Integrated coolant pumping module
First Claim
1. A coolant pumping module for a thermal management system, comprising:
- (a) a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber which are integrally formed with one another and which are in fluid communication through a connecting passage, wherein the housing has a coolant inlet port provided in communication with the first chamber and a coolant outlet port provided in communication with the second chamber, wherein the housing has a bypass inlet port and a bypass outlet port which are in fluid communication with the first chamber, and wherein a first axis is defined by a direction of flow of the coolant through the first chamber;
(b) a valve element provided in the first chamber, wherein the valve element is movable along said first axis between a first position in which the valve element at least partially blocks flow of coolant between the coolant inlet port and the connecting passage, and a second position in which increased fluid flow is permitted between the coolant inlet port and the connecting passage; and
(c) a pump element provided in the second chamber for increasing the energy of coolant flowing through said coolant outlet port,wherein the bypass inlet port and the bypass outlet port are axially spaced from one another along said first axis, and wherein the bypass outlet port is located along said axis between the inlet port and the connecting passage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated pumping module for use in a thermal management system, for example for a fuel cell. The integrated pumping module includes a diverting or mixing valve closely coupled to a pump element, such as the volute chamber of a centrifugal pump. The valve chamber and the pump chamber are closely and directly coupled through a connecting passage so as to minimize pressure drop as a liquid coolant passes through the connecting passage from the valve chamber to the pump chamber. A bypass inlet and outlet opening are provided in the valve chamber to permit all or a portion of the coolant flow to be diverted to a radiator once the coolant reaches a predetermined temperature. The integrated pumping module may also be provided with a filter housing into which a portion of the coolant flow may be diverted.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A coolant pumping module for a thermal management system, comprising:
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(a) a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber which are integrally formed with one another and which are in fluid communication through a connecting passage, wherein the housing has a coolant inlet port provided in communication with the first chamber and a coolant outlet port provided in communication with the second chamber, wherein the housing has a bypass inlet port and a bypass outlet port which are in fluid communication with the first chamber, and wherein a first axis is defined by a direction of flow of the coolant through the first chamber; (b) a valve element provided in the first chamber, wherein the valve element is movable along said first axis between a first position in which the valve element at least partially blocks flow of coolant between the coolant inlet port and the connecting passage, and a second position in which increased fluid flow is permitted between the coolant inlet port and the connecting passage; and (c) a pump element provided in the second chamber for increasing the energy of coolant flowing through said coolant outlet port, wherein the bypass inlet port and the bypass outlet port are axially spaced from one another along said first axis, and wherein the bypass outlet port is located along said axis between the inlet port and the connecting passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification