Low Pressure Fuel Pump Control for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel delivery systems for internal combustion engines consume excess power due to continuous operation of low pressure fuel pumps beyond engine demand, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A fuel system with a controller that adjusts the operation of the low pressure fuel pump based on the configuration and fuel level, switching between high and low modes to optimize pumping rates and reduce unnecessary energy usage, particularly by synchronizing with the suction and pre-stroke phases of the high pressure fuel pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the low pressure fuel pump operates continuously to maintain fuel supply to the high pressure pump, then the fuel system reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The low pressure fuel pump operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only during suction strokes of the high pressure pump when fuel is needed. The controller monitors high pressure pump configuration and enables low pressure pump operation only when required, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining fuel supply reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback about the high pressure pump's configuration and operating phase, and adjusts the low pressure pump operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the low pressure pump operates only when fuel is needed, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy efficiency.
2Productivity
If the low pressure fuel pump operates at high rate to ensure sufficient fuel delivery, then the fuel delivery capability is improved, but the energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The low pressure fuel pump's operating rate is dynamically adjusted based on real-time fuel system conditions. The controller modulates the pump rate to match actual fuel demand rather than maintaining a fixed high rate, thereby reducing energy waste while ensuring adequate fuel delivery capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating parameters of the low pressure fuel pump are changed based on system requirements. The controller adjusts pump rate, activation timing, and duration as parameters to optimize the balance between fuel delivery capability and energy efficiency, preventing unnecessary energy waste.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fuel reservoir pump operates continuously to maintain fuel level, then the fuel level stability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel reservoir pump operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when fuel level drops below a threshold. This periodic operation maintains fuel level stability while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel reservoir pump is designed to activate automatically when fuel level becomes insufficient, providing self-service fuel level maintenance without requiring continuous external power or intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring and responding to fuel level conditions.
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 reduces power consumption by minimizing continuous operation of the low pressure fuel pump and optimizing fuel delivery, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing energy waste.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel reservoir pump configured to pump fuel from a fuel tank to a fuel pump reservoir
Implementation Method 2
A low pressure fuel pump configured to pump fuel out from within the fuel pump reservoir and to the fuel reservoir pump
Implementation Method 3
A high pressure fuel pump configured to pump fuel to the engine
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivering fuel to an engine including a fuel reservoir pump configured to pump fuel from a fuel tank to a fuel pump reservoir. A low pressure fuel pump is configured to pump fuel out from within the fuel pump reservoir and to the fuel reservoir pump. A high pressure fuel pump is configured to pump fuel to the engine. The low pressure fuel pump is configured to pump fuel to the high pressure fuel pump. A controller is operable to configure the low pressure fuel pump in a high mode at a first pump rate when the high pressure fuel pump is in a first configuration, and operable to configure the low pressure fuel pump in a low mode at a second pump rate when the high pressure fuel pump is in a second configuration different from the first configuration, the first pump rate is different from the second pump rate.