Abstract: A variable capacity pump includes a control ring moveable within a pump chamber to alter the volumetric capacity of the pump. First and second control chambers individually receive pressurized fluid to create forces to bias the control ring in a predetermined direction. A return spring urges the control ring toward a maximum volumetric capacity pump position. The control ring connects and disconnects the second control chamber from a source of pressurized fluid based on a position of the control ring. Forces from the control chambers and the spring act in combination with one another or against one another and against the spring force to establish first and second equilibrium pressures based on a pressurized or vented condition of the second control chamber.

Abstract: A variable capacity pump includes a control ring moveable within a pump chamber to alter the volumetric capacity of the pump. First and second control chambers individually receive pressurized fluid to create forces to bias the control ring in a predetermined direction. A return spring urges the control ring toward a maximum volumetric capacity pump position. The control ring connects and disconnects the second control chamber from a source of pressurized fluid based on a position of the control ring. Forces from the control chambers and the spring act in combination with one another or against one another and against the spring force to establish first and second equilibrium pressures based on a pressurized or vented condition of the second control chamber.

Abstract: A variable capacity vane pump for an automobile includes a pump control ring positioned within the housing to move about a pivot. A rotor is positioned within a cavity of the control ring such that a position of the control ring determines an offset between a center of the cavity and an axis of rotation of the rotor. A first control chamber is provided between the pump housing and a first outer surface of the control ring. The first outer surface is positioned on an opposite side of the control ring as the working fluid chambers within the cavity. A second control chamber is provided between the pump housing and a second outer surface of the control ring. A return spring biases the control ring toward a position of maximum volumetric capacity against the forces created by the pressurized fluid within the first and second control chambers.

Abstract: A variable capacity vane pump for an automobile includes a pump control ring positioned within the housing to move about a pivot. A rotor is positioned within a cavity of the control ring such that a position of the control ring determines an offset between a center of the cavity and an axis of rotation of the rotor. A first control chamber is provided between the pump housing and a first outer surface of the control ring. The first outer surface is positioned on an opposite side of the control ring as the working fluid chambers within the cavity. A second control chamber is provided between the pump housing and a second outer surface of the control ring. A return spring biases the control ring toward a position of maximum volumetric capacity against the forces created by the pressurized fluid within the first and second control chambers.

Abstract: A variable capacity vane pump includes a first control chamber between a pump casing and a first portion of a pump control ring. The first portion of the control ring circumferentially extends on either side of a pivot pin. A second control chamber is provided between the pump casing and a second portion of the pump control ring. The first and second control chambers are operable to receive pressurized fluid to create a force to move the pump control ring to reduce the volumetric capacity of the pump. A return spring biases the pump ring toward a position of maximum volumetric capacity.

Abstract: A variable capacity vane includes a pump control ring which is moveable to alter the capacity of the pump and the pump can be operated at either of at least two selected equilibrium pressures. The pump ring is moved by at least first and second control chambers, the control chambers abutting the control ring such that pressurized fluid supplied to them acts on the pump control ring to move the pump control ring to reduce the volumetric capacity of the pump. When pressurized fluid is supplied to only one control chamber, the pump operates at a first equilibrium pressure and when pressurized fluid is also supplied to the second chamber, the pump operates at a second equilibrium pressure. Pressurized fluid can also be supplied only to the second control chamber to operate the pump at a third equilibrium pressure and/or additional control chambers can be provided if required.

Abstract: A variable displacement variable pressure vane pump system provides lubrication oil to a mechanical system. The system has a first control mechanism, which can be a control chamber directly acting on the control slider or a control chamber and control cylinder which acts on the control slider and a second control mechanism which is a control chamber and control cylinder which acts on the control slider. A control valve, operated by an engine control unit or other suitable control mechanism, selectively provides pressurized lubrication oil to the second control mechanism to allow the output of the pump system to more closely match the requirements of the mechanical system.

Abstract: A pump system includes pump having a control feature which, responsive to a supply of pressurized working fluid, reduces the pressure of the working fluid pressurized by the pump. The control feature is connected to the output of the pump by a regulating valve. The control feature receives pressurized working fluid to decrease the output of the pump in response to the pressure of the supplied working fluid. A regulating valve selectively connects the pressurized working fluid to the control feature. The regulating valve has a control port to receive pressurized working fluid from the pump to urge the valve to a closed position against a biasing force. A controllable valve is operable to interrupt the supply of pressurized working fluid to control port to alter the output pressure of the pump.

Abstract: A variable displacement variable pressure vane pump system provides lubrication oil to a mechanical system. The pump system includes a first control mechanism to apply a force to a control slider to counter a biasing force of a biasing spring and urge the control slider away from a position corresponding to a maximum displacement position of the pump. A second control mechanism applies a force to the control slider to alter the displacement of the pump. A control varies the supply of lubrication oil to the second control mechanism to alter the output of the pump to closely correspond to the lubrication requirements of the mechanical system.

Abstract: A variable capacity vane includes a pump control ring which is moveable to alter the capacity of the pump and the pump can be operated at either of at least two selected equilibrium pressures. The pump ring is moved by at least first and second control chambers, the control chambers abutting the control ring such that pressurized fluid supplied to them acts on the pump control ring to move the pump control ring to reduce the volumetric capacity of the pump. When pressurized fluid is supplied to only one control chamber, the pump operates at a first equilibrium pressure and when pressurized fluid is also supplied to the second chamber, the pump operates at a second equilibrium pressure. Pressurized fluid can also be supplied only to the second control chamber to operate the pump at a third equilibrium pressure and/or additional control chambers can be provided if required.

Abstract: A rotary positive displacement pump employs the higher pressure available at a region within the rotor chamber after the outlet port to augment the force of a biasing spring in a control system. A biasing spring with a lower spring force can thus be employed in the control system, resulting in a pump pressure output characteristic which can more closely match the operating speed varying working fluid requirements for devices supplied by the pump.

Abstract: A pump system includes pump having a control feature which, responsive to a supply of pressurized working fluid, reduces the pressure of the working fluid pressurized by the pump. The control feature is connected to the output of the pump by a regulating valve. The control feature receives pressurized working fluid to decrease the output of the pump in response to the pressure of the supplied working fluid. A regulating valve selectively connects the pressurized working fluid to the control feature. The regulating valve has a control port to receive pressurized working fluid from the pump to urge the valve to a closed position against a biasing force. A controllable valve is operable to interrupt the supply of pressurized working fluid to control port to alter the output pressure of the pump.

Abstract: A pump system includes pump having a control feature which, responsive to a supply of pressurized working fluid, reduces the pressure of the working fluid pressurized by the pump. The control feature is connected to the output of the pump by a regulating valve. The control feature receives pressurized working fluid to decrease the output of the pump in response to the pressure of the supplied working fluid. A regulating valve selectively connects the pressurized working fluid to the control feature. The regulating valve has a control port to receive pressurized working fluid from the pump to urge the valve to a closed position against a biasing force. A controllable valve is operable to interrupt the supply of pressurized working fluid to control port to alter the output pressure of the pump.

Abstract: A variable displacement vane pump which includes an enhanced discharge port. The enhanced discharge port reduces areas of high pressure in the discharge port which would otherwise occur as the pressurized working fluid reverses its direction of flow to enter the discharge port. By reducing the areas of high pressure, the back torque on the pump rotor is reduced and the energy efficiency of the pump is enhanced. In one embodiment, the pivot for the pump control ring is located radially outwardly from a conventional location, to allow for a discharge recess to be formed in the control ring, adjacent the discharge port, and extending past the pivot to the pump outlet. In a second embodiment, the discharge recess is formed in the control ring around the pivot and a seal is provided on the control ring to inhibit leakage of pressurized working fluid past the control ring.

Abstract: A variable displacement vane pump provides a substantially constant output pressure in its regulated operation region. A longitudinal axis of the control spring is inclined, with respect to a plane through the rotational axis of a pivot and a contact point between the control ring and the control spring. The inclination reduces the length of the moment arm between the spring and the pivot when the control ring of the pump is moved from the maximum displacement position to the minimum displacement position. The reduced length moment arm offsets the increase in the moment produced by compression of the control spring is offset to achieve a substantially constant output pressure. The control spring is compressed a reduced amount during pump operation to minimize the change in output force exerted by the control spring as the control ring moves between positions.

Abstract: A variable capacity vane pump has a pump control ring which is moveable to alter the volumetric displacement of the pump. The pump ring is moved by at least first and second control chambers, which acts on the pump control ring when pressurized working fluid is supplied to them to move the pump control ring to alter the volumetric capacity of the pump. When pressurized fluid is supplied to only one control chamber, the pump operates at a first equilibrium pressure and when pressurized fluid is also supplied to the second chamber, the pump operates at a second equilibrium pressure. If desired, pressurized fluid can also be supplied only to the second control chamber to operate the pump at a third equilibrium pressure and/or additional control chambers can be provided if required.

Abstract: A vane pump (20) is provided which has an output pressure hat can be selected from a continuous range of pressures, independent of the operating speed of the pump. The pump has first (68) and second (72) control chambers which create opposed forces on the pump control ring (40) to selectively move the pump control ring (40) between maximum displacement and minimum displacement positions. In one embodiment, the control chamber (68) which urges the ump control ring to the minimum displacement position is continually supplied with pressurized working fluid during operation of the ump while the control chamber (72) which urges the pump control ring to the maximum displacement position can selectively be supplied with pressurized working fluid, isolated, or can be relieved of pressurized working fluid to alter the displacement of the pump.

Abstract: A vane pump with a reduced rotor diameter is provided. The reduced rotor diameter allows a reduction in the overall size of the pump which allows the pump to be used in circumstances wherein sufficient packaging volume does not exist for conventional vane pumps. Further, the reduced rotor diameter permits operation of the pump at a higher speed, in comparison to conventional vane pumps, for a given working fluid and pump rate. The rotor includes an integrally formed drive shaft and a cylindrical rotor head. Both fixed displacement and variable displacement embodiments are shown.

Abstract: A pump system for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic valve actuation system for operating engine valves of an internal combustion engine comprises a substantially conventional main pump, driven by the engine, which supplies the necessary volume of pressurized hydraulic fluid when the engine is running. The system comprises a booster pump that supplies in conjunction with the main pump the necessary volume of hydraulic fluid during starting/cranking of the engine. The main pump is preferably designed and constructed for operating efficiency during engine operating conditions while the booster pump is preferably designed and constructed for operating efficiency during cranking/starting of the engine.

Abstract: A variable capacity vane pump is provided, the pump having a pump control ring which is moveable to alter the capacity of the pump and the pump can be operated at either of at least two selected equilibrium pressures. The pump ring is moved by at least first and second control chambers, the control chambers abutting the control ring such that pressurized fluid supplied to them acts on the pump control ring to move the pump control ring to reduce the volumetric capacity of the pump. When pressurized fluid is supplied to only one control chamber, the pump operates at a first equilibrium pressure and when pressurized fluid is also supplied to the second chamber, the pump operates at a second equilibrium pressure. If desired, pressurized fluid can also be supplied only to the second control chamber to operate the pump at a third equilibrium pressure and/or additional control chambers can be provided if required.