UNIVERSAL INLINE FUEL PUMP

1 . An inline fuel pump for conveying liquid fuel from a fuel source to an intake of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

an inlet configured to be placed into fluid communication with the fuel source;

an outlet configured to be placed into fluid communication with the intake;

an electric motor coupled with an internal liquid pump configured to convey liquid fuel from the inlet to the outlet;

an envelope which houses the electric motor and the internal liquid pump; and

at least two power leads configured to convey electrical power to the electric motor.

2 . The inline fuel pump of claim 1 , wherein the electric motor is brushless and combined with the internal liquid pump, the electric motor being configured to be powered by way of a 6V, 12V, or 24V vehicle electrical system.

3 . The inline fuel pump of claim 1 , wherein the envelope comprises a sealed case configured to protect the electric motor and the internal liquid pump from an exterior environment.

4 . The inline fuel pump of claim 3 , wherein the envelope comprises a base configured for mounting the inline fuel pump onto a flat surface within the vehicle by way of mechanical fasteners.

5 . The inline fuel pump of claim 3 , wherein the envelope is comprised of a corrosion resistant composite material that is sufficiently durable and temperature resistant to retain its configuration during installation and operation of the inlet fuel pump when coupled with the fuel system of the vehicle.

6 . The inline fuel pump of claim 1 , wherein the internal liquid pump is configured to operate with various fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, gasoline-ethanol blends of up to at least 85% ethanol (E85), as well as one or more commonly used fuel additives.

7 . The inline fuel pump of claim 1 , wherein the inlet and the outlet both comprise suitably taper-threaded openings configured to receive any of various fittings suitable for connecting the inlet and the outlet to a fuel system of a vehicle.

8 . The inline fuel pump of claim 1 , wherein the inlet is configured to receive a fuel filter comprising a filter medium disposed within a rigid envelope, a threaded fitting configured to be received into the inlet, and a hose fitting configured to receive a fuel hose which is in fluid communication with the fuel source.

9 . The inline fuel pump of claim 8 , wherein the filter medium is comprised of a material suitable for filtering particulate debris and contaminants from liquid fuel flowing from the hose fitting to the threaded fitting.

10 . The inline fuel pump of claim 1 , wherein the inlet is configured to receive a reusable fuel filter comprising a filter medium within a glass cylinder which is sealed between a first end cap and a second end cap.

11 . The inline fuel pump of claim 10 , wherein the glass cylinder is configured to facilitate directly viewing particulate debris and contaminants that are entrapped by the filter medium.

12 . The inline fuel pump of claim 10 , wherein the filter medium is comprised of a material suitable for filtering particulate debris and other contaminants from liquid fuel.

13 . The inline fuel pump of claim 10 , wherein a threaded fitting longitudinally protrudes from the second end cap and is configured to be received into the inlet, and a hose fitting extending longitudinally from the first end cap is configured to receive a fuel hose in fluid communication with the fuel source.

14 . The inline fuel pump of claim 10 , wherein a downstream hose fitting protrudes from the second end cap and is configured to receive a fuel hose.

15 . A method for cleaning a reusable fuel filter comprising a filter medium within a glass cylinder which is sealed between a first end cap and a second end cap, comprising:

removing a fuel hose from the first end cap;

unscrewing the reusable fuel filter from an inlet of an inline fuel pump;

gaining access to the filter medium by unscrewing the first end cap and the second end cap to release the glass cylinder from the reusable fuel filter;

utilizing a solvent to remove a buildup of particulate from the filter medium;

reinstalling the filter medium within the glass cylinder;

tightening the first end cap and the second end cap so as to seal the filter medium within the reusable fuel filter;

establishing fluid communication between the second end cap and the inlet of the inline fuel pump; and

inserting the fuel hose onto the first end cap.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein inserting the fuel hose comprises pushing the fuel hose onto a hose fitting of the first end cap, the fuel hose routing liquid fuel from a fuel source to the reusable fuel filter.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein establishing fluid communication comprises screwing a threaded fitting of the second end cap into the inlet of the inline fuel pump.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein installing further comprises applying any of various sealants to the threads of the threaded fitting.

19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein establishing fluid communication comprises screwing a threaded fitting of a male hose barb into the inlet of the inline fuel pump, inserting a first end of a fuel hose onto the male hose barb, and inserting a second end of the fuel hose onto a hose fitting of the second end cap.