EP1183469B1 - High pressure pump with filler cap - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a high pressure pump with an improved filling plug.

It applies in particular to a high pressure pump for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. In this case, the transferred liquid is the fuel.

Already known in the prior art a high pressure pump for pumping a first liquid, called transferred liquid, of the type comprising a main unit for pumping the transferred liquid actuated by a secondary unit for pumping a second liquid, called working liquid, the secondary unit comprising means for filling a working liquid reservoir comprising a filling neck, connected to the reservoir, closable by a plug provided with a sealing surface intended to cooperate with a obturation seat formed in the neck.

A pump of this type is described for example in WO 97/47883 and US-A-570721.

The object of the invention is to propose means for filling the working liquid reservoir making it possible to completely fill this liquid reservoir, these means being moreover simple and easy to close.

To this end, the invention relates to a high pressure pump, of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the neck is adapted to contain an overflow of working liquid in excess of the reservoir, the level of this overflow s' extending into the neck above the seat, the cap being movable in the neck, in the presence of the overflow of working liquid, between a pre-closure position, in which the closure surface is spaced from the seat, above this seat, and a closed position, in which the closed surface is in leaktight contact with the seat.

• le réservoir est raccordé à des moyens de compensation de dilatation du liquide de travail comprenant une membrane souple déformable en fonction des variations du volume du liquide de travail ;
• le bouchon comporte un trou borgne sensiblement axial, formant réceptacle pour le trop plein, communiquant par l'intermédiaire d'un perçage du bouchon sensiblement radial, avec un chambrage périphérique du bouchon prolongé axialement par la surface d'obturation, ce chambrage étant raccordé au réservoir lorsque le bouchon est dans sa position de pré-obturation ;
• la surface d'obturation et le siège d'obturation ont des formes générales coniques, la surface d'obturation convergeant vers le siège d'obturation ;
• le bouchon est déplaçable par vissage entre ses positions de pré-obturation et d'obturation ;
• le bouchon est muni d'une tête de manoeuvre à travers laquelle débouche l'extrémité ouverte du trou borgne, la tête étant délimitée par une surface de manoeuvre polygonale extérieure ou intérieure ;
• le bouchon comporte une bille déplaçable à force entre ses positions de pré-obturation et d'obturation, la surface de la bille formant la surface d'obturation du bouchon; et
• le liquide transféré est un carburant pour moteur à combustion interne de véhicule automobile.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

• the reservoir is connected to means for compensating for expansion of the working liquid comprising a flexible membrane deformable as a function of variations in the volume of the working liquid;
• the plug has a substantially axial blind hole, forming a receptacle for the overflow, communicating via a hole in the substantially radial plug, with a peripheral recess of the plug extended axially by the sealing surface, this recess being connected to the tank when the plug is in its pre-sealing position;
• the shutter surface and the shutter seat have generally conical shapes, the shutter surface converging towards the shutter seat;
• the plug is movable by screwing between its pre-shutter and shutter positions;
• the plug is provided with an operating head through which opens the open end of the blind hole, the head being delimited by an external or internal polygonal operating surface;
• the stopper comprises a ball movable by force between its pre-shutting and shutter positions, the surface of the ball forming the shutter sealing surface; and
• the transferred liquid is a fuel for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.

• la figure 1 est une vue de face d'un pompe à haute pression selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 2-2 de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 3-3 de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de détail de la figure 2 dans laquelle le plan de coupe a été légèrement décalé de façon à passer par l'axe de la vis représentée sur ces figures 2 et 4;
• la figure 5 est une vue de détail de la partie entourée 5 de la figure 3 montrant un bouchon d'obturation de moyens de remplissage d'un réservoir de la pompe dans une position de pré-obturation ;
• la figure 6 est une vue similaire à la figure 5 représentant une première variante du bouchon ;
• la figure 7 est une vue similaire à la figure 3 représentant une seconde variante du bouchon ;
• les figures 8 à 11 sont des vues similaires à la figure 2 représentant quatre variantes respectivement d'un moyeu de la pompe selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a front view of a high pressure pump according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a detail view of Figure 2 in which the cutting plane has been slightly offset so as to pass through the axis of the screw shown in these Figures 2 and 4;
• FIG. 5 is a detail view of the surrounded part 5 of FIG. 3 showing a closure plug for filling means of a reservoir of the pump in a pre-closure position;
• Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing a first variant of the plug;
• Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a second variant of the plug;
• Figures 8 to 11 are views similar to Figure 2 showing four variants respectively of a pump hub according to the invention.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a high pressure pump according to the invention, designated by the general reference 12. In the example described, the pump 12 is intended for supplying high pressure fuel to an engine with internal combustion of motor vehicle. The pump 12 is therefore intended to pump a first liquid, namely fuel in the example described, called the transferred liquid.

