Dual function fuel supply module

Details Dual function fuel supply module Dual function fuel supply module

1999-12-17

2001-07-03

Moulis, Thomas N. (Department: 3747)

Internal-combustion engines

Charge forming device

With fuel pump

C123S497000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06253739

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to fuel delivery systems and, more particularly, to a dual function fuel supply module.
2. Technical Field
Internal combustion engines require fuel in the form of gasoline or diesel for operation. A fuel delivery system is required to deliver the fuel from a storage location such as a fuel tank to the internal combustion engine. According to the prior art, three primary fuel delivery systems are provided.
According to a first fuel delivery system, a mechanical gear pump is coupled to the internal combustion engine which drives the pump and draws fuel from the tank to the engine. According to a second system, an electric pump is disposed along a fuel line between the fuel tank and the engine. Upon receipt of an applied current, the electric pump operates to deliver fuel from the fuel tank and deliver it to the engine. According to a third system, an electric pump is disposed within the fuel tank. Upon receipt of an applied current, the fuel pump operates to deliver fuel from the fuel tank to the engine.
Direct injection fuel systems use a mechanical gear-driven pump as part of the high pressure system. Unfortunately, the mechanical pump is not able to prime itself after running dry or after initial installation. Dry operating conditions include first start conditions at the assembly plant, an operator running out of fuel, and breaking into the system for service.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a fuel delivery system which utilizes a mechanical gear-driven pump in combination with electric pump for fulfilling priming needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects are provided by a dual function fuel delivery system. The system includes a mechanical gear-driven pump coupled between an engine and a fuel tank. The mechanical gear-driven pump is coupled to the fuel tank by a first fuel line and a second fuel line. An electric pump is coupled to the second fuel line for selectively providing fuel from the fuel tank to the mechanical gear-driven pump. For example, the electric pump can be energized to deliver fuel to the mechanical gear-driven pump during a potential run dry condition. After the potential run dry condition is passed, the electric pump can be de-energized since the mechanical pump can fulfill its fueling needs by direct vacuum pick-up from the fuel tank. Check valves disposed along the first and second fuel lines ensure that the mechanical gear-driven pump preferentially draws fuel from the fuel tank through the first fuel line thereby bypassing the electric pump. To selectively energize the electric pump, a relay is coupled between a power source and the electric pump. A controller is coupled to the relay for selectively switching the relay between on and off states. This periodically provides power from the power source to the electric pump. For example, power is provided to the electric pump when an RPM level in the engine is less than a first threshold value or when a fuel rail pressure in a fuel rail of the system is less than a second threshold value. These conditions correspond to a situation in which the mechanical pump may not be able to draw fuel directly from the fuel tank. Preferably, the electric pump continues to operate until the RPM level is greater than or equal to the first threshold value and the fuel rail pressure is greater than or equal to the second threshold value. At this point, the mechanical pump is able to satisfy its fueling requirements by drawing fuel from the fuel tank.


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