Ti Group Automotive Systems Corporation

Walbro Corporation

Wayne A Ley

Daniel A Gilmour

Edward J Talaski

David E Mroczka

Marc A Brzozowski

Antonio J Dasilva

This invention provides a low profile fuel tank assembly having an elongated fuel delivery module mounted horizontally within the fuel tank and independent from a flange which covers a sole fuel tank access hole. An integrated fuel pump and associated motor of the module dictates the length of the module. The motor and pump has a rotational axis preferably disposed substantially horizontal within the fuel tank. Because the fuel delivery module is supported by the fuel tank shell or bottom, independent of the flange, the access hole can be located anywhere on the fuel tank in order to simplify fuel tank ingress and minimize repair procedures. During assembly, the module is inserted into the fuel tank through the access hole, and is then placed and snap-locked preferably into a bracket structure permanently engaged to an inside surface of the fuel tank.

Fuel tank assembly

A strainer constructed for attachment to an inlet of a fuel pump has at least one layer of permeable material forming a cavity. A body is disposed at least in part in the cavity and has at least one tubular portion arranged for fluid communication with the inlet of the fuel pump to provide a substantially unrestricted flow path leading from the filter to the inlet of the fuel pump, while inhibiting vapor from entering the fuel pump.

Strainer assembly

A fuel pump module with an inlet fuel filter has a vapor inlet in communication with the interior of the filter and constructed to reduce the size of larger vapor bubbles trapped within the filter before they are ingested by the fuel pump downstream of the filter to limit the amount of fuel vapor ingested by the fuel pump at one time. Preferably, a tubular inlet sleeve is integrally connected with the fuel filter and press fit onto the inlet of the fuel pump as a subassembly with the vapor inlet passage formed in the inlet sleeve. The vapor inlet passage may be a slot formed in the inlet sleeve providing a reduced area flow path through which vapor in the interior of the filter may pass before entering the fuel pump.

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Middletown, CT, United States of America

Wayne A Ley