In-Tank Fuel Pump Configurability for Carbureted and EFI Pressure Needs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional welding solutions using engines and generators face limitations in ease of use, cost, and reliability, particularly due to issues with fuel delivery systems in portable generators, which are affected by environmental conditions and require different fuel pressures for carbureted and EFI engines.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an in-fuel tank fuel pump system that is configurable to support different fuel pressures, including high and low pressure settings, by placing the fuel pump within the fuel tank, allowing for modular operation with carbureted and EFI engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional external fuel pumps are used in portable generators, then fuel delivery is affected by environmental conditions and vapor lock issues occur, but placing the pump inside the fuel tank increases system complexity and installation difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel pump is nested inside the fuel tank, with the pump housing forming an internal chamber within the tank structure. This integration eliminates external mounting requirements and protects the pump from environmental conditions while maintaining fuel delivery reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump inlet is directly integrated with the fuel tank interior, eliminating the need for separate suction lines and external connections. This merging of components reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall fuel system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate fuel pumps are used for carbureted and EFI engines, then each engine type has dedicated fuel delivery, but this increases the number of components and system cost
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel pump system includes a controller that dynamically adjusts pump operation based on the engine type detected. The system can switch between different fuel delivery modes (carbureted vs. EFI) by controlling the pump's operation, eliminating the need for separate physical pumps for each engine type.
Solution Approach 2:
The single fuel pump is designed to serve multiple functions by adapting its operation to different engine types. The pump can deliver fuel at appropriate pressures for both carbureted engines and EFI engines, making one component universal for multiple applications.
3Productivity
If high pressure fuel delivery is used for EFI engines, then fuel injection performance is improved, but this creates vapor lock issues in conventional external pump systems
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the pump inside the fuel tank, the pump is surrounded by fuel on all sides, which acts as a cooling medium and prevents fuel vaporization. This allows the pump to generate high pressure for EFI engines without creating vapor lock conditions that would occur with external pumps exposed to ambient temperatures.
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 enhances fuel delivery reliability and efficiency by minimizing vapor lock issues, reducing the need for multiple pumps, and simplifying the fuel system, while maintaining consistent fuel supply under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The fuel pump is configurable to supply the fuel at a plurality of pressure levels that includes, at least, a first pressure level and a second pressure level that is different from the first pressure level
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for electric in-tank fuel pumps with configurability for supporting different fuel pressures. An example welding-type system may include an engine that uses liquid fuel to generate mechanical power, a generator configured to convert mechanical power from the engine to electric power for use in driving one or more components of the welding-type system, and a fuel delivery component that supplies the liquid fuel to the engine from a fuel tank. The fuel delivery component may include a fuel pump. The fuel pump may be disposed within the fuel tank. The fuel pump may be configurable to supply the fuel at a plurality of pressure levels that may include, at least, a first pressure level and a second pressure level that is different from the second pressure level.