Fluid pumping system

Abstract

A fluid pumping system is disclosed that includes a housing in which a fluid flows. The fluid pumping system also includes a vane wheel that is rotatably supported in the housing and that has a plurality of vane portions. At least one of the vane portions is swept-forward such that an axial end of the at least one of the vane portions extends toward the direction of rotation of the vane wheel.

1 . A fluid pumping system, comprising: 
 a housing in which a fluid flows; and    a vane wheel that is rotatably supported in the housing and that has a plurality of vane portions,    wherein at least one of the vane portions is swept-forward such that an axial end of the at least one of the vane portions extends toward the direction of rotation of the vane wheel.    
     
     
         2 . The fluid pumping system according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein a portion of the at least one of the vane portions extends approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the vane wheel and wherein an axial end portion of the at least one vane portion is swept-forward toward the direction of rotation of the vane wheel.    
     
     
         3 . The fluid pumping system according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the plurality of vane portions are spaced away from each other equally in a circumferential direction around the vane wheel.    
     
     
         4 . The fluid pumping system according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the vane wheel is rotationally driven by an electric motor.    
     
     
         5 . The fluid pumping system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vane portion includes a first axial end and a second axial end, and wherein the at least one vane portion is inclined at a positive angle relative to the direction of rotation of the vane wheel such that the second axial end is positioned ahead of the first axial end in the direction of rotation of the vane wheel.  
     
     
         6 . The fluid pumping system according to  claim 5 , wherein the angle is at least approximately 15 degrees and at most approximately 30 degrees.  
     
     
         7 . The fluid pumping system according to  claim 6 , wherein the angle is approximately 20 degrees.  
     
     
         8 . The fluid pumping system according to  claim 5 , wherein suction of the fluid toward the vane wheel occurs adjacent the second axial end, and wherein discharge of the fluid away from the vane wheel occurs adjacent the first axial end.  
     
     
         9 . The fluid pumping system according to  claim 1 , wherein the vane wheel includes an annular dividing wall, a plurality of first vane portions, and a plurality of second vane portions, wherein the annular dividing wall is provided between the first and second vane portions, wherein the first vane portions are swept forward from the annular dividing wall, and wherein the second vane portions are swept forward from the annular dividing wall.  
     
     
         10 . The fluid pumping system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vane portion is curved in the radial direction of the vane wheel.  
     
     
         11 . A vehicle secondary air supply apparatus for warming of a catalyst comprising: 
 a housing in which a fluid flows; and    a vane wheel that is rotatably supported in the housing and that has a plurality of vane portions,    wherein at least one of the vane portions is swept-forward such that an axial end of the at least one of the vane portions extends toward the direction of rotation of the vane wheel.    
     
     
         12 . The vehicle secondary air supply apparatus according to  claim 11 , 
 wherein a portion of the at least one of the vane portions extends approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the vane wheel and wherein an axial end portion of the at least one vane portion is swept-forward toward the direction of rotation of the vane wheel.    
     
     
         13 . The vehicle secondary air supply apparatus according to  claim 11 , 
 wherein the plurality of vane portions are spaced away from each other equally in a circumferential direction around the vane wheel.    
     
     
         14 . The vehicle secondary air supply apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one vane portion includes a first axial end and a second axial end, and wherein the at least one vane portion is inclined at a positive angle relative to the direction of rotation of the vane wheel such that the second axial end is positioned ahead of the first axial end in the direction of rotation of the vane wheel.  
     
     
         15 . The vehicle secondary air supply apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the angle is at least approximately 15 degrees and at most approximately 30 degrees.  
     
     
         16 . The vehicle secondary air supply apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the angle is approximately 20 degrees.  
     
     
         17 . The vehicle secondary air supply apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein suction of the fluid toward the vane wheel occurs adjacent the second axial end, and wherein discharge of the fluid away from the vane wheel occurs adjacent the first axial end.  
     
     
         18 . The vehicle secondary air supply apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the vane wheel includes an annular dividing wall, a plurality of first vane portions, and a plurality of second vane portions, wherein the annular dividing wall is provided between the first and second vane portions, wherein the first vane portions are swept forward from the annular dividing wall, and wherein the second vane portions are swept forward from the annular dividing wall.  
     
     
         19 . The vehicle secondary air supply apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one vane portion is curved in the radial direction of the vane wheel.  
     
     
         20 . A fluid pumping system comprising: 
 a housing in which a fluid flows; and    a vane wheel that is rotatably supported in the housing,    wherein the vane wheel includes an annular dividing wall, a plurality of first vane portions, and a plurality of second vane portions,    wherein the first and second vane portions are curved in the radial direction of the vane wheel,    wherein the annular dividing wall is provided between the first and second vane portions,    wherein the first vane portions are swept forward from the annular dividing wall such that an axial end of the first vane portions extend toward the direction of rotation of the vane wheel, and    wherein the second vane portions are swept forward from the annular dividing wall such that an axial end of the second vane portions extend toward the direction of rotation of the vane wheel.