Pump

Abstract

A pump is provided. A mechanically driven pump may simultaneously apply a piston as a knife stop valve to operate and apply components to transmit power. The spring may apply a force to the piston to counteract the force applied to the piston via the cam blade. During both working phases (expansion and compression) of the pump, the mechanically driven pump displays a pressure differential at the calibrated bore such that the volumetric efficiency of the mechanically driven pump is not zero.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a positive displacement pump that provides centralized lubrication to mechanical components. Background Art

[0002] Mechanical systems may include sliding and rotating parts (e.g., gears, shafts, bearings, etc.) that are lubricated to reduce friction and wear. In some applications, these parts may be passively lubricated by having some of the parts enclosed in a closed volume (e.g., a transmission) splash lubricant onto other parts. For example, a gear on one shaft of a transmission that is at least partially submerged in lubricant may scatter lubricant within the transmission to lubricate a gear on another shaft of the transmission that is not submerged in lubricant. While lubricating parts in this manner may be effective, it is also less efficient than desired. In particular, large amounts of lubricant may splash onto locations in the transmission that do not require lubrication, and more energy than desired may be consumed to scatter lubricant throughout the transmission.

[0003] One method of reducing the losses that may be associated with lubricating mechanical components may be to provide focused lubrication of areas of the component where wear and friction are expected to occur. Focused lubrication may be supplied by a pump, and the output of the pump may be directed to the lubricated areas via passages or conduits, so over-lubrication may be avoided. The pump may supply lubricant to a second pump, or the pump may supply lubricant to a reservoir, and the lubricant may be fed to the lubricated components via gravity.

[0004] Electric driven pumps can be used to supply lubricant from the interior or lubrication area of ​​the gearbox to the lubricated components, but electric driven pumps require electrical connections and / or wires to supply power to the electric driven pump. These connections may cause the pump and the area served by the pump to have lower reliability. On the other hand, pumps located outside the lubrication area can supply lubricant to the lubrication area via conduits or passages, but these external conduits or passages may have external leakage. Utility Model Content

[0005] The inventors have recognized the above challenges and have developed a pump comprising: a spring; a piston configured to receive the spring; and a pump body comprising a cylindrical cavity configured to receive the spring.

[0006] By providing a mechanically driven pump of reduced complexity within the confines of an area containing lubricated components, highly reliable centralized lubrication can be supplied to components at low cost without significant risk of leakage. In addition, the pump can be operated independently of the direction of rotation of the drive source, so lubrication can be reliable. Still further, the pump can be self-priming independent of the ratio of air to lubricant, so if the pump is deployed in a dry sump environment, the flow rate of lubricant can be maintained.

[0007] It is understood that the above utility model summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts further described in the detailed description in a simplified form. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is uniquely defined by the claims following the detailed description. In addition, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a mechanically driven pump.

[0009] Figure 2 It is an assembly diagram of a mechanically driven pump.

[0010] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a piston used in a mechanically driven pump.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of the pump body of a mechanical drive pump.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a plan view of the pump body of the mechanical drive pump.

[0013] Figure 6-9 The operating sequence for a mechanically driven pump is shown.

[0014] Fig.10 Is the method used to operate a mechanically driven pump. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] A mechanically driven pump with few components as disclosed herein can provide high reliability at low cost. In addition, such a pump can reduce the possibility of fluid leakage from a gearbox or other lubricated areas. A mechanically driven pump also has the advantage that the pump can work regardless of which direction energy is input to the pump. A mechanically driven pump can also be operated without a controller and an actuator. A mechanically driven pump is a cam-driven spring-operated pump. A mechanically driven pump applies a piston to operate simultaneously as a valve and a force transfer mechanism. In addition, a mechanically driven pump is self-priming, so when there is air at the pump, the mechanically driven pump can operate to move a fluid, such as a lubricant.

[0016] Figures 1 to 9 Drawn approximately to scale. However, the mechanically driven pump may have other relative component dimensions in alternative embodiments.

[0017] Figure 1An exploded view of the mechanically driven pump 100 is shown. The mechanically driven pump 100 may be housed in an enclosure 150. The enclosure may be a gearbox, transmission, axle, differential, or other area that provides lubrication to gears, sliding surfaces, etc. The mechanically driven pump 100 may be supplied with a rotary or reciprocating energy source 152 to drive the mechanically driven pump 100.

[0018] In this example, energy can be transferred to the mechanically driven pump 100 via a cam lobe 104 of a camshaft 102. The cam lobe 104 is eccentric so that as the cam lobe 104 and camshaft 102 rotate, the cam lobe can change the position of the piston 106 relative to the pump body 112. The cam lobe 104 and camshaft 102 can rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to operate the mechanically driven pump 100. The cam lobe 104 is in direct physical contact with the piston 106 and can transfer mechanical energy to the piston 106 as the cam lobe 104 rotates.

[0019] The piston 106 is cylindrical in shape and includes Figure 3 100. The cavity is configured to receive a spring 108. The spring 108 and the piston 106 are configured to slide into a cylindrical cavity 120 of a pump body 112. The cylindrical protrusion 110 is centrally located within the cylindrical cavity 120, and the spring 108 and the piston 106 can be configured to slide on the cylindrical protrusion 110. The pump body 112 and the cylindrical protrusion 110 operate to guide the piston 106 so that the piston 106 can reciprocate in the longitudinal direction of the mechanically driven pump 100.

[0020] The pump body 112 includes a first inlet port 118 and a second inlet port 116. The first inlet port 118 and the second inlet port 116 are located along the exterior of the side wall 125. The pump body 112 also includes an outlet port 114 located at the top side of the cylindrical protrusion 110.

[0021] Reference now Figure 2 , shows an assembled perspective view of the mechanically driven pump 100. The mechanically driven pump 100 is shown in a position where the cam lobe 104 impacts on the piston 106 in a section where the cam lobe 104 deviates from the base circle of the cam lobe 104, so that the piston begins to be pushed further into the pump body 112. When the mechanically driven pump 100 is in this position, the first inlet port 118 and the second inlet port 116 can allow lubricant to flow into the pump body 112.

[0022] Reference now Figure 3, shows a cross section of the piston 106. The piston 106 includes a top 302 and a piston sidewall 306. The piston 106 also includes a bottom 304 and a cavity 320 extending from the bottom 304 to an inner top wall 315. The top 302 of the piston 106 has a thickness indicated at 312, and a skirt length indicated at 310. The piston skirt 325 is a portion of the piston sidewall 306, shown below the inner top wall 315. The piston skirt 325 helps to keep the piston 106 in place. Figure 1 The piston 106 is aligned with the cylindrical cavity 120 shown, so that the piston 106 can avoid locking. The length of the piston skirt 325 indicated by arrow 305 can be at least 81% and no more than 84% of the length of the piston diameter. In one example, the piston 106 is aligned with the cylindrical cavity 120 shown, so that the piston 106 can avoid locking. Figure 4 There is a gap between the pump orifices shown in the figure, which is at least 0.04 mm and less than 0.12 mm. In addition, at any position along the pump stroke, for a predetermined amount (e.g., 4 / 3) of the pump stroke, the piston skirt 325 can be aligned with the orifice ( Figure 4 The piston 106 is shown relative to the reference axis 375.

[0023] Then see Figure 4 , a cross section of the pump body 112 is shown. The pump body 112 is shown with a first inlet port 118 and a second inlet port 116 that penetrate the exterior sidewall 125 and allow fluid to enter the cylindrical cavity 120 from outside the mechanically driven pump 100 (not shown). The outlet port 114 allows fluid between the cylindrical cavity 120 and the cylindrical cavity 410. The outlet port 114 is a through hole in the top 402 of the cylindrical protrusion 110. The pump body 112 has a top side 404 that is above or offset from the top 402 of the cylindrical protrusion 110 so that when the piston 106 is as shown in FIG. Figure 8 , the top 302 of the piston 106 (not shown) can be seated flush with the top 404 of the pump body 112. The cylindrical cavity 410 has an orifice as indicated by arrow 405. In one example, the orifice can be greater than or equal to 30.0 mm and less than or equal to 40 mm. The pump body 112 is shown relative to a reference axis 475.

[0024] Go to Figure 5 , shows a plan view of the pump body 112. The top side 404 of the pump body 112 is circular in shape. Likewise, the top 402 of the cylindrical protrusion 110 is circular in shape. The pump body 112 allows the piston 106 to reciprocate in the longitudinal direction of the mechanically driven pump 100.

[0025] Reference now Figure 6-9, shows an operating sequence in which the mechanically driven pump 100 is shown in different positions. Figure 6-9 In the sequence of , the piston 106 moves radially relative to the camshaft axis 601 , and the cam lobe 104 rotates clockwise as indicated by arrow 602 .

[0026] Figure 6 The piston 106 is shown in its fully extended position relative to the pump body 112. One end of the spring 108 is in direct contact with the pump body 112, and the other end of the spring 108 is in direct contact with the inner top wall 315 of the piston 106. The spring 108 is directly pressed against the piston 106, thereby forcing the piston 106 to abut against the cam lobe 104. The spring 108 pushes the piston away from the pump body 112 to generate a suction force to draw lubricant into the area 605 below the piston 106. The spring stiffness can be selected based on the acceleration of the piston 106, the mass of the piston 106, and the force applied to the piston due to the suction force. The piston acceleration depends on the velocity of the camshaft and the profile of the camshaft. In one example, it can be suggested that the maximum camshaft speed can be 1500 rpm, the cam lobe lift or stroke is 10 mm, the piston mass is 32 grams, and the minimum spring stiffness is 4000 Newtons / meter.

[0027] The first inlet port 118 and the second inlet port 116 can be such through holes that are drilled so that their axes are tangent to the piston orifice formed via the cylindrical cavity 120. The inlet can have a diameter ranging between 8 and 10 mm. The first inlet port 118 and the second inlet port 116 can be positioned along the outer sidewall 125 so that when the piston is at TDC, the inlet port is partially closed. When the piston is about halfway through the compression stroke toward BDC, the inlet port is closed, and they remain closed until the piston reaches BDC. The inlet port is opened again halfway through the expansion stroke toward TDC. Therefore, the piston 106 can act as a gate valve to allow or prevent flow through the mechanically driven pump 100. No other valve is provided at the inlet to the mechanically driven pump 100. The outlet port 114 is machined into the pump body 112. In particular, the outlet port 114 is machined into a cylindrical protrusion 110 (e.g., a spring support rod) as a calibration hole. In one example, the calibration aperture may have a diameter greater than 2.5 mm and less than 5 mm.

[0028] Figure 6The piston 106 is shown at the TDC position where lubricant can flow into the mechanically driven pump 100. As the piston 106 moves away from TDC and toward BDC as indicated by arrow 602, the first half of the piston stroke generates almost no flow at the outlet port 114 because the first inlet port 118 and the second inlet port 116 are open. Once the cam lobe 104 compresses the spring 108 and causes the piston 106 to move toward BDC, the piston 106 moves away from TDC and toward BDC. Figure 7 If the first inlet port 118 and the second inlet port 116 are covered as shown in FIG. 7 , flow through the outlet port 114 may increase as indicated by arrow 704 . The force applied by the cam lobe 104 to the piston 106 is indicated by arrow 702 .

[0029] Figure 8 The piston 106 is shown in the BDC position, where the flow through the outlet port 114 is reduced to nearly zero. As the piston 106 passes through BDC, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 6 , some fluid flows back into area 605 below the piston 106 and in the cavity 320. As the cam lobe 104 rotates, fluid returns to the cavity 320 until the first inlet port 118 and the second inlet port 116 begin to open. Once the first inlet port 118 and the second inlet port 116 begin to open, fluid begins to be drawn into the mechanically driven pump via the first inlet port 118 and the second inlet port 116, while the flow through the outlet port begins to approach zero. Fig. 9 Movement away from the pump body 112 , indicated by arrow 902 , causes a lower pressure to be created within the cavity 320 , which generates flow through the first inlet port 118 and the second inlet port 116 .

[0030] When the piston approaches BDC (e.g., compression stroke), the pressure differential generated at the outlet port 114 is greater in magnitude and opposite in sign to the pressure differential generated when the piston approaches TDC (e.g., during the expansion stroke). This makes the efficiency of the pump greater than zero, so a net amount of fluid can flow through the outlet port 114.

[0031] Therefore, the mechanically driven pump 100 is a two-stroke pump that generates flow through the outlet port 114 regardless of whether the cam lobe rotates clockwise or counterclockwise. The mechanically driven pump 100 has few components and can operate without a controller and an outlet valve. The mechanically driven pump 100 has a high ratio of displacement volume to clearance volume (e.g., greater than 5 and less than 15), so it is self-priming. The clearance volume is such a volume that can be filled by a fluid (e.g., gas, liquid, or a two-phase mixture) when the pump is at BDC. The displacement volume is such a volume that the clearance volume is subtracted when the piston skirt closes the inlet port.

[0032] therefore, Figure 1-9A pump is provided, comprising: a spring; a piston, the piston being configured to receive the spring; and a pump body, the pump body comprising a cylindrical cavity configured to receive the spring. In a first example, the pump comprises wherein the cylindrical cavity is also configured to receive the piston. In a second example that may include the first example, the pump further comprises one or more inlet ports in the pump body. In a third example that may include one or both of the first and second examples, the pump comprises wherein the one or more inlet ports are located in the sidewall of the pump body. In a fourth example that may include one or more of the first to third examples, the pump comprises wherein the one or more inlet ports extend through the sidewall and into the cylindrical cavity. In a fifth example that may include one or more of the first to fourth examples, the pump comprises wherein the pump body comprises a cylindrical protrusion that forms a boundary of the cylindrical cavity. In a sixth example that may include one or more of the first to fifth examples, the pump further comprises an outlet port positioned at one end of the cylindrical protrusion. In a seventh example that may include one or more of the first to sixth examples, the pump further comprises a second cylindrical cavity extending into the cylindrical protrusion. In an eighth example, which may include one or more of the first to seventh examples, the pump includes wherein the outlet port extends through the cylindrical protrusion to allow fluid communication through the cylindrical protrusion.

[0033] Figure 1-9 The pump also provides a self-priming pump, comprising: a cam lobe; a spring; a piston configured to receive the spring and interact with the cam lobe; and a pump body, the pump body comprising a cylindrical cavity configured to receive the spring. In a first example, the self-priming pump is self-priming due to the ratio of the pump displacement volume to the pump clearance volume, and the pump also includes a drive source to rotate the cam lobe. In a second example that may include the first example, the pump also includes a cylindrical protrusion within the pump body. In a third example that may include one or both of the first and second examples, the pump also includes a gap between the cylindrical protrusion and the end of the pump body. In a fourth example that may include one or more of the first to third examples, the pump includes a gap that is substantially filled via the piston and the spring when the cam lobe fully compresses the spring.

[0034] Reference now Fig.10 , a method for operating a mechanically driven pump is shown. Fig.10 The method can be achieved through Figure 1-9 The mechanical drive pump shown is used to perform the above.

[0035] At 1002 , method 1000 rotates the camshaft and cam lobes to Figure 1-9 A pump of the type shown provides the moving force. The camshaft may be rotated via take-off from a rotating shaft in a transmission, gearbox, or other device. Method 1000 proceeds to 1004 .

[0036] At 1004, method 1000 performs an expansion stroke on the mechanically driven pump. During the expansion stroke, the lift of the cam lobe is reduced, and the spring force moves the piston away from the body of the mechanically driven pump. Moving the piston away from the body of the mechanically driven pump can expand the area between the piston and the body of the mechanically driven pump, thereby reducing the pressure in the area between the piston and the body of the mechanically driven pump. Moving the piston away from the body of the mechanically driven pump can also cause the inlet of the mechanically driven pump to open. In particular, the side wall of the piston does not cover the inlet, allowing fluid to flow from the inlet to the area between the piston and the body of the mechanically driven pump. The combination of the uncovered inlet port and the low pressure under the piston drives flow into the mechanically driven pump. Method 1000 proceeds to 1006.

[0037] At 1006, method 1000 performs a compression stroke on the mechanically driven pump. During the compression stroke, the lift of the cam lobe increases, so the cam lobe moves the piston toward BDC, and thus the spring is compressed. Therefore, the piston moves toward the body of the mechanically driven pump. Moving the piston toward the body of the mechanically driven pump can reduce the area between the piston and the body of the mechanically driven pump, thereby increasing the pressure in the area between the piston and the body of the mechanically driven pump. Moving the piston toward the body of the mechanically driven pump can also cause the inlet of the mechanically driven pump to close. In particular, the side wall of the piston covers the inlet to prevent fluid from exiting the inlet. The combination of the covered inlet port and the higher pressure under the piston drives the flow out of the mechanically driven pump. Method 1000 proceeds to exit.

[0038] Thus, method 1000 provides a method for a pump, comprising: rotating a cam lobe to move a piston, and selectively extending and compressing a spring according to the position of the cam lobe relative to the piston; and pumping a liquid while preventing the liquid from flowing through the piston. In a first example, the method includes wherein preventing the flow of the liquid includes covering one or more inlet ports via the piston. In a second example that may include the first example, the method includes wherein the one or more inlet ports are in the body of the pump. In a third example that may include one or both of the first and second methods, the method also includes at least partially pushing the piston out of the cylindrical cavity of the pump via a spring, allowing the liquid to flow into the pump. In a fourth example that may include one or more of the first to third examples, the method includes wherein pumping the liquid includes pumping the liquid through an outlet port. In a fifth example that may include one or more of the first to fourth examples, the method includes wherein the outlet port is in a cylindrical protrusion of the pump body.

[0039] Figure 1-9An example configuration with relative positioning of various components is shown. If shown as directly contacting or directly connected to each other, such elements can be referred to as directly contacting or directly connected, respectively, at least in one example. Similarly, at least in one example, elements shown as continuous or adjacent to each other can be respectively continuous or adjacent to each other. As an example, components placed as face-shared contact with each other can be referred to as face-shared contact. As another example, in at least one example, elements positioned to be spaced apart from each other with only a spacing space between them and no other components can be referred to as such. As another example, elements shown as above / below each other, on opposite sides of each other, or on the left / right of each other can be referred to as such relative to each other. In addition, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in at least one example, the topmost element or the point position of the element can be referred to as the "top" of the component, and the bottommost element or the point position of the element can be referred to as the "bottom" of the component. As used herein, top / bottom, upper / lower, above / below can be relative to the vertical axis of the accompanying drawings and used to describe the positioning of the elements of the accompanying drawings relative to each other. Therefore, in one example, the element shown as above other elements is vertically positioned above the other elements. As yet another example, the shapes of elements depicted in the accompanying drawings may be referred to as having such shapes (e.g., such as rounded, straight, planar, curved, rounded, chamfered, angled, etc.). Additionally, in at least one example, elements shown as intersecting each other may be referred to as intersecting elements or intersecting each other. Further, in one example, an element shown as being within another element or outside another element may be referred to as such.

[0040] Although various embodiments have been described above, it is understood that they are presented as examples rather than in a limiting or limiting manner. It is understood that the configurations and routines disclosed herein are exemplary in nature, and these specific examples should not be considered restrictive because a variety of changes can be made. For example, the above technology can be applied to a powertrain including different types of propulsion sources, including different types of motors, internal combustion engines and / or transmissions. The technology can be used alone or in combination with other power transmission systems, as an example, not limited to tandem axles, electric support axles, P4 axles, HEVs, BEVs, agriculture, ships, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and mechanical and propulsion systems for road and off-road vehicles. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of various systems and configurations disclosed herein and other features, functions and / or characteristics. It is obvious to a technician in the relevant field that the disclosed subject matter can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the subject matter.

[0041] The appended claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations believed to be novel and non-obvious. The claims may refer to "an" element or a "first" element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims may be understood to include combinations of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and / or characteristics may be claimed in this or a related application by amendment of the present claims or by presentation of new claims. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, are deemed to be included in the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0042] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the term "about" is interpreted to mean plus or minus five percent of the range.

Claims

1. A pump, characterized in that: include: spring; a piston configured to receive a spring; as well as a pump body comprising a cylindrical cavity configured to receive the spring, the cylindrical cavity further configured to receive the piston, wherein the pump further comprises one or more inlet ports in the pump body, Wherein the pump body comprises a cylindrical protrusion forming a boundary of the cylindrical cavity, wherein the pump further comprises an outlet port positioned at one end of the cylindrical protrusion.

2. The pump according to claim 1, characterized in that The one or more inlet ports are located in a side wall of the pump body.

3. The pump according to claim 2, characterized in that The one or more inlet ports extend through the sidewall and into the cylindrical cavity.

4. The pump according to claim 1, characterized in that The pump also includes a second cylindrical cavity extending into the cylindrical protrusion.

5. The pump according to claim 4, characterized in that The outlet port extends through the cylindrical protrusion to allow fluid communication through the cylindrical protrusion.

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