The embodiments described herein relate generally to fuel system components and more particularly to apparatus and methods for conveying liquid fuel within a fuel tank.
Some known fuel systems utilize a fuel pump mounted within the vehicle's fuel tank to draw fuel from the fuel tank and deliver it under pressure to an engine. In some known fuel systems, the fuel pump is disposed in a fuel reservoir and/or module within the fuel tank. Such fuel reservoirs and/or modules often contain only a portion of the fuel within the fuel tank. Accordingly, some known fuel systems include a jet pump, which is driven by the output flow of the fuel pump, to convey fuel from a remote region of the fuel tank to the reservoir and/or module within which the fuel pump resides. In some known systems, the jet pump can be located in the remote region of the fuel tank and can include a jet pump outlet hose to convey fuel from the remote region of the fuel tank to the reservoir and/or module within which the fuel pump resides. Similarly stated, in some known fuel systems, the jet pump can be remotely mounted in the fuel tank, spaced apart from the fuel pump. Such an arrangement can require additional separately located components within the fuel tank (e.g., mounting hardware), which can limit space inside the fuel tank. Moreover, such an arrangement can require additional operations to assemble and/or service the fuel system.
Thus, a need exists for an improved fuel pump module having an improved jet pump arrangement for transferring fuel within a fuel tank. A need also exists for methods for assembling and/or servicing a jet pump within a fuel system.
Apparatus and methods related to fuel pump modules are described herein. In some embodiments, a fuel pump module includes a housing configured to receive a portion of a fuel pump, and a flow control member. The housing defines a first flow path, a second flow path and a third flow path. The first flow path is in fluid communication with a fuel outlet portion of the fuel pump. In this manner, the outlet flow from the fuel pump can flow into the first flow path when the portion of the fuel pump is disposed within the housing. The second flow path is in fluid communication with the first flow path. The third flow path is in fluid communication with the second flow path. A side wall of the housing defines a venturi within the second flow path at a location downstream from an intersection of the third flow path and the second flow path. The flow control member is disposed within the second flow path at a location upstream from the intersection of the third flow path and the second flow path. The flow control member is configured to regulate a flow of a fluid within the second flow path.
Apparatus and methods associated with providing fuel transfer within a fuel tank are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing configured to receive a portion of a fuel pump, and a flow control member. The housing defines a first flow path, a second flow path and a third flow path. The first flow path is in fluid communication with a fuel outlet portion of the fuel pump. In this manner, the outlet flow from the fuel pump can flow into the first flow path when the portion of the fuel pump is disposed within the housing. The second flow path is in fluid communication with the first flow path. The third flow path is in fluid communication with the second flow path. A side wall of the housing defines a venturi within the second flow path at a location downstream from an intersection of the third flow path and the second flow path. The flow control member is disposed within the second flow path at a location upstream from the intersection of the third flow path and the second flow path. The flow control member is configured to regulate a flow of a fluid within the second flow path.
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing, a flow control member and an outlet fitting. The housing is configured to be directly coupled to a fuel pump. In some embodiments, for example, the housing can define a cavity and/or a recess within which a portion of the fuel pump is disposed. The housing defines a first lumen and a second lumen. The first lumen is in fluid communication with a fuel outlet portion of the fuel pump. The second lumen is in fluid communication with the first lumen. A side wall of the housing defines a venturi within the second lumen. The flow control member, which can be, for example, a calibrated orifice, is disposed within the second lumen at a location upstream from the venturi. The flow control member is configured to regulate a flow of a fluid within the second lumen. The outlet fitting is coupled to the housing such that the outlet fitting is in fluid communication with the first lumen. The outlet fitting and the second lumen define a parallel flow circuit.
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing and a cap. The housing includes a fuel pump mounting portion and a cap mounting portion. The fuel pump mounting portion is configured to be directly coupled to an outlet of a fuel pump and defines a portion of a first flow path. The cap includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the cap includes an outlet fitting defining a portion of the first flow path. Fuel can be conveyed from the fuel pump to an engine via the first flow path. The first end portion of the cap includes a check valve disposed within a portion of the first flow path. The second end portion includes a mounting flange configured to be disposed outside of and coupled to the cap mounting portion of the housing. The second end portion of the cap and the cap mounting portion of the housing collectively define a portion of a second flow path in fluid communication with the first flow path. The second flow path includes a venturi. A flow control member is disposed within the second flow path at a location upstream from the third flow path. The flow control member is configured to restrict, control, and/or regulate the flow of a fluid within the second flow path.
In some embodiments, a method includes inserting a check valve into an outlet fitting. A flow control member is inserted into a bypass lumen defined by a jet pump housing. A surface of the jet pump housing defines a venturi within the bypass lumen. Moreover, the jet pump housing defines a primary flow lumen in fluid communication with the bypass lumen. The flow control member is configured to regulate a flow of fluid from the primary flow lumen to the bypass lumen. An outlet fitting is coupled to the jet pump housing such that the outlet fitting is in fluid communication with the primary flow lumen.
As shown, the fuel pump module 120 is disposed within the first portion 107 of the fuel tank 106. The first portion 107 and the second portion 108 are each configured to contain fuel for the fuel pump module 120. Although the fuel tank 106 is illustrated as including a first portion 107 and a second portion 108, in other embodiments, any suitable number of baffles can be used to form multiple portions within the fuel tank 106. For example, three, four, or more baffles can be used to create four, five, or more portions.
As shown in
The housing 132 of the fuel pump module 120 is configured to receive at least a portion of an outlet portion 152 of the fuel pump 150. In this manner, the outlet portion 152 of the fuel pump 150 is in fluid communication with the first flow path 111. Accordingly, as described in more detail herein, outlet flow of fuel from the fuel pump 150 can be conveyed from the fuel pump 150 to the engine 102 via the first flow path 111, as indicated by arrow AA.
The flow control member 172 is disposed within the second flow path 112 at a location upstream from the third flow path 113. Said another way, the flow control member 172 is disposed within the second flow path 112 at a location upstream of the intersection of the third flow path 113 and the second flow path 112. The flow control member 172 is configured to restrict, control, and/or regulate the flow of fuel within the second flow path 112. The flow control member 172 can be, for example, a plug defining an orifice therethrough.
In use, the fuel pump 150 receives fuel from the first portion 107 of the fuel tank 106 via a fuel inlet portion (not shown in
When fuel flows through the second flow path 112 and passes through the venturi 168, the local pressure of the fuel within the portion of the second flow path 112 adjacent the venturi 168 decreases compared to the pressure of the fuel within the remainder of the second flow path 112. Said another way, when fuel passes through the venturi 168, a localized area of low pressure and/or vacuum is produced. Accordingly, the vacuum causes fuel to be drawn from the second portion 108 of the fuel tank 106 into the third flow path 113 as indicated by the arrow CC. The fuel flowing within the third flow path 113 is combined with the fuel flowing within the second flow path 112 and is returned to the tank 106 as shown by the arrow DD in
Although the fuel pump module 120 is shown as being disposed within the first portion 107 of the tank 106 such that the fuel pump 150 draws fuel from the first portion 107 of the tank 106, in some embodiments, the fuel pump 150 can be disposed within a container (not shown in
Although the fuel pump module 120 is illustrated in
Although the jet pump assembly 130 is shown and described above as being configured to receive at least a portion of the outlet portion 152 of the fuel pump 150, in other embodiments, the jet pump assembly 130 can be configured to be received within the fuel pump 150. Said another way, the fuel pump 150 can be configured to receive at least a portion of the jet pump assembly 130. Alternatively, the jet pump assembly 130 and the outlet portion 152 of the fuel pump 150 can be directly coupled in any suitable manner. Said another way, the jet pump assembly 130 can be connected to the outlet portion 152 of the fuel pump 150 without any intervening structure (e.g., without any hoses, clamps, fittings, etc.).
The fuel supply line 103 coupling the fuel pump module 120 and the fuel injector rail 104 can be any suitable fuel line configured to convey fuel within the fuel system 100. For example, in some embodiments, the fuel supply line 103 can be a rubber hose, a thermoplastic tubing (e.g., polyamide tubing, PTFE tubing, or the like), a hose containing a metallic braid, a composite fuel line, or the like. In some embodiments, for example, the fuel line can be a composite fuel line that includes a thermoplastic tubing covered by a rubber exterior. One example of such a composite fuel line is a composite fuel line manufactured by Pilot Industries under the trade name P-Cap™.
Although the venturi 168 is shown as converging from a first diameter to a second diameter less than the first diameter, in other embodiments the venturi 168 can include both a converging portion and a diverging portion. Although the third flow path 113 is shown as intersecting the second flow path 112 upstream of the venturi 168, in other embodiments, the third flow path 113 can intersect the second flow path 112 along the portion of the second flow path 112 that defines the venturi 168. For example,
A portion of the sidewall of the housing 132′ defines a converging-diverging venturi 168′ within the second flow path 112′. More particularly, the second flow path 112′ includes a converging portion having an inlet diameter d1 converging to a throat diameter d2. The second flow path 112′ includes a diverging portion from the throat diameter d2 to an outlet diameter d3. In this manner, when fuel flows through the second flow path 112′ and passes through the venturi 168′, the local pressure of the fuel within the portion of the second flow path 112′ within the venturi 168′, with lowest pressure occurring substantially adjacent the throat (i.e., the portion of the venturi 168′ having the smallest diameter, as identified by the diameter d2). As shown in
As shown in
The second end portion 240 of the housing 232 includes a flange 241 and a sidewall 244. As shown in
The jet pump portion 260 (as shown, for example in
A side wall of the jet pump portion 260 defines a venturi 268 within the second flow path 212. Similarly stated, the diameter of the lumen 267 converges from a first diameter at a venturi inlet 268a to a second diameter at a venturi exit 268b. As shown in
The flow control member 272 includes an inlet portion 277 and an outlet portion 278. The inlet portion 277 has a first diameter and the outlet portion 278 has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter (shown, for example, in
The coupling portion 273 of the jet pump portion 260 defines an opening 265 (shown, for example, in
The inlet connector 274, which can be constructed of, for example, molded plastic, includes first end 276, a second end 275, and defines a lumen 269 therethrough, as illustrated, for example, in
The second end 275 of the inlet connector 274, as shown in
The outlet (or fuel return) tube 262 defines an opening 264 in fluid communication with the lumen 267.
As shown in
Moreover, when the cap 280 is coupled to the housing 232, the cap 280 and the housing 232 collectively define a portion of the second flow path 212. As described above, the second flow path 212 is configured to convey fuel in the direction as indicated by arrow FF, as shown in
The second end portion 284 of the cap 280 includes an outlet fitting 290, a check valve 288, a spring 287, and a check valve base 289. The outlet fitting 290, can be, for example, a monolithically formed portion of the second end portion 284 of the cap 280. The outlet fitting 290 includes an outer surface 296 and defines a lumen 298 having a center line coaxial with the longitudinal axis A-A of the lumen 233 defined by the sleeve 236 of the housing 232 (shown, for example in
The lumen 298 of the outlet fitting 290 is further configured to receive and retain the check valve 288, the check valve base 289, and the spring 287, as shown, for example, in
The spring 287 is disposed within the lumen 298 of the outlet fitting 290 and is disposed adjacent the check valve 288. The spring 287 can be, for example, a coil spring. The spring 287 is configured to bias the check valve 288 in the closed position, as shown in
The check valve base 289 is disposed within the lumen 298 of the outlet fitting 290 and is coupled to and retains the check valve 288 and spring 287 (as best shown in
The outer surface 296 of the outlet fitting 290 as shown, for example, in
In use, the fuel pump 250 receives fuel from a first portion of the fuel tank 206 (i.e., the portion of the tank in which the fuel pump module 220 is disposed) via a fuel inlet portion. The fuel pump 250 pumps fuel into the jet pump assembly 230 such that a portion of the pressurized fuel from the fuel pump 250 is conveyed through the first flow path 211 to the check valve 288 and the outlet fitting 290, as shown by the arrow EE in
When fuel flows through the second flow path 212 and passes through the venturi 268, the local pressure of the fuel within the portion of the second flow path 212 adjacent the venturi 268 decreases compared to the pressure of the fuel within the remainder of the second flow path 212. Said another way, when fuel passes through the venturi 268, a localized area of low pressure and/or vacuum is produced. Accordingly, the vacuum causes fuel to be drawn into the jet pump housing 232 via the third flow path 213, as indicated by the arrow GG in
Although the outer portion 296 of the outlet fitting 290 is illustrated as including a series of barbs 299 to couple and securely retain the outlet fitting 290 to a fuel supply line, it should be understood that in other embodiments, any suitable retaining means can be used. For example, in some embodiments the outlet fitting can be retained within a fuel line by a coupling member, such as a clamp or an adhesive. In other embodiments, a threaded union, for example may be used to couple the outlet fitting to the fuel supply line.
Although the second end 275 of the inlet portion 274 is illustrated as including a series of barbs 279, it should be understood that in other embodiments, any suitable retaining means can be used. For example, in some embodiments the outlet fitting can be retained within a fuel line by a coupling member, such as a clamp or an adhesive.
Although the longitudinal axis A-A of the sleeve 236 of the housing 232 (shown, for example, in
At 320, a flow control member is inserted into a bypass lumen of a jet pump housing. The jet pump housing includes a surface that defines a venturi within the bypass lumen. The jet pump housing further defines a primary flow lumen in fluid communication with the bypass lumen. The flow control member is configured to restrict, control, and/or regulate the flow of a fluid from the primary flow lumen into the bypass lumen. The jet pump housing can be, for example, any of the jet pump housings shown and described herein (e.g., the jet pump housing 232). The flow control member can include, for example, an orifice to restrict, control, regulate the flow within the bypass lumen. In some embodiments, for example, the flow control member can be similar to the flow control member 272 shown and described above.
The outlet fitting is coupled to the jet pump housing such that the outlet fitting is in fluid communication with the primary flow lumen, 330. In some embodiments, for example, the outlet fitting can be included within a cover (e.g., similar to the cover 280 shown and described above) that is matingly coupled to the jet pump housing. In some embodiments, the outlet fitting can be coupled to the jet pump housing such that a fluid-tight seal is formed.
In some embodiments, the method optionally includes coupling an inlet fitting to the jet pump housing such that the inlet fitting is in fluid communication with the bypass lumen, 340. In some embodiments, the method optionally includes coupling a fuel pump to the jet pump housing such that a fuel outlet portion of the fuel pump is in fluid communication with the primary flow lumen, 350. In some embodiments, for example, a fuel pump can be coupled to the jet pump housing such that a portion of the fuel pump is disposed within the jet pump housing.
Although the method of assembling a fuel pump module has been illustrated and described in one order, the activities can occur in a different order. For example, in some embodiments, the flow control member is inserted into the jet pump portion of the jet pump assembly prior inserting the check valve into the outlet fitting. Furthermore, each activity is not required for assembling the fuel pump module. For example, in some embodiments, the inlet portion can be monolithically formed component of the housing (i.e., of the jet pump portion), wherein no coupling or spin-welding is necessary.
While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. While the embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made. For example, although the fuel pump modules have been shown and described above as being disposed within a fuel tank, in other embodiments, a fluid delivery module of the types shown and described herein can be disposed within any suitable tank. For example, in some embodiments, a fluid delivery module can be configured to convey a hydraulic fluid, a saline solution, water or any other suitable fluid as part of a fluidic process. In such embodiments, the fluid delivery module can be disposed in any suitable container (e.g., a reservoir, a barrel, a tank, a flow conduit or the like). Moreover, in some embodiments, the fluid delivery module can be disposed outside of the fluid reservoir.
Although various embodiments have been described as having particular features and/or combinations of components, other embodiments are possible having a combination of any features and/or components from any of embodiments as discussed above.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/034,294, entitled “Fuel Pump Module Having a Direct Mounted Jet Pump and Methods of Assembly,” filed Mar. 6, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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