Fuel Flow Regulation Between The Pump And The Charge-forming Device Patents (Class 123/510)
  • Patent number: 6675777
    Abstract: A fuel delivery module for an automotive fuel delivery system includes a reservoir and a fuel pump. The fuel pump delivers fuel from the tank to the reservoir via a fuel tank inlet and reservoir outlet and from the reservoir to the engine via a reservoir inlet and engine outlet. The reservoir is formed with a plurality of contaminant traps for collecting contaminants contained in the fuel as the fuel is pumped through the reservoir such that the contaminants settle unto said contaminant traps thereby reducing the amount of contaminants entering the reservoir inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Duane Gaston, Dequan Yu
  • Patent number: 6668802
    Abstract: A valve arrangement is provided for a feed line to supply fuel from a tank to a combustion engine consisting of a valve housing with an inlet channel and outlet channel, and a valve with a movable valve head to seal the outlet channel from the inlet channel, whereby a feed pump is assigned to the feed line, and the valve head is in closed position when there is no feed pressure from the feed pump. The danger of feed line leakage for combustion engines that burn liquid fuel is eliminated using a coaxial second valve using no additional space to solve the problem. The other essentially coaxial valve within the main valve is in open position opposite the feed direction when the pressure at the outlet channel is greater than the feed pressure. The valve arrangement functions as a check valve when the combustion engine is running, and as an overpressure valve when it is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Harold Kiowsky, Eleftherios Rodousakis
  • Patent number: 6668863
    Abstract: A throttle element with a gap filter for use in a fuel pump is proposed, which is press-fitted into a conduit in the housing of an injection pump. By means of the press fitting, a good sealing action and at the same time low-cost production and mounting are attained. The throttle element can furthermore be designed economically and compactly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Eberhard Maier
  • Patent number: 6655364
    Abstract: A fuel supply system in which a fuel filter has a large filtration area is obtained without increasing an outer diameter of the fuel supply system and an outer diameter of a tank hole through which a pump module is inserted in a fuel tank. The fuel supply system comprises a fuel pump 5, a fuel pressure regulator 9 for regulating pressure of fuel, and a fuel filter 6 having a hollow cylindrical filter case 7for filtering the fuel, and in which the filter case 7 has a holding hole 7a for holding the fuel pump, a center line CL1 of the holding hole is eccentric with respect to a center line CL2 of the filter case 7 by a predetermined distance M, and a first enlarged space portion S1 in which fuel system parts such as fuel pressure regulator 9 are accommodated is formed at a part surrounded by an outer circumferential portion of the fuel pump 5 and an outer circumferential portion of the filter case 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 6655365
    Abstract: A fuel filter assembly for a fuel delivery module for a fuel system of a vehicle includes a filter housing adapted to be disposed in a fuel reservoir of the fuel delivery module and having a closed end and an open end. The fuel filter assembly also includes a fuel filter disposed in the filter housing and an end cap connected to the filter housing to close the open end. The fuel filter has an integral spring cooperating with the filter housing to urge the fuel filter toward the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sharon E. Beyer, Dale R. Jones, Matthew Catlin, Ulf Sawert
  • Publication number: 20030188722
    Abstract: In order to provide a simply-structured fuel filter which permits soaking at least part of a filter unit all the time in fuel in a reservoir, a reservoir unit is configured of a resin-built cylindrical reservoir having a bottom arranged on the bottom of a fuel tank, a primary filter installed near the inner bottom of that reservoir and a fuel pump sucking fuel in the reservoir through the primary filter, wherein projections protruding upward from the inner bottom of the reservoir are integrally molded and engaging holes to engage with those projections are bored in the circumference of the primary filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Toshihide Oku, Nobuo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20030188721
    Abstract: A fuel filter assembly for a fuel delivery module for a fuel system of a vehicle includes a filter housing adapted to be disposed in a fuel reservoir of the fuel delivery module and having a closed end and an open end. The fuel filter assembly also includes a fuel filter disposed in the filter housing and an end cap connected to the filter housing to close the open end. The fuel filter has an integral spring cooperating with the filter housing to urge the fuel filter toward the end cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Sharon E. Beyer, Dale R. Jones, Matthew Catlin, Ulf Sawert
  • Publication number: 20030188720
    Abstract: A control system for controlling the flow of an actuating fluid to an accumulator, the accumulator serving the fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine, includes a controller being in communication with a plurality of engine related sensors. A variable output pump is in fluid communication with a source of actuating fluid and has at least two selectable output conditions, the pump being operably coupled to the controller, the controller acting to selectively port a portion of the actuating fluid to the accumulator in a first pump output condition and to vent the portion of the actuating fluid to a reservoir in a second pump output condition resulting in power saving. A fuel injection system and a method of control are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Sidi Ould Sadfa
