Fluid handling – Systems – Plural tanks or compartments connected for serial flow
Patent
1998-08-10
2000-12-12
Chambers, A. Michael
Fluid handling
Systems
Plural tanks or compartments connected for serial flow
137315, 13756516, 13756517, 123509, 123514, F02M 3900
Patent
active
061584614
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The invention relates to a device for delivering fuel from a fuel tank of the species defined in the preamble of claim 1.
In such devices for delivering fuel for motor vehicles, also known as delivery modules, as for example known from DE 44 44 854 A1, the reserve cup with integrated delivery pump and integrated filler level gauge sealed by a flange constitutes a complete structural unit, which is inserted into the fuel tank and fastened therein. The fuel delivery line leading from the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine and the fuel return line coming from the internal combustion engine and leading into the fuel tank are slipped onto connectors embodied on the flange of the reserve cup. The reserve cup is connected with the tank content of the fuel tank via respective openings or pump units, for example intake injector pumps, and continuously receives fuel which, during operation of the internal combustion engine, is aspirated by the delivery pump from the reserve cup and pumped into the delivery line to the internal combustion engine.
In case of repair, for example, because of a defective delivery pump or a defective tank level gauge, the entire delivery module including the fuel containing reserve cup has to be removed from the fuel tank, wherein clumsy handling can lead to a fuel spill from the reserve cup and thus to contamination of the environment. This can be particularly problematic if, because of the design, the removal of the delivery module has to be conducted in the interior of the passenger area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In contrast thereto, the delivery device in accordance with the invention has the advantage, that during the disassembly of the delivery device the reserve cup automatically drains, that is at such time when the delivery device is still inside of the fuel tank. The reserve cup is completely emptied the delivery device is removed from the fuel tank, so that the aforementioned danger of contamination by any released fuel is reliably avoid. During reinstallation of the delivery device into the fuel tank, the blocking means automatically effect the blocking of the drain opening, so that the reliable function of the installed delivery device remains assured.
Further advantageous developments and improvements of the delivery device of the present invention are possible by means of the steps recited in the claims.
In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the disposition of the reserve cup in the fuel tank is structurally defined in such a way, that in its end position the reserve cup is seated on the bottom of the fuel tank. The drain opening is disposed in the cup bottom and the blocking of the drain opening by the blocking means is caused by placing the reserve cup on the tank bottom. As soon as the reserve cup is lifted off the tank bottom, the blocking means unblock the opening again. This structural design has the advantage, that assembly and disassembly of the delivery device can be easily performed and that the blocking means for blocking and unblocking the drain opening are achieved with little technical effort, wherein it is assured that the draining of the reserve cup has been largely completed prior to lifting the delivery device through the disassembly opening in the fuel tank.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocking means are constituted by a seal ring enclosing the drain opening in the cup bottom, which projects axially beyond the outer bottom surface of the bottom and is pressed down on the tank bottom in the end position of the reserve cup. In this way the blocking means for blocking and unblocking the drain opening can be achieved at minimal constructional effort.
In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the blocking means are constituted by a sealing element arranged on the outside of the cup bottom, which covers the drain opening, wherein the sealing element has been designed, vertically movable on the cup bottom in
REFERENCES:
patent: 4672937 (1987-06-01), Fales et al.
patent: 4747388 (1988-05-01), Tuckey
patent: 4780063 (1988-10-01), Tuckey
patent: 4869225 (1989-09-01), Nagata et al.
patent: 5396872 (1995-03-01), Ruger
Frank Kurt
Gabauer Wolfgang
Chambers A. Michael
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Striker Michael J.
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