Abstract: A fuel delivery system that includes a fuel pump having an inlet for drawing fuel from a fuel supply and an outlet connected to a fuel filter so that fuel delivered to the engine by the pump flows through the filter. A check valve is positioned between the filter outlet and the fuel line to the engine so as to prevent reverse flow of fuel from the engine to the supply when the pump is shut down. A pressure reference inlet connected to the outlet side of the fuel filter on the downsream side of the check valve. The outlet of the pressure regulator is connected to return fuel to the fuel supply bypassing the filter as a function of fuel pressure at the filter so as to maintain substantially constant fuel pressure delivery to the engine. The reference input to the pressure regulator is connected to the engine fuel line. Any fuel pressure increase at the engine and in the fuel line due to heat or the like automatically opens the regulator so as to vent the pump outlet to the supply.

Abstract: A quick connect assembly for a fuel pump outlet line and a fuel tank line outlet with a flexible grommet received in a housing connected to one of the lines. The other line is received in a central hole through the grommet. A cover overlies the grommet and is urged onto the housing by a compression spring. In use, pressurized fuel is received in an annular groove in the grommet and urges it into sealing engagement with both the line received therein and the housing.

Abstract: A multiple pick-up for a fuel pump in a fuel tank which includes an in-tank pump with a combined filter and diaphragm to control flow of fuel to the pump inlet. A first pump base supports the pump and contains the diaphragm and valve for a primary fuel supply. A second valve base with a similar diaphragm controlled valve is located in the fuel tank at a position remote from the first base. A fuel connection between the bases provides a supply of fuel to the pump at the first base in the event the diaphragm, actuated by lack of fuel at the first base, closes a fuel inlet valve in the first base. Lack of fuel at the second base will also close the fuel inlet valve at the remote second base, and the lack of fuel supply will cause an engine to stop.

Abstract: A two-stage fuel pump for furnishing fuel to an internal combustion engine utilizes a side or lateral channel pump as a first stage pump to furnish liquid fuel to a second stage pump. A common armature drive shaft drives both pumps and central passages in the vicinity of the drive shaft receive vapor developed in the first stage pump and cause the vapor to exit the pump assembly. A conical baffle directs vapor free fuel to a periphery where it enters the inlet side of the second or main stage pump. A rotor in the first stage pump has central axial passages to facilitate the egress of vapor from the pump assembly.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine that includes a fuel supply with a pump responsive to application of electrical power for supplying fuel under pressure. A fuel injector is coupled to the supply for controlled delivery of fuel from the supply to the engine. A check valve is positioned in the fuel line that connects the pump outlet to the injector to prevent reverse flow of fuel from the injector to the pump when the pump is shut down. A sensor is coupled to the fuel line between the check valve and the pump outlet for providing an electrical signal as a function of fuel pressure at the pump outlet, and electronic control circuitry applies electrical power to the pump as a function of such pressure signal.

Abstract: An electric-motor fuel pump that includes an inlet end cap, an outlet end cap and a case coaxially joining the end caps to form a closed pump housing. An electric motor is disposed with the housing, and includes an armature journalled for rotation between the end caps, a stator surrounding the armature and means for applying electrical power to the motor. The armature is coupled to a gerotor mechanism for pumping fuel from the inlet to the outlet through the housing. The gerotor pumping mechanism comprises an annular wall on the inlet end cap forming an open pocket axially opposed to the armature. Inner and outer gear rotors are disposed within the pocket, and have radially opposed intermeshing teeth that define circumferentially disposed expanding and ensmalling pumping chambers. The inner gear rotor is coupled to the motor armature. Inlet and outlet gerotor ports in the inlet end cap axially open between the rotors into the expanding and ensmalling chambers respectively.

