Coolant Control Valve Temperature Sensor for Fail-Safe Flow Relief
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Coolant control valves (CCVs) in fluid cooling systems lack a reliable fail-safe mechanism to manage coolant flow effectively in case of functional failures, particularly in managing excessive fluid temperatures or pressures.
Innovation Solution
A CCV design incorporating a temperature sensor with a displaceable body and dual force generators, one biased by a spring and the other by a wax material that expands with temperature, allowing for continuous angular positioning of the valve body to control coolant flow between zero and non-zero flow states, ensuring safe operation by forming a passageway to a fluid reservoir when critical temperatures are reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a temperature sensor with displaceable body and dual force generators is incorporated into the CCV, then the fail-safe mechanism for managing excessive fluid temperatures is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is integrated directly into the CCV housing, merging the temperature sensing function with the coolant flow control function. The sensor housing is formed as part of the CCV housing structure, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensing components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining fail-safe capability
Solution Approach 2:
The displaceable body of the temperature sensor is positioned within the sensor housing that is nested within the CCV housing. The second force generator is positioned within the sensor housing, creating a nested arrangement where smaller components are housed within larger structures, optimizing space utilization while maintaining the fail-safe mechanism
2Manufacturing precision
If the valve body is configured for continuous angular positioning to control coolant flow rates, then the coolant flow control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed to be rotatable about a central axis, transitioning from a fixed position to a dynamic, continuously adjustable position. The electronic actuator enables the valve body to assume any angular position within a predetermined range, allowing continuous variation of coolant flow rates from fully closed to fully open positions, thereby achieving precise flow control through dynamic positioning
3Reliability
If the temperature sensor displaceable body moves to form a passageway connecting inner chamber to outlet, then the fail-safe temperature management is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor's displaceable body automatically responds to temperature changes by moving axially in response to differential pressure changes caused by thermal expansion of the coolant. When the coolant temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the pressure differential causes the displaceable body to move and form a passageway, enabling automatic fail-safe operation without external control signals or additional actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The fail-safe mechanism utilizes pneumatic principles where differential pressure changes in the coolant, caused by thermal expansion, directly actuate the displaceable body. The pressurized coolant itself serves as the actuating medium, eliminating the need for separate pneumatic or hydraulic actuation systems while achieving reliable temperature-based fail-safe control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The CCV effectively manages coolant flow by transitioning between zero and non-zero flow states based on temperature, providing a fail-safe mechanism to prevent engine or component failure due to excessive fluid temperatures or pressures, while allowing for continuous variable positioning for efficient coolant management.
Implementation Method 1
The second force generator can include a wax material that expands with increasing temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A coolant control valve includes an actuator, at least one valve body, an outer housing, and a temperature sensor having a first flow state and a second flow state. The first and second flow states can be achieved by first and second axial positions of the temperature sensor.