Polymer Pulsation Damper for Fuel Line Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engine fuel systems experience undesirable noise due to pressure pulsations from fuel pumps, which existing fuel pressure regulators do not effectively mitigate, especially in specific frequency ranges.
Innovation Solution
A fuel system incorporating a pressure pulsation damper with a resilient and compliant polymer material that defines a pressure pulsation chamber, which surrounds a central axis and is in fluid communication with the outlet conduit, allowing pressure pulsations to expand and mitigate noise by increasing the chamber volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a fuel pressure regulator is used to regulate pressure downstream of the fuel pump, then pressure regulation is achieved, but pressure pulsations in the frequency range of concern are not effectively mitigated
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure pulsation damper is introduced as an intermediary component between the fuel pump and the fuel pressure regulator. The damper includes a compliant wall that defines a pulsation chamber in fluid communication with the outlet conduit, serving as a mediator to absorb pressure pulsations before they reach the regulator and downstream components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure pulsation damper employs a compliant wall made of elastomeric material that forms a pulsation chamber. This flexible shell expands and contracts in response to pressure pulsations, absorbing the harmful pressure variations while allowing the fuel pressure regulator to maintain proper pressure regulation function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid pressure damping structure is used, then structural stability is maintained, but the ability to absorb pressure pulsations in specific frequency ranges is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure pulsation damper employs a compliant wall made of elastomeric material that forms a pulsation chamber. This flexible shell expands and contracts in response to pressure pulsations, absorbing the harmful pressure variations while allowing the fuel pressure regulator to maintain proper pressure regulation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The compliant wall's elastomeric properties allow it to dynamically change its volume and shape in response to varying pressure pulsation frequencies and magnitudes. This parameter change capability enables effective absorption of pressure pulsations across specific frequency ranges while maintaining overall structural integrity.
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
The solution effectively reduces pressure pulsations, thereby minimizing noise in fuel systems by using a compliant polymer material to absorb and dissipate pulsation energy, tailored to specific frequency ranges through material selection and design adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure pulsation damper with a resilient and compliant polymer material that defines a pressure pulsation chamber
Implementation Method 2
allowing pressure pulsations to expand and mitigate noise by increasing the chamber volume
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel system (10) for an internal combustion engine (12) includes an outlet conduit (18,18') having an internal volume and also having an exterior surface (18e) that is exposed to an environment (14a). The fuel system (10) also includes a pressure pulsation damper (20) which includes a pressure pulsation damper wall (70) made of a resilient and compliant polymer material which defines a pressure pulsation damper chamber (72). The pressure pulsation damper wall (70) extends along, and is centered about, a pressure pulsation damper axis (74) such that the pressure pulsation damper wall (70) circumferentially surrounds the pressure pulsation damper axis (74), thereby defining the pressure pulsation damper chamber (72) which is circumferentially surrounded by the pressure pulsation damper wall (70), the pressure pulsation damper wall (70) having an inner wall surface (76) which is in fluid communication with the internal volume of the outlet conduit (18,18') and also having an outer wall surface (78) which is exposed to the environment (14a).