WO2025078769A1 - Rotary hydraulic distributor comprising a fluid guide member - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotary hydraulic distributor including a housing (2) and a core (4), the core further including at least one fluid-orienting means for guiding a fluid between the inlet opening (18) and the side outlet (34).

Description

Description

Title: ROTARY HYDRAULIC DISTRIBUTOR WITH FLUID GUIDE MEMBER

TECHNICAL FIELD AND STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to a hydraulic distributor, for example used for cooling in the automotive industry, the distributor preferably being electrically actuated.

In the automotive field, the use of hydraulic distributors is common to cool certain parts of the engine, for example these are motorized valves with 1 or 2 inlets and 2 outlets and solenoid valves with 1 inlet and 2 outlets. These distributors are generally controlled by means of an electric motor.

There are several types of hydraulic distributors, including spool distributors and rotary distributors.

Rotary distributors, also known as ball valve distributors, comprise a housing delimiting a cylindrical chamber of revolution provided with at least one fluid inlet intended to be connected to a source of liquid, and at least one fluid outlet intended to be connected to a pipe to carry the liquid to the area to be cooled. The inlet and the outlet open into the cylindrical wall of the chamber. The distributor also comprises a rotating central part or core mounted in the chamber. The core has an outer surface of revolution facing the cylindrical wall of the chamber. The core has at least two orifices in its outer surface connected by a channel. The two orifices are oriented relative to each other so that, when one of the orifices is facing the inlet, the other is facing the outlet. Thus, by rotating the core in the chamber, it is possible to allow or interrupt the circulation between the inlet and the outlet and therefore the circulation between the source of liquid and the area to be cooled.

In such a distributor, turbulence can occur within the core of the distribution chamber itself. Such turbulence negatively affects the fluid flow, slowing it down and/or generating pressure losses. The problem therefore arises of finding a distributor which is more efficient in terms of fluid distribution, and/or which reduces pressure losses and/or which allows better fluid flow.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a rotary hydraulic distributor making it possible to solve at least one of the above technical problems.

The above-stated purpose is achieved by a rotary hydraulic distributor comprising a housing and a rotating central part (or core), the housing comprising a cylindrical chamber of revolution receiving the core. The wall of the chamber comprises at least one supply port and at least one outlet port.

At least one fluid guiding and/or directing means, for example a fin, is provided in the core for guiding a fluid between said inlet opening and said side outlet.

Advantageously, the housing and/or core is or are made of molded plastic, which reduces the mass of the dispenser and the manufacturing time.

In an advantageous example, the dispenser has one supply port and two outlet ports.

The present application relates in particular to a hydraulic rotary distributor comprising a housing and a core, said housing comprising a side wall, two end walls delimiting a hydraulic chamber, in which is housed the core capable of rotating in said chamber around an axis (XX') of rotation, at least one supply orifice, and at least one outlet orifice, which open(s) into the hydraulic chamber, the core comprising a lateral surface facing the side wall of the housing, an inlet opening, at least one lateral outlet and allowing a supply of each of said outlet orifices according to its angular position in the housing, the core further comprising at least one means, for example a fin, for orienting and/or guiding the fluid to orient and/or guide a fluid between said inlet opening and said lateral outlet. A fluid can, for example, flow on either side of the means for orienting and/or guiding the fluid.

In a hydraulic rotary distributor according to the invention, said fin has, for example, a length, in the direction of flow of the fluid, of between 1/20 and 1/3 of the diameter of the core.

In a hydraulic rotary distributor according to the invention, said vane may have:

- in the direction of flow of the fluid, a ^1st end, facing towards said inlet opening and a ^2nd end facing towards said lateral outlet, the radius of curvature of the ^2nd end being greater than that of the ^1st end;

- and/or having a ^1st longitudinal end provided with a positioning stud, and a ^2nd longitudinal end provided with an angular orientation means, for example of elongated shape; the core may comprise an opening for inserting the positioning stud and an opening for inserting the angular orientation means.

The case (or core) can have:

- at least 2 outlet ports, which open into the hydraulic chamber;

- and/or at least 2 side outlets, the means for guiding and/or directing the fluid, for example the fin, being arranged symmetrically, or not, with respect to these side outlets.

The core comprises for example an internal conduit or an internal chamber which connects said inlet opening and said lateral outlet, and in which said at least one means according to the invention, for example a fin, is arranged.

The feed port, and one or more of the outlet ports, or all of the outlet ports, which open into the hydraulic chamber, are preferably arranged in a plane, perpendicular to the axis (XX') of rotation.

