Pump housing

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an intermediate housing part (6) for forming a pump housing (10) for a fuel pump (11). The intermediate housing part (6) comprises a housing body (12) comprising: a pump chamber housing (14) comprising a pump chamber (16) for mounting the fuel pump (11) therein; and an outlet block (18) extending from the pump chamber (14) housing. The intermediate housing part (6) further comprises a housing inlet (30) extending through the pump chamber housing (14) to the pump chamber (16); and a plurality of exit outlets (20), including a first exit outlet (21) and a second exit outlet (22), extending from an external surface (24) of the outlet block (18), into the outlet block (18).

Description

[0001] PUMP HOUSING

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an intermediate housing part, and more specifically an intermediate housing part for forming a pump housing for a fuel pump. The present disclosure also relates to a housing formed from the intermediate housing part and a method of manufacturing a housing.

[0004] Background

[0005] Fuel pumps may be mounted inside pump housings. The pump housings may hold the fuel pump in place relative to other parts of an engine assembly and / or may direct the fuel from the fuel pump in a desired direction. The direction in which fuel is directed may differ between different engine assemblies. This may require different pump housings to be designed and manufactured for the different engine assemblies, resulting in a need for a large stock of different pump housings. In addition, this may result in an increased design and / or manufacture cost of the pump housings.

[0006] One such existing pump housing is described in US2021095625A1. This housing has a single discharge port and fuel passage connecting the fuel pump to the discharge port. Therefore, this pump housing will only be suitable for a specific engine assembly. Alternatively, additional components are required to direct the fuel as required in different engine assemblies, which results in more connections and more potential for leaks. Due to the above considerations, there is a need for an improved pump housing.

[0007] Summary

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a single intermediate housing part for forming a pump housing which can be configured in different configurations depending on the direction in which fuel is desired to be directed in different engine assemblies. The different configurations are achieved by altering the intermediate housing part without providing additional components. Therefore, additional components are not necessary to direct the fuel as required.

[0009] The present disclosure is therefore generally directed towards an intermediate housing part for forming a pump housing, the intermediate housing part comprising a pump chamber and an outlet block with a plurality of exit outlets partially machined or formed therein. The pump housing can be configured into the desired configuration by completing the machining or formation of only one of the exit outlets so that a flow path is created from the pump chamber.

[0010] The present disclosure provides an intermediate housing part for forming a pump housing for a fuel pump. The intermediate housing part comprises a housing body comprising: a pump chamber housing comprising a pump chamber for mounting the fuel pump therein; and an outlet block extending from the pump chamber housing. The intermediate housing part further comprises a housing inlet extending through the pump chamber housing to the pump chamber; and a plurality of exit outlets, including a first and a second exit outlet, extending from an external surface of the outlet block, into the outlet block. The plurality of exit outlets are such that the intermediate housing part is configurable in: a first configuration in which a first flow passage extends only from the pump chamber to the first exit outlet such that fluid from the pump chamber can only exit through the outlet block via the first flow passage; and a second configuration in which a second flow passage extends only from the pump chamber to the second exit outlet such that fluid from the pump chamber can only exit through the outlet block via the second flow passage.

[0011] There is also provided a housing formed from the previously described intermediate housing part. The housing comprises: the housing body; the housing inlet; the intermediate outlet passage; and the plurality of exit outlets. The housing is configured in: the first configuration in which the first flow passage extends only from the pump chamber to the first exit outlet such that fluid from the pump chamber can only exit through the outlet block via the first flow passage; or the second configuration in which the second flow passage extends only from the pump chamber to the second exit outlet such that fluid from the pump chamber can only exit through the outlet block via the second flow passage.

[0012] The present disclosure also provides an intermediate housing part for forming a pump housing for a fuel pump, the intermediate housing part comprising: a housing body, comprising: a pump chamber housing comprising a pump chamber for mounting the fuel pump therein; and an outlet block extending from the pump chamber housing; a housing inlet extending through the pump chamber housing to the pump chamber; and a plurality of exit outlets, including a first and a second exit outlet, extending from an external surface of the outlet block, into the outlet block. Initially, no flow passage may extend between the first and second exit outlet and the pump chamber. However, either a first flow passage may be formed, extending from the pump chamber to the first exit outlet, or a second flow passaged may be formed, extending from the pump chamber to the second exit outlet. Preferably only one of the first and second flow passages are present, such that fluid from the pump chamber can only exit through the outlet block via the first flow passage or the second flow passage.

[0013] There is also provided a method of manufacturing the aforementioned housing for a fuel pump.

[0014] By way of example only, embodiments according to the present disclosure are now described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Brief Description of the

[0016] Fig. 1 shows a side sectional view of an intermediate housing part according to the present disclosure;

[0017] Fig. 2 shows a side sectional view of a second stage intermediate housing part formed from the intermediate housing part of Fig. 1 ;

[0018] Figs. 3a and 3b show side sectional views of a housing in a first configuration formed from the second stage intermediate housing part of Fig. 2; and

[0019] Figs. 4a and 4b show side sectional views of a housing in a second configuration formed from the second stage intermediate housing part of Fig. 2.

[0020] Detailed Description

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates an intermediate housing part 6 according to the present disclosure. The intermediate housing part 6 is for forming a pump housing 10. The intermediate housing part 6 may be at a first stage of manufacture of the housing 10. The housing 10 is for a fuel pump 11 (shown in Figures 3b and 4b). The housing 10 may be configured to hold the fuel pump 11 therein and may be configured to hold the fuel pump 11 in place relative to other components in an engine. The housing 10 may be configured to direct the flow of fuel which is received and / or outputted by the fuel pump 11 to other components within an engine assembly. The housing 10 may be mounted to the engine and / or to a part of a machine chassis.

[0022] The fuel pump 11 may be a centrifugal pump and / or may be configured to receive fuel along an input direction 1 through a pump inlet 3 and output fuel in an output direction 5 through a pump outlet 7. The output direction 5 may be perpendicular to the input direction 1.

[0023] The intermediate housing part 6 comprises a housing body 12. The housing body 12 comprises a pump chamber housing 14 comprising a pump chamber 16 for mounting the fuel pump 11 therein. The housing body 12 further comprises an outlet block 18 extending from the pump chamber housing 14.

[0024] The pump chamber housing 14 may be a thin-walled shell member and may comprise a substantially cylindrical body. The pump chamber housing 14 may extend along a chamber length from a first end 13 to a second end 15. The first end 13 may be an inlet end through which fuel may enter the pump chamber 16. The second end 15 may be open and / or unsealed. The second end 15 may be configured such that the fuel pump 11 can be inserted therethrough into the pump chamber 16. The chamber length may be aligned with the input direction 1 when the fuel pump 11 is mounted in the housing 10 as shown in Figures 3b and 4b. The pump chamber housing 14 may comprise a thickness which is substantially smaller and / or substantially insignificant as compared to the overall dimensions of the pump chamber housing 14 (such as the length or width). The thickness of the pump chamber housing 14 may be measured between inner and outer walls of the pump chamber housing 14 and / or may be between 2 mm and 4 mm and more preferably between 2.5 mm and 3.0 mm.

[0025] The pump chamber 16 may be sized to fit the fuel pump 11. The pump chamber 16 may be formed and / or defined by the pump chamber housing 14. The pump chamber housing 14 may form the walls of the pump chamber 16. The pump chamber 16 may extend from the first end 13 to the second end 15 of the pump chamber housing 14. The pump chamber 16 may be substantially cylindrical. The pump chamber 16 may comprise a diameter of between 35 mm and 45 mm and more preferably between 39 mm and 40 mm. The outlet block 18 may have a greater thickness than the pump chamber housing 14. The thickness may be measured in a direction perpendicular to the chamber length of the pump chamber housing 14, being the distance between the wall of the pump chamber 16 and the external surface 24 of the outlet block 18. The thickness of the outlet block 18 may vary, and so the defined thickness may be the thickness along a majority of the length of the outlet block 18 as measured along the chamber length of the pump chamber housing 14. The outlet block 18 may have a thickness of between

[0026] 15 mm and 30 mm, and more preferably between 18 mm and 24 mm. The outlet block 18 may have a thickness between 40% and 60% of the diameter of the pump chamber

[0027] 16 and / or between five and twelve times the thickness of the pump chamber housing 14. The outlet block 18 may be formed of a mass of solid material. The outlet block 18 may be a block of solid material extending from the pump chamber housing 14. The outlet block 18 may be a block of material without additional voids or channels in which passages and outlets can be formed. The outlet block 18 may be formed of the same material as, and may be integrated or unitary with, the pump chamber housing 14 and / or formed of metal. The outlet block 18 may form one side of the pump chamber housing 14.

[0028] The intermediate housing part 6 further comprises a housing inlet 30. The housing inlet 30 extends through the pump chamber housing 14 to the pump chamber 16. The housing inlet 30 may be for fuel to flow from an external source, such as a fuel tank, into the pump chamber 16 to the fuel pump 11. The housing inlet 30 may extend along an inlet direction 31 (shown in Figures 3b and 4b). The inlet direction 31 may be aligned with the chamber length pump chamber housing 14 and / or the input direction 1 of the fuel pump 11.

[0029] The intermediate housing part 6 further comprises a plurality of exit outlets 20, including a first exit outlet 21 and a second exit outlet 22. The plurality of exit outlets 20 extend from an external surface 24 of the outlet block 18, into the outlet block 18. Each of the plurality of exit outlets 20 may comprise blind bores. The first exit outlet 21 may have a diameter, along the majority of the length of the first exit outlet 21, of between 7 mm and 9 mm. The second exit outlet 22 may have a diameter, along the majority of the length of the second exit outlet 22, of between 14 mm and 15 mm. The outlet block 18 may have a thickness of between 2 mm and 5 mm of material between the each of the plurality of exit outlets 20 and the external surface 24 of the outlet block 18.

[0030] The outlet block 18 may have a plurality of thicker portions 25 for forming therein the plurality of exit outlets 20. The thicker portions 25 may comprise a greater thickness than the remainder of the outlet block 18. The thicker portions 25 may comprise a greater thickness by between 10% and 100% as compared to the remainder of the outlet block 18. The thicker portions 25 may allow a connector portion 23 of the plurality of exit outlets 20 to be formed in the outlet block 18. The connector portions 23 may allow a connector 9 (shown in Figures 3b and 4b) to be inserted into the plurality of exit outlets 20. The connector portions 23 may have an increased diameter as compared with the remainder of the exit outlets 20. The connector portions 23 may have a diameter of between 14 mm and 15 mm.

[0031] The first exit outlet 21 may extend along a first exit direction 26 (shown in Figure 3b). The second exit outlet 22 may extend along a second exit direction 28 (shown in Figure 4b). The first and second exit directions 26, 28 may be different directions, may be opposite to each other, may extend along parallel axes, may be not co-axial and / or may not extend along the same axis. The inlet direction 31 may be parallel and opposite to the first exit direction 26 and / or parallel and co-directional with the second exit direction 26. Having the first and second exit directions 26, 28 with the aforementioned features may allow the intermediate housing part 6 to be used to form housings 10 in different engine configurations in which different flow directions are needed, without having to manufacture entirely separate intermediate housing parts 6 for the different engine configurations.

[0032] The intermediate housing part 6 as shown in Figure 1 may be formed by casting, and / or additive manufacture, in the illustrated form, with the plurality of exit outlets 20 present. The intermediate housing part 6 may be formed as a unitary body. The intermediate housing part 6 may be formed with the outlet block 18 as a solid mass with no exit outlets 20 present, and then the exit outlets 20 may be subsequently machined, for example by drilling. Figure 2 shows a second stage intermediate housing part 8. The second stage intermediate housing part 8 may be formed from the intermediate housing part 6 and / or be the intermediate housing part 6 after a second stage of manufacture. As shown in Figure 2, the second stage intermediate housing part 8 may further comprise an intermediate outlet passage 40 extending from the pump chamber 16 into the outlet block 18. The intermediate outlet passage 40 may be for fuel from the pump outlet 7 of the fuel pump 11 to flow into and through.

[0033] The intermediate outlet passage 40 may be formed by drilling into the outlet block 18, such as by using an intermediate passage drill bit 41. The intermediate passage drill bit 41 may be a cross drill 41. The intermediate outlet passage 40 may comprise a blind bore into the outlet block 18 and may extend from a proximal end 44 at the pump chamber 16 to a distal end 42 within the outlet block 18. The distal end 42 may be closer to the plurality of exit outlets 20 than the proximal end 44. The intermediate outlet passage 40 may comprise a diameter of between 6 mm and 10 mm, and more preferably between 7 mm and 9 mm.

[0034] The intermediate outlet passage 40 may be formed by drilling from within the pump chamber 16 as illustrated in Figure 2. Drilling the intermediate outlet passage 40 from within the pump chamber 16 may allow the intermediate outlet passage 40 to be sealed at the distal end 42. This may prevent the need to seal the intermediate outlet passage 40 at the distal end 42 with an additional seal member, and / or result in a sealed flow path including the intermediate outlet passage 40 without needing to seal the distal end 42.

[0035] The intermediate outlet passage 40 may extend at an oblique angle to each of the plurality of exit outlets 20 and may extend at an oblique angle to a surface of the pump chamber 16 and / or the inlet direction 31. The oblique angle may be angled away from the first end 13 and towards the second 15 of the pump chamber housing 14. The oblique angle may allow the intermediate outlet passage 40 to be drilled from within the pump chamber 16 as shown in Figure 2, since the drill can be inserted into the pump chamber 16 through the second end 15 of the pump chamber housing 14 at the oblique angle and subsequently into the outlet block 18. Figures 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b show a housing 10 formed from the second stage intermediate housing part 8 and / or the intermediate housing part 6. The housing 10 is configurable in a first configuration, shown in Figures 3a and 3b or a second configuration, shown in Figures 4a and 4b. The housing 10 may be configurable in the first and second configurations by virtue of the physical features of the plurality of exit outlets 20 and the intermediate outlet passage 40 described above.

[0036] In the first configuration, a first flow passage 51 extends only from the pump chamber 16 to the first exit outlet 21. The first flow passage 51 is arranged such that fluid from the pump chamber 16 can only exit through the outlet block 18 via the first flow passage 51. In the first configuration, fluid from the pump chamber 16 cannot exit through the outlet block 18 via the second exit outlet 22, since material of the outlet block 18 blocks the passage of fluid. Prior to being configured in the first configuration, the first exit outlet 21 may extend along at least 10%, at least 25%, or at least 50% of the final length of the first flow passage 51. The diameter of the first flow passage 51 may be between 7 mm and 9 mm along the majority of the length of the first flow passage 51.

[0037] In the second configuration a second flow passage 52 extends only from the pump chamber 16 to the second exit outlet 22. The second flow passage 52 is arranged such that fluid from the pump chamber 16 can only exit through the outlet block 40 via the second flow passage 52. In the second configuration, fluid from the pump chamber 16 cannot exit through the outlet block 18 via the first exit outlet 21 , since material of the outlet block 18 blocks the passage of fluid. Prior to being configured in the second configuration, the second exit outlet 22 may extend along at least 10%, at least 25%, or at least 50% of the final length of the second flow passage 52.

[0038] The housing 10 may be configurable in the first configuration by extending the first exit outlet 21 to the intermediate outlet passage 40. Extending the first exit outlet 21 to the intermediate outlet passage 40 may comprise inserting a first drill bit 55 into the first exit outlet 21 and into the outlet block 18 along the first exit direction 26 until the intermediate outlet passage 40 is reached. The first flow passage 51 and / or the second flow passage 52 may include the intermediate outlet passage 40. The first flow passage 51 and / or the second flow passage 52 may not include a common intermediate outlet passage and / or may be distinct flow passages extending from the pump chamber 16. The housing 10 may be configurable in the second configuration by extending the second exit outlet 22 to the intermediate outlet passage 40. Extending the second exit outlet 22 to the intermediate outlet passage 40 may comprise inserting a second drill bit 57 into the second exit outlet 22 and into the outlet block 18 along the second exit direction 28 until the intermediate outlet passage 40 is reached.

[0039] A method of manufacturing the housing 10 for the fuel pump 11 is now described. The method comprises providing the intermediate housing part 6 and configuring the intermediate housing part 6 in the first configuration or the second configuration. The method may further comprise the step of determining whether to configure the intermediate housing part 6 in the first configuration or the second configuration. The determining step may be prior to configuring the intermediate housing part 6 in the first configuration or the second configuration.

[0040] Configuring the intermediate housing part 6 in the first configuration or the second configuration may comprise extending the first exit outlet 21 or the second exit outlet 22 to the intermediate outlet passage 40. Extending one of the plurality of exit outlets 20 may comprise drilling into the outlet block 18.

[0041] Industrial Applicability

[0042] The housing 10 may be used to house the fuel pump 11 in different engine assemblies requiring the first or second configuration. Since the housing 10 may be configured in either configuration, only a single intermediate housing part 6 needs to be designed and manufactured, which can then be subsequently machined to the desired configuration for the engine assembly the housing 10 will be installed in. This reduces the amount of intermediate housing parts 6 which need to be designed which may reduce a need for a large stock of different intermediate housing part 6. In addition, this may reduce the design and / or manufacture cost of the intermediate housing part 6.

