System and method for priming a fluid system

A fluid system, comprising:

• a tank;
• a pump configured to draw fluid from the tank and provide fluid flow to the system;
• an automatic bleed valve, and
• a return passage fluidly interconnecting the automatic bleed valve and the tank;
• the automatic bleed valve configured to close when fluid pressure is in a first pressure range for preventing the fluid from entering the return passage,
• the automatic bleed valve configured to open when fluid pressure is in a second, higher pressure range for permitting air or vapor to enter the return passage and flow to the tank,
• the automatic bleed valve configured to close when fluid pressure is in a third, still higher pressure range.

A bleed valve fluidly connected to a fuel line for automatically bleeding air or vapor from the fuel line, the bleed valve comprising:

• a valve body having first and second ends, the valve body comprising:
• a first chamber;
• an inlet formed in the first end of the valve body and fluidly connected to the fuel line, and
• an outlet, and
• a first plunger slideably positioned in the first chamber and having first and second ends and an outer surface, the first plunger comprising:
• a bore formed in the first end of the first plunger and in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve body, and
• a passage extending between the bore and outer surface of the first plunger.

A method of regulating a fluid system, comprising:

• pumping fluid from a tank to the fluid system;
• preventing fluid from draining back to the tank through a first valve when the fluid pressure is below a second range;
• allowing fluid to drain back to the tank through the first valve when the fluid pressure is in the second pressure range;
• preventing fluid from draining back to the tank through the first valve when the fluid pressure is above the second range;
• and
• maintaining the fluid pressure at a value above the second range by utilizing a second valve.