In Figure 1 we recognize a connector 14 for connecting the pump 12 to a fuel tank.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the pump 12 comprises a housing 16 of generally cylindrical shape, of axis X, in which are arranged a main unit 18 for pumping fuel and a secondary unit 20 for pumping a second conventional liquid, for example a mineral oil, called working liquid. The main unit 18 is actuated by the secondary unit 20 according to general general operating principles described for example in WO 97/47883.

The housing 16 comprises a body 22, of generally cylindrical shape, surrounding the secondary unit 20, and a cover 24, of generally cylindrical shape, surrounding the main unit 18. The housing body 22 and the cover 24 respectively form two ends opposite the housing 16.

The housing body 22 is connected to the cover 24 by at least one screw 26, for example three screws 26. Each screw 26, preferably made of steel, extends substantially parallel to the axis X. A screw 26 will be described in more detail detail later.

Inside the housing 16, the main unit 18 is separated from the secondary unit 20 by a separation disc 28 centered substantially on the axis X. This disc 28 is preferably made of steel or cast iron.

The main unit 18 comprises at least one flexible membrane 30 for pumping fuel, for example three membranes 30 as in the example illustrated. It will be noted that only two membranes 30 are shown in the figures, in particular in FIG. 3.

The membrane 30 separates a fuel pumping chamber 32, arranged in the main unit 18, from a working liquid compression chamber 34, arranged in the secondary unit 20. The volume of the pumping chamber 32 is variable . The compression chamber 34 is partially provided in the separation disc 28.

Each pumping chamber 32 is associated with a fuel suction valve 36 and a fuel delivery valve 38. These valves 36, 38, of conventional structure and operation, are carried by a body 40 housed in the cover 24 between a bottom of the latter and the separation disc 28.

For the sake of lightening the pump 12, the body 22 of the housing, the cover 24 and the valve body 40 are made of aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy or another equivalent light metal.

The valves 36, 38 are connected in a manner known per se to the corresponding pumping chamber 32 as well as to a safety valve 42 of conventional structure and operation.

Conventionally, each membrane 30 can be moved between a first position of maximum volume of the pumping chamber 32, as shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a second position of minimum volume of this pumping chamber (not shown in the figures). The displacements of the membrane 30 are imposed in particular by the secondary unit 20 and control the opening and closing of the valves 36. 38 for fuel suction and delivery.

Each membrane 30 is constantly returned elastically to its first position by a spring 44, called a membrane spring.

Each valve 36, 38 communicates, on the one hand, with a fuel suction chamber 46 and, on the other hand, a fuel delivery chamber 48. The suction chamber 46 is connected in a manner known per se to the fuel supply connector 14.

The fuel suction 46 and discharge 48 chambers are delimited, at least in part, by facing surfaces 50, 52, of generally cylindrical shape, with an axis substantially coinciding with the axis X. A first surface 50 forms an internal surface of the cover 24. The second surface 52 forms a peripheral surface of the valve body 40.

The facing surfaces 50, 52 comprise two complementary shoulders 50E, 52E bearing therebetween so as to form a sealed joint plane separating the suction 46 and discharge 48 chambers. This joint plane is substantially perpendicular to the axis X. The shoulders 50E, 52E form an effective metal-metal seal.

It will be noted that the suction chamber 46, in which the pressure is lower than in the discharge chamber 48, is delimited by the bottom of the cover 24, the thickness of which is relatively small. On the other hand, the discharge chamber 48 is delimited by a peripheral wall of the cover 24 which is thicker than the bottom of this cover, so as to resist the high pressure reached by the fuel circulating in this delivery chamber.

The secondary unit 20 comprises a piston 54 for compressing working liquid associated with each membrane 30 and intended to move this membrane 30 between its two positions. Thus, in the example described, the secondary unit 20 comprises three pistons 54 only two of which are visible in the figures, in particular in FIG. 3.

The piston 54 is slidably mounted in a body 56, preferably made of steel or cast iron, so as to be displaceable substantially parallel to the axis X. The piston 54 extends between the chamber 34 for compressing working liquid, formed partly in the piston body 56, and a reservoir 58 of working liquid.

The end of the piston 54, external to the piston body 56, is resiliently returned by a spring 59 in contact with a rolling stop, for example a needle stop 60, carried by a bias plate 62 for actuating the pistons 54 This bias plate is carried by a hub 64 of the secondary unit 20. This hub 64 is rotatably mounted around the axis X in the body 22 of the housing forming a bearing. The bias plate 62 rotates around the axis X together with the hub 64, the latter being connected to conventional drive means by a seal 66 of the Oldham type. The sealing of the working liquid between the housing body 22 and the hub 64 is ensured by conventional means comprising in particular an annular seal 67 made of elastomer. The hub 64 will be described in more detail later.

Note that the separation disc 28 and the piston body 56 form an intermediate assembly EI axially clamped between a skirt 22J of the housing body 22, internal to the cover 24, and the valve body 40. Furthermore, with particular reference to Figure 4, we see that each screw 26 is provided with a head 26T and a threaded body 26C. The head 26T is supported on a passing seat 68 formed in the body 22 of the housing. The threaded body 26C is screwed into a threaded orifice 70 formed in an ear 72 secured to the cover 24. As a result, the body 22 of the housing, the intermediate assembly EI and the body 40 of the valve are clamped between the head 26T of the screws and the joint plane materialized by the shoulders 50E, 52E.

Preferably, the axial dimension L1 of the intermediate assembly EI is substantially equal to the length L2 of the part of the body 26C of the screw extending between the head 26T of this screw and the tapped orifice 70. In this way, the dilations of the different materials, namely, on the one hand, aluminum or light metal and, on the other hand, steel or cast iron, are substantially identical inside and outside of the housing 16.

Referring again to Figures 2 and 3, we see that the piston 54 is provided with an axial bore 74 through which the working liquid can flow between the reservoir 58 and the compression chamber 34. A first end of the bore 74, inside the piston body 56, communicates permanently with the compression chamber 34. The second end of the bore 74, outside the piston body 56, communicates permanently with the reservoir 58.

Preferably, the bore 74 is stepped and comprises a section 74A of large diameter, opening into the compression chamber 34, and a section 74B of small diameter, opening into the reservoir 58.

A ball, forming a valve 76, is housed in the section 74A of large diameter so as to be movable, on the one hand, between a shoulder E74, separating the sections 74A and 74B, forming a seat for closing the valve 76, and on the other hand, a stop 78 for limiting the opening stroke of this valve 76.

The valve 76 opens as soon as the pressure of the working liquid in the reservoir 58 exceeds that of the working liquid in the compression chamber 34. Otherwise, the valve 76 closes so as to close the bore 74.

For the proper functioning of the pump 12, the stiffness of the diaphragm return spring 44 associated with the piston 54 is dimensioned so that this spring 44 maintains the working liquid contained in the compression chamber 34 in overpressure relative to the working liquid contained in the reservoir 58, this until the membrane 44 has not reached its first position of maximum volume of the pumping chamber 32.

We will indicate below some specific characteristics of the operation of the main 18 and secondary 20 pumping units, the main unit 18 operating according to the principles of a positive displacement pump.

When the bias plate 62 pushes the piston 54 into the piston body 56 (displacement of the piston 54 to the right considering Figures 2 and 3), the working liquid contained in the compression chamber 34 is compressed (under overpressure to the liquid contained in the reservoir 58), so that the valve 76 closes and the flexible membrane 30 moves to its second position of minimum volume of the pumping chamber 32. This causes, as is conventional, the discharge of fuel at high pressure into the discharge chamber 48.

When the bias plate 62 allows the piston 74 to move in a direction opposite to the previous one (to the left considering Figures 2 and 3), under the effect of the return spring 59, the membrane 30 is returned by the spring 44 in its first position of maximum volume of the pumping chamber 32. This causes, as is conventional, the aspiration of the fuel, coming from the suction chamber 46, into the pumping chamber 32.

It will be noted that the membrane spring 44 allows the automatic return of the membrane 30 to its first position, this even in the absence of fuel in the main pumping unit 18. Furthermore, when the piston 54 moves towards the left considering Figures 2 and 3, given the leakage of working liquid between the compression chamber 34 and the reservoir 58, the membrane 30 reaches its first position before the piston 54 completes its stroke to the left. Consequently, once the membrane 30 reaches its first position, the pressure of the working liquid in the compression chamber 34 drops relative to that of the working liquid in the reservoir 58, which causes the valve 76 to open and replenishing the compression chamber 34 with working liquid so as to compensate for leaks.

Will be described below, with particular reference to Figures 3 and 5, simple and effective means for completely filling the reservoir 58 with working liquid.

