Electric Fuel Pump Patents (Class 123/497)
  • Patent number: 8820298
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel system may employ a fuel pump module with a reservoir within a fuel tank. The system may also employ a fuel injection common rail, a fuel supply line leading from the fuel pump module reservoir to the fuel injection common rail, and a fuel return line leading from the fuel injection common rail through a fuel pump module flange. Additionally, the system may employ a first return fuel check valve to release fuel only into a reservoir jet pump and/or a transfer jet pump, while a second return fuel check valve may release fuel only directly into the fuel pump module reservoir. An electric fuel pump within the reservoir may have a fuel pump check valve and supply fuel only to the reservoir jet pump and/or the transfer jet pump, and not to an engine, when activated by a pressure sensor in the fuel return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Attwood, Norihiro Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20140190455
    Abstract: A hybrid drive having a hydraulic control device capable of hydraulically controlling a first clutch, a second clutch, and a continuously variable transmission using a hydraulic pressure generated by at least one of a mechanical oil pump and an electric oil pump. A control section is configured to execute a mechanical oil pump drive mode in which a command to start an internal combustion engine is provided to drive the mechanical oil pump via a first shaft using output rotation of the internal combustion engine during reverse travel in which reverse rotation is output from the rotary electric machine to rotate wheels in reverse via the second shaft, the second clutch, and the continuously variable transmission with the first clutch disengaged and with the second clutch engaged by providing a command to the hydraulic control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Ootsuki
  • Patent number: 8764419
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel pump module for a vehicle in which a fuel pump, which is a vibration body, is physically coupled to an intank filter, a primary filter, and the like, which are other components of the fuel pump module, to have increased mass, such that unique harmonic acceleration of the fuel pump is reduced, a unique vibration area of the fuel pump or the fuel pump module is changed, and harmonic vibration of the fuel pump is thus positioned at the unique vibration area of the fuel pump or the fuel pump module, thereby making it possible to remove noise generated in a fuel tank due to abnormal vibration of the fuel pump module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: COAVIS
    Inventors: Mun-sik Jeon, Chan-heum Yoon, Hoi-hyun Kim, Hyoung-il Kim, Seung-min Lim
  • Patent number: 8763589
    Abstract: A fuel pump module including: a reservoir installed in a fuel tank, the reservoir being charged with a predetermined amount of fuel; a fuel pump installed in the reservoir and pumping the fuel contained in the reservoir to an internal combustion engine; a jet pump injecting a fuel jet into the reservoir to thereby introduce the fuel stored in the fuel tank into the reservoir; a guide tube installed on the jet pump and guiding both the fuel jet and the fuel introduced from the fuel tank along with the fuel jet into the reservoir; and a filter unit partitioning the interior of the reservoir into a fuel suction area, into which the fuel is introduced by the fuel pump, and a fuel charging area, which is charged with the fuel from the fuel tank, thus preventing foreign substances from being introduced from the fuel charging area into the fuel suction area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: COAVIS
    Inventors: JongKeun Lim, Inseok Sohn, Kyuseob Shin, Joonseup Kim, Munsik Jeon
  • Patent number: 8733323
    Abstract: A method for ascertaining an error in a fuel metering unit of an injection system for an internal combustion engine, wherein the gradients of a first signal representing a physical variable and of a second signal representing a physical variable are determined, and at a predefined magnitude and/or direction of the two gradients an error is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Mueller, Andreas Sommerer, Bernd Becker
  • Publication number: 20140116397
    Abstract: An electronic fuel injection system for land vehicles, comprising: a fuel tank, at least one pump, a fuel sump, wherein the at least one pump is operatively coupled to and between the fuel tank and the sump, and an engine, wherein the engine is operatively coupled to the fuel sump. A fuel sump system for land vehicles, comprising: an inlet from a pump, wherein the pump is operatively connected to a fuel tank, a fuel pump system, a regulator operatively coupled to the fuel pump system, an outlet operatively coupled to an engine, and a float component, coupled to the inlet. An electronic fuel injection system for land vehicles, comprising: a fuel tank, at least one pump, a fuel sump, wherein the at least one pump is operatively coupled to and between the fuel tank and the sump, and an engine, wherein the engine is operatively coupled to the fuel sump and wherein the electronic fuel injection system does not require a return line from the engine to the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Samuel Simons, Chadron Michael Magana, Jamie Wagner
  • Patent number: 8707932
    Abstract: A Fuel transfer pump system comprising a multi-mode control process for transferring fuel. The multi-mode control process comprising a closed loop pressure control mode for maintaining fuel pressure at an outlet of a fuel transfer pump at a substantially constant target pressure and having a soft start mode for bidirectionally ramping up to the target pressure by utilizing an open loop control in combination with the closed loop pressure control mode; a current control mode dynamically switchable from the closed loop pressure control mode for controlling a motor driving the fuel transfer pump as a function of a predetermined current threshold; a DC-bus voltage compensation mode operable with either the closed loop pressure control mode or the current control mode for compensating DC bus voltage sag; and an open loop ramp down mode for ramping open loop motor RPMs to zero from any other mode for shutting down system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Paragon Products, LLC
    Inventors: Zeljko Marin, Stephen T. Adelman
  • Patent number: 8683981
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a low pressure fuel pump, which suctions and discharges fuel accumulated in a fuel tank, and a high pressure fuel pump, which suctions and discharges the fuel discharged from the low pressure fuel pump and supplies the fuel to a fuel injection valve installed in an internal combustion engine, the low pressure fuel pump, high pressure fuel pump, and fuel injection valve being connected in series, wherein the low pressure fuel pump and high pressure fuel pump are configured in such a way as to be driven or stopped independently of each other, one by each motor, and the pressure of the fuel discharged from the high pressure fuel pump is made variable by a combination of the drive or stop of the low pressure fuel pump and the drive or stop of the high pressure fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Uryu, Yoshihiko Onishi, Tatsuya Ikegami
  • Patent number: 8672651
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel pump module used for a car, and more particularly, to a fuel pump module with a driver equipped inside a fuel tank capable of solving a problem of space limitation due to the installation of the driver by disposing the driver for controlling a BLDC fuel pump between a flange and a reservoir and mounting it in the fuel tank, minimizing the degradation in performance of the BLDC fuel pump caused by voltage drop and efficiency degradation due to a wire by reducing a length of a wire for electrically connecting the driver with the BLDC fuel pump, and achieving a sufficient heat radiation effect by directly transferring the heat energy generated from electrical devices such as FET, MCU, or the like, mounted in the driver to the fuel in the fuel tank through the case cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Coavis
    Inventors: Wan-Sung Pae, Hyung-Min Kim, Kyeong-Hwan Kim, Inseok Sohn
  • Publication number: 20140060496
    Abstract: A method of controlling a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel pump may include driving a motor of the LPG fuel pump with a voltage of a predetermined duty, measuring a driving speed of the motor, changing the predetermined duty of the motor so that the measured driving speed of the motor reaches a target speed when the measured driving speed of the motor may be not equal to the target speed, measuring pressure of an LPG bombe and pressure of an injector, and changing the target speed when a first difference between the measured pressure of the LPG bombe and the measured pressure of the injector may be not maintained as a first predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Chang Ho Ham, Pil Seon Choi
  • Publication number: 20140053814
    Abstract: A diesel fuel pump module for use within a diesel fuel tank includes a reservoir defining a fuel storage volume. A jet pump having an inlet is positioned within the reservoir and configured to pump fuel from the tank into the reservoir. The module further includes an electric pump having an inlet and an outlet, and an air separation chamber connecting the electric pump outlet to the inlet of the jet pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Paul E. Fisher, Paul Mason, Charles Newell, III
  • Patent number: 8616184
    Abstract: A fuel pump module includes a reservoir and a sender gauge. The reservoir includes an outer wall, an inner wall spaced radially inward from the outer wall, and through-hole sockets spaced around a perimeter of the reservoir to define N zones between the inner and outer walls, where N is an integer greater than one. The sender gauge is mounted to the reservoir in one of the N zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick Powell
  • Patent number: 8573185
    Abstract: An anomaly in a high-pressure fuel system of an internal combustion engine is diagnosed early on and with high precision, and, further, the anomaly site is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd
    Inventors: Ryusei Miura, Yoichi Iihoshi, Akihito Numata, Eisaku Fukuchi, Yoshikuni Kurashima
  • Patent number: 8561595
    Abstract: Provided is a driver-integrated type BLDC fuel pump module, which is used in a vehicle and in which a driver used for controlling the operation of a BLDC fuel pump is installed in a flange of the BLDC fuel pump module, thus removing the spatial limit caused when the driver is installed and reducing the length of an electric wire electrically connecting the driver to a BLDC fuel pump of the module, thereby solving the problem of the operational performance of the BLDC fuel pump deteriorating as a result of both the voltage drop in the electric wire and a reduction in the operational efficiency of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Coavis
    Inventors: Se Dong Baek, Kyoung Hwan Kim, Wan Sung Pae
  • Patent number: 8562303
    Abstract: A fuel supply system has an in-tank module. The in-tank module is provided with a pump, a filter, a pressure regulator and a pressure sensor detecting a fuel pressure. The pressure sensor is disposed on or at a vicinity of the fuel pump so that the pressure sensor easily detects a pulsation component due to the pump. A fuel pump controller includes a speed detection module which detects the rotation speed of the fuel pump based on a cycle of the pulsation component of the pressure detected by the pressure sensor. Thus, the rotation speed of the fuel pump can be indirectly detected by means of the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Mori, Katsuhiko Nakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20130269659
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: John E. Troxler
  • Patent number: 8534265
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel supply control apparatus and a fuel supply control method for controlling an electric fuel pump, in an internal combustion engine provided with the electric fuel pump for pumping fuel to a fuel injection valve and a pressure regulator for regulating fuel pressure at set pressure. When a learning condition of a drive voltage for the electric fuel pump is established, the drive voltage is temporarily reduced and a change amount ?AF of an air-fuel ratio at the time is detected. Then, if the change amount ?AF is within a first threshold ?AF1, the drive voltage is reduced, whereas, if the change amount ?AF is greater than a second threshold ?AF2 which is equal to or greater than the first threshold ?AF1, the drive voltage is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Saruwatari
  • Patent number: 8485790
    Abstract: A fuel-supply unit for a motor vehicle has a fuel container (2) that has several chambers (6, 7). The unit has a transfer pump (5) that is located inside the fuel container (2) for exclusively supplying ejector pumps (9, 10), which are positioned in the chambers (6, 7), with fuel as the pumping fluid. A primary fuel pump (4) that is located outside the fuel container (2) supplies an internal combustion engine (1) of the motor vehicle with fuel. The transfer pump (5) is operated discontinuously to prevent unnecessary power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Rumpf
  • Patent number: 8483932
    Abstract: A method for a fuel delivery system coupled to an engine is disclosed, the fuel delivery system including a lower pressure pump (LPP) fluidly coupled upstream of a higher pressure pump (HPP). The method may include during operation of both the HPP and LPP, adjusting operation of the LPP in response to pressure fluctuations at an inlet of the HPP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross D. Pursifull
  • Patent number: 8464693
    Abstract: A fuel pump module including a reservoir and a sender gauge. The reservoir includes an outer wall, an inner wall spaced radially inward from the outer wall, a floor connecting the inner and outer walls, and N sets of supports fixed to the floor and disposed between the inner and outer walls and around the inner wall. The sender gauge is supported and retained by one of the N sets of supports, wherein N is an integer greater than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Powell, Kishore Tammineedi
  • Patent number: 8443785
    Abstract: A control system for a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicle, includes a composition determination module and a pump control module. The composition determination module determines a composition of LPG in an LPG tank of the LPG vehicle based on an LPG tank pressure and a temperature of the LPG in the LPG tank. The pump control module controls operation of an LPG pump based on the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Nicholas Carter
  • Publication number: 20130112173
