Bidirectional purification of fuel from fuel delivery system

Abstract

A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine system is described herein. The fuel delivery system uses one or more bi-directional purge components to provide bi-directional purge of fuel from at least a portion of the fuel delivery system. The bi-directional purge component provides fuel delivered using the fuel delivery system to be purged into the bi-directional purge component in more than one fluid flow direction. When a pressure differential is applied across the bi-directional purge component, fuel is purged into the inlet and outlet of the bi-directional purge component, exits the component through the purge outlet and enters the tank. A pressure differential may be generated using a pressurized fluid, such as nitrogen, or a pump downstream of the purge outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to internal combustion engines and, more particularly, to bi-directional purification of fuel. Background Art

[0002] Internal combustion engines are widely used in various industries. Internal combustion engines can operate on various liquid fuels, gaseous fuels and various mixtures. Spark ignition engines use electric sparks to start the combustion of fuel and air, while compression ignition engines usually compress the gas in the cylinder to the autoignition threshold so that the ignition of the fuel starts without the need for a spark. In the attempt to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), some efforts have been made to change the main fuel used in the combustion engine from fuels such as diesel to alcohol fuels such as ethanol and methanol, or a combination of these fuels. However, the use of fuels such as ethanol and methanol can cause some problems. For example, when the internal combustion engine is shut down, it is preferred or necessary to purify at least a portion of the fuel from one or more components of the internal combustion engine.

[0003] Some efforts have been made to purge fuel from engine components. For example, French patent application FR2830284A1 ("the '284 application") by Schachtrup et al. describes one such effort. The '284 application relates to a fuel filter for an internal combustion engine. The fuel filter has an inlet on one side and an outlet on a second side. (Abstract). The fuel filter of the '284 application also includes an exhaust valve to exhaust air from the filter and a purge valve to exhaust air from the system. When pressurized fuel is received into the filter, the purge valve opens to purge air from the system. However, there are some deficiencies in the system (and process) described in the '284 application. For example, the system of the '284 application only purifies in one direction, meaning that air downstream of the filter will not be purified. Therefore, even after using a purge valve, the problem of unwanted fluid in the fluid flow still exists.

[0004] Some examples of the present invention are directed to overcoming these and other deficiencies of such systems. Summary of the invention

[0005] In one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, a fuel delivery system includes a fuel pump fluidly connected to a fuel tank, the fuel pump being configured to direct fuel from the fuel tank for use by an internal combustion engine; a two-way purge component fluidly connected to the fuel pump, the two-way purge component including an inlet configured to receive fuel from the fuel pump; an outlet configured to direct the fuel from the two-way purge component to the internal combustion engine during a fuel delivery operation and to receive the fuel into the two-way purge component during a purge operation, and a purge outlet fluidly connected to the tank, the purge outlet being configured to direct fuel entering the inlet or the outlet to the tank during the purge operation, and a pressure regulator fluidly connected to the outlet of the two-way purge component, the pressure regulator being configured to maintain a pressure of the fuel below a predetermined pressure, and a pressure differential source fluidly connected to the two-way purge component, the pressure differential source providing a pressure differential across the two-way purge component to cause the fuel to move into the inlet of the two-way purge component or the outlet of the two-way purge component during the purge operation.

[0006] In additional aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter, a controller for controlling a purge operation of a fuel delivery system includes a memory storing computer-executable instructions, and a processor in communication with the memory, the computer-executable instructions causing the processor to perform actions including: receiving a purge event notification to purge fuel from at least a portion of a fuel delivery system of an internal combustion engine; establishing a purge configuration to initiate a bidirectional purge operation of the fuel through a bidirectional purge component, wherein the bidirectional purge component includes: an inlet configured to receive fuel from a fuel pump; and an outlet configured to direct the fuel from the bidirectional purge component to the internal combustion engine during a fuel delivery operation, and to receive the fuel into the bidirectional purge component during a purge operation; and a purge outlet fluidly connected to a tank, the purge outlet being configured to direct the fuel entering the inlet or entering the outlet to the tank during the purge operation; and terminating the purge operation.

[0007] In another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, a method of bidirectional purging includes: receiving a purge event notification to purge fuel from at least a portion of a fuel delivery system of an internal combustion engine; establishing a purge configuration to initiate a bidirectional purge operation of the fuel through a bidirectional purge component, wherein the bidirectional purge component includes: an inlet configured to receive fuel from a fuel pump; and an outlet configured to direct the fuel from the bidirectional purge component to the internal combustion engine during a fuel delivery operation, and to receive the fuel into the bidirectional purge component during a purge operation; and a purge outlet fluidly connected to a tank, the purge outlet being configured to direct the fuel entering the inlet or entering the outlet to the tank during the purge operation; and terminating the purge operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 A fuel delivery system using a pressurized fluid to provide a pressure differential to purge fuel is shown in accordance with various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0009] Figure 2 A fuel delivery system using a pump to provide a pressure differential to purge fuel is shown in accordance with various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0010] Figure 3 A fuel delivery system having more than one bi-directional purge component according to various examples of the presently disclosed subject matter is shown.

