Valve assembly with axially movable closure

Abstract

Valve group (10) for a pump (1) of a cooling circuit for vehicles, wherein the pump (1) comprises a rotor (4) and a pump body (2) which receives the rotor (4), wherein the pump body (2) has a receiving or housing space (200) which includes an outlet opening (80) through which the coolant exits, wherein the housing space (200) extends along a principal axis (XX) which is perpendicular to a flow axis (FF) which defines the direction of movement of the coolant which is moved by the rotor (4) and parallel to the axis of rotation (RR) of the rotor (4), wherein the outlet opening (80) is bounded by a rim (81) and is placed incident on the principal axis (XX) which is substantially parallel to the flow axis (FF);wherein the valve assembly (10) can be inserted in cartridge form in a manner removable from the housing space (200) and comprises an obturator (30) which is suitable for being moved axially along the main axis (XX) when it is received in the housing space (200) into: - an open position, spaced apart from the orifice (80), in which the passage of coolant through it is permitted; and - a closed position in which it blocks the passage of coolant through the orifice (80); wherein the valve assembly (10) is characterized by the fact that the obturator (30) comprises: a) a contact lip (31) which is suitable for engaging in the rim (81) in order to block the passage of coolant in the closed position;b) a deflection section (35) positioned in a position within the contact lip (31) which, when the obturator (30) is in the open position, is suitable to redirect the movement of the coolant towards the orifice (80), having a curved pattern which identifies a concave shape to deflect the movement of the coolant from the direction substantially parallel to the flow axis (FF) to an outlet direction substantially parallel to the main axis (XX).

Description

This invention relates to a valve assembly for a pump of a cooling circuit for vehicles such as cars or motor cycles.It is well known that the cooling pump and the components that they form are the most important elements of a cooling circuit for heat engines, in particular in vehicles. Thus, great attention is paid to the proper design of these components and the continuous improvement of their performance.Examples of cooling pumps are shown in the documents EP 1 503 083 A1 and WO 2011 / 095 907 A1 in the name of the applicant.In particular in connection with the document WO 2011 / 095 907 A1, the fact that the valve arrangement can be extracted from the pump as a cartridge is particularly important.WO 2012 / 141 667 A2 describes a pump with an associated valve group, which enables blocking of the cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine even if the pump is active.CN 1 00 462 565 C describes a valve that uses a pressure difference, which arises when a liquid flow is allowed and blocked, for a linear reciprocating motion to open and close a flow path.DE 101 95 392 T5 describes a variable flow water pump having an impeller and a hood for use in automobile engines and the like.DE 21 2009 000 182 U1 describes a mechanical coolant pump, in particular for vehicles, comprising a pump body, which is connectable to an inlet line of a cooling circuit and a delivery line of the circuit; a delivery element or pump wheel, which is arranged in the pump body and is suitable for withdrawing a liquid from the inlet part and delivering it under pressure to the delivery part by means of a continuous rotation about a rotation shaft.DE 60 2005 005 890 T2 describes a controllable delivery pump device comprising: a housing and a movable component which is capable of displacing a liquid fluid, wherein the movable component is driven at constant speed by a motor or a device for transmitting the movement.The main problem of this type of valve group is to block the passage of cooling liquid in a manner which is simple and reproducible over time. In other words, it is necessary for the valve units to perform their component function for regulating the passage of cooling liquid without compromising their life and without loading the moving means that move the specific components of the valve group suitable for performing the obturation. In particular, this obturation must be effected in such a way that the movement of the cooling liquid is not adversely affected, for example turbulence or cavitation phenomena are caused in the cooling circuit.The object of this invention is to provide a valve group suitable for solving and performing the operations of blocking the fluid, for example minimizing, until blocking, the cavitation problem typical of the prior art cooling pumps in a reliable and effective manner.This object is achieved by a valve assembly realized according to claim 1. This object is also achieved by a pump according to claim 12 comprising the valve group and by an engine block according to claim 13.The features and advantages of the