System and method for supporting an in-tank fuel pump

A fuel supply system comprising:

• a tank including a reservoir for holding fuel and a fuel fill opening fluidly communicating with the reservoir, the fuel fill opening configured for adding fuel to the fuel tank;
• a fuel pump system mounted in the tank through the fuel fill opening, at least a portion of the fuel pump system comprising a housing defining an internal cavity and fuel fill fluid pathway between the fuel fill opening and the reservoir, the cavity configured for receiving and adding fuel from an external fuel source to the fuel tank via the fuel fill opening;
• and
• the fuel pump system comprising a fuel pump disposed in the reservoir, the fuel pump operable to dispense fuel from the tank through the fuel fill opening.

A method for mounting a fuel pump in a fuel tank, the method comprising:

• providing a pump housing including the fuel pump and an inlet fuel filter coupled to the fuel pump, the filter being resiliently deformable between a flattened unfolded condition and a folded condition;
• the pump housing comprising an internal cavity configured for receiving and adding fuel from an external fuel source to the fuel tank via a fuel fill opening in the fuel tank;
• aligning the pump housing with the fuel fill opening in the fuel tank, the filter being in the unfolded condition;
• inserting a lower portion of the pump housing through the fuel fill opening;
• engaging the filter with the fuel tank at the fuel fill opening, the engagement collapsing the filter from the unfolded condition to the folded condition;
• and
• spreading the filter from the folded condition to the unfolded condition once the filter disengages the fuel tank at the fuel fill opening;
• wherein the pump housing is positioned through the fuel fill opening.