Patent ID: 6068454
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: F04D

Abstract:
A fuel pump for supplying fuel from a fuel tank to an automotive engine, the fuel pump comprising:a pump housing having an inlet end for receiving fuel from the fuel tank;a brushless DC motor positioned within the pump housing and including a rotatable rotor having magnets therein and a central aperture formed through the rotor;a plastic helical-shaped impeller positioned within said central aperture for rotation with the rotor about a central axis for pumping fuel through the housing to the engine, said impeller having a plurality of vane blades with blade tips secured to the rotor: andwherein said impeller comprises an integrally molded cap at an outlet end of the impeller for engagement against the rotor to prevent axial movement of the impeller through the rotor as a result of forces generated by pressurized fuel at said outlet end.