Fuel Pump Control System Minimizing Energy Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lift pump control systems consume excessive energy due to prolonged actuation durations based on required inlet pressure, leading to unnecessary fuel volume pumping.
Innovation Solution
Iteratively reducing the on-duration of a low-pressure fuel pump pulse until the peak outlet pressure decreases, identifying a minimum pulse duration, and applying this duration to minimize energy consumption while maintaining sufficient fuel supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lift pump is actuated for a duration based on required inlet pressure, then the inlet pressure of the higher pressure fuel pump is maintained above fuel vapor pressure, but the actuation duration becomes excessive and increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a pressure sensor to monitor the outlet pressure of the lift pump in real-time and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller adjusts the actuation duration based on the measured pressure, stopping the pump when the pressure reaches a target value rather than running for a fixed prolonged duration. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable pressure maintenance while preventing excessive energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation duration of the lift pump is made dynamic rather than static. Instead of using a fixed duration based on calculated requirements, the system continuously adapts the pump operation duration based on real-time pressure measurements. The controller extends or reduces actuation time dynamically according to actual system conditions, optimizing the balance between pressure reliability and energy efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If the lift pump is actuated for a prolonged duration, then sufficient fuel volume is supplied to the engine, but unnecessary fuel volume is pumped increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor provides real-time feedback on fuel system pressure, allowing the controller to determine when sufficient fuel volume has been supplied. The controller monitors pressure increases and stops pump actuation when the target pressure is reached, preventing unnecessary continued pumping. This ensures adequate fuel supply while eliminating wasted energy from excessive operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel system uses its own pressure characteristics to regulate pump operation. The pressure sensor detects when the fuel system has received sufficient fuel volume, and this self-generated pressure signal automatically controls the pump shutdown. The system serves itself by using the resulting pressure from fuel pumping as the control signal to terminate further pumping, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods are provided for operating a fuel pump. In one example, a method of operating a fuel pump comprises iteratively reducing an on-duration of a low pressure fuel pump pulse, until a peak outlet pressure of the fuel pump decreases from a peak outlet pressure corresponding to a previous pulse, to identify a minimum pulse duration, and applying a pulse having the minimum pulse duration to the fuel pump.