Mechanical returnless fuel system
First Claim
1. A method for operating an automotive engine comprising fuel injectors that open to deliver fuel to the engine, said method compr sing:
- providing a mechanical returnless fuel system for supply ng fuel to the fuel injectors and including a fuel pump having a pump output;
providing a controller for regulating a opening time for the fuel injectors to deliver a precise quantity of fuel;
returning a portion of said pump output to the fuel supply;
determining a projected engine fuel demand;
determining an estimated fuel pressure of said mechanical returnless fuel system based upon the projected engine fuel demand; and
determining an opening time for said fuel injectors based upon the estimated fuel pressure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanical returnless fuel system comprises a fuel pump having an output for supplying fuel to fuel injectors of an automotive engine. The fuel system includes a pressure regulating valve that returns a portion of the pump output in excess of engine fuel usage to the fuel supply. The pressure regulating valve results in a fuel pressure that varies as a function of engine fuel demand. During operation, a controller determines a projected engine fuel demand, then determines an estimated fuel pressure based upon the projected engine fuel demand. The controller utilizes the estimated fuel pressure to provide a more accurate calculation of the opening time for the fuel injectors and thereby improve engine control.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for operating an automotive engine comprising fuel injectors that open to deliver fuel to the engine, said method compr sing:
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providing a mechanical returnless fuel system for supply ng fuel to the fuel injectors and including a fuel pump having a pump output;
providing a controller for regulating a opening time for the fuel injectors to deliver a precise quantity of fuel;
returning a portion of said pump output to the fuel supply;
determining a projected engine fuel demand;
determining an estimated fuel pressure of said mechanical returnless fuel system based upon the projected engine fuel demand; and
determining an opening time for said fuel injectors based upon the estimated fuel pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In combination,
an automotive engine comprising fuel injectors that open for an opening time for delivering fuel to said engine; -
a mechanical returnless fuel system for supplying fuel to said fuel injectors from a fuel supply, said mechanical returnless fuel system comprising a fuel pump having a pump output, a fuel line connecting the fuel pump to the fuel injectors and a pressure regulating valve for returning a portion of the pump output to the fuel supply;
a controller for regulating the fuel injectors, wherein the controller determines a projected engine fuel demand, determines an estimated fuel pressure based upon the projected engine fuel demand, and determines the opening time of the fuel injectors based upon the estimated fuel pressure. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification