Integrated Fuel Pump Assembly for Compact Engine Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines are complex, costly, and difficult to assemble due to the numerous components required, which increases the risk of leaks and makes it challenging to achieve a compact arrangement.
Innovation Solution
A simplified fuel injection system where a fuel pump and vapor separator are integrated into a common housing and mounted directly to the fuel injectors using male and female connectors, reducing the number of components and facilitating alignment through tolerance stacking, with a cooperative fit ensuring sealed fluid communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional fuel supply system with multiple separate components (fuel pump, vapor separator, fuel rail, high-pressure fuel line) is used, then the system can supply fuel to the engine, but the assembly complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel pump and vapor separator into a single integrated assembly that is mounted directly to the fuel injectors. This merging of components reduces the number of separate parts, simplifies assembly, and eliminates the need for complex high-pressure fuel lines while maintaining reliable fuel supply to the engine.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used in the fuel supply system, then the system can be designed with separate functions, but the number of connections increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel pump and vapor separator are merged into a single integrated assembly with internal passages that provide fuel supply and return paths. This reduces the number of external connections and high-pressure fuel lines required, thereby lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining the functional separation of fuel pumping and vapor separation through internal design.
3Reliability
If a traditional fuel supply system with high-pressure fuel line is used, then fuel can be delivered to injectors, but the risk of leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the high-pressure fuel line from the system by integrating the fuel pump assembly directly to the fuel injectors. This removal of the separate high-pressure fuel line component eliminates the potential leakage points associated with connections and joints, thereby reducing leakage risk while maintaining reliable fuel delivery through integrated internal passages.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used in the fuel supply system, then the system can perform multiple functions, but the arrangement becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel pump and vapor separator are merged into a single compact assembly that is mounted directly to the fuel injectors. This integration eliminates the space required for separate components and complex routing, achieving a compact arrangement suitable for marine outboard engines while maintaining the functional capabilities of fuel pumping, vapor separation, and fuel injection.
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine is disclosed, having at least one combustion chamber disposed in an engine casing. At least one fuel injector is mounted to the engine casing for supplying fuel to the at least one combustion chamber. The at least one fuel injector has at least one fuel supply inlet. A fuel supply assembly is mounted to the at least one fuel injector. The assembly is mounted adjacent to the at least one fuel injector for supplying the fuel to the fuel injector. The assembly has at least one fuel supply outlet. The assembly is mounted to the at least one fuel injector by a cooperative fit, such that the at least one fuel supply inlet and the at least one fuel supply outlet align in a sealed relationship to allow fluid communication therebetween. A method of assembling an engine is also disclosed.