Claims:We Claim:
1. A particle counter system (200) for fuel particles entering a fuel pump (205) of a fuel injection system (100), said particle counter system (200) comprising:
-a particle counter device (215), for counting the number of particles entering within said fuel pump (205), said particle counter device (215) located at an inlet (210) of said fuel pump (205); and
-a control module (220) in signal communication with said particle counter device (215).
2. A method for counting fuel particles entering a fuel pump (205) of a fuel injection system (100), said method comprising:
-detecting a particle count within said fuel pump (205) by a particle counter device (215);
- monitoring the particle counter device (215) by a control module (220), wherein said control module (220) is in signal communication with said particle counter device (215);
- determining if said particle count is above a set limit by said control module (220);
- generating an error code by said control module (220), if said particle count is above said set limit.
, Description:Complete Specification:

The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
Field of the invention
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a particle counter system for detecting particle count of fuel entering a fuel pump of a fuel injection system and a method for detecting particle count of fuel in a fuel pump of a fuel injection system.
Background of the invention
[0002] In the current common rail system, there is no provision to ensure the fuel quality mainly the particles present in fuel. The current fuel injection equipment system consists of fuel filter which does the water and particle filtration. But still we get many drive train failure cases due to external particle entry.

[0003] Once the system fails it calls for multiple investigation to arrive at the root cause and the lead time and efforts to respond for customer communication is high. Though the filter in the system informed by customer is as per the recommendations, there are many complaints from Fuel Injection Equipment system components like pumps, injectors where filters does not do its function. Failure mode are like drive train failure, plunger seizure, tappets wear, pre-damage of roller, injector blocking are major occurrences.

[0004] Causes for particle entry can be because of filter not changed or clogged, higher vehicle vibrations which can make particles to cross the filter membrane, or even cleanliness not maintained during the service time. Also there exists no logic to track filter change frequency at the required interval.

[0005] The concept is to eliminate the problem by have particle count device at the pump inlet for monitoring.
Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[0006] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings,
[0007] Figure 1 illustrates a view of the fuel injection system in accordance with an embodiment of our invention.
Detailed description of the drawings
[0008] Figure 1 illustrates a fuel injection system (100) with one embodiment of our invention (200). The fuel injection system (100) comprises among other things at least a fuel pump (205) for pumping fuel to reach the fuel injection system (100), and an inlet (210) to said fuel pump (205).
[0009] Figure 1 also illustrates a view of the fuel injection system (100) with one embodiment of our invention (200). In this embodiment, the inlet (210) to said fuel pump (205) consists of a particle counter device (215) situated in it. The particle counter device (215) constantly monitors the particle count of the fuel entering the fuel pump (205).
[0010] The particle counter device (215) communicates with the control module (220) of the fuel injection system (100) via signal communication. The control module (220) contains predetermined threshold of allowable particle count device of fuel, known as set limit, fed into it. When the particle count of the fuel in the fuel pump (205) goes above said set limit, the control module (220) generates an error code.
[0011] The error code generated by control module (220) proactively hints the on the dashboard with error code to check the filter change or filter efficiency and take actions accordingly.
[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the particle counter device (215) can be a vision based particle counter.
[0013] In case of any failures of pump drive train, the diagnostic process is easier and faster for identifying the root cause. In addition, the same device can be used to monitor or identify the flow during the first filling at engine, vehicle or service to ensure the filling close loop. First filling or priming is also very important to avoid pump failure. Particle count sensors are available to detect even from 2 microns. In general, filter take care up to 4 microns. Particle detection greater than 4 microns would suffice. It can be chosen based on requirement.

[0014] It must be understood that the embodiments explained in the above detailed description are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Any modification to the fuel injection system (100) are envisaged and form a part of this invention. The scope of this invention is limited only by the claims.