Claims
- 1. A temperature control system in a liquid cooled internal combustion engine equipped with a radiator, the system comprising:
- (a) a first flow control valve for controlling flow of a temperature control fluid through a first passageway which communicates with the radiator, the first flow control valve having a first state for preventing said flow and a second state for allowing said flow;
- (b) a first sensor for measuring the temperature of the temperature control fluid, t1;
- (c) a second sensor for measuring ambient air temperature, t2;
- (d) a third sensor for measuring an actual engine operation temperature indicative of engine oil temperature;
- (e) an engine computer for receiving signals from the first and second sensors, producing control signals based on both of said sensor signals, and sending said control signals to the first flow control valve to control the state of the valve,
- t1 and t2 defining a first mathematical function of t1=f(t2) which forms a first two-dimensional curve on an orthogonal coordinate system having axes t1 and t2, the first curve dividing the coordinate system into two regions, one on either side of the first curve, the engine computer sending said control signals to place the valve in the first state when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie on a first region of the coordinate system and sending said control signals to place the valve in the second state when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie on a second region of the coordinate system defined by the first curve,
- t1 and t2 also defining a second mathematical function of t1=f(t2) which forms a second two-dimensional curve on the orthogonal coordinate system having axes t1 and t2, the second curve dividing the coordinate system into two regions, one on either side of the second curve, the engine computer sending said control signals to place the valve in the first state when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie on a first region of the coordinate system defined by the second curve and sending said control signals to place the valve in the second state when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie on a second region of the coordinate system defined by the second curve;
- (f) means for comparing the measured engine operation temperature to a preselected engine operation temperature; and
- (g) means for selecting either the first or second curve to control the state of the valve, the first curve being selected when the actual engine operation temperature is at or below the preselected temperature, the second curve being selected when the actual engine operation temperature is above the preselected temperature.
- 2. A system according to claim 1 further comprising:
- (h) means for storing an optimum engine operation temperature for a range of ambient air temperatures and outputting the optimum engine operation temperature for the measured ambient air temperature, wherein the preselected engine operation temperature is the optimum engine operation temperature at the current measured ambient air temperature.
- 3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the engine operation temperature is the engine oil temperature.
- 4. A system according to claim 3 wherein the engine oil temperature is the oil temperature in the oil pan.
- 5. A system according to claim 1 wherein the engine operation temperature is the engine oil temperature.
- 6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the engine oil temperature is the oil temperature in the oil pan.
- 7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the second curve is generally a shifted down version of the first curve when ambient air temperature is plotted on the x-axis and temperature control fluid is plotted on the y-axis.
- 8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the second curve is shifted down from the first curve by about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 9. A system according to claim 1 further comprising:
- (h) a second flow control valve for controlling flow of the temperature control fluid through a second passageway associated with the engine's water jacket, the second flow control valve having a first state for restricting said flow and a second state for allowing unrestricted flow,
- the engine computer sending control signals to place the second valve in the first state when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie on the first region of the coordinate system defined by the selected curve and sending said control signals to place the valve in the second state when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie on the second region of the coordinate system of the selected curve.
- 10. A system according to claim 9 wherein the restricted flow condition is a completely blocked flow condition.
- 11. A system according to claim 1 further comprising:
- (h) a heat exchanger in an oil pan, the heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet;
- (i) a water jacket having an outlet connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger; and
- (j) a water pump having an inlet connected to the outlet of the radiator and the outlet of the heat exchanger, and an outlet connected to the inlet of the water jacket,
- wherein at least a portion of the temperature control fluid output from the water jacket flows through the heat exchanger.
- 12. A system according to claim 11 wherein the heat exchanger is a heat conductive tube.
- 13. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second curves have a generally positive slope in an area defined by a t1 range from about 100 degrees Fahrenheit to about 260 degrees Fahrenheit and a t2 range from about 100 degrees Fahrenheit to about zero degrees Fahrenheit.
- 14. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second curves have a generally zero slope in an area where t2 is generally less than zero degrees Fahrenheit.
- 15. A system according to claim 1 further comprising an altitude sensor and means for adjusting the preselected engine operation temperature in accordance with the altitude.
- 16. A temperature control system for engine warm-up or start-up in a liquid cooled internal combustion engine equipped with a radiator, the system comprising:
- (a) a first flow control valve for controlling flow of a temperature control fluid through a first passageway which communicates with the radiator, the first flow control valve having a first state for preventing said flow and a second state for allowing said flow;
- (b) a first sensor for measuring the temperature of the temperature control fluid, t1;
- (c) a second sensor for measuring ambient air temperature, t2;
- (d) a third sensor for measuring an actual engine operation temperature indicative of engine oil temperature;
- (e) an engine computer for receiving signals from the first and second sensors, producing control signals based on both of said sensor signals, and sending said control signals to the first flow control valve to control the state of the valve,
- t1 and t2 defining a first mathematical function of t1=f(t2) which forms a first two-dimensional curve on an orthogonal coordinate system having axes t1 and t2, the first curve dividing the coordinate system into two regions, one on either side of the first curve, the engine computer sending said control signals to place the valve in the first state when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie on a first region of the coordinate system and sending said control signals to place the valve in the second state when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie on a second region of the coordinate system defined by the first curve,
- t1 and t2 also defining a second mathematical function of t1=f(t2) which forms a second two-dimensional curve on the orthogonal coordinate system having axes t1 and t2, the second curve dividing the coordinate system into two regions, one on either side of the second curve, the engine computer sending said control signals to place the valve in the first state when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie on a first region of the coordinate system defined by the second curve and sending said control signals to place the valve in the second state when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie on a second region of the coordinate system defined by the second curve;
- (f) means for comparing the measured engine operation temperature to a preselected engine operation temperature; and
- (g) means for selecting either the first or second curve to control the state of the valve, the first curve being selected during engine start-up or warm-up, the second curve being selected when the actual engine operation temperature reaches the preselected temperature.
- 17. A system according to claim 16 further comprising:
- (h) means for storing an optimum engine operation temperature for a range of ambient air temperatures and outputting the optimum engine operation temperature for the measured ambient air temperature, wherein the preselected engine operation temperature is the optimum engine operation temperature at the current measured ambient air temperature.
- 18. A system according to claim 17 wherein the engine operation temperature is the engine oil temperature.
- 19. A system according to claim 18 wherein the engine oil temperature is the temperature in the oil pan.
- 20. A system according to claim 16 wherein the engine operation temperature is the engine oil temperature.
- 21. A system according to claim 20 wherein the engine oil temperature is the temperature in the oil pan.
- 22. A system according to claim 16 wherein the first curve is generally similar to the second curve, except for a bump-up region in the first curve in a selected range of ambient air temperatures when ambient air temperature is plotted on the x-axis and temperature control fluid is plotted on the y-axis.
- 23. A system according to claim 22 wherein at least a portion of the bump-up region is above an ambient air temperature of about 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 24. A system according to claim 23 wherein the bump-up region has a maximum bump-up of about 65 degrees Fahrenheit at an ambient temperature of about 85 degrees Fahrenheit and becomes smaller as the ambient air temperature approaches 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 25. A system according to claim 22 wherein the bump-up region has a maximum bump-up of about 65 degrees Fahrenheit and becomes smaller as the ambient air temperature decreases.
- 26. A system according to claim 16 further comprising:
- (h) a second flow control valve for controlling flow of the temperature control fluid through a second passageway associated with the engine's water jacket, the second flow control valve having a first state for restricting said flow and a second state for allowing unrestricted flow,
- the engine computer sending control signals to place the second valve in the first state when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie on the first region of the coordinate system defined by the selected curve and sending said control signals to place the valve in the second state when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie on the second region of the coordinate system of the selected curve.
- 27. A system according to claim 26 wherein the restricted flow condition is a completely blocked flow condition.
- 28. A system according to claim 16 further comprising:
- (h) a heat exchanger in an oil pan, the heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet;
- (i) a water jacket having an outlet connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger; and
- (j) a water pump having an inlet connected to the outlet of the radiator and the outlet of the heat exchanger, and an outlet connected to the inlet of the water jacket,
- wherein at least a portion of the temperature control fluid output from the water jacket flows through the heat exchanger.
- 29. A system according to claim 28 wherein the heat exchanger is a heat conductive tube.
- 30. A system according to claim 16 further comprising an altitude sensor and means for adjusting the preselected engine operation temperature in accordance with the altitude.
- 31. A method for controlling the state of a flow control valve in an internal combustion engine equipped with a radiator and an engine computer, the flow control valve controlling flow of temperature control fluid, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) measuring a temperature (t1) of the temperature control fluid with a first temperature sensor and sending t1 to the engine computer;
- (b) measuring an ambient air temperature (t2) with a second temperature sensor and sending (t2) to the engine computer;
- (c) measuring an actual engine operation temperature which is indicative of engine oil temperature with a third temperature sensor;
- (d) comparing the actual engine operation temperature to a preselected engine operation temperature;
- (e) defining a first mathematical function of t1=f(t2) which forms a first two-dimensional curve on an orthogonal coordinate system having axes t1 and t2, the first curve dividing the coordinate system into two regions, one on either side of the first curve;
- (f) defining a second mathematical function of t1=f(t2) which forms a second two-dimensional curve on an orthogonal coordinate system having axes t1 and t2, the second curve dividing the coordinate system into two regions, one on either side of the second curve;
- (g) selecting either the first or second curve to control the state of the valve, the first curve being selected when the actual engine operation temperature is at or below the preselected temperature, the second curve being selected when the actual engine operation temperature is above the preselected temperature;
- (h) determining in the engine computer which region of the coordinate system of the selected curve the measured temperatures t1 and t2 lie in; and
- (i) sending control signals from the engine computer to the valve to place the valve in either a first state for preventing said flow when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie in the first region of the coordinate system of the selected curve, or in second state for allowing said flow when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie in the second region of the coordinate system of the selected curve.
- 32. A method according to claim 31 further comprising the steps of:
- (j) storing an optimum engine operation temperature for a range of ambient air temperatures; and
- (k) employing the ambient air temperature measurement from step (b) to determine the optimum engine operation temperature for the measured ambient air temperature, wherein the preselected engine operation temperature in step (d) is the optimum engine operation temperature at the current measured ambient air temperature.
- 33. A method according to claim 32 wherein the engine operation temperature is the engine oil temperature.
- 34. A method according to claim 33 wherein the engine oil temperature is the oil temperature in the oil pan.
- 35. A method according to claim 31 wherein the engine operation temperature is the engine oil temperature.
- 36. A method according to claim 35 wherein the engine oil temperature is the oil temperature in the oil pan.
- 37. A method according to claim 31 wherein the second curve is generally a shifted down version of the first curve when ambient air temperature is plotted on the x-axis and temperature control fluid is plotted on the y-axis.
- 38. A method according to claim 37 wherein the second curve is shifted down from the first curve by about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 39. A method according to claim 31 wherein the first and second curves have a generally positive slope in an area defined by a t1 range from about 100 degrees Fahrenheit to about 260 degrees Fahrenheit and a t2 range from about 100 degrees Fahrenheit to about zero degrees Fahrenheit.
- 40. A method according to claim 31 wherein the first and second curves have a generally zero slope in an area where t2 is generally less than zero degrees Fahrenheit.
- 41. A method according to claim 31 further comprising the steps:
- (j) measuring the altitude with an altitude sensor; and
- (k) adjusting the preselected engine operation temperature in step (d) in accordance with the altitude.
- 42. A method according to claim 31 wherein the engine is further equipped with a heat exchanger in an oil pan, the heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet; a water jacket having an outlet connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger; and a water pump having an inlet connected to the outlet of the radiator and the outlet of the heat exchanger, and an outlet connected to the inlet of the water jacket, the method further comprising the step of
- (j) flowing at least a portion of the temperature control fluid output from the water jacket through the heat exchanger.
- 43. A method for controlling the state of a flow control valve according to claim 31, the engine including an engine block and wherein the measured actual engine operation temperature is the temperature of the engine block.
- 44. A method for controlling the state of a flow control valve during engine start-up or warm-up in an internal combustion engine equipped with a radiator and an engine computer, the flow control valve controlling flow of temperature control fluid, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) measuring a temperature (t1) of the temperature control fluid with a first temperature sensor and sending t1 to the engine computer;
- (b) measuring an ambient air temperature (t2) with a second temperature sensor and sending (t2) to the engine computer;
- (c) measuring an actual engine operation temperature indicative of engine oil temperature with a third temperature sensor;
- (d) comparing the actual engine operation temperature to a preselected engine operation temperature;
- (e) defining a first mathematical function of t1=f(t2) which forms a first two-dimensional curve on an orthogonal coordinate system having axes t1 and t2, the first curve dividing the coordinate system into two regions, one on either side of the first curve;
- (f) defining a second mathematical function of t1=f(t2) which forms a second two-dimensional curve on an orthogonal coordinate system having axes t1 and t2, the second curve dividing the coordinate system into two regions, one on either side of the second curve;
- (g) selecting either the first or second curve to control the state of the valve, the first curve being selected during engine warm-up or start-up, the second curve being selected when the actual engine operation temperature reaches the preselected temperature;
- (h) determining in the engine computer which region of the coordinate system of the selected curve the measured temperatures t1 and t2 lie in; and
- (i) sending control signals from the engine computer to the valve to place the valve in either a first state for preventing said flow when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie in the first region of the coordinate system of the selected curve, or in second state for allowing said flow when coordinate pairs of t1 and t2 lie in the second region of the coordinate system of the selected curve.
- 45. A method according to claim 44 further comprising the steps of:
- (j) storing an optimum engine operation temperature for a range of ambient air temperatures; and
- (k) employing the ambient air temperature measurement from step (b) to determine the optimum engine operation temperature for the measured ambient air temperature, wherein the preselected engine operation temperature in step (d) is the optimum engine operation temperature at the current measured ambient air temperature.
- 46. A method according to claim 45 wherein the engine operation temperature is the engine oil temperature.
- 47. A method according to claim 46 wherein the engine oil temperature is the oil temperature in the oil pan.
- 48. A method according to claim 44 wherein the engine operation temperature is the engine oil temperature.
- 49. A method according to claim 48 wherein the engine oil temperature is the oil temperature in the oil pan.
- 50. A method according to claim 44 wherein the first curve is generally similar to the second curve, except for a bump-up region in the first curve in a selected range of ambient air temperatures when ambient air temperature is plotted on the x-axis and temperature control fluid is plotted on the y-axis.
- 51. A method according to claim 50 wherein at least a portion of the bump-up region is above an ambient air temperature of about 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 52. A method according to claim 51 wherein the bump-up region has a maximum bump-up of about 65 degrees Fahrenheit at an ambient temperature of about 85 degrees Fahrenheit and becomes smaller as the ambient air temperature approaches 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 53. A method according to claim 50 wherein the bump-up region has a maximum bump-up of about 65 degrees Fahrenheit and becomes smaller as the ambient air temperature decreases.
- 54. A method according to claim 44 further comprising the steps:
- (j) measuring the altitude with an altitude sensor; and
- (k) adjusting the preselected engine oil temperature in step (d) in accordance with the altitude.
- 55. A method according to claim 44 wherein the engine is further equipped with a heat exchanger in an oil pan, the heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet; a water jacket having an outlet connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger; and a water pump having an inlet connected to the outlet of the radiator and the outlet of the heat exchanger, and an outlet connected to the inlet of the water jacket, the method further comprising the step of
- (j) flowing at least a portion of the temperature control fluid output from the water jacket through the heat exchanger.
- 56. A temperature control system in a liquid cooled internal combustion engine for use during engine warm-up or engine start-up, the engine being equipped with a radiator and a water jacket, the system comprising:
- a first flow control valve for controlling flow of a temperature control fluid through a passageway between the water jacket and the radiator, the first flow control valve having a first state for preventing said flow and a second state for allowing said flow, the valve being in the first state during warm-up or start-up;
- a first sensor for measuring actual engine operation temperature indicative of engine oil temperature;
- means for comparing the measured engine operation temperature to a preselected engine operation temperature;
- an engine computer for producing control signals and sending said control signals to the flow control valve to control the state of the valve, the engine computer maintaining the valve in the first state until the actual engine operation temperature reaches the preselected engine operation temperature, regardless of the temperature of the temperature control fluid, the engine computer placing the valve in the second state when the actual engine operation temperature reaches the preselected engine operation temperature;
- a second sensor for measuring ambient air temperature; and
- means for storing a plurality of optimum engine operation temperatures each having a corresponding ambient air temperature value and for outputting the optimum engine operation temperature for the measured ambient air temperature, wherein the preselected engine operation temperature is the optimum engine operation temperature at the current measured ambient air temperature.
- 57. A system according to claim 55 wherein the engine operation temperature is the engine oil temperature.
- 58. A system according to claim 57 wherein the engine oil temperature is the oil temperature in the oil pan.
- 59. A system according to claim 56 wherein the engine operation temperature is the engine oil temperature.
- 60. A system according to claim 59 wherein the engine oil temperature is the oil temperature in the oil pan.
- 61. A system according to claim 56 further comprising:
- a second flow control valve for controlling flow of the temperature control fluid through a second passageway associated with the engine's water jacket, the second flow control valve having a first state for restricting said flow and a second state for allowing unrestricted flow,
- the engine computer sending control signals to maintain the second valve in the first state until the actual engine operation temperature reaches the preselected engine operation temperature, regardless of the temperature of the temperature control fluid, the engine computer placing the valve in the second state when the actual engine operation temperature reaches the preselected engine operation temperature.
- 62. A system according to claim 61 wherein the restricted flow condition is a completely blocked flow condition.
- 63. A system according to claim 56 further comprising:
- a heat exchanger in an oil pan, the heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet;
- a water jacket having an outlet connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger; and
- a water pump having an inlet connected to the outlet of the radiator and the outlet of the heat exchanger, and an outlet connected to the inlet of the water jacket,
- wherein at least a portion of the temperature control fluid output from the water jacket flows through the heat exchanger.
- 64. A system according to claim 63 wherein the heat exchanger is a heat conductive tube.
- 65. A method for controlling the state of a flow control valve in an internal combustion engine during engine warm-up or engine start-up, the engine being equipped with a radiator and a water jacket, the flow control valve controlling flow of temperature control fluid between the water jacket and the radiator, the valve being in a closed state upon warm-up or start-up, thereby preventing flow of the temperature control fluid, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) measuring an actual engine operation temperature indicative of engine oil temperature with a first temperature sensor;
- (b) comparing an actual engine operation temperature to a preselected engine operation temperature; and
- (c) maintaining the valve in the closed state until the actual engine operation temperature reaches the preselected engine operation temperature, regardless of the temperature of the temperature control fluid, the engine computer placing the valve in the second state when the actual engine operation temperature reaches the preselected engine operation temperature.
- 66. A method according to claim 65 further comprising the steps of:
- (d) storing an optimum engine operation temperature for a range of ambient air temperatures; and
- (e) measuring the ambient air temperature with a second temperature sensor and determining from step (d) the optimum engine operation temperature for the measured ambient air temperature, wherein the preselected engine operation temperature in step (b) is the optimum engine operation temperature at the current measured ambient air temperature.
- 67. A method according to claim 66 wherein the engine operation temperature is the engine oil temperature.
- 68. A method according to claim 67 wherein the engine oil temperature is the oil temperature in the oil pan.
- 69. A method according to claim 65 wherein the engine operation temperature is the engine oil temperature.
- 70. A method according to claim 69 wherein the engine oil temperature is the oil temperature in the oil pan.
- 71. A method according to claim 65 wherein the engine is further equipped with a heat exchanger in an oil pan, the heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet; a water jacket having an outlet connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger; and a water pump having an inlet connected to the outlet of the radiator and the outlet of the heat exchanger, and an outlet connected to the inlet of the water jacket, the method further comprising the step of
- (d) flowing at least a portion of the temperature control fluid output from the water jacket through the heat exchanger.
- 72. A temperature control system in a liquid cooled internal combustion engine equipped with a radiator and a water jacket, the system comprising:
- a first flow control valve for controlling flow of a temperature control fluid through the water jacket, the first flow control valve having a first state for inhibiting said flow and a second state for allowing said flow;
- a first sensor for measuring an actual engine operation temperature indicative of engine oil temperature and for providing a signal indicative thereof;
- a second sensor for measuring actual ambient temperature and for providing a signal indicative thereof;
- means responsive to said actual ambient temperature signal for determining a desired engine operation temperature based on said actual ambient temperature, said desired engine operation temperature varying as a function of ambient temperature;
- means for comparing said actual engine operation temperature to said desired engine operation temperature; and
- means for controlling the state of the flow control valve between said first and second states, said flow control valve being in said first state when said actual engine operation temperature is less than said desired engine operation temperature and said flow control valve being in said second state when said actual engine operation temperature exceeds said desired engine operation temperature.
- 73. The temperature control system according to claim 72 further comprising a third sensor for measuring said control fluid temperature and for providing a signal indicative thereof, said means responsive to said ambient air temperature determining a desired control fluid temperature based on said actual ambient temperature, said desired control fluid temperature varying as a function of ambient temperature, and means for comparing said control fluid temperature to said desired control fluid temperature and wherein said means for controlling the state of the flow control valve translates the flow control valve between said first and second states as a function of said sensed actual ambient temperature, said sensed actual engine operation temperature and said sensed control fluid temperature.
- 74. The temperature control system according to claim 72 wherein the water jacket communicates between a cylinder head and an intake manifold and wherein said flow control valve controls flow between the cylinder head and the intake manifold.
- 75. The temperature control system according to claim 72 wherein said flow control valve controls flow between the engine and the radiator.
