IP Library Granted Patent US 7,124,748
Granted Patent B2
US 7,124,748 · App. 11/013,957 · Granted Oct 24, 2006

Fuel delivery assembly for dual lobe fuel tank

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,124,748
App. No.
11/013,957
Granted
Oct 24, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fuel delivery assembly for a dual lobe fuel tank. The assembly comprises a flange for disposing the assembly within the fuel tank. The flange has outer and inner surfaces. The inner surface has a collar extending therefrom. The collar has radial slots formed thereon. The assembly further comprises a bracket portion being compressible and cooperable with the collar for compression of the assembly. The bracket portion has tabs extending therefrom and is configured to be disposed in the collar. The tabs are received in the radial slots. The assembly further comprises a feed port connected to the bracket portion for fuel supply.

Claims (58)

1. A fuel delivery assembly for a dual lobe fuel tank, the assembly comprising:

a flange for disposing the assembly within the fuel tank, the flange having outer and inner surfaces, the inner surface having a collar extending therefrom, the collar having radial slots formed thereon;

a bracket portion being compressible and cooperable with the collar for compression of the assembly, the bracket portion having tabs extending therefrom and configured to be disposed in the collar, the tabs being received in the radial slots; and

a feed port connected to the bracket portion for fuel supply.

2. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracket portion includes:

an upper bracket cooperable with the collar, the upper bracket having ribs extending therefrom, the upper bracket being configured to be disposed in the collar and the ribs being received in the radial slots; and

a lower bracket connected to and in biased relationship with the upper bracket for compression of the assembly.

3. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a sender unit attached to the lower bracket for fuel level sensing, the sender unit comprising:

a back plate mounted to the lower bracket;

a case attached to the back plate;

a resistor card housed in the case;

an electrical connector attached to the resistor card for sending fuel level signals;

a float arm having first and second ends, the first end being pivotally attached to the case; and

a float member attached to the second end of the float arm.

4. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 1 wherein the collar includes an inner wall having radial slots in about 45 degree increments.

5. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 1 wherein the collar includes a receiving end having a lip formed thereabout.

6. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 1 wherein the ribs longitudinally extend within the upper bracket for support thereof.

7. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 1 wherein the upper bracket further includes side tabs extending therefrom toward the collar, the side tabs being configured to engage the lip of the collar for securement.

8. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer diameter of the upper bracket is configured to insert into the inner diameter of the collar to facilitate cooperation between the upper bracket and the collar.

9. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer diameter of the upper bracket is insertable in the inner diameter of the lower bracket to facilitate a biased relationship between the upper and lower brackets.

10. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 1 wherein the lower bracket includes:

a body portion cooperating with the upper bracket, the body portion having a diameter greater that the diameter of the upper bracket to receive the upper bracket; and

a base portion connected to the body portion and configured to engage the tank, the feed port being attached to the base portion for support.

11. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 1 wherein the upper bracket and the lower bracket include a tongue and groove configuration for securement.

12. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a biasing member engaging the upper bracket and the lower bracket to facilitate compression and expansion of the assembly in the dual lobe fuel tank.

13. A fuel delivery assembly for a dual lobe fuel tank, the assembly comprising:

a flange for disposing the assembly within the fuel tank, the flange having outer and inner surfaces, the inner surface having a collar extending therefrom, the collar having radial slots formed thereon;

an upper bracket cooperable with the collar, the upper bracket having ribs extending therefrom, the upper bracket being configured to be disposed in the collar and the ribs being received in the radial slots;

a lower bracket connected to and in biased relationship with the upper bracket for compression of the assembly; and

a feed port connected to the lower bracket for fuel supply.

14. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 13 further comprising:

a sender unit attached to the lower bracket for fuel level sensing, the sender unit comprising:

a back plate mounted to the lower bracket;

a case attached to the back plate;

a resistor card housed in the case;

an electrical connector attached to the resistor card for sending fuel level signals;

a float arm having first and second ends, the first end being pivotally attached to the case; and

a float member attached to the second end of the float arm.

15. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 13 wherein the collar includes an inner wall having radial slots in about 45 degree increments.

16. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 13 wherein the collar includes a receiving end having a lip formed thereabout.

17. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 13 wherein the ribs longitudinally extend within the upper bracket for support thereof.

18. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 13 wherein the upper bracket further includes side tabs extending therefrom toward the collar, the side tabs being configured to engage the lip of the collar for securement.

19. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 13 wherein the outer diameter of the upper bracket is configured to insert into the inner diameter of the collar to facilitate cooperation between the upper bracket and the collar.

20. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 13 wherein the outer diameter of the upper bracket is insertable in the inner diameter of the lower bracket to facilitate a biased relationship between the upper and lower brackets.

21. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 13 wherein the lower bracket includes:

a body portion cooperating with the upper bracket, the body portion having a diameter greater that the diameter of the upper bracket to receive the upper bracket; and

a base portion connected to the body portion and configured to engage the tank, the feed port being attached to the base portion for support.

22. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 13 wherein the upper bracket and the lower bracket include a tongue and groove configuration for securement.

23. The fuel delivery assembly of claim 13 further comprising:

a biasing member engaging the upper bracket and the lower bracket to facilitate compression and expansion of the assembly in the dual lobe fuel tank.

24. A fuel tank system for a dual lobe fuel tank of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a fuel delivery assembly comprising:

a flange for disposing the assembly within the fuel tank, the flange having outer and inner surfaces, the inner surface having a collar extending therefrom, the collar having radial slots formed thereon;

a bracket portion being compressible and cooperable with the collar for compression of the assembly, the bracket portion having tabs extending therefrom and configured to be disposed in the collar, the tabs being received in the radial slots; and

a feed port connected to the bracket portion for fuel supply;

a fuel pump unit in fluid communication with the fuel delivery system, the fuel pump unit including a jet pump for pumping fuel from the fuel delivery assembly and a feed pump for pumping fuel to the engine of the vehicle.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY AGAINST SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 022575 FRAME 0186 Recorded Oct 7, 2010
From: WILMINGTON TRUST FSB, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 025105/0201 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 21, 2009
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: WILMINGTON TRUST FSB, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 022575/0186 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2009
From: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 022562/0494 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2009
From: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
Reel/Frame 022368/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 7, 2008
From: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 020497/0733 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2007
From: AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS HOLDINGS, LLC
To: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Reel/Frame 019489/0955 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2007
From: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 019382/0284 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2004
From: GAFFIELD, JOHN T.; BHAVSAR, DAVEN C.; MOHAMMAD, RAFAT
To: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 016103/0489 →