Fuel system including a self-contained flow-through pressure regulator
AssigneeSiemens Automotive Corporation
InventorJason T. Kilgore
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a fuel system for an internal combustion engine powered by fuel that includes a fuel tank having a wall defining a volume. The fuel system also includes a pump that is disposed proximate the fuel tank and operatively connected to the volume. The fuel system further includes piping that is coupled to the pump and is operatively connected to the internal combustion engine. A pressure regulator with a self-contained valve assembly is disposed in at least one of the pump or the piping.
Claims29
A fuel system for an internal combustion engine powered by fuel, comprising:
- a fuel tank having a wall defining a volume;
- a pump disposed proximate the fuel tank and operatively connected to the volume;
- piping coupled to the pump and operatively coupled to the internal combustion engine;
- and
- a pressure regulator with a self-contained valve assembly that carries a closure member and disposed in at least one of the pump or piping, the valve assembly having a first biasing element that biases the closure member in a direction that permits fuel flow through the pressure regulator.
A method of supplying fuel from a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine using a pump, a pressure regulator, and piping connecting the fuel tank, internal combustion engine, pump, and pressure regulator, the pressure regulator having a self-contained valve assembly and including an inlet and an outlet offset along an axis, the method comprising:
- disposing the valve assembly with a closure member in a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet, the valve assembly defining the communication path between the inlet and the outlet;
- occluding flow between the inlet and outlet through the communication path of the valve assembly with the closure member, the valve assembly being in a first position at a first pressure;
- and
- permitting flow between the inlet and the outlet through the communication path of the valve assembly via a first biasing element that biases the closure member away from a seat of the valve assembly, the valve assembly being in a second position at a second pressure less than a first pressure to regulate a pressure of the fuel being supplied to the engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.