Fuel Pump Assembly With Series-Parallel Switching for Lower Heat
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel systems with two pumps continuously provide full electrical power to both pumps, leading to excess fuel delivery and heating, and lack a mechanism to combine pump outputs in series, limiting output determination to the high-pressure fuel pump.
Innovation Solution
A fuel system with a first and second fuel pump, controlled by switches and a conductor to supply power in series or parallel, using semiconductor switches and a pulse width modulated controller to optimize power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If full electrical power is provided to both lift pump and high pressure fuel pump continuously, then both pumps can operate at full capacity, but power consumption increases and heat generation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control by using a controller to selectively activate either the lift pump or the high pressure fuel pump based on real-time engine fuel demand. This dynamic switching mechanism allows the system to adapt power consumption to actual needs, avoiding continuous full-power operation of both pumps and thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adequate fuel delivery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of pump activation from a static state (both pumps always on) to a dynamic state where pump operation is adjusted based on fuel demand parameters. The controller monitors engine conditions and adjusts which pump operates, effectively changing the system's power consumption parameter to match actual fuel delivery requirements.
2Productivity
If both pumps operate continuously, then fuel delivery capacity is maintained, but excess fuel is returned to the fuel tank causing heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unnecessary pump operation from the system by selectively disabling either the lift pump or the high pressure fuel pump when one pump alone is sufficient to meet fuel demand. This elimination of redundant pumping action prevents excess fuel from being circulated and returned to the tank, thereby preventing the heating that would result from continuous pump operation.
3Device complexity
If no valve mechanism is provided to combine pump outputs in series, then system complexity is reduced, but output is limited by the high pressure fuel pump capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that manages the operation of multiple pumps without requiring complex valve mechanisms for series combination. The controller acts as a smart mediator that selectively activates pumps based on demand, achieving efficient fuel delivery without the mechanical complexity of series combination valves, thereby maintaining low system complexity while optimizing output flow rate.
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 efficiently adjusts fuel delivery to match engine demand, reducing power consumption and heat generation, and allows for higher flow rates with lower current draw, enhancing reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the first switch is a semiconductor switch including one of a SCR, MOSFET, BJT, MCT, IGCT or IGBT
Implementation Method 2
the controller provides a pulse width modulated signal to the first switch
Implementation Method 3
a diode is coupled to the conductor between the first node and the second node, and the diode conducts electricity from a negative terminal of the first pump to a positive terminal of the second pump
Data Source
AI summary
In at least some implementations, a fuel system includes a first fuel pump and a first switch adapted to be coupled to a power supply, and a second fuel pump adapted to be coupled to the power supply. A conductor is provided between a first node between the first fuel pump and the first switch and a second node to which the second fuel pump is electrically coupled or electrically communicated so that depending upon the state of the first switch power may be supplied to the first fuel pump and second fuel pump in series or in parallel.