[0011] Figure 4 Methods for operating a fuel delivery system using bi-directional purge according to various examples of the presently disclosed subject matter are shown.

[0012] Figure 5 Depicted are component-level views of controllers for use with the systems and methods described herein, according to various examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Figure 1 A fuel delivery system 100 capable of bidirectional purification according to various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter is shown. The fuel delivery system 100 includes a fuel tank 102 for storing a fuel 104 and providing it to an internal combustion engine (not shown). The fuel 104 may include any of gasoline, diesel fraction fuel, dimethyl ether, biodiesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), gas-to-liquid (GTL) renewable diesel, a variety of liquid fuels with a cetane enhancer, or another fuel type. The fuel 104 may also include an alcohol fuel, such as methanol or ethanol, naphtha, or other types of fuels.

[0014] The fuel delivery system 100 also includes a fuel pump 106. The fuel pump 106 is in fluid communication or fluid connection with the fuel tank 102 and is configured to pump the fuel 104 from the fuel tank 102, through the check valve 107, through the mesh filter 108 and the fuel filter 110, through the fuel shut-off valve 112, to be delivered to the engine (not shown) as a fuel output 114. The mesh filter 108 can be any type of filter designed to block at least a portion of the particulates contained in the fuel 104 from entering the fuel pump 106. The mesh filter 108 can be, but is not limited to, a wire mesh filter. Generally, these types of filters are designed to block relatively larger particulates than those filtered out using the fuel filter 110. The particulates can be particles found in the fuel tank 102 that can be introduced into the fuel 104 when the fuel 104 is delivered into the fuel tank 102 or due to corrosion of components of the fuel tank 102 itself. In some examples, the fuel filter 110 is designed to filter or block smaller particulates that are not blocked by the mesh filter 108. The fuel filter 110 can be a variety of types of filters, but in some examples, is a cellulose-based filter, where the cellulose is semi-permeable, allowing the filtered fuel to pass through the fuel filter 110 while blocking (or entraining) particulates. The fuel delivery system 100 also includes a regulator 111. The regulator 111, which is a pressure regulator, is used to reduce the possibility of an over-pressure condition or relieve pressure on the outlet 113 of the fuel filter 110. At a predetermined pressure at the inlet 115 of the regulator 111, the regulator 111 opens, allowing the fuel 104 to move from the inlet 115 to the outlet 117, relieving pressure.

[0015] The fuel delivery system 100 also includes a controller 116. The controller 116 may be a component of an engine control unit (ECU), an engine control module (ECM) ECU, or another component used to control various aspects of the internal combustion engine. The controller 116 controls the amount of fuel 104 that enters the internal combustion engine. The controller 116 includes one or more processors and a memory in which instructions are stored, which, when executed by the processor of the controller 116, cause the controller 116 to control the amount and timing of the fuel 104 entering the internal combustion engine. In addition, the controller 116 includes one or more transceivers or input / output devices for sending control signals to various components of the fuel delivery system. For example, the controller 116 transmits a fuel shutoff signal 118 to an actuator (not shown) of the fuel shutoff valve 112 to allow or restrict the flow of fuel 104 into the internal combustion engine through the fuel output 114. If the fuel pump 106 is a variable speed pump, the controller 116 also sends a pump control signal 120 to the fuel pump 106 to start, stop, or adjust the speed of the fuel pump 106. Figure 5 These and other aspects of the controller 116 are explained in greater detail in .

[0016] As described above, in some examples, it may be desirable to purge at least a portion of the fuel 104 from the fuel delivery system 100 during a fuel delivery operation (or while the engine is receiving fuel). To achieve the purge operation, the fuel delivery system 100 uses a bidirectional purge. As used herein, "bidirectional purge" means that the fuel 104 to be purged is directed to at least one component of the fuel delivery system 100 in two directions, one direction along the normal flow path of the fuel 104 through the component, and at least one other direction opposite to the normal flow path of the fuel 104 through the component. For example, in Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the two-way purge component used is a fuel filter 110. The fuel filter 110 includes a purge valve 122 controlled by a purge signal 124 issued by a controller 116. The purge signal 124 is used to open and close the purge valve 122. When the purge valve 122 is opened, the purge tank 150 is in fluid communication with the fuel filter 110, allowing the purified fuel 104 to travel through the purge valve 122 and enter the purge tank 150. It should be noted that the use of the fuel filter 110 as a two-way purge component is merely an example, because one or more components of the fuel delivery system can be similarly configured and used as one of the two-way purge components. In some examples, the fuel 104 in the purge tank 150 can be pumped into the fuel tank 102 for reuse. In these examples, a purge tank pump 152 is used. The controller 116 can issue a purge tank pump signal 154 to turn on the purge tank pump 152, thereby pumping the fuel 104 in the purge tank 150 into the fuel tank 102.

[0017] While in some examples opening the purge valve 122 allows the purge operation to proceed by gravity drain, in other examples, the pressure differential across the bi-directional purge component is used to force the fuel 104 through the fuel filter 110 in more than one direction. Figure 1 The example in uses a pressurized fluid source to provide a pressure differential across the fuel filter 110. Figure 11 , the source of the pressure differential is pressurized nitrogen 126. The nitrogen 126 provides the force that moves the fuel 104 through the fuel filter 110 and into the fuel tank 102. The nitrogen 126 is introduced into the fuel delivery system 100 through the purge fluid valve 128. The controller 116 issues a purge signal 130 to open the purge fluid valve 128. When the controller 116 receives a purge event notification 132 from one or more systems of the engine to which the fuel 104 is delivered, the controller 116 issues a pump control signal 120 to the fuel pump 106 to shut down the fuel pump 106, thereby reducing or stopping the fuel pump 106 from drawing fuel 104 from the fuel tank 102. The controller 116 also issues a fuel shutoff signal 118 to the fuel shutoff valve 112 to restrict the flow of fuel 104 to the engine. In addition, the controller 116 issues a purge signal 130 to open the purge fluid valve 128 to fluidly connect the nitrogen 126 to the fuel delivery system 100, and issues a purge signal 124 to open the purge valve 122 to allow the fuel 104 to flow from the fuel filter 110 into the fuel tank 102. In this first purge configuration, the pressure of the nitrogen 126 purifies the fuel 104 through the mesh filter 108, the fuel pump 106, the fuel filter 110, and is discharged through the purge valve 122 and into the fuel tank 102. In this configuration, a portion of the fuel 104 can also be purged directly into the fuel tank 102. Figure 1 As shown, when purging, fuel 104 flows through fuel filter 110 in the direction that fuel 104 normally flows through fuel delivery system 100. However, to purge fuel 104 on the outlet side of fuel filter 110 between fuel filter 110 and fuel shutoff valve 112, fuel delivery system 100 also includes bypass valve 134.

[0018] The bypass valve 134 is opened and closed by the controller 116 using a bypass signal 136. The bypass valve 134 is used to provide pressure from the nitrogen 126 to the outlet 113 of the fuel filter 110 to allow the fuel 104 to be purged through the inlet 137 of the fuel filter 110 and the outlet 113 of the fuel filter 110, thereby providing a two-way purge. When the bypass valve 134 is open, a second purge configuration is provided, and the pressurized nitrogen 126 purifies the fuel 104 through the bypass regulator 111. The fuel 104 further flows through the bypass valve 134 and enters the outlet 113 of the fuel filter 110. When the purge valve 122 is open, the purified fuel flows into the outlet 113 of the fuel filter 110, flows into the fuel tank 102 through the purge valve 122. With bypass valve 134 open, the above-described first purge configuration in which fuel 104 flows into fuel filter 110 through inlet 137 begins with a second purge configuration in which fuel 104 flows into fuel filter 110 through outlet 113 thereof, thereby providing bidirectional purge.

[0019] In some examples, it may be desirable to perform a bidirectional purge operation, wherein the first configuration is used at a different time than the second configuration, thereby providing a third configuration. The third configuration allows the fuel delivery system 100 to purge different portions of the fuel delivery system 100 at different times. In order to provide a time-dependent bidirectional purge (third configuration), the fuel delivery system 100 also includes a purge shutoff valve 140 that is opened and closed by the controller 116 using a purge shutoff signal 142. When closed, the pressurized nitrogen 126 is prevented from purging the fuel 104 in the first configuration because the pressure from the nitrogen 126 is fluidly disconnected from the inlet 137 of the fuel filter 110. In this example, a first configuration may be established to purge the fuel 104 into the inlet 137 of the fuel filter 110 by closing the bypass valve 134. A second configuration may be established by closing the purge shutoff valve 140 and opening the bypass valve 134. The fuel delivery system 100 may be switched between the first configuration, the second configuration, and the third configuration at different times to provide different purge methods.

[0020] Figure 1 An example of uses the pressure of nitrogen 126 to purge fuel 104 from various portions of the fuel delivery system 100. The nitrogen 126 or other purge fluid pressurizes the fuel delivery system 100, forcing the fuel 104 to exit through the fuel filter 110. However, in some examples, it may not be desirable or possible to pressurize the fuel delivery system 100. For example, some systems may not have a pressurized fluid, such as nitrogen 126, available to provide the purge pressure. In another example, the fuel delivery system may be used to deliver fuel that is preferably used in a low pressure system where applying pressure could damage components or become a safety hazard. In this way, a purge pump that provides a pressure differential may be used instead of a pressurized fluid to achieve a two-way purge, an example of which is shown in FIG. Figure 2 Described in.

[0021] Figure 2 A fuel delivery system 200 is shown that uses a pump to provide a pressure differential to purify fuel in accordance with various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. The fuel delivery system 200 includes a fuel tank 202 for storing and providing fuel 204 to an internal combustion engine (not shown). The fuel delivery system also includes a fuel pump 206. The fuel pump 206 is in fluid communication with the fuel tank 202 and is configured to pump the fuel 204 from the fuel tank 202 through a mesh filter 208 and a fuel filter 210, through a fuel shut-off valve 212, to be delivered to the engine as a fuel output 214. The fuel delivery system 200 also includes a regulator 211. The regulator 211 is used to reduce the possibility of an overpressure condition or to relieve pressure on an outlet 213 of the fuel filter 210. At a predetermined pressure at an inlet 215 of the regulator 211, the regulator 211 opens, allowing the fuel 204 to move from the inlet 215 to the outlet 217, relieving pressure.

[0022] The fuel delivery system 200 also includes a controller 216. The controller 216 may be a component of an engine control unit (ECU) or an engine control module (ECM) ECU of the internal combustion engine. The controller 216 controls the amount of fuel 204 entering the internal combustion engine. The controller 216 includes one or more processors and a memory storing instructions therein, which, when executed by the processor of the controller 216, cause the controller 216 to control the amount and timing of the fuel 204 entering the internal combustion engine. In addition, the controller 216 includes one or more transceivers or input / output devices for sending control signals to various components of the fuel delivery system. For example, the controller 216 transmits a fuel cutoff signal 218 to an actuator (not shown) of the fuel cutoff valve 212 to allow or restrict the flow of fuel 204 into the internal combustion engine through the fuel output 214. If the fuel pump 206 is a variable speed pump, the controller 216 also sends a pump control signal 220 to the fuel pump 206 to start, stop or adjust the speed of the fuel pump 206.

[0023] As described above, in some examples, it may be desirable to purge at least a portion of the fuel 204 from the fuel delivery system 200. To achieve the purge operation, the fuel delivery system 200 uses a purge pump 229 as a pressure differential source to provide a bidirectional purge. The controller 216 issues a purge pump signal 231 to turn on, off, or change the speed of the purge pump 229. The purge pump 229 is in fluid communication with the purge valve 222 of the fuel filter 210 and provides a pressure differential across the fuel filter 210 to purge the fuel 204. The purge valve 222 is controlled by a purge signal 224 issued by the controller 216. The purge signal 224 is used to open and close the purge valve 222. When the purge valve 222 is open, the fuel tank 233 is in fluid communication with the fuel filter 210, allowing the purified fuel 204 to enter the fuel tank 233 through the purge valve 222. It should be noted that the use of the fuel filter 210 as a bidirectional purge component is merely an example, as one or more components of the fuel delivery system can be similarly configured and used as one of the bidirectional purge components. Fuel 204 purged into fuel tank 233 may be reused by fuel delivery system 200 by opening tank valve 244 using tank valve signal 246 issued by controller 216 .

[0024] When the controller 216 receives a purge event notification 232 from one or more systems of the engine to which the fuel 204 is delivered, the controller 216 issues a pump control signal 220 to the fuel pump 206 to shut down the fuel pump 206, thereby reducing or stopping the fuel pump 206 from drawing fuel 204 from the fuel tank 202. The controller 216 also issues a fuel shutoff signal 218 to the fuel shutoff valve 212 to restrict the flow of fuel 204 to the engine. In addition, the controller 216 issues a purge pump signal 231 to open the purge pump 229 and a purge signal 224 to open the purge valve 222, thereby allowing the fuel 204 to flow from the fuel filter 210 to the fuel tank 233. In this first purge configuration, the reduced pressure provided by the purge pump 229 draws the fuel 204 through the fuel filter 210. The purge pump 229 provides a reduced pressure to purge the fuel 204 through the mesh filter 208, the fuel pump 206, the fuel filter 210, and is discharged through the purge valve 222 and into the fuel tank 233.

[0025] When the purge pump 229 purifies the fuel 204, nitrogen 234 and / or nitrogen 238 (in some examples, a pressurized nitrogen source) are provided to backfill the fuel 204 being purged, and in some examples, a nitrogen blanket is provided. In some examples, the purge pump 229 that draws the fuel 204 can create a vacuum. In order to reduce the possibility of creating a vacuum, a nitrogen blanket is provided in the purge area of ​​the fuel 204, and / or to assist the purge pump 229, in some examples, the nitrogen 234 and / or nitrogen 238 provide pressure to assist the purge operation. The nitrogen 234 is introduced into the fuel delivery system 200 through the purge fluid valve 236, and the nitrogen 238 is introduced into the fuel delivery system 200 through the purge fluid valve 240. When the purge pump 229 is started, the controller 216 sends a purge signal 242 to open the purge fluid valve 236 and a purge signal 245 to open the purge fluid valve 240, thereby connecting the nitrogen 234 and / or nitrogen 238 fluid to the fuel delivery system 200.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, when purging, the fuel 204 flows into the inlet 237 of the fuel filter 210 in the direction that the fuel 204 normally flows through the fuel delivery system 200. In addition, the purge pump 229 draws the fuel 204 from the outlet 213 side of the fuel filter 210, whereby the fuel 204 flows into the fuel filter 210 in the opposite direction to the direction that the fuel 204 normally flows through the fuel delivery system 200, providing a two-way purge operation. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The examples show the use of components of the fuel delivery systems 100 and 200 (e.g., fuel filters) through which the fuel is purified. However, as described above, more than one component may be used. Figure 3 A bidirectional purification component is described in more detail in .

[0027] Figure 3A fuel delivery system 300 having more than one bi-directional purge component is shown in accordance with various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. The fuel delivery system 300 includes a fuel tank 302 for storing and providing fuel 304 to an internal combustion engine (not shown). The fuel delivery system also includes a fuel pump 306. The fuel pump 306 is in fluid communication with the fuel tank 302 and is configured to pump the fuel 304 from the fuel tank 302 through a mesh filter 308 and a fuel filter 310, through a fuel shut-off valve 312, to be delivered to the engine as a fuel output 314. The fuel delivery system 300 also includes a regulator 311. The regulator 311 is used to reduce the possibility of an overpressure condition or relieve pressure on an outlet 313 of the fuel filter 310. At a predetermined pressure at an inlet 315 of the regulator 311, the regulator 311 opens, allowing the fuel 304 to move from the inlet 315 to the outlet 317, relieving pressure.

[0028] The fuel delivery system 300 also includes a controller 316. The controller 316 may be a component of an engine control unit (ECU) or an engine control module (ECM) ECU of the internal combustion engine. The controller 316 controls the amount of fuel 304 entering the internal combustion engine. The controller 316 includes one or more processors and a memory storing instructions therein, which, when executed by the processor of the controller 316, cause the controller 316 to control the amount and timing of the fuel 304 entering the internal combustion engine. In addition, the controller 316 includes one or more transceivers or input / output devices for sending control signals to various components of the fuel delivery system. For example, the controller 316 transmits a fuel cutoff signal 318 to an actuator (not shown) of the fuel cutoff valve 312 to allow or restrict the flow of fuel 304 into the internal combustion engine through the fuel output 314. If the fuel pump 306 is a variable speed pump, the controller 316 also sends a pump control signal 320 to the fuel pump 306 to start, stop or adjust the speed of the fuel pump 306.

[0029] As described above, in some examples, it may be desirable to purge at least a portion of the fuel 304 from the fuel delivery system 300. To accomplish the purge operation, the fuel delivery system 300 utilizes a bidirectional purge. Figure 33, the bi-directional purge components used are a fuel filter 310 and a mesh filter 308. The fuel filter 310 includes a purge valve 322 controlled by a purge signal 324 issued by the controller 316. The purge signal 324 is used to open and close the purge valve 322. When the purge valve 322 or the purge valve 323 is opened, the fuel tank 302 is placed in fluid communication with the fuel filter 310 or the mesh filter 308 (depending on which one is open, or if both are open, both), allowing the purified fuel 304 to travel through the purge valve 322 or the mesh valve 323 and enter the fuel tank 302. It should be noted that the use of the fuel filter 110 or the mesh valve 323 as a bi-directional purge component is merely an example, as one or more components of the fuel delivery system may be similarly configured and used as one of the bi-directional purge components.

