Patent Grant
11353020
This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2018 105 121.2, filed Mar. 6, 2018, the contents of such application being incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a rotary pump featuring a housing which comprises a delivery space featuring an inlet for a fluid on a suction side of the rotary pump and an outlet for the fluid on a pressure side of the pump. An outer rotor, which is mounted centrically in the delivery space, and an inner rotor, which is mounted eccentrically in the delivery space, together form delivery cells in order to deliver the fluid from the suction side to the pressure side. The outer rotor comprises an outer circumferential wall which is mounted in a sliding manner on an inner circumferential wall of the delivery space which is in particular formed by the housing.
Rotary pumps featuring outer rotors which are mounted in a sliding manner on an inner circumferential wall of a delivery space can have start-up problems, in particular following longer downtimes when the outer circumferential surface of the outer rotor abuts the inner circumferential wall of the delivery space of the rotary pump substantially full-face. The adhesion and/or friction forces between the outer circumferential surface of the outer rotor and the inner circumferential surface can be large enough that when the pump is started up, no fluid or only very little fluid is initially delivered. This can cause damage to the pump and/or to assemblies which are to be supplied with the fluid delivered by the pump, up to and including their destruction.
An aspect of the invention is a rotary pump which has fewer or no start-up problems, for example during a cold start.
One aspect of the invention relates to a rotary pump which comprises a housing featuring a delivery space which comprises an inlet for a fluid on a suction side of the rotary pump and an outlet for the fluid on a pressure side of the rotary pump. The rotary pump also comprises an inner rotor, which is arranged eccentrically in the delivery space, and an outer rotor which is arranged centrically in the delivery space and forms delivery cells with the inner rotor, wherein an outer circumferential wall of the outer rotor is mounted in a sliding manner on an inner circumferential wall of the delivery space and is preferably guided by said inner circumferential wall. The inner circumferential wall of the delivery space and/or the outer circumferential wall of the outer rotor comprise(s) at least one pocket or, respectively, supporting pocket.
In the region of the pocket, the outer circumferential wall of the outer rotor has no contact with the inner circumferential wall of the delivery space of the rotary pump, i.e. in the region of the pocket, the outer circumferential wall of the outer rotor and the inner circumferential wall of the delivery space do not abut each other in a seal, nor is the outer rotor guided by the inner circumferential wall, in particular by the housing. The rotary pump can in particular be an internally toothed wheel pump or a pendulum-slider pump. The rotary pump is preferably embodied as a lubricating oil pump of a motor vehicle, in particular for lubricating and/or cooling an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle.
The pocket can be arranged on the outer rotor or on the inner circumferential wall of the delivery space, in particular the inner circumferential wall of the housing, or exhibit a radial and axial extent dimensioned such that there is no direct connection between the pocket and the outlet. A direct connection, such as for example a channel or groove which connects the pocket to the outlet, is preferably absent. The terms “axial” and “radial” refer in particular to the rotary axis of the inner rotor and/or outer rotor, such that the expression “axial” denotes in particular a direction extending parallel to or coaxial with the rotary axis. Furthermore, the expression “radial” denotes in particular a direction extending perpendicular to the rotary axis. A “radial extent” is in particular intended to mean an extent along or parallel to a radial direction. An “axial extent” is in particular intended to mean an extent along or parallel to an axial direction.
The pocket is preferably supplied with the fluid from the delivery space only by leakage. In order to set the supply of the fluid from the delivery space to the pocket, sealing gaps—for example, an axial sealing gap between an end-facing side of the outer rotor and an axial wall of the housing—and/or the dimensions of the pocket, for example the axial and/or radial extent of the pocket, can be correspondingly selected. The sealing gaps and/or the pocket are advantageously embodied in such a way that the smallest leakage possible occurs between the delivery space and the pocket. It is in principle conceivable to divert a fluid outside the delivery space in order to supply the pocket, wherein the fluid can be the fluid delivered by the rotary pump or a fluid provided in some other way. A filtered and/or cooled fluid can then be used to supply the pocket, which can reduce wear.
The pocket can extend in the axial direction of the delivery space and outer rotor over the entire axial length of the outer rotor, featuring open axial end-facing sides; alternatively, it can extend over only some of the axial length of the outer rotor, featuring only one open end-facing side or two closed end-facing sides. The pocket can be shorter in the axial direction than the axial length of the outer rotor and can be arranged centrally relative to it.
Preferably, the radial extent of the pocket is substantially smaller than the axial extent of the pocket. The radial extent advantageously measures 20% at most of the axial extent, particularly advantageously 10% at most of the axial extent, and most particularly advantageously 5% at most of the axial extent. The radial extent of the pocket advantageously measures 3 millimeters at most, particularly advantageously 1.5 millimeters at most, and most particularly advantageously 0.5 millimeters at most.
The pocket can preferably be supplied or filled with the fluid delivered by the rotary pump, for example by leakage within the delivery space. It is in principle also conceivable to supply or fill the pocket via separate feed conduits, such as for example passage channels through the outer rotor or through the wall of the delivery space which emerge in the pocket.
