Heat exchanger assembly with integrated valve and pressure bypass

Abstract

An assembly includes a valve integrated unit attached to a transmission oil heater. The valve integrated unit includes a valve mechanism and a housing having first to sixth fluid ports for input and output of oil. An interior space of the housing has a valve chamber to receive a thermal valve mechanism having a temperature-responsive actuator. A bypass flow passage is located outside a heat exchanger and is in fluid communication with an oil inlet manifold and an outlet manifold through a first bypass hole and a second bypass hole provided in the heat exchanger.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 830,052, filed on April 5, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to various heat exchanger assemblies in which a valve mechanism (such as a control valve or a thermal bypass valve) and a pressure bypass are integrated with the heat exchanger. Background Art

[0004] For example, in the automotive industry, control valves and / or thermal valves (thermal valves) are often used in conjunction with heat exchangers to direct fluid to a heat exchanger unit to be cooled / heated, or to direct fluid to other locations in a fluid circuit within an automotive system to "bypass" a heat exchanger. Control valves or thermal valves are also used within automotive systems to sense the temperature of a particular fluid and direct it to the appropriate heat exchanger for heating or cooling to ensure that the fluid circulating through the automotive system is within the required temperature range.

[0005] Typically, a control valve or thermal bypass valve has been integrated into a heat exchange system by means of an external fluid line connected to the inlet / outlet of the heat exchanger, the control valve being separate from the heat exchanger and connected upstream or downstream of the heat exchanger within the external fluid line. These types of fluid connections require various parts / components, which increases the number of individual fluid connections in the overall heat exchange system. This not only increases the overall cost associated with the system, but also results in multiple potential points of failure and / or leakage. Size constraints are also a factor within the automotive industry, and the trend is towards more compact unit or component structures.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for an improved heat exchanger assembly that can provide an improved connection between a control valve and an associated heat exchanger and that can also result in a more compact overall assembly. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger assembly is provided, which includes a heat exchanger, a thermal valve integrated unit fixedly attached to the heat exchanger, a pressure bypass portion, and a pressure bypass valve assembly.

[0008] According to one aspect, a heat exchanger includes: a plurality of alternating first and second fluid flow passages in heat exchange relationship; a first manifold and a second manifold interconnected by the plurality of first fluid flow passages; and a third manifold and a fourth manifold interconnected by the plurality of second fluid flow passages.

[0009] According to one aspect, a thermal valve integration unit includes a housing and a thermal valve mechanism; wherein the housing includes first to sixth fluid ports, three of the fluid ports are configured to input a first fluid into the thermal valve integration unit, and three of the fluid ports are configured to output the first fluid from the thermal valve integration unit.

[0010] According to one aspect, the housing further comprises an interior space comprising a first portion and a second portion, the interior space defining a longitudinal axis of the housing, and wherein the second portion of the interior space defines the valve chamber.

[0011] According to one aspect, a first fluid port and a second fluid port provide fluid communication between an interior space of the shell and a first manifold and a second manifold of a heat exchanger, wherein one of the first fluid port and the second fluid port is configured to input a first fluid from the heat exchanger to a thermal valve integrated unit, and the other of the first fluid port and the second fluid port is configured to output the first fluid from the thermal valve integrated unit to the heat exchanger.

[0012] According to one aspect, the pressure bypass portion includes first and second bypass holes and a bypass flow path formed in the heat exchanger, wherein the bypass flow path is in fluid communication with the first manifold through the first bypass hole and in fluid communication with the second manifold through the second bypass hole.

[0013] According to one aspect, a pressure bypass valve assembly is adapted to block flow of a first fluid through a bypass flow passage when a fluid pressure inside a heat exchanger is less than a threshold pressure, and to permit flow of the first fluid through the bypass flow passage.

[0014] According to one aspect, the bypass flow path is located outside the heat exchanger.

[0015] According to one aspect, a heat exchanger includes a first end plate and a second end plate at opposite ends of a heat exchanger core, the heat exchanger core including stacked core plates; wherein a thermal valve integrated unit is fixedly attached to an outer surface of the first end plate; wherein a first bypass hole and a second bypass hole are arranged on the second end plate; and wherein a bypass flow passage is arranged on an outer surface of the second end plate.

[0016] According to one aspect, the bypass flow passage comprises an elongated channel disposed on an outer surface of the second end plate.

[0017] According to one aspect, the elongated channel is surrounded by a planar sealing flange that encloses a first bypass hole and a second bypass hole so that the bypass flow path includes a sealed flow path suitable for carrying a first heat transfer fluid outside the core of the heat exchanger between the first bypass hole and the second bypass hole.

[0018] According to one aspect, a pressure bypass valve assembly includes a housing having a first end in sealing fluid communication with an aperture in a bypass flow passage aligned with a first bypass aperture.

[0019] According to one aspect, the pressure bypass valve assembly further comprises: an annular valve seat located within the bypass flow passage and surrounding the first bypass hole; and a valve member adapted to form a fluid-tight seal against the valve seat and slidable toward and away from the valve seat in the housing of the pressure bypass valve assembly.

[0020] According to one aspect, the pressure bypass valve assembly further includes a spring member that biases the valve member toward the valve seat; wherein the spring member is compressible by applying a fluid force greater than a threshold pressure to the valve member.

[0021] According to one aspect, a third fluid port and a fourth fluid port of the thermal valve integrated unit provide fluid communication between an interior space of the housing and a first remote vehicle component, wherein one of the third fluid port and the fourth fluid port is configured to input a first fluid from the first remote vehicle component to the thermal valve integrated unit, and the other of the third fluid port and the fourth fluid port is configured to output the first fluid from the thermal valve integrated unit to the first remote vehicle component.

[0022] According to one aspect, a fifth fluid port and a sixth fluid port provide fluid communication between the interior space of the housing and a second remote vehicle component, wherein one of the fifth fluid port and the sixth fluid port is configured to input a first fluid from the second remote vehicle component to the thermal valve integrated unit, and the other of the fifth fluid port and the sixth fluid port is configured to output the first fluid from the thermal valve integrated unit to the second remote vehicle component.

[0023] According to one aspect, the first, fourth and sixth fluid ports of the housing are in fluid communication with each other through a first portion of the interior space; and wherein the second, third and fifth fluid ports of the housing are in fluid communication with each other through a second portion of the interior space.

