초록 ▼

The fuel supply apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine has a fuel tank ( 2 ), a first fuel pump ( 6 ) that supplies fuel from the fuel tank to a fuel line ( 10 ), a second fuel pump ( 12 ) that supplies fuel from the fuel line ( 10 ) via a pressurized line to at least one fuel

The fuel supply apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine has a fuel tank ( 2 ), a first fuel pump ( 6 ) that supplies fuel from the fuel tank to a fuel line ( 10 ), a second fuel pump ( 12 ) that supplies fuel from the fuel line ( 10 ) via a pressurized line to at least one fuel valve ( 16 ) and a fuel return line ( 22 ) that connects the fuel line ( 10 ) to the fuel tank for return of excess fuel. A shut off valve ( 30 ), which is closed at high temperatures, and a pressure regulator valve ( 26 ) are arranged hydraulically in series in the fuel return line ( 22 ). A fuel scavenger line ( 60 ) is provided, by which fuel at high temperatures is returned to the fuel tank ( 2 ). The fuel scavenger line ( 60 ) conducts the fuel back to the fuel tank ( 2 ), at least partially through the second fuel pump ( 12 ) and through a hydraulic resistance. Gas bubble formation is prevented by a high fuel supply pressure and by transfer of heat from the second fuel pump ( 12 ).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fuel supply apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine, said fuel supply apparatus comprisingat least one fuel valve ( 16 ) for introducing the fuel into the internal combustion engine;a fuel tank ( 2 );a fuel line ( 10 );a first fuel pump ( 6 ) for supplying the fuel from th

