Active Coolant Volume Reduction Bypass Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional pressurized coolant reservoir systems in vehicles delay engine warm-up and decrease fuel economy due to the inclusion of extra coolant volume, which is not actively managed until it reaches operating temperature, leading to inefficient cold engine start conditions.

Innovation Solution

An active coolant volume reduction system utilizing a coolant bypass chamber and bypass shutoff valve, coupled with a thermostat mechanism, diverts coolant flow around a surge tank until the engine reaches operating temperature, allowing quicker warm-up and efficient coolant circulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pressurized coolant reservoir is used to manage coolant expansion and contraction, then coolant management capability is improved, but engine warm-up time increases and fuel economy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoolant management capabilityVSAvoidengine warm-up time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant reservoir is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for receiving coolant from the cooling system and a second chamber for storing excess coolant. This segmentation allows the system to manage coolant expansion and contraction while enabling selective circulation of coolant during engine warm-up, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable coolant management and reduced warm-up time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A bypass valve is introduced to dynamically control coolant flow between the first chamber, second chamber, and cooling system. The bypass valve can be positioned to either circulate coolant through the reservoir chambers or to bypass them, allowing the system to adapt its behavior based on engine temperature conditions. This dynamic control enables fast warm-up when needed while maintaining coolant management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If extra coolant volume is included in the active cooling system, then coolant expansion and contraction management is improved, but fuel economy deteriorates during cold engine warm-up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoolant expansion and contraction managementVSAvoidfuel economy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the reservoir into first and second chambers with controlled access, the system maintains the full coolant volume needed for expansion management while preventing the cold coolant in the second chamber from being circulated during warm-up. This eliminates the energy penalty of heating excess coolant while preserving the reliability benefit of having the full volume available for managing coolant expansion and contraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass valve dynamically isolates the second chamber during engine warm-up, preventing cold coolant from entering the active cooling circuit and thereby preserving fuel economy. When the engine reaches operating temperature, the bypass valve opens to allow coolant to circulate through both chambers, enabling the system to manage coolant expansion and contraction effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If a traditional overflow bottle system is used, then engine warm-up speed is maintained, but coolant expansion and contraction management capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine warm-up speedVSAvoidcoolant expansion and contraction management capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented reservoir design with first and second chambers allows the system to provide active coolant volume reduction during warm-up (maintaining fast warm-up speed) while still having the full coolant volume available for managing expansion and contraction. The bypass valve controls when each chamber is active, enabling the system to achieve both fast warm-up and reliable coolant management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass valve provides dynamic control to switch between warm-up mode (bypassing the reservoir chambers) and normal operation mode (circulating through both chambers). This dynamic switching enables the system to achieve fast engine warm-up speed when needed while maintaining the capability for reliable coolant expansion and contraction management during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution enables faster engine and cabin warm-up, improved fuel economy, and enhanced propulsion system performance by actively managing coolant flow and temperature, reducing the time to reach optimal operating conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor for determining a temperature of a fluid within the first chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a thermostat mechanism, diverts coolant flow around a surge tank until the engine reaches operating temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS10598078B2Method and apparatus for active coolant volume reduction for automobile applications

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for active coolant volume reduction management in a pressurized reservoir coolant diverter for automobile applications. Specifically, an apparatus and method for diverting coolant flow around a pressurized coolant reservoir until the engine has reached operating temperature by employing a coolant bypass chamber and bypass shutoff valve and the like.