Fuel Filter Check Valve Pressure-Responsive Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel delivery devices for self-igniting internal combustion engines, such as diesel engines, face challenges in ensuring safe and continuous fuel supply to high-pressure injection systems due to the risk of air or unfiltered fuel being sucked in during negative pressure conditions, which can lead to contamination and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A fuel delivery device with a check valve integrated into the end cap of the fuel filter, featuring a venting device that prevents ventilation during negative pressure, ensuring safe operation by maintaining a permanent connection to the high-pressure pump during excess pressure and automatically controlling ventilation to prevent air or unfiltered fuel from entering, while also acting as a pre-filter to handle water contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a venting device is continuously open to allow fuel venting, then the starting behavior of the lift pump is improved, but air or unfiltered fuel may be drawn in during negative pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestarting behavior of lift pumpVSAvoidair or unfiltered fuel being drawn in
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The check valve dynamically changes its state based on pressure conditions - it opens during negative pressure to allow venting and improve starting behavior, then closes during positive pressure to prevent air or unfiltered fuel from being drawn in. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between needing continuous venting and preventing contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The check valve responds to pressure feedback from the system - when negative pressure occurs, the valve opens to vent; when positive pressure builds up, the valve closes to prevent backflow. This feedback mechanism ensures venting only when necessary and prevents harmful factors from entering the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the check valve opens during negative pressure to prevent air ingress, then system integrity is maintained, but filtered fuel may be lost through continuous venting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem integrityVSAvoidfiltered fuel being returned to tank
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The check valve transitions from a continuously open state to a dynamically controlled state that opens only during negative pressure and closes during positive pressure. This dynamic behavior maintains system integrity when needed while preventing unnecessary fuel loss through continuous venting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The check valve ensures continuous protection of system integrity by being ready to close at any moment when positive pressure occurs, while allowing continuous venting capability when negative pressure occurs. This eliminates the need for continuous venting and prevents unnecessary fuel loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If the check valve is integrated into the end cap of the filter element, then device complexity is reduced, but the valve must simultaneously handle multiple pressure conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of separate componentsVSAvoidability to handle multiple pressure conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The check valve is merged with the end cap of the filter element, combining two previously separate components into one integrated unit. This integration reduces device complexity while the check valve itself provides the adaptability to handle multiple pressure conditions through its opening and closing actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The end cap with integrated check valve serves multiple functions: it seals the filter element, houses the check valve mechanism, and provides pressure-responsive venting control. This multi-functionality achieves both reduced complexity and maintained adaptability to various pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution ensures safe and continuous ventilation without risking air or unfiltered fuel entry, maintaining system integrity and improving starting behavior by automatically controlling pressure and preventing backflow of filtered fuel, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of fuel delivery.

Implementation Method 1

the check valve closes when directed towards the fluid connection between the fuel filter and the high-pressure pump, and opens when open, allowing a connection between this fluid connection and the fuel tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a venting device is connected in a fluid connection between the fuel filter and the high-pressure pump, the venting device having a check valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCheck valve mechanism: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP3567242B1Fuel feeding device
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 HYDAC FLUIDCARECENT
  • EP3567242B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3567242B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3567242B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

2. A fuel supply device, comprising at least one fuel tank (4), a pre-supply pump (6), a high-pressure pump (16), an injection system (2), in particular in the form of a common-rail injection system, and a fuel filter (10) arranged between the pre-supply pump (6) and the high-pressure pump (16), is characterized in that a venting device (20) is connected in a fluid connection (14) between the fuel filter (10) and the high-pressure pump (16), which allows the fuel filter (10) to be vented when there is overpressure in the fluid connection (14) and prevents venting when there is under pressure.