FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR
A pressure regulator includes a housing at least partially defining a chamber. A tube defines a valve seat having an inlet disposed inside the chamber, an outlet, and a passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet. The passageway is characterized by a first portion and a second portion that is narrower than the first portion. A valve member is selectively movable between a closed position in which the valve member obstructs the inlet and an open position in which the valve member does not obstruct the inlet. A spring biases the valve member toward the closed position.
1 . A pressure regulator comprising:
a housing at least partially defining a chamber;
a tube defining a valve seat having an inlet disposed inside the chamber, an outlet, and a passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet;
said passageway having a first portion and a second portion that is narrower than the first portion;
a valve member being selectively movable between a closed position in which the valve member obstructs the inlet and an open position in which the valve member does not obstruct the inlet; and
a spring biasing the valve member toward the closed position.
2 . The pressure regulator of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the passageway extends between the first portion and the outlet.
3 . The pressure regulator of claim 2 , wherein the tube is one-piece.
4 . The pressure regulator of claim 1 , further comprising a diaphragm that cooperates with the housing to define the chamber; wherein the diaphragm is positioned and configured to transmit pressure from the chamber to the spring to act against the spring bias.
5 . The pressure regulator of claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm is between the spring and the valve member.
6 . An engine assembly comprising:
a fuel tank configured to store fuel;
an engine having at least one fuel injector;
a pump at least partially within the tank and configured to pressurize fuel from the tank and transmit the fuel to said at least one fuel injector;
a regulator having a housing at least partially defining a chamber that is in fluid communication with the pump; a tube defining a valve seat having an inlet disposed inside the chamber, an outlet, and a passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet; a valve member being selectively movable between a closed position in which the valve member obstructs the inlet and an open position in which the valve member does not obstruct the inlet; and a spring biasing the valve member toward the closed position;
said passageway have a first portion and a second portion that is narrower than the first portion.
7 . The engine assembly of claim 6 , wherein the second portion of the passageway extends between the first portion and the outlet.
8 . The engine assembly of claim 7 , wherein the tube is one-piece.
9 . The engine assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a diaphragm that cooperates with the housing to define the chamber; wherein the diaphragm is positioned and configured to transmit pressure from the chamber to the spring to act against the spring bias.
10 . The engine assembly of claim 6 , wherein the diaphragm is between the spring and the valve member.