Variable Displacement Fuel Pump Barrel Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High pressure fuel systems with fixed displacement pumps lead to excess fuel recirculation, energy wastage, and fuel heating due to oversized pumps, which cause inefficiencies and potential surges during acceleration.
Innovation Solution
A variable displacement fuel pump with a hydraulic actuator and position sensor that adjusts the barrel angle relative to the pistons, allowing for precise control of fuel flow and pressure to match demand, minimizing excess fuel return and optimizing fuel delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed displacement fuel pump is used to ensure sufficient fuel flow during all operation conditions, then fuel demand is met, but excess fuel recirculation occurs leading to energy wastage and fuel heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a variable displacement pump with a movable barrel that can change its angle relative to the pistons. The barrel position is adjusted by a control system based on actual fuel flow requirements, allowing the pump to dynamically adapt its displacement volume. This eliminates the need for continuous recirculation of excess fuel while ensuring sufficient fuel supply during all operation conditions, thereby reducing energy wastage and fuel heating.
2Reliability
If a fixed displacement pump is oversized to provide design margin for end of life, then fuel demand is met, but excess fuel capacity leads to recirculation of large amounts of pressurized fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The variable displacement pump features a control system that continuously monitors fuel flow requirements and adjusts the barrel angle accordingly. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the pump to maintain optimal performance throughout its service life without requiring an oversized design margin, as the pump can adapt to changing demands rather than operating at fixed capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the pump by varying the barrel angle to match actual fuel flow requirements. This parameter adjustment allows the pump to deliver precise fuel quantities without excessive recirculation, eliminating the need for oversized capacity designed for end-of-life margins.
3Productivity
If fuel flow increases too rapidly during acceleration, then fuel demand is met, but a rich mixture may cause a surge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a control system with feedback mechanisms that monitor fuel flow requirements and adjust the barrel position in real-time. During acceleration, the feedback control prevents overly rapid fuel flow increases by modulating the barrel angle to match actual demand, thereby avoiding rich mixtures and surge conditions while still meeting fuel delivery requirements.
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 reduces excess fuel recirculation, minimizes fuel heating, and enhances transient response, preventing surges and improving fuel efficiency and reliability by providing the necessary fuel flow without excess return to the source.
Implementation Method 1
providing a hydraulic pressure via the controller to rotate the barrel of the variable displacement fuel pump to a selected barrel angle relative to the at least one piston in response to a desired fuel flow parameter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A variable displacement fuel pump (110) includes a pump body (140), a barrel (148) disposed within the pump body (140), at least one piston (142) disposed in the barrel, wherein the at least one piston (142) is configured to reciprocate within the barrel (148), a hydraulic actuator (112) operatively coupled to the barrel (148), wherein the hydraulic actuator (112) rotates the barrel (148) to a selected barrel angle relative to the at least one piston (142), and a position sensor (114) operatively coupled to the hydraulic actuator (112) to provide an actuator position parameter.