Patent ID: 7299994

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 communicating with a fluid supply and a fluid return; a thermally responsive actuator; a valve element body defining a fluid inlet, a through bore, an exit bore and a valve seat, said valve element body disposed within the bypass passage; a sliding valve element disposed within the valve element body, the sliding valve element being engageable with the valve seat and the thermally responsive actuator, said sliding valve element 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 to the fluid return; and a spring annularly disposed about the sliding valve element, wherein the spring is engaged between said sliding valve element and said valve element body and operative to urge said sliding valve element away said valve seat.