Abstract: A fuel delivery system for automotive engine and like applications which comprises 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, has a fuel inlet coupled to the lower chamber through the canister wall and a primary outlet for feeding fuel under pressure to an engine. A fluid conduit separate from the pump inlet extends through the upper and lower chamber-separating wall, with an inlet end being positioned within the lower chamber and an outlet end being positioned within the upper chamber. A secondary outlet from the pump supplies fuel under pressure through a nozzle to the fluid conduit for aspirating vapor and fuel through the fluid conduit into the upper chamber. Any vapors entrained in the fuel fed to the upper canister chamber are thus permitted to vent through the canister top.

Abstract: A fuel delivery systems for automotive engine and like applications, which comprises 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, a primary fuel outlet for feeding high-volume fuel under pressure to an engine, and a secondary outlet for likewise supplying fuel under pressure at smaller volume than the primary outlet. A fluid conduit extends through the canister internal wall, and has an inlet end in the lower chamber and an outlet end positioned in the upper chamber. A nozzle couples the secondary pump outlet to the conduit for aspirating fuel through the conduit from the lower chamber to the upper chamber.

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 lower 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 thence 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.

Abstract: An electric fuel pump which is self-contained in a unitary housing with a fuel inlet at one end leading to a rotary eccentric pump, the pumped fuel passing out an outlet at the other end of the housing. A relief valve in the form of a shaped plate at the pump end bypasses fuel when there is reduced demand at the outlet. The outlet end of the pump is formed as a brush holder for the electric drive motor and a magnet retainer for the field assembly. A self-aligning composite pump assembly is utilized with a motor housing. A substantially constant pressure at the outlet with varying outlet flow is the function of the relief valve.

Abstract: A fuel system for internal combustion engines which includes a fuel reservoir canister containing an electric fuel pump mounted in a fuel tank. A diaphragm-controlled valve isolates the reserve fuel from the pump inlet under normal operating conditions but a low fuel level will cause the valve to open to admit reserve fuel to the pump inlet. A float valve supplements the diaphragm controlled valve to close the reserve canister from the pump inlet when reserve fuel in the canister is near depletion.

Abstract: A quick connect, disconnect adapter for a fuel pump outlet and a fuel line inlet in the form of a tubular flexible element with ends to slip over, respectively, a pump outlet nipple and fuel line conduit. A one-way duck-bill valve is molded integrally with the element to retain fuel in the fuel line when the pump is not operating. A coil spring embraces the element to confine the ends. A central portion of the element is expansible to absorb and modulate pump pulses and is confined against abnormal expansion by the coils of the spring. The coil can be slipped axially to release confinement of one end to allow ready removal from the pump outlet.

Abstract: A self-contained electric fuel pump includes a pair of coaxially spaced inlet and outlet end caps joined by a case to form a pump housing. A d.c. motor includes an armature journaled for rotation within the housing and coupled to a pump mechanism for feeding fuel through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, fuel within the housing surrounding the armature being at substantially outlet pressure. A pressure sensor comprises a magnetic piston slideable against adjustable spring force within a bore in the outlet end cap as a function of fuel pressure within the pump housing. A Hall sensor is responsive to varying magnetic field as a function of piston position for applying electrical power to the pump armature as a function of pump outlet pressure.

Abstract: A fuel system for internal combustion, two-cycle or four-cycle engines in which hot combustion gases are introduced under pressure to the cylinder to be next fired along with raw fuel injection. The purpose is to preheat and atomize the fuel to obtain more efficient and more complete combustion. The respective cylinders are connected by cross-passages whereby hot gases from the combustion in one cylinder will be transferred along with heated vaporized fuel to an adjacent cylinder at proper timing with an electrically triggered fuel injection valve or device.

Abstract: An electric in-tank fuel pump for vehicles which is provided with a noise-reduction jacket of relative soft material spaced from the pump housing by internal projections on the jacket which contact the pump housing. An extended skirt on one embodiment serves to collect vapor which rises in the jacket to maintain a low liquid fuel level around the pump. A quick connect-disconnect from the pump to a fuel line with an integral unidirectional valve is provided to maintain fuel line pressure when the pump is not operating. Also, an inlet unidirectional valve is provided to prevent fuel from siphoning out of the pump.

Abstract: A pulse fuel injector for a two-stroke internal combustion engine which utilizes a throttle body with a fuel venturi and a throttle valve in the body. A one-way pulse passage connects the crankcase of the engine and the venturi to direct air pulses to the venturi to aspirate fuel into the throttle body where it is drawn into the crankcase for transfer to the firing chamber of the engine.

Abstract: A fuel system for automotive vehicles including a main liquid fuel tank which has a vertical fuel canister within the tank containing an electrically powered fuel pump. The canister has an open bottom positioned at the bottom of the fuel tank. The pump delivers liquid fuel from an inlet at the bottom of the canister to the engine and a pressure regulator in the line diverts fuel above the required volume back to the top of the canister which has an overflow to the main tank. The canister, which serves as a fuel reservoir, has a bottom septum closed by a movable valve. A filter material extends over the bottom of the canister to filter fuel entering the pump inlet. The filter is mechanically associated centrally with a spring biased lever connected to the movable valve. Under conditions where the bottom of the canister is starved of liquid fuel, the filter acts as a diaphragm to shift the lever against the resilient bias and open the valve to admit reservoir fuel from the canister to the pump inlet.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system which includes a fuel pump and a dc motor, which are preferably contained within a unitary housing. A pressure-sensitive switch, which is either contained within the unitary pump/motor housing or as a separate structure, includes a movable contact positioned within a housing so as to form a first chamber for receiving fuel under pressure and a second chamber for venting to atmosphere. A spring urges the movable contact against a second contact for applying electrical power to the pump motor. When the pump output pressure exceeds the force exerted on the movable contact by the spring, electrical conduction between the switch contacts is broken and motor power is interrupted. Current to the pump motor is thus pulse-width modulated as a function of pump output pressure, fuel demand, and the adjustable force exerted by the pressure switch spring.

Abstract: A lateral channel fuel pump wherein a multi-pocketed impeller rotates in face-to-face contact with a stationary pump face having arcuate passages including an inlet and outlet. fuel enters the inlet and is moved circumferentially such that pressure develops dynamically at the outlet. A sweep channel is designed to deepen at the outer radius to adjust to varying radial speeds of the rotor and a spill channel is provided radially outward of the inlet channel to receive fuel from the rotor and move it in part toward the outlet and in part back to the inlet to provide a smooth flow pattern.

Abstract: A rotary pump for volatile hydrocarbon fuels for use in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine in which a rotor combination has circumferentially spaced areas with ensmalling and enlarging pumping chambers such as a vane pump or a gear rotor pump. To allow purging of vapor from the pump to enable the pump to be self-priming and to pump against a pressurized fuel line under hot fuel conditions, a purge port passage is provided at the circumferential area in which the pumping chambers start to ensmall. This purge port includes a passage leading to the outside of the pump inlet into the body of liquid in which the pump is submerged. Vapor is purged from the pump through this passage to allow normal pumping pressure to develop upon starting of the pump.

Abstract: A fuel rail for internal combustion engines utilizing fuel injectors which includes an elongate housing having an internal chamber with a fuel inlet near one end and a fuel outlet leading to a pressure regulator valve. The chamber is divided longitudinally by a flexible metal membrane which absorbs pulsations created by the injectors and stabilizes the fuel supply to the fuel injectors.

Abstract: A pressure regulator valve for use in fuel systems for internal combustion engines which includes a two-part housing lamination with a diaphragm between the bottom and top housings and a centering valve guide disc above the diaphragm. The diaphragm is responsive to fuel pressure and will open a valve to by-pass fuel to a fuel tank. The centering valve guide disc functions to locate a diaphragm backing disc above the valve seat. A preferred diaphragm is formed of thin metal such as stainless steel which is confined at its periphery by housing elements to avoid destructive deformation in maximum pressure testing. In another embodiment, the metal operating diaphragm is secured at its periphery and formed in a manner to react in response to pressure to counteract increased spring force of a diaphragm backing spring. A press-in spring cap or cup allows calibration of the unit during assembly with a strike-in to fix the calibration in a tamperproof structure.

Abstract: A pressure regulator valve for use in fuel systems for internal combustion engines which includes a two-part housing lamination with a diaphragm between the bottom and top housings and a valve back-up pad above the diaphragm. The diaphragm is responsive to fuel pressure and will open a valve to by-pass fuel to a fuel tank. A centering diaphragm functions to locate a back-up pad above the valve seat. In one embodiment, the regulator valve pad controlled by the diaphragm is dimensioned with a diameter significantly larger than the effective valve seat area to insure full valve seat opening even when the valve pad is cocked slightly relative to the valve seat area. A press-on spring cap or cup allows calibration of the unit during assembly with a strike-in to fix the calibration in a tamperproof structure.

Abstract: A rotary pump for pumping liquid which includes a rotor combination in the form of a vane pump or gear and rotor with pumping chambers disposed circumferentially around the rotor. The chambers progressively increase in the inlet area and ensmall in the outlet area. Resilient means are interposed between the ensmalling chambers and an outlet to block backflow of the pressurized outlet liquid into pumping chambers containing vaporized liquid instead of solid liquid, thus reducing the pump noise under conditions of vaporization termed "cavitation".

Abstract: A rotary pump for pumping liquid which includes a rotor combination in the form of a vane pump or gear and rotor with pumping chambers disposed circumferentially around the rotor. The chambers progressively increase in the inlet area and ensmall in the outlet area. Pulse absorbtion means are interposed in the fuel passage means to absorb pulses and smooth out the pressurized outlet liquid, thus reducing the pump noise under all conditions of operations.