Variable Geometry Pump Fuel Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling fuel consumption in heat engines, such as those in vehicles, rely on indirect electronic measurements, leading to inaccuracies and deviations, particularly due to fuel quality variations, and lack reliable mechanical means for precise regulation.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a main fuel tank, a buffer tank, and positive-displacement pumps to set and maintain a target fuel consumption rate, with the buffer tank's volume adjusted based on engine operating modes, allowing for mechanical control and recycling of unused fuel, enabling accurate and safe fuel management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If indirect electronic measurement methods are used to control fuel consumption, then the control system can be implemented with modern electronics, but the measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to fuel quality variations and electronic inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic measurement and control systems with a purely mechanical regulation system. A variable geometry pump mechanically adjusts fuel delivery based on buffer tank level, eliminating electronic sensors and processors. This mechanical substitution resolves the contradiction by providing reliable, electronics-free control that is insensitive to fuel quality variations while maintaining automated regulation through the buffer tank mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer tank serves as a mechanical intermediary between the fuel source and the engine. It decouples the fuel supply from direct engine consumption, allowing mechanical regulation of fuel flow based on tank level rather than direct electronic measurement of engine consumption. This intermediary approach improves measurement reliability by using physical fuel level as a control parameter instead of electronic sensors.
2Device complexity
If a fixed volume buffer tank is used, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to varying engine operating modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable geometry pump that dynamically adjusts its displacement volume based on engine operating mode requirements. The pump's geometric parameters change to vary fuel delivery rate, allowing the system to adapt to different consumption setpoints while maintaining a fixed physical buffer tank structure. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability through pump geometry changes rather than tank volume changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the variable geometry pump (displacement volume, flow rate) to adapt to different engine operating modes. By modifying pump parameters rather than physical tank parameters, the system achieves versatility in handling different consumption requirements while maintaining structural simplicity of the fixed buffer tank.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the buffer tank volume is increased to handle high consumption modes, then the adaptability to high consumption modes improves, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than providing a physically large buffer tank to handle peak consumption, the patent uses a variable geometry pump that dynamically increases fuel delivery rate when needed. The buffer tank remains a fixed, moderate-size component, and adaptability to high consumption modes is achieved through pump performance variation rather than tank size expansion, thus avoiding increased device complexity and space 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 approach provides reliable and precise control of fuel consumption, ensuring it remains within set limits, accommodating varying engine conditions and preventing overconsumption, while being implementable without extensive electronics.
Implementation Method 1
a buffer tank (3) and a positive-displacement pump (Pv1) for filling the buffer tank (3) with a predetermined volume of fuel from fuel from the main tank (2)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The method involves fixing a consumption set point (Cs) equal to a determined consumption value, and providing a surge fuel tank (3) supplied from a main fuel tank (2) via a displacement pump (Pv1). Flow of the pump is adjusted to a constant value equal to the set point. Fuel is supplied to a heat engine (M) from the surge tank via a supply pump (Pa2). The fuel, which is not consumed by the engine, is recycled into the surge tank. Volume of the surge tank is varied for increasing or reducing volume of fuel received by the surge tank, based on a determined operating mode of the engine. An independent claim is also included for a heat engine device such as motor vehicle, comprising a main fuel tank.