Fuel pumping system and method

A method of controlling a fuel system, comprising:

• operating a first pumping element to produce a first flow of pressurized fuel;
• operating a second pumping element to produce a second flow of pressurized fuel;
• selectively energizing a first solenoid to vary at least one of a fuel pressure and a fuel flow rate of the first flow of pressurized fuel;
• selectively energizing a second solenoid to vary at least one of a fuel pressure and a fuel flow rate of the second flow of pressurized fuel;
• directing the first and second flows of pressurized fuel to a fuel injection system associated with a combustion chamber;
• directing the first flow of pressurized fuel through a first manifold to a first fuel injection unit associated with the combustion chamber;
• directing the second flow of pressurized fuel through a second manifold to a second fuel injection unit associated with the combustion chamber;
• and
• actuating at least one of the first and second fuel injection units to inject one of the first and second flows of pressurized fuel into the combustion chamber.

A fuel pumping system for an engine having at least one combustion chamber, comprising:

• a fuel injection system associated with the at least one combustion chamber, the fuel injection system operable to inject an amount of pressurized fuel into the combustion chamber;
• a first manifold in fluid communication with the fuel injection system;
• a second manifold in fluid communication with the fuel injection system;
• a first pumping element adapted to direct a first flow of pressurized fuel through the first manifold to the fuel injection system;
• and
• a second pumping element adapted to direct a second flow of pressurized fuel through the second manifold to the fuel injection system.

An engine system, comprising:

• an engine block defining at least one combustion chamber;
• a pump drive;
• a first pumping element operatively connected to the pump drive and operable to produce a first flow of pressurized fuel;
• a second pumping element operatively connected to the pump drive and operable to produce a second flow of pressurized fuel;
• a first solenoid operatively connected to the first pumping element and operable to vary at least one of a fuel pressure and a fuel flow rate of the first flow of pressurized fuel;
• a second solenoid operatively connected to the second pumping element and operable to vary at least one of a fuel pressure and a fuel flow rate of the second flow of pressurized fuel;
• a fuel injection system operable to selectively inject the first and second flows of pressurized fuel into the at least one combustion chamber;
• a first manifold providing fluid communication between the first pumping element and the fuel injection system;
• and
• a second manifold providing fluid communication between the second pumping element and the fuel injection system.