US 2015/0176516 A1 · DIRECT INJECTION FUEL SYSTEM WITH CONTROLLED ACCUMULATOR ENERGY STORAGE

Abstract

A direct injection fuel supply system, in one exemplary implementation, includes a lift fuel pump, a positive displacement pump, at least one fuel injector and an accumulator assembly. The lift pump is adapted to be in fluid communication with a supply of fuel and the positive displacement pump is in fluid communication with and downstream of the lift pump. The at least one injector is in fluid communication with an outlet of the positive displacement pump via a high pressure fuel line. The accumulator assembly includes an accumulator and a valve, where the valve is in direct fluid communication with the high pressure fuel line and the injector. The valve is selectively controlled to at least one of an open state providing fluid communication between the accumulator and the high pressure fuel line and a closed state blocking fluid communication between the accumulator and the high pressure fuel line.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A direct injection fuel supply system for a vehicle, comprising:

a lift fuel pump adapted to be in fluid communication with a supply of fuel;
a positive displacement pump in fluid communication with and downstream of the lift fuel pump;
at least one fuel injector in fluid communication with an outlet of the positive displacement pump via a high pressure fuel line;
and
an accumulator assembly including an accumulator and a valve, the valve being in direct fluid communication with the high pressure fuel line and the at least one fuel injector;
wherein the valve is configured to be controlled to at least one of an open state providing fluid communication between the accumulator and the high pressure fuel line and a closed state blocking fluid communication between the accumulator and the high pressure fuel line.

3 more elements

A method for controlling a direct injection fuel supply system, comprising:

monitoring, by a controller, an operating state of an engine;
determining, by the controller, that the engine is operating in a deceleration state or a shutdown state;
commanding, by the controller, an accumulator valve fluidly coupled to an accumulator to open to allow pressurized fuel from a mechanically driven positive displacement pump to flow into the accumulator, the accumulator valve fluidly coupled to a high pressure fuel line that is in fluid communication with an output of the displacement pump and at least one fuel injector;
and
commanding, by the controller, the accumulator valve to close at or proximate an end of the deceleration or shutdown state thereby storing pressurized fuel in the accumulator;
wherein the accumulator valve is fluidly coupled to the high pressure fuel line in direct fluid communication with the at least one fuel injector and, when commanded to open by the controller, allows the accumulator to supply pressurized fuel directly to the at least one fuel injector.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Direct injection fuel system with controlled accumulator energy storage

Life of this patent

Direct injection fuel system with controlled accumulator energy storage

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20