Variable Speed Pump Cooling Circuit Partition

Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for regulating the water flow rate in the cooling circuit of internal combustion engines, such as those using electric motors or electromagnetic couplings, are inefficient, costly, and unreliable, particularly for heavy industrial vehicles, as they either consume excessive energy or fail to maintain engine safety in case of component failure.

Innovation Solution

A device that modulates the water flow rate by varying the conditions at the pump inlet through a partition mechanism, allowing water to flow through either an axial or tangential path, thereby adjusting the pump's delivery flow rate without altering the impeller's speed, ensuring efficient operation and reliability even in case of partition failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an electric motor with adjustable speed is used to drive the pump impeller shaft, then the delivery flow rate can be regulated according to engine operating conditions, but the energy consumption increases and the reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery flow rate regulationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system uses the engine's own mechanical power through the driving shaft to drive the pump, eliminating the need for an external electric motor. The pump regulates its own delivery flow rate by varying impeller speed through the electromagnetic coupling, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional energy consumption from separate power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electric motor-driven mechanical system with an engine-coupled mechanical system. Instead of using an electric motor to drive the pump, the system uses the engine's rotating shaft directly connected to the pump through an electromagnetic coupling, substituting electrical energy conversion with direct mechanical energy transfer from the engine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 3:

The patent changes the speed parameter of the impeller by using an electromagnetic coupling that allows variable speed transmission from the engine shaft. This enables the pump to regulate delivery flow rate by varying impeller speed according to engine operating conditions, maintaining adaptability while avoiding the energy losses of electric motor conversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If an electric motor with adjustable speed is used to drive the pump impeller shaft, then the delivery flow rate can be regulated according to engine operating conditions, but the reliability decreases due to potential motor failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery flow rate regulationVSAvoidpump operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system uses the engine's own mechanical power through the driving shaft to drive the pump, eliminating the need for an external electric motor. The pump regulates its own delivery flow rate by varying impeller speed through the electromagnetic coupling, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional energy consumption from separate power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electric motor-driven mechanical system with an engine-coupled mechanical system. Instead of using an electric motor to drive the pump, the system uses the engine's rotating shaft directly connected to the pump through an electromagnetic coupling, substituting electrical energy conversion with direct mechanical energy transfer from the engine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 3:

The patent changes the speed parameter of the impeller by using an electromagnetic coupling that allows variable speed transmission from the engine shaft. This enables the pump to regulate delivery flow rate by varying impeller speed according to engine operating conditions, maintaining adaptability while avoiding the energy losses of electric motor conversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If an electromagnetic coupling is used between the driving shaft and pump impeller shaft, then the reliability improves, but the cost and energy efficiency worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump operation reliabilityVSAvoidenergy transmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic coupling allows dynamic adjustment of the speed transmission ratio between the driving shaft and impeller shaft. The coupling can slip or vary its transmission characteristics based on operating conditions, enabling the system to optimize energy transmission efficiency while maintaining reliable operation. This dynamic capability allows the pump to operate at optimal efficiency points across different load conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the speed parameter of the impeller by using an electromagnetic coupling that allows variable speed transmission from the engine shaft. This enables the pump to regulate delivery flow rate by varying impeller speed according to engine operating conditions, maintaining adaptability while avoiding the energy losses of electric motor conversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides a high-efficiency, cost-effective, and reliable water circulation system that maintains engine safety by adjusting the flow rate according to engine conditions, reducing power absorption and ensuring continuous operation even if the partition mechanism fails.

Implementation Method 1

An alternative known solution provides the use of an electromagnetic coupling between the pulley driven by the driving shaft by means of a mechanical transmission and the rotating shaft of the impeller of the hydraulic pump.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9341103B2Device for water circulation in a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2016.05.17 FPT IND SPA

AI summary

The present invention refers to a device (1) for water circulation in a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine (3). The device comprises a pump and a suction chamber (8) which develop in a circular way around the axis of the pump impeller. The device comprises also a water manifold (50) that can be connected to the outlet of a radiator (40) of said cooling circuit. The device comprises a first duct (5) connected to the manifold and a first opening (5′) which defines an axial inlet for said first flow in said chamber (8). The device comprises also a second duct (6) connected to the manifold (50) and to the suction chamber (8′) by means of a second opening (6′). The latter defines a tangential intake for water, so that it is subject to a rotation around the axis of the impeller. The device further comprises flow rate partition means (9) suitable to vary the flow rate of the water circulating in both ducts (5,6) as a function of the operating conditions of said engine.