Electronic returnless fuel system

• US 20020020397A1
• Filed: 06/08/2001
• Published: 02/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Begley, Chris Clarence, Lutton, Michael D., Braun, Charles Wilson, Niemiec, Michael Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 6,622,707 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/497
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/225 Leakage detection
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0602 Fuel pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0604 Estimation of fuel pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3836 Controlling the fuel pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3845 by controlling the flow into the common rail, e.g. the amount of fuel pumped
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/10 submerged in fuel, e.g. in reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 69/462 Arrangement of fuel conduits, e.g. with valves for maintaining pressure in the pipes after the engine being shut-down

Abstract

An electronic returnless fuel system for a vehicle includes a fuel pump to pump fuel from a fuel tank. The electronic returnless fuel system also includes a fuel rail fluidly connected to the fuel pump to distribute the fuel to an engine of the vehicle and a pressure transducer to sense pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail. The electronic returnless fuel system includes a controller electrically connected to the pressure transducer and the fuel pump to control the pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail at a set operating pressure. The electronic returnless fuel system further includes a pressure relief valve interconnecting the fuel pump and the fuel rail set a predetermined amount below the set operating pressure to leak fuel back into the fuel tank.

Claims

1. An electronic returnless fuel system for a vehicle comprising:

a fuel pump to pump fuel from a fuel tank;

a fuel rail fluidly connected to said fuel pump to distribute the fuel to an engine of the vehicle;

a pressure transducer to sense pressure of the fuel from said fuel pump to said fuel rail;

a controller electrically connected to said pressure transducer and said fuel pump to control the pressure of the fuel from said fuel pump to said fuel rail at a set operating pressure; and

a pressure relief valve interconnecting said fuel pump and said fuel rail set a predetermined amount below the set operating pressure to leak fuel back into the fuel tank.

2. An electronic returnless fuel system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said predetermined amount is approximately 5 kPa. to approximately 10 kPa.

3. An electronic returnless fuel system as set forth in claim 1 including a jet pump disposed in the fuel tank and fluidly connected to said pressure relief valve.

4. An electronic returnless fuel system as set forth in claim 1 including a jet pump disposed in the fuel tank and fluidly connected to said fuel pump.

5. An electronic returnless fuel system as set forth in claim 1 including a check valve interconnecting said fuel pump and said fuel rail.

6. An electronic returnless fuel system as set forth in claim 1 including an electronic control module electrically connected to said controller to set the operating pressure of said fuel system.

7. An electronic returnless fuel system for a vehicle comprising:

a fuel tank having an interior chamber;

a fuel pump disposed in said interior chamber of said fuel tank to pump fuel therefrom;

a fuel rail fluidly connected to said fuel pump to distribute the fuel to an engine of the vehicle;

a pressure relief valve disposed in said interior chamber and interconnecting said fuel pump and said fuel rail;

a pressure transducer to sense pressure of the fuel between said fuel pump to said fuel rail;

a controller electrically connected to said pressure transducer and said fuel pump to control the pressure of fuel to said fuel rail; and

a pressure relief valve interconnecting said fuel pump and said fuel rail set a predetermined amount below the set operating pressure to leak fuel back into the fuel tank.

8. An electronic returnless fuel system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said predetermined amount is approximately 5 kPa. to approximately 10 kPa.

9. An electronic returnless fuel system as set forth in claim 7 including a jet pump disposed in said interior chamber and fluidly connected to said pressure relief valve.

10. An electronic returnless fuel system as set forth in claim 7 including a jet pump disposed in said interior chamber and fluidly connected to said fuel pump.

11. An electronic returnless fuel system as set forth in claim 7 including a check valve disposed in said interior chamber and interconnecting said fuel pump and said fuel rail.

12. An electronic returnless fuel system as set forth in claim 7 including an electronic control module electrically connected to said controller to set an operating pressure of said fuel system.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 including the step of continuously leaking fuel into the fuel tank by the jet pump.

15. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said step of setting comprises setting the pressure relief valve at approximately 5 kPa. to approximately 10 kPa. below the set operating pressure.

16. A method as set forth in claim 13 including the step of disposing a jet pump in the fuel tank and fluidly connecting the jet pump to the pressure relief valve.

17. A method as set forth in claim 16 including the step of opening the pressure relief valve and leaking fuel into the fuel tank by the jet pump.

18. A method as set forth in claim 16 including the step of continuously leaking fuel into the fuel tank by the jet pump.

19. A method as set forth in claim 16 including the step of closing the pressure relief valve if the pressure of the fuel drops below a value needed to keep the pressure relief valve open.

13. A method of operating an electronic returnless fuel system for a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

pumping fuel from a fuel tank to an engine of the vehicle with a fuel pump;

sensing pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail with a pressure transducer;

controlling the pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail at a set operating pressure with a controller electrically connected to the pressure transducer and the fuel pump; and

setting a pressure relief valve interconnecting the fuel pump and the fuel rail at a predetermined amount below the set operating pressure to leak fuel back into the fuel tank.