Multi-stage impeller assembly for variable coolant flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water pumps in stationary or vehicular engines often overcool the engine by maintaining constant coolant flow, which is unnecessary at higher engine speeds, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A pump impeller assembly with a movable second impeller portion that adjusts its rotational engagement with a first impeller portion based on fluid properties like pressure or temperature, using an actuator to reduce coolant flow when not needed, thereby optimizing coolant delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the water pump maintains constant coolant flow regardless of engine speed, then the engine is sufficiently cooled in worst-case conditions, but coolant flow is excessive at higher engine speeds leading to overcooling
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller assembly is designed with a movable second impeller portion that can dynamically adjust its rotational engagement with the first impeller portion based on fluid pressure feedback. This dynamic adjustment allows the pump to vary coolant flow rate according to actual engine cooling needs, transitioning from constant flow to variable flow operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where fluid pressure (indicative of cooling system state) controls the engagement level of the second impeller portion. The actuator responds to pressure changes to adjust impeller engagement, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically matches coolant flow to actual cooling requirements.
2Productivity
If a movable second impeller portion is added to adjust coolant flow, then coolant flow can be optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is divided into two distinct portions: a first impeller portion that remains stationary relative to the pump housing and a second impeller portion that is movable. This segmentation allows independent control of each portion's engagement level, enabling fine-tuned adjustment of coolant flow while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The second impeller portion is designed to be automatically controlled by fluid pressure through the actuator, eliminating the need for external sensors, controllers, or complex actuation mechanisms. The system self-regulates coolant flow based on pressure feedback, reducing device complexity while maintaining optimization capability.
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 reduces coolant flow when not required, leading to more efficient engine operation, lower emissions, and potential cost savings by minimizing the size and weight of cooling system components.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator that is operatively connected to the second impeller portion and is configured to drive movement of the second impeller portion between the more-rotationally engaged position and the less-rotationally engaged position based on a fluid property. The fluid property may, for example, be a pressure of the fluid.
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect, there is provided a pump impeller assembly that includes a first impeller portion arranged to drive a fluid through a fluid conduit, a second impeller portion movable between a more-rotationally engaged position in which the second impeller portion has a first amount of rotational engagement with the first impeller portion, and a less-rotationally engaged position in which the second impeller portion has a second amount of rotational engagement with the first impeller portion that is less than the first amount of rotational engagement, and an actuator operatively connected to the second impeller portion and configured to drive movement of the second impeller portion between the more-rotationally engaged position and the less-rotationally engaged position based on a fluid property.