An electric motor with dual pumps to provide the evacuation and delivery functions

Abstract

The fluid pump includes a housing. The delivery portion includes a delivery pump element disposed within the housing. The return portion includes a return pump element disposed within the housing. A motor is disposed within the housing that drives the delivery pump element and the return pump element via a drive shaft. The delivery portion is configured to deliver fluid from a reservoir to a drive unit. The return pump element is configured to deliver fluid from a collection assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a fluid pump, and more specifically to a dual motor fluid pump that can be used to eject fluid from one or more collection sections to a reservoir, and also to deliver fluid from the reservoir to a mechanical component. [Background technology]

[0002] In mechanical assemblies, a fluid is typically used to provide lubrication and cooling functions within the assembly. Fluid pumps can be used to deliver this fluid from a reservoir to separate locations to provide the desired function. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the invention, a fluid pump includes a housing. The delivery portion includes a delivery pump element disposed within the housing. The return portion includes a return pump element disposed within the housing. A motor is disposed within the housing driving the delivery pump element and the return pump element via a drive shaft. The delivery portion is configured to deliver fluid from a reservoir to a drive unit. The return pump element is configured to deliver fluid from a collection assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir.

[0004] According to another aspect of the invention, a fluid pump includes a housing having a motor portion, a delivery portion, and a return portion. The motor is disposed within the motor portion. The motor is operably coupled to a drive shaft extending from the motor through the delivery portion and the return portion. The delivery pump element is disposed within the delivery portion and coupled to the drive shaft. The return pump element is disposed within the return portion of the housing and coupled to the drive shaft. Operation of the motor drives the delivery pump element and the return pump element via the drive shaft. The delivery pump element is configured to deliver fluid from a reservoir to a drive unit. The return pump element is configured to deliver fluid from a first collection portion and a second collection portion of the drive unit to the reservoir.

[0005] According to another aspect of the invention, a fluid pump includes a motor portion, a delivery pump element, and a return pump element. A drive shaft extends from the motor to each of the delivery pump element and the return pump element. The motor, drive shaft, delivery pump element, and return pump element are contained within a housing. Operation of the motor drives the delivery pump element and the return pump element simultaneously via the drive shaft. The delivery pump element is configured to deliver fluid from a reservoir to a drive unit. The return pump element is configured to deliver fluid from a collection assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir.

[0006] These and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid pump. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the fluid pump of FIG. 1 . [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the fluid pump of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the fluid pump of FIG. 2 . [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the fluid pump of FIG. 1; [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid pump of FIG. 3 taken along line VI-VI. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid pump of FIG. 3 taken along line VII-VII. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fluid pump of FIG. 2 . [Figure 9] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid pump of FIG. 5 taken along line IX-IX and showing an embodiment of a return pump element. [Figure 10] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid pump of FIG. 5 taken along line XX and showing an embodiment of a delivery pump element. [Figure 11] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating fluid flow through a fluid path using an embodiment of the fluid pump of FIG. 1; [Figure 12] 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid pump. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an end elevational view of the fluid pump of FIG. 12 . [Figure 14] 13 is an exploded perspective view of the delivery and return portions of the fluid pump of FIG. 12. [Figure 15] 14 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid pump of FIG. 13 taken along line XV-XV. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid pump of FIG. 13 taken along line XVI-XVI. [Figure 17] 13 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid pump of FIG. 12 taken along line XVII-XVII and showing an embodiment of a return pump element. [Figure 18] 13 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid pump of FIG. 12 taken along line XVIII-XVIII and showing an embodiment of a return pump element.

[0008] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the following detailed description, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth in the following description, taken in conjunction with the claims and the accompanying drawings.

[0009] As used herein, the term "and / or," when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be taken alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be taken. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can include only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0010] In this document, relative terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc. are used only to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between such entities or actions.

[0011] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all its forms, such as couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means joining two components (electrical or mechanical) to one another, directly or indirectly. Such joining may be fixed or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved by the two components (electrical or mechanical) and / or any additional intermediate members. Such joining may include members integrally formed with one another as a single, cohesive body (i.e., integrally joined) or may refer to the joining of two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or, unless otherwise indicated, removable or releasable in nature.

[0012] As used herein, the terms "substantial," "substantially," and variations thereof are intended to note that a described feature is equal or nearly equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to describe a surface that is planar or nearly planar. Additionally, "substantially" is intended to describe two values ​​that are equal or nearly equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may describe values ​​that are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other or within about 2% of each other.

[0013] As used herein, the terms "the," "a," or "an" mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one" unless expressly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0014] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-18 , reference numeral 10 generally refers to a fluid pump that is incorporated into a mechanical assembly, such as a drive unit 12, to deliver fluid 14 from a collection assembly 15, which may include one collection section 16 or multiple collection sections 16, to a reservoir 18, and then from the reservoir 18 to a drive unit 12, which includes the collection assembly 15. The fluid pump 10 includes multiple pump elements that move the fluid 14 between various components in a fluid circuit, such as a hydraulic system 20 for the drive unit 12. According to various aspects of the device, the fluid pump 10 includes a housing 22 that is comprised of multiple components that are attached together to form the fluid pump 10. A delivery portion 24 of the fluid pump 10 includes a delivery pump element 26 disposed within the housing 22. A return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10 includes a return pump element 30 that is also disposed within the housing 22. A motor 32 is disposed within the housing 22 and typically drives the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30 simultaneously via a drive shaft 34. The delivery portion 24 is configured to deliver the fluid 14 from the reservoir 18 to the drive unit 12. The return pump element 30 is configured to deliver the fluid 14 from at least one of the collection portions 16 of the drive unit 12 to the reservoir 18, where the fluid 14 may then be delivered using the delivery pump element 26.

[0015] 1-18, the drive unit 12 that is cooled or lubricated using the fluid pump 10 may be in the form of a transmission or other similar mechanical assembly in a particular application, typically a vehicle application. The use of the fluid pump 10 having a delivery portion 24 and a return portion 28 allows the system to maintain a desired level of fluid 14 in the drive unit 12. Fluid 14 that may not be needed in the drive unit 12 at the time may be temporarily maintained or stored in the reservoir 18 for later recirculation throughout the hydraulic system 20. By maintaining a desired level of fluid 14 in the drive unit 12, fluid drag within the drive unit 12 is minimized and the drive unit 12 may have a smaller overall size or a lower profile to accommodate the need for a smaller amount of fluid 14 in the collection portion 16 of the drive unit 12.

[0016] The fluid pump 10 utilizes a single motor 32 to control each of the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30. The delivery and return pump elements 26, 30 are integrated together to provide a compact package and reduced weight within the fluid pump 10. As discussed herein, the motor 32 is configured to operate each of the delivery and return pump elements 26, 30 simultaneously or contemporaneously via a drive shaft 34.

[0017] 1-18, the motor 32 that drives the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30 may be an electric motor 32 having a rotor 40 in electromagnetic communication with a stator 38. Current carrying windings 42 of the stator 38 rotate the rotor 40 about an axis of rotation 44. The rotor 40 is attached to a drive shaft 34 that extends through a housing 22 for the fluid pump 10. The drive shaft 34 extends through the delivery portion 24 and the return portion 28 of the housing 22. In this manner, the drive shaft 34 engages each of the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30 to operate each of these pump elements within the fluid pump 10. Additionally, when the motor 32 operates, each of the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30 operate simultaneously to deliver fluid 14 through the hydraulic system 20 and thus between the drive unit 12, including the collection assembly 15, and the reservoir 18.

[0018] 6-18, the fluid 14 in the drive unit 12 collects in each of the collector assemblies 15 for the drive unit 12. Although first and second collectors 50, 52 are shown in FIG. 11, it is contemplated that a single collector 16 or multiple collectors 16 may be included in the collector assembly 15 of a particular drive unit 12. If multiple collectors 16 are included in the collector assembly 15, the fluid pump 10 may include a separate dedicated return inlet 54 for each respective collector 16 of the drive unit 12. When the motor 32 for the fluid pump 10 is actuated, the return pump element 30 rotates through the action of the drive shaft 34.

[0019] 1-10, it is contemplated that the return pump element 30 may be in the form of a vane pump 60 operating within an eccentric pump chamber 62. The vane pump 60 includes a rotating member 58 having a plurality of radially operable, outwardly biased fins 64 that are biased outwardly from the rotating member 58 during operation of the motor 32 in accordance with a centrifugal force 66. This centrifugal force 66 causes the fins 64 of the vane pump 60 to engage an inner wall 68 of the eccentric pump chamber 62, thereby defining a plurality of operable pump cavities 70. As the return pump element 30 rotates, these operable pump cavities 70 are formed between the cylindrical shape of the rotating member 58 and the elliptical shape of the inner wall 68 of the eccentric pump chamber 62. This configuration causes the pump cavities 70 to expand and contract with the eccentric shape of the inner wall 68 of the eccentric pump chamber 62. The expansion and contraction of the individual pump cavities 70 creates a pressure differential in the form of a suction 72 into the expanding pump cavity 74 and a discharge 76 from the contracting pump cavity 78. These changes in pressure within the pump cavities 70 cause the fluid 14 to be drawn into and pushed out of the return pump element 30. Again, the expansion and contraction of the various pump cavities 70 is caused by the eccentric geometry of the eccentric pump cavity 74 within which the return pump element 30 operates. In certain aspects of the device, the radially operable and outwardly biased fins 64 can include a biasing member that outwardly biases the fins 64 and engages the inner wall 68 of the eccentric pump chamber 62 to define the operable pump cavity 70.

[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, the fluid pump 10 includes two return inlets 54, such as a first return inlet 55 and a second return inlet 57, commonly referred to as exhaust inlets. The first and second return inlets 55, 57 cooperate with the return pump element 30 to draw fluid 14 from at least one, and typically both, of the first and second collection sections 50, 52. Operation of the return pump element 30 moves this fluid 14 from one or both of the first and second collection sections 50, 52 through the eccentric pump chamber 62 and into the eccentric pump chamber 62 via the respective first and second return inlets 55, 57 and inlet ports 90. The return pump element 30 then operates to move the fluid 14 towards the reservoir 18 through the opposing outlet ports 92 of the eccentric pump chamber 62. The fluid 14 is then collected in the reservoir 18 for further recirculation by other components of the fluid pump 10, as described more fully below.

[0021] 3-11, the return inlets 54 each extend from a corresponding collector 16 of the drive unit 12 and into the eccentric pump chamber 62 via an inlet port 90 for the return pump element 30. Corresponding outlet ports 92 extend from opposite sides of the eccentric pump chamber 62 toward the reservoir 18. The opposite outlet ports 92 may be configured to merge together and join within the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10 such that a single return outlet 100 is used to deliver the fluid 14 from the eccentric pump chamber 62 toward the reservoir 18. A return channel 102 creating the return inlets 54, inlet ports 90, outlet ports 92, and return outlet 100 may be defined within the return portion 28. Typically, these channels are defined within a pump cover 104, an eccentric ring 106, and a porting housing 108 of the fluid pump 10. Using this configuration, the return pump element 30 can draw fluid 14 from either the first and second collection portions 50, 52 or from both the first and second collection portions 50, 52 for delivery to the reservoir 18 for the drive unit 12. Thus, the collection of fluid 14 within any one collection portion 16 or multiple collection portions 16 of the collection assembly 15 will result in the fluid 14 being drawn into the eccentric pump chamber 62.

[0022] 3-11, a fluid path between the pair of return inlets 54 and the single return outlet 100 may be defined between the pump cover 104 and a manifold 176 that receives the fluid pump 10. The return inlets 54 may include a gasket or gaskets, such as respective spring seals 114, that span a return flow space 116 defined between an end face 118 of the pump cover 104 and the manifold 176. The return outlet 100 may be in communication with this return flow space 116. In an exemplary operation, as described herein, the fluid 14 from the first and second collection sections 50, 52 travels through the spring seals 114, is separated from the flow space 116, and then passes through the return pump element 30 via the inlet port 90 into the eccentric pump chamber 62. The fluid 14 then travels from the eccentric pump chamber 62 via the opposing outlet port 92 into the return flow space 116. Fluid 14 is forced out of the eccentric pump chamber 62 and through the return flow space 116 through the action of the vane pump 60 and the contraction pump cavity 78. The discharge 76 forces fluid 14 towards the reservoir 18 through a single return outlet 100. Through this configuration, the two return inlets 54 and the return pump element 30 provide a consistent flow of fluid 14 towards the single return outlet 100.

[0023] In certain instances, one of the collection sections 16 may be dry, while the other collection section 16 may contain a certain amount of fluid 14. In such instances, the return pump element 30 may provide sufficient fluid 14 through the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10 to deliver the fluid 14 to the reservoir 18. Through this configuration, a consistent supply of fluid 14 may be delivered from the collection sections 16 (one or both of the first and second collection sections 50, 52) to the reservoir 18 for later recirculation through the hydraulic system 20.

[0024] 6 and 7, the return pump element 30 may be positioned within an eccentric pump chamber 62 defined within an eccentric ring 106 of the fluid pump 10. The eccentric ring 106 is sandwiched between a pump cover 104 including each of the return inlets 54 and a return outlet 100. As discussed herein, the fluid 14 is delivered from the collector 16 to the return pump element 30 via the return inlets 54 and from the return pump element 30 towards the reservoir 18 via the return outlets 100, respectively. A porting housing 108 is positioned on the opposite side of the eccentric ring 106 from the pump cover 104. The porting housing 108 may include a flow cavity 110 to aid in the intake 72 and discharge 76 of the fluid 14 to the vane pump 60 used within the eccentric pump chamber 62. Flow cavities 110 within the porting housing 108 may be defined in a return face 112 of the porting housing 108 that faces the return pump element 30 and partially defines the eccentric pump chamber 62. Again, these flow cavities 110 may be used to aid in not only drawing fluid 14 through the inlet port 90, but also to aid in pushing fluid 14 through the opposing outlet port 92 and towards the reservoir 18.

[0025] 1-18 , the delivery portion 24 of the fluid pump 10 includes a delivery pump element 26 that draws fluid 14 from the reservoir 18 and moves the fluid 14 through the delivery pump element 26 and toward the drive unit 12 having the collection assembly 15. Typically, the delivery portion 24 of the fluid pump 10 will include a single delivery inlet 120 that receives the fluid 14 from the reservoir 18 and a single delivery outlet 122 that delivers the fluid 14 toward the drive unit 12.

[0026] As illustrated in Figures 1-11, the return section 28 of the fluid pump 10 can include two dedicated exhaust or return inlets 54 that receive fluid 14 from each of the corresponding collection sections 16, respectively. This different number of delivery inlets 120 in the delivery section 24 and return inlets 54 in the return section 28 is accounted for through an increased capacity of the return pump element 30 to draw fluid 14 from at least one of the first and second collection sections 50, 52 of the collection assembly 15. Although the return section 28 includes an increased capacity in the return pump element 30, the return pump element 30 typically delivers an amount of fluid 14 that is less than the maximum flow rate of the return pump element 30. Under typical operating conditions, the return pump element 30 will return an amount of fluid 14 similar to, or substantially similar to, the capacity of the delivery pump element 26.

[0027] Additionally, with one of the first and second collection portions 50, 52 dry and all or substantially all of the fluid 14 in the other of the first and second collection portions 50, 52, the volume of the single return inlet 54 of the return portion 28 has a sufficient volume to match the volume of the delivery pump element 26 of the delivery portion 24. Typically, at start-up conditions, the first and second collection portions 50, 52 may each contain a sufficient amount of fluid 14 to allow the return portion 28 to operate at maximum capacity.

[0028] By way of example and not limitation, it is contemplated that if the delivery pump element 26 includes a capacity of 4 cubic centimeters per revolution, the return pump element 30 may include a capacity of 8 cubic centimeters per revolution. Again, under typical operating conditions, the return pump element 30 returns the same or similar amount of fluid 14 to the reservoir 18 as is delivered by the delivery pump element 26 to the drive unit 12. As discussed herein, the increased capacity of the return fluid pump 10 accounts for situations in which one of the first and second collection sections 50, 52 is dry and the other of the first and second collection sections 50, 52 may include a greater amount of fluid 14. In such a condition, for a period of time, all of the fluid 14 returned to the reservoir 18 is forced to move through only one of the return inlets 54, generating a suction 72 and a discharge 76 of the fluid 14 until only half of the operable pump cavities 70 of the return fluid pump 10 allow the fluid 14 to collect in the other collection section 16 of the first and second collection sections 50, 52. Again, this configuration ensures that a consistent flow of fluid 14 is transferred from one or both of the first and second collection sections 50, 52 to the reservoir 18 and from the reservoir 18 to the drive unit 12 to provide appropriate cooling and lubrication functions as desired.

[0029] 6-18, the delivery pump element 26 may be in the form of a production rotor 130, sometimes referred to as a gerotor, seated within a pump body 132. The production rotor 130 includes an inner gear 134 that rotates along the axis of rotation 44 of the fluid pump 10. The outer eccentric teeth 136 are disposed within the pump body 132 in an offset configuration such that as the inner gear 134 rotates, a series of fluid chambers 138 are formed for delivering the fluid 14 through the delivery portion 24 of the fluid pump 10. As the production rotor 130 rotates, the various fluid chambers 138 operate to draw the fluid 14 from the reservoir 18 and then push the fluid 14 towards the drive unit 12. As the fluid 14 is pushed towards the drive unit 12, the fluid 14 falls towards the collection assembly 15 to lubricate and cool various components and then be recirculated back to the fluid pump 10 using the return pump element 30 in the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10.

[0030] 4-10, in certain embodiments of the fluid pump 10, the delivery inlet 120, in the form of a porting seal 150, is located within the porting housing 108 on one side of the gasket. A delivery outlet 122 is also typically located within the porting housing 108 on the opposite side of the porting seal 150. The fluid 14 travels from the reservoir 18 to the delivery portion 24, enters the delivery inlet 120 within the outer wall 80 of the housing 22, travels through the production rotor 130, and is delivered to the drive unit 12 via one or more delivery channels 152 defined within the outer wall 80 of the housing 22, such as within the porting housing 108. From the delivery channels 152, the fluid 14 exits the delivery outlet 122, which may also be defined within the outer wall 80 of the housing 22, such as within the porting housing 108.

[0031] 1-18, the porting housing 108 defines a portion of each of the delivery portion 24 of the fluid pump 10 and the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10, although alternative arrangements and configurations of the delivery and return portions 24, 28 are possible. Various gaskets, such as O-rings 154 and spring seals 114, are positioned at locations on the fluid pump 10 to maintain separation between the fluid 14 moving through the delivery portion 24 and the fluid 14 moving through the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10.

[0032] 1-18, the fluid pump 10 includes a motor portion or motor housing 160 including an overmold that defines a motor cavity 168 that surrounds the stator 38 for the motor 32 and allows for rotational motion of the rotor 40 relative to the stator 38. The motor housing 160 may include a printed circuit board (PCB) 162 and various electrical connections that may be utilized to deliver power to the motor 32 and to communicate data to and from the components of the fluid pump 10 during operation. It is contemplated that the motor 32 may be in the form of a variable speed motor 32 such that a controller 164 may be utilized to increase or decrease the speed of the motor 32 depending on the fluid flow needs of the drive unit 12. In certain conditions, such as when the motor 32 is stopped, the transmission may not be in use such that the fluid 14 does not need to be circulated through the transmission. In such an instance, the fluid pump 10 may be temporarily stopped. The PCB 162 in the motor housing 160 can include various sensors 166 that can monitor fluid temperature, fluid flow rate, various conditions of the fluid 14 moving through the fluid pump 10, and other similar status information related to the fluid pump 10 and the fluid 14 moving therethrough.

[0033] 6-10, the various components that make up the housing 22 for a particular embodiment of the fluid pump 10 may include, but are not limited to, the pump cover 104, the eccentric ring 106, the porting housing 108, the pump body 132, and the motor housing 160. These components may be attached together via pump screws 170 that extend through these components that secure them to one another. Various alignment pins 172 may be disposed within certain components of the housing 22 to align certain components together. In particular, the alignment of the porting housing 108 relative to the generation rotor 130, the pump body 132, the eccentric ring 106, and the pump cover 104 is used to ensure proper flow of the fluid 14 through each of the delivery and return portions 24 and 28 of the fluid pump 10. In addition to the various O-rings 154 used to isolate certain portions of the fluid 14 within the delivery and return portions 24 and 28, the motor housing 160 may include a case seal 174 that is used to seal the fluid pump 10 to a particular manifold 176 for the drive unit 12.

[0034] As discussed herein with respect to Figures 1-11, the fluid pump 10 utilizes a motor 32 and a controller 164 contained within or in communication with a PCB 162 to simultaneously drive each of the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30. The delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30 are integrated together within the housing 22 for the fluid pump 10 to provide a compact package for delivering fluid 14 to and from the reservoir 18 and the drive unit 12. As discussed herein, the collection assembly 15 for the drive unit 12 can include first and second collection sections 50, 52 such that a dual-fill or balanced vane pump 60 is used as the return pump element 30. This configuration utilizes two separate dedicated return inlets 54 or dedicated exhaust inlets to ensure that fluid 14 is delivered from one or both of the first and second collection sections 50, 52 and to the reservoir 18. The return section 28 of the fluid pump 10 combines these two return inlets 54 into a single hydraulic passageway that is delivered through a return outlet 100 towards the reservoir 18. The lubrication and cooling functions of the fluid pump 10 are then provided by the delivery pump element 26, which draws the fluid 14 from the reservoir 18 and moves the fluid 14 through various cooling and / or lubrication circuits. As discussed herein, it is typically not known which of the multiple collections 16 may have fluid 14 disposed therein at any particular time. The use of the return pump element 30 as a discharge pump with multiple dedicated discharge or dedicated return inlets 54 can provide sufficient flow of the fluid 14 from one or both of the first and second collections 50, 52 to the reservoir 18. The use of a vane pump 60 as the return pump element 30 provides twice the pump displacement as the delivery pump element 26, thereby ensuring a consistent flow of the fluid 14 through the hydraulic system 20.

[0035] According to various aspects of the device, the location of the various inlets and outlets of the delivery and return portions 24, 28 may vary depending on the exact design of the drive unit 12 and reservoir 18 receiving the fluid pump 10. Additionally, the positioning of the delivery portion 24 and the return portion 28 may also be switched depending on the configuration of the drive unit 12 and reservoir 18 in which the fluid pump 10 is disposed. In various configurations, it is contemplated that a single motor 32 is used to simultaneously drive each of the delivery pump elements 26 and the return pump elements 30. Additionally, the configuration of the return portion 28 with two exhaust or return inlets 54 and the delivery portion 24 with a single delivery inlet 120 are features present in each configuration of the device. As discussed herein, the return portion 28 may include two return inlets 54 or more than two return inlets 54 depending on the number of collectors 16 included in the drive unit 12. If additional collectors 16 are included, additional return inlets 54, as well as additional return and outlet ports 92, may be included in the eccentric pump chamber 62 for the return pump element 30 of the return portion 28. If a single collection section 16 is included, a single return inlet 54 and a single outlet port 92 may be utilized.

[0036] 12-18, the fluid pump 10 can include a housing 22 having a motor portion or motor housing 160, a delivery portion 24, and a return portion 28. The motor 32 is disposed within the motor housing 160 and is operatively coupled to a drive shaft 34 extending from the motor 32 through the delivery portion 24 and the return portion 28. The delivery pump element 26 is disposed within the delivery portion 24 and is coupled to the drive shaft 34. Similarly, the return pump element 30 is disposed within the return portion 28 and is also coupled to the drive shaft 34. Operation of the motor 32 drives the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30 via the drive shaft 34. The delivery portion 24 and the delivery pump element 26 are configured to deliver the fluid 14 from the reservoir 18 to the drive unit 12. The return portion 28 and the return pump element 30 are configured to deliver the fluid 14 from the collection assembly 15 of the drive unit 12 to the reservoir 18. In a particular embodiment of the device, the return pump element 30 may be in the form of a gear pump 200 that includes a drive gear 202 coupled to the drive shaft 34. The gear pump 200 also includes an idler gear 204 that meshes with the drive gear 202.

[0037] 12-18, during operation of the motor 32, the drive shaft 34 operates each of the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30. In the case of the gear pump 200, the drive shaft 34 rotates a drive gear 202 and an idler gear 204 within a pump chamber 206 having a generally lemniscate profile 208. As the drive gear 202 and the idler gear 204 rotate within the pump chamber 206, the teeth 210 of the drive gear 202 and the idler gear 204 form a number of gear cavities 212 with an inner surface 214 of the pump chamber 206. In this manner, each gear cavity 212 delivers fluid 14 from the return inlet 54 which draws fluid from the collection portion 16. As the drive gear 202 and idler gear 204 rotate within the pump chamber 206 , the fluid 14 within the gear cavity 212 moves along the inner surface 214 of the pump chamber 206 to the outlet port 92 of the return outlet 100 and is delivered to the reservoir 18 .

[0038] 12-18, according to various aspects of the device, the delivery inlet 120 and the delivery outlet 122 may be positioned to extend from the delivery pump element 26 through the pump cover 104. Thus, the delivery inlet 120, the delivery outlet 122, and the return inlet 54 and the return outlet 100 may each be positioned within the end face 118 of the pump cover 104. To account for the movement of the fluid 14 by the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30 through the pump cover 104, the pump chamber 206 may be positioned in an offset configuration within the pump cover 104. This offset configuration of the pump chamber 206 also allows the drive gear 202 to be centrally positioned within the pump cover 104 and engage the drive shaft 34. The idler gear 204 may typically be positioned on the opposite side of the pump cover 104 in an offset orientation relative to the delivery inlet 120 and the delivery outlet 122.

[0039] 1-18, the fluid pump 10 can include a motor portion or motor housing 160, a delivery pump element 26, and a return pump element 30. A drive shaft 34 extends from the motor 32 to each of the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30. The motor 32, drive shaft 34, delivery pump element 26, and return pump element 30 are all contained within the housing 22. Operation of the motor 32 is configured to simultaneously drive the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30 via the drive shaft 34. The delivery pump element 26 is configured to deliver the fluid 14 from the reservoir 18 to the drive unit 12. The return pump element 30 is configured to deliver the fluid 14 from the collection assembly 15 of the drive unit 12 to the reservoir 18 for later use. As described herein, the various configurations of the drive unit 12 and the fluid pump 10 can vary depending on the design of the particular mechanism in which the fluid pump 10 is located. Thus, the number of collectors 16 in the collection assembly 15 can vary, as can the design of the return pump element 30.

[0040] According to various aspects of the device, the fluid pump 10 described herein may be incorporated into any one of a variety of mechanisms. Such mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, vehicles, robotics, appliances, and other similar mechanical applications. Typically, the use of the fluid pump 10 described herein is for providing fluids 14 associated with lubrication and / or cooling of various mechanisms. These fluids 14 may include, but are not limited to, oil, coolant, water, and other similar fluids 14.

[0041] It should also be understood that changes and modifications can be made in the structures and methods described above without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless those claims expressly state otherwise in their language.

Claims

1. 1. A fluid pump comprising: Housing and a delivery portion having a delivery pump element disposed within the housing; a return portion having a return pump element disposed within the housing; a motor disposed within the housing for driving the delivery pump element and the return pump element via a drive shaft, wherein the delivery portion is configured to deliver fluid from a reservoir to a drive unit and the return pump element is configured to deliver the fluid from a collection assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir.

2. The fluid pump of claim 1 , wherein the motor includes a stator and a rotor in electromagnetic communication with the stator, the drive shaft extending from the rotor to each of the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

3. The fluid pump of claim 1 , wherein operation of the motor simultaneously operates the delivery pump element and the return pump element to deliver the fluid between the reservoir, the drive unit, and the collection assembly.

4. The fluid pump of claim 1 , wherein the delivery pump element is a production rotor.

5. The fluid pump of claim 1 , wherein the collection assembly includes a plurality of collection sections.

6. 2. The fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the return pump element is a vane pump positioned within an eccentric pump chamber.

7. The fluid pump of claim 6 , wherein the eccentric pumping chamber includes a dedicated return inlet in communication with each collector of the collection assembly.

8. 7. The fluid pump of claim 6, wherein the collection assembly includes a first collection section and a second collection section, and the eccentric pump chamber includes a first return inlet in communication with the first collection section and a second return inlet in communication with the second collection section.

9. The fluid pump of claim 5 , wherein the eccentric pumping chamber includes opposed outlet ports leading to a return outlet in communication with the reservoir.

10. 6. The fluid pump of claim 5, wherein the vane pump includes a rotating member and a plurality of outwardly biased fins extending from the rotating member to a wall of the eccentric pump chamber to define a plurality of operable pump cavities.

11. The fluid pump of claim 10 , wherein the housing is positioned within a manifold, and at least one gasket on an outer wall of the housing cooperates with the manifold to separate the delivery portion from the return portion.

12. The fluid pump of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of gaskets includes spring seals separating the first and second return inlets of the return portion from the return outlet of the return portion.

13. The fluid pump of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the return portion of the housing is defined within an end face of the housing.

14. 2. The fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a motor housing that secures the motor within a motor cavity and also includes a printed circuit board having a controller that operates the motor.

15. The fluid pump of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a pump body and a porting housing that cooperate to define the delivery portion of the housing.

16. The fluid pump of claim 15 , wherein the housing includes an eccentric ring and a pump cover that cooperate with the porting housing to define the return portion of the housing.

17. 2. The fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the return pump element is a gear pump including a drive gear in mesh with an idler gear.

18. 18. The fluid pump of claim 17, wherein the drive gear and the idler gear are positioned within a pump chamber having a generally lemniscate profile.

19. The fluid pump of claim 17 , wherein the housing includes a porting housing defining each of the delivery portion and the return portion, and the housing includes a pump cover defining the return portion.

20. The fluid pump of claim 17 , wherein the return portion and the delivery portion each deliver fluid through the pump cover.

21. 21. A fluid pump according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the delivery pump element includes a delivery inlet and a delivery outlet, the delivery inlet and the delivery outlet being defined within an outer wall of the housing, and the delivery inlet and the delivery outlet being separated by a gasket.

22. 1. A fluid pump comprising: a housing having a motor portion, a delivery portion, and a return portion; a motor disposed within the motor portion, the motor being operably coupled to a drive shaft extending from the motor through the delivery portion and the return portion; a delivery pump element disposed within the delivery portion and coupled to the drive shaft; a return pump element disposed within the return portion of the housing and coupled to the drive shaft, wherein operation of the motor drives the delivery pump element and the return pump element via the drive shaft, the delivery pump element configured to deliver fluid from a reservoir to a drive unit, and the return pump element configured to deliver the fluid from a first collection section and a second collection section of the drive unit to the reservoir.

23. 23. The fluid pump of claim 22, wherein the motor includes a stator and a rotor in electromagnetic communication with the stator, the drive shaft extending from the rotor to each of the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

24. 23. The fluid pump of claim 22, wherein operation of the motor simultaneously operates the delivery pump element and the return pump element to deliver the fluid between the reservoir, the drive unit, and the collection assembly.

25. 23. The fluid pump of claim 22, wherein the delivery pump element is a production rotor.

26. The fluid pump of claim 22 , wherein the collection assembly includes a plurality of collection sections.

27. 23. The fluid pump of claim 22, wherein the return pump element is a vane pump positioned within an eccentric pump chamber.

28. 28. The fluid pump of claim 27, wherein the eccentric pumping chamber includes a dedicated return inlet from each collector of the collection assembly.

29. 28. The fluid pump of claim 27, wherein the collection assembly includes a first collection section and a second collection section, and the eccentric pump chamber includes a first return inlet in communication with the first collection section and a second return inlet in communication with the second collection section.

30. 27. The fluid pump of claim 26, wherein the eccentric pumping chamber includes opposing outlet ports that lead to a return outlet that communicates with the reservoir.

31. 27. The fluid pump of claim 26, wherein the vane pump includes a rotating member and a plurality of outwardly biased fins extending from the rotating member to a wall of the eccentric pump chamber to define a plurality of operable pump cavities.

32. 23. The fluid pump of claim 22, wherein the delivery pump element includes a delivery inlet and a delivery outlet, the delivery inlet and the delivery outlet being defined within an outer wall of the housing, and the delivery inlet and the delivery outlet being separated by a gasket.

33. 23. The fluid pump of claim 22, wherein the housing is positioned within a manifold, and at least one gasket on an outer wall of the housing cooperates with the manifold to separate the delivery portion from the return portion.

34. 34. The fluid pump of claim 33, wherein the plurality of gaskets includes spring seals separating the first and second return inlets of the return portion from the return outlet of the return portion.

35. 23. The fluid pump of claim 22, wherein at least a portion of the return portion of the housing is defined within an end face of the housing.

36. 23. The fluid pump of claim 22, wherein the housing includes a motor housing that secures the motor within a motor cavity and also includes a printed circuit board having a controller that operates the motor.

37. The fluid pump of any one of claims 22 to 36, wherein the housing includes a pump body and a porting housing that cooperate to define the delivery portion of the housing.

38. 38. The fluid pump of claim 37, wherein the housing includes an eccentric ring and a pump cover that cooperate with the porting housing to define the return portion of the housing.

39. 1. A fluid pump comprising: a motor portion, a delivery pump element, and a return pump element; a drive shaft extending from the motor to each of the delivery pump element and the return pump element, the motor, the drive shaft, the delivery pump element, and the return pump element being contained within a housing; operation of the motor simultaneously drives the delivery pump element and the return pump element via the drive shaft; the delivery pump element is configured to deliver fluid from a reservoir to a drive unit; The fluid pump, wherein the return pump element is configured to deliver the fluid from a collection assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir.

40. 40. The fluid pump of claim 39, wherein the motor includes a stator and a rotor in electromagnetic communication with the stator, the drive shaft extending from the rotor to each of the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

41. 40. The fluid pump of claim 39, wherein the delivery pump element is a production rotor.

42. 40. The fluid pump of claim 39, wherein the collection assembly includes a plurality of collection sections.

43. 40. The fluid pump of claim 39, wherein the return pump element is a vane pump positioned within an eccentric pump chamber.

44. 44. The fluid pump of claim 43, wherein the eccentric pumping chamber includes a dedicated return inlet to each collection section of the collection assembly.

45. 44. The fluid pump of claim 43, wherein the collection assembly includes a first collection section and a second collection section, and the eccentric pump chamber includes a first return inlet in communication with the first collection section and a second return inlet in communication with the second collection section.

46. 43. The fluid pump of claim 42, wherein the eccentric pumping chamber includes opposing outlet ports that lead to a return outlet that communicates with the reservoir.

47. 43. The fluid pump of claim 42, wherein the vane pump includes a rotating member and a plurality of outwardly biased fins extending from the rotating member to a wall of the eccentric pump chamber to define a plurality of operable pump cavities.

48. 40. The fluid pump of claim 39, wherein the delivery pump element includes a delivery inlet and a delivery outlet, the delivery inlet and the delivery outlet being defined within an outer wall of the housing, and the delivery inlet and the delivery outlet being separated by a gasket.

49. 40. The fluid pump of claim 39, wherein the housing is positioned within a manifold and at least one gasket on an outer wall of the housing cooperates with the manifold to separate a delivery portion having the delivery pump element from a return portion having the return pump element.

50. 50. The fluid pump of claim 49, wherein the plurality of gaskets include spring seals separating the first and second return inlets of the return portion from the return outlet of the return portion.

51. 50. The fluid pump of claim 49, wherein at least a portion of the return portion of the housing is defined within an end face of the housing.

52. 40. The fluid pump of claim 39, wherein the housing includes a motor housing that secures the motor within a motor cavity and also includes a printed circuit board having a controller that operates the motor.

53. 50. The fluid pump of claim 49, wherein the housing includes a pump body and a porting housing that cooperate to define the delivery portion of the housing.

54. 54. The fluid pump of claim 53, wherein the housing includes an eccentric ring and a pump cover that cooperate with the porting housing to define the return portion of the housing.

55. 40. The fluid pump of claim 39, wherein the return pump element is a gear pump including a drive gear in mesh with an idler gear.

56. 56. The fluid pump of claim 55, wherein the drive gear and the idler gear are positioned within a pump chamber having a generally lemniscate profile.

57. 56. The fluid pump of claim 55, wherein the housing includes a porting housing that defines each of the delivery pump element and the return pump element, and the housing includes a pump cover that defines the return pump element.

58. 56. The fluid pump of claim 55, wherein the return pump element and the delivery pump element each deliver fluid through the pump cover.

59. 59. The fluid pump of any one of claims 39 to 58, wherein operation of the motor simultaneously operates the delivery pump element and the return pump element to deliver the fluid between the reservoir, the drive unit, and the collection assembly.

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