Integrated Water and Refrigerant Pump Layout to Prevent Cavitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for work vehicles, including internal combustion engine, electric, and hybrid vehicles, face inefficiencies in heat management due to separate and complex layouts of water and refrigerant pumps, which can lead to increased energy consumption and potential cavitation issues.
Innovation Solution
A multi-pump apparatus integrating a main housing with a motor shaft, a water pump, and a refrigerant pump, where both pumps are driven by the motor shaft, and a pressure reducer and primary heat exchanger are used to efficiently manage coolant and refrigerant flow, simplifying the cooling system and preventing cavitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate water pump and refrigerant pump layouts are used, then each pump can be independently positioned, but the system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water pump and refrigerant pump into a single integrated pump unit with a common housing and shared drive mechanism. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall pump layout while maintaining the ability to independently control each pump's operation through separate impellers and fluid passages.
2Ease of operation
If separate water pump and refrigerant pump layouts are used, then each pump can be independently positioned, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated pump design allows both pumps to share a common drive source and housing structure, reducing redundant components and energy losses. The shared motor and transmission system improve overall energy efficiency while still enabling independent operation of each pump through separate control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If complex pump layouts are used, then independent positioning is achieved, but cavitation issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated pump housing design optimizes fluid flow paths and suction conditions for both pumps, reducing the risk of cavitation. The common housing structure allows for better sealing and pressure management, while the shared drive system ensures synchronized operation that prevents cavitation-prone 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 integrated multi-pump apparatus enhances cooling efficiency by optimizing pump operation, reducing energy consumption, and preventing cavitation, while allowing for different rotational speeds of the water and refrigerant pumps, thus improving the overall cooling system's performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure reducer receives the refrigerant from the refrigerant pump and is operable to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant so as to decrease the temperature thereof
Implementation Method 2
The second unit of the primary heat exchanger is positioned downstream of the vehicle component. The second unit of the primary heat exchanger is operable to absorb heat from the vehicle component and to discharge heat to the first unit of the primary heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
The condenser is positioned downstream of the first unit of the primary heat exchanger and is operable to cool the refrigerant into liquid form
Implementation Method 4
The water pump is coupled to the first housing portion and is operable to pump coolant. The water pump is driven by the motor shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-pump apparatus of a work vehicle may include a main housing, a motor shaft, a water pump, and a refrigerant pump. The main housing has a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled to the first housing portion. The motor shaft is positioned through the first housing portion. The water pump is coupled to the first housing portion and is operable to pump coolant. The water pump is driven by the motor shaft. The refrigerant pump is coupled to the second housing portion and is operable to pump refrigerant. The refrigerant pump is also driven by the motor shaft.