Fuel collector assembly

In a vehicle fuel tank which is generally characterized by a bottom wall of substantial area and a relatively large ratio of liquid volume per linear fuel depth so that the fuel tends to move from a central area of the tank due to accelerating forces of the vehicle particularly when the fuel level is relatively low, an improved fuel intake and collecting arrangement comprising:

• fuel collector means supported by the bottom of the fuel tank including a continuous wall of substantial height with respect to the depth of fuel at low fuel levels, the collector means defining a relatively small volume interior chamber within the fuel tank but with a substantial depth potential as compared to low fuel levels in the surrounding portions of the fuel tank.
• a fuel inlet supply line for the vehicle engine with an open inlet end extending into the collector chamber,
• fuel return means for directing a portion of the fuel withdrawn from the collector through the supply line back into the collector and including conduit means extending through the collector wall in a sealing manner and with an outlet end portion within the collector interior and an inlet end portion without the interior,
• the conduit inlet being located close to the bottom wall of the fuel tank and the conduit outlet being located upwardly from the bottom wall so that the level of fuel within the collector may be maintained at a level substantially above the fuel in the remainder of the fuel tank when the tank is at a low fuel condition.

An improved collector assembly in a fuel tank including a continuous and upstanding wall supported on a bottom tank wall to define a small volume interior chamber;

• a fuel supply system for an engine including a fuel inlet portion directed through an open top surface of the collector and with an open inlet spaced slightly above the collector bottom;
• conduit means extending from an open intake end portion outside the collector, through the collector wall in a sealing manner and terminating at an open discharge end portion within the collector for the return flow of fuel into the collector;
• the open intake end portion of the return conduit means spaced slightly above the fuel tank bottom and the open discharge end portion being vertically spaced above the intake end so that an increased fuel level in the collector interior with respect to fuel in the remainder of the fuel tank which surrounds the collector will not fall below the elevation of the discharge end portion by flow through the return conduit means;
• the fuel supply system including a fuel return portion for fuel unnecessary for engine operation, the fuel return portion including means for producing and directing a relatively high velocity flow of fuel into the open intake end of the return conduit thereby tending to induce a substantial flow of fuel from the remainder of the fuel tank surrounding the collector and into the return conduit and hence into the collector interior.