[0043] Having any of the disclosed arrangements of the plurality of exit outlets 20, such as the first and second exit directions 26, 28: being in different directions; being opposite to each other; extending along parallel axes; not being co-axial, may allow the housing 10 to be used in different contexts such as ones in which opposite flows of fuel are needed. Since the housing 10 may be used in contexts where opposite flows of fuel are needed, additional components to swap the direction of fuel flow can be avoided. This results in less connections and less potential for leaks. Having the intermediate outlet passage 40 extending at an oblique angle may allow the intermediate outlet passage 40 to be drilled from within the pump chamber, and therefore a strong sealed flow path is possible. Without the oblique angle, the intermediate outlet passage 40 may have had to be drilled from the outside of the housing 10 and then sealed with an additional seal member at the unintended orifice to the outside. This may have resulted in a weaker sealed flow path.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An intermediate housing part for forming a pump housing for a fuel pump, the intermediate housing part comprising: a housing body, comprising: a pump chamber housing comprising a pump chamber for mounting the fuel pump therein; and an outlet block extending from the pump chamber housing; a housing inlet extending through the pump chamber housing to the pump chamber; and a plurality of exit outlets, including a first exit outlet and a second exit outlet, extending from an external surface of the outlet block, into the outlet block, such that the intermediate housing part is configurable in: a first configuration in which a first flow passage extends only from the pump chamber to the first exit outlet such that fluid from the pump chamber can only exit through the outlet block via the first flow passage; and a second configuration in which a second flow passage extends only from the pump chamber to the second exit outlet such that fluid from the pump chamber can only exit through the outlet block via the second flow passage.

2. The intermediate housing part of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate outlet passage extending from the pump chamber into the outlet block, wherein the first flow passage and / or the second flow passage include the intermediate outlet passage.

3. A housing formed from the intermediate housing part of claim 2, the housing comprising: the housing body; the housing inlet; the intermediate outlet passage; and the plurality of exit outlets, wherein the housing is configured in: the first configuration in which the first flow passage extends only from the pump chamber to the first exit outlet such that fluid from the pump chamber can only exit through the outlet block via the first flow passage; orthe second configuration in which the second flow passage extends only from the pump chamber to the second exit outlet such that fluid from the pump chamber can only exit through the outlet block via the second flow passage.

4. The intermediate housing part of claim 1 or 2 or the housing of claim 3, wherein: the first exit outlet extends along a first exit direction, the second exit outlet extends along a second exit direction; and the first and second exit directions are different directions.

5. The intermediate housing or the housing of claim 4, wherein the first and second exit directions are opposite to each other.

6. The intermediate housing or the housing of claim 4 or 5, wherein the first and second exit directions extend along parallel axes.

7. The intermediate housing or the housing of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first and second exit directions are not co-axial.

8. The intermediate housing or the housing of any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the housing inlet extends along an inlet direction and: the inlet direction is parallel and opposite to the first exit direction; and / or the inlet direction is parallel and co-directional with the second exit direction.

9. The intermediate housing of claim 2 or the housing of any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the intermediate outlet passage, and each of the plurality of exit outlets comprise blind bores into the outlet block.

10. The intermediate housing of claim 9, wherein the housing is configurable in: the first configuration by extending the first exit outlet to the intermediate outlet passage; and the second configuration by extending the second exit outlet to the intermediate outlet passage.

11. The intermediate housing of claim 2 or the housing of any of claims 3 to 10, wherein the intermediate outlet passage extends at an oblique angle to each of the plurality of exit outlets.

12. A method of manufacturing a housing for a fuel pump, the method comprising: providing an intermediate housing part comprising: a housing body, comprising: a pump chamber housing comprising a pump chamber for mounting the fuel pump therein; and an outlet block extending from the pump chamber housing; a housing inlet extending through the pump chamber housing to the pump chamber; and a plurality of exit outlets, including a first and a second exit outlet, extending from an external surface of the outlet block, into the outlet block; and configuring the intermediate housing part in: a first configuration in which a first flow passage extends only from the pump chamber to the first exit outlet such that fluid from the pump chamber can only exit through the outlet block via the first flow passage; or a second configuration in which a second flow passage extends only from the pump chamber to the second exit outlet such that fluid from the pump chamber can only exit through the outlet block via the second flow passage.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein configuring the intermediate housing part in: the first configuration comprises extending the first exit outlet to the pump chamber; and the second configuration comprises extending the second exit outlet to the pump chamber.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein extending one of the exit outlets comprises drilling into the outlet block.

15. The method of any of claims 12 to 14, further comprising the step of determining whether to configure the intermediate housing part in the first configuration or the second configuration.

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