Pressure regulating member, fuel rail assembly and methanol engine

Abstract

The application provides a pressure regulating piece, a fuel rail assembly and a methanol engine. The pressure regulating piece is used in a cavity of a fuel injector of the methanol engine, and comprises a plurality of cavity units. Each cavity unit comprises an outer wall and a closed cavity surrounded by the outer wall and extending along a first direction. The plurality of cavity units are connected in sequence along the first direction. The pressure regulating piece can compensate for pressure drop when the fuel rail assembly outputs methanol, so that the next injection of methanol can still maintain normal pressure, ensure normal injection of the methanol injector, and improve the working performance of the methanol engine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of engine technology, specifically to a pressure regulator, a fuel rail assembly, and a methanol engine. Background Technology

[0002] The methanol fuel rail assembly is used in the low-pressure (5~10 bar) operation of the port fuel injector (PFI) in a methanol engine. The internal pressure fluctuations of its cavity can affect the injection accuracy of the methanol injector during each injection cycle.

[0003] When the methanol fuel pump cannot provide sufficient pressure compensation in a timely manner, each methanol fuel injection cycle causes a temporary drop in pressure inside the guide rail, thus affecting the injection pressure of the next methanol injection. Currently, the pressure drop is usually buffered by increasing the internal volume of the methanol fuel guide rail assembly, similar to setting up a pressure accumulator. However, increasing the volume will lead to an increase in the overall structural size of the assembly, which is not conducive to achieving lightweight design goals.

[0004] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section above is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0005] Depending on the specific aspects, one of the technical problems this application aims to solve is how to mitigate or alleviate the problem of pressure drop in the methanol fuel rail assembly during methanol injection.

[0006] In addition, this application aims to solve or alleviate other technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0007] According to one aspect of this application, the following is provided: A pressure regulator for a fuel injector cavity in a methanol engine, the pressure regulator comprising a plurality of cavity units, each cavity unit comprising an outer wall and a closed cavity extending along a first direction enclosed by the outer wall, the plurality of cavity units being sequentially connected end-to-end along the first direction.

[0008] Alternatively, according to one embodiment of this application, the outer wall of the cavity unit is made of resilient stainless steel.

[0009] Alternatively, according to one embodiment of this application, the cross-section of the cavity unit is configured as elliptical or spindle-shaped.

[0010] Optionally, according to one embodiment of this application, the thickness of the outer wall is 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0011] Optionally, according to one embodiment of this application, the plurality of cavity units are integrally formed from a single tube and the closed cavity is formed by a rolling mill, or the plurality of cavity units are individually formed and connected end to end by welding at their outer walls.

[0012] According to another aspect of this application, this application provides a fuel rail assembly including the pressure regulating member described above. The fuel rail assembly is used in a methanol engine and includes a cylindrical cavity and a fuel inlet channel and a fuel outlet channel communicating with the cavity. The cavity extends along a second direction, and the fuel inlet channel and the fuel outlet channel extend along a third direction perpendicular to the second direction. The pressure regulating member is disposed in the cavity.

[0013] Optionally, according to one embodiment of this application, the length direction of the pressure regulating member is parallel to the second direction, and the two ends of the pressure regulating member are respectively fixed on the two end walls of the cavity and spaced apart from the peripheral wall of the cavity.

[0014] Optionally, according to one embodiment of this application, the sum of the volumes of all the enclosed cavities in the pressure regulating member is 5% to 50% of the cavity volume.

[0015] Optionally, according to one embodiment of this application, the cross-section of the cavity is elliptical or spindle-shaped, and the major axis of the ellipse or spindle is parallel to the third direction.

[0016] According to another aspect of this application, this application provides a methanol engine that includes the fuel rail assembly described above.

[0017] The advantages of this application include: 1. In one embodiment of this application, a pressure regulating component is disposed in the cavity of the methanol fuel rail assembly. Due to the elasticity of its outer wall and the structure of the closed cavity, it can undergo elastic deformation when methanol is input into the cavity. When methanol is output from the cavity, the pressure regulating component restores its shape and simultaneously increases the pressure in the cavity, thereby compensating for the pressure drop when methanol is output from the cavity. This ensures that the fuel rail assembly can maintain normal pressure for the next methanol injection, guaranteeing normal injection of the methanol injector and improving the working performance of the methanol engine. 2. In one embodiment of this application, the pressure regulating member is spaced apart from the peripheral wall of the cavity, and its cross-section is set in an elliptical or spindle shape, so as not to affect the communication between the cavity and the fuel inlet channel and the fuel outlet channel, and can promote the output of methanol through the fuel outlet channel. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the above and other features of this application will become apparent, wherein, Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a fuel rail assembly according to one embodiment of this application is shown along its length. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a pressure regulating member according to one embodiment of this application is shown; Figure 3 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a single cavity unit along its length is shown; Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a single cavity unit is shown; Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a fuel rail assembly according to one embodiment of this application is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0019] It is readily understood that, based on the technical solution of this application, those skilled in the art can propose various interchangeable structural methods and implementations without altering the essential spirit of this application. Therefore, the following detailed embodiments and accompanying drawings are merely illustrative examples of the technical solution of this application and should not be considered as the entirety of this application or as limitations or restrictions on the technical solution of this application.

[0020] The directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, back, front, back, top, and bottom mentioned or possibly used in this specification are defined relative to the structures shown in the accompanying drawings. These are relative concepts and may therefore vary depending on their location and usage. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be interpreted as restrictive. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," and similar expressions are used for descriptive and distinguishing purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying the relative importance of the corresponding components or the order of components or assembly sequence.

[0021] refer to Figure 1The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of a fuel rail assembly 10 according to one embodiment of this application along its length. The first aspect of this application proposes a fuel rail assembly 10 for use in a methanol injector in a methanol engine to store and distribute fuel and stabilize fuel pressure. A pressure sensor 100 is provided on the fuel rail assembly 10 to monitor the fuel pressure therein. The fuel rail assembly 10 includes a cylindrical cavity 200 and a fuel inlet channel 300 and a fuel outlet channel 400 communicating with the cavity 200. The fuel outlet channels 400 are, for example, multiple, arranged parallel to each other. During injector operation, methanol is first introduced into the cavity 200 through the fuel inlet channel 300. A fuel pump pressurizes the methanol in the cavity 200 through the fuel inlet channel 300, and then evenly distributes the pressurized methanol fuel to each injector through the fuel outlet channels 400, ensuring that each cylinder receives an equal amount of fuel.

[0022] exist Figure 1 In this embodiment, the cavity 200 extends along a direction, referred to herein as the second direction, and the fuel inlet channel 300 and the fuel outlet channel 400 extend along a direction perpendicular to this direction (referred to herein as the third direction). Thus, multiple fuel outlet channels 400 can be spaced apart along the length of the cavity 200, which is beneficial for the arrangement of the fuel outlet channels 400 in the fuel rail assembly 10. A pressure regulating member 500 is arranged in the cavity 200 for regulating the fuel pressure within the cavity 200.

[0023] refer to Figure 2 This illustration shows a structural schematic of a pressure regulating member 500 according to one embodiment of this application. A second aspect of this application provides a pressure regulating member 500 comprising a plurality of cavity units 510. (See reference...) Figure 3The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of a single cavity unit 510 along its length. Each cavity unit 510 includes an outer wall 511 and a closed cavity 512 enclosed by the outer wall 511 and extending along a direction (hereinafter referred to as the first direction). Multiple cavity units 510 are connected end-to-end along the first direction. When fuel is introduced into the fuel rail assembly 10 from the fuel inlet channel 300, the outer wall 511 of the cavity unit 510 undergoes a certain elastic deformation due to the increased pressure in the fuel rail assembly 10, and the gas in the closed cavity 512 is also compressed and stores energy due to this elastic deformation. When fuel is discharged from the fuel outlet channel 400 to the fuel rail assembly 10, the pressure in the fuel rail assembly 10 suddenly drops. However, at this time, the gas in the closed cavity 512 and the outer wall 511 need to restore their previous volume or shape, which to some extent increases the pressure in the fuel rail assembly 10. This prevents a sudden drop in pressure in the fuel rail assembly 10 when the fuel leaves, ensuring that the fuel rail assembly 10 still has normal injection pressure for the next fuel injection. Therefore, the pressure regulating component 500 acts as a damper in the fuel rail assembly 10, reducing pressure fluctuations in the fuel rail assembly 10 during fuel input and output, and stabilizing the injector's operating performance.

[0024] In one embodiment of this application, the outer wall 511 of the cavity unit 510 is made of elastic stainless steel. The elastic structure of the outer wall 511 facilitates elastic deformation and shape recovery under pressure fluctuations, thereby damping the pressure fluctuations. Using stainless steel provides the outer wall 511 with high corrosion resistance, extending the service life of the pressure regulating component 500.

[0025] In one embodiment of this application, the longitudinal direction (i.e., the first direction) of the pressure regulating member 500 is parallel to the second direction. Both ends of the pressure regulating member 500 are fixed to the two end walls of the cavity 200 and spaced apart from the peripheral wall of the cavity 200. In this embodiment, the pressure regulating member 500 is arranged in a long strip shape adapted to the shape of the cavity 200, and its two ends are fixed to the two end walls of the cavity 200, allowing the pressure regulating member 500 to uniformly regulate the pressure at various locations within the cavity 200. Since the pressure regulating member 500 is spaced apart from the peripheral wall of the cavity 200, the cavity 200 is not divided into sub-spaces by the pressure regulating member 500, allowing methanol to flow freely throughout the entire cavity 200 without obstructing its flow to the fuel outlet channel 400. In one embodiment of this application, the sum of the volumes of all the enclosed cavities 512 in the pressure regulator 500 is 5% to 50% of the volume of the cavity 200, thereby providing sufficient volume for fuel to flow out of the cavity 200 without affecting fuel storage and distribution.

