FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10 and rule 13]
TITLE: “A FLUID PRESSURE REGULATOR FOR A FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE”
NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE APPLICANT:
TATA MOTORS PASSENGER VEHICLES LIMITED, Floor 3, 4, Plot-18, Nanavati Mahalaya, Mudhana Shetty Marg, BSE, Fort, Mumbai City, Maharashtra, 400001.
Nationality: INDIAN
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
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TECHNICAL FIELD:
Present disclosure generally relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a fuel pressure regulator and a fuel delivery system for delivering a fuel at a constant pressure to an engine of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE: 5
Automobiles include an engine to generate required power to propel a vehicle through a combustion of fuel within the engine. The fuel is stored in a fuel tank and is delivered to the engine via a fuel delivery system. Conventionally, the fuel delivery system is disposed in the fuel tank and comprises a housing with an inlet and an outlet. A fuel pump is disposed in the housing to 10 pump the fuel from the fuel tank and to the engine. A fuel pressure regulator is fluidly connected to the pump to receive the fuel and pressurize the fuel at a predetermined pressure before supplying it to the engine. The fuel pressure regulator comprises a diaphragm which is supported by a spring to supply the fuel through the outlet of the system at the predetermined pressure. The fuel flows to an injector of the engine through the outlet for required combustion. 15
However, the operation of the fuel pressure regulator may hamper due to a certain driving conditions in which the fuel consumption is varied based on numerous conditions such as when the vehicle is in idle position and vehicle is running at higher speeds. Further, due to the variable nature of the voltage supplied to the pump, the operation speed would also change which results 20 in varied flow rate across the fuel pressure regulator. Consequently, a pressure pulsations may develop over time within the pressure regulator which in turn exceeds nominal pressure limits at the engine rail or at the injector. Due to this pressure pulsations, a driver of the vehicle may feel sudden jerk which may be inconvenient and not desirable.
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The present disclosure is intended to overcome one or more above stated limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE:
One or more shortcomings of conventional fuel pressure regulators are overcome, and 30 additional advantages are provided through a fluid pressure regulator and a method of operating the same of the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the
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construction and arrangement of the components of the fluid pressure regulator. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid pressure regulator for a fluid 5 delivery system of a vehicle is disclosed. The fluid pressure regulator comprises a housing and a top cover removably connected to a top portion of the housing. The top cover is defined with at least one inlet fluidly connectable with a pump positioned within a reservoir of the fluid delivery system. The at least one inlet is configured to receive and supply a fluid from the pump at a first predefined pressure into the housing. At least one conduit extends away from the top 10 cover and is adapted to discharge the fluid from the housing at a second predefined pressure. A diaphragm is movably disposed within the housing along an axis and is configured to move between a first position and a second position to discharge the fluid from the housing through the at least one conduit. At least one first resilient member is centrally disposed within the housing and connected to the diaphragm and, wherein the at least one first resilient member is 15 configured to bias the diaphragm in the first position and the second position. At least one second resilient member is disposed within the at least one first resilient member and is configured to restrict movement of the diaphragm at the second position to continuously discharge the fluid at the second predefined pressure.
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In an embodiment, the housing is defined with at least one orifice at one end proximate to the at least one second resilient member, and the at least one orifice is configured to discharge an excess fluid from the housing.
In an embodiment, the housing is defined with a seat portion to support the at least one first 25 resilient member and the at least one second resilient member.
In an embodiment, the at least one second resilient member is defined with higher stiffness in comparison to the stiffness of the at least one first resilient member.
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In an embodiment, the diaphragm is free from contact with the at least one second resilient member in the first position up to a predefined time interval based on an operational speed of the pump.
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In an embodiment, the diaphragm is in contact with the at least one second resilient member in the second position when the predefined time interval is lapsed.
In an embodiment, the first predefined pressure of the fluid from the at least one inlet is variable, 5 and the second predefined pressure of the fluid dispensed from the at least one conduit is constant.
In an embodiment, the at least one first resilient member and the at least one second resilient member are disposed at an offset to the axis of the housing.
Present disclosure also discloses a fluid delivery system for a fuel tank of a vehicle. The fluid 10 delivery system comprises of a cover plate defined with a vapor port and an outlet port. A reservoir connected to the cover plate and defined with an inlet port. The reservoir is configured to receive the fluid stored in the fuel tank. A pump is disposed within the reservoir and is defined with a first outlet to discharge the fluid from the fuel tank at a first predefined pressure. A fluid pressure regulator is fluidly connected with the first outlet of the pump and the outlet port of the cover plate 15 (401). The fluid pressure regulator comprises a housing and a top cover removably connected to the housing. The top cover is defined with at least one inlet fluidly connected with the pump to receive and supply a fluid at a first predefined pressure into the housing. At least one conduit extends away from the top cover and is adapted to discharge the fluid from the housing to the engine at a second predefined pressure. A diaphragm is movably disposed within the housing along 20 an axis. The diaphragm is configured to move between a first position and a second position to discharge the fluid from the housing through the at least one conduit. At least one first resilient member is centrally disposed within the housing and connected to the diaphragm. The at least one first resilient member is configured to bias the diaphragm in the first position and the second position. At least one second resilient member disposed within the at least one first resilient 25 member and is configured to restrict the movement of the diaphragm at the second position to continuously discharge the fluid at the second predefined pressure through the outlet port of the cover plate (401).
