Patent ID: 8267668
Filing Date: 2012-09-18
Classification: F04D

Abstract:
1. A fuel pump system for pumping fuel to an engine in a vehicle, comprising: a pump motor including a carbon-based commutator and brushes in a position exposed to said fuel resulting in a film forming between said commutator and brushes, wherein said pump motor has a nominal voltage rating; a power circuit coupled to said pump motor for selectable providing an operating voltage and a boost voltage, wherein said boost voltage is greater than said nominal voltage rating; and a controller for selecting said operating voltage during an ordinary run cycle and selecting said boost voltage during a clean-up cycle, wherein said controller selects said clean-up cycle for a limited time that is sufficiently short to avoid damage to said pump motor from exceeding said nominal voltage rating and sufficiently long to create arcing between said commutator and brushes that reverses formation of said film.