Abstract: A solenoid-operated latch for a linearly movable shaft such as a shift lever shaft of a vehicle transmission includes an L-shaped armature that forms a latch plate and a magnetic arm. The shaft extends along the solenoid axis and through a clearance hole in the latch plate. Energization of the solenoid draws the magnetic arm toward a planar pole piece at one end of the solenoid winding. The latch plate swings from a position normal to the shaft axis to a tilted condition acutely angled to the shaft axis so that edge areas of the clearance hole grip the shaft surface.

Abstract: An engine fuel supply system includes a fuel pumping unit located outside the fuel tank for pumping fuel from the tank to the engine. The pumping unit includes a motor operated fuel pump positioned in a reservoir that is partitioned to form a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The pump inlet is connected to the lower chamber for pumping fuel into a pressure line leading to the engine. Excess fuel not used by the engine cylinder injectors is returned to the upper chamber for eventual flow into the lower chamber and recycling through the pump. The upper chamber provides the pump with an emergency supply of fuel that can be called upon when the fuel tank is in an empty condition. The upper chamber also acts as a cooling device for cooling heated excess fuel returned from the engine to the pumping unit.

Abstract: An engine fuel system includes a fuel pump located within an upright reserve fuel container located in a fuel tank. Fuel is admitted to the inlet chamber of the pump through separate poppet valves associated with the fuel tank and the reserve fuel container. The container is a sealed construction that isolates the fuel in the container from the fuel in the tank. The poppet valve leading from the tank to the pump is operated by a float that is responsive to the fuel level in the tank. At low tank fuel levels (empty or near empty), the float-operated poppet valve is closed. The two valves are interconnected by a lost motion connection such that the poppet valve associated with the reserve container is openable by pressures generated in the return fuel line, or by suction forces generated by the fuel pump. The reserve container is maintained in a filled condition ready for supplying fuel to the pump when the fuel tank is in a near empty condition.

Abstract: A turbocharged or supercharged engine is provided with a vacuum actuated control device for an exhaust gas recirculation valve. A venturi throat in the engine air intake passage generates a vacuum in response to air flow through the throat. The vacuum is varied according to variations in the air flow rate throughout the throat, such that the vacuum can be applied to a piston for adjusting the position of a metering valve in an exhaust gas recirculation passage. The vacuum controlled valve enables the gas recirculation rate to be varied as a function of the air flow rate through the engine air intake passage.

Abstract: An electrically-energized rotary actuator includes an annular stator ring having a plurality of slot-like magnetic flux obstructions spaced around the ring circumference. An associated rotor has two permanent magnets that are polarized along the rotor diameter to form a south pole at one point on the rotor periphery and a north pole on a diametrically-opposed point on the rotor periphery. Two pole pieces are located at diametrically spaced points on the stator ring, each pole piece having a magnetic winding so that, when the windings are energized, a north pole and a south pole will be established for interaction with the poles formed by the rotor magnets. The flux obstructions in the stator ring cause the rotor to be deflected in steps so that the rotor has various discrete positions centered on the flux obstructions. The rotor can maintain a stable position uninfluenced by minor variations in the current applied to the stator windings.

Abstract: An accumulator includes a tubular housing mounted directly on a pump housing so that the accumulator chamber is located in near proximity to the pump chamber. The accumulator chamber may be defined partly by a check valve that isolates the pump from pressure surges while they are being damped by the accumulator. In a preferred arrangement, the accumulator housing has a threaded connection to the pump housing.

Abstract: A liquid level responsive sending unit is positionable in a vehicle fuel tank to deliver a signal to a fuel gage on the vehicle dashboard. An electrical damping circuit is provided on a circuit board carried on the sending unit, such that momentary fluctuations in a fuel level sensor float are smoothed out. The signal transmitted to the gage is a signal representing a time-averaged condition of the sensor. The damping circuit location in the fuel tank is advantageous as regards signal accuracy calibration, manufacturing quality control, ease of assembly, and access for component replacement purposes.

Abstract: A motor-operated pump includes an electrical filter that includes an inductance and a capacitance mounted within the pump housing. The filter components are thereby shielded against possible damage during initial installation, or during shipment, or during maintenance operations. Electrically, the filter components are in direct connection with the motor terminals, so as to have maximum electrical effectiveness for suppression of radio frequency emissions that might otherwise be communicated to other on-board electrical components.

Abstract: An anti-pollution mechanism usable on the filler tubes of automotive fuel tanks to prevent vaporous hydrocarbons from escaping from the tank through the tube, especially at the instant when the closure cap at the mouth of the tube is initially opened such as required during refueling. A vapor escape line extends from the fuel tank to a vapor collection canister. A pressure-operated valve in the escape line is automatically opened in response to opening of the cap on the filler tube such that vapors and fumes escape through the line instead of flowing out of the tube mouth.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel pumping unit wherein a reserve fuel supply container is located within the fuel tank to supply liquid fuel to a motor-operated pump when the tank is nearly empty. The invention addresses the problem of pump starvation when the tank is nearly empty and the liquid fuel is held away from the pump intake passage due to abrupt sustained turning or other maneuvers of the vehicle. In preferred practice of the invention normal fuel flow from the tank to the pump is controlled by an annular float valve located directly below the reserve fuel supply container; fuel flow from the reserve container is controlled by a pressure-responsive valve located in the section path between the container and the pump intake, said pressure-responsive valve being part of a sub-assembly including a liquid fuel filter screen for filtering all fuel from the container and a valve seat for the pressure-responsive valve.

Abstract: A gear-within-gear positive displacement pump, such as an automotive fuel pump, is disclosed having a pump chamber, an internal gear within the pump chamber, and an external gear within the internal gear. The pump chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The external gear is rotatably driven thereby causing the internal gear to rotate and further causing the teeth of the internal and external gears to unmesh thereby drawing fluid into the pump chamber between the gears and further causing the teeth of the gears to mesh so as to positively force the fluid out of the pump chamber. A pressure balancing passage way is provided between the portion of the pump housing in which the gear teeth mesh thereby permitting fluid under pressure to be directed to the exterior of the internal gear so as to pressure bias the internal gear generally toward the inlet and to at least in part balance the pressure forces on the internal gear with a consequent reduction of noise and increase in pump efficiency.