Variable Geometry Coolant Pump for Hybrid Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional internal combustion machines face challenges in efficiently adapting coolant flow through cooling systems, particularly during non-operation of the combustion engine, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to dependency on mechanically driven pumps and expensive electrically driven pumps in hybrid vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An internal combustion machine with a cooling system that includes a mechanically driven coolant pump, a heating heat exchanger, a bypass, and a regulating device with an actuator for controlled coolant distribution based on local coolant temperature, allowing for adaptive coolant flow through various components, including the use of an electric motor to drive the coolant pump during engine non-operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a mechanically driven coolant pump is used, then the construction is simple and production cost-effective, but the coolant pump delivery is over-dimensioned at high rotational speeds and inadequate at low rotational speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a variable geometry impeller design where the blade angle can be dynamically adjusted during operation. This allows the pump to adapt its delivery characteristics to match different operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between simple mechanical construction and adaptable coolant flow control across varying rotational speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the impeller blades through adjustable blade angles. By modifying this physical parameter, the pump can optimize its performance for different rotational speeds, enabling adequate delivery at low speeds while preventing over-dimensioning at high speeds, all within a mechanically driven system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an electrically driven coolant pump is used in hybrid vehicles, then the coolant flow can be adapted during engine non-operation, but the construction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the mechanically driven coolant pump to serve itself by using engine-driven motion to adjust the impeller blade angle. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for separate electric motors or complex electronic control systems, achieving adaptable coolant flow during engine non-operation while maintaining mechanical construction simplicity and avoiding increased production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanically driven coolant pump is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides coolant circulation during engine operation and maintains circulation during engine non-operation through its variable geometry capability. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate electric pumps in hybrid vehicles, reducing overall system cost while maintaining adaptability.
3Productivity
If the coolant pump is over-dimensioned for low rotational speeds, then adequate delivery is achieved at low speeds, but the delivery is excessive at high rotational speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The variable geometry impeller allows the pump to dynamically adjust its delivery characteristics. At low rotational speeds, the blade angle is positioned to maximize delivery efficiency, ensuring adequate coolant flow. At high rotational speeds, the blade angle adjusts to reduce delivery, preventing energy waste from excessive coolant circulation and optimizing system efficiency across the entire operating range.
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 enables efficient coolant flow adaptation, reducing waste heat transport and maintaining interior heating functionality without engine operation, while improving cooling output at low rotational speeds, allowing for higher compression ratios and reduced fuel consumption in hybrid vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
absorbs heat energy from components integrated in the cooling circuit, in particular a combustion engine and an oil cooler and/or a charge air cooler
Implementation Method 2
This heat energy is subsequently discharged in an ambient heat exchanger, the so-called main (water) cooler or radiator
Implementation Method 3
through the use of a thermostat-controlled valve the coolant is either conducted via the large or the small cooling circuit. This takes place as a function of the temperature of the coolant
Implementation Method 4
the main cooler, i.e. the ambient heat exchanger in which the coolant is mainly cooled by way of a heat transfer to the ambient air
Implementation Method 5
in a heating heat exchanger to the ambient air, in the case of the heating heat exchanger to the ambient air provided for a climate control of the interior of the motor vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion machine includes a combustion engine and a cooling system with a coolant pump, a main cooler, a heating heat exchanger, a bypass bypassing the heating heat exchanger, coolant channels, and a regulating device with an actuator for distributing a coolant depending on at least one local coolant temperature. When the actuator is actuated in a given direction, the regulating device allows a coolant flow through the combustion engine and the heating heat exchanger and prevents a coolant flow through the bypass and the main cooler in a first position; additionally allows a coolant flow through the bypass in a second position; and additionally allows a coolant flow through the main cooler in a third position. In a zero position which lies before the first position, the regulating device prevents a coolant flow through the combustion engine and allows a coolant flow through the heating heat exchanger.