Excess Fuel Returned To Tank Patents (Class 123/514)
  • Patent number: 5979411
    Abstract: The injector has a recirculating conduit with an end element having two rsses, each incorporating an opening; the backflow connector has a connecting element having a groove, and is fitted to the end element so that the groove corresponds with the openings; a C-shaped snap-on fastener has two arms with two portions for simultaneously engaging or releasing the recesses and, via the openings, also the groove; and the backflow connector is connected and disconnected by translating the fastener, which, however, remains secured to the injector at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Elasis Sistema Ricerca Fiat Nel Mezzogiorno Societa Consortile Per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Patent number: 5975061
    Abstract: A bypass fuel pressure regulator disposed downstream of and in communication with a fuel pump outlet to bypass at least a portion of the outlet fuel from the fuel pump corresponding to the engine's fuel demand. The regulator has a bypass passage with an inlet in communication with the fuel pump outlet and an outlet in communication with the fuel tank. A valve assembly is received in and controls the flow of fuel through the bypass passage. The valve assembly has a disc carried on one end of a stem which has an enlarged valve head adjacent its other end which is movable to open and close an outlet opening of the regulator. The disc is disposed generally transverse to the axis of the bypass passage and upstream of the valve head. The disc has at least one and preferably several openings through which fuel flows into the bypass passage through the disc. A spring is received between the regulator body and the disc to yieldably bias the valve head onto a valve seat to close the regulator outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Briggs, George H. Bucci
  • Patent number: 5967120
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a "returnless" fuel delivery system for a motor vehicle includes a fuel pressure regulator located in the fuel tank and a fuel pressure damper located at the fuel rail on the vehicle's engine. The fuel return line from the fuel rail to the fuel tank, a conventional feature in fuel delivery systems, is eliminated. Fuel delivery systems according to the present invention can provide very precise fuel delivery at a highly competitive system cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Michael Blanton, Robert Eugene Wattleworth, Glen Paul Langenderfer, Alvin Arthur Powell, James Witherspoon Mitchell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5958237
    Abstract: A fuel filter constructed and arranged for fuel-water separation which is designed with an integral fuel pump includes a unitary housing designed with a fuel filter cavity for receipt of a fuel filter cartridge, and a pump receptacle cavity for receipt of a fuel pump. A separating wall is disposed between the fuel filter cavity and the fuel pump cavity and this wall defines a flow passageway for fuel flow communication between the fuel pump and the fuel filter. Included as part of the fuel filter assembly is a lid designed to attach over the fuel filter cavity of the unitary housing and a lid designed to attach over the pump receptacle cavity of the unitary housing. The combining of the fuel filter cartridge and the cooperating fuel pump within the same unitary casting provides design efficiencies and economies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexis Cort, Zemin Jiang, Dwight S. Suiter
  • Patent number: 5941279
    Abstract: A fuel container for a motor vehicle has at least two supply chambers and a withdrawal chamber, a fuel pump feeding fuel from the withdrawal chamber, a pump circulating device operating in accordance with the principle of a suction jet and circulating fuel from at least one of the supply chambers into the withdrawal chamber, the pump circulating device including a single nozzle through which at least a part of a fuel stream fed by the fuel pump passes through it, and at least two suction pipes arranged one after the other in alignment with one another in a fuel jet produced by the nozzle and having suction inlets which communicate with a respective one of the supply chambers, a last one of the suction pipes having an outlet which faces away from the nozzle and is connected with the withdrawal chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Frank, Guenter-Paul Ballier, Rolf Fischerkeller, Gerhard Jauch
  • Patent number: 5918578
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel feeding system for an internal combustion engine, which is suited for use in an in-cylinder injection internal combustion engine. In a system provided with a control valve so that a fuel pressure can be changed over for an adjustment, it is an object of the present invention to permit good combustion in the engine even when the control valve becomes inoperative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideyuki Oda
