This invention relates to the field of automotive parts, and is a radiator cap. More particularly, it is a cap that provides the instantaneous display of the temperature at the filler neck of the vehicle's cooling system.
Various radiator caps have been devised so as to relieve the pressure within the cooling system to allow for the safe removal of the radiator cap. A coolant temperature gauge provided on the dashboard of the vehicle for driver viewing is also known. These devices do not allow the vehicle operator to quickly, accurately and efficiently check the temperature of the coolant, at the filler neck of the vehicles cooling system, i.e. radiator.
From a safety standpoint, it is important to know the temperature of the coolant prior to cap removal, to help prevent escaping hot steam from spraying upon the vehicle's user. A dash mounted temperature gauge does not efficiently address this desire because it is usually situated within the vehicle, and is only operating when the engine is running. The user, prior to removing the cap, might not take the time to start the engine and wait for the temperature gauge to properly register the coolant temperature. Additionally, a typical dash mounted gauge is not always calibrated with numbers. Therefore, it may not be possible to ascertain the actual temperature of the coolant. It is therefore desirable to have a radiator cap that indicates the temperature of the coolant with calibrated numbers, at the filler neck of the cooling system, without the need for vehicle start-up.
In response thereto, I have invented a radiator cap equipped with a descending temperature probe for extension into the cooling system upon cap installation onto the radiator. The cap has a numbered readout on the exterior surface in mechanical communication with the probe.
It is an object of this cap invention to: 1) indicate the temperature of the cooling system, 2) allow for removal of the cap for adding coolant to the vehicles cooling system, 3) provide a predetermined superatmospheric pressure to the coolant to increase the efficiency of the cooling system, 4) provide a cap which needs no modification of the cooling system prior to use. Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention.
The radiator cap invention described herein is called “ThermoCap”. This cap is equipped with a numbered and calibrated temperature display background with a visible rotating needle which points to the correct temperature number. The rotating needle is directly connected to the temperature probe, which descends into the cooling system at the radiators filler neck. Like current existing radiator caps, ThermoCap is equipped with a spring pre-loaded valve that provides for extra positive pressure within the cooling system, when installed. Also like current existing radiator caps, ThermoCap is equipped with a return-valve that allows for coolant reclamation from an external coolant bottle, during cases of negative pressure within the cooling system.
It is important to know the temperature of the coolant in the cooling system, prior to cap removal, to prevent the possibility of hot coolant spraying upon the vehicles user. ThermoCap addresses this need by indicating the temperature of the coolant in the fahrenheit scale and celsius scale. The method of communication between the rotating needle indicator, and the temperature probe is mechanical, thus eliminating the need for electricity or other complicated means.
As with other typical radiator caps, ThermoCap is easily removable from the cooling systems radiator, so as to allow for coolant filling.
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The crown 10 has a center aperture with which a rivet 36 is employed to secure the seal support disk 11, seal retainer disk 14 and bell housing 17, by way of a flared lip at the bottom of the rivet 36. The upper rubber ring seal 12 is retained in position by the seal retainer disk 14. When the cap 5 is secured to the filler neck 15, the rubber ring seal is pressed upon the upper surface 35 of the filler neck 15, thereby preventing coolant from escaping from the cooling system, unless the cap 5 is removed from the filler neck 15.
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From it's seated and sealed position, the water reclamation valve can move in a downward fashion is cases where atmospheric pressure exceeds the pressure inside the cooling system. In a typical cooling system, an plastic water reclamation bottle is usually present outside the radiator, and water pass from the water reclamation bottle, through an opening 32 in the water filler neck 15. This water or coolant can then further pass through the opening 31 in the bell housing 17. The water or coolant can then pass through the small space between the center aperture of the lower rivet 25, and the temperature probe cover 21, finding it's way back into the radiator. Once the pressure between the inside of the cooling system, and atmospheric pressure is equalized, the water reclamation valve 20 will close under the pressure of the water reclamation valve spring 26.
A typical bi-metal thermometer is used to read the temperature of the cooling system. Referring to
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While I have described herein a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is to be under stood that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. This true scope and spirit are defined by the my claims and their equivalents, to be interpreted in light of the foregoing specification.