Continental Automotive Systems Us, Inc.

Continental Automotive Systems Corporation

Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation

Paul F Briggs

Jeffery John Milton

John Wattai

Matthias Nederegger

Stephen J Anderson

Michael J Jurcak

James Archie Wynn, Jr

Matthias Kadler

Robert Peter

Brian J Pike

A jet and venturi tube arrangement is provided for a fuel delivery module. The arrangement includes a venturi tubehaving an opening, an internal walland a central axis C. A jetis provided that has an exit. The jetis constructed and arranged to spray a streamof fuel from the exitinto the openingof the venturi tubesubstantially along the central axis C. The jethas surface features, near the exit, constructed and arranged to divert a portionof the streamof fuel so that the portioncontacts the internal wallof the venturi tubethereby limiting back flow of fuel through the opening of the venturi tube.

Jet-venturi back flow prevention structure for a fuel delivery module

A ceramic card having a thick film network, with conductive vias formed as part of the card. Each of the vias is in electrical communication with both sides of the thick film network, allowing the pads and the pad senders to be formed on both sides of the card. This configuration maintains the contact when one of the connectors is subjected to bending force or is otherwise displaced, maintaining contact with at least one of the pads, and allowing the system to still function. The double sided thick film network allows for each connector to touch both sides of one of the pads, and still maintain electrical communication with the level sender, thus eliminating the failure mode of intermittent contact with the thick film network resulting from movement of the connector.

Double-side thick film network on ceramic card

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 method of manufacturing a venturi tubehaving a certain fluid flow direction is provided. The method provides a first core memberin a mold. The first core member has a periphery and an endof a certain size. A second core memberis provided in the mold upstream of the first core member. The second core member has a periphery and an endwith a size that is less than the certain size. At least a portion of the end of the second core member is disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the end of the first core member such that a step is defined between the first and second core members. Material is molded about the peripheries of the first and second core members such that the peripheries define a stepped fluid flow surface of a venturi tube, and so that any resulting flash occurs only in the certain flow direction.

Method of manufacturing a venturi tube for a fuel system

Vapor reducing structure () is constructed and arranged to be associated with a fuel pressure regulator () of a fuel system (') of a vehicle. The pressure regulator has an outlet () for fuel that is in excess of fuel required by an engine of the vehicle. The reducing structure includes a fuel accumulator () associated with an outlet of the pressure regulator defining a volume in which fuel exiting the outlet of the regulator can accumulate. Flow restricting structure (&#x2032;) is associated with the accumulator and is constructed and arranged to create sufficient back-pressure to eliminate vaporization of the fuel exiting the outlet of the pressure regulator.

Regulator flow noise prevention for fuel system of a vehicle

A flange assemblyis provided for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle. The assemblyincludes a flangeconstructed and arranged to cover an opening in a fuel tank. The flange has an interior portion constructed and arranged to be exposed to fuel. The interior portion is in communication with an outletprovided at an exterior of the flange. A plastic manifoldis mounted to the interior portion of the flange so as to communicate with the outlet. The manifold is constructed and arranged to mount at least one fuel supply componentthereon.

Flange mounted valve manifold

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.

Low pressure jet by-pass system for fuel pump

The present invention refers to a fuel pressure regulator assembly and method for regulating the pressure of the fuel supplied to the fuel rail at a predetermined pressure. The fuel pressure regulator includes a housing and fuel cover for containing the fuel pressure regulator and submersing the fuel pressure regulator in fuel at all times. A valve element allows excess fuel to exit the fuel pressure regulator and return to the fuel tank for reuse. The fuel component assembly also allows for a method of reducing turbulent fuel flow and for controlling noise and hydrocarbon emissions. The method is achieved by providing a containment assembly that submerges the pressure regulator in fuel for containing and directing fuel flow path.

Submersed fuel pressure regulator assembly

A reservoiris provided for mounting to a bottom of a fuel tank of a vehicle. The reservoir includes wall structurecoupled with a bottom to define an interior space. The bottom has an internal surfacewithin the interior space, an external surface, and an openingin the bottom. A check valveis associated with the opening. Valve protection structureextends from the external surface and is provided continuously about the entire perimeter of the bottom to define a plurality of tortuous paths P for fuel flow from the tank to the opening. Feet structureextend from the external surface to contact the bottom of the tank. A plurality of pocketsare provided in the internal surfaceof the bottom for collecting foreign particles that may enter the reservoir.

Reservoir of fuel delivery module having valve protection structure

A method of coupling a metal strutto a metal flangeof a fuel supply unit is provided. The method provides a metal flangehaving a plurality of tabscoupled to and extending from a bottom surface of the flange. A plastic strut holder structureholds at least one metal strut. The plastic strut structure is engaged with the tabsthereby securing the strut with respect to the flange.

Steel fuel flange with plastic strut mounts

A flange assembly of a fuel supply unit includes a metal flangehaving a bottom surface. A metal tab bracketis provided having a baseand at least one tab. The tab bracket is coupled to the bottom surface of the flange. At least one metal strutis provided. A plastic strut holderholds an end of the metal strut. The plastic strut holder is secured to the flange by engagement with the tab, with the end of the strut contacting the base of the tab bracket, thereby securing the plastic strut holder and the metal strut with respect to the flange, while providing a conductive path between the flange and the strut.

Growing community of inventors

Grand Blanc, MI, United States of America

Paul F Briggs