Fuel Pump Inlet Sensing to Prevent Dry Running Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pumps used for liquid fuel delivery are susceptible to damage when operated without sufficient liquid, leading to increased maintenance and operational downtime due to excessive friction and heating, which can damage components like vanes and seals.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sensor at the pump inlet to detect liquid fuel presence, transmitting signals indicating sufficient or insufficient liquid, and a controller to shut off the pump when insufficient liquid is detected, thereby preventing operation in a dry condition and mitigating damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pump operates without sufficient liquid, then the pump can continue running and maintaining productivity, but the pump components suffer damage due to excessive friction and heating
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor detects liquid presence at the pump inlet before the pump starts operating or continues operation. The controller receives this detection signal and preemptively shuts off the pump power supply when insufficient liquid is detected, preventing damage before it occurs. This preliminary detection and response action resolves the contradiction by ensuring the pump only operates when adequate liquid is present.
2Reliability
If a sensor and controller system is added to detect liquid presence and shut off the pump, then pump damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is introduced as an intermediary component between the pump system and the control mechanism. The sensor detects liquid presence and transmits signals to the controller, which then activates or deactivates the pump power supply. This intermediary sensing system provides a simple yet effective mechanism for pump protection without requiring complex control algorithms or multiple components.
3Strength
If the pump is shut off when insufficient liquid is detected, then component damage is avoided, but operational downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback loop where the sensor continuously monitors liquid presence at the pump inlet and transmits detection signals to the controller. The controller responds by activating or deactivating the pump power supply based on the sensor input. This feedback mechanism ensures the pump operates only under appropriate conditions, preventing damage while minimizing unnecessary downtime by allowing operation when liquid is sufficient.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
System for liquid fuel delivery having a sensor (102) detecting the presence of a liquid fuel at the inlet to the pump (104) during pump operation, and sending the signal to a controller (108). Based on the detection signal from the sensor (102), the controller (108) can determine whether a desired amount of liquid is present at the inlet to the pump (104). If a desired amount of liquid is not identified at the inlet to the pump, the controller (108) may interrupt the power provided by a power supply, which is supplying power to operate the pump (104), thereby interrupting operation of the pump (104).