Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #8617
From: Michael McGee <jmpcrftr@teleport.com>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: Fuel Pump Design
Date: Tue, 25 May 2004 19:49:38 -0700
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
At 19:17 2004-05-25, you wrote:
Mark Steitle <msteitle@mail.utexas.edu> wrote:

 > > > >
Bill,
Yes, the regulator is mounted on the firewall and is located between the pumps/filters and fuel rail.  Also, there is a fuel return line off the regulator.
 < < < <

Wouldn't it make more sense to make the regulator the last thing in the circuit?  This seems to be typical on just about all automotive EFI installations, and millions of installations can't be wrong.  I think the logic here is that regulator failures aren't sudden, and when they fail they bypass more fuel than they should (ie, lowering pressure).  In this setup there is no way that you can get an airlock, at least I don't see how one would be possible.  Proven systems all seem to have the fuel pumps as close to the tank as possible (inside the tank on most auto installations), then the filter, followed by a direct line to the fuel rail and injectors, then to the regulator, then the return.  On the Eagle540 we put the fuel filters between the tanks and pumps, and they are located just aft of the main spar, just inches away from the tanks (the filter outlet screws directly into the pump inlet)... out of the pumps to the selector, on through the flow transducers, then to the rails.  The regulator is at the end of the circuit and returns through the (horribly expensive) fuel selector as well to direct the return fuel back to the tank from which we're pumping.  Everything has worked extremely well in ground runs, and we are weeks away from first flight.  Just my 2c.

 <Marv>

Yes, and heat soak of the fuel is eliminated with the regulator on the out going end of the fuel rail so as to not make a dead end.  After a hot shutdown and heat soak of the fuel rail, the system can be cooled down by just turning on a boost pump and letting the fuel circulate for a few seconds.


Mike McGee, RV-4 N996RV, O320-E2G, Hillsboro, OR
13B in gestation mode, RD-1C, EC-2
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