US6178928B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internal combustion engine total cooling control system
Assignee: Siemens Canada Ltd
•
Filing: 1999-06-09
•
Granted: 2001-01-30
•
Expires: 2019-06-09
Abstract
Abstract An engine cooling system includes an engine 14 ; a radiator assembly including a radiator 16 and a fan 19 driven by an electric fan motor 21 ; a coolant circulation circuit 12 interconnecting the engine and the radiator for circulating coolant; a by-pass circuit 24 connected to the coolant circulation circuit so that coolant may by-pass the radiator; an electrically powered variable speed coolant pump 28 disposed in the coolant circulation circuit to pump coolant through the coolant circulation circuit; control valve structure 26 constructed and arranged to control mass flow of coolant through the radiator; an engine temperature sensor 54 to detect a temperature of engine coolant; a radiator temperature sensor 58 to detect a temperature of air exiting the radiator or a temperature of coolant at an outlet of the radiator, and a controller 36 operatively connected with the electric fan motor, the coolant pump, the control valve structure, the engine temperature sensor, and the radiator temperature sensor. The controller selectively controls (1) the control valve structure, (2) operation of the coolant pump based on signals received from the engine temperature sensor and (3) operation of the electric fan motor based on a signal received from the radiator temperature sensor, thereby controlling an operating temperature of the engine to approach a target operating temperature. Methods of cooling an engine are also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony F.J. Corriveau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:40
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01P; F01P7/00; F01P7/14; F01P7/16; F01P7/164; F01P7/02; F01P7/04; F01P7/048; F01P7/167; F01P2007/146; F01P2023/00; F01P2023/08; F01P2025/00; F01P2025/08; F01P2025/30; F01P2025/32; F01P2025/40; F01P2025/52; F01P2025/60; F01P2031/00; F01P2031/30; F01P2060/00; F01P2060/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
An engine cooling system comprising: an engine; a radiator assembly including a radiator and a fan driven by a variable speed electric fan motor; a coolant circulation circuit interconnecting said engine and said radiator for circulating coolant; a by-pass circuit connected to said coolant circulation circuit so that coolant may by-pass said radiator; an electrically powered variable speed coolant pump disposed in said coolant circulation circuit to pump coolant through said coolant circulation circuit; control valve structure constructed and arranged to control mass flow of coolant through said radiator; an engine temperature sensor to detect a temperature of engine coolant; a radiator temperature sensor to detect a temperature indicative of a temperature of said radiator; and a controller operatively connected with said electric fan motor, said coolant pump, said control valve structure, said engine temperature sensor, and said radiator temperature sensor to selectively control (1) said control valve structure, (2) speed of said coolant pump based on signals received from said engine temperature sensor and (3) speed of said electric fan motor based on a signal received from said radiator temperature sensor, thereby controlling an operating temperature of said engine to approach a target operating temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
An engine cooling system comprising: an engine; a radiator assembly including a radiator and a fan driven by a variable speed electric fan motor; a coolant circulation circuit interconnecting said engine and said radiator for circulating coolant; a by-pass circuit connected to said coolant circulation circuit so that coolant may by-pass said radiator; an electrically powered variable speed coolant pump disposed in said coolant circulation circuit to pump coolant through said coolant circulation circuit; control valve structure constructed and arranged to control mass flow of coolant through said radiator; an engine temperature sensor to detect a temperature of engine coolant; a radiator temperature sensor to detect a temperature indicative of a temperature of said radiator; and a controller operatively connected with said electric fan motor, said coolant pump, said control valve structure, said engine temperature sensor, and said radiator temperature sensor to selectively control (1) said control valve structure, (2) speed of said coolant pump based on signals received from said engine temperature sensor and (3) speed of said electric fan motor based on a signal received from said radiator temperature sensor, thereby controlling an operating temperature of said engine to approach a target operating temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cooling system according to claim 1 , wherein said radiator temperature sensor is constructed and arranged to detect a temperature of air exiting said radiator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cooling system according to claim 1 , wherein said radiator temperature sensor is constructed and arranged to detect a temperature of coolant at an outlet of said radiator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cooling system according to claim 1 , wherein said engine temperature sensor monitors a temperature of coolant at an inlet of said engine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cooling system according to claim 1 , wherein said engine temperature sensor monitors a temperature of coolant at an outlet of said engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cooling system according to claim 1 , further including a feedback circuit associated with said coolant pump to indicate to said controller a present speed of said coolant pump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cooling system according to claim 1 , further including a feedback circuit associated with said electric fan motor to indicate to said controller a present speed of said electric fan motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The cooling system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a heater circuit connected to the coolant circulation circuit; a heater core in said heater circuit; and a valve in said heater circuit to control flow of coolant through said heater core, said valve being operatively connected with said controller so that said controller may control said valve to control flow through said heater core.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cooling system according to claim 1 , wherein said controller is constructed and arranged to receive knock data so that said controller may control said control valve structure to increase flow through said radiator to reduce the engine temperature to eliminate knock.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cooling system according to claim 1 , further including a feedback circuit associated with said control valve structure to indicate to said controller a present position of said control valve structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cooling system according to claim 1 , wherein said controller is constructed and arranged to receive engine oil temperature data so that said controller may control said control valve structure to increase flow through said radiator to reduce the engine oil temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cooling system according to claim 1 , further including a feedback circuit associated with said fan motor to indicate to said controller a present speed of said fan motor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cooling system according to claim 8 , further including a feedback circuit associated with said valve in said heater circuit to indicate to said controller a present position of said valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cooling system according to claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary circuit connected with said coolant circulation circuit, said auxiliary circuit containing one of an oil cooler and a transmission cooler.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cooling system according to claim 1 , wherein said control valve structure comprises an electrically actuated, three-way diverter valve disposed at a juncture of said by-pass circuit and said coolant circulation circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cooling system according to claim 8 , wherein said valve in said heater circuit is movable between on and off positions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
246 words
An engine cooling system comprising: an engine; a radiator assembly including a radiator and a fan driven by a variable speed electric fan motor; a radiator temperature sensor to detect a temperature indicative of a temperature at said radiator, a coolant circulation circuit interconnecting said engine and said radiator for circulating coolant; a by-pass circuit connected to said coolant circulation circuit so that coolant may by-pass said radiator; a heater circuit connected to the coolant circulation circuit; a heater core in said heater circuit; a valve in said heater circuit to control flow of coolant through said heater core; an electrically powered variable speed coolant pump disposed in said coolant circulation circuit to pump coolant through said coolant circulation circuit, and control valve structure constructed and arranged to control a mass flow of coolant through said radiator; a engine temperature sensor to detect a temperature of engine coolant; and a controller operatively connected with said coolant pump, said electric fan motor, said control valve structure, said heater valve, said engine temperature sensor, and said radiator temperature sensor to (1) selectively control said heater valve and said control valve structure, (2) control speed of said coolant pump based on signals received from said engine temperature sensor, and (3) control speed of said electric fan motor based on a signal received from radiator temperature sensor, thereby controlling an operating temperature of said engine to approach a target operating temperature, without monitoring actual speed or load of said engine.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
246 words
An engine cooling system comprising: an engine; a radiator assembly including a radiator and a fan driven by a variable speed electric fan motor; a radiator temperature sensor to detect a temperature indicative of a temperature at said radiator, a coolant circulation circuit interconnecting said engine and said radiator for circulating coolant; a by-pass circuit connected to said coolant circulation circuit so that coolant may by-pass said radiator; a heater circuit connected to the coolant circulation circuit; a heater core in said heater circuit; a valve in said heater circuit to control flow of coolant through said heater core; an electrically powered variable speed coolant pump disposed in said coolant circulation circuit to pump coolant through said coolant circulation circuit, and control valve structure constructed and arranged to control a mass flow of coolant through said radiator; a engine temperature sensor to detect a temperature of engine coolant; and a controller operatively connected with said coolant pump, said electric fan motor, said control valve structure, said heater valve, said engine temperature sensor, and said radiator temperature sensor to (1) selectively control said heater valve and said control valve structure, (2) control speed of said coolant pump based on signals received from said engine temperature sensor, and (3) control speed of said electric fan motor based on a signal received from radiator temperature sensor, thereby controlling an operating temperature of said engine to approach a target operating temperature, without monitoring actual speed or load of said engine.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
