Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine that includes an electric-motor fuel pump and an electronic control circuit for applying electrical power to the pump motor from a source of d.c. potential. The electronic control circuit is responsive to voltage level at the source of d.c. potential for automatically boosting electrical power applied to the pump motor when voltage available at the source decreases to a preselected level. In the preferred embodiments, the pump motor is a d.c. motor, and the electronic control circuit takes the form of a d.c.-to-d.c. convertor having a transformer and a rectifier circuit coupling the transformer to the motor. Power switches apply alternating current to the transformer when voltage available at the d.c. power source is inadequate, thereby increasing or boosting power applied to the motor through the rectifier circuit.

Abstract: A carburetor in which no deviation or change occurs in the adjusted position of a fuel regulating needle valve and when a cap for limiting the adjustment is mounted on the fuel regulating valve the cap cannot be intentionally broken or removed. A flow area of a fuel pasage of a carburetor body is adjusted by a needle valve received in a threaded hole in the body. Adjacent the threaded hole the carburetor body has a cylindrical cavity having a larger diameter than that of the threaded hole. A larger-diameter threaded portion is provided on the needle valve adjacent its head. A stop ring in contact with a shoulder in the cylindrical cavity is fitted on the larger-diameter threaded portion of the valve. A cup-shaped cap is fitted on the serrated head of the fuel regulating valve. An axial protrusion formed on the outer peripheral wall of the cap is engaged with an axial groove opening into the peripheral wall of the cylindrical cavity.

Abstract: A filler neck of a fuel tank extends from the gas cap to the interior of a fuel tank, and a fill valve insert is positioned adjacent the tank-interior end of the filler neck in a tank/neck coupler construction. The insert carries a flexible valve to close the interior end of the filler neck, and the valve is designed and mounted both to flex open and bodily move downstream to both open and rapidly enlarge the valve opened passageway in response to rapid inflow of fuel to the tank, and to return and revert to a closed position upon cessation of fuel inflow. The fill valve insert is positively positioned and held in the interior of a threaded spout on the fuel tank and is retained and sealed against the filler pipe by a threaded collar screwed onto the threaded spout.

Abstract: A thermally actuated vapor vent valve in a fuel pump module allows hot vapor to escape from the fuel pump module when the module is at a temperature significantly above normal operating temperatures. The vent valve is carried by a retainer in the fuel pump module and, at normal operating temperatures, the vent valve is closed on a valve seat of the vapor outlet to prevent vapor flow through the vapor outlet. The valve and the retainer are formed of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion such that when the fuel pump module becomes heated to a temperature sufficiently above normal operating temperatures the retainer expands and disengages the valve from the valve seat. This allows the hot vapor within the fuel pump module to flow out of the module and thereby prevents the fuel pump from overheating or reaching temperatures which can damage the electric motor that drives the fuel pump.

Abstract: An engine fuel delivery system and method, and for use therein, an in-tank fuel pump and reservoir canister module assembly having a primary fuel filter mounted in a base subassembly adjacent the bottom of the tank and defining a filter chamber in the base having an outlet connected to the inlet of an electric fuel pump received directly in the tank exteriorly alongside of an upright open top reserve fuel canister. The pump outlet is connected to a bypass pressure regulator which discharges fuel in excess of engine demand into the canister. The canister has a bottom outlet mounted on the base subassembly and closed by a flow controlling valve and/or by a restricted orifice communicating the canister outlet with the filter chamber for returning bypassed reserve fuel from the canister reservoir to the pump inlet, either continuously and/or when a low level supply of fuel in the tank to the primary filter is interrupted, such as during cornering or going up or down a steep hill or incline.

Abstract: An electric fuel pump is housed in an aluminum body module formed by two iso-pods open-end-to-open-end to provide a multi-cavity module housing of heat conductive material. The pump inlet faces downwardly in one of the cavities and a small clearance volume directly surrounds the pump casing which, in one embodiment, is filled with liquid fuel and in another with cooling water. Another module cavity forms a fuel sump at its lower end and a vapor separator chamber at its upper end. Fuel is supplied from a fuel tank at a low pressure (3-8 psi) up to a float operated inlet needle valve in the vapor separator/sump cavity and a fuel passage communicates the sump with the pump inlet casing. The fuel collects as a pump inlet reserve supply in the sump at atmospheric pressure, or slightly thereabove. Vapor separates from the fuel into the pump headspace and is vented via a suitable vapor pressure regulator.

Abstract: An in-tank fuel pump and reservoir canister module having a fuel filter mounted in the module base adjacent the bottom of the tank and defining a filter chamber having an outlet connected to the inlet of an electric fuel pump received directly in the tank exteriorly alongside of an upright overflow-type reserve fuel canister. A canister bottom outlet is closed by a flow controlling valve and/or by an always-open restricted orifice communicating with the filter chamber for returning engine bypassed reserve fuel from the canister reservoir to the pump inlet, either continuously and/or only when a low level supply of fuel in the tank to the filter is interrupted.

Abstract: A liquid propane fuel storage and delivery system for a vehicle engine with a fluid handling component module removably top-mounted on an appropriate vehicle-mounted pressurized liquid propane fuel storage tank.

Abstract: A combination check and vent valve assembly for an automotive engine fuel system. The valve assembly has a fuel passage through a housing with an inlet communicating with a fuel pump outlet and an outlet to supply fuel to the engine. A check valve is disposed within the fuel passage which is normally closed when the fuel pump is not operating, and will open when the inlet fuel pressure exceeds the outlet fuel pressure. A normally closed vent valve is disposed within the fuel passage upstream of the check valve and serves as a moveable seat for the check valve, which will open when the valve assembly outlet fuel pressure is greater by a predetermined value than the fuel pump outlet pressure to bleed fuel through the passage and to the pump to reduce the outlet fuel pressure to a predetermined minimum pressure.

Abstract: A valve in a fuel pressure regulator prevents liquid fuel from being emitted exteriorly of the regulator housing and onto heated engine components. In the preferred embodiment, the valve allows gaseous flow into a chamber of the regulator when the pressure within the chamber is lower than the pressure of gases exterior of the regulator but prevents gaseous flow from within the chamber to the exterior of the housing. In other embodiment an air-bleed passage is provided in the valve to allow gaseous flow from within the chamber to the exterior of the regulator.

Abstract: A submersible electronic drive module for a vehicle in-tank fuel pump which includes a circuit board assembly having an input connector for receiving a current, an output connector for applying electric power to a fuel pump electric motor, and electrical components for supplying electric power to the motor as a function of vehicle fuel demand. A heat sink of a heat conductive material is thermally connected to the circuit board assembly which absorbs heat generated by the electrical components on the circuit board assembly. Fuel passes through the heat sink to cool it and thus the circuit board assembly and electrical components. A fuel-impervious casing encapsulates the drive module so that fuel is prevented from contacting the circuit board assembly and electrical components. The electronic drive module is removably attached to the fuel pump and is mounted within a fuel tank of an automotive fuel system.

Abstract: A small engine carburetor with manually controlled choke and throttle valves and associated idle ports and main metering nozzle supplied with fuel from a common metering chamber. The A/F is automatically adjusted by a solenoid operated poppet valve and/or gear driven needle valve and cooperative electronic control circuitry and system components built-in to the carburetor. A combined accelerator pump and idle circuit shut-off mechanism is also built-in and mechanically operated by the throttle shaft so that only the main nozzle supplies fuel when the engine is running above fast idle. A mechanical choke/throttle interlock mechanism also prevents partial choking when the engine is running above fast idle, and throttle operation above fast idle when choking.

Abstract: A no-return fuel system with a pressure regulator controlling the pressure of fuel supplied by a pump to the fuel rail and injectors of an internal combustion engine. The regulator has a bypass valve movable to open and closed positions by a diaphragm assembly to regulate the pressure of fuel supplied to the engine. The diaphragm is responsive to the pressure of fuel in a sensor line connected to the supply of fuel to the engine downstream of the bypass valve. To increase the pressure of fuel supplied to the engine when the pump is operating under an engine hot soak temperature conditions, a bleed passage communicating with the sensor line is opened by a solenoid actuated valve energized by a temperature responsive switch adjacent the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle on board system for recovering fuel vapors from the fuel tank both during filling of the fuel tank with volatile hydrocarbon liquid fuel and operation of the vehicle engine. A control unit in the fuel tank has a valve assembly actuated by a float to control the flow of fuel vapors from the top of the tank into a receiving canister with activated charcoal for absorbing the fuel vapors which can be purged from the canister by operation of the engine. The valve assembly has a valve seat, a flexible elastomeric closure received on a pivotally mounted carrier plate movable to open and closed positions relative to the seat, and a stripper plate encompassing the seat, overlying the closure and pivotally movable by the float to disengage the closure from the seat to open the valve.

