Dual-Actuator Coolant Pump Hydraulic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complexity and cost issues in modern thermal management systems for internal combustion engines, particularly with multiple coolant circuits, lead to reliability concerns and non-uniform fail-safe modes due to independent components and wiring, which can cause consequential damage.
Innovation Solution
A compact coolant pump design with two hydraulic actuators connected to a shared hydraulic control circuit, allowing for independent control of two delivery circuits using the same control pressure, ensuring a fail-safe mode by aligning actuator responses in case of failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If auxiliary water pumps and water valves with actuators are provided in a branched pipe network to enable independent pumping and demand-based distribution, then the freedom in design of thermal management is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hydraulic actuators (first hydraulic actuator for main delivery circuit and second hydraulic actuator for secondary delivery circuit) into a single integrated coolant pump housing, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary pumps and valves. This merging reduces component count and system complexity while maintaining independent control capability for different thermal management circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The single coolant pump housing is designed to perform multiple functions: it can independently control flow to the main delivery circuit, secondary delivery circuit, or both simultaneously through its dual hydraulic actuators. This multi-functional design provides thermal management flexibility without requiring separate dedicated pumps for each circuit
2Adaptability or versatility
If auxiliary water pumps and water valves with actuators are provided in a branched pipe network to enable independent pumping and demand-based distribution, then the freedom in design of thermal management is improved, but the cost of components and installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single pump housing with integrated hydraulic actuators, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and installed. This consolidation lowers component costs and installation expenses while maintaining design flexibility
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent components and wiring are used for multiple coolant circuits, then the control flexibility is improved, but the reliability decreases due to susceptibility to interference and non-uniform fail-safe modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hydraulic actuators into a single integrated pump housing with a common hydraulic control circuit, eliminating the need for separate wiring harnesses and decentralized actuators. This integration reduces susceptibility to electrical interference and cable failures while maintaining independent control capability through hydraulic actuation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic fluid as an intermediary medium to transmit control signals to both actuators, replacing electrical wiring and electronic actuators. This hydraulic mediation provides inherent immunity to electrical interference and eliminates cable-related failure modes while preserving independent control of different coolant circuits
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 design reduces component costs and wiring complexity, ensures a fail-safe operation by maintaining aligned actuator responses, and allows for precise control of both delivery circuits, enhancing the reliability and flexibility of thermal management systems.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic control circuit derived from the coolant with an inlet-side auxiliary pump, an outlet-side proportional valve and a control spool as a hydraulic actuator for limiting the flow rate of the main delivery circuit
Implementation Method 2
an inlet-side auxiliary pump...in the hydraulic control circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mechanically driven coolant pump having a controllable delivery rate for a main delivery circuit from a first outlet and for a secondary delivery circuit from a second outlet of the coolant pump, said coolant pump comprising, among other things, a hydraulic control circuit (5) which is derived from the coolant pump and has an input-side auxiliary pump (6), an output-side proportional valve (7), and a control slide (8) as a hydraulic actuator for limiting the flow of the main delivery circuit, wherein a cylindrical portion of the control slide (8) can be axially displaced in the pump chamber (10) in order to radially shield the pump impeller (2), specifically by means of a pressure in the hydraulic control circuit (5) counter to a restoring force. The coolant pump is characterised in particular in that a control valve (9) is connected to the hydraulic control circuit (5) as a hydraulic actuator in order to limit the flow of the secondary delivery circuit, wherein actuations of the control slide (8) and of the control valve (9) are associated with pressure ranges in the hydraulic control circuit (5).