Abstract: A method of welding plastic components using an induction weldable plastic material to a wall of a hollow plastic vessel entails providing a metal disk to a first plastic component, providing the first plastic component with a weldable plastic material, inserting the plastic component through a hole in a wall of the hollow plastic vessel, the inserting being from an exterior of the vessel to an interior of the vessel, positioning the first plastic component against or proximate an interior wall of the hollow plastic vessel, orienting an electro-magnet about the exterior of the vessel, orienting an induction coil about the electro-magnet such that the induction coil encircles the electromagnet; energizing the electro-magnet so that the metal disk of the first plastic component is secured against the wall of the vessel, and energizing the induction coil so that the induction weldable plastic material welds to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A fuel pump having double filter elements that contact the fuel pump module reservoir wall will dampen vibrational energy that originates in the fuel pump and propagates through the filter elements and into the fuel pump module reservoir. The fuel filter apparatus situated within the fuel pump module reservoir has a fuel pump with a fuel filter carrier attached to an end of the fuel pump. The fuel filters that attach to the fuel filter carrier are doubled such that one lies over the other in an over-lapping or sock-like arrangement. The outside filter presses against the wall of the fuel pump module reservoir to dampen any vibration that propagates from the fuel pump. The fuel filters lie under the fuel pump in such a way that they are between the fuel pump and the fuel pump module wall with which they make contact.

Abstract: A movable fuel valve lies within a housing at an end of a housing fuel passage. A fuel tube has a nozzle end inserted within a first end of the housing fuel passage while the movable valve element is situated at a second end of the housing fuel passage and controls fuel flow from the second end of the housing fuel passage. The nozzle end remains surrounded in fuel when the valve element is closed and sealed against the second end of the housing fuel passage. When the fuel pressure within the housing fuel passage is greater than a fuel pressure on the other side of the valve, the fuel flows from the housing fuel passage, through the part of the housing surrounding the valve, and into the reservoir. The movable valve element prevents fuel from flowing from the main-side of a fuel tank to the sub side of the tank.

Abstract: A fuel pump module has a flange located proximate to the top of the fuel tank, a first strut rod, a second strut rod, a fuel inlet tube and a fuel outlet tube, each extending through the flange from a first side of the flange to a second side of the flange. A multi-point grounding plate is located on a side of the flange to contact and ground the strut rods, fuel tubes and adjacent parts. The grounding plate is generally disposed about a periphery of the flange, and a grounding wire, a first end of which is disposed on the grounding plate and a second end of which is disposed on a vehicle ground location, provides the necessary grounding path for the grounding plate.

Abstract: A fuel pump cutoff shuttle valve is located between a multiple fuel pump arrangement. The valve has a first tubular member with a hollow, biased sliding member inside that moves according to the fuel pressures of the pumps. The fuel that flows through the valve member passes out through a valve member central orifice so that the fuel can flow into the second tubular member en route to an engine. When the fuel pressure in a pump greatly exceeds that of another pump on the opposite side of the valve member, the valve member moves and places the valve member central orifice adjacent to the interior wall of the first tubular member, stopping the flow of fuel. Alternatively, the valve member may have an orifice at each end of the valve member to permit a reduced flow of fuel to the engine when fuel is not supplied by the central orifice.

Abstract: A fuel pump module has a flange located proximate to the top of the fuel tank, a first strut rod, a second strut rod, a fuel inlet tube and a fuel outlet tube, each extending through the flange from a first side of the flange to a second side of the flange. A multi-point grounding plate is located on a side of the flange to contact and ground the strut rods, fuel tubes and adjacent parts. The grounding plate is generally disposed about a periphery of the flange, and a grounding wire, a first end of which is disposed on the grounding plate and a second end of which is disposed on a vehicle ground location, provides the necessary grounding path for the grounding plate.

Abstract: A method of welding plastic components using an induction weldable plastic material to a wall of a hollow plastic vessel entails providing a metal disk to a first plastic component, providing the first plastic component with a weldable plastic material, inserting the plastic component through a hole in a wall of the hollow plastic vessel, the inserting being from an exterior of the vessel to an interior of the vessel, positioning the first plastic component against or proximate an interior wall of the hollow plastic vessel, orienting an electro-magnet about the exterior of the vessel, orienting an induction coil about the electro-magnet such that the induction coil encircles the electromagnet; energizing the electro-magnet so that the metal disk of the first plastic component is secured against the wall of the vessel, and energizing the induction coil so that the induction weldable plastic material welds to the vessel wall.

Abstract: In a fuel pump module of a vehicle fuel tank, a check valve has a counter-balanced inlet door that uses a counterweight to assist in opening the inlet door to control the flow of fuel into and out of the jet pump tube of the fuel pump module. The inlet door has a longitudinal body, a first and second pivot arm on opposing sides of the body for the door to pivot, a circular or semi-circular door portion having a through hole to secure a sealing member to the inlet door. The door portion and counterweight are at opposing ends of the body. When the inlet door rotates to its closed position, the sealing member creates a seal with the end of the jet tube. At least one straight peripheral edge about the otherwise curved door portion prevents the door portion from interfering with surrounding structure during operation.

Abstract: A fuel pump cutoff shuttle valve is located between a multiple fuel pump arrangement. The valve has a first tubular member with a hollow, biased sliding member inside that moves according to the fuel pressures of the pumps. The fuel that flows through the valve member passes out through a valve member central orifice so that the fuel can flow into the second tubular member en route to an engine. When the fuel pressure in a pump greatly exceeds that of another pump on the opposite side of the valve member, the valve member moves and places the valve member central orifice adjacent to the interior wall of the first tubular member, stopping the flow of fuel. Alternatively, the valve member may have an orifice at each end of the valve member to permit a reduced flow of fuel to the engine when fuel is not supplied by the central orifice.

