IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,967,091
Granted Patent B2
US 8,967,091 · App. 13/325,427 · Granted Mar 3, 2015

Thermostat housing which provides optimized coolant flow

Inventors: Steven M. Bellinger (Columbus, IN); Douglas A. Pulskamp (Oldenburg, IN)
Assignee: Cummins Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,967,091
App. No.
13/325,427
Granted
Mar 3, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A thermostat housing is disclosed. The thermostat housing comprises a housing member. The housing member includes an inlet and an outlet to allow coolant to flow therethrough. The thermostat housing also includes least two thermostats within the housing member. The at least two thermostats have staggered opening temperatures. One of the at least two thermostats opens and controls a flow rate of coolant through the housing when the coolant is within a first predetermined temperature range. A single loop of coolant is being controlled within the housing member.

Claims (57)

1. A thermostat housing comprising:

a housing member; the housing member including an inlet and an outlet to allow coolant to flow therethrough; and

at least two thermostats within the housing member, the at least two thermostats including a low temperature thermostat and a high temperature thermostat; wherein the at least two thermostats have staggered opening temperatures; wherein one of the at least two thermostats opens and controls a flow rate of coolant through the housing when the coolant is within a first predetermined temperature range, wherein a single loop of coolant is being controlled; and wherein the low temperature thermostat has a full opening temperature that is greater than a partial opening temperature of the high temperature thermostat,

wherein the low temperature thermostat is fully open and the high temperature thermostat is at least substantially half open at a second predetermined temperature of the coolant, and wherein the high temperature thermostat is fully open at a third predetermined temperature of the coolant.

2. The thermostat housing of claim 1 which includes a bypass member coupled to the housing member, wherein the coolant flows through the bypass member.

3. The thermostat housing of claim 1 wherein the at least two thermostats are open when the coolant is within a second predetermined temperature range.

4. The thermostat housing of claim 2 wherein the coolant flow through the bypass member increases when the at least two thermostats are fully open.

5. The thermostat housing of claim 1 wherein the at least two thermostats comprise a low temperature thermostat and a high temperature thermostat.

6. The thermostat housing of claim 5 wherein only the low temperature thermostat is partially open when the coolant is at the first predetermined temperature.

7. The thermostat housing of claim 6 wherein the first predetermined temperature is substantially 180° C.

8. The thermostat housing of claim 1 wherein the first predetermined temperature is substantially 180° C., the second predetermined temperature is substantially 190° C., and the third predetermined temperature is substantially 210° C.

9. An engine system comprising:

an engine cylinder head;

a radiator; and

a thermostat housing coupled between the engine cylinder head and the radiator, the thermostat housing further comprising a housing member; the housing member including an inlet and an outlet to allow coolant to flow therethrough to the radiator and the engine cylinder head; and at least two thermostats within the housing member, the at least two thermostats including a low temperature thermostat and a high temperature thermostat;

wherein the at least two thermostats have staggered opening temperatures; wherein one of the at least two thermostats opens and controls a flow rate of coolant through the housing when the coolant is within a first predetermined temperature range, wherein a single loop of coolant is being controlled; and wherein the low temperature thermostat has a full opening temperature that is greater than a partial opening temperature of the high temperature thermostat,

wherein the low temperature thermostat is fully open and the high temperature thermostat is at least substantially half open at a second predetermined temperature of the coolant, and wherein the high temperature thermostat is fully open at a third predetermined temperature of the coolant.

10. The engine system of claim 9 which includes a bypass member coupled to the housing member, wherein the coolant flows through the bypass member.

11. The engine system of claim 10 wherein the coolant flow through the bypass member increases when the at least two thermostats are fully open.

12. The engine system of claim 9 wherein the at least two thermostats are open when the coolant is within a second predetermined temperature range.

13. The engine system of claim 9 wherein the at least two thermostats comprise a low temperature thermostat and a high temperature thermostat.

14. The engine system of claim 9 wherein the first predetermined temperature is substantially 180° C.

15. The engine system of claim 9 wherein the high temperature thermostat is fully open at a third predetermined temperature of the coolant.

16. The engine system of claim 15 wherein the first predetermined temperature is substantially 180° C., the second predetermined temperature is substantially 190° C., and the third predetermined temperature is substantially 210° C.

17. A thermostat housing comprising:

a housing member; the housing member including an inlet and an outlet to allow coolant to flow therethrough; and

at least two thermostats within the housing member,

wherein the at least two thermostats have staggered opening temperatures,

wherein one of the at least two thermostats opens and controls a flow rate of coolant through the housing when the coolant is within a first predetermined temperature range, wherein a single loop of coolant is being controlled,

wherein the at least two thermostats comprise a low temperature thermostat and a high temperature thermostat, and

wherein only the low temperature thermostat is partially open when the coolant is at the first wherein the first predetermined temperature is substantially 180° C.

18. A thermostat housing comprising:

a housing member; the housing member including an inlet and an outlet to allow coolant to flow therethrough; and

at least two thermostats within the housing member,

wherein the at least two thermostats have staggered opening temperatures,

wherein one of the at least two thermostats opens and controls a flow rate of coolant through the housing when the coolant is within a first predetermined temperature range, wherein a single loop of coolant is being controlled,

wherein the at least two thermostats comprise a low temperature thermostat and a high temperature thermostat,

wherein the low temperature thermostat is fully open and the high temperature thermostat is partially open at a second predetermined temperature of the coolant, and

wherein the high temperature thermostat is fully open at a third predetermined temperature of the coolant.

19. The thermostat housing of claim 18 wherein the first predetermined temperature is substantially 180° C., the second predetermined temperature is substantially 190° C., and the third predetermined temperature is substantially 210° C.

20. An engine system comprising:

an engine cylinder head;

a radiator; and

a thermostat housing coupled between the engine cylinder head and the radiator, the thermostat housing further comprising a housing member; the housing member including an inlet and an outlet to allow coolant to flow therethrough to the radiator and the engine cylinder head; and at least two thermostats within the housing member,

wherein the at least two thermostats have staggered opening temperatures; wherein one of the at least two thermostats opens and controls a flow rate of coolant through the housing when the coolant is within a first predetermined temperature range, wherein a single loop of coolant is being controlled,

wherein the at least two thermostats comprise a low temperature thermostat and a high temperature thermostat,

wherein only the low temperature thermostat is partially open when the coolant is at the first predetermined temperature, and

wherein the first predetermined temperature is substantially 180° C.

21. An engine system comprising:

an engine cylinder head;

a radiator; and

a thermostat housing coupled between the engine cylinder head and the radiator, the thermostat housing further comprising a housing member; the housing member including an inlet and an outlet to allow coolant to flow therethrough to the radiator and the engine cylinder head; and at least two thermostats within the housing member,

wherein the at least two thermostats have staggered opening temperatures; wherein one of the at least two thermostats opens and controls a flow rate of coolant through the housing when the coolant is within a first predetermined temperature range, wherein a single loop of coolant is being controlled,

wherein the at least two thermostats comprise a low temperature thermostat and a high temperature thermostat,

wherein the low temperature thermostat is fully open and the high temperature thermostat is partially open at a second predetermined temperature of the coolant, and

wherein the high temperature thermostat is fully open at a third predetermined temperature of the coolant.

22. The engine system of claim 21 wherein the first predetermined temperature is substantially 180° C., the second predetermined temperature is substantially 190° C., and the third predetermined temperature is substantially 210° C.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2011
From: BELLINGER, STEVEN M.; PULSKAMP, DOUGLAS A.
To: CUMMINS INC.
Reel/Frame 027385/0037 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130152880A1 · Jun 20, 2013