Author: claimsbot

1. A switch comprising:
a base;
a support terminal which is assembled in the base;
a movable contact piece which is made of a belt-like electroconductive material bent into a substantial J-shape in section, the movable contact piece including a movable contact provided in one end portion thereof an intermediate portion of the movable contact piece being turnably supported by a turning support portion of the support terminal;
a plunger which is accommodated in an internal space while being able to be vertically moved, the internal space being formed by fitting a housing in the base; and
a coil spring which is turnably supported by the plunger,
wherein the plunger is slid while vertically moved press-contact one end portion of the coil spring against the other end edge portion of the movable contact piece, whereby the movable contact piece is reversed to bring the movable contact into contact with a fixed contact or to separate the movable contact from the fixed contact.
2. A switch comprising:
a base;
a support terminal which is assembled in the base;
a movable contact piece which is made of a straight electroconductive material, the movable contact piece including a movable contact provided in one end portion thereof an intermediate portion of the movable contact piece being turnably supported by a turning support portion of the support terminal;
a plunger which is accommodated in an internal space while being able to be vertically moved, the internal space being formed by fitting a housing in the base; and
a coil spring which is turnably supported by the plunger,
wherein the plunger is slid while vertically moved press-contact one end portion of the coil spring against the other end portion on the upper surface of the movable contact piece, whereby the movable contact piece is reversed to bring the movable contact into contact with a fixed contact or to separate the movable contact from the fixed contact.
3. A switch comprising:
a base;
a support terminal which is assembled in the base;
a movable contact piece which is made of a belt-like electroconductive material bent into a substantial J-shape in section, the movable contact piece including a movable contact provided in one end portion thereof, an intermediate portion of the movable contact piece being turnably supported by a turning support portion of the support terminal;
a plunger which is accommodated in an internal space while being able to be vertically moved, the internal space being formed by fitting a housing in the base; and
a leaf spring which is made of a belt-like elastic material bent into a substantial V-shape in section, the leaf spring being turnably supported by the plunger,
wherein the plunger is slid while vertically moved press-contact one end portion of the leaf spring against the other end edge portion of the movable contact piece, whereby the movable contact piece is reversed to bring the movable contact into contact with a fixed contact or to separate the movable contact from the fixed contact.
4. A switch comprising:
a base;
a support terminal which is assembled in the base;
a movable contact piece which is made of a straight electroconductive material, the movable contact piece including a movable contact provided in one end portion thereof, an intermediate portion of the movable contact piece being turnably supported by a turning support portion of the support terminal;
a plunger which is accommodated in an internal space while being able to be vertically moved, the internal space being formed by fitting a housing in the base; and
a leaf spring which is made of a belt-like elastic material bent into a substantial V-shape in section, the leaf spring being turnably supported by the plunger,
wherein the plunger is slid while vertically moved press-contact one end portion of the leaf spring against the other end portion on the upper surface of the movable contact piece, whereby the movable contact piece is reversed to bring the movable contact into contact with a fixed contact or to separate the movable contact from the fixed contact.
5. The switch according to claim 1, wherein a forced disjunction pawl portion is provided in one end portion of the spring, the forced disjunction pawl portion being latched in an edge portion of the other end portion of the movable contact piece to perform forced disjunction between the fixed contact and the movable contact.
6. The switch according to claim 1, wherein an assembling bent portion is provided in one end portion of the spring, the assembling bent portion being able to be assembled by sliding the assembling bent portion on an edge portion of the other end portion of the movable contact piece.
7. The switch according to claim 1, wherein a position regulating projected strip is projected from an inside surface of the housing fitted in the base, the position regulating projected strip being latched in an upper surface edge portion of the movable contact piece to regulate a position during return.
8. The switch according to claim 1, wherein a positioning projected strip is projected from an inside surface of the housing fitted in the base, the positioning projected strip laterally press-contacting the spring to perform positioning.
9. The switch according to claim 2, wherein a forced disjunction pawl portion is provided in one end portion of the spring, the forced disjunction pawl portion being latched in an edge portion of the other end portion of the movable contact piece to perform forced disjunction between the fixed contact and the movable contact.
