Fuel Supply Pressure Damper Reference Pressure Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel supply systems for internal combustion engines, particularly at low fuel pressures, face challenges in reliably damping pressure fluctuations due to significant deflections of the damping membrane, leading to inadequate fuel supply consistency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pressure regulator that matches the reference pressures of the pressure damper and fuel pump, ensuring the damping membrane operates at its central position by compensating for pressure differences, either mechanically or electronically, and integrating the pressure damper into the injection valve holder to minimize component count and enhance fuel supply efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the fuel pressure is kept very low (close to atmospheric pressure), then the fuel consumption is reduced and the engine can operate in a fuel-efficient mode, but the damping membrane deflects excessively and cannot reliably dampen pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reference pressure parameter from atmospheric pressure to a elevated reference pressure (e.g., 0.5-2 bar above atmospheric pressure). This parameter change allows the damping membrane to operate within a reduced pressure differential range, preventing excessive deflection while maintaining effective damping capability at low fuel pressures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference pressure source as an intermediary element that provides a stable pressure reference to the pressure damper. This intermediary reference pressure compensates for the low fuel pressure conditions, allowing the damping membrane to function reliably without excessive deflection
2Ease of manufacture
If the reference pressure of the pressure damper is set to atmospheric pressure, then the device is simple to manufacture, but the damping membrane works at a significant distance from its central position and pressure fluctuations cannot be damped reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reference pressure parameter from atmospheric pressure to an elevated reference pressure. This parameter change shifts the operating point of the damping membrane to work closer to its central position, improving damping reliability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
3Device complexity
If the pressure damper is integrated into the injection valve holder, then the number of components is reduced and space is saved, but the pressure regulation and damping functions must be coordinated more precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure damper with the injection valve holder into a single integrated assembly. This combining of components reduces the overall number of parts, simplifies installation, and saves space, while the coordinated design of pressure reference sources ensures proper pressure regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated holder assembly performs multiple functions: it houses the injection valve, provides the pressure damper assembly, and serves as the reference pressure source. This multi-functionality reduces component count while maintaining all necessary pressure control capabilities
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 ensures a uniform fuel supply even at low pressures, effectively damping pressure fluctuations and preventing excessive membrane deflection, thereby maintaining consistent engine operation and reducing the risk of fuel supply delays during rapid valve switching.
Implementation Method 1
Pressure regulators are generally known in fuel systems. In order to avoid excessive deflection of the damping membrane during operation, it is now provided that the first reference pressure, with which the rear space of the pressure damper is acted upon, is matched to the second reference pressure for the pressure regulator.
Implementation Method 2
The pressure damper has a spring-loaded membrane. Atmospheric pressure is applied to the side of the damping membrane facing away from the fuel. The position of the damping membrane depends on the fuel pressure.
Implementation Method 3
Above all at low fuel pressures, which are in the order of magnitude of atmospheric pressure, fluctuations in the fuel pressure can lead to very large deflections on the damping membrane, so that the damping membrane works at a significant distance from its central position.
Implementation Method 4
Matching the reference pressures means selecting the two reference pressures in such a way that any pressure differences between the reference pressures in the system are taken into account, and in particular are compensated for.
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine (12) has a fuel supply system comprising a fuel pump (34), a pressure damper (35), and an injection valve (26). The pressure damper (36) has a damping diaphragm (54) that separates a damping chamber (53) from a return chamber (56). The damping chamber (53) is located in the fuel flow path from the fuel pump (34) to the injection valve (26). The return chamber (56) of the pressure damper (36) is pressurized to a first reference pressure. To ensure that the damping diaphragm (54) operates in its neutral position even at low system pressures, the fuel supply system includes a pressure regulator (35) that controls the pressure of the fuel delivered from the fuel pump (34) to the injection valve (26) relative to a second reference pressure, the first and second reference pressures being synchronized.