Pump with integrated valve and temperature sensor and a thermal management system including such a pump
An apparatus and coolant pump for use in a thermal management system includes a pump housing having an inlet for receiving coolant from the thermal management system and at least first and second outlets extending from the pump housing for directing coolant to at least a first and a second coolant loop. An impeller coupled to an electrical pump motor drives the coolant from the inlet to the first or the second outlet. A valve mounted between the impeller and the first and second outlets selectively directs the flow of coolant through the first or the second outlet. A temperature sensor installed on the pump housing inlet measures the temperature of the coolant entering the coolant pump.
1 . An apparatus for cooling a heat generating component of a vehicle, comprising:
a first loop comprising a component heat exchanger and a chiller module;
a second loop comprising a heater module and a cabin heat exchanger;
a first pump arranged to provide adjustable flow rates having an inlet attached to the heat exchanger configured to receive coolant from the heat exchanger;
a valve located in the first pump configured to switch between a chiller mode and a recirculation mode, the first pump pumping the coolant from the inlet to the first loop in the chiller mode or between the inlet and the second loop in the recirculation mode; and
a second pump arranged to provide adjustable flow rates;
a valve located in the second pump configured to switch between an isolated mode and a linked mode, the second loop in downstream communication with the second pump while in the isolated mode, and the first loop in downstream communication with the second pump while in the linked mode; and
a first temperature sensor installed on the first pump inlet that measures the temperature of the coolant entering the first pump, wherein the first temperature sensor signals a controller that operates the valve into the chiller mode or the recirculation mode and adjusts the flow rate of the first pump.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first pump has a first outlet and the valve directs the coolant to the first outlet and the first loop in the chiller mode and the first pump has a second outlet and the valve directs the coolant to the second outlet and the second loop in the recirculation mode.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second pump has a first outlet and the valve directs the coolant to the first outlet and the second loop in the linked mode and the second pump has a second outlet and the valve directs the coolant to the second outlet and the first loop in the isolated mode.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second pump includes an inlet in direct downstream communication with the cabin heat exchanger and a second temperature sensor is installed on the second pump inlet that measures the temperature of the coolant entering the second pump.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein responsive to the first temperature sensor signaling the controller, the controller places the first pump valve in the chiller mode when the temperature of the coolant at the first pump is higher than a set point and to place the first pump valve in the recirculation mode when the temperature of the coolant entering the first pump is lower than a set point.
6 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the second temperature sensor is arranged to signal the controller, the controller placing the second pump valve in the linked mode when the temperature of the coolant at the second pump is above a set point and to place the second pump valve in isolated mode when the temperature of the coolant entering the cabin heat exchanger is below a set point and adjust the flow rate of the second pump.
7 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the first pump includes an actuator mechanically connected to the valve and electrically connected to the controller, wherein the controller signals the actuator to operate and switch the valve between the chiller mode and the recirculation mode.
8 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the second pump includes an actuator mechanically connected to the valve and electrically connected to the controller, wherein the controller signals the actuator to operate and switch the valve between the linked mode and the isolated mode.
9 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first pump includes an electrical motor connected to an impeller located inside the valve, the impeller arranged to rotate within the valve and drive the coolant through a valve opening to the first outlet in the chiller mode or to the second outlet in the recirculation mode.
10 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the second pump includes an electrical pump motor connected to an impeller located inside the valve, the impeller arranged to rotate within the valved and drive the coolant through a valve opening to the first outlet in the linked mode or the second outlet in the isolation mode.