Subordinate Fuel Pump Control for Seizing Prevention and Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel pump control systems face challenges in preventing the seizing of subordinate fuel pumps due to infrequent use, which can lead to noise issues when both pumps are driven simultaneously to avoid seizing, and the subordinate pump may not be used enough to remain operational.
Innovation Solution
An engine fuel pump control apparatus that includes a low load fuel pump control section for the main fuel pump, a high load fuel pump control section for both main and subordinate pumps, and a subordinate pump drive section that forces the subordinate pump to operate for a prescribed period at higher engine rotational speeds, while also limiting its operation to reduce noise and prevent seizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the subordinate fuel pump is driven periodically at low engine speeds to prevent seizing, then the pump reliability is improved, but the operating noise becomes more noticeable to passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus changes the operating parameters of the subordinate fuel pump based on engine speed. At low engine speeds, the pump is driven for longer durations to ensure adequate fuel supply and prevent seizing. At high engine speeds, the pump is driven for shorter durations since the higher engine noise masks the pump noise, thus reducing the harmful noise effect while maintaining pump reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The control strategy dynamically adjusts the subordinate fuel pump operation based on real-time engine speed conditions. The control section modifies the pump drive duration according to whether the engine is operating at high or low speed, making the system adaptive to changing operating conditions to balance reliability and noise considerations
2Use of energy by moving object
If the subordinate fuel pump is driven only when the engine operates in high load regions, then energy consumption is reduced, but the pump may still seize due to infrequent use
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus implements periodic action by driving the subordinate fuel pump not only during high load conditions but also periodically during low load conditions when the engine is operating at high speed. This periodic operation ensures the pump remains functional and prevents seizing while still limiting overall operation to specific conditions, thereby balancing energy consumption with reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by proactively driving the subordinate fuel pump during high speed operations even when not in high load mode. This preventive measure ensures the pump operates regularly enough to prevent seizing before it becomes a problem, rather than waiting for high load conditions that may occur infrequently
Data Source
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AI summary
An engine fuel pump control apparatus is provided with a low load fuel pump control section, a high load fuel pump control section and a subordinate pump drive section. The low load fuel pump control section controls a main fuel pump (2) for supplying fuel to an engine when an engine operating condition indicates that the engine is operating with a low load. The high load fuel pump control section controls the main fuel pump (2) and a subordinate fuel pump (3) for supplying fuel to the engine when an engine operating condition indicates that the engine is operating with a high load. The subordinate pump drive section drives the subordinate fuel pump (3) for a prescribed period of time when a rotational speed of the engine is equal to or higher than a prescribed rotational speed while the engine is operating in an low load operating region in which the low load fuel pump control section controls the main fuel pump (2) for supplying fuel to the engine.