Bearing housing for coolant pump, coolant pump and cooling system

Abstract

A bearing housing (4) for a coolant pump (1) of an internal combustion engine (40) is configured to receive a first bearing (8) and a second bearing (9) for supporting a shaft (10) of the coolant pump (1), the bearing housing (4) comprising a first inlet (13) for receiving a coolant to be pressurized and for further supplying the coolant to an impeller (11) of the coolant pump (1) and a second inlet (14) for receiving a second bearing (9) for supporting a shaft (10) of the coolant pump (1). The first inlet (13) and the second inlet (14) incorporate a common inlet chamber (15) for supplying coolant received via the first inlet (13) and the second inlet (14) to the impeller (11) of the pump (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a kind of bearing housings for cooling liquid pump of internal combustion engine, the bearing housing is configured to receive first bearing and second bearing for supporting the shaft of the cooling liquid pump, the bearing housing includes first inlet, the first inlet is used to receive cooling liquid to be pressurized and is used to further supply the cooling liquid to the impeller of the cooling liquid pump.The utility model further relates to a kind of cooling liquid pump of cooling system for internal combustion engine, the cooling liquid pump includes: rotatable shaft;First impeller, the first impeller is attached to the shaft to be driven by the shaft to pressurize cooling liquid introduced into the pump;First inlet, the first inlet is used to receive cooling liquid and further supply the cooling liquid to the first impeller;And outlet, the outlet is used to receive pressurized cooling liquid from the first impeller and discharge the pressurized cooling liquid from the pump.The utility model further relates to a kind of cooling system for internal combustion engine, the cooling system includes high-temperature cooling circuit for circulating cooling liquid and low-temperature cooling circuit for circulating cooling liquid, wherein cooling liquid is circulated at higher temperature in the high-temperature cooling circuit than in the low-temperature cooling circuit. BACKGROUND

[0002] Large internal combustion engines, such as marine or power plant engines, are provided with a liquid cooling system. A typical cooling system comprises a high-temperature (HT) circuit and a low-temperature (LT) circuit. The two circuits can be separate from each other, or a portion of the cooling liquid flowing in one of the cooling circuits can be introduced into the other circuit to control the temperature in the HT and LT circuits.

[0003] The HT circuit is typically used to control the temperature of the cylinder liners and cylinder heads. Depending on the application, the HT circuit can also be connected to the high-temperature part of a two-stage charge air cooler. The LT circuit is typically used as at least part of one or more charge air coolers and lubricating oil coolers.

[0004] Depending on the engine type, the temperature in the HT circuit is typically about 70-102°C, and the temperature in the LT circuit is 38-60°C. The relatively high temperature in the HT circuit is desirable to ensure safe ignition and combustion of low-quality heavy fuel also at low loads, to minimize temperature fluctuations in the parts of the cylinder, and to prevent corrosion that can be caused by excessive cooling. Therefore, the temperature in the HT circuit needs to be controlled. SUMMARY

[0005] The utility model discloses a bearing housing for a cooling liquid pump of a bearing housing. The bearing housing according to the utility model is characterized in that the bearing housing comprises a second inlet, and the first inlet and the second inlet merge into a common inlet chamber for supplying the cooling liquid received via the first inlet and the second inlet to the impeller of the pump. Another object of the utility model is to provide an improved cooling liquid pump for a cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The cooling liquid pump according to the utility model is characterized in that the cooling liquid pump comprises a second inlet, and the first inlet and the second inlet merge into a common inlet chamber for supplying the cooling liquid received via the first inlet and the second inlet to the first impeller of the pump. Yet another object of the utility model is to provide a cooling system for an internal combustion engine. The cooling system according to the utility model is characterized in that the cooling system comprises a cooling liquid pump according to the invention for circulating cooling liquid pressurized by the first impeller in the high-temperature cooling circuit.

[0006] The bearing housing according to the utility model is configured to receive a first bearing and a second bearing for supporting a shaft of a cooling liquid pump, the bearing housing comprises a first inlet for receiving cooling liquid to be pressurized and for further supplying the cooling liquid to an impeller of the cooling liquid pump. The bearing housing further comprises a second inlet, and the first inlet and the second inlet merge into a common inlet chamber for supplying the cooling liquid received via the first inlet and the second inlet to the impeller of the pump.

