Title of Invention

A DEVICE FOR DELIVERING FUEL OUT OF A FUEL TANK

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for delivering fuel out of a fuel tank (1), comprising a fuel delivery unit, which is placed inside a fuel tank (1) and which consists of a swirl pot (2) with a fuel pump (3) situated therein for delivering fuel (19) out of the swirl pot (2) via a flow line (5) to an internal combustion engine, and with a ventilation system, which is located inside the fuel tank (1) and serves to withdraw fuel vapors from the fuel tank (1). This ventilation system consists of ventilation lines (11) and of a liquid trap (9) for precipitating fuel. The ventilation lines (11) are arranged with one end (12) in the upper area of the fuel tank(l), and, with the other end (10), lead into the liquid trap (9), and an activated charcoal filter (13) is provided, which is located downstream from the liquid trap (9) and which has a connection (15) to the atmosphere. The liquid trap (9) and the activated charcoal filter (13) are situated next to the swirl pot (2) and at the height of the swirl pot (2). At least the liquid trap (9) is mechanically connected to the swirl pot (2).

Full Text

- 1 - Description Device for delivering fuel out of a fuel tank The invention relates to a device for delivering fuel out of a fuel tank, comprising a fuel delivery unit, which is arranged inside a fuel tank and which consists of a swirl pot with a fuel pump arranged therein for delivering fuel out of the swirl pot via a feed line to an internal combustion engine, and a venting system, which is arranged inside the fuel tank and serves to lead off fuel vapors from the fuel tank, and which comprises venting lines and a liquid trap for precipitating fuel, wherein the venting lines are arranged with one end in the upper area of the fuel tank and with their other end open out. into the liquid trap, an activated charcoal filter being arranged downstream of the liquid trap and having a connection to the atmosphere. Such a device is disclosed by DE 103 35 62 6 Al. Arranged in a fuel tank is a swirl pot of a fuel delivery unit, in which a fuel pump for delivering fuel out of the swirl pot is connected via a feed line to an internal combustion engine. The device further comprises a venting system, which is arranged inside the fuel, tank in order to reduce fuel emissions. The venting system comprises a bubble extraction vessel acting as liquid trap, to which venting lines are connected. The bubble extraction vessel is connected to a flange, - 2 - so that the venting system is arranged in the upper area of the fuel tank. Connected to the bubble extraction vessel is a line 18, which leads through the flange and to an activated charcoal filter situated outside the fuel tank. After treatment in the activated charcoal filter, the gases from the bubble extraction vessel are led off to the atmosphere via this line. One disadvantage of this is the high assembly cost of this device. For example, the fuel delivery unit has first to be fitted before the venting system can be fitted in the fuel tank. Connecting the fuel feed unit to the bubble extraction vessel proves particularly difficult in this case. Arranging the fuel del ivory unit and the venting system is also rendered more difficult by fuel tanks becoming ever shallower. DE 100 28 985 Al further discloses a fuel delivery and venting system, i.n which the swirl pot of a fuel delivery unit is connected to an expansion tank of a venting system. The large dimensions of the expansion tank mean that this fuel delivery and venting system has to be fitted at an intermediate stage during the manufacture of the fuel tank. Fitting the fuel delivery and venting system into the finished fuel tank is not possible, since the size and number of openings on the fuel tank are minimized, because of the fuel emissions associated with those. The object of the present invention is therefore to create a device of the aforesaid type, which can be fitted even in a - 3 - finished fuel tank of low overall height. In addition, fitting is to bo as easy as possible. The object is achieved in that the liquid trap and the activated charcoal filter are arranged laterally next to the swirl pot and on a level with the swirl pot, and that the .liquid trap, at least, is mechanically connected to the swirl pot.. Arranging the liquid trap and the activated charcoal filter laterally next to the swirl pot means that the device according to the invention does not need any additional overall space above the swirl pot, so that the device has a low overall height, making it especially suitable for use in shallow fuel tanks. The arrangement of the swirl pot, the liquid trap and the activated charcoal filter permits a modular construction and hence a wide range of possible adaptations for various applications. Incorporating the activated charcoal filter into the device simplifies assembly owing to the modular construction. No additional attachments of the activated charcoal filter to the motor vehicle and outside the fuel tank arc required. In addition, the arrangement of the activated charcoal filter inside the fuel tank has the advantage that the emissions caused by the fuel system are thereby reduced, due to the absence of any connection points outside the fuel tank. The connection of the liquid trap and/or the activated charcoal f.i Iter is especially easy to configure if they are connected to the swirl pot by means of a snap-locking connection. The - 4 - connection to the swirl pot is easy to make, especially when fitting the liquid trap and the activated charcoal filter to the swirl pot inside the fuel tank. The provision of snap-locking elements