Abstract: A fuel tank assembly includes a tank defining an aperture on a first generally planar surface. A plurality of retaining members extend outwardly from the first planar surface and are arranged generally around the aperture. A fuel sender assembly is disposed in the tank and adapted to mate with the first planar surface of the tank around the aperture in an assembled position. The fuel sender assembly defines a second generally planar surface. A retention plate is adapted to engage the plurality of retaining members and urge the fuel sender flange against the first planar surface of the tank in the assembled position. The retention plate includes a central body portion laterally offset from and adapted to substantially cover the second planar surface of the fuel sender flange in the assembled position.

Abstract: A fuel pump module and method for mounting such to a fuel tank having a limited mounting depth, includes a reservoir, a modular flange, and a compressible coupling element, wherein the modular flange and the reservoir containing the fuel pump are connected offset to each other vertically, by means of the compressible coupling element. Upon installation in a shallow fuel tank, the offset attachment provides for the reservoir, to be biased against the bottom wall of the fuel tank without vertically interfering with the modular flange embodying various components such as vent valves or carbon canisters, which after mounting, are at least partially adjacent horizontally to the reservoir within the fuel tank.

Abstract: A vapor vent valve for a fuel pump module, wherein the valve assembly attaches directly to the bottom side of the fuel pump module flange within the interior volume of the fuel tank. When rising fuel exerts a force on the valve assembly pushing the float assembly upwards, the valve head attached to the float assembly seals directly against a valve seat on the underside of the modular flange, covering the vapor release aperture located through the flange, preventing fuel from escaping through the vent aperture. In providing a direct seal of the valve head against the modular flange, additional sealing means and potential emission sources between the valve housing and the modular flange are eliminated.

Abstract: A fuel pump module and method for mounting such to a fuel tank having a limited mounting depth, includes a reservoir, a modular flange, and a compressible coupling element, wherein the modular flange and the reservoir containing the fuel pump are connected offset to each other vertically, by means of the compressible coupling element. Upon installation in a shallow fuel tank, the offset attachment provides for the reservoir, to be biased against the bottom wall of the fuel tank without vertically interfering with the modular flange embodying various components such as vent valves or carbon canisters, which after mounting, are at least partially adjacent horizontally to the reservoir within the fuel tank.

Abstract: A vapor vent valve for a fuel pump module, wherein the valve assembly attaches directly to the bottom side of the fuel pump module flange within the interior volume of the fuel tank. When rising fuel exerts a force on the valve assembly pushing the float assembly upwards, the valve head attached to the float assembly seals directly against a valve seat on the underside of the modular flange, covering the vapor release aperture located through the flange, preventing fuel from escaping through the vent aperture. In providing a direct seal of the valve head against the modular flange, additional sealing means and potential emission sources between the valve housing and the modular flange are eliminated.

Abstract: A fuel pump module with integrated vapor vent manifold for minimizing fuel vapor emission in a fuel venting system, comprising a modular flange having a plurality of vapor inlets on the bottom side for receiving fuel vapor from sources both proximal and distal to the flange within the fuel tank. The vapors collected from distal sources within the tank are carried to the manifold by means of internal vent lines thereby minimizing permeation emissions common of external vapor lines. Once received in the manifold, the vapors conglomerate and exit the top side of the flange through a single outlet, connected by a single vapor line to a remote canister for storage.

Abstract: A fuel pump module and method for mounting such to a fuel tank having a limited mounting depth, includes a reservoir, a modular flange, and a compressible coupling element, wherein the modular flange and the reservoir containing the fuel pump are connected offset to each other vertically, by means of the compressible coupling element. Upon installation in a shallow fuel tank, the offset attachment provides for the reservoir, to be biased against the bottom wall of the fuel tank without vertically interfering with the modular flange embodying various components such as vent valves or carbon canisters, which after mounting, are at least partially adjacent horizontally to the reservoir within the fuel tank.

Abstract: A fuel pump module with integrated vapor vent manifold for minimizing fuel vapor emission in a fuel venting system, comprising a modular flange having a plurality of vapor inlets on the bottom side for receiving fuel vapor from sources both proximal and distal to the flange within the fuel tank. The vapors collected from distal sources within the tank are carried to the manifold by means of internal vent lines thereby minimizing permeation emissions common of external vapor lines. Once received in the manifold, the vapors conglomerate and exit the top side of the flange through a single outlet, connected by a single vapor line to a remote canister for storage.

Abstract: A fuel pump module and method for mounting such to a fuel tank having a limited mounting depth, includes a reservoir, a modular flange, and a compressible coupling element, wherein the modular flange and the reservoir containing the fuel pump are connected offset to each other vertically, by means of the compressible coupling element. Upon installation in a shallow fuel tank, the offset attachment provides for the reservoir, to be biased against the bottom wall of the fuel tank without vertically interfering with the modular flange embodying various components such as vent valves or carbon canisters, which after mounting, are at least partially adjacent horizontally to the reservoir within the fuel tank.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for bending thin-wall thermoplastic tubing utilizing pressure inside the tube portion being bent to thereby maintain the shape of the tube during bending, and applying heat only in the zone of the tube that is stretched by pulling it axially during continuous incremental bending around a rotatable bend die to thereby maintain the original cross-sectional shape of the tubing. The tube inside radius surface is continuously supported during application of bending-induced tensile stress by causing the tube to track or wrap partially around a rotatable bend die in a generally linear (minimum slip) tracking mode.