[0007] The bearing housing according to the utility model allows mixing two fluid flows in the bearing housing. This allows efficient use of space and reduces the number of components in the cooling system. The bearing housing can be used to mix two cooling liquid flows at different temperatures. This allows controlling the temperature of the cooling liquid flow leaving the cooling liquid pump. The construction also allows supplying the cooling liquid axially to the impeller of the pump.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the utility model, the first inlet and the second inlet open radially outward from the bearing housing.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the utility model, the first inlet and the second inlet open to the outer surface of the bearing housing in a position that is at least 60 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the bearing housing. This ensures that there is enough space around the inlet for connecting the incoming fluid channels to the bearing housing.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the utility model, the common inlet chamber is configured to supply the cooling liquid to the impeller in the axial direction of the shaft of the cooling liquid pump.

[0011] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the bearing housing comprises a partition wall configured to divide the internal volume of the bearing housing into a space for accommodating the bearings of the cooling liquid pump and a space for receiving the cooling liquid.

[0012] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the partition wall is configured to support one end of a mechanical seal configured to be arranged around the shaft of the cooling liquid pump.

[0013] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the bearing housing is configured to be connected to an impeller housing accommodating the impeller.

[0014] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the bearing housing is configured to be connected to the impeller housing by means of a V-belt clamp. The use of a V-belt clamp ensures the maintainability of the cooling liquid pump and also allows different mutual angular positions of the bearing housing and the impeller housing. The V-belt clamp also allows a compact size of the cooling liquid pump. The V-belt clamp also allows the use of the same components to assemble pumps with different directions of rotation.

[0015] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the bearing housing is configured to be connectable to the impeller housing in two or more different angular positions. According to embodiments of the present utility model, the bearing housing is configured to be connectable to the impeller housing in any angular position. The possibility of connecting the bearing housing and the impeller housing in different angular positions allows the adaptation of the cooling liquid pump to different applications.

[0016] The cooling liquid pump according to the present utility model comprises a rotatable shaft, a first impeller attached to the shaft to be driven by the shaft to pressurize cooling liquid introduced into the pump, a first inlet for receiving the cooling liquid and further supplying the cooling liquid to the first impeller, and an outlet for receiving the pressurized cooling liquid from the first impeller and discharging the pressurized cooling liquid from the pump. The cooling liquid pump further comprises a second inlet, and the first inlet and the second inlet are incorporated into a common inlet chamber for supplying the cooling liquid received via the first inlet and the second inlet to the first impeller of the pump.

[0017] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the first inlet and the second inlet open radially outwardly from the cooling liquid pump.

[0018] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the first inlet and the second inlet open to the outer surface of the cooling liquid pump in positions at least 60 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the cooling liquid pump.

[0019] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the common inlet chamber is configured to supply the cooling liquid to the first impeller in the axial direction of the shaft of the cooling liquid pump.

[0020] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the coolant pump comprises a mechanical seal arranged around the shaft to prevent leakage from the common inlet chamber.

[0021] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the coolant pump comprises a bearing housing as defined above.

[0022] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the coolant pump comprises a first impeller housing connected to the bearing housing and accommodating the first impeller.

[0023] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the first impeller housing is connected to the bearing housing by means of a V-belt clamp.

[0024] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the mutual angle of the bearing housing and the first impeller housing around the axial direction of the shaft is adjustable.

[0025] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the coolant pump comprises a third inlet, a second impeller attached to the shaft of the coolant pump for pressurizing coolant received through the third inlet, and a second outlet for discharging coolant pressurized by the second impeller. The second impeller allows the use of the same coolant pump for pressurizing coolant for both high-temperature and low-temperature cooling circuits. This allows a very compact arrangement for a cooling system provided with two cooling circuits and reduces the number of components in the cooling system.

[0026] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the coolant pump comprises a second impeller housing, and the second impeller is arranged within the second impeller housing. By providing the coolant pump with a separate impeller housing for the second impeller, the maintainability of the coolant pump is improved. The second impeller housing can be identical to the first impeller housing, thereby reducing the number of different components in the pump.

[0027] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the second impeller housing is connected to an adjacent component of the coolant pump, such that the mutual angular position of the second impeller housing and the adjacent component is adjustable. This allows the structure to be adapted to the needs of different cooling systems, for example by changing the positions of the inlet and outlet of the pump.

[0028] According to embodiments of the present utility model, the coolant pump comprises a leakage chamber arranged between the first impeller and the second impeller and configured to collect coolant that can leak from the first impeller and / or the second impeller. This allows easy detection of leaks and ensures that coolant from different cooling circuits is not mixed within the pump without being noticed.

[0029] According to embodiments of the present application, the coolant pump comprises a mechanical seal arranged between the first impeller and the leakage chamber around the shaft and a mechanical seal arranged between the leakage chamber and the second impeller around the shaft. The mechanical seals prevent mixing of the coolants of different cooling circuits within the pump. In case of failure of any of the mechanical seals, leakage from the leakage can be detected.

[0030] According to embodiments of the present application, the coolant pump comprises a third inlet, a second impeller attached to the shaft of the coolant pump for pressurizing the coolant received through the third inlet, and a second outlet for discharging the coolant pressurized by the second impeller. The second impeller is arranged to pressurize the coolant circulating in the low temperature cooling circuit. Thus, the same pump can be used for circulating the coolant in both the high temperature cooling circuit and the low temperature cooling circuit.

[0031] According to embodiments of the present application, the high temperature cooling circuit is arranged to cool at least the cylinder liners of the engine.

[0032] According to embodiments of the present application, the low temperature cooling circuit is arranged to cool the intake air of the engine in at least one charge air cooler.

[0033] According to embodiments of the present application, the coolant pump is connected in the cooling system such that the first inlet receives coolant in a first temperature range and the second inlet receives coolant in a second temperature range, the second temperature range being higher than the first temperature range.

[0034] According to embodiments of the present application, the first inlet is arranged to receive coolant from a heat exchanger or from the low temperature cooling circuit, the heat exchanger being configured to cool the coolant.

[0035] According to embodiments of the present application, the second inlet is arranged to receive coolant from the high temperature cooling circuit.

[0036] According to embodiments of the present application, the second inlet is arranged to receive coolant from a bypass valve configured to selectively supply coolant of the high temperature cooling circuit to the second inlet of the coolant pump or to a heat exchanger configured to cool the coolant.

[0037] According to embodiments of the present application, the coolant pump comprises a third inlet, a second impeller attached to the shaft of the coolant pump for pressurizing the coolant received through the third inlet, and a second outlet for discharging the coolant pressurized by the second impeller. The second impeller is arranged to pressurize the coolant circulating in the low temperature cooling circuit. Thus, the same pump can be used for circulating the coolant in both the high temperature cooling circuit and the low temperature cooling circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] Embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] Figure 1 a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0040] Figure 2 a perspective view of a coolant pump according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0041] Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the coolant pump of Figure 2 ; and

[0042] Figure 4 a partial cross-sectional view of the coolant pump of Figure 2 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] A cooling system of an internal combustion engine 40 is schematically shown in Figure 1 . The engine 40 is a large internal combustion engine, for example a main engine or an auxiliary engine of a ship or an engine used for power generation in a power plant. The bore of the engine 40 is at least 150 mm. Figure 1 A straight engine is shown, but the engine can also be a V-engine.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the engine 40 is provided with two turbochargers 45, 46. The first turbocharger 45 is a low-pressure turbocharger and the second turbocharger 46 is a high-pressure turbocharger. The turbochargers 45, 46 are connected in series. The pressure of the intake air of the engine 40 is raised from ambient pressure to a first pressure level in the low-pressure turbocharger 45 and then from the first pressure level to a second pressure level, which is higher than the first pressure level, in the high-pressure turbocharger 46.

[0045] The intake air of the engine 40 can also be pressurized by a single turbocharger. A V-engine can be provided with an independent turbocharger for each bank of cylinders of the engine. Thus, a V-engine can be provided with two turbochargers arranged in parallel, or two low-pressure turbochargers arranged in parallel and two high-pressure turbochargers arranged in parallel.

[0046] The intake air of the engine 40 is cooled between the low-pressure turbocharger 45 and the high-pressure turbocharger 46 and after the high-pressure turbocharger 46. A low-pressure charge air cooler 47, 48 is arranged between the low-pressure turbocharger 45 and the high-pressure turbocharger 46. The low-pressure charge air cooler 47, 48 comprises a first stage 47 and a second stage 48. A high-pressure charge air cooler 49, 50 is arranged after the high-pressure turbocharger 46. The high-pressure charge air cooler 49, 50 comprises a first stage 49 and a second stage 50. Thus, the intake air is cooled in two stages between the turbochargers 45, 46 and downstream of the high-pressure turbocharger 46. The two stages of the charge air cooler can also be separate charge air coolers. The cooling system can also be provided with a single stage cooling between the turbochargers 45, 46 and / or between the high-pressure turbocharger 46 and the engine 40.

[0047] The cooling system of the engine 40 comprises a high-temperature cooling circuit and a low-temperature cooling circuit. In the low-temperature cooling circuit, the temperature of the coolant is lower than in the high-temperature cooling circuit. The temperature in the high-temperature cooling circuit is typically about 70-105°C and the temperature in the low-temperature cooling circuit is 35-55°C. The coolant in the cooling circuits can be, for example, water. The coolant can also contain additives, for example, for preventing corrosion.

[0048] The cooling system comprises a coolant pump 1 for circulating the coolant in the cooling system. In the embodiment of the application, the coolant pump 1 is arranged to circulate coolant in both the low-temperature cooling circuit and the high-temperature cooling circuit. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the application, the cooling system comprises a single coolant pump 1. The coolant pump 1 comprises a high-temperature part 2 for pressurizing the coolant circulating in the high-temperature cooling circuit and a low-temperature part 3 for pressurizing the coolant circulating in the low-temperature cooling circuit. The coolant pump 1 is provided with a common shaft 10 for driving both the high-temperature part 2 and the low-temperature part 3. The coolant pump 1 is mechanically coupled to the engine 40 to be driven by the engine. Instead of a single coolant pump 1 circulating coolant in both the low-temperature cooling circuit and the high-temperature cooling circuit, the cooling system can be provided with separate low-temperature and high-temperature pumps.

[0049] The coolant pump 1 comprises a first inlet 13, a second inlet 14 and a third inlet 17. The first inlet 13 and the second inlet 14 are inlets of the high-temperature part 2 and the third inlet 17 is an inlet of the low-temperature part 3. The coolant pump 1 further comprises a first outlet 16 and a second outlet 18, the first outlet 16 being an outlet of the high-temperature part 2 and the second outlet 18 being an outlet of the low-temperature part 3.

[0050] The high-temperature cooling circuit is arranged to cool at least the cylinder liners and the cylinder head of the engine 40. In the high-temperature cooling circuit, coolant flows from the high-temperature part 2 of the coolant pump 1 to the engine 40, in which heat is transferred from the cylinder liners and the cylinder head of the engine 40 to the coolant. A check valve 51 is arranged on the downstream side of the high-temperature part 2 of the coolant pump 1 to prevent backflow to the coolant pump 1.

[0051] From the engine 40, the coolant flows to a first bypass valve 41. The first bypass valve 41 allows the coolant to be selectively directed to either a second inlet 14 of the high temperature portion 2 of the coolant pump 1 or to a first heat exchanger 42. The first heat exchanger 42 is configured to cool the coolant received from the high temperature cooling circuit. From the first heat exchanger 42, the cooled coolant is directed to a third inlet 17 of the coolant pump 1, i.e. the inlet 17 of the low temperature portion 3. The first bypass valve 41 can be used to control the temperature of the coolant in the high temperature cooling circuit. If the temperature is too low, hot coolant can be directed from the end of the high temperature cooling circuit to the second inlet 14 of the high temperature portion 2 of the coolant pump 1 to increase the temperature in the high temperature cooling circuit. If the temperature is too high, coolant from the high temperature cooling circuit can be directed to the first heat exchanger 42.

[0052] The cooling system further comprises a second bypass valve 43. The second bypass valve 43 allows to bypass the first heat exchanger 42 to conduct the coolant from the high temperature cooling circuit to the inlet 17 of the low temperature portion 3 of the coolant pump 1.

[0053] From the low temperature portion 3 of the coolant pump 1, the coolant is conducted to a second heat exchanger 44, in which the coolant is heated. Between the low temperature portion 3 of the coolant pump 1 and the second heat exchanger 44, a check valve 52 is arranged to prevent backflow to the coolant pump 1. From the second heat exchanger 44, the coolant is directed to the second stage 48 of the low pressure charge air cooler, in which heat is transferred from the intake air of the engine 40 to the coolant. From the second stage 48 of the low pressure charge air cooler, the coolant is directed to the second stage 50 of the high pressure charge air cooler, in which heat is transferred from the intake air to the coolant. From the second stage 50 of the high pressure charge air cooler, the coolant is directed to the first stage 49 of the high pressure charge air cooler. In the first stage 49 of the high pressure charge air cooler, further heat is transferred from the intake air to the coolant. From the first stage 49 of the high pressure charge air cooler, the coolant is directed to the first stage 47 of the low pressure charge air cooler. Although the coolant has already been heated in the other cooling stages, the temperature of the coolant is still lower than the temperature of the intake air after the low pressure turbocharger 45, and heat is transferred from the intake air to the coolant.

[0054] After the first stage 47 of the low pressure charge air cooler, the temperature of the coolant in the low temperature cooling circuit is the highest. The coolant is directed to the first inlet 13 of the high temperature portion 2 of the coolant pump 1. In the coolant pump 1, the coolant is mixed with the coolant introduced into the high temperature portion 2 through the second inlet 14.

[0055] A part of the coolant from the low temperature cooling circuit can flow to the first heat exchanger 42, where the coolant is cooled, after which it is directed to the inlet 17 of the low temperature part 3 of the coolant pump 1 by the second bypass valve 43.

[0056] The low temperature cooling circuit can be arranged to also cool the lubricating oil of the engine. A lubricating oil cooler can be arranged in the low temperature cooling circuit, for example between the first stage 49 of the high pressure charge air cooler and the first stage 47 of the low pressure charge air cooler.

[0057] The cooling system can also be constructed in many alternative ways depending on the engine 40. For example, the first stage 47 of the low pressure charge air cooler can be arranged in the high temperature cooling circuit. The cooling circuit can also comprise a bypass conduit for one or more stages 47, 48, 49, 50 of the charge air cooler.

[0058] Figure 1 A simplified view of the cooling system is shown, and the cooling system can comprise many additional components. For example, the cooling system can comprise a low temperature standby pump and a high temperature standby pump. The standby pumps can be driven to circulate coolant in the cooling system when the engine 40 is not running.

[0059] Figures 2 to 4 Different views of a coolant pump 1 according to an embodiment of the application are shown. The coolant pump 1 can be used in a cooling system of Figure 1 The coolant pump 1 comprises a high temperature part 2 and a low temperature part 3. The high temperature part 2 is configured to pressurize coolant circulating in a high temperature cooling circuit of the cooling system, and the low temperature part 3 is configured to pressurize coolant circulating in a low temperature cooling circuit of the cooling system. Some components of the coolant pump 1 are common for the high temperature part 2 and the low temperature part 3 of the coolant pump 1.

[0060] The coolant pump 1 comprises a rotatable shaft 10. The shaft 10 is configured to be driven by an engine cooled by the cooling system using the coolant pump 1. A gear wheel 33 can be attached to one end of the shaft 10 for driving the shaft 10.

[0061] The coolant pump 1 is an impeller pump 1. The coolant pump 1 comprises a first impeller 11 attached to the shaft 10 and a second impeller 12 attached to the shaft 10. The first impeller 11 is configured to pressurize coolant in the high temperature part 2 of the pump 1, and the second impeller 12 is configured to pressurize coolant in the low temperature part 3 of the pump 1.

[0062] The shaft 10 is supported by the first bearing 8 and the second bearing 9. The cooling liquid pump 1 comprises a bearing housing 4 configured to receive the first bearing 8 and the second bearing 9. The first bearing 8 is arranged at a first end of the cooling liquid pump 1 and the second bearing 9 is arranged at a distance from the first bearing 8 towards a second end of the cooling liquid pump 1. In the embodiment of the figures, the shaft 10 is only supported by the first bearing 8 and the second bearing 9. All bearings of the pump 1 are thus arranged in the bearing housing 4. Both impellers 11, 12 of the pump 1 are arranged on the same side of the bearings 8, 9.

[0063] The bearing housing 4 forms part of a pump housing. Other parts of the pump housing are a first impeller housing 5, a second impeller housing 6 and an end part 7. The pump housing can comprise even further components and / or some components can be integrated with each other. The first impeller housing 5 is configured to house the first impeller 11 and the second impeller housing 6 is configured to house the second impeller 12.

[0064] The bearing housing 4 has a first end. The shaft 10 protrudes from the first end of the bearing housing 4. A first end of the first impeller housing 5 is connected to a second end of the bearing housing 4. A first end of the second impeller housing 6 is connected to a second end of the first impeller housing 5. The end part 7 is connected to a second end of the second impeller housing 6.

[0065] The bearing housing 4 comprises a partition wall 4A. The partition wall 4A divides the internal volume of the bearing housing 4 into a space 4B for housing the first bearing 8 and the second bearing 9 of the cooling liquid pump 1 and a space 4C for receiving cooling liquid. The partition wall 4A is configured to support one end of a first mechanical seal 28 arranged around the shaft 10 of the cooling liquid pump 1. The other end of the first mechanical seal 28 is arranged against the first impeller 11. The purpose of the first mechanical seal 28 is to prevent leakage to and from the bearings 8, 9 of the cooling liquid pump 1 and out of the bearing housing 4.

