Compact Metering Pump for Fuel Additive Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional additive pumps for fuel dispensers are large, cumbersome, and aesthetically unappealing, limiting their installation locations and requiring extensive components, which restricts the placement and design of fuel dispensing systems.
Innovation Solution
A compact metering pump design with a centrally positioned inlet, outlet, piston, and valves, integrated fluid pathways, and a pressure relief system, allowing for axial alignment and efficient additive injection, along with a magnetically activated flow sensor for precise control and detection, facilitating installation in restricted spaces with a modular and aesthetically improved configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional additive pumps are used, then reliable additive injection is achieved, but the pump size and complexity increase, limiting installation locations and aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into distinct functional modules: a pump body, a piston assembly, valve assemblies (inflow and outflow), and a pressure relief system. Each module performs a specific function and is positioned to optimize space utilization while maintaining reliable additive injection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is contained within the piston bore, the valves are integrated into the pump body structure, and the pressure relief system is nested within the pump assembly. This nested configuration reduces overall pump volume while maintaining all necessary functional components for reliable operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional additive pumps are used, then additive injection function is provided, but the configuration becomes cumbersome and expansive, restricting installation flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The inflow valve and outflow valve are both integrated into the pump body structure rather than being separate external components. The pressure relief system combines the relief valve with a bypass channel that is part of the pump body architecture. This merging of functions reduces configuration complexity and enables flexible installation in various locations including restricted spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump components are arranged with the inlet, outlet, piston, and valves positioned along a central plane, creating a compact three-dimensional configuration. This dimensional arrangement optimizes space utilization and reduces the overall footprint of the pump, enabling installation in locations with limited space.
3Shape
If conventional additive pumps are used, then additive dispensing is achieved, but large components are required covering the pump, reducing aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The pump design changes the spatial parameters of component arrangement by positioning all critical elements (inlet, outlet, piston, valves) along a central plane. This parameter optimization creates a compact, streamlined shape that reduces the overall volume and eliminates the need for large covering components, thereby improving aesthetic appearance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the installation of metering pumps in various locations within fuel dispensing systems, including restricted spaces, with a compact and efficient design that improves aesthetic appeal and reduces assembly complexity, while maintaining precise additive injection and pressure management.
Implementation Method 1
a piston contained within the piston bore, the piston being configured to draw the fuel additive into the metering pump through the inlet and to dispense the fuel additive from the metering pump through the outlet
Implementation Method 2
an inflow valve coupled to the pump body and configured to permit the fuel additive to flow in a single direction away from the inlet and to prevent the fuel additive from flowing in an opposite direction back into the inlet
Implementation Method 3
an outflow valve coupled to the pump body and configured to permit the fuel additive to flow in the single direction towards the outlet
Implementation Method 4
the pressure relief valve is configured to permit through-flow of the fuel additive along the bypass channel and back to the inlet once a fluid pressure of the fuel additive reaches a threshold pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A metering pump for dispensing a fuel additive includes a pump body, an inlet and an outlet at which fuel additive respectively enters and exits the metering pump, a piston contained within a piston bore and being configured to draw fuel additive into the metering pump through the inlet and to dispense fuel additive from the metering pump through the outlet, an inflow valve configured to permit fuel additive to flow in a single direction away from the inlet and to prevent fuel additive from flowing in an opposite direction back into the inlet, and an outflow valve configured to permit fuel additive to flow in the single direction towards the outlet, wherein the metering pump has a configuration in which the inlet, the outlet, the piston, the piston bore, the inflow valve, and the outflow valve are centrally positioned along a central plane of the pump body.