1. A fuel supply apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine, said fuel supply apparatus comprisingat least one fuel valve ( 16 ) for introducing the fuel into the internal combustion engine;a fuel tank ( 2 );a fuel line ( 10 );a first fuel pump ( 6 ) for supplying the fuel from the fuel tank ( 2 ) to the fuel line ( 10 );a second fuel pump ( 12 ) for supplying the fuel from the fuel line ( 10 ) via a pressurized line ( 14 , 42 , 44 ) to said at least one fuel valve ( 16 ) so that the fuel is introduced into the internal combustion engine at least indirectly;a fuel return line ( 22 ) connecting the fuel line ( 10 ) to the fuel tank ( 2 ) for fuel return;a pressure regulator valve ( 26 ) arranged in the fuel return line ( 22 );a shut off valve ( 30 ) arranged in the fuel return line ( 22 ) so as to be hydraulically in series with the pressure regulator valve ( 28 ); anda fuel scavenger line ( 60 ) for conducting the fuel back to the fuel tank ( 2 ) at least partially through the second fuel pump ( 12 ) and through a hydraulic resistance means;wherein the fuel scavenger line ( 60 ) opens into the fuel return line ( 22 ) hydraulically between the shut off valve ( 30 ) and the pressure regulator valve ( 26 ). 2. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for controlling the shut off valve ( 30 ) according to a temperature. 3. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the second fuel pump ( 12 ) has a pump housing ( 12 g ) and the fuel scavenger line ( 60 ) extends through said pump housing ( 12 g ). 4. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the second fuel pump ( 12 ) has a low pressure side ( 12 n ) and the fuel scavenger line ( 60 ) branches from the pump housing ( 12 g ) at a highest position thereof on said low pressure side ( 12 n ) of the second fuel pump. 5. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising an overpressure valve ( 7 ) connected in parallel hydraulically to the pressure regulator valve ( 26 ). 6. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic resistance means comprises a throttle ( 70 , 76 , 84 ) having a flow-through resistance depending on the fluid flow flowing therethrough. 7. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic resistance means comprises a valve ( 61 , 62 , 68 , 72 ) that opens depending on a pressure. 8. A fuel supply apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine, said fuel supply apparatus comprisingat least one fuel valve ( 16 ) for introducing the fuel into the internal combustion engine;a fuel tank ( 2 );a fuel line ( 10 );a first fuel pump ( 6 ) for supplying the fuel from the fuel tank ( 2 ) to the fuel line ( 10 );a second fuel pump ( 12 ) for supplying the fuel from the fuel line ( 10 ) via a pressurized line ( 14 , 42 , 44 ) to said at least one fuel valve ( 16 ) so that the fuel is introduced into the internal combustion engine at least indirectly;a fuel return line ( 22 ) connecting the fuel line ( 10 ) to the fuel tank ( 2 ) for fuel return;a pressure regulator valve ( 26 ) arranged in the fuel return line ( 22 );a shut off Valve ( 30 ) arranged in the fuel return line ( 22 ) so as to be hydraulically in series with the pressure regulator valve ( 26 );a fuel scavenger line ( 60 ) for conducting the fuel back to the fuel tank ( 2 ) at least partially through the second fuel pump ( 12 ) and through a hydraulic resistance means; anda circulator line ( 52 , 52 ′) connecting the pressurized line ( 14 , 42 , 44 ) to the fuel line ( 10 ) via a control valve ( 50 , 50 ′), said scavenger line ( 60 ) branching from the circulator line ( 52 , 52 ′). 9. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 8, further comprising means for controlling the shut off valve ( 30 ) according to a temperature. 10. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 8, the second fuel pump ( 12 ) has a pump housing ( 12 g ) and the fuel scavenger line ( 60 ) extends through said pump housing ( 12 g ). 11. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the second fuel pump ( 12 ) has a low pressure side ( 12 n ) and the fuel scavenger line ( 60 ) branches from the pump housing ( 12 g ) at a highest position thereof on said low pressure aide ( 12 n ) of the second fuel pump. 12. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the hydraulic resistance means comprises a throttle ( 70 , 76 , 84 ) having a flow-through resistance depending on the fluid flow flowing therethrough. 13. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the hydraulic resistance means comprises a valve ( 61 , 62 , 66 , 72 ) that opens depending on a pressure. 14. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 8, further comprising an overpressure valve ( 7 ) connected in parallel hydraulically to the pressure regulator valve ( 26 ). 15. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the circulator line ( 52 , 52 ′) is connected to the fuel line ( 10 ) by means of a hydraulic resistance element ( 53 , 74 , 80 ). 16. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the circulator line ( 52 , 52 ′) is connected to the fuel line ( 10 ) by means of a check valve ( 53 , 80 ). 17. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 16, further comprising a throttle ( 74 ) connected in parallel hydraulically to the check valve. 18. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the second fuel pump ( 12 ) has a compression chamber ( 12 k ) and the circulator line ( 52 ′) extends from the compression chamber ( 12 k ). 19. A fuel supply apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine, said fuel supply apparatus comprisingat least one fuel valve ( 16 ) for introducing the fuel into the internal combustion engine;a fuel tank ( 2 );a fuel line ( 10 );a first fuel pump ( 6 ) for supplying the fuel from the fuel tank ( 2 ) to the fuel line ( 10 );a second fuel pump ( 12 ) for supplying the fuel from the fuel line ( 10 ) via a pressurized line ( 14 , 42 , 44 ) to said at least one fuel valve ( 16 ) so that the fuel is introduced into the internal combustion engine at least indirectly;a fuel return line ( 22 ) connecting the fuel line ( 10 ) to the fuel tank ( 2 ) for fuel return;a pressure regulator valve ( 26 ) arranged in the fuel return line ( 22 );a shut off valve ( 30 ) arranged in the fuel return line ( 22 ) so as to be hydraulically in series with the pressure regulator valve ( 26 );a fuel scavenger line ( 60 ) for conducting the fuel back to the fuel tank ( 2 ) at least partially through the second fuel pump ( 12 ) and through a hydraulic resistance means; anda leakage line ( 88 ) connecting the second fuel pump ( 12 ) to the fuel tank ( 2 ). 20. The fuel supply apparatus as define in claim 19, wherein the leakage line ( 88 ) opens into the return line ( 22 ) upstream of the shut off valve ( 30 ). 21. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 19, further comprising means for controlling the shut off valve ( 30 ) according to a temperature. 22. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the second fuel pump ( 12 ) has a pump housing ( 12 g ) and the fuel scavenger line ( 60 ) extends through said pump housing ( 12 g ). 23. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein the second fuel pump ( 12 ) has a low pressure side ( 12 n ) and the fuel scavenger line ( 60 ) branches from the pump housing ( 12 g ) at a highest position thereof on said low pressure side ( 12 n ) of the second fuel pump. 24. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 19, further comprising an overpressure valve ( 7 ) connected in parallel hydraulically to the pressure regulator valve ( 26 ). 25. The fuel supply apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the hydraulic resistance means comprises a throttle ( 70 , 76 , 84 ) having a flow-through resistance depending on the flui d flow flowing therethrough.