In one non-limiting embodiment, a fluid pressure regulator for a fluid delivery system of a 30 vehicle is disclosed. The fluid pressure regulator comprises a housing and a top cover removably
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connected to a top portion of the housing. The top cover is defined with at least one inlet fluidly connectable with a pump positioned within the fluid delivery system. The at least one inlet is configured to receive and supply a fluid from the pump at a first predefined pressure into the housing. At least one conduit extends away from the top cover and is adapted to discharge the fluid from the housing at a second predefined pressure. A diaphragm is movably disposed within 5 the housing along an axis and is configured to move between a first position and a second position to discharge the fluid from the housing through the at least one conduit. At least one first resilient member is centrally disposed within the housing and connected to the diaphragm and, wherein the at least one first resilient member is configured to bias the diaphragm in the first position and the second position. At least one actuator is connected to the diaphragm and 10 is configured to restrict the movement of the diaphragm at the second position to continuously discharge the fluid at the second predefined pressure.
In an embodiment, the fluid pressure regulator further comprises a control unit communicatively coupled with the at least one actuator and the pump. The control unit is 15 configured to receive one or more first signals corresponding to an operational speed of a pump disposed within the fluid delivery system, engine fuel consumption and voltage input to the pump. The control unit actuates the at least one actuator to restrict movement of a diaphragm of the fluid pressure regulator in a second position to supply a fluid to an engine of the vehicle at a second predefined pressure and flow rate and leaks the excess flow through the at least one 20 orifice based on the one or more signals. The control unit receives one or more second signals corresponding to a change in operational speed of the pump, engine fuel consumption and voltage input to the pump. The control unit actuates the at least one actuator to displace the diaphragm between the first position and the second position to maintain the fluid at a second predefined pressure and flow rate for supplying to the engine. 25
In an embodiment, the at least one actuator is at least one of a solenoid actuator, a linear actuator, and a non-linear actuator.
Present disclosure also discloses a method of operating a fluid pressure regulator disposed within 30 a fluid delivery system of a vehicle. The method comprises the steps of initially receiving, by a control unit, one or more first signals corresponding to an operational speed of a pump disposed
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within a reservoir, engine fuel consumption and voltage input to the fuel pump of the fluid delivery system. The control unit is communicatively coupled to the pump. Then actuating, by the control unit, at least one actuator to restrict movement of a diaphragm of the fluid pressure regulator in a second position to supply a fluid to an engine of the vehicle at a second predefined pressure and flow rate by leaking excess flow through the at least one orifice. The at least one actuator is 5 disposed within the fluid pressure regulator below the diaphragm. Later, receiving, by the control unit, one or more second signals corresponding to a change in an operational speed of the pump (204), engine fuel consumption and voltage input to the pump. Lastly, the control unit actuates the at least one actuator to displace the diaphragm between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) to maintain the fluid at a second predefined pressure (P2) and flow rate for supplying 10 to the engine (600).
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following description. 15
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and 20 advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
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Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fluid pressure regulator for a fluid delivery system of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2a illustrates a front sectional view of a fluid delivery system with the fluid pressure regulator of Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 30
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Fig. 2b is a schematic view of the fluid delivery system disposed within a fuel tank of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 3a illustrates a sectional view of the fluid pressure regulator of Fig. 1 in a first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 5
Fig. 3b illustrates a sectional view of the fluid pressure regulator of Fig. 1 in a second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present 10 disclosure.
Fig. 5 illustrates a top view of the fluid delivery system arranged in the vehicle depicting various components for delivery of fluid to an engine rail of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 15
Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic view of the components of the fluid pressure regulator coupled with a control unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 7 is a flow diagram depicting a method of operation of the fluid pressure regulator, in 20 accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the 25 principles of the disclosure described herein.
DEATAILED DESCRIPTION:
While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative 30 forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
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It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and modify a fuel pressure regulator of any fuel delivery system for the purpose of reducing pulsations at an engine rail of a vehicle. However, such modification should be construed within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details 5 that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the present 10 disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, or a method, which comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such assembly and the method. In other words, one or more elements in the device and the method preceded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements 15 in the assembly and the method.
