High-Pressure Fuel Pump Diagnostics From Cylinder-Event Pressure Rise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostics for high-pressure fuel pumps in internal combustion engines face challenges related to accuracy, complexity, computational burden, precision, reliability, and robustness.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for diagnosing high-pressure fuel pumps using pressure sensor outputs from a fuel rail, which involves determining pressure rise differences between cylinders and displaying operator-perceptible outputs to diagnose pump conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional diagnostic methods are used for high-pressure fuel pumps, then the diagnostic process can be performed, but the accuracy and reliability of the diagnostics are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic method segments the fuel pump operation into individual cylinder events, measuring pressure rise for each cylinder separately. This allows identification of imbalances between individual cylinders, improving diagnostic accuracy by isolating specific pump element performance issues rather than providing only overall system diagnostics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors fuel rail pressure during pump operation and provides feedback to the control system. This real-time feedback enables dynamic adjustment and continuous verification of pump performance, enhancing both accuracy and reliability of the diagnostic process through repeated measurements and validation.
2Measurement precision
If complex diagnostic procedures are implemented to improve accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and computational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic system utilizes the existing fuel rail pressure sensor that is already part of the engine management system. By repurposing this existing sensor for diagnostic measurements during pump operation, the system achieves enhanced precision without adding complex external measurement equipment, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor serves dual functions: monitoring fuel rail pressure for normal engine operation and providing diagnostic data for pump element evaluation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated diagnostic sensors, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If detailed cylinder-by-cylinder analysis is performed, then diagnostic precision improves, but computational burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by inhibiting fuel injection during the diagnostic phase, which isolates the pressure measurements to pump-induced pressure rises only. This preliminary setup simplifies the subsequent computational analysis by eliminating the need to complexly separate injection effects from pump effects, reducing computational energy requirements while maintaining precise cylinder-by-cylinder measurements.
4Measurement precision
If fuel injection is inhibited during diagnosis, then measurement accuracy improves, but engine productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic procedure is implemented periodically rather than continuously, allowing the engine to operate normally during most phases. During brief diagnostic intervals, fuel injection is temporarily inhibited to obtain accurate measurements, then normal operation resumes. This periodic approach minimizes the impact on overall engine productivity while achieving high measurement precision during the diagnostic windows.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes an engine comprising a plurality of combustion chambers, a fueling system comprising a fuel rail in fluid communication with a plurality of fuel injectors, each of the plurality of fuel injectors being configured to provide fuel to a respective one of plurality of combustion chambers, and a high-pressure fuel pump in fluid communication with the fuel rail, and an electronic control system in operative communication with the fueling system. The electronic control system is configured to diagnose a condition of the high-pressure fuel pump in response to pressure sensor outputs of the pressure in the fuel rail.