Abstract: A self-contained brushless electric-motor fuel pump for internal combustion engine fuel delivery systems and like applications in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing having a fuel inlet and fuel outlet, and a brushless electric motor with a permanent magnet armature mounted for rotation within the housing and stator windings surrounding the armature within the housing. A pump mechanism is positioned between the fuel inlet and outlet, and is coupled to the armature for corotation with the armature within the housing to pump fuel under pressure from the inlet to the outlet. A pressure sensor is operatively coupled to the fuel outlet within the housing for providing an electrical pressure signal as a function of fuel pressure at the outlet. Pump motor control electronics within the housing includes circuitry for comparing the pressure signal from the pressure sensor to a pump drive reference signal, and providing an error signal as a function of a difference therebetween.

Abstract: A fuel pump for an internal combustion engine has a rotor which is driven by the extended, rotating, mounting shaft of an electric motor armature. The shaft, with a round cross-section, extends through a round hole in the rotor with a firm fit but the shaft is slotted axially to receive the bight of a U-shaped wire which has slightly diverging legs. The rotor has axially directed, tapered, drive holes spaced from the axis on each side of the hole in the rotor. The legs project into the tapered drive holes and are retained by the resilience of the U-shaped wire.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for automotive engine and like applications that includes a canister for positioning within a fuel tank having a lower end with a fuel opening, and an internal wall spaced from such lower end dividing the canister into upper and lower fuel chambers. An electric-motor fuel pump is positioned within the upper chamber, and has a fuel inlet within the upper chamber, a fuel outlet for feeding fuel under pressure to an engine, and a rotary output shaft extending toward the canister wall. An impeller pump is positioned within the lower chamber and is coupled to the output shaft of the electric-motor pump in the upper chamber for pumping fuel from the lower chamber to the upper chamber. The impeller is coupled to the pump output shaft by a flexible coupling in the form of a coil spring. A check valve at the outlet of the impeller pump prevents return flow of fuel from the upper chamber to the lower chamber when the electric-motor pump is de-energized.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine that includes a fuel supply with a fuel pump responsive to application of electrical power for supplying fuel under pressure to fuel injectors mounted on the engine. A pressure sensor is coupled to the pump/injector fuel delivery line for measuring fuel delivery pressure. A second sensor is positioned within the fuel tank and is responsive to fuel alcohol concentration. The pump motor is energized by a pulsed d.c. signal having a duty cycle that varies as a combined function of the pressure and alcohol-concentration sensor output signals so as to maintain constant fuel pressure at the injectors while automatically compensating quantity of fuel delivered by the injectors for differing fuel alcohol concentrations.

Abstract: An in-tank fuel module adapted to be mounted within a fuel tank of predetermined vertical dimension through a circular opening in an upper wall of the tank. The module includes a canister having a one-piece hollow cylindrical external wall of blow-molded plastic construction and of diameter to fit through the tank wall opening. Circumferential convolutions that extend around the wall form axially resilient bellows in the canister wall, and a fuel inlet is disposed at the lower portion of the canister. A cover is fastened to the upper edge of the canister, and is dimension to close the opening in the tank top wall with the canister extending vertically through the tank. The canister is axially dimensioned with respect to the vertical dimension of the tank so that the bellows in the canister sidewall are axially compressed and resiliently hold the lower portion of the canister against the bottom wall of the tank.

Abstract: A rotary pump for pumping fuel for internal combustion engines in the form of a vane pump or gear and rotor pump with pumping chambers disposed circumferentially around the rotor. The chambers progressively increase in the inlet area of the pump to draw in fuel and progressively ensmall at the outlet area to discharge fuel under pressure to supply an engine. The pulsations initiated in the pump are absorbed in the pump by a closed chamber exposed to the pump outlet flow, the chamber having flexible walls and an internal pressure above atmospheric to reduce pulses in the outlet and resulting pump noise. The chamber is blow molded with an enclosed volume surrounded by flexible walls.

