The invention relates to fuel supply units for automobile vehicles and, more particularly, to providing a static electricity discharge path in a fuel port of a non-conductive flange of a fuel supply unit.
With reference to
Recently, there has been a greater focus on Electro Static Dissipation (ESD) in such fuel supply systems. It is known that as fuel flows through various components of the fuel supply system, such as the fuel pump assembly, the fuel filter, and various valving and tubing, there is the potential for static electricity to be generated in the various conductive components of the fuel supply system. To dissipate this static electricity, fuel supply systems electrically ground the components through electrical interconnection.
For example, as shown in
There is a need provide for ESD of fuel ports in a fuel supply unit.
An object of the invention is to fulfill the need referred to above. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this objective is obtained by providing a flange structure for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle. The flange structure includes at least one non-electrically conductive plastic fuel port having first and second ends. A non-electrically conductive plastic flange is integral with the fuel port between the first and second ends. The flange is constructed and arranged to be coupled with a fuel tank of a vehicle. Electrically conductive grounding structure is associated with the fuel port. The grounding structure has an elongated portion extending within the fuel port so as to be exposed to fuel, and an end connected with the elongated portion. An electrically conductive hose is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and is in contact with the end of the grounding structure thereby defining a discharge path such that static electricity generated when fuel flows through the fuel port can be dissipated through the discharge path.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed embodiment, a method of grounding a fuel port of a flange structure for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle provides at least one non-conductive plastic fuel port having first and second ends, and a non-electrically conductive plastic flange integral with the fuel port between the first and second ends. The method insert molds an electrically conductive grounding structure with respect to the fuel port. The grounding structure has an elongated portion extending within the fuel port so as to be exposed to fuel, and an end connected with the elongated portion. An electrically conductive hose is coupled with the first end of the fuel port so as to be in contact with the end of the grounding structure thereby defining a discharge path such that static electricity generated when fuel flows through the fuel port can be dissipated through the discharge path.
Other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and the functions of the related elements of the structure, the combination of parts and economics of manufacture will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification.
The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, in which:
With reference to
The fuel port 16′ has a first end 22 accessible inside a fuel tank (not shown) and a second end 24 that is accessible outside of the flange 20′ and thus outside of the fuel tank. Barb structure is associated with the end 22. In the embodiment, the barb structure is preferably in the form of at least one (three shown) annular barbs 26. The barbs 26 engage an inner surface 28 of an electrically conductive hose 30 that is constructed and arranged to be connected with a fuel pump filter (not shown) and/or a fuel pump outlet (not shown). The hose 30 is preferably of electrically conductive plastic.
The fuel port 16′ includes grounding structure, generally indicated at 32. In the embodiment shown in
Although only one fuel port 16′ is shown in
Hence, by employing a conductive fuel port 16′, ESD can be achieved and by providing the barbs 26, a fuel leakage barrier is provided.
The foregoing preferred embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the structural and functional principles of the present invention, as well as illustrating the methods of employing the preferred embodiments and are subject to change without departing from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit of the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/839,341, filed on Aug. 21, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20080042437 A1 | Feb 2008 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60839341 | Aug 2006 | US |