Motor-integrated pump and fuel supply system therewith

Abstract

A motor-integrated pump ( 10 ) includes a pump portion ( 12 ) and a motor portion ( 14 ) integrally. The pump portion ( 12 ) permits fluid to be drawn thereinto, pressurized and discharged, while the motor portion ( 14 ) drives the pump portion ( 12 ). A pump-portion fluid path ( 47 ), which permits fluid to flow through the pump portion ( 12 ), is independent of a motor-portion fluid path 48, which permits fluid to flow through the motor portion ( 14 ). A fuel supply system ( 70 ) includes the fuel pump (i.e., the motor-integrated pump) ( 10 ), a suction filter ( 72 ) and a regulator valve ( 74 ) in a modularized manner. Excess fuel discharged from the regulator valve 74 is introduced into the motor-portion fluid path ( 48 ) of the motor portion ( 14 ).

1 . A motor-integrated pump, comprising: 
 a pump portion for drawing fluid thereinto, pressurizing and then discharging the fluid therefrom, said pump portion including a pump-portion fluid path permitting the fluid to flow through the pump portion; and    a motor portion for driving the pump portion, said motor portion including a motor-portion fluid path independent of the pump-portion fluid path so as to permit fluid to be introduced into the motor portion.    
   
   
       2 . The motor-integrated pump as in  claim 1 , wherein the motor portion includes a brush-type DC motor having a commutator and brushes slidingly contacting with each other such that the fluid introduced into the motor-portion fluid path is directed toward the sliding contacts between the commutator and the brushes.  
   
   
       3 . The motor-integrated pump as in  claim 1 , wherein the motor portion further includes a non-contacting, brushless motor.  
   
   
       4 . The motor-integrated pump as in any one of claims  1 , wherein the motor portion further includes a rotor such that the fluid introduced into the motor-portion fluid path flows in the direction of the rotor rotation.  
   
   
       5 . A fuel supply system, comprising: 
 a fluid pump, said fluid pump having an inlet member and an outlet member for bringing fluid in and out;    a filter positioned adjacent the inlet member of the fluid pump; and    a motor, said motor having an inlet member and an outlet member for bringing fluid in and out,    wherein the outlet member of the fluid pump is connected to the inlet member of the motor.    
   
   
       6 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 5 , further comprising a regulator valve, wherein the regulator valve is positioned between and connected to the fluid pump outlet member and the motor inlet member.  
   
   
       7 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 6 , wherein the regulator valve is positioned on the motor.  
   
   
       8 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 5 , further comprising a vapor discharge device.  
   
   
       9 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 8 , wherein the vapor discharge device includes a vapor discharge member positioned on the motor.  
   
   
       10 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 8 , wherein the vapor discharge device is positioned between the motor outlet member and the filter.  
   
   
       11 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 10 , wherein the vapor discharge device includes a preparation chamber, a separation chamber, a vapor discharge member and a vapor separating filter, further wherein the vapor separating filter is connected to the filter.  
   
   
       12 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 5 , further comprising a jet pump.  
   
   
       13 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 12 , wherein the jet pump is connected to the motor outlet member.  
   
   
       14 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 13 , wherein the jet pump is positioned on the motor.  
   
   
       15 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 12 , wherein the motor includes a vapor discharge member, further wherein the jet pump is connected to the vapor discharge member.  
   
   
       16 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 12 , wherein the jet pump is connected to the fluid pump outlet member.  
   
   
       17 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 5 , wherein the filter includes a multilayered filter.  
   
   
       18 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 17 , wherein the multilayered filter includes an outer layer having a coarse filter and an inner layer having a fine filter.  
   
   
       19 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of sealing members, wherein at least one of the plurality of sealing members is positioned adjacent the fluid pump outlet member, the regulator valve, and the motor inlet member.  
   
   
       20 . A fuel system for providing fuel to an engine, the fuel system comprising: 
 a fuel supply line for supplying fuel to the engine; and    a motor-integrated pump means having a pump portion and a motor portion, the motor-integrated pump means being able to direct fuel from the pump portion to the fuel supply line prior to the fuel interacting with the motor portion, and further to direct any excess fuel to the motor portion.