[0024] According to one aspect, the thermal valve mechanism is oriented along a longitudinal axis and includes: a temperature-responsive actuator; a first valve element, which is movable along the longitudinal axis for opening and closing a first valve opening located in a second portion of the interior space, the first valve element and the first valve opening being located between a third fluid port and a fifth fluid port that are longitudinally spaced apart from each other, wherein movement of the first valve element is actuated by the temperature-responsive actuator; a second valve element, which is movable along the longitudinal axis for opening and closing a second valve opening located in the second portion of the interior space, the second valve element and the second valve opening being located between a second fluid port and a fifth fluid port that are longitudinally spaced apart from each other, wherein movement of the second valve element is actuated by the temperature-responsive actuator.

[0025] According to one aspect, the fifth fluid port is located between the second fluid port and the third fluid port along the longitudinal axis.

[0026] According to one aspect, the first valve member and the second valve member are connected to a temperature-responsive actuator.

[0027] According to one aspect, a temperature-responsive actuator includes a generally cylindrical actuator body having a first end and a second end, wherein a first valve member is disposed at the first end of the actuator and a second valve member is disposed at the second end of the actuator.

[0028] According to one aspect, the first valve member includes an annular disk carried on a first end of the temperature-responsive actuator.

[0029] According to one aspect, the second valve member is slidably received on an outer cylindrical surface of the valve actuator and is biased toward a second end of the actuator by a first spring member comprising a coil spring disposed about the outer cylindrical surface of the actuator.

[0030] According to one aspect, the heat exchanger is a transmission oil heater; wherein the first fluid is transmission oil; wherein the first remote vehicle component in fluid communication with the interior space via the third fluid port and the fourth fluid port comprises a transmission oil cooler; and wherein the second remote vehicle component in fluid communication with the interior space via the fifth fluid port and the sixth fluid port comprises a transmission.

[0031] According to one aspect, the housing has an integral, one-piece structure and includes a base plate directly connected to the heat exchanger; wherein the base plate has a bottom surface that is sealingly coupled to a first end plate of the heat exchanger; and wherein a first fluid port and a second fluid port extend through the base plate from the bottom surface to the interior space to provide fluid communication between the interior space and a first manifold and a second manifold of the heat exchanger.

[0032] According to one aspect, the first portion and the second portion of the interior space of the housing are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and are fluidly isolated from each other.

[0033] According to one aspect, a fluid circulation system in a motor vehicle is provided, comprising a heat exchanger assembly as described herein, wherein the heat exchanger is a transmission oil heat exchanger having a coolant inlet port and an outlet port, the first fluid is transmission oil and the second fluid is engine coolant.

[0034] According to one aspect, the fluid circulation system also includes: an internal combustion engine having a coolant inlet port and an outlet port; a transmission; a transmission oil cooler; a pair of transmission oil conduits connecting a third fluid port and a fourth fluid port of the valve integrated unit to the transmission oil cooler; a pair of transmission oil conduits connecting a fifth fluid port and a sixth fluid port of the valve integrated unit to the transmission; and a pair of coolant conduits connecting the coolant inlet port and the outlet port of the internal combustion engine to the coolant inlet port and the outlet port of the transmission oil heat exchanger.

[0035] According to one aspect of the fluid circulation system, the transmission oil heat exchanger is a transmission oil heater or a second transmission oil cooler. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective top view of a heat exchanger assembly with an integrated valve structure and pressure relief feature according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of a heat exchanger assembly;

[0039] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 1 , showing a top portion of the heat exchanger assembly in a partially exploded state;

[0040] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 1 , showing a bottom portion of the heat exchanger assembly in a partially exploded state;

[0041] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a base plate and a sealing flange plate of a heat exchanger assembly;

[0042] Figure 6 is along Figure 2 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the coolant manifold through the heat exchanger taken along line 6-6′;

[0043] Figure 7 is along Figure 2 A longitudinal cross-sectional view through the valve chamber of the valve integrated unit taken along line 7-7′;

[0044] Figure 8 is along Figure 2 A longitudinal cross-sectional view through the oil manifold and the pressure bypass valve taken along line 8-8′;

[0045] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A partial enlarged view of a cross section of , showing the pressure bypass valve and its immediate surroundings;

[0046] Fig.10 is an exploded view of the components that make up the pressure bypass valve;

[0047] Fig.11 is a top perspective view of a housing of a thermal valve integrated unit;

[0048] Fig.12 yes Figure 1 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 1 showing a thermal valve in a cold state;

[0049] Fig.13 yes Figure 1 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 1 showing a thermal valve in a hot state;

[0050] Fig.14 is along Fig.11 A longitudinal cross-sectional view through the housing taken along line 14-14';

[0051] Fig.15 is a bottom perspective view of the housing, the thermal valve mechanism and the top plate of the heat exchanger;

[0052] Fig.16 It is an exploded view of the thermal valve mechanism;

[0053] Fig.17 is a schematic diagram of a transmission oil circulation system in a cold state; and

[0054] Fig.18 is a schematic diagram of the transmission oil circulation system in a hot state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Now we will refer specifically to Figures 1 to 16 A heat exchanger assembly 10 according to an example embodiment will now be described.

[0056] The heat exchanger assembly 10 includes a heat exchanger 12 , a thermal valve integrated unit 14 , and a pressure bypass valve assembly 16 .

[0057] The heat exchanger 12 includes a plurality of stamped heat exchanger core plates 18, 20, which are alternately, stacked, and brazed to form a heat exchanger core 22, and alternating first and second fluid flow paths 24, 26 are formed between the stacked core plates 18, 20. The first fluid flow path 24 is used for a first heat transfer fluid flow, and the second fluid flow path 26 is used for a second heat transfer fluid flow. In the present embodiment, the first heat transfer fluid (also referred to herein as "first fluid" or "oil") is a transmission oil, and the second heat transfer fluid (also referred to herein as "second fluid" or "coolant") is an engine coolant, which typically includes ethylene glycol or an ethylene glycol / water mixture. In other embodiments, the first heat transfer fluid may be engine oil. It should be understood that, depending on the temperature difference between the oil and the coolant, the coolant may absorb heat from the oil or transfer heat to the oil, depending on the operating state of the motor vehicle.

[0058] The core panels 18, 20 may be identical to one another, wherein the alternating arrangement of the core panels 18, 20 is provided by rotating every other core panel 18, 20 in the stack 180 degrees (ie, end to end) relative to an adjacent core panel 18, 20 in the stack.

[0059] The core plates 18, 20 each include a generally planar base 28 surrounded by inclined edge walls 30 on all sides. The core plates 18, 20 are stacked one on top of the other, and their edge walls 30 are nested and sealingly engaged. Each core plate 18, 20 is provided with four holes 32, 34, 36, 38 near its four corners, each of which is used as an inlet hole or an outlet hole for a first heat transfer fluid or a second heat transfer fluid, as required by a particular application. Two of the holes 32, 34 are elevated relative to the base 28 of the core plates 18, 20 and are formed in an elevated boss having a flat sealing surface around the holes 32, 34. The other two holes 36, 38 are coplanar or flush with the base 28 of the plates 18, 20. The two elevated holes 32, 34 are arranged at opposite ends of the core plates 18, 20, and the two flush holes 36, 38 are similarly arranged at opposite ends of the core plates 18, 20.

[0060] The raised holes 32, 34 in one core plate 18 or 20 are aligned with the flat or coplanar openings of the adjacent core plate 18 or 20, and the flat sealing surfaces surrounding the raised holes 32, 34 seal against the area of ​​the base 28 surrounding the flush holes 36, 38 of the adjacent core plate 18 or 20. This engagement between the core plates 18, 20 spaces the bases 28 of the adjacent core plates 18, 20, thereby defining alternating first and second fluid flow passages 24, 26. Each fluid flow passage 24 or 26 will have an inlet opening and an outlet opening defined by the flush holes 36, 38 that are aligned with the raised holes 32, 34 of the adjacent core plate 18, 20.

[0061] As is known in the art, each fluid flow passage 24, 26 may be provided with a turbulator sheet 40 to improve heat transfer. Each turbulator sheet 40 includes a cutout for a hole 32, 34, 36, 38. The height of each turbulator sheet 40 is approximately the same as the height of the fluid flow passage 24, 26 in which it is located, so that the top and bottom surfaces of the turbulator sheet 40 are in thermal contact with the core plates 18, 20 defining the fluid flow passage 24, 26 between them. To enhance Figures 6 to 9 For clarity of the cross-sectional views of the drawings, the turbulator sheets 40 are not shown in these drawings. Alternatively, as an alternative to positioning a separate turbulator sheet 40 in each fluid flow passage 20, 24, the core plates 18, 20 themselves may be formed with heat transfer enhancing features, such as ribs and / or dimples, etc., formed in the planar base 28 of the core plates 18, 20, as is known in the art.

[0062] The holes 32, 34, 36, 38 in the core plates 18, 20 are aligned to form a first manifold 42 and a second manifold 44 coupled together by the first fluid flow passage 24, and a third manifold 46 and a fourth manifold 48 coupled together by the second fluid flow passage 26. Depending on the desired flow direction through the heat exchanger 12, the first manifold or the second manifold 42, 44 can be an oil inlet manifold or an oil outlet manifold, and the third manifold or the fourth manifold 46, 48 can be a coolant inlet manifold or a coolant outlet manifold. Moreover, the flow direction of the first heat transfer fluid in the first fluid flow passage 24 can be the same ("co-current") or opposite ("counter-current") to the flow direction of the second heat transfer fluid in the second fluid flow passage 26.

[0063] The top and bottom plates 50, 52 (also referred to herein as "end plates") enclose the core 22 of the heat exchanger 12. With the understanding that the pressure bypass valve assembly will be discussed below, the top and bottom plates 50, 52 together close one end of each manifold 42, 44, 46, 48 and provide conduit openings at the other end of the manifold 42, 44, 46, 48. The location of the conduit openings in the end plates 50, 52 will depend on the requirements of each particular application, such that each end plate 50, 52 will have from zero to four conduit openings, with the total number of conduit openings being four, i.e., one for each manifold 42, 44, 46, 48.

[0064] In this embodiment, the top plate 50 has two conduit openings 54, 56 that define an inlet opening and an outlet opening for a first heat transfer fluid (oil), and the bottom plate 52 has two conduit openings 58, 60 that define an inlet opening and an outlet opening for a second heat transfer fluid (coolant). The terms "top" and "bottom" are used herein for convenience only and are not intended to be confused with the terms "bottom" and "top". Figure 1 and Figure 2 The orientation of the heat exchanger assembly 10 is shown consistently. However, nothing should be implied from the use of these terms that the heat exchanger assembly 10 is required to have any particular orientation when in use.

[0065] like Figure 5 As shown, the top plate 50 has generally the same shape as the core plates 18, 20, having a generally planar base 28 and an inclined edge wall 30, and its two conduit openings 54, 56 are flush with the planar base 28 and aligned with the two flush holes 36, 38 of the adjacent core plate 18 or 20. Figures 6 to 8 As can be seen, the top plate 50 can be slightly thicker than the core plates 18, 20 to enhance the rigidity of the heat exchanger 12. Also, the planar base 28 of the top plate 50 can be slightly larger than the planar base 28 of the core plates 18, 20, so that the immediately adjacent core plate 18 or 20 nests within the top plate 50 and its planar base 28 sealingly engages the planar base 28 of the top plate 50. Thus, the top plate 50 is configured to allow a first heat transfer fluid (oil) to enter and exit the first manifold 42 and the second manifold 44 of the heat exchanger 12 through its two conduit openings 54, 56 at the top of the heat exchanger 12, while the planar base 28 of the top plate 50 seals the top ends of the third and fourth manifolds 46, 48.

[0066] As will be discussed further below, the thermal valve integrated unit 14 is mounted on a surface provided by the top (outer) surface of the top plate 50. In some embodiments, the top surface of the top plate 50 may be provided with fittings that are inserted into a pair of oil ports of the thermal valve integrated unit 14, however, in the present embodiment, the top plate 50 is not provided with such fittings.

[0067] The bottom plate 52 has a generally similar shape to the core plates 18, 20, having a generally planar base 28 and an inclined edge wall 30, and having two conduit openings 58, 60 that are flush with the planar base 28. When the inclined edge wall 30 of the bottom plate 52 is nested with the inclined edge wall 30 of the adjacent core plate 18 or 20, the conduit openings are in an aligned spaced relationship with the two flush holes 36, 38 of the adjacent core plate 18 or 20, and the planar base 28 of the bottom plate 52 is sealingly engaged to the sealing surface surrounding the raised holes 32, 34 of the adjacent core plate 18 or 20. This creates a space (gap) between the planar base 28 of the bottom plate 52 and the adjacent core plate 18 or 20. The space (gap) defines the second fluid flow path 26 and may be provided with a turbulator sheet 40, such as Figure 4 Thus, the bottom plate 52 is configured to allow a second heat transfer fluid (coolant) to enter and exit the third and fourth manifolds 46 , 48 of the heat exchanger 12 through two conduit openings 58 , 60 at the bottom of the heat exchanger 12 .

