Flow channel for an integrated pump with rotary valve
AssigneeCooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
InventorDavid S. Malone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid pump includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet. A cavity located in the pump housing receives the fluid from the fluid inlet. A first flow channel fluidically connects the cavity to the first fluid outlet. An impeller positioned in the cavity moves the fluid from the cavity at a first rate of fluid flow. A valve mounted between the impeller and the first flow channel is positionable to direct the fluid from the cavity at the first rate of fluid flow to enter the first fluid channel and exit the first fluid outlet at a second rate of fluid flow.
Claims17
A fluid pump comprising:
- a housing having a fluid inlet and at least a first fluid outlet;
- a cavity receiving the fluid from the fluid inlet;
- a first flow channel connecting the cavity to the first fluid outlet;
- an impeller located in the cavity for moving fluid from the cavity at a first rate of fluid flow;
- a valve coupled to an actuator mounted between the impeller and the first flow channel, the valve having a valve annular wall with an opening extending through the valve annular wall fluidically connecting the cavity to the first flow channel and an interior surface that is spirally voluted from a thicker wall section at a first end of the opening to a thinner wall section at a second end of the opening, wherein responsive to the actuator, the valve is positionable to direct the fluid from the cavity at the first rate of fluid flow to enter the first flow channel through the opening and exit the first fluid outlet at a second rate of fluid flow.
A method for producing a distributed rate of fluid flow from a fluid pump, the fluid pump having a fluid inlet and at least a first fluid outlet, the method comprising:
- receiving a fluid into a cavity contained in the pump from the fluid inlet;
- providing a first flow channel fluidically connecting the cavity to the first fluid outlet;
- pumping the fluid from the cavity at a first rate of fluid flow;
- and
- selectively directing the fluid from the cavity into the first flow channel using a valve having a valve annular wall with an opening extending through the valve annular wall that fluidically connects the cavity to the first flow channel and an interior surface that is spirally voluted from a thicker wall section at a first end of the opening to a thinner wall section at a second end of the opening, the valve mounted between the impeller and the first flow channel and coupled to an actuator, wherein responsive to the actuator, the valve is movable to direct the fluid from the cavity at the first rate of fluid flow to enter the first flow channel through the opening and exit the first fluid outlet at a second rate of fluid flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.