Reduced noise fluid pump

1. A fluid pump comprising:

a housing that includes a base surface and defines a suction chamber, a discharge chamber, and a barrier extending from and arranged perpendicular to the base surface and having a first height relative to the base surface, wherein the barrier is configured to separate the suction chamber from the discharge chamber; and

first and second gears rotatably disposed in the housing, configured to mesh and draw relatively low-pressure fluid from the suction chamber, transform the relatively low-pressure fluid into relatively high-pressure fluid, and release the relatively high-pressure fluid into the discharge chamber;

wherein the barrier includes first and second portions configured to accept the first and second gears respectively, and a bridge connecting the first and second portions, the bridge being disposed proximately to where the first and second gears mesh;

wherein the bridge includes a ramp configured as a plane surface sloped relative to the base surface to provide a gradual transition from the first height to a second height such that height of the bridge is reduced relative to the base surface; and

wherein the ramp generates a gradual re-expansion of the fluid away from the bridge and thereby reduces pump noise.

2. The fluid pump of claim 1 , wherein the ramp faces the suction chamber.

3. The fluid pump of claim 1 , wherein the transition from the first height to the second height is one of cast and machined into the barrier.

4. The fluid pump of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second gears is an external spur gear type.

5. The fluid pump of claim 1 , wherein the ramp includes a first fillet arranged at the transition from the first height to the second height.

6. The fluid pump of claim 5 , wherein the barrier includes a second fillet where the bridge connects to the first portion and a third fillet where the bridge connects to the second portion.

7. An internal combustion engine comprising:

a cylinder block having an oil gallery; and

a fluid pump configured to supply oil to the oil gallery, the pump having:

a housing that includes a base surface and defines a suction chamber, a discharge chamber, and a barrier extending from and arranged perpendicular to the base surface and having a first height relative to the base surface, wherein the barrier is configured to separate the suction chamber from the discharge chamber; and

first and second gears rotatably disposed in the housing, configured to mesh and draw relatively low-pressure oil from the suction chamber, transform the relatively low-pressure oil into relatively high-pressure oil, and release the relatively high-pressure oil into the discharge chamber;

wherein the barrier includes first and second portions configured to accept the first and second gears respectively, and a bridge connecting the first and second portions, the bridge being disposed proximately to where the first and second gears mesh; and

wherein the bridge includes a ramp configured as a plane surface sloped relative to the base surface to provide a gradual transition from the first height to a second height such that height of the bridge is reduced relative to the base surface; and

wherein the ramp generates a gradual re-expansion of the fluid away from the bridge and thereby reduces pump noise.

8. The engine of claim 7 , wherein the ramp faces the suction chamber.

9. The fluid pump of claim 7 , wherein the transition from the first height to the second height is one of cast and machined into the barrier.

10. The fluid pump of claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second gears is an external spur gear type.

11. The engine of claim 7 , wherein the ramp includes a first fillet arranged at the transition from the first height to the second height.

12. The engine of claim 11 , wherein the barrier includes a second fillet where the bridge connects to the first portion and a third fillet where the bridge connects to the second portion.

13. A motor vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine configured to propel the vehicle, the engine including a cylinder block having an oil gallery; and

a fluid pump configured to supply oil to the oil gallery, the pump having:

a housing that includes a base surface and defines a suction chamber, a discharge chamber, and a barrier extending from and arranged perpendicular to the base surface and having a first height relative to the base surface, wherein the barrier is configured to separate the suction chamber from the discharge chamber; and

first and second gears rotatably disposed in the housing, configured to mesh and draw relatively low-pressure oil from the suction chamber, transform the relatively low-pressure oil into relatively high-pressure oil, and release the relatively high-pressure oil into the discharge chamber;

wherein the barrier includes first and second portions configured to accept the first and second gears respectively, and a bridge connecting the first and second portions, the bridge being disposed proximately to where the first and second gears mesh; and

wherein the bridge includes a ramp configured as a plane surface sloped relative to the base surface to provide a gradual transition from the first height to a second height such that height of the bridge is reduced relative to the base surface; and

wherein the ramp generates a gradual re-expansion of the fluid away from the bridge and thereby reduces pump noise.

14. The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the ramp faces the suction chamber.

15. The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the transition from the first height to the second height is one of cast and machined into the barrier.

16. The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the ramp includes a first fillet arranged at the transition from the first height to the second height.

17. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the barrier includes a second fillet where the bridge connects to the first portion and a third fillet where the bridge connects to the second portion.