The rotary pump can also comprise at least one connection which fluidically connects the pocket to the outlet from the delivery space or the pressure side of the rotary pump and/or to the inlet into the delivery space or the suction side of the rotary pump. The rotary pump can comprise a pocket which is connected to the inlet via a connection such as for example a channel or a groove. Additionally or alternatively, the rotary pump can comprise a pocket which is connected to the outlet via a connection such as for example a channel or a groove. The connection can for example be a groove or channel in an inner side of a cover or base, wherein said inner side faces the delivery space, wherein the cover and base axially delineate the delivery space which emerges into the inlet and/or outlet and extends up to or at least nearly up to the inner circumferential wall of the delivery space. Additionally or alternatively, the rotary pump can comprise a groove or channel in the inner circumferential wall of the delivery space and/or in the outer circumferential wall of the outer rotor. The groove or channel in the inner circumferential wall of the delivery space can be connected to a groove or channel in the cover or base which axially delineate the delivery space. The groove or channel in the inner circumferential wall of the delivery space can also connect a pocket, which does not extend axially as far as the base or cover and therefore exhibits one closed end-facing side, to the base or cover. The groove or channel can connect the inlet and/or outlet to the pocket by the shortest route or can be curved.
The rotary pump can comprise a pocket which is fluidically connected, via a connection such as for example a channel or groove, to at least one of the delivery cells, wherein this connection can extend into the driving stay, in particular into a region of maximum toothed engagement between the rotors, or into the sealing stay, in particular into a region of minimum or zero toothed engagement between the rotors, for example as a channel/groove which is open towards the delivery space in an upper side of the cover and/or base which faces the delivery space. The driving stay and the sealing stay are each arranged between the inlet and the inlet as viewed along a rotational direction.
Alternatively, the connection which supplies or fills the pocket with the fluid via the inlet, the outlet, the driving stay or the sealing stay can extend outside the delivery space.
The pocket can be arranged in the region of the outlet from the delivery space, in the region of the inlet into the delivery space, in the region of the sealing stay or in the region of the driving stay. The pocket can be arranged adjacent to the outlet, adjacent to the inlet, adjacent to the sealing stay or adjacent to the driving stay as viewed in the radial direction.
The pocket can extend from the outlet up to the inlet in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential wall and/or inner circumferential wall. The pocket can emerge into the inlet and/or outlet and thus for example permanently connect the inlet into the delivery space to the outlet from the delivery space. In one embodiment, the pocket can extend around the entire circumference of the outer rotor.
The pocket can extend from the sealing stay up to the driving stay in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential wall of the outer rotor and the inner circumferential wall of the delivery space.
The pocket which extends in the circumferential direction can simultaneously be connected to the inlet and/or the outlet and/or at least one of the delivery cells in the region of the sealing stay and/or the driving stay, i.e. the pocket which extends in the circumferential direction can for example comprise a combined connection to the inlet and/or the outlet and/or at least one of the delivery cells on the sealing stay and/or driving stay.
If the rotary pump comprises more than one pocket, for example two, three or more pockets, a first pocket can lie in the region of the inlet into the delivery space, and a second pocket can lie in the region of the outlet from the delivery space. The first pocket and the second pocket can for example be arranged opposite each other in relation to a rotary axis of the outer rotor or can be arranged offset with respect to each other in the circumferential direction, in or counter to a rotational direction of the pump.
If more than one pocket is provided, the plurality of pockets can be arranged in a distribution, preferably a uniform distribution, over the inner circumference of the delivery space and/or the outer circumference of the outer rotor.
If the inner circumferential wall of the delivery space and/or the outer circumferential wall of the outer rotor comprises at least two pockets, these pockets can be fluidically connected to each other via a connection. Said connection can be formed in the inner circumferential wall of the delivery space and/or the outer circumferential wall of the outer rotor. The connection can connect the pockets to each other permanently or in accordance with the rotational position of the outer rotor. If more than one pocket is provided, at least one of the pockets can differ from at least one of the other pockets in terms of for example its geometry and/or shape and/or size.
The inner rotor or the outer rotor can be connected or coupled to a drive, such as for example an electric motor or a shaft driven by an internal combustion engine, wherein said drive generates the drive energy for the rotary pump. The rotor is preferably connected to an electric motor. If the motor vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine as its drive, then the rotary pump can be driven by the electric motor, preferably independently of the internal combustion engine, for example when the internal combustion engine is at a stop. Advantageously, the rotary pump comprises the electric motor. The rotary pump is preferably embodied as an electric rotary pump. The rotary pump is preferably embodied as an auxiliary pump and/or additional pump for supporting and/or at least partially replacing a main or primary pump in a lubricant and/or coolant system of a motor vehicle. Being “embodied” is in particular intended specifically to mean being provided, configured, implemented, arranged and/or programmed.
A rotational direction of the rotary pump can preferably be switched, such that the pump can be employed flexibly. Switching the rotational direction of the rotary pump changes the delivery flow direction, through the rotary pump, of the medium to be delivered; in other words, the pump is a reversible rotary pump.
A second aspect relates to a cup-shaped part of a housing for a rotary pump, in particular for an internally toothed wheel pump or a pendulum-slider pump, which forms an inner circumferential wall and a base of a delivery space of the rotary pump. The inner circumferential wall comprises at least one pocket such as has been described in relation to the first aspect of the invention. The inner circumferential wall can also comprise a connection such as has been described in relation to the first aspect of the invention. Instead of the cup-shaped part of the housing together with the base, the housing part can also form the inner circumferential wall of the delivery space only.
A third aspect of the invention relates to an outer rotor, for example for an internally toothed wheel pump. An outer circumferential wall of the outer rotor comprises at least one pocket such as has been described in relation to the first aspect of the invention. The outer circumferential wall can also comprise a connection such as has been described in relation to the first aspect of the invention.
The housing part according to the second aspect and/or the outer rotor according to the third aspect can be stored separately and can for example replace the corresponding housing part and/or the outer rotor of a conventional rotary pump.
The following aspects form part of the scope of the description. Individual features in the aspects can be adduced in order to advantageously develop the rotary pump.
In the following, aspect of the invention are described in more detail on the basis of figures. Features essential to aspects of the invention which can only be gathered from the figures form part of the scope of aspects of the invention and can advantageously develop the rotary pump in accordance with claim 1, alone or in combinations shown.
The individual figures show:
An inlet 5 for a fluid into the delivery space 1, and an outlet 6 for the fluid from the delivery space 1, are also formed in the base 3. The numbering applies to a rotary pump featuring an inner rotor 9 which rotates anti-clockwise. If the rotational direction is reversed, the inlet 5 correspondingly comes to form the outlet 6, and the outlet 6 becomes the inlet 5.
The housing 2 forms an inner circumferential surface 11 of the delivery space 1 which, together with an outer circumferential surface 12 of the outer rotor 10 which is likewise shown only in
A pocket 7, which extends radially outwards, is formed in the inner circumferential surface 11 in the region of the outlet 6. The pocket 7 is arranged centrally with respect to the outlet 6 as viewed in the circumferential direction. The outer circumferential surface 12 of the outer rotor 10 and the inner circumferential surface 11 of the delivery space 1 are clearly spaced from each other in the region of the pocket 7, such that the outer rotor 10 is not guided by the inner circumferential surface 11 in the region of the pocket 7. Fluid can pass into the pocket 7, for example via a leakage flow, from the outlet 6 and/or from at least one delivery cell 13 which is formed by the inner rotor 9 and outer rotor 10 and in which the fluid is transported from the inlet 5 to the outlet 6 and can be compressed and/or raised to a higher pressure level in the process.
The fluid can for example be an oil which is pumped from a reservoir to a consumer. The fluid or oil which collects in the pocket 7 can then be used, when starting up the rotary pump, to ensure instant lubrication in the sealing gap between the inner circumferential wall 11 and the outer circumferential surface 12 of the outer rotor 10, such that the force necessary in order to start up the rotary pump can be reduced. The fluid accumulated in the pocket 7 can also have a damping effect and contribute to greater operational smoothness in the rotary pump, i.e. for example lower noise emissions, during operation of the rotary pump. Lastly, the fluid in the pocket 7 can prevent or at least delay wear on the outer circumferential surface 12 of the outer rotor 10 and on the inner circumferential surface 11 of the delivery space 1 and thus increase the operational service life of the rotary pump.
In
In
In the example embodiment of
The housing 2 is shown together with the delivery space 1 in a perspective view. The outer rotor 10 is arranged in the delivery space 1, and an eccentrically mounted inner rotor 9 is arranged in the outer rotor 10. The inner rotor 9 and outer rotor 10 together form delivery cells 13 in which the fluid can be transported from the inlet 5 to the outlet 6, wherein the fluid pressure is increased and/or the fluid is compressed while bring transported. The inner rotor 9 or the outer rotor 10 can be connected to a rotary drive, wherein the driven inner rotor 9 or outer rotor 10 transmits the rotational movement onto the non-driven outer rotor 10 or inner rotor 9.
The example embodiment of
In
In
The person skilled in the art will recognize from the preceding description that other variations are also disclosed by aspects of the invention, such as for example supplying additional pockets 7, i.e. not only the pockets 7 shown in the figures, via connections 8. The person skilled in the art will also be aware from the description that two or more connections 8 can be connected to each other via one or more additional connections. Lastly, the person skilled in the art will recognize that the pockets 7 can also be supplied with fluid via feed conduits (not shown) which lead from outside the delivery space 1 directly into the pockets 7, for example from the suction region or pressure region of the rotary pump.
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| 102018105121.2 | Mar 2018 | DE | national |
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| 20190277171 A1 | Sep 2019 | US |
