Understanding Diesel Fuel Pumps: Different Types, Different Functions

how many type of diesel fuel pump

Diesel fuel injection pumps are an essential component of diesel engines, delivering fuel at high pressure and the correct volume to power vehicles. There are several types of diesel fuel pumps, including the common rail fuel injection pump, distributor (rotary) pump, inline pump, and high-pressure common rail pump. Each type varies in design and functionality, catering to different engine configurations and performance requirements. Understanding the type of diesel fuel pump in your vehicle is crucial for proper maintenance and addressing potential issues, such as engine noise, weak acceleration, and high emissions.

shunfuel

Common rail fuel injection pump

The engine drives the supply pump, which produces high-pressure fuel of over 2,000 bar (200 MPa or 29,000 psi). The common rail then distributes the fuel to the injectors, which are mounted on each cylinder of the engine. This high-pressure injection delivers power and fuel consumption benefits by injecting fuel as a larger number of smaller droplets, resulting in a higher ratio of surface area to volume. This improved vaporization leads to more efficient combining of atmospheric oxygen with vaporized fuel, resulting in more complete combustion.

Common rail injection is widely used in diesel engines and is known for its short heating-up time, low engine noise, and reduced emissions compared to older systems. The combustion process can be optimized to achieve lower pollutant levels with reduced fuel consumption. This is achieved by precisely controlling the fuel volume delivery at high pressure, resulting in a dramatic reduction in fuel consumption.

The use of injectors with an integrated fuel reservoir in common rail systems helps prevent pressure fluctuations, ensuring a consistent supply of fuel to the injectors. To ensure the engine operates correctly, the fuel must comply with predefined values for viscosity and lubricity, as the high-pressure pumps and injectors are lubricated by the fuel itself.

shunfuel

Distributor (rotary) fuel injection pump

There are four primary systems for injecting fuel into diesel engines. These are:

  • Individual pump and injector for each cylinder
  • Combined pump and injector for each cylinder (unit injector type)
  • One pump serving injectors for several cylinders (distributor type)
  • Pumps in a common housing with injectors for each cylinder (common rail system)

The third type, the distributor type, can be further classified into inline and distributor-type pumps. One such example is the distributor (rotary) fuel injection pump, also known as a rotary diesel injection pump.

A rotary diesel injection pump is a type of fuel injection pump used in some diesel engines. Its function is to deliver precise amounts of fuel to each engine cylinder at the correct timing for combustion. The rotary design is what distinguishes it from other types of diesel injection pumps. The term "rotary" refers to the circular or rotary motion involved in the pump's operation.

Rotary diesel injection pumps have a central rotor that rotates to distribute fuel to each cylinder. As the rotor turns, it aligns with different outlets, allowing fuel to be delivered to the corresponding fuel injector for each cylinder. The rotary pump has variable injection timing, allowing for adjustments in fuel delivery timing based on engine speed and load conditions. This results in better combustion efficiency and engine performance.

Compared to other types of diesel injection systems, rotary pumps are relatively simple in design, making them robust and easy to maintain. They are also known for their compact and lightweight design, making them advantageous for smaller diesel engines or applications where space is limited.

shunfuel

Inline pump

Inline fuel pumps are used in diesel fuel systems, which are a critical component of any diesel engine. They are also known as auxiliary inline fuel pumps and are used in Push'N'Fuel systems and Freedom Fill Auxiliary systems.

These pumps are used in diesel engines, which are less commonly found in cars in the United States, where for every 100 cars sold, only one is a diesel engine. Diesel fuel systems have a common enemy in water, which can cause injection component seizure and metering component failure.

There are several types of diesel fuel pumps, including the common rail fuel injection pump, which is electronically controlled and consists of a supply pump, common rail, injectors, sensors, and a computer. The distributor (rotary) fuel injection pump is another type, which is also electronically controlled.

shunfuel

High-pressure common rail pump

Common rail fuel injection pumps are electronically controlled diesel fuel supply systems. They consist of a supply pump, a common rail, electronically controlled injectors, a variety of sensors to detect the engine's running condition, and a computer that controls all of these devices.

The engine drives the supply pump, which produces high-pressure fuel. The common rail then distributes the fuel to the injectors, which are mounted on each cylinder of the engine. The injectors spray the fuel into the cylinders at the desired pressure, which is controlled by the engine control unit (ECU). This high-pressure injection delivers power and fuel consumption benefits by injecting fuel as a larger number of smaller droplets, providing a higher ratio of surface area to volume. This results in improved vaporization and more efficient combining of atmospheric oxygen with vaporized fuel, leading to more complete combustion.

The pressure in the common rail is maintained by continuously delivering fuel to it, and this pressure is monitored by a pressure sensor. There are several approaches to controlling this pressure, such as supplying more fuel than needed and using a pressure control valve to spill the excess back to the fuel tank, or metering the fuel at the high-pressure pump to minimize the amount of fuel pressurized. The pressure control valve can be located externally or integrated into the pump, with the latter providing faster pressure control due to the proximity of the system input and output.

Common rail injection systems have been widely used in diesel engines and have evolved over time. Early implementations, such as those using Bosch CP1 pumps, exclusively used the excess fuel spill method, while modern systems may utilize a combination of both approaches depending on engine operating conditions. Third-generation common rail diesels feature piezoelectric injectors, allowing for increased precision and fuel pressures up to 2,500 bar.

Diesel Fuel: How Long Does It Last?

You may want to see also

shunfuel

Mechanical pumps

There are four primary systems for injecting fuel into modern high-speed diesel engines. Mechanical pumps are one such system, driven by the engine to supply fuel to the diesel injection system. They often feature a hand primer lever for bleeding air from the system.

There are several advantages to using mechanical pumps. They are relatively simple in design and robust, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, including off-road vehicles and industrial machines. They can handle a variety of fuel types and are known for their reliability and long service life.

However, there are also some disadvantages to mechanical pumps. They may not be suitable for all engine types, particularly those with high fuel pressure requirements, as they typically operate at lower pressures. Additionally, they may not offer the same level of precision in fuel delivery as other types of pumps, such as electronic pumps, which can be more accurately controlled by sensors and computers.

In recent years, common rail fuel injection pumps have gained popularity for on-road applications due to their ability to meet strict exhaust gas regulations. These electronically-controlled systems feature a supply pump, common rail, injectors, sensors, and a computer that controls the entire system. While these modern pumps offer improved emissions and control, mechanical pumps remain a reliable and straightforward option for many diesel engines.

Frequently asked questions

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment