Abstract: A fuel pump system for pumping fuel to an engine in a vehicle includes a pump motor having a carbon-based commutator and brushes in a position exposed to fuel, resulting in a tendency to form a film between the commutator and brushes that can reduce pump performance by increasing the electrical resistance of the brush-commutator interface. The pump motor has a nominal voltage rating. A power circuit is coupled to the pump motor for selectably providing an operating voltage and a boost voltage, wherein the boost voltage is greater than the nominal voltage rating. A controller selecting the operating voltage during an ordinary run cycle and selects the boost voltage during a clean-up cycle. The controller selects the clean-up cycle for a limited time that is sufficiently short to avoid damage to the pump motor from exceeding the nominal voltage rating and sufficiently long to create arcing between the commutator and brushes that reverses formation of the film.

Abstract: A rotodynamic fuel pump in a fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine including a pump housing, a pump inlet channel extending through the housing allowing fuel to be drawn into the pump, a purge orifice extending through the housing and spaced away from the pump inlet channel, the purge orifice allowing fuel vapor to exit the pump, the purge orifice including a purge inlet, a purge outlet, and a purge channel, where the purge inlet is axially offset from the purge outlet.

Abstract: A mechanical returnless fuel system comprises a fuel pump having an output for supplying fuel to fuel injectors of an automotive engine. The fuel system includes a pressure regulating valve that returns a portion of the pump output in excess of engine fuel usage to the fuel supply. The pressure regulating valve results in a fuel pressure that varies as a function of engine fuel demand. During operation, a controller determines a projected engine fuel demand, then determines an estimated fuel pressure based upon the projected engine fuel demand. The controller utilizes the estimated fuel pressure to provide a more accurate calculation of the opening time for the fuel injectors and thereby improve engine control.

Abstract: A fuel flange assembly for a vehicle fuel system provides Electro Static Dissipation without an undue increase in cost or reduction in the durability of the tank components. The fuel flange assembly generally includes a fuel tube, a tank flange, and a pressure control device. The fuel tube is constructed of a conductive polymer and has an inlet and an outlet. The fuel tube includes a portion defining a housing positioned between the inlet and the outlet. The tank flange is constructed of a non-conductive polymer. The pressure control device is fitted within the housing and includes a conductive outer casing engaging the fuel tube and forming an electrical pathway.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlling speed of the fuel pump. The system includes a fuel pump, a controller, and a field modification module. The fuel pump is configured to receive a driving signal causing the fuel pump to pump fuel. The controller is configured to determine a desired fuel pump speed and generate a control signal based on the desired fuel pump speed. The field modification module is located proximate the fuel pump and is in communication with the controller to receive the control signal. The field modification module generates a flux in response the control signal thereby controlling speed and torque of the fuel pump.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system is provided with a fuel solenoid valve to minimize fuel leakage and evaporative emissions during diurnal cycles by preventing pressure buildup as the temperature of the fuel system rises. The fuel solenoid valve is located between a pressurized side of the delivery system and a fuel tank. In one embodiment, the fuel solenoid valve is closed when the engine is running or when the engine is off and the rail is hot. When the fuel rail cools down, the solenoid valve opens to bleed a desired amount of fuel thereby creating a fuel vapor space. Thereafter, during hot soak conditions of the diurnal cycles when the fuel rail is hot again while the engine is off, the pressure will rise due to the thermal expansion of the fuel and the created fuel vapor space minimizes further rising of the fuel pressure. Further, by adjusting the solenoid valve opening time, the pressure rising limit may be set at a desired pressure to minimize injector leakage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlling the speed of a motor by altering the magnetic field of the motor. The system includes field modification module, and a motor having field windings and a rotor. The field windings are configured to receive a driving signal that generates a magnetic field causing a rotation of the rotor. The field modification module is proximate the motor and alters the magnetic field in response to an input signal thereby controlling the speed and torque of the rotor.

Abstract: A pressure regulated valve is provided for a mechanical returnless fuel system for an automotive vehicle that includes a fuel pump for supplying fuel from a fuel supply to an engine. The pressure regulating valve includes a conduit in fluid communication with the pump outlet. The valve includes a valve seat and a valve body having a frustoconical seal surface. A spring biases the valve body to close the valve body against the valve seat. During operation, increased fuel pressure from the pump opens the valve body to discharge excess fuel to the fuel supply.

Abstract: A low deviation pressure relief valve for a fuel pump consisting of a housing having an elongated bore having a continuous wall, an axis, shoulders arranged on the wall so as to extend toward the axis. A ball in the housing has a diameter at least less than the diameter of the bore and a ball retainer located in the bore upstream from the shoulders forms a ball seat by pre-coining process. The ball is smaller than the retainer seat in diameter to ensure an edge seal with the ball. A spring coaxial with the axis located down stream from the ball retainer and supported on the shoulders, and the ball is located between the spring and the ball seat wherein low flow restriction is created and reduced pressure variation is created as fluid flows past the ball and less buckling in the spring is created by guide ribs.

Abstract: The present invention involves a gear assembly of a fuel pump for improved supply of fuel to an automotive engine from a fuel tank. The assembly includes an inner gear and an outer gear matingly cooperating with the inner gear for rotation about an axis. The assembly further includes a pump cover including a cover surface adjacent the inner and outer gears and a pump body including a body surface adjacent the inner and outer gears opposite the pump cover. The cover surface has a primary inlet porting and a secondary outlet porting formed thereon and separated between seal areas. The body surface of the pump body includes a primary outlet porting and a secondary inlet porting separated between seal areas. In use, the inlet portings and the outlet portings of the pump body and the pump cover cooperate together, respectively, such that fuel entering through the inlet portings pass therethrough at a rate at which the gear assembly moves.

Abstract: A check valve assembly is disclosed for use in a returnless automotive fuel delivery system. The fuel delivery system includes a fuel tank having a fuel pump and a sender flange that provides access into the fuel tank. The check valve assembly includes an upper housing that is integral with an interior wall of the sender flange, a lower housing connected to the upper housing and a check valve body positioned between the upper housing and the lower housing. The assembly may also include a pressure relief valve positioned between the upper and lower housings and arranged parallel to the check valve body.

Abstract: A low deviation pressure relief valve for a fuel pump consisting of a housing having an elongated bore having a continuous wall, an axis, shoulders arranged on the wall so as to extend toward the axis. A ball in the housing has a diameter at least less than the diameter of the bore and a ball retainer located in the bore upstream from the shoulders forms a ball seat by pre-coining process. The ball is smaller than the retainer seat in diameter to ensure an edge seal with the ball. A spring coaxial with the axis located down stream from the ball retainer and supported on the shoulders, and the ball is located between the spring and the ball seat wherein low flow restriction is created and reduced pressure variation is created as fluid flows past the ball and less buckling in the spring is created by guide ribs.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a fuel injected automotive internal combustion engine has a fuel pump mounted within a fuel tank for pumping fuel through a fuel line to an engine mounted fuel rail which delivers fuel to a plurality of fuel injectors. Attached on the output side of the fuel pump in the fuel line is a pressure valve for controlling fuel flow from the pump to the rail and from the rail to the pump. The pressure valve has a housing for containing a check valve, which opens upon the fuel pump delivering a predetermined pressure to the fuel line, and a pressure relief valve, which opens to allow fuel flow from the fuel line to the output side of the fuel pump when the fuel line is overpressurized. The relief valve has a predetermined set point greater than that of the check valve is mounted in parallel therewith so that pressure in the fuel line is maintained at an appropriate level during long deceleration periods, as well as when the engine is off.

Abstract: A returnless fuel delivery control system is disclosed which regulates fuel rail pressure at the level needed for precise control of fuel mass flow to fuel injectors at both normal and elevated engine temperatures. This regulation is accomplished by precisely controlling the speed of the fuel pump motor as a function of the projected fuel demand based on engine RPM and injector pulse width. The projection is modified as a function of differential pressure error. The differential pressure error responds to a fuel temperature strategy which increases the target differential pressure as a function of fuel temperature.