GB2333810A

GB2333810A - A cover for a fuel pump

Info

Publication number: GB2333810A
Application number: GB9802062A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pierre Bouchauvaeu; Patrick Menard; Andre Brisset
Original assignee: Lucas France; LUCAS FRANCE SA
Current assignee: Lucas France; LUCAS FRANCE SA
Priority date: 1998-01-31
Filing date: 1998-01-31
Publication date: 1999-08-04
Also published as: GB9802062D0

Abstract

A cover 20 for a fuel pump 10 is shaped to overlie a region of the outer surface of the pump 10. The cover 20 may include a drain opening 28 whereby liquid, for example condensation, may escape from inside the cover 20. The cover may also have additional openings 24, 22 to accommodate an inlet port 12, an outlet port 14 or other connections of the pump 10. The cover 20 may be held in position by a collar 26 of adjustable diameter. The cover 20 protects the pump 10 from corrosion, reduces the noise generated by the pump 10 and prevents any tampering of the pump 10. The cover 20 may be formed of an elastic, rubber-like material and the collar 26 may take the form of a plastics material autofastening clip.

Description

COVER This invention relates to a cover for a high pressure fuel pump.

Where a high pressure fuel pump forms part of the fuel system for an internal combustion engine for a vehicle, salt may collect upon the housing of the pump. As the pump housing is usually constructed from a ferrous material, the action of the salt spray accelerates rusting of the pump housing, thus reducing the working life of the fuel pump.

It is known to apply a protective coating to the pump housing, but such coatings are expensive.

According to the present invention there is provided a cover for a fuel pump, the cover being shaped to overlie a region of the outer surface of the fuel pump.

The cover is conveniently provided with a drain opening whereby liquid collecting within the cover, for example as a result of condensation, can escape from the interior of the cover.

Clearly, the cover of the present invention has the advantage that, in use, the fuel pump is protected from salt, thus the risk of corrosion of the pump housing is reduced. Further, the cover obscures any minor surface defects which may otherwise be visible on the surface of the fuel pump.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view illustrating a high pressure fuel pump, and showing the location of the cover of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the fuel pump of Figure 1 illustrating the location of the cover; Figure 3 is a side view of the cover; Figure 4 is an end view of the cover of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a view of the cover of Figure 3 from beneath.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a rotary high pressure fuel pump which comprises a housing 10 including a part 10a constructed of a ferrous material and including an inlet connector nipple 12 for connection to an inlet pipe whereby fuel from a low pressure fuel reservoir is supplied to the high pressure fuel pump, and a high pressure outlet port 14 whereby fuel at high pressure is supplied by the high pressure fuel pump to an outlet line, for example for supplying the fuel to a common rail to which a plurality of individually actuable fuel injectors is connected. The part 10a of the pump housing 10 is mounted upon a part 10b constructed of aluminium which is provided with a back leak connector port 16 permitting the connection of a back leak connector line to the fuel pump. The part 10a of the fuel pump housing 10 further includes an inlet metering arrangement 18 whereby the fuel supplied to the high pressure fuel pump is metered to control the quantity or rate at which fuel is supplied to the high pressure fuel pump. The parts 10a, 10b are secured to one another by bolts 32 constructed, for example, from a ferrous material.

A cover 20 composed of an elastic, rubber-like material, is mounted upon the part 10a of the pump housing 10 including the inlet connector nipple 12 and outlet port 14. The cover 20 includes openings 22, 24 (see Figures 4 and 5) through which the outlet port 14 and inlet connector nipple 12 extend. An opening may also be provided to permit electrical connections 18a to the metering arrangement 18. The cover 20 generally conforms with the shape of the exterior of the part 10a of the pump housing 10 and the metering arrangement 18, and a collar 26 is provided to permit the cover 20 to be secured to the pump housing 10, the collar 26 being of adjustable diameter so that, once the cover 20 is in position, the diameter of the collar 26 can be reduced to an extent sufficient to prevent the removal of the cover 20 from the pump housing 10. It will be appreciated that the collar 26 need not be tightened to a sufficient degree to seal the cover 20 to the pump housing 10, but that such a seal may be acheived if desired.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the fuel pump incorporates a bracket 30 permitting the fuel pump to be secured in position, in use, and if appropriate, the cover 20 may incorporate an appropriate opening to permit the bracket 30 to extend through the cover 20.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the cover 20 is provided, at its lowermost portion, with a drain opening 28. The drain opening 28 is intended to permit the escape of any fluid collecting between the pump housing 10 and cover 20, for example water which condenses upon the pump housing 10.

Clearly, the provision of the cover 20 protects the part 10a of the pump housing 10 by preventing, for example, salt from collecting on the part 10a of the pump housing 10 located within the cover 20, thus reducing the risk of corrosion of the pump housing 10. Additionally, the pump cover may assist in reducing the noise generated by the pump, in use, for example by incorporating noise reducing materials, for example foam materials, in the cover 20. The cover may also assist in reducing tampering with the fuel pump by ensuring that, in order for the fuel pump to be disassembled, the cover must be removed, and by ensuring that removal of the cover cannot be achieved without causing damage thereto. Clearly, if the pump is disassembled, then such disassembly will be evident as the cover will be damaged. The collar 26 conveniently takes the form of a plastics material auto-fastening clip. If desired, the collar 26 may be shaped to incorporate a region permitting a manufacturers mark or appropriate trade mark to be applied thereto.

Another advantage of the cover 20 is that any surface defects on the part 101at are obscured by the cover 20.

It will be appreciated that the cover may be constructed from other materials. It is important, however, that the material of the cover should not result in corrosion of the pump housing, for example as a result of Galvanic coupling. If desired, the cover may be doped with a volatile anti-corrosion agent to further reduce the risk of corrosion.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A cover for a fuel pump, the cover being shaped to overlie a region of the outer surface of the fuel pump.
2. A cover as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising a drain opening whereby liquid collecting within the cover can escape from the interior of the cover.
3. A fuel pump including a cover as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2.
4. A cover for a fuel pump substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.