Standard-thomson Corporation

Earl L Wilson

Backman Wong

A thermally responsive valve device having non-linear flow characteristics. The valve device is particularly adapted to control fluid flow in an automotive coolant system. The thermally responsive valve device includes movable and stationary valve structure. A movable valve member is movable to create a flow passage and to adjust the open area thereof, but movement of the movable valve member provides a non-linear relationship between the area of the flow passage created and the distance of travel of the movable valve member. The stationary valve member is provided with a valve seat having a sloping encompassng wall so that with slight opening movement of the movable closure member a very limited volume of fluid flow is permitted. As the movable valve member continues to move in an opening direction, the non-linear relationship between the distance of movement of the movable valve member and the flow area created continues. The fluid flow gradually increases until a specific maximum flow rate is achieved. This operating characteristic eliminates or dramatically reduces temperature fluctuations in the coolant system.

Thermostatic valve device having non-linear flow characteristics

A thermally responsive valve device having non-linear flow characteristics. The thermally responsive valve device includes movable and stationary valve structure. A movable valve member is movable to adjust the open area of a flow passage, but movement of the movable valve member provides non-linear relationship between the area of the flow passage created and the distance of travel of the movable valve member. The movable and/or the stationary valve member is provided with an irregularly shaped portion so that with slight opening movement of the movable closure member less fluid flow than normal is permitted. As the movable valve member continues to move in an opening direction, the fluid flow increases at a predetermined non-linear rate until a specific flow rate is achieved. This operating characteristic eliminates or dramatically reduces temperature fluctuations in the system.

A thermally responsive by-pass valve device which permits maximum fluid flow in limited area conditions. The valve device is adapted to be employed in an environment in which there are limited area conditions within conduit structure having a plurality of flow passages in a by-pass type of cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The by-pass valve device is provided with valve seat structure which has an entrance opening and an exit opening, and there is an internal wall surface of gradually increasing dimensions between the exit opening to the entrance opening. Thermally responsive actuator mechanism is positioned within the openings of the valve seat structure. The portions of the actuator mechanism which occupy the greatest area are positioned in lateral alignment with the portion of the internal wall surface having the greatest dimension, and the portions of the actuator mechanism which are of a lesser area are positioned in lateral alignment with the portion of the internal wall surface having a lesser dimension. Thus, there is minimum restriction and maximum flow area through the valve seat structure.

Thermally responsive by-pass valve device providing maximum flow area

A thermally responsive valve device having non-linear flow characteristics. The thermally responsive valve device includes movable and stationary valve structure. A movable valve member is movable to adjust the open area of a flow passage, but movement of the movable valve member provides a non-linear relationship between the area of the flow passage created and the distance of travel of the movable valve member. The movable and/or the stationary valve member is provided with an irregularly shaped portion so that with slight opening movement of the movable closure member less fluid flow than normal is permitted. As the movable valve member continues to move in an opening direction, the fluid flow increases at a predetermined non-linear rate until a specific flow rate is achieved. This operating characteristic eliminates or dramatically reduces temperature fluctuations in the system.

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Wellesley, MA, United States of America

Earl L Wilson