In-take fuel pump reservoir

US6231318A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• WALBRO LLC · US

Inventors

• Kenneth J. Cotton · Caro, US
• Bryan J. Gettel · Pigeon, US
• Ronald B. Kuenzli · Deford, US
• Peter P. Kuperus · Cass City, US
• G. Clarke Oberheide · Troy, US
• Ronald H. Roche · Cass City, US
• Joseph M. Ross · Millington, US
• Kevin L. Williams · Lapeer, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 17, 2000
• Grant date: May 15, 2001
• Expiry date: Mar 17, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F05B2250/503
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An in-tank fuel pump reservoir assembly for drawing fuel from a fuel supply tank and discharging the fuel under pressure to an engine. The assembly includes a reservoir canister that partially defines a reservoir chamber and is mounted within a fuel tank. A reservoir inlet admits fluid into the reservoir chamber from the fuel tank. A reservoir outlet allows fuel to flow from the reservoir chamber to an engine through a fuel line. A reservoir filling device draws fuel into the reservoir chamber from the fuel supply tank through the reservoir inlet. A fuel pump assembly disposed within the canister draws fuel from the reservoir chamber and discharges at least a portion of that fuel to the engine through the reservoir outlet. A modular fuel delivery pod includes the fuel pump assembly, the reservoir filling device, and the inlet check valve. The pod connects to the canister to cooperatively define the reservoir chamber. The assembly is readily adaptable to multiple fuel tank applications by selecting respective canisters and fuel pump assemblies that are compatible with such applications.