valve assembly according to this invention will become apparent from the following description given by way of non-limiting example in accordance with the accompanying figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cooling pump including the valve group according to this invention according to a first embodiment; FIGS. 2 aand 2 b show an example of a cooling pump comprising the valve group according to this invention shown in FIG. 1 in two perspective views in an open configuration and a closed configuration, respectively; FIGS. 3 aand 3 b show two sectional views along plane V-V and plane VI-VI in FIGS. 2 aand 2 b, respectively; FIG. 4 shows a perspective view in separate parts of a valve group according to a preferred embodiment; Figures 5a and 5b show two cross-sectional views of the valve assembly of Figure 4 with the obturator in an open position and in a closed position, respectively.According to one embodiment of this invention, reference numeral 1 denotes a pump of a cooling circuit for vehicles, comprising a pump body 2 and a rotor 4 housed in the pump body 2. Preferably, the pump 1 is mechanically actuated. Preferably, the rotor 4 is of the radial type.The pump body 2 is connectable to the cooling circuit of the engine and is in particular connectable to an upstream portion of an intake circuit from which the liquid is drawn, and to a downstream portion of an output circuit to which the liquid is supplied under pressure towards the engine.The rotor 4, rotated about a rotation axis of the rotor R-R, is adapted to suck the cooling liquid from the suction section and send it under pressure to the output section.Downstream of the rotor, the pump body 2 comprises a delivery chamber 6, preferably of spiral shape, and at least one delivery duct 8 extending from the delivery chamber 6. The delivery chamber 6 and the at least one delivery pipe 8 are without other openings to further pipes, except for the opening of the delivery pipe, i.e. the outlet orifice 80 towards the downstream portion of the cooling circuit.In some preferred embodiments, the pump body 2 comprises a plurality of delivery pipes 8, each suitable for allowing the flow of cooling liquid in two separate circuits, for example a first specific cooling circuit for cooling the engine and a second specific cooling circuit for cooling further components contained in the vehicle.In a preferred embodiment, the pump body 2 comprises an outlet orifice 80 through which the cooling liquid exits the pump 1 to enter the cooling circuit, and in particular its conduits. In other words, the outlet orifice 80 is the last portion of the outlet duct 8 of the pump 1 before the ducts of the cooling circuit.Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the cooling liquid is set in motion by the rotor 4 inside the delivery chamber 6 and then the delivery duct 8 in a tangential direction with respect to the rotor 4. The cooling liquid is then set in motion within the delivery line 8 in a flow direction; preferably, the flow direction is defined by a flow axis F-F.According to a preferred embodiment, the pump 1, and in particular the pump body 2, presents the outlet orifice 80 in a position such that it extends parallel or substantially parallel to the flow axis F-F; in other words, the outlet orifice 80 does not extend transversely to the flow direction and therefore, at the inlet to the conduit of the cooling circuit, the movement of the liquid does not stop in the flow direction. Preferably, the opening 80 is formed on a wall which delimits the conveying line 8.In other words, the cooling circuit extends from the pump body 2 transversely thereof, i.e. transversely of the delivery duct 8, for example perpendicularly of the delivery duct 8, consequently perpendicularly to the flow axis F-F.According to a preferred embodiment, the pump body 2 presents a housing 200 in the vicinity of the outlet orifice 80.In other words, the pump body 2 includes a housing space 200 containing the outlet port 80.Preferably, the housing space 200 extends along a main axis X-X.In a preferred embodiment, the major axis X-X extends from the outlet orifice 80.Preferably, the main axis X-X coincides with the flow axis F-F. Preferably, the major axis X-X is perpendicular to the flow axis F-F.Preferably, the main axis X-X is parallel to the rotational axis RR of the rotor.In other words, the housing space 200 extends frontally from the outlet port 80.The pump unit 1 comprises a valve group 10 for the purpose of regulating the passage of cooling liquid set in motion by the rotor 4.The valve assembly 10 is operable in a manner in which it is removable from the housing space 200. In other words, the valve assembly 10 has a cartridge structure, for example, to allow insertion and removal inside the housing space 200.The valve assembly 10 includes an obturator 30 adapted to be moved axially along the main axis X-X to perform the regulation of the passage of the cooling liquid.In a preferred embodiment, the obturator 30 is movable in:an open position spaced from the orifice 80 permitting passage of cooling liquid therethrough; anda closed position in which it blocks the passage of cooling liquid through the orifice 80.In some embodiments, when the valve assembly 10 is in the closed configuration and therefore the obturator 30 is in the closed position, the delivery chamber 6 is closed and the liquid remains therein, for example kept agitated in rotation by the rotor 4.Preferably, in an open configuration, the valve assembly 10 allows passage of the greatest possible amount of cooling liquid.In a preferred embodiment, as will be described more fully below, the obturator 30 in the closed position is adapted to engage a circumferential edge 81 defining the outlet orifice 80. In other words, obturator 30 is shaped to sealingly close, for example, orifice 80, for example, shaped to replicate the shape of outlet orifice 80 to sealingly engage edges 81 that define it. In still other words, the obturator 30 is adapted to engage the wall of the delivery conduit 8 in which the outlet orifice 80 is formed. In view of the foregoing, the action of the obturator 30 required for blocking is in a planar manner on a plane.The obturator 30 comprises a contact lip 31 adapted to engage the rim 81 of the outlet orifice 80 to block the passage of cooling liquid in the closed position. In other words, the contact lip 31 replicates the shape of the rim 81 of the outlet orifice 80 to perform the engagement in the obturator closed position.According to a preferred embodiment, the pump body 2, in particular the delivery duct 8, comprises a connection manifold 89 to facilitate the engagement with the ducts of the cooling circuit connected to the pump 1. Preferably, the manifold 89 is consecutive to the outlet orifice 80. Preferably, the manifold 89 extends parallel to the major axis X-X.Preferably, the obturator 30 includes a leak-proof seal 32 placed on the contact lip 31. Preferably, the seal 32 is an O-ring.The obturator 30 includes a deflection portion 35 which, when the obturator 30 is positioned in the open position, is adapted to deflect the movement of the cooling liquid towards the orifice 80. In other words, the deflecting portion 35 is adapted to deflect the movement of the cooling liquid from the direction substantially parallel to the flow axis F-F to an outlet direction substantially parallel to the main axis X-X.The deflection portion 35 has a curved pattern identifying a concave shape.According to a preferred embodiment, the deflecting portion 35 is inside the contact lip 31. in other words, in the closed position, in which the contact lip 31 engages the rim 81, the deflecting portion 35 extends beyond the mouth 80, for example into the conduit of the cooling circuit directly connected to the pump 1 or into the outlet manifold 89, in the embodiment that provides this.Preferably, the deflection portion 35 has a tapered pattern as it moves away from the lip 31.According to a preferred embodiment, the valve assembly 10 further comprises a linear actuator 40 operatively connected to move it between the open position and the closed position.Preferably, the actuator 40 includes a drive portion 400 operatively connected to the obturator 30; for example, the drive portion 400 is a shaft that is operable in translation or an element capable of performing a roto-translation movement.In other words, the actuator 40 is a component that is mechanically, pneumatically, or electrically operable to obtain the described linear movement of the obturator 30.Preferably, the valve group 10 also comprises a sealing element 5, which is suitable for preventing the cooling liquid from coming into contact with the linear actuator 40, in particular with the drive section 400.According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing element 5 is suitable for changing its shape depending on the position of the obturator 30; in other words, the sealing element 5 is suitable for protecting the actuator 40 from water, and in particular its portions in direct contact with the obturator 30, in which position the latter is always placed, i.e. both when it is moved to the open position and when it is commanded to the closed position.According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing element 5 is a bellows seal.According to a preferred embodiment, the valve group 10 further comprises a valve body 12 suitable to be accommodated in the housing space 200 extending along the main axis X-X. The obturator 30 is adapted to be slidably contained within the valve body 12.The valve body 12 preferably has a shape coupling with the housing space 200. Preferably, the valve body 12 actually has a shape and dimensions to replicate the shape of the housing space 200.Preferably, the valve body 12 has a cylindrical shape.According to a preferred embodiment, the valve body 12 comprises side walls 18 in which an inlet opening 188 is formed through which the liquid flows.Preferably, the valve body 12 includes a bottom plate 16 in which is formed an outlet opening placed axially facing the orifice 80; in this embodiment, the obturator 30 in the closed position engages the peripheral edge 168' defining the outlet opening 168.In other words, specific openings are formed on the valve body 12 to allow the passage of cooling liquid, for example an inlet opening 188 transverse to the flow axis F-F and an outlet opening 168 transverse to the main axis X-X.As described above, in the embodiment comprising the valve body 12, the obturator 30 directly engages the valve body 12 engaging its edge 168' in the same manner as already described with respect to the interaction between the obturator 30 and the outlet opening 80 and thus its edge 81 (as otherwise described in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings).According to a preferred embodiment, the obturator 30 comprises guide elements 39 extending axially, suitable for engaging the housing space 200 in the walls delimiting it or the valve body 12 therein to guide the obturator 30 during its sliding along the main axis X-X.Preferably, the guide member 39 axially replicates the shape of the obturator 30, and more preferably, the lip 31.According to a preferred embodiment, the cooling pump 1 described above can be discharged directly in the engine block of the vehicle in which the cooling circuit is accommodated. For example, the pump body 2 or a portion thereof is directly formed in the engine block.Preferably, the pump body 2 is made of two parts, for example two shells, suitable for mutually engaging in order to define the rotor chamber, the delivery chamber and the delivery duct. Preferably, therefore, one of the sections or shells is formed in the engine block while the second is mounted thereon. It should be noted that in the appended figures, the pump body 2 is always shown open, for example only one of the shells is always shown, for example the shell part which is directable in the engine block of a vehicle. In other words, preferably the valve assembly 10 is usable in a removable manner, in cartridge form, from the engine block itself.Innovatively, the valve group covered by this invention, the cooling pump comprising the valve group and the engine block comprising the pump are particularly suitable for accomplishing the intended object, namely that of providing effective and reliable valve groups in the cooling system of a vehicle.Advantageously, moreover, the valve group of this invention allows to regulate the cooling liquid in such a way that its movement is not adversely affected; in other words, the valve group in question, when acting on the cooling liquid, advantageously causes minimal turbulence or cavitation phenomena in the cooling circuit.A further advantage consists in the fact that the translation movement along the main axis is promoted by the particular embodiment of the obturator suitable for sliding in the direction of the main axis.Yet another advantage is the fact that the valve group has a lifetime longer than the lifetime of the valve groups of cooling systems, since it is designed to be able to protect its actuators from the cooling liquid.Advantageously, the valve group acts directly at the outlet orifice, transversely thereto, making the closing and blocking operations easy to handle.Furthermore, advantageously, the pump, and in particular a casing of the pump body, is an integral part of the engine block of an internal combustion engine, thus reducing the overall dimensions inside the vehicle.Another advantageous aspect is also associated with the fact that the obturator is shaped to promote the movement of the cooling liquid, instead of being an obstacle to the cooling liquid having to bypass in movement.Advantageously, the valve group is positioned and movable directly in the articulated position between outlet duct and lines of the cooling circuit, which, for example, avoids its positioning along the conveying line.According to yet another advantageous aspect, the valve assembly, and in particular the conduit and the obturator assembly, have geometry and cross-section such that the movement of the cooling liquid is facilitated, for example by utilizing the Venturi effect.Advantageously, in the embodiments providing the valve body, valve groups with the same valve body but different obturators can be interchangeably inserted into the pump group according to the requirements which can also occur over the life of the car or motorcycle. Another advantageous aspect of such embodiments is therefore to fully address the design of the pump, and particularly the housing cavity, from the specific needs of the obturator.Advantageously, the placement of the valve group does not affect the design of the pump, unlike typical prior art solutions, for example, the use of butterfly valves imposes certain solutions and techniques on the designer, the pump itself, and the delivery channel.It will be appreciated that to meet specific requirements, one skilled in the art can make changes to the above-described valve group and pump, all of which fall within the scope as defined by the following claims.List of reference characters1 Pump 2 Pump body 4 Rotor 5 Sealing member 6 Discharge chamber 8 Discharge pipe 10 Valve group 12 Valve body 16 Bottom plate 18 Side walls 30 Obturator 32 Seal 35 Deflection portion 40 Actuator 80 Outlet orifice 81 Peripheral edge 89 Connection manifold 168 Outlet orifice 168' Peripheral edge 188 Inlet orifice 200 Housing 400 Drive portion F-F Flow axis R-R Rotation axis of rotor X-X Main axis

Claims

Valve assembly (10) for a pump (1) of a cooling circuit for vehicles, the pump (1) comprising a rotor (4) and a pump body (2) housing the rotor (4), the pump body (2) having a housing space (200) comprising an outlet orifice (80) through which the cooling liquid comes out, the housing space (200) extending along a main axis (X-X) perpendicular to a flow axis (F-F) defining the direction of movement of the cooling liquid moved by the rotor (4) and parallel to the rotation axis (R-R) of the rotor (4), the outlet orifice (80) being delimited by an edge (81) and placed incident on the main axis (X-X), which is substantially parallel to the flow axis (F-F); wherein the valve group (10) is insertable in cartridge form in a manner removable from the housing space (200) and comprises an obturator (30) suitable for being moved axially along the main axis (X-X) when accommodated in the housing space (200), into: - an open position spaced from the mouth (80) in which the passage of cooling liquid is allowed therethrough; and - a closed position in which it blocks the passage of cooling liquid through the mouth (80); wherein the valve group (10) is characterized by the fact that the obturator (30) comprises: a) a contact lip (31) suitable for engaging the rim (81) to perform the blocking of the passage of cooling liquid in the closed position; b) a deflection portion (35) positioned in a position within the contact lip (31) suitable, when the obturator (30) is in the open position, to redirect the movement of the cooling liquid toward the orifice (80) having a curved pattern identifying a concave shape to redirect the movement of the cooling liquid from the direction substantially parallel to the flow axis (F-F) to an outlet direction substantially parallel to the main axis (X-X).The valve assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising a linear actuator (40) operatively connected to the obturator (30) by a drive portion (400) to move between the open position and the closed position.Valve assembly (10) according to claim 2, further comprising a sealing element (5), such as a bellows seal, adapted to change its shape depending on the position of the obturator (30), to prevent the cooling liquid from coming into contact with the linear actuator (40), in particular with the driving portion (400).The valve assembly (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the obturator (30) placed on the contact lip (31) comprises a leak-proof seal (32).Valve assembly (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a valve body (12), preferably cylindrical, suitable to be accommodated in the housing space (200) extending along the main axis (X-X), in which the obturator (30) can be suitably slidably contained.Valve assembly (10) according to claim 5, wherein the valve body (12) includes side walls (18) in which an inlet opening (188) is formed through which the liquid flows, and a plate (16) at the bottom of which an outlet opening (168) is formed, which is placed axially facing the orifice (80), wherein the obturator (30), in the closed position, engages the peripheral edge (168') delimiting the outlet opening (168).Valve assembly (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the obturator (30) comprises guide elements (39) extending axially, suitable for engaging the housing space (200) in the walls delimiting it or the valve body (12) therein to guide the obturator (30) upon its sliding along the main axis (X-X).A pump (1) for a cooling circuit for vehicles, comprising: - a pump body (2) comprising a housing space (200) comprising an outlet orifice (80) and extending along a main axis (X-X) from the outlet orifice (80); - a rotor (4) that draws cooling liquid through a suction portion and directs the cooling liquid under pressure to a delivery portion in a flow axis (F-F) that defines the direction of movement of the cooling liquid, the main axis (X-X) being perpendicular to the flow axis (F-F) and such that the outlet orifice (80) is parallel to the rotation axis (R-R) of the rotor (4); a valve assembly (10) removably insertable into the housing space (200) according to any one of the preceding claims.Engine block incorporating a cooling pump (1) for cooling liquid for vehicles according to claim 8, wherein the pump body (2) or a portion thereof is formed in the block.

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