Fuel-Water Mixture Control via Venturi Tube and Shut-Off Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling the amount of water mixed with fuel in internal combustion engines are complex and require a separate water pump, which increases system complexity and reduces responsiveness to changing engine requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that split the fuel supply into two branches, using a Venturi tube with a vacuum connection for water introduction and a controllable shut-off valve to regulate water flow, eliminating the need for a separate water pump and allowing for quick adjustments to water content based on engine needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate water pump is used for water injection, then the amount of water can be controlled, but the system complexity increases and responsiveness to changing engine requirements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water injection function from the traditional water pump system and integrates it into the existing fuel pump system. The fuel pump's delivery valve is modified to perform both fuel metering and water injection functions, eliminating the need for a separate water pump while maintaining controlled water delivery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the water injection function with the fuel delivery system by modifying the delivery valve to handle both fuel and water. The valve's piston and seal arrangement allows it to meter fuel and inject water through the same mechanical component, reducing overall system complexity
2Ease of operation
If a separate water pump is used for water injection, then water can be delivered, but the response time to changing engine requirements increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining water injection with the fuel pump system, the invention utilizes the fuel pump's existing high-speed response characteristics. The modified delivery valve responds immediately to engine control signals, delivering water at the same response speed as fuel injection, thereby eliminating the sluggish response associated with separate water pump systems
3Ease of operation
If water is mixed with fuel using traditional methods, then water injection is achieved, but the system becomes more complex with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges water mixing and injection functions into the existing fuel delivery valve. The valve's modified seal and piston arrangement creates a water delivery passage that integrates with the fuel injection system, allowing water-fuel mixing without adding separate mixing components or increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery valve is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a fuel metering device and a water injection device. The same valve mechanism controls both fuel delivery to the injectors and water injection into the combustion chamber or fuel stream, reducing the total number of components needed
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 solution simplifies the water injection system, reduces mechanical complexity, and enables rapid response to changing engine conditions by using a Venturi tube and shut-off valve to control water content, enhancing engine performance and reducing pollutant emissions.
Implementation Method 1
splitting the fuel supply to the high-pressure fuel pump into a first branch with a Venturi tube in the fuel path downstream of the fuel pre-supply pump
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for the open-loop or closed-loop control of an amount of water mixed with a fuel, before same is supplied to a high-pressure fuel pump (9), comprising the following steps: splitting the fuel supply to the high-pressure fuel pump (9) into a first branch (2) having a Venturi pipe (4) with a vacuum connection (5), and a second branch (3) having a blocking valve (6); supplying water to the vacuum connection (5) of the Venturi pipe (4) via a water supply line (7); open-loop or closed-loop controlling of the amount of water suctioned via the Venturi pipe (4), such that the fuel flow in the second branch (3) is reduced by closing the blocking valve (6) in order to increase the amount of water in the first branch (2), and the fuel flow in the second branch (3) is increased by opening the blocking valve (6) in order to reduce to amount of water in the first branch (2); and supplying the fuel in the first (2) and second branch (3) to the amount-control valve (8) of the high-pressure fuel pump (9).