US 10,240,617 B2Granted

Water pump bearing with active condensate purging system

AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG

InventorVigel Russalian

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Abstract

A coolant pump with an integrated shaft bearing (ISB) assembly is provided. The ISB has a bearing housing, and at least one bearing located therein supports a shaft. A bearing seal is connected to the bearing housing at a first axial end and contacts the shaft, and a vent cover is also located at the first axial end to define a vent space between it and the bearing seal. A seal assembly is located between the shaft and the vent cover. A vent insert is located in the vent space and connected for rotation with the shaft. Venting air enters via a vent space inlet connected to the vent space, and is exhausted by a vent space outlet. A generally annular collection cavity is located inside the vent space and connected to the vent space outlet. This allows for active purging of condensate or coolant leakage to protect the bearing.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A coolant pump comprising:

a pump housing;
an integrated shaft bearing assembly located in the pump housing, including:
a bearing housing;
at least one bearing located in the bearing housing that supports a shaft that extends through the bearing housing;
a bearing seal connected to the bearing housing at a first axial end and contacting the shaft;
a vent cover located at the first axial end of the bearing housing, the vent cover extends toward the shaft and defines a vent space between the bearing seal and the vent cover;
a seal assembly located between the shaft and the vent cover;
a vent insert having a radially extending surface with first and second axial sides located in the vent space and connected for rotation with the shaft;
a vent space inlet connected to the vent space, and a vent space outlet connected to the vent space;
and
a generally annular collection cavity located inside the vent space and connected to the vent space outlet;
wherein the pump includes an inlet opening in communication with the vent space inlet and an outlet opening in communication with the vent space outlet.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.