US3216608A

US3216608A - Pressure cap for sealed cooling system

Info

Publication number: US3216608A
Application number: US308438A
Authority: US
Inventors: Maurice D Mccormick
Original assignee: Dole Valve Co
Current assignee: Dole Valve Co
Priority date: 1963-09-12
Filing date: 1963-09-12
Publication date: 1965-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 1982-11-09

Description

Nov. 9, 1965 M. D. MCCORMICK 3,216,608

PRESSURE CAP FOR SEALED COOLING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 12, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 &

r ATT Nov. 9, 1965 M. D. M CORMICK PRESSURE CAP FOR SEALED COOLING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 12, 1963 a 3 1 //w Ham 0, 9 M .f i F a 7 0 t w/ I a a a w 0. 2 a; 7 z .2 w w G 6 m H Wu F mi Fl 2 FIG. /0 205 2 20 5 lNVENTpR. fiaazzbeflfi g omzc BY "A TTZRNEYS United States Patent Office 3,21%,fifi3 Patented Nov. 9, 1965 3,216,608 PRESSURE CAP FOR SEALED COOLING SYSTEM Maurice D. McCormick, Prospect Heights, 111., assignor to The Dole Valve Company, Morton Grove, Ill., a corporation of Hlinois Filed Sept. 12, 1963, Ser. No. 308,438 11 Claims. (Cl. 22044) The present invention relates to a pressure closure cap structure and more particularly to a cap for a radiator and associated coolant system on an internal combustion engine. The cap is provided with means for maintaining pressure within the container or radiator within relatively narrow upper and lower limits.

The present invention provides an improved closure cap structure of simple, economical, eflicient construction which vents excessive pressures within the system to a surge tank in order to maintain the desired pressure condition within the system. According to the present invention, the cap preferably comprises a casting having an exhaust nipple formed on its side wall through which excessive pressures may be vented from the oppositely acting vent valves provided on the cap. In the past, an overflow tube has been mounted on the radiator in communication with the tubular filling neck enabling pressures to be discharged through the cap and neck into the overflow tube.

As noted above, according to important features of the present invention, an over-flow exhaust nipple is provided on the cap itself that is connected with a vented surge tank having a fluid level so that the excessive pressures are discharged directly from the cap to atmosphere rather than through an overflow tube welded to the radiator having an inlet on the radiator neck.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved closure cap structure having a nipple formed thereon for venting excessive pressure passing from the radiator to the cap through the cap nipple to a surge tank.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved radiator cap structure having pressure relief means operable at variable predetermined pressures.

The internal structure of the cap or casting includes a pressure valve or diaphragm resiliently urged to seated position to close the container or radiator aperture on its neck, the valve or diaphragm being capable of being biased to an open position by excessive pressure developed within the radiator. The means for resiliently urging the diaphragm to seated position are capable of adjustment through a relatively wide range so that the pressures effective to bias the diaphragm to open position may be likewise varied. A second, oppositely actuating auxiliary valve is provided on the diaphragm to allow fluid to flow from a surge tank to the radiator as the fluid in the radiator cools.

An important object of this invention is to provide a new and improved auxiliary vent valve having an auxiliary vent valve member which may be snapped into assembly with the biased diaphragm.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide an improved radiator cap structure which, when assembled on a vehicle radiator, will permit the overall system to be operated for prolonged periods without the necessity of refilling the radiator with fluid.

Other ob ects and features of this invention will more fully become apparent in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and illustrating several embodiments, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a radiator having a radiator cap structure embodying important features of the present invention mounted thereon;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line IIII looking in the direction indicated by the arrows as shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary edge View partially in section taken on the line III-III looking in the direction indicated by the arrows as shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view partially in section showing a modified type of diaphragm and auxiliary valve;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical section of a modified type of radiator cap structure mounted on a filler neck of a radiator;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged vertical section similar to FIGURE 5 only illustrating the valves in open positions;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary partially sectioned top plan view of a modified type of a radiator filler neck;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary partially sectioned side elevation of the filler neck shown in FIG URE 7;

'FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary partially sectioned view illustrating the relationship between a locking tab and a ring; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary edge View as taken on the line X-X looking in the direction indicated by the arrows as seen in FIGURE 7.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 10 indicates generally the top wall of a radiator for an internal combustion type engine having a tubular filling neck 11 mounted thereon. According to the important features of this invention, a new and improved type of radiator cap structure 12 is mounted on the neck 11 of the radiator 10.

