Variable Volume Reservoir for Rapid Pressurization and Wave Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high pressure reservoirs in fuel injection equipment for internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving minimum start pressure quickly while also damping pressure waves effectively, as the inner cavity volume is compromised between these two requirements.

Innovation Solution

A high pressure reservoir assembly with a body defining two coaxial inner cavities, where the volume of the reservoir increases when pressure reaches a predetermined threshold, and a valve mechanism controls fluid communication between the cavities to optimize volume and pressure management, including a flexible insert or balloon to adjust volume based on pressure changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the inner cavity volume is minimized, then the time to reach minimum start pressure is reduced, but the damping of pressure waves in normal operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime to reach start pressureVSAvoidpressure wave damping
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir is divided into two separate inner cavities (first inner cavity and second inner cavity) that are coaxially arranged. The first inner cavity handles start-up pressurization while the second inner cavity provides damping capacity, allowing both functions to operate independently without compromising each other's performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A valve mechanism is introduced that dynamically controls the fluid communication between the two cavities based on pressure conditions. During start-up, the valve closes to isolate the second cavity, minimizing volume for rapid pressurization. During normal operation, the valve opens to connect both cavities, enabling effective pressure wave damping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the inner cavity volume is maximized, then the damping of pressure waves is improved, but the time to reach minimum start pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure wave dampingVSAvoidtime to reach start pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir is divided into two separate inner cavities (first inner cavity and second inner cavity) that are coaxially arranged. The first inner cavity handles start-up pressurization while the second inner cavity provides damping capacity, allowing both functions to operate independently without compromising each other's performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A valve mechanism is introduced that dynamically controls the fluid communication between the two cavities based on pressure conditions. During start-up, the valve closes to isolate the second cavity, minimizing volume for rapid pressurization. During normal operation, the valve opens to connect both cavities, enabling effective pressure wave damping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a valve mechanism is added to control fluid communication between cavities, then volume optimization for different operating conditions is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume adjustment capabilityVSAvoidvalve mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve mechanism is designed to operate automatically based on pressure differential between the two cavities. When pressure in the first cavity exceeds a threshold during normal operation, the valve opens to connect the cavities. During start-up, the valve remains closed until the pressure threshold is reached. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for external control systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 design ensures rapid achievement of minimum start pressure and effective damping of pressure waves, while preventing fuel leaks and managing pressure within the reservoir efficiently.

Implementation Method 1

a spring member bias the valve member toward the closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

when pressure in the first inner cavity increases and reaches the predetermined first threshold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3211208B1Common rail with variable inner volume reservoir
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 DELPHI TECH IP LTD
  • EP3211208B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3211208B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3211208B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A reservoir assembly (10) having an inner cavity (40) adapted to receive and store pressurized fuel and being arranged so that when pressure reaches a predetermined first threshold (P1), the volume wherein is stored the pressurized fuel increases.