Abstract: A system for minimizing hydrocarbon vapor emissions includes a fuel vapor adsorption canister and a fresh air vent line from the fuel adsorption canister to an ambient environment to vent the fuel vapor adsorption canister. The fresh air vent line includes one or more hydrocarbon trap sections. The one or more hydrocarbon trap sections of the fresh air vent line adsorb hydrocarbon emissions from the fuel vapor adsorption canister to minimize hydrocarbon emissions to the ambient environment.

Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel supply line in communication with a fuel tank and a fuel pump system. A fuel rail is connected to the fuel supply system and a plurality of fuel injectors. A return line extending from the fuel rail to the fuel tank. A by-pass passage extending from the supply line to the return line and including a pressure release valve having a pre-set activation pressure. A fuel temperature sensor for sensing a feed temperature of the fuel in the fuel supply system. A pressure control module that sets a first pressure set point in the fuel rail below the pre-set activation pressure when the feed temperature is below a predetermined temperature and sets a second pressure set point above the pre-set activation pressure of the pressure release valve when the feed temperature is above the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel system for use in a vehicle having an engine. The system includes a fuel tank having a fuel pump module area and a bulk area, and a fuel pump mounted in the fuel pump module area, having an inlet and an outlet. A thermostatic valve has a fuel inlet connected to a return fuel line from the engine, a first outlet and a second outlet, with the valve directing fuel through the first outlet when the temperature is below a threshold and directing fuel through the second outlet when the temperature is above the threshold. A cold fuel line connects to the first outlet of the valve and directs fuel to the fuel pump inlet, and a warm fuel line connects to the second outlet of the valve and directs fuel into the bulk area of the fuel tank away from the fuel pump.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for electrostatic discharge mitigation for a fuel module. In one embodiment, the system includes a fuel pump having a power and ground connection for pumping fuel. A fuel filter in fluid communication with the fuel pump, the fuel filter including one or more components made of a non-conductive plastic and having a sulfonated surface covered with a conductive surface formed over the sulfonated surface. The conductive surface is electrically coupled to the vehicle ground plane. A method is provided for mitigation of electrostatic discharge in a fuel module. In one embodiment, the method includes sulfonating non-conductive plastic components of the fuel module to provide a sulfonated layer on the non-conductive plastic components and forming a conductive layer over the sulfonated layer to provide an electrical discharge path for electrostatic buildup resulting from fuel moving through the fuel module.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for electrostatic discharge mitigation for a fuel module. In one embodiment, the system includes a fuel pump having a power and ground connection for pumping fuel. A fuel filter in fluid communication with the fuel pump, the fuel filter including one or more components made of a non-conductive plastic and having a sulfonated surface covered with a conductive surface formed over the sulfonated surface. The conductive surface is electrically coupled to the vehicle ground plane. A method is provided for mitigation of electrostatic discharge in a fuel module. In one embodiment, the method includes sulfonating non-conductive plastic components of the fuel module to provide a sulfonated layer on the non-conductive plastic components and forming a conductive layer over the sulfonated layer to provide an electrical discharge path for electrostatic buildup resulting from fuel moving through the fuel module.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel system for use in a vehicle having an engine. The system includes a fuel tank having a fuel pump module area and a bulk area, and a fuel pump mounted in the fuel pump module area, having an inlet and an outlet. A thermostatic valve has a fuel inlet connected to a return fuel line from the engine, a first outlet and a second outlet, with the valve directing fuel through the first outlet when the temperature is below a threshold and directing fuel through the second outlet when the temperature is above the threshold. A cold fuel line connects to the first outlet of the valve and directs fuel to the fuel pump inlet, and a warm fuel line connects to the second outlet of the valve and directs fuel into the bulk area of the fuel tank away from the fuel pump.

Abstract: A by-pass fuel system configured so that in the event diesel fuel has waxed and/or ice crystals have formed such that the fuel cannot pass easily through the fuel pump fuel strainer, the diesel fuel is selectively able to pass through an auxiliary fuel port via a by-pass valve, thereby ensuring adequate fuel flow to the diesel engine. Return fuel heated by the engine is preferably directed directly onto the fuel pump fuel strainer to help dissolve the waxing and crystallization. An auxiliary coarse fuel strainer optionally provides coarse fuel straining of the by-passed fuel.

Abstract: A by-pass fuel system in which the plumbing of the fuel pump module is configured to ensure by-pass strained (and filtered) fuel remains separate from the reservoir fuel after by-pass such that it is not re-strained before re-entry to the fuel pump. The anti-clogging fuel pump module is plumbed such that the by-pass strained fuel is directed to the fuel pump separately with respect to the reservoir fuel, wherein it never mixes with reservoir fuel except after the reservoir fuel has passed through the strainer. Thus, the by-pass strained fuel only mixes with strained fuel from the strainer before its entry to the fuel pump. Accordingly, only reservoir fuel in the fuel pump module is passed through the strainer, whereby the clogging rate of the strainer is minimized.

Abstract: A by-pass fuel system in which the plumbing of the fuel pump module is configured to ensure by-pass strained (and filtered) fuel remains separate from the reservoir fuel after by-pass such that it is not re-strained before re-entry to the fuel pump. The anti-clogging fuel pump module is plumbed such that the by-pass strained fuel is directed to the fuel pump separately with respect to the reservoir fuel, wherein it never mixes with reservoir fuel except after the reservoir fuel has passed through the strainer. Thus, the by-pass strained fuel only mixes with strained fuel from the strainer before its entry to the fuel pump. Accordingly, only reservoir fuel in the fuel pump module is passed through the strainer, whereby the clogging rate of the strainer is minimized.

Abstract: A fuel port elbow composed of a plastic port body overmolding an electrically conductive, truncated insert tube such that there is no external dissimilar materials boundary. The tube has a tube first segment, a tube elbow segment and a tube second segment truncated such that the dissimilar materials boundary at the tube truncation is internal to the port body. A port body is integral with the plastic of a flange cover, and overmolds part of the tube first segment and all of the tube elbow and second segments. The port body has a port body second segment having a port body passage communicating with the tube passage and extending remotely from the tube truncation, being adapted for connecting with a fuel line.

Abstract: A fuel tank system for a vehicle, the fuel tank system having multiple independent tanks fluidly connected to a single fuel filling port on the vehicle, and a T-connector for directing the fuel to the multiple tanks. The fuel filling port is fluidly connected to the tanks through the T-connector, which is configured to direct the fuel to one of tanks until that tank is filled, and then to divert the fuel to the second tank. The second tank includes a vapor vent, and both tanks are connected by a vapor line, the vapor venting system configured so that a nozzle shut-off back pressure is not developed until the second tank is filled to its fill line. The configuration of the dual tanks and their fluid connection to the fuel inlet port allows the tanks to be substantially filled independently of relative fill levels between tanks, fuel and ambient temperature, fuel reid vapor pressure, or vehicle attitude.