Patent ID: 6364213
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: F01P

Abstract:
An integrated fluid recovery reservoir and thermostat assembly for use within an engine cooling system of the type including an engine, a radiator, coolant and a pump which selectively circulates said coolant through said engine and said radiator, said assembly comprising:a coolant reservoir housing which is mounted to said engine and which includes at least one inlet port for receiving said coolant from said engine and an outlet flow portion which is fluidly coupled to said radiator; a flow control module which is attached to said reservoir housing and which selectively and fluidly communicates with said reservoir housing, with said pump and with said radiator; and a thermostat assembly which is attached to said flow control module, and which cooperates with said flow control module to selectively control the flow of said coolant through said engine cooling system, said thermostat assembly including a valve which is selectively movable between a first position in which said coolant bypasses said radiator and flows directly from said reservoir housing to said pump, and a second position which causes said coolant to be selectively channeled from said reservoir housing through said radiator prior to being channeled to said pump.