# US 2017/0254332 A1 · Vacuum pump > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0254332 A1 - Document ID: US20170254332A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/598,346 - Filed: 2017-05-18 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-17 - Assignees: Wabco Automotive UK Limited - Applicants: WABCO Automotive UK Limited - Inventors: David Heaps; Simon Warner; John Hegarty - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170254332A1 ## CPC - F04C 29/02: Lubrication (of machines or engines in general F01M); Lubricant separation (separation in general B01D) - F04C 29/021: {Control systems for the circulation of the lubricant} - F04C 29/023: {Lubricant distribution through a hollow driving shaft (F04C29/025 takes precedence)} - F04C 18/344: with vanes reciprocating with respect to the inner member - F04C 25/02: for producing high vacuum (sealing arrangements F04C27/00; silencing F04C29/06) - F04C 29/0071: {Couplings between rotors and input or output shafts acting by interengaging or mating parts, i.e. positive coupling of rotor and shaft} - F04C 2220/10: Vacuum - F04C 2240/20: Rotors - F04C: ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS (engines F03C); ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS ## Abstract An automotive vacuum pump includes a casing defining a cavity, the casing having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the cavity contains a rotor extending through a side of the casing to the exterior thereof and being provided with a coupling arrangement to couple the rotor to a drive member. The vacuum pump is provided with a lubrication conduit for the supply of lubricating fluid to the coupling arrangement from within the vacuum pump. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automotive vacuum pump, the vacuum pump comprising: a casing defining a cavity, the casing having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the cavity contains a rotor extending through a side of the casing to the exterior thereof and being provided with a coupling arrangement to couple the rotor to a drive member, wherein the vacuum pump is provided with a lubrication conduit for the supply of lubricating fluid to the coupling arrangement from within the vacuum pump. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein a portion of the lubrication conduit extends through the coupling arrangement and is aligned parallel with the axis of rotation of the rotor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 2 wherein the portion of the lubrication conduit extending through the coupling arrangement is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the rotor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first section of the portion of the lubrication conduit extending through the rotor is aligned parallel with the axis of rotation of the rotor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first section of the portion of the lubrication conduit extending through the rotor is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the rotor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 4 wherein a second section of the portion of the lubrication conduit which extends through the rotor is provided in a direction which is transverse to the axis of rotation of the rotor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 6 wherein the second section extends radially from the first section to the exterior of the rotor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in any of claim 6 wherein the rotor is provided with a groove which extends at least partially around the periphery thereof, wherein second section is connected to the groove. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 8 wherein the groove extends fully around the periphery of the rotor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lubrication conduit includes a portion which extends through the casing of the vacuum pump between a lubrication fluid inlet and a first location which is in communication with a portion of the lubrication conduit which extends through the rotor and the coupling arrangement. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 10 wherein the first location is a space defined between the rotor and the casing, through which space the groove of the rotor passes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 10 wherein the lubrication fluid inlet is provided in a same side of the casing as that through which the rotor extends. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coupling arrangement is connected to the rotor by a connecting member which extends though the coupling arrangement and into the rotor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 13 wherein the connecting member is at least partially located within a portion of the lubrication conduit which extends through the rotor and the coupling arrangement. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 13 wherein the connecting member is provided upon its outer surface with formations which, in use, promote the flow of lubricating fluid. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) An automotive vacuum pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pump is provided with a single vane that is slidably mounted in a slot that extends fully across the rotor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A vehicle engine having a vacuum pump as claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A vehicle having an engine including a vacuum pump as claimed in claim 1.