U.S. patent application number 11/111956 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-27 for variable output pump device.
Invention is credited to Alves, Anthony, Gallino, Marco.
Application Number | 20050238498 11/111956 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34939440 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050238498 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alves, Anthony ; et
al. |
October 27, 2005 |
Variable output pump device
Abstract
A variable output pump device, comprising a movable component
capable of displacing a liquid fluid, said movable component being
driven at constant speed by a motor, a similar actuating means or a
means of transmitting movement, said movable component being
mounted in a chamber of a housing comprising a supply passage or
orifice and an outlet passage, the output of the pump device being
variable according to the temperature of the liquid fluid aspirated
and delivered by said device, at least within a certain temperature
range. The pump device also comprises a heat-sensitive component
mounted in the supply passage or orifice or in the outlet passage,
the apparent surface in a projection plane perpendicular to the
direction of the fluid flow of said heat-sensitive component being
a function of the temperature of said fluid with which it is in
direct contact.
Inventors: |
Alves, Anthony; (Strasbourg,
FR) ; Gallino, Marco; (Torino, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LINIAK, BERENATO & WHITE
Suite 240
6550 Rock Spring Drive
Bethesda
MD
20817
US
|
Family ID: |
34939440 |
Appl. No.: |
11/111956 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/52 ; 417/207;
417/423.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 15/0038
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/052 ;
417/423.1; 417/207 |
International
Class: |
F04F 001/18; F04B
017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 23, 2004 |
FR |
0404346 |
Claims
1. Variable output pump device, comprising a movable component
capable of displacing a liquid fluid, said movable component being
driven at a constant speed by a motor, a similar actuating means or
a means of transmitting movement, said movable component being
mounted in a chamber of a housing comprising a supply passage or
orifice and an outlet passage, the output of the pump device being
variable depending on the temperature of the liquid fluid aspirated
and delivered by said device, at least within a certain temperature
range, a pump device (1) characterised in that it also comprises a
heat-sensitive component (8) mounted in the supply passage or
orifice (6) or in the outlet passage (7), the apparent surface in a
projection plane perpendicular to the direction of the fluid flow
of said heat-sensitive component (8) being a function of the
temperature of said fluid with which it is in direct contact.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the
heat-sensitive component (8) comprises a body (9) forming an
envelope or box, of which the external form changes depending on
variations in the temperature of the fluid flow to which said
component (8) is directly exposed, in particular the area of its
apparent surface exposed to the fluid flow or obtained by
projection in a plane perpendicular to the direction of said
flow.
3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the
heat-sensitive component (8) comprises a body (9) forming an
envelope or box of which the external form is such that its
apparent surface exposed to the fluid flow or obtained by
projection in a plane perpendicular to the direction of said flow
varies if there is a displacement of said body (9) generated by and
a function of a variation in temperature of said fluid to which
said component (8) is directly exposed.
4. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the
heat-sensitive component (8) comprises a part (9), if applicable a
body (9) forming an envelope or box, for example of non-regular,
non-symmetrical structure or provided with excrescence(s), mounted
moving round a spindle, the degree of pivoting or the position in
rotation round said spindle being a function of the temperature of
the fluid to which said heat-sensitive component (8) is directly
exposed.
5. Pump device according to claim 1, characterised in that the
heat-sensitive component (8) is basically composed of at least two
parts (9 and 9') of different section and assembled together
telescopically, said component (8) being mounted transversally in
the outlet passage (7) and the telescopic structure forming it
being retracted for low temperatures, with maximum obstruction of
the outlet passage (7) by the part (9) of larger section, and
deployed for higher temperatures, with total or partial
displacement of the part (9) of greater section outside said
passage (7) and exposure to the fluid flow traversing said passage
(7) of the part(s) (9') of smaller section.
6. Pump device according to claim 5, characterised in that the
telescopic structure of the heat-sensitive component (8) is subject
to an elastic constraint loading it in its state of maximum
retraction, the temperature-sensitive actuating means of the
component (8) acting positively against said elastic constraint
with a magnitude corresponding to the magnitude of the rise in
temperature.
7. Pump device according to claim 5, characterised in that the
heat-sensitive component (8) consists of a wax actuator comprising,
on the one hand, a cylindrical box body (9) enclosing a
predetermined quantity of wax forming the temperature-sensitive
actuating means of which the melting temperature is substantially
equal to the lower temperature of the active regulation range and,
on the other hand, a spindle (9') mounted moving in translation in
said box body (9), between a position of maximum retraction and a
position of maximum extension, and of which the position in
translation is determined by the condition of the wax, and in that
the wax actuator (8) is mounted in said outlet passage (7) of the
chamber (4) of the pump device (1) with the free end (9") of the
spindle (9') mounted fixed in a side recess (10) of the wall (10')
of said passage (7) and its box body (9) mounted sliding in a
bearing (11) of the housing, said box body (9) being subject to an
elastic load in the direction of the free end (9") of the spindle
(9').