- 76. A temperature control system in a liquid cooled internal combustion engine equipped with a radiator and a first water jacket associated with a cylinder head and a second water jacket associated with a intake manifold, the system comprising:
- a first flow control valve for controlling flow of a temperature control fluid from the first water jacket to the second water jacket, the first flow control valve having a first state for inhibiting said flow and a second state for allowing said flow;
- a first sensor for measuring an actual engine operation temperature indicative of engine oil temperature and for providing a signal indicative thereof;
- a second sensor for measuring actual ambient temperature and for providing a signal indicative thereof;
- means responsive to said actual ambient temperature signal for determining a desired engine operation temperature based on said actual ambient temperature, said desired engine operation temperature varying as a function of said actual ambient temperature;
- means for comparing said actual engine operation temperature to said desired engine operation temperature; and
- means for controlling the state of the flow control valve between said first and second states, said flow control valve being in said first state when said actual operation temperature is less than said desired operation temperature and said flow control valve being in said second state when said actual operation temperature exceeds said desired operation temperature.
- 77. A temperature control system according to claim 76 wherein the internal combustion engine has a third water jacket associated with the engine block, the system further comprising:
- a second flow control valve for controlling the flow of a temperature control fluid to the first water jacket, the second flow control valve having a first state for inhibiting said flow and a second state for allowing said flow; and
- wherein the temperature control fluid is permitted to flow into the third water jacket when the second flow control valve is in the first state.
- 78. A method for controlling the state of a flow control valve in an internal combustion engine equipped with a radiator, an engine block and an oil pan, the flow control valve controlling flow of temperature control fluid, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) measuring a first temperature which is indicative of the actual engine oil temperature;
- (b) measuring an ambient air temperature;
- (c) determining a threshold engine temperature value for the sensed ambient temperature, said threshold engine temperature value varying as a function of the ambient air temperature;
- (d) comparing said first temperature with the threshold engine temperature value to determine a desired valve position;
- (e) actuating the valve so as to place it in said desired valve position.
- 79. A method for controlling the state of a flow control valve according to claim 78 wherein the flow control valve controls flow of temperature control fluid along a passageway between the radiator and the oil pan and wherein said desired valve position inhibits fluid flow to the radiator and enables flow to the oil pan.
- 80. A method for controlling the state of a flow control valve according to claim 78 wherein the flow control valve controls flow of temperature control fluid along a passageway to an intake manifold in the internal combustion engine and wherein said desired valve position enables flow to the intake manifold.
- 81. A method for controlling the state of a flow control valve according to claim 78 wherein said first temperature is engine oil temperature.
- 82. A method for controlling the state of a flow control valve according to claim 78 wherein said first temperature is the temperature of the engine block.
- 83. A method for controlling the flow of temperature control fluid in an internal combustion engine equipped with a radiator, a water jacket in an engine block, a water jacket in a cylinder head and a water jacket in an oil pan, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) measuring a first temperature which is indicative of the actual engine oil temperature;
- (b) measuring an ambient air temperature;
- (c) determining a threshold engine temperature value for said sensed ambient temperature, said threshold engine temperature value varying as a function of said ambient air temperature;
- (d) comparing said first temperature with the threshold engine temperature value;
- (e) enabling flow of the temperature control fluid through the cylinder head water jacket and the oil pan water jacket and preventing flow through the radiator when the first temperature is less than the threshold engine temperature value, whereby heat from the cylinder head is transferred to oil pan by the temperature control fluid; and
- (f) permitting flow of the temperature control fluid through the engine block water jacket and the cylinder head water jacket when the first temperature is greater than the threshold engine temperature value.
- 84. A method for controlling the flow of temperature control fluid according to claim 83 wherein the engine furthermore includes a water jacket in an intake manifold, the method further comprising enabling flow of the temperature control fluid through the intake manifold when the first temperature is less than the threshold engine temperature value.
- 85. A method for controlling the flow of temperature control fluid according to claim 83 wherein the first temperature measured in step (a) is of the temperature control fluid and wherein the threshold engine temperature value determined in step (b) is a threshold value for the temperature control fluid.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/390,711, filed on Feb. 17, 1995, now abandoned which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/306,272 filed Sep. 14, 1994 and now entitled "SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE APPROPRIATE STATE OF A FLOW CONTROL VALVE AND CONTROLLING ITS STATE" now U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,745 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. 08/306,240, filed Sep. 14, 1994 and entitled "HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED ELECTRONIC ENGINE TEMPERATURE CONTROL VALVE" now U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,096 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. 08/306,281, filed Sep. 14, 1994 and entitled "HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED RESTRICTOR/SHUTOFF FLOW CONTROL VALVE" now U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,986 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
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Continuations (1)
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Continuation in Parts (1)
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