[0030] While in some examples opening purge valve 322 or screen valve 323 allows purge operation by gravity drain, in further examples, pressure differentials across the bi-directional purge components are used to force fuel 304 through fuel filter 310 or screen filter 308 in more than one direction. Figure 3 The example in FIG. 3 uses a pressurized fluid source, in this example nitrogen 326, to provide a force to move the fuel 304 through the fuel filter 310 or mesh filter 308 and into the fuel tank 302. The nitrogen 326 is introduced into the fuel delivery system 300 through the purge fluid valve 328. The controller 316 issues a purge signal 330 to open and close the purge fluid valve 328. When the controller 316 receives a purge event notification 332 from one or more systems of the engine to which the fuel 304 is delivered, the controller 316 issues a pump control signal 320 to the fuel pump 306 to shut down the fuel pump 306, thereby reducing or stopping the fuel pump 306 from drawing fuel 304 from the fuel tank 302. The controller 316 also issues a fuel shutoff signal 318 to the fuel shutoff valve 312 to restrict the flow of fuel 304 to the engine. In addition, the controller 316 issues a purge signal 330 to open the purge fluid valve 328, thereby fluidly connecting the nitrogen 326 to the fuel delivery system 300. The controller 316 also issues a purge signal 324 to open the purge valve 322 and / or a purge signal 325 to open the purge valve 322, thereby allowing the fuel 304 to flow from the fuel filter 310 and / or the mesh filter 308 into the fuel tank 302. In this first purge configuration, the pressure of the nitrogen 326 purifies the fuel 304 through the mesh filter 308, the pump 306, the fuel filter 310, and is discharged through the purge valve 322 and / or the purge valve 322 and enters the fuel tank 302. In this configuration, a portion of the fuel 304 may also be purged directly into the fuel tank 302. Figure 3As shown, when purging, the fuel 304 flows through the fuel filter 310 and / or the mesh filter 308 in the direction that the fuel 304 normally flows through the fuel delivery system 300. However, in order to purify the fuel 304 on the outlet side of the fuel filter 310 between the fuel filter 310 and the fuel shut-off valve 312, for example, the fuel delivery system 300 also includes a bypass valve 334. The bypass valve 334 is opened and closed by the controller 316 using a bypass signal 336. The bypass valve 334 is used to provide pressure from the nitrogen 326 to the outlet 313 of the fuel filter 310 and / or the outlet 344 of the mesh filter 308 to allow the fuel 304 to be purified through the inlet 337 of the fuel filter 110 and the outlet 313 of the fuel filter 310, as well as the inlet 346 and outlet 344 of the mesh filter 308, providing a two-way purge through at least two components of the fuel delivery system 300.

[0031] Figure 4 A method 400 for operating a fuel delivery system using bidirectional purge is shown according to various examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. The method 400 and other processes described herein are shown as example flow charts, each operation of which may represent a sequence of operations that may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In the context of software, the operations represent computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or more processors, perform the operations. Typically, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific functions or implement specific abstract data types. The order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described operations may be combined in any order and / or in parallel to implement the process.

[0032] The method 400 begins at step 402, where the controller 116 receives a purge event notification 132. The purge event notification 132 may be received from a variety of sources including the fuel delivery system 100. For example, an engine to which the fuel delivery system 200 supplies fuel 104 may be shut down or stopped. The controller 116 may receive the purge event notification 132 from an ECU associated with the engine. The presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to any particular source of the purge event notification 132.

[0033] At step 404, the controller 116 establishes a purge configuration for the fuel delivery system 100. When the controller 116 receives the purge event notification 132, the controller 116 issues a pump control signal 120 to the fuel pump 106 to shut down the fuel pump 106, thereby reducing or stopping the fuel pump 106 from drawing fuel 104 from the fuel tank 102. The controller 116 also issues a fuel shutoff signal 118 to the fuel shutoff valve 112, a purge signal 130 to open the purge fluid valve 128, and a purge signal 124 to open the purge valve 122. In addition, the controller 116 also issues a bypass signal 136 to open the bypass valve 134. When the bypass valve 134 is opened, the fuel 104 flows into the fuel filter 110 through the outlet 113 and the inlet 137 of the fuel filter 110, thereby providing a two-way purge.

[0034] At step 406 , the bi-directional purge operation begins by allowing pressurized nitrogen 126 to flow into the fuel delivery system 100 to force the fuel 104 out through the fuel filter 110 .

[0035] At step 408, the controller 116 terminates the purge. The controller 116 issues the purge signal 130 to close the purge fluid valve 128 and the purge signal 124 to close the purge valve 122. In addition, the controller 116 also issues the bypass signal 136 to close the bypass valve 134.

[0036] Figure 5 A component level view of a controller 116 for use with the systems and methods described herein is depicted according to various examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. The controller 116 may be any device capable of providing the functionality associated with the systems and methods described herein. The controller 116 may include several components to perform the above-described functions. The controller 116 may include hardware, software, or various combinations thereof. As described below, the controller 116 may include a memory 502 including an operating system (OS) 504 and one or more standard applications 506. The standard applications 506 may include applications for receiving purge event notifications 132 and issuing one or more signals to open and close various valves associated with the fuel delivery system 100.