8. Pump device according to claim 7, characterised in that it
comprises a preassembled module (12) incorporating a box (13)
comprising a compression spring (14) applying an elastic load to
the box body (9) of the heat-sensitive component (8), or to a drive
or support part (14') integral therewith, mounted sliding and
coming to a stop in the position of maximum displacement in the
action direction of the spring (14) and in that said module (12) is
received sealed in a suitable recess arranged in the housing (5,
5') of the pump device (1).
9. Pump device according to claim 1, characterised in that the
movable component (2) consists of a finned wheel mounted on a
rotating drive spindle (2') and in that the housing is formed
principally of two complementary parts (5 and 5') assembled
together and sealed in the region of a joint plane (5"), the first
part (5) having a totally or at least partly discoid cavity (15) in
which the supply passage (6) and the outlet passage (7) open out
and the second part (5') in the form of a cover closing said cavity
(15) to delimit the chamber (4) and forming directly or indirectly
a support for the rotating spindle (2') on which is mounted
projecting the finned wheel (2), the supply passage (6) opening
into the chamber (4) in the direction of the rotating spindle (2')
and facing that spindle and the outlet passage (7) extending
tangentially from the circular periphery of that chamber.
10. Pump device according to claim 8, characterised in that the
outlet passage (7) is formed in the first constituent part (5) of
the housing and in that the preassembled module (12) is mounted
sealed by its box (5) in the second constituent part (5') forming a
cover and by the end (9") of its spindle (9') movable in
translation in a recess (10) of the wall (10') delimiting the
outlet passage (7) in the first constituent part (5).
11. Pump device according to claim. 8, characterised in that the
outlet passage (7) is at least partially formed in a structural
extension (16) of the second part (5') constituting the housing,
which is nested and sealed in a corresponding reception recess
(16') of the first constituent part (5), so as to delimit in part
the chamber (4), and in that the preassembled module (12) is
mounted sealed by its box (13) in the second constituent part (5')
and by the end (9") of its spindle (9') movable in translation in a
recess (10) of the wall (10') delimiting the outlet passage (7) and
forming part of said structural extension (16).
12. Pump device according to claim 10, characterised in that the
internal volume of the box (13) of the preassembled module (12) is
open towards the chamber (4) receiving the movable component (2)
and is exposed to the fluid flow circulating through this chamber
(4).
13. Pump device according to claim 9, characterised in that an
electric motor (3), of constant speed or not, is mounted in the
second part (5') forming a cover, its spindle (2') carrying the
movable component (2) mounted fixed in rotation on this
spindle.
14. Pump device according to claim 1, characterised in that the
heat-sensitive component (8) consists of a shape-memorising part,
mounted transversally in the supply (6) or outlet (7) passage and
of which the apparent surface exposed to the flow of fluid varies,
by changing the orientation or form of said part, depending on the
temperature of said fluid in contact with it, at least within a
predetermined temperature range.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of regulation,
more particularly the regulation of the output of a liquid or
viscous fluid, in relation to the use of a device for circulating
said fluid, such as a pump or similar.
[0002] The object of the present invention is a pump device of
which the output is a function of the temperature of the fluid
delivered, at least within a predetermined temperature range.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are already numerous embodiments of pump devices or
the like in which the output is regulated according to several
parameters, including in particular the temperature of the fluid
aspirated and delivered.
[0004] A first known solution consists of measuring the temperature
of the fluid by a suitable sensor and varying the speed of the
motor driving the active component of the pump depending on the
measured temperature, after processing the measured values.
[0005] A second known solution consists of measuring the
temperature of the fluid by a suitable sensor and displacing or
positioning an obstruction element depending on the measured
temperature, to modify the pump's inlet and/or outlet section, to
modify the useful surface of the active component, or to modify the
characteristics of the chamber of the housing of said pump, it then
being possible for the speed of the active component and its
actuating means to remain constant.
[0006] However, both these two known solutions are complex and
costly, and cannot be considered in applications with a low
manufacturing cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The object of the present invention in particular is to
overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a variable
output pump device, comprising a movable component capable of
displacing a liquid fluid, said movable component being driven at a
constant speed by a motor, a similar actuating means or a means of
transmitting movement, said movable component being mounted in a
chamber of a housing comprising a supply passage or orifice and an
outlet passage, the output of the pump device being variable
depending on the temperature of the liquid fluid aspirated and
delivered by said device, at least within a certain temperature
range, a pump device characterised in that it also comprises a
heat-sensitive component mounted in the supply passage or orifice
or in the outlet passage, the apparent surface in a projection
plane perpendicular to the direction of the fluid flow of said
heat-sensitive component being a function of the temperature of
said fluid with which it is in direct contact.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will be better understood, using the
description that follows, which relates to preferred embodiments,
given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the
accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a view in section of a pump device according to a
first variant of an advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a view in section of a pump device according to a
second variant of the advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view in section of the pump device in
FIG. 2, before assembly of the two constituent preassembled parts,
and,
[0013] FIG. 4 is a view in section of a pump device according to a
third variant of the advantageous embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] As shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings, the
variable output pump device 1 comprises a housing 5, 5' and a
movable component 2 capable of displacing a liquid fluid, said
movable component being driven at a constant speed by a motor 3, a
similar actuating means or a means of movement transmission, said
movable component 2 being mounted in a chamber 4 of the housing
comprising a supply passage or orifice 6 and an outlet passage 7,
the output of the pump device 1 being variable depending on the
temperature of the liquid fluid aspirated and delivered by said
device, at least within a certain temperature range.
[0015] According to the invention, said pump device 1 also
comprises a heat-sensitive component 8 mounted in the supply
passage or orifice 6 or in the outlet passage 7, the apparent
surface in a projection plane perpendicular to the fluid flow
direction of said heat-sensitive component 8 being a function of
the temperature of said fluid with which it is in direct
contact.
[0016] Thus, an embodiment of a variable output pump is achieved
with an extremely simple structure (that is to say only slightly
more complex than a constant output pump and that could possibly be
manufactured easily from a constant output pump) and that does not
require a variable actuator, the heat-sensitive component 8
fulfilling simultaneously the function of sensor, transducer and
output regulating component.
[0017] For the heat-sensitive component, existing standard
components are favoured, advantageously those of simple design and
low manufacturing cost, capable of directly transforming
temperature variations into variations of position or form,
according to a predetermined function, and that can possibly be
adjusted according to the application envisaged and the variations
desired.
[0018] Modification of the apparent surface of the heat-sensitive
component 8, exposed to the fluid flow, may be achieved by
different physical variations, namely variation of position
(pivoting a plate round a spindle), variation of external form
(greater or lesser deployment of constituent parts), variation of
volume (greater or lesser inflation), variation of internal form
(greater or lesser restriction in the region of a traversing
orifice arranged in the heat-sensitive component).
[0019] Thus, according to a first embodiment of the invention, not
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the heat-sensitive
component 8 may comprise a body 9 forming an envelope or box, of
which the external form changes depending on variations in the
temperature of the fluid flow to which said component 8 is directly
exposed, in particular the area of its apparent surface exposed to
the fluid flow or obtained by projection ir a plane perpendicular
to the direction of said flow.
[0020] According to a second embodiment, illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, the heat-sensitive component 8 may comprise
a body 9 forming an envelope or box of which the external form is
such that its apparent surface exposed to the fluid flow or
obtained by projection in a plane perpendicular to the direction of
said flow varies if there is a displacement of said body 9
generated by and a function of a variation in temperature of said
fluid to which said component 8 is directly exposed.
[0021] According to a first embodiment, not illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, the heat-sensitive component 8 may comprise
a part 9, if applicable a body 9 forming an envelope or box, for
example of non-regular, non-symmetrical structure or provided with
excrescence(s), mounted moving round a spindle, the degree of
pivoting or the position in rotation round said spindle being a
function of the temperature of the fluid to which said
heat-sensitive component 8 is directly exposed.
[0022] According to a second advantageous embodiment of the
invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 of the accompanying
drawings, provision can be made for the heat-sensitive component to
be basically composed of at least two parts 9 and 9' of different
section and assembled together telescopically, said component 8
being mounted transversally in the outlet passage 7 and the
telescopic structure forming it being retracted for low
temperatures, with maximum obstruction of the outlet passage 7 by
the part 9 of larger section, and deployed for higher temperatures,
with total or partial displacement of the part 9 of greater section
outside said passage 7 and exposure to the fluid flow traversing
said passage 7 of the part(s) 9' of smaller section.
