Abstract: A filter module for an automotive fuel supply system includes a housing, a filter mounted in the housing, a pressure regulator conduit mounted in the housing, and a pressure regulator. The housing includes a module inlet and a module outlet. The filter is in fluid communication with the module inlet and the module outlet. The pressure regulator conduit includes a regulator inlet in fluid communication with the filter, regulator outlet, and a receptacle in fluid communication with the regulator inlet and the regulator outlet. The pressure regulator extends into the void between the first surface of the receptacle and the second surface of the receptacle.

Abstract: A pressure regulation assembly of a fuel supply includes a receptacle, an inlet connectable to the fuel supply and in fluid communication with the receptacle, an outlet in fluid communication with the receptacle, and a pressure regulator mounted in the receptacle to selectively open fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. The receptacle includes a first surface surrounding an axis, and a second surface surrounding the axis and the first surface to provide a void between the first surface and the second surface. The pressure regulator extends into the void between the first surface of the receptacle and the second surface of the receptacle and includes a third surface surrounding the axis and a fourth surface surrounding the axis and the third surface. A first seal engages the first surface of the receptacle and the third surface of the pressure regulator. A second seal engages the second surface of the receptacle and the fourth surface of the pressure regulator.

Abstract: A pump module for mounting in a fuel tank of an automotive fuel supply system includes a housing, a fuel pump mounted in the housing, a pressure regulator conduit mounted in the housing, and a pressure regulator. The housing includes a module inlet and a module outlet in fluid communication with the module inlet. The fuel pump is in fluid communication with the module inlet. The pressure regulator conduit is in fluid communication with the fuel pump. The pressure regulator conduit includes a regulator inlet, regulator outlet, and a receptacle in fluid communication with the regulator inlet and the regulator outlet. The receptacle includes a first surface surrounding an axis, and a second surface surrounding the axis and the first surface to provide a void between the first surface and the second surface. The pressure regulator is mounted in the receptacle to selectively open fluid communication between the regulator inlet and the regulator outlet.

Abstract: A pump module for mounting in a fuel tank of an automotive fuel supply system includes a housing, a fuel pump mounted in the housing, a pressure regulator conduit mounted in the housing, and a pressure regulator. The housing includes a module inlet and a module outlet in fluid communication with the module inlet. The fuel pump is in fluid communication with the module inlet. The pressure regulator conduit is in fluid communication with the fuel pump. The pressure regulator conduit includes a regulator inlet, regulator outlet, and a receptacle in fluid communication with the regulator inlet and the regulator outlet. The receptacle includes a first surface surrounding an axis, and a second surface surrounding the axis and the first surface to provide a void between the first surface and the second surface. The pressure regulator is mounted in the receptacle to selectively open fluid communication between the regulator inlet and the regulator outlet.

Abstract: A filter module for an automotive fuel supply system includes a housing, a filter mounted in the housing, a pressure regulator conduit mounted in the housing, and a pressure regulator. The housing includes a module inlet and a module outlet. The filter is in fluid communication with the module inlet and the module outlet. The pressure regulator conduit includes a regulator inlet in fluid communication with the filter, regulator outlet, and a receptacle in fluid communication with the regulator inlet and the regulator outlet. The receptacle includes a first surface surrounding an axis, and a second surface surrounding the axis and the first surface to provide a void between the first surface and the second surface. The pressure regulator is mounted in the receptacle to selectively open fluid communication between the regulator inlet and the regulator outlet. The pressure regulator extends into the void between the first surface of the receptacle and the second surface of the receptacle.

Abstract: A pressure regulation assembly of a fuel supply includes a receptacle, an inlet connectable to the fuel supply and in fluid communication with the receptacle, an outlet in fluid communication with the receptacle, and a pressure regulator mounted in the receptacle to selectively open fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. The receptacle includes a first surface surrounding an axis, and a second surface surrounding the axis and the first surface to provide a void between the first surface and the second surface. The pressure regulator extends into the void between the first surface of the receptacle and the second surface of the receptacle and includes a third surface surrounding the axis and a fourth surface surrounding the axis and the third surface. A first seal engages the first surface of the receptacle and the third surface of the pressure regulator. A second seal engages the second surface of the receptacle and the fourth surface of the pressure regulator.

