Electronic Fuel Transfer Pump for Low-Pressure Circuit Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel systems for internal combustion engines face challenges in effectively regulating fuel rail pressure, leading to issues such as increased emissions, reduced fuel efficiency, and premature component wear due to failures in fuel control valves, pressure sensors, and pressure-responsive valves, which often result in engine derating and performance compromises.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electronic fuel transfer pump (eFTP) system that modulates low-side fuel pressure, in conjunction with a controller and pressure sensors, to maintain target fuel pressures in both low-side and high-side circuits, providing redundant control and mitigating the impact of component failures through coordinated operation with fuel control valves and pressure-responsive valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fuel control valves and pressure-responsive valves are used to regulate fuel rail pressure, then fuel pressure regulation is achieved, but system reliability deteriorates due to component failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fuel pressure regulation components (fuel control valve, pressure-responsive valve) with an electronically controlled fuel transfer pump system. The eFTP is controlled by a controller that receives feedback from a pressure sensor and modulates the pump operation to maintain target fuel pressure, eliminating the need for mechanical pressure regulation components and their associated reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic controller as an intermediary between the pressure sensor and the fuel transfer pump. This controller processes pressure feedback signals and generates appropriate control signals to modulate the eFTP operation, enabling precise electronic pressure regulation without mechanical valves.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If engine derating is implemented in response to fuel system component failures, then harmful emissions are reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to reduced engine performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback control system where a pressure sensor continuously monitors fuel rail pressure and provides feedback to the controller. The controller compares the measured pressure with the target pressure and adjusts the eFTP operation accordingly, enabling reliable pressure regulation that prevents the need for engine derating even under varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from mechanical valve positioning to electronic pump modulation. The controller varies the eFTP operating parameters (pump speed, flow rate) to maintain target fuel pressure, providing more precise and reliable pressure control compared to conventional mechanical systems, thereby avoiding unnecessary engine derating.
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 solution enables robust and effective regulation of fuel rail pressure, reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency by minimizing the need for engine derating, thus enhancing engine performance and reducing downtime and wear on components.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic fuel transfer pump (eFTP) that delivers a low-pressure fuel flow to an inlet of a high-pressure fuel pump
Implementation Method 2
the high-pressure fuel pump further pressurizes the fuel to an appropriate high fuel pressure that may be two to three orders of magnitude higher than the low-side fuel pressure
Implementation Method 3
a pressure sensor, in order to regulate the fuel rail pressure toward an appropriate high fuel pressure
Implementation Method 4
the fuel control valve opens or closes in response to pressure in the fuel rail, measured by a pressure sensor, in order to regulate the fuel rail pressure
Implementation Method 5
a mechanical, pressure-responsive valve (e.g., a pressure-regulating valve or a pressure-relief valve) allows excess fuel pressure above the appropriate pressure to bleed off fuel back to the fuel tank by opening when the pressure exceeds a threshold pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and related methods for regulating fuel rail pressure for internal combustion engines utilizing an electronic fuel transfer pump (eFTP) on the low side to provide robust control of fuel pressure on the high side. The eFTP is in fluid communication with a low-pressure fuel circuit for providing a low-pressure fuel flow at a low pressure to a high-pressure pump. Upon failure of a fuel control valve, a pressure-responsive valve, and/or a pressure sensor impacting the high-side fuel pressure, the eFTP modulates the low-side fuel flow and/or low-side fuel pressure to mitigate damage to the engine. A controller in operative communication with the eFTP and/or one or more sensors is configured to provide a pump command to the eFTP in response to a failure condition impacting the high-side fuel pressure.