Flow Regulation Device for Automotive Fuel Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel flow control devices in dual tank systems for automotive vehicles fail to maintain a consistent fluid flow within a predetermined interval as pressure increases, leading to unsatisfactory operation of the venturi effect.

Innovation Solution

A flow regulation device with a movable valve body and a resilient element, such as a spring, that transitions from an open to a closed position in response to increasing fluid pressure, reducing flow through one orifice to maintain flow within set limits, ensuring the venturi effect operates optimally.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If existing fuel flow control devices are used to allow pressure relieving when pressure increases, then pressure can be relieved, but fluid flow cannot be maintained within a predetermined interval

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure reliefVSAvoidflow consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body is made movable between open and closed positions based on pressure conditions. The resilient element enables dynamic adjustment of the valve body position, allowing the device to transition from a static flow control mechanism to a dynamic one that adapts to pressure changes while maintaining flow within the predetermined interval

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the flow parameter by selectively closing one orifice while keeping another open. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain flow within a specific interval by adjusting which orifices are open or closed based on pressure conditions, rather than simply relieving pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the venturi effect is used for fuel transfer, then fuel can be transferred from secondary tank to primary tank, but the venturi effect has an optimal working flow interval that is compromised by pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel transfer capabilityVSAvoidventuri effect operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient element provides a feedback mechanism that responds to pressure changes in the excess fuel return line. When pressure increases beyond the threshold, the resilient element pushes the valve body to close the appropriate orifice, creating a feedback loop that maintains flow within the optimal interval for venturi effect operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The flow regulation device acts as an intermediary between the engine return line and the venturi valve. By positioning the device upstream of the venturi valve and controlling flow through selective orifice closure, it mediates the pressure and flow conditions to ensure optimal venturi effect operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device effectively regulates fluid flow within a predetermined interval, maintaining optimal venturi effect operation by reducing flow when pressure exceeds a threshold, thus ensuring consistent fuel management in dual tank systems.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient element urging the valve body towards its open position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the valve body passes from its open to its closed position under action of fluid pressure entering in the inlet port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

a venturi valve connected on the engine return pipe and arranged to suck fuel in the transfer pipe from the secondary tank towards the primary tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3807115B1Flow regulation device, fuel managing system comprising such a device and automotive vehicle comprising such a system
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP3807115B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3807115B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3807115B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This flow regulation device comprises a housing (200) having an inlet port (202) and an outlet port (204), and a fluid flow conduit (206) between them, a valve body (208) mounted in the housing (200), and a first (210) and a second (212) orifices allowing fluid flow in the conduit (206). The valve body (208) is movable between an open position, in which the first and second orifices (210, 212) are open, and a closed position, in which only one (210) of the first and second orifices (210, 212) is open. The flow regulation device (20) comprises a resilient element (214) urging the valve body (208) towards its open position, and the valve body (208) passes from its open to its closed position under action of fluid pressure (P) entering in the inlet port (202).