Fuel Pressure Regulation

Fig 1: Identifying Fuel Pressure Control Components

Courtesy of VOLVO CARS CORPORATION

General

Fuel pressure regulation for demand controlled fuel pumps (DECOS - DEmand COntrolled fuel Supply) means that the fuel pressure is controlled steplessly by varying the output of the fuel pump. The design of the system allows a greater maximum pressure (approximately 650kPa) in the fuel pump. This pressure is used in extreme situations, such as heavy engine load for example

The following components are used for fuel pressure regulation:

engine control module (ECM) (4/46) with integrated atmospheric pressure sensor
fuel pump control module (4/83)
fuel pressure sensor with fuel temperature sensor (7/156)
fuel pump with by-pass valve (6/33).

The time taken for the engine start procedure can be reduced by rapidly increasing the pressure in the fuel rail when the engine control module (ECM) receives a signal about the position of the ignition switch from the central electronic module (CEM).

The engine control module (ECM) is better able to calculate the injection period using the signal from the atmospheric pressure sensor and fuel pressure sensor. This particularly improves the cold starting characteristics of the engine.

The advantages of varying the output of the fuel pump so that it is not always at full power are:

the total power consumption of the fuel pump (FP) is reduced, reducing the load on the power supply system
the service life of the fuel pump (FP) is increased
fuel pump noise is reduced.

Control

The engine control module (ECM) calculates the desired fuel pressure. A signal is then transmitted to the fuel pump control module indicating the desired fuel pressure. Serial communication between the engine control module (ECM) and the fuel pump control module is used to carry the signal. The fuel pump control module then operates the fuel pump unit to obtain the desired pressure using a pulse width modulation voltage on the ground lead. The fuel pump (FP) can be controlled steplessly by changing the pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. Only that pressure which is required at that specific time will then be released to the fuel rail/injectors. The value of the pulse width modulation (PWM) signal is a measurement of the operational load of the fuel pump (FP) (% duty, 100% = maximum pressure).

The engine control module (ECM) continuously monitors the fuel pressure using the signal from the fuel pressure sensor. This allows the desired fuel pressure to be reached, and if necessary a signal is transmitted to the fuel pump control module requesting that the fuel pressure is adjusted.

The engine control module (ECM) attempts too obtain a constant fuel pressure (approximately 380kPa relative to atmospheric pressure with the engine running).

By-pass valve

When the injectors close when the pressure is too great (during engine braking for example) there is a pressure peak. The by-pass valve in the fuel pump (FP) is used to even out the pressure peak. The opening pressure of the valve is approximately 650 kPa.

The by-pass valve also functions as a non-return valve, ensuring that the fuel pressure in the system is maintained when the engine is switched off.

There is high pressure before the engine is started. This high pressure means that the valve in the by-pass valve opens and the system is "flushed".

Passive safety

For safety reasons, the engine control module (ECM) shuts off the fuel pump (FP) if the supplemental restraint system module (SRS) detects a collision.