[0026] refer toFigure 4 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of a single cavity unit 510. In one embodiment of this application, the cross-section of the cavity unit 510 is configured as elliptical or spindle-shaped. That is, the pressure regulator 500 is flat when viewed from the end, which facilitates the arrangement of the pressure regulator 500 in the fuel rail assembly 10, so that the flow of methanol in the cavity 200 is as unobstructed as possible by the pressure regulator 500. (See reference...) Figure 5 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of a fuel guide assembly 10 according to one embodiment of this application. In one embodiment of this application, the major axis of the elliptical or spindle-shaped section is arranged parallel to a third direction, that is, the direction of the major axis of the elliptical or spindle-shaped section is consistent with the extension direction (i.e., the third direction) of the fuel inlet channel 300 and the fuel outlet channel 400. This arrangement provides the largest possible flow cross-sectional area for methanol in the longitudinal direction, and prevents the cavity unit 510 from blocking the flow of methanol to the fuel outlet channel 400 in the longitudinal direction as much as possible. Furthermore, the smooth curved edges of the elliptical or spindle-shaped section can, to some extent, promote the flow of methanol along the outer edge of the cavity unit 510 to the fuel outlet channel 400, thereby improving the injection efficiency of methanol.

[0027] In one embodiment of this application, the thickness of the outer wall 511 of the cavity unit is 0.1 mm to 1 mm. If the outer wall 511 of the cavity unit is too thin, the deformation of the cavity unit 510 may be irreversible, and it may not be able to recover its shape after one deformation, thus failing to play a pressure regulating role; while if the outer wall 511 of the cavity unit is too thick, it may not be able to deform, and at this time, it may not be able to provide sufficient elastic potential energy to play a damping role. Controlling the thickness of the outer wall 511 of the cavity unit to 0.1 mm to 1 mm allows it to generate sufficient elastic potential energy without causing permanent deformation, thereby better playing a damping role.

[0028] In one embodiment of this application, the plurality of cavity units 510 are integrally formed from a single tube, and the closed cavity 512 is formed by rolling. This construction method eliminates the need to construct multiple cavity units 510 and connect them; it only requires airtight connection of the sidewalls of the metal tube by rolling to form the closed cavity 512. In another embodiment, the plurality of cavity units 510 are each individually formed and connected end-to-end at their outer walls 511 by welding.

[0029] A third aspect of this application provides a methanol engine comprising the aforementioned fuel rail assembly.

[0030] In summary, the fuel rail assembly of this application has an elastic pressure regulating component, which can play a damping role when the pressure in the fuel rail assembly changes, compensate for the pressure drop when methanol is output from the chamber, so that the next methanol injection can still maintain normal pressure, ensure the normal injection of methanol injectors, and improve the working performance of methanol engines.

[0031] It should be understood that all the above preferred embodiments are exemplary and not restrictive, and various modifications or variations made by those skilled in the art to the specific embodiments described above under the concept of this application should be within the scope of legal protection of this application.

Claims

1. A pressure regulating component, characterized in that, The pressure regulating element of the fuel injector for a methanol engine includes a plurality of cavity units, each cavity unit including an outer wall and a closed cavity extending along a first direction enclosed by the outer wall, the plurality of cavity units being connected end to end in sequence along the first direction.

2. The pressure regulating component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the cavity unit is made of elastic stainless steel.

3. The pressure regulating component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-section of the cavity unit is configured as an ellipse or a spindle shape.

4. The pressure regulating component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the outer wall is 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

5. The pressure regulating component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of cavity units are integrally formed from a single tube and the closed cavity is formed by rolling, or the plurality of cavity units are individually formed and connected end to end by welding on their outer walls.

6. A fuel rail assembly, characterized in that, The fuel rail assembly, comprising a pressure regulator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, is used in a methanol engine and includes a cavity and a fuel inlet passage and a fuel outlet passage communicating with the cavity, the cavity extending along a second direction, the fuel inlet passage and the fuel outlet passage extending along a third direction perpendicular to the second direction, the pressure regulator being disposed in the cavity.

7. The fuel rail assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The length direction of the pressure regulating component is parallel to the second direction, and the two ends of the pressure regulating component are respectively fixed on the two end walls of the cavity and spaced apart from the peripheral wall of the cavity.

8. The fuel rail assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sum of the volumes of all enclosed cavities in the pressure regulating component is 5% to 50% of the cavity volume.

9. The fuel rail assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The cross-section of the cavity is elliptical or spindle-shaped, and the major axis of the ellipse or spindle is parallel to the third direction.

10. A methanol engine, characterized in that, Includes the fuel rail assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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