Thermistor flow path

Abstract

A fluid pump includes a pump element in communication with an inlet and an outlet. Rotation of the pump element generates a suction at the inlet and pressure at the outlet. The suction and pressure cooperate to move a fluid through a fluid path. An accessory fluid path is in communication with the inlet and outlet. The accessory fluid path includes a thermistor in communication with the accessory fluid path. The thermistor monitors a temperature of the fluid within the accessory fluid path.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid pump comprising:
 a pump element in communication with an inlet and an outlet, wherein rotation of the pump element generates an inward suction at the inlet and outward pressure at the outlet, and wherein the inward suction and outward pressure cooperate to move a fluid through a fluid path;   an accessory fluid path in communication with the inlet and the outlet, wherein an orifice directs a portion of the fluid through the accessory fluid path; and   a printed circuit board having a thermistor in communication with the accessory fluid path, wherein:
 the thermistor monitors a temperature of the fluid within the accessory fluid path; 
 the pump element and the orifice regulate a predetermined amount of the fluid through the fluid path and away from the accessory fluid path; 
 the pump element and the orifice also regulate an amount of the fluid in excess of the predetermined amount that defines an excess flow of the fluid; and 
 the excess flow of the fluid is directed through the orifice and into the accessory fluid path. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fluid pump of  claim 1 , wherein the thermistor is disposed within the accessory fluid path. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid pump of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory fluid path includes the orifice that regulates flow of the fluid from the fluid path and into the accessory fluid path. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid pump of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory fluid path extends around at least a portion of a rotor that drives the pump element. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid pump of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory fluid path extends through a central channel of a drive shaft of the pump element. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid pump of  claim 5 , wherein the central channel of the drive shaft extends through a portion of the pump element. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid pump of  claim 1 , wherein the pump element is a positive displacement pump. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid pump of  claim 7 , wherein the positive displacement pump is a generated rotor. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid pump of  claim 3 , wherein the pump element includes an outlet shadow port that regulates a flow of the fluid through the outlet and through the accessory fluid path. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid pump of  claim 9 , wherein the orifice is positioned proximate the outlet shadow port. 
     
     
         11 . A fluid pump comprising:
 a pump element in communication with a fluid path;   an accessory fluid path that defines a portion of the fluid path;   a shadow port in communication with the pump element, wherein the pump element and the shadow port regulate a flow of a fluid between a primary flow of the fluid that is directed to an outlet, and an excess flow of the fluid that is directed through the accessory fluid path and then to the outlet; wherein   operation of the pump element in conjunction with the shadow port promotes the primary flow of the fluid toward the outlet and simultaneously promotes the excess flow of the fluid through the accessory fluid path;   the excess flow of the fluid through the accessory fluid path is in thermal communication with a thermistor that is disposed on a circuit board; and   the thermistor measures a fluid temperature of the excess flow of the fluid within the accessory fluid path.   
     
     
         12 . The fluid pump of  claim 11 , wherein the thermistor is disposed within the accessory fluid path. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid pump of  claim 11 , wherein the thermistor directly engages the excess flow of the fluid within the accessory fluid path. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid pump of  claim 11 , wherein the pump element generates an inward pressure at an inlet of the fluid path and generates an outward pressure at the outlet of the fluid path. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid pump of  claim 11 , wherein the pump element is a positive displacement pump. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid pump of  claim 11 , wherein the shadow port includes an orifice that regulates the excess flow of the fluid into the accessory fluid path. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid pump of  claim 11 , wherein the accessory fluid path extends from the pump element and around at least a portion of a rotor of a pump motor to the thermistor, and wherein the accessory fluid path extends from the thermistor and through a central channel of a drive shaft of the pump motor. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid pump of  claim 17 , wherein the thermistor is positioned on a circuit board housing, and wherein the circuit board housing defines a portion of the accessory fluid path that directs the excess flow of the fluid from the rotor, into thermal communication with the thermistor and toward the outlet. 
     
     
         19 . A method of operating a fluid pump, the method comprising steps of:
 activating a pump element to suction a fluid into a fluid path;   operating the pump element to direct a fluid to a position that defines a shadow port having an orifice;   dividing the fluid into a primary flow of the fluid toward an outlet of the fluid path and an excess flow of the fluid through the orifice and into an accessory fluid path;   directing the excess flow of the fluid toward a thermistor in thermal communication with the accessory fluid path;   measuring a fluid temperature of the excess flow of the fluid in the accessory fluid path; and   directing the excess flow of the fluid toward one of an inlet of the fluid path and the outlet of the fluid path.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the thermistor is positioned within the accessory fluid path.