Fuel Sump Design for EFI Conversion Without Return Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carburetor fuel systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust air-to-fuel ratios for varying conditions, leading to suboptimal engine performance, while electronic fuel injection systems face issues with fuel starvation due to sloshing and require extensive modifications and return lines.
Innovation Solution
An electronic fuel injection system design that integrates a fuel tank, a pump, and a fuel sump with a built-in regulator, eliminating the need for a return line and incorporating a high-pressure pump to ensure consistent fuel delivery without sloshing, using a narrow profile sump and float components to prevent overfilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional EFI system with high-pressure pump and return line is used, then fuel delivery control is improved, but system complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel pump, fuel regulator, and fuel filter into a single integrated assembly that mounts directly to the fuel tank. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate return lines and complex mounting arrangements, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable fuel delivery control through the integrated regulator and pump system.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated fuel system assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: the pump delivers fuel, the regulator controls pressure, the filter removes contaminants, and the assembly itself acts as a mounting structure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall system while ensuring reliable fuel delivery.
2Reliability
If baffles are added to the fuel tank to prevent sloshing, then fuel starvation is prevented, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the fuel tank by adding internal baffles, the patent extracts the sloshing prevention function to an external solution: the integrated fuel pump assembly includes a sump that creates a dedicated fuel reservoir area. This separates the fuel storage function from the tank structure itself, preventing sloshing without requiring complex tank modifications.
3Ease of operation
If low-pressure pump system is used in carburetor conversion, then installation is simplified, but fuel delivery performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by using a high-pressure fuel pump in the integrated assembly, enabling proper fuel delivery performance for EFI systems. The pump delivers fuel at sufficient pressure to the injectors, while the integrated regulator manages the pressure to prevent delivery issues, thus achieving both good performance and simplified installation.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic fuel injection system for land vehicles, comprising: a fuel tank, at least one pump, a fuel sump, wherein the at least one pump is operatively coupled to and between the fuel tank and the sump, and an engine, wherein the engine is operatively coupled to the fuel sump. A fuel sump system for land vehicles, comprising: an inlet from a pump, wherein the pump is operatively connected to a fuel tank, a fuel pump system, a regulator operatively coupled to the fuel pump system, an outlet operatively coupled to an engine, and a float component, coupled to the inlet. An electronic fuel injection system for land vehicles, comprising: a fuel tank, at least one pump, a fuel sump, wherein the at least one pump is operatively coupled to and between the fuel tank and the sump, and an engine, wherein the engine is operatively coupled to the fuel sump and wherein the electronic fuel injection system does not require a return line from the engine to the fuel tank.