Abstract: An accumulator for a no-return fuel system for a vehicle engine with fuel injectors. The accumulator has a housing with a flexible diaphragm between first and second chambers and a spring in one chamber yieldably closing the diaphragm to reduce the volume of the other chamber. One chamber has a fuel inlet that allows fuel into the chamber which accommodates expansion of the fuel by increasing the volume of the chamber against the bias of the spring. Preferably, the diaphragm has an over-pressure valve which opens when the system has reached its maximum over-pressure to allow the fuel to flow from one chamber to the other chamber in bypass relation to the injectors. The other chamber has an outlet communicating directly with the fuel tank.

Abstract: An electric-motor fuel pump that includes a housing with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and an electric motor with a rotor responsive to application of electrical power for rotating within the housing. A pump mechanism includes an impeller coupled to the rotor for corotation with the rotor and having a periphery with a circumferential array of impeller vanes. A pair of plates oppose the sides of the impeller and a split ring surrounds the periphery of the impeller to form an arcuate pumping channel around the periphery of the impeller. Inlet and outlet ports at opposed ends of the pumping channel are operatively coupled to the inlet and outlet in the pump housing. Channels extend radially inwardly from the pockets in each side face of the impeller, and are interconnected by through-passages that extend through the impeller. A vapor vent is disposed in one of the side plates for sequential registry with the impeller through-openings for venting vapor from the pumping channel.

Abstract: A no-return fuel system for an automotive engine with fuel injectors. The system has an electric fuel pump received in a fuel tank and supplying fuel at a substantially constant pressure to a demand regulator which delivers fuel to the fuel injectors under varying engine operating conditions. The fuel is delivered to the demand regulator at a substantially constant pressure by varying the speed of the fuel pump in response to changing fuel demand of the engine and/or by by-passing some of the fuel supplied by the pump through a by-pass regulator or relief valve. The demand regulator has a housing with a flexible diaphragm between first and second chambers. The admission of fuel to the first chamber is controlled by a valve associated with the diaphragm and fuel from this chamber is supplied to the engine injectors.

Abstract: A fuel handling system for an internal combustion engine having a vapor separator for receiving fuel from a remote tank and a pump for delivering the fuel under high pressure to a fuel injector of the engine while providing vapor separation. The separator has an inlet for receiving fuel from the tank, an outlet for enabling fuel to be removed and delivered to the engine, at least one return for enabling fuel not used by the engine to be returned to the separator, and a vent for removing fuel vapor from a gas dome above a pool of liquid fuel within the separator. The inlet has a valve controlled by a float in the reservoir for admitting fuel to maintain the level of liquid fuel in the separator. To retard foaming and excessive vaporization of liquid fuel in the separator, the separator has a perforate baffle between any return and the liquid fuel pool.

Abstract: An apparatus to control the flow of hydrocarbon fuel vapor from a vehicle fuel tank. The apparatus is mounted adjacent the top of the fuel tank and contains a valve system which controls fuel vapor flow from the tank to a receiving canister and prevents the vapor from escaping to the atmosphere. The valve system utilizes a diaphragm, operably connected to a main valve, to prevent the vapor pressure in the fuel tank from closing the valve. The main valve is actuated by a float responsive to the level of fuel in the tank and remains open when the fuel level is below a designated level and closes due to a sufficiently high fuel level or in a vehicle roll-over condition to prevent liquid fuel from escaping from the fuel tank through the apparatus.

Abstract: For a fuel injected engine with a no-return fuel system, a fuel rail assembly with an integrated fuel pressure regulator. The fuel rail assembly has a plurality of spaced apart fuel injector sockets each communicating through a fuel passage with a demand pressure regulator removably mounted on the fuel rail upstream of all the fuel injector sockets to regulate the pressure of all fuel supplied to fuel injectors received in the sockets.