Return fuel accumulating module

Abstract

A fuel delivery system has a fuel pump which draws fuel from a fuel tank to supply pressurized fuel to the fuel metering system of an internal combustion engine, and a conduit connecting the pump intake with an enclosed, pressurizable fuel reservoir for accumulating return fuel therein so as to provide a ready source of liquid fuel to the pump during conditions which cause insufficient fuel availability at the pump intake, such as low fuel tank level, sudden cornering, or grade parking. Pressurized return fuel fills the reservoir until a predetermined overflow pressure is reached and an overflow valve opens to allows fuel overage to flow into the fuel tank. When the fuel level in the tank drops below a predetermined level, the fuel level sender arm attached to the reservoir depresses a plunger to shut the overflow valve. Pressure within the reservoir then builds until exceeding the setpoint release pressure of a supply valve located between the pump intake and the reservoir, at which time the supply valve opens to allow liquid fuel to flow from the reservoir to the pump. The setpoint release pressure of the supply valve exceeds that of the predetermined overflow pressure of the overflow valve.