Patent ID: 6938586

Claim:
A valve for controlling fluid flow between an engine and a radiator in an automotive vehicle comprising: a housing disposed between the engine and radiator, the housing having a chamber formed therein; a radiator port extending between the radiator and the chamber for passing coolant flowing between the radiator and the chamber; a bypass port extending between an outlet from the engine and the chamber for passing coolant flowing between the engine and the chamber; an engine port extending between an inlet from the engine and the chamber for passing coolant flowing from one or both of the radiator and bypass ports between the inlet of the engine and the chamber; a vane disposed within and pivotally coupled to the chamber for adjusting a flow of fluid within the chamber; and a drive assembly operatively coupled to the vane for varying the position of the vane within the chamber wherein fluid flow between the radiator and engine is proportionally controlled based upon a predetermined operating temperature range, wherein the vane has a vane wall extending radially and a tapered plunger extending arcuately from the vane wall, and the radiator flow port includes an arcuate tapered neck, the plunger moving in and out of the neck decreasing and increasing, respectively, fluid flow between the radiator flow port and the chamber.