Patent ID: 11898486
Assignee: CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 18:
19. A water pump assembly that includes a plurality of pre-packaged components comprising:
a housing including a surface and one or more openings that extend through the surface of the housing;
one or more retainer structures positioned on the surface of the housing proximate to one or more openings of the housing;
a plurality of pre-mounted fasteners, wherein:
the plurality of pre-mounted fasteners enable connection of the housing to an engine assembly via one or more of the openings that extend through the surface of the housing;
prior to connection of the housing to the engine assembly, the plurality of pre-mounted fasteners are secured to the housing by the one or more retainer structures; and
the one or more retainer structures comprise a plurality of apertures that are designed and configured to receive the plurality of pre-mounted fasteners and attach the pre-mounted fasteners to the housing;

a thermostat integrated into the housing of the water pump assembly, the thermostat comprising a temperature-controlled valve assembly configured to regulate a flow of coolant to the engine assembly; and
at least one pre-installed gasket connected to the housing of the water pump assembly and adapted to seal a connection between the housing of the water pump assembly and the engine assembly, wherein:
the at least one pre-installed gasket is attached on an exterior portion of the housing prior to connection of the housing to the engine assembly; and
the at least one pre-installed gasket is located at a location on the exterior portion of the housing where the water pump assembly and engine assembly are configured to interface with each other

wherein the plurality of pre-mounted fasteners, the thermostat, and the at least one pre-installed gasket are pre-installed on, and attached to, the water pump assembly prior to water pump assembly being connected to the engine assembly.