Fuel Cut-Off Valve Segmentation for Rapid Engine Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel supply systems for internal combustion engines lack efficiency in quickly stopping engine operation during emergencies, as the emergency stop mechanism may not function reliably due to potential leaks, leading to continued fuel injection and prolonged engine shutdown times.
Innovation Solution
A fuel supply system with a first fuel cut-off valve in the low-pressure fuel supply line and a purge gas supply line connected to both the fuel supply and return lines, which stops fuel flow to the pumps and purges remaining fuel, respectively, ensuring rapid engine shutdown by consuming remaining fuel and forcing it back into the tank or a waste tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a fuel cut-off valve is installed in the low-pressure fuel supply line, then the engine stoppage time is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel supply system is segmented into multiple zones with separate cut-off valves: a first fuel cut-off valve in the low-pressure fuel supply line and a second fuel cut-off valve in the low-pressure fuel return line. This segmentation allows independent control of fuel flow in different parts of the system, enabling rapid engine stoppage by closing the first valve while the second valve manages return fuel, thus reducing overall stoppage time without requiring a single complex valve to handle all functions.
2Speed
If the fuel pipe length is reduced, then the engine stoppage speed is increased, but the reliability of fuel supply may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by installing both a first fuel cut-off valve in the supply line and a second fuel cut-off valve in the return line before an emergency stop is required. These valves are pre-positioned to enable immediate fuel flow interruption in both directions when needed, allowing rapid engine stoppage without compromising fuel supply reliability during normal operation, as the valves remain closed only during emergency conditions.
3Loss of substance
If a purge gas supply line is added to purge remaining fuel, then fuel waste is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A purge gas supply line is introduced as an intermediary substance to clear remaining fuel from the fuel supply and return lines. The purge gas flows through the lines to displace and remove residual fuel, preventing fuel waste and contamination. This intermediary approach minimizes fuel loss more effectively than mechanical clearing methods, while the added complexity is offset by the simplicity of the gas flow mechanism compared to more complex purging systems.
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 reduces the time to stop the engine by ensuring all fuel is consumed or purged, minimizing fuel waste and enhancing shutdown reliability by using a second fuel cut-off valve in the return line and purge gas to expedite the process.
Implementation Method 1
a purge gas supply line fluidly connected to the low-pressure fuel supply line and configured to purge the low-pressure fuel supply line and the low-pressure fuel return line
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel supply system (100) for an internal combustion engine (110) comprises a plurality of fuel injection pumps (170), each fuel injection pump (170) being configured to provide pressurized fuel to an associated fuel injector (180). A low-pressure fuel supply line (150) provides fuel from a fuel supply tank (140) to the fuel injection pumps (170). The fuel supply system (100) further comprises a low-pressure fuel return line (160) fluidly connected to the fuel injection pumps (170) and configured to return remaining fuel from the fuel injection pumps (170) to the fuel supply tank (140). The fuel supply system (100) further comprises a first fuel cut-off valve (200) disposed in the low-pressure fuel supply line (150) and configured to stop a flow of fuel from the fuel supply tank (140) to the fuel injection pumps (170).