Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Ronald L Dorski

Steven F Baker

Brent R Behrman

Joseph L Tengowski

John Liddell Turner

A drip collector installed to a vehicle coolant pump of the type that has a protruding cylindrical bearing race with vent holes includes a feature to prevent collected coolant from splashing out, but not preventing it from collecting in the first instance. The collector includes at least one axially extending cylindrical sleeve that overlays the vent hole, with a small radial gap from the outside of the bearing race. Leaking coolant can run slowly through the gap, but cannot splash out quickly.

Coolant pump drip collector with splash control

A pump drip collector is easily provided to a pump housing of a particular shape. A cylindrical drum of L-shaped cross section, incapable of serving as a drip collector by itself, is adapted to be freely pressed over a cylindrical protrusion from a flat face of the pump housing. When a circular end edge of the drum engages the face, it is spun welded in place. Thereafter, the drum and pump face together provide a complete drip collector. The drum may also pilot on the outside of the protrusion to maintain concentricity during the spinning process.

Method for providing pump drip collector

A channel type vehicle water pump drip collector provides improved efficiency and capacity and a simple installation. The internal volume enclosed by a retainer that is snap fitted onto the housing is filled with an absorbent material. Leaking coolant is soaked up, rather than puddling at the bottom of the channel. Therefore, a leak proof, welded connection is not needed. In the embodiment disclosed, a retainer for the ring is attached by flexible teeth, and the spaces between the teeth provide air vents through which absorbed coolant may gradually evaporate to the outside.

Coolant pump drip collector with improved capacity

The need for a separate seal spring and sealing boot in an automotive water pump seal is eliminated by molding a flexible seal face mount integrally with the impeller.

Combined coolant pump impeller and seal assembly

An integral connection for a plastic water pump impeller includes a molded non circular plug and inwardly facing, radially flexible cylindrical wall in the center of the impeller, and a matching female socket and matching outwardly facing cylindrical wall on the end of the shaft. A rib on the impeller wall and groove in the shaft wall pop fit together and flex the impeller wall out as the impeller and shaft are push pitted together. The socket and plug prevent relative turning, and the rib and groove prevent the impeller from pulling off of the shaft.

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Castalia, OH, United States of America

Ronald L Dorski