Electric dual-fluid pump having a single motor

Abstract

The fluid pump includes a housing, a motor disposed within the motor portion of the housing, a delivery pump element disposed within the delivery portion of the housing, and a return pump element disposed within the return portion of the housing. A drive shaft is coupled to each of the delivery pump element and the return pump element, and the operation of the motor simultaneously operates 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, and 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 generally relates to fluid pumps, and more specifically, to a dual-motor fluid pump that can be used to discharge fluid from one or more collection parts to a storage part and to deliver fluid from the storage part to mechanical components.

Background Art

[0002] In a mechanical assembly, fluid is typically used to provide lubrication and cooling functions within the assembly. A fluid pump can be used to deliver this fluid from a storage part to another location to provide a desired function.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, 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 that extends from the motor through the delivery portion and the return portion. A delivery pump element is disposed within the delivery portion and is coupled to the drive shaft. A return pump element is disposed within the return portion of the housing and is coupled to the drive shaft, and the operation of the motor operates the delivery pump element and the return pump element via the drive shaft. The delivery pump element is configured to deliver fluid from a storage part to a drive unit, and the return pump element is configured to deliver fluid from a collection assembly of the drive unit to the storage part.

[0004] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid pump includes a housing, a motor disposed within a motor portion of the housing, a delivery pump element disposed within a delivery portion of the housing, and a return pump element disposed within a return portion of the housing. A drive shaft is coupled to each of the delivery pump element and the return pump element, and operation of the motor simultaneously operates 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, and the return pump element is configured to deliver fluid from a collection assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir.

[0005] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid pump includes a housing, a motor disposed within a motor portion of the housing, a delivery pump element disposed within a delivery portion of the housing, a return pump element disposed within a return portion of the housing, and a drive shaft having a spline. The drive shaft extends from a rotor of the motor to each of the delivery pump element and the return pump element. Operation of the motor simultaneously operates 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 collection assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir. During operation of the motor, the spline delivers a portion of the fluid into the motor portion and at least around the rotor of the motor to absorb heat from a printed circuit board positioned in communication with the motor and the motor portion.

[0006] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

[0007] The drawings are as follows.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Here, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are referred to in detail, and this example is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. To the extent possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. In the drawings, the structural elements depicted are not to scale, and certain components are enlarged relative to other components for purposes of emphasis and understanding.

[0010] Where appropriate, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein, however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative examples of the invention that can be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some of the schematic diagrams may be exaggerated or minimized to show the general idea of the function. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for those skilled in the art to adopt the invention in various ways.

[0011] For the purposes of the description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal", and derivatives thereof shall relate to this concept as oriented in FIGS. 1-26. However, it should be understood that this concept may assume various alternative orientations, unless the contrary is explicitly specified. Also, it should be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the concept of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting unless specifically stated otherwise in the claims.

[0012] The illustrated embodiments exist mainly in the combination of method steps and apparatus components related to a fluid pump including a single motor for driving a delivery pump element that delivers fluid from a reservoir to a drive unit having at least one collection unit, the single motor also driving a return pump element for delivering fluid from at least one collection unit to the reservoir. Therefore, the apparatus components and method steps are represented by conventional reference numerals in the drawings that show only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the present disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numbers in the description and drawings represent like elements.

[0013] 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 component A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain 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.

[0014] 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 actual relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variant form are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element starting with "comprises...a" does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises that element without further limitation.

[0015] As used herein, the term "about" means that quantities, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not exact and need not be exact, and may be approximate and / or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term "about" is used in describing a value or endpoint of a range, the present disclosure is to be understood as including the specific value or endpoint being referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or endpoint in the specification recites "about", the numerical value or endpoint of the range is intended to include two embodiments, one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about". Further, it will be understood that each endpoint of a range is important whether in relation to the other endpoint or independent of the other endpoint.

[0016] As used herein, the terms "substantial", "substantially" and their variants are intended to draw attention to the fact that the feature being described is equal to or approximately equal to the value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to represent a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Further, "substantially" is intended to represent that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may represent values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other or within about 2% of each other.

[0017] As used herein, the terms "the", "a", or "an" mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one" unless the contrary is explicitly stated. Thus, for example, a reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0018] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-26, reference numeral 10 generally refers to a fluid pump incorporated within a mechanical assembly such as drive unit 12 for delivering fluid 14 from a collection assembly 15, which can include one or more collection portions 16, to a reservoir 18, and then from reservoir 18 back to drive unit 12 including collection assembly 15. Fluid pump 10 includes a plurality of pump elements for moving fluid 14 among various components within a fluid circuit such as a hydraulic system 20 for drive unit 12. According to various aspects of the device, fluid pump 10 includes a housing 22 made up of a plurality of components attached together to form fluid pump 10. The delivery portion 24 of fluid pump 10 includes a delivery pump element 26 disposed within housing 22. The return portion 28 of fluid pump 10 includes a return pump element 30 also disposed within housing 22. A motor 32 is disposed within housing 22 and typically drives delivery pump element 26 and return pump element 30 simultaneously via a drive shaft 34. Delivery portion 24 is configured to deliver fluid 14 from reservoir 18 to drive unit 12. Return pump element 30 is configured to deliver fluid 14 from at least one of collection portions 16 of drive unit 12 to reservoir 18, and fluid 14 can then be delivered back to drive unit 12 using delivery pump element 26.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-26, the drive unit 12 that is cooled or lubricated using the fluid pump 10 can be in the form of a particular application, typically a transmission or other similar mechanical assembly within 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 within the drive unit 12 at that point can 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 within the drive unit 12, the fluid resistance within the drive unit 12 is minimized and the drive unit 12 can have a smaller overall size or a lower profile to address the need for a smaller amount of fluid 14 within the collection portion 16 of the drive unit 12.

[0020] 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 integrally joined together to provide a compact package and weight reduction within the fluid pump 10. As contemplated 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.

[0021] Referring again to FIGS. 7-26, the motor 32 that drives the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30 can be an electric motor 32 having a rotor 40 that communicates electromagnetically with the stator 38. The energized winding 42 of the stator 38 rotates the rotor 40 around the rotation axis 44. The rotor 40 is attached to a drive shaft 34 that extends through the housing 22 for the fluid pump 10. This drive shaft 34 extends through the delivery portion 24 and the return portion 28 of the housing 22. In this way, the drive shaft 34 engages each of the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30 so as 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 simultaneously operates to deliver the fluid 14 through the hydraulic system 20 and thus between the drive unit 12 including the collection assembly 15 and the reservoir 18. The rotor 40 typically includes magnets 46 that are attached to the rotor core 48 and set within the rotor overmold 49. The drive shaft 34 is fixed to the rotor core 48 via the rotor overmold 49.

[0022] Referring again to FIGS. 7-21, the fluid 14 within the drive unit 12 collects within each of the collection assemblies 15 for the drive unit 12. Although the first and second collection portions 50, 52 are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, it is contemplated that a single collection portion 16 or multiple collection portions 16 may be included within the collection assembly 15 for a particular drive unit 12. If multiple collection portions 16 are included within the collection assembly 15, the fluid pump 10 can include a separate dedicated return inlet 54 for each respective collection portion 16 of the drive unit 12. When the motor 32 for the fluid pump 10 operates, the return pump element 30 rotates through the operation of the drive shaft 34.

[0023] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-12 and FIGS. 15-17, fluid pump 10 includes first and second return inlets 55, 57 that may be referred to as discharge inlets. These first and second return inlets 55, 57 cooperate with return pump element 30 to draw fluid 14 into the curved pump chamber 206 of the implant housing 108 of fluid pump 10 from at least one, typically both, of the first and second collection portions 50, 52. The pump chamber 206 houses a gear pump 200 having at least one idler gear 204 and a drive gear 202 that typically meshes with two opposing idler gears 204. The meshing engagement between the drive gear 202 and the opposing idler gears 204 assists in drawing fluid 14 from the first and second collection portions 50, 52 and through the first and second return inlets 55, 57. During operation of the drive gear 202, the drive gear 202 meshes with the opposing idler gears 204 such that all three gears operate simultaneously to move fluid 14 through the curved pump chamber 206 of the implant housing 108. The return pump element 30 then operates to move fluid 14 through the opposing outlet ports 92 that extend from the curved fluid cavity through the pump cover 104 and toward the reservoir 18. The fluid 14 is then collected in the reservoir 18 for further recirculation by the fluid pump 10, typically by the delivery pump element 26, as will be more fully described below.

[0024] Referring again to FIGS. 1-12 and FIGS. 15-17, the return inlet 54 extends from the corresponding collection portion 16 of the drive unit 12 and into the curved pump chamber 206 that houses the gear pump 200 via an inlet port 90 for the return pump element 30. The corresponding outlet ports 92 extend from the pump cover 104 for delivery to the reservoir 18. The outlet ports 92 may be configured to merge together and join within the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10. The opposing outlet ports 92 may also merge within the region defined between the pump cover 104 and the manifold 176 that receives the fluid pump 10. Typically, a single fluid conduit extends from the fluid pump 10 for delivery to the reservoir 18.

[0025] The return channel 102 that creates the return inlet 54, inlet port 90, outlet port 92, and return outlet 100 can be defined within the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10. Typically, these channels are defined within the pump cover 104 and the transplant housing 108. Using this configuration, the return pump element 30 can draw in fluid 14 from either or both of the first and second collection portions 50, 52 for the drive unit 12, so that the fluid 14 from these collection portions 16 can be delivered to the reservoir 18 for further use. Thus, a collection of fluid 14 within any one or more of the collection portions 16 of the collection assembly 15 will result in the fluid 14 being drawn into the return pump element 30. In this way, regardless of whether the fluid 14 within the collection assembly 15 is contained within a single collection portion 16 or divided among all of the collection portions 16, the return pump element 30 can operate to deliver this fluid 14 from the collection assembly 15, through the return pump element 30, to the reservoir 18.

[0026] Referring again to FIGS. 1-12 and 15-17, the fluid path between the pair of return inlets 54 and the single return outlet 100 can be defined between the pump cover 104 and the manifold 176 that receives the fluid pump 10. The return inlet 54 can include one gasket or a plurality of gaskets, such as the spring seal 114, that spans across the return flow space 116 defined between the end face of the pump cover 104 and the manifold 176. The return outlet 100 can communicate with this return flow space 116. In an exemplary operation, as described herein, the fluid 14 from the first and second collection portions 50, 52 moves through the spring seal 114, is separated from the flow space 116, and then enters into the curved fluid chamber 138 of the return pump element 30 via the inlet port 90. The fluid 14 then moves from the curved fluid cavity via the opposing outlet port 92 and enters into the return flow space 116 defined between the return surface 112 of the pump cover 104 and the manifold 176. This discharge 76 from the gear pump 200 within the pump chamber 206 pushes the fluid 14 through the opposing outlet port 92, through the single return outlet 100, and towards the reservoir 18. Through this configuration, the two return inlets 54 and the return pump element 30 provide a consistent flow of the fluid 14 through the single return outlet 100 and into the reservoir 18.

[0027] As described herein, in a particular example, one of the collection portions 16 can be dry while the other collection portion 16 can contain a certain amount of fluid 14. In such an example, the return pump element 30 can provide sufficient fluid 14 through the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10 to deliver the fluid 14 to the reservoir 18. As described herein, the flow of the fluid 14 can occur through one of the drive gear 202 and the idler gear 204 of the return pump element 30, while the fluid 14 hardly or does not move across the interface between the drive gear 202 and the opposing idler gear 204. As described herein, through this configuration, a consistent supply of the fluid 14 can be delivered from one or both of the collection portions 16 within the collection assembly 15 to the reservoir 18 for later recirculation through the hydraulic system 20 by the delivery pump element 26.

[0028] Referring again to FIGS. 1 - 26, 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 this 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 fluid 14 from the reservoir 18 and a single delivery outlet 122 that delivers fluid 14 toward the drive unit 12.

