DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING A COOLANT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for conveying a coolant, a device for cooling a drive unit, an intake manifold for a pump and a method for conveying a liquid.

[0002] Coolant circuits in internal combustion engines can have high coolant flow rates. Especially at high flow velocities and with pronounced bends in the lines, there is a risk of flow stalls and cavitation. Severe bends in the lines can occur due to limited installation space. Flow stalls and cavitation can lead to impaired flow to a pump element in the coolant circuit.

[0003] Flow guide elements can be arranged in pipe bends of fluid lines to reduce flow resistance. For example, DE 103 60 839 B3 discloses a pipe bend for connecting fluid lines arranged at an angle to each other. The pipe bend has flow guide elements in the form of guide plates.

[0004] Document WO 2007 / 124812 A1 describes a cooling system for an internal combustion engine with two heat exchangers and a coolant pump. The coolant pump has two inlets and two outlets and a pump impeller rotatably mounted in a pump chamber of a pump housing with a circular cross-section.

[0005] Document DE 10 2018 005 383 A1 relates to a water pump for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of spaced-apart inlets, through each of which a fluid flow of a liquid to be pumped by the water pump can be introduced into an interior of the water pump, which is at least partially delimited by a housing of the water pump. The water pump comprises arcuate guide elements arranged in the interior, by which the interior is divided into respective guide areas assigned to the respective inlets for guiding the respective fluid flow.

[0006] Document WO 98 / 54448 A1 discloses a circulation pump for pumping a fluid by means of a rotating impeller. The pump is arranged in a circulation system comprising a first supply line from a heat source to a cooling device, a return line from the cooling device to the pump, and a valve for diverting the outflow from the heat source back to the pump via a bypass line. The bypass line is connected to the pump in such a way that a flow essentially from this line creates and / or increases pre-rotation of the inflow to the impeller, which leads to a reduction in the power required by the motor.

[0007] Document WO 2014 / 195001 A1 is directed to an electric coolant pump for a coolant pumped in a coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The coolant pump has a pump housing comprising a spiral channel for accommodating a pump impeller driven by an electric motor via a pump axis. The coolant pump has an inlet opening for the coolant that opens into the spiral channel coaxially to the pump axis and an outlet opening for the coolant that opens out of the spiral channel. The inlet opening and the outlet opening are arranged next to one another in an inlet and outlet plane that is radial to the pump axis.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of creating an alternative and / or improved device with which a pump flow can be improved.

[0009] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims and the description.

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for conveying a coolant for cooling a drive unit. The device comprises a curved pipe section and a pump, preferably an impeller pump, with a conveying element (e.g., impeller) and a straight, tubular intake port arranged directly downstream of the curved pipe section and directly upstream of the conveying element. The device may comprise a flow guide element arranged within the intake port, preferably for uniforming a flow in the intake port, and / or at least one inflow channel opening into the intake port in a radial direction relative to the intake port, preferably for uniforming a flow in the intake port.

[0011] Advantageously, the device can enable a uniform flow to the pumping element by integrating the flow guide element directly into the pump's intake port and / or by additionally supplying at least one partial flow directly into the pump's intake port. This allows for particularly targeted action on any flow dead spaces directly upstream of the pumping element.

[0012] This is particularly advantageous when the intake manifold must be very short, for example, due to space constraints, and thus does not provide sufficient calming path for the flow after passing through the curved pipe section. In addition, flow guide elements in the curved pipe section can be omitted, as these can be difficult to integrate due to the design. It also eliminates the need for a complicated redesign of the curved pipe section or a redesign of the pipe routing.

[0013] For example, the intake manifold can have a length in a range between 50 mm and 400 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the intake manifold can have a flow cross-section in a range between 50 mm and 150 mm.

[0014] Preferably, the intake port can form a portion of a pump housing of the pump or can be arranged at least partially, preferably completely, within a pump housing of the pump.

[0015] Preferably, the intake manifold can be flanged directly to the curved pipe section.

[0016] The flow guide element is designed to reduce a dead space in the intake manifold caused by the curved pipe section by diverting a partial flow toward the dead space. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one inflow channel opens into the intake manifold in such a way that a dead space in the intake manifold caused by the curved pipe section is reduced by opening into the intake manifold in a direction toward the dead space and optionally in a direction toward the flow guide element.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the flow guide element is immovable and / or arranged centrally in the intake manifold with respect to a flow cross-section of the intake manifold

[0018] In a further embodiment, the flow guide element comprises an elongated, preferably conical, flow body aligned along a central longitudinal axis of the intake manifold. Preferably, the flow guide element can comprise at least one, preferably (e.g., helically) twisted or curved, flow vane extending radially outward from the elongated flow body, preferably to an adjacent inner channel circumferential surface of the intake manifold.

[0019] A further development includes at least two flow vanes, which are preferably twisted or curved to different degrees. This allows a flow to be influenced very individually and precisely across their flow cross-section to even out the flow.

[0020] In one embodiment, the at least one inflow channel opens into the intake port at a right angle, or the at least one inflow channel opens into the intake port at an acute angle towards the conveying element of the pump.

[0021] In a further embodiment, a plurality of inflow channels are included, which are arranged distributed around a circumference of the intake manifold, preferably opposite one another.

[0022] In a further embodiment, an outlet of the at least one inflow channel has a cross-sectional constriction or a cross-sectional expansion. This allows the velocity of the flow flowing in via the at least one inflow channel to be specifically adjusted so that the flow dead space can be reached as effectively as possible.

[0023] In one design variant, the intake manifold has a flow cross-section that widens in the direction of flow. This measure can reduce the flow velocity in the intake manifold, potentially improving the effectiveness of the measures used to even out the flow (flow guide element and / or inflow channel).

[0024] In a further design variant, the intake manifold has a front-side inlet which is directly connected to an outlet of the curved pipe section.

[0025] In a further embodiment, at least one inflow channel bypasses the curved pipe section.

[0026] In one embodiment, the curved pipe section has a curvature of at least 90°, preferably at least 180°. Alternatively or additionally, the curved pipe section has at least two inlets, which are preferably oriented differently (e.g., oppositely). The teaching of the present disclosure can be used particularly advantageously, particularly in the case of such a complexly constructed, curved pipe section.

[0027] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for cooling a drive unit, preferably an internal combustion engine. The device comprises a cooling circuit configured to cool the drive unit and comprising the device for conveying a coolant as disclosed herein.

[0028] In a further development, the at least one inflow channel connects at least one oil cooler of the cooling circuit directly to the intake manifold.

[0029] In a further embodiment, the curved pipe section is arranged downstream of a heat exchanger, preferably a cooling water heat exchanger, of the cooling circuit. Alternatively or additionally, the curved pipe section can be arranged downstream of a thermostat of the cooling circuit.

[0030] For example, a first inlet of the curved pipe section may be arranged downstream of the heat exchanger and a second inlet of the curved pipe section may be arranged downstream of the thermostat.

[0031] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a tubular intake manifold for a pump, e.g., as a spare part. The intake manifold has a front inlet, a rear outlet, and a coolant channel extending straight between the front inlet and the rear outlet. A flow guide element can be arranged in the coolant channel, preferably for equalizing a flow in the coolant channel, and / or at least one inflow channel can open into the coolant channel in a radial direction relative to the coolant channel, preferably for equalizing a flow in the coolant channel.

[0032] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for conveying a liquid, preferably a coolant, and / or by means of a device as disclosed herein. The method comprises guiding a liquid flow through a curved pipe section directly into a straight and tubular intake port of a pump. The method comprises reducing (e.g., partially or completely) a flow dead space in the intake port caused by the curved pipe section by means of a flow guide element in the intake port and / or by supplying at least one further flow that opens into the intake port in a radial direction with respect to the intake port. The method comprises sucking the liquid flow out of the intake port by means of the pump.

[0033] Reducing the flow dead space in the intake manifold caused by the curved pipe section by means of the flow guide element in the intake manifold comprises diverting a partial flow of the liquid flow to the flow dead space by means of the flow guide element.

[0034] Reducing the flow dead space in the intake manifold caused by the curved pipe section by supplying the at least one further flow comprises supplying the at least one further flow into the flow dead space, preferably directly and / or indirectly by means of the flow guide element.

[0035] The above-described preferred embodiments and features of the invention can be combined with one another as desired. Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a device for cooling a drive unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a curved pipe section and a straight intake port of a pump according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a straight intake port with two additional inflow channels according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 4 shows a rear view of the exemplary straight intake port with the two additional inflow channels; Figure 5 shows a side view of the exemplary straight intake port with the two additional inflow channels; Figure 6 shows a sectional view along a line AA in Figure 5 ; and Figure 7 a sectional view along a line BB in Figure 4 .

[0036] The embodiments shown in the figures correspond at least partially, so that similar or identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals and for their explanation reference is also made to the description of the other embodiments or figures in order to avoid repetition.

[0037] Figure 1 shows a device 10 for cooling a drive unit 12, preferably an internal combustion engine. The drive unit 12 is illustrated by way of example as a multi-cylinder reciprocating piston internal combustion engine in a V-cylinder configuration. Other configurations are also possible, e.g., an in-line configuration. The drive unit 12 can also be designed entirely differently, e.g., as an electric motor, etc.

[0038] The device 10 has a cooling circuit 14 for cooling the drive unit 12. The cooling circuit 14 has a pump 16, a thermostat 18, a heat exchanger 20, and two oil coolers 22.

[0039] The pump 16 has an intake port 24 and a delivery element 26. The straight intake port 24 is arranged directly upstream of the delivery element 26 (and optionally a compensation tank of the pump 16). A curved pipe section 28 is arranged directly upstream of the intake port 24. Coolant, preferably cooling water, flows from the curved pipe section 28 directly into the intake port 24. The coolant flowing through the intake port 24 flows directly onto the delivery element 26. The delivery element 26 sucks the coolant directly from the intake port 24. The pump 16 can preferably be an impeller pump. The delivery element 26 can be an impeller.

[0040] Downstream of the pump 16, at least a first partial flow of the coolant flows through a water jacket of at least one cylinder head and / or an engine block of the drive unit 12 to cool the drive unit 12. Downstream of the water jacket of the drive unit 12, the coolant flows to the thermostat 18. Depending on a temperature of the coolant, the thermostat 18 distributes the coolant to a heat exchanger 20 or to the curved pipe section 28, bypassing the heat exchanger 20. In the heat exchanger 20, the coolant is cooled, e.g., by means of seawater, ambient air, and / or airstream, etc. Downstream of the heat exchanger 20, the coolant also flows into the curved pipe section 28.

[0041] Upstream of the water jacket of the drive unit 12, at least a second partial flow can also be branched off and directed to the two oil coolers 22 for cooling the engine oil of the drive unit 12. The oil coolers 22 direct the coolant back to the pump 16, preferably via two inflow channels 30 that open directly into a peripheral wall of the intake manifold 24. It is also possible, for example, for only one oil cooler 22 to be present. The oil coolers 22 can preferably be connected in parallel.

[0042] For example, due to limited space, e.g., in the engine compartment of a vehicle (e.g., motor vehicle, watercraft, or rail vehicle), it may be necessary to design the curved pipe section 28 in a relatively unfavorable manner. An exemplary embodiment of the curved pipe section 28 is shown together with the intake manifold 24 in Figure 2 shown schematically.

[0043] The curved pipe section 28 has two inlets 32 and 34. Coolant flows from the heat exchanger 20 into the curved pipe section 28 through the first inlet 32. Coolant flows from the thermostat 18 into the curved pipe section 28 through the second inlet 34. The curved pipe section 28 opens into the intake port 24 at the front. In contrast to the curved pipe section 28, the intake port 24 is straight. When flowing through the curved pipe section 28 from the inlets 32, 34, the two partial flows T1, T2 mix and are significantly deflected directly upstream of the intake port 24, e.g., by at least 90°, preferably by approximately 180° as in Figure 2 Conventionally, this significant deflection directly upstream of the intake port 24 would result in a very uneven flow through the intake port 24, even leading to the formation of a flow dead space 36 in the intake port 24. The flow to the conveying element 26 (see Figure 1 ) would be significantly impaired.

[0044] To prevent or at least reduce the formation of the flow dead space 36, two different measures are presented below. Both measures can be used individually or, preferably, in combination. Combining them creates synergistic effects, as both measures positively influence the other.

[0045] To explain the two measures, please refer to the Figures 3 to 7 Reference is made to the Figures 3 to 7 show the intake port 24 of the pump 16. To improve clarity, the other parts of the pump 16 are not shown.

[0046] The intake manifold 24 has a front inlet 38 and a rear outlet 40. The intake manifold 24, or a coolant channel 42 of the intake manifold 24, extends straight between the inlet 38 and the outlet 40. The coolant channel 42 may widen in (flow) cross-section toward the outlet 40. The intake manifold 24 may have a truncated cone shape.

[0047] Preferably, the intake manifold 24 has a flow guide element 44 (1st measure), and / or at least one inflow channel 30 opens into a peripheral wall of the intake manifold 24 (2nd measure). As a result, a flow in the intake manifold 24 can be made uniform or the flow dead space 36 (see Figure 2 ) can be partially reduced or completely prevented. As a result, the conveying element 26 (see Figure 1 ) is flowed more evenly.

[0048] The flow guide element 44 is immobile. The flow guide element 44 is arranged centrally in the intake manifold 24. The flow guide element 44 can be formed from an elongated flow body 46 and at least one flow vane 48.

[0049] The flow body 46 extends along a central longitudinal axis of the intake nozzle 24. The flow body 46 is conical and widens in the flow direction or in the direction of the conveying element 26 (see Figure 1 ).

[0050] The two flow vanes 48 extend radially outward from the elongated flow body 46. The two flow vanes 48 preferably merge into an inner circumferential surface of the intake port 24 or the coolant channel 42. The flow vanes 48 are preferably twisted or wound in a helical shape, for example. The twisted shape of the flow vanes 48 guides coolant toward the potential flow dead space 36 (see Figure 2). The flow vanes 48 can be twisted or wound to the same or different degrees. The flow guide element 44 can also have more or fewer than two flow vanes 48, depending on requirements.

[0051] The at least one inflow channel 30 can supply coolant from the oil coolers 22 directly into the intake manifold 24, e.g., bypassing the curved pipe section 28. It is possible for the at least one inflow channel 30 to branch off from another location in the cooling circuit 14, e.g., downstream of the heat exchanger 20 and / or upstream of the curved pipe section 28.

[0052] The at least one inflow channel 30 opens into a peripheral wall of the intake manifold 24 or in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the intake manifold 24. The intake manifold 24 thus receives, on the one hand, coolant from the front side of the curved pipe section 28 and, on the other hand, coolant from at least one radial direction from the at least one inflow channel 30.

[0053] The at least one inflow channel 30 can be arranged and aligned such that the coolant flowing out of the at least one inflow channel 30 reduces the potential dead space 36. For example, an outlet 50 of the at least one inflow channel 30 can be directed directly toward the dead space 36. A shape, in particular a cross section, of the outlet 50 can be adapted such that the coolant flows from the at least one inflow channel 30 into the intake port 24 at a speed or momentum such that the dead space 36 is reached by the inflowing coolant. For example, a cross-sectional constriction can be arranged at the outlet 50 of the inflow channel 30 in order to increase the speed of the coolant, so that the dead space 36 can also be reached when it is further away from the outlet 50 of the inflow channel 30. A cross-sectional widening can also be arranged at the outlet 50 of the inflow channel 30, e.g.to effect a speed reduction when the flow dead space 36 is arranged very close to the outlet 50 of the inflow channel 30.

[0054] It is also possible for the outlet 50 of the at least one inflow channel 30 to be directed toward the flow guide element 44. The flow guide element 44 can preferably be designed or shaped such that the coolant is guided from the at least one inflow channel 30 to the (potential) flow dead space 36.

[0055] If multiple inflow channels 30 are included, the outlets 50 of the inflow channels 30 can be arranged distributed around a circumference of the intake manifold 24. The outlets of the inflow channels 30 can be arranged at the same position or offset from one another with respect to a longitudinal axis of the intake manifold 24. Preferably, each inflow channel 30 has its own outlet 50. However, it is also possible for multiple inflow channels 30 to share one outlet 50.

[0056] The outlet 50 can open at a right angle into the intake port 24. Alternatively, the outlet 50 can, for example, open at an acute angle towards the delivery element 26 of the pump 16 (see Figure 1 ) into the intake manifold 24.

[0057] The above embodiments are described with reference to a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine (see Figure 1 ). Although this application is particularly advantageous, it has been recognized that the techniques disclosed herein may also be applied in other conveying devices or other pumps.

[0058] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible which also make use of the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the subclaims, independent of the claims referred to. In particular, the individual features of independent claim 1 are each disclosed independently of one another. In addition, the features of the subclaims are also disclosed independently of all features of independent claim 1 and, for example, independently of the features relating to the presence and / or configuration of the pipe section, the pump, the flow-guiding element, and / or the at least one inflow channel of independent claim 1.All ranges stated herein are to be understood as being disclosed in such a way that all values falling within the respective range are disclosed individually, e.g., also as preferred narrower outer limits of the respective range. List of reference symbols

[0059] 10 Cooling device 12 Drive unit 14 Cooling circuit 16 Pump 18 Thermostat 20 Heat exchanger 22 Oil cooler 24 Inlet nozzle 26 Conveying element 28 Curved pipe section 30 Inflow channel 32 First inlet 34 Second inlet 36 Flow dead space 38 Inlet 40 Outlet 42 Coolant channel 44 Flow guide element 46 Flow body 48 Flow vane 50 Outlet T1,T2 partial flow

Claims

1. Device (10) for conveying a coolant for cooling a drive unit (12), comprising a curved pipe section (28); and a pump (16), preferably an impeller pump, with a conveying element (26) and a straight and tubular suction nozzle (24) arranged directly downstream of the curved pipe section (28) and directly upstream of the conveying element (26), characterized by a flow directing element (44) arranged inside the suction nozzle (24), preferably for homogenizing a flow in the suction nozzle (24), wherein the flow directing element (44) is configured to reduce a flow dead space (36) in the suction nozzle (24) caused by the curved pipe section (28), by deflecting a partial flow towards the flow dead space (36); and / or at least one inflow channel (30) which opens into the suction nozzle (24) in a radial direction with respect to the suction nozzle (24), preferably for homogenizing a flow in the suction nozzle (24), wherein the at least one inflow channel (30) opens into the suction nozzle (24) such that a flow dead space (36) in the suction nozzle (24) caused by the curved pipe section (28) is reduced by opening into the suction nozzle (24) in a direction towards the flow dead space (36).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein: the flow directing element (44) is immovable; and / or the flow directing element (44) is arranged centrally in the suction nozzle (24) with respect to a flow cross-section of the suction nozzle (24).

3. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow directing element (44) comprises an elongated, preferably conical, flow body (46) oriented along a center longitudinal axis of the suction nozzle (24); and at least one, preferably twisted or curved, flow wing (48) which extends radially outwards from the elongate flow body (46), preferably as far as adjacent to an inner duct circumferential surface of the suction nozzle (24).

4. Device (10) according to claim 3, wherein: at least two flow wings (48) are comprised, which are twisted or curved, preferably differently.

5. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the at least one inflow channel (30) opens at right angles into the suction nozzle (24); or the at least one inflow channel (30) opens into the suction nozzle (24) at an acute angle towards the conveying element (26) of the pump (16).

6. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: a plurality of inflow channels (30) are comprised, which are arranged distributed around a circumference of the suction nozzle (24), preferably opposite to each other.

7. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: an outlet (50) of the at least one inflow channel (30) comprises a a cross-section narrowing or a cross-section widening.

8. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the suction nozzle (24) comprises a flow cross-section widening in the flow direction; and / or the suction nozzle (24) comprises an end-faced inlet (38), which is directly connected to an outlet of the curved pipe section (28); and / or the at least one inflow channel (30) bypasses the curved pipe section (28); and / or the curved pipe section (28) comprises a curvature of at least 90°, preferably at least 180°; and / or the curved pipe section (28) comprises at least two inlets (32, 34), which are preferably oriented differently.

9. Device for cooling a drive unit (12), preferably an internal combustion engine, comprising a cooling circuit (14), which is configured to cool the drive unit (12), and which comprises the device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein: the at least one inflow channel (30) connects at least one oil cooler (22) of the cooling circuit (14) directly to the suction nozzle (24).

11. Device according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein: the curved pipe section (28) is arranged downstream of a heat exchanger, preferably a cooling water heat exchanger, of the cooling circuit (14); and / or the curved pipe section (28) is arranged downstream of a thermostat (18) of the cooling circuit (14).

12. Method for conveying a coolant by means of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: guiding a fluid flow through a curved pipe section (28) directly into a straight and tubular suction nozzle (24) of a pump (16); reducing a flow dead space (36) in the suction nozzle (24) caused by the curved pipe section (28): - by means of a flow directing element (44) in the suction nozzle (24), wherein the reducing of the flow dead space (36) in the suction nozzle (24) caused by the curved pipe section (28) by means of the flow directing element (44) in the suction nozzle (24) comprises a deflecting of a partial flow of the fluid flow to the flow dead space (36) by means of the flow directing element (44), and / or - by means of supplying at least one further flow which opens into the suction nozzle (24) in a radial direction with respect to the suction nozzle (24), wherein the reducing of the flow dead space (36) in the suction nozzle (24) caused by the curved pipe section (28) by means of supplying the at least one further flow comprises supplying the at least one further flow into the flow dead space (36); and sucking the fluid flow from the suction nozzle (24) by means of the pump (16).

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein: the reducing of the flow dead space (36) in the suction nozzle (24) caused by the curved pipe section (28) by means of supplying the at least one further flow comprises the supplying of the at least one further flow into the flow dead space (36) namely directly and / or indirectly by means of the flow directing element (44).