Abstract: A wheel hub assembly includes a mounting base and a wheel hub supported for rotation on the mounting base by a plurality of bearings disposed within an annular space between the hub and base. A sealing system is provided that seals all points of intrusion into the space such that liquid contaminants are inhibited or precluded from entering the space and reaching the bearings when the assembly is subjected to an immersion/thermal shock test in which the assembly is heated to an elevated temperature and then immersed on a cold bath of the liquid contaminant.

Abstract: The sway bar linkage connects a sway bar with a control arm of a vehicle suspension system. The linkage includes a fastener and a plurality of bushings disposed between the fastener and the sway bar and between the fastener and the control arm. At least one of the bushings is constructed as a single piece of material, presents an outer surface, presents an inner bore which extends along an axis for receiving the fastener, and presents a plurality of pockets. The pockets are spaced radially between the inner bore and the outer surface for allowing the bushing to more easily deflect and absorb energy while transferring forces between the sway bar, fastener and control arm.

Abstract: The sway bar linkage connects a sway bar with a control arm of a vehicle suspension system. The linkage includes a fastener and a plurality of bushings disposed between the fastener and the sway bar and between the fastener and the control arm. At least one of the bushings is constructed as a single piece of material, presents an outer surface, presents an inner bore which extends along an axis for receiving the fastener, and presents a plurality of pockets. The pockets are spaced radially between the inner bore and the outer surface for allowing the bushing to more easily deflect and absorb energy while transferring forces between the sway bar, fastener and control arm.

Abstract: The sway bar linkage connects a sway bar with a control arm of a vehicle suspension system. The linkage includes a fastener and a plurality of bushings disposed between the fastener and the sway bar and between the fastener and the control arm. At least one of the bushings is constructed as a single piece of material, presents an outer surface, presents an inner bore which extends along an axis for receiving the fastener, and presents a plurality of pockets. The pockets are spaced radially between the inner bore and the outer surface for allowing the bushing to more easily deflect and absorb energy while transferring forces between the sway bar, fastener and control arm.

Abstract: A motor includes a rotor assembly includes a rotor and a motor shaft secured to the rotor. The motor further includes stator coils. Circuitry of the motor includes electronic components that cooperatively operate to activate and deactivate the coils to cause the rotor assembly to rotate, and first and second power terminals. An electrically conductive outer housing surrounds the motor. An electrically conductive grounding tab is electrically connected to the first power terminal. The tab contacts a radially-inwardly facing surface of the outer housing to provide a electrostatic discharge path from the outer housing to the ground terminal.

Abstract: The sway bar linkage connects a sway bar with a control arm of a vehicle suspension system. The linkage includes a fastener and a plurality of bushings disposed between the fastener and the sway bar and between the fastener and the control arm. At least one of the bushings is constructed as a single piece of material, presents an outer surface, presents an inner bore which extends along an axis for receiving the fastener, and presents a plurality of pockets. The pockets are spaced radially between the inner bore and the outer surface for allowing the bushing to more easily deflect and absorb energy while transferring forces between the sway bar, fastener and control arm.

Abstract: A motor includes a rotor assembly includes a rotor and a motor shaft secured to the rotor. The motor further includes stator coils. Circuitry of the motor includes electronic components that cooperatively operate to activate and deactivate the coils to cause the rotor assembly to rotate, and first and second power terminals. An electrically conductive outer housing surrounds the motor. An electrically conductive grounding tab is electrically connected to the first power terminal. The tab contacts a radially-inwardly facing surface of the outer housing to provide a electrostatic discharge path from the outer housing to the ground terminal.

Abstract: This invention provides an electric fuel pump tester that allows a technician to simulate the real-life operation of the electrical system of the vehicle, i.e., when the fuel pump is installed. The present invention provides a tester that includes a load that is similar to that of an installed fuel pump. In this manner, a technician may monitor simulated real-life operation of the vehicle's electrical system.

Abstract: This invention provides an electric fuel pump tester that allows a technician to simulate the real-life operation of the electrical system of the vehicle, i.e., when the fuel pump is installed. The present invention provides a tester that includes a load that is similar to that of an installed fuel pump. In this manner, a technician may monitor simulated real-life operation of the vehicle's electrical system.

Abstract: In a fuel supply system, liquid fuel is supplied to a marine engine from a fuel tank (10). The fuel first passes through a water filter (14), a lift pump (18) and is temporarily deposited in a vapor separator (20) where vapors given off from the fuel are collected and vented. A high pressure pump (30) withdraws liquid fuel from the vapor separator (200 and delivers it under pressure to an engine injector system (36) via a fuel delivery line (34). The fuel pressure between the high pressure pump (30) and the engine injector system (36) is monitored to determine whether the engine injector system (36) is being presented with more fuel than is required for efficient engine operation. If more fuel than needed is being supplied by the high pressure pump (30), the unneeded fuel is returned to the vapor separator (20) through a bypass line (40).

Abstract: A fuel separator is disclosed having a hollow interior in which a tubular coiled heat exchanger is positioned to receive a coolant liquid therethrough. Fuel is fed into the chamber through a fuel inlet and pumped out of the chamber by a high pressure pump into the fuel distribution system of an internal combustion engine. Heated excess fuel from the fuel distribution system of an internal combustion engine is returned to the chamber through a fuel return inlet at the bottom of the chamber and the heated fuel passes upwardly through the coolant coil thereby cooling the heated return fuel. Fuel vapor that is not condensed as a result of cooling can escape from the chamber through a float needle valve at the top of the chamber. A pressure relief valve is also provided at the top of the chamber to allow the vapor to escape when a predetermined internal pressure is reached.

Abstract: A fuel transfer apparatus for providing fuel to a vehicle engine from a plurality of fuel tanks. A transfer pump is positioned intermediate a pair of fuel tanks and is operable to transfer fuel therebetween. Fuel is provided to the engine from a first one of the two fuel tanks. Excess fuel is returned to the first one of the two fuel tanks. When the level in the first fuel tank is less than the level in the second fuel tank by a predetermined amount, the transfer pump transfers an amount of fuel from the second fuel tank to the first fuel tank. Fuel level sensors are utilized to monitor the level of fuel in the two fuel tanks and report to a microprocessor which controls the transfer pump. The microprocessor utilized to control the transfer pump may be incorporated into the transfer pump, may be a stand alone microprocessor, or may comprise an existing vehicle circuit board such as, e.g., the electronic control module (ECM). A fuel transfer line interconnects the two tanks and is located above the two tanks.

Abstract: A fuel filtering system having a valve which prevents the flow of fuel in the absence of a fuel filter. The filtering system includes a housing in which a fuel pump is at least partially disposed. A valve mechanism is located on the discharge side of the fuel pump and includes a valve member which is movable between open and closed positions which, respectively, allow and prevent fluid flow through the fuel line. A biasing member is provided for biasing the valve member into the closed position. The valve member is engaged by the mounting of the fuel filter to thereby open the valve mechanism. In the absence of an installed fuel filter, the valve member remains in the closed position to prevent the flow of unfiltered fuel to the engine.

Abstract: A fuel transfer apparatus for providing fuel to a vehicle engine from a plurality of fuel tanks. A transfer pump is positioned intermediate a pair of fuel tanks and is operable to transfer fuel therebetween. Fuel is provided to the engine from a first one of the two fuel tanks. Excess fuel is returned to the first one of the two fuel tanks. When the level in the first fuel tank is less than the level in the second fuel tank by a predetermined amount, the transfer pump transfers an amount of fuel from the second fuel tank to the first fuel tank. Fuel level sensors are utilized to monitor the level of fuel in the two fuel tanks and report to a microprocessor which controls the transfer pump. The microprocessor utilized to control the transfer pump may be incorporated into the transfer pump, may be a stand alone microprocessor, or may comprise an existing vehicle circuit board such as, e.g., the electronic control module (ECM). A fuel transfer line interconnects the two tanks and is located above the two tanks.

Abstract: A fuel filtering system having a valve which prevents the flow of fuel in the absence of a fuel filter. The filtering system includes a housing in which a fuel pump is at least partially disposed. A valve mechanism is located on the discharge side of the fuel pump and includes a valve member which is movable between open and closed positions which, respectively, allow and prevent fluid flow through the fuel line. A biasing member is provided for biasing the valve member into the closed position. The valve member is engaged by the mounting of the fuel filter to thereby open the valve mechanism. In the absence of an installed fuel filter, the valve member remains in the closed position to prevent the flow of unfiltered fuel to the engine.

Abstract: A fuel transfer apparatus for providing fuel to a vehicle engine from a plurality of fuel tanks. A transfer pump is positioned intermediate a pair of fuel tanks and is operable to transfer fuel therebetween. Fuel is provided to the engine from a first one of the two fuel tanks. Excess fuel is returned to the first one of the two fuel tanks. When the level in the first fuel tank is less than the level in the second fuel tank by a predetermined amount, the transfer pump transfers an amount of fuel from the second fuel tank to the first fuel tank. Fuel level sensors are utilized to monitor the level of fuel in the two fuel tanks and report to a microprocessor which controls the transfer pump. The microprocessor utilized to control the transfer pump may be incorporated into the transfer pump, may be a stand alone microprocessor, or may comprise an existing vehicle circuit board such as, e.g., the electronic control module (ECM).

Abstract: A system for transferring fuel from a fuel tank to an engine which allows an optimum water/fuel ratio (i.e., a ratio which will permit the engine to operate substantially normally while disposing of water in the fuel tank) to be transferred to the engine. The apparatus includes a fuel pump having two inlets in fluid communication with the vehicle fuel tank. A hydrophobic filter is associated with one of the inlets and is operative to prohibit water from entering the fuel pump. The inlets are sized to achieve an optimum water/fuel ratio for delivery to an internal combustion engine. In one exemplary embodiment, an adjustable orifice may be associated with the second inlet, such that the water content of the product transferred to the engine may be regulated depending on, e.g., the operational state of the engine.

Abstract: A fuel pump (14) is driven by a marine engine (12) for pumping fuel from a fuel tank (16) to the internal combustion engine (12). A cooling jacket (18) is disposed about the fuel pump (14) and is in sealing engagement with the fuel pump (14) to form a cooling chamber (20) about the fuel pump (14). The cooling jacket (18) has a water inlet (22) for admitting cooling water to the cooling chamber (20). A water pump (24) is driven by the engine (12) for supplying environmental water to the water inlet (22) of the cooling jacket (18). A pickup (26) is connected to the water pump (24) for supplying environmental marine water to the water pump (24), i.e., the pickup (26) is disposed in the water in which the watercraft is buoyed. The cooling jacket (18) has a water outlet (28) for dumping water from the cooling chamber (20) back to the environmental marine water, i.e., the water outlet (28) is disposed to dump cooling water into the same water in which the watercraft is buoyed.

Abstract: A fuel transfer apparatus for providing fuel to a vehicle engine from a plurality of fuel tanks. A transfer pump is positioned intermediate a pair of fuel tanks and is operable to transfer fuel therebetween. Fuel is provided to the engine from a first one of the two fuel tanks. Excess fuel is returned to the first one of the two fuel tanks. When the level in the first fuel tank is less than the level in the second fuel tank by a predetermined amount, the transfer pump transfers an amount of fuel from the second fuel tank to the first fuel tank. Fuel level sensors are utilized to monitor the level of fuel in the two fuel tanks and report to a microprocessor which controls the transfer pump. The microprocessor utilized to control the transfer pump may be incorporated into the transfer pump, may be a stand alone microprocessor, or may comprise an existing vehicle circuit board such as, e.g., the electronic control module (ECM).

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel temperature while supplying fuel from a fuel tank (12) to an array (16) of fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine (18) comprising the steps of pumping the fuel with a high pressure pump (14), flowing the fuel through a fuel line (20) from the fuel tank (12) to the high pressure pump (14), and flowing the fuel through a vapor separator (22) in the fuel line (20) between the tank (12) and the high pressure pump (14). The method is characterized by recirculating fuel (24) from the vapor separator (22) to the fuel line (20) for leveling fuel temperatures. The method is more specifically characterized by regulating (26) the pressure at which fuel is recirculated from the vapor separator (22) to the fuel line (20). An assembly for implementing the method includes a unitary housing comprising an upper cap (44) and a lower cap (46) for supporting the filter (32), the low pressure pump (28), the first pressure regulator (26), and the vapor separator (22).