on the swirl pot, on the liquid trap and/or on the activated charcoal filter can be dispensed with, if the liquid trap and/or the activated charcoal filter are connected to the swirl pot by a cohesive material joint, preferably by welding. Any additional connection of the liquid trap and/or the activated charcoal filter is avoided, if at least one area for the liquid trap and/or the activated charcoal filter is integral ly formed on the swirl pot. Where the swirl pot is produced by injection molding, the integral connection can readily be achieved in that at least one area is likewise produced by injection molding during the manufacture of the sw i rJ pot. In another advantageous development the activated charcoal filter is arranged on the liquid trap. Where the liquid trap and the activated charcoal filter have a low overall height, it has proved advantageous to arrange the activated charcoal filter above the liquid trap. Since the fuel vapors in the liquid trap collect in the upper area anyway, a costly connection between the cold trap and the activated charcoal f.i Iter can be dispensed with. The connection arranged in the upper area moreover affords a good safeguard against fuel from the cold trap getting into the activated charcoal filter. - 5 - In another development a device that can be readily inserted through an opening in the fuel tank is achieved in that the liquid trap and/or the activated charcoal filter are arranged laterally on one side of the swirl pot. In this case the activated charcoal filter is advantageously arranged on the side of the liquid trap opposite the swirl pot. In a i i kewise simple development the liquid trap and the activated charcoal filter are arranged laterally on different sides of the swirl pot. The position of the liquid trap and the activated charcoal filter can here be adjusted within wide limits to suit the space available in the fuel tank, making the device according to the invention versatile in use. In order to make it easy to insert into the fuel tank, on the one hand, and to give it an adequate filter capacity on the other, the activated charcoal filter comprises two vessels connected in series, which are fixed to the swirl pot and/or to the liquid trap. The two vessels of the activated charcoal fi I tor may be arranged either on different sides or on one side of the swirl pot. Fitting the activated charcoal filter and the liquid trap as individual sub-assemblies is facilitated if they each have an open housing sealed by a common cover. When the activated charcoal filter is arranged next to the liquid trap, a connection between the activated charcoal filter - 6 - and the Liquid trap is particularly easy to accomplish if the common cover has an overflow connection between the activated charcoal filter and the liquid trap. In order to prevent fuel getting into the activated charcoal f:i Iter, should the motor vehicle be in an overturned position, a roll-over valve is arranged in the connection between the liquid trap and the activated charcoal filter. The roll-over valve is easy to fit if it is arranged in the liquid trap. An especially easy insertion of the device into the fuel tank is achieved in an arrangement of the activated charcoal filter and the liquid trap on one side of the swirl pot, if the activated charcoal filter and the liquid trap have a lower height than the swirl pot, preferably less than two thirds the height of the swirl pot. For leading off fuel that has collected in the liquid trap, the liquid trap has a drain valve. A reliable draining of the fuel from the liquid trap is achieved by an active extraction, preferably by a suction-jet pump assigned to the liquid trap. The suet ion-jet pump is easy to fit if it is arranged in the i.j quid trap. In another development, a reduction in the useable volume of the liquid trap is avoided in that - 7 - the suction-jet pump is arranged next to the liquid trap and the intake aperture of the suction-jet pump is connected to the liquid trap. For operation of the suction-jet pump, it has a motive jet line, which is connected to the feed line of the fuel pump. The time taken to fit the suction-jet pump can be shortened if at least a part of the motive jet line is formed by the housing of. the .liquid trap and/or the activated charcoal filter. The omission of at least parts of the motive jet line permits more cost-effective manufacture of the device. According to a further advantageous development the aggregate jet of the suction-jet pump opens into the swirl pot. An especially easy insertion of the device into the fuel tank is achieved in that the swirl pot is connected by way of at least one support to a flange for closing an opening in the fuel tank, the support being pivotally connected to the swirl pot. The pivotal attachment of the support to the swirl pot allows simultaneous swiveling of the device from a pivoted position into the fitted position during the insertion process. The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to several exemplary embodiments. In the drawings: - 8 - Fig. 1: shows a schematic representation of a section through a fuel tank with the device according to the invention, Fig. 2: shows a section A-A through the device in Fig. 1, Fig. 3: shows a second embodiment of the device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4: shows a section B-B through the device in Fig. 3, Fig. 5: shows a third embodiment of the device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 6: shows a section C-C from Fig. 5 and Fig. 7: shows a fourth embodiment of the device in a top view. A swirl pot 2 with a fuel pump 3 fixed therein is arranged in the fuel tank 1 represented in Fig. 