Mercedes Mullins
A fuel line pump is a type of pump used to transfer fuel from a fuel tank to an engine. The type of pump used depends on the type of engine. For example, plunger-type pumps are used by diesel engines, while electric fuel pumps are used for fuel-injected petrol engines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Plunger-type, Injection, Port and Helix, Diaphragm, Plunger, Electric |
| Function | Transfers fuel from the fuel tank to the carburetor or engine |
| Use | Diesel engines, Fuel-injected petrol engines, Marine diesel engines, Direct-injection engines |
| Pressure | 10-15 psi (0.7-1.0 bar) for mechanical pumps, 30,000 psi (2,100 bar) for direct-injection engine pumps, 40-60 psi (3-4 bar) for in-tank pumps |
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What You'll Learn
- Types of fuel pumps: plunger-type, injection, port and helix, diaphragm, piston-type, and more
- How fuel pumps work: transferring fuel from the tank to the engine or carburettor?
- Fuel pump pressure: modern direct-injection engines operate at a much higher pressure than older engines
- Electric fuel pumps: these do not require mechanical power from the engine and can be located anywhere between the engine and the fuel tank
- Mechanical fuel pumps: used in engines that use a carburettor, such as older cars and lawnmowers
Types of fuel pumps: plunger-type, injection, port and helix, diaphragm, piston-type, and more
A fuel line pump is used to transfer fuel from the fuel tank to the engine.
There are several types of fuel pumps, including plunger-type, injection, port and helix, diaphragm, piston-type, and more. Plunger-type pumps are a type of positive-displacement pump used by diesel engines. They contain a chamber whose volume is increased and/or decreased by a moving plunger, along with check valves at the inlet and discharge ports. This type of pump is similar to a piston pump, but the high-pressure seal is stationary while the smooth cylindrical plunger slides through the seal. The plunger moves backward to suck in fuel, and the forward motion of the plunger delivers the fuel at very high pressure.
Injection pumps are fuel-lubricated, which prevents oil from contaminating the fuel. Port and Helix pumps are most commonly used in marine diesel engines because of their simplicity, reliability, and ability to be scaled up in proportion to the engine size. They are also used for combustion ignition engines and are similar to radial piston pumps, except they use a plunger without sealings.
Diaphragm pumps are another type of positive-displacement pump, which sucks the fuel by expanding and contracting motion of the diaphragm. The pump body consists of inlet and outlet check valves, which are one-way valves.
Piston-type pumps are similar to radial piston-type pumps, but instead of a piston, they have a machined plunger that has no seals. When the plunger is at top dead center, the injection to the cylinder is finished, and it is returned on its downward stroke by a compression spring.
Other types of fuel pumps include common rail injection systems and Bosch jerk pumps, which are commonly used in marine fuel injection systems.
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How fuel pumps work: transferring fuel from the tank to the engine or carburettor
A fuel line pump is used to transfer fuel from the fuel tank to the engine or carburettor. In fuel-injected petrol engines, an electric fuel pump is typically located inside the fuel tank. For older port injection and throttle-body injection systems, this "in-tank" fuel pump transports the fuel from the fuel tank to the engine, as well as pressurising the fuel to typically 40–60 psi (3–4 bar).
On engines that use a carburettor, a mechanical fuel pump is typically used to transfer fuel from the fuel tank to the carburettor. These fuel pumps operate at a relatively low fuel pressure of 10–15 psi (0.7–1.0 bar). The two most widely used types of mechanical pumps are diaphragm pumps and plunger pumps.
Plunger-type pumps are a type of positive-displacement pump used by diesel engines. These pumps contain a chamber whose volume is increased and/or decreased by a moving plunger, along with check valves at the inlet and discharge ports. It is similar to that of a piston pump, but the high-pressure seal is stationary while the smooth cylindrical plunger slides through the seal. The pump is similar to that of a radial piston-type pump, but instead of a piston, it has a machined plunger that has no seals. When the plunger is at top dead centre, the injection to the cylinder is finished and it is returned on its downward stroke by a compression spring.
Pumps for modern direct-injection engines operate at a much higher pressure, up to 30,000 psi (2,100 bar) and have configurations such as common rail radial piston, common rail two-piston radial, inline, port and helix, and metering unit. Port and Helix pumps are most commonly used in marine diesel engines because of their simplicity, reliability, and ability to be scaled up in proportion to the engine size.
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Fuel pump pressure: modern direct-injection engines operate at a much higher pressure than older engines
A fuel pump is a device used to transfer fuel from the fuel tank to the engine. There are different types of fuel pumps, including plunger pumps, diaphragm pumps, and injection pumps. Injection pumps are fuel-lubricated, which prevents oil from contaminating the fuel. Port and Helix pumps are commonly used in marine diesel engines due to their simplicity, reliability, and scalability.
