Marine Fuel Module Cooling via External Sprayer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine engine fuel systems face issues with power consumption and heat generation, leading to the need for cooling, which is often achieved through mechanical heat exchangers that can leak water and fuel, and are typically only active during engine use, failing to effectively cool the fuel module when the engine is off.
Innovation Solution
An external cooling system using a cooling fluid sprayer to spray water or other cooling fluids onto the outer surfaces of the fuel module, powered by an electric pump that can operate independently of the engine, allowing for continuous cooling and eliminating leakage issues, with optional temperature sensor control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If mechanical heat exchangers are used to cool the fuel module, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cooling function from the fuel module interior by placing the cooling fluid sprayer outside the housing. The sprayer applies cooling fluid to the external surface of the housing, eliminating the need for internal heat exchangers that could leak fuel or water into the fuel cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing external surface acts as an intermediary heat transfer medium. Instead of directly cooling the fuel through internal components, the cooling fluid cools the external housing surface, which then conducts heat away from the fuel cavity, preventing direct contact between cooling fluid and fuel.
2Temperature
If engine-driven cooling systems are used, then cooling is provided during engine operation, but cooling is unavailable when the engine is off
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the engine-driven mechanical cooling system with an electrically-powered cooling fluid pump and sprayer system. This electrical system can operate independently of the engine, providing cooling during engine operation and continuing to cool the fuel module when the engine is shut off.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrically-powered cooling system enables continuous cooling operation throughout the entire period the fuel module is in use, including during engine operation and after engine shutdown. This ensures uninterrupted cooling protection against fuel vaporization and overheating.
3Temperature
If internal heat exchangers are installed in the fuel module, then cooling capability is improved, but device complexity and leakage pathways increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system components (pump, sprayer, fluid reservoir) are extracted from the fuel module housing and placed in separate locations. Only the cooling fluid spray paths contact the external housing surface, simplifying the internal fuel module design and eliminating internal leakage pathways while maintaining effective cooling capability.
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 cools the fuel module without introducing fuel leak pathways, maintaining fuel temperature within safe limits even when the engine is off, and preventing hot fuel handling situations during extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling fluid sprayer is configured to spray cooling fluid onto an outer surface of the housing to thereby cool the housing and the fuel in the fuel cavity
Implementation Method 2
spray cooling fluid onto an outer surface of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel module apparatus is for a marine engine. The fuel module apparatus includes a housing having a fuel cavity and a fuel pump in the housing. The fuel pump is configured to pump fuel through the fuel cavity from an inlet on the housing to an outlet on the housing. A cooling fluid sprayer sprays cooling fluid onto an outer surface of the housing to thereby cool the housing and the fuel in the fuel cavity.