In the following description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the present disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments 20 are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that, changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
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Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a fluid pressure regulator for a fluid delivery system of a vehicle. Conventionally, the fuel/fluid delivery system is disposed in the fuel tank and comprises a housing with an inlet and an outlet. A fuel pump is disposed in the housing to pump the fuel from the fuel tank and to the engine. A fuel pressure regulator is fluidly connected to the pump to receive the fuel and pressurize the fuel at a predetermined pressure before supplying it to 30 the engine. The fuel pressure regulator comprises a diaphragm which is supported by a spring to supply the fuel through the outlet of the system at the predetermined pressure. The fuel flows to
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an injector of the engine through the outlet for required combustion. However, the operation of the fuel pressure regulator may hamper due to a certain driving conditions in which the fuel consumption is varied based on numerous conditions such as when the vehicle is in idle position and vehicle is running at higher speeds. Further, due to the variable nature of the voltage supplied to the pump, the operation speed would also change which results in varied flow rate across the 5 fuel pressure regulator. Consequently, a pressure pulsations may develop over time within the pressure regulator which in turn exceeds nominal pressure limits at the engine rail or at the injector. Due to this pressure pulsations, a driver of the vehicle may feel sudden jerk which may be inconvenient and not desirable.
10
In view of the above, a fluid pressure regulator for a fluid delivery system of a vehicle is disclosed. The fluid pressure regulator comprises a housing and a top cover removably connected to a top portion of the housing. The top cover is defined with at least one inlet fluidly connectable with a pump positioned within a reservoir of the fluid delivery system. The at least one inlet is configured to receive and supply a fluid from the pump at a first predefined pressure 15 into the housing. At least one conduit extends away from the top cover and is adapted to discharge the fluid from the housing at a second predefined pressure. A diaphragm is movably disposed within the housing along an axis and is configured to move between a first position and a second position to discharge the fluid from the housing through the at least one conduit. At least one first resilient member is centrally disposed within the housing and connected to the 20 diaphragm and, wherein the at least one first resilient member is configured to bias the diaphragm in the first position and the second position. At least one second resilient member is disposed within the at least one first resilient member and is configured to restrict movement of the diaphragm at the second position to continuously discharge the fluid at the second predefined pressure. This configuration of the at least one second resilient member enables to 25 deliver the fuel from the fluid pressure regulator to the engine at a constant pressure, irrespective of the driving conditions and variation in voltage supply to the pump. Advantageously, this eliminates the pulsations at the fluid pressure regulator and maintains the required rail pressure at the engine rail such that the ride comfort of the vehicle is achieved. Further, the fluid pressure regulator is simple in construction and includes less number of components. This reduces cost 30 of manufacturing and maintenance of the fluid delivery system.
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Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in conjunction with Fig. 5, a fluid pressure regulator (100) and a fluid delivery system (400) for a fuel tank (200) of a vehicle (300) [hereinafter referred to as “the system (400)” is illustrated. The system (400) is disposed within the fuel tank (200) which may be mounted on a rear floor of the vehicle (300) to store the fluid. However, this cannot be construed 5 as a limitation and the fuel tank (200) may be mounted at any appropriate position of the vehicle (300). The system (400) comprises a cover plate (401) defined with a vapor port (403) and an outlet port (203). The cover plate (401) is fastened to a top portion of the fuel tank (200) by suitable fastening means. In an embodiment, the cover plate (401) is cylindrical in shape, however this cannot be construed as a limitation and the cover plate (401) may be configured in any polygonal 10 shape based on the requirement. The vapor port (403) is configured to discharge vapor from the fuel tank (200). The outlet port (203) is configured to discharge fluid from the fuel tank (200) to an engine (600) of the vehicle (300). A reservoir (201) is connected to the cover plate (401) through at least one pair of rods (405) by suitable fastening means such as but not limited to bolting, screwing etc. The at least one pair of rods (405) support the reservoir (201) in the fuel tank (200). 15 The reservoir (201) is defined with an inlet port (202) to receive the fluid stored in the fuel tank (200). In an embodiment, the inlet port (202) may be positioned at a bottom portion of the reservoir (201), and this cannot be construed as a limitation. The system (400) is fluidly connected to the engine (600) of the vehicle (300) through hoses and/or pipes. A pump (204) is disposed within a reservoir (201) provided in the system (400). The pump (204) is defined with a pump inlet (205) 20 to receive fluid from the reservoir (201) and a first outlet (206) to discharge the fluid from the fuel tank (200) at a first predefined pressure (P1). In an embodiment, the first predefined pressure (P1) depends on an operational speed or a voltage input of the pump (204) which may vary based on distinct types of engines and vehicles. In an embodiment, the pump (204) is defined with an auxiliary outlet (207) to dispense a predetermined volume of fluid back into the reservoir (201). A 25 suction jet pump (208) provided proximate to a bottom portion of the pump (204) and is fluidly connected with the auxiliary outlet (207). The suction jet pump (208) comprises a nozzle (209) to receive the fluid from the auxiliary outlet (207) to discharge the same in a form of jet. The suction jet pump (208) creates a low pressure at the inlet port (202) thereby allowing the fluid from the fuel tank (200) to reservoir (201) & mixing the fluid in the reservoir (201). The suction jet pump 30 (208) continuously discharges the fluid out of the reservoir (201) to ensure the reservoir (201) is
