Mechanical coolant pump

Abstract

A mechanical coolant pump for an internal combustion engine includes a main pump body comprising a volute housing and an outlet channel. A pump wheel is arranged in the volute housing. The pump wheel is configured to pump a coolant into the outlet channel. A volute tongue wall comprising a flap is configured to be axially pivotable. The volute tongue wall is configured to separate the outlet channel from a volute. An outlet valve defined by the flap of the volute tongue wall in an open position forms an end of the volute tongue wall. The outlet valve is configured to control a coolant outlet flow of the mechanical coolant pump. A pivot axis of the flap is arranged adjacent to the volute housing.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A mechanical coolant pump for an internal combustion engine, the mechanical coolant pump comprising:
 a main pump body comprising a volute housing;   an outlet channel;   a pump wheel arranged in the volute housing, the pump wheel being configured to pump a coolant into the outlet channel;   a volute tongue wall comprising a flap configured to be axially pivotable, the volute tongue wall being configured to separate the outlet channel from a volute, and   an outlet valve defined by the flap of the volute tongue wall in an open position, and forming an end of the volute tongue wall, the outlet valve being configured to control a coolant outlet flow of the mechanical coolant pump,   wherein a pivot axis of the flap is arranged adjacent to the volute housing.   
     
     
         12 . The mechanical coolant pump as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the main pump body further comprises at least one stopping element, and wherein the at least one stopping element is configured to stop the flap in at least one of the open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The mechanical coolant pump as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising an outlet channel wall, wherein the at least one stopping element is a stopping nose arranged in the outlet channel wall, the stopping nose being configured to stop the flap in a closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The mechanical coolant pump as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the flap is an arched flap, the arched flap being configured to extend the volute in the open position. 
     
     
         15 . The mechanical coolant pump as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one stopping element is a step arranged in the volute housing, wherein the at least one stopping element is configured to stop the arched flap. 
     
     
         16 . The mechanical coolant pump as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising an actuator, wherein the flap is configured to be driven by the actuator. 
     
     
         17 . The mechanical coolant pump as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the actuator is a pneumatical actuator, an electrical actuator, a vacuum actuator or a thermostatic actuator. 
     
     
         18 . The mechanical coolant pump as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the actuator is configured to position the flap in at least one intermediate position disposed between the open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         19 . The mechanical coolant pump as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the volute housing is an integrated part of the main pump body. 
     
     
         20 . The mechanical coolant pump as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the volute tongue wall comprises a first part and a second part, the first part of the volute tongue wall being a part of the flap, and the second part of the volute tongue wall being a part of the volute housing.