The housing and/or core are made of plastic or metal, for example.

At least one means for guiding and/or directing the fluid, for example a fin, is made of anodized aluminum or a thermoplastic material, or titanium, or stainless steel.

For example, the housing and/or core may be made of plastic.

The present application also relates to a hydraulic rotary electrodistributor comprising a distributor according to one of the preceding claims and an actuator, for example a geared motor, driving the core in rotation. The actuator may have an output shaft aligned along the axis of rotation.

The present application also relates to a method for distributing a fluid using a hydraulic rotary electro-distributor according to the invention, the fluid being introduced through the supply orifice, and being guided by an internal conduit of the core and by the fin towards the lateral outlet thereof then, depending on the orientation of the core in the housing, towards one and/or the other of the outlet orifices.

The fluid is, for example, water or a mixture of water and glycol, or oil, or exhaust gas from a motor vehicle or marine vehicle. For example, it is a coolant for a fuel cell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood on the basis of the following description and the appended drawings in which:

[Fig. 1] is an exploded view of an example of a hydraulic rotary distributor according to the invention comprising one inlet and two outlets.

[Fig.2A] is a perspective view of the rotating central portion of the dispenser of Figure 1, with the seals shown in a position spaced from the central portion.

[Fig. 2B] is another perspective view of the rotating center portion of the distributor of Figure 1, without the seals.

[Fig.2C] is a perspective view of the central portion in a representation close to Figure 2A.

[Fig. 3] is a view of a fin implemented for example in a distributor of figure 1.

[Fig. 4A] and [Fig.4B] are perspective views of a core and a fin according to the invention. [Fig. 5A] and [Fig.SB] are views of a core, in 2 different positions, and of a fin according to the invention.

[Fig. 6A] and [Fig.6B] are views of a core, in 2 different positions, and of a fin according to the invention, with a flow of fluid circulating in the core.

[Fig. 7A] and [Fig.7B] are views of a core, with a fin according to the invention (figure 7A), without a fin according to the invention (figure 7B), in a ^1st position of the core.

[Fig. 8A] and [Fig.8B] are views of a core, with a fin according to the invention (figure 8A), without a fin according to the invention (figure 8B), in a ^2nd position of the core.

[Fig. 9A] and [Fig.9B] are views of a core, with a fin according to the invention (figure 9A), without a fin according to the invention (figure 9B), in a ^3rd position of the core.

[Fig. 10A] and [Fig. 10B] are views of a core, in 2 different positions, and of a fin according to the invention.

[Fig. 11A] - [Fig. 11D] are views which represent the effect of a fin in a device according to the invention, the arrow(s) indicating the direction of flow of the fluid;

[Fig. 12] is a perspective view of a distributor and a geared motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

In Figure 1 we can see an example of a rotary hydraulic distributor D having one inlet and two outlets. It will be understood that the distributor can have one or more inlets and one or more outlets.

The distributor D comprises a housing 2 or valve body, of essentially cylindrical shape of revolution around the axis X, and a central part 4, designated core, or chamber, mounted in the housing 2 and capable of rotating therein.

In the example shown, the housing 2 comprises a bottom 6 and a substantially cylindrical side wall 8 in one piece, and a cover 10 for closing the housing. The cover 10 is for example secured to the housing 2 by welding, for example by ultrasonic welding.

The housing 2 comprises an orifice 18, called a supply orifice, formed in the side wall 8 and a supply conduit 22, for example welded onto the base of the orifice 18 and intended for connection to a source of liquid. On either side of this inlet orifice 18, the housing 2 also comprises a first outlet orifice 20 formed in the side wall 8, extending by a conduit 24 intended to bring the liquid to a given zone, for example a zone to be cooled, and a second outlet orifice 12 extended by a conduit 14. The conduits 14 and 24 are for example welded on the base of the orifices 12 and 20 respectively. The housing 2 defines a hydraulic chamber 26. The outlet orifices 12 and 20 are distributed angularly on the side wall around the axis X on either side of the supply orifice 18.

In Figures 2A and 2B, we can see the core 4, also cylindrical in shape with a revolution around the X axis. The core 4 is mounted in the hydraulic chamber capable of rotating around the X axis.

The core 4 has two end faces 28, 30 and a lateral surface 32 (which has an external lateral surface, visible in the figure and an internal lateral surface, not visible in this figure).

