Patent ID: 7854256

Claim:
A bypass valve for a heat exchanger, comprising: (a) a housing comprising: (i) a first opening and a second opening to permit fluid to flow through the valve; (ii) a first valve chamber which is arranged between the first and second openings and is in flow communication with both the first and second openings; (iii) a second valve chamber in flow communication with the first valve chamber; (iv) a third opening in communication with the second valve chamber; and (v) a valve port which is arranged between the first and second valve chambers, wherein the second valve chamber is arranged between the third opening and the valve port; and (b) a temperature-responsive actuator mounted in the housing and comprising: (i) a reciprocating sealing member extending into the first valve chamber; (ii) a solenoid having a central actuator shaft attached to the sealing member, wherein the actuator shaft extends upon energization of the solenoid, so that the sealing member seals the valve port and blocks flow between the first and second valve chambers, wherein the actuator shaft has a first end to which the sealing member is attached, a second end, and a hollow interior; (iii) bias means for urging the actuator shaft to retract upon de-energization of the solenoid so as to unblock flow between said inlet and outlet openings; and (iv) a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve, the temperature sensor being electrically coupled to the solenoid through one or more conductors, wherein the temperature sensor is located at the first end of the actuator shaft and the one or more conductors extend through the hollow interior of the actuator shaft to the second end thereof.