WO2016046682A1

WO2016046682A1 - Valve group with axially movable shutter

Info

Publication number: WO2016046682A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/056869
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessandro RAVELLI; Marco Pedersoli
Original assignee: Industrie Saleri Italo S.P.A.
Priority date: 2014-09-22
Filing date: 2015-09-08
Publication date: 2016-03-31
Also published as: CN107076167A; CN107076167B; DE112015004301T5

Abstract

A valve group (10) for a pump (1) of a cooling circuit for vehicles. The pump (1) comprises a pump body (2) having a compartment for housing the valve group (10); wherein on the bottom of the housing is formed an outlet mouth (80) for the cooling liquid. The valve group (10) comprises an obturator (30) commandable in an open position, distanced from the mouth (80), in which cooling liquid is allowed to pass through it, and a closed position, in which, instead, the passage of cooling liquid through the mouth (80) is blocked.

Description

DESCRIPTION

VALVE GROUP WITH AXIALLY MOVABLE SHUTTER

[0001] This invention relates to a valve group for a pump of a cooling circuit for vehicles, such as cars or motorcycles .

[0002] It is well known that the cooling pump, and the components that compose it, are the most important elements of a cooling circuit for heat engines, especially in vehicles. Thus, great attention is paid to the proper design of these components and the continuous improvement of their performance.

[0003] Examples of cooling pumps are illustrated in documents EP-A1-1503083 and O2011/095907A1 in the name of the Applicant.

[0004] In particular, in the context of document WO2011/095907A1, the fact that the valve assembly is extractable as a cartridge from the pump is particularly important .

[0005] The main problem of said type of valve groups is that of effectively obstructing the passage of cooling liquid in manner that is simple and reproducible over time. In other words, it is necessary that the valve units fulfil their function of components for regulating the passage of cooling liquid without, however compromising their life cycles and without burdening the movement means that move the specific components of the valve group suitable for performing said obturation. In particular, this obturation must occur so as not to adversely affect the motion of the cooling liquid, for example causing turbulence or cavitation phenomena in the cooling circuit.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a valve group suitable to solve and perform said operations of obstructing the fluid in a reliable and effective manner, for example minimising until obturation said cavitation problem typical of the cooling pumps of the state of the art .

[0007] This purpose is achieved by a valve group realised according to claim 1. This purposes is also achieved by a pump, according to claim 12, comprising said valve group and by an engine block according to claim 13.

[0008] The characteristics and advantages of the valve group according to this invention will be apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, in accordance -with the accompanying figures, wherein :

[0009] - Figure 1 illustrates a top view of a cooling pump comprising the valve group according to this invention, according to a first embodiment;

[0010] - Figures 2a and 2b represent an example of a cooling pump comprising the valve group according to this invention, shown in Figure 1, in two perspective views in, respectively, an open configuration and a closed configuration;

[0011] - Figures 3a and 3b show, respectively, two section views along the plane V-V and the plane VI-VI present in Figures 2a and 2b;

[0012] - Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view in separate parts of a valve group according to a preferred embodiment;

[0013] - Figures 5a and 5b represent two cross-sectional views of the valve group of Figure 4, respectively, with the obturator in an open position and a closed position.

[0014] According to an embodiment of this invention, reference number 1 indicates a pump of a cooling circuit for vehicles, comprising a pump body 2 and a rotor 4 housed in the pump body 2. Preferably, the pump 1 is mechanically actuated. Preferably, the rotor 4 is of the radial type.

[0015] The pump body 2 is connectable to the cooling circuit of the motor and, in particular, is connectable to a section of aspiration circuit, upstream, from which the liquid is aspirated, and to a section of output circuit, downstream, to which the liquid is fed towards the motor under pressure. [0016] The rotor 4, set in rotation about an axis of rotation of the rotor R-R, is suitable to aspirate the cooling liquid from the aspiration section and to send it under pressure to the output section.

[0017] Downstream of the rotor, the pump body 2 has a delivery chamber 6, preferably with a volute shape, and at least one delivery duct 8, which extends from the delivery chamber 6. The delivery chamber 6, and the at least one delivery duct 8, are devoid of other openings to further ducts, except the opening of the delivery duct, i.e., the outlet mouth 80 toward the downstream section of the cooling circuit.

