阅读说明：本技术 具有泵送和过滤燃料模块的燃料系统以及用于该燃料系统的流壳体 (Fuel system with pumping and filtering fuel module and flow housing for same ) 是由 S·D·鲁森步姆 田野 Q·M·伯卡尔 M·T·麦金利 于 2021-04-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于泵送和过滤燃料系统中燃料的燃料模块包括流壳体,以及与流壳体直接密封地啮合的电动泵、第一筒式过滤器和第二筒式过滤器中的每一个。燃料模块应用于低压燃料回路中,该低压燃料回路将燃料供给至高压燃料回路以加压至喷射压力。还公开了用于泵的电子闭环控制技术。(A fuel module for pumping and filtering fuel in a fuel system includes a flow housing, and each of an electric pump, a first cartridge filter, and a second cartridge filter sealingly engaged directly with the flow housing. The fuel module is used in a low pressure fuel circuit that supplies fuel to a high pressure fuel circuit for pressurization to injection pressure. Electronic closed loop control techniques for the pump are also disclosed.)

1. A fuel system for an engine, comprising:

a high pressure fuel circuit including a high pressure pump having a pump drive gear for meshing with a gear train on the engine;

a low-pressure fuel circuit including a low-pressure pump having a pump electric drive motor and configured to supply fuel to the high-pressure fuel circuit to be pressurized to an injection pressure;

the low pressure fuel circuit further comprises a first cartridge filter, a second cartridge filter, and a flow housing;

the flow housing forming a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet to the high pressure fuel circuit, and a plurality of internal fuel conduits; and

the low pressure pump, the first cartridge filter, and the second cartridge filter are each in direct sealing engagement with the flow housing and, together with the plurality of internal fuel conduits, fluidly connect the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet.

2. The fuel system of claim 1, wherein:

the first cartridge filter is arranged upstream of the low-pressure pump to filter a flow of fuel input to the low-pressure pump from the fuel inlet;

the second cartridge filter is disposed downstream of the low pressure pump to filter a flow of fuel output from the low pressure pump to the fuel outlet;

the flow housing forming an output pump port and an input pump port, and the low pressure pump being mounted on the flow housing and fluidly connected to each of the output pump port and the input pump port;

the flow housing forms a first filter receptacle, a second filter receptacle, and a sensor port fluidly connected to the first filter receptacle, the second filter receptacle, or one of the plurality of internal fuel conduits, and the fuel system further includes a sensor mounted in the sensor port.

3. The fuel system of claim 2, wherein:

the sensor includes a pressure sensor configured to generate a pump outlet pressure signal, and the fuel system further includes a proportional controller coupled with the electric drive motor and configured to vary a speed of the low pressure pump based on the pump outlet pressure signal.

4. The fuel system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:

the fuel system also includes a filter ID sensor assembly mounted in the flow housing and having first and second sensor posts extending toward the first and second filter receptacles, respectively.

5. The fuel system of claim 1, wherein:

the flow housing further comprises: a pump side having a plurality of threaded bolt holes formed therein and receiving bolts that clamp the low pressure pump to the pump side; and a filter side opposite the pump side and having first and second threaded cartridge receptacles formed therein and respectively receiving the first and second cartridge filters.

6. A fuel module for pumping and filtering fuel in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a flow housing forming a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, the fuel inlet for receiving fuel to be pumped and filtered in the fuel module;

the flow housing further forming an output pump port and an input pump port, a first cartridge receptacle fluidly positioned between the fuel inlet and the output pump port, and a second cartridge receptacle fluidly positioned between the input pump port and the fuel outlet;

a first cartridge filter mounted in the first cartridge receiver and fluidly connecting the fuel inlet to the output pump port;

a second cartridge filter mounted in the second cartridge receiver and fluidly connecting the input pump port to the fuel outlet; and

a pump having a pump electric drive motor and attached to the flow housing such that the pump is fluidly connected to the output pump port and the input pump port.

7. The fuel module of claim 6, wherein:

the flow housing includes a pump side having a flat pump mounting surface, and a filter side having the first cartridge-type receptacle and the second cartridge-type receptacle formed therein;

the flow housing forming a first sensor port and a second sensor port, each sensor port fluidly disposed between the low pressure pump and the fuel outlet;

a plurality of threaded bolt holes formed in the pump side and further including bolts received in the plurality of threaded bolt holes and clamping the pump to the pump side; and

each of the first-barrel receiver and the second-barrel receiver is threaded.

8. The fuel module of claim 7, further comprising:

first and second seals sandwiched between the flow housing and the pump and fluidly sealed around the output and input pump ports, respectively; and

a filter ID sensor assembly mounted in the flow housing and having first and second sensor legs extending toward the first and second cartridge receptacles, respectively; and

first and second pressure sensors mounted in the first and second sensor ports, respectively.

9. A flow housing for a pump and filter fuel module in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a flow housing body including a pump side having a pump-housing interface configured for pipeless mounting of a pump and including a planar pump mounting surface, an output pump port and an input pump port surrounded by the planar pump mounting surface; and a plurality of bolt holes formed in the flow housing body for bolting the pump to the flow housing body;

the flow housing body further comprising a filter side opposite the pump side and having each of a first filter receptacle and a second filter receptacle formed therein, the first filter receptacle configured to receive a first cartridge filter and the second filter receptacle configured to receive a second cartridge filter;

the flow housing body further forming a fuel inlet for receiving fuel to be pumped and filtered in the pumping and filtering fuel module, a fuel outlet, and a plurality of internal fuel conduits; and

the plurality of internal fuel conduits form separate fuel flow paths extending between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet and interrupted at the pump-housing interface, the first filter receptacle, and the second filter receptacle such that the fuel flow paths are continuous when the pump, the first cartridge filter, and the second cartridge filter are installed.

10. The flow housing of claim 9, wherein:

the flow housing body also includes a sensor mounting interface including a sensor mounting surface, a first sensor post tube extending from the sensor mounting surface toward the first filter receptacle, and a second sensor post tube extending from the sensor mounting surface toward the second filter receptacle.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a fuel system for an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to a fuel module that integrates a canister filter and an electrically driven pump.

Background

Fuel systems are perhaps the most complex and sophisticated part of modern internal combustion engine systems. A typical fuel system may employ tens or even hundreds of moving parts that typically operate at high speeds while experiencing high absolute pressures and rapid pressure changes. In a typical diesel engine fuel system, it is desirable to have a significant increase in the pressure of the fuel stored in the tank for injection into the combustion cylinders of the engine. In some systems, fuel pressurization is accomplished by a dedicated unit pump associated with or integrated into each of a plurality of fuel injectors. In other systems, a pressurized common fuel reservoir is maintained for delivery to each fuel injector in the fuel system as needed. Various combinations and variations of these two basic strategies for fuel delivery and pressurization are known.

In any fuel system, it is also generally desirable to limit debris in the fuel flow between components to prevent damage or performance degradation, particularly for pumps and fuel injectors. To this end, most fuel systems are equipped with various filtering devices for capturing particles introduced when the fuel supply is replenished or generated in situ by operation of the fuel system components themselves. In any event, multiple pumps are typically used, including a fuel transfer pump and at least one high pressure pump, and multiple filters requiring various lines, fittings, housings, mounting hardware, and other equipment for supporting and packaging the components for maintenance. U.S. patent application publication No. 20160333834 sets forth an example of a low pressure fuel supply system that uses multiple fuel injection pumps.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, a fuel system for an engine, comprising: a high pressure fuel circuit having a high pressure pump with a pump drive gear for meshing with a gear train on the engine; and a low-pressure fuel circuit including a low-pressure pump having a pump electric drive motor and configured to feed fuel into the high-pressure fuel circuit to be pressurized to an injection pressure. The low pressure fuel circuit also includes a first cartridge filter, a second cartridge filter, and a flow shell. The flow housing forms a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet to the high pressure fuel circuit, and a plurality of internal fuel conduits. The low pressure pump, the first cartridge filter, and the second cartridge filter are each in direct sealing engagement with the flow housing and, together with the plurality of internal fuel conduits, fluidly connect the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet.

In another aspect, a fuel module for pumping and filtering fuel in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine includes a flow housing forming a fuel inlet for receiving fuel to be pumped and filtered in the fuel module and a fuel outlet. The flow housing also forms an output pump port and an input pump port, a first cartridge receiver (cartridge receiver) fluidly positioned between the fuel inlet and the output pump port, and a second cartridge receiver fluidly positioned between the input pump port and the fuel outlet. The fuel module further includes a first cartridge filter mounted in the first cartridge receiver and fluidly connecting the fuel inlet to the output pump port; and a second cartridge filter mounted in the second cartridge receiver and fluidly connecting the input pump port to the fuel outlet. The fuel module also includes a pump having a pump electric drive motor and attached to the flow housing such that the pump is fluidly connected to the output pump port and the input pump port.

In yet another aspect, a flow housing for a pumping and filtering fuel module in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine includes a flow housing body including a pump side having a pump-housing interface configured for pipeless mounting of a pump and including a planar pump mounting surface, an output pump port surrounded by the planar pump mounting surface, and an input pump port. The pump housing interface also includes a plurality of bolt holes formed in the flow housing body for bolting the pump to the flow housing body. The flow housing body also includes a filter side opposite the pump side and having each of a first filter receptacle and a second filter receptacle formed therein, the first filter receptacle configured to receive a first cartridge filter and the second filter receptacle configured to receive a second cartridge filter. The flow housing body also defines a fuel inlet for receiving fuel to be pumped and filtered in the pumping and filtering fuel module, a fuel outlet, and a plurality of internal fuel conduits. The plurality of internal fuel conduits form separate fuel flow paths extending between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet and are interrupted at the pump-housing interface, the first filter receptacle and the second filter receptacle such that the fuel flow paths are continuous when the pump, the first cartridge filter and the second cartridge filter are installed.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a fuel system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical view of a fuel module in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a pump according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a flow housing for a fuel module according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a flow housing for a fuel module according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is another diagrammatic view of a flow housing for a fuel module according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a fuel module according to one embodiment; and is

FIG. 8 is another view of a portion of a fuel module according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description

Referring to FIG. 1, a fuel system 10 for an internal combustion engine is shown. Fuel system 10 includes a high pressure fuel circuit 12, with high pressure fuel circuit 12 having a high pressure pump 14, with high pressure pump 14 having a pump drive gear 16 for meshing with a gear train on an internal combustion engine. Fuel system 10 also includes a low-pressure fuel circuit 32, with low-pressure fuel circuit 32 having a low-pressure pump 34, with low-pressure pump 34 having a pump electric drive motor 36 and configured to supply fuel to high-pressure fuel circuit 12 for pressurization to injection pressure. The fuel system 10 may be configured in a compression ignition internal combustion engine system, such as an engine operating on diesel fraction fuel, however, the invention is not limited in this regard.

In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of high-pressure supply lines 18 extend between high-pressure pump 14 and a pressurized fuel reservoir 20. A plurality of fuel delivery conduits 22 extend from the reservoir 20 to supply fuel pressurized to an injection pressure to a plurality of fuel injectors, one of which is shown at 24. The fuel injector 24 may be positioned at least partially in a combustion cylinder of an internal combustion engine for direct injection. In other embodiments, the fuel injector may be positioned for port injection, for injection into the engine intake duct, or in another configuration. The reservoir 20 may be configured as a so-called common rail that stores fuel at injection pressures of all or some of the fuel injectors in the fuel system 10. In other embodiments, fuel system 10 may be configured with multiple unit pumps, each associated with one or more fuel injectors or any of a number of other fuel system configurations.

Fuel system 10 also includes a fuel tank 26, with a low pressure fuel circuit 32 fluidly positioned between fuel tank 26 and high pressure fuel circuit 12. Fuel system 10 also includes a fuel module 38 for pumping and filtering fuel and having a flow housing 40 forming a fuel inlet 42 and a fuel outlet 44 to high pressure fuel circuit 12. In most embodiments, the fuel tank 26 may be equipped with a fuel pre-filter. Module 38 may also include a first cartridge filter 50, a second cartridge filter 52, and other flow directing, pumping, and filtering features, as discussed further herein. The first cartridge filter 50 may be a primary filter comprising a water separator, wherein the second filter 52 is a secondary filter. A first cartridge filter 50 is fluidly disposed between fuel inlet 42 and low pressure pump 34, and a second cartridge filter 52 is fluidly disposed between low pressure pump 34 and fuel outlet 44, such that module 38 supports first cartridge filter 50, low pressure pump 34, and second cartridge filter 52 in a series filter-pump-filter service configuration.

Module 38, including flow housing 40, may also form a return inlet path 48 for returning fuel discharged from an associated engine to low pressure fuel circuit 32. A return or outlet line 30 is shown extending from the fuel injector 24. The return line 30 may extend directly to the inlet passage 48 or the fuel tank 26 by any suitable piping arrangement. Those skilled in the art will be familiar with draining fuel from the high pressure side of the fuel system back to the fuel tank or the low pressure side of the fuel system through various strategies. Another return line 28 extends from high-pressure pump 14 and may similarly return fuel to fuel tank 26 or otherwise to low-pressure fuel circuit 32. A fuel supply line 46 extends from the flow housing 40 to the high pressure pump 14. In some known fuel systems, the low pressure pump is mounted directly on the high pressure pump. In accordance with the present disclosure, it should be appreciated that low pressure pump 34 and certain other components of low pressure fuel circuit 32 are not mounted on high pressure pump 14, and may be mounted at various other locations, including to a frame or housing, to an engine housing, or to other structures in an associated machine system.

Fuel system 10 also provides control, including closed loop control, of low pressure pump 34 to provide a desired outlet pressure and/or flow to high pressure fuel circuit 12. In some cases, low pressure or fuel transfer pump operation may lag the optimal operation for supplying fuel to the high pressure pump, particularly during start-up, because the transfer pump operation is coupled to the operation of the engine. In accordance with the present disclosure, low-pressure pump 34 may be accelerated or decelerated as necessary to provide a desired pressure and/or fuel flow to high-pressure fuel circuit 12.

To this end, fuel system 10 also includes a control system 54. Control system 54 includes an electronic control unit 56, with electronic control unit 56 being coupled to and in control communication with various actuators in fuel system 10 and receiving inputs from various sensors. A rail pressure sensor 58 may be coupled with reservoir 20, and electronic control unit 56 may receive a rail pressure signal from rail pressure sensor 58 and responsively adjust the output of high-pressure pump 14, such as by changing a position of an inlet metering valve or an outlet metering valve in high-pressure pump 14, changing a displacement of pumping elements in high-pressure pump 14, or some other variable. The electronic control unit 56 is also coupled to the module 38, including to the pump's electric drive motor 36, and may vary the pump speed of the low pressure pump 34 to provide a desired output to the high pressure pump 14. Control system 54 may also include a pressure sensor 60 fluidly disposed between second cartridge filter 52 and fuel outlet 34. The pressure sensor 60 may generate an outlet pressure signal, wherein the electronic control unit 56 is configured to vary the pump speed based on the outlet pressure signal. In one implementation, the electronic control unit 56 includes a proportional controller. The proportional controller may further include a proportional-integral-derivative controller (proportional-integral-derivative controller) or PID. In one example, pump electric drive motor 36 may include a brushless motor. In medium to heavy duty diesel engine applications, factors such as a relatively high fuel flow rate from low pressure fuel circuit 32 to high pressure fuel circuit 12 may make the PID control strategy successful and advantageous. The electronic control unit 56 may comprise any suitable computerized control unit having a central processing unit comprising, for example, a microprocessor or microcontroller.

