The present invention relates generally to long life fuel filters for automotive applications, and more particularly relates to locating such a filter in the fuel tank as part of a fuel delivery module.
Fuel filters for automobiles are used to protect engine components and are typically installed between a fuel pump located near the fuel tank and the fuel injectors of the engine. These filters have historically been installed on the chassis fuel lines external to the fuel tank, and are designed to have a long life, preferably serviced at 30,000 to 60,000 mile increments. More recently, automobile designers have started to move this fuel filter into the fuel tank as part of a fuel delivery module. Depending on the particular manufacturer, some require that this in-tank fuel filter be serviceable.
One of the main problems with moving the fuel filter into the fuel tank is the packaging space required. An in-tank fuel supply unit typically includes a fuel delivery module (FDM) that needs to fit through a tank opening for installation as well as for removal for servicing. With varying tank heights and sizes, it can be difficult to find the packaging space necessary to incorporate a filter, while still easily fitting the filter on the FDM and into the fuel tank opening. Some solutions package the filter in a cylindrical canister which is mounted inside the reservoir of the fuel delivery module. Unfortunately, this takes up a significant portion of the reservoir capacity. Other solutions employ a filter that mounts around the fuel pump or on top of the fuel delivery module. Unfortunately, these solutions limit the tank heights that the fuel delivery module can be used with, as the assembly typically becomes much taller.
Accordingly, there exists a need to provide an in-tank fuel supply unit having a fuel delivery module and fuel filter which can easily be placed through the opening in the fuel tank during assembly or service, and which also does not limit the reservoir capacity or the size of the fuel tank on which the unit may be employed.
The present invention provides an in-tank fuel supply unit having a fuel filter attached to a fuel delivery module for in-tank placement that does not limit the capacity of the unit or increase the size of the unit in a manner that creates undesirable packaging issues. The fuel supply unit generally comprises a fuel delivery module having a housing and a fuel pump. A fuel filter is rigidly attached to a side of the housing such that the fuel delivery module and fuel filter are placed within the fuel tank through the opening as a single unit. The fuel delivery module and fuel filter form an L-shape which permits the entire unit to be inserted through the standard opening which is sized for the fuel delivery module alone.
According to more detailed aspects, the housing of the fuel delivery module has a greatest width Wh which is less than or equal to the smallest width of the opening in the fuel tank Wo. The fuel filter preferably has a width Wf less than or equal to Wh. The fuel filter preferably has a height Hf less than or equal to Wh. Most preferably, the square of the fuel filter height (Hf2) plus the square of the fuel housing width (Wh2) is less than or equal to the square of the smallest width of the opening (Wo2).
By controlling the width and height of the fuel filter, the entire in-tank fuel supply unit may be placed into and out of the fuel tank as a single unit for installation and service. At the same time, the length of the fuel filter may be sized based on the required amount of filtering capacity. The fuel filter is preferably removably attached to the fuel delivery module for selective attachment to the fuel delivery module.
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Turning now to the figures,
The fuel filter 24 has also been sized and structured so that it may be readily placed through the opening 12 in the fuel tank 10, even while attached directly to the fuel delivery module 22, as will be described herein with reference to
The fuel filter 24 generally is defined by a length Lf, a width Wf, and a height Hf. As shown in
As also seen in
In this way, the in-tank fuel supply unit 20 is sized and structured to provide easy placement of the fuel delivery module 22 and fuel filter 24 through the opening 12 as a single unit. During placement, the entire unit 20 is rotated such that the fuel filter 24 may be first placed through the opening 12. Then, the unit 20 is rotated and moves slightly vertically such that the fuel delivery module 22 has a vertical orientation as shown in
It will also be seen that the length Lf the fuel filter 24 need not be limited for placement of the unit 20, and thus the length Lf may be varied to accommodate additional filter media and to vary the filtering capacity of the filter 24.
Turning now to
Turning now to
The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Numerous modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.