    Abstract: An electric motor is configured to provide mechanical power to a fuel pump. A method for monitoring the fuel pump includes estimating a pump speed and a nominal pump motor current in relation to a pump motor control signal and a fuel pressure. An armature resistance and a back-emf constant for the electric motor are determined corresponding to the estimated pump speed, a monitored pump motor current, and the pump motor control signal. A nominal armature resistance and a nominal back-emf constant for the electric motor are adjusted in relation to a pump motor temperature. A plurality of residuals are calculated based upon the adjusted nominal armature resistance, the adjusted nominal back-emf constant for the electric motor, the estimated armature resistance and the estimated back-emf constant for the electric motor. The residuals are compared with corresponding thresholds. A fault in the electric motor is detected based upon the comparisons of the residuals with the corresponding thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATION LLC
    Inventors: Youssef A. Ghoneim, Mark N. Howell
  • Patent number: 8433498
    Abstract: Methods, a fuel supply system, and a computer readable medium embodying a computer program product are provided for controlling rail pressure in a fuel supply system comprising a fuel pump, an injector and a rail connecting the injector to the pump. At least one of the methods includes, but is not limited to establishing a relationship between said rail pressure and a leak rate of the injector, estimating a fuel drain rate from said rail based on a fuel injection rate, the rail pressure and said rail pressure/leak rate relationship, estimating a desired intake flow rate of said pump based on said fuel drain rate, and controlling the pump to operate at said desired intake flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Maura Dintino, Vincenzo Rampino, Eugenio Pisoni
  • Publication number: 20130025569
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supplying a high-pressure pump (1) in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine with fuel, wherein for delivery and for controlling the delivered quantity a delivery pump (3) is used, wherein said delivery pump is arranged in a low-pressure circuit (2) and operated by an electric motor and by means of which, depending on the respective selected engine speed, a certain quantity of fuel is fed to the high-pressure pump (1), in which the fuel is first compressed and then fed to a fuel high-pressure accumulator (4). According to the invention, the fuel pressure on the intake side of the high-pressure pump (1) is controlled by means of a pressure control valve (5), wherein a supply of the high-pressure pump (1) with fuel for lubrication and/or cooling via the low-pressure circuit (2) and the delivery pump (3) is assured when the pressure control valve (5) is in the closed position. The invention further relates to a fuel injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Langenbach, Marcus Kristen
  • Patent number: 8326479
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method of controlling an engine fuel pump in a hybrid-electric vehicle. The method includes: cycling a vehicle powertrain between an electric mode, where an engine is commanded off, and a mechanical mode, where the engine is commanded on; depowering an engine fuel pump when the engine is commanded off; and determining if the engine is operating in a fuel shut-off mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Jesse D. L. Brunais, Kenneth L. Pifher, Mike Paul Lindlbauer
  • Patent number: 8312866
    Abstract: An engine system for a vehicle and its method of operation are provided. In one embodiment, a control system is configured to indicate a clogging of a fuel filter based on a period of time that a fuel pressure switch remains in a low pressure state. In some embodiments, the control system may respond to an indicated clogging of the fuel system by limiting one or more of fuel pressure, fuel flow rate, and vehicle speed. By limiting the flow rate and/or the pressure at which fuel is delivered to the engine during conditions when the low pressure fuel sub-system is unable to provide sufficient fuel pressure and/or flow, degradation and/or damage to the fuel system, including the high pressure pump, may be reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Patent number: 8307810
    Abstract: A fuel injection system supplies fuel at high pressure to an internal combustion engine via at least two high-pressure fuel pumps and a high-pressure fuel distribution line. The high-pressure fuel pumps can operate in a first pump mode and a second pump mode, which differ in the amount of fuel that is pumped. A control unit alternately operates the high-pressure fuel pumps such that, during a first time period, at least one of the high-pressure fuel pumps is operated in the first pump mode and all other high-pressure fuel pumps are simultaneously operated in the second pump mode and such that, during a second time period, at least one of the high-pressure fuel pumps, which was operated in the second pump mode during the first time period, is operated in the first pump mode and the remaining high-pressure fuel pumps are simultaneously operated in the second pump mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignees: Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG, L'Orange GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Haas, Bert Ritscher, Bodo Gneist, Horst Ressel, Wolfgang Scheibe, Jürgen Schick
  • Patent number: 8302582
    Abstract: A fuel supply device includes a relief valve, a pressure regulator, and a controller. The controller controls a first pump to send fuel into an engine through a first passage, and controls a second pump to send fuel into a second passage to communicate with the first passage. The relief valve discharges fuel from the second passage when a fuel pressure of the second passage is higher than a relief pressure. The pressure regulator discharges fuel when a fuel pressure of fuel chamber is higher than a regulation pressure higher than the relief pressure in a state that a fuel pressure of backpressure chamber is equal to the relief pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Oohashi, Toshihiko Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8297261
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a fuel-supply system, a first supply unit supplies fuel from a storage container to a second supply unit. At least a partial quantity of the fuel quantity supplied by the first supply unit returns to the storage container as return quantity via a return line. The return quantity is determined as a function of the operating state of the fuel-supply system. The first supply unit is controlled at least as a function of the return quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Steinbach, Dorothee Sommer, Stefan Kieferle
  • Publication number: 20120266849
    Abstract: A system (1) for feeding fuel from a tank (2) to an internal combustion engine (3) has:—an electrically actuated pre-feed variable-flow electric pump (9);—a high-pressure piston pump (10) having a pump casing (15) and piston movement mechanism (17) housed in the pump casing (16); and—a hydraulic circuit (7) comprising a first branch (11) for connecting the tank (2) to the pre-feed pump (9), a second branch (12) for connecting the pre-feed pump (9) to the high-pressure piston pump (10) and a third branch (13) for connecting the high-pressure piston pump (10) to the internal combustion engine (3); wherein the second branch (12) is configured to branch downstream of the pre-feed pump (9) into a first channel (12a) structured for conveying part of the fuel to the intake of the high-pressure piston pump (10) and for connecting the pre-feed pump (9) directly to the intake of the high-pressure piston pump (10), and into a second channel (12b) structured for conveying part of the fuel in the casing (15) and for conne
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Marco Lamm
  • Patent number: 8291886
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the fuel flow rate in a direct metering fuel control system to compensate for actuator flow. The system includes a fuel metering pump that supplies fuel to a fluid-operated actuator and to a gas turbine engine combustor and determines, using a generated model of the fuel metering pump and/or the fluid-operated actuator, fuel flow rate needed by the gas turbine engine and/or the actuator fuel flow rate needed by the fluid-operated actuator. The fuel flow rate of the fuel metering pump is controlled based on the determined actuator fuel flow rate and the determined engine fuel flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Mahoney, Jay R. Sims, Richard Ling
  • Publication number: 20120247431
    Abstract: A fuel pump module including a reservoir and a sender gauge. The reservoir includes an outer wall, an inner wall spaced radially inward from the outer wall, a floor connecting the inner and outer walls, and N sets of supports fixed to the floor and disposed between the inner and outer walls and around the inner wall. The sender gauge is supported and retained by one of the N sets of supports, wherein N is an integer greater than one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Powell, Kishore Tammineedi
  • Publication number: 20120247430
    Abstract: A fuel pump module includes a reservoir and a sender gauge. The reservoir includes an outer wall, an inner wall spaced radially inward from the outer wall, and through-hole sockets spaced around a perimeter of the reservoir to define N zones between the inner and outer walls, where N is an integer greater than one. The sender gauge is mounted to the reservoir in one of the N zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Patrick Powell
  • Publication number: 20120245819
    Abstract: During monitoring of an electromotively driven fuel pump of a fuel feed unit for a motor vehicle, a pump current is monitored as a function of a pump voltage or of a pump rotational speed. Through a comparison of the pump current with the pump voltage or the pump rotational speed, it is detected whether leakage or dry running of the fuel pump is present. The fuel feed unit does not require any pressure sensor for this purpose, and is therefore of particularly simple construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf GRAF
  • Patent number: 8256222
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a fuel metering pump and a servo-flow pump that are used to supply fuel to one or more fuel manifolds and one or more fluid-operated actuators, respectively. The fuel metering pump and the servo-flow pump are driven by the same electric motor(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Mahoney, Larry A. Portolese
  • Patent number: 8209107
    Abstract: An electric motor for a fuel pump is provided with a shutdown switch positioned intermediate an inverter, and its control coil. In this location, the shutdown function can be achieved without heavy components. In another feature, when the fuel pump is shut down, a signal is sent upstream to a voltage regulator associated with a generator, such that the voltage supplied downstream by the generator can be reduced to eliminate any potential voltage spike due to the shutdown of the electric motor. The electric motor with shutdown switch enables low weight fault tolerant flux regulated machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Jacek F. Gieras
  • Patent number: 8205596
    Abstract: The fuel injection device for an internal combustion engine comprises a feed pump which has an electric drive, by which feed pump fuel is fed from a fuel storage tank into a low-pressure region to the suction side of at least one high-pressure pump. The high-pressure pump pumps fuel into a high-pressure region in which at least one injector is provided to inject the fuel into the internal combustion engine. The fuel injection is controlled by an electric control device. Arranged in the low-pressure region is a pressure sensor which is connected to the control device. The electric drive of the feed pump is activated by the control device in order to set a feed quantity of the feed pump which is variable as a function of at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine and/or of the high-pressure pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Kieferle, Dorothee Sommer, Oliver Becker, Bjoern Noack
  • Publication number: 20120073545
    Abstract: A fuel supply system and method of controlling fuel flow through a supply system is provided including a variable flow, i.e. speed, electric fuel transfer pump and a control system adapted to variably control the transfer pump based on fuel demand of the engine. The system provides improved transient response by providing the transfer pump with a feed forward speed/flow command based on engine fueling demand determined based on engine operating conditions. The transfer pump is controlled based on fuel demand not necessarily achieved yet by the high pressure pump and injectors. Therefore, this system controls the EFTP substantially simultaneously with controlling the high pressure pump and injectors to optimize fuel flow through the entire system ensuring the minimum required fuel flow is passing through the second the fuel filtration system, hence maximizing steady state fuel filtration efficiency, and minimizing surge effects on filtration efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph A. WORTHINGTON, Norman C. BLIZARD, David P. GENTER, Gregory S. FRANKS, Michael F. MATTERN, Thomas O. HAHN, James L. WALLS, Edward N. LINEN
  • Publication number: 20120048242
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine fuel system including fuels of different fuel types. A first fuel type is delivered for port injection upon circulation through a high pressure pump when direct injection of a fuel is not requested to cool and/or lubricate the high pressure pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Basmaji, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20120048243
    Abstract: A pressure pump device for a hybrid vehicle, which is drivable by a combustion engine having a fuel pressure accumulator and by an electric drive. The pressure pump device includes a pressure pump, which is mechanically connectable to the electric drive for supplying fuel to the fuel pressure accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Randoll, Udo Schulz, Juergen Biester
  • Publication number: 20120000445
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control apparatus 700 for controlling a high-pressure fuel supply pump 100, a computer program product comprising computer program code means configured to adapt a control apparatus 700 for controlling a high-pressure fuel supply pump 100, and a method for controlling a high-pressure fuel supply pump 100 configured to supply pressurized fuel to an internal combustion engine. The high-pressure fuel supply pump 100 comprises a normally-closed type solenoid actuated intake valve 110 configured to be opened or kept open by magnetic force. A control current IC of the solenoid actuated intake valve 110 is controlled for opening the solenoid actuated intake valve 110 by applying a control voltage VC to the solenoid actuated intake valve 110. Controlling a control current IC of the solenoid actuated intake valve 110 comprises increasing the control current IC to a first control current value IC1 for energizing the solenoid actuated intake valve 110.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan BORG, Masanori Watanabe, Kenichiro Tokuo
  • Patent number: 8061329
    Abstract: An economical method for controlling a lift pump operating as part of a direct injection fuel system is described. According to the method, at least two distinct operating modes are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Patent number: 8050828
    Abstract: A system includes a pressure sensor that measures a transmission fluid pressure at a first fluid cavity of a transmission. A transmission control module receives the transmission fluid pressure, determines a transmission fluid temperature in the first fluid cavity based on the transmission fluid pressure, and controls the transmission fluid pressure based on the transmission fluid temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventors: Randall B. Dlugoss, Bret M. Olson