268 words
A method of controlling an operating temperature of an engine, the engine having a cooling system including a radiator assembly including a radiator and a fan driven by an electric fan motor; a coolant circulation circuit interconnecting the engine and the radiator for circulating coolant; a by-pass circuit connected to the coolant circulation circuit so that coolant may by-pass the radiator; an electrically powered variable speed coolant pump disposed in the coolant circulation circuit to pump coolant through the coolant circulation circuit; control valve structure constructed and arranged to control mass flow of coolant through the radiator; an engine temperature sensor to detect a temperature of engine coolant; a radiator temperature sensor to detect a temperature indicative of a temperature at said radiator; and controller operatively connected the electric fan motor, the coolant pump, the control valve structure, the engine temperature sensor, and the radiator temperature sensor, the method including: determining the temperature of coolant at the engine and comparing the coolant temperature with a target engine coolant temperature, based on a difference between said coolant temperature and said target engine coolant temperature, operating said control valve structure and controlling the coolant pump to control a mass flow rate of coolant though the radiator, thereby adjusting the operating temperature of the engine, determining an actual temperature of air exiting the radiator or coolant at an outlet of the radiator and comparing said actual temperature to a maximum target temperature; and based on a difference between said actual temperature and said maximum target temperature, controlling a speed of the electric fan motor to improve thermal performance of the radiator.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
268 words
A method of controlling an operating temperature of an engine, the engine having a cooling system including a radiator assembly including a radiator and a fan driven by an electric fan motor; a coolant circulation circuit interconnecting the engine and the radiator for circulating coolant; a by-pass circuit connected to the coolant circulation circuit so that coolant may by-pass the radiator; an electrically powered variable speed coolant pump disposed in the coolant circulation circuit to pump coolant through the coolant circulation circuit; control valve structure constructed and arranged to control mass flow of coolant through the radiator; an engine temperature sensor to detect a temperature of engine coolant; a radiator temperature sensor to detect a temperature indicative of a temperature at said radiator; and controller operatively connected the electric fan motor, the coolant pump, the control valve structure, the engine temperature sensor, and the radiator temperature sensor, the method including: determining the temperature of coolant at the engine and comparing the coolant temperature with a target engine coolant temperature, based on a difference between said coolant temperature and said target engine coolant temperature, operating said control valve structure and controlling the coolant pump to control a mass flow rate of coolant though the radiator, thereby adjusting the operating temperature of the engine, determining an actual temperature of air exiting the radiator or coolant at an outlet of the radiator and comparing said actual temperature to a maximum target temperature; and based on a difference between said actual temperature and said maximum target temperature, controlling a speed of the electric fan motor to improve thermal performance of the radiator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein said radiator temperature sensor is constructed and arranged to detect a temperature of air exiting said radiator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein said radiator temperature sensor is constructed and arranged to detect a temperature of coolant at an outlet of said radiator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein values of said target engine coolant temperature and said maximum target temperature are stored in memory in said controller.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method according to claim 18 , further providing feedback relating to a speed of said coolant pump and a speed of the electric fan motor to indicated to the controller a present speed of said coolant pump and of the fan motor, respectively, the controller performing further control of the coolant pump and/or of the fan motor when the associated feedback indicates that further control thereof is necessary.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein the cooling system further includes a heater circuit connected to the coolant circulation circuit; a heater core in the heater circuit; and a valve in the heater circuit to control flow of coolant through the heater core, the valve being operatively connected with the controller, the method including: controlling the valve in the heater circuit to control flow of coolant through the heater core.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein the controller receives engine knock data, the method including: controlling the control valve structure to increase flow through the radiator to reduce engine temperature to eliminate knock.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein the controller receives engine oil temperature data, the method including: controlling the control valve structure to increase flow through the radiator to reduce engine temperature so as to lower engine oil temperature.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according to claim 18 , further providing feedback relating to a position of the control valve structure to indicated to the controller a present position the control valve structure, the controller performing further control of the position of the control valve structure when the feedback indicates that further control is necessary.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method according to claim 18 , further providing feedback relating to a position of the valve in the heater circuit to indicated to the controller a present position of the valve in the heater circuit, the controller performing further control of the valve in the heater circuit when the feedback indicates that further control is necessary.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
289 words
A method of controlling an operating temperature of an engine, the engine having a cooling system including a radiator assembly including a radiator and a fan driven by an electric fan motor; a coolant circulation circuit interconnecting the engine and the radiator for circulating coolant; a by-pass circuit connected to the coolant circulation circuit so that coolant may by-pass the radiator; an electrically powered variable speed coolant pump disposed in the coolant circulation circuit to pump coolant through the coolant circulation circuit; control valve structure constructed and arranged to control mass flow of coolant through the radiator; an engine temperature sensor to detect a temperature of engine coolant; a radiator temperature sensor to detect one of a temperature of air exiting the radiator and a temperature of coolant at an outlet of the radiator; and controller operatively connected the electric fan motor, the coolant pump, the control valve structure, the engine temperature sensor, and the radiator temperature sensor, the method including: determining a rise in coolant temperature in the engine and comparing the temperature rise with a target rise in engine coolant temperature, based on a difference between said rise in coolant temperature and said target rise in engine coolant temperature, operating said control valve structure and controlling the coolant pump to control a mass flow rate of coolant though the radiator, thereby adjusting the operating temperature of the engine, determining an actual temperature of air exiting the radiator or a temperature of coolant at an outlet of the radiator and comparing said actual temperature to a maximum target temperature; and based on a difference between said actual temperature and said maximum target temperature, controlling a speed of the electric fan motor to improve thermal performance of the radiator.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
289 words
A method of controlling an operating temperature of an engine, the engine having a cooling system including a radiator assembly including a radiator and a fan driven by an electric fan motor; a coolant circulation circuit interconnecting the engine and the radiator for circulating coolant; a by-pass circuit connected to the coolant circulation circuit so that coolant may by-pass the radiator; an electrically powered variable speed coolant pump disposed in the coolant circulation circuit to pump coolant through the coolant circulation circuit; control valve structure constructed and arranged to control mass flow of coolant through the radiator; an engine temperature sensor to detect a temperature of engine coolant; a radiator temperature sensor to detect one of a temperature of air exiting the radiator and a temperature of coolant at an outlet of the radiator; and controller operatively connected the electric fan motor, the coolant pump, the control valve structure, the engine temperature sensor, and the radiator temperature sensor, the method including: determining a rise in coolant temperature in the engine and comparing the temperature rise with a target rise in engine coolant temperature, based on a difference between said rise in coolant temperature and said target rise in engine coolant temperature, operating said control valve structure and controlling the coolant pump to control a mass flow rate of coolant though the radiator, thereby adjusting the operating temperature of the engine, determining an actual temperature of air exiting the radiator or a temperature of coolant at an outlet of the radiator and comparing said actual temperature to a maximum target temperature; and based on a difference between said actual temperature and said maximum target temperature, controlling a speed of the electric fan motor to improve thermal performance of the radiator.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 27 , wherein values of said target rise in engine coolant temperature and said maximum target temperature are stored in memory in said controller.
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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) | 2004-01-30 | 2004-07-31 | 2005-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-30 | 2008-07-31 | 2009-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-30 | 2012-07-31 | 2013-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |