the block. A closed loop control scheme may be used together with the sensed temperature of the block to determine if a coolant boiling condition is about to occur, and to control the block valve to permit a flow of coolant through the block which is just sufficient to prevent the onset of coolant boiling in the block.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.