Fuel pump pressure plays a crucial role in the performance of modern direct-injection engines. These engines operate at a much higher pressure than older engines, typically between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds per square inch (psi), although some systems may go even higher. In comparison, traditional port injection and throttle-body injection systems operate at 40-60 psi. This higher pressure in modern direct-injection engines enables more precise fuel measurement, resulting in improved fuel efficiency, increased power, and reduced emissions.
The high-pressure fuel pump in direct-injection systems elevates the fuel pressure significantly to meet the demands of direct injection. This pump, along with a high-pressure fuel rail and corresponding high-pressure relief valves, ensures that the fuel is delivered at the required pressure. The precise fuel metering and atomization achieved through direct injection contribute to better fuel efficiency and performance.
One of the key advantages of direct injection is the ability to inject fuel directly into the engine's combustion chamber at high pressure. This results in more complete combustion and cooler cylinder temperatures, enabling a higher compression ratio. The higher compression ratio, in turn, leads to greater efficiency and power. Additionally, the reduced surface temperatures in the combustion chamber lower the chances of premature ignition, further enhancing the engine's performance.
Direct injection technology has become increasingly popular due to its ability to maintain higher fuel efficiency. It optimises gasoline engines, allowing them to burn fuel more efficiently by utilising separate manifolds for air and gasoline. This optimisation results in an efficiency snowball effect, enabling carmakers to use smaller displacement engines.
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Electric fuel pumps: these do not require mechanical power from the engine and can be located anywhere between the engine and the fuel tank
In fuel-injected petrol engines, an electric fuel pump is typically located inside the fuel tank. For older port injection and throttle-body injection systems, this "in-tank" fuel pump transports the fuel from the fuel tank to the engine, as well as pressurising the fuel to typically 40–60 psi (3–4 bar). While for direct-injection systems, the in-tank fuel pump transports the fuel to the engine, where a separate fuel pump pressurises the fuel (to a much higher pressure).
Electric fuel pumps do not require mechanical power from the engine, so they can be located anywhere between the engine and the fuel tank. This is in contrast to mechanical fuel pumps, which are typically used in engines that use a carburettor (e.g. in older cars, lawnmowers and power tools). Mechanical fuel pumps operate at a relatively low fuel pressure of 10–15 psi (0.7–1.0 bar).
There are two main types of mechanical pumps: diaphragm pumps and plunger pumps. Plunger pumps are a type of positive-displacement pump used by diesel engines. They contain a chamber whose volume is increased and/or decreased by a moving plunger, along with check valves at the inlet and discharge ports. They are similar to piston pumps, but the high-pressure seal is stationary while the smooth cylindrical plunger slides through the seal.
Pumps for modern direct-injection engines operate at a much higher pressure, up to 30,000 psi (2,100 bar), and have configurations such as common rail radial piston, common rail two-piston radial, inline, port and helix, and metering unit. Port and Helix pumps are most commonly used in marine diesel engines because of their simplicity, reliability, and ability to be scaled up in proportion to the engine size.
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Mechanical fuel pumps: used in engines that use a carburettor, such as older cars and lawnmowers
Mechanical fuel pumps are used in engines that use a carburettor, such as older cars, lawnmowers and power tools. They are used to transfer fuel from the fuel tank into the carburettor. These pumps operate at a relatively low fuel pressure of 10-15 psi (0.7-1.0 bar).
The two most widely used types of mechanical pumps are diaphragm pumps and plunger pumps. Diaphragm pumps use a flexible diaphragm to create a vacuum and draw fuel into the pump, while plunger pumps use a reciprocating plunger to move fuel through the pump. Plunger pumps can be further divided into two types: piston pumps and radial piston pumps. Piston pumps use a piston to draw fuel into the pump, while radial piston pumps use a rotating cam to move the plunger.
Mechanical fuel pumps are simple and reliable, which makes them well-suited for use in small engines like lawnmowers and power tools. They are also typically less expensive than electric fuel pumps. However, they have some disadvantages. For example, they can be less efficient than electric fuel pumps and may not be able to deliver fuel at the higher pressures required by modern engines.
In contrast to mechanical fuel pumps, electric fuel pumps are typically used in fuel-injected petrol engines. These pumps are located inside the fuel tank and use an electric motor to transport the fuel to the engine. Electric fuel pumps can be located anywhere between the engine and the fuel tank, which gives engineers more flexibility in designing the layout of the engine compartment. They also have the advantage of being able to deliver fuel at higher pressures, which can improve engine performance and fuel efficiency.
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Frequently asked questions
A fuel line pump is a type of pump used to transfer fuel from the fuel tank to the engine.
There are two main types of fuel line pump: mechanical and electric. Mechanical pumps are used in engines that use a carburettor, such as older cars, lawnmowers and power tools. Electric pumps are typically used in fuel-injected petrol engines and are located inside the fuel tank.
Mechanical fuel line pumps operate at a relatively low fuel pressure of 10-15 psi (0.7-1.0 bar). Electric pumps for port injection and throttle-body injection systems pressurise fuel to 40-60 psi (3-4 bar), while those for direct-injection systems can pressurise fuel to up to 30,000 psi (2,100 bar).