  • Publication number: 20030183205
    Abstract: A fuel control system for controlling the supply of fuel to an engine, the control system comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: John Anthony Mudway, Paul Manwaring Maker
  • Patent number: 6626156
    Abstract: A fuel tank valve for connection to a degassing circuit (15), the valve comprising a moving closure member and means (11) capable of being controlled from outside the tank (2) to act on the closure member (10) to bring it into a predetermined position when the vehicle is in a predetermined state, the valve being characterized by the fact that the closure member is suitable for rising by floating on the surface of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventor: Alexis Rosseel
  • Patent number: 6622709
    Abstract: Over aeration of fuel has been identified as a problem in some fuel injection systems. For instance, engineers have learned that it is desirable to reduce the amount of air in the fuel circulation plumbing of a pump and line fuel injection system in order to reduce timing retardation of the fuel injection and avoid engine power loss. A fuel conditioning module addresses this problem by separating out the air from the fuel before reaching the fuel injectors. The fuel conditioning module includes an inlet cavity separated from an outlet cavity by a baffle. An inlet passage opens to the inlet cavity, and an outlet passage opens to the outlet cavity at locations elevationally below the top of the baffle. A vent passage opens to the outlet cavity at a location elevationally above the top of the outlet passage. When the fuel air mixture flows over the baffle, the air is directed into the vent passage and the relatively pure fuel is directed to the outlet passage for delivery to the fuel injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Terry L. Miller, Phillip M. Hall, Jeffrey L. Castleman
  • Patent number: 6622708
    Abstract: A fuel system for fluidly connecting a fuel tank with an engine includes a low-pressure fuel circuit connected to the fuel tank. A high-pressure fuel circuit connected to the engine is supplied with fuel by the low-pressure fuel circuit. A priming fuel circuit includes a priming fuel conduit and a priming valve. The priming fuel conduit has a first segment and a second segment. The priming valve has an inlet and an outlet. The first segment of the priming fuel circuit interconnects the low-pressure fuel circuit and the outlet of the priming valve. The second segment of the priming fuel circuit interconnects the high-pressure fuel circuit and the inlet of the priming valve. The priming valve is operable to control a flow of fluid through the priming fuel conduit to thereby selectively connect and disconnect the high-pressure fuel circuit and the low-pressure fuel circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Braun, Chris C. Begley, Michael J. Niemiec
  • Publication number: 20030164161
    Abstract: A fuel feed system capable of feeding a fuel to fuel injection valves at a fuel pressure with improved stability is provided. A fuel feed system for an internal combustion engine including a fuel tank and a low-pressure pump for feeding the fuel in the fuel tank to fuel injection valves, is provided with a diaphragm type damper having a wave-shape cross section at a position in contact with the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Usui, Hiroshi Odakura, Toru Onose, Atsuji Saito, Masami Abe, Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Publication number: 20030159681
    Abstract: The invention proposes a fuel supply system for internal combustion engines, having a fuel tank (1) and a fuel reservoir (5) disposed therein, having a fuel pump (11), which drives one or more jet pumps (13), each by means of a supply line (21), the jet pumps (13) in turn filling the fuel reservoir (5) with fuel from the fuel tank (1). There is also a fuel line (7), which hydraulically connects the fuel reservoir (5) to the engine. During the starting of the engine, the fuel pump (11) feeds fuel into the fuel line (7), thus improving the starting behavior of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Peter Schueler, Thomas Droege
  • Patent number: 6609503
    Abstract: A fuel supply port portion incorporates tank fittings such as a fuel pump and a residual fuel meter unit integrally therein as a tank fittings assembly. The fuel supply port portion is formed as a separate body from a tank body of a fuel tank and is removably attached to the tank body. The structure of the tank body can be simplified, and in the case where the tank body is made of a resin, it is not necessary to perform an insert molding operation. Consequently, it is possible to fabricate the tank body easily and also possible to thin the tank body, thereby ensuring a sufficient capacity of the fuel tank. Further, since tank fittings mounting portions are concentrated in the fuel supply port portion, it is possible to assemble the fuel tank in an efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuo Nakagawa, Masao Ogawa, Keiichiro Takagi, Toichiro Hikichi, Akira Hamauzu
  • Patent number: 6607005
    Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle defining at least two interconnecting with the intercommunication being by way of a tank region of smaller cross-section than the chambers, defining a saddle tank configuration. A first of the chambers contains a fuel delivery unit and a second of the chambers has a refuelling vent valve which is the only refuelling vent valve of the tank. The two chambers also communicate with each other by way of a compensating line on the basis of the principle of communicating vessels. The tank also has means for venting the compensating line. The compensating line is such that equalisation of the filling levels of the intercommunicating chambers is possible only when there is a drop in level from the second chamber to the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reiner Viebahn, Dirk Bolle, Torsten Homburg
  • Patent number: 6601568
    Abstract: A control device 10 for isolating a fuel line 4 from its source 1 and its discharge 7 and preventing line 4 from getting vapor locked when its source 1 runs low or empty. The device combines a sensing device 2 at the fuel line intake and an activation device 3 for disabling fuel flow to a combustion engine at the other end. When fuel runs low or empty, the activation device 3 automatically isolates the fuel line from the reservoir 1 and the engine 7 to prevent the fuel line from further drawing down. Under this protection and upon refueling the reservoir, the fuel line has enough fuel to start back up without first having to re-prime the fuel line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Wilhelm Muller
  • Patent number: 6598594
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus maintains a level of fuel within a sub tank and, even if the fuel within the sub tank becomes low in volume, maintaining fuel coverage on a fuel filter is possible. A cylindrical member is formed integrally with the cover and has, at its inner bottom surface, opposite a jet pump, a fuel receiving portion for receiving fuel introduced from an introducing pipe. Above the fuel receiving portion is formed a slit-shaped opening portion which opens toward the fuel filter. The fuel fed from the jet pump passes through the introducing pipe, along the inner bottom surface, and then strikes the fuel receiving portion. The fuel then crosses over a partition wall through the opening portion located above the fuel receiving portion, and changes its direction to flow laterally to reach the top of the suction filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hideto Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20030127075
    Abstract: The device includes a closure element (20), which closes an opening (18) of a fuel tank (12) and has a cup-shaped receptacle (22), which opens toward the outside of the fuel tank (12), contains the fuel filter (24), and can be closed by a cover element (36), which can be detachably fastened to the closure element (20). An elastic sealing ring (46), which is clamped between the closure element (20) and the cover element (36), seals the receptacle (22). In the vicinity of the sealing ring (46), the closure element (20) has at least one opening (52) via which the receptacle (22) communicates with the interior of the fuel tank (12). When the cover element (36) is fastened onto the closure element (20), the sealing ring (46), starting from a non-deformed original shape, is elastically deformed in such a way that it closes the at least one opening (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Braun, Stefan Woerz, Thomas Wieland, Christian Ast, Erwin Franieck
  • Publication number: 20030121503
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for internal combustion engines is proposed, having a fuel pump (1) that can be driven both by an electric drive (19) and by the engine (15). The result is good starting performance of the engine (13) and low demand for driving power on the part of the fuel pump (1) during operation of the engine (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Kurt Frank
  • Publication number: 20030116141
    Abstract: A fuel pump assembly for a fuel delivery module is operable to pressurize fuel from a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine. The fuel pump assembly includes a fuel pump having an inlet and an outlet, an isolator having an inlet end and an outlet end, and a fuel filter having an inlet end and an outlet end. The outlet end of the fuel filter is attached to the inlet end of the isolator. The outlet end of the isolator is attached to the pump inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Lee Daniel Miller
  • Patent number: 6581575
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a fuel delivery valving and hosing system comprising a fuel source coupled to a regulator, a regulator coupled to a hose; a hose coupled to an automatic shut off valve, a hose coupled to a manual shut off valve, a hose coupled to T-junction, a hose from the T-junction coupled to a low RPM valve, a hose from the low RPM valve coupled to a second T-junction, the second T-junction coupled to a preset high RPM run valve and a hose from second T-junction coupled back to a high RPM run valve and to complete a loop. A hose from the preset high RPM flow-limiting valve goes to an injector, and the injector is coupled to an engine/power plant at the carburetor, carburetor insulator or manifold. The present invention will be highly efficient at regulating and controlling gaseous fuels supplied to the engine and produce cleaner emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Lawrence Frederick Williams, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20030101971
