Hydraulic Multi-Element Cryogenic Pump for Mobile Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic fuel pumps for mobile applications are large, heavy, complex, and require additional components like accumulators and regulators due to high operating pressures and volumes, increasing size, weight, and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulically driven cryogenic pump with multiple plunging elements, where each element has an actuator and activation portion, and an electronic controller manages the activation to achieve a desired flow rate without the need for accumulators or regulators, allowing for reduced size, weight, and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single piston pump is used to deliver LNG at high pressure and volume, then the pump can meet the operational requirements of large displacement engines, but the system requires additional components (accumulators, regulators, boost pumps) that increase size, weight, and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into multiple pumping elements (at least two) that operate in sequence, with each element having its own actuator and pushrod. This segmentation allows the system to deliver continuous fuel flow without requiring external accumulators and regulators, as each element contributes to the overall flow in a coordinated manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic controller pre-coordinates the activation of multiple pumping elements to operate in sequence, ensuring continuous fuel delivery. By planning and executing the activation timing of each element in advance, the system eliminates the need for downstream pressure regulation components.
2Device complexity
If a single piston pump is used to deliver LNG, then the pump structure can be relatively simple, but the system becomes large and heavy due to required accumulators and regulators
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pumping elements are merged into a single integrated pump unit with common housing, inlet, and outlet. This combination eliminates the need for separate accumulators, regulators, and boost pumps that would otherwise be required, significantly reducing system weight while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump is segmented into multiple independent pumping elements that can be manufactured and assembled separately, then combined into a compact unit. This segmentation allows for optimized weight distribution and eliminates the need for heavy external pressure management components.
3Productivity
If multiple pumping elements are activated simultaneously to increase flow rate, then fuel delivery volume increases, but pressure fluctuations and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic controller activates multiple pumping elements in a periodic sequence rather than simultaneously, with each element operating at optimized intervals. This periodic activation maintains continuous fuel flow while minimizing pressure fluctuations, as each element completes its stroke before the next one begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the activation timing and sequence of pumping elements based on real-time fuel demand. The electronic controller optimizes the activation pattern to maintain stable flow and pressure conditions while maximizing delivery rate, adapting to varying engine requirements.
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 results in a more cost-effective, compact, and durable gas delivery system that efficiently supplies cryogenic fluid to engines, reducing the burden of additional components and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of pumping elements includes an actuator portion that is associated with and configured to selectively activate one end of a pushrod... The actuator portion is powered by hydraulic fluid provided at a pressure by the hydraulic pump
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic fluid pump includes a plurality of pumping elements, each of the plurality of pumping elements having an actuator portion that is associated with and configured to selectively activate one end of a pushrod in response to a command by an electronic controller, an activation portion associated with an opposite end of the pushrod, and a pumping portion associated with the activation portion. For each of the plurality of pumping elements, the pumping portion is activated for pumping a fluid by the activation portion, which activation portion is activated by the actuator portion. The electronic controller is configured to selectively activate each of the plurality of pumping elements such that a flow of fluid from the cryogenic fluid pump results from continuous activations of the plurality of pumping elements at selected dwell times between activations of successive pumping elements.