Coolant Pump Inlet Channel Flow Homogeneity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coolant pumps for internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving a homogeneous flow to the impeller while minimizing installation space, as existing designs often require significant axial extension and do not guarantee uniform flow distribution.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates flow-influencing elements, such as bulges and guide ribs, within the inlet channel to distribute coolant evenly across the flow cross-section, ensuring a homogeneous and efficient flow to the impeller, reducing the axial extent of the pump and minimizing installation space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If an inlet channel running essentially normal to the axis of rotation is used, then the axial extent of the pump is reduced, but the flow homogeneity to the impeller is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet channel is configured to run essentially normal to the axis of rotation instead of parallel to it, changing the flow direction from axial to radial. This dimensional change allows the pump to achieve compact axial dimensions while the flow-influencing elements ensure proper flow distribution across the impeller circumference
Solution Approach 2:
Flow-influencing elements such as guide ribs and flow distributors are introduced as intermediary components within the inlet channel. These elements act as mediators that redirect and distribute the coolant flow evenly across the entire circumference of the impeller suction mouth, compensating for the non-axial inlet channel configuration
2Stability of the object's composition
If flow-influencing elements are added to the inlet channel, then flow homogeneity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of redesigning the entire inlet channel structure, flow-influencing elements are added only in specific locations where flow distribution is needed. The guide ribs are positioned at the inlet, and flow distributors are placed near the impeller suction mouth, applying local modifications to achieve global flow homogeneity without increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-influencing elements modify flow parameters such as velocity distribution and flow direction within the inlet channel. By changing these parameters locally through guide ribs and distributors, the patent achieves homogeneous flow distribution without requiring a complete restructuring of the pump architecture
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution achieves a uniform, twist-free flow to the impeller, optimizing performance and efficiency across various operating conditions by distributing coolant evenly over the impeller's circumference, reducing installation space and ensuring consistent operation.
Implementation Method 1
The flow in the inlet channel is evenly distributed over the entire available flow cross section by the at least one flow-influencing element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6a
AI summary
The invention relates to a coolant pump (4) for an internal combustion engine (1), having a housing (5) which has a housing cover (6) and in which an impeller (8) is arranged which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (7) and has a suction nozzle (19). The housing (5) forms at least one intake channel (18) substantially normal with respect to the axis of rotation (7), in order to guide coolant from a lateral pump inlet (15) spaced apart from the rotary shaft (7) to the suction nozzle (19), wherein the intake channel (18) has at least one element (20, 21) which influences the flow. In order to take up very little installation space and to enable a homogeneous flow onto the impeller, according to the invention the at least one element (20, 21) which influences the flow - viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation (7) - is arranged in the region of a longitudinal central axis (18') of the intake channel (18) preferably normal with respect to the axis of rotation (7) and/or extending through the axis of rotation (7).