  • Publication number: 20110239993
    Abstract: A fuel system of a vehicle that delivers fuel to an engine includes a fuel tank, a main fuel pump that pumps fuel to the engine, and a fuel supply line through which fuel flows from the fuel tank to the main fuel pump. Moreover, the fuel system includes a boost pump assembly providing variable pumping of fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel supply line toward the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Patrick Powell
  • Publication number: 20110238282
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel supply control apparatus and a fuel supply control method for controlling an electric fuel pump, in an internal combustion engine provided with the electric fuel pump for pumping fuel to a fuel injection valve and a pressure regulator for regulating fuel pressure at set pressure. When a learning condition of a drive voltage for the electric fuel pump is established, the drive voltage is temporarily reduced and a change amount ?AF of an air-fuel ratio at the time is detected. Then, if the change amount ?AF is within a first threshold ?AF1, the drive voltage is reduced, whereas, if the change amount ?AF is greater than a second threshold ?AF2 which is equal to or greater than the first threshold ?AF1, the drive voltage is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Masayuki SARUWATARI
  • Publication number: 20110232270
    Abstract: A pump for a fuel system is provided. The pump may have a pumping mechanism and an electric motor connected to drive the pumping mechanism. The pump may also have a low-pressure inlet passage in fluid communication with the pumping mechanism, a pressurized inlet passage in fluid communication with the pumping mechanism, a first outlet passage in fluid communication with the pumping mechanism, and a second outlet passage. The pump may further have a valve movable from a first position at which the second outlet passage is blocked from the pumping mechanism, to a second position at which the second outlet passage is in fluid communication with the pumping mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph S. BURKITT
  • Patent number: 8011350
    Abstract: In a high pressure fuel pump control apparatus for an internal combustion engine which has a high pressure fuel pump of an engine driven type capable of pressure feeding a controlled amount of fuel by driving a fuel suction valve to close at predetermined timing in a fuel delivery stroke, fuel pressure in an accumulator is swiftly raised by reliably pressure feeding a maximum amount of fuel from a fuel delivery stroke immediately after engine starting while avoiding heat generation by a solenoid for controlling the fuel suction valve, whereby deterioration of a combustion state and exhaust emissions at engine starting can be prevented. A starting time control section continuously energizes the solenoid over a period from the beginning of engine starting until when it becomes possible to perform valve closing timing control on the fuel suction valve based on the rotational position of the engine after completion of cylinder identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiko Oono
  • Patent number: 8001942
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing pressurized fuel for an engine includes an electric motor operative to crank said engine, a fuel pump, and a gear reduction device. This gear reduction device includes a worm and worm wheel and operates to receive a high speed input from said electric motor and to deliver a low speed output to said fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Hsu-Chiang Miao
  • Publication number: 20110192381
    Abstract: A receiving portion of a heat releasing member made of metal holds a controller, which is installed to the receiving portion through an opening of the receiving portion. An embeddable portion of the heat releasing member is formed at least along a peripheral edge of the opening of the receiving portion and is embedded in a flange, which is made of resin and covers a hole of a fuel tank. A protective member made of resin may cover each connecting portion between a corresponding one of terminals of the controller and a corresponding one of conductive line members. A primer agent coating may be applied to the conductive line members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouji Maruyama, Shinji Noda
  • Patent number: 7991488
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a parallel computation unit including an input port and an output port and a one-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model. The input port is configured to sample at a time t1 a boundary condition signal for the one-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model and the output port is configured to provide an output signal before the boundary condition signal is sampled at a time t2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Colorado State University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Matthew Viele