Automobile dual purpose water pump drive apparatus

• US 5,927,953 A
• Filed: 07/07/1997
• Issued: 07/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gregory A. Marietti
• Original Assignee: Gregory A. Marietti
• Inventors: Marietti, Gregory A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thorpe, Timothy S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gartenberg, Ehud
• Application Number:
  US08/888,565
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 123/41.44, 123/41.47, 123/198 C, 417/362, 417/37, 417/364, 417/238
• US Class Current: 417/362
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2005/125 Driving auxiliary pumps electrically
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 5/12 Pump-driving arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 67/06 driven by means of chains, belts, or like endless members

Abstract

An electric motor is connected via cog belt to a dual purpose pulley on the water pump of an automobile, to increase power available from the engine so that during racing maximum horsepower can be achieved. Enhanced cooling of the engine is also obtained.

Claims

1. A water pump system for use in an automobile comprising:

a water pump;

an automobile engine for driving said water pump;

an electric motor for driving said water pump independently and alternatively from said engine;

a dual purpose pulley operatively connected to said water pump, said pulley having a first drive adapted to guide a first belt connected to said engine, and a second drive adapted to guide a second belt connected to said electric motor; and

wherein said first belt is connected to said first drive of said dual purpose pulley and said engine when said system is in a conventional engine-driven mode and wherein said second belt is connected to said second drive of said dual purpose pulley and said electric motor when said system is in a motor-driven mode for conserving power consumption of said engine.

2. A water pump system according to claim 1, wherein said dual purpose pulley is a one-piece system.

3. A dual-mode method for driving a water pump, comprising the steps of:

connecting a dual purpose pulley to a water pump, said dual purpose pulley having a first drive adapted to engage a first belt and a second drive adapted to engage a second belt;

connecting said first belt to said first drive of said dual purpose pulley and an engine when said water pump is to be driven in a engine-driven mode;

driving said water pump via said engine;

taking said first belt off of said first drive of said dual purpose pulley and said engine;

connecting said second belt to said second drive of said dual purposes pulley and an electric motor when said water pump is to be driven in a power saving electric motor driven mode; and

driving said water pump via said electric motor.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said dual purpose pulley is a one-piece system.