US5839398A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power steering fluid temperature control
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1997-10-23
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Granted: 1998-11-24
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Expires: 2017-10-23
Abstract
Abstract An engine cooling system (16) of a vehicle (12) includes a coolant de-gas bottle (30) which contains a body of liquid engine coolant (52). The vehicle (12) also has a second fluid system such as a fluid power assist steering system (70) or an engine lubricating oil system. The de-gas bottle (30) includes means for defining a second fluid passage (82) in the de-gas bottle for enabling flow of the second fluid through the de-gas bottle in a heat-exchanging relationship with the body of liquid engine coolant (52) in the de-gas bottle.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Hamilton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:38
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01P; F01P11/00; F01P11/08; B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/06; B62D5/062; F01P3/00; F01P3/20; F01P11/02; F01P11/028; F01P11/029; F01P2060/00; F01P2060/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
An engine coolant de-gas bottle for use in an engine cooling system of a vehicle using liquid engine coolant, the vehicle also having a second fluid system such as a fluid power assist steering system or an engine lubricating oil system, said engine coolant de-gas bottle comprising: wall means for maintaining a body of liquid engine coolant in said de-gas bottle; and means for defining a second fluid passage in said de-gas bottle for enabling flow of the second fluid through said de-gas bottle in a heat-exchanging relationship with said body of liquid engine coolant in said de-gas bottle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
An engine coolant de-gas bottle for use in an engine cooling system of a vehicle using liquid engine coolant, the vehicle also having a second fluid system such as a fluid power assist steering system or an engine lubricating oil system, said engine coolant de-gas bottle comprising: wall means for maintaining a body of liquid engine coolant in said de-gas bottle; and means for defining a second fluid passage in said de-gas bottle for enabling flow of the second fluid through said de-gas bottle in a heat-exchanging relationship with said body of liquid engine coolant in said de-gas bottle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A de-gas bottle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second fluid system is a fluid power assist steering system and said second fluid is power steering fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A de-gas bottle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second fluid system is an engine lubricating oil system and said second fluid is engine lubricating oil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A de-gas bottle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wall means comprises a plurality of plastic walls which define a closed chamber in the bottle, and including means for defining an engine coolant passage in said de-gas bottle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A de-gas bottle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body of liquid engine coolant has an upper surface spaced below a top wall of said bottle and said second fluid passage is located below said upper surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A de-gas bottle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for defining a second fluid passage comprises a cooler tube disposed within said body of liquid coolant in said chamber in said bottle for enabling flow of the second fluid through said de-gas bottle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A de-gas bottle as set forth in claim 6 wherein said cooler tube is a finned metal tube through which power steering fluid flows.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
107 words
A fluid power assist steering system for a vehicle having an engine and an engine cooling system which includes a coolant de-gas bottle through which liquid engine coolant flows, said steering system comprising: a steering gear assembly operative in response to fluid pressure to effect steering movement of steerable wheels of the vehicle; supply means for providing steering fluid under pressure to said steering gear assembly; and a plurality of steering fluid conduits connected with said steering gear assembly and said supply means; one of said steering fluid conduits extending through the coolant de-gas bottle in a heat-exchanging relationship with engine coolant in the coolant de-gas bottle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
107 words
A fluid power assist steering system for a vehicle having an engine and an engine cooling system which includes a coolant de-gas bottle through which liquid engine coolant flows, said steering system comprising: a steering gear assembly operative in response to fluid pressure to effect steering movement of steerable wheels of the vehicle; supply means for providing steering fluid under pressure to said steering gear assembly; and a plurality of steering fluid conduits connected with said steering gear assembly and said supply means; one of said steering fluid conduits extending through the coolant de-gas bottle in a heat-exchanging relationship with engine coolant in the coolant de-gas bottle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
A steering system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said coolant de-gas bottle comprises walls defining a chamber in said coolant de-gas bottle, a coolant inlet extending through one wall and a coolant outlet extending through another wall, the engine cooling system including a body of liquid coolant in said chamber, said one steering fluid conduit extending through the body of liquid coolant in said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A steering system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said one steering fluid conduit extending through the body of liquid coolant in said chamber comprises a finned metal tube.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-23 | 2002-05-25 | 2002-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-23 | 2006-05-25 | 2006-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-23 | 2010-05-25 | 2010-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |