Engine Cooling Pump Assembly With Dual-Drive Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current recirculation pumps for heat engines lack versatility in cooling fluid flow rate control, leading to unnecessary wear and energy consumption, as they operate at constant full speed regardless of engine conditions or outside temperature.
Innovation Solution
A pump assembly with a hydraulic pump, pulley, and electric motor interconnected via a planetary gear train and electromagnetic clutches, allowing independent control of cooling based on crankshaft speed and enabling energy generation or supplementation during different vehicle conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional recirculation pump with belt-driven shaft is used, then the pump can be driven by the crankshaft, but the pump operates at constant full speed regardless of cooling needs, causing unnecessary wear and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system transitions from static constant-speed operation to dynamic variable-speed control through the integration of an electric motor that can independently adjust the pump shaft rotation speed based on actual cooling requirements, engine load, and operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor integrated in the pump assembly serves multiple functions: it can drive the pump independently when the engine is off or at low speed, supplement the belt-driven system when additional cooling is needed, and potentially generate electrical energy during regenerative braking scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If an electric motor is integrated in the pump assembly, then independent cooling control is achieved, but the device complexity increases with additional components like planetary gear train and electromagnetic clutches
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is integrated directly in the pump assembly with the impeller shaft, merging the motor and pump into a single compact unit. The planetary gear train combines speed reduction and torque multiplication functions in one mechanism, while electromagnetic clutches merge magnetic field control with mechanical power transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary gear train acts as an intermediary mechanism between the electric motor and the pump shaft, providing smooth torque transmission and speed reduction. Electromagnetic clutches serve as intermediaries for engaging or disengaging power transmission paths without mechanical contact
3Reliability
If the pump is driven solely by the crankshaft via belt and pulley, then the structure is simple, but the pump cannot provide appropriate cooling when the engine is switched off or running at low speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between belt-driven operation (when engine speed is sufficient) and electric motor-driven operation (when engine is off or at low speed), ensuring continuous reliable cooling adaptation to all operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The power transmission system is segmented into two independent paths: the traditional belt-pulley-crankshaft path and the new electric motor-direct drive path, allowing selective engagement of the appropriate path based on operating conditions
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
The solution allows for efficient cooling control independent of crankshaft speed, reducing wear and energy consumption, and facilitates regenerative braking by converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, while eliminating the need for a thermostatic valve.
Implementation Method 1
a first electromagnetic clutch adapted to connect or disconnect the pulley with the pump shaft
Implementation Method 2
The electric motor is connected to the pump shaft by means of a planetary gear train configured to make a reduction of at least 3:1 between the electric motor and the pump shaft
Implementation Method 3
the electric motor controls the cooling of the heat engine independently of a relative speed of rotation of the crankshaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A pump assembly (GP) for recirculating a cooling fluid of a heat engine, comprising a pump body (CT), an impeller (PW) carried by a driven shaft (SH), adapted to be associated with a cooling circuit of the heat engine; a pulley (PL) adapted to be dragged into rotation by the heat engine, a first friction reversible clutch (C1), adapted to connect/disconnect said pulley to/from said driven shaft (SH), an electric motor (EM) associated with said driven shaft (SH) for guiding the impeller (PW) into rotation, a planetary gear train (EPC) having an inlet (R) operatively associated with said electric motor (EM), a first outlet (CR) associated with said driven shaft (SH) and a second outlet (RG) and a second friction reversible clutch (C2), independent of said first friction reversible clutch (C1) adapted to block said second outlet with respect to said pump body (CT).