    Abstract: A grounded fuel delivery module for a fuel system of a vehicle includes a fuel reservoir and a fuel pump disposed in the fuel reservoir and adapted to pump fuel from a fuel tank of the fuel system to an engine of the vehicle. The grounded fuel delivery module also includes a fuel component disposed in the fuel reservoir and at least one grounding clip contacting the fuel pump and the fuel component to complete an electrical circuit used for grounding the fuel component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Farrar, Chris I. Witherspoon
  • Publication number: 20030098017
    Abstract: Through a series of valves that are preset to control the fuel flow, volume low and high for starting, idling and high maximum RPM engine running. The fuel delivery system is coupled to fuels of choice. Fuels consisting of the following: Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and biogas. It can also be used with a combination of gases and liquefied hydrocarbon fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Lawrence Fredrick Williams
  • Publication number: 20030094161
    Abstract: A fuel pump module is provided with a fuel pump for sucking and discharging a fuel in a fuel tank, a fuel filter downstream of the fuel pump for removing a foreign matter in the fuel, and a fuel pressure control valve for adjusting discharge of the fuel that flowed out from the fuel filter to a combustion chamber. Furthermore, fuel pulsation damping means (a damping portion) is formed between the fuel filter and a flow-out chamber formed below a filter element in the fuel filter and/or a fuel pressure control valve which is an adjacent portion to the flow-out chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: KYOSAN DENKI Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Suzuki, Yasuhiro Hosoya, Hironobu Oki
  • Patent number: 6553973
    Abstract: A fuel tank cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank having a fuel reservoir disposed therein and a fuel filter disposed within and attached directly to the cover to filter fuel from the fuel tank to an engine of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Francis Coha, Jill Marie Coha, Gregory Thomas Roth
  • Publication number: 20030062031
    Abstract: A system and method for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine is disclosed including a fuel tank 11 having a first fuel sump portion 11a, in which a fuel pump 12 is disposed, and a second fuel sump portion 11b formed separate from the first fuel sump portion 11a. A transfer pump 17 which supplies fuel from the second fuel sump portion 11b to the first fuel sump portion 11a is driven with a traveling energy of divergent fuel forming a portion of fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine from the fuel pump 12. A divergent fuel control unit 20 is disposed in a supply line of the diverged fuel to decrease the flow rate of the divergent fuel in dependence on an increase in a demanded fuel flow rate of the internal combustion engine, thereby minimizing a compensation flow rate of the fuel pump 12 as a whole and the flow rate size thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoaki Tanimura
  • Patent number: 6536417
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an edge filter for a pressurized fuel rail system having a plurality of fuel injectors from which pressurized fuel is fed to the injectors through a fuel inlet tube is disclosed. The edge filter has contoured leading and trailing ends that may be either spherical or conical to reduce turbulence in fuel upstream and downstream of the edge filter. The edge filter has inlet and outlet slots that are sloped between about 5% and 15% with the depth of the inlet slot decreasing as it approaches the outlet end and the depth of the outlet slot increasing as it approaches the outlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Pearlman, Don H. Santhony, Michael A. Guerriero
  • Patent number: 6523566
    Abstract: An internal fuel filter for a pressure regulator having a body that encloses a fuel flow path. A first support includes a first surface adapted to be sealingly surrounded by the body. A second support is spaced from the first support along an axis. At least one rib is disposed between and contiguous with the first and second supports, wherein one of the rib and the second support includes a second surface adapted to sealingly surrounded the body. A filter element extends between the first support and the second support and surrounds the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Wynn, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030034010
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, in particular with direct injection, a first fuel pump delivers fuel from a fuel tank to a second fuel pump. This second fuel pump delivers the fuel to a fuel accumulation line. A metering unit is triggered by a control and/or regulating unit and meters the fuel quantity traveling into the inlet of the second fuel pump. In order to simplify the design of the engine and to reduce its cost, the invention proposes that during normal operation, the metering unit is closed when it is without power and that when the control and/or regulating unit is “dead”, the metering unit is without power and the fuel delivery to the metering unit is cut off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Andreas Kellner, Juergen Hammer
  • Patent number: 6520162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injection system, in particular a common rail system, with a pre-feed pump, which delivers a fuel flow from a fuel tank to a high-pressure pump. A fuel filter is disposed downstream or upstream of the pre-feed pump in terms of the feed direction. A safety switch which is dependent upon the fuel filter pressure difference, is provided in order to protect the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump by diverting overly pressurized flow back to the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Schueler
  • Patent number: 6520163
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus for installation in a fuel tank includes a fuel pump, a housing, and a filter element disposed in the housing and having an upstream side communicating with the discharge port of the fuel pump. A check valve communicates with a downstream side of the fuel filter, and a pressure regulator communicates with the upstream side of the filter element. A sedimentation flow path may be provided for removing sediment from fuel discharged from the pressure regulator. The sedimentation flow path may be substantially cylindrical vortex spaces between fins disposed on the inner periphery of the pump holder and has blind holes at the bottom for trapping the sediments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshioka, Seiji Tsutsui, Hideya Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 6520161
    Abstract: The Fuel supply system reduces fuel quantity initially supplied and ineffective residual quantity of fuel. A throat in the shape of a passage is provided at a bottom portion of a sub-tank that supplies fuel from the fuel tank to the interior of the sub-tank by a jet pump. The throat has a suction port communicating with the exterior of the sub-tank and a supply port communicating with the interior of the sub-tank. The throat is inclined with respect to a bottom surface of the tank so that the height of the throat increases gradually from the suction port toward the supply port. The sub-tank has a check valve for opening and closing the supply port. This check valve prevents the fuel in the sub-tank from flowing out to the exterior of the sub-tank through the throat and becomes substantially vertical during valve closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tadashi Hazama
  • Publication number: 20030019478
    Abstract: Pressurized injector actuation fluid, such as oil or fuel, is supplied to high pressure common rail by a fixed displacement fluid pump. Variable delivery from the pump is achieved by an improved sleeve metering approach. The sleeve surrounds the reciprocating piston and is manipulated to control venting of pumped fluid through vent ports in the piston. The sleeve is moved by preferably being the armature of a solenoid assembly. The varying of current to the solenoid coil alters the axial position of the sleeve relative to the piston to vary the effective pumping stroke of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis H. Gibson, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 6508265
    Abstract: A dual fuel tank (10) including first fuel tank (12) and a second fuel tank (14). A single fuel hose (16) allows fuel to enter the first fuel tank (12) from an outside source. When the fuel level in the first fuel tank (12) reaches an overflow level (17), fuel passes through a transfer tube (18) from the first fuel tank (12) into the second fuel tank (14). A transfer fuel pump (20) communicates fuel from the second fuel tank (14) to the first fuel tank (16) such that the level of fuel in the first tank (12) is maximized relative to the available fuel in the system. A main fuel pump (22) communicates fuel from the first fuel pump (12) to a remote target (24). In this way the fuel is available from a single location within the dual fuel tank (10) at a wider range of angles of vehicle travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Anthony Bertouille, James Michael Cook
  • Patent number: 6505641
    Abstract: A device for an arrangement inside a fuel tank, provided with pumps and filters for supplying and filtering fuel that is fed to an internal combustion engine, whereby the fuel is conveyed from the bottom area of the tank through a first filter into a collector chamber and fuel is conveyed from said collector chamber by means of a second pump through a second filter to the internal combustion chamber. Both pumps are arranged in a pump unit. The collector chamber is arranged vertically above the pump unit and the filter with respect to the fitting position of the device and is embodied as an open overflow container, whereby the inventive device can be produced in a rational manner and offers good functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignees: Mahle Filtersysteme GmbH, Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans Gebert, Horst Schneider, Jim Siekmann, Hans Waibel, Rüdiger Walter
  • Publication number: 20030000502
    Abstract: An in-tank fuel supply unit has a reservoir mounted on the floor of a fuel tank, and a fuel pump mounted in the reservoir. The fuel level in the reservoir is maintained by means of a jet pump which is supplied with fuel through a passage. The jet pump has a nozzle which directs a flow of fuel upwards into a venturi passage which has a converging section, a parallel section and a diverging section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Bill George Jones, Colin Edward Mack, Derek Hirst, John Clinton Hall, James Norton
  • Patent number: 6497247
    Abstract: A pressure valve having a valve body inserted into a bore of a valve housing. The valve body on one end that has plunged into the valve housing has a valve seat face in contact with a movable valve member which can be seated by a restoring force and which is adjoined by a through conduit. The movable valve member penetrates the valve body, for the sake of simpler axial securing of the valve body in the valve housing and also for easier dismantling, the valve body is secured axially in the valve housing via a detent connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Makoto Kinoshita, Kiyotaka Ogata
  • Patent number: 6495032
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for use with a vessel that receives fluid includes a body engageable with the vessel. The body has an inlet port, an outlet port, a body cavity, a first fluid path disposed between the inlet port and body cavity, and a second fluid path disposed between the body cavity and the outlet port. A filter is disposed at least partially in the body cavity, and includes a filter cavity and filter media for filtering the fluid. A valve is associated with the body for allowing the fluid to flow into and out of the vessel. When the fluid flows into the vessel, the fluid flows through the filter cavity and along the first fluid path without flowing through the filter media. When the fluid flows out of the vessel, the fluid flows along the first fluid path, through the filter media and along the second fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Dynetek Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary Wayne Miller, Thomas Dean Barker, Garth James Schultz, Stephen Alan Carter
  • Patent number: 6491028
    Abstract: A fuel delivery module for an automotive fuel delivery system includes a reservoir and a fuel pump. The fuel pump delivers fuel from the tank to the reservoir via a fuel tank inlet and reservoir outlet and from the reservoir to the engine via a reservoir inlet and engine outlet. The reservoir is formed with a plurality of contaminant traps for collecting contaminants contained in the fuel as the fuel is pumped through the reservoir such that the contaminants settle unto said contaminant traps thereby reducing the amount of contaminants entering the reservoir inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Duane Gaston, Dequan Yu
  • Publication number: 20020166544
    Abstract: A fuel delivery module for an automotive fuel delivery system includes a reservoir and a fuel pump. The fuel pump delivers fuel from the tank to the reservoir via a fuel tank inlet and reservoir outlet and from the reservoir to the engine via a reservoir inlet and engine outlet. The reservoir is formed with a plurality of contaminant traps for collecting contaminants contained in the fuel as the fuel is pumped through the reservoir such that the contaminants settle unto said contaminant traps thereby reducing the amount of contaminants entering the reservoir inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Duane Gaston, Dequan Yu
  • Patent number: 6470857
    Abstract: In a flow amount control device which control flow amount of fuel to be supplied to a high pressure fuel pump, an opening, which communicates with a port for passing fuel to the high pressure fuel pump, is composed of a first rectangular opening, a second rectangular opening whose circumferential length is larger than that of the first opening, and a third trapezoidal opening bridging between the first and second openings. The port communicates with the first opening, when engine speed is low, and, as the engine speed increases, with the third and second openings. Accordingly, the flow amount of fuel to be discharged from the high pressure fuel pump varies non-linearly and a change of the flow amount thereof is small in engine low speed region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Takahashi, Hiroyuki Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20020152996
    Abstract: The apparatus has an impoundment container (14), disposed in the tank (10), in which impoundment container a pumping assembly (24) is disposed that pumps fuel to the internal combustion engine (12). A jet pump (60) is supplied with some of the fuel pumped by the pumping assembly (24) and pumps fuel out of the tank (10) into the impoundment container (14). Below the pumping assembly (24), near a bottom (18) of the impoundment container (14), there is a suction chamber (34), from which the pumping assembly (24) aspirates fuel. A connection of the suction chamber (34) to the impoundment container (14) is controlled by a float valve (42), disposed laterally next to the pumping assembly (24), and by means of this valve, when the impoundment container (14) is full, the suction chamber (34) communicates with the impoundment container (14); in this state, the pumping assembly (24) aspirates fuel from the impoundment container (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Wolfgang Gabauer, Dieter Schreckenberger, Tony Wheeler
  • Patent number: 6468055
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus comprising a pump unit 22 incorporating an engine driven low pressure pump for drawing fuel from a reservoir and an engine driven high pressure pump connected to supply fuel drawn by the low pressure fuel pump under pressure to a common fuel rail 18. The assembly also includes fuel filter 48 connected in the fuel flow path between the low pressure and the high pressure pump. The fuel filter comprises a fuel filter head 30 mounted directly on, or formed integrally with, the housing of the pump unit 22. The filter head 30 includes a plate 30b for mounting a filter housing 48 containing a filter element, and is formed with a first internal flow passage to enable fuel pressurised by the low pressure pump to be supplied to one side of the filter element and a second flow passage connected to the other side of the filter element to enable the filtered fuel to be supplied to the high pressure pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignees: Cummins Engine Company Ltd., Iveco (UK) Ltd., New Holland U.K. Ltd.
