IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,997,127
Granted Patent B2
US 7,997,127 · App. 12/412,570 · Granted Aug 16, 2011

Electric fuel pump testing method and apparatus

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,997,127
App. No.
12/412,570
Granted
Aug 16, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for testing the operation of fuel pump is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pressure measurement portion, a flow measurement portion, an electrical diagnostic portion, and a fault simulation portion, where a user can simulate a number of potential fuel system failures to determine the diagnostics of the fuel system. The method includes the steps of measuring an electrical value related to the fuel pump, measuring a pressure related to the fuel pump, measuring a fuel flow related to the fuel pump, simulating a fuel system failure condition, and determining an operating status of the fuel pump.

Claims (32)

1. A fuel pump test apparatus, comprising:

a pressure measurement portion operative to measure pressure of fluid flow from a fuel pump;

a flow measurement portion adjacent the pressure measurement portion operative to measure fluid flow from the fuel pump;

an electrical diagnostic portion adjacent the flow measurement portion operative to monitor current draw and operating voltage of the fuel pump; and

a fault simulation portion adjacent the pressure measurement portion, wherein the fault simulation portion simulates potential fuel system failures to determine the operation of the fuel pump.

2. The fuel pump test apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said flow measurement portion comprises at least one flow gauge.

3. The fuel pump test apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said electrical diagnostic portion comprises a measurement device for voltage to monitor operating voltage of the fuel pump.

4. The fuel pump test apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said electrical diagnostic portion comprises a measurement device for current to monitor current draw of the fuel pump.

5. The fuel pump test apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said fault simulation portion comprises an adjustable power supply to provide electrical power to the fuel pump, said adjustable power supply being capable of simulating a power supply issue of a fuel pump by adjusting an input power of said fuel pump.

6. The fuel pump test apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said pressure measurement portion comprises at least one pressure gauge.

7. The fuel pump test apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said flow measurement portion comprises at least one flow gauge, and said electrical diagnostic portion comprises a measurement device for voltage and a measurement device for current.

8. A method of testing an electric fuel pump, comprising:

measuring an electrical value related to said fuel pump;

measuring a pressure related to said fuel pump;

measuring a fuel flow related to said fuel pump;

simulating a fuel system failure condition based at least on one of the measured electrical value, pressure and fuel flow of the fuel pump; and

determining an operating status of said fuel pump.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said electrical value related to said fuel pump comprises an operating voltage of said fuel pump.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein said electrical value related to said fuel pump comprises an operating current of said fuel pump.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein said step of simulating said fuel system failure comprises obstructing said fuel flow.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said electrical value related to said fuel pump comprises an operating voltage of said fuel pump.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein said electrical value related to said fuel pump comprises an operating current of said fuel pump.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein said step of simulating said fuel system failure comprises varying a supply of power to said fuel pump.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said electrical value related to said fuel pump comprises an operating voltage of said fuel pump.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein said electrical value related to said fuel pump comprises an operating current of said fuel pump.

17. A method of testing an electric fuel pump, comprising:

measuring an electrical value related to said fuel pump;

measuring a pressure related to said fuel pump;

measuring a fuel flow related to said fuel pump;

simulating a fuel system failure condition based at least on one of the measured electrical value, pressure and fuel flow of the fuel pump; and

determining an operating status of said fuel pump;

wherein said step of determining said operating status of said fuel pump comprises comparing said electrical value, said pressure and said fuel flow to an optimal electrical value, an optimal pressure and an optimal fuel flow.