Abstract: A rotary pump for pumping fuel for internal combustion engines in the form of a vane pump or gear and rotor pump with pumping chambers disposed circumferentially around the rotor. The chambers progressively increase in the inlet area of the pump to draw in fuel and progressively ensmall at the outlet area to discharge fuel under pressure to supply an engine. The pulsations initiated in the pump are absorbed in the pump by a closed chamber exposed to the pump outlet flow, the chamber having flexible walls and an internal pressure above atmospheric to reduce pulses in the outlet and resulting pump noise. The chamber is blow molded with an enclosed volume surrounded by flexible walls.

Abstract: A solid state pressure sensor that includes a silicon body having a circumferentially continuous annular periphery and an imperforate central diaphragm bridging the periphery in an integral monolithic construction that is circumferentially symmetrical about the axis of the periphery. Strain gauge sensors are deposited on the body so as to form an integral assembly with the body, and are constructed and arranged to provide electrical signals as a function of flexure of the central diaphragm with respect to the periphery of the body. A pair of fittings are bonded to the body periphery on opposite sides of the diaphragm. Each fitting forms a hermetically sealed fluid cavity on an associated side of the diaphragm, with each such cavity being circumferentially symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the sensor.

Abstract: A two-cycle engine has an air inlet in the crankcase, and a spiral air-fuel passage encircling the cylinder wall rising from the crankcase to an inlet in the cylinder head to effect cooling of the cylinder. A fuel injection device introduces fuel into the transfer passage. A unidirectional valve admits air and fuel into the cylinder head and curved fins impart a swirling action to the air and fuel to effect a fuel and air stratification. An exhaust passage in the cylinder wall has an adjustable throttle to control dirctly the outflow of exhaust gases and indirectly the inflow of fresh fuel-air mixture, whereby the power level of the engine is controlled.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for internal combustion engines in which an electric-motor fuel pump supplies fuel under pressure to a fuel injector carried by the engine. An engine air intake manifold is likewise carried by the engine and supplied with combustion air. A pressure sensor is responsive to a pressure differential between the fuel injector and air manifold for controlling a pulse-width modulated drive signal applied to the fuel pump motor.

Abstract: To reduce transmission of pump vibration and any out-of-balance characteristics to a pump enclosure by mounting both ends of a motor armature in a manner to absorb vibration. One end of the armature drive shaft is mounted in a flexible elongate element which accommodates to eccentric motion due to unbalance or vibration due to pump load or starting and stopping. The other end of the drive shaft is designed to move to accommodate such motion. A pump chamber can be provided around the flexible element to form a dead air dome to modulate pump pressure and collect vapor. Baffles prevent turbulence in the chamber.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for internal combustion engines in which an electric-motor fuel pump supplies fuel under pressure from a tank to a fuel injector carried by the engine, and excess fuel is returned by a pressure regulator from the engine to the supply tank. A restriction is positioned in the fuel return line to restrict flow of return fuel therethrough, and thereby create a back-pressure of fuel in the return line. A pressure sensor is coupled to the return line between the pressure regulator and the restriction and drives the fuel pump as an inverse function of fuel pressure in the return line, and thus as a direct function of fuel demand at the engine.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for automobile engine and like applications in which a canister is positioned within a fuel tank and has an open layer end and an internal wall spaced from the lower canister end for dividing the canister into upper and lower chambers. An electric fuel pump is carried by the canister wall within the upper chamber and has an inlet coupled through the wall to the lower chamber. The pump outlet feeds fuel under pressure to an engine, and excess fuel is returned to the upper chamber which thus forms a fuel reservoir. A valve is responsive to fuel level in the upper chamber for selectively feeding fuel from the upper reservoir chamber to the lower chamber, and then to the pump inlet, when fuel level in the upper chamber approaches maximum reservoir capacity.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating level of fluent materials, such as gasoline in an automobile tank, which comprises an impeller extending vertically through at least a major portion of the vessel in physical contact with material in the vessel. An electric motor is coupled to the impeller and connected to a source of electrical energy for rotating the impeller against drag imparted thereto by the material. Material level is indicated as a continuous function of load applied to the motor by the rotating impeller.