Patent ID: 6494189
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: F02M

Abstract:
A flame arresting system for a centrifugal fuel pump of a variety including a downstream impeller and an upstream inlet port having a central axis, said inlet port being coupled in fluid communication with said impeller and being received within an associated fuel tank as disposed adjacent an interior surface thereof, said system comprising an arrestor body received with said inlet port within said fuel tank, said body having an internal plenum and being formed of an open-cell foam material having an average pore size and thickness selected as being both fluid permeable and adapted to prevent flame from propagating therethrough, and said arrestor body extending generally coaxially along the central axis of said inlet port intermediate a downstream first end portion disposed a spaced-apart distance from the tank interior surface and an upstream second end portion having a terminal end face, the body first end portion extending radially outwardly from the central axis of said inlet port to define an end wall of said body, and wherein said terminal end face of said body second end portion is configured as having a generally annular cross-sectional geometry such that said body extends along the central axis from said end face to said end wall as forming a circumferential side wall, said plenum being defined by the end and side walls of said body and the interior surface of said tank, said inlet port being contained within said plenum intermediate the first and second end portions of said body such that fuel within said tank may be drawn into said inlet port through said arrestor body with flame being prevented from passing into said fuel tank from said inlet port.