Referring now also to FIG. 2, additional features and details of module 38 are shown. The flow housing 40 includes a flow housing body 41. Discussion of flow housing 40 and flow housing body 41 herein should be understood to refer to any of these components as interchangeable. As noted above, first cartridge filter 50 is fluidly disposed between fuel inlet 42 and low-pressure pump 34, and thus may be understood to be disposed upstream of low-pressure pump 34 to filter the flow of fuel input to low-pressure pump 34 from fuel inlet 42. A second cartridge filter 52 is disposed downstream of low pressure pump 34 to filter the flow of fuel output from low pressure pump 34 to fuel outlet 44. Flow housing 40 is also equipped with various features for mounting first cartridge filter 50, second cartridge filter 52, and low pressure pump 34.

Referring now also to fig. 3, 4, 5, 6, the flow housing 40 further forms: an output pump port 76 that supplies the fuel filtered in the first cartridge filter 50 to the low-pressure pump 34; and an input pump port 78 that receives fuel pumped by the low pressure pump 34 for supply to the second cartridge filter 52. The flow housing 40 also forms: a first cartridge receiver 51 fluidly positioned between the fuel inlet 40 and the output pump port 76; and a second cartridge receiver 53 fluidly positioned between the input pump port 78 and the fuel outlet 44. The first cartridge filter 50 is mounted in the first cartridge receiver 51 and fluidly connects the fuel inlet 42 to the output pump port 76. The second cartridge filter 52 is mounted in the second cartridge receptacle 53 and fluidly connects the input pump port 78 to the fuel outlet 44. Low-pressure pump 34 is attached to flow housing 40 such that low-pressure pump 34 is fluidly connected to output pump port 76 and input pump port 78, and low-pressure pump 34, first cartridge filter 50, and second cartridge filter 52 are each directly sealingly engaged with flow housing 40. The flow housing 40 also forms a plurality of internal fuel conduits, and the low pressure pump 34, the first cartridge filter 50, and the second cartridge filter 52, together with the plurality of internal fuel conduits, fluidly connect the fuel inlet 42 to the fuel outlet 44. A plurality of internal fuel conduits, also discussed herein, form separate fuel flow paths extending between the fuel inlet 42 and the fuel outlet 44. The flow housing 40 also includes a pump side 70 having a pump-housing interface 72 configured for pipeless installation of the low pressure pump 34, and the fuel flow path is interrupted at the pump-housing interface 72, the first filter receptacle 51, and the second filter receptacle 53 such that the fuel flow path is continuous when the low pressure pump 24, the first cartridge filter 50, and the second cartridge filter 52 are installed.

The pump-housing interface (pump-housing interface)72 includes a flat pump mounting surface 74, with an output pump port 76 and an input pump port 78 each surrounded by the flat pump mounting surface 74. Pump-housing interface 72 also includes a plurality of bolt holes 80 formed in flow housing body 41 for bolting low pressure pump 34 to flow housing body 41. As shown in fig. 2, a plurality of bolts 82 may be passed through the low pressure pump 34 and received in the bolt holes 80. In some embodiments, the bolt holes 80 may be internally threaded. As can also be seen in FIG. 3, the low pressure pump 34 includes a planar pump surface 64, and a pump inlet 66 and a pump outlet 68 formed in the planar pump surface 64. A threaded bolt hole 80 is formed in the pump side 70, and receipt and retention of a bolt 82 in the bolt hole 80 clamps the low pressure pump 34 to the pump side 70. As also shown in fig. 4, the pump housing interface 72 further includes: a plurality of sealing rings 88, each sealing ring extending circumferentially around one of the output pump port 76 or the input pump port 78; and a plurality of seals 90, one seal 90 being positioned within each seal ring 88. Clamping the low pressure pump 34 to the flow housing 40 compresses the seal 90 to enable the low pressure pump 34 to sealingly engage the flow housing 40 directly without any intermediate lines.

