Modular water pump
View Patent ↗A water pump apparatus is provided having a plurality of modular components, which allows for construction of various configurations of the water pump apparatus depending on specific vehicle requirements. The water pump apparatus modular components include a pump housing with a fluid chamber formed therein, a bearing housing for attachment to the pump housing, and a thermostat housing for connecting to the bearing housing and the pump housing. A method for forming modular components for assembling a water pump apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine is also provided.
1. A modular water pump apparatus comprising:
a pump housing having a front portion and a back portion, and a fluid chamber formed within the pump housing;
a bearing housing for attachment to the front portion of the pump housing, the bearing housing having a water inlet;
wherein the bearing housing is interchangeably connected to one of either a right side or a left side of the pump housing
a rotational shaft rotatably supported within the bearing housing by a set of bearings;
an impeller fixed to the shaft, the impeller located within the fluid chamber of the pump housing;
a thermostat housing for connecting to the bearing housing and the pump housing;
wherein the thermostat housing is integrally connected with a water inlet passage and a water outlet passage; and wherein the water inlet passage sealingly engages with the water inlet of the bearing housing.
2. The modular water pump apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes an impeller shroud having a gasket.
3. The modular water pump apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the impeller shroud and gasket are positioned between the bearing housing and the front portion of the pump housing.
4. The modular water pump apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the back portion of the pump housing is connected to a front cover of a crankcase.
5. The modular water pump apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bearing housing is rotatable about a 180° axis before attachment to the pump housing.
6. The modular water pump apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the thermostat housing is interchangeably connected to one of either the right side or the left side of the pump housing.
7. The modular water pump apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bearing housing and the thermostat housing are interchangeably connected to one of either the right side or the left side of the pump housing.
8. A water pump apparatus having a plurality of modular components, the water pump apparatus comprising:
a pump housing having a front portion and a back portion, and a fluid chamber formed within the pump housing;
a bearing housing for attachment to the front portion of the pump housing, the bearing housing having a water inlet;
a rotational shaft rotatably supported within the bearing housing by a set of bearings;
an impeller fixed to the shaft, the impeller located within the fluid chamber of the pump housing;
a thermostat housing for connecting with the bearing housing and the pump housing;
wherein the bearing housing and the thermostat housing are interchangeably connected to each other and to one of either a right side or a left side of the pump housing.
9. The water pump apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus further includes an impeller shroud having a gasket.
10. The water pump apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the impeller shroud and gasket are positioned between the bearing housing and the front portion of the pump housing.
11. The water pump apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the thermostat housing is integrally connected with a water inlet passage and a water outlet passage.
12. The water pump apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the water inlet is sealingly engaged to the water inlet of the bearing housing.
13. The water pump apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the bearing housing is rotatable about a 180° axis before attachment to the thermostat housing and the pump housing.
14. The water pump apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the rotatable bearing housing results in one of either a left hand water inlet assembly or a right hand water inlet assembly.