Fuel return systems
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporations
InventorsDaniel H. Mc Clure, Jon E. Johnson, Todd M. Niedecken
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel return system for returning fuel from a fuel pump to first and second fuel tanks in an automotive vehicle includes an open T fitting having branches connected through couplings to the first and second fuel tanks. The couplings each have a low return, fuel flow orifice which is continually open and a high return, fuel flow orifice which is normally closed by a valve. The low pass through orifices prevent one tank from receiving extra fuel during idle and allow the first and second fuel tanks to siphon to the same fuel level when the vehicle is parked. The high flow through orifices open to prevent return fuel back pressure to the engine and have a cracking pressure responsive to the engine running at a level higher than idle.
Claims17
A fuel return system for returning fuel to at least first and second fuel tanks connected by a fuel draw line to a fuel pump, the return fuel system comprising;
- a fuel return line having an inlet end connected to the fuel pump and an outlet end;
- an open split connection connected to the outlet end of the fuel return line;
- first and second return line branches connected at upstream ends thereof to the open split connection and at downstream ends thereof to the first and second fuel tanks, respectively;
- high return fuel flow and low return fuel flow orifices disposed upstream of the downstream end of each return line branch, and
- a pressure responsive valve normally closing the high return fuel flow orifices while the low return fuel flow orifices are open, until return fuel pressure in the fuel return line exceeds a valve cracking pressure level.
A fuel return system for returning fuel to at least first and second fuel tanks connected by a fuel draw line to a fuel pump, the return fuel system comprising:
- a fuel return line having an inlet connected to the fuel pump and an outlet connected to a T fitting, the T fitting having first and second return line branches connected thereto at upstream ends thereof and connected at downstream ends thereof to the first and second fuel tanks by first and second couplings, respectively;
- high return fuel flow and low return fuel flow orifices in each coupling for connecting upstream sides of each coupling to downstream sides of each coupling, and
- pressure responsive valves normally closing the high return fuel flow orifices in the couplings until return fuel pressure in the fuel return line exceeds a valve cracking pressure level while the low return fuel flow orifices in the couplings remain open at pressure levels less than the valve cracking pressure level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.