Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – With fuel pump
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-12
2001-03-06
Miller, Carl S. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
With fuel pump
C123S510000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196200
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to fuel systems and more particularly to an improved fuel pump module.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electric motor fuel pumps have been used to deliver fuel at a high pressure to internal combustion engines, such as in automotive, marine and other applications. In some applications, these fuel pumps are disposed within a fuel pump module itself constructed to be disposed in a vehicle fuel tank. Typically, a fuel filter communicates with the fuel pump inlet to filter fuel drawn into the fuel pump. Also typically, a second fuel filter, usually of an in-line configuration, is located downstream of the fuel pump and upstream of the fuel rail. Fuel discharged from the fuel pump under a high pressure is delivered to the engine fuel dispensing device, such as fuel injectors, through a fuel line and typically, a fuel rail connected to the injectors.
One such fuel pump module is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,784. As disclosed, this fuel pump module has a filter in the bottom area of a canister to filter fuel arriving in the canister from a fuel tank before it is drawn into the fuel pump. Fuel discharged from the fuel pump is not further filtered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A fuel pump module has a housing which carries a fuel pump and a fuel filter between an outlet of the fuel pump and an outlet of the module housing to filter fuel discharged from the fuel pump before it is delivered under pressure to an operating engine. The fuel filter preferably provides the final filtering of the fuel before it is delivered to the engine and preferably has a large surface area to extend the life of the fuel filter in use. The fuel filter is preferably generally annular and has a casing defining an interior opening in which the fuel pump is received with a seal to prevent fuel leakage between them. Preferably, all of the components of the fuel pump module are generally telescopically or coaxially fitted together to provide a compact fuel pump module while still providing a large surface area fuel filter.
Desirably, each of the components of the fuel pump module may be rapidly assembled by press fitting the various components together to facilitate assembly of the fuel pump module. Further, the size of the various components of the fuel pump module may be varied to accommodate fuel pumps of different sizes.
Objects, features and advantages of this invention include providing a fuel pump module which filters fuel discharged from the fuel pump outlet, provides a fuel filter with a large surface area to extend the life of the fuel filter and prevent undesirable resistance to fuel flow in use, can be readily adapted to accommodate fuel pumps of different sizes, is compact, durable, reliable, of relatively simple design, economical manufacture and assembly and has a long useful life in service.
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Miller Carl S.
Reising Ethington, Barnes, Kisselle, Learman & McCulloch, P.C.
Walbro Corporation
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