MXPA06009135A - Oil cooler bypass valve. - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve actuating mechanism for a transmission/engine fluid cooler bypass valve of the type in which a responsive element expands to urge a valve member against a valve seat and thereby causes transmission fluid to flow through an oil fluid cooler. A cast valve housing is utilized which is interposed between the cooler and the oil source. The valve actuating mechanism is designed to allow fluid to pass through the valve once the fluid has reached an elevated pressure level.

Description

BYPASS VALVE FOR OIL REFRIGERANT CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS This application corresponds to a continuation-in-part application of the US patent application. Serial No. 10 / 822,635 filed April 12, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part application of the US patent application. Serial No. 10 / 330,695 filed on December 27, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part application from the U.S.A. Serial No. 09 / 945,037 filed on August 31, 2001 now US Pat. No. 6,499,666. The description of the above applications is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to bypass valves for oil coolant and more particularly to a bypass valve which is coupled to an oil source that thermally responds to changes in oil temperature. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The bypass valves for oil coolant were used in conjunction with engines, transmissions, power steering or power steering systems and hydraulic systems. These are designed to provide a flow path by which oil passing to the valve from the oil source is returned without passing through a heat exchanger during heating periods. Typical bypass valves for transmission have several connection joints and complicated return characteristics that increase costs and the probability of failure caused by leaks. In most systems of the prior art, the valve member is an integral part of a thermal response element that expands to cause the valve member to engage the valve seat. Once seated this valve member is susceptible to at least two faults. It is impossible to disassemble the valve member to relieve excessive system pressures that may occur if the valve gates improperly connect to the refrigerant or in the case where the oil line becomes damaged or blocked or the refrigerant itself has become inoperable. Second, the bypass valve components are often damaged when the thermal response element continues to expand, which sometimes occurs when the refrigerant is overloaded and the oil overheats. This damage may include cracking of the valve member assembly, or internal failure of the valve components. In any case, the bypass valve is not suitable for further service. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a bypass valve for oil / fluid coolant is provided, to be used in conjunction with a cooling system of the type including a valve housing having a valve chamber communicating with oil / fluid supply lines, fluid return, refrigerant supply and refrigerant return. A valve member having a cooling position for directing fluid from the fluid supply line to the refrigerant supply line for circulating through a refrigerant and then from the refrigerant return line to the fluid return line. The valve member has a valve element body defining a fluid inlet, a through bore, an outlet bore and a valve seat. The body of the valve element is placed inside the valve chamber. A slide valve member is placed within the valve body, and coupled to a thermal response actuator. The valve has a heating position to direct oil from the oil supply line back to the oil return line, thereby bypassing the heat exchanger. In one embodiment of the invention, the valve actuating mechanism of the present invention is operative to move the valve member between its heating and cooling positions and comprises a sliding element that responds to changes in fluid operating temperature before entry to the refrigerant. The response element is placed inside a valve element body which is placed within an elongated passage within the valve element body. In an embodiment of the invention, the manifold sits directly against the body that contains the oil. In another embodiment of the invention, the valve element has a component that responds to changes in temperature. The thermal component is coupled to a sliding valve member having a bearing surface that engages a first valve seat within a body of the valve member. Positioned between the first valve seat and an annular flange on the sliding member is a first spring which functions to derive the first bearing surface away from the first valve seat at temperatures above a pre-determined level. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the valve member having a sliding valve component is described. The sliding valve component has an axial through hole that engages an outer surface of the thermal element. The sliding valve member further has a through passage that regulates the flow of oil through the valve. A valve element body annularly supports the valve member and engages the thermal element.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded side view of the bypass valve of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of a bypass valve assembled in this closed position. Figure 4 is a side view of the valve housing of the present invention; Figure 5 is a top view of the valve assembly in an open heating position. Figure 6 is a top view of the valve valve assembly 1 in its derivation position. Figures 7 and 7a are an exploded view of the valve elements of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a view of an assembled valve assembly utilizing the valve elements according to the second embodiment of the present invention in its open position. Figure 9 is a top view of a valve assembly utilizing the valve elements according to the second embodiment of the present invention in its closed position.

Figures 10 and 10a are exploded views of the valve elements according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 is a top view of a valve utilizing the valve elements according to the third embodiment of the present invention in its open position. Figure 12 is a top view of a valve in its closed position utilizing the valve elements of the third embodiment of the present invention Figure 13 is a top view of a valve utilizing the valve elements of the third embodiment of the present invention in its derivation mode Figures 14 and 15 illustrate perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention: Figures 16-18 illustrate cross-sectional views of the bypass valve illustrated in Figure 15; 19-21 illustrate cross-sectional views of another embodiment according to the teachings of the present invention: Figures 22 and 23 illustrate a perspective view of another bypass valve according to the teachings of the present invention; 26 illustrate cross-sectional views of the bypass valve illustrated in Figure 23; Figure 27 illustrates a perspective view of another valve; bypass valve according to the teachings of the present invention; Figures 28-30 illustrate cross-sectional views of the bypass valve illustrated in Figure 27; Figure 31 illustrates an exploded view of a valve in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; and Figures 32-33 represent lateral cross-sectional views of the valve shown in Figure 31. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Now referenced in Figures 1-6, a fluid coolant bypass valve 18 is illustrated which can Connect to a transmission, motor or fluid pump for power steering. The valve 18 is formed primarily by a housing 20 and valve elements 22. The housing 20 describes a perforation of the heat exchanger 24 having an inlet gate 26 and an outlet port of the heat exchanger 28. The housing further defines a borehole of fluid return 30 having a return feed gate 32 and a return exit gate 34. Between the heat exchanger bore 24 and the return bore 30 there is disposed a bypass passage 36. The bypass passage 36 is configured to accept valve element 22. Bypass passage 36 has a first portion 38 with a first diameter and a second portion 40 having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. A threaded portion 42 facilitates the coupling of the valve element 22 to the housing 20. The first portion 38 is fluidly coupled with the perforation of the heat exchanger 24, through a first valve seat 44. Positioned between the first portion 38 and the second portion 40 is a second valve seat 46. After assembly, the bypass valve 18 is bolted through the mounting hole 48 to the body of the unit for oil supply (not shown). Both the gate within 26 and the return outlet gate 34 are directly attached to the output compounds of the oil supply unit (not shown). Each gate 26 and 34 have a gate flange 52 which facilitates the coupling of the housing 20 to the oil supply inlet and outlet gates. Placed on the mounting surface 47 of the housing 20 is a pair of annular grooves 59 with respect to the gates 26 and 34. These annular grooves 59 accept gaskets 50 which fluidly seal the gates 26 and 34. The valve element 22 in accordance with FIG. with the first embodiment of the present invention includes a generally cylindrical thermal element 54. The thermal element 54 is constructed of a central member 56 and an outer star flange 58. The star flange 58 axially and radially supports the position of the element 54. The thermal element 54 further has a first valve support member 60 at the distal end of the thermal element 61. The first valve support member 60 interacts with the first valve seat 44 in the housing 20. Between the first valve support member 60 and star flange 58 a spring is disposed which is generally derived from valve member 22 to its closed position. The valve member 22 further has a second spring 64 positioned between the star flange 58 of the inner support 66 of a mounting member 68. The mounting member 68 is constructed of a base portion 70 having a hexagonal cap 72. The portion base 70 defines a bore 74, with an inner bearing surface 66. As previously indicated in the discussion of the prior art, the purpose of the bypass valve 18 is to receive heated fluid from a transmission or motor through the feed gate 26 and returning the fluid through the return outlet gate 34, before the fluid is passed through a heat exchanger during the heating period such as when the oil temperature is at 71 ° C (160 ° F) or less. When the oil fluid temperature exceeds 71 ° C (160 ° F), at least a portion of the oil is directed by the valve 18 to the refrigerant (not shown) by drilling the heat exchanger 24 through the outlet gate of the oil. Thermo exchanger 28. The cooled oil passed the coolant (not shown) through the return feed gate 32 to the valve 18 and back to the oil source via the return outlet gate 34. At temperatures above 82 ° C ( 180 ° F) essentially all the oil is directed through the refrigerant (not shown). It will be understood that these temperatures are simply exemplary and not critical in operational limits. Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the valve assembly 18 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The element is illustrated with a 22 in its closed position. As can be seen, the first valve support member 60 is positioned such that the first valve seat 44 is closed. In this configuration, fluid fluid through the feed gate, through the perforation of heat exchanger 24 and to the heat exchanger through the outlet port of the heat exchanger 28. After cooling, the fluid will flow to the bypass valve through the return feed gate 32 and to the oil source through the return outlet gate 34 The first and second springs 62 and 64 operate to bypass the valve to this position. As can be seen in Figure 5, when the thermal element 54 is at a temperature less than about 82 ° C (180 ° F), the thermal element retracts the first valve support member 60 away from the valve seat 44. It is then it allows fluid to pass through the notches in the star flange 58, along the thermal element 54, through the bypass passage 36 and to the return bore 30. As mentioned previously, the heat exchangers can clog, causing a fault in the cooling system. Instead of preventing flow of the oil to the engine thus causing permanent damage to the engine, the valve assembly 18 of the present invention has an integral bypass function. As can best be seen in Figure 6, by plugging the oil coolant (not shown), the pressure and temperature of the fluid within the bore of the heat exchanger 24 increases substantially. This increased pressure causes the second spring 64 to be compressed, thereby allowing fluid to pass from the bore of the heat exchanger 24 through the bypass passage 36 to the return bore 30. This bypass feature forms a system of rapid heating that contains a safety relief in the event of a catastrophic failure of any of the components of the cooling system. Figure 7 depicts an exploded view of a valve member 76 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Illustrated is a mounting member 78 having a base 80 and a hexagonal end cap 82. The mounting member 78 further has an axially positioned coupling member 84. Coupled with the bearing surface 85 of the coupling member 84 is the unit thermal 86. The thermal unit is generally cylindrical if it has an annular flange 88 placed on its outer surface 90. Further positioned relative to the outer surface 90 is a first helical spring 92. The thermal unit slides in a through hole 94 of an element of sliding valve 96.

The slide valve member 96 is generally cylindrical having an outer surface 98 with a first diameter. Positioned at the distal end 97 of the sliding valve member 96 is an annular ring 100 having a diameter greater than the first diameter of the outer surface 98. The annular ring 100 functions to engage with the inner surface 101 of the bypass passage 36. Figure 7a illustrates a thermal unit 86 in its coupled position. When the thermal unit 86 reaches a predetermined temperature for example of 82 ° C (180 ° F), it deploys a first piston member 102. The piston deployment 102 functions to move the thermal unit 86 within the bypass passage. 36 with respect to the outer elements of the valve element 76. Figure 8 illustrates the valve element 76 shown in Figure 7 assembled in the valve housing 104. The mounting member 78 functions to circumscribe the elements of the valve element in a sealing manner. valve 76 within the bypass passage 36. As can be seen, the outer surface 90 of the thermal unit 86 is positioned within the first helical spring 92. A portion of the first helical spring 92 is positioned within a first portion 103 of the through hole 94. The first helical spring 92 engages against the flange annular 88 of the thermal unit 86. As can be seen, when the thermal unit 86 is below approximately 82 ° C (180 ° F) a flow passage 102 opens in the slot 106. As shown, it is allowed to flow the fluid from the feed gate 26 through the bypass passage 36, through the outlet gate 32. When the thermal unit 86 reaches a temperature of about 82 ° C (180 ° F) the first piston 102 is deployed and engages against a surface of the coupling member 84. This forces the body of the thermal unit 86 further into the through bore 94, closing the flow passage 108. Although a groove 106 is shown, the flow passage 108 f This can take the form of a hole formed through the outer surface 98 of the slide valve member 96 within the through hole 94. Once the oil temperature is below about 82 ° C (180 ° F), the piston 102 compresses the first helical spring 92 and forces the thermal member towards the mounting member 78 by reopening the flow passage 108. This again allows the fluid to flow from the feed gate 26 to the outlet gate 32 through of the bypass passage 36. Figure 10 describes an exploded view of a valve assembly 105 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment has the sliding valve element 96, intermediate the first coil spring 92, and thermal element 86. Additionally, the valve assembly 105 of the third embodiment has an intermediate bearing member 110. The intermediate bearing member 110 has a cylindrical portion 112 which allows it to couple with a second helical spring 114. The second helical spring 114 is mounted within the base portion 70 of the mounting member 78. Figure 10a illustrates the thermal unit having an unfolded piston member 102 as well as it is shown in Figure 7a. In general, with reference to Figures 11-13, the valve assembly 105 is illustrated according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 11 the valve assembly 105 shown in its open position is illustrated. The sliding valve member 96 positioned with respect to the outer surface 90 of the thermal member 86 is illustrated. Positioned between the thermal member 86 and the sliding valve member 96 is a first heliocidal spring 92. The first coil spring functions to bypass the thermal member 86 to a generally open position allowing fluid to flow through the bypass passage 36 through the flow passage 108. The intermediate bearing member 110 and a second helical spring 114 are configured to allow the proper ratio of these components. Upon reaching an elevated temperature such as 82 ° C (180 ° F), the piston member 112 deploys from the thermal unit 86. In doing so, the thermal unit 86 is forced further into the through bore 94, compressing the first spring helical 92, and thus closing the flow passage 108. Closing of the gate 108 similar to that shown in mode two. In the event that a situation occurs where there is a cooling system failure, such as a blockage, a second coil spring 114 compresses under the pressure of the heated oil, to allow fluid to flow around the annular flange 100 of the sliding base member 96. It should be noted that typically, when there is a blockage in the cooling system, the temperature of the fluid to be cooled increases rapidly. This causes the piston 102 of the thermal element 86 to extend, normally closing the fluid flow through the bypass passage 36. By providing a thermal bypass as well as bypass system, the total safety of the cooling system can be affirmed. Now with reference to Figures 14-18, there is illustrated a fluid coolant bypass valve 118 that can be connected to a transmission, motor or power steering fluid pump or power steering. The valve 108 is formed primarily by a valve body 120 and valve element 122. The valve body 120 defines a heat exchange bore 124, which has a limiting gate 126 and an outlet port of the heat exchanger 128. The body valve 120 further defines a fluid return bore 130, having a return feed gate 132 and an outlet gate 134. Placed between the bore of heat exchanger 124 and in return bore 130 is a bypass passage 136 The branch passage 136 is configured to accept the valve member 122. The branch passage 136 has a first portion 138 with a first diameter and a second portion 140 having a second diameter, which is larger than the first diameter. A threaded portion 142 facilitates the coupling of the valve element 122 to the valve body 120. The first portion 138 is fluidly coupled to the heat exchanger bore 124 through a first valve seat 144. After assembling, the valve bypass 118 is bolted with the valve body 120 of the oil supply unit (not shown). Both the feed gate 126 and the return outlet gate 134 are directly attached to outlet ports of the oil supply unit (not shown). Each gate 126 and 134 has couplings 152 that facilitate coupling of the valve body 120 to the oil supply of the outlet and inlet gates. The valve element 122 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a generally cylindrical thermal element 154. The thermal element 154 is constructed of a central member 156 and an outer star washer 158. The star washer 158 supports axial and radially the position of the thermal element 154. Coupled to the thermal element 154 is a first valve bearing member 160 at the distal end of the thermal element 161. The first valve bearing member 160 interacts with the first valve seat 144 in the valve body 120. Placed between a radial flange in the first valve bearing member 160 and the first valve seat 144, there is a spring which generally drifts the first bearing member 160 to its open position. The first bearing member 160 further has an elastic member 164 positioned between the thermal element 154 and an inner bearing surface 166 of a mounting member 168. The mounting member 168 is constructed of a base portion 170 having a hexagonal cap 172. The base portion 170 defines a bore 174 with the inner bearing surface 166. The elastic member 164 operates to allow adequate tolerance stacking during valve assembly, but may also function as a compressed oil pressure command transfer in case that the system pressure increases a lot. As previously indicated in the description of the prior art, the purpose of the bypass valve 118 is to receive heated fluid from a transmission or motor through the feed gate 126 and to return the fluid through the return outlet gate 134, before the fluid is passed through a heat exchanger during overheating periods such as when the oil temperature is at a temperature of 71 ° C (160 ° F) or less. When the oil fluid temperature exceeds 71 ° C (160 ° F), at least a portion of the oil is directed through the valve 118 to the refrigerant (not shown) by drilling the heat exchanger 124 through the outlet gate of the oil. heat exchanger 128. Cooled oil passes from the refrigerant (not shown) through the return feed gate 132 to the valve 118 and back to the oil source through the return outlet gate 134. At temperatures above 82 ° C (180 ° F), essentially all the oil is directed through the refrigerant (not shown). It will be understood that these temperatures are simply exemplary and not critical to operational limits. Figures 16-18 illustrate side views of the valve assembly 118. The valve member 122 is shown in its closed portion. As can be seen, the first valve bearing element 160 is located, such that the first valve seat 144 is closed. In this configuration, the fluid will flow through the feed gate, through the perforation of the heat exchanger 124 and the heat exchanger through the outlet port of the heat exchanger 128. After cooling, the fluid will flow to the valve bypass through the return feed gate 132 and to the oil source by the return outlet gate 134. The spring 162 functions to bypass the valve to this position. As can be seen in Figure 18, when the thermal element 154 has a temperature of less than about 82 ° C (180 ° F), the thermal element retracts the first valve bearing member 160 away from the first valve seat 144. It is then it allows the fluid to pass through the notches in the star flange 158, along the thermal element 154, through the bypass passage 136 and towards the return bore 130. Alternatively, the inlet and outlet can be interchanged In this case, as previously mentioned, the thermo exchangers can clog, causing a cooling system failure. Instead of preventing flow of the engine oil, thereby causing permanent damage to the engine, the valve assembly 118 of the present invention has an integral bypass function. By plugging the oil coolant for your engine (not shown) the pressure and temperature of the fluid within the bore of the heat exchanger 124 increases substantially. Optionally, this increased pressure causes the elastic element 174 to be compressed, thus allowing the passage of the fluid through the perforation of the exchanger element 124 through bypass passages 136 towards the return perforation 130. This bypass feature forms a system of rapid heating that contains a safety relief in the event of a catashic failure of any of the components of the cooling system. Figures 19-21 depict a cross-sectional view of a valve 176, according to another embodiment of the present invention. A mounting member 178 having a