Fluid encapsulant for protecting electronics
An electronics module configured for use within a vehicle fuel tank. The electronics module includes a fluid encapsulant, and electronics immersed in the fluid encapsulant. Preferably, the electronics module includes a sealed housing for carrying the fluid encapsulant and electronics therein, and the fluid encapsulant includes a base fluid and additives to the base fluid to neutralize aggressive compounds in any fuel that may enter the sealed housing.
1 . An electronics module configured for contact with liquid fuel in a fuel tank, comprising:
a fluid encapsulant; and
electronics immersed in the fluid encapsulant.
2 . The electronics module of claim 1 further comprising a sealed housing carrying the electronics therein.
3 . The electronics module of claim 2 wherein the sealed housing includes a first housing component, and a second housing component mechanically sealed to the first housing component.
4 . The electronics module of claim 3 wherein the second housing component is mechanically sealed to the first housing component using a polymeric, fluid-tight mechanical seal disposed between the first and second housing components.
5 . The electronics module of claim 1 wherein the electronics include a circuit board carrying a plurality of electronic devices.
6 . The electronics module of claim 5 wherein the plurality of electronic devices include at least one microprocessor.
7 . The electronics module of claim 5 wherein the electronics include controller electronics for a fuel pump assembly.
8 . The electronics module of claim 1 wherein the fluid encapsulant is a liquid encapsulant and wherein the liquid fuel will become suspended in and diluted by the liquid encapsulant if the liquid fuel enters the electronics module.
9 . The electronics module of claim 8 wherein the liquid encapsulant is based on at least one of organic or inorganic fluids.
10 . The electronics module of claim 9 wherein the liquid encapsulant is at least one of a transformer oil, a silicone fluid, or a fluourinert fluid.
11 . The electronics module of claim 1 wherein the encapsulant is based on at least one of an organic or inorganic gel or grease.
12 . The electronics module of claim 1 wherein the fluid encapsulant is a liquid encapsulant and includes an additive to neutralize corrosive compounds present in the liquid fuel.
13 . An electronics module of a fuel pump assembly, configured for contact with liquid fuel in a fuel tank, comprising:
a sealed housing;
a liquid encapsulant carried within the sealed housing; and
electronics carried within the housing and immersed in the liquid encapsulant.
14 . The sealed electronics module of claim 13 wherein the sealed housing is composed of a polymeric material.
15 . The electronics module of claim 13 wherein the sealed housing includes a first housing component, and a second housing component mechanically sealed to the first housing component.
16 . The electronics module of claim 15 wherein the second housing component is mechanically sealed to the first housing component using a polymeric, fluid-tight mechanical seal disposed between the first and second housing components.
17 . The electronics module of claim 13 wherein the electronics include a circuit board carrying a plurality of electronic devices.
18 . The electronics module of claim 17 wherein the plurality of electronic devices include at least one microprocessor.
19 . The electronics module of claim 17 wherein the electronics are controller electronics for a fuel pump assembly.
20 . The electronics module of claim 13 wherein the liquid encapsulant is based on at least one of organic or inorganic fluids.
21 . The electronics module of claim 20 wherein the liquid encapsulant is at least one of a transformer oil, a silicone fluid, or a fluourinert fluid.
22 . The electronics module of claim 13 wherein the encapsulant is based on at least one of an organic or inorganic gel or grease.
23 . The electronics module of claim 13 wherein the liquid encapsulant includes an additive to neutralize corrosive compounds present in fuel.
24 . A fuel pump assembly for use in a vehicle fuel tank, comprising:
a fuel pump motor; and
an electronics module in communication with the fuel pump motor and being configured for contact with liquid fuel in the vehicle fuel tank including:
a sealed housing;
a liquid encapsulant carried within the sealed housing; and
electronics carried within the housing and immersed in the liquid encapsulant.