Electric Fuel Primer Overcomes Safety Valve Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for priming diesel engine fuel systems, such as hand pumping, often result in insufficient pressure to open the internal safety valve, leading to repeated engine cranking and increased maintenance costs due to starter and battery wear.

Innovation Solution

An electric fuel system primer that includes a fuel tank adapter, filter, pump, battery clamps, and gauge, capable of generating sufficient pressure to open the safety valve, utilizing the vehicle's battery power for operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If hand pumping or other pressure creating systems are used to prime the fuel system, then the fuel system can be primed, but the pressure generated is too low to open the safety valve, requiring repeated engine cranking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel pressureVSAvoidengine starting reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual hand pumping with an electric fuel pump system that uses electrical power to generate sufficient pressure. The electric pump is powered by a battery and capable of generating the necessary pressure (5-100 PSI) to open the safety valve, eliminating the need for repeated manual cranking operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the pressure generation capability by introducing an electric pump that can operate at variable speeds and generate higher pressure levels compared to manual pumping. The pump can deliver 5-100 PSI, which is sufficient to overcome the safety valve opening pressure, thereby ensuring reliable engine starting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stress or pressure

If repeated engine cranking is performed to build sufficient pressure, then the safety valve can open, but the starter and battery wear out, increasing maintenance costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel pressureVSAvoidtime for repeated cranking

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by using the electric fuel pump to build sufficient pressure in the fuel system before attempting to start the engine. The pump can rapidly pressurize the system to the required level (5-100 PSI), ensuring that when the engine is cranked, the safety valve is already open and fuel flow is established, eliminating the need for repeated cranking cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical hand pumping system with an electrically-powered fuel pump that can achieve the required pressure much faster and more reliably. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming repeated cranking operation and prevents wear on the starter and battery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If manual pressure creation methods are used, then the fuel system can be primed, but the process is inefficient and increases maintenance costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepriming operationVSAvoidpriming speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical pumping operation with an electrically-powered fuel pump system. The electric pump, powered by a battery, can rapidly pressurize the fuel system (5-100 PSI) much faster than manual pumping, significantly improving priming speed and efficiency while reducing physical effort required from the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electrical power to the fuel pumping process, enabling the pump to operate at higher speeds and generate sufficient pressure (5-100 PSI) rapidly. This parameter change from manual to electrical power delivery results in faster priming operation and improved overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The electric primer efficiently primes the fuel system, reducing wear on the starter and battery, allowing for quicker engine starting and lower maintenance costs by providing consistent and sufficient pressure to overcome the safety valve.

Implementation Method 1

a fuel pump configured to pressurized the fuel to a predetermined pressure that will open a valve in a fuel system of an engine of a vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of battery clamps to clamp to a battery of the vehicle and provide power to the fuel pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 3

a fuel filter configured to filer contaminants that may be in the fuel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8662044B2Fuel system electric primer

Publication Date: 2014.03.04 BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An electric fuel system primer is provided that is capable of generating enough pressure to open a valve in an engine's fuel system in order for the primer to prime the engine. The primer can include an electric fuel pump that is capable of generating at least 70 p.s.i. or more in order to open the valve. The primer may be powered by the vehicle's battery, by an internal battery or by converting AC to DC or vice versa.