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full. In an embodiment, the first predefined pressure (P1) may be dependent on hydraulics of the system (400) such as but not limited to a diameter of the reservoir (201), diameter of the at least one orifice (120) and capacity of the fuel tank (200) etc. A fluid pressure regulator (100) is disposed within the reservoir (201) and is fluidly connected with the first outlet (206) of the pump (204). The fluid pressure regulator (100) receives the fluid from the first outlet (206) of the pump (204) 5 at the first predefined pressure (P1). The fluid pressure regulator (100) is also fluidly connected to the outlet port (203) and the reservoir (201). In an embodiment, the outlet port (203) of the cover plate (401) may be integrated with the outlet of the fuel tank (200) to discharge the fluid from the fuel tank (200) at the second predefined pressure (P2)
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Referring to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the fluid pressure regulator (100) comprises a housing (102) to accommodate all the components of the fluid pressure regulator (100). In an embodiment, the housing (102) may be designed in a cylindrical shape and however this cannot be construed as a limitation and the housing (102) may of a square, rectangular or any polygonal shape. The housing (102) is open at a top portion (TP) and is closed at a bottom portion (BP) opposite to the top portion 15 (TP). A top cover (104) is removably connected to the top portion (TP) of the housing (102). A seat portion (122) is defined on the bottom portion (BP) of the housing (102). In an embodiment, the seat portion (122) may be structured in a stepped configuration. Further, the housing (102) is defined with at least one orifice (120) to dispense excess fluid from the housing (102). In an embodiment, the at least one orifice (120) may be defined at a substantially central portion of the 20 housing (102). The top cover (104) is defined with a body (104a) and a fastening portion (104b) extending downwardly from the body (104a). In an embodiment, the fastening portion (104b) may be a threaded portion defined with external threads to secure the top cover (104) to the top portion (TP) of the housing (102). In an embodiment, the top cover (104) may be snugly fitted to the housing (102) or bolted to the housing (102) through a plurality of fasteners (not shown in Figs.). 25 At least one inlet (106) is defined on the body (104a) and the at least one inlet (106) is fluidly connectable with a pump (204) positioned within the fuel tank (200). The at least one inlet (106) is configured to receive and supply a fluid from the pump (204) at a first predefined pressure (P1) into the housing (102). In an embodiment, the first predefined pressure (P1) is variable in nature and depends on a voltage input to the pump (204). At least one conduit (108) is defined on the top 30 cover (104) and the at least one conduit (108) extends away from the top cover (104). In an
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embodiment, the at least one conduit (108) extends perpendicular to the top cover (104). The at least one conduit (108) is fluidly connected with the outlet port (203) of the fuel tank (200). The at least one conduit (108) is adapted to discharge the fluid from the housing (102) at a second predefined pressure (P2). In an embodiment, the at least one conduit (108) is designed in a cylindrical shape, but this cannot be construed as a limitation. A diaphragm (110) is movably 5 disposed within the housing (102) along an axis (A-A) defined in a lengthwise direction of the housing (102). The diaphragm (110) is defined with a diameter that coincides with an internal diameter of the housing (102). In an embodiment, the diaphragm (110) is configured to move between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP) to discharge the fluid from the housing (102) through the at least one conduit (108). The movement of the diaphragm (110) from the first 10 position (FP) to the second position (SP) pressurizes (increases the pressure of) the fluid and same is discharged through the at least one conduit (108). In contrast, the movement of the diaphragm (110) from the second position (SP) to the first position (FP) de-pressurizes the fluid while discharging the fluid through the at least one conduit (108). At least one first resilient member (112) is centrally disposed within the housing (102) and connected to the diaphragm (110) at one 15 end. Another end of the at least one first resilient member (112) is connected to the seat portion (122). In an embodiment, the at least one first resilient member (112) is disposed at an offset to the axis (A-A) of the housing (102). The at least one first resilient member (112) is configured to bias the diaphragm (110) in the first position (FP) and the second position (SP). In an embodiment, the at least one first resilient member (112) may be a spring or an elastic member having a 20 predefined stiffness. Further, at least one second resilient member (114) is disposed within the at -least one first resilient member (112). The at least one second resilient member (114) is in contact with the seat portion (122) and defined with higher stiffness in comparison with the predefined stiffness of the at least one first resilient member (112). The at least one second resilient member (114) is configured to restrict movement of the diaphragm (110) at the second position (SP) to 25 continuously discharge the fluid at a second predefined pressure (P2). The fluid is discharged from the housing (102) to an engine rail (601) of the engine (600) through the at least one conduit (108). The restriction on movement of the diaphragm (110) aids in supplying the fluid at the second predefined pressure (P2) which is constant in nature as excess fluid flow is directed towards the at least one orifice (120), irrespective of a variation in the voltage input to the pump (204) and the 30 fuel consumption of the engine (600).