  • Patent number: 5896846
    Abstract: A fuel module including a fuel filter located on a valve block 10 and having a replaceable filter insert 14 in a filter housing 11. The fuel module also has a manually-operable feed pump 31, a connection 8, located on the valve block 10, for fuel supply, a connection C for fuel return, two connections A, D for a mechanical feed pump and a connection E to the injector pump, the manually-operable feed pump 31 containing two identically-constructed valves 23, 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Sascha Bauer, Thomas Butz, Bertram Uebelhoer
  • Patent number: 5894857
    Abstract: A fuel delivery device for a fuel tank comprising a float chamber for sucking fuel in a normal state, a sub chamber for sucking a small quantity of fuel remaining within a tank and a communication chamber for communicating the float chamber and the sub chamber to each other in lower portions thereof En the fuel delivery device for a fuel tank, a sub float chamber is provided above the sub chamber, the sub float chamber has a gas discharge port communicating with-the fuel tank in an upper portion, a vent hole communicating with the sub chamber in a lower portion and a sub float valve within, and the sub float valve ascends and descends in accordance with a quantity of an excess fuel returned to the sub float chamber from the engine so as to open and close the vent hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: OM Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takaki, Shinya Shimada, Kunihito Kawai
  • Patent number: 5894833
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an internal combustion engine for solving the problem of fuel leakage through an air vent of an carburetor.An internal combustion engine comprises a fuel tank; a carburetor having an air vent at a location above the fuel tank; a fuel circulation passage for supplying fuel from the fuel tank to the carburetor on a upstream side thereof and returns oversupplied fuel to the fuel tank on a downstream side thereof; and a fuel capturing chamber communicated with the air vent, the fuel capturing chamber having an air bleeder so that the fuel which flows backward from the fuel tank through the downstream side of the fuel circulation passage and leaks through the air vent is captured in the fuel capturing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Kikuchi, Isamu Sekizawa
  • Patent number: 5890518
    Abstract: In a throttle device for a pressure control apparatus, the return line inside a pressure control valve or in the line course outside it is provided with a cross-sectional constriction that throttles the flow. This cross-sectional constriction is variable automatically, as a function of the flow rate and hence of the prevailing pressure, in such a way that at a low flow rate a small flow cross section and at a high flow rate a large flow cross section results. It is thus possible to design the return line pressure as high as possible over a wide range of the flow rate and to keep the pressure difference between the inflow line and return line slight and thereby to minimize the noise production in the pressure control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Fischerkeller
  • Patent number: 5887572
    Abstract: A control system for a fuel delivery system regulates fuel pressure on the filtered side of a fuel filter and relieves excessive primary pump flow from the unfiltered side of the filter. The valve also selectively provides warm fuel to de-wax the fuel filter after a cold start. Once wax build-up is no longer an issue, the warm fuel is directed to a fuel cooler or a heat sink, such as the fuel tank. The control system prioritizes the maintenance of filtered fuel pressure over maximizing fuel returned for cooling. Also, the fuel filter is protected from excessive fuel pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek Albert Channing
  • Patent number: 5887573
    Abstract: A fuel circuit for a fuel system including a fuel tank, a fuel injection system, and a fuel filter assembly. Excess fuel flow is recirculated from the fuel injection pump to the base of the fuel filter. The base includes an internal recirculated fuel passageway which is in fluid communication with the fuel injection pump and the fuel tank, an internal fuel inlet plenum that is in fluid communication with the fuel tank, and an internal fuel outlet passageway which is in fluid communication with the fuel injection system. An opening provides fluid communication between the recirculated fuel passageway and the fuel inlet plenum. A thermal flow control valve is positioned in the recirculated fuel passageway to open the opening when the recirculated fuel temperature is below a predetermined temperature and to close the opening when the recirculated fuel temperature is above the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Stanadyne Automotive Corp.
    Inventors: Leon P. Janik, Michael J. Williams, Richard E. Atwood
  • Patent number: 5887617
    Abstract: A fuel supply device has a container from which fuel is to be supplied to an internal combustion engine, a receptacle, a fuel feeding aggregate arranged on the receptacle, a connecting unit for receiving electrical and hydraulic connecting elements. The fuel container has a lower side provided with an opening, and the fuel feeding aggregate is insertable in the opening of the lower side of the fuel container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Kurt Frank
  • Patent number: 5881699
    Abstract: A diesel fuel recirculating manifold for a fuel delivery system selectively provides warm return fuel to unclog (de-wax or de-ice) the components of the fuel system, such as the fuel filter, after a cold start. Once clogging is no longer an issue, the warm fuel is directed to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Allen Brown, Allen F. Bolton, Andrew Sasyk
  • Patent number: 5878724
    Abstract: A fuel system for an automotive vehicle equipped with a diesel engine includes a fuel tank, a fuel injection pump, a fuel supply passage for conducting fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel injection pump, and a fuel return passage for conducting fuel from the fuel injection pump to the fuel tank. A hydraulically powered lift pump moves fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel injection pump through a fuel supply passage. The lift pump includes a hydraulic motor powered by fuel flowing through the fuel return passage and a primary fuel pump coupled to and powered by the hydraulic motor, with the primary fuel pump providing fuel to the injection pump through the fuel supply passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek Albert Channing
  • Patent number: 5873349
    Abstract: For a fuel injected combustion engine a fuel pressure regulator having a rapidly and accurately regulated output pressure over a wide range of flow rates by bypassing and returning to a fuel tank a portion of the input fuel from a fuel pump through a bypass valve actuated by a flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm is responsive to the pressure of the input fuel on one side of the diaphragm and a vacuum on the other side of the diaphragm having a magnitude which is varied as a function of the flow rate of the fuel bypassed through the valve and returned to the fuel tank. Preferably, this vacuum is produced by a venturi or orifice through which the bypass fuel flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Charles H. Tuckey, G. Clarke Oberheide
  • Patent number: 5873348
    Abstract: A fuel system having a fuel tank for storing a supply of fuel for an internal combustion engine is provided with a fuel recirculation system. Fuel is supplied from the fuel tank to the engine through a supply line and excess fuel is returned from the engine to the tank through a return line. The fuel in the return line is typically warmed as it passes through or in proximity to the engine. A valve is positioned within the fuel tank to sense the temperature of the fuel supplied to the engine and, when the temperature is colder than desired, divert a portion of the warmed return fuel back to the supply line. The diverted fuel helps warm the fuel supplied to the engine and prevent waxing in the fuel system. When the fuel supplied to the engine is not colder than desired, the valve is closed and the warmed fuel is returned to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Freightliner Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel G. Fuchs, Matthew G. Markstaller
  • Patent number: 5865160
    Abstract: An outboard motor includes a fuel supply system which minimizes and curbs fuel spillage when the outboard motor is placed in a non-upright position. The fuel supply system includes an internal fuel tank which communicates with at least one intake passage of an engine of the outboard motor via a fuel vapor discharge line. The discharge line extends between a vapor discharge port on the fuel tank and a vapor suction port on the engine. The ports and the discharge line are arranged within the outboard motor to inhibit significant spillage or drainage of liquid fuel from the fuel tank through the vapor discharge line regardless of the orientation of the outboard motor, such as, for example, when the outboard motor is inverted or is laid over on its side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 5842455
    Abstract: An accumulator and over-pressure relief valve unit disposed within a vehicle fuel tank to accommodate expansion of fuel due to heating of the fuel within the fuel system and to maintain increased pressure of heated fuel in the fuel system to prevent vapor formation and to provide an over-pressure relief to bleed fuel back into the fuel tank when the unit has reached its maximum fuel accumulating capacity. The accumulator has a plastic cap press fit onto a plastic body with a diaphragm received therebetween and defining an expansion chamber with the body. To provide a seal between the cap and body, they are preferably ultrasonically welded together. The diaphragm has a normally closed valve which, when opened, communicates the accumulator chamber with the fuel tank. This valve opens in response to any over-pressure that may develop after the accumulator has reached its maximum accumulating capacity to bypass fuel into the fuel tank and thereby limit the maximum pressure of the fuel in the fuel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Charles H. Tuckey, Ronald B. Kuenzli
