Impeller for fuel pump

Abstract

An impeller for a fuel pump includes a hub portion adapted for attachment to a rotatable shaft. The impeller also includes a plurality of blades extending outwardly from the hub portion and disposed circumferentially thereabout. The impeller further includes a peripheral ring portion extending outwardly from the blades to shroud the blades. The blades are non-radial relative to a center axis of the hub portion.

1 . An impeller for a fuel pump comprising: 
 a hub portion adapted for attachment to a rotatable shaft;    a plurality of blades extending outwardly from said hub portion and disposed circumferentially thereabout;    a peripheral ring portion extending outwardly from said blades to shroud said blades; and    said blades being non-radial relative to a center axis of said hub portion.    
     
     
         2 . An impeller as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said blades have an inner diameter and an outer diameter and extend outwardly at an angle at least greater or less than zero therebetween.  
     
     
         3 . An impeller as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said blades are back slanted from said inner diameter to said outer diameter.  
     
     
         4 . An impeller as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said blades are angled from said inner diameter to said outer diameter from approximately −5 degrees to approximately 20 degrees.  
     
     
         5 . An impeller as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said blades are angled from said inner diameter to said outer diameter approximately 5 degrees.  
     
     
         6 . An impeller as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said each of the blades have a trailing edge that does not extend through the center axis.  
     
     
         7 . An impeller as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said blades are generally V shaped.  
     
     
         8 . A fuel pump comprising: 
 a pump section having a flow channel and a rotatable impeller cooperating with said flow channel to pump fuel therethrough;    a motor section disposed adjacent said pump section and having a motor to rotate said impeller;    an outlet section disposed adjacent said motor section to allow pumped fuel to exit said fuel pump; and    said impeller including a plurality of blades that are non-radial relative to a center axis thereof.    
     
     
         9 . A fuel pump as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said impeller comprises a hub portion attachment to a rotatable shaft of said motor, a plurality of blades extending outwardly from said hub portion and disposed circumferentially thereabout, and a peripheral ring portion extending outwardly from said blades to shroud said blades, wherein each of said blades has a trailing edge.  
     
     
         10 . An impeller as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said blades have an inner diameter and an outer diameter and extend therebetween at an angle at least greater or less than zero therebetween.  
     
     
         11 . An impeller as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said blades are back slanted from said inner diameter to said outer diameter.  
     
     
         12 . An impeller as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said blades are angled from said inner diameter to said outer diameter from approximately −5 degrees to approximately 20 degrees.  
     
     
         13 . An impeller as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said blades are angled from said inner diameter to said outer diameter approximately 5 degrees.  
     
     
         14 . An impeller as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said trailing edge of each of said blades does not extend through the center axis.  
     
     
         15 . A fuel pump as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said blades are generally V shaped.  
     
     
         16 . A fuel pump as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said pump section includes an inlet plate disposed axially adjacent one side of said impeller.  
     
     
         17 . A fuel pump as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said pump section includes an outlet plate disposed axially adjacent an opposed side of said impeller.  
     
     
         18 . A fuel pump as set forth in  claim 8  including a spacer ring spaced radially from said impeller.  
     
     
         19 . A fuel pump as set forth in  claim 18  including a housing enclosing said pump section and said spacer ring being fixed to said housing and stationary relative to said impeller.  
     
     
         20 . A fuel pump comprising: 
 a housing;    a pump section disposed in said housing having a flow channel and a rotatable impeller cooperating with said flow channel to pump fuel therethrough, said impeller having a hub portion, a plurality of blades extending outwardly from and disposed circumferentially about said hub portion and a peripheral ring portion extending outwardly from said blades;    a motor section disposed in said housing adjacent said pump section and having a motor to rotate said impeller;    an outlet section disposed in said housing adjacent said motor section to allow pumped fuel to exit said fuel pump; and    said impeller including a plurality of blades that are generally V shaped and are non-radial relative to a center axis thereof.