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In an embodiment, the diaphragm (110) is free from contact with the at least one second resilient member (114) in the first position (FP) up to a predefined time interval based on an operational speed of the pump (204). The diaphragm (110) is in contact with the at least one second resilient member (114) in the second position (SP), when the predefined time interval is lapsed. In an 5 embodiment, the predefined time interval may depend on the operation speed of the pump (204) and the engine load conditions.
In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure also discloses a fluid pressure regulator (100) which may be electronically operable to dispense the fluid at the second predefined pressure (P2) 10 from the housing (102) to the fuel tank (200). The fluid pressure regulator (100) comprises the housing (102) and the top cover (104) removably connected to the housing (102). The top cover (104) is defined with at least one inlet (106) fluidly connectable with the pump (204). At least one conduit (108) extends away from the top cover (104) and is configured to discharge the fluid from the housing (102) at the second predefined pressure (P1). The diaphragm (110) is movably 15 disposed within the housing (102) along an axis (A-A). The diaphragm (110) is configured to move between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) to discharge the fluid from the housing (102) through the at least one conduit (108). Further, at least one actuator (130) is connected to the diaphragm (110) as well as the at least one orifice (120) (as shown in Fig. 4). The at least one actuator (130) is configured to selectively actuate the diaphragm (110) to continuously discharge 20 the fluid from the housing (102) to the engine rail (601) through the at least one conduit (108) at the second predefined pressure (P2) and flow rate and leaks the excess flow through the at least one orifice (120). In an embodiment, the at least one actuator (130) may be a solenoid actuator and/or a linear actuator. In an embodiment, the fluid pressure regulator (100) comprises a control unit (140) communicatively coupled to the at least one actuator (130) and the pump (204). The 25 control unit (140) may be calibrated with a data pertaining to various operational speeds of the pump (204) at the corresponding voltage inputs to the pump (204), engine fuel consumption. The control unit (140) is configured to receive one or more first signals (142, 144, 146) corresponding to an operational speed of a pump (204), engine fuel consumption, voltage input to pump (204). In an embodiment, the control unit (140) determines the first predefined pressure (P1) of the fluid 30 at the at least one inlet (106) of the housing (102). The control unit (140) is also configured to actuate the at least one actuator (130) to displace the diaphragm (110) from the first position (FP)
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to the second position (SP) to dispense the fluid from the at least one conduit (108) at the second predefined pressure (P2) and flow rate and leaks the excess flow through the at least one orifice (120). The at least one actuator (130) is configured to restrict the movement of the diaphragm (110) in an event of change in an operational speed of the pump (204), engine fuel consumption and a voltage input to the pump (204). In other words, if any one of the operational speed of pump 5 (204), engine fuel consumption and a voltage input to the pump (204) is varied, the control unit (140) determines this condition and operates the at least one actuator (130) to displace the diaphragm (110) at an appropriate position between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) to and excess flow leaks through the at least one orifice (120), such that the pressure of the fluid is maintained at the second predefined pressure (P2) for discharging through the at least one 10 conduit (108). In an embodiment, the diaphragm (110) may be positioned proximate to the second position (SP) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) to maintain the fluid at the second predetermined pressure (P2).
As an example, Similarly, if the operational speed of the pump (204) increases, engine fuel 15 consumption decreases and a voltage input to the pump (204) increases, which increases output pressure of the fluid discharging from the at least one conduit (108). In this condition, the control unit (140) operates the at least one actuator (130) to position the diaphragm (110) between the second position (SP) and the first position (FP) and discharge excess fluid from the at least one orifice (120) i.e. control orifice leak rate, such that the pressure of the fluid is decreased and 20 maintained to attain the second predefined pressure (P2) for discharging the fluid through the at least one conduit (108).
