Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
  • F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
  • F02M37/0047—Layout or arrangement of systems for feeding fuel
  • F02M37/0052—Details on the fuel return circuit; Arrangement of pressure regulators
  • F02M37/0058—Returnless fuel systems, i.e. the fuel return lines are not entering the fuel tank
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
  • F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
  • F02M37/04—Feeding by means of driven pumps
  • F02M37/08—Feeding by means of driven pumps electrically driven
  • F02M37/10—Feeding by means of driven pumps electrically driven submerged in fuel, e.g. in reservoir
  • F02M37/103—Mounting pumps on fuel tanks
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
  • F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
  • F02M37/04—Feeding by means of driven pumps
  • F02M37/08—Feeding by means of driven pumps electrically driven
  • F02M37/10—Feeding by means of driven pumps electrically driven submerged in fuel, e.g. in reservoir
  • F02M37/106—Feeding by means of driven pumps electrically driven submerged in fuel, e.g. in reservoir the pump being installed in a sub-tank
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
  • F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
  • F02M37/22—Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines, e.g. arrangements in the feeding system
  • F02M37/32—Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines, e.g. arrangements in the feeding system characterised by filters or filter arrangements
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
  • F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
  • F02M37/0011—Constructional details; Manufacturing or assembly of elements of fuel systems; Materials therefor
  • F02M37/0023—Valves in the fuel supply and return system
  • F02M37/0029—Pressure regulator in the low pressure fuel system
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
  • F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
  • F02M37/0076—Details of the fuel feeding system related to the fuel tank
  • F02M37/0082—Devices inside the fuel tank other than fuel pumps or filters