The cap structure 12 includes a cup-shaped cap or cast ing 13 defining a cup 13a. The cup or casting 13a has a cup or casting bottom 14 and a cup or casting side wall 15. Projecting radially from the side wall 15 is a fluid overflow nipple or vent 16. In the past, it has been the practice to provide the overflow tube on the filler neck 11, but according to the important features of this invention, this overflow tube on the filler neck can be eliminated by the provision of a nipple or vent 16 on the cap or casting 13.

Mounted within the cup 13a is a compression spring 17. The side wall or inner wall surface 15 is provided with a shoulder 18 and a ring-shaped diaphragm is seated on the spring -17 and has its outer margin disposed opposite the shoulder 18. As illustrated, the diaphragm 19 is comprised of a diaphragm back-up ring 20 having an angled outer margin 20a disposed opposite the shoulder 18. A ring-shaped diaphragm gasket 21 comprised of any suitable material such as a rubber synthetic plastic or the like, is provided for assembly with the metallic back-up ring or back-up member 207 A lock ring 22 is provided for assembly with the inside wall or surface 15 of the cup 13a in order to secure the diaphragm 19 with the casting 13. The lock ring 22 is spaced from the shoulder 18 and the outer margin 20a of the back-up ring is disposed in the space therebetween. The relationship of the lock ring 22 with respect to the outer margin 20a and the shoulder 18 is such that fluid can flow between the outer margin 20a and the lock ring and between the outer margin 20a and the shoulder 18. It will further be noted that when the diaphragm 19 is seated on the filler neck seat 11a, the outer ring margin 20a is spaced from the lock ring 22. When the diaphragm 19 is unseated with respect to the seat 11a, the outer margin 20a is spaced from the shoulder 18 to permit fluid flow through the gap therebetween.

In order to secure the back-up ring 20 with the gasket 21, the gasket 21 is provided with a gasket collar 23 having a diaphragm gasket collar groove 24. The dia- ,phragm back-up ring has a collar or inner margin retainingly secured within the groove 24.

An auxiliary vent valve member 26 is mounted on the diaphragm 19 and is provided with a shank 26a disposed inside gasket collar opening 23a. The auxiliary vent valve member 26 further has an auxiliary valve closure flange or base portion 26b for seating on the annular pointed rib defining gasket seat 28. A wobble pin 27 is mounted on shank 26a for the purpose of suspending the auxiliary vent Valve member 26 from the diaphragm gasket collar 23. Upon cooling of the radiator 10, the auxiliary vent valve 26 will be unseated from the gasket seat 28 to .permit fluid to flow from the surge tank through nipple 16 back to the radiator.

Lugs 29 are provided on an outside or exterior wall or surface 30 of the casting 13. A sealing gasket 31 is mounted in a gasket groove 32 formed on the exterior wall surface 36 in order to secure the sealing gasket 31 in unitary assembly with the cup or casting 13.

The filler neck 11 has a pair of lug receiving grooves 34 spaced circumferentially of one another which grooves are each provided with a safety vent notched shoulder 35 and a notched lock shoulder 36. When the cap structure 12 is to be assembled with the filler neck 11, the lugs 29 are aligned with the filler neck grooves and then engage-d therein. Upon twisting of the cap structure, the lugs are cammed along the filler neck cam surfaces 34a until the lugs are engaged behind the lock shoulders 36. This cam action allows the gasket 31 to be compressed against the filler neck 11 to provid a seal between the cap structure 12 and the filler neck 11. When the cap structure 12 is to be removed from the filler neck 11, the cap structure 12 is rotated in opposite directions and the lugs 36 are initially engaged against the safety vent notch or shoulder 35. When the lugs are engaged against the shoulder 35, the diaphragm 19 is unseated from part 11a but gasket 31 is not unseated from the filler neck 11 and pressurized fluid within the radiator is then allowed to escape through nipple 16 to the surge tank to relieve fluid pressure within the radiator prior to complete removal of the cap therefrom. The cap structure 12 may be rotated to disengage the lugs 28 from the safety vent notched shoulders 35 and from the grooves 34 to remove the cap structure 12 from assembly with the filler neck 11.

The nipple 16 is communicable with a surge tank T which is, itself, vented to the atmosphere and which has at all times, liquid contained therein, the level of which is at all times above the level of any liquid contained within the cap itself. Thus, when water within the radiator is cooling, there will be a reverse flow from the surge tank T to the radiator and the auxiliary valve member 26 will be open as shown in FIGURE 2. A the temperature of liquid Within the radiator begins to rise, the auxiliary valve 26 will seat upon the resilient valve member 19; then when the force of pressure of liquid acting on the underSurfaCe of the resilient valve member 19 equals or exceeds the opposing downwardly directed force of pressure acting on the upper surface thereof, the valve member 19 will be unseated from the filler neck seat 11a and permit a flow of liquid from the radiator through the gap between lock ring 22 and an outer margin 2% of the back-up ring 20, which fluid will then flow to the surge tank T causing a rise in liquid level therein with no loss of liquid to the atmosphere. By the use of the surge tank T, the volume and pressure of fluid in the radiator may be maintained at a constant level and liquid loss may be prevented. By providing a closed radiator fluid pressure system, it is no longer necessary for the operator to fill the radiator inasmuch as coolant expansion is absorbed in the surge tank.

Shown in FIGURE 4 is a modified type of ring-shaped diaphragm 119 which, if desired, can be substituted in place of the diaphragm 19 shown in FIGURE *2. The diaphragm 119 includes a ring-shaped back-up ring 120 and a ring-shaped diaphragm gasket 121 which is secured by glue of any suitable type to the underside of the ring 123. The ring has a flange turned away from the ring to provide a collar 125 and a new and improved auxiliary valve member 126 embodying important features of this invention is mounted on the collar 125. The auxiliary vent valve member 26 is preferably fabricated from a high temperature memory type plastic such as Delrin, Teflon, or the like.

The auxiliary vent valve member 126 has a series of hook-shaped deflectable prongs engaged in snap-on engagement with the collar 125. Preferably, a pair of the prongs 127 are mounted on an auxiliary vent valve base 128. The base 128 has a V-shaped circumferential rib 129 for engagement with the gasket 121 when the valve is closed.

The valve member 126 can be more readily assembled with the diaphragm 119 than prio types of valve members since assembly may be effected merely by pushing the prongs into the opening defined by the collar 125 causing the prongs to collapse and snap back over the collar after the hooked ends are extended through the collar opening. This type of valve member eliminates all possibility of leakage as encountered in prior types of vent valves, and can be easily replaced if damaged. Also, the valve member can be economically produced at less cost than conventional types of vent valve members.

In FIGURE 5 is shown another modification and primed reference numerals have been empl yed to identify parts which correspond to the parts previously described in connection with the forms shown in FIG- URES l3. To this end, the reference numeral 10' indicates generally a radiator having a neck 11' and a closure cap structure 12 mounted thereon.

The closure cap structure includes a cup or casting 13' having a bottom 14 and a side wall 15. A nipple 16' extends radially outwardly of the side wall 15' and is disposed in spaced relation above the neck 11. The nipple 16' is adapted for connection with a surge tank (not shown) in the same manner as previously described in connection with the cap shown in FIGURE 3.

Mounted within the casting 13 is a spring 17'. The wall 15 further has an axially facing shoulder 18' and a spring biased diaphragm or valve member 19 is mounted within the cup opposite the shoulder 18'.

The diaphragm or valve member 19' includes a metal diaphragm ring 20 and a diaphragm gasket ring 21'. The rings 20' and 21' are secured together by means of a metal bushing 100 at the inner margins of the rings. The bushing 100 holds the rings in snug engaged relation together.

A look ring 22 is secured with the inside wall surface of the wall 15' for holding the valve member or diaphragm 19' in assembly with the castings 13. The casting may be manufactured from any suitable material such as aluminum. In this instance, the ring 22 is engaged with a wall portion 101 having a larger diameter than the Wall 15'.

The diaphragm or valve member 19 is provided with an auxiliary valve member 26 which includes an auxiliary valve body 26a suspended Within the diaphragm opening from its upper end. The auxiliary valve member 26 further includes an auxiliary valve head 26]) which is riveted at 260 to the valve body 26a. The valve head 26b, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, operates in much the same manner as the valve head 26b, as previously described. In summary, when water within the radiator is cooling, there will be a reverse flow from the surge tank to the radiator and the auxiliary valve member will be in the position shown in FIGURE 5. As the temperature of liquid within the radiator rises, the auxiliary head Will seat upon the resilient valve member 19. When the pressure differential across valve member 19 provides a net upward force, the valve member 19 will be unseated from the filler neck seat to permit the liquid to flow from the radiator to the surge tank.

In order to mount the cap structure 12 upon the neck 11', the casting 13' is provided with an annular flange 102 and a retainer ring or ring-shaped cap 103 is mounted on the casting flange 102. The ring or cap 103 includes a radial ring or cap portion 103a and an axial ring or cap portion 10311. A series of slots 103a is formed in the annular axial ring or cap flange 1031).

The filler neck 11 has radially outwardly extending neck tabs 11b. To assemble the cap structure 12' with the neck 11, filler neck tabs 1112 are axially aligned between the ring slots 103s whereupon the ring 103 is rotated to cam the thus engaged tabs 11a in the slots 103c into retained assembly therewith. It is in this way that sealing gasket 31 is placed under pressure to seal the casting or cup 13' in assembly with the neck 11.

The operation of the

valve members

19 and 26 is the same as previously described in connection with the cap structure disclosed in FIGURE 2. In this regard, it will be noted that when the fluid pressure in the radiator is increased, the valve member 19' is unseated to permit the fluid to flow past a valve seat 11a and out through the nipple 16' to the surge tank (not shown).

When the cap is rotated to a safety vent position the parts of the assembly will be disposed in the position shown in FIGURE 6.

In FIGURES 7-10 another modification is illustrated. This modification is primarily concerned with the manner in which a radiator cap 200 is secured with a radiator and more particularly to a filler neck 201. The cap 200 may be of any suitable type such as shown in FIG- URE l or as shown in FIGURE 5. It is intended that the cap 200 differ from the previously described caps in the manner in which the cap is secured with the radiator. To this end, the radiator cap 200 is provided with three lugs 202 (only two of which are shown). The filler neck 201 has a pair of lug receiving grooves 203 such as is shown in FIGURE 10. When the lugs 202 are engaged in the grooves 203, such lugs can be moved into engagement with safety vent notched shoulder 204 and a notched lock shoulder 205. The grooves 203 and the shoulders 204 and 205 are adapted to coact with the lugs 202 in much the same manner as previously described in connection with the operation of the lugs 29 in the lug receiving grooves 34.

The primary difference between the operation of the cap 200 and the previously described caps is that the filler neck 201 is provided with a rectangularly configurated lug receiving slot 207 (FIGURE 8). One side of the slot 207 is expanded to provide

elongated slot portions

208, 208 which are separated by a deflectable lock finger 209.

The cap 200 may be assembled on the filler neck 201 by engaging the lugs 202 in the grooves 203 and by turning the cap until the lugs are engaged with the shoulders 205 at which time the third lug 202 is engaged in the slot 208. Thereafter, the finger 209 is deformed and pressed inwardly so that its free end 209a circumferentially opposes the lug 202 to prevent removal of the cap from the filler neck. It is in this way that the cap 200 may be secured in permanent assembly with the filler neck 201. It will be appreciated that it is desirable to secure the cap in permanent assembly with the filler neck 201 in some assemblies so that a person will not remove the cap from the filler neck for the purpose of refilling the radiator. Where a closed filling system is provided, including a surge tank as is shown in FIGURE 1, it is not necessary to check the radiator fluid level in accordance with the practices previously followed. 7

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon, all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a closure cap structure and an internal combustion engine radiator having a tubular filling neck with the closure cap structure thereon,

said cap structure including a generally cup-shaped cap itself having a fiuid nipple extending outwardly from its side wall in overlying spaced relation above said neck,

a vented surge tank connected with said fluid nipple having fluid overlying the radiator,

an annular cup shoulder at an open end of the cupshaped cap,

a spring disposed inside of the cup defined by said cap,

a back-up diaphragm ring engaged on its top side with said spring and having a diaphragm gasket on its underside for movement with said back-up diaphragm ring into and out of engagement with the tubular filling neck,

a lock ring secured with the side Wall defining the open end of said cap axially spaced from said cap shoulder with said back-up ring and said diaphragm gasket being movable axially between said diaphragm ring and said cap shoulder upon the development of excessive pressure in the radiator suflicient to cause un-seating of said diaphragm gasket from said filling neck permitting fluid flow between the outer margin of said back-up diaphragm ring and the side Wall of the cup into the cup and then through said fluid nipple into said surge tank,

said lock ring providing means securing said diaphragm gasket in integral assembly with said cap to permit the cap, spring, diaphragm ring and diaphragm gasket to be engaged on and removed from a filling neck seat as a unit,

an auxiliary valve member mounted on said back-up diaphragm ring and said diaphragm gasket adapted to open when the fluid in the radiator is cooling permitting fiuid flow from the surge tank to the radiator, and

means on said cup-shaped cap securing the cap in sealed assembly with the tubular filling neck of said radiator.

2. In a closure cap structure for attachment to a tubular filling neck for an internal combustion engine radiator,

a generally cup-shaped cap itself having a fluid nipple extending outwardly from its side wall,

an annular cup shoulder at an open end of the cupshaped cap,

a spring disposed inside of the cup defined by said cup-shaped cap,

a back-up ring mounted in the cup having an outer ring margin spaced from the side Wall and axially confronting said cup shoulder with said spring engaged against said ring and with said ring having a gasket on its underside for engagement with a tubular filling neck,

a lock ring secured with the open end of said cap axially spaced from said cap shoulder with said back-up ring and said gasket being movable axially between said ring and said cap shoulder upon the development of excessive pressure in a radiator sufficient to cause unseating of said gasket,

said lock ring providing means securing said gasket in integral assembly with said cap to permit the cap, spring, back-up ring and gasket to be engaged on and removed from a filling neck seat as a unit,

an auxiliary valve member mounted on said back-up ring and said gasket adapted to open when the fluid in the radiator is cooling permitting fluid flow from the surge tank to the radiator, and

means on said cup-shaped cap for securing the cap with a tubular filling neck of a radiator.

3. In a closure cap structure for attachment to a a generally cup-shaped casting itself having a fluid nipple being integral with the casting extending outwardly from its side wall for connection with a surge tank,

a spring disposed inside of the cup defined by said casting,

a ring-shaped diaphragm mounted in the cup on said from the side wall of the cup and with said diaphragm being adapted for sealed engagement on its underside with a tubular filling neck,

means secured with the open end of said cup securing the diaphragm in assembly with said cup, the diaphragm being movable out of contact with a filling neck upon the development of excessive pressure in a radiator permitting fluids to be exhausted through the gap between the diaphragm margin and the side wall through the cup and the nipple,

spring and having an outer diaphragm margin spaced 10 an auxiliary valve member mounted on said diaphragm from the side wall of the cup and with said diagasket for permitting fluid flow through the cup into phragm being adapted for sealed engagement on its a radiator as fluid pressure therein drops below a underside with a tubular filling neck, predetermined level, means secured with the open end of said cup securing a series of lugs extending radially outwardly of an the diaphragm in assembly with said cup, exterior wall of said casting for securing the casting the diaphragm being movable out of contact with a with a filling neck,

filling neck upon the development of excessive presthe nipple and the lugs being formed integral with the sure in a radiator permitting fluids to be exhausted casting, through the gap between the diaphragm margin and an annular groove provided in the exterior wall of the the side wall through the cup and the nipple to a casting beneath said lugs, and surge tank, a gasket secured in said annular groove for fitted an auxiliary valve member mounted on said diaphragm sealed engagement with a filling neck for a radiator. gasket closed when under high pressure conditions 6. The combination of claim 1 further characterized but open when the radiator fluid cools, by said cap comprising,

means on said casting for securing said casting with a filling neck of a radiator,

said diaphragm comprising a ring-shaped diaphragm gasket having an integral central collar with a groove on an extension surface of the collar, and

a rigid back-up ring having its inner margin engaged in said groove securing the gasket and back-up ring in unitary assembly.

