Fuel system having pump prognostic functionality
First Claim
1. A fuel system for an engine, comprising:
- a plurality of fuel injectors;
a common rail fluidly connected to the plurality of fuel injectors;
a pump configured to pressurize the common rail;
an outlet valve associated with the pump;
a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure of fuel in the common rail; and
an electronic control module in communication with the sensor and configured to;
detect a zero-fueling condition;
determine a first pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition while the pump is rotating;
determine a second pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition after the pump has stopped rotating; and
selectively generate a diagnostic flag associated with wear of the outlet valve based on the first and second pressure decay rates.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel system is disclosed for use with an engine. The fuel system may have a plurality of fuel injectors, a common rail fluidly, a pump, and an outlet valve associated with the pump. The fuel system may also have a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure of fuel in the common rail, and an electronic control module. The electronic control module may be configured to detect a zero-fueling condition, to determine a first pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition while the pump is rotating, and to determine a second pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition after the pump has stopped rotating. The electronic control module may also be configured to selectively generate a diagnostic flag associated with wear of the outlet valve based on the first and second pressure decay rates.
22 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fuel system for an engine, comprising:
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a plurality of fuel injectors; a common rail fluidly connected to the plurality of fuel injectors; a pump configured to pressurize the common rail; an outlet valve associated with the pump; a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure of fuel in the common rail; and an electronic control module in communication with the sensor and configured to; detect a zero-fueling condition; determine a first pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition while the pump is rotating; determine a second pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition after the pump has stopped rotating; and selectively generate a diagnostic flag associated with wear of the outlet valve based on the first and second pressure decay rates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A fuel system, comprising:
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a plurality of fuel injectors; a common rail fluidly connected to the plurality of fuel injectors; a pump configured to pressurize the common rail; an outlet valve associated with the pump; a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure of fuel in the common rail; and an electronic control module in communication with the sensor and configured to; detect a zero-fueling condition; determine a first pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition while the pump is rotating; determine a second pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition after the pump has stopped rotating in association with a first pressure range; determine a third pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition after the pump has stopped rotating in association with a second pressure range that is lower than the first; and selectively generate; an early-hour flag associated with wear of the outlet valve when a ratio of the third pressure decay rate to the second pressure decay rate is greater than a level-1 ratio, the third pressure decay rate is higher than a prognostic limit, and a ratio of the first pressure decay rate to the second pressure decay rate is less than a level-2 ratio; and a late-hour diagnostic flag associated with wear of the outlet valve when the ratio of the third pressure decay rate to the second pressure decay rate is greater than the level-1 ratio, the third pressure decay rate is higher than the prognostic limit, and the ratio of the first pressure decay rate to the second pressure decay rate is greater than the level-2 ratio.
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14. A method of prognosticating health of a fuel system, the method comprising:
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detecting a zero-fueling condition; determining a first pressure decay rate of a common rail during the zero-fueling condition while an associated pump is rotating; determining a second pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition after the pump has stopped rotating; and selectively generating a diagnostic flag corresponding to wear of an outlet valve associated with the pump based on the first and second pressure decay rates. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification