Fuel pumps do this by controlling the flow of fuel with their regulating pressure and supplying a constant amount to the engine. This keeps the air-to-fuel ratio at a proper balance for complete and efficient combustion of the fuel. Currently, most modern fuel pumps tend to operate in a pressure range between 30 and 80 psi, depending on vehicle applications, and come with built-in pressure regulators that allow the pump to maintain this range. Such regulators regulate the flow rate, normally based on requirements measured in LPH of the engine. High-performance motors will require flow rates to the tune of 255 LPH for turbocharged or high-performance engines.
One of the primary mechanisms of flow control which fuel pumps make use of is the bypass valve. This valve returns surplus fuel back into the tank when the pressure surpasses the set range of the system, to avoid overpressure that may lead to damaged injectors or even fuel lines. The pump in this instance operates consistently by diverting the excessive fuel to keep the flow at a constant towards the engine despite high demand conditions. Poor performance and possible engine knock may be realized without a functioning bypass valve as fuel delivery becomes erratic.
Modern fuel pumps are designed to operate with electronic speeds using the vehicle’s ECU. This applies mostly in fuel injection and to some other modern models, primarily because throttle position and engine load would determine the pump speed. The ECU continuously monitors these parameters; therefore, acceleration or idle adjusts fuel flow correspondingly to economize on fuel consumption. An important concern is electronic feedback, which helps a great deal in instant responsiveness of the fuel pump to alterations in driving conditions for the optimization of fuel economy and performance.
Another method is the returnless fuel system, a design most commonly seen in more modern vehicles. In such systems, the pump varies the pressure right in the tank, with no return line required. Because returnless systems only supply the amount of fuel necessary at any one time, heat creation in the fuel is also lower; this extends the life of the pump and boosts efficiency by about 10-15%.
As Lee Iacocca, a renowned authority on automotive history, once said so aptly: “In the end, all business operations can be reduced to three words: people, product, and profits.” Maintaining efficient fuel flow is crucial to the product’s performance and, more importantly, to consumer satisfaction. A quality Fuel Pump means optimal control of the flow that further enhances power delivery and economy on fuel consumption. For reliable fuel pump options, visit Fuel Pump.