[0037] The controller 116 may also include one or more processors 510 and one or more of a removable memory 512, a non-removable memory 514, a transceiver 516, an output device 518, and an input device 520. In various implementations, the memory 502 may be volatile (such as random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two. The memory 502 may include data stored on a remote server or server cloud that is accessible by the controller 116.

[0038] The memory 502 may also include an OS 504. The OS 504 varies depending on the manufacturer of the controller 116. The OS 504 contains modules and software that support the basic functions of the controller 116, such as scheduling tasks, executing applications, and controlling peripherals. The OS 504 may also enable the controller 116 to send and retrieve other data and perform other functions, such as sending control signals using the transceiver 516 and / or the output device 518 and receiving signals using the input device 520.

[0039] The controller 116 may also include one or more processors 510. In some implementations, the processor 510 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), both CPUs and GPUs, or any other combination and number of processing units. The controller 116 may also include additional data storage devices (removable and / or non-removable), such as magnetic disks, optical disks, or tapes. Such additional storage Figure 5 , illustrated by removable storage 512 and non-removable storage 514.

[0040] Non-transitory computer-readable media may include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable tangible, physical media implemented with technology for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Memory 502, removable storage 512, and non-removable storage 514 are all examples of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disc ROM (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storage devices, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, or any other tangible physical media that can be used to store desired information that can be accessed by controller 116. Any such non-transitory computer-readable media may be part of controller 116, or may be a separate database, repository, remote server, or cloud-based server.

[0041] In some implementations, the transceiver 516 includes any transceiver known in the art. In some examples, the transceiver 516 may include a wireless modem to facilitate wireless connection with other components (e.g., between the controller 116 and the wireless modem as a gateway to the Internet), the Internet, and / or an intranet. Specifically, the transceiver 516 may include one or more transceivers that enable the controller 116 to send and receive data. Therefore, the transceiver 516 may include multiple single-channel transceivers or multi-frequency multi-channel transceivers to enable the controller 116 to send and receive video calls, audio calls, messaging, etc. The transceiver 516 may enable the controller 116 to connect to multiple networks, including but not limited to 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi networks. The transceiver 516 may also include one or more transceivers to enable the controller 116 to connect to future (e.g., 6G) networks, the Internet of Things, machine-to-machine (M2M), and other current and future networks.

[0042] The transceiver 516 may also include one or more radio transceivers that perform the functions of sending and receiving radio frequency communications via an antenna (e.g., Wi-Fi or Bluetooth). In other examples, the transceiver 516 may include wired communication components, such as a wired modem or Ethernet port, for communicating via one or more wired networks. The transceiver 516 may enable the controller 116 to facilitate audio and video calls, download files, access web applications, and provide other communications associated with the above-described systems and methods.

[0043] In some implementations, the output device 518 includes any output device known in the art, such as a display (e.g., a liquid crystal or thin film transistor (TFT) display), a touch screen, a speaker, a vibration mechanism, or a tactile feedback mechanism. Thus, the output device may include a screen or a display. The output device 518 may also include a speaker or similar device to play a sound or ringtone when an audio call or video call is received. The output device 518 may also include a port for one or more peripheral devices such as headphones, a peripheral speaker, or a peripheral display.

[0044] In various implementations, the input device 520 includes any input device known in the art. For example, the input device 520 may include a camera, a microphone, or a keyboard / keypad. The input device 520 may include a touch-sensitive display or keyboard to enable a user to enter data and make requests and receive responses via a web application (e.g., in a web browser), make audio and video calls, and use standard applications 506, etc. The touch-sensitive display or keyboard / keypad may be a standard button alphanumeric multi-key keyboard (such as a conventional QWERTY keyboard), a virtual control on a touch screen, or one or more other types of keys or buttons, and may also include a joystick, a scroll wheel, and / or designated navigation buttons, etc. The touch-sensitive display may serve as both the input device 520 and the output device 518.

[0045] Industrial Applicability

[0046] The present invention generally relates to purifying fuel from the fuel delivery system of an internal combustion engine, primarily a diesel fuel engine that uses a fuel such as methanol as a substitute fuel for all or a portion of the diesel fuel. In various applications, it may be necessary or desirable to remove at least a portion of the fuel from components of the engine for various reasons. For example, the fuel may be corrosive, whereby allowing the fuel to remain in contact with various components of the engine may degrade the engine components. In another example, the fuel may be a safety hazard that may endanger personnel using the engine if left in the engine or the engine's fuel delivery system. In an engine that is to be operated using purge, one or more components of the engine are used as drains to allow the fuel to be purged. The system is configured to allow bidirectional purge through one or more components of the fuel delivery system. Bidirectional purge allows the fuel to be purged to move into the component in more than one direction of fluid flow. Thus, in some examples, bidirectional purge allows a larger volume of fluid to be purified than unidirectional purge. For example, in Figure 1 In the embodiment, the fuel 104 may be purified into the inlet 137 of the fuel filter 110 and the outlet 113 of the fuel filter 110 .