Abstract: A fuel component assembly having a fuel component disposed between a base and a cover, which prevent fluid communication to an exterior thereof. The fuel component defines at least one aperture, the base supports the fuel component and defines a passage in communication with the at least one aperture. The cover is located proximate the base. A securement having a projection and the receiver that engage to form a fluid tight seal. The projection is radially disposed about a longitudinal axis of the fuel component, and the receiver continuously engages the projection. The projection being disposed on one of the cover and the base, and the receiver being disposed on the other of the cover and the base. The fuel component assembly allows for a method of encapsulating a fuel component within a fuel supply.

Abstract: A fuel component assembly having a fuel component disposed between a base and a cover, which prevent fluid communication to an exterior thereof. The fuel component defines at least one aperture, the base supports the fuel component and defines a passage in communication with the at least one aperture. The cover is located proximate the base. A securement having a projection and the receiver that engage to form a fluid tight seal. The projection is radially disposed about a longitudinal axis of the fuel component, and the receiver continuously engages the projection. The projection being disposed on one of the cover and the base, and the receiver being disposed on the other of the cover and the base. The fuel component assembly allows for a method of encapsulating a fuel component within a fuel supply.

Abstract: A fuel component assembly having a fuel component disposed between a base and a cover, which prevent fluid communication to an exterior thereof. The fuel component defines at least one aperture, the base supports the fuel component and defines a passage in communication with the at least one aperture. The cover is located proximate the base. A securement having a projection and the receiver that engage to form a fluid tight seal. The projection is radially disposed about a longitudinal axis of the fuel component, and the receiver continuously engages the projection. The projection being disposed on one of the cover and the base, and the receiver being disposed on the other of the cover and the base. The fuel component assembly allows for a method of encapsulating a fuel component within a fuel supply.

Abstract: A fuel component assembly having a fuel component disposed between a base and a cover, which prevent fluid communication to an exterior thereof. The fuel component defines at least one aperture, the base supports the fuel component and defines a passage in communication with the at least one aperture. The cover is located proximate the base. A securement having a projection and the receiver that engage to form a fluid tight seal. The projection is radially disposed about a longitudinal axis of the fuel component, and the receiver continuously engages the projection. The projection being disposed on one of the cover and the base, and the receiver being disposed on the other of the cover and the base. The fuel component assembly allows for a method of encapsulating a fuel component within a fuel supply.

Abstract: A connector assembly and a method of disconnecting the connector assembly. The connector assembly comprises a first part and a second part. The first part extends along a longitudinal axis and has a protrusion that extends radially outward from the longitudinal axis. The second part receives the first part and has a wall surrounding the longitudinal axis. The wall has an inner surface generally confronting the longitudinal axis, an outer surface generally facing opposite the inner surface, a channel cooperatively receiving the protrusion; and an arm portion. The arm portion has a first surface defining a portion of the inner surface, a second surface defining a portion of the outer surface, and a bulge extending from the arm portion into the channel. The bulge engages the protrusion and maintains the first and second parts in a connected configuration.

Abstract: A fuel pressure regulator in either a returnless or fuel return fuel system for an automotive vehicle is integrally mounted between a fuel rail and an intake manifold port of the engine. A mounting cup is provided on the fuel rail and fuel entry or exit openings for the regulator are sealed by O-ring seals disposed between the regulator and the mounting cup on opposite sides of the fuel openings. The side of the regulator remote from the fuel chamber has a vacuum reference port received in a passage of an intake manifold boss and is sealed to the passage therein by an O-ring. By inserting the pressure regulator into the mounting cup with the O-ring seals and the vacuum reference port of the regulator into the passage of the intake manifold boss, the regulator is clamped between the fuel rail and engine manifold without ancillary connecting elements.

Abstract: A fuel rail assembly is disclosed. The fuel rail assembly includes a generally hollow fuel rail having a longitudinal rail axis extending therethrough and a fuel damper element having a wall and a longitudinal damper element axis extending therethrough. The fuel damper element is located within the fuel rail. The damper axis is generally parallel with the rail axis. A method of forming the fuel rail assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A connector assembly and a method of disconnecting the connector assembly. The connector assembly comprises a first part and a second part. The first part extends along a longitudinal axis and has a protrusion that extends radially outward from the longitudinal axis. The second part receives the first part and has a wall surrounding the longitudinal axis. The wall has an inner surface generally confronting the longitudinal axis, an outer surface generally facing opposite the inner surface, a channel cooperatively receiving the protrusion; and an arm portion. The arm portion has a first surface defining a portion of the inner surface, a second surface defining a portion of the outer surface, and a bulge extending from the arm portion into the channel. The bulge engages the protrusion and maintains the first and second parts in a connected configuration.

Abstract: A returnless fuel regulator includes a diaphragm assembly dividing the regulator into a control chamber for calibration purposes and a fuel chamber in communication with fuel under pressure from a supply and a fuel rail which receives fuel under regulation pressure. The regulator includes a spring-biased valve element which is opened to a greater or lesser extent by movement of the diaphragm assembly. In the diaphragm assembly, a post is spring-biased into a predetermined position relative to the diaphragm assembly to engage the valve element. The spring is formed of a shape memory alloy which elongates in response to a predetermined temperature of the fuel within the regulator to open or further open the valve element.

Abstract: The fuel system includes a fuel tank for supplying fuel to a fuel rail having fuel injectors and a fuel pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of the fuel supplied to the fuel rail to a predetermined pressure. The pressure regulator includes a spring-biased ball movable toward and away from a valve seat with an intervening flow channel director. The flow channel director is sized to provide a substantially constant regulated pressure over a flow range typical for automotive engine use, i.e., a pressure of 350-430 kPa over a flow range of 20-50 kg/hr. The pressure regulator provides the predetermined regulated pressure without a movable diaphragm dividing the regulator into flow and non-flow chambers on opposite sides of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A fuel system that comprises a tank, a pump, a flow-through pressure regulator, and piping connecting these components and an internal combustion engine. The flow-through pressure regulator can maintain a substantially constant noise output from low fuel flow rates to high fuel flow rates. Further, the pressure of fuel in the regulator at a maximum fuel flow rate can be made substantially equal to or less than the pressure of fuel in the regulator at a minimum fuel flow rate.

Abstract: A flow-through pressure regulator includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet offset along a longitudinal axis. The housing is separated by a divider into a first chamber and a second chamber. The divider has a passage that communicates the first chamber with the second chamber. The passage includes a first section extending along the longitudinal axis and a second section extending transverse to the longitudinal axis. A closure member permits or inhibits flow through the passage.

Abstract: A fuel system damper is provided having a housing which is separated by a diaphragm into first and second chambers. The first chamber is sealed and contains a spring biased toward the diaphragm. The second chamber has an opening to allow fuel from a fuel rail to enter the damper and contact the diaphragm. The second chamber includes a radial shoulder that maximizes an effective area of the diaphragm. A spacer is disposed in the second chamber that engages the diaphragm to prevent the diaphragm from contacting the radial shoulder. The spacer maintains the diaphragm in a position to provide the maximum effective area of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A fuel or air system component for a motor vehicle, constructed with shape memory alloys, to control fuel flow as a function of temperature or electrical means. The shape memory alloy changes shape at a defined temperature, or in a particular temperature range, thereby affecting a control feature internal to a component in the fuel system, and as a result, changing the fuel flow and/or pressure characteristic. The component may be a biasing spring. The shape memory alloy is an intermetallic compound or alloy which exhibits a shape transformation when heated or cooled through its transformation temperature.