SERIES ELECTRIC-MECHANICAL WATER PUMP SYSTEM FOR ENGINE COOLING

• US 20090188450A1
• Filed: 01/29/2009
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Laboe, Kevin J., Kline, Ronald F., Vespa, Antonio
• Granted Patent: US 8,196,553 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/41.110
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2005/105 Using two or more pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2005/125 Driving auxiliary pumps electrically
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 5/12 Pump-driving arrangements

Abstract

A cooling system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having a rotating member and using coolant in a liquid cooling system, is provided that comprises a radiator for dissipating the heat from the coolant, an electric pump for pumping the coolant through the cooling system, a mechanical pump operatively connected to the rotating member for pumping coolant through the cooling system, and a clutch for disengaging the second pump for minimizing the parasitic loss of the system and improving total fuel economy of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A cooling system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having a rotating member and using coolant in a liquid cooling system, comprising:

a radiator for dissipating the heat from the coolant;

an electric pump for pumping the coolant through the cooling system;

a mechanical pump operatively connected to the rotating member for pumping coolant through the cooling system; and

a clutch for engaging and disengaging the second pump for minimizing the parasitic loss of the system.

2. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a mechanical fan that draws air through the radiator to remove heat from the coolant.

3. The cooling system of claim 2, further comprising a mechanical fan that is operatively connected to the second pump, and is engaged and disengaged by the clutch.

4. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a thermostat that controls the flow of coolant through the system.

5. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising the mechanical pump in series with the electric pump.

6. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a check valve for directing the flow of coolant in the system.

7. A cooling system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having a rotating member and using a coolant in a liquid cooling system, comprising:

a radiator for dissipating the heat from the coolant;

an electric fan that transfers air through the radiator for transferring the heat from the coolant to the air;

an electric pump for pumping the coolant through the cooling system;

a mechanical pump in series with the electric pump, wherein the mechanical pump is rotatably engaged to the rotating member for pumping the coolant through the cooling system; and

a clutch for engaging and disengaging the mechanical pump, thus minimizing parasitic loss of the system and improving total fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

8. The cooling system of claim 7, further comprising a mechanical fan that draws air through the radiator to remove heat from the coolant.

9. The cooling system of claim 8, further comprising the mechanical fan that is operably connected to the mechanical pump, and is engaged and disengaged by the clutch.

10. The cooling system of claim 7, further comprising a thermostat for controlling the flow of coolant through the system.

11. The cooling system of claim 7, further comprising at least one heater core for selectively providing heat to a passenger compartment.

12. The cooling system of claim 7, further comprising an engine coolant temperature sensor positioned within a coolant hose after the engine and prior to an area where the coolant enters the thermostat for measuring the average temperature of the engine.

13. The cooling system of claim 7, further comprising a three way valve for directing the flow of coolant through the system.

14. A cooling system for an internal combustion engine having a rotating member and using a coolant in a liquid cooling system, comprising:

a radiator for dissipating the heat from the coolant;

an electric fan that transfers air through the radiator for transferring the heat from the coolant to the air;

an electric pump for pumping coolant through the cooling system;

a mechanical pump in series with the electric pump, wherein the mechanical pump is rotatably engaged to the rotating member that drives the mechanical pump and pumps coolant through the cooling system;

a clutch for engaging and disengaging the mechanical pump and engaging and disengaging a mechanical fan, thus minimizing the parasitic loss of the system and improving total fuel efficiency of the vehicle; and

a three way valve for directing the flow of coolant through the cooling system.

15. The cooling system of claim 14, further comprising a mechanical fan that is operatively connected to the mechanical pump.

16. The cooling system of claim 14, further comprising a thermostat that controls the flow of coolant through the system.

17. The cooling system of claim 16, further comprising an engine coolant temperature sensor positioned within a coolant hose after the engine and prior to the area where the coolant enters the thermostat for measuring the average temperature of the engine.

18. The cooling system of claim 14 further comprising at least one heater core for selectively providing heat to a passenger compartment.

19. The cooling system of claim 14, further comprising a heater control valve for controlling the flow of coolant.

20. The cooling system of claim 14, further comprising the electric pump positioned behind the radiator near the engine.