Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.

Karl-Heinz Kuebler

Daryl G Harris

Mark M Benner

Lee A Bissonnette

Andreas Ritter

A fluid heater apparatus and method of making same includes a low porosity material, thermally conductive mass. A heat source is disposed in the thermally conductive mass for imparting heat to the mass. Fluid in a flow path through the mass absorbs heat from the mass. The thermally conductive mass is molded, cast or extruded from a material which, with the selected forming process, provides a low porosity mass. The mass may be formed of ceramic, aluminum and poltruded carbon. The mass can be cast from a material which is introduced into the casting mold in a semi-solid temperature state.

Fluid heater with low porosity thermal mass

A method and apparatus for controlling fluid temperature in a fluid heater apparatus which supplies heat to fluid from a controllable heater element(s) which includes establishing a discharge temperature range between a first high temperature and a second low temperature. The temperature of the fluid is measured and, in response to the measured temperature, activation of the heater elements is controlled to maintain the temperature of the fluid within the temperature range. The heater elements can be independently controllable for temperature control.

Fluid heater temperature control apparatus and method

A fluid heater apparatus has fluid discharge temperature control to prevent temperature overshoot. A plurality of heater elements are employed and at least certain of the heater elements are independently controllable. At least one of the heater elements is employed as a 'finishing' heater element, with the other heating elements deactivated to enable the 'finishing' heater element to more slowly elevate the temperature of the fluid in the body from a first temperature reached by activation all or most of the heater elements to the predetermined discharge temperature. One of more of the heater elements may have a different power output than the other heater elements.

Fluid heater control apparatus and method with overtemperature protection

A heat source is disposed in the thermally conductive mass housing for imparting heat to the mass. Fluid in a flow path through the mass absorbs heat from the mass. A fluid expansion member is mounted over open ends of the fluid flow path. The fluid expansion member, in one aspect, is formed of a compressible material to compress under the forces of fluid phase change to a solid state and expands back to a nominal shape when the fluid undergoes a reverse phase change to a liquid state. In another aspect, the fluid expansion member is a solid seal member overlaying the open ends of the fluid flow channels. The seal resists expansion under normal fluid operating pressures, but expands into an open interior chamber in a closure fixed to the mass to accommodate a phase change expansion of the fluid.

Fluid heater with freeze protection

A pump mounted in a housing is fluidically coupled to a vehicle windshield washer fluid reservoir. At least one outlet is carried on the pump housing for discharging fluid pumped from the reservoir. A fluid level sensor is mounted in the housing and has a sensing end projecting into the reservoir. The sensor includes a pair of spaced sensors having the sensing ends exposed to fluid within the reservoir. The sensor has a labyrinth shape adjacent to the sensing ends.

Windshield washer pump with integrated fluid level sensor

A membrane seal for a multi-part fluid pump housing discharging windshield washer fluid from reservoir includes a one-piece, rigid carrier and a resilient seal member molded onto the rigid member to seal two pump housing parts. Resilient material also over molded over at least one flow aperture in the carrier to form a check valve to control fluid flow between an inlet and an outlet of the pump housing. Resilient material also is molded over another aperture in the carrier to form a pump motor shaft seal. In a construction method, the resilient material forming the peripheral seal, the check valve and the pump motor shaft seal is over molded in a single process step over the carrier.

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Grand Blanc, MI, United States of America

Karl-Heinz Kuebler