Abstract: The present invention advantageously proposes an electrical coolant pump (1), in particular for the coolant circuit of internal combustion engines for automotive vehicles, comprising a coolant pump motor for driving an impeller (6) through the intermediary of a pump shaft (10), and a valve (36) that is integrated into the pump inlet, wherein for the first time the coolant pump motor constitutes the switching element for the valve (36). Moreover the present invention for the first time specifies a method for controlling the valve (36), wherein the work necessary for switching is afforded by the coolant pump motor and is transmitted to the valve (36), in particular a 3/2-port directional control valve, via the shaft (10) of the pump motor.

Abstract: An electrically powered coolant pump particularly suited for an internal combustion engine has a pump housing having an elongate shape which encloses a pump wheel on the inlet side and subsequently downstream therefrom encloses an electric motor. An annular flow passage for the coolant is formed between the pump housing and the outside of the electric motor. The electric motor is encapsulated against the coolant, and the structural component of electric motor and pump wheel is retained in the axial range of the electric motor with at least one web in the pump housing through which connections for driving the electric motor are routed. The electric motor is cooled by the coolant flowing by, and may therefore be operated at very high rotational speeds, so that a small structural size and a low weight may be realized. Widely varying installation locations for the coolant pump are therefore possible.