Definitions

• the present invention relates to apparatus for the supply of fuel to an internal combustion engine, in particular for a motor vehicle.
• the object of the present inventio is therefore to provide fuel supply apparatus structured in- such a way that, with a limited number of relatively simple operations it is possible to configure it for use in a fuel supply system of the type with return flow or for use in a fuel supply system without return flow.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of fuel supply apparatus according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;
• FIG 3 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus of the preceding Figures and shows the relative arrangement of various devices of which it is composed;
• FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic representations which show the fuel supply apparatus according to the invention in two different configurations for use in a fuel supply system of the type with and without return flow.
• the apparatus 1 comprises a closure element 2 essentially in the form of a flanged plug, intended to be fixed in a liquil- tight manner in an aperture 3 ( Figures 4 and 5) formed in a lower wall 4a of a fuel tank 4. " As better seen iri Figures 2 and 3, two mushroom shape retainer members 5 are formed in the face of the closure element intended to face into the. tank.
• a further hollow tubular formation 9 extends in a. similar manner from the closure element 2 towards the interior of the tank 4. (see Figures 2, 4. and: 5) and its distal portion 9a is upwardly closed and shaped, in the for of an hydraulic connecto .
• a multi-pole electric connector 10 (Figure 3) is sealingly engaged in an aperture 11 (Figure 2) formed in the closure element 2.
• the apparatus 1 further comprises an electric pump 13 with a lower suction connector 13a, and an upper delivery connector 13b ( Figure 2) .
• One end of a tube 14 is engaged on this delivery connector 13b, the other end of which is connected to the inlet connector 15a of a filter 15.
• This filter has an outlet connector 15b ( Figure 2) engaged in a connector tube.16.
• a support structure essentially constituted by. a substantially annular wall is generally indicated 17. Close to- its lower end the support structure 17 has a pair of ears 18 (of which only one is visible in Figures 1 and 2) provided, with respective apertures 19 ( Figure 2) into which the retainer members 5 of the closure element 2. can be 'engaged.
• the structure or wall 17 forms a settling, chamber within the fuel tank 4.
• An hydraulic pressure regulator device is generally indicated 2 ⁇ ' in the drawings.
• this device comprises a connection and support housing 20a into which a pressure regulator indicated 20b is fitted.
• connection and support housing 20a has an upper inlet connector 20c ( Figures 2, 4 and 5) preferably formed, blind, or: closed.
• the housing 20a further has a lower inlet/outlet connector 20d which can be sealingly coupled with the passage or opening 7 of " the lower closure element 2.
• a chamber which communicates with the internal region at a tubular portion 20e of the same housing, which terminates with a flange 20f.
• the tubular portion 20e has at least one longitudinal lower slot 20g.
• the pressure regulator 20b has an inlet 20h and an outlet connector 20i essentially at 90° to one another.
• This pressure regulator 20b is fitted in the tubular portion 20e of the housing 20a and has an annular flange 201 which contacts the flange 20f of this tubular portion.
• the inlet 2Oh of the regulator 20b extends into the tubular portion 20e of the holder 20a, whilst the outlet connector 20i extends downwardly through, the slot 20g of this housing.
• the housing • 20a further has two lateral projections 20m ( Figures 2 and 3) having respective cut-out portions which can engage .with, interference on the protuberances 8 of the formation 6 of the closure element 2.
• the fuel supply apparatus 1 further comprises a Venturi tube device 21 intended to be coupled to the outlet connector 20i of the pressure regulator 20b.
• a fuel level detector device for detecting the level . of fuel in the tank is generally indicated 22 in Figures 1 and 2.
• the device of type known per se, is in particular intended to provide electrical signals indicative of the fuel level, between a predetermined maximum level and, a predetermined minimum level (or reserve level) .
• the level detector 22 has an essentially cylindrical body 22a fitted in a support housing 22b of substantially tubular shape .
• the support wall or structure 17 has a cut-out 23 which extends downwardly from its upper edge. From the inner surface of this wall 17 adjacent to the vertical sides of the cut-out 23 extend two guides 24 which can receive and retain in mutual engagement the end flanges 20f and 201, respectively, of the connection and support housing 20a and the pressure regulator 20b as seen in particular in Figure 1.
• the support structure 17 further has an arcuate wall portion 25 (Figures- 1' and 2) internally provided with resilient retainer projections 26 able to clamp and retain -the electric pump 13.
• the support housing 22b of the fuel level detector device 22 has a lower tab 22c (Figure 2) engagable in a corresponding seat 27 provided adjacent the upper edge of the support wall or structure 17 ( Figure 2) .
• the apparatus described above can be arranged in a first or a second configuration, for use in a fuel supply system of the type with and, respectively, without return flow.
• FIG. 4 relates to use of the apparatus 1 in a fuel supply system of the type without return flow.
• the outlet 15b from the filter 15 is connected, via the tube 16, to the inlet connector 20c (preliminary opened) of the pressure regulator 20.
• the pump 13 supplies fuel towards the tube 14, the filter 15, the tube 16, the pressure regulator 20 and this flow of fuel through the passage 7 of the closure element 2 (via a tube not illustrated) is adapted to the requirements of the internal combustion engine.
• the fuel which may be in excess is recirculated to the interior of the tank 4 through the pressure regulator 20b and in particular through its outlet connector 20i and the Venturi duct device 21.
• the configuration shown in Figure 5 is, on the other hand, envisaged for use in a fuel supply system of the type having return flow.
• the outlet 15b of the filter 15 via the tube 16 is connected to the passage or connector 9a (preliminary opened) of the closure element 2 in order to deliver fuel to the internal combustion engine through this connector.
• the electric connector 20c of the pressure regulator 20 is on the other hand left closed- in such a way that the said pressure regulator is able to receive and to re-emit into the settling chamber 17 a flow of excess fuel which returns from the internal combustion engine through the aperture 7 of the lower closure element and the inlet/outlet connector 20d of the pressure regulator.
• This flow of returning fuel passes through the pressure regulator 20b and is reintroduced into the settling chamber through the outlet connector 20i of this pressure regulator, and the associated Venturi duct device 21.
• the fuel supply apparatus can, with simple and rapid operations, be set in one or the other configuration of use depending on whether it is intended to be used in a fuel supply system of the type with or without return flow.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
• Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)
• Hybrid Electric Vehicles (AREA)
• Iron Core Of Rotating Electric Machines (AREA)
• Fuel-Injection Apparatus (AREA)
• Control Of Throttle Valves Provided In The Intake System Or In The Exhaust System (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=11457896

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Cited By (1)

Citations (5)

• 2000
  • 2000-07-05 IT IT2000TO000678A patent/IT1320525B1/it active
• 2001
  • 2001-07-03 EP EP01947728A patent/EP1299636B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-07-03 AU AU2001269368A patent/AU2001269368A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-07-03 AT AT01947728T patent/ATE326629T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-07-03 WO PCT/IB2001/001258 patent/WO2002002925A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 2001-07-03 ES ES01947728T patent/ES2259664T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-07-03 DE DE60119736T patent/DE60119736T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (5)

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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