1. A pump pre-filter 4, via which the fuel pump 3 draws fuel and delivers it via a feed line 5 to an internal combustion engine (not shown) of a motor vehicle, is connected to the inlet side of the fuel pump 3. The swirl pot is pre-tensioned by two supports 6 against the bottom of the fuel tank 1. The supports are supported in a flange 7, which closes an opening 8 in the fuel tank 1. A Liquid trap 9 is arranged laterally next to the swirl pot 2 and at the bottom of the fuel tank 1. In this schematic representation, an end 10 of just one venting line 11 opens out in the upper area of the liquid trap 9, the entire venting system comprising multiple venting lines. The other end 12 of the venting line 11 is led into the upper area of the fuel tank - 9 - 1. An activated charcoal filter 13 is fixed to the top of the liquid trap 9. The liquid trap 9 is connected to the activated charcoal filter 13 by a connection 14. A line 15 connects the activated charcoal filter 13 to the atmosphere, the line 15 being led out of the fuel tank 1 through the flange 7. Also arranged in the liquid trap 9 is a suction-jet pump, which is driven by way of a motive fluid line 17, which branches off from the feed line 5. The aggregate jet line 16 connected to the suction-jet pump 16 opens into the swirl pot 2. In operation of the device the fuel pump 3 delivers fuel 19 to the .internal combustion engine via the feed line 5. The fuel vapor collecting in the upper area of the fuel tank 1 is led via the venting line 11 into the liquid trap 9. In the liquid trap 9 fuel which collects in the lower area of the liquid trap 9 is separated off from the fuel vapor. This fuel is extracted by the suction-jet pump 9 and is led via the aggregate jet line 18 to the swirl pot 2 . The remaining gases flow via the connection 14 into the activated charcoal filter 13, a roll- over valve 20 being arranged on the connection 14 in the liquid trap 9. The gases treated in the activated charcoal filter 13 are then given off to the atmosphere via the line 15. The section A-A represented in Fig. 2 shows a simplified representation in top view. The liquid trap 9 is arranged laterally next to the swirl pot 2. The swirl pot 2 and the liquid trap 9 are mechanically connected to one another via - 10 - snap-locking elements 21 formed on the swirl pot 2 and correspondingly designed snap-locking points 22 on the liquid trap 9. The liquid trap 9 and the swirl pot 2 can therefore be inserted in succession through the opening 8 into the fuel tank 1, and then connected together by means of the snap-locking elemonts 21, 22. The device according to Fig. 3 substantially corresponds to the device according to Fig. 1. In contrast to Fig. 1, the activated charcoal filter 13 has a larger volume, which for ease of assembly is divided between two vessels 13a, 13b, which are connected in succession. The two vessels 13a, 13b are arranged on both sides of the swirl pot 2 and are connected to a line 23. In the representation shown, the axes of symmetry of the vessels 13a, 13b and the swirl pot 2 lie in the plane of projection. However, the vessels 13a, 13b can also be arranged at an angle of less than 180° to one another on the circumference of the swirl pot 2, depending on the space available in the fuel tank 1. The section B-B in Fig. 4 shows a top view of the device. Snap- locking elements 21 formed on opposite sides of the swirl pot 2 engage in correspondingly designed snap-locking points 22 on the vessels 13a, 13b of the activated charcoal filter. Fitting is likewise relatively simple in that the vessel 13a, for example, Is first inserted into the fuel tank 1. The swirl pot 2 is then inserted and connected to the vessel 13a. Once the ha 1 f-assembled device has been pushed to the side, the vessel - 11 - 13b can easily be inserted into the fuel tank 1 through the opening 8 and connected to the swirl pot 2. The device in Fig. 5 has a swirl pot 2 of modified construction compared to the device in Fig. 1. The swirl pot 2, the liquid trap 9 and the activated charcoal filter 13 are integrally connected to one another, in that they have a common housing, which is manufactured by injection molding. The housing has a lower height in the area of the liquid trap 9 and the activated charcoal filter 13 than in the area of the swirl pot 2. With this housing configuration the device can be inserted into the fuel tank 1 through the opening 8. The liquid trap 9 and the activated charcoal filter 13 have a common cover 23, which seals the housing in this area. An overflow connection 14 arranged in the cover 23 connects the liquid trap 9 to the activated charcoal filter 13. In the housing, a seat 24, into which the suction-jet pump 16 is inserted, is molded on in the area of the liquid trap 9. The motive jet line 17 for operation of the suction-jet pump 16 is likewise inserted into the housing, so that no additional motive fluid line needs to be arranged. A connecting line 25 is provided only from the feed lino 5 to the start of the motive fluid line in the housing. Fig. 6 shows a top view of the housing of the device in Fig. 5 in the section C-C. Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of the device, in which the supports 6 are pivotally fixed to the housing in the area of the swirl pot 2. In the representation shown, the supports with the flange 7 are pivoted by 90° into the plane of projection - 12 - ready for fitting, so as to facilitate insertion of the device into the fuel tank 1. As soon as the housing has been inserted info the fuel tank through the opening 8, the supports 6 with the flange are swiveled back, so that the device corresponds to the device shown in Fig. 5. This embodiment does not confine the provision of the pivotal supports 6 to the housing configuration shown. The pivotal arrangement of the supports 6 is also possible when vessels are arranged on opposite sides of the swirl pot 2, as in Fig. 4, it also being possible to arrange the pivotal support on one of the vessels. - 13 - Patent claims 1. A device for delivering fuel out of a fuel tank, comprising a fuel delivery unit, which is arranged inside a fuel tank and which consists of a swirl pot with a fuel pump arranged therein for delivering fuel out of the swirl pot via a feed line to an internal combustion engine, and a venting system, which is arranged inside the fuel tank and serves to lead off fuel vapors from the fuel tank, and which comprises venting lines and a liquid trap for precipitating fuel, wherein the venting lines are arranged with one end in the upper area of the fuel tank and with their other end open out into the liquid trap, an activated charcoal filter being arranged downstream of the liquid trap and having a connection to the atmosphere, characterized in that the liquid trap (9) and the activated charcoal filter (13) are arranged laterally next to the swirl pot (2) and on a level with the swirl pot (2), and that the liquid trap (9), at least, is mechanically connected to the swirl pot (2). 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the liquid trap (9) and/or the activated charcoal filter (13) are connected to the swirl pot (2) by means of a snap-locking connection (21, 22). 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the liquid trap (9) and/or the activated charcoal filter (13) are connected to the swirl pot (2) by a cohesive material joint, preferably by welding. - 14 - 4. The device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that at least one area for the liquid trap (2) and/or the activated charcoal filter (13) is integrally formed on the swirl pot (2), preferably by injection molding. 5. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activated charcoal filter (13) is arranged on the liquid trap (9). 6. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid trap (9) and/or the activated charcoal filter (13) are arranged laterally on one side of the swirl pot (2). 7. The device as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the liquid trap (9) and the activated charcoal filter (13) are arranged laterally on different sides of the swirl pot (2). 8. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activated charcoal filter (13) comprises two vessels (13a, 13b) connected in series, which are fixed to the swirl pot (2) and/or to the liquid trap (9). 9. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activated charcoal filter (13) and the liquid trap (9) each have an open housing sealed by a common cover (23). - 15 - 10. The device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the common cover (23) has an overflow connection (14) between the liquid trap (9) and the activated charcoal fil Lor (13) . 11. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the liquid trap (9), a roll-over valve (20) is arranged on the connection (14) to the activated charcoal filter (13). 12. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activated charcoal filter (13) and the liquid trap (9) have a lower height than the swirl pot (2). 13. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a suction-jet pump (16) for leading off fuel that has collected in the liquid trap (9) is assigned to the liquid trap (9). 14. The device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the suction-jet pump (16) is arranged in the liquid trap (9) . 15. The device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the suction-jet pump (16) is arranged next to the liquid trap (9) and the intake aperture of the suction-jet pump (16) is connected to the liquid trap (9). 16. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in,that the suction-jet pump (16) has a - 16 - motive jet line (17,25), which is connected to the feed lino (5) of the fuel pump (3) . 17. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part of the motive jet line (17) is formed by the housing of the liquid trap (9) and/or the activated charcoal filter (13). 18. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aggregate jet (18) of the suet.ion-jet pump (16) opens into the swirl pot (2) . 19. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swirl pot (2) is connected by way of at least one support (6) to a flange (7) for closing an opening (8) in the fuel tank (1), the support (6) being pivotally connected to the swirl pot (2) . The invention relates to a device for delivering fuel out of a fuel tank (1), comprising a fuel delivery unit, which is placed inside a fuel tank (1) and which consists of a swirl pot (2) with a fuel pump (3) situated therein for delivering fuel (19) out of the swirl pot (2) via a flow line (5) to an internal combustion engine, and with a ventilation system, which is located inside the fuel tank (1) and serves to withdraw fuel vapors from the fuel tank (1). This ventilation system consists of ventilation lines (11) and of a liquid trap (9) for precipitating fuel. The ventilation lines (11) are arranged with one end (12) in the upper area of the fuel tank(l), and, with the other end (10), lead into the liquid trap (9), and an activated charcoal filter (13) is provided, which is located downstream from the liquid trap (9) and which has a connection (15) to the atmosphere. The liquid trap (9) and the activated charcoal filter (13) are situated next to the swirl pot (2) and at the height of the swirl pot (2). At least the liquid trap (9) is mechanically connected to the swirl pot (2).

Documents:

05007-kolnp-2007-abstract.pdf

05007-kolnp-2007-claims.pdf

05007-kolnp-2007-correspondence others.pdf

05007-kolnp-2007-description complete.pdf

05007-kolnp-2007-drawings.pdf

05007-kolnp-2007-form 1.pdf

05007-kolnp-2007-form 2.pdf

05007-kolnp-2007-form 3.pdf

05007-kolnp-2007-form 5.pdf

05007-kolnp-2007-international exm report.pdf

05007-kolnp-2007-international publication.pdf

05007-kolnp-2007-international search report.pdf

05007-kolnp-2007-pct request form.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-(22-02-2012)-ABSTRACT.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-(22-02-2012)-AMANDED CLAIMS.tif

5007-KOLNP-2007-(22-02-2012)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-(22-02-2012)-DRAWINGS.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-(22-02-2012)-EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECIEVED.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-(22-02-2012)-FORM 1.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-(22-02-2012)-FORM 2.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-(22-02-2012)-FORM 3.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-(22-02-2012)-FORM 5.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-(22-02-2012)-OTHERS.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-(22-02-2012)-PA.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-(22-02-2012)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-ASSIGNMENT.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 1.2.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS-1.2.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-FORM 26-1.1.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-FORM 26.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-FORM 6.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-OTHERS.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-PRIORITY DOCUMENT.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

5007-KOLNP-2007-TRANSLATED COPY OF PRIORITY DOCUMENT.pdf

abstract-05007-kolnp-2007.jpg