In another example, if the operational speed of pump (204) decreases, the engine fuel consumption increases and a voltage input to the pump (204) decreases, consequently the outlet pressure of the 25 fluid discharging from the at least one conduit will decrease. In this condition, the control unit (140) operates the at least one actuator (130) to displace the diaphragm (110) to an appropriate position between first position (FP) to the second position (SP) and excess flow leaks through the at least one orifice (120), such that the pressure of the fluid is increased & maintained to attain the second predefined pressure (P2) for discharging through the at least one conduit (108). 30
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In an embodiment, the control unit (140) may comprise a processor (not shown in Figs.) and a memory unit (not shown in Figs.) is communicatively coupled to the processor. The processors can be implemen1ted as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. The memory unit stores processor-5 executable instructions, which, on execution, causes the processor to receive one or more command signals associated with the operational parameters of the pump such as speed and voltage input, and engine fuel consumption etc. The processor is then configured to actuate the at least one actuator (130) to control the displacement of the diaphragm (110) to discharge the fluid at the second predefined pressure (P2) and flow to the engine rail (601) of the engine (600) through 10 the at least one conduit (108) by leaking the excess flow through the at least one orifice (120).
Referring to Fig. 5, a top view of the system (400) arranged in the vehicle (300) depicting various components for delivery of fluid to an engine rail (601) of the vehicle (300) is illustrated. The system (400) accommodating the fluid pressure regulator (100) is disposed in the fuel tank (200) 15 and the outlet port (203) of the cover plate (401) of the fluid delivery system (400) is fluidly connected with the engine rail (601) through a feed line/feed path (602). In an embodiment, a vapor port (403) of the cover plate (401) which is integrated to an outlet of the fuel tank (200) is connected to a vapor chamber (603) to remove vapor from the fuel tank (200). A fuel supply line (604) is connected to the fuel tank (200) at an appropriate position to fill the fluid into the fuel tank 20 (200).
Referring to Fig. 6, a method (500) of operation of the fluid delivery system (400) having the fluid pressure regulator (100) of yet another embodiment of the present disclosure is now explained. The method comprises the steps of initially receiving one or more first signals (142, 144, 146) by 25 the control unit (140) at step 501. The control unit (140) is communicatively coupled to the pump (204) and the at least one actuator (130) to continuously monitor a change in speed of the pump (204), engine fuel consumption, voltage input to the pump (204) and activate the at least one actuator (130) accordingly. The one or more first signals (142) correspond to an operational speed of the pump (204), engine fuel consumption and voltage input to the pump (204) disposed within 30 the reservoir (201). At step 502, the control unit (140) activates the at least one actuator (130) disposed within the fluid pressure regulator (100) to restrict movement of the diaphragm (110) in
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a second position (SP) to supply the fluid to an engine (600) of the vehicle (300) at a second predefined pressure (P2). In an embodiment, the diaphragm (110) may be positioned at an appropriate position between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) to maintain the fluid at a second predefined pressure (P2) and flow to the engine rail (601) of the engine (600) through the at least one conduit (108) by leaking the excess flow through the at least one orifice 5 (120). Later, at step 503, the control unit (140) receives one or more second signals corresponding to the operational speed of the pump, engine fuel consumption and the voltage input to the pump (204). In an embodiment, the voltage input may be derived by the control unit (140) based on the speed of the pump (204). Lastly, at step 504, the control unit (140) activates the at least one actuator (130) to displace the diaphragm (110) of the fluid pressure regulator (100) between the first 10 position (FP) and the second position (SP) to maintain the fluid at the second predetermined pressure (P2) at the at least one conduit (108). The fluid is supplied to the engine rail (601) of the engine (600) at a second predefined pressure (P2) through the outlet port (203) of the cover plate (401). In other words, the control unit (140) is configured to position the diaphragm (110) at an appropriate position between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) in real-time to 15 discharge the fluid from the housing (102) to the engine (600) at the second predefined pressure (P2) based on the one or more first and second signals. The excess flow of the fluid leaks through the at least one orifice (120) during the displacement of the diaphragm (110).
In yet another embodiment, the fluid pressure regulator may include a single resilient member (not 20 shown in Figs.) disposed in the housing (102). The single resilient member is defined with a first portion (not shown in Figs.) and a second portion (not shown in Figs.) defined along a length of the single resilient member. Each of the first portion and the second portion is defined with a varying diameter to provide variable stiffness throughout the length of the single resilient member. The second portion of the single resilient member is configured to restrict the movement of the 25 diaphragm (110) in the second position (SP) to maintain the fluid at a second predetermined pressure (P2) at the at least one conduit (108) of the fluid pressure regulator (100) and the excess fluid is leaked from the at least one orifice (120).
In an embodiment, the control unit (140) may be an onboard vehicle electronic control unit 30 (VECU).
17
In an embodiment, the fluid may be at least one of a liquid fuel or a gaseous fuel used for the combustion.
In an embodiment, the first predefined pressure (P1) depends on the operational speed of the pump (204). In an embodiment, the second predefined pressure (P2) depends on the type of engine (600) 5 of the vehicle (300).
In an embodiment, an adjusting mechanism (not shown in Figs.) may be provided in contact with the seat portion (122) to adjust a position of the diaphragm (110) within the housing (102) to vary the pressure of fluid exiting through the at least one conduit (108). The adjusting mechanism may 10 be a simple screw which when rotated will change the position of the diaphragm (110) along the axis (A-A).
The fluid pressure regulator (100) of the present disclosure is simple in construction and is retrofittable to any type of fuel delivery systems of the vehicle (300) based on the requirement. 15
The fluid delivery system (400) of the present disclosure eliminates the pressure pulsations at the fluid pressure regulator (100) by maintaining the discharge pressure of the fluid constant. This eliminates jerks experienced by the drivers and provides ride comfort. The fuel economy of the vehicle (300) also increases. 20
The fluid pressure regulator (100) of the present disclosure includes a lesser number of components. This reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs of the fluid delivery system (400).
25
EQUIVALENTS
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may 30 be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
18
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.
Reference numerals: 5
Part
Numeral
Fluid pressure regulator
100
Fuel tank
200
Vehicle
300
Fluid delivery system
400
Cover plate
401
Vapor port
403
Pair of rods
405
Method
500
Engine
600
Engine rail
601
Feed line
602
Vapor chamber
603
Fuel supply line
604
Housing
102
Top cover
104
Body
104a
Fastening portion
104b
At least one inlet
106
At least one conduit
108
Diaphragm
110
At least one first resilient member
112
At least one second resilient member
114
19
At least one orifice
120
Seat portion
122
At least one actuator
130
Control unit
140
One or more first signals
142, 144, 146
Reservoir
201
Inlet port
202
Outlet port
203
Pump
204
Pump inlet
205
First outlet
206
Auxiliary outlet
207
Suction jet pump
208
Nozzle
209
We Claim:
1. A fluid pressure regulator (100) for a fluid delivery system (400) of a vehicle (300), the
fluid pressure regulator (100) comprising:
a housing (102);
a top cover (104) removably connected to a top portion of the housing (102) and defined with at least one inlet (106) fluidly connectable with a pump (204) positioned within a reservoir (201) of the fluid delivery system (400), wherein the at least one inlet (106) is configured to receive and supply a fluid from the pump (204) at a first predefined pressure (P1) into the housing (102);
at least one conduit (108) extending away from the top cover (104), wherein the at least one conduit (108) is adapted to discharge the fluid from the housing (102) at a second predefined pressure (P2);
a diaphragm (110) movably disposed within the housing (102) along an axis (A-A), wherein the diaphragm (110) is configured to move between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP) to discharge the fluid from the housing through the at least one conduit (108);
at least one first resilient member (112) centrally disposed within the housing (102) and connected to the diaphragm (110) and, wherein the at least one first resilient member (112) is configured to bias the diaphragm (110) in the first position and the second position; and
at least one second resilient member (114) disposed within the at least one first resilient member (112), wherein the at least one second resilient member (114) is configured to restrict movement of the diaphragm (110) at the second position (SP) to continuously discharge the fluid at the second predefined pressure (P2).
2. The fluid pressure regulator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (102) is
defined with at least one orifice (120) at one end proximate to the at least one second
resilient member (114), and the at least one orifice (120) is configured to discharge an
excess fluid from the housing (102).

3. The fluid pressure regulator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (102) is defined with a seat portion (122) to support the at least one first resilient member (112) and the at least one second resilient member (114).
4. The fluid pressure regulator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one second resilient member (114) is defined with higher stiffness in comparison to the stiffness of the at least one first resilient member (112).
5. The fluid pressure regulator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the first position (FP), the diaphragm (110) is free from contact with the at least one second resilient member (114) up to a predefined time interval based on an operational speed of the pump (204).
6. The fluid pressure regulator (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein in the second position (SP), the diaphragm (110) is in contact with the at least one second resilient member (114) when the predefined time interval is lapsed.
7. The fluid pressure regulator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first predefined pressure of the fluid from the at least one inlet (106) is variable, and the second predefined pressure of the fluid dispensed from the at least one conduit (108) is constant.
8. The fluid pressure regulator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one first resilient member (112) and the at least one second resilient member (114) are disposed at an offset to the axis (A-A) of the housing (102).
