Fuel pump unit

• US 20060048756A1
• Filed: 09/02/2005
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Ikeya, Masaki
• Granted Patent: US 7,207,320 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/509
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/0415 Details of supporting structures
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4084 Snap or Seeger ring connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/111 Making filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/15 arranged for inward flow filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/027 rigidly mounted in or on tanks or reservoirs B01D35/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/26 Filters with built-in pumps filters provided with a pump mounted in or on the casing aquarium pumps or filters A01K63/04
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/10 submerged in fuel, e.g. in reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/14 the pumps being combined with other apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/34 by the filter structure, e.g. honeycomb, mesh or fibrous
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/42 Installation or removal of filters
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/44 Filters structurally associated with pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/50 Filters arranged in or on fuel tanks

Abstract

A fuel pump unit (1) may comprise a fuel filter (10) and a fuel pump (30). The fuel filter (10) may comprise frames (14, 20) and filters (15, 22) that seal openings (16, 21) of the frames. A closed space (internal space) may be formed by the frames and the filters. The fuel pump (30) may comprise a suction port (32) and a discharge port (33). The fuel pump (30) draws in fuel through the suction port (32), pressurizes it, and discharges it from the discharge port (33). Preferably, the fuel pump (30) is substantially accommodated within the internal space of the fuel filter (10). The suction port (32) of the fuel pump (30) opens in the internal space of the fuel filter (10), and the discharge port opens outside the fuel filter (10).

Claims

1. A fuel pump unit comprising:

a fuel pump having a suction port and a discharge port, the fuel pump drawing in fuel through the suction port, increasing the pressure of the drawn fuel, and discharging the pressurized fuel from the discharge port; and

a fuel filter for removing impurities from the fuel drawn into the fuel pump, the fuel filter comprising a frame formed with an opening and a filter that seals the opening of the frame, wherein an internal space is formed by the frame and the filter, and

wherein the fuel pump is substantially accommodated within the internal space of the fuel filter, the suction port of the fuel pump is positioned in the internal space of the fuel filter, and the discharge port of the fuel pump protrudes outside the internal space of the fuel filter.

2. A fuel pump unit as in claim 1, wherein the discharge port of the fuel pump protrudes from one end of the fuel pump, and the fuel filter is fitted to the discharge port.

3. A fuel pump unit as in claim 1, wherein the discharge port of the fuel pump is provided at one end of the fuel pump, and the fuel filter is fitted to one end on the discharge port side of the fuel pump.

4. A fuel pump unit as in claim 1, wherein the fuel pump further comprises a vapor discharge pipe that protrudes from one end of the fuel pump, the fuel filter is fitted to the vapor discharge pipe, and the tip of the vapor discharge pipe is positioned outside the fuel filter.

5. A fuel pump unit as in claim 1, wherein the frame is divisible into at least two pieces.

6. A fuel pump unit as in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a first frame, a second frame, and a hinge that allows the second frame to open and close relative to the first frame.

7. A fuel pump unit as in claim 6, wherein the first frame, the second frame, and the hinge are molded together as a single body.

8. A fuel supply apparatus comprising:

a fuel pump having a suction port and a discharge port, the fuel pump drawing in fuel through the suction port, increasing the pressure of the drawn fuel, and discharging the pressurized fuel from the discharge port;

a fuel filter for removing impurities from the fuel drawn in by the fuel pump, the fuel filter comprising a frame formed with an opening and a filter that seals the opening, wherein an internal space is formed by the frame and the filter; and

a high-pressure filter for further filtering the fuel discharged from the fuel pump;

wherein the fuel pump is substantially accommodated within the internal space of the fuel filter, the suction port of the fuel pump is positioned in the internal space of the fuel filter, the discharge port of the fuel pump protrudes outside the internal space of the fuel filter, and the fuel filter is fitted to a fuel tank via the high-pressure filter.

9. A fuel supply apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the fuel pump draws and discharges fuel from within a reserve cup provided inside the fuel tank, and the high-pressure filter is fitted to the fuel tank via the reserve cup.