[0066] The term "mechanical seal" refers here to a seal comprising a static sealing face arranged in a static part of the seal and a rotating sealing face arranged in a rotating part of the seal. At least one of these parts is spring loaded and pushed towards the other part and a fluid film between the sealing faces forms the seal.

[0067] In the embodiment of the figures, the second end of the bearing housing 4 is provided with a flange 19. The first end of the first impeller housing 5 is provided with a flange 20, which can be arranged against the flange 19 of the bearing housing 4. A V-belt clamp 21 fastens the bearing housing 4 and the first impeller housing 5 to each other. The second end of the first impeller housing 5 is provided with a flange 22. The first end of the second impeller housing 6 is provided with a flange 23, which can be arranged against the flange 22 at the second end of the first impeller housing 6. A V-belt clamp 24 fastens the second impeller housing 6 to the first impeller housing 5. The second end of the second impeller housing 6 is provided with a flange 25. The end portion 7 is provided with a flange 26, which can be arranged against the flange 25 at the second end of the second impeller housing 6. A V-belt clamp 27 fastens the end portion 7 to the second end of the second impeller housing 6. In the embodiment of the figures, the first impeller housing 5 and the second impeller housing 6 are identical components. This reduces the number of different components required for the pump 1. However, the impeller housings 5, 6 can also be different components.

[0068] The two separate impeller housings 5, 6 improve the serviceability of the coolant pump 1. The mutual angle around the axial direction of the coolant pump 1 between the bearing housing 4 and the first impeller housing 5, between the first impeller housing 5 and the second impeller housing 6, and between the second impeller housing 6 and the end portion 7 can be adjusted. This allows the inlet and outlet of the coolant pump 1 to be arranged at different positions relative to each other. This allows the coolant pump 1 to be more easily adapted to different cooling systems.

[0069] The coolant pump 1 comprises a first inlet 13, a second inlet 14, and a third inlet 17. The first inlet 13 and the second inlet 14 are for the high-temperature part 2 of the coolant pump 1, and the third inlet 17 is for the low-temperature part 3. The coolant pump 1 is configured such that the third inlet 17 is not in fluid communication with the first inlet 13 and the second inlet 14. Thus, coolant introduced into the pump 1 through the inlet 17 of the low-temperature part 3 is not mixed with coolant introduced into the pump through the inlets 13, 14 of the high-temperature part 2.

[0070] The coolant pump 1 comprises a first outlet 16 and a second outlet 18. The first outlet 16 is for the high-temperature part 2, and the second outlet 18 is for the low-temperature part 3.

[0071] The first inlet 13 and the second inlet 14 are arranged in the bearing housing 4. The first inlet 13 and the second inlet 14 merge into a common inlet chamber 15 for supplying cooling liquid received via the first inlet 13 and the second inlet 14 to the first impeller 11 of the pump 1. Thus, the cooling liquid introduced in the high temperature section 2 through the first inlet 13 and the second inlet 14 is mixed in the inlet chamber 15 while flowing through the high temperature section 2 to the outlet 16 of the high temperature section 2. The two inlets 13, 14 allow mixing of cooling liquid flows having different temperatures in the cooling liquid pump 1 and thus provide a compact construction. Together with allowing the use of the same cooling liquid pump 1 in both the high temperature cooling circuit and the low temperature cooling circuit, a very space saving solution for a cooling system of an internal combustion engine 40 is achieved.

[0072] The first inlet 13 and the second inlet 14 open radially outwards from the bearing housing 4. In the embodiment of the figures, the first inlet 13 and the second inlet open to the outer surface of the bearing housing 4 in positions that are approximately 135 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the bearing housing 4. Preferably, the angle is at least 60 degrees to provide enough space for the connection of the cooling liquid pipes.

[0073] The common inlet chamber 15 is configured to supply cooling liquid to the first impeller 11 in the axial direction of the shaft 10 of the cooling liquid pump.

[0074] The third inlet 17 is arranged in the end portion 7 of the pump housing. From the third inlet 17, cooling liquid is supplied to the second impeller 12 in the axial direction of the shaft 10. From the second impeller 12, pressurized cooling liquid flows to the second outlet 18 of the cooling liquid pump 1.

[0075] In the embodiment of the figures, the cooling liquid pump 1 comprises a leakage chamber 32 arranged between the first impeller 11 and the second impeller 12. The leakage chamber 32 is configured to collect cooling liquid that can leak from both the first impeller 11 and the second impeller 12. The leakage chamber 32 is provided with an outlet that opens outside the pump housing. The leakage chamber 32 and the outlet allow detecting internal leaks of the cooling liquid pump 1. In the embodiment of the figures, the cooling liquid pump 1 comprises a partition wall element 34. The partition wall element 34 separates the high temperature section 2 from the low temperature section 3. The shaft 10 protrudes through the partition wall element 34. The partition wall element 34 comprises an annular recess. The leakage chamber 32 is delimited by the annular recess and the inner surface of the pump housing.

[0076] A second mechanical seal 29 is arranged around the shaft 10 between the first impeller 11 and the partition wall element 34. The purpose of the second mechanical seal 29 is to prevent leaks from the high temperature section 2 to the low temperature section 3. A third mechanical seal 30 is arranged around the shaft 10 between the partition wall element 34 and the second impeller 12. The purpose of the third mechanical seal 30 is to prevent leaks from the low temperature section 3 to the high temperature section 2.

[0077] The partition wall element 34 comprises at least one hole 35 for allowing fluid to flow from the shaft 10 to the leakage chamber 32. In the event of failure of the second mechanical seal 29 or the third mechanical seal 30, the leaking cooling liquid is thus collected in the leakage chamber 32.

[0078] Instead of a separate partition wall element, the leakage chamber 32 can be formed by the integral walls of the first impeller housing 5 and the second impeller housing 6.

[0079] The second impeller 12 is attached to one end of the shaft 10. This end of the shaft 10 is provided with a conical surface, and the second impeller 12 is fastened on the conical surface by means of bolts 36.

[0080] The first impeller 11 is attached to the shaft 10 by means of a key block 37, which prevents the first impeller 11 from rotating relative to the shaft 10, and a circular clamp 38, which prevents the first impeller 11 from moving relative to the shaft 10 in the axial direction. The fastening arrangement of the first impeller 11 and the second impeller 12 is not susceptible to installation faults, thus providing a reliable construction.

[0081] The person skilled in the art will understand that the present utility model is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be varied within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Bearing housing (4) for a coolant pump (1) of an internal combustion engine (40), the bearing housing (4) being configured to receive a first bearing (8) and a second bearing (9) for supporting a shaft (10) of the coolant pump (1), the bearing housing (4) comprising a first inlet (13) for receiving coolant to be pressurized and for further supplying the coolant to an impeller (11) of the coolant pump (1), characterized in that, The bearing housing (4) comprises a second inlet (14), and the first inlet (13) and the second inlet (14) merge into a common inlet chamber (15) for supplying the cooling liquid received via the first inlet (13) and the second inlet (14) to the impeller (11) of the pump (1).

2. Bearing housing (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first inlet (13) and the second inlet (14) open radially outwards from the bearing housing (4).

3. Bearing housing (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that The first inlet (13) and the second inlet (14) open to the outer surface of the bearing housing (4) at positions that are at least 60 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the bearing housing (4).

4. Bearing housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The common inlet chamber (15) is configured to supply the cooling liquid to the impeller (11) in the axial direction of the shaft (10) of the cooling liquid pump (1).

5. Bearing housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The bearing housing (4) comprises a partition wall (4A) configured to divide the internal volume of the bearing housing (4) into a space (4B) for accommodating the bearings (8, 9) of the cooling liquid pump (1) and a space (4C) for receiving the cooling liquid.

6. Bearing housing (4) according to claim 5, characterized in that The partition wall (4A) is configured to support one end of a mechanical seal (28) configured to be arranged around the shaft (10) of the cooling liquid pump (1).

7. Bearing housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The bearing housing (4) is configured to be connected to an impeller housing (5) accommodating the impeller (11).

8. Bearing housing (4) according to claim 7, characterized in that The bearing housing (4) is configured to be connected to the impeller housing (5) by means of a V-belt clamp (21).

9. The bearing housing (4) according to claim 7, characterized in that The bearing housing (4) is configured to be connectable to the impeller housing (5) in two or more different angular positions.

10. The bearing housing (4) according to claim 7, characterized in that The bearing housing (4) is configured to be connectable to the impeller housing (5) in any angular position.

11. A cooling liquid pump (1) for a cooling system of an internal combustion engine, the cooling liquid pump (1) comprising: - a rotatable shaft (10); - a first impeller (11) attached to the shaft (10) to be driven by the shaft (10) to pressurize cooling liquid introduced into the pump (1); - a first inlet (13) for receiving cooling liquid and further supplying the cooling liquid to the first impeller (11); and - an outlet (16) for receiving pressurized cooling liquid from the first impeller (11) and discharging the pressurized cooling liquid from the pump (1), characterized in that the cooling liquid pump (1) comprises a second inlet (14), and the first inlet (13) and the second inlet (14) merge into a common inlet chamber (15) for supplying the cooling liquid received via the first inlet (13) and the second inlet (14) to the first impeller (11) of the pump (1).

12. The coolant pump (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that The first inlet (13) and the second inlet (14) open radially outwards from the cooling liquid pump (1).

13. The coolant pump (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that The first inlet (13) and the second inlet (14) open to the outer surface of the coolant pump (1) in positions that are at least 60 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the coolant pump (1).

14. The coolant pump (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The common inlet chamber (15) is configured to supply the coolant to the first impeller (11) in the axial direction of the shaft (10) of the coolant pump (1).

15. The cooling liquid pump (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, The coolant pump (1) comprises a mechanical seal (28) arranged around the shaft (10) to prevent leakage from the common inlet chamber (15).

16. The cooling liquid pump (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The coolant pump (1) comprises a bearing housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

17. The coolant pump (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The coolant pump (1) comprises a first impeller housing (5) connected to the bearing housing (4) and housing the first impeller (11).

18. The cooling liquid pump (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first impeller housing (5) is connected to the bearing housing (4) by means of a V-belt clamp (21).

19. The cooling liquid pump (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The mutual angle of the bearing housing (4) and the first impeller housing (5) around the axial direction of the shaft (10) is adjustable.

20. The cooling liquid pump (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, The coolant pump (1) comprises a third inlet (17), a second impeller (12) attached to the shaft (10) of the coolant pump (1) for pressurizing coolant received through the third inlet (17), and a second outlet (18) for discharging coolant pressurized by the second impeller (12).

21. The cooling liquid pump (1) according to claim 20, characterized in that, The coolant pump (1) comprises a second impeller housing (6), and the second impeller (12) is arranged inside the second impeller housing (6).

22. The cooling liquid pump (1) according to claim 21, characterized in that The second impeller housing (6) is connected to adjacent components (5, 7) of the coolant pump (1) such that the mutual angular position of the second impeller housing (6) and the adjacent components (5, 7) is adjustable.

23. The coolant pump (1) according to claim 20, characterized in that The coolant pump (1) comprises a leakage chamber (32) arranged between the first impeller (11) and the second impeller (12) and configured to collect coolant that can leak from the first impeller (11) and / or the second impeller (12).

24. The cooling liquid pump (1) according to claim 23, characterized in that, The coolant pump (1) comprises a mechanical seal (29) arranged around the shaft (10) between the first impeller (11) and the leakage chamber (32), and a mechanical seal (30) arranged around the shaft (10) between the leakage chamber (32) and the second impeller (12).

25. A cooling system for an internal combustion engine (40), the cooling system comprising a high temperature cooling circuit for circulating a cooling liquid and a low temperature cooling circuit for circulating a cooling liquid, wherein, The coolant circulates in the high-temperature cooling circuit at a higher temperature than in the low-temperature cooling circuit, characterized in that the cooling system comprises a coolant pump (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 24 for circulating coolant pressurized by the first impeller (11) in the high-temperature cooling circuit.

26. The cooling system of claim 25, wherein, The high-temperature cooling circuit is arranged to cool at least the cylinder liner of the engine.

27. Cooling system according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that The low-temperature cooling circuit is arranged to cool the intake air of the engine (40) in at least one charge air cooler.

28. Cooling system according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that The cooling liquid pump (1) is connected in the cooling system such that the first inlet (13) receives cooling liquid in a first temperature range and the second inlet (14) receives cooling liquid in a second temperature range, which is higher than the first temperature range.

29. Cooling system according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that The first inlet (13) is arranged to receive cooling liquid from a heat exchanger or from the low temperature cooling circuit, the heat exchanger being configured to cool the cooling liquid.

30. The cooling system of claim 25 or 26, wherein, The second inlet (14) is arranged to receive cooling liquid from the high temperature cooling circuit.

31. The cooling system of claim 25 or 26, wherein, The second inlet (14) is arranged to receive cooling liquid from a bypass valve (41), the bypass valve (41) being configured to allow cooling liquid of the high temperature cooling circuit to be selectively supplied to the second inlet (14) of the cooling liquid pump (1) or to a heat exchanger (42), the heat exchanger (42) being configured to cool the cooling liquid.

32. The cooling system of claim 25 or 26, wherein, The cooling liquid pump (1) is according to any one of claims 20-24 and the second impeller (12) is arranged to pressurize cooling liquid circulating in the low temperature cooling circuit.

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