Assignments (29)
LIEN Recorded Dec 8, 2025
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 073892/0154 →
LIEN Recorded Dec 3, 2025
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 073819/0490 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2025
From: AIRTEX INDUSTRIES, LLC; AIRTEX PRODUCTS, LP; APC INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC; APC PARENT, LLC; ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; AUTOLITE OPERATIONS LLC; AVM EXPORT, INC.; BPI ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC; BPI EC, LLC; BPI HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL, LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC CHINA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC INDIA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC LLC; CARDONE INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARRAND COMPANIES, INC.; CARTER CARBURETOR HOLDINGS, LLC; CARTER CARBURETOR, LLC; CARTER FUEL EXPORT, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; CHAMPION LABORATORIES, INC.; CWD HOLDING, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS I, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS II, LLC; CWD, LLC; DALTON CORPORATION; DALTON CORPORATION, KENDALLVILLE; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, ASHLAND; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, STRYKER MACHINING FACILITY CO.; DALTON CORPORATION, WARSAW MANUFACTURING FACILITY; EAGLE CASTING, LLC; EAGLE MACHINING, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP INTERMEDIATE, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; FRAM GROUP OPERATIONS LLC; FRAMAUTO HOLDINGS, LLC; FUEL FILTER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GLOBAL REMAN VENTURES, LLC; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; HOPKINS ACQUISITION, INC.; HOPKINS MANUFACTURING CORPORATION; HORIZON EURO FINANCE LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; HORIZON GLOBAL COMPANY LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; HORIZON INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; IBI INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; INTERNATIONAL BRAKE INDUSTRIES, INC.; JASPER ACQUISITION CORP.; JASPER RUBBER PRODUCTS, INC.; KTRI HOLDINGS, INC.; KTRI OFFSHORE HOLDINGS, LLC; LONGMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.; PHNX ACQUISITION CORP.; PREMIER MARKETING GROUP, LLC; PYLON MANUFACTURING CORP.; PYLON SOUTH BEND, INC.; QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE, L.L.C.; QUALIS ENTERPRISES, LLC; QUALITOR ACQUISITION INC.; QUALITOR AUTOMOTIVE, LLC; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY H, INC.; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY S, INC.; QUALITOR, INC.; REMAN MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL LLC; SDC TX, LLC; SMART CHOICE, LLC; SPECIALTY PUMPS GROUP, INC.; STRONGARM, LLC; TAE BRAKES, LLC; TAE CHINA HOLDINGS, INC.; TMD INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; TMD MEXICO LLC; TOLEDO MOLDING & DIE, LLC; TRANSPORTATION AFTERMARKET ENTERPRISE, LLC; TRICO HOLDING CORPORATION; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; TRICO TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; TRIDONEX USA LLC; UCI ACQUISITION HOLDINGS (NO. 4) LLC; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS PARENT, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL, LLC; UCI PENNSYLVANIA, INC.; UCI-AIRTEX HOLDINGS, INC.; UNITED COMPONENTS, LLC; UNIVERSAL AUTO FILTER LLC; VIPER ACQUISITION I, INC.; VIPER ACQUISITION, INC.; WALBRO LLC; WALBRO MIDCO LLC; WEM US CO.
To: GLAS USA LLC
Reel/Frame 071674/0688 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE PATENT APPLICATION NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 053377 FRAME: 0596. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 19, 2022
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 062584/0429 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT REGISTRATION NUMBERS:8166953, 6673433, 6631292, 7392363, 7265473 8535456, 9709133 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 053377 FRAME 0499. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Apr 9, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 058292/0469 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2020
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 053377/0596 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2020
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 053377/0499 →
RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 25, 2020
From: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
To: ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; STRONGARM, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; TRICO GROUP, LLC; TRICO GROUP HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 053313/0812 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 23, 2020
From: CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
To: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 052481/0512 →
SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 27, 2019
From: ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; STRONGARM, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048887/0495 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS Recorded Feb 27, 2019
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048455/0762 →
TERMINATION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AT REEL/FRAME 33958/0771 Recorded Feb 6, 2018
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS LLC
Reel/Frame 045261/0197 →
TERMINATION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AT REEL/FRAME 038847/0322 Recorded Feb 6, 2018
From: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
To: AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; PARTHENON METAL WORKS, LLC
Reel/Frame 045261/0321 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2018
From: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
To: AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; PARTHENON METAL WORKS, LLC
Reel/Frame 045252/0543 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 5, 2018
From: CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS; STRONGARM, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 045252/0800 →
ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 5, 2018
From: CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS; STRONGARM, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 045252/0469 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2016
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
To: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 038847/0154 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2016
From: AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; PARTHENON METAL WORKS, LLC
To: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
Reel/Frame 038847/0322 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2016
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
To: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 038847/0400 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2014
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 033974/0133 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 10, 2014
From: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 033958/0771 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS Recorded Oct 6, 2014
From: MWV PINNACLE CAPITAL FUND, L.P.
To: CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 033897/0135 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2014
From: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS FIRST LIEN TERM LOAN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 033886/0695 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2014
From: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS SECOND LIEN TERM LOAN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 033886/0719 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 18, 2013
From: CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
To: MWV PINNACLE CAPITAL FUND, L.P.
Reel/Frame 031436/0508 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 8, 2013
From: AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
To: JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 031393/0769 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 3, 2013
From: FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION
To: CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 031334/0429 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2013
From: FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE, INC.
To: FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031246/0838 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2009
From: BAKER, MARK A.; MERIOTTI, JAMES M.
To: FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE, INC.
Reel/Frame 022461/0620 →