Split output port for pump with internal temperature measurement device

Abstract

A pump system includes: a housing with a pump and an electric motor therein; a pump inlet with a pump inlet port; a pump outlet with a pump outlet port; a drive shaft rotatably driven by the electric motor, for driving the pump to pressurize fluid received through a main path of the pump from the pump inlet for output from an outlet path to the pump outlet; and a controller having a sensor. A portion of the pressurized fluid is directed to an auxiliary circuit for temperature measurement to provide an internal temperature check point of fluid within the system. The sensor is exposed to the auxiliary path, with or without use of a heat sink. Fluid is redirected to a return path for motor cooling and then a secondary path through the housing to return to the outlet path or the pump inlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pump system comprising:
 a housing with a pump and an electric motor therein;   a pump inlet comprising a pump inlet port;   a pump outlet comprising a pump outlet port;   a drive shaft rotatably driven by the electric motor, for driving parts of the pump to pressurize fluid received through a main path of the pump from the pump inlet for output from an outlet path to the pump outlet;   a controller having a sensor thereon, and   an auxiliary circuit for temperature measurement to provide an internal temperature check point of fluid within the pump system, the auxiliary circuit deviating from the main path of the pump and configured to direct a portion of the pressurized fluid to the sensor, and   the auxiliary circuit comprising a return path through the motor for directing the pressurized fluid in the auxiliary circuit and cooling the motor and a secondary path through the housing to return said pressurized fluid to the main path.   
     
     
         2 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the secondary path is configured to return said pressurized fluid to the main path via the outlet path. 
     
     
         3 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the secondary path is configured to return said pressurized fluid to the main path via the pump inlet. 
     
     
         4 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary circuit includes a fluid passageway defined in the outlet path of the pump. 
     
     
         5 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary circuit includes a path through an internal bore in the drive shaft, for directing the pressurized fluid to the sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a heat sink within the auxiliary circuit, wherein the fluid is directed towards the heat sink for reading the temperature measurement by the sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump is a gerotor type pump comprising an inner rotor fixedly secured to the drive shaft for rotation therewith and an outer rotor rotatably received within the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The pump system according to  claim 7 , wherein a displacement volume of fluid is provided within a chamber formed between teeth of the inner rotor and the outer rotor during rotation thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The pump system according to  claim 8 , further comprising an outlet groove, positioned relatively below the pump and provided between the pump inlet port and the pump outlet port, configured for selectively receiving a portion of the displacement volume of fluid within the chamber, before output via the pump outlet port or the pump inlet port, during rotation of the inner rotor and the outer rotor. 
     
     
         10 . The pump system according to  claim 9 , wherein the outlet groove comprises a generally linear shape that extends radially relative to an axis for rotation of the drive shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The pump system according to  claim 9 , wherein the outlet groove comprises an undulating shape. 
     
     
         12 . The pump system according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller is provided in the form of a printed circuit board, and wherein the sensor is mounted thereon. 
     
     
         13 . A method for directing fluid in a pump system, said pump system comprising the pump system of  claim 1 , said method comprising:
 receiving input fluid via the pump inlet port into the pump inlet and into the main path;   rotatably driving the drive shaft using the electric motor for driving parts of the pump to pressurize the input fluid received through the main path;   directing the portion of the pressurized fluid to the auxiliary circuit and to the sensor for temperature measurement;   directing the pressurized fluid to the return path through the motor for cooling the motor and the secondary path to return the pressurized fluid to the main path.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the secondary path is configured to return said pressurized fluid to the main path via directing the outlet path. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the secondary path is configured to return said pressurized fluid to the main path via the pump inlet. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the auxiliary circuit includes a path through an internal bore in the drive shaft, and wherein the method comprise directing the pressurized fluid through the internal bore and to the sensor.