Patent ID: 6101988
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: F01P

Abstract:
An engine cooling system, comprising:at least one engine coolant chamber formed adjacent to heat-rejecting components of the engine and hermetically sealed to prevent exposure of coolant within the chamber to the engine's ambient atmosphere;liquid coolant received within the at least one engine coolant chamber and defining a first volume prior to engine operation and a second volume greater than the first volume due to thermal expansion of the coolant during engine operation;a coolant pump coupled in fluid communication with the engine coolant chamber for pumping the liquid coolant through the coolant chamber and transferring heat away from the heat-rejecting components of the engine; andan accumulator defining at least one hermetically-sealed chamber coupled in fluid communication with the at least one engine coolant chamber and receiving at least one of thermally-expanded coolant and gas from the at least one engine coolant chamber, wherein the at least one hermetically-sealed chamber defines a volume at least equal to or greater than the difference between the first and second volumes of the liquid coolant, and the accumulator further defines at least one of:(i) a substantially liquid-free space coupled in fluid communication with the at least one hermetically-sealed chamber for receiving gas, and(ii) a movable wall coupled in fluid communication on one side with the at least one hermetically-sealed chamber and coupled in fluid communication on another side with ambient atmosphere and movable in response to the flow of at least one of thermally-expanded coolant and gas into the hermetically-sealed chamber,to thereby maintain the pressure within the at least one chamber of the accumulator within a predetermined pressure limit during engine operation.