IN-TANK FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM

Abstract: An assembly comprising a fuel pump (26) and a filter element (30) for fitting to a fuel tank (10) with the fuel pump and the filter disposed within the fuel tank. The assembly comprises a cover (15) in the form of a cap having an internally threaded peripheral flange (18) extending from a mounting plate (16). The cap is threaded onto an externally threaded lip projection from the fuel tank (10). The cap has a partition wall (40) on the inside surface thereof which defines a chamber (43), the chamber being closed by a secondary cover plate (50) that carries a spin-on filter (30). The spin-on filter has a centrally disposed outlet which receives a threaded lug (60) projecting from the secondary cover plate (50) with the projecting lug (60) having a bore (62) therethrough in direct communication with a fuel tank outlet (27).

Description: IN-TANK FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to an in-tank fuel delivery assembly comprising a fuel pump and a filter element. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided an assembly comprising a fuel pump and a filter element for mounting on a fuel tank with the fuel pump and the filter element disposed within the fuel tank, the assembly comprising: a cover adapted to cover an opening through the wall of the fuel tank, the cover supporting the fuel pump and the filter element, the fuel pump having an outlet opening into a chamber defined within the cover, and the filter element comprising a spin-on filter element having a filter element inlet communicating with the chamber and having a filter element outlet communicating with a fuel tank outlet which extends through the cover for connection to a fuel line of an engine. An assembly in accordance with the present invention assists in the general objective in the design of automotive vehicles, i.e. cars and trucks, of conserving space and reducing weight wherever possible, as well as minimizing expense. In a preferred embodiment, an assembly in accordance with the present invention utilizes parts which have already been engineered, produced and used for similar purposes . In addition, because a preferred embodiment employs arrangements which do not require substantial modification of other pre-existing structures, and this measure tends to minimize costs and engineering disruptions due to design changes which cause other design changes in a vehicle. The preferred embodiment thus provides a modular structure which performs the functions of pumping, measuring and filtering fuel using existing components, so conserving space and simultaneously reducing costs. The preferred embodiment also employs, in the filter element, existing components which provide a filter element intended to last for the life of the engine to which it is fitted. The cover may be in the form of a threaded cap including a helical thread adapted to threadably connect with a helical thread located at the opening through the wall of the fuel tank. The spin-on filter may be connected to the fuel tank outlet via a hollow threaded tubular stub which is threadably received within a threaded, centrally located outlet of the spin-on filter, the spin-on filter having inlets which are radially disposed spaced openings through a base plate on the filter. The cover may comprise a mounting plate which supports the fuel pump and the fuel filter element, and wherein the chamber is bounded by a partition wall projecting from the mounting plate. The chamber may be closed by a secondary cover plate which extends over the partition wall and has a fuel inlet communicating with the fuel outlet of the fuel pump, and a fuel outlet communicating with the filter element inlet. Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a fuel delivery assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the fuel delivery assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of Figure 2 ; Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of a secondary cover plate used with the assembly of Figures 1, 2 and 3 ; and Figure 5 is an enlarged planar view of the secondary cover plate of Figure 4. Detailed Description Referring now mainly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown in dotted lines a fuel tank wall 10 having an opening 11 therethrough to an interior space 12 of a fuel tank. Covering the opening is a cover 15 in the form of a cap that includes a mounting plate 16 and an internally threaded peripheral rim 18. The internally threaded peripheral rim 18 includes a thread 20 which threadably engages an outwardly projecting threaded lip extending from the fuel tank 10 adjacent the opening 11. In accordance with the invention, the cover 15 carries a fuel level sensor 24 which provides an indication to a vehicle dashboard of the amount of fuel in the tank 10; a fuel pump 26 which pumps fuel from the tank out of a fuel outlet 27 to the engine of the vehicle, and a spin-on fuel filter 30 which filters particulate matter from the fuel prior to the fuel passing through the fuel outlet 27. The spin-on fuel filter 30, level sensor 24, and fuel pump 26 are mounted together to form a fuel delivery module in which the spin-on fuel filter 30 is disposed within the space 12 defined by the tank 10. By mounting the fuel filter 30 on the mounting plate 16, the need for and expense of a separate, large pressurized housing for the fuel filter is negated. In addition, the need for a separate nut/top plate is obviated since the nut which was previously needed and the fuel delivery module are included on the same mounting, i.e. the mounting plate 16 of the cover 15. Referring now to Figure 3, it is seen that the fuel level sensor 24 and fuel pump 26 are assembled together in a unit with the fuel pump having an outlet 35. The pump includes a housing 36 with an upper end 37 which is received between a pair of flanges 38 and 39 projecting downwardly from the mounting plate 16 in order to stabilize and locate the level sensor and pump module . As is seen in Figures 4 and 5 in combination with Figure 3, the mounting plate 16 