PUMP ASSEMBLY.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- MX2023003495
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2020-10-26
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-09-27
AI Technical Summary
Existing pump assemblies for vehicle cooling systems, particularly those with electric drives, struggle to effectively cool the electric motor, stator, and other electronic components, with prior solutions often failing to provide comprehensive cooling.
The pump assembly incorporates a thermally conductive resin, which is applied as a film or layer on key surfaces and chambers, facilitating conductive cooling of the electric motor, stator, and electronic control components, while also utilizing oil for convection cooling, thereby enhancing heat transfer and reducing thermal insulation.
The solution provides efficient cooling of all electronic components by conducting heat away effectively, ensuring uniform temperature and compact design, while maintaining power and allowing flexible placement within vehicles.
Smart Images

Figure MX431070B0
Abstract
Description
PUMP ASSEMBLY BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a set of pumps for a vehicle cooling system. In the course of describing the present invention, the term vehicle means any means of locomotion comprising an internal combustion engine and also hybrid propulsion vehicles, without any limitation related to type or size, i.e., a motor vehicle or an articulated vehicle. In other words, the present invention relates to the automotive sector and in detail to the thermal management system of a vehicle. Specifically, this cooling system is designed to cool an operational assembly of the vehicle. Specifically, in the invention of interest, an operating assembly means a component or set of components specific to the execution of a specific operation necessary for the movement of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the operating assembly comprises the motor assembly, for example, of an internal combustion or electric type. In other configurations, the operating assembly comprises other vehicle components, both mechanical, such as a transmission assembly, and electrical, such as a battery assembly included in the vehicle. In the state of the art, many types of pumping assemblies for a cooling system of an operating assembly are known, which differ from each other in terms of size and type of drive. Specifically, the pumping assembly of the present invention falls within this context, having an electrical drive. In other words, the pump assembly of the present invention comprises at least one electric motor that controls the rotational movement of the impeller included therein, thus controlling the CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi movement of the coolant liquid that circulates in the cooling system to which the connectable pump assembly is fluidly attached. Furthermore, a plurality of technical solutions for pump assemblies comprising an electric drive are known, where the main problem of this type of pump assembly has been found, namely, the need to effectively cool the electric motor of the pump assembly and its related components. Specifically, there are known pump assemblies where the coolant in the impeller housing is also used to cool the electric motor and its related components. In particular, the prior art shows interest in utilizing the coolant to cool the impeller rotor. Furthermore, there are known types of pump assemblies that also address the problem related to stator cooling. In some models, the pumping assemblies have been designed to promote the cooling of the stator towards the external environment. In other configurations, however, a certain amount of oil is provided in the stator chamber to cool the housing by convection. An example of such a pump assembly solution is shown, for instance, in document W02020 / 07562, submitted by the applicant. On the other hand, these methods have effective cooling of the rotor and / or stator, but they do not effectively cool the other parts of the pump assembly. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a pump assembly for a cooling system for an operating assembly of a vehicle that has effective cooling of all electronic control components, overcoming the problems mentioned above. This object is achieved by means of a pump assembly in accordance with claim 1. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments with other advantageous aspects. CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The object of the present invention is described in detail below, with the help of the accompanying drawings, where: - Figure 1 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a pump assembly according to the present invention, in accordance with a first possible embodiment, wherein a film of thermally conductive resin is shown on a surface of the motor; - Figure 2 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a pump assembly according to the present invention, in accordance with a second possible embodiment, wherein a film of thermally conductive resin on a motor surface and a film / layer of resin on a tubular stator surface are shown; - Figure 3 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a pump assembly according to the present invention, in accordance with a third possible embodiment, wherein a film of thermally conductive resin on a motor surface and a film / layer of resin on a tubular stator surface are shown in a resin film on a second separating wall; - Figure 4 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a pump assembly according to the present invention, in accordance with a fourth possible embodiment, wherein a quantity of thermally conductive resin fills a stator chamber and a control chamber; - Figure 5 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a pump assembly according to the present invention, in accordance with a fifth possible embodiment, wherein a layer of thermally conductive resin is shown on a motor surface; - Figure 6 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a pump assembly according to the present invention, in accordance with a sixth possible embodiment, wherein a quantity of thermally conductive resin and conventional oil fill a stator chamber and a control chamber; CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi - Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of a portion of a pump assembly shown in Figure 1. In the figures above, reference 1 designates, in its entirety, a pump assembly for a cooling system of an operating assembly of a vehicle, preferably for the cooling of the engine assembly, for example of the internal combustion type. The pump assembly 1 that is the subject of the present invention extends mainly in length with respect to an axis XX. The pump assembly 1 of the present invention comprises an impeller 2 that rotates about said axis XX. In other words, said impeller 2 has a center of rotation located on said axis XX. Preferably, impeller 2 is of a radial type and has a special shape to perform a suction action of the coolant preferably in the axial direction and to perform a thrust action preferably in the radial direction. In particular, the coolant is a water-based liquid, for example a solution comprising water and glycol, which circulates in the vehicle's cooling system to which the pump assembly 1, the object of the present invention, is fluidically connectable. According to the present invention, the pump assembly 1 comprises a shaft 3 extending in length along the X-X axis. Preferably, said shaft 3 comprises a rotating end 32 on which the impeller 2 is integrally mounted. According to the present invention, the pump assembly 1 comprises an electric motor 4 suitable for rotating the shaft 3. The electric motor 4 comprises a rotor 41 and a stator 42. According to a preferred embodiment, the rotor 41 and stator 42 are arranged concentrically with respect to the XX axis. CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi According to the present invention, the rotor 41 is integrally mounted, for example keyed, on said shaft 3: the rotation of shaft 3 and in turn of the impeller 2 corresponds to the electronically controlled rotation of the rotor 41. The stator 42 surrounds the rotor 41 axially and circumferentially. In particular, the stator 42 comprises a plurality of stator coils forming a stator. According to the present invention, the pump assembly 1 comprises a pump body 6 extending parallel to and primarily around the XX axis. The pump body 6 is suitable for housing the various operating components of the pump assembly 1 and is suitable for fluid connection to the vehicle's cooling system. According to the present invention, the pump body 6 comprises along the XX axis: - a first housing 61 that houses the impeller 2 in an impeller chamber 610; - a second housing 62 where the electric motor 4 is housed in a motor chamber 620; in particular, the motor chamber 620 houses the rotor 41 and the stator 42. According to the present invention, the second housing 62 comprises an intermediate tubular wall 625 extending parallel to the X-X axis located between the rotor 41 and the stator 42. The intermediate tubular wall 625 divides a rotor chamber 621 and a stator chamber 622 in the second housing 62. In other words, the motor chamber 620 is divided into a rotor chamber 621 and a stator chamber 622. Preferably, the rotor chamber 621 and the stator chamber 622 are closely separated from each other. According to a preferred embodiment, said first housing 61, and particularly the impeller chamber 610 included therein, is fluidly connected with the cooling system ducts where the coolant flows. According to the present invention, the first housing 61 and the second housing 62 are separated by a first separating wall 624. Said first separating wall 624 axially defines and hermetically seals the motor chamber 620. CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi In particular, according to the invention, said first separating wall 624 comprises a driving surface 628 axially oriented towards the impeller 2, and comprises a motor surface 629 axially oriented towards the electric motor 4. In other words, the impeller surface 628 axially delimits the impeller chamber 610, while the motor surface 629 axially delimits the motor chamber 620. Preferably, said first separation wall 624 is contained within the first housing 61. In an alternative embodiment, the first separation wall 624 is contained within the second housing 62. In another embodiment, the first separating wall 624 consists of a part contained in the first housing 61 and a part contained in the second housing 62. Preferably, the first partition wall 624 is traversed and supports shaft 3. According to a preferred embodiment, the first separating wall 624 comprises at least one cooling hole 624' suitable for putting the rotor chamber 621 into fluid communication with the impeller chamber 610 in such a way as to allow the coolant to flow also into said impeller chamber 610. In other words, the cooling hole 624' passes through the first separating wall 624. According to a preferred embodiment, shaft 3 comprises an axial hole 300 that extends mainly along shaft XX. Preferably, the coolant flows into said axial hole 300. Preferably, the axial hole 300 passes along axis 3. According to a preferred embodiment, the pump assembly 6 comprises a third housing 63, in which an electronic control board 5 is housed in a control chamber 630. CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi According to a preferred embodiment, the third housing 63 and the second housing 62 delimit an auxiliary cooling chamber 631 fluidly connected to the rotor chamber 621, such that said auxiliary cooling chamber 631 is also reached by coolant. Specifically, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the second partition wall 623 comprises a central portion 6231 facing the control panel 5 in a region close to the auxiliary cooling chamber 631. According to a preferred embodiment, the second housing 62 and the third housing 63 are separated by a second partition wall 623. In other words, the command chamber 630 and the stator chamber 622 are separated by a second separating wall 623. This second separating wall 623, together with the first separating wall 624, axially defines and hermetically seals the motor chamber 620. In a first preferred embodiment, the second separating wall 623 is contained within the second housing 62. In a second preferred embodiment, the second separating wall 623 is comprised in the third housing 61. In another embodiment, the second separating wall 623 consists of a part included in the second housing 62 and a part included in the third housing 63. According to a preferred embodiment, said second separating wall 623 comprises at least one fluid passage suitable for fluidly connecting the stator chamber 622 and the control chamber 630. In a preferred embodiment, the second housing 62 comprises an annular side wall 627 extending parallel to the XX axis. This side wall 627 also radially defines the motor chamber 620, preferably the stator chamber 622. Preferably, the side wall 627 is securely coupled with the first partition wall 624 and the second partition wall 623. CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi As mentioned above, the second housing 62 comprises an intermediate tubular wall 625 extending parallel to the XX axis positioned between the rotor 41 and the stator 42 dividing the motor chamber 620 into a rotor chamber 621 and a stator chamber 622. According to a preferred embodiment, the intermediate tube wall 625 comprises a stator tube surface 626, radially facing the stator 42, and comprises a rotor tube surface 626' radially facing the rotor 41. According to a preferred embodiment, the intermediate tubular wall 625 extends along the XX axis comprising a first end 625' proximal to the first housing 61, preferably firmly engaging the first separating wall 624, preferably the motor surface 629, and comprises a second opposite end 625. Preferably, said second end 625 is fitted to the bottom of the second housing 62. Preferably, said second end 625 is close to the third housing 62, hermetically sealing the second separation wall 623. According to a preferred embodiment, the intermediate tube wall 625, particularly its first end 625', divides the motor surface 629 into at least two distinct surfaces. Specifically, the intermediate tube wall 625 divides the first separating wall 624, and particularly the motor surface 629, into a rotor portion 6291 facing axially to the rotor 41, and a stator portion 6292 facing axially to the stator 42. In other words, the surface of the motor 629 comprises said rotor portion 6291 and said stator portion 6292. According to the present invention, the pump assembly 1 comprises a thermally conductive resin. Preferably, this thermally conductive resin is a thermally conductive epoxy resin. CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi Preferably, such a thermally conductive resin is two-component, for example, made of polydimethylsiloxane. Specifically, the thermally conductive resin has high thermal conductivity and is therefore suitable for creating a preferential thermal vector in the pump body 6. In other words, the positioning of the thermally conductive resin facilitates the conductive cooling of the electric motor 4. According to the present invention, said thermally conductive resin covers at least partially the surface of the motor 629, comprised in the first separating wall 624, so that it cools the stator chamber 622 by conduction. In particular, the first separating wall 624, particularly the impeller surface 628, is wetted and cooled by the coolant. At the same time, the first separating wall 624 also comprises the stator portion 6292 opposite the stator chamber 629. Therefore, the heat produced by stator 62 heats said portion of stator 6292. Accordingly, between the surface of the impeller 628 and the stator portion 6292 there is a temperature gradient and the thermally conductive resin creates a preferential thermal vector that influences the temperature gradient, in such a way that it directs it. In other words, the heat developed by the stator 62 and present in the stator chamber 620 is the object of the thermal vector carried out by the thermally conductive resin, and is therefore transmitted by conduction through the first separation wall 624, from the stator chamber 620 to the impeller chamber 610. According to a preferred embodiment, the thermally conductive resin at least partially covers the tubular surface of the stator 626 in such a way that it cools the stator chamber 620 by conduction. In particular, in the intermediate tube wall 625 there is a temperature gradient between the stator tube surface 626, heated by the heat present in the CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi stator chamber 622, and the rotor tubular surface 626', cooled by the coolant flowing in the rotor chamber 621. Heat transfer occurs by conduction through the intermediate tubular wall 625 from the stator chamber 622 to the rotor chamber 621 and the presence of the thermally conductive resin facilitates this heat exchange. According to another preferred embodiment, the thermally conductive resin covers at least partially the second separating wall 623 in such a way as to cool the control chamber 630 by conduction. In a preferred embodiment, the electronic control panel 5 is housed in the control chamber 630 in a region close to the second partition wall 624. In a preferred modality variant, the electronic control board 5 is anchored, for example screwed or glued, to the second partition wall 623. In a preferred embodiment, the thermally conductive resin is placed between the second separation wall 623 and the electronic control board 5. This optimizes the conduction of heat present in the control chamber 630 through the second separating wall 623. In other words, the electronic control board 5 is cooled more effectively, thanks to the presence of the thermally conductive resin that coats this second separating wall 623. In a preferred embodiment, the electronic control board 5 is anchored, for example screwed or glued, to the second partition wall 623 and the thermally conductive resin is also placed around said electronic control board 5. According to a preferred embodiment, the thermally conductive resin at least partially covers the central portion 6231 facing the control chamber 630, so that it cools the control chamber 630 by convection. In particular, at this point there is a temperature gradient between the central part 6231, heated by the heat produced by the electronic control board 5, and the auxiliary cooling chamber 631, cooled by the coolant. CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi In other words, the electronic control board 5 is cooled more effectively, to an even greater degree. According to a preferred embodiment, in the aforementioned embodiments, the thermally conductive resin is positioned on the aforementioned walls in the form of a film. In other words, the thermally conductive resin is placed with a minimum thickness on the walls in question. In other modalities, the thermally conductive resin is placed on the aforementioned walls and surfaces in the form of a layer. Unlike the previous version, which is in film form, it therefore has a greater thickness. Specifically, the thermally conductive resin has a thickness such that it is in contact on one side with the respective wall on which it is positioned and on the other side with a surface included in the wall, for example a surface of the stator. According to a preferred embodiment, for example shown in Figure 2, the thermally conductive resin is positioned so that it axially contacts the motor surface 629 and the upper surface of the stator 41, for example the entire upper surface of the various stator coils. According to a preferred embodiment, the thermally conductive resin is positioned so as to make radial contact with the tubular surface of the stator 626 and the inner surface of said stator 41. In these preferred configurations, the presence of the thermally conductive resin is such that it transmits heat directly through it, connecting and bringing the respective walls and surfaces into contact. In other words, the presence of air between the walls and surfaces in question is eliminated. According to a preferred embodiment, air is present in the stator chamber 622 and, preferably, in the control chamber 630, except for the areas where the thermally conductive resin is present. CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi In a preferred embodiment, the stator chamber 622 and, preferably, the control chamber 630 are filled with oil, so that they cool the stator 62 and, preferably, the electronic control board 5, respectively, by convection. In other words, the oil moistens the areas where the thermally conductive resin is present. Therefore, the stator 62 and, preferably, the electronic control board 5 are in an oil bath. Furthermore, said oil is in contact with the thermally conductive resin and transmits by convection the heat present in said stator chamber 622 and, preferably, in said control chamber 630, to the thermally conductive resin. In other words, the cooling of all electronic components is further improved, thanks to the combined presence of oil and thermally conductive resin. In one embodiment, the oil is present in the stator chamber 622 and in the command chamber 630 in such an amount that it touches the thermally conductive resin in any orientation of the pump assembly inside the vehicle. Preferably, the oil is of the dielectric type, that is, it does not allow the conduction of electric current in it. Preferably, the third housing 63 comprises a closing cover 635 suitable for hermetically sealing the control chamber 630, in which the electronic control board 5 is housed. In a third preferred embodiment, the stator chamber 622 and, preferably, the control chamber 630 are completely filled with thermally conductive resin. In other words, the stator 62 and, preferably, the electronic control board 5 are immersed in the thermally conductive resin. In this way, the cooling of all the electronic components is further improved, thanks to the presence of a thermally conductive resin that completely covers the stator 62 and, preferably, the electronic control board 5. CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi According to a preferred embodiment, it is noted that the second separating wall 623 comprises at least one fluid passage 623' suitable for fluidly connecting the stator chamber 622 and the control chamber 630. Preferably, said fluid passage 623' is suitable to promote heat exchange between the stator chamber 622 and the control chamber 630. Preferably, this heat exchange is directed through the thermally conductive resin or through the oil. According to a preferred embodiment, the thermally conductive resin is placed on the desired walls, or placed inside the desired chambers in a substantially liquid form, to then be polymerized and subsequently solidified. According to a preferred embodiment, the liquid thermal conductive resin has a viscosity of less than 1700 mPa*s (or 1700 cP). According to a preferred embodiment, the thermally conductive resin has a conductivity greater than 0.3 W / mK, preferably 0.5 W / mK. According to a preferred embodiment, the thermally conductive resin has the fastest possible polymerization time. Preferably, the fluidized thermally conductive resin polymerizes between 25 and 50°C in a time between 3 and 20 minutes. According to a preferred embodiment, the polymerized thermally conductive resin is substantially rubbery, i.e., it is not rigid. In accordance with this preferred embodiment, the thermally conductive resin acts as a vibration damping element, preferably being of a rubbery nature. In an innovative way, the pump assembly fully fulfills its intended purpose by overcoming the typical problems of the prior art. Advantageously, the pump assembly comprises a thermally conductive resin that coats the surfaces of the pump body near the components that are CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi heat up, and particularly the stator, rotor and control electronics, favoring by conduction the cooling of these components, favoring the exchange of heat between these high temperature components and the "hydraulic part" of the pump body. Advantageously, the heat produced by the electronic components is effectively conducted and transmitted through the thermally conductive resin. Advantageously, the combined presence of oil and thermally conductive resin allows for enhanced cooling of the heated components, favoring convective cooling of said components. Advantageously, the thermally conductive resin is such that it dampens vibrations. Advantageously, the pump assembly of the present invention greatly reduces the insulating effect typically caused by air gaps. Advantageously, it eliminates the possibility of the air acting as an insulating barrier against the heat produced by the stator and / or the control panel. Advantageously, the presence of the stator chamber and the control chamber completely filled with conductive resin allows for enhanced cooling of the components being heated, favoring conduction cooling of said components. Advantageously, the thermally conductive resin allows the pump assembly to operate at a uniform temperature. Advantageously, the presence of oil in the stator and drive chambers also contributes to uniform temperature control. Advantageously, the pump assembly of the present invention, with the same dimensions as a known pump assembly, has greater power. Advantageously, the pump assembly of the present invention, with the same power as a known pump assembly, has more compact dimensions. Advantageously, the pump assembly can be positioned inside a vehicle in any spatial position. CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi Therefore, it will be clear to a person skilled in the art that changes can be made to the invention described above in order to satisfy incidental needs, all within the scope of protection defined in the following claims.
Claims
1. A pump assembly (1), for a cooling system of an operating assembly, such as a vehicle engine assembly, extending with respect to a shaft (XX), comprising: i) an impeller (2) rotating about the shaft (XX); ii) a shaft (3) extending along the shaft (XX) operatively connected to the impeller (2); iii) an electric motor (4) comprising a rotor (41) integral with the shaft (3) and a stator (42) axially and circumferentially surrounding the rotor (41); iv) a pump body (6) comprising, in accordance with the shaft (XX): - a first housing (61) in which the impeller (2) is housed in a pump chamber (610) in which coolant circulates;- a second housing (62) in which the electric motor (4) is housed in a motor chamber (620), wherein the second housing (62) comprises an intermediate tubular wall (625), extending parallel to the shaft (XX) positioned between the rotor (41) and the stator (42) so that a rotor chamber (621) and a stator chamber (622) are defined and mutually sealed in the motor chamber (620), wherein the first housing (61) and the second housing (62) are separated by a first separating wall (624) comprising a driving surface (628) axially oriented towards the impeller (2) and a motor surface (629) axially oriented towards the electric motor (4);- a third housing (63) in which an electronic control board (5) is housed in a control chamber (630), wherein the second housing (62) and the third housing (63) are fluidly and watertightly separated by a second separating wall (623), which axially delimits the motor chamber (620), and the electronic control board (5) is housed in an area close to the second separating wall (623); wherein the intermediate tubular wall (625) is sealed to the first separating wall (624) and the second separating wall (623);wherein the pump assembly (1) comprises a thermally conductive resin that at least partially coats the surface of the motor (629), for cooling the stator chamber (622) by conduction through the surface of the motor (629) and at least partially coats said second partition (623), for cooling the control chamber (630) by conduction through said second partition wall (623), wherein the thermally conductive resin is located between the second partition wall (623) and the electronic control board (5). CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi; 2. The pump assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the motor surface (629) comprises a rotor portion (6291) axially facing the rotor (41), and comprises a stator portion (6292) axially facing the stator (42), wherein the thermally conductive resin covers at least part of the stator portion (6292) to cool the stator chamber (622) by conduction through the motor portion (6292).
3. The pump assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate tubular wall (625) comprises a stator tubular surface (626) radially facing the stator (42) and comprises a rotor tubular surface (627) radially facing the rotor (41), wherein the thermally conductive resin covers at least part of said stator tubular surface (626).
4. The pump assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor chamber (621) is fluidly connected to the impeller chamber (61) and wherein the third housing (63) and the second housing (62) delimit an auxiliary cooling chamber (631) fluidly connected to the rotor chamber (621) such that said auxiliary cooling chamber (631) is also fluidly reached by the coolant.
5. The pump assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein the second separating wall (623) comprises a central portion (6231) facing the control panel (5) in an area close to the auxiliary cooling chamber (631), wherein the conductive resin covers at least part of said central portion (6231) to cool the control chamber (630) by conduction through said central portion (6231).
6. The pump assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the thermally conductive resin also acts as a vibration damping element, being preferably of a rubbery nature.
7. The pump assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stator chamber (622) is filled with an amount of oil to cool the stator (42) by convection.
8. The pump assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control chamber (630) is filled with a quantity of oil to cool the electronic control board (5) by convection. CRbcnn / eznz / E / YiAi 9. The pump assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein the third housing (63) comprises a closing cover (635) that hermetically seals the control chamber (630).
10. The pump assembly (1) according to claims 7 to 9, wherein the oil is of the dielectric type.
11. The pump assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the thermally conductive resin disposed on said walls and surfaces is in the form of a film.
12. The pump assembly (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the thermally conductive resin placed on said walls and surfaces is in the form of a layer of such thickness that on one side it is in contact with the respective wall where it is placed and on the other side with a surface comprising the facing component, for example, a stator surface.
13. The pump assembly (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the stator chamber (622) is filled with thermally conductive resin.
14. The pump assembly (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control chamber (630) is filled with thermally conductive resin.
15. The pump assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a second separating wall (623) comprises at least one fluid passage (623') suitable for fluidly connecting the stator chamber (622) to the control chamber (630).