摘要 |
A variable flow thermostat, as applied to an internal combustion engine, provides a means for allowing the flow of coolant fluid from the engine block to the radiator to vary in response to the temperature of the engine coolant sensed at the engine block. The thermostat includes a central control unit that responds to changes in engine coolant temperature by sending signals to one of a plurality of control heaters, each in contact with block of a controllably expandable medium. These blocks, when heated by the control heaters, will heat and expand, exerting a force that controls the degree to which a valve opens. The valve controls the flow of coolant fluid from the engine to either a radiator or a bypass conduit. By varying how many blocks of material are heated, the position of the valve, and thus the amount of coolant reaching the radiator, can be varied.
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