Thermostat assembly with pressure compensation
A thermostat for controlling flow of a coolant fluid through an aperture, the thermostat including a temperature sensitive valve for controlling the opening and closing of the aperture, the temperature sensitive valve including: a valve body with a heat sensitive material and a displaceable pin; a flange configured to seal off the aperture, a support member; and a flexible member located between the flange and the support member; the thermostat further including a piston configured to control compression of the flexible member from a bottom end thereof; and a hydraulic pressure compensation element connected to the flange and configured to compensate for a hydraulic pressure exerted by the coolant fluid on a lid of the temperature sensitive valve.
1. A thermostat for controlling flow of a coolant fluid through an aperture, the thermostat comprising:
a temperature sensitive valve for controlling the opening and closing of the aperture, said temperature sensitive valve comprising:
a valve body comprising a heat sensitive material and a displaceable pin; wherein said displaceable pin is at least partially inserted within said heat sensitive material;
a flange configured to delimit the temperature sensitive valve from a top end thereof, said flange configured to seal against a valve seat when said temperature sensitive valve is closed;
a support member configured to delimit the temperature sensitive valve from a bottom end thereof; and
a flexible member located between said flange and said support member;
wherein when said heat sensitive material is heated said displaceable pin is at least partially displaced from said valve body, thereby affecting a compression force on said flexible member, said compression force gradually displacing said temperature sensitive valve from said valve seat, thereby allowing flow of coolant fluid through said aperture;
a piston configured to control compression of said flexible member from a bottom end thereof; and
a hydraulic pressure compensation element connected to said flange and configured to compensate for a hydraulic pressure exerted by said coolant fluid on a lid of said temperature sensitive valve.
2. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein when said temperature sensitive valve is opened said hydraulic pressure compensation element is lowered to a lower position.
3. The thermostat of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator configured to control the operation of said hydraulic pressure compensation element.
4. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein said actuator, when activated, is configured to reduce a degree of compensation provided by said hydraulic pressure compensation element.
5. The thermostat of claim 4 , wherein when said actuator is activated and said degree of compensation is reduced, a start-to-open (STO) temperature of said temperature sensitive valve is lowered, as compared to when said actuator is not activated.
6. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein when said actuator lowers said hydraulic pressure compensation element into a lower position, said temperature sensitive valve is displaced from said valve seat.
7. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein said piston is connected to said flexible member.
8. The thermostat of claim 7 , wherein said piston is configured to switch between a normal position and a heightened position.
9. The thermostat of claim 8 , wherein when said piston is in its heightened position, said piston exerts a compression force on said flexible member.
10. The thermostat of claim 9 , wherein when said piston is in its heightened position, a STO temperature of said temperature sensitive valve is heightened, as compared to when said piston is in its normal position.
11. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein the position of said support member is fixed.
12. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein said flexible member is a spring.
13. The thermostat of claim 12 , wherein said spring has a spring constant of 100 Newton/meter or less.
14. The thermostat of claim 12 , wherein said spring has a spring constant of 50 Newton/meter or less.
15. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein said heat sensitive material is a wax.
16. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein said temperature sensitive valve is a linear characteristic valve.
17. A thermostat system for controlling a temperature of an engine, the system comprising:
a radiator configured to cool a coolant fluid;
a temperature sensitive valve for controlling the opening and closing of the aperture, said temperature sensitive valve comprising:
a valve body comprising a heat sensitive material and a displaceable pin; wherein said displaceable pin is at least partially inserted within said heat sensitive material;
a flange configured to delimit the temperature sensitive valve from a top end thereof, said flange configured to seal against a valve seat when said temperature sensitive valve is closed;
a support member configured to delimit the temperature sensitive valve from a bottom end thereof; and
a flexible member located between said flange and said support member;
wherein when said heat sensitive material is heated, said displaceable pin is at least partially displaced from said valve body, thereby affecting a compression force on said flexible member, said compression force gradually displacing said temperature sensitive valve from said valve seat, thereby allowing flow of coolant fluid through said aperture;
a piston configured to control compression of said flexible member from a bottom end thereof; and
a hydraulic pressure compensation element connected to said flange and configured to compensate for a hydraulic pressure exerted by said coolant fluid on a lid of said temperature sensitive valve.
18. The thermostat system of claim 17 , further comprising a bypass circuitry configured to circulate said coolant fluid between said engine and said thermostat.
19. The thermostat system of claim 17 , further comprising a pump configured to pump coolant fluid from said thermostat to said engine.