Continental Automotive Systems Us, Inc.

Continental Automotive Systems Corporation

Matthias Nederegger

John Wattai

Parag Athalye

Stephane Seps

Paul F Briggs

Jeffery John Milton

Hugo A Ritzenthaler

Thomas Sippel

Michael Brusoe

Sabine Reichelt

Gregory Edward Price

A reservoir structure of a fuel suction unit or pump module for a diesel vehicle is provided. The reservoir structure includes a reservoirhaving a bottom surface. A primary openingis provided in the bottom surface for permitting fuel to pass from a fuel tank of the vehicle into the reservoir. A secondary openingis provided in the reservoirthat is elevated from the bottom surface. A valve memberis associated with the secondary opening. The valve memberis constructed and arranged to close the secondary opening under certain pressure conditions in the reservoir and, under pressure conditions in the reservoir different from the certain pressure conditions, to permit fuel to enter the reservoir through the secondary opening in the event the primary opening is substantially blocked.

Elevated first fill valve in suction diesel units and pump modules

A fuel supply unit includes a fuel reservoir () for holding fuel. A fuel pump () is in the reservoir for pumping fuel from the reservoir. A jet pump assembly () is within the reservoir for drawing fuel from a fuel tank into the reservoir. A seal structure () has a flange () with a living hinge (). The seal structure is operatively coupled with a housing of the jet pump assembly and disposed between the housing and a portion of the reservoir, with a portion of the flange being pivoted about the living hinge such that the portion of the flange engages an interior surface of the reservoir, providing a seal between the housing of the jet pump assembly and the interior surface of the reservoir.

Jet pump retention and seal method with living hinge

A flange structure () is provided for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle. The flange structure includes at least one electrically conductive fuel port (') having a periphery and first and second ends (). The first end () includes first barb structure (). A plastic flange (&#x2032;) is overmolded on at least a portion of the periphery of the fuel port between the first and second ends. A portion of the flange overmolded on the portion of the periphery of the fuel port defines fitting structure () having second barb structure (). A hose () is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and with the fitting structure with the first and second barb structures engaging the hose thereby preventing fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the overmolded flange.

Interface hose seal for low permeation flange of a fuel supply unit

A hose connection () includes mounting structure () and suction structure () having an axis (B). The suction structure is mounted to the mounting structure such that the suction structure can rotate with respect to the mounting structure about the axis. The hose connection includes a hose (') coupled to the suction structure.

Auxiliary side hose connection for dual chamber fuel tank

A flange structure (') for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes at least one non-electrically conductive plastic fuel port (&#x2032;) having first and second ends. A non-electrically conductive plastic flange (&#x2032;) is integral with the fuel port between the first and second ends. The flange is constructed and arranged to be coupled with a fuel tank of a vehicle. Electrically conductive grounding structure () is associated with the fuel port and has an elongated portion () extending within the fuel port so as to be exposed to fuel, and an end () connected with the elongated portion. An electrically conductive hose () is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and is in contact with the end of the grounding structure thereby defining a discharge path such that static electricity generated when fuel flows through the fuel port can be dissipated through the discharge path.

Electrostatic dissipation solution for angled fuel port of a fuel supply unit

A flange and hose assembly is provided for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle. The assembly includes a plastic flangeand an electrically conductive hose connectorextending from a surface of the flange and having an opening in communication with a fluid path through the flange. Discharge structureis associated with the hose connector. The assembly also includes at least one hosefor carrying fuel. The hose has an electrically conductive inner layerdefining an inner diameter thereof. A portionof the hose connector is received in within the inner diameter of the hose so that the portion contacts the inner layerof the hose, with at least a portion of the discharge structurebeing accessible outside of the hose. The discharge structureis constructed and arranged to be electrically connected to a terminal of a wiring harness of the fuel supply unit to thereby discharge an electric load in the hose.

Fuel flange with discharge structure to discharge conductive hoses

Fuel port structure () of a fuel pump () includes a fuel port () having a periphery (), an internal portion defining a fuel passage (), and a free end (). An electrically conductive grounding structure () has a first portion () disposed at least partially within the fuel passage and a second portion () extending from the free end. A fuel delivery tube () is coupled to the periphery of the fuel port at the free end thereof. The fuel delivery tube has an electrically conductive portion () in contact with the second portion of the grounding structure to provide a discharge path for static electricity created when fuel flows through the fuel passage.

Electrostatic discharge solution for angled fuel port of a fuel pump

A flange assemblyof a fuel supply unit includes a flangeconstructed and arranged to be mounted to a fuel tank and a strut support structureseparate from the flange. The support structure includes a bodyand at least a pair of strut supportsintegral with the body and disposed in spaced relation. Each strut support is constructed and arranged to engage and support a strut. The bodyis coupled to the flangeat one of a plurality of possible orientations such that the strut supportsare located at one of a plurality of selectable positions with respect to the flange

Flange-strut interface permitting location selection of struts

A wire harness assembly and flange combination of a mechanical returnless fuel system includes a wire harness assembly () having at least two terminals (). Each terminal is joined with at least one wire () via an electrical connection (). Diode structure () is electrically connected between the at least two terminals. A body () of plastic material encapsulates at least the electrical connection. A flange () is molded from plastic material and defines an inside region () and an outside region (). The terminals are accessible from the outside region of the flange, with ends of the wires being accessible from the inside region of the flange. The plastic material of the flange encapsulates at least a portion of body, the diode structure, and at least a portion of the terminals.

Fuel flange with molded-in wire harness and diode structure

By-pass structure () is connected between a high pressure portion of a fuel pump () and an inlet of a jet nozzle () of a jet assembly () of a fuel delivery module () of a vehicle. The by-pass structure is constructed and arranged such that under certain conditions when the flow of fuel from the low pressure portion of the fuel pump alone is insufficient to operate the jet pump assembly, fuel is selectively permitted to flow through the by-pass structure from the high pressure portion of the fuel pump to the inlet of the jet nozzle ensuring that a sufficient flow of fuel is present at the jet assembly to draw fuel into the reservoir.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Matthias Nederegger