Patent ID: 6935569

Claim:
A fluid bypass valve configured to be placed within a bypass passage defined by a component, the bypass valve comprising: a valve housing defining an elongated bypass passage having a first valve seat, said bypass passage communicating with a fluid supply and a fluid return; a thermally responsive actuator which moves the valve bearing element between an open and closed positions; a sliding valve element disposed within the valve housing; first and second intermediate helical springs annularly disposed about the sliding valve element; a valve seal which is engageable with the first valve seat having a closed position for preventing oil flow through the elongated bypass passage, and further having an open position for allowing bypass oil fluid from the fluid supply line back to the fluid return line; and wherein the first spring engaged between said sliding valve element and said valve housing and operative to urge said sliding valve element away said first valve seat and wherein the second spring is engaged between said sliding valve element and said valve seal and operative to urge said valve seal toward said valve seat.