Patent Application
20230417240
The present disclosure relates generally to a gerotor pump, and more specifically to a hybrid module with a multi-gerotor pump.
Gerotor pumps are known. One example is shown and described in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/169,615 titled MOTOR-PUMP SYSTEM to Hrusch et al., hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.
Example embodiments broadly comprise a multi-gerotor pump including a shaft, rotatable about an axis, a first gerotor pump, a second gerotor pump, a housing, and a reservoir. The first gerotor pump has a first inner gerotor rotationally fixed to the shaft and the second gerotor pump has a second inner gerotor, axially offset from the first inner gerotor, and rotationally fixed to the shaft. The housing has a first gerotor pump inlet channel and a first gerotor pump outlet channel, and a second gerotor pump inlet channel and a second gerotor pump outlet channel. The first gerotor pump outlet channel and the second gerotor pump inlet channel are in fluid communication with the reservoir.
In some example embodiments, the multi-gerotor pump also includes an electric pump motor for rotating the shaft. In an example embodiment, the first gerotor pump also has a first outer gerotor, the electric pump motor is arranged to rotate the first outer gerotor, and the first outer gerotor is arranged to rotate the first inner gerotor to rotate the shaft.
In some example embodiments, the first gerotor pump is a scavenger pump for transporting oil from an outlet of a hybrid module to the reservoir, and the second gerotor pump is a cooling circuit pump for transporting the oil from the reservoir to a cooling circuit of the hybrid module. In an example embodiment, the scavenger pump has a larger pumping capacity than the cooling circuit pump. In an example embodiment, the cooling circuit has an oil cooler.
In an example embodiment, the first gerotor pump inlet channel and the first gerotor pump outlet channel are at least partially disposed axially between the first gerotor pump and the reservoir. In an example embodiment, the second gerotor pump inlet channel and the second gerotor pump outlet channel are at least partially disposed axially between the first gerotor pump and the reservoir. In some example embodiments, the shaft extends axially into the reservoir. In an example embodiment, the reservoir has an axial width and the second gerotor pump is disposed within the axial width of the reservoir.
Other example embodiments broadly comprise a hybrid module including a module housing, an e-machine including a stator fixed to the housing and a rotatable rotor, and the multi-gerotor pump arranged to circulate a cooling fluid throughout the module housing. In some example embodiments, the module housing has an outlet and a cooling circuit, the first gerotor pump is a scavenger pump for transporting the cooling fluid from the outlet to the reservoir, and the second gerotor pump is a cooling circuit pump for transporting, the cooling fluid from the reservoir to the cooling circuit. In some example embodiments, the outlet is arranged at a bottom of the module housing when the hybrid module is installed in a vehicle. In an example embodiment, the outlet is arranged such that a cooling fluid level in the housing is less than a bottom of the rotatable rotor.
In an example embodiment, the reservoir is arranged on an axial side of the module housing when the hybrid module is installed in a vehicle. In an example embodiment, the cooling circuit has a spray port in the module housing directed towards a top of the stator when the hybrid module is installed in a vehicle. In an example embodiment, the cooling circuit has a cooling fluid cooler.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It should be appreciated that like drawing numbers appearing in different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. Also, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the disclosure, the following example methods, devices, and materials are now described.
The following description is made with reference to
In the example embodiment shown in
The following description is made with reference to
Multi-gerotor pump 202 also includes electric pump motor 228 for rotating the shaft. Gerotor pump 208 includes outer gerotor 229 and electric pump motor 228 is arranged to rotate the first outer gerotor. Outer gerotor 229 is arranged to rotate the inner gerotor 216 to rotate shaft 204. Operation of gerotor pump 208 is similar to that shown and described in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/169,615 titled MOTOR-PUMP SYSTEM to Hrusch et al., hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.
In the example embodiment shown in
As shown in
Hybrid module 232 is arranged for connection to an internal combustion engine of a vehicle (not shown) at module housing 244 and input damper 246, for example. Module 232 includes e-machine 248 with stator 250, fixed to the housing, and rotatable rotor 252. The hybrid module also includes multi-gerotor pump 202 arranged to circulate a cooling fluid throughout the module housing. Module housing 244 includes outlet 230 and cooling circuit 234. As described above, gerotor pump 208 is a scavenger pump for transporting the cooling fluid from the outlet to the reservoir, and gerotor pump 210 is a cooling circuit pump for transporting the cooling fluid from the reservoir to the cooling circuit. As shown in
Hybrid module 132 in
While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the disclosure that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, to the extent any embodiments are described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics, these embodiments are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.
