Integrated Fuel Supply Device for Internal Combustion Engine

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing fuel supply systems for internal combustion engines using gaseous fuels like LPG and methane are complex and laborious to install, suffer from pressure and temperature losses due to separate components, and require additional sensors, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

An integrated device that combines a pressure reducer, filter, and injectors into a single monolithic body, reducing pressure and temperature losses, and eliminating the need for separate components and sensors, with internal channelling to simplify installation and improve performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate components (pressure reducer, filter, injectors) are used, then the system is easier to manufacture and maintain, but the installation becomes complicated and laborious, and pressure/temperature losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pressure reducer, filter, and injectors into a single integrated body. The pressure reducer contains a reducer body with valve means, the filter contains a filter element, and the injectors are all housed within one monolithic structure with internal channelling that connects these components. This merging eliminates the need for separate components connected by tubes and fittings, thereby simplifying installation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular internal design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate components connected by tubes and fittings are used, then the components can be manufactured independently, but pressure losses and temperature dispersion occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidpressure losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating all components within a single body containing internal channelling, the patent eliminates the intermediate tubes and fittings that cause pressure drops. The fuel flows directly through internally formed passages from the pressure reducer to the filter to the injectors, maintaining pressure and temperature without the energy losses associated with external connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If pressure sensors are installed to regulate reducer calibration, then the plant performance is optimized, but the system becomes more complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplant performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated design allows the system to self-regulate pressure and temperature through its monolithic structure. The internal channelling and unified body enable natural pressure equalization and heat distribution without requiring external sensors or active control systems. The reducer calibration can be factory-set and maintained without additional sensing equipment, as the integrated structure inherently maintains optimal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Use of energy by moving object

If temperature sensors are installed to regulate heating, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the system becomes more expensive and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By housing the pressure reducer, filter, and injectors in a single integrated body, the patent creates a thermally unified structure. Heat applied to any part of the body is naturally distributed throughout the entire assembly through the monolithic construction, eliminating the need for temperature sensors or active thermal management systems. The internal channelling and unified material structure ensure uniform heat distribution across all components.

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 integrated solution simplifies the installation process, reduces load losses, and enhances fuel supply system performance by maintaining uniform temperature, potentially eliminating the need for pressure sensors and reducing overall costs.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure reducer, which has the task of reducing and regulating the pressure of the fuel in arrival from the tank and a preset value, in the case of LPG also causing passage from the liquid to the gaseous state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure reduction and phase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

a low-pressure filter, which has the task of retaining the impurities that are present therein

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

some gaseous fuels such as LPG have to be heated. This heating is generally obtained by heating the pressure reducer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3019733B1An integrated device for fuel supply in an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2017.08.23 RAIL SRL
  • EP3019733B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3019733B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3019733B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an embodiment of the present invention an integrated device (100, 300) is provided for fuel supply in an internal combustion engine, which comprises at least a pressure reducer (285, 485) comprising a reducer body which contains valve means (160, 360) for reducing and regulating a pressure of the fuel, and a filter (290, 490) comprising a filter body which contains a filter element (230, 430) for filtering the fuel, where at least a portion of the valve body and at least a portion of the filter body are realised by an internally-hollow single body (110, 310).