Cryogenic Fuel Pump Low-Pressure Storage Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cryogenic fuel delivery devices for internal combustion engines face inefficiencies due to volume and pressure fluctuations in the low-pressure area of high-pressure pumps, leading to oversized pre-feed pumps and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a low-pressure storage volume between the pre-feed and high-pressure pumps, which can be adjusted by a movable or elastically deformable element, to smooth out volume fluctuations and maintain a constant pressure level, allowing the pre-feed pump to be sized for average volume flow, reducing line diameter and installation space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the pre-feed pump is oversized to compensate for volume fluctuations of the high-pressure pump, then volume and pressure fluctuations are reduced, but the efficiency of the fuel delivery system deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume and pressure stabilityVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A low-pressure storage volume is introduced as an intermediary component between the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump. This storage volume absorbs volume fluctuations from the high-pressure pump without requiring the pre-feed pump to be oversized, thereby maintaining system efficiency while stabilizing pressure and volume delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the pre-feed pump is oversized to compensate for volume fluctuations, then volume fluctuations are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume fluctuation compensationVSAvoidpump system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The low-pressure storage volume serves as a simple intermediary that provides volume fluctuation compensation without requiring complex pump sizing or additional control mechanisms, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of stationary object

If a low-pressure storage volume is integrated into the high-pressure pump, then space requirements are reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace requirementsVSAvoidhousing component complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The low-pressure storage volume is integrated into the existing high-pressure pump housing structure, merging two functional volumes into a single housing component. This approach reduces overall space requirements while avoiding the need for separate external storage tanks or additional housing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This configuration reduces the load on the high-pressure pump and connected lines, enhances efficiency by compensating for volume fluctuations, and maintains a constant pressure level, thereby improving the overall performance and reducing the need for oversized components.

Implementation Method 1

a storage effect can be achieved through the compressibility of the cryogenic fuel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressibility of cryogenic fuel:

Implementation Method 2

The low-pressure storage volume can thus be changed by movement and/or elastic deformation of the element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3701139B1Fuel supply device for cryogenic fuels, and method for operating a fuel supply device for cryogenic fuels
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3701139B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3701139B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fuel supply device for cryogenic fuels, said device comprising a pre-supply pump (1) and a high-pressure pump (2), wherein the high-pressure pump (2) has a reciprocally movable piston (3) which delimits a compression chamber (4). According to the invention, the compression chamber (4) can be connected via a suction valve (5) to a low-pressure accumulator volume (6) which can be filled with cryogenic fuel via the pre-supply pump (1). The invention also relates to a method for operating a fuel supply device for cryogenic fuels.