Low Pressure Regulator Flushing Mode for Fuel Filter Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low pressure regulators in fuel injection equipment for internal combustion engines fail to effectively remove debris such as particles, manufacturing burrs, or assembly chips trapped in filters, leading to potential clogging issues.
Innovation Solution
A low pressure regulator design incorporating a filter and a movable piston that allows for a flushing operational mode, where the fuel bypasses the filter, enabling trapped particles to be flushed back to the drain, utilizing a spring-loaded mechanism and a plug member to facilitate piston movement and filter bypassing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is installed in the low pressure regulator to trap debris, then the reliability of the fuel injection system is improved, but the filter becomes clogged with trapped debris over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic flushing action by providing a flushing mode that can be activated at intervals. The regulator alternates between normal filtration mode and flushing mode, where high-pressure fuel flow periodically reverses to clear trapped debris from the filter. This periodic reversal prevents permanent clogging while maintaining continuous filtration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by temporarily discarding the trapped debris during flushing operations. The high-pressure reverse flow ejects accumulated particles from the filter element, recovering filter performance. The filter continues to trap debris in normal operation, and periodic flushing discards accumulated contaminants to maintain productivity.
2Productivity
If a flushing mode is added to the regulator to bypass the filter, then the filter can be cleaned of trapped particles, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flushing mechanism with the existing regulator body and valve components. The flushing function is integrated into the same housing and actuation system that controls normal fuel regulation. The piston, spring, and valve seat structures serve dual purposes: normal pressure regulation and flushing mode operation, thereby minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator components are designed with multi-functionality. The same valve seat and piston assembly control both normal fuel flow regulation and flushing mode operation. The spring-loaded piston mechanism serves dual purposes: maintaining normal pressure differential across the filter and enabling high-pressure bypass flow during flushing. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated flushing components.
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
Effectively removes trapped particles and debris from the filter during the flushing operational mode, ensuring the regulator's continued functionality and preventing clogging, while maintaining normal operational flow regulation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member is arranged in the bore between the piston and a plug member
Implementation Method 2
the regulator member moving under the influence of the fuel pressure and controlling the section area of an outlet
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
A low pressure regulator (10) provided with a filter (54) and a regulator member (36) defines a flushing operational mode wherein fuel flowing on an inlet side bypasses the filter (54) and directly flows to an outlet (26).