Variable Speed Fuel Pump for RV Genset Heat Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gensets in recreational vehicles face challenges with excessive heat generation and complex interconnections required for fuel supply, making system integration and startup difficult due to limitations in fuel tank arrangements and lack of dedicated fuel sources.
Innovation Solution
A fuel injection system with a variable speed fuel pump and pressure sensor, along with a regulator, is used to provide pressurized fuel to the engine, eliminating the need for a traditional pressure regulator and minimizing waste and heat generation by controlling fuel flow and pressure dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional fuel return line or high pressure pump and regulator within fuel tank is used, then fuel pressure control is achieved, but system complexity and installation difficulty increase due to requiring multiple pickup ports or fuel tank modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fuel pump and regulator from the fuel tank environment and places them externally. The fuel pump is positioned outside the fuel tank, connected via a single pickup port, eliminating the need for in-tank installation complexity while maintaining fuel pressure control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The externally mounted fuel pump system serves multiple functions: it draws fuel from the tank through a single pickup port, pressurizes the fuel, and provides regulated fuel flow to the engine, replacing what would traditionally require separate in-tank components and multiple pickup ports.
2Productivity
If conventional fuel pumps are used, then fuel is supplied to the engine, but excessive heat is generated affecting startup and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a variable speed fuel pump that dynamically adjusts its operating speed based on actual fuel demand and thermal conditions. This dynamic control reduces unnecessary pump operation, thereby minimizing heat generation while ensuring adequate fuel delivery to the engine.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the fuel pump by varying its speed rather than running at constant high speed. This parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between fuel delivery requirements and heat generation, preventing excessive temperature rise that would affect engine startup and operation.
3Reliability
If complex interconnections are implemented for fuel, fluid, mechanical, and electrical interfaces, then complete genset functionality is achieved, but system integration difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fuel system into distinct external modules (fuel pump, regulator, reservoir) rather than integrating them within the fuel tank. This segmentation allows for simpler connections at the fuel tank interface while maintaining complete system functionality, reducing overall installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The externally mounted fuel reservoir acts as an intermediary component between the fuel tank and the fuel pump/engine system. It simplifies the connection interface at the fuel tank (requiring only a single pickup port) while providing the necessary fuel storage and pressure regulation functions separately.
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 reduces heat output, simplifies system integration, and enhances fuel vapor handling, improving genset startup and operation while reducing costs and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel pump structured to provide pressurized fuel from the reservoir to a fuel injector
Implementation Method 2
a regulator fluidly coupled to the fuel pump and structured to control pressure of fuel provided to the fuel injector
Implementation Method 3
circuitry configured to receive pressure data indicative of a fuel pressure out of a variable speed fuel pump
Data Source
AI summary
Systems are disclosed for supplying fuel to fuel-injected gensets in a recreational vehicle. An apparatus includes a fuel injection system having a fuel reservoir and a first pump fluidly coupled to the first reservoir and structured to supply fuel to the fuel reservoir. The fuel injection system is further provided with a pressure sensor and a second pump. The second pump is fluidly coupled to the pressure sensor and structured to provide pressurized fuel from the fuel reservoir to one or more fuel injectors of an associated engine. The second pump is a variable speed fuel pump.