includes a partition wall 40 projecting downwardly therefrom so as to peripherally enclose a space 43 to form a chamber. In communication with the chamber 43 is a port 45 that connects with the fuel tank outlet 27. Surrounding the port 45 is a circular indentation 47 which is sized to fit a tubular lug which transmits fuel from the spin-on filter 30, as is described hereinafter. Referring now mainly to Figures 4 and 5, a secondary cover plate 50 having a shape corresponding to the chamber 43 abuts the partition 40 to enclose the chamber 43. The secondary cover plate 50 has tubular section 52 which telescopically receives the pump outlet 35 so as to connect the pump outlet 35 with the chamber 43. Accordingly, fuel pumped by the pump 26 passes out of the pump outlet 35 and through the tubular portion 52 into the chamber 43. The secondary cover plate 50 also includes a circular portion 54 which has a plurality of outlet holes 56 therein which communicate with the chamber 43 so that fuel pumped by the pump 26 flows into the chamber 43 and out through the holes 56. Projecting from the circular portion 54 of the secondary cover plate 50 is an externally threaded lug 60 which has a bore 62 therethrough. Coaxial with the lug 60 is a circular peripheral flange 64. The spin-on filter 30 has an internally threaded outlet opening 65 through an end plate 66 which receives the externally threaded lug 60 so that the spin-on filter can be screwed onto the lug and held tightly on the circular portion 54 with the upper exterior edge 68 of the spin-on filter received within the peripheral flange 64 and sealed against both the flange 64 and the circular portion 54 of the secondary cover plate 50 by a gasket 70. The end plate 66 also has a plurality of radially disposed, spaced inlet openings 69 so that fuel passes through the holes 56 in the secondary cover plate 50 and into the filter via openings 69. The fuel then passes through annular filter media within the spin-on filter which is disposed between the inlet openings 69 and central outlet opening 65 before passing out of the outlet opening to the fuel tank outlet 27. Alternatively, since the spin-on filter 30 provides a lifetime filter, the seal between the upper edge of the spin-on filter and peripheral flange 64 can be a permanent seal provided by a fuel resistant adhesive. The externally threaded lug 60 is aligned with a smooth tubular projection 72 that seats within the indentation surrounding the outlet 45 so that when the secondary cover plate 50 is secured to the partition wall 40, the outlet path through the exteriorly threaded lug 60 to the fuel tank outlet 27 is sealed in the space 43. The plate 50 is ixed to the partition wall 40 by adhesive, welding, or some other generally known manner of connecting one part to another. In addition to the aforedescribed components, the mounting plate 16 mounts a harness 71 for securing electrical connectors, such as an electrical connector which provides power to the pump 26 and an electrical connector which provides an output signal from the level sensor 24. Also mounted on the mounting plate 16 is an electrical package 72 which has leads 74 extending therefrom for connecting external wires to the fuel pump and level sensor.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An assembly comprising a fuel pump and a filter element for mounting on a fuel tank with the fuel pump and the filter element disposed within the fuel tank, the assembly comprising: a cover adapted to cover an opening through the wall of the fuel tank, the cover supporting the fuel pump and the filter element, the fuel pump having an outlet opening into a chamber defined within the cover, and the filter element comprising a spin-on filter element having a filter element inlet communicating with the chamber and having a filter element outlet communicating with a fuel tank outlet which extends through the cover for connection to a fuel line of an engine. 2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a mounting plate which supports the fuel pump and the fuel filter element, and wherein the chamber is bounded by a partition wall projecting from the mounting plate. 3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the chamber is closed by a secondary cover plate which extends over the partition wall and has a fuel inlet communicating with the fuel outlet of the fuel pump, and a fuel outlet communicating with the filter element inlet . 4. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fuel tank outlet extends through the chamber. 5. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover has a periphery for engagement with the opening of the wall of the fuel tank. 6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the periphery of the cover includes a helical thread adapted to threadably connect with a helical thread at the opening through the wall of the fuel tank. 7. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the fuel filter outlet has a screw threaded interior and wherein the fuel tank outlet has a hollow threaded tubular stud which is threadably received within the fuel filter outlet, the spin-on filter element having inlets which are radially disposed spaced openings through a base plate of the filter element. 8. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the chamber communicates with the fuel element inlet through a plurality of holes in the wall of the chamber, the holes being radially spaced from the hollow threaded tubular stud. 9. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the outlet of the fuel pump is slidably received with an inlet of the chamber. 10. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further including a fuel level sensor combined with the fuel pump to provide a module. 11. An assembly comprising a fuel pump and a filter element for mounting on a fuel tank substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: TUNSTER PAUL RAYMOND, TUNSTER, PAUL, RAYMOND
Applicants: DANA CORP, TUNSTER PAUL RAYMOND, DANA CORPORATION, TUNSTER, PAUL, RAYMOND
Application year: 2000
Main classification: F02M37
IPC codes: F02M37