Dual mode cooling pump with over-running clutch
AssigneeBorgWarner Inc.
InventorDavid M. VanZuilen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
System for circulating the flow of coolant in a vehicle engine cooling system. A dual mode mechanism has an electric motor and an overrunning clutch mechanism which selectively rotate an impeller at a desired speed to circulate the coolant. The impeller is rotated by the electric motor, but can also be selectively rotated by the overrunning clutch mechanism. An electronic control can be utilized to selectively control the electric motor and overrunning clutch, together with control logic.
Claims21
A temperature control system for a vehicle cooling system comprising:
- a housing, said housing having an inlet and an outlet for ingress and egress of coolant;
- an impeller positioned in the housing for circulating the coolant in the vehicle cooling system;
- a dual mode device attached to said housing for rotating said impeller;
- said dual mode device comprising an electric motor and an overrunning clutch, both positioned to separately and selectively rotate said impeller.
A temperature control system for a vehicle cooling system comprising:
- a housing;
- an impeller shaft positioned in the housing;
- an impeller connected to the shaft for circulating the coolant in the vehicle cooling system;
- an overrunning clutch in the housing for rotating said impeller shaft;
- an electric motor positioned in said housing for rotating said impeller;
- and
- an ECU and control logic for selectively rotating said impeller by either said electric motor or said overrunning clutch.
A method for regulating the temperature of cooling fluid in a vehicle engine, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing an impeller activating device comprising:
- a housing;
- an impeller positioned in the housing for circulating the coolant in a vehicle cooling system;
- a dual mode device attached to said housing for rotating said impeller;
- said dual mode device comprising an electric motor and an overrunning clutch, both positioned to separately and selectively rotate said impeller;
- and
- selectively activating or not activating said dual mode device to rotate said impeller;
- and
- whereby the temperature of the cooling fluid is substantially maintained within a desired range of temperature.
A method for regulating the temperature of cooling fluid in a vehicle engine, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing an impeller activating device comprising:
- a housing, said housing having an inlet and an outlet for ingress and egress of coolant;
- an impeller positioned in the housing for circulating the coolant in a vehicle cooling system;
- an electric motor attached to said housing for rotating said impeller;
- an overrunning clutch mechanism in said housing for rotating said impeller;
- an ECU and control logic for selectively rotating or not rotating said impeller by said electric motor and for selectively engaging and disengaging operation of said overrunning clutch mechanism;
- selectively activating or not activating said electric motor to regulate the rotation speed of said impeller;
- and
- selectively engaging or disengaging said overrunning clutch mechanism to regulate the flow of coolant fluid through said housing;
- whereby the temperature of the cooling fluid is substantially maintained within a desired range of temperature.
A dual mode coolant pump assembly comprising:
- a pulley member which rotates at input speed;
- an overrunning clutch mechanism having an outer race member connected to said pulley member and having an axially moveable inner race member;
- a shaft member having a first end and a second end, said first end having a first set of helical splines thereon;
- an impeller member attached to said second end of said shaft member;
- said inner race member having an opening therein with a second set of helical splines thereon and is positioned on said first end of said shaft member;
- an electric motor connected adjacent to said second end of said shaft member for rotation of said shaft member and said impeller member;
- wherein coolant can be circulated for cooling a vehicle engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.