Fuel supply systems

Abstract

A fuel supply system includes a fuel pump disposed within the fuel tank A cover can close an opening formed in an upper portion of the fuel tank. A receptacle is provided on the cover. A controller can control the operation of a motor of the fuel pump. The controller includes an earth terminal and noise-generating electrical elements. The receptacle has an electrically conductive wall surrounding at least the electrical elements of the controller. The electrically conductive wall is electrically connected to the earth terminal of the controller.

1 . A fuel supply system for supplying a fuel from a vehicle fuel tank, comprising:
 a fuel pump disposed within the fuel tank;   a cover capable of closing an opening formed in an upper portion of the fuel tank, wherein the cover includes a receptacle; and   a controller capable of controlling the operation of a motor of the fuel pump, wherein the controller includes an earth terminal and electrical elements that may produce noise;   wherein the receptacle has an electrically conductive wall surrounding at least the electrical elements of the controller; and   wherein the electrically conductive wall is electrically connected to the earth terminal of the controller.   
   
   
       2 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to produce a pulsed voltage by the actuation of a switching element in order to control a mean voltage applied to the motor. 
   
   
       3 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive wall of the receptacle is formed of metal. 
   
   
       4 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive wall of the receptacle is formed of resin containing electrically conductive material. 
   
   
       5 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive wall comprises a resin layer and an electrically conductive material layer. 
   
   
       6 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a spring constructed to resiliently hold the connecting condition between the electrically conductive wall and the earth terminal of the controller. 
   
   
       7 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle at least partly extends in to the inner space of the fuel tank, so that the fuel within the fuel tank can contact with the receptacle. 
   
   
       8 . A fuel supply system used in combination with a fuel tank, comprising:
 a fuel pump including a motor;   a controller capable of controlling the motor; and   a receptacle capable of receiving the controller,   wherein the receptacle is mounted to the fuel tank and includes a noise-shielding wall capable of shielding noise of the controller.   
   
   
       9 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 8 , wherein the noise-shielding wall comprises an electrically conductive wall surrounding at least a part of the controller. 
   
   
       10 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 9 , wherein:
 the controller includes an earth terminal; and   the earth terminal is electrically connected to the electrically conductive wall of the receptacle.   
   
   
       11 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 10 , further comprising an electrically conductive spring that can resiliently contact with the electrically conductive wall and the earth terminal in order to provide electrical connection therebetween. 
   
   
       12 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 9 , wherein:
 the controller comprises an IC chip including a switching device, so that a pulsed voltage is generated by the actuation of the switching device and is supplied to the motor; and   the IC chip is surrounded by the electrically conductive wall.   
   
   
       13 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 12 , wherein:
 the IC chip is mounted to a circuit board disposed within the receptacle.   
   
   
       14 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the controller further comprises a noise filtration circuit including a choke coil and a capacitor mounted to the circuit board; and   the capacitor is surrounded by the electrically conductive wall.   
   
   
       15 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 9 , wherein the electrically conductive wall of the receptacle is formed of metal. 
   
   
       16 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 9 , wherein the electrically conductive wall of the receptacle is formed of electrically conductive resin. 
   
   
       17 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 9 , wherein the electrically conductive wall comprises a resin wall layer and an electrically conductive material layer. 
   
   
       18 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 9 , wherein:
 the fuel tank has an opening permitting communication between the inner space of the fuel tank and the outside of the fuel tank;   the fuel supply system further includes a cover constructed to close the opening of the fuel tank; and   the receptacle is provided on the cover   
   
   
       19 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 18 , wherein:
 the receptacle comprises a first portion extending to the outside of the fuel tank and a second portion extending into an inner space of the fuel tank; and   the second portion comprises the electrically conductive wall.   
   
   
       20 . The fuel supply system as in  claim 19 , wherein the first portion is integrally formed with the cover and the second portion is integrated with the first portion by an insertion molding process.