4. In a closure cap structure for attachment to a tubular filling neck for an internal combustion engine radiator,

a generally cup-shaped casting itself having a fluid nip le being integral with the casting extending outwardly from its side wall for connection with a a casting with the nipple extending outwardly of the side wall of the casting,

the casting having an annular flange about its exterior Wall surface,

a sealing gasket mounted beneath said annular flange on the exterior wall surface of the casting,

said means comprising a ring shaped retainer cup mounted on top of said annular flange and having a series of lock tabs secured beneath filler neck tabs at its outer margin thereby securing the components of the cap structure in sealed assembly with said tubular filling neck.

7. The combination of claim 1 further characterized by said cap comprising,

surge tank, a casting with the nipple extending outwardly of an a spring disposed inside of the cup defined by said exterior wall surface of the casting,

casting, said means comprising a series of lugs, a ring-shaped diaphragm mounted in the cup on said the nipple and the lugs being formed integral with the spring and having an outer diaphragm margin spaced casting, from the side wall of the cup and with said diaphragm a sealing gasket mounted beneath said lugs on said being adapted for sealed engagement on its underside with a tubular filling neck,

means secured with the open end of said cup securing the diaphragm in assembly with said cup, the diaexterior wall surface for engagement on a radiator filling neck. 8. In combination, a closure cap structure and an internal combustion engine radiator having a tubular filling neck with the closure cap structure thereon and with a surge tank having a fluid level overlying the radiator,

hragm being movable out of contact with a filling neck upon the development of excessive pressure in a radiator permitting fluids to be exhausted through the gap between the diaphragm margin and the side wall through the cup and the nipple to a surge tank,

said cap structure including a generally cup-shaped casting seated on said neck and having a fluid nipple an auxiliary valve member mounted on said diaphragm extending outwardly from its side wall in overlying gasket for permitting fiuid flow through the cup in spaced relation above said neck and connected with a radiator as fluid pressure therein drops below a said surge tank,

predetermined level, a compression spring disposed inside of the cup defined means on said casting for securing said casting with b id i a filling neck ofaradiator, a pressure valve including a diaphragm comprising said diaphragm comprising a ring-shaped diaphragm back-up diaphragm ring engaged on its top side with gasket, said spring and having a diaphragm gasket on its a back-up ring and a bushing securing said diaphragm underside for movement with said back-up diaphragm gasket and said back-up ring in assembly together, ring into and out of engagement with said tubular said auxiliary valve member being mounted on said filling neck,

bushing. a lock ring secured with the side wall defining the open 5. In aclosure cap structure for attachment to a tubular end of said casting holding the diaphragm on said filling neck for an internal combustion engine radiator, casting when said cap structure is detached from a generally cup-shaped casting itself having a nipple said neck,

extending outwardly from its side wall for connection said cap structure when secured in assembly with said with asurge tank, neck having its outer margin spaced axially from a spring disposed inside of the cup defined by said said lock ring when said diaphragm is seated on said ting, neck and when said diaphragm is unseated from a ring-shaped diaphragm mounted in the cup on said said neck upon the development of excessive presspring and having an outer diaphragm margin spaced sure in the radiator,

said diaphragm having its outer margin spaced from the side wall of said casting permitting fluid flow therebetween into the cup and then through said fluid nipple,

an auxiliary valve member mounted on said diaphragm closed during high temperature periods of operation of the combination but open as the radiator fluid temperature drops permitting fluid flow from the surge tank to the radiator, and

means on said cup-shaped cap securing the casting in sealed assembly with the tubular filling neck of said radiator.

9. The combination of claim 8 further characterized by said auxiliary valve member being suspended from said diaphragm by a wobble pin.