[0047] Unless expressly excluded, the use of the singular to describe a component, structure, or operation does not exclude the use of the plural such components, structures, or operations or their equivalents. As used herein, the word "or" refers to any possible permutation of a group of items. For example, the phrase "A, B, or C" refers to at least one of A, B, C, or any combination thereof, such as any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C; or any item such as A and multiples of A; B, B, and C; A, A, B, C, and C; etc.

[0048] Although various aspects of the present invention have been specifically shown and described with reference to the above embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by modifications to the disclosed machines, systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. These embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present invention as determined based on the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A fuel delivery system, the system comprising: a fuel pump in fluid connection with the fuel tank, the fuel pump being configured to direct fuel from the fuel tank for use by the internal combustion engine; A two-way purge component is fluidly connected to the fuel pump, and the two-way purge component includes: an inlet configured to receive fuel from the fuel pump; Exports are configured for: directing the fuel from the two-way purge component to the internal combustion engine during a fuel delivery operation; and receiving fuel into the bidirectional purge component during a purge operation; and a purge outlet fluidly connected to a tank, the purge outlet being configured to direct fuel entering the inlet or outlet to the tank during the purge operation; and a pressure regulator fluidly connected to an outlet of the two-way purge component, the pressure regulator being configured to maintain a pressure of the fuel below a predetermined pressure; and A pressure differential source is fluidly connected to the two-way purge component, the pressure differential source providing a pressure differential across the two-way purge component to move the fuel into an inlet of the two-way purge component or an outlet of the two-way purge component during the purge operation.

2. The fuel delivery system of claim 1, wherein the pressure differential source comprises a pressurized fluid that is fluidly connectable to the fuel delivery system by opening a purge fluid valve and fluidly disconnectable from the fuel delivery system by closing the purge fluid valve.

3. The fuel delivery system of claim 2 further comprising a bypass valve to bypass the regulator to allow the pressurized fluid to force fuel into the outlet of the two-way purge component.

4. The fuel delivery system of claim 3, further comprising a purge shutoff valve configured to disconnect the pressurized fluid from the inlet fluid of the two-way purge component, wherein when the purge fluid valve is open, and wherein: When the purge shutoff valve is open and the bypass valve is closed, the pressurized fluid forces the fuel into the inlet of the two-way purge component; When the purge shutoff valve is closed and the bypass valve is open, the pressurized fluid forces the fuel into an outlet of the two-way purge component; and When the purge shutoff valve is open and the bypass valve is open, the pressurized fluid forces fuel into both the inlet and outlet of the two-way purge component.

5. The fuel delivery system of claim 2, wherein the pressurized fluid comprises nitrogen.

6. The fuel delivery system of claim 1 further comprising a fuel shutoff valve that fluidly connects the outlet of the two-way purge component to the internal combustion engine during the fuel delivery operation and fluidly disconnects the outlet of the two-way purge component from the internal combustion engine during the purge operation.

7. The fuel delivery system of claim 1, wherein the bidirectional purification component comprises a fuel filter configured to filter a portion of particulates from the fuel before the fuel enters the internal combustion engine.

8. The fuel delivery system of claim 1 , further comprising a second two-way purge component, the second two-way purge component comprising: a second inlet configured to receive fuel from the fuel pump; as well as A second outlet is configured to: directing the fuel out of the second two-way purge component during a fuel delivery operation; and Fuel is received into the second two-way purge component during a purge operation.

9. A controller for controlling a purge operation of a fuel delivery system, the controller comprising: a memory storing computer executable instructions; as well as A processor in communication with the memory, the computer executable instructions causing the processor to perform actions including: receiving a purge event notification to purge fuel from at least a portion of a fuel delivery system of an internal combustion engine; A purge configuration is established to initiate a bidirectional purge operation of the fuel via a bidirectional purge component, wherein the bidirectional purge component comprises: an inlet configured to receive fuel from a fuel pump; and Exports are configured for: directing the fuel from the two-way purge component to the internal combustion engine during a fuel delivery operation; and receiving fuel into the bidirectional purge component during a purge operation; and a purge outlet fluidly connected to a tank, the purge outlet being configured to direct fuel entering the inlet or entering the outlet to the tank during the purge operation; and Terminate the purge operation.

10. The controller of claim 9, wherein the two-way purification component comprises a fuel filter configured to filter a portion of particulates from the fuel before the fuel enters the internal combustion engine.

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