base of 180 and a hexagonal end cap 182 is illustrated. The mounting member 178 further has an axially arranged coupling member 184 coupled to the bearing surface 185 of the coupling member 164 is a first helical spring 192 and a thermal unit 186. The thermal unit 186 is generally cylindrical 186 having an annular flange 188 that forms a dosing surface 189 positioned on its outer surface 190. The thermal unit 186 slides in a through hole 194 of a sliding valve member 196. Figure 19 illustrates a thermal unit 186 in its bypass position. When the thermal unit 186 reaches a predetermined temperature, for example 82 ° C (180 ° F), it deploys a first piston member 202. The deployment of the piston 202 functions to move the thermal unit 186 within the bypass passage 136 with respect to the external elements of the valve element 176.

Figure 20 illustrates the valve element 176 illustrated in Figure 19, assembled in the valve housing 204. The mounting member 178 functions to circumscribe the valve member 176 sealingly within the bypass passage 136. As can be seen, the dosing surface 189 of the thermal unit 186 is placed adjacent to the inlet or feed gate. The dosing surface 189 defines a bevel 191 which prevents a total closure of the feed gate, which has a cross-sectional area greater than the area of the dosing surface. In this way, the dosing surface partially blocks the inlet gate. First, the helical spring 192 engages against the annular flange 188 of the thermal unit 186. As can be seen, when the thermal unit 186 is about 82 ° C (180 ° F), the oil flows past the bevel 191 of the metering surface 189 towards the refrigerant. As illustrated, fluid is allowed to flow from the feed gate 126 through the coolant and through the outlet gate 132. When the thermal unit 186 reaches a temperature above about 82 ° C (180 ° F), the first piston 202 deploys completely and collects against a surface of the coupling member 184. This forces the body of the thermal unit 186 to advance further into the through hole 194 by closing the flow passage 208. Once the oil temperature falls below at about 82 ° C (180 ° F), the piston 202 is compressed by the first helical spring 192 and forces the thermal member 186 to reopen the flow passage 208. Figure 21 illustrates an optional bypass notch 185. In case the heat exchanger is plugged, the pressure forces the compression of the helical spring 192. The pressurized oil will then pass the bevel 191 on the dosing surface 189 and travels through the country. flow ax 208. Figure 22 describes an exploded view of a valve assembly 205 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The valve assembly has the sliding valve member 196, intermediate to the first coil spring 192, and thermal element 186. Additionally, the valve assembly 205 of the third embodiment has a pair of star washers 210. The star washers 210 are engaged in the valve body 220 by the quick coupling ring 214. The ring quick coupling 214 is mounted within a defined slot in the flow passage 208. The valve body 220 is cylindrical and has a first portion 222, which has a threaded outer surface 224 and a second portion 225 that has a smaller diameter that the first portion 222. The threaded outer surface 224 is configured to engage a threaded bore 226 defined in a transmission enclosure 228. At the bore 226 there is fluidly coupled at least one line for supplying oil coolant 230. The second portion 225 is configured to be located adjacent to the fluid supply lines 230, to allow the oil to fill the cavity formed between the second portion 225 and perforation 226 of transmission enclosure 228. Within the second portion 225, at least one orifice 232 is defined to carry oil to bypass valve assembly 205. Port 232 connects fluidly cavity 231 with a passage of flow 234 defined within the valve body 220. At a distal end 236 of the valve body 220 a bypass port 238 is defined which returns the oil to the transmission. Bypass orifice 238 defines a valve seat 240 that engages the valve member 196. As best seen in Figure 25, when the oil temperature is about 82 ° C (180 ° F), the thermal element 186 a piston 102 acts, forcing the valve member 196 into the valve seat 240. This allows the refrigerant to pass through the flow passage 234 to a heat exchanger (not shown). The oil that flows through the heat exchanger, returns to the transmission enclosure at a remote site in the valve body. It will be noted that the flow passage 234 defines a coupling 246 at a proximal end 248 of the body 220, for fluidly coupling the valve body 220 with the heat exchanger. As best seen in Figure 26, when the temperature is below about 71 ° C (160 ° F), the thermal element 196 retracts its piston, which moves the sliding valve member 196 away from the valve seat 240. The The oil then drifts the heat exchanger and immediately returns to the transmission register 228 via the bypass port 238. Figure 27 describes an exploded view of a valve assembly 256 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The valve assembly has the slide valve member 258, first and second intermediate helical springs 260 and 262, thermal element 186 and valve seal 265.

Additionally, the valve assembly 256 has a valve body 264 that is configured to circumscribe the aforementioned components. A quick coupling ring 266, which functions as a stop for valve seal, is mounted within a slot 268 defined in the slide valve member 258.

The valve body 264 is cylindrical and is configured to be positioned within an opening 270 formed within a structure 272. In this aspect, the valve body 264 has the outer surface 274, configured to engage frictionally with the inner surface 276 of the opening 270. A notch 275 formed in the outer surface 274, which is configured to support an O-ring 277 which seals fluidly and engages the outer surface of the valve body 274 within the opening 270. Additionally, the valve body 264 defines a through bore 278. The bore 278 engages in fluid form at least one supply line of oil coolant 230 which is fluidly coupled with an oil coolant (not shown). The valve body 264 is configured to be located adjacent the fluid supply lines 230, to allow the oil to bypass the oil coolant and flow through the valve assembly 256 to the fluid return 280. Within a first portion 281 from the valve body 264 at least one hole 282 is defined to carry oil to the bypass valve assembly 256. The orifice 282 fluidly couples the oil coolant supply line 230 to a flow passage 284 defined within the body of the valve body. valve 264. On the outer surface 274 of the distal end 288 of the valve body 264 are defined orifices or bypass grooves 288, which fluidly couple the flow passage 284 with a cavity 290 formed by the outer surface 274 of the valve body. 264 and the opening 270. The cavity 290 is fluidly coupled to the fluid return line through the slots 292 defined in the outer surface of the container. valve body 264. Although grooves are shown, it is envisaged that a star washer may be employed to retain the valve body and allow the flow of the bypass oil. As further described below, the tap hole 262 defines a bearing surface for outer spring 283 and a valve seat 294 that engages the valve element 262. As best seen in FIG. 28, the thermal element 186 is fixedly coupled to an inner surface of the through passage valve body 264. The thermal element 186 has an outer cylindrical bearing surface 300 which is used to slideably hold an inner bearing surface 312 defined in the sliding valve element 258. As previously described, the thermal element 186 has a piston operable which is retracts or acts, as the temperature of the thermal element increases or decreases. This actionable piston is configured to apply force on an inner surface of the sliding valve element 258. The sliding valve member 258 has a first outer bearing surface 304, which is configured to engage a first end of the second intermediate spring 262. The element of slide valve 250 further has a second outer bearing surface 306 which is configured to engage a first end 308 of the second intermediate spring. Arranged adjacent to the second outer bearing surface 300 is a cylindrical valve element bearing surface 310. The bearing surface of the cylindrical valve element 310 slidably holds the valve seal 265 and regulates the movement of the valve seal 265 toward and away from the valve seat 294. The valve seal 265 is diverted by the second intermediate spring to the quick-coupling ring 266. The quick-coupling ring 266 functions to regulate the movement of the valve member 264 on the bearing surface of the valve. cylindrical valve member 310. The first spring is positioned annularly relative to a portion of the slide valve member 258. The first spring is configured to bypass the slide valve member 258 away from the bearing oil 294. When the temperature is below approximately 71 ° C (160 ° F), the thermal element 186 retracts its piston, which allows the sliding valve member 262 to move away from the valve seat 294. The oil then drifts the heat exchanger as it passes through the flow passage 284 and through the cavity 290 formed by the outer surface 274 of valve body 264 and opening 270. The bypass fluid then passes through slots 292 defined in the outer surface of valve body 264 and immediately returns to transmission enclosure 228 via return line 280. As best seen in Figure 29, when the oil temperature is about 82 ° C (180 ° F), the thermal element 186 drives a piston, forcing the slide valve member 258 and seal 265 into the valve seat 294 As shown, the quick-coupling ring 266 is located within the hole 282 in a manner that allows coupling of the valve element with the valve seat. This allows the refrigerant to pass to the bypass passage and flow through the heat exchanger (not shown). The oil flowing through the heat exchanger returns to the transmission enclosure at a remote location in the valve body. It will be noted that the flow passage 234 defines a coupling 246 at a proximal end 248 of the valve body 220 for fluidly coupling the valve body 220 to the heat exchanger. As best seen in Figure 30, when the oil temperature is about 82 ° C (180 ° F) and the pressure is above a predetermined level from an oil coolant lock, the valve seal 265 is forced by the increased oil pressure away from the valve seat 294. The valve member slides on the bearing surface of the valve member away from the quick hitch ring. This allows the oil to pass through the bypass valve and bypass the heat exchanger (not shown). Oil flowing through the bypass valve 256 returns to the transmission enclosure. It will be noted that the flow passage 234 defines a coupling 246 at a proximal end 248 of the valve body 220 for fluidly coupling the valve body 220 to the heat exchanger. Now with reference to Figures 31-33, a fluid coolant bypass valve 320 is illustrated, which can optionally be connected between a transmission, motor or steering fluid pump and a thermal transfer module such as a radiator. The valve 320 is primarily formed by a valve body 322 and valve element 324. The valve body 322 defines a perforation of the heat exchanger 326, which has an inlet gate 328 and an outlet port of the heat exchanger 330. The valve body 322 further defines a bore for fluid return 332 having a return feed gate 334 and a return exit gate 336. Placed between the bore of heat exchanger 326 and return bore 332, there is a passage of branch 338. Bypass passage 338 is configured to accept valve member 324. Bypass passage 338 has a first portion 340 having a first diameter and a second portion 342 having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. A threaded portion 344 facilitates the coupling of the valve member 324 to the valve body 322. In this aspect, the threaded portion 344 engages an end cap 346 that seals and centers the valve element 324 within the passage passage 338.

The second portion 342 is fluidly coupled to the bore of the heat exchanger 326, through a valve element seal 348. After arming, the bypass valve 320 is bolted to the oil supply unit (not shown). Both the inlet gate 328 and the return outlet gate 336 are fluidly coupled with outlet ports of the oil supply unit (not shown). Each gate 326 and 336 has coupling 350 which facilitates the coupling of the valve body 322 with the oil supply of the outlet and inlet gates. The valve element 324 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a generally cylindrical thermal element 352 positioned within and coupled with a cap 351 and a valve element body 360. The body of the valve member 360 has an outer upper that Seals in fluid form the second portion 342 of the bypass passage. The thermal element 352 is constructed of a centrally operable member 355. Coupled to the thermal element 352 is a valve bearing element 354 at the distal end of the thermal element 356. The valve bearing member 354 interacts with a first valve seat 358 in the body of the valve member 360. Placed between a radial flange 362 in the first valve bearing member 354 and the first valve seat 358, there is a spring 365 which generally drifts the first bearing member 354 to its open position. The end cap 351 defines an opening for bringing the oil into contact with the thermal element 352. The lid 351 has a bearing surface that engages the lid 346. The end cap 351 is constructed of a base portion 364 having a hexagonal cap 366. Base portion 364 defines a bore 368 with the inner bearing surface 370.

Figures 31-33 illustrate side views of the valve assembly 320. In Figure 32, the valve member 324 is illustrated in its closed position. As can be seen, the first valve bearing element 354 is located such that the first valve seat 358 is closed. In this, the fluid will flow through the feed gate, through the perforation of the heat exchanger 328. and to the heat exchanger through the exchanger outlet gate 330. After cooling, the fluid will flow to the bypass valve through the return feed gate 334 and the oil source through the return outlet gate. 336 As can be seen in Figure 33, when the thermal element 352 has a temperature of less than about 82 ° C (180 ° F), the thermal element 352 retracts the first valve bearing element 354 away from the first valve seat 358. Then the fluid is allowed to pass through. of the holes 357 defined in the body of the valve element 360, along the thermal element 352, through the bypass passage 338, and within the return bore 336. Alternatively, the inlet and outlets may be interchanged. In this case, as previously mentioned, the heat exchangers can clog, causing a failure in the cooling system. Instead of preventing the flow of the engine oil, thereby causing permanent damage to the engine, the valve assembly 320 of the present invention has an integral bypass function. By plugging the oil coolant (not shown), the pressure and temperature of the fluid within the heat exchanger bore 328 increases substantially. Optionally, this increased pressure causes the valve element 354 to compress, thereby allowing fluid passage from the heat exchanger bore 326 through the bypass passage 338 into the return bore 332. This bypass feature forms a rapid heating system that contains a safety relief, in the event of a catastrophic failure of any of the components of the cooling system. The above discussion describes and illustrates simply exemplary embodiments of the present invention. A person skilled in the art will readily recognize from this discussion and the appended drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. A valve for fluid bypass configured to be placed within a bypass passage defined by a component, the bypass valve is characterized in that it comprises: a valve housing defining an elongated bypass passage communicating with a fluid supply and a fluid return; a thermal response actuator; a valve element body defining a fluid inlet, a through bore, an outlet bore and a valve seat, the body of the valve element is positioned within the bypass passage; a slide valve member positioned within the body of the valve member, the slide valve member engages the valve seat and the thermal response actuator, the slide valve member has a closed position to prevent oil flow through the valve body. elongated bypass passage, and further has an open position to allow oil fluid to be diverted from the fluid supply to the fluid return; and a spring positioned annularly with respect to the sliding valve member, wherein the spring engages between the sliding valve member and the body of the valve member, and is operable to move the sliding valve member away from the valve seat. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve housing defines a bypass opening, wherein the valve member is inserted in the bypass passage through the opening. 3. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 2, characterized in that the thermal response actuator is coupled to the valve element body. 4. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 3, characterized in that the sliding valve element defines a circular spring support element. 5. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 3, characterized in that the body of the sliding valve element defines a spring support surface. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding valve element defines an angular bearing surface. 7. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding valve element has an inner bearing surface that is configured to couple the thermal response actuator. 8. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 7, characterized in that the sliding valve element has a bearing surface of the cylindrical valve element. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 8, characterized in that the thermal response actuator slidably holds the valve seal and regulates the movement of the valve seal towards and away from the valve seat. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermal response actuator comprises a retractable piston, the thermal response actuator is configured to retract the piston and in this way locate the sliding valve element in a open position 11. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 10, characterized in that the valve housing defines an opening, whereby the thermal response valve member is inserted in the bypass passage through the opening. 12. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 11, characterized in that "an outer surface of the body of the valve element fluidly seals the bypass passage 13." The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 1 , characterized in that the outer surface of the valve housing and the opening define a cavity fluidly coupled to the elongated through passageway 14. A fluid bypass valve configured to be placed between a fluid supply of a component and a fluid refrigerant, the bypass passage comprises: a valve housing defining an elongated bypass passage communicating with the fluid supply and a fluid return; a return spring; a valve member body defining a through bore and a valve seat and seal positioned on an outer surface of the valve member body, the seal being configured to fluidly seal the elongated bypass passage; a sliding valve member positioned within the valve element body, the sliding valve member defines a valve seal stop and a first outer bearing surface that is configured to engage a first end of the return spring; and a thermal response actuator that moves the sliding valve element between an open and closed position, the thermal response actuator is coupled to the valve element body. 15. The valve according to claim 14, characterized in that the thermal response element is placed inside the valve element body. The valve according to claim 14, characterized in that the thermal element is fixedly coupled to an inner surface of the body of the valve member. 17. A valve for fluid bypass configured to be placed within a bypass passage defined by a component, the bypass valve is characterized in that it comprises: a valve housing defining an elongated bypass passage, the bypass passage communicates with a supply of fluid and a return of fluid; a valve element body positioned within the valve housing, the body of the valve member defines a through passage, a feed gate defining a valve seat and an outlet gate; a sliding valve member positioned within the valve element body, the sliding valve member defines a valve seal stop and a first outer bearing surface that is configured to engage a first end of the spring, the spring is positioned annularly to the sliding valve member, the valve seal stop engages the valve seat having a closed position, to prevent oil flow through the elongated bypass passage, and further has an open position to allow fluid bypass oil from the fluid supply line back to the fluid return line through the through passage; and a thermal response actuator coupled to the sliding valve member, the actuator is configured to move the sliding valve member between an open and closed position; wherein the spring engages between the sliding valve member and the body of the valve member and is operative to move the sliding valve member away from the first valve seat. 18. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 17, characterized in that the body of the valve housing defines an outer surface that engages an inner surface defined by the through passage. 19. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 17, characterized in that the thermal response element is placed inside the valve element body. 20. The valve for fluid bypass according to claim 17, characterized in that the spring is placed inside the body of the valve element.