High pressure regulated fuel return apparatus for engines using direct injection fuel systems
AssigneeICOM North America LLC
InventorsBrandon Geoffrey Thorn, Albert Venezio
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fuel return device couples to the high pressure side of a DI fuel system. The fuel return device provides for both continuous bleeding and occasional purging of fuel from the high pressure side to prevent issues related to vapor accumulation or heat-induced pressure increase. The fuel return device may be attached to a high pressure fuel rail in place of a sensor. The sensor may be attached the fuel return device. The fuel return device may include both an orifice that throttles the fuel flow through the fuel return device and a solenoid that allows the flow rate to be increased.
Claims18
A powertrain, comprising:
- an internal combustion engine;
- fuel injectors mounted to the internal combustion engine;
- a high pressure fuel rail coupled to the fuel injectors;
- a low pressure fuel supply system;
- a fuel pump connected between the low pressure fuel supply system and the high pressure fuel rail;
- and
- a fuel return device coupled to the high pressure fuel rail and the low pressure fuel supply system, wherein the fuel return device comprises an electronically controlled valve that regulates a fuel flow from the high pressure fuel rail to the low pressure fuel supply system, and the fuel return device provides a continuous flow between the high pressure fuel rail and the low pressure fuel supply system when the electronically controlled valve is closed.
A fuel return device, comprising:
- a first body that provides an inlet coupling;
- a second body that provides a solenoid valve and an outlet coupling;
- and
- an orifice fitting that connects the first body to the second body;
- and
- an auxiliary coupling on the first body, wherein the auxiliary coupling and the inlet coupling are corresponding male and female connectors.
A method of installing a fuel return device in a powertrain of a type that includes a high pressure fuel rail that supplies fuel to a plurality of fuel injectors that inject the fuel into an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
- removing a temperature sensor or a pressure sensor from the high pressure fuel rail;
- installing the fuel return device in place of the temperature sensor or the pressure sensor;
- installing the temperature sensor or the pressure sensor on the fuel return device;
- and
- coupling an outlet of the fuel return device to a low pressure fuel supply system for the powertrain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.