by admin | Aug 6, 2012 | Fuel Delivery, Tech How-To |
Text by Jim Mozart Photos by Moore Good Ink Download hi-res images and text here Fuelab of Litchfield, Illinois has developed a unique fuel pump and electronic regulator. First, unlike any other, this fuel pump has a variable-speed motor. Hence it can deliver prodigious amounts of fuel at fully open throttle and minimal amounts at idle. Its variable-speed ability overcomes the chief trouble with big, powerful, high-flow single-speed fuel pumps—heat. Because high flow pumps work just as hard at idle as at fully open throttle they become hot at slow engine speeds and consequently overheat the fuel. Often they eventually self-destruct as a result. Second, unlike any other, this fuel pump is of DC (direct current) brushless design. Therefore current draw is significantly reduced and brush wear and brush drag are eradicated. For the uninitiated, an electric motor spins by way of a set of brushes that ride against a commutator on an armature. As voltage is applied to the brushes, it causes the armature to spin. Sound simple? It really is. However there are some problems with that design. In a brush-type motor, the brushes are constantly in contact with the spinning armature. As such, there is a small amount of drag on the armature at all times. In addition, the friction created by the contact also creates heat. Heat is not a desirable attribute in an electric fuel pump motor. In addition to this, a DC brush motor is only capable of operating at one speed. In the case of an electric fuel pump, this means the motor will continue to spin at the same speed and provide the same... 
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