Screw Pump Cooling Circuit With Valve-Free Constant Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling circuits in vehicles rely on centrifugal pumps that require proportional valves and suffer from inconsistent flow rates and latency times, and additional centrifugal pumps complicate the system.

Innovation Solution

A screw pump with a ferromagnetic rotor and electrical coils is used, eliminating the need for proportional valves and ensuring a flow rate proportional to engine speed, featuring screws made of plastic or composite materials for reduced weight and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a centrifugal pump is used in the cooling circuit, then the pump can circulate coolant, but the flow rate is not constant and requires additional proportional valves to regulate flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate constancyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the proportional valve from the system by using a screw pump that inherently provides constant flow rate without requiring external flow regulation components. The screw pump's positive displacement mechanism self-regulates flow, removing the need for the proportional valve shown in Figure 1.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The screw pump provides self-regulating constant flow rate through its inherent positive displacement mechanism, without requiring external control systems or additional components. The pump automatically maintains consistent flow based on its mechanical design, making the system self-sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of time

If a centrifugal pump is used in the cooling circuit, then the pump can circulate coolant, but there is latency time between stopping the pump and cancellation of flow rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelatency timeVSAvoidresponse speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the latency issue by using a screw pump that stops flow immediately when powered down. The positive displacement mechanism ensures that when the drive motor stops, the screws stop moving and flow ceases instantly, removing the latency problem inherent in centrifugal pumps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If centrifugal pumps are used for both main and auxiliary pumping functions, then the system can provide multiple pumping capabilities, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepumping capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the screw pump multi-functional by enabling it to perform both main cooling circuit pumping and auxiliary pumping functions. The pump's design allows it to be strategically positioned and controlled to serve multiple purposes, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary centrifugal pumps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple pumping functions into a single screw pump system. By strategically positioning the pump and using appropriate control logic, one pump performs both primary coolant circulation and auxiliary functions that would traditionally require separate pumps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Strength

If screws are made of metal, then the screws provide structural strength, but the pump weight increases and production cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrew strengthVSAvoidpump weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials, specifically plastic or polymer materials, to manufacture the screws instead of traditional metals. These composite materials provide sufficient structural strength for pump operation while significantly reducing weight and manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adopts plastic screws that are cheaper to manufacture and lighter in weight compared to metal screws. While plastic may have different durability characteristics, it provides adequate service life for pump application and offers significant advantages in cost and weight reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 screw pump provides a constant flow rate proportional to engine speed, reduces system complexity, and offers compact size, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness compared to centrifugal pumps.

Implementation Method 1

electrical coils arranged around the second axis and said rotor and configured to be electrically powered in order to rotate said rotor around the second axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

this rotor being made of ferromagnetic material or comprising elements in this material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Implementation Method 3

screws meshed with each other and at least one of which is rotatable about a first axis and configured to force the circulation of liquid from the inlet to the outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3816419B1Screw pump and a cooling circuit of a vehicle presenting such a pump
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3816419B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3816419B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3816419B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Screw pump (26), in particular for a cooling circuit (24) of a vehicle, this screw pump comprising: - screws (28, 30) meshed with each other and of which at least one (30) is rotatable about a first axis (B) and configured to force the circulation of liquid from the inlet to the outlet, when the screw rotates about this first axis (B), and - an electric motor (32) for rotating said at least one rotating screw, this motor comprising: - a cylindrical rotor (33) which extends about a second axis (B) as well as about said screws (28, 30), and - electric coils (32a) arranged about the second axis (A) and about said rotor and configured to be electrically supplied in order to drive said rotor in rotation about the second axis (A).