Horizontal Filter Device Reduces Cavitation Risk
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cavitation in fuel dispensing systems, caused by excessive heat or inlet restriction, leads to fuel vaporization, resulting in dramatic loss of flow rate, engine damage, and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A filter device with a reduced vertical extension is integrated into the fuel dispensing system, rearranging the hydraulics to minimize vertical pumping distance and incorporating a compact filter design that filters fuel in a horizontal direction, reducing the risk of cavitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump is arranged in the bottom of the hydraulics compartment to reduce vertical pumping distance, then cavitation risk is reduced, but the filter device must have reduced vertical extension to fit in the available space
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device transitions from a conventional vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation. The filter element is arranged horizontally between the pump inlet and the hydraulics compartment, allowing filtration to occur in the horizontal dimension rather than consuming vertical space. This dimensional change enables the filter to fit within the constrained vertical clearance while effectively filtering fuel to prevent cavitation.
2Reliability
If conventional vertical filter design is used, then filtration function is adequate, but vertical space consumption prevents pump placement at bottom
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device is reoriented from vertical to horizontal arrangement, changing the spatial dimension in which filtration occurs. This allows the pump to be positioned at the bottom of the hydraulics compartment while maintaining adequate filtration capacity, thereby preventing cavitation without excessive hydraulic complexity.
3Temperature
If maximum vertical pumping distance is utilized (about three meters), then temperature tolerance is improved, but cavitation risk increases due to heat and inlet restriction
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device performs preliminary filtration of fuel before it reaches the pump, removing particulates and contaminants that could cause inlet restrictions. This preliminary cleaning action ensures adequate fuel flow to the pump inlet, preventing cavitation conditions even when the pump operates at maximum vertical pumping distance and temperature tolerance is a concern.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of cavitation by minimizing vertical pumping distance and ensuring efficient fuel filtration, thereby maintaining fuel pressure and preventing engine damage.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element in the filtration vessel in series with fuel flow therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a pump for moving fuel from the fuel storage tank to a pump fuel outlet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a filter device (5) for fuel dispensing system (1). The filter device (5) comprises a first chamber (6) extending along a first central axis (A) and having an inlet bore (7) intended to be connected to a fuel tank, a second chamber (8) extending along a second central axis (B) and having an outlet bore (9) intended to be connected to a fuel dispensing system (1), the second chamber (8) being in fluid communication with the first chamber (6), a check valve (10) arranged in the first chamber (6) and covering the inlet bore (7), and a filter (11) arranged in the second chamber (8) and covering the outlet bore (9), wherein the first chamber (6) is located at a predetermined distance from the second chamber (8) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the filter device (5), the first central axis (A) of the first chamber (6) being separated from the second central axis (B) of the second chamber (8). The invention also relates to a fuel dispensing system (1).