US3577776A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel pump testing method and apparatus
Assignee: Cummins Inc
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Filing: 1969-05-22
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Granted: 1971-05-04
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Expires: 1989-05-22
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for testing and calibrating a fuel pump of the type used in ''''common rail'''' fuel systems for diesel engines. The fuel pump remains mounted on and driven by the engine. The method involves disconnecting the pump from the injectors, or other fuel delivery means of the engine, and connecting the pump to flow measuring apparatus. The pump remains mounted on and driven by the engine, and the engine in turn receives fuel for its operation from a second fuel pump. An important requirement of the test apparatus is that the pump to be tested must be driven at various controlled speeds. This is accomplished by means for controlling the pressure output of the second fuel pump.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J Brown Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for testing a flow output characteristic of a fuel pump for a controlled pump operating speed, said fuel pump being driven by an engine that is powered by a combustion means and has a common rail-type fuel delivery means for introducing fuel into said combustion means, said apparatus comprising a fuel line connected to the output of said fuel pump, means connected to said fuel line for testing a flow characteristic of the fuel flowing from said fuel pump, a pressurized fuel supply means connected to said fuel delivery means of said engine, and a fuel control means connected to said pressurized fuel supply means for controlling the pressure of the fuel flowing from said pressurized fuel supply means to said fuel delivery means of said engine, so as to operate said engine at a controlled speed and thereby operate said fuel pump driven by said engine at said controlled pump operating speed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for testing a flow output characteristic of a fuel pump for a controlled pump operating speed, said fuel pump being driven by an engine that is powered by a combustion means and has a common rail-type fuel delivery means for introducing fuel into said combustion means, said apparatus comprising a fuel line connected to the output of said fuel pump, means connected to said fuel line for testing a flow characteristic of the fuel flowing from said fuel pump, a pressurized fuel supply means connected to said fuel delivery means of said engine, and a fuel control means connected to said pressurized fuel supply means for controlling the pressure of the fuel flowing from said pressurized fuel supply means to said fuel delivery means of said engine, so as to operate said engine at a controlled speed and thereby operate said fuel pump driven by said engine at said controlled pump operating speed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus of claim 1 in which said pressurized fuel supply means includes a seconD pump, means for driving said second pump, and a second fuel line connected at one end to the output of said second pump and connectable at its other end to said fuel delivery means of said engine, said fuel control means including a valve in said second fuel line for varying and controlling the fuel pressure in said second fuel line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus of claim 2 in which said means for driving said second pump includes an electric motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus of claim 3, including a second valve in said second fuel line, and means responsive to the speed of said engine for closing said second valve to shut off the fuel flowing from said second pump to said fuel delivery means when said engine reaches a set maximum allowable speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus of claim 1 in which said pressurized fuel supply means includes a second pump, an electric motor for driving said second pump, and a second fuel line connected to the output of said second fuel pump and connected at its other end to said fuel delivery means of said engine, said fuel control means including means for varying the speed of said electric motor.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of testing a fuel pump that is driven by an engine, said method comprising the steps of connecting the output of said fuel pump to a means for measuring a flow output characteristic of said fuel pump, connecting a source of pressurized fuel to the means on said engine that supplies fuel to the combustion means for powering the engine, setting the pressure of the fuel delivered to said fuel supply means on said engine, so as to operate said engine and driven fuel pump at a desired speed for testing said flow output characteristic.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of testing a fuel pump that is driven by an engine, said method comprising the steps of connecting the output of said fuel pump to a means for measuring a flow output characteristic of said fuel pump, connecting a source of pressurized fuel to the means on said engine that supplies fuel to the combustion means for powering the engine, setting the pressure of the fuel delivered to said fuel supply means on said engine, so as to operate said engine and driven fuel pump at a desired speed for testing said flow output characteristic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 6 including the step of setting various pressures the fuel delivered to said fuel supply means on said engine, so as to operate said engine and driven fuel pump at various desired speeds for testing said flow output characteristic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3374667A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-03 | 1974-11-02 | 1975-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-03 | 1978-11-02 | 1979-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-03 | 1982-11-02 | 1983-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |