IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0752722
(2004-01-08)
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우선권정보 |
JP-0008335 (2003-01-16) |
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Hamada, Mikio
- Wada, Satomi
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
5 인용 특허 :
5 |
초록
▼
A fuel supply apparatus is adapted to control a pump which discharges fuel from a tank to a fuel passage, thereby regulating the pressure of fuel to be supplied to an engine. The tank includes a plurality of storage chambers, in a specific one of which the pump is placed. A part of the fuel discharg
A fuel supply apparatus is adapted to control a pump which discharges fuel from a tank to a fuel passage, thereby regulating the pressure of fuel to be supplied to an engine. The tank includes a plurality of storage chambers, in a specific one of which the pump is placed. A part of the fuel discharged to the fuel passage is returned to the specific storage chamber through a branch passage. A storage chamber other than the specific storage chamber is in communication with the branch passage through a communication passage. A jet pump is operated to transfer the fuel from the storage chamber other than the specific storage chamber to the specific storage chamber through the communication passage by the action of the fuel flowing through the branch passage. An electronic control unit (ECU) controls an electromagnetic valve disposed in the branch passage to regulate the quantity of return flow, thereby delivering the fuel in a quantity corresponding to a consumption quantity of fuel to be sequentially consumed in the engine, to the engine through the communication passage.
대표청구항
▼
1. A fuel supply apparatus comprising:a fuel tank for storing fuel, including a plurality of storage chambers one of which is a specific storage chamber;a fuel pump, placed in the specific storage chamber, for discharging the fuel from the fuel tank into a fuel passage which is communicated with an
1. A fuel supply apparatus comprising:a fuel tank for storing fuel, including a plurality of storage chambers one of which is a specific storage chamber;a fuel pump, placed in the specific storage chamber, for discharging the fuel from the fuel tank into a fuel passage which is communicated with an engine, the fuel pump being controlled to regulate pressure of the fuel which is to be supplied to the engine;a branch passage branching off of the fuel passage, through which branch passage a part of the fuel discharged by the fuel pump is returned to the specific storage chamber;a communication passage which provides communication between a storage chamber other than the specific storage chamber and the branch passage;transfer means for transferring the fuel from the storage chamber other than the specific storage chamber to the specific storage chamber through the communication passage by action of the fuel flowing through the branch passage;flow regulation means for regulating a flow quantity of fuel in the branch passage;fuel consumption calculation means for calculating a quantity of fuel to be sequentially consumed in the engine; andflow regulation control means for controlling the flow regulation means to transfer fuel in a quantity corresponding to the fuel consumption quantity calculated by the fuel consumption calculation means, from the storage chamber other than the specific storage chamber to the specific storage chamber through the communication passage. 2. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the transfer means comprises a jet pump including a restricted portion for restricting a flow quantity of fuel in the branch passage and a discharge port through which the fuel having passed through the restricted portion is discharged,the restricted portion being adapted to increase a flow velocity of the fuel passing through the restricted portion, producing a negative pressure in the restricted portion and a consequent suction power, so that the fuel is sucked from the storage chamber other than the specific storage chamber and transferred into the specific chamber through the communication passage and the discharge port. 3. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow regulation means is provided with an electromagnetic valve including a valve body, and the flow regulation control means controls energization of the electromagnetic valve to reciprocate the valve body between a full open position and a full closed position. 4. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the flow regulation control means calculates an energization time of the electromagnetic valve based on the fuel consumption quantity calculated by the fuel consumption calculation means and, based on the calculated energization time, operates the electromagnetic valve under a duty control at a predetermined cycle. 5. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the flow regulation control means calculates the energization time (TE) with reference to the following expressions: TE=FC/FC max* fv, and FC max=( Qa*Ad*NE max)/(120 *Af*Fd ),wherein “FCmax” represents a maximum fuel consumption quantity, “fv” represents a predetermined cycle of the duty control “Qa” represents a maximum intake air quantity (a displacement of the engine), “Ad” represents an air density, “NEmax” represents a maximum rotational speed of the engine, “Af” represents a demanded air-fuel ratio of the engine, “Fd” represents a fuel density, and “120” is a constant for conversion. 6. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engine includes a plurality of cylinders, the fuel supply apparatus includes injectors for supplying the fuel delivered thereto through the fuel passage, into respective associated cylinders, and the fuel consumption calculation means calculates the fuel consumption quant ity (FC) with reference to the is following expressions: qst={Q /(1000*60)}*{( Pfs+ ( Pa−Pm ))/ Pfo}*te, and FC=qst*N*NE* 60/1000/2,wherein “Q” represents a fuel flow quantity per unit of time during a valve open time of each injector, “Pfs” represents a fuel pressure (a gauge pressure) during actual use, “Pa” represents an atmospheric pressure (an absolute pressure), “Pfo” represents a gauge pressure during measurement of a flow characteristic of each injector, “te” represents an effective energization time of each injector, “N” represents the number of cylinders of the engine, “NE” represents a rotational speed of the engine, “60” is a conversion coefficient from a flow quantity per 'minute' to per 'hour', “1000” is a conversion coefficient from a flow quantity in 'cc' to 'liter', and “2” represents one injection from each injector per two rotations of the engine. 7. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the engine includes a plurality of cylinders, the fuel supply apparatus include injectors for supplying the fuel delivered thereto through the fuel passage, into respective associated cylinders, and the fuel consumption calculation means calculates the fuel consumption quantity (FC) with reference to the following expression: qst={Q /(1000*60)}*{( Pfs+ ( Pa−Pm ))/ Pfo}* te, and FC=qst*N*NE* 60/1000/2,wherein “Q” represents a fuel flow quantity per unit of time during a valve open time of each injector, “Pfs” represents a fuel pressure (a gauge pressure) during actual use, “Pa” represents an atmospheric pressure (an absolute pressure), “Pfo” represents a gauge pressure during measurement of a flow characteristic of each injector, “te” represents an effective energization time of each injector, “N” represents the number of cylinders of the engine, “NE” represents a rotational speed of the engine, “60” is a conversion coefficient from a flow quantity per 'minute' to per 'hour', “1000” is a conversion coefficient from a flow quantity in 'cc' to 'liter', and “2” represents one injection from each injector per two rotations of the engine. 8. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow regulation control means limits a lower limit of a flow quantity to be regulated by the flow regulation means to a predetermined positive value. 9. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein flow regulation control means calculates an energization time of the electromagnetic valve based on the fuel consumption quantity calculated by the fuel consumption calculation means, and limits the calculated energization time to a predetermined lower limit value or more and, based on the limited energization time, operates the electromagnetic valve under a duty control at a predetermined cycle. 10. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the transfer means comprises a jet pump including a restricted portion for restricting a flow quantity of fuel in the branch passage and a discharge port through which the fuel having passed through the restricted portion is discharged,the restricted portion being adapted to increase a flow velocity of the fuel passing through the restricted portion, producing a negative pressure in the restricted portion and a consequent suction power, so that the fuel is sucked from the storage chamber other than the specific storage chamber and transferred into the specific chamber through the communication passage and the discharge port. 11. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the flow regulation means is provided with an electromagnetic valve including a valve body, and the flow regulation control means controls energization of the electromagnetic valve t o reciprocate the valve body between a full open position and a full closed position. 12. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the flow regulation control means calculates an energization time of the electromagnetic valve based on the fuel consumption quantity calculated by the fuel consumption calculation means and, based on the calculated energization time, operates the electromagnetic valve under a duty control at a predetermined cycle. 13. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the flow regulation control means calculates the energization time (TE) with reference to the following expressions: TE=FC/FC max* fv, and Fc max=( Qa*Ad*NE max)/(120 *Af*Fd ),wherein “FCmax” represents a maximum fuel consumption quantity, “fv” represents a predetermined cycle of the duty control, “Qa” represents a maximum intake air quantity (a displacement of the engine), “Ad” represents an air density, “NEmax” represents a maximum rotational speed of the engine, “Af” represents a demanded air-fuel ratio of the engine, “Fd” represents a fuel density, and “120” is a constant for conversion. 14. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the engine includes a plurality of cylinders, the fuel supply apparatus includes injectors for supplying the fuel delivered thereto through the fuel passage, into respective associated cylinders, and the fuel consumption calculation means calculates the fuel consumption quantity (FC) with reference to the following expressions: qst={Q /(1000*60)}*{( Pfs+ ( Pa−Pm ))/ Pfo}*te, and FC=qst*N*NE* 60/1000/2,wherein “Q” represents a fuel flow quantity per unit of time during a valve open time of each injector, “Pfs” represents a fuel pressure (a gauge pressure) during actual use, “Pa” represents an atmospheric pressure (an absolute pressure), “Pfo” represents a gauge pressure during measurement of a flow characteristic of each injector, “te” represents an effective energization time of each injector, “N” represents the number of cylinders of the engine, “NE” represents a rotational speed of the engine, “60” is a conversion coefficient from a flow quantity per 'minute' to per 'hour', “1000” is a conversion coefficient from a flow quantity in 'cc' to 'liter', and “2” represents one injection from each injector per two rotations of the engine. 15. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the engine includes a plurality of cylinders, the fuel supply apparatus includes injectors for supplying the fuel delivered thereto through the fuel passage, into respective associated cylinders, and the fuel consumption calculation means calculates the fuel consumption quantity (FC) with reference to the following expressions: qst={Q /(1000*60)}*{( Pfs+ ( Pa−Pm ))/ Pfo}*te, and FC=qst*N*NE* 60/1000/2,wherein “Q” represents a fuel flow quantity per unit of time during a valve open time of each injector, “Pfs” represents a fuel pressure (a gauge pressure) during actual use, “Pa” represents an atmospheric pressure (an absolute pressure), “Pfo” represents a gauge pressure during measurement of a flow characteristic of each injector, “te” represents an effective energization time of each injector, “N” represents the number of cylinders of the engine, “NE” represents a rotational speed of the engine, “60” in a conversion coefficient from a flow quantity per 'minute' to per 'hour', “1000” is a conversion coefficient from a flow quantity in 'cc' to 'liter', and “2” represents one injection from each injector per two rotations of the engine. 16. A fuel supply apparatus co mprising:a fuel tank for storing fuel, including a plurality of storage chambers one of which is a specific storage chamber;a fuel pump, placed in the specific storage chamber, for discharging the fuel from the fuel tank into a fuel passage which is communicated with an engine including a plurality of cylinders, the fuel pump being controlled to regulate pressure of the fuel which is to be supplied to the engine;injectors for supplying the fuel, delivered thereto through the fuel passage, into respective associated cylinders;a branch passage branching off of the fuel passage, through which branch passage a part of the fuel discharged by the fuel pump is returned to the specific storage chamber;a communication passage which provides communication between a storage chamber other than the specific chamber and the branch passage;a jet pump for transferring the fuel from the storage chamber other than the specific storage chamber tothe specific storage chamber through the communication passage by action of the fuel flowing through the branch passage, the jet pump including:a restricted portion for restricting a flow quantity of fuel in the branch passage; anda discharge port through which the fuel having passed through the restricted portion is discharged,the restricted portion being adapted to increase a flow velocity of the fuel passing through the restricted portion, producing a negative pressure in the restricted portion and a consequent suction power, so that the fuel is sucked from the storage chamber other than the specific storage chamber and transferred into the specific chamber through the communication passage and the discharge port;an electromagnetic valve for regulating the flow quantity of fuel in the branch passage, the electromagnetic valve including a valve body and energization of the electromagnetic valve being controlled to reciprocate the valve body between a full open position and a full closed position;fuel consumption calculation means for calculating a quantity of fuel to be sequentially consumed in the engine; andflow regulation control means for controlling the flow regulation means to transfer fuel in a quantity corresponding to the fuel consumption quantity calculated by the fuel consumption calculation means, from the storage chamber other than the specific storage chamber to the specific storage chamber through the communication passage,the flow regulation control means calculating an energization time of the electromagnetic valve based on the fuel consumption quantity calculated by the fuel consumption calculation means and, based on the calculated energization time, operates the electromagnetic valve under a duty control at a predetermined cycle. 17. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the fuel consumption calculation means calculates the fuel consumption is quantity (FC) with reference to the following expressions: qst={Q /(1000*60)}*{( Pfs+ ( Pa−Pm ))/ Pfo}*te, and FC=qst*N*NE* 60/1000/2,wherein “Q” represents a fuel flow quantity per unit of time at a valve open time of each injector, “Pfs” represents a fuel pressure (a gauge pressure) during actual use, “Pa” represents an atmospheric pressure (an absolute pressure), “Pfo” represents a gauge pressure during measurement of flow characteristics of each injector, “te” represents an effective energization time of each injector, “N” represents the number of cylinders of the engine, “NE” represents a rotational speed of the engine, “60” is a conversion coefficient from a flow quantity per 'minute' to per 'hour', “1000” is a conversion coefficient from a flow quantity in 'cc' to 'liter', and “2” represents one injection from each injector per two rotations of the engine. 18. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the flow regulation control means calculates the ener gization time (TE) with reference to the following expressions: TE=FC/FC max* fv, and FC max=( Qa*Ad*NE max)/(120 *Af*Fd ),wherein “FCmax” represents a maximum fuel consumption quantity, “fv” represents a predetermined cycle of the duty control, “Qa” represents a maximum intake air quantity (a displacement of the engine), “Ad” represents an air density, “NEmax” represents a maximum rotational speed of the engine, “Af” represents a demanded air-fuel ratio of the engine, “Fd” represents a fuel density, and “120” is a constant for conversion. 19. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the flow regulation control means calculates the energization time (TE) with reference to the following expressions: TE=FC/FC max* fv, and FC max=( Qa*Ad*NE max)/(120 *Af*Fd ),wherein “FCmax” represents a maximum fuel consumption quantity, “fv” represents a predetermined cycle of the duty control, “Qa” represents a maximum intake air quantity (a displacement of the engine), “Ad” represents an air density, “NEmax” represents a maximum rotational speed of the engine, “Af” represents a demanded air-fuel ratio of the engine, “Fd” represents a fuel density, and “120” is a constant for conversion. 20. The fuel supply apparatus according to claim 16, wherein flow regulation control means calculates an energization time of the electromagnetic valve based on the fuel consumption quantity calculated by the fuel consumption calculation means, and limits the calculated energization time to a predetermined lower limit value or more and, based on the limited energization time, operates the electromagnetic valve under a duty control at a predetermined cycle.
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