Fuel System Pressure Monitoring and Leak Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel systems for vehicles lack effective monitoring and remedial action mechanisms to detect malfunctions, such as fuel leakage, which can be hazardous and lead to engine performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a tank, an electronically controlled pump, an electro-mechanical valve, and a controller that monitors pressure levels and activates the pump and valves to ensure safe operation, including a mechanical shut-off valve to prevent excessive pressure differences, and a pressure sensor to detect potential malfunctions, with the controller taking remedial actions like shutting off the pump or inhibiting engine cranking in case of a malfunction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fuel system operates without monitoring mechanisms, then the system is simpler and easier to manufacture, but fuel leakage and malfunctions cannot be detected, leading to hazardous conditions and engine performance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring actions before engine operation by checking pressure levels and component statuses during the key-on/engine-off phase. This preliminary detection allows the system to identify potential malfunctions or fuel leakage before they become hazardous, enabling preventive measures without requiring continuous complex monitoring during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system uses pressure sensors and controllers to continuously receive feedback about fuel system conditions. When abnormal pressure levels or malfunction indicators are detected, the system provides feedback signals to alert operators and can automatically trigger remedial actions, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism that enhances reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pump is continuously activated to maintain pressure, then pressure stability is improved, but energy consumption increases and potential fuel leakage risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous pump operation, the system uses periodic monitoring of pressure levels and activates the pump only when pressure drops below threshold values. This periodic action maintains adequate pressure stability for engine operation while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous pump operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel system uses its own pressure characteristics to regulate pump operation. When pressure is sufficient, the system naturally maintains itself without pump intervention. When pressure drops, the monitoring system triggers pump activation to restore pressure, creating a self-regulating mechanism that balances stability with energy efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system monitors pressure continuously and takes immediate remedial action, then fuel leakage prevention is improved, but response time for normal operation may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs monitoring and diagnostic actions during the key-on/engine-off period before actual engine operation begins. This preliminary action allows the system to detect potential fuel leakage or malfunction conditions in advance, so that when the engine needs to start, the system is already aware of any issues and can prepare appropriate responses without delaying normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary anti-actions by detecting abnormal pressure patterns or malfunction indicators before they can lead to actual fuel leakage. By identifying and addressing potential problems in the pre-operation monitoring phase, the system prevents harmful effects before they occur, rather than reacting after leakage has already started.
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 system effectively detects potential malfunctions, prevents fuel leakage, and ensures the engine is not started with unsafe conditions, thereby reducing hazards and maintaining engine performance by taking timely remedial actions.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, from a pressure sensor, pressure information indicative of a pressure level of the pressurized fuel between the electro-mechanical valve and the engine
Implementation Method 2
a pump that is electronically controlled and configured to pressurize the fuel and provide pressurized fuel to an engine
Implementation Method 3
a mechanical shut-off valve disposed between the pump and the electro-mechanical valve, wherein the mechanical shut-off valve is normally-open and is configured to close to shut-off the flow of the pressurized fuel when a pressure difference thereacross exceeds a threshold pressure difference
Data Source
AI summary
An example system includes a controller configured to: receive pressure information indicative of a pressure level of the pressurized fuel between an electro-mechanical valve and an engine; based on the pressure level being below a first threshold pressure, send a first signal to open the electro-mechanical valve; determine, based on the pressure information, that the pressure level is increasing upon sending the first signal; in response to the pressure level increasing, send a second signal to activate a pump; determine that the pressure level has increased to a second threshold pressure; and provide information indicating that the engine is ready for operation.