[0018] In some preferred embodiments, the pump body 2 comprises a plurality of delivery ducts 8, respectively suitable to allow the flow of cooling liquid in two separate circuits, for example a first specific cooling circuit for cooling the motor, and a second specific cooling circuit for cooling further components comprised in the vehicle.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the pump body 2 comprises an outlet mouth 80 through which the cooling liquid exits the pump 1 to enter the cooling circuit, and in particular in its ducts. In other words, the outlet mouth 80 is the last section of the output channel 8 of the pump 1 before the ducts of the cooling circuit. [0020] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the cooling liquid is set in motion by the rotor 4 inside the delivery chamber 6 and then the delivery duct 8 in a tangential direction with respect to the rotor 4. The cooling liquid is then set in motion, inside the delivery duct 8 in a flow direction; preferably, the flow direction is defined by a flow axis F-F.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the pump 1, and in particular the pump body 2, presents the outlet mouth 80 in a position such as to extend parallel, or substantially parallel, to the flow axis F-F; in other words, the outlet mouth 80 does not extend transversely to the flow direction and, therefore, at the entrance into the duct of the cooling circuit, the motion of the liquid does not continue in the flow direction. Preferably, the mouth 80 is formed on a wall that delimits the delivery duct 8.

[0022] In other words, the cooling circuit extends from the pump body 2 transversely from it, i.e., is transversely from the delivery duct 8, for example perpendicularly from said delivery duct 8, consequently, perpendicularly to the flow axis F-F.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the pump body 2, in the proximity of said outlet mouth 80, presents a housing compartment 200. [0024] In other words, the pump body 2 comprises a housing compartment 200 that includes the outlet mouth 80.

[0025] Preferably, the housing compartment 200 extends along a main axis X-X.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, said main axis X-X extends from the outlet mouth 80.

[0027] Preferably, the main axis X-X is incident to the flow axis F-F. Preferably, the main axis X-X is perpendicular to the flow axis F-F.

[0028] Preferably, the main axis X-X is parallel to the rotation axis R-R of the rotor.

[0029] In other words, the housing compartment 200 extends frontally from the outlet mouth 80.

[0030] The pump unit 1 comprises a valve group 10 having the purpose of regulating the passage of cooling liquid set in motion by the rotor 4.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, said valve group 10 is insertable in a manner removable from the housing compartment 200. In other words, the valve group 10 has a cartridge structure such as to allow insertion and extraction inside the housing compartment 200.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve group 10 comprises an obturator 30 suitable to be moved axially along the main axis X-X, in order to perform said regulation of the passage of the cooling liquid. [0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the obturator 30 moveable in:

[0034] - an open position, distanced from the mouth 80, in which the passage of cooling liquid through it is allowed; and

[0035] - a closed position, in which it blocks the passage of cooling liquid through the mouth 80.

[0036] In some embodiments, when the valve group 10 is in the closed configuration and, therefore, the obturator 30 is in the closed position, the delivery chamber 6 is closed and the liquid remains in it, for example, maintained agitated by the rotor 4 in rotation.

[0037] Preferably, in an open configuration, the valve group 10 allows the transit of the greatest possible quantity of cooling liquid.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, as more fully described hereinafter, the obturator 30, in the closed position, is suitable to engage a perimeter rim 81 delimiting the outlet mouth 80. In other words, the obturator 30 has a shape such as to sealingly close the outlet 80, for example, it is shaped to replicate the shape of the outlet mouth 80 so as to sealingly engage the rims 81 that delimit it. In yet further other words, the obturator 30 is suitable to engage the wall of the delivery duct 8 in which is formed the outlet mouth 80. In the light of the above, the action required for the obturator 30 to obstruct takes place in a planar manner, on a plane.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the obturator 30 comprises a contact lip 31 suitable to engage the rim 81 of the outlet mouth 80 to block the passage of cooling liquid in the closed position. In other words, the contact lip 31 replicates the shape of the rim 81 of the outlet mouth 80 to perform said engagement in the closed position of the obturator.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the pump body 2, in particular the delivery channel 8 comprises a connection manifold 89, in order to facilitate the engagement with the ducts of the cooling. circuit that are connected to the pump 1. Preferably, the manifold 89 is consecutive to the outlet mouth 80. Preferably, the manifold 89 extends parallel to the main axis X-X.

[0041] Preferably, the obturator 30 includes a leak-proof seal 32, placed on the contact lip 31. Preferably, said seal 32 is an O-ring.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the obturator 30 comprises a deviation portion 35 suitable, with the obturator 30 positioned in the opening position, to deviate the motion of the cooling liquid, towards the mouth 80. In other words, the deviation portion 35 is suitable to deviate the motion of the cooling liquid from the direction substantially parallel to the flow axis F-F to an outlet direction substantially parallel to the main axis X-X.

[0043] Preferably, the deviation portion 35 has a curvilinear pattern, identifying a concave shape.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the deviation portion 35 is inside the contact lip 31. In other words, in the closed position, in which the contact lip 31 is engaged with the rim 81, the deviation portion 35 extends beyond the mouth 80, for example in -the duct of the cooling circuit directly connected with the pump 1 or in the outlet manifold 89, in the embodiment that provides for it.