9. A fuel delivery system (400) for a fuel tank (200) of a vehicle (300), the fuel delivery system (400) comprising:
a cover plate (401) defined with a vapor port (403) and an outlet port (203);
a reservoir (201) connected to the cover plate (401) and defined with an inlet port (202), the reservoir (201) is configured to receive the fluid stored in the fuel tank (200) of the vehicle (300);
a pump (204) disposed within the reservoir (201), the pump (204) is defined with a first outlet (206) to discharge the fluid from the fuel tank (200) at a first predefined pressure (P1);

a fluid pressure regulator (100) fluidly connected with the first outlet (206) of the pump (204) and the outlet port (203) of the cover plate (401), the fluid pressure regulator (100) comprises:
a housing (102);
a top cover (104) removably connected to the housing (102), the top cover (104) is defined with at least one inlet (106) fluidly connected with the pump (204) to receive and supply a fluid at a first predefined pressure (P1) into the housing (102);
at least one conduit (108) extending away from the top cover (104), wherein the at least one conduit (108) is adapted to discharge the fluid from the housing (102) to the engine (600) at a second predefined pressure (P1);
a diaphragm (110) movably disposed within the housing (102) along an axis (A-A), wherein the diaphragm (110) is configured to move between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP) to discharge the fluid from the housing (102) through the at least one conduit (108);
at least one first resilient member (112) centrally disposed within the housing (102) and connected to the diaphragm (110) and, wherein the at least one first resilient member (112) is configured to bias the diaphragm (110) in the first position and the second position; and
at least one second resilient member (114) disposed within the at least one first resilient member (112), wherein the at least one second resilient member (114) is configured to restrict the movement of the diaphragm (110) at the second position (SP) to continuously discharge the fluid at the second predefined pressure (P2) through the outlet port (203) of the cover plate (401).
10. A fluid pressure regulator (100) for a fluid delivery system (400) of a vehicle (300), the fluid pressure regulator (100) comprising:
a housing (102);
a top cover (104) removably connected to the housing (102) and defined with at least one inlet (106) fluidly connectable with a pump (204) positioned within a reservoir (201) of the fluid delivery system (400), wherein the at least one inlet (106) is configured

to receive and supply a fluid from the pump (204) at a first predefined pressure (P1) into the housing (102);
at least one conduit (108) extending away from the top cover (104), wherein the at least one conduit (108) is adapted to discharge the fluid from the housing (102) at a second predefined pressure (P1);
a diaphragm (110) movably disposed within the housing (102) along an axis (A-A), wherein the diaphragm (110) is configured to move between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP) to discharge the fluid from the housing (102) through the at least one conduit (108); and
at least one actuator (130) connected to the diaphragm (110), wherein the at least one actuator (130) is configured to restrict the movement of the diaphragm (110) at the second position (SP) to continuously discharge the fluid at the second predefined pressure.
11. The fluid pressure regulator (100) as claimed in claim 10, comprises a control unit (140)
communicatively coupled with the at least one actuator (130) and the pump (204), wherein
the control unit (140) is configured to:
receive one or more first signals (142, 144, 146) corresponding to an operational speed of a pump (204), an engine fuel consumption and voltage input to the pump (204) disposed within the fluid delivery system (400) and;
actuate the at least one actuator (130) to restrict movement of a diaphragm (110) of the fluid pressure regulator (100) in a second position (SP) to supply a fluid to an engine (600) of the vehicle (300) at a second predefined pressure (P2) and flow rate by leaking excess flow through the at least one orifice (120);
receive one or more second signals corresponding to a change in an operational speed of a pump, engine fuel consumption and voltage input to the pump (204); and
actuate the at least one actuator (130) to displace the diaphragm (110) between the first position and the second position (SP) to maintain the fluid at a second predefined pressure (P2) and flow rate for supplying to the engine (600).
12. The fluid pressure regulator (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one actuator
(130) is at least one of a solenoid actuator, a linear actuator, and a non-linear actuator.

13. A method (500) of operating a fluid pressure regulator disposed within a fluid delivery
system (400) of a vehicle (300), the method comprising:
receiving, by a control unit (140) one or more first signals (142, 144, 146) corresponding to an operational speed of a pump (204), voltage input to the pump (204) disposed within a reservoir (201) of the fluid delivery system (400) and engine fuel consumption; the control unit (140) is communicatively coupled to the pump (204);
actuating, by the control unit (140), at least one actuator (130) to restrict movement of a diaphragm (110) of the fluid pressure regulator (100) in a second position (SP) to supply a fluid to an engine (600) of the vehicle at a second predefined pressure (P2) and flow rate by leaking excess flow through the at least one orifice (120), the at least one actuator (130) is disposed within the fluid pressure regulator (100) below the diaphragm (110);
receiving, by the control unit (140) one or more second signals corresponding to a change in an operational speed of the pump (204), engine fuel consumption and voltage input to the pump (204); and
actuating, by the control unit (140), the at least one actuator (130) to displace the diaphragm (110) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) to maintain the fluid at a second predefined pressure (P2) and flow rate for supplying to the engine (600).
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one actuator (130) is at least one
of a solenoid actuator and a linear actuator.