These filling means comprise a filling neck 80, connected to the reservoir 58, closable by a plug 82.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the plug 82 is intended to cooperate by screwing with the neck 80. The plug 82 has a blind hole 84, substantially axial, communicating via a hole 86 in the plug , substantially radial, with a peripheral recess 88 of the plug extended axially by a sealing surface 90 of this plug intended to cooperate with a sealing seat 92 formed in the end of the neck 80 close to the reservoir 58.

Preferably, the shutter surface 90 and the shutter seat 92 have generally conical shapes, the shutter surface 90 converging towards the shutter seat 92.

The plug 82 is movable in the neck 80, by screwing, between a pre-closure position of the reservoir 58, in which the closure surface 90 is spaced from the seat 92, above this seat 92, as shown in FIG. 5, and a closed position of this reservoir 58, in which the closed surface 90 is in sealed contact with the seat 92, as shown in FIG. 3.

The neck 80 is likely to contain an overflow of working liquid in excess of the reservoir, the level N of this overflow extending in the neck 80 above the seat 92.

It will be noted that, when the plug 82 is in its pre-sealing position, the peripheral recess 88 of this plug communicates with the reservoir 58, so that the blind hole 84 forms a receptacle for the overflow of working liquid. Furthermore, in the presence of the overflow in the neck 80, the plug 82 can be moved in this neck between its pre-shutting and shutter positions.

To move the plug 82, the latter is provided with an operating head 82T through which opens the open end of the blind hole 84. The head 82T is delimited by a polygonal inner surface 82I enabling the plug 82 to be operated using a conventional tool.

As a variant, the maneuvering head 82T can be delimited by a polygonal external surface 82E as shown in FIG. 6, for maneuvering the plug 82 using a conventional tool.

The plug 82 carries an O-ring peripheral seal 93 positioned axially between the head 82T and the recess 88. This seal 93 seals between the neck 80 and the plug 82 above the recess 88.

The plug 82 makes it possible to fill the reservoir 58 under vacuum as follows.

Initially, the plug 82 is screwed into the neck 80 in its pre-sealing position as shown in FIG. 5.

To fill the reservoir 58 with working liquid, vacuum is carried out in this reservoir, using conventional means, then the working liquid is introduced through the blind hole 84 of the plug. In this way, the working liquid flows into the reservoir 58 by circulating in the blind hole 84, the radial bore 86 and the recess 88.

The filling of the reservoir 58 is continued until an overflow remains in the neck 80 and the blind hole 84, as shown in FIG. 5.

Finally, in the presence of the overflow, the plug 82 is moved by screwing to its closed position as shown in FIG. 3. The reservoir 58 is then isolated from the filling neck 80, the quantity of working liquid remaining in the blind hole 84 being easily evacuated by the end of the blind hole 84 emerging through the operating head 82T.

Referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the reservoir 58 is connected to conventional means 94 for compensating for the expansion of the working liquid contained in the reservoir 58. These means comprise a flexible membrane 96 separating a channel 98 for setting communication of the membrane 96 with the working liquid of the reservoir 58 and a space 100 for release of the membrane 96 protected by a shell 102 of generally hemispherical shape. The membrane 96 deforms as a function of variations in the volume of working liquid contained in the reservoir 58.

In FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of the plug 82 has been shown.

In this case, the plug 82 comprises a ball 104 that can be forcibly moved between a position for pre-closing the reservoir 58, as shown in phantom in FIG. 7, and a position for closing this reservoir 58, as shown in solid lines in this figure 7.

The surface of the ball 104 forms the closure surface intended to cooperate in a sealed manner with the seat 92 of the neck.

The filling neck 80 is closed by means of the ball 104 as follows.

In the presence of the overflow of working liquid, the level N of which is shown in phantom in FIG. 7, the ball 104 is placed in its pre-sealing position as shown in phantom in this figure 7. Then, forcibly moves the ball 104 in the neck 80 so as to press it against the seat 92, as shown in solid line in FIG. 7.

It will be noted that during the forced displacement of the ball 104 between its pre-obturation and obturation positions of the reservoir 58, the overflow of working liquid, forcefully introduced into the reservoir 58 under the effect of the displacement of the ball 104, is compensated by the deformation of the membrane 96 of the expansion compensation means 94, as shown in FIG. 7.

The hub 64 will be described below in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

In the example illustrated in this FIG. 3, the hub 64 comprises a sleeve 106, with an axis coinciding with the axis X, in which the bias plate 62 is housed,

The hub 64 also includes a ring 108 fixed on the external surface of the sleeve 106.

