Side-channel pump with asymmetrical cross-sections of the side channels

Abstract

The invention relates to a side-channel pump that allows a reduced wear. The side-channel pump has a housing which encloses a pump chamber ( 7 ). An impeller ( 3 ) is received so as to be rotatable inside the pump chamber ( 7 ). An inlet side channel ( 31 ) and an outlet side channel ( 33 ) are also formed inside the pump chamber ( 7 ). The impeller ( 7 ) has, in a blade region near the circumference thereof, a plurality of radially outward-extending blades ( 11 ). The inlet side channel ( 31 ) and the outlet side channel ( 33 ) run on opposite sides of the impeller ( 3 ) and both adjoin the impeller ( 3 ). The two side channels ( 31, 33 ) both extend in a partially annular shape along a flow path from an inlet channel to an outlet channel. The proposed side-channel pump is characterized in that the inlet side channel ( 31 ), averaged along the flow path, has a smaller cross-section than the outlet side channel ( 33 ). In this manner the impeller ( 3 ) can be maintained in a force equilibrium during operation. The friction between the impeller ( 3 ) and adjoining walls ( 19, 21 ) can be kept small and thereby wear phenomena can be kept small.

1 . A side channel pump ( 1 ), having:
 a housing ( 5 ) which encloses a pump chamber ( 7 ),   an impeller ( 3 ) which is accommodated within the pump chamber ( 7 ) such that the impeller can rotate,   and, within the pump chamber ( 7 ), an inlet-side side channel ( 31 ) and an outlet-side side channel ( 33 );   the housing ( 5 ) having an inlet channel ( 35 ) which opens into the inlet-side side channel ( 31 ) and an outlet channel ( 37 ) which leads away from the outlet-side side channel ( 33 );   the impeller ( 3 ) having, in a blade region close to an outer circumference ( 9 ) of the impeller, a multiplicity of radially outwardly extending blades ( 11 ),   the inlet-side side channel ( 31 ) and the outlet-side side channel ( 33 ) running on opposite sides of the impeller ( 3 ) and adjoining the impeller ( 3 ), and the two side channels ( 31 ,  33 ) in each case extending along a flow path ( 39 ) from the inlet channel ( 35 ) in a partially annular manner to the outlet channel ( 37 ),   characterized in that the inlet-side side channel ( 31 ) has, averaged along the flow path ( 39 ), a smaller cross section than the outlet-side side channel ( 33 ).   
     
     
         2 . The side channel pump as claimed in  claim 1 , the inlet-side side channel ( 31 ) having a smaller cross section at at least 50% of positions along the flow path ( 39 ) than the outlet-side side channel ( 33 ) at the same position along the flow path ( 39 ). 
     
     
         3 . The side channel pump as claimed in  claim 1 , the inlet-side side channel ( 31 ) having, at at least 50% of positions along the flow path ( 39 ), a cross section which is smaller by between 5% and 30% than the outlet-side side channel ( 33 ) at the same position along the flow path ( 39 ). 
     
     
         4 . The side channel pump as claimed in  claim 1 , the inlet-side side channel ( 31 ) having a smaller depth at at least 50% of the positions along the flow path ( 39 ) than the outlet-side side channel ( 33 ) at the same position along the flow path ( 39 ). 
     
     
         5 . The side channel pump as claimed in  claim 4 , the inlet-side side channel ( 31 ) having, at at least 50% of the positions along the flow path ( 39 ), a depth which is smaller by between 5% and 30% than the outlet-side side channel ( 33 ) at the same position along the flow path ( 39 ). 
     
     
         6 . A fuel pump for a motor vehicle, having a side channel pump ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . The side channel pump as claimed in  claim 2 , the inlet-side side channel ( 31 ) having, at at least 50% of the positions along the flow path ( 39 ), a cross section which is smaller by between 5% and 30% than the outlet-side side channel ( 33 ) at the same position along the flow path ( 39 ). 
     
     
         8 . The side channel pump as claimed in  claim 7 , the inlet-side side channel ( 31 ) having a smaller depth at at least 50% of the positions along the flow path ( 39 ) than the outlet-side side channel ( 33 ) at the same position along the flow path ( 39 ). 
     
     
         9 . The side channel pump as claimed in  claim 8 , the inlet-side side channel ( 31 ) having, at at least 50% of the positions along the flow path ( 39 ), a depth which is smaller by between 5% and 30% than the outlet-side side channel ( 33 ) at the same position along the flow path ( 39 ).