10. In a closure cap structure for attachment to a tubular filling neck for an internal combustion engine radiator,

a generally cup-shaped cap itself having a fluid nipple extending outwardly from its side wall and with the cap and the nipple comprising a one piece casting,

an annular axially facing cup shoulder at an open end of the cup-shaped cap,

a spring disposed inside of the cup defined by said cup-shaped cap,

a lock ring secured with an inside wall of the open end of said cap spaced from and axially confronting said cap shoulder with said back-up ring and said gasket being movable axially between said ring and said cap shoulder upon the development of excessive pressure in a radiator suflicient to cause uuseating of said gasket,

an auxiliary valve member mounted on said back-up ring and said gasket adapted to open when the fluid in the radiator is cooling permitting fluid flow from a surge tank to the radiator, and

lugs provided on a radially outwardly facing Wall of said cup-shaped cap and provided as a part of said one piece casting for securing the cap with a tubular filling neck of a radiator.

11. The structure of claim 10 further characterized by the casting having an annular flange about its exterior Wall surface,

said means comprising a ring shaped retainer cup mounted on top of said annular flange and having a series of lock tabs secured with said lugs thereby locking the components of the cap structure in sealed assembly with said tubular filling neck.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,701,030 2/55 HaZeltOn 2204O 2,860,656 11/58 Eshbaugh 22044 2,873,794 3/59 Stromberg 1234l.27 3,067,908 12/62 Graham 220-44- THERON E. CONDO'N, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE o. RALSTON, Examiner.

Claims

1. IN COMBINATION, A CLOSURE CAP STRUCTURE AND AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE RADIATOR HAVING A TUBULAR FILLING NECK WITH THE CLOSURE CAP STRUCTURE THEREON, SAID CAP STRUCTURE INCLUDING A GENERALLY CUP-SHAPED CAP ITSELF HAVING A FLUID NIPPLE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM ITS SIDE WALL IN OVERLYING SPACED RELATION ABOVE SAID NECK, A VENTED SURGE TANK CONNECTED WITH SAID FLUID NIPPLE HAVING FLUID OVERLYING THE RADIATOR, AN ANNULAR CUP SHOULDER AT AN OPEN END OF THE CUPSHAPED CAP, A SPRING DISPSOED INSIDE OF THE CUP DEFINED BY SAID CAP, A BACK-UP DIAPHRAGM RING ENGAGED ON ITS TOP SIDE WITH SAID SPRING AND HAVING A DIAPHRAGM GASKET ON ITS UNDERSIDE FOR MOVEMENT WITH SAID BACK-UP DIAPHRAGM RING INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE TUBULAR FILLING NECK, A LOCK RING SECURED WITH THE SIDE WALL DEFINING THE OPEN END OF SAID CAP AXIALLY SPACED FROM SAID CAP SHOULDER WITH SAID BACK-UP RING AND SAID DIAPHRAGM GASKET BEING MOVABLE AXIALLY BETWEEN SAID DIAPHRAGM RING AND SAID CAP SHOULDER UPON THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXCESSIVE PRESSURE IN HE RADIATOR SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE UNSEATING OF SAID DIAPHRAGM GASKET FROM SAID FILLING NECK PERMITTING FLUID FLOW BETWEEN THE OUTER MARGIN OF SID BACK-UP DIAPHRAGM RING AND THE SIDE WALL OF THE CUP INTO THE CUP AND THEN THROUGH SAID FLUID NIPPLE INTO SAID SURGE TANK, SAID LOCK RING PROVIDING MEANS SECURING SAID DIAPHRAGM GASKET IN INTEGRAL ASSEMBLY WITH SAID CAP TO PERMIT THE CAP, SPRING, DIAPHRAGM RING AND DIAPHRAGM GAKSET TO BE ENGAGED ON AND REMOVED FROM AW FILLING NECK SEAT AS A UNIT, AN AUXILIARY VALVE MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID BACK-UP DIAPHRAGM RING AND SAID DIAPHRAGM GASKET ADAPTED TO OPEN WHEN THE FLUID IN THE RADIATOR IS COOLING PERMITTING FLUID FLOW FROM THE SURGE TANK TO THE RADIATOR, AND MEANS ON SAID CUP-SHAPED CAP SECURING THE CAP IN SERALED ASSEMBLY WITH THE TUBULAR FILLING NECK OF SAID RADIATOR.