[0023] Preferably, and with a view to being able to guarantee a
particular state if the heat-sensitive component 8 malfunctions,
the telescopic structure of the heat-sensitive component 8 is
subject to an elastic constraint loading it in its state of maximum
retraction, the temperature-sensitive actuating means of the
component 8 (for example wax) acting positively against said
elastic constraint with a magnitude corresponding to the magnitude
of the rise in temperature.
[0024] According to a practical advantageous embodiment of the
invention, the component 8 may consist of a wax actuator, also
known currently as a thermostatic element or wax plug, comprising,
on the one hand, a cylindrical box body 9 enclosing a predetermined
quantity of wax forming the temperature-sensitive actuating means
of which the melting temperature is substantially equal to the
lower temperature of the active regulation range and, on the other
hand, a spindle 9' mounted moving in translation in said box body
9, between a position of maximum retraction and a position of
maximum extension, and of which the position in translation is
determined by the condition of the wax.
[0025] Said wax actuator 8 is mounted in said outlet passage 7 of
the chamber 4 of the pump device 1 with the free end 9" of the
spindle 9' mounted fixed in a side recess 10 of the wall 10' of
said passage 7 and its box body 9 mounted sliding in a bearing 11
of the housing, said box body 9 being subject to an elastic load in
the direction of the free end 9" of the spindle 9'.
[0026] To facilitate assembly and manufacture, the pump device 1
may comprise a preassembled module 12 incorporating a box 13
comprising a compression spring 14 applying an elastic load to the
box body 9 of the heat-sensitive component 8, or to a drive or
support part 14' integral therewith, mounted sliding and coming to
a stop in the position of maximum displacement in the action
direction of the spring 14 and in that said module 12 is received
sealed in a suitable recess arranged in the housing 5, 5' of the
pump device 1.
[0027] As shown in the accompanying drawings, provision is
advantageously made for a movable component 2 to consist of a
finned wheel mounted on a rotating drive spindle 2' and for the
housing to be formed principally of two complementary parts 5 and
5' assembled together and sealed in the region of a joint plane 5",
the first part 5 having a totally or at least partly discoid cavity
15 in which the supply passage 6 and the outlet passage 7 open out
and the second part 5' in the form of a cover closing said cavity
15 to delimit the chamber 4 and forming directly or indirectly a
support for the rotating spindle 2' on which is mounted projecting
the finned wheel 2, the supply passage 6 opening into the chamber 4
in the direction of the rotating spindle 2' and facing that spindle
and the outlet passage 7 extending tangentially from the circular
periphery of said chamber.
[0028] According to a first variant embodiment of the invention,
illustrated in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, the outlet
passage 7 is formed in the first constituent part 5 of the housing
and the preassembled module 12 is mounted sealed by its box 5 in
the second constituent part 5' forming a cover and by the end 9" of
its spindle 9' movable in translation in a recess 10 of the wall
10' delimiting the outlet passage 7 of the first constituent part
5.
[0029] According to a second variant embodiment of the invention,
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, the
outlet passage 7 is at least partially formed in a structural
extension 16 of the second part 5' constituting the housing, which
is nested and sealed in a corresponding reception recess 16' of the
first constituent part 5, so as to delimit in part the chamber 4.
The preassembled module 12 is then mounted sealed by its box 13 in
the second constituent part 5' and by the end 9" of its spindle 9'
movable in translation in a recess 10 of the wall 10' delimiting
the outlet passage 7 and forming part of said structural extension
16, the wax actuator 8 being thus permanently in contact over the
whole of its external surface with the fluid.
[0030] FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings shows a hybrid variant
of the two aforementioned variants.
[0031] The driving of the spindle 2' of the movable component 2 may
be produced by a belt, a chain or similar means of transmitting a
rotating movement.
[0032] In a variant, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, an
electric motor 3, which may or may not be of variable speed, is
mounted in the second part 5' forming a cover, its spindle 2'
carrying the movable component 2 mounted fixed in rotation on this
spindle.
[0033] According to another embodiment of the invention, not
illustrated in the accompanying figures, but that can be easily
deduced therefrom, the heat-sensitive component 8 consists of a
shape-memorising part, mounted transversally in the supply 6 or
outlet 7 passage and of which the apparent surface exposed to the
flow of fluid varies, by changing the orientation or form of said
part, depending on the temperature of said fluid in contact with
it, at least within a predetermined temperature range.
[0034] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of
the composition of the various elements or by substitution of
technical equivalents, without departing thereby from the scope of
protection of the invention.
* * * * *