Patent ID: 7575419

Claim:
A fuel pump for an internal-combustion engine, the fuel pump comprising: a first variable-volume chamber for containing fuel; at least one intake valve, which is connected to the first variable-volume chamber and comprises a disk having a plurality of through supply holes, and a deformable lamina fixed to the disk in a position corresponding to a peripheral edge thereof and including a series of flaps, each of which is coupled to a respective supply hole, and a further control hole, which is set in a central position and is closed by a central portion of the lamina; at least one delivery valve connected to the first variable-volume chamber; pumping means for varying the volume of the first variable-volume chamber, wherein the pumping means include: a second chamber for containing oil; a piston slidably mounted within the second chamber; actuator means for imparting on the piston a reciprocating motion within the second chamber itself; and a deformable membrane for separating the first chamber from the second chamber in a fluid-tight way; and a flowrate-regulating device engaging the control hole of the disk of the intake valve so as to press upon the central portion of the lamina and consequently delay natural closing of the intake valve.