Fuel Delivery Pump Control for Vapor Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel delivery systems for internal combustion engines, particularly those using Gasoline Direct Fuel Injection (GDI), face challenges in detecting and mitigating vapor formation upstream of the high pressure pump, which can lead to decreased combustion efficiency and increased wear on the pump due to vaporization, as conventional methods only address vapor formation downstream and do not account for upstream issues.
Innovation Solution
The system adjusts the operation of the lower pressure pump based on pressure fluctuations at the inlet of the high pressure pump, using the amplitude of these fluctuations as an indicator of vapor formation, thereby reducing the output of the lower pressure pump to minimize vapor development and wear on the high pressure pump, without requiring additional components or costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lower pressure pump output is decreased to reduce vapor formation, then wear on the high pressure pump is reduced, but fuel delivery efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of vapor formation conditions by monitoring pressure fluctuations at the high pressure pump inlet before significant vapor formation occurs. This allows the lower pressure pump output to be adjusted in advance to prevent vapor formation, thereby protecting the high pressure pump from wear while maintaining fuel delivery efficiency through proactive rather than reactive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pressure fluctuation monitoring to dynamically adjust the lower pressure pump output. The amplitude of pressure fluctuations serves as a feedback signal indicating vapor formation tendency, allowing the control system to modulate the lower pressure pump operation to maintain optimal fuel delivery while preventing conditions that lead to high pressure pump wear.
2Measurement precision
If pressure monitoring is implemented at the high pressure pump inlet to detect upstream vapor formation, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressure fluctuations at the high pressure pump inlet as an intermediary indicator of upstream vapor formation rather than directly detecting vapor presence. This indirect measurement approach allows the monitoring of vapor formation conditions without requiring complex vapor detection sensors, thereby improving detection precision while avoiding significant increases in device complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the lower pressure pump operation is adjusted in real-time based on pressure fluctuations, then energy consumption is reduced, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system adjusts the lower pressure pump operation in periodic cycles based on monitored pressure fluctuations. Rather than continuous complex control, the system uses periodic monitoring of pressure amplitude and corresponding adjustments to pump output, achieving energy savings through intermittent control actions while keeping the control strategy relatively simple and manageable.
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
This approach effectively anticipates and reduces vapor formation within the fuel delivery system, enhancing efficiency and minimizing wear on the high pressure pump by adjusting the lower pressure pump's output in response to pressure oscillations, thus maintaining optimal engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
pressure fluctuations at an inlet of the HPP... amplitude of pressure pulsations within a certain frequency range, may be indicative of vapor formation
Implementation Method 2
pressure oscillations, at or above a given frequency, of the fuel pressure at the inlet of the higher pressure pump may be indicative of vapor formation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for a fuel delivery system coupled to an engine is disclosed, the fuel delivery system including a lower pressure pump (LPP) fluidly coupled upstream of a higher pressure pump (HPP). The method may include during operation of both the HPP and LPP, adjusting operation of the LPP in response to pressure fluctuations at an inlet of the HPP.