[0029]

[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 26, the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10 can include two dedicated return inlets 54 that each receive fluid 14 from a corresponding collection section 16. The delivery inlet 120 in this different number of delivery portions 24 and the return inlets 54 in the return portion 28 are considered through the increased capacity of the return pump element 30 for drawing fluid 14 from at least one of the first and second collection sections 50, 52 of the collection assembly 15. The return portion 28 includes the increased capacity in the return pump element 30. In this way, the return pump element 30 will typically deliver an amount of fluid 14 that is less than the maximum flow rate of the return pump element 30 while also delivering enough fluid 14 to meet the flow rate requirements of the delivery pump element 26. Thus, under typical operating conditions, the return pump element 30 will return an amount of fluid 14 that is the same as, or substantially the same as, the capacity of the delivery pump element 26 for the fluid pump 10. Therefore, this increased capacity of the return pump element 30 provides that all of the fluid 14 within the collection assembly 15 is contained within a single collection section 16 so that this fluid 14 can move from a single collection section 16, through the return pump element 30, and into the reservoir 18 for delivery to the drive unit 12 through the delivery pump element 26. Thus, the return pump element 30 ensures that enough fluid 14 is contained within the reservoir 18 for it to operate through the operation of the delivery pump element 26.

[0030] Not by way of limitation, but by way of example, it is contemplated that if the delivery pump element 26 includes a capacity of 4 cubic centimeters per revolution, the return pump element 30 can include a capacity of 8 cubic centimeters per revolution. Additionally, under typical operating conditions, the return pump element 30 returns to the reservoir 18 the same or a similar amount of fluid 14 as is delivered to the drive unit 12 by the delivery pump element 26. As discussed herein, the increased capacity of the return fluid pump 10 accounts for a situation where one of the first and second collection portions 50, 52 is dry and the other of the first and second collection portions 50, 52 can contain a greater amount of fluid 14. In such a state, for a period of time, all of the fluid 14 returned to the reservoir 18 is moved through only one of the return inlets 54, and only half of the operable pump cavities 70 of the return fluid pump 10 create a suction portion 72 and a discharge portion 76 of the fluid 14 until the fluid 14 collects in the other collection portion 16 of the first and second collection portions 50, 52. Additionally, this configuration ensures that a consistent flow of fluid 14 moves from one or both of the first and second collection portions 50, 52 to the reservoir 18 and from the reservoir 18 to the drive unit 12, as desired, to provide appropriate cooling and lubrication functions.

[0031] Referring again to FIGS. 7-26, the delivery pump element 26 can be in the form of a generating rotor 130, sometimes referred to as a gerotor, seated within the pump body 132. The generating rotor 130 includes an internal gear 134 that rotates along the axis of rotation 44 of the fluid pump 10. The outer eccentric teeth 136 are arranged within the pump body 132 in an offset configuration such that as the internal gear 134 rotates, a series of fluid chambers 138 are formed for delivering fluid 14 through the delivery portion 24 of the fluid pump 10. As the generating rotor 130 rotates, the various fluid chambers 138 operate to draw fluid 14 from the reservoir 18 using the generated suction portion 72 and then push this fluid 14 towards the drive unit 12 using the generated discharge portion 76. As the fluid 14 is pushed towards the drive unit 12, the fluid 14 lubricates and cools the various components and then falls towards the collection assembly 15 to be recirculated back to the fluid pump 10 using the return pump element 30 within the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10.

[0032] Referring again to FIGS. 1 - 26, the transplant 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. Various gaskets, such as O - ring 154 and spring seal 114, are positioned at the location of 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. Typically, a single gasket can separate the delivery inlet 120 from the delivery outlet 122 of the delivery portion 24 of the fluid pump 10. Through this configuration, the delivery inlet 120 is positioned within the sidewall of the housing 22 and is typically defined between the pump body 132 and the transplant housing 108 of the fluid pump 10. The delivery outlet 122 of the fluid pump 10 is typically positioned within the pump cover 104. Thus, the back surface 112 of the pump cover 104 includes the discharge or return inlet 54 of the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10, as well as the discharge or return outlet 100. This back surface 112 of the pump cover 104 also includes the delivery outlet 122 of the delivery portion 24 of the fluid pump 10. Through this configuration, these portions of the fluid pump 10 that receive the fluid 14 from the collection assembly 15 or deliver the fluid 14 to the drive unit 12 having the collection assembly 15 are housed within the pump cover 104, more specifically, within the back surface 112 of the pump cover 104. These portions of the fluid pump 10 that receive the fluid 14 from the reservoir 18 are housed within the side of the fluid pump 10. Through this configuration, the fluid pump 10 can better separate those portions of the fluid 14 associated with the delivery portion 24 from those amounts of the fluid 14 moved by the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10. Additionally, as described herein, the spring seal 114 positioned within the return inlet 54 and the delivery outlet 122 further separates the fluid 14 between the return portion 28 and the delivery portion 24 of the fluid pump 10.

[0033] Referring back to FIGS. 1 - 26, the fluid pump 10 includes a motor portion or motor housing 160 that includes an overmold defining a motor cavity 168 that surrounds the stator 38 for the motor 32 and enables the rotational movement of the rotor 40 relative to the stator 38. The motor housing 160 can include a printed circuit board (PCB) 162 and various electrical connections that can be utilized to deliver power to the motor 32 and also to communicate data during operation between the components of the fluid pump 10. The motor 32 is contemplated to be in the form of a variable speed motor 32 such that the controller 164 can be utilized to increase or decrease the speed of the motor 32 in response to the fluid flow requirements of the drive unit 12. The transmission may not be used in certain conditions such as when the motor 32 stops so that the fluid 14 does not need to be circulated through the transmission. In such an example, the fluid pump 10 can be temporarily stopped. The PCB 162 within the motor housing 160 can include various sensors 166 that can monitor the 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 through it.

[0034] As contemplated herein with respect to FIGS. 1-26, the fluid pump 10 utilizes a motor 32 and a controller 164 included within or communicating with a PCB 162 to simultaneously drive each of a delivery pump element 26 and a return pump element 30. The delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30 are integrally joined together within a housing 22 for the fluid pump 10 to provide a compact package for delivering fluid 14 to and from a reservoir 18 and a drive unit 12. As contemplated herein, a collection assembly 15 for the drive unit 12 can include first and second collection portions 50, 52 such that a double-fill or balanced gear pump 200 is used as the return pump element 30. This configuration utilizes two separate dedicated return inlets 54 or dedicated discharge outlets to ensure that fluid 14 is delivered from one or both of the first and second collection portions 50, 52 and to the reservoir 18. The return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10 couples these two return inlets 54 to a single hydraulic passageway that is delivered through a return outlet 100 and toward the reservoir 18. Next, the lubrication and cooling functions of the fluid pump 10 are provided by the delivery pump element 26 that draws fluid 14 from the reservoir 18 and moves this fluid 14 through various cooling and / or lubrication circuits. As contemplated herein, it is typically unknown which of the plurality of collection portions 16 may have fluid 14 disposed therein at any given time. The use of the return pump element 30 as a discharge pump having a plurality of dedicated discharge or dedicated return inlets 54 can provide a sufficient flow of fluid 14 to the reservoir 18 from one or both of the first and second collection portions 50, 52. The use of a gear pump 200 as the return pump element 30 provides twice the pump displacement as the delivery pump element 26, thereby ensuring a consistent flow of fluid 14 through the hydraulic system 20.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 1-26, the fluid pump 10 can include a housing 22 having a motor housing 160, a delivery portion 24, and a return portion 28. A motor 32 is disposed within the motor housing 160 and is operably coupled to a drive shaft 34 that extends from the motor 32 through the delivery portion 24 and the return portion 28. The drive shaft 34 includes a spline assembly 220 that extends along a portion of the drive shaft 34 and engages both a drive gear 202 of the return pump element 30 and an internal gear 134 of the delivery pump element 26. Using this spline assembly 220 of the drive shaft 34, fluid 14 delivered to the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30 can move along the spline assembly 220 of the drive shaft 34. This fluid 14 moving along the spline assembly 220 can serve to lubricate the return pump element 30, the delivery pump element 26, and the rotor 40 and the drive shaft 34 of the motor 32. In this way, the spline assembly 220 delivers fluid 14 to the motor housing 160 and at least around the rotor 40 of the motor 32 to absorb heat 88 from a PCB 162 positioned in communication with the motor 32 and the motor housing 160. Through the operation of the spline assembly 220, fluid 14 and heat 88 are delivered away from the motor housing 160.

[0036] Referring back to FIGS. 1-26, the various components that make up the housing 22 for a particular embodiment of the fluid pump 10 can include, but are not limited to, the pump cover 104, the transplant housing 108, the pump body 132, and the motor housing 160. These components can be attached together via pump screws 170 that extend through these components to secure them to each other. Various alignment pins 172 can be disposed within particular components of the housing 22 to align the particular components together. Specifically, the alignment of the transplant housing 108 with respect to the generating rotor 130, the pump body 132, and the pump cover 104 is used to ensure proper flow of the fluid 14 through each of the delivery portion 24 and the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10. In addition to the various O-rings 154 used to separate particular portions of the fluid 14 within the delivery portion 24 and the return portion 28, the motor housing 160 can include a case seal 174 that is used to seal the fluid pump 10 with respect to a particular manifold 176 for the drive unit 12.

[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 7-26, the spline assembly 220 of the drive shaft 34 includes cut end portions 230 of the spline assembly 220 that cooperate with the gaps 232 between the internal teeth 234 of the drive gear 202 and the internal gears 134 of the return pump element 26 and the delivery pump element 30, respectively. In this way, the engagement between the end portions 230 and the gaps 232 defines axial flow cavities 236. These axial flow cavities 236 provide for axial movement of the fluid 14 along the drive shaft 34. Using these axial flow cavities 236, the fluid 14 can move along the spline assembly 220 and along the drive shaft 34 of the fluid pump 10. In addition, these axial flow cavities 236 are sized minimally so as not to reduce the suction portion 72 and the discharge portion 76 generated through the operation of the return pump element 30 and the delivery pump element 26.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 1-8 and FIGS. 15-26, 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. A motor 32 is disposed within the motor housing 160 and is operatively coupled to a drive shaft 34 that extends from the motor 32 and through the delivery portion 24 and the return portion 28. A delivery pump element 26 is disposed within the delivery portion 24 and is coupled to the drive shaft 34. Similarly, a 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 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 fluid 14 from the collection assembly 15 of the drive unit 12 to the reservoir 18.

[0039] In a particular aspect of the device, the return pump element 30 can 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 opposing idler gears 204 that mesh with the drive gear 202. Each idler gear 204 cooperates with the drive gear 202 to create a dedicated area of a suction section 72 that draws fluid 14 from one of the collection sections 16 of the collection assembly 15. These opposing dedicated areas of the suction section 72 cooperate to deliver fluid 14 from the first and second collection sections 50, 52, respectively, and to the fluid pump 10. The engagement between the opposing idler gears 204 and the drive gear 202 also creates a dedicated area of a discharge section 76 that discharges fluid 14 from each respective collection section 16 of the first and second collection sections 50, 52 toward dedicated outlet ports 92 and a return outlet 100. In this way, the dedicated areas of the suction section 72 and the discharge section 76 operate to deliver fluid 14 from the collection assembly 15 through the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10 to the reservoir 18.

[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 7-11 and FIGS. 15-17, when the return pump element 30 is a gear pump 200, the gear pump 200 includes a drive gear 202 that meshes with at least one idler gear 204 to create a dedicated mesh point 216. These dedicated mesh points 216 are arranged in communication with respective collection portions 16 of the collection assembly 15. Typically, each of the dedicated mesh points 216 corresponds to a respective collection portion 16 of the collection assembly 15. According to various aspects of the device, the gear pump 200 includes a plurality of mesh points 216. Each mesh point 216 of the plurality of mesh points 216 is configured to generate a suction portion 72 for drawing fluid 14 from the collection assembly 15 into the return pump element 30. The mesh point 216 also generates a discharge portion 76 for delivering fluid from the return pump element 30 to the storage portion 18. Additionally, each mesh point 216 of the plurality of mesh points 216 of the gear pump 200 corresponds to a respective collection portion 16 of the collection assembly 15. By way of example and not limitation, the collection assembly 15 can include a first collection portion 50 and a second collection portion 52 that correspond to a first mesh point 224 of the gear pump and a second mesh point 226 of the gear pump, respectively.

[0041] Referring again to FIGS. 7-11 and FIGS. 15-17, 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 the drive gear 202 and the opposing idler gear 204 within the pump chamber 206 having a contoured outer shape that conforms to the arrangement of the drive gear 202 and the idler gear 204. 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 plurality of gear cavities 212 together with the inner surface 214 of the pump chamber 206. These gear cavities 212 create dedicated regions for the suction section 72 and the discharge section 76. In this way, the individual gear cavities 212 draw the fluid 14 from the collection section 16 and deliver the fluid 14 from the return inlet 54. As the drive gear 202 and the idler gear 204 rotate within the pump chamber 206, the fluid 14 within the gear cavities 212 moves along the inner surface 214 of the pump chamber 206, moves to the outlet port 92 of the return outlet 100, and is delivered to the storage section 18.

[0042] Referring again to FIGS. 15-26, according to various aspects of the device, the delivery inlet 120 and the delivery outlet 122 can 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 can each be positioned within the return surface 112 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 can be positioned across the center of the pump cover 104. This central 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 is typically positioned in an offset orientation and on the opposite side of the pump cover 104 with respect to the delivery inlet 120 and the delivery outlet 122.

[0043] Referring back to FIGS. 1-26, the fluid pump 10 can include a motor portion or motor housing 160, a delivery pump element 26, and a return pump element 30. The 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, the drive shaft 34, the delivery pump element 26, and the return pump element 30 are all housed within the housing 22. The 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 fluid 14 from the reservoir 18 to the drive unit 12. The return pump element 30 is configured to deliver 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 positioned. Accordingly, the number of collection portions 16 within the collection assembly 15 can vary, as well as the design of the return pump element 30.

[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 15 - 19, using the axial flow cavities 236 defined between the spline assembly 220 of the drive shaft 34 and the drive gears 202 and internal gears 134 of the return pump element 30 and the delivery pump element 26, respectively, fluid 14 can be moved along the drive shaft 34 and toward the PCB 162. Additionally, as the fluid 14 moves through the spline assembly 220 and toward the PCB 162, the circulation space 240 between the outer surface 242 of the rotor 40 and the inner surface 244 of the stator 38 can be used to deliver the fluid 14 toward the delivery portion 24 and the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10. In this way, as the fluid 14 moves along the spline assembly 220 and toward the PCB 162, the heat 88 from the motor 32 and the PCB 162 is absorbed by the fluid 14. The fluid 14 and the heat 88 currently being absorbed are transferred away from the motor 32 and away from the PCB 162 through the directed movement of the fluid 14. The fluid 14 and the heat 88 are then returned to the delivery portion 24 via the circulation space 240. The fluid 14 can then be reintegrated into the primary flow of the fluid 14 through the delivery portion 24 or through the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10.

[0045] Additionally, the motor housing 160 can include a specific heat dissipation mechanism 250, such as a heat sink, heat dissipation fins, or other heat transfer portions that can be used to release the heat 88 accumulated within the PCB 162. Using the heat dissipation mechanism 250 and the fluid 14 that moves through the spline assembly 220 and the circulation space 240, the heat 88 can be extracted from the PCB 162 and moved to the area outside of the fluid pump 10. In this way, the motor 32 for the PCB 162 and the fluid pump 10 can be maintained within a specific temperature range.

[0046] To enable reintegration of the fluid 14 returning from the circulation space 240 near the PCB 162 and into the flow of the fluid 14 through the delivery portion 24 of the fluid pump 10, one or more suction ports 260 may be defined proximate to the delivery inlet 120 of the fluid pump 10. Thus, the suction 72 created by the delivery pump element 26 draws fluid 14 not only from the reservoir 18 but also from the circulation space 240 within the motor housing 160. Also, it is contemplated that this fluid 14 from the motor housing 160 can be integrated into the remainder of the fluid 14 and through the inlet fluid pump 10 at other locations within the delivery portion 24 or the return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10.

[0047] In certain aspects of the device, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 - 16 and FIGS. 21 - 22, the delivery pump element 26 can include a suction port 260 that contemplates a dual fill configuration. In this dual fill configuration, the delivery pump element 26 can use the suction 72 to draw fluid 14 into the fluid chamber 138 from opposite sides of the generating rotor 130. Using this configuration, the suction port 260 can also provide a path through which fluid 14 from the circulation space 240 can return and enter the delivery portion 24 of the fluid pump 10.

[0048] In one aspect of the device, the fluid 14 from the motor housing 160 can be integrated into the primary flow of the fluid 14 from the circulation space 240 at the delivery outlet 122 of the fluid pump 10 such that the pressure created by the delivery pump element 26 pushes the fluid 14 from the delivery pump element 26, as well as the fluid 14 from the motor housing 160, out towards the pump outlet and towards the drive unit 12. This configuration of the fluid pump 10 is intended to facilitate a continuous flow of the fluid 14 through the motor housing 160 to extract heat 88 from the PCB 162 as well as the motor 32, maintaining the motor 32 and the PCB 162 at a relatively constant temperature through the operation of the fluid pump 10.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 13 - 14 and 20, each of the drive gear 202 for the return pump element 30 and the pump body 132 for the delivery pump element 26 can include a bearing support portion 270 that extends along a dedicated portion of the drive shaft 34. As described herein, the engagement between the drive shaft 34 and these bearing support portions 270 can at least partially define an axial flow cavity 236 along the spline assembly 220 and that supports the flow of fluid 14 between the return portion 28, the delivery portion 24, and the motor housing 160. Additionally, these bearing support portions 270 provide axial support to the drive shaft 34 to minimize wear on the components of the motor 32 and the fluid pump 10. The bearing support portion 270 for the delivery pump element 26 is housed within the same pump body 132 on which the delivery pump element 26 rides internally. In this way, the bearing support portion 270 of the pump body 132 defines a sleeve 272 through which the drive shaft 34 extends and through the internal gear 134 for the delivery pump element 26. Similarly, the bearing support portion 270 for the return pump element 30 is housed within the same transplant housing 108 on which the return pump element 30 rides internally. At least a portion of the bearing support portion 270 is defined within a portion of the drive gear 202 for the return pump element 30 and within the transplant housing 108 that houses the return pump element 30. The transplant housing 108 defines a sleeve 272 that surrounds the bearing support portion 270 of the drive gear 202. This configuration allows the bearing support portion 270 of the drive gear 202 to ride within the sleeve 272 of the transplant housing 108. These bearing support portions 270, as described herein, provide multiple support points to the drive shaft 34 as the drive shaft 34 rotates within the fluid pump 10 and provide multiple fluid flow functions within the fluid pump 10.

[0050] Referring back to FIGS. 13 - 14 and FIG. 20, the configuration of the bearing supports 270 of the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30 allows the internal gear 134 of the generating rotor 130 and the drive gear 202 of the gear pump 200 to be aligned within the fluid pump 10 and within the respective delivery and return portions 24, 28 of the housing 22. This configuration can be used to reduce the occurrence and constraint of the coupling of the components of the delivery and return pump elements 26, 30. Additionally, this configuration reduces the need for tight tolerances within and between the components of the fluid pump 10.

[0051] Referring back to FIGS. 21 - 26, a portion of the pump body 132 can include a pressure side port 280 positioned proximate the high pressure side of the delivery pump element 26. This pressure side port 280 delivers fluid 14 toward the drive shaft 34 during operation of the motor 32. This movement of the fluid 14 enables the movement of the fluid 14 toward the drive shaft 34 and the spline assembly 220 of the drive shaft 34. The opening through the pump body 132 that receives and supports the drive shaft 34 can include an oil supply 282 that allows a minimal amount of fluid 14 to move from the pressure side port 280 and along the spline assembly 220 to the motor housing 160 and to the delivery portion 24 and return portion 28 of the fluid pump 10.

[0052] Referring back to FIGS. 15 - 16, the spline assembly 220 of the drive shaft 34 extends through each of the delivery pump element 26 and the return pump element 30. As described herein, this spline assembly 220 extends through both of these assemblies and is elongated to provide for the movement of fluid 14 along the spline assembly 220 of the drive shaft 34. Through this spline assembly 220, a single motor 32 can rotate a single drive shaft 34 that operates a plurality of drive elements to achieve the delivery and return functions of the fluid pump 10, as described herein.

[0053] The invention disclosed in this specification is further summarized in the following paragraphs and is further characterized by any and all combinations of the various aspects described herein.

[0054] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, 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 operatively coupled to a drive shaft that extends from the motor and through the delivery portion and the return portion. A delivery pump element is disposed within the delivery portion and is coupled to the drive shaft. A return pump element is disposed within the return portion of the housing and is coupled to the drive shaft, and the operation of the motor operates 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, and the return pump element is configured to deliver fluid from a collection assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir.

[0055] According to yet another aspect, a portion of the fluid is delivered from the delivery pump element and along the splines of the drive shaft to lubricate the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

[0056] According to yet another aspect, the operation of the motor simultaneously operates the delivery pump element and the return pump element to deliver fluid between the reservoir, the drive unit, and the collection assembly.

[0057] According to yet another aspect, the delivery pump element is a generating rotor.

[0058] According to yet another aspect, the collection assembly includes a plurality of collection portions.

[0059] According to yet another aspect, the return pump element is a gear pump that includes a drive gear that meshes with at least one idler gear.

[0060] According to yet another aspect, the drive shaft extends through and is operatively engaged with the internal gear of the generating rotor for the delivery pump element and the drive gear of the gear pump for the return pump element.

[0061] According to another aspect, the delivery portion of the housing and the return portion of the housing each define a sleeve that surrounds a separate portion of the drive shaft and facilitates the delivery of fluid along the drive shaft.

[0062] According to yet another aspect, the delivery portion includes a pump body that includes the delivery pump element, and the pump body includes a pressure side port that is positioned proximate to the high pressure side of the delivery pump element to deliver fluid toward the drive shaft.

[0063] According to yet another aspect, during operation of the drive shaft, the delivery pump element delivers fluid from the pressure side port and along the spline of the drive shaft to lubricate at least the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

[0064] According to yet another aspect, the motor portion of the housing includes a heat discharge mechanism that directs heat from the printed circuit board to an area outside the housing.

[0065] According to yet another aspect, the spline delivers fluid into the motor portion and at least around the rotor of the motor to absorb heat from the motor and from the printed circuit board positioned in communication with the motor portion, and the fluid and heat are delivered away from the motor portion.

[0066] According to yet another aspect, the gear pump includes dedicated mesh points that are arranged in communication with respective collection portions of the collection assembly for the return pump element, and the dedicated mesh points correspond to the respective collection portions.

[0067] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid pump includes a housing, a motor disposed within a motor portion of the housing, a delivery pump element disposed within a delivery portion of the housing, and a return pump element disposed within a return portion of the housing. A drive shaft is coupled to each of the delivery pump element and the return pump element, and operation of the motor simultaneously operates 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, and the return pump element is configured to deliver fluid from a collection assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir.

[0068] According to yet another aspect, a portion of the fluid is delivered from the delivery pump element and along splines of the drive shaft to lubricate the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

[0069] According to yet another aspect, the delivery pump element is a generating rotor.

[0070] According to yet another aspect, the collection assembly includes a plurality of collection portions.

[0071] According to yet another aspect, the return pump element is a gear pump including a drive gear meshing with at least one idle gear.

[0072] According to yet another aspect, the gear pump includes a plurality of mesh points, and each mesh point of the plurality of mesh points is configured to generate a suction portion for drawing fluid from the collection assembly into the return pump element.

[0073] According to yet another aspect, each mesh point of the plurality of mesh points of the gear pump corresponds to a respective collection portion of the collection assembly.

[0074] According to yet another aspect, the drive unit includes a first collection portion and a second collection portion of the collection assembly respectively corresponding to a first mesh point of the gear pump and a second mesh point of the gear pump.

[0075] In yet another aspect, the drive shaft extends through and is operatively engaged with an internal gear of the generating rotor for the delivery pump element and a drive gear of the gear pump for the return pump element.

[0076] In yet another aspect, the delivery portion of the housing and the return portion of the housing each define a sleeve that surrounds a respective portion of the drive shaft and facilitates the delivery of fluid along the drive shaft.

[0077] In yet another aspect, the delivery portion includes a pump body that includes the delivery pump element, and the pump body includes a pressure side port that is positioned proximate to the high pressure side of the delivery pump element for delivering fluid toward the drive shaft.

[0078] In yet another aspect, during operation of the drive shaft, the delivery pump element delivers fluid from the pressure side port and along the spline of the drive shaft to lubricate at least the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

[0079] In yet another aspect, the motor portion of the housing includes a heat discharge mechanism that directs heat from the printed circuit board to an area outside the housing.

[0080] In yet another aspect, the spline delivers fluid into the motor portion and at least around the generating rotor of the motor to absorb heat from the motor and from the printed circuit board positioned in communication with the motor portion, and the fluid and heat are delivered away from the motor portion.

[0081] In yet another aspect, the gear pump includes a dedicated mesh point that is disposed in communication with each collection portion of the collection assembly, and the dedicated mesh point corresponds to each collection portion of the collection assembly that corresponds between each collection portion of the collection assembly.

[0082] According to yet another aspect, the fluid in the delivery portion of the housing is maintained separately from the fluid in the return portion of the housing.

[0083] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the fluid pump includes a housing, a motor disposed within the motor portion of the housing, a delivery pump element disposed within the delivery portion of the housing, a return pump element disposed within the return portion of the housing, and a drive shaft having splines. The drive shaft extends from the rotor of the motor to each of the delivery pump element and the return pump element. The operation of the motor simultaneously operates the delivery pump element and the return pump element via the drive shaft. The delivery pump element is configured to deliver fluid from the reservoir to the drive unit. The return pump element is configured to deliver fluid from the collection assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir. During operation of the motor, the splines deliver a portion of the fluid into the motor portion and at least around the rotor of the motor to absorb heat from the printed circuit board positioned in communication with the motor and the motor portion.

[0084] According to yet another aspect, the operation of the delivery pump element delivers a portion of the fluid and the collected heat away from the motor portion and through the delivery portion of the housing.

[0085] According to yet another aspect, the splines also deliver a portion of the fluid to lubricate the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

[0086] According to yet another aspect, the delivery pump element is a generating rotor.

[0087] According to yet another aspect, the collection assembly includes a plurality of collection portions.

[0088] According to yet another aspect, the return pump element is a gear pump including a drive gear meshing with at least one idler gear.

[0089] According to yet another aspect, the gear pump includes a plurality of mesh points, and each mesh point of the plurality of mesh points is configured to generate a suction portion for drawing fluid from the collection assembly back into the return pump element.

[0090] According to yet another aspect, each mesh point of the plurality of mesh points of the gear pump corresponds to a respective collection portion of the collection assembly.

[0091] According to yet another aspect, the drive unit includes a first collection portion and a second collection portion of the collection assembly that respectively correspond to a first mesh point of the gear pump and a second mesh point of the gear pump.

[0092] According to yet another aspect, the drive shaft extends through and is operably engaged with an internal gear of a generating rotor for the delivery pump element and a drive gear of the gear pump for the return pump element.

[0093] According to yet another aspect, the delivery portion of the housing and the return portion of the housing each define a sleeve that surrounds a separate portion of the drive shaft and facilitates the delivery of fluid along the drive shaft.

[0094] According to yet another aspect, the delivery portion includes a pump body that includes a delivery pump element, and the pump body includes a pressure side port that is positioned proximate to the high pressure side of the delivery pump element for delivering fluid toward the drive shaft.

[0095] According to yet another aspect, during operation of the drive shaft, the delivery pump element delivers fluid from the pressure side port and along the spline of the drive shaft to lubricate at least the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

[0096] According to yet another aspect, the motor portion of the housing includes a heat dissipation mechanism that directs heat from the printed circuit board to an area outside the housing.

[0097] It should also be understood that changes and modifications can be made to the above-described structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further, such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless they are otherwise expressly recited in those claims by their language.

Claims

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 and operatively 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 causes the delivery pump element and the return pump element to operate via the drive shaft, the delivery pump element 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 according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the fluid is delivered from the delivery pump element and along a spline of the drive shaft to lubricate the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

3. The fluid pump according to claim 1 or 2, wherein operation of the motor causes the delivery pump element and the return pump element to operate simultaneously to deliver the fluid between the reservoir, the drive unit, and the collection assembly.

4. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the delivery pump element is a generating rotor.

5. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the collection assembly includes a plurality of collection portions.

6. The fluid pump according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the return pump element is a gear pump including a drive gear meshing with at least one idler gear.

7. The fluid pump according to claim 6, wherein the drive shaft extends through and operatively engages an internal gear of the generating rotor for the delivery pump element and the drive gear of the gear pump for the return pump element.

8. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the delivery portion of the housing and the return portion of the housing each define a sleeve surrounding a separate portion of the drive shaft and facilitating delivery of the fluid along the drive shaft.

9. The fluid pump according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the delivery portion includes a pump body that houses the delivery pump element, and the pump body includes a pressure side port positioned proximate to the high pressure side of the delivery pump element for delivering the fluid toward the drive shaft.

10. The fluid pump according to claim 9, wherein during operation of the drive shaft, the delivery pump element delivers the fluid from the pressure side port and along the spline of the drive shaft to lubricate at least the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

11. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the motor portion of the housing includes a heat discharge mechanism that directs heat from a printed circuit board to a region outside the housing.

12. The fluid pump according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the spline delivers the fluid into the motor portion and at least around the rotor of the motor to absorb heat from the motor and from a printed circuit board positioned in communication with the motor portion, and the fluid and the heat are delivered away from the motor portion.

13. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the gear pump includes a dedicated mesh point that disposes the return pump element in communication with each collection portion of the collection assembly, and the dedicated mesh point corresponds to each collection portion.

14. A fluid pump, comprising: a housing; a motor disposed within a motor portion of the housing; a delivery pump element disposed within a delivery portion of the housing; a return pump disposed within a return portion of the housing, wherein a drive shaft is coupled to each of the delivery pump element and the return pump element, and operation of the motor simultaneously operates 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, and the return pump element is configured to deliver the fluid from a collection assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir.

15. The fluid pump according to claim 14, wherein a portion of the fluid is delivered from the delivery pump element and along the spline of the drive shaft to lubricate the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

16. The fluid pump according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the delivery pump element is a generating rotor.

17. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the collection assembly includes a plurality of collection parts.

18. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the return pump element is a gear pump including a drive gear meshing with at least one idler gear.

19. The fluid pump according to claim 18, wherein the gear pump includes a plurality of mesh points, and each mesh point of the plurality of mesh points is configured to generate a suction portion for drawing the fluid from the collection assembly into the return pump element.

20. The fluid pump according to claim 19, wherein each mesh point of the plurality of mesh points of the gear pump corresponds to a respective collection part of the collection assembly.

21. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the drive unit includes a first collection part and a second collection part of the collection assembly respectively corresponding to a first mesh point of the gear pump and a second mesh point of the gear pump.

22. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the drive shaft extends through and is operably engaged with an internal gear of a generating rotor for the delivery pump element and the drive gear of the gear pump for the return pump element.

23. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein the delivery portion of the housing and the return portion of the housing each surround a separate portion of the drive shaft and define a sleeve that facilitates the delivery of the fluid along the drive shaft.

24. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the delivery portion includes a pump body that houses the delivery pump element, and the pump body includes a pressure-side port positioned proximate to a high-pressure side of the delivery pump element for delivering the fluid toward the drive shaft.

25. During operation of the drive shaft, the delivery pump element delivers the fluid from the pressure side port and along the spline of the drive shaft to lubricate at least the delivery pump element and the return pump element. The fluid pump according to claim 24.

26. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 14 to 25, wherein the motor portion of the housing includes a heat discharge mechanism that directs heat from the printed circuit board to a region outside the housing.

27. The spline delivers the fluid into the motor portion and at least around the generated rotor of the motor to absorb heat from the motor and from the printed circuit board positioned in communication with the motor portion, and the fluid and the heat are delivered away from the motor portion. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 15 to 26.

28. The gear pump includes a dedicated mesh point that disposes the return pump element in communication with each collection portion of the collection assembly, and the dedicated mesh point corresponds to each collection portion corresponding to the collection portions between the collection portions of the collection assembly. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 18 to 27.

29. The fluid in the delivery portion of the housing is maintained separately from the fluid in the return portion of the housing. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 14 to 28.

30. A fluid pump, A housing, A motor disposed within the motor portion of the housing, A delivery pump element disposed within the delivery portion of the housing, A return pump element disposed within the return portion of the housing, A drive shaft having a spline, the drive shaft extending from the rotor of the motor to each of the delivery pump element and the return pump element. The operation of the motor simultaneously operates 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 the fluid from the collection assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir. During operation of the motor, the spline delivers a portion of the fluid into the motor portion and at least around the rotor of the motor to absorb heat from a printed circuit board positioned in communication with the motor and the motor portion. A fluid pump.

31. The fluid pump according to claim 30, wherein the operation of the delivery pump element delivers the portion of the fluid and the collected heat away from the motor portion through the delivery portion of the housing.

32. The fluid pump according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the spline also delivers the portion of the fluid to lubricate the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

33. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein the delivery pump element is a generating rotor.

34. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein the collection assembly includes a plurality of collection portions.

35. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 33 or 34, wherein the return pump element is a gear pump including a drive gear meshing with at least one idler gear.

36. The fluid pump according to claim 35, wherein the gear pump includes a plurality of mesh points, and each mesh point of the plurality of mesh points is configured to generate a suction portion for drawing fluid from the collection assembly into the return pump element.

37. The fluid pump according to claim 36, wherein each mesh point of the plurality of mesh points of the gear pump corresponds to a respective collection portion of the collection assembly.

38. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 35 to 37, wherein the drive unit includes a first collection portion and a second collection portion of the collection assembly corresponding to a first mesh point of the gear pump and a second mesh point of the gear pump, respectively.

39. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 35 to 38, wherein the drive shaft extends through and is operably engaged with an internal gear of the generating rotor for the delivery pump element and the drive gear of the gear pump for the return pump element.

40. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 30 to 39, wherein the delivery portion of the housing and the return portion of the housing each define a sleeve that surrounds a separate portion of the drive shaft and promotes the delivery of the fluid along the drive shaft.

41. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 32 to 40, wherein the delivery portion includes a pump body that houses the delivery pump element, and the pump body includes a pressure side port positioned proximate the high pressure side of the delivery pump element for delivering the fluid toward the drive shaft.

42. The fluid pump according to claim 41, wherein during operation of the drive shaft, the delivery pump element delivers the fluid from the pressure side port and along the spline of the drive shaft to lubricate at least the delivery pump element and the return pump element.

43. The fluid pump according to any one of claims 30 to 42, wherein the motor portion of the housing includes a heat discharge mechanism that directs the heat from the printed circuit board to a region outside the housing.

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