Multi-pump fuel system and method
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsWilliam L. VILLAIRE, David E. WINN, Robert HALSALL
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicular fuel system includes a suction pump having an inlet and an outlet, a priming pump having an inlet and an outlet, a valve and a fluid conduit assembly having a first port coupled to the outlet of the priming pump, a second port coupled to the inlet of the suction pump, and a third port coupled to the valve. The fluid conduit assembly and the valve are configured such that when the priming pump is operated, fluid flows from the outlet of the priming pump, through the first port and second ports, and into the inlet of the suction pump and when the suction pump is operated, fluid flows through the valve and the third and second ports, and into the inlet of the suction pump.
Claims20
A vehicular fuel system comprising:
- a suction pump having an inlet and an outlet;
- a priming pump having an inlet and an outlet;
- a valve;
- and
- a fluid conduit assembly having a first port coupled to the outlet of the priming pump, a second port coupled to the inlet of the suction pump, and a third port coupled to the valve;
- wherein the fluid conduit assembly and the valve are configured such that when the priming pump is operated, fluid flows from the outlet of the priming pump, through the first port and second ports, and into the inlet of the suction pump and when the suction pump is operated, fluid flows through the valve and the third and second ports, and into the inlet of the suction pump.
An automotive drive system comprising:
- a combustion engine;
- a fuel tank;
- a priming pump having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being in fluid communication with the fuel tank;
- a fluid conduit assembly having first, second, and third ports, the first port coupled to the outlet of the priming pump;
- a valve coupled to the second port of the fluid conduit assembly and in fluid communication with the fuel tank;
- and
- a suction pump having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being coupled to the third port of the fluid conduit assembly and the outlet being coupled to the combustion engine;
- wherein the fluid conduit assembly and the valve are configured such that when the priming pump is operated, fluid flows from the fuel tank, through the priming pump and the first port and second ports, and into the suction pump and when the suction pump is operated, fluid flows through the valve and the third and second ports, and the suction pump.
A method for providing fuel to a vehicular combustion engine comprising:
- transporting the fuel from a fuel tank to an inlet of a suction pump with a priming pump;
- transporting the fuel from the inlet of the suction pump to the combustion engine with the suction pump;
- disabling the priming pump;
- and
- after the disabling of the priming pump, transporting the fuel to the inlet of the suction pump with the suction pump;
- wherein at least some of the fuel bypasses the priming pump after the priming pump is disabled.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.