Nested Surge Tank for Fuel Starvation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel systems face fuel starvation issues during low fuel levels, particularly during spirited driving, due to the inability to uniformly deliver fuel to the engine, and require an additional surge tank component that is not compactly integrated within the vehicle's fuel system.
Innovation Solution
A fuel system design that incorporates a surge tank fully housed within the primary fuel tank, equipped with a lift pump, overflow port, diagnostic probe assembly, and connector lines to ensure continuous fuel supply to the engine, while minimizing external components and maintaining safety features like fuel level and temperature monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surge tank is added to prevent fuel starvation, then fuel supply reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surge tank is nested within the primary fuel tank, with the surge tank positioned inside the fuel tank volume. This nesting arrangement allows the surge tank to be integrated into the existing fuel tank structure, preventing fuel starvation during aggressive driving while avoiding the need for separate external surge tank installation and associated external plumbing.
2Reliability
If a surge tank is added to prevent fuel starvation, then fuel supply reliability is improved, but the vehicle requires additional components and installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The surge tank is nested within the primary fuel tank, utilizing the existing fuel tank volume to house the surge tank. This eliminates the need for additional external space and avoids increasing the overall vehicle footprint, while still providing the fuel starvation prevention functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If external plumbing is used for surge tank connection, then fuel supply flexibility is improved, but the risk of leaks and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surge tank is nested within the primary fuel tank, utilizing the existing fuel tank structure and internal connections. This integration eliminates external plumbing requirements, reducing leak risks associated with external connections while maintaining the ability to provide continuous fuel supply to the engine.
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 prevents fuel starvation by ensuring a continuous fuel supply, reduces the risk of air ingestion, and enhances safety by maintaining fuel within the passenger compartment, reducing noise and vibration, and eliminating external plumbing risks, while maintaining the OEM package appearance and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The surge tank includes a lift pump that draws fuel from the fuel vessel into the surge tank
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel system for a vehicle engine. The fuel system includes a fuel vessel and a surge tank that is housed within the fuel vessel. One or more injectors inject fuel into the engine from the surge tank. The surge tank includes a lift pump that draws fuel from the fuel vessel into the surge tank. The fuel system also includes a connector line that connects the one or more injectors to the surge tank.