[0045] Preferably, the deviation portion 35 has a tapered pattern as it moves away from the lip 31.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve group 10 also comprises a linear actuator 40 operatively connected to move it between the open position and the closed position.

[0047] Preferably, the actuator 40 comprises a drive portion 400 operatively connected to the obturator 30; for example, the drive portion 400 is a shaft operable in translation or an element suitable to perform a movement of roto-translation . [0048] In other words, the actuator 40 is a component operable mechanically, pneumatically or electrically, to obtain the described linear motion of the obturator 30.

[0049] Preferably, the valve group 10 also comprises a sealing element 5 suitable to avoid that the cooling liquid comes in contact with the linear actuator 40, in particular with the drive portion 400.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing element 5 is suitable to change its shape as a function of the position of the obturator 30; In other words, the sealing element 5 is suitable to protect the actuator 40 from the water and, in particular, its portions in direct contact with the obturator 30, in whatever position the latter is placed, i.e., both when it is moved in the open position and when it is commanded in the closed position.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, said seal element 5 is a bellows seal.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve group 10 also comprises a valve body 12, suitable to be housed in the housing compartment 200, extending along the main axis X-X. The obturator 30 is suitable to be slidingly contained inside said valve body 12.

[0053] Preferably, the valve body 12 has a shape coupling with the housing compartment 200. Preferably, the valve body 12 has, in fact, shape and dimensions such as to replicate the shape of the housing compartment 200.

[0054] Preferably, the valve body 12 has a cylindrical shape .

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve body 12 comprises side walls 18 in which is formed an inlet opening 188 through which the liquid flows.

[0056] Preferably, the valve body 12 comprises a bottom plate 16 in which is formed an outlet opening placed axially facing the mouth 80; according to this embodiment, the obturator 30 in the closed position engages the perimetral edge 168' that delimits the outlet opening 168.

[0057] In other words, specific openings are formed on the valve body 12 to allow the passage of cooling liquid, for example an inlet opening 188 transverse to the flow axis F-F and an outlet opening 168 transverse to the main axis X-X.

[0058] According to the above description, in the embodiment comprising the valve body 12, the obturator 30 directly engages the valve body 12, engaging its edge 168', in the same manner already described with regard to the interaction between the obturator 30 and outlet opening 80, and thus its rim 81 (as, moreover, described in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings).

[0059] According to a preferred embodiment, the obturator 30 comprises guide elements 39, which extend axially, suitable to engage the housing compartment 200 in the walls that delimit it, or the valve body 12 inside it, so as to guide the obturator 30 in its sliding along the main axis X-X.

[0060] Preferably, said guide element 39 replicates, in the axial direction, the shape of the obturator 30 and, in particular, of the lip 31.

[0061] According to a preferred embodiment, the cooling pump 1 described above is directly derivable in the engine block of the vehicle in which the cooling circuit is housed. For example, the pump body 2, or a portion of it, is formed directly in the engine block.

[0062] Preferably, the pump body 2 consists of two parts, for example two shells, suitable to mutually engage each other, to delimit the rotor chamber, the delivery chamber and the delivery duct. Preferably, therefore, one of said portions, or said shells, is formed in the engine block while the second is mounted on it. Note that in the accompanying figures, the pump body 2 is always shown open, for example, only one of said shells is always shown, for example the shell part directly derivable in the engine block of a vehicle. In other words, preferably, the valve group 10 is insertable, in a removable manner, in cartridge form, from the engine block itself.

[0063] Innovatively, the valve group covered by this invention, the cooling pump comprising the valve group, and the engine block comprising the pump, are particularly suited to fulfil the intended purpose, namely that of providing effective and reliable valve groups in the cooling system of a vehicle.

[0064] Advantageously, moreover, the valve group of this invention allows a regulation of the cooling liquid such as not to adversely affect its motion; in other words, advantageously, in its actions on the cooling liquid, the valve group in question causes minimal turbulence or cavitation phenomena in the cooling circuit.

[0065] A further advantage resides in the fact that the translatory movement along the main axis is favoured by the particular embodiment of the obturator, which is suitable to slide in the direction of the main axis.

[0066] A still further advantage resides in the fact that the valve group has a cycle life longer than the life cycles of the valve groups of cooling systems, since it is designed in such a way as to be suitable to protect its means of actuation from the cooling liquid.

[0067] Advantageously, the valve group acts directly on the outlet mouth, transversely to it, making the operations of closing and obturation, simple to manage. [0068] Moreover, advantageously, the pump, and in particular one shell of the pump body, is an integral part of the engine block of an internal combustion engine, thus reducing the overall dimensions inside the vehicle.

[0069] A further advantageous aspect is also linked to the fact that the obturator is shaped in such a way to favour the motion of the cooling liquid, instead of being an obstacle that the cooling liquid in motion has to circumvent.

[0070] Advantageously, the valve group is positioned, and is movable, directly in the articulation position between outlet channel and ducts of the cooling circuit, thus avoiding its positioning, for example, along said delivery duct.

[0071] According to a still further advantageous aspect, the valve group, and in particular the duct and the obturator group, have geometry and section such that the motion of the cooling liquid is facilitated, for example, by exploiting the Venturi effect.

[0072] Advantageously, in the embodiments that provide for the valve body, valve groups having the same valve body, but different obturators, can be inserted interchangeably in the pump group according to the needs that may also occur in the course of the life cycle of the car or motorcycle. A further advantageous aspect of such embodiments is therefore to completely unleash the design of the pump, and in particular the housing cavity, from the specific needs of the obturator.

[0073] Advantageously, the placement of the valve group does not affect the design of the pump, unlike solutions typical of the prior art, wherein for example the use of butterfly valves imposes particular solutions and techniques on the designer, the pump itself and on the delivery channel.

[0074] It is clear that one skilled in the art, in order to meet specific needs, may make changes to the valve group and pump described above, all contained within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Valve group (10) for a pump (1) of a cooling circuit for vehicles, wherein the pump (1) comprises a rotor (4) and a pump body (2) that houses the rotor (4), wherein the pump body (2) has a housing compartment (200) that comprises an outlet mouth (80) of the pump (1) through which the cooling liquid comes out, wherein the housing compartment (200) extends along a main axis (X-X) incident to a flow axis (F-F) that defines the direction of movement of the cooling fluid moved by the rotor (4), wherein the valve group (10) is insertable in a removable manner from said housing compartment (200), and comprises an obturator (30) suitable to be moved axially along the main axis (X-X) into:

- an open position, distanced from the mouth (80), in which the passage of cooling liquid through it is allowed; and

- a closed position, in which it blocks the passage of cooling liquid through the mouth (80) .

2. Valve group (10) according to claim 1, wherein the main axis (X-X) is perpendicular to the flow axis (F-F) and is parallel to the rotation axis (R-R) of the rotor (4) .

3. Valve group (10) according to any of the previous claims, further comprising a linear actuator (40) operatively connected, by means of a drive portion (400) , to the obturator (30) to move it between the open position and the closed position.

4. Valve group (10) according to claim 3, further comprising a sealing element (5), such as a bellows seal, suitable to change its shape depending on the position of the obturator (30) so as to prevent the cooling liquid from coming into contact with the linear actuator (40), in particular with the drive portion (400).

5. Valve group (10) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the obturator (30) comprises a contact lip (31) suitable to engage the rim (81) which delimits the outlet mouth (80) to perform blocking of the passage of cooling liquid in the closed position, wherein the obturator (30), placed on the contact lip (31), comprises a leak-proof seal (32).

6. Valve group (10) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the obturator comprises a deviation portion (35) suitable, with the obturator (30) in the open position, to divert the movement of the cooling liquid, towards the mouth (80) , that is to deviate the movement of the cooling liquid from the direction substantially parallel to the flow axis ( F- F ) to the output direction substantially parallel to the main axis (X-X) .

7. Valve group (10) according to claim 6, wherein the deviation portion (35) has a curvilinear pattern, identifying a concave shape.

8. Valve group (10) according to any of the claims 6 and 7, wherein the deviation portion (35) is positioned in a position inside the contact lip (31).

9. Valve group (10) according to any of the previous claims, further comprising a valve body (12), preferably cylindrical, suitable to be housed in the housing compartment (200), extending along the main axis (X-X) , inside which the obturator (30) is suitable to be slidingly contained.

10. Valve group (10) according to claim 9, wherein the valve body (12) comprises side walls (18) in which an inlet opening (188) is made through which the liquid flows, and a plate (16) on the bottom in which an outlet opening is made (168) placed axially facing the mouth (80), wherein the obturator (30) in the closed position engages the perimetral edge (168') which delimits the outlet opening (168).

11. Valve group (10) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the obturator (30) comprises guide elements (39) , which extend axially, suitable to engage the housing compartment (200) in the walls that delimit it, or the valve body (12) inside it, so as to guide the obturator (30) in its sliding along the main axis (X-X) .

12. Pump (1) for a cooling circuit for vehicles, comprising :

- a pump body (2) comprising a housing compartment (200) that extends along a main axis (X-X) from an outlet mouth

(80) of the pump (1) ;

- a rotor (4) that aspirates cooling liquid through an aspiration section and sends said cooling liquid under pressure to a delivery section;

- a valve group (10), insertable in an extractable manner in the housing compartment (200), according to any of the previous claims.

13. Engine block housing a cooling pump (1) for a cooling circuit for vehicles according to claim 12, wherein the pump body (2), or a portion of it, is formed in said block.