    Inventors: John J. Purcell, Peter Leach
  • Publication number: 20020129795
    Abstract: The plenum of an engine air manifold, coupled to engine cylinders, is provided with a fuel injector. A solenoid prevents supply of fuel to the plenum fuel injector during normal operation of the engine. Upon failure of the primary fuel system, solenoid opens to provide a fuel/air mixture via the manifold, to the engine cylinders, converting the manifold from a dry manifold to a fuel/air mixture manifold. The fuel bus of the primary fuel system preferably receives fuel from, and returns fuel to, a header tank, rather than directly from and to one or more fuel tanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: W.G.A. Holdings Ltd.
    Inventor: J. Lance Wheeler
  • Patent number: 6446437
    Abstract: A fuel system comprising a low pressure fuel pump having an outlet which is connected to an inlet of a high pressure pump arranged, in use, to supply fuel to an engine. The fuel system her comprises at least one actuator controlled by a servo-valve, wherein the servo-valve has a high pressure connection connected to the high pressure side of the high pressure pump and a low pressure connection connected upstream of the outlet of the low pressure pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventor: Trevor Stanley Smith
  • Patent number: 6444121
    Abstract: A fuel filter system employs a first filter (12) to separate water from the fuel and a second filter (38) which receives the water portion from the first filter (12) and removes the water from the residual fuel with the use of hygroscopic material (42) and recycles the residual fuel back to the fuel tank (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Stanadyne Corporation
    Inventor: M. Craig Maxwell
  • Patent number: 6439205
    Abstract: A fuel supply unit includes a pump module in a fuel tank. The pump module has a cover member, a fuel pump, a fuel filter, and a suction filter. The fuel pump, the fuel filter and the suction filter are mounted on a lower portion of the cover member. Moreover, the fuel supply unit includes a chamber movably mounted to the pump module and disposed in a position to receive the suction filter for forming a fuel reservoir around the suction filter. The chamber has a suction pump for sucking fuel in the fuel tank to the fuel reservoir using fuel returned into the fuel tank. Furthermore, the fuel supply unit includes a spring between the pump module and the chamber. The spring biases the chamber toward a lower surface member of the fuel tank so as to maintain the chamber at the lower surface member of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Ushigome
  • Patent number: 6435161
    Abstract: An engine of an outboard motor includes a fuel injection system. In a preferred mode, the fuel injection system comprises a high pressure fuel system and a vapor separator assembly. The high pressure fuel system includes a fuel injector that is removably attached to the engine. The vapor separator assembly includes a vapor separator and is also removably attached to the engine. The high pressure fuel system and said vapor separator assembly are connected by a quick connector. Preferably, one end of the quick connector is formed from an outlet end of a fuel filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Kato
  • Publication number: 20020096147
    Abstract: A connection for a feed line at a feed pump pumping fuel out of a fuel tank, includes a nonreturn valve disposed in a horizontal portion of a connection stub. The connection stub is held on the feed pump by a latching device. The connection permits a particularly compact configuration of the feed pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Ralf Muhlhausen