Dual fuel delivery module system for bifurcated automotive fuel tanks

A fuel system comprising:

• first and second tank portions communicating with each other such that the first and second tank portions have a substantially equal vapor pressure;
• first and second fuel pumps in the first and second tank portions, respectively;
• a crossover fuel line for transferring fuel in either direction between the first and second tank portions, the direction of transfer depending on the relative level of fuel in the first and second tank portions;
• a first jet pump in the first tank portion communicating with the crossover fuel line for pulling fuel through the crossover fuel line;
• and
• a second jet pump in the second tank portion communicating with the crossover fuel line for pulling fuel through the crossover fuel line.

A fuel system having a first fuel transfer unit with a total pressure Htotal1, and a second fuel transfer unit with a total pressure Htotal2, the fuel system comprising:

• first and second tank portions communicating with each other such that the first and second tank portions have a substantially equal vapor pressure and include first and second fuel levels creating pressures Hf1 and Hf2, respectively;
• first and second fuel pumps in the first and second tank portions, respectively;
• a crossover fuel line for transferring fuel in either direction between the first and second tank portions, the direction of transfer depending on the relative level of fuel in the first and second tank portions;
• a first jet pump in the first tank portion communicating with the crossover fuel line and creating a pressure Hs1;
• a second jet pump in the second tank portion communicating with the crossover fuel line and creating a pressure Hs2;
• a first fuel pickup tube in the first tank portion, the first fuel pickup tube having a first inlet, a first outlet communicating with the first jet pump and a first valve between the first inlet and the first outlet for opening when the level of fuel in the first tank is sufficient and for closing when the level of fuel in the first tank is insufficient, the first valve having a first blocking member calibrated such that a pressure of Hb1 is required to lift the blocking member to an open position;
• and
• a second fuel pickup tube in the second tank portion, the second fuel pickup tube having a second inlet, a second outlet communicating with the second jet pump and a second valve between the second inlet and the second outlet for opening when the level of fuel in the second tank is sufficient and for closing when the level of fuel in the second tank is insufficient, the second valve having a second blocking member calibrated such that a pressure of Hb2 is required to lift the blocking member to an open position;
• wherein the total pressure for the first fuel transfer unit is Htotal1=Hs1+Hf1−Hb1, and the total pressure for the second fuel transfer unit is Htotal2=Hs2+Hf2−Hb2.

A fuel system comprising:

• first and second tank portions communicating with each other such that the first and second tank portions have a substantially equal vapor pressure;
• first and second fuel pumps in the first and second tank portions, respectively;
• a first fuel reservoir in the first tank portion from which the first fuel pump draws fuel;
• a second fuel reservoir in the second tank portion from which the second fuel pump draws fuel;
• a crossover fuel line for transferring fuel in either direction between the first and second tank portions, the direction of transfer depending on the relative level of fuel in the first and second tank portions;
• a first jet pump in the first tank portion communicating with the crossover fuel line for pulling fuel through the crossover fuel line, the first jet pump having a first outlet communicating with the first reservoir;
• a second jet pump in the second tank portion communicating with the crossover fuel line for pulling fuel through the crossover fuel line, the second jet pump having a second outlet communicating with the second reservoir;
• a first fuel pickup tube in the first tank portion, the first fuel pickup tube having a first inlet, a first outlet communicating with the first jet pump and a first valve between the first inlet and the first outlet for opening when the level of fuel in the first tank is sufficient and for closing when the level of fuel in the first tank is insufficient, the first valve having a first blocking member such that the first valve is in an open position, allowing fuel to enter the first inlet, when the first blocking member is in a raised position in the presence of fuel, and the first valve is in a closed position, preventing air and air vapor from entering the first inlet, when the first blocking member is in a lowered position in the absence of fuel;
• and
• a second fuel pickup tube in the second tank portion, the second fuel pickup tube having a second inlet, a second outlet communicating with the second jet pump and a second valve between the second inlet and the second outlet for opening when the level of fuel in the second tank is sufficient and for closing when the level of fuel in the second tank is insufficient, the second valve having a second blocking member such that the second valve is in an open position, allowing fuel to enter the second inlet, when the second blocking member is in a raised position in the presence of fuel, and the second valve is in a closed position, preventing air and air vapor from entering the second inlet, when the second blocking member is in a lowered position in the absence of fuel.