10. The switch according to claim 3, wherein a forced disjunction pawl portion is provided in one end portion of the spring, the forced disjunction pawl portion being latched in an edge portion of the other end portion of the movable contact piece to perform forced disjunction between the fixed contact and the movable contact.
11. The switch according to claim 3, wherein an assembling bent portion is provided in one end portion of the spring, the assembling bent portion being able to be assembled by sliding the assembling bent portion on an edge portion of the other end portion of the movable contact piece.
12. The switch according to claim 5, wherein an assembling bent portion is provided in one end portion of the spring, the assembling bent portion being able to be assembled by sliding the assembling bent portion on an edge portion of the other end portion of the movable contact piece.
13. The switch according to claim 2, wherein a position regulating projected strip is projected from an inside surface of the housing fitted in the base, the position regulating projected strip being latched in an upper surface edge portion of the movable contact piece to regulate a position during return.
14. The switch according to claim 3, wherein a position regulating projected strip is projected from an inside surface of the housing fitted in the base, the position regulating projected strip being latched in an upper surface edge portion of the movable contact piece to regulate a position during return.
15. The switch according to claim 4, wherein a position regulating projected strip is projected from an inside surface of the housing fitted in the base, the position regulating projected strip being latched in an upper surface edge portion of the movable contact piece to regulate a position during return.
16. The switch according to claim 5, wherein a position regulating projected strip is projected from an inside surface of the housing fitted in the base, the position regulating projected strip being latched in an upper surface edge portion of the movable contact piece to regulate a position during return.
17. The switch according to claim 2, wherein a positioning projected strip is projected from an inside surface of the housing fitted in the base, the positioning projected strip laterally press-contacting the spring to perform positioning.
18. The switch according to claim 3, wherein a positioning projected strip is projected from an inside surface of the housing fitted in the base, the positioning projected strip laterally press-contacting the spring to perform positioning.
19. The switch according to claim 4, wherein a positioning projected strip is projected from an inside surface of the housing fitted in the base, the positioning projected strip laterally press-contacting the spring to perform positioning.
20. The switch according to claim 5, wherein a positioning projected strip is projected from an inside surface of the housing fitted in the base, the positioning projected strip laterally press-contacting the spring to perform positioning.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A trough collector system, comprising:
a first module comprising a first reflector having a first reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation onto a linear tube, and a first three-dimensional structural lattice attached to the first reflector opposite the first reflective front surface;
a second module comprising a second reflector having a second reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation onto the linear tube, and a second three-dimensional structural lattice attached to the second reflector opposite the second reflective front surface, wherein the first and second modules are constrained to rotate about a common axis of rotation parallel to the linear tube; and
a torque transfer connection directly connecting the first three-dimensional structural lattice to the second three-dimensional structural lattice at a location removed from the axis of rotation, wherein the torque transfer connection is compliant in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, and is substantially rigid in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation.
2. The trough collector system of claim 1, wherein the torque transfer connection comprises a link that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.
3. The trough collector system of claim 2, wherein the link telescopes.
4. The trough collector system of claim 1, wherein:
the first module further comprises a first axle segment at the common axis of rotation; and
the second module further comprises a second axle segment at the common axis of rotation.
5. The trough collector system of claim 1, further comprising a common axle along the common axis of rotation, the common axle extending from the first module to the second module.
6. The trough collector system of claim 5, wherein each module is attached to the common axle such that the common axle can transmit torque from one module to the other.
7. The trough collector system of claim 5, wherein at least one module is rotatable with respect to the common axle, such that the common axle does not transmit torque from one module to the other.
8. The trough collector system of claim 1, further comprising means for accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the modules.
9. The trough collector system of claim 1, wherein the rotational alignment of the modules is adjustable.
10. The trough collector system of claim 1, wherein the torque transfer connection comprises an adjustable-length link having first and second ends, the first end rotatably coupled to the first three-dimensional structural lattice, the second end rotatably coupled to the second three-dimensional structural lattice, and the adjustable-length link extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
11. The trough collector system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surfaces are parabolic.
12. The trough collector system of claim 1, further comprising:
a pylon between and at least partially supporting the first and second three-dimensional structural lattices; and
a latch, configured to releaseably latch at least one of the modules to the pylon or a base of the pylon.
13. The trough collector system of claim 12, wherein the latch is automatically latchable.
14. The trough collector system of claim 12, wherein the latch is manually releaseable.
15. The trough collector system of claim 12, wherein the latch is automatically releaseable.
16. The trough collector system of claim 1, further comprising at least one member that flexes to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the modules.
17. The trough collector system of claim 1, further comprising a drive system that rotates the modules about the common axis of rotation, the drive system comprising an arm that is driven to rotate about the common axis of rotation, and that imparts torque to the first three dimensional structural lattice near an edge of the first module.
18. A trough collector system, comprising:
a first module comprising a first reflector having a first reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation on a linear tube, and a first three-dimensional structural lattice attached to the first reflector opposite the first reflective front surface;
a second module comprising a second reflector having a second reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation on the linear tube, and a second three-dimensional structural lattice attached to the second reflector opposite the second reflective front surface, wherein the first and second modules are constrained to rotate about a common axis of rotation parallel to the linear tube; and
a torque transfer connection directly connecting the first three-dimensional structural lattice to the second three-dimensional structural lattice at a location removed from the axis of rotation, wherein the torque transfer connection comprises a spanning member that attaches to the first three-dimensional structural lattice a first distance from the first reflective surface and attaches to the second three-dimensional structural lattice a second distance from the second reflective surface, and wherein the first and second distances are different.
19. The trough collector system of claim 18, wherein the spanning member is substantially rigid.
20. The trough collector system of claim 18, wherein the spanning member is a first spanning member, the trough collector system further comprising a second spanning member that attaches to the first three-dimensional structural lattice a third distance from the first reflective surface and attaches to the second three-dimensional structural lattice a fourth distance from the second reflective surface, wherein the third distance is different from the fourth distance.
21. The trough collector system of claim 18, further comprising:
a pylon between and at least partially supporting the first and second three-dimensional structural lattices; and
a latch, configured to releaseably latch at least one of the modules to the pylon or a base of the pylon.
22. The trough collector system of claim 18, further comprising a drive system that rotates the modules about the common axis of rotation, the drive system comprising an arm that is driven to rotate about the common axis of rotation, and that imparts torque to the first three dimensional structural lattice near an edge of the first module.
23. A method of assembling a solar collector assembly, the method comprising:
placing a first module on first and second pylons, the first module comprising a first reflector having a first reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation on a linear tube, and a first three-dimensional structural lattice attached to the first reflector opposite the first reflective front surface; and
placing a second module on the second and a third pylon, the second module comprising a second reflector having a second reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation on the linear tube, and a second three-dimensional structural lattice attached to the second reflector opposite the second reflective front surface;
wherein the first and second modules are constrained to rotate about a common axis of rotation substantially parallel to the linear tube, and the method further comprises
directly connecting, at a location removed from the axis of rotation, the first three-dimensional structural lattice to the second three-dimensional structural lattice via a connection that is compliant in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, and is substantially rigid in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein directly connecting the first three-dimensional structural lattice to the second three-dimensional structural lattice further comprises:
connecting a link to both the first and second three-dimensional structural lattices, wherein the link extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.
25. A method of assembling a solar collector assembly, the method comprising:
placing a first module on first and second pylons, the first module comprising a first reflector having a first reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation on a linear tube, and a first three-dimensional structural lattice attached to the first reflector opposite the first reflective front surface; and
placing a second module on the second and a third pylon, the second module comprising a second reflector having a second reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation on the linear tube, and a second three-dimensional structural lattice attached to the second reflector opposite the second reflective front surface;
wherein the first and second modules are constrained to rotate about a common axis of rotation substantially parallel to the linear tube, and the method further comprises
attaching a spanning member to the first three-dimensional structural lattice a first distance from the first reflective surface; and
attaching the spanning member to the second three-dimensional structural lattice a second distance from the second reflective surface;
wherein the first and second distances are different.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the spanning member is a first spanning member, the method further comprising:
attaching a second spanning member to the first three-dimensional structural lattice a third distance from the first reflective surface; and
attaching the second spanning member to the second three-dimensional structural lattice a fourth distance from the second reflective surface;
wherein the third distance is different than the fourth distance.
27. A three-dimensional structural lattice, comprising:
a plurality of interconnected substantially rigid elongate members configured to attach to a concentrating solar collector reflector;
a constraining element that defines an axis of rotation for the three-dimensional structural lattice;
first and second ends displaced from each other along the axis of rotation;
a first connector at the first end, the first connector configured to receive a first torque transfer connecting device, the first connector displaced from the axis of rotation and displaced a first distance from the reflector;
a second connector at the second end, the second connector configured to receive a second torque transfer connecting device, the second connector displaced from the axis of rotation and displaced a second distance from the reflector.
28. The three-dimensional structural lattice of claim 27, wherein the first and second distances are the same.
29. The three-dimensional structural lattice of claim 27, wherein the first and second distances are different.
30. A module for a trough collector system, the module comprising:
a reflector having a reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation on a linear tube;
a three-dimensional structural lattice attached to the reflector opposite the reflective front surface, the three-dimensional structural lattice comprising a plurality of interconnected substantially rigid elongate members configured to attach to the reflector;
a constraining element that defines an axis of rotation for module;
first and second ends displaced from each other along the axis of rotation;
a first connector at the first end, the first connector configured to receive a first torque transfer connecting device, the first connector displaced from the axis of rotation and displaced a first distance from the reflective surface; and
a second connector at the second end, the second connector configured to receive a second torque transfer connecting device, the second connector displaced from the axis of rotation and displaced a second distance from the reflective surface.
31. The module of claim 30, wherein the first and second distances are different.
32. The module of claim 30, wherein the first and second distances are the same.
33. A drive system for a trough collector system, the drive system comprising:
an axle positioned at an axis of rotation of the trough collector system;
a pair of levering elements constrained to rotate about the axis of rotation;
two hydraulic cylinders, each hydraulic cylinder pinned to one of the levering elements such that actuating the cylinders causes the levering elements to rotate about the axis of rotation;
a bar displaced from the axis of rotation and driven by the levering elements to also rotate about the axis of rotation;
an arm constrained to rotate about the axis of rotation and driven by the bar, the arm extending substantially to an edge of a module comprised in the trough collector system, the arm imparting torque to the module through a torque transfer connection near the edge of the module.
34. The drive system of claim 33, wherein the arm imparts torque to a three-dimensional structural lattice comprised in the module.
35. The drive system of claim 33, further comprising a support for receiving a tube that carries working fluid heated by the trough collector system, the support also constrained to rotate about the axis of rotation, thereby maintaining the tube substantially at a focal line of the trough collector system.
36. The drive system of claim 33, configured to drive the trough collector system from an end of an array of modules.
37. The drive system of claim 33, configured to drive the trough collector system from a position within an array of collector modules.
38. The drive system of claim 37, wherein the arm is a first arm, the drive system further comprising a second arm constrained to rotate about the axis of rotation and driven by the bar, the first arm configured to drive a first module on a first side of the drive system, and the second arm configured to drive a second module on a second side of the drive system.

1. A power inverter that fixes a connector, in which a DC-side connector and an AC-side connector are mechanically combined, to a casing, the power inverter comprising:
a power semiconductor module that converts a DC current into an AC current;
a DC terminal that delivers the DC current to the power semiconductor module;
an AC terminal that delivers the AC current to an electrical motor; and
the casing that houses the power semiconductor module, wherein
the DC terminal and the AC terminal are arranged on one side face of the casing,
the one side face of the casing forms a rectangular shape that is configured by a side formed in a widthwise direction and a side formed in a longitudinal direction,
the DC terminal is configured by a positive-side DC terminal and a negative-side DC terminal,
the AC terminal is configured by a U-phase side terminal, a V-phase side terminal, and a W-phase side terminal,
the positive-side DC terminal and the negative-side DC terminal are arranged to be aligned along one side, which is formed in the widthwise direction, of the one side face of the casing, and
the U-phase side terminal, the V-phase side terminal, and the W-phase side terminal are arranged to be aligned along one side, which is formed in the longitudinal direction, of the one side face of the casing.
2. The power inverter according to claim 1, wherein one of the U-phase side terminal, the V-phase side terminal, and the W-phase side terminal is arranged to be closer to the other side, which is formed in the longitudinal direction, of the one side face of the casing than the other two terminals.
3. The power inverter according to claim 1, further comprising a first support member that supports the AC terminal, wherein
the casing forms a first opening portion on the one side face, and
the first support member closes the first opening portion from an inner wall side of the casing and is supported by the inner wall of the casing.
4. The power inverter according to claim 3, wherein
the casing includes a first wall that protrudes from an edge of the first opening portion toward an outside of the casing, and
the AC-side connector of the connectors passes through a space surrounded by the first wall and is connected to the AC terminal supported by the first support member.
5. The power inverter according to claim 3, further comprising a second support member that supports the DC terminal, wherein
the casing forms a second opening portion on the one side face, and
the second support member closes the second opening portion from the inner wall side of the casing and is supported by the inner wall of the casing.
6. The power inverter according to claim 5, wherein
the casing includes a second wall that protrudes from an edge of the second opening portion toward the outside of the casing, and
the DC-side connector of the connectors passes through a space surrounded by the second wall and is connected to the DC terminal supported by the second support member.
7. The power inverter according to claim 5, further comprising:
a control circuit board that controls driving of the power semiconductor module; and
a connection detecting circuit that detects a state in which the connector is electrically disconnected from the DC terminal and the AC terminal, wherein
the connection detecting circuit is connected to at least one of the first support member and the second support member, and
the control circuit board suppresses or stops the driving of the power semiconductor module based on a signal transmitted from the connection detecting circuit.
8. The power inverter according to claim 3, wherein
the first support member includes a first protruded portion that protrudes toward the outside of the casing, and
the first support member is fixed to the inner wall of the casing in a state in which the first protruded portion is brought into contact with an inner circumference portion of the first opening portion of the casing.
9. The power inverter according to claim 1, further comprising a first support member that supports the AC terminal, wherein
the casing forms a first opening portion on the one side face,
the first support member is supported by the inner wall side of the casing at a position facing the first opening portion, and
the first support member includes a terminal covering portion that protrudes toward the outside of the casing and is configured to cover a distal end portion of the AC terminal.
10. The power inverter according to claim 1, further comprising:
a control circuit board that controls driving of the power semiconductor module;
an AC busbar that delivers the AC current flowing between the power semiconductor module and the AC terminal;
a first support member that supports the AC terminal; and
a metal plate that fixes the first support member to the casing by sandwiching the first support member between the casing and the metal plate, wherein
the casing forms a first opening portion on the one side face,
the first support member is supported by the inner wall side of the casing at a position facing the first opening portion, and
the metal plate is formed to cover at least a part of a face of the AC busbar disposed on a side on which the control circuit board is arranged.
11. The power inverter according to claim 2, further comprising a first support member that supports the AC terminal, wherein
the casing forms a first opening portion on the one side face, and
the first support member closes the first opening portion from an inner wall side of the casing and is supported by the inner wall of the casing.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An abnormality diagnosis apparatus for diagnosing abnormality of a recirculating liquid cooling system for an internal combustion engine, wherein the cooling system includes a radiator, a circulation line system, which circulates liquid coolant through the internal combustion engine and the radiator and includes a bypass fluid line that bypasses the radiator, a flow rate control means for controlling a bypass flow rate of liquid coolant flowing through the bypass fluid line, and a coolant temperature sensor, which measures coolant temperature in the circulation line system, the abnormality diagnosis apparatus comprising:
a coolant temperature control means for controlling the coolant temperature in the circulation line system by controlling the flow rate control means; and
an abnormality diagnosis means for diagnosing the flow rate control means to determine whether an abnormality exists based on behavior of the measured coolant temperature, which is measured through the coolant temperature sensor during a warm-up period of the internal combustion engine.
2. An abnormality diagnosis apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the flow rate control means includes at least one of a valve and a pump inserted in the circulation line system.
3. An abnormality diagnosis apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the abnormality diagnosis means determines the existence of the abnormality of the flow rate control means based on one of:
an amount of change in the measured coolant temperature measured through the coolant temperature sensor; and
a rate of change in the measured coolant temperature measured through the coolant temperature sensor.
4. An abnormality diagnosis apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the abnormality diagnosis means sets an abnormality diagnosis condition, which is used to determine the existence of the abnormality of the flow rate control means, based on:
a parameter, which relates to an amount of heat generated by the internal combustion engine; and
a parameter, which relates to an amount of heat released from the coolant.
5. An abnormality diagnosis apparatus as in claim 4, wherein:
the abnormality diagnosis means determines an estimated coolant temperature of the coolant in the circulation line system based on:
the parameter, which relates to the amount of heat generated by the internal combustion engine; and
the parameter, which relates to the amount of heat released from the coolant; and

the abnormality diagnosis means determines the existence of the abnormality of the flow rate control means through comparison of the estimated coolant temperature and the measured coolant temperature measured through the coolant temperature sensor.
6. An abnormality diagnosis apparatus for diagnosing abnormality of a cooling system for an internal combustion engine, wherein the cooling system includes a radiator, a circulation line system, which circulates coolant through the internal combustion engine and the radiator and includes a bypass fluid line that bypasses the radiator, a flow rate control means for controlling a bypass flow rate of the coolant flowing through the bypass fluid line, and a coolant temperature sensor, which measures a coolant temperature of the coolant in the circulation line system, the abnormality diagnosis apparatus comprising:
a coolant temperature control means for controlling the coolant temperature of the coolant in the circulation line system, by controlling the flow rate control means; and
an abnormality diagnosis means for diagnosing the flow rate control means to determine whether abnormality of the flow rate control means exists based on behavior of the measured coolant temperature, which is measured through the coolant temperature sensor during a warm-up period of the internal combustion engine;
wherein the abnormality diagnosis means corrects an abnormality diagnosis condition, which is used to determine the existence of the abnormality of the flow rate control means, based on one of:
the bypass flow rate; and
a bypass flow rate parameter, which correlates with the bypass flow rate.
7. An abnormality diagnosis apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the abnormality diagnosis means uses a controlled variable of the flow rate control means as the bypass flow rate parameter.
8. An abnormality diagnosis apparatus for diagnosing abnormality of a cooling system for an internal combustion engine, wherein the cooling system includes a radiator, a circulation line system, which circulates coolant through the internal combustion engine and the radiator and includes a bypass fluid line that bypasses the radiator, a flow rate control means for controlling a bypass flow rate of the coolant flowing through the bypass fluid line, and a coolant temperature sensor, which measures a coolant temperature of the coolant in the circulation line system, the abnormality diagnosis apparatus comprising:
a coolant temperature control means for controlling the coolant temperature of the coolant in the circulation line system by controlling the flow rate control means; and
an abnormality diagnosis means for diagnosing the flow rate control means to determine whether abnormality of the flow rate control means exists based on behavior of the measured coolant temperature, which is measured through the coolant temperature sensor during a warm-up period of the internal combustion engine;
wherein when the abnormality diagnosis means diagnoses the flow rate control means, the coolant temperature control means controls the flow rate control means in such a manner that the flow rate control means stops flow of the coolant to the radiator and sets the bypass flow rate of the coolant to a level less than the bypass flow rate set for a period after the warm-up period of the internal combustion engine.
9. An abnormality diagnosis apparatus as in claim 8, wherein when the abnormality diagnosis means diagnoses the flow rate control means, the coolant temperature control means sets the bypass flow rate of the coolant to a level that prevents seizing of the internal combustion engine.
