Venturi Tube Fuel Transfer Arrangement for Engine Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel systems experience significant fuel loss and inefficiency due to splash and uneven transfer from secondary tanks to the main tank, leading to increased fuel consumption and component stress.
Innovation Solution
A fuel transfer arrangement using venturi tubes in secondary return lines to induce suction for continuous and reliable fuel transfer from secondary tanks to the main tank, with ancillary spaces and drainage systems to prevent overfilling and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If siphon action is used to transfer fuel from secondary tanks to main tank, then the system is simple with no moving parts, but large quantities of fuel are not transferred and remain in the tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses venturi tubes to create a pressure differential that drives fuel transfer. The venturi effect creates a suction force that actively pulls fuel from secondary tanks through the transfer line to the main tank, overcoming the limitations of passive siphon action and enabling complete fuel evacuation from the tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter along the transfer line by using venturi tubes to create a low-pressure zone. This pressure gradient enables continuous and complete fuel transfer from secondary to main tank, ensuring that even fuel remaining at the bottom of tanks is evacuated.
2Reliability
If venturi tubes are used to increase flow velocity and induce suction, then fuel transfer becomes continuous and reliable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venturi tubes are passively integrated into the existing return line system. The fuel return flow from the engine self-activates the venturi effect, creating suction that automatically transfers fuel from secondary to main tank without requiring external power sources or additional active components.
Solution Approach 2:
The venturi tubes serve multiple functions: they accelerate the return fuel flow, create suction for transferring fuel from secondary tanks, and can be integrated into the existing return line infrastructure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate fuel transfer pumps or complex control systems.
3Quantity of substance
If the ancillary space is filled with fuel, then more fuel can be stored and used, but overfilling may result in leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is pre-configured with the outlet positioned higher than the venturi tube inlet. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when fuel level rises in the ancillary space, gravity automatically drains excess fuel back to the main tank before overfilling and leakage can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage system provides automatic feedback control for fuel level management. When the ancillary space approaches overfilling, the drainage mechanism activates to return fuel to the main tank, maintaining a safe fuel level in the ancillary space and preventing leakage.
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
Ensures nearly all fuel is transferred and used by the engine, reducing fuel consumption and component stress through continuous and reliable fuel transfer without moving parts, and preventing overfilling and leakage.
Implementation Method 1
The venturi tube comprises a passage with reduced cross sectional area which thereby increases the velocity of the return flow through the passage. The increased flow velocity in the passage then induces in the transfer line a suction which can be utilised to transfer fuel from the secondary tank or secondary tanks to the main tank.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an arrangement for transferring fuel from one or more secondary tanks (12) to a main tank (11). The arrangement comprises: - a main tank (11); - one or more secondary tanks (12); - a venturi tube (20) situated close to the main tank (11) and each of the secondary tanks (12); - a return line (17) intended to lead surplus fuel back from the fuel-consuming unit (14) to the main tank (11), which return line (17) is divided into as many secondary return lines (18) as the total number of tanks, comprising secondary tanks (12) and the main tank (11); which transfer of fuel from the respective secondary tanks (12) and the main tank (11) to the ancillary space (13) takes place by means of venturi tubes (20) arranged along the secondary lines (18).