Patent ID: 6688844
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: F04D

Abstract:
An impeller for a fuel pump for supplying fuel to an automotive engine from a fuel tank comprising:an impeller body having a substantially disk shape with opposing faces and an outer circumference; a plurality of radially outwardly extending vanes extending from said outer circumference of said impeller body and; a plurality of partitions interposed therebetween extending a radially shorter distance than said vanes, said partitions and said vanes defining a plurality of vane grooves; each of said vane grooves including an inlet portion adjacent one of said faces, an exit portion and an arcuate shaped portion or portions interconnecting said inlet portion and said exit portion; said inlet portion of each of said vane grooves having a straight section substantially perpendicular to said adjacent face and extending inward from said adjacent face; said vane grooves extending inward from said inlet portion wherein said exit portions of two aligned vane grooves define a vane groove tip; said exit portion of each of said vane grooves including a straight section wherein said straight sections of two aligned exit portions define an included angle that is less than about 15 degrees.