FUEL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
A fuel system having a fuel module for use within a fuel tank of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The fuel module includes a fuel reservoir having an inlet for receiving fuel from the fuel tank, a pump for pumping fuel from the reservoir through a fuel supply line and a temperature sensitive valve having a first port for receiving fuel from a return line, a second port for outputting the received fuel into the fuel reservoir, and a third port for outputting the received fuel into the fuel tank and external to the fuel reservoir.
1 . A fuel system for a vehicle, said system comprising:
a fuel tank; and
a fuel module within the fuel tank, said fuel module comprising:
a fuel reservoir having an inlet for receiving fuel from the fuel tank,
a pump for pumping fuel from the reservoir through a fuel supply line, and
a temperature sensitive valve having a first port for receiving fuel from a return line, a second port for outputting the received fuel into the fuel reservoir, and a third port for outputting the received fuel into the fuel tank and external to the fuel reservoir.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensitive valve comprises a temperature sensitive spring for switching the valve between a first position and a second position.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the temperature sensitive spring is a bimetallic spring.
4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the first position occurs when a temperature of the received fuel is less than a predetermined temperature and the second position occurs when the temperature of the received fuel is greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the fuel is diesel fuel and the predetermined temperature is a waxing temperature of the diesel fuel.
6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the predetermined temperature is approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
7 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the received fuel is output from the second port to the fuel reservoir when the valve is in the first position.
8 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the received fuel is output from the third port to fuel tank external to the fuel reservoir when the valve is in the second position.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second port is connected to a second return line for outputting the received fuel through the second return line and into the fuel reservoir.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the third port is connected to a bypass return line for outputting the received fuel through the bypass return line and into the fuel tank external to the fuel reservoir.
11 . A fuel module for use within a fuel tank of a vehicle, said fuel module comprising:
a fuel reservoir having an inlet for receiving fuel from the fuel tank;
a pump for pumping fuel from the reservoir through a fuel supply line; and
a temperature sensitive valve having a first port for receiving fuel from a return line, a second port for outputting the received fuel into the fuel reservoir, and a third port for outputting the received fuel into the fuel tank and external to the fuel reservoir.
12 . The fuel module of claim 11 , wherein the temperature sensitive valve comprises a temperature sensitive spring for switching the valve between a first position and a second position.
13 . The fuel module of claim 12 , wherein the temperature sensitive spring is a bimetallic spring.
14 . The fuel module of claim 12 , wherein the first position occurs when a temperature of the received fuel is less than a predetermined temperature and the second position occurs when the temperature of the received fuel is greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature.
15 . The fuel module of claim 14 , wherein the fuel is diesel fuel and the predetermined temperature is a waxing temperature of the diesel fuel.
16 . The fuel module of claim 14 , wherein the predetermined temperature is approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
17 . The fuel module of claim 14 , wherein the received fuel is output from the second port to the fuel reservoir when the valve is in the first position.
18 . The fuel module of claim 14 , wherein the received fuel is output from the third port to fuel tank external to the fuel reservoir when the valve is in the second position.
19 . The fuel module of claim 11 , wherein the second port is connected to a second return line for outputting the received fuel through the second return line and into the fuel reservoir.
20 . The fuel module of claim 11 , wherein the third port is connected to a bypass return line for outputting the received fuel through the bypass return line and into the fuel tank external to the fuel reservoir.