Kelsterbach/Mannheim, March 29, 2006 – BMW is relying on an innovative electric water pump from Pierburg in all its new six-cylinder engines for the 3, 5 and 6 series. With the design of these components, the Neuss-based supplier succeeded in avoiding many of the inherent disadvantages of mechanical pumps through the incorporation of sophisticated new electronics and Fortron^® PPS high performance plastic. The polyphenylene sulfide polymer is used to produce the so-called “can”, a hermetically sealed fluid compartment, and internal pump components.

Conventional automotive coolant pumps have serious disadvantages. Because of their design, they need seals, which are prone to wear over the service life of the vehicle. In addition, conventional pumps consume around two kilowatts of engine power. BMW and Pierburg have now shown real pioneering spirit by fitting electric coolant pumps on the new six-cylinder engines. The rotor of the electric motor is placed in a hermetically sealed fluid compartment, known as a “can”. “So parts prone to wear, such as rotary seals and V-belts, have become obsolete,” explains Albert Genster, electric coolant pump development manager at Pierburg.

Photo: Pierburg

Besides the sophisticated electronics, another important requirement for operation of this pump is an innovative material that will withstand the demanding service conditions. That is why Pierburg selected Fortron 1140 L6 for the 7.5 cm-long can. In this application, the high-tech polymer must cope with operating temperatures varying between minus 40 and plus 140 degrees Celsius and an internal pressure of up to three bar. In addition, the circulation of glycol-containing water requires high chemical resistance, even at temperatures of up to 130 degrees Celsius.

“It was also important for us to find a material with an extremely long service life,” emphasizes Genster. By employing the canned-pump principle, the new electric pump is very safe and reliable to operate, with low susceptibility to wear. Since it is also independent of engine speed and only reacts to the actual cooling requirement, it is very economical, with a power consumption of only 200 watts instead of the usual two kilowatts. The bottom line is that the electric coolant pump saves up to half a liter of fuel per 100 kilometers. And that low fuel consumption definitely enhances motoring enjoyment...

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Fortron^® is a registered trademark of Fortron Industries.

This Press Release is part of the Publications on the occasion of the VDI Automotive March 29th til 30th, 2006 located in Mannheim. Here you find the complete Press kit in English and German.