[0068] In this embodiment, the planar base 28 of the bottom plate 52 does not completely block or seal the bottom ends of the first and second manifolds 42, 44. Instead, the planar bottom 28 of the bottom plate 52 includes a pair of aligned flat bypass holes 62, 64 that align with the elevated holes 32, 34 of the immediately adjacent core plate 18 or 20, thereby providing fluid communication with the first and second manifolds 42, 44. The bypass holes 62, 64 may optionally be smaller than the elevated holes 32, 34 of the adjacent core plates 18, 20, but need not be.

[0069] The heat exchanger assembly 10 also includes a bypass flow passage 66 that provides fluid communication between the bypass holes 62, 64, which bypass flow passage 66 is external to the heat exchanger core 22. In this regard, the bypass flow passage 66 includes an elongated channel or rib 68 that is disposed on the outer (bottom) surface of the planar base 28 of the bottom plate 52. The elongated channel 68 is surrounded by a planar sealing flange 70 that surrounds and closes the two bypass holes 62, 64, thereby forming a sealed flow passage to carry the first heat transfer fluid (oil) between the two bypass holes 62, 64 outside the core 22.

[0070] In the present embodiment, the planar sealing flange 70 is in the form of a plate structure having a planar base 72 that is sized and shaped to fit within the inclined edge wall 30 of the bottom plate 52 and to lie flat against and seal to the flat bottom 28 of the bottom plate 52. The elongated channel 68 is in the form of a relief provided in the planar base 72 of the sealing flange 70.

[0071] Because the planar base 72 of the sealing flange 70 has substantially the same size and shape as the planar base 28 of the bottom plate 52, the planar base 72 of the sealing flange 70 is also provided with a pair of conduit openings 74, 76 aligned with the conduit openings 58, 60 of the bottom plate 52, thereby providing fluid communication with the third and fourth manifolds 46, 48. As shown, the conduit openings 74, 76 can be surrounded by an upright annular sealing ring 78, respectively. The sealing ring 78 is adapted to fit within and form a sealed connection with the base of a tubular fitting 80, 82, through which the second fluid (coolant) enters and leaves the heat exchanger 12. The tubular fittings 80, 82 are configured for connection to a hose or pipe (not shown) in a vehicle coolant circulation system. It should be understood that the sealing ring 78 is not necessarily required to be provided on the sealing flange 70 in all embodiments. For example, the conduit openings 74, 76 may be simple flush holes, and the fittings 80, 82 may each be provided with a flat sealing flange for sealing against the outer surface of the sealing flange 70. Likewise, in some embodiments, the sealing flange 70 may not extend beyond the conduit openings 58, 60 of the base plate 52, in which case the fittings 80, 82 would be sealingly bonded directly to the outer surface of the base plate 52.

[0072] from Figures 6 to 8 It can be seen that from Figure 6-8 It can be seen that the bottom plate 52 has a similar thickness as the core plates 18, 20, and the sealing flange plate 70 can be slightly thicker. Therefore, the combined thickness of the planar base 28, 72 of the bottom plate 52 and the sealing flange plate 70 can be greater than the thickness of the core plates 18, 20.

[0073] As shown, the elongated passage 68 is provided with a bore 84 surrounded by a flat annular surface 86, wherein the bore 84 and the sealing surface 86 are adapted to receive and seal with a housing 88 of the pressure bypass valve assembly 16. In the present embodiment, the width of the elongated passage 68 increases near the bypass hole 62 to accommodate the bore 84 and the surrounding annular surface 86.

[0074] The housing 88 of the valve assembly 16 is generally cylindrical, having a hollow bore 89 and first and second open ends 90, 92. As shown, the first open end 90 may be formed with a flat annular surface 94 for abutting against the annular surface 86 of the elongated passage 68, and an annular protrusion 96 adapted to fit within the bore 84. The annular protrusion 96 may be provided with an annular groove 98 and a detent 100 to receive and form an interference fit with the edge of the bore 84, thereby sealing and maintaining the position of the housing 88 relative to the bore 84. The diameter of the hollow bore 89 may be reduced by an inwardly extending protrusion or shoulder 101 provided at the first open end 90 of the housing 88, for reasons discussed below.

[0075] The pressure bypass valve assembly 16 also includes an annular valve seat 102 located within the bypass flow passage 66 and surrounding the bypass hole 64 of the bottom plate 52. As with the housing 88, the annular valve seat 102 may be provided with an annular protrusion 104 adapted to fit within the bypass hole 64. The annular protrusion 104 may be provided with an annular groove 106 and a detent 100 to receive and form an interference fit with the edge of the bypass hole 64, thereby sealing and maintaining the position of the valve seat 102 relative to the hole 64. The inner edge of the valve seat 102 may be provided with a chamfer 103, the purpose of which will be discussed further below.

[0076] The housing 88 and / or the annular valve seat 102 may be formed of metal or of a resilient material such as plastic. In the case where the housing 88 and / or the annular valve seat 102 are made of plastic, they will be fixed to the inner edges of the corresponding holes 84 and 64 after the metal parts of the heat exchanger assembly 10 are assembled by brazing. In this type of construction, the hole 84 in the elongated channel 68 has a diameter large enough to allow the annular valve seat 102 to pass through the hole 84 during assembly.

[0077] The second open end 92 of the valve housing 88 is sealed by a generally cylindrical bonnet 110 adapted to fit within the (bored) bore 89 of the housing 88. The bonnet 110 has an annular groove 112 that receives a resilient sealing member such as an O-ring 114, wherein the O-ring 114 forms a fluid-tight seal with the inner surface of the bore 89. The bonnet 110 is secured by a flat, annular, resilient C-ring 116, the outer edge of which is received in an annular groove 118 formed in the bore 89 at the second end 92 of the housing 88, wherein the inner edge of the C-ring 116 protrudes inwardly from the inner bore 89 to engage an outer end face 120 of the bonnet 110. The bonnet 110 also includes an inner end face 121 discussed below.

[0078] The pressure bypass valve assembly 16 also includes a valve member 122 having a first end 124 adapted to form a fluid-tight seal against the valve seat 102. In the present embodiment, the valve member 124 is generally cylindrical and has an inclined, tapered first end surface 126 adapted to seal against the chamfered inner edge 103 of the valve seat 102.