The end face 28 faces the bottom of the housing and the end face 30 faces the cover. The end face 30 comprises means, for example a hollow impression 31, intended to receive the end of a shaft of an actuator, for example of a geared motor MR (figure 11). The cover 10 comprises an opening 33 facing the impression 31 to allow coupling with the shaft of the geared motor. Alternatively, the end face 30 comprises a projecting coupling member intended to penetrate into a hollow impression formed in the shaft of the actuator. A seal 34 is advantageously provided between the end face 30 and the cover bordering the impression 31 and to prevent liquid leaks.

The core 4 also comprises one or more outlet orifice(s) 12, 20.

The core 4 may also comprise a first seal 44 intended to close the outlet orifice 12, when they are opposite, and a second seal 46 and intended to close the outlet orifice 20, when they are opposite. The first seal 44 and the second seal 46 are for example of identical or similar shape, as is their mounting on the core. They are mounted in hollow housings 48, 49. Examples of the shape of the joints will not be described in detail but can be found for example in FR 3119656, as well as the operation of the device in Figure 1.

A variant of the core structure 4 to which the invention can be applied is illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B, where the references 321 and 322 designate seals and the references 323 and 327 designate housings for receiving these seals. This variant can be combined with a housing 2 as explained above in connection with Figure 1 and with an actuator, for example a geared motor (MR, see Figure 11), driving the core in rotation.

As understood from these figures 10A and 10B, but also from other figures of this application, the channel 38 may, according to particular embodiments of the invention, have:

- an outlet having a maximum diameter or dimension enabling it to simultaneously supply 2 neighboring outlets 12, 20, proportionally depending on the position of the core in the distributor;

- and/or a convergent shape, the side walls of which possibly allow part of the fluid which meets them to be brought back towards an outlet; the presence of the fin makes it possible to minimize this part of the fluid which goes towards a side wall.

Reference 38 is a channel that allows fluid to flow into core 4, from an inlet 31. Such a channel may be present in the core of the valve of Figure 1. Alternatively, the fluid flows into a chamber of the core, to be guided from an inlet of the fluid in the valve to an outlet thereof.

The core also comprises a recess or cavity 43 (figure 2B) extending angularly so that the recess can be positioned opposite the supply orifice 18 and at least part of one and/or the other of the outlet orifices. The outer diameter of the core 4 is less than the inner dimensions of the housing 2, for example the difference between the outer diameter of the core 4 and the inner dimensions of the housing 2 is between 1 mm and a few mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the chamber 26 has a circular interior cross-section and the seals 44, 46 bridge the distance between the outer side wall of the core and the inner face of the chamber, the seals then constantly rub against the inner surface of the chamber.

The core 4 and the cover 10 are for example made of plastic by injection molding.

Preferably, the housing 2 and the core 4 are made of plastic material reducing the mass of the distributor, which is particularly favorable in the automotive field. In addition, the plastic material is advantageously filled with a material reducing friction. For example, the housing and/or the core are made of polyphthalamide, for example of the PA6T/6I-GF30 type, very advantageously filled with PTFE.

Furthermore, they are preferably made by casting, which simplifies their manufacture. However, the housing and the core can be made of metallic material, for example stainless steel.

Preferably, the actuation of the distributor D is carried out electrically, for example by means of a geared motor MR whose output shaft penetrates into the hollow imprint 31, as shown in FIG. 11. The geared motor is for example that described in application WO2019/129984.

Figure 3 represents a fluid guiding element, here a fin 100, which can be arranged in the core 4. This fin 100 (in this example and in the following) is for example made of anodized aluminum. Alternatively, it can be made of a thermoplastic material, for example of the reinforced technical type, or of titanium, or of stainless steel ... The fin is for example of an elongated shape along an axis parallel to XX', between a ^1st end 103 and a ^2nd end 107, a guiding and/or centering member 106, 104 being able to be arranged and/or formed at each of these ends.

The fin is preferably:

- of an elongated or tapered shape and/or which tapers from upstream to downstream (in the direction of flow of the fluid, in a direction perpendicular to the XX'axis); it is therefore wider in its upstream part than in its downstream part. A radius of curvature of the upstream end is preferably greater than the radius of curvature of the downstream end. This elongated or tapered shape and/or which tapers is well suited to the passage of a fluid; - and/or is disjointed from the periphery of the core and/or the distributor; there is a non-zero distance d' (see figure 11B) between the upstream edge of the fin and the periphery of the core and/or the distributor; thus a fluid can enter the distributor, flow into a part of the core, meet the fin, flow along the side walls thereof and flow downstream of it;

- and/or allows a depression zone to be created downstream of the fin; thus a local separation of the fluid is generated, allowing the appearance of a groove separating two outlets of the valve or distributor. The fin has a length, in the direction of fluid flow, for example between 1/20 and 1/3 of the core diameter. Even a fin of relatively short length has an effect on the fluid flow of the type explained later.

The fin is, in this example, arranged symmetrically in the core, but may be arranged, in certain cases, asymmetrically with respect to these lateral outlets (see e.g. figure 9A), in other words the fin may be closer to one outlet orifice than to another.

The fin is arranged in the core, an orifice 206 allowing the member 106 to be received (here a pin), an orifice 204 allowing the member 104 to be received (here a member, for example a foot, of elongated shape, which reinforces the holding of the fin). These orifices 106, respectively 104 can be made in the upper part, respectively lower, of the core, or vice versa.

The member 104, with its elongated shape, and the corresponding orifice 204, make it possible to block the fin in rotation: here it has a fixed position in the core.

The orifice 206 makes it possible to receive the member 106; they make it possible to position the fin when it is introduced into the core (as seen in figure 4A).

Figure 4B shows fin 100 in the core.

Figures 6A - 6B show the fin 100 in the core, for 2 positions of the latter:

- in one case (figure 6A), the fin is arranged laterally with respect to a fluid flow, which nevertheless has an effect on the flow of the latter as explained below; - in the other case (figure 6B), the core has undergone a rotation relative to figure 6A, and the fin has followed the core in its movement; the fin is arranged on the path of the fluid. The operation of the distributor will now be described.

Figure 6A shows the case of Figure 5A, the fin 100 preventing a substantial portion of the fluid from going to the internal zone 32i where it would create turbulence, but is guided towards one of the outlets.

Figure 6B shows the case of Figure 5B, with the fin 100 guiding a portion of the fluid toward one of the outlet openings, and the other portion of the fluid toward the other outlet opening. Thus, a portion of the fluid is not directed toward the internal zone 32? where it would create turbulence, but is guided toward one or other of the outlets.

Figures 7A - 9B show different positions of the core, with (Figures 7A, 8A, 9A) and without (Figures 7B, 8B, 9B) the fin 100. These figures show the turbulence on the internal zones 32i of the core and/or 322 of the housing 2 when the fin is absent (the turbulence in the fluid outlet flow is also seen in Figures 7B, 8B, 9B). The presence of the fin at least partly reduces this turbulence, thus facilitating the flow of the fluid.

The supply inlet 32 can be connected to a source of pressurized liquid, for example a pump connected to a liquid reservoir, and the two outlet ports 12, 20 are connected for example to a thermal or electric motor to be cooled.

The pressurized liquid flows from the supply port 18 to the outlet port 20, for example through the recess 43 or the channel 38. The flow of the fluid is symbolized by the arrow F.

The core 4 can take any intermediate angular position to ensure proportional feeding of the outlet ports 12 and 20.

In the example shown, the axes of the outlet ports are coaxial and the axis of the feed port is orthogonal to the axes of the outlet ports, but other relative angular orientations are conceivable.

The example described has one feed port and two outlet ports, but as mentioned above the present invention also applies to distributors having one inlet and one outlet, or one feed port and more than two outlets, and to distributors having two or more feed ports and one or more outlets. The multiple feed port and multiple outlet configurations may implement cores with multiple cavities or recesses 43 or channel(s) 38 to allow multiple flows simultaneously or not in the distributor.

The distributor, particularly associated with the geared motor, is particularly suitable for applications in the automotive sector due to its reduced mass.

The distributor according to the present invention is suitable for equipping all vehicles with thermal, hybrid or electric engines, implementing for example one or more temperature regulation systems and/or one or more air flow orientation systems.

The invention applies in particular to “3-2 proportional” type cooling valve distributors having one inlet channel and two outlet channels, each channel of which is oriented on the same plane and the angular operating range of the distributor of which is, for example, less than 110°.

A fluid guiding means according to the invention, for example a fin, makes it possible to significantly reduce the singular pressure loss generated by the passage of the fluid in the valve, thanks to its action of guiding the fluid towards the outlet channel(s) depending on the angular position of the distributor.

