Pierburg Develops Coolant Pumps for Thermal Management

January 11, 2016

For today’s and future applications

Pierburg develops coolant pumps for thermal management

The term "downsizing" generally refers to new types of engines that, despite having less displacement, develop more power. These engines come with higher power density and also require certain modifications to the engine peripherals, such as the possibility of indirect charge-air cooling using an electric coolant pump. Future drive systems, such as hybrid and battery electric, likewise have a need for electric coolant pumps. The batteries on electric vehicles are highly sensitive to temperature and need to be protected from both cold and excessive heat. All these applications call for a sophisticated thermal management system that will only work with the aid of electric pumps. German first-tier auto-industry supplier KSPG AG is showcasing pump modules for modern thermal management at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The new electric CWP 35 coolant pump has been specifically engineered for efficient indirect charge-air cooling on today's generation of downsized engines. Electric pumps on motor vehicles must generally ensure that all the components work as quietly as possible at the optimum operating temperature at all times. This is achieved thanks to demand- controlled coolant volume flow. Besides the function of indirectly cooling the charge air, the CWP 35 also can be used on hybrids and electric vehicles for cooling auxiliary components.

The job of lowering charge-air temperature, which has immediate impact on an engine's susceptibility to knocking and on its capability to extend its efficient operating range, generally accounts for only a small share of the functions performed by electric coolant pumps in auxiliary coolant circuits. There are other systems, such as exhaust-gas recirculation or heat management in automatic transmissions that require a pump to ensure independent cooling when needed.

Electric coolant pump CWA 950-48V for 48-volt power supply

Engine manufacturers are increasingly turning to 48-volt power supply systems, and these are also playing a role in engine cooling. To address this demand, Pierburg has developed its CWA 950-48V electric coolant pump. It has an output of 950 watts, and there are plans to raise this to as much as 1,600 watts in the future.

With four main models, Pierburg's range of electric coolant pumps covers customer requirements for low, medium, and high outputs. The CWA 950-48V rounds out the top end of the portfolio. Another family member at the lower end is the WUP water recirculation pump with an output of between 15 and 20 watts. This pump has a single-phase EC motor fitted with a Hall sensor for commutation.

Pump family handles cooling functions at all outputs The CWP 35, CWA 50, and CWA 100 cover outputs ranging from 35 to 100 watts. Fitted with a sensorless 3-phase EC motor, they are used to indirectly cool the charge air on turbo engines. Another function is to cool auxiliary assemblies found on hybrids and electric vehicles.

The CWA 200 and CWA 400 also feature a sensorless 3-phase EC motor. Outputs range from 200 to 400 watts. Currently these pumps are employed on the main cooling circuit of internal combustion (IC) engines as well as on the first fuel-cell stacks of fuel-cell vehicles.

About KSPG KSPG AG is the parent company of the Automotive sector of Germany's Rheinmetall Group. Sales in 2014 added up to approximately $2.7 billion (€2.5 billion) of which NAFTA accounted for $380 million (€345 million) (approximately 14 percent). This first-tier auto- component supplier has been operating on the international automotive markets for over a century and employs a worldwide workforce of around 11,000. Its US and Mexican operations have a workforce of over 1,900. Other locations are in Europe, Brazil, Japan, India, and China.