US2293913A - Engine cooling system control - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 25, 1942. D. J. MUNSON ENGINE COOLING SYST EM CONTROL Filed April 24, 1941 Inventor Jana Yd @1122? .9071) A/ d/ I? F A Home Patente d Aug. 25, 1942 U NlT'E D STATE 5 PAT ENT F F lC. 2,293,913

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM CONTROL Donald J. Munson, Anderson, Ind.

Application April 24, 1941, Serial No. 390,159

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in automatic engine cooling system controls of the type comprising a thermally operated valve interposed in the cooling system and responsive to variations in the temperature of the water for controlling or regulating the circulation thereof.

The primary object of the invention is to pro vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a control of the aforementioned character which embodies novel means whereby the device will be automatically rendered inoperative and permit the water to circulate freely therethrough in the event that the valve should fail to open and the water rise to a predetermined temperature.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an engine cooling system control of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section through an automatic control device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a detail view in perspective of one of the pins.

Figure 4 is a top plan View of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the modification.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the invention comprises a connection I in the form of a flanged tube of suitable material which is adapted to be interposed in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine between the upper hose and the radiator. Extending from one end of the tube I are integral arms 2 between the free end portions of which a stationary rod 3 extends. A coiled thermal element 4 encircles the rod 3 and has one end portion fixed thereto. At its other end, the thermal element 4 terminates in an arm 5 which extends upwardly into the tube I.

Traversing the tube I at an intermediate point is a shaft 6 having mounted thereon a butterfly valve I. Of course, the valve I controls the fiow of water through the tube I. The valve I includes PJI a slot 9 extending at right angles to the shaft 6, integral apertured ears II] being provided on the opposite sides of said slot. The slot 9 accommodates a link I I having one end pivotally and releasably connected to the ears I0 through the medium of a fusible pin I2 of metal having a low melting point, The valve I is overbalanced to provide for opening thereof under pressure of the water against one side thereof, when released from the pin I2, and preferably by offsetting the shaft 6 from the transverse center of the valve as shown in Figure 1 to provide a greater valve area on one side of said shaft 6, or pivotal axis. than on the other side of said shaft. The melting point of the fusible pin I2 is low enough to provide for fusing or shearing of the same, and hence release of the valve I from the thermal element 4, when the temperature of the water rises above a safe point, for example, above 200 degrees.

The free end portion of the arm 5 of the thermal element 4 has formed therein a slot I3 for the passage of the other end portion of the link I I which is connected to said arm by a pin l4. Thus, the valve I is connected to the element 4 for actuation thereby. An adjustable stop screw I5 is threadedly mounted in the arm 5 of the thermal element 4 for limiting the opening movement of the valve I.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the valve I is opened and closed by the thermal element 4 as said element, responding to variations in the temperature of the water, expands and contracts. Should the valve fail to open for any reason and the water rise to a predeterminned temperature the fusible pin I2 will melt thereby automatically disconnecting'said valve from the thermal element 4 for permitting said valve to open under the pressure of the water.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawing, the valve 1 has formed therein a plurality of openings or passages I6 which are closed by fusible inserts 8. Thus, should the valve I of this embodiment fail to open and should the water rise to a predetermined temperature, the inserts 8 will melt and permit said water to flow through the openings or passages It.

It is believed the many advantages of an engine cooling system control constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although preferred embodiments of the device are as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that further modifications and changes in the details of construction may be renamed arm, a butterfly valve operable in the conduit and having a slot therein for the reception of the link, and a pin operatively connecting the link to the valve for the actuating said valve, said pin being formed of fusible metal having a melting point sufficiently low to provide for fusing, or shearing, thereof, when the temperature of the water rises to a dangerous point so that said valve is released from the link and thermal element for opening by the pressure of water against the same.

DONALD J. MUNSCJN.

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