10. A cooling system for an internal combustion engine, the cooling system comprising:
a radiator;
a circulation line system, which circulates liquid coolant through the internal combustion engine and the radiator and includes a bypass fluid line that bypasses the radiator;
a flow rate control means for controlling a bypass flow rate of the liquid coolant flowing through the bypass fluid line, wherein the flow rate control means continuously changes the bypass flow rate of the coolant;
a coolant temperature sensor, which measures a coolant temperature of the coolant in the circulation line system;
a coolant temperature control means for controlling the coolant temperature of the coolant in the circulation line system by controlling the flow rate control means; and
an abnormality diagnosis means for diagnosing the flow rate control means to determine whether abnormality of the flow rate control means exists based on behavior of the measured coolant temperature, which is measured through the coolant temperature sensor during a warm-up period of the internal combustion engine.
11. A cooling system as in claim 10, wherein the flow rate control means includes at least one of a valve and a pump inserted in the circulation line system.
12. A cooling system as in claim 10, wherein the coolant temperature sensor is positioned between the internal combustion engine and the radiator.
13. A cooling system as in claim 10, wherein the abnormality diagnosis means determines the existence of the abnormality of the flow rate control means based on one of:
an amount of change in the measured coolant temperature measured through the coolant temperature sensor; and
a rate of change in the measured coolant temperature measured through the coolant temperature sensor.
14. A cooling system as in claim 10, wherein the flow rate control means is a control valve that has a continuously variable degree of opening.
15. A method for diagnosing abnormality of a recirculating liquid cooling system for an internal combustion engine, wherein the cooling system includes a radiator, a circulation line system which circulates liquid coolant through the internal combustion engine, radiator and a bypass fluid line that bypasses the radiator and a coolant temperature sensor, said method comprising:
controlling coolant temperature by controlling flow rate of liquid through said bypass fluid line; and
determining whether an abnormality exists based on behavior of the measured coolant temperature, measured by the coolant temperature sensor during a warm-up period of the internal combustion engine.
16. A method as in claim 15 wherein the control of bypass flow rate utilizes at least one of a valve and a pump disposed in the circulation line system.
17. A method as in claim 15 wherein the abnormality determination is based on one of:
change in the measured coolant temperature and
rate of change in the measured coolant temperature.
18. A method as in claim 15 wherein an abnormality diagnosis condition is set and used to determine the existence of the abnormality based on:
a first parameter which relates to heat generated by the internal combustion engine; and
a second parameter which relates to heat released from the coolant.
19. A method as in claim 18 wherein:
an estimated coolant temperature of the coolant in the circulation line system is estimated based on the first parameter and the second parameter; and
existence of the abnormality is determined using a comparison of estimated coolant temperature and measured coolant temperature.
20. A method as in claim 15
wherein an abnormality diagnosis condition is corrected before being used to determine the existence of the abnormality based at least on one of:
the bypass flow rate; and
a bypass flow rate parameter which correlates with the bypass flow rate.
21. A method as in claim 20 wherein a controlled variable related to the controlled flow rate is used as the bypass flow rate parameter.
22. A method as in claim 15
wherein, when the abnormality is being diagnosed, flow rate is controlled such that the flow of coolant to the radiator is stopped and bypass flow rate is set to a level less than that set for use after the warm-up period of the internal combustion engine.
23. A method as in claim 22 wherein, when the abnormality is being diagnosed, the bypass flow rate of coolant is set to a level that prevents seizing of the internal combustion engine.
24. A method for operating a recirculating liquid cooling system for an internal combustion engine, said method comprising:
circulating liquid coolant through the internal combustion engine and a circulation line system including a radiator and a bypass fluid line that bypasses the radiator;
controlling a variable flow rate of liquid coolant flowing through the bypass fluid line;
measuring coolant temperature;
controlling the coolant temperature by variably controlling the bypass flow rate; and
determining whether abnormality of flow rate control exists based on behavior of the coolant temperature during a warm-up period of the internal combustion engine.
25. A method as in claim 24 wherein variable control of flow rate includes use of at least one of a valve and a pump disposed in the circulation line system.
26. A method as in claim 24 wherein the coolant temperature sensor is positioned between the internal combustion engine and the radiator.
27. A method as in claim 24 wherein the determination of an abnormality is based on at least one of:
change in the measured coolant temperature; and
rate of change in the measured coolant temperature.
28. A method as in claim 24 wherein variable flow rate control is achieved using a control valve that has a continuously variable degree of opening.