Improvement of the plunger pair of the high pressure fuel pump for Common Rail fuel supply systems

Friction reduction is a key task of modern mechanical engineering. Friction reduction affects the efficiency, reliability, economy and ergonomics of various machines and mechanisms. One of the main causes of additional energy costs and malfunctions of mechanical systems is wear caused by friction processes. Most modern engines are equipped with Common Rail Fuel Injection for fuel economy, reduced emissions and high engine power. The high pressure fuel pump is one of the most important elements of the fuel injection system, the performance of which critically affects the performance of the entire fuel system. The fuel pump plunger is subjected to increased loads and its lubrication conditions are highly unstable under dynamic loading conditions, leading to increased and premature wear. The technology of laser surface microtexturing is actively used in the industrial sector, and its positive effect on reducing friction and improving anti-wear properties has been confirmed by theoretical and experimental studies. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the effect of texturing on the hydromechanical characteristics of a plunger pair in order to improve the energy efficiency of the fuel system of modern diesel engines. The calculations were carried out using the commercial software package ANSYS Fluent. Based on the results of the study, the use of texturing on the surface of the injection pump plunger can have both positive and negative effects on its performance. Therefore, the selection of the optimal geometric characteristics of microgeometry is a determining factor in the effective use of surfaces with special topography in various machines and mechanisms.