  • Patent number: 5832900
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for recirculating highly pressurized fuel from a fuel rail back to a high pressure pump inlet in which a fuel outflow is controllably allowed from the fuel rail into a nozzle to form a high pressure stream of fuel directed into a port connected to the inlet of the high pressure pump and a flow of fuel from a low pressure supply pump is merged into the stream by a surrounding annular flow pattern. This uses the energy of high pressure fuel to increase the pressure at the inlet of the high pressure pump and greatly reduces the tendency for the fuel vapor to form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Automotove Corporation
    Inventor: Jack R. Lorraine
  • Patent number: 5832902
    Abstract: A unitary temperature control bypass and fuel filtering device for an engine for heating fuel in the fuel filter. The device has an entry passage for receiving excess fuel from the engine, a first outlet passage for communicating with the fuel tank and a second outlet passage directing heated fuel into the fuel filtering device and then terminating in the first outlet passage. A central chamber communicating with the entry and outlet passages is centrally located between the passages and has a piston therein having reciprocal movement between the outlet passages for selectively blocking one of the outlet passages, wherein the piston is responsive to the fuel temperature in the filtering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Davco Manufacturing L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Davis, Paul B. Smith
  • Patent number: 5832903
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for a marine propulsion system having an electronically controlled fuel injection system eliminates the need for a vapor separator. The system pumps an excessive amount of fuel through a plumbed fuel supply loop and cools recirculated fuel to cool all the components in the plumbed fuel supply loop, i.e. a continuous duty, constant displacement fuel pump; a pressure regulator; and a water separating fuel filter. Recirculated fuel flows from the pressure regulator to the water separating fuel filter as does make-up fuel from a fuel tank. The fuel stream from the water separating fuel filter flows to the low-pressure side of the fuel pump, which pumps the fuel through the plumb fuel supply loop. A fuel injection portion of the fuel flows to the engine for combustion, while the remaining portion of the fuel is recirculated. The recirculated portion of the fuel is cooled, preferably using a water-cooled heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Brunswick Corp.
    Inventors: Brian R. White, Vince E. Notareschi, Grant W. Hines, Brian D. Simpson, Timothy M. Baer, Matthew W. Jaeger, Daniel E. Clarkson, James Michael Horak
  • Patent number: 5832904
    Abstract: In a high-pressure fuel pump, a bellows chamber communicates with a fuel tank. A volume chamber having a predetermined volume is arranged in a return passage which returns a fuel stayed in the bellows chamber to the fuel tank. The fuel which has stayed in a region in the return passage can be flowed into the volume chamber to be prevented from flowing back to the bellows chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Morishita, Keiichi Konishi, Masayasu Miyajima
  • Patent number: 5823169
    Abstract: An aggregate for feeding fuel from a fuel supply tank to an internal combustion engine, the aggregate has a housing through which fuel flows, a feeding pump and a motor which drives the pump, the feeding pump and the motor being arranged in the housing so that behind the feeding pump as considered in a flow direction a pressure chamber limited by the feeding pump is provided, a valve communicating the pressure chamber with an outer chamber, the valve having a closing element which during a normal operation of the feeding aggregate is held in a closing position so that the pressure chamber is separated from the outer chamber, the valve having a first passage with a first fluid flow and communicating the pressure chamber with the outer chamber, a second passage with a second fluid flow flowing around the closing element and leading in a joint opening toward the outer chamber, so that with increasing first fluid flow before and after the closing element as considered in the closing direction a pressure differenc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Strohl, Georg Haeussler, Jochen Rose, Oliver Wahl, Erich Eiler
  • Patent number: 5810033
    Abstract: A fuel inlet is disposed on the upper part of a fuel tank which is protruded upwardly and a connecting portion of a return pipe is located which is also protruded on the upper part of the fuel tank being separated from the fuel inlet and an air reservoir is disposed within the connecting portion of the return pipe. When fuel is poured through the fuel inlet, fuel will not go into the air reservoir. Therefore, vibrations given to the fuel tank does not cause the return pipe blocked at its lower end, allowing overflown fuel to be returned smoothly back to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nakayama, Tatsuhiko Matsubayashi, Shunsuke Nakadate
  • Patent number: 5809975
    Abstract: For a fuel pump mounted within a module in a vehicle fuel tank, a stand pipe is provided in communication at its upper end with a return fuel reservoir and at its lower end with the inlet of the fuel pump to deliver fuel from the return fuel reservoir when the level of fuel in the reservoir rises above the upper end of the stand pipe. The return fuel reservoir has an inlet in communication with a fuel return line through which excess fuel in the fuel system is delivered to the return fuel reservoir. This "weathered" return fuel is delivered to the fuel pump inlet through the stand pipe when the level of fuel in the reservoir is sufficiently high to prefer use of the weathered return fuel by the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Charles H. Tuckey, David E. Mroczka, Laurie J. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5797377
    Abstract: A fuel feeding device for a motor vehicle has a fuel container having a plurality of parts with bottoms separated from one another, a fuel feeding aggregate arranged to supply fuel from the fuel container to an internal combustion engine, a jet pump, the parts of the fuel container including a first part in which the fuel feeding aggregate is arranged and a second part in which the jet pump is arranged separately from the first part, a fuel return conduit and a suction conduit having a connection portion, the jet pump being formed in the connection portion, a nozzle arranged in the fuel return conduit, and a mixing tubular portion provided in the suction conduit and connected with the nozzle immediately downstream in a fuel feeding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Fischerkeller
  • Patent number: 5794598
    Abstract: A fuel circuit for a fuel system including a fuel reservoir, a fuel injection system, a fuel lift pump, and a fuel filter assembly. The fuel circuit includes a fuel passageway for recirculating the excess fuel flow from the outlet of the fuel injection pump to the inlet of the fuel injection pump. The excess fuel flow, which is pressurized by the fuel injection pump, is preferentially utilized as the fuel source over fuel in the fuel reservoir, which is at a lower pressure. The fuel circuit may include a single fuel-to-air heat exchanger or a fuel-to-coolant heat exchanger and a coolant-to-air heat exchanger to remove heat from the excess fuel flow, depending on the amount of heat generated by the fuel injection system and the fuel lift pump and the expected ambient temperature conditions. Circulation pumps in the fuel passageway and the coolant line may be used to facilitate removal of heat in the two heat exchanger system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Stanadyne Automotive Corp.
    Inventors: Leon P. Janik, Michael J. Williams
  • Patent number: 5794597
    Abstract: The device has a feed pump arranged in the supply tank (12), which can be inserted through an opening (20) in the supply tank (12). The opening (20) is closed by means of a closure element (22) on which a pressure regulator is disposed, which is connected with the pressure side of the feed pump and with the internal combustion engine, and which can be connected with a relief chamber (12). The closure element (22) has a base body (30) made of plastic, in which a depression (40) has been formed, which is closed by means of an elastic diaphragm (52), so that a pressure chamber is formed. A connector (45) projects into the depression (40), which is connected with the relief chamber (12) and whose front end (51) can be closed by means of a flattened ball (74), which is movably seated in a support element (70) connected with the diaphragm (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Schwegler, Kurt Frank, Ansgar Seitz, Wolfgang Bueser, Uwe Talmon
  • Patent number: 5791317
    Abstract: A flow valve for a fuel supply system is arranged in a supply line leading to an internal combustion engine and, in a basic position upon the start of the internal combustion engine, closes a branch line which leads to a sucking-jet pump. For this purpose the flow valve has a closure member which is displaceable substantially transverse to the direction of flow by the flow of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Karl Eck
  • Patent number: 5785084
    Abstract: In a fuel removal device including a fuel pickup pot for disposition in a vehicle fuel tank, the fuel pickup pot has integrally formed therewith two receptacles extending from the bottom of the pickup pot, one for receiving a filter with a fuel suction line and the other for receiving a fuel return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Christian Richter, Karl-Heinz Siebels
  • Patent number: 5778926
    Abstract: A compact pressure regulating valve makes installation work simple and has a hermetic structure of a stationary value member without a specific seal member. A pressure regulator (201) has a body (203) which includes a fuel inlet (215) and an inner periphery for positioning a stationary valve member (205) in a radial direction. When the movable valve member (208) leaves the stationary valve member (205), the valve opens. Operation of the movable valve member (208) is controlled by a diaphragm which moves to balance the pressure of the pressure chamber (211) and the pressure of a back pressure chamber (213) combined with a biasing pressure of a compression coil spring (214). As a result, the pressure of the pressure chamber (211) can be controlled without a specific sealing member or complex structure. In addition, a pressure regulating valve according to the present invention is compact and easy to install, and has no specific member to seal the stationary valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Tanaka, Keiichi Yamashita, Kouji Izutani, Kingo Okada, Hideto Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5765537
    Abstract: A fuel recirculation system is provided that includes a fuel tank, a fuel delivery circuit for transporting fuel between the fuel tank and an internal combustion engine, a fuel recirculation circuit coupled with the fuel delivery circuit upstream of the engine and adapted for recirculating the fuel back to the fuel tank periodically. The present fuel recirculation system also includes a fuel pump, the capacity of which is sufficient to supply the required fuel to the engine via the fuel delivery circuit and recirculate the remaining volume of fuel by way of the fuel recirculation circuit periodically (e.g. once every 24 hours).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James E. Sibley
  • Patent number: 5762049
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus for a motor vehicle including a plastic canister, three evenly-spaced tubular struts on the canister, a plastic cover, a regulator pod on the plastic cover, and a pair of sockets on the cover and a socket on the regulator pod defining three evenly-spaced sockets on the cover adapted for plug-in reception of the tubular struts. The canister is inserted into a fuel tank of the motor vehicle through an access port. The cover closes the access port. A fuel pump in the canister delivers fuel to a high pressure conduit outside of the fuel tank through a high pressure fluid connector on the cover. A branch from the high pressure conduit is connected to a return fluid connector on the cover. The regulator pod has a return passage from the return fluid connector to the aforesaid socket on the regulator pod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Richard Jones, Wayne Frederick Harris, Ulf Sawert
  • Patent number: 5762047
    Abstract: A fuel supplying apparatus comprising a fuel tank, a fuel pump, a pressure regulator and a fuel filter disposed in a fuel line connected between the fuel pump and the pressure regulator for filtering the fuel supplied from the fuel pump. The pressure regulator has an inlet port through which the pressure within the fuel tank is introduced into the diaphragm chamber of the pressure regulator is disposed between a fuel surface level and the ceiling of the fuel tank. The excess fuel discharge port is disposed in the vicinity of and in a facing relationship to a wall surface, which may be provided with a shock absorbing member, of a fuel pump mounting bracket, a sub-tank, pressure regulator holder or a barrier. The fuel filter has a hollow cylindrical configuration and the fuel pump together with a mounting bracket for supporting the fuel pump is housed within the hollow cylindrical fuel filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshioka, Shigeki Kanamaru
  • Patent number: 5762048
    Abstract: A fuel supply system of an internal combustion engine includes, a fuel return branch connection positioned downstream of a fuel filter. The branch connection returns part of the fuel which passed the fuel filter back into the fuel tank. An end of the fuel return connection is extended to the bottom of the fuel tank. A throttle part for controlling returned fuel flow is positioned in the branch connection. Because part of fuel which passed the fuel filter is returned into the fuel tank, fuel in the fuel tank is repeatedly filtered by the fuel filter. Thus, removal of dust in the fuel is improved and total fuel flow passing through the fuel pump is increased. This improves cooling of the fuel pump and thus helps prevent vapor generation while also improving durability of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Yonekawa
  • Patent number: 5762040
    Abstract: A loop-scavenged, two-cycle internal combustion engine has a low-pressure, cylinder wall fuel injection system that is practical for multi-cylinder marine engines and also reduces the amount of unburned hydrocarbons in exhaust emissions when compared to conventional carbureted two-cycle engines. The fuel injectors are mounted through the cylinder wall so that fuel spray contacts the piston crown underneath a zone in which incoming air flow through the transfer ports converges. The converging air flow helps to convect vaporized fuel from the piston crown upwards towards the spark plug electrode in the combustion chamber and away from the exhaust port, thereby reducing the likelihood of short circuiting unburned fuel through the exhaust port before the exhaust port closes and compression begins. All fuel is injected into the piston cavity before the exhaust port closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Dale L. Taipale, Leonard S. Hummel
  • Patent number: 5755248
    Abstract: A tank pressure control valve is provided for controlling the discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank. In one embodiment, the tank pressure control valve is configured to use pressurized fuel vapor to control a flexible diaphragm operable between a closed position blocking discharge of fuel vapor from the fuel tank and an opened position allowing such discharge. In another embodiment, the tank pressure control valve is configured to use pressurized fuel vapor to move a flexible diaphragm to move a rigid valve member between a closed position and an opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Emil Szlaga, Robert H. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5749345
    Abstract: A pressurized fuel system for a motor vehicle is provided with a pressure regulator which opens above a predetermined limit pressure so that the not required fuel can flow by way of a return flow pipe into the fuel tank. Behind the pressure regulator, a check valve is connected in the direction of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Treml
  • Patent number: 5749338
    Abstract: A method and device for increasing the amount of fuel to an engine during acceleration is provided. A secondary source of fuel in addition to a first source of fuel is introduced into the engine during acceleration. The secondary source of fuel is introduced through a secondary fuel delivery line which is opened by a valve actuated in response to throttle control movement. In a first embodiment, the secondary fuel delivery line communicates with a fuel delivery area from which fuel is supplied to the first fuel source. The valve is pressed open by the throttle control along with a primary fuel source needle valve control, allowing fuel from the fuel delivery area to flow through the second fuel line in addition to the first fuel source. In second and third embodiments, the secondary fuel line communicates with an excess fuel return line. A valve extends across the fuel return line and secondary fuel line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Gohara, Hiroaki Fujimoto, Masayoshi Nanami
  • Patent number: 5743239
    Abstract: In a fuel supply system for a vehicle, provided with a fuel tank having a bottom wall having an upward convex portion dividing an interior space of the fuel tank into a first chamber and a second chamber, a discharge rate of an electric fuel pump is controlled properly to reduce power consumption and fuel consumption. A fuel level monitoring means compares an output D.sub.m of a fuel meter unit 13 representing a level of fuel in the fuel tank with a set threshold fuel level L.sub.j, i.e., a minimum fuel level that requires the operation of a jet pump which pumps fuel from the second chamber into the first chamber. A power supply control means controls power supply to the fuel pump to supply power necessary for driving the fuel pump for operation at a discharge rate equal to the sum of the fuel consumption of the engine and a minimum required flow rate necessary for maintaining the performance of the fuel supply system when D.sub.m .gtoreq.L.sub.j or for operation at a maximum discharge rate when D.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsutomu Iwase
  • Patent number: 5740784
    Abstract: A fuel control system is provided. Fuel is delivered into a main canister from a low-pressure pump, where it gathers in a reservoir or bottom area. The fuel in the reservoir is taken up by a small high-pressure pump inside the housing, which drives the fuel to the fuel injectors of an engine. The low-pressure pump has a flow rate exceeding that of the high-pressure pump. A vapor trap captures accumulating fuel vapor. Volumetric excess fuel and vapor are vented back to the fuel tank and atmospheric pressure. Vapor lock is reduced or avoided, and particulate and water filters are provided to avoid contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Pleasurecraft Marine Engine Co.
    Inventor: Mark McKinney
  • Patent number: 5732685
    Abstract: An improved fuel supply system for a watercraft engine eases the setting of fuel supply pressure in each of the carburetors of the engine. The fuel supply system includes a fuel supply line which supplies fuel to a plurality of feed branches of the fuel circuit which are arranged in parallel. Each branch communicates with one of the carburetors. The branches have equal lengths such that the flow resistance within each branch is generally the same between the branches. The fuel supply system also includes a fuel return line which communicates with a plurality of return branches of the fuel circuit. The return branches are arranged in parallel, with each return branch communicating with one of the carburetors. The return branches also have equal lengths and are arranged to have like flow resistances. This structure of the fuel circuit between the carburetors tends to isolate the carburetors from one another such that the fuel pressure in one carburetor does not affect the fuel pressure in the other carburetors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5732684
    Abstract: An automotive fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine has a saddle type fuel tank with two lobes, a primary lobe and a secondary lobe, straddling vehicle components therebetween. A primary fuel pump is mounted in the primary lobe with a fuel delivery line extending therefrom for carrying pressurized fuel from the primary fuel pump to the engine, and a pressure actuated auxiliary fuel pump is mounted in the secondary lobe for pumping fuel therefrom to the primary lobe. The auxiliary fuel pump has a drive chamber for receiving pressurized fuel from the input line to urge a drive diaphragm to an extended position, and high hysteresis relief valve means for controllably releasing pressurized fuel from the drive chamber to the secondary lobe to allow the drive diaphragm to contract to a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5727529
    Abstract: A bypass pressure control unit for use in bypass relation to a fuel delivery line of a pump operated fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine. The unit includes a housing that encloses a flexible diaphragm valve for defining with the housing a first bypass outlet chamber and a second fuel inlet chamber. The housing has a fuel inlet for communicating the second chamber with the fuel delivery line. The regulating valve is a flexible diaphragm membrane biased by a spring into direct engagement with a relatively large diameter valve seat formed in the housing so that the diaphragm itself acts as a valve member. The diaphragm is movable against spring force by a given pressure of fuel in the second chamber to disengage the diaphragm from the valve seat to thereby communicate the second chamber with the bypass fuel outlet. In one embodiment, the fuel outlet is formed in the housing and has a restricted orifice downstream of the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventor: Charles H. Tuckey
  • Patent number: 5720263
    Abstract: A device for supplying an internal combustion engine with fuel has a supply container from which the fuel is supplied and having an opening, a feed pump arranged in the supply container and insertable into the supply container through the opening, a closure part for closing the opening of the supply container, a pressure regulator arranged on the closure part and having a pressure chamber with a connection to a pressure side of the feed pump, to an internal combustion engine and to an unloading chamber, the closure part having a flange-shaped base body which closes the opening and is provided with a depression, a pipe formed of one piece with the body for forming a connection of the pressure chamber to the unloading chamber and extending into the depression, an elastically deformable diaphragm group which closes the depression for forming the pressure chamber, the pipe having a seat with which diaphragm group at least partially directly cooperates, a spring loading the diaphragm group toward the pipe so that
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Kurt Frank, Ansgar Seitz, Albert Gerhard
  • Patent number: 5715798
    Abstract: A fuel pump manifold for a fuel delivery system of an automotive internal combustion engine includes a unitary housing with a fluid conduit formed therein. Inlet and outlet ports communicate with the fluid conduit, which are adapted to be connected to the outlet of a fuel pump and a fuel supply line, respectively. The fuel pump manifold further includes a jet pump supply port communicating with the fluid conduit to feed a jet pump of the fuel delivery system. To prevent fuel from draining from the fuel supply line through the manifold, a check valve is disposed within the outlet port. A pressure relief is also disposed within the fuel pump manifold to relieve excessive pressure in the fuel supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Bacon, Robert G. Adams, Steven M. Shortis
  • Patent number: 5711282
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a fuel-air mixture and to a fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine, having an intake manifold, into which an air intake tube with an aspirated air metering device disposed in it discharges and to which the intake tubes leading to individual combustion chambers are connected. A plurality of fuel injection valves are provided, each of which is assigned to one combustion chamber, and having a central fuel vaporizer to which fuel can be supplied by means of a fuel metering device. To form a fuel-air mixture, the fuel to be supplied to the engine is vaporized and the fuel vapor is supplied to the aspirated air. In order to lower pollutant emissions after starting during the warmup phase of the engine, vaporization of the fuel is done at relatively low temperatures, so that the fuel vapor produced essentially comprises only highly volatile fuel components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst-Walter Lang, Klaus Joos
  • Patent number: 5709197
    Abstract: Fuel is pressurized by the expansion and contraction of a pump chamber defined inside a casing according to the rotation of a power input shaft which penetrates from the outside of the casing into its inside. A first seal member is provided between the casing and the power input shaft and prevents escape of fuel which is inside the casing, and a second seal member is provided in series therewith. Further, leakage of fuel to the outside of the casing from the second seal member is prevented by the provision of a drain conduit which drains fuel which has leaked into a space defined between the first seal member and the second seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Oshidari, Atsuhiro Sakamoto, Shigeru Kamegaya, Iwane Inokuchi
  • Patent number: 5706785
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine in which a fuel pump pumps fuel from a fuel tank to a fuel distributor and a pressure regulator is connected between the fuel pump and the fuel distributor to respond to pressure of the fuel pumped by the fuel pump, to return fuel back to the fuel tank as a function of the pressure of the pumped fuel, a pressure reducer being disposed between the pressure regulator and the fuel distributor to reduce the pressure of the fuel delivered to the fuel distributor to a value lower than the pressure of the fuel at the pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Pierburg AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Radermacher, Henning Garcke, Heinz Beier