[0079] The valve member 122 has a second end portion 128 in the form of a cylinder having an outer cylindrical surface (cylindrical outer surface) 130 adapted to slide along the inner surface of the bore 89. The second end portion 128 may have a larger diameter than the inwardly projecting shoulder 101 at the first end 90 of the housing 88 so as to retain the valve member 122 within the bore 89. Fig. 9As shown, the first and second ends 124, 128 may be joined together by one or more webs 132, and the entire structure of the valve member 124 may be machined or molded from metal or plastic.

[0080] The pressure bypass valve assembly 16 also includes a coil spring 134, which is received under pressure between the inner face 121 of the valve cover 110 and the second end face 136 of the valve member 122. The valve cover 110 and the valve member 122 may be provided with corresponding annular protrusions 138, 140 respectively fitted in opposite ends of the spring 134 to hold it in place. Because the spring 134 is under pressure, it will force the valve member 122 to engage with the valve seat 102 under normal pressure conditions.

[0081] It can be seen that a sufficiently high first fluid (oil) pressure present inside the first manifold 42 (which will be considered as the oil inlet manifold in this embodiment) will counteract the force of the spring 134 and will force the first end surface 126 of the valve member 122 out of engagement with the valve seat 102, thereby allowing the first fluid to enter the bypass flow passage 66 and flow to the bypass hole 64 at the opposite end of the passage 66. The first fluid then enters the second manifold 44 (which will be considered as the oil outlet manifold in this embodiment), thereby bypassing the first fluid flow passage 24. Once the pressure of the first fluid returns to a normal level, the spring 134 will overcome the force applied by the first fluid and again engage the valve member 122 with the valve seat 102 to close the bypass flow passage 66.

[0082] The valve integrated unit 14 will now be described below.

[0083] The valve assembly 14 includes a housing 352, which is shown in various figures. Figures 2 to 4 , 6 to 8, 11, 14 and 15 show the housing 352 without a thermal valve or accessories; however, Figure 1 , 12 13 show an assembled thermal valve integrated unit 14 including a housing 352, a thermal valve and accessories.

[0084] Housing 352 includes base plate 354, interior space 356, and six oil ports 358, 360, 362, 364, 366, and 368, all of which are in fluid communication with interior space 356. Housing 352 may have an integral one-piece structure and may be formed by casting, extrusion, forging, and / or machining.

[0085] The base plate 354 has a bottom surface 370 adapted to be sealingly coupled to the top plate 50 of the heat exchanger 12, such as by brazing. The first and second oil ports 358, 360 extend through the base plate 354 from the bottom surface 370 to the interior space 356 to provide fluid communication between the interior space 356 and the respective first and second manifolds 42, 44 of the heat exchanger 12. Depending on the desired arrangement of the oil ports in the housing 352, the first and / or second oil ports 358, 360 may not be directly aligned with the respective conduit openings 54, 56 in the top plate 50, or with the first and second manifolds 42, 44 of the heat exchanger 12. Therefore, the base plate 354 may be provided with a communication groove having a first end and a second end, the first end of the communication groove being in fluid communication with one of the first and second oil ports 358, 360, and the second end of the communication groove being aligned with and in fluid communication with one of the conduit openings 54, 56 of the top plate 50. In the present embodiment, a first communication groove 372 is formed along the bottom surface 370 of the base plate 354 to provide fluid communication between the first oil port 358 and the conduit opening 54 in the top plate 50, and a second communication groove 374 is formed along the bottom surface 370 of the base plate 354 to provide fluid communication between the second oil port 360 and the conduit opening 56 in the top plate 50. Thus, the first and second oil ports 358, 360 permit input and output of oil to and from the heat exchanger 12, and provide fluid communication between the interior space 356 of the housing 352 and the first and second manifolds 42, 44 and the plurality of first fluid flow passages 24.

[0086] Each of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth oil ports 362, 364, 366, 368 opens into the interior space 356 of the housing 352 at a first end and has an opposite outer end that is suitable for connection to an external fluid conduit. In the present embodiment, the outer ends of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth oil ports 362, 364, 366, 368 are internally threaded for engagement with an externally threaded fluid connection fitting (such as a quick-connect fitting 376). The third and fourth oil ports 362, 364 protrude laterally from the interior space 356, and the fifth and sixth oil ports 366, 368 protrude upward from the interior space 356. However, it should be understood that the spatial arrangement and orientation of the oil ports 362, 364, 366, 368 are specific to each specific application and are variable.

[0087] from Fig.14As can be seen from the cross-section, the inner ends of the fourth oil port 364 and the sixth oil port 368 are very close to each other and to the first oil port 358, and are all fluidly connected to the first portion 378 of the internal space 356, so that the first oil port, the fourth oil port and the sixth oil port 358, 364, 368 are all fluidly connected to each other and to the first manifold 42 of the heat exchanger 12.

[0088] from Fig.14 It can also be seen that the inner ends of the third and fifth oil ports 362, 366 are very close to each other and to the second oil port 360, and are in fluid communication with the second portion 380 of the interior space 360, so that the first, third, and fifth oil ports 358, 362, 366 are in fluid communication with each other and with the second manifold 44 of the heat exchanger 12. Fig.14 It can also be seen that the second, third, and fifth oil ports 360 , 362 , 366 are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis L, and the fifth oil port 366 is located between the second and third oil ports 360 , 362 .

[0089] The first and second portions 378 , 380 of the interior space 356 are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and are fluidly isolated from each other except by the heat exchanger 12 .

[0090] The second portion 380 of the internal space 356 defines a valve chamber 384 to accommodate a thermal valve mechanism 386 for controlling the flow of oil between the first to sixth oil ports 358, 360, 362, 364, 366, 368 of the housing 352. The housing 352 also includes a valve insertion opening 388 at one end of the internal space 356 to permit the thermal valve mechanism 386 to be inserted into the valve chamber 384.

[0091] The thermal valve mechanism 386 includes a thermally or temperature responsive actuator 390 (i.e., a wax motor or an electronic valve mechanism, such as a solenoid valve or any other suitable valve mechanism), as described above in conjunction with other exemplary embodiments. A valve cap 392 seals the valve mechanism 386 and sealingly closes the valve insertion opening 388. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 390 is a thermal actuator including an actuator piston 394 that is movable between a first position and a second position by expansion / contraction of wax (or other suitable material) contained in the actuator 390 in response to the temperature of the first fluid entering the valve chamber 384. The actuator piston 394 may alternatively be controlled by activation of a solenoid coil or any other suitable valve activation device.