A vane according to the invention is offset upstream of the flow and off-center relative to the axis and/or the center of rotation of the distributor. This position makes it possible to maintain a sufficient fluid passage section in order to reduce the pressure losses of the valve as much as possible, which is illustrated in Figures 11A and 11B, Figure 11A illustrating a case without off-centering, Figure 11B illustrating a case with an off-centering d behind the center of rotation of the distributor (in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation thereof). In addition, the shape of the vane according to the invention is well suited to the passage of the fluid, its impact on it being less due to its preferably tapered profile and its smaller section compared to other fluid guide elements, for example those mentioned in document JP2014112031. Furthermore, a fin according to the present invention is not joined or bonded to the periphery of the core or the distributor (see the distance d in Figure 11B). By creating a depression zone downstream of the fin, a local separation of the fluid is generated, allowing the appearance of a groove 101 separating two outlets of the valve. Such a groove makes it possible to stabilize the fluid, to reduce turbulence, thus improving the pressure drop performance of the valve. The impact of the fin is beneficial in all positions of the distributor. Figure 11C with the fin 100 shows the groove 101 in question. Figure 11D, without the fin, is given for comparison.

A fin according to the invention is arranged so as to be swept by a flow of fluid in its upstream part, then along its lateral parts, the fluid then flowing downstream of the fin towards one or more outlet(s) of the core and distributor.

Claims

1. Hydraulic rotary distributor for a cooling circuit of a fuel cell, comprising a housing (2) and a core (4), said housing (2) comprising a side wall (8), two end walls (6, 10) delimiting a hydraulic chamber, in which is housed the core (4) capable of rotating in said chamber around an axis (XX') of rotation, at least one supply orifice (11), and at least one outlet orifice (12, 20), which open(s) into the hydraulic chamber, the core (4) comprising a lateral surface (32) facing the side wall (8) of the housing (2), an inlet opening (31), at least one lateral outlet (34) and allowing a supply of each of said outlet orifices (12, 20) according to its angular position in the housing, the core further comprising at least one fluid orientation fin for guiding a fluid between said inlet opening (18) and said lateral outlet (34), said fin being positioned upstream of the axis of rotation of the distributor. 2. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 1, said fin having a length, in the direction of flow of the fluid, between 1/20 and 1/3 of the diameter of the core. 3. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 or 2, said fin being separate from the periphery of the core and/or the distributor. 4. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 to 3, said fin having a shape making it possible to create a depression zone in its downstream part and/or to generate a local separation of the fluid, allowing the appearance of a groove separating two outlets of the distributor. 5. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 to 4, the fin being of elongated or tapered shape and/or which tapers from upstream to downstream, in the direction of flow of the fluid, in a direction perpendicular to the axis XX'. 6. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 to 5, the fin being wider in its upstream part than in its downstream part, in the direction of flow of the fluid. 7. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 1 to 6, said fin having, in the direction of flow of the fluid, a ^1st end, facing towards said inlet opening (18) and a ^2nd end facing towards said lateral outlet (34), the radius of curvature of the ^2nd end being greater than that of the ^1st end. 8. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 to 7, said fin having a ^1st longitudinal end provided with a positioning stud, and a ^2nd longitudinal end provided with an angular orientation means. 9. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 8, the core comprising an opening for inserting the positioning stud and an opening for inserting the angular orientation means. 10. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 8 or 9, the angular orientation means having an elongated shape. 11. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 to 10, the housing having at least 2 outlet orifices (12, 20), which open into the hydraulic chamber. 12. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 to 11, the core having at least 2 lateral outlets (34), the fin being arranged symmetrically with respect to these lateral outlets (34). 13. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 to 12, the core comprising a conduit (38) or a chamber which connects said inlet opening (18) and said lateral outlet (34), and in which said at least one fin is arranged. 14. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 to 13, the supply orifice (11), and one or more of the outlet orifices (12, 20), or all of the outlet orifices (12, 20), which open into the hydraulic chamber, being arranged in a plane, perpendicular to the axis (XX') of rotation. 15. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of the preceding claims, in which the housing and/or the core are made of plastic. 16. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of the preceding claims, in which the fin is made of anodized aluminum or a thermoplastic material, or titanium, or stainless steel. 17. Hydraulic rotary solenoid valve comprising a valve according to one of the preceding claims and an actuator (33), for example a geared motor (MR), driving the core in rotation. 18. Hydraulic rotary solenoid valve according to the preceding claim, the actuator comprising an output shaft aligned along the axis (XX') of rotation. 19. Method for distributing a fluid using a hydraulic rotary solenoid valve according to claim 17 or 18, the fluid being introduced through the supply orifice (11), and being guided by an internal conduit (38) of the core and by the fin towards the lateral outlet (34) thereof and then, depending on the orientation of the core in the housing (2), towards one and/or the other of the outlet orifices (12, 20). 20. Method according to the preceding claim, the fluid being water or a mixture of water and glycol or oil or an exhaust gas from a motor vehicle or a marine vehicle. 21. Method according to claim 20, the fluid being a cooling fluid for a fuel cell.