Abstract: A vehicle fuel pump assembly, method of construction thereof, and a fuel tank assembly is provided. The fuel pump assembly includes a non-conductive plastic reservoir and an electrically powered fuel pump disposed in the reservoir. The fuel pump is configured to receive fuel through an inlet and to dispense fuel through an outlet. A fuel filter assembly having a non-conductive plastic housing is disposed in the reservoir and a coating of conductive material is bonded to the housing. A conductive lead is configured in electrical communication with the coating and is further configured for attachment to an electrical ground.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool for monitoring a component in a load electrical circuit is provided. The diagnostic tool includes a housing containing a relay, at least one electrical sensor, a computer readable memory and a processor. The relay is configured for selectively open and close the load electrical circuit according to a control electrical circuit. The at least one sensor is configured to measure current and/or voltage in the load electrical circuit and to generate signals corresponding to the electrical load drawn through the load electrical circuit. The processor is in electrical with the sensor or sensors and the computer readable memory for storing data in the computer readable memory corresponding to the signals generated by the sensor.

Abstract: An alcohol detector for detecting high concentrations of alcohol in a fuel tank and for providing evidence that the alcohol was present even after it has been removed. In one aspect, the alcohol detector includes a cathode and an anode of different materials and spaced from one another. The anode experiences galvanic corrosion at a faster rate when exposed to high concentrations of alcohol than it does when exposed to unleaded gasoline. Thus, the amount of corrosion present on the anode provides evidence of the past presence of an improper fuel in the fuel tank. In another aspect, the alcohol detector is a dye printed on a fuel pump. The dye visually changes color intensity in the presence of high concentrations of alcohol to provide evidence of the past presence of alcohol.

Abstract: A method and system for removing contaminants from a filter member positioned on the inlet of a fuel pump with an electric DC motor. The polarity of the motor control circuit is reversed causing the DC motor to run in reverse discharging residual fuel in the fuel pump through the filter member.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel pump assembly, method of construction thereof, and a fuel tank assembly is provided. The fuel pump assembly includes a non-conductive plastic reservoir and an electrically powered fuel pump disposed in the reservoir. The fuel pump is configured to receive fuel through an inlet and to dispense fuel through an outlet. A fuel filter assembly having a non-conductive plastic housing is disposed in the reservoir and a coating of conductive material is bonded to the housing. A conductive lead is configured in electrical communication with the coating and is further configured for attachment to an electrical ground.

Abstract: A fuel tank assembly (12) is provided for containing liquid fuel and supplying that fuel, upon demand, to an internal combustion engine. The assembly (12) includes a tank (14) in which is disposed a fuel pump module (18). The fuel pump module (18) includes a cup-like reservoir (34) which houses a fuel pump (46) and carries along its outer side wall (36) a fuel level sender unit (32). A float arm (60) extends pivotally from the fuel level sender (32) and swings up and down as the level of fuel in the tank (14) changes. The float arm (60) is pivotally supported on a carrier (58) attached to the side wall (36) of the reservoir (34). A sliding interface (62) is disposed along the side wall (36) of the reservoir (34) for slidably receiving and securing the carrier (58) along a captured alignment path. The fuel level sender (32) can be infinitely positioned in the longitudinal direction along the sliding interface (62) during assembly of the fuel pump module (18).

Abstract: An oil injection system for two-stroke engines, including a pressure regulator located within an oil reservoir, the pressure regulator selectively returning a portion of pumped oil directly back to the oil reservoir to prevent oil from exiting the reservoir at a higher than desired pressure. The pressure regulator allows a portion of the pumped oil from the oil reservoir to flow through the oil line to a solenoid valve, where the pressure regulator and solenoid valve together meter the flow of oil to a plurality of oil injectors for injection into the engine cylinders. Locating the pressure regulator within the oil reservoir eliminates the need for a return line from the solenoid valve to the oil reservoir, thus simplifying the solenoid design as well as the overall design of the oil injection system.

Abstract: An inductively driven gas discharge lamp assembly (20,40) which includes an electrodeless lamp (12,12′), an inductive drive coil (14), and a flux concentrator (22,42) disposed about the drive coil. The drive coil (14) is wound about the lamp (12,12′), which has a neon or other ionizable gas fill that provides a visible plasma discharge upon energization by the drive coil. The flux concentrator (22,42) can comprise a sleeve (24,44) of magnetically permeable material, such as ferrite, which confines the magnetic field generated by the drive coil (14). The flux concentrator (42) can include an end piece (46) that further confines the magnetic field at one end of the drive coil and c include a core piece (48) that extends into a central recess (50) within the lamp (12′) to concentrate the magnetic flux at a particular region within the lamp where the plasma discharge is primarily located.

Abstract: An engine emission control metering valve includes a metering ball valve element operatively connected to an electrically-energized linear actuator that includes a stationary magnet and a moving coil concentric with the magnet. The coil has a different axial length than the magnet such that application of a current to the coil causes coil-generated magnetic flux to axially push the coil away from the magnet. Coil movement translates into movement of the metering valve element through the wedging action of a cam element driven by the coil movement.