High-Pressure Pump Fuel Gallery Damper for Pulsation Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed reciprocation of the plunger in high-pressure pumps leads to significant fuel pressure pulsation in the fuel gallery, causing noise and potential damage to fuel pipe supporting members due to increased fuel flow velocity during the metering stroke.

Innovation Solution

A high-pressure pump design featuring a press-side passage that directs the main fuel flow towards a lid member, reducing direct flow into the fuel inlet and incorporating a damper unit with an elastic member to restrict fuel pressure variations, thereby minimizing pulsation even at high flow velocities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the plunger reciprocates at high speed to increase engine output, then productivity increases, but fuel pressure pulsation increases causing noise and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine outputVSAvoidfuel pressure pulsation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A damper unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the fuel gallery and the compression chamber. This damper unit absorbs and attenuates fuel pressure pulsations generated by high-speed plunger reciprocation, preventing the harmful pressure variations from being transmitted to the fuel gallery while allowing the high-speed operation to continue for increased productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damper unit is positioned and configured to cushion the fuel pressure pulsations before they can propagate through the fuel system. By placing the damper in the fuel passage, the system provides preemptive protection against pressure spikes and pulsations that would otherwise cause noise and potential damage to fuel pipe supporting members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Productivity

If the fuel flow velocity is increased during metering stroke, then the metering efficiency improves, but the fuel pressure pulsation is transmitted to fuel pipes causing noise and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetering efficiencyVSAvoidfuel pressure pulsation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damper unit serves as a mediator between the high-velocity fuel flow and the fuel gallery. It absorbs the pressure pulsations generated by the rapid fuel return during metering stroke, preventing these pulsations from being transmitted to the fuel pipes and supporting members while maintaining the efficient metering operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damper unit converts the harmful fuel pressure pulsations into beneficial damping effects. By allowing the damper to flex and deform in response to pressure variations, the system transforms the harmful high-velocity fuel return into a controlled deformation of the damper, which then dissipates the energy and prevents noise and damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a damper unit is added to attenuate fuel pulsation, then fuel pressure variation is restricted, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel pressure variationVSAvoidpump structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damper unit utilizes a flexible diaphragm made of metallic material that can deform elastically in response to fuel pressure variations. This flexible membrane structure provides effective pulsation damping without requiring complex mechanical components, maintaining relatively simple device architecture while achieving the desired pressure variation restriction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The damper unit changes the physical parameters of the fuel system by introducing a compliant element that alters the pressure-flow characteristics. The elastic deformation of the diaphragm changes the effective volume and compliance of the system, providing pressure stabilization through parameter modification rather than complex mechanical intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 restricts fuel pressure pulsation in the fuel gallery, reducing noise and preventing damage to fuel pipe supporting members across varying engine speeds.

Implementation Method 1

A lid member encloses the fuel gallery while biasing the damper unit through an elastic member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The diaphragm moves inward or outward in accordance with a differential pressure between a gas pressure applied to an inner surface of the diaphragm and the fuel pressure applied to an outer surface of the diaphragm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8262376B2High-pressure pump

Publication Date: 2012.09.11 DENSO CORP

AI summary

An extended passage of a press-side passage is supposed in a fuel gallery. This supposed extended passage of the press-side passage extends toward a lid member. The press-side passage is opened at the side wall of the fuel gallery. A center axis of the press-side passage is inclined in such a manner that a fuel returning from the press-side passage to the fuel gallery flows toward the lid member. A bottom-side fringe of a damper unit does not exist in the supposed extended passage.