[0092] The valve cover 392 is held in the valve insertion opening 388 by a resilient spring clip 396 which is received in an annular groove at the valve insertion opening 388 and abuts against the outer surface of the valve cover 392. The cover 392 is sealed in the opening 388 by a resilient member such as an O-ring 398 which is received between the outer surface of the valve cover 392 and the inner surface of the interior space 356 and which is received in a groove on the outer surface of the valve cover 392.

[0093] The valve cover 392 includes a recess 400 on its inner surface for receiving the end of the piston 394 therein, and the valve mechanism 386 also includes a spool member 402 integral with the valve cover 392, the spool member 402 including an annular end 404 having an outer surface 406 and an inner surface 408, the outer surface 406 sealingly engaging the inner surface of the interior space 356, and the inner surface 408 defining a circular end opening including a first valve opening 410. The annular end 404 also has a flat, planar annular end surface defining a first valve seat 412.

[0094] The valve core member 402 also includes a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal ribs 414 that couple the valve cover 392 to the annular end portion 404, wherein flow openings 416 are defined between each of the ribs 414. Fig.12 and 13 As can be seen, the annular end 404 , the first valve seat 412 , and the first valve opening 410 are located within the second portion 380 of the interior space 356 , between the third and fifth oil ports 362 , 366 , which are longitudinally spaced apart from one another.

[0095] A first valve member 418 in the form of an annular disk is carried on a first end of the valve actuator 390, and a second valve member 420 in the form of an annular disk is slidably received on the outer cylindrical surface of the valve actuator 390. The second valve member 420 is biased toward the second end of the valve actuator 390 by a first end of a first spring member 422 in the form of a coil spring, which is arranged around the outer cylindrical surface of the valve actuator 390 and also has a second end that abuts against an annular shoulder of the valve actuator 390.

[0096] The second valve seat 424 is provided by an annular shoulder formed in the second portion 380 of the interior space 356, which is formed by a diameter reduction in the second portion 380 of the interior space 356. The second valve seat 424 is flat and planar and is adapted to sealingly engage with the second valve member 420, and the second valve seat 424 defines a second valve opening 426. Fig.14It can be seen that the second valve seat 424 and the second valve opening 426 are located within the second portion 380 of the interior space 356, between the second oil port 360 and the fifth oil port 366, which are longitudinally spaced apart from each other. The first spring member 422 acts as a return spring, which resists longitudinal movement of the second valve member 420 away from the second valve seat 424, and it also resists longitudinal movement of the first valve member 418 away from the first valve seat 412.

[0097] A second spring member 428 in the form of a coil spring extends longitudinally from the second end of the valve actuator 390 and passes through a reduced diameter portion of the interior space 356 that provides fluid communication between the second valve opening 426 and the second oil port 360. The second spring member 428 acts as a return spring that resists longitudinal movement of the second valve member 420 toward the second valve seat 424 (acting as a counter-spring relative to the first spring member 422), and it resists longitudinal movement of the first valve member 418 toward the first valve seat 412.

[0098] A first end of the second spring member 428 is secured within an annular groove 430 at a second end of the valve actuator 390 , and an opposing second end of the second spring member 428 is received in a recess 432 at an end of the second portion 380 of the interior space 356 opposite the valve insertion opening 388 .

[0099] Fig.12 The valve mechanism 386 is shown with the piston 394 of the actuator 390 in a retracted state. This defines a "cold" state of the valve mechanism 386, wherein the wax material inside the actuator 390 is in a contracted state. In this cold state of the valve mechanism 386, the first valve member 418 is sealingly engaged with the first valve seat 412 of the valve core member 402, thereby preventing fluid communication between the third oil port 362 and the fifth oil port 366 through the first valve opening 410. In addition, the second valve member 420 is longitudinally spaced from the second valve seat 424 to permit fluid communication between the second oil port 362 and the fifth oil port 366 through the second valve opening 426.

[0100] Fig.13The valve mechanism 386 is shown with the piston 394 of the actuator 390 in an extended state. This defines a "hot" state of the valve mechanism 386, wherein the wax material inside the actuator 390 is in an expanded (expanded) state. In this hot state of the valve mechanism 386, the first valve member 418 is longitudinally spaced from the first valve seat 412 of the valve core member 402, thereby permitting fluid communication between the third oil port 362 and the fifth oil port 366 through the first valve opening 410. In addition, the second valve member 420 is sealingly engaged with the second valve seat 424 to prevent fluid communication between the second oil port 362 and the fifth oil port 366 through the second valve opening 426. In addition, in this hot state, the actuator 390 acts against the bias of the first and second spring members 422, 428.

[0101] Fig.17 and Fig.18 Schematically illustrated is how the heat exchanger assembly 10 may be incorporated into a transmission oil circulation system 444 for controlling the temperature of the transmission oil in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine 446 and a transmission 454, wherein the engine coolant is used to alternately heat and cool the transmission oil circulating within the system 444. In addition to the heat exchanger assembly 10, the transmission oil circulation system 444 includes a transmission oil cooler (TOC) 452, the transmission 454, conduits 456, 458 connecting the heat exchanger assembly 10 to the TOC 452, and conduits 460, 462 connecting the heat exchanger assembly 10 to the transmission 454.

[0102] The vehicle also includes a coolant circulation system, which includes a heat exchanger assembly 10, an engine 446 and coolant conduits 448, 450, which connect the inlet port and outlet port of the coolant of the engine 446 to the coolant fittings 80, 82 of the heat exchanger 12 for circulating the coolant (second fluid) through the third manifold 46, 48 and the second fluid flow path 26 thereof.

[0103] exist Fig.17 and 18In the configuration of the system 444 shown, the oil conduit 456 extends between the third oil port 362 and the outlet of the TOC 452, so the third oil port 362 is the oil inlet port through which oil is received from the TOC 452. The oil conduit 458 extends between the fourth oil port 364 and the inlet of the TOC 452, so the fourth oil port 364 is the oil outlet port through which oil is discharged to the TOC 452. The oil conduit 460 extends between the fifth oil port 366 and the inlet of the transmission 454, so the fifth oil port 366 is the oil outlet port 366 through which oil is discharged to the transmission 454. The oil conduit 462 extends between the sixth oil port 368 and the transmission 454, so the sixth oil port 368 is the oil inlet port through which oil is received from the transmission 454. Similarly, Fig.17 and 18 As shown, the first and second oil ports 358, 360 are internal ports that connect the heat exchanger 12 to the valve integrated unit 14, wherein the first oil port 358 is an oil outlet port through which oil is discharged to the heat exchanger 12, and the second oil port 360 is an oil inlet port through which oil is received from the heat exchanger 12.

[0104] exist Fig.17 In the cold state shown, the valve mechanism 386 is in Fig.12 In the illustrated configuration, the transmission oil circulating through the system 444 is cold, and the piston 394 of the valve actuator 390 is retracted. Such conditions exist, for example, when the vehicle is first started. Under these conditions, the first valve member 418 is seated against the first valve seat 412 and the second valve member 420 is spaced from the second valve seat 424. Thus, the flow of oil from the second oil port 360 to the fifth oil port 366 through the second valve opening 426 is permitted, while the flow of oil from the third oil port 362 to the fifth oil port 366 through the first valve opening 410 is blocked. Under these conditions, cold transmission oil from the transmission 454 will flow through the oil conduit 462 and enter the first portion 378 of the interior space 356 through the sixth oil port 368. Due to the configuration of the valve mechanism 386, oil entering the interior space 356 through the sixth oil port 368 will preferably enter the heat exchanger 12 through the first oil port 358 and then flow through the first manifold 42, the first fluid flow passage 24, and the second manifold 44 before re-entering the housing 352 through the second oil port 360. The oil then flows through the second valve opening 426 and exits the assembly 10 through the fifth oil port 366 to enter the oil conduit 460 and return to the transmission 454.

[0105] At the same time, the coolant is heated by the engine 446 and circulates through the second fluid flow path 26 of the heat exchanger 12, where the coolant transfers heat to the transmission oil circulating through the first fluid flow path 24. Thus, the transmission oil is heated in the assembly 10 before it returns to the transmission 454. In addition, because the first valve member 418 blocks flow through the first valve opening 410, when the assembly is in Fig.17 In a cold state, little or no oil flows from the sixth oil port 368 to the TOC 452 through the fourth oil port 364 .

[0106] It can be seen that the oil circulating through the assembly 10 will flow over and around the valve actuator 390 as it passes through the valve chamber 384 from the second oil port 360 to the fifth oil port 366. Thus, the valve actuator 390 performs a temperature sensing function, and as the temperature of the oil increases, the wax inside the actuator 390 will expand and cause the piston 394 to extend. The extension of the piston 394 will cause longitudinal movement of the actuator body 390, so that the first valve member 418 will be moved out of engagement with the first valve seat 412 to open the first valve opening 410, and the second valve member 420 will be moved into sealing engagement with the second valve seat 424 to close the second valve opening 426.

[0107] This movement of the valve members 418, 420 will cause the valve mechanism 386 to adopt Fig.18 , also referred to as a hot state. In this state, the transmission oil circulating through the system 444 is above a threshold temperature and needs to be cooled. Therefore, the flow of oil from the second oil port 360 to the fifth oil port 366 through the second valve opening 426 is blocked, while the flow of oil from the third oil port 362 to the fifth oil port 366 through the first valve opening 410 is permitted. Under these conditions, the hot transmission oil from the transmission 454 will flow through the oil conduit 462 and enter the first portion 378 of the interior space 356 through the sixth oil port 368. However, instead of entering the heat exchanger 12 through the first oil port 358, the oil is diverted to the TOC 452 through the oil conduit 458. After it passes through the TOC 452 and is cooled, the oil returns to the assembly 10 through the oil conduit 456 and enters the valve chamber 384 through the third oil port 362. The oil then flows over and around the actuator 390 as it flows to the fifth oil port 366 to be discharged from the assembly 300 and then flows through the oil conduit 460 to the transmission 454. Thus, in the hot state, the oil from the transmission 454 bypasses the heat exchanger 12 and is cooled in the TOC 452.

[0108] from Fig.15 and 16It can be seen that the bypass valve member 122 of the pressure bypass valve assembly 16 is positioned to block the bypass hole 62 of the bottom plate 52 in both the hot state and the cold state, regardless of the configuration of the actuator 390 and the piston 394, and regardless of the position of the first and second valve members 418, 420. Therefore, the bypass valve member 122 is not actuated by temperature. Instead, it can be seen from the figures that the coil spring 134 biases the bypass valve member 122 toward the closed position, that is, the second end face 136 of the bypass valve member 122 seals against the valve seat 102. In the case where the bypass hole 62 is blocked by the bypass valve member 122, fluid can be prevented from flowing through the bypass flow path 66.

[0109] In some cases, the oil pressure in the circulation system 444 may increase to above normal levels. For example, cold transmission oil is relatively viscous, and this will increase the pressure drop between the inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger 12 corresponding to the respective first and second conduit openings 54, 56. If the pressure differential is high enough, the pressure of the oil will overcome the biasing force of the coil spring 134, thereby compressing the coil spring 134 and forcing the bypass valve member 122 out of engagement with the valve seat 102, opening the bypass hole 62, and permitting oil to flow through the bypass flow passage 66, thereby allowing the oil to bypass the heat exchanger 12. Once the pressure differential decreases, the coil spring 134 will force the bypass valve member 122 into sealing engagement with the valve seat 102 to once again block the flow of oil through the bypass flow passage 66.

[0110] In this embodiment, the metal components of the heat exchanger assembly 10 (i.e., excluding the pressure bypass valve assembly 16 and the thermal valve mechanism 386) can be made of aluminum (including its alloys) and joined together by brazing. For example, these metal components of the heat exchanger module 10 can be assembled and then heated to the brazing temperature in a brazing furnace, thereby brazing the metal components together in a single brazing operation to form a brazed subassembly as known in the art. After the brazing operation, the pressure bypass valve assembly 16 and the thermal valve mechanism 386 are assembled to the brazed subassembly.

[0111] Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to a specific exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly including a heat exchanger, a thermal valve integrated unit, and a pressure bypass valve assembly, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details shown herein, as it is to be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the disclosed system and its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, although the heat exchanger assembly 10 is described in conjunction with a specific application of cooling / heating transmission oil, it is to be understood that any heat exchanger assembly described herein may be used in a variety of other heat exchange applications and is not limited to applications associated with transmissions of automotive systems.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger assembly, comprising: (a) a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of alternating first and second fluid flow passages in heat exchange relationship; a first manifold and a second manifold interconnected by a plurality of said first fluid flow passages; a third manifold and a fourth manifold interconnected by a plurality of said second fluid flow passages; (b) a thermal valve integrated unit fixedly attached to the heat exchanger, wherein the valve integrated unit includes a housing and a thermal valve mechanism; wherein the housing comprises first to sixth fluid ports, three of the fluid ports being configured to input a first fluid into the thermal valve integrated unit, and three of the fluid ports being configured to output the first fluid from the thermal valve integrated unit; wherein the housing further comprises an interior space, the interior space comprising a first portion and a second portion, the interior space defining a longitudinal axis of the housing, and wherein the second portion of the interior space defines a valve chamber; and wherein the first fluid port and the second fluid port provide fluid communication between the interior space of the housing and the first manifold and the second manifold of the heat exchanger, wherein one of the first fluid port and the second fluid port is configured to input the first fluid from the heat exchanger to the thermal valve integrated unit, and the other of the first fluid port and the second fluid port is configured to output the first fluid from the thermal valve integrated unit to the heat exchanger; (c) a pressure bypass portion, the pressure bypass portion comprising a first bypass hole and a second bypass hole formed in the heat exchanger and a bypass flow passage, wherein the bypass flow passage is in fluid communication with the first manifold through the first bypass hole and in fluid communication with the second manifold through the second bypass hole; and (d) a pressure bypass valve assembly adapted to block a first fluid flow through the bypass flow passage when a fluid pressure inside the heat exchanger is less than a threshold pressure, and to permit the first fluid flow through the bypass flow passage when the fluid pressure is greater than the threshold pressure, The third and fourth fluid ports of the thermal valve integrated unit provide fluid communication between the interior space of the housing and the first remote vehicle component, wherein one of the third and fourth fluid ports is configured to input a first fluid from the first remote vehicle component to the thermal valve integrated unit, and the other of the third and fourth fluid ports is configured to output the first fluid from the thermal valve integrated unit to the first remote vehicle component, The fifth fluid port and the sixth fluid port provide fluid communication between the interior space of the housing and a second remote vehicle component, wherein one of the fifth fluid port and the sixth fluid port is configured to input a first fluid from the second remote vehicle component to the thermal valve integrated unit, and the other of the fifth fluid port and the sixth fluid port is configured to output the first fluid from the thermal valve integrated unit to the second remote vehicle component, The first fluid port, the fourth fluid port, and the sixth fluid port of the housing are in fluid communication with each other through a first portion of the interior space; and wherein the second fluid port, the third fluid port, and the fifth fluid port of the housing are in fluid communication with each other through a second portion of the interior space, The thermal valve mechanism is oriented along the longitudinal axis and comprises: temperature responsive actuators; a first valve element movable along the longitudinal axis for opening and closing a first valve opening in the second portion of the interior space, the first valve element and the first valve opening being located between the third and fifth fluid ports longitudinally spaced apart from each other, wherein movement of the first valve element is actuated by the temperature-responsive actuator; and a second valve element movable along the longitudinal axis for opening and closing a second valve opening in a second portion of the interior space, the second valve element and the second valve opening being located between the second fluid port and the fifth fluid port longitudinally spaced apart from each other, wherein movement of the second valve element is actuated by the temperature-responsive actuator.

2. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The bypass flow passage is located outside the heat exchanger.

3. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The heat exchanger includes a first end plate and a second end plate at opposite ends of a heat exchanger core, the heat exchanger core including a stack of core plates; wherein the thermal valve integrated unit is fixedly attached to the outer surface of the first end plate; wherein the first bypass hole and the second bypass hole are arranged on the second end plate; and Wherein, the bypass flow passage is arranged on the outer surface of the second end plate.

4. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that in, The bypass flow passage includes an elongated channel disposed on an outer surface of the second end plate.

5. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that The elongated channel is surrounded by a planar sealing flange, which encloses the first bypass hole and the second bypass hole, so that the bypass flow passage includes a sealed flow passage, which is suitable for carrying the first fluid outside the core of the heat exchanger and between the first bypass hole and the second bypass hole.

6. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The pressure bypass valve assembly comprises: a housing having a first end in sealing fluid communication with a hole in the bypass flow passage aligned with the first bypass hole; an annular valve seat located inside the bypass flow passage and surrounding the first bypass hole; and A valve member is adapted to form a fluid-tight seal against the valve seat and is slidable toward and away from the valve seat in a housing of the pressure bypass valve assembly.

7. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that The pressure bypass valve assembly further includes a spring member biasing the valve member toward the valve seat; and Wherein, the spring member is compressible by applying a fluid force greater than the threshold pressure to the valve member.

8. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The fifth fluid port is located between the second fluid port and the third fluid port along the longitudinal axis.

9. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The first valve element and the second valve element are connected to the temperature-responsive actuator.

10. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The temperature-responsive actuator includes a generally cylindrical actuator body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first valve element is disposed at the first end of the actuator and the second valve element is disposed at the second end of the actuator.

11. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that The first valve element includes an annular disk carried on a first end of the temperature-responsive actuator.

12. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that The second valve element is slidingly received on the outer cylindrical surface of the actuator and is biased toward the second end of the actuator by a first spring member including a coil spring disposed about the outer cylindrical surface of the actuator.

13. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The housing has an integral, one-piece structure and includes a base plate directly connected to the heat exchanger; wherein the base plate has a bottom surface, the bottom surface sealingly coupled to the first end plate of the heat exchanger; and The first fluid port and the second fluid port extend through the base plate from the bottom surface to the interior space to provide fluid communication between the interior space and the first manifold and the second manifold of the heat exchanger.

14. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first and second portions of the interior space of the housing are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.

15. A fluid circulation system in a motor vehicle, the fluid circulation system comprising: The exchanger assembly of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a transmission oil heat exchanger having a coolant inlet port and an outlet port, the first fluid is transmission oil and the second fluid is engine coolant; an internal combustion engine having a coolant inlet port and an outlet port; transmission; Transmission oil cooler; connecting a third fluid port and a fourth fluid port of the valve integrated unit to a pair of transmission oil conduits of the transmission oil cooler; connecting a fifth fluid port and a sixth fluid port of the valve integrated unit to a pair of transmission oil conduits of the transmission; A pair of coolant conduits connects the coolant inlet port and outlet port of the internal combustion engine to the coolant inlet port and outlet port of the transmission oil heat exchanger.

16. The fluid circulation system according to claim 15, characterized in that: The transmission oil heat exchanger is a transmission oil heater or a second transmission oil cooler.

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