Impeller

Abstract

An impeller for use in a pump assembly for a fluid circuit of an engine of a vehicle comprises a plurality of projections provided at radially spaced locations relative to a rotational axis of the impeller, the impeller being rotatable relative to a housing of the pump assembly. The projections extend axially from a surface of the impeller and circumferentially about the rotational axis of the impeller. At least one of the projections is configured to be at least partially received in a recess provided in the housing such that a flow path is provided by the projection and the respective recess, wherein the flow path provides a tortuous flow route for fluid between an inlet and outlet of the pump assembly so as to restrict flow of fluid along said flow path and thereby minimise flow of fluid from the outlet back towards the inlet in a direction opposite to the intended direction of flow.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.