The flow housing body 41 further comprises a filter side 71 opposite the pump side 70 and forming therein each of a first filter receptacle 51 for receiving the first cartridge filter 50 and a second filter receptacle 53 for receiving the second cartridge filter 52. As described herein, each of the first and second filter receptacles 51 and 53 may be threaded such that the respective cartridge filters 50 and 52 may be rotated into and out of engagement with the flow housing 40 to form the necessary seals with the flow housing 40 to direct fuel through the module 38 for pumping and filtering.

Flow housing 40 may also be provided with various ports for connecting sensors used in operating fuel system 10 and controlling low pressure pump 34. Flow housing 40 forms a sensor port that is fluidly connected to one of first filter receptacle 51, second filter receptacle 53, or one of the plurality of internal fuel conduits in flow housing 40. Fuel system 10 and module 38 also include a sensor mounted in the sensor port. In the illustrated embodiment, the first sensor port 47 is fluidly disposed between the second cartridge filter 52 and the fuel outlet 44. Flow housing 40 forms a second sensor port 49 that is fluidly disposed between low pressure pump 34 and a second cartridge filter 52. The fuel system 10 and module 38 may also include a first sensor mounted in the first sensor port 47 and a second sensor mounted in the second sensor port 49. In the illustration of fig. 2, a first sensor 60 and a second sensor 62 are shown mounted in the flow housing 40, the first sensor 60 and the second sensor 62 may each comprise a fluid pressure sensor. Each of the first sensor 60 and the second sensor 62 may be in communication with the electronic control unit 56. As described above, sensor 60 may generate a pump outlet pressure signal. Sensor 62 may also generate a pressure signal, and electronic control unit 56 may be configured to determine a pressure drop across second cartridge filter 52 based on the pressure signals generated by first sensor 60 and second sensor 62. Additional sensor ports may be formed by the flow housing 40 and are shown at 45 in fig. 5. The sensor port 45 may accommodate additional sensors, such as a temperature sensor in some embodiments.

Fig. 5 and 6 also show some of the internal fuel conduits formed by the flow housing 40 and referred to above. An inlet conduit 92 extends from the fuel inlet 42 to the filter receiving portion 71. A second conduit 94 extends from filter receptacle 71 to output pump port 76. A third conduit 96 extends from the input pump port 78 to the filter receptacle 53. An output fuel conduit 98 extends from the filter receiving portion 53 to the fuel outlet 44. Another fuel inlet 59 is formed by flow housing 40 and may contain fuel returning from the engine to low-pressure circuit 32, as described herein. It should be remembered that the multiple internal fuel conduits in the flow housing 40 form separate fuel flow paths. As can be appreciated from the illustration of fig. 5 and the present description, the installation of first cartridge filter 50, second cartridge filter 52, and low-pressure pump 34 fluidly connects the various internal fuel conduits to continue the internal fuel flow path.

The illustration of the locations of some of the sensor ports and internal fuel conduits is merely illustrative. The sensor port 47 is fluidly connected to the fuel flow path at a location of fluid communication between the input pump port 78 and the fuel outlet 44, and, as shown, to an output fuel conduit 98. The sensor port 49 is fluidly connected to the fuel flow path at a location of fluid communication between the input pump port 78 and the first sensor port 47. The location and fluid connection of the sensor ports 47, 49, 45 may be modified to connect to the fuel flow path extending from the fuel inlet 42 to the fuel outlet 44 at various other locations. For example, in some circumstances it may be desirable to determine the pressure drop across the low pressure pump 34 or across the first cartridge filter 50, and for this purpose the sensor ports may be positioned so as to be fluidly connected to the fuel flow path at suitable upstream and downstream locations other than that shown. Other alternatives will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Referring now also to fig. 7 and 8, additional details of the flow housing 40 are shown and include a sensor mounting interface 100 of the flow housing 40. The sensor assembly 104 is mounted to the sensor mounting interface 100, and the sensor mounting interface 100 includes a flat sensor mounting surface 102. The sensor assembly 104 may include a sensor body 106 and a plurality of sensors 108, each sensor disposed on a sensor leg (sensor leg) 102. Flow housing 40 forms a first sensor stem tube (first sensor stem tube)112 extending from sensor mounting surface 102 toward filter receiving portion 51, and a second sensor stem tube 114 extending from sensor mounting surface 102 toward second filter receiving portion 53. As shown in FIG. 7, a seal 116 (e.g., an O-ring seal) extends circumferentially around the illustrated sensor post 110 and is fluidly sealed from the flow housing body 41. Also in the illustrated embodiment, each sensor 108 may include a filter identification or ID sensor so that the filter type, manufacturer, or other information associated with the cartridge filters 50 and 52 may be determined. The sensor assembly 104 may include appropriate circuitry for communicating with the electronic control unit 56 and thus form part of the control system 54. Sensor 108 may comprise a magnetic sensor, radio frequency sensor, or other sensor configured to interact with a magnet, RF tag, etc. when the cartridge filter is installed, and is positioned proximate to the cartridge filter installed in filter receptacles 51 and 53 by the design of flow housing 40 and sensor assembly 104 itself for scanning and/or otherwise interacting with the cartridge filter.

Industrial applicability

During operation of fuel system 10, low pressure pump 34 is operable to pump and filter fuel from fuel tank 26 for supply to high pressure pump 14 via fuel supply line 46. Fuel may be drawn from the fuel tank 26 by operation of the pump 34 through the first cartridge filter 50, then delivered through the second cartridge filter 52, and then discharged through the fuel outlet 44. As described above, the first cartridge filter 50 may include a water separator, for example, to collect water from the fuel by gravity. The fuel supplied to high-pressure pump 14 may be pressurized to an injection pressure, with high-pressure pump 14 being operated to maintain the fuel pressure in reservoir 20 at the injection pressure through appropriate adjustment based on the operation of electronic control unit 56. The pressurized fuel from the reservoir 20 may be injected into the combustion cylinders of the associated engine by way of the fuel injector 24 and any other fuel injectors. As described herein, un-injected fuel may be returned to the fuel tank 26 via the return line 30, or potentially directly to the fuel module 40.

Control system 54 is configured to monitor the outlet pressure of module 40 and vary the pump speed of low-pressure pump 34 in a closed-loop manner to provide the appropriate fuel flow and pressure for high-pressure fuel circuit 12. In some earlier systems, low pressure feed pump operation was directly coupled with operation of the high pressure fuel pump and the engine. According to the invention, the operation of the low-pressure pump and the high-pressure pump can be separated, and the low-pressure pump 34 is actively controlled to avoid feeding too little fuel, too much fuel or fuel at the wrong pressure to the high-pressure side of the fuel system. Such capability enables, among other things, faster engine starting because the low pressure fuel pump operation is not dependent on engine starting. Furthermore, it is desirable to observe reduced pressure pulsations and an overall smoother flow rate as engine speed varies. It is also contemplated to integrate various components into a separate, stand-alone fuel module for pumping and filtering on the low pressure side to reduce the number of lines used to deliver the necessary fuel and improve packaging.

This description is intended for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed to narrow the scope of the present invention in any way. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications might be made to the presently disclosed embodiments without departing from the full and fair scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent upon examination of the following drawings and appended claims. As used herein, the article "a" or "an" is intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with "one or more". Where only one item is desired, the term "one" or similar language is used. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "having," and the like, are intended to be open-ended terms. Furthermore, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based at least in part on" unless explicitly stated otherwise.