The external surface of the sleeve 106 forms a peripheral cylindrical surface SG for guiding the hub in rotation in the housing body 22. One face of the ring 108 forms a shoulder FE for axial positioning of the hub 64 relative to the body 22 of the housing.

Furthermore, the housing body 22 comprises a jacket 110, the internal surface of which forms a cylindrical surface with a bearing SP in sliding contact with the peripheral guide surface SG of the hub.

The housing body 22 also includes a washer 112, disposed at one end of the jacket 110, provided with a face forming a flat surface with a bearing surface FP in sliding contact with the shoulder FE of the hub.

The jacket 110 and the washer 112 are fixed in a manner known per se to the housing body 22 and are made of conventional materials, preferably with a low coefficient of friction.

It will be noted that the shoulder FE of the hub 64, extending the guide surface SG of this hub, is urged to bear against the bearing face FP of the housing body 22 by the elastic return force of the pistons 54 in contact with the stop. with needles 60 as well as by the pressure of the working liquid in contact with the bias plate 62.

According to a first variant shown in FIG. 8, the cylindrical surface with a bearing surface SP is formed by the internal surface of a sleeve 114, carried by the housing body 22, provided with an end extended by a flange 116 delimiting the flat surface of FP range.

According to a second variant shown in FIG. 9, the peripheral guide surface SG of the hub is formed by the external surface of a sleeve 118, in which is housed the bias plate 62, provided with an end extended by a collar 120 delimiting the axial positioning shoulder FE of the hub. The sleeve 118 of the hub cooperates with a sleeve 114 secured to the housing body 22 of the type shown in FIG. 8.

According to third and fourth variants shown in Figures 10 and 11 respectively, the peripheral guide surface SG and the positioning shoulder axial FE of the hub are formed by the external surface of a stepped tubular member 122, in one piece, in which is housed the bias plate 62. The stepped member 122 can be easily manufactured in a conventional manner, in particular by stamping, treatment and rectification.

In the third variant shown in FIG. 10, the stepped member 122 is in sliding contact with a cylindrical surface with a bearing SP and a planar surface with a bearing FP formed on elements similar to those shown in FIG. 3.

In the fourth variant represented in FIG. 11, the peripheral guide surface SG of the stepped member 122 is in contact with rolling needles 124 extending substantially parallel to the axis X, and the axial positioning shoulder FE is in contact with rolling needles 126, extending substantially radially with respect to the axis X.

The needles 124, 126 are carried by cages 128, 130 fixed in a manner known per se on the housing body 22.

Claims (8)

1. A high-pressure pump for pumping a first liquid, known as the transferred liquid, of the type comprising a main unit (18) for pumping the transferred liquid, which unit is actuated by a secondary unit (20) for pumping a second liquid, known as the working liquid, the secondary unit (20) comprising means for filling a reservoir (58) with working liquid which comprise a filling neck (80), connected to the reservoir, which can be plugged by a plug (82) provided with a plugging surface (90) intended to collaborate with a plugging seat (92) formed in the neck (80), characterized in that the neck (80) is adapted to contain an excess of working liquid overflowing from the reservoir (58), the overflow level (N) extending into the neck (80) above the seat (92), it being possible for the plug (82) to move in the neck (80), in the presence of the overflow of working liquid, between a position of preplugging, in which the plugging surface (90) is away from the seat (92), above this seat (92), and a position of plugging in which the plugging surface (90) is in sealed contact with the seat (92).
2. The pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the reservoir (58) is connected to means (94) for compensating for expansion of the working liquid, which means comprise a flexible diaphragm (96) which can be deformed according to the variations in volume of the working liquid.
3. The pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the plug (82) comprises a more or less axial blind hole (84), forming a receptacle for the overflow, communicating via a more or less radial drilling (86) of the plug with a peripheral counterbore (88) of the plug which is extended axially by the plugging surface (90), this . counterbore (88) being connected to the reservoir (58) when the plug (82) is in its preplugging position.
4. The pump as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the plugging surface (90) and the plugging seat (92) have conical overall shapes, the plugging surface (90) converging toward the plugging seat (92).
5. The pump as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the plug (82) can move by screwing between its preplugging and plugging positions.
6. The pump as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the plug (82) has a driving head (82T) through which the open end of the blind hole opens, the head (82T) being delimited by an exterior (82E) or interior (82I) polygonal driving surface.
7. The pump as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the plug (82) comprises a ball (104) that can be moved by force between its preplugging and plugging positions, the surface of the ball (104) forming the plugging surface of the plug.
8. The pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the transferred liquid is a fuel for a motor vehicle internal combustion engine.