Abstract: A fuel vapor separator assembly including a housing having an open interior and a float disposed therein. At least one magnet is disposed on the float, and a sensor assembly which is responsive to magnetic fields is disposed externally of the housing. The sensor assembly senses the position of the float to determine whether vapor is present in the fuel vapor separator. If the sensor assembly determines that vapor is present in the fuel vapor separator, then it generates a signal, which a controller receives and activates a vapor vent valve to discharge the vapor and/or activates a fuel lift pump to pump additional fuel into the fuel vapor separator. The sensor assembly could be, for example, a Hall effect sensor or a reed-type sensor.

Abstract: A piston-type fuel pump is provided. The fuel pump includes a housing bounding an internal cavity with a cylindrical tube disposed in the internal cavity. The cylindrical tube provides a bore extending along an axis and a piston is disposed in the bore. A spring is configured to bias the piston in a first direction along the axis. A coil is disposed about the cylindrical tube and a control circuit is disposed in the internal cavity. The control circuit is configured in electrical communication with the coil. The voltage supplied to the control circuit can be varied, with the control circuit compensating for the variable supply voltage to regulate the actuation of the coil from a de-energized state to an energized state. The piston is biased in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to the coil being actuated.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a vapor vent system for an internal combustion engine such as an outboard marine fuel injected engine. The vapor vent system includes a snap assembly decoupled float vapor vent in order to vent vapors from the vapor separator. The snap assembly design reduces costs, vibration and assembly requirements.

Abstract: A fuel vapor separator assembly including a housing having an open interior and a float disposed therein. At least one magnet is disposed on the float, and a sensor assembly which is responsive to magnetic fields is disposed externally of the housing. The sensor assembly senses the position of the float to determine whether vapor is present in the fuel vapor separator. If the sensor assembly determines that vapor is present in the fuel vapor separator, then it generates a signal, which a controller receives and activates a vapor vent valve to discharge the vapor and/or activates a fuel lift pump to pump additional fuel into the fuel vapor separator. The sensor assembly could be, for example, a Hall effect sensor or a reed-type sensor.

Abstract: A piston-type fuel pump is provided. The fuel pump includes a housing bounding an internal cavity with a cylindrical tube disposed in the internal cavity. The cylindrical tube provides a bore extending along an axis and a piston is disposed in the bore. A spring is configured to bias the piston in a first direction along the axis. A coil is disposed about the cylindrical tube and a control circuit is disposed in the internal cavity. The control circuit is configured in electrical communication with the coil. The voltage supplied to the control circuit can be varied, with the control circuit compensating for the variable supply voltage to regulate the actuation of the coil from a de-energized state to an energized state. The piston is biased in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to the coil being actuated.

Abstract: A unitized fuel vapor separator and evaporative emission device; marine fuel system, and marine engine therewith are provided. The device includes a fuel vapor separator and evaporative emissions chamber having a common wall separating the fuel vapor separator from the evaporative emissions chamber. The fuel vapor separator is configured for fluid communication with an upstream fuel tank and with a fuel pump and has a fuel vapor outlet to channel fuel vapor outwardly therefrom. The evaporative emissions chamber is configured for fluid communication with the fuel tank to receive fuel vapor therefrom and has an adsorption material for adsorbing fuel vapor and dissipating air from the fuel vapor through an air outlet to channel the air outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A fuel rail vent system for evacuating air from a fuel rail includes a first fuel reservoir and a first fuel line extending between the first fuel reservoir and the fuel rail. A fuel pump is configured in fluid communication with the first fuel reservoir to pump liquid fuel from the first fuel reservoir to the fuel rail through the first fuel line. A second fuel line separate from the first fuel line extends between the first fuel reservoir and the fuel rail. A primer system is configured for fluid communication with the first fuel reservoir to pump liquid fuel from the first fuel reservoir to the fuel rail through the second fuel line. A second fuel reservoir separate from the first fuel reservoir is configured for fluid communication with the fuel rail downstream of the fuel rail to receive any excess liquid fuel and/or fuel vapor upstream therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a vapor vent system for an internal combustion engine such as an outboard marine fuel injected engine. The vapor vent system includes a snap assembly decoupled float vapor vent in order to vent vapors from the vapor separator. The snap assembly design reduces costs, vibration and assembly requirements.

Abstract: A unitized fuel vapor separator and evaporative emission device; marine fuel system, and marine engine therewith are provided. The device includes a fuel vapor separator and evaporative emissions chamber having a common wall separating the fuel vapor separator from the evaporative emissions chamber. The fuel vapor separator is configured for fluid communication with an upstream fuel tank and with a fuel pump and has a fuel vapor outlet to channel fuel vapor outwardly therefrom. The evaporative emissions chamber is configured for fluid communication with the fuel tank to receive fuel vapor therefrom and has an adsorption material for adsorbing fuel vapor and dissipating air from the fuel vapor through an air outlet to channel the air outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A fuel rail vent system for evacuating air from a fuel rail includes a first fuel reservoir and a first fuel line extending between the first fuel reservoir and the fuel rail. A fuel pump is configured in fluid communication with the first fuel reservoir to pump liquid fuel from the first fuel reservoir to the fuel rail through the first fuel line. A second fuel line separate from the first fuel line extends between the first fuel reservoir and the fuel rail. A primer system is configured for fluid communication with the first fuel reservoir to pump liquid fuel from the first fuel reservoir to the fuel rail through the second fuel line. A second fuel reservoir separate from the first fuel reservoir is configured for fluid communication with the fuel rail downstream of the fuel rail to receive any excess liquid fuel and/or fuel vapor upstream therefrom.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for an outboard marine engine includes a vapor separator (28) having a uni-directional vapor vent device (36) for preventing fuel leakage when the engine (12) is tipped on its side. The vapor separator (28) includes an enclosed interior chamber (50) which is filled with liquid fuel by a suction pump. A separate, high pressure pump transfers the liquid fuel from the interior chamber (50) to a fuel injection system (32) of the engine (12). The vapor vent device (36) includes a generally tubular casing having an enclosed top end permeated by an escape passage (84), and a float (94) slidably disposed within the casing (82) for movement toward and away from sealing engagement with the escape passage (84).

Abstract: A BLDC motor assembly and method for manufacturing same is disclosed. The motor has a housing, a shaft supported for rotation within the housing, a stator disposed within the housing for generating an electro-magnetic field, a rotor operatively coupled to the shaft and disposed for powered rotation within the stator in response to the electro-magnetic field, at least one temperature sensitive electronic device (TSED) disposed within the housing and electrically connected to the stator for controlling or measuring an aspect of the electro-magnetic field, and a fuel resistant and electrically insulated polymeric material encapsulating the TSED so that the TSED is protected from adverse temperature and chemical agents without the need for a separate internal container or a pre-potting operating. The TSED, which may be carried on a printed circuit board within the housing, is thus overmolded with polymeric material so that the polymeric material fills, or substantially fills, a space within the housing.