Injection System Pressure Control via Parallel Valves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing injection systems for internal combustion engines face scalability issues and high logistical costs due to the need for custom-made pressure control valves, which are expensive and require different designs for varying engine sizes and combustion chamber numbers, leading to increased costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

An injection system with at least two pressure control valves, where the high-pressure accumulator can be connected to the fuel reservoir, allowing for increased volume flow diversion without scaling individual valves, enabling the use of low-cost, mass-produced parts and eliminating the need for different valves for different engines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If custom-made pressure control valves are used for different engine sizes, then pressure control performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and logistical complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure control function is segmented across multiple identical valves (first pressure control valve and second pressure control valve) rather than using a single custom valve. Each valve handles a portion of the total fuel quantity requirement, allowing standardization of individual valve designs while scaling system capacity through replication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first and second pressure control valves are designed as universal, identical components that can be used across different engine configurations. The same valve design serves multiple engines of varying sizes by simply changing the number of valves used, eliminating the need for custom valve designs for each engine type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If different pressure control valves are designed for different engine configurations, then pressure control accuracy is improved, but inventory complexity and logistical costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control accuracyVSAvoidlogistical flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal pressure control valve design is developed that can be applied to all engine configurations. The system achieves adaptation to different engine sizes and power outputs by varying the number of valves deployed rather than designing different valve types, thereby maintaining logistical simplicity while preserving pressure control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts to different engine configurations by changing the quantity of identical valves rather than their individual characteristics. This parameter change (number of valves) allows the same valve design to serve multiple applications with different fuel quantity requirements, maintaining both accuracy and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single large pressure control valve is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing cost and availability increase due to custom production requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidvalve production cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single large custom valve, the pressure control function is divided among multiple smaller, identical valves. This segmentation allows each valve to be mass-produced using standard manufacturing processes, reducing individual valve cost and complexity while maintaining the required total flow capacity through parallel operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple identical pressure control valves are combined in parallel to achieve the cumulative flow capacity of a single large valve. This merging approach allows the use of standardized, mass-producible components while achieving the same system-level performance as a custom large valve would provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 allows for cost-effective and scalable pressure control in internal combustion engines, reducing logistical costs and enabling efficient pressure regulation across various engine sizes without the need for custom-made valves, ensuring reliable operation and emission stability.

Implementation Method 1

a suction throttle 9 is assigned to the high-pressure pump 11 as a pressure control element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThrottle restriction: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

at least two pressure control valves 19, 20 through which the high-pressure accumulator 13 can be connected to the fuel reservoir 7

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-regulated flow control: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3298260B1Injection system for an internal combustion engine and internal combustion engine having such an injection system
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 ROLLS ROYCE SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP3298260B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3298260B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3298260B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an injection system (3) for an internal combustion engine (1), comprising at least one injector (15) and a high-pressure accumulator (13), which has a fluid connection to the at least one injector (15) on the one side and has a fluid connection to a fuel reservoir (7) via a high-pressure pump (11) on the other side, wherein a suction throttle (9) is associated with the high-pressure pump (11) as a first pressure-setting element. At least two pressure control valves (19, 20) are provided, via which the high-pressure accumulator (13) can be brought into fluid connection with the fuel reservoir (7).