US4979482A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel reservoir
Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
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Filing: 1988-09-16
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Granted: 1990-12-25
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Expires: 2008-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A fuel reservoir comprises a tank having a base wall and side walls. In order to minimize the accumulation of water in the tank two pick-up pipes, are provided which are connected together to an outlet pipe. The first pick-up pipe extends to adjacent the base wall of the tank and the second pick-up pipe to some distance above the base wall. In use fuel and water will be drawn through the outlet pipe and in the event that the water in the tank freezes fuel can be drawn through the second pick-up pipe.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter J. Bartlett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:45
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M37/00; F02M37/0076; F02M37/0082; B; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; F02M37/22; F02M37/24; F02M37/32; F02M37/0011; F02M37/0017; F02M37/0047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A fuel reservoir for liquid fuel comprising a tank having a base wall and side walls, a first pick-up pipe extending within the tank to adjacent the base wall of the tank and a second pick-up pipe extending within the tank but being spaced from the base wall of the tank, said first pick-up pipe in permanent communication with said second pick-up pipe, said pipes being connected together to an outlet whereby in use when the outlet is connected to the inlet of a pump, and fuel and water in the tank will be drawn through the outlet and further including a single flow path restrictor in said second pick-up pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fuel reservoir for liquid fuel comprising a tank having a base wall and side walls, a first pick-up pipe extending within the tank to adjacent the base wall of the tank and a second pick-up pipe extending within the tank but being spaced from the base wall of the tank, said first pick-up pipe in permanent communication with said second pick-up pipe, said pipes being connected together to an outlet whereby in use when the outlet is connected to the inlet of a pump, and fuel and water in the tank will be drawn through the outlet and further including a single flow path restrictor in said second pick-up pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
149 words
A fuel system for an internal combustion engine comprising a pump operable to supply fuel to an associated engine, the pump having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, a fuel filter connected to the fuel inlet of the pump, a water separator through which fuel is supplied to the fuel filter, and a fuel reservoir comprising a tank having a base wall and side walls, a first pick-up pipe extending within the tank to adjacent the base wall of the tank and a second pick-up pipe extending within the tank but being spaced from the base wall of the tank, said pipes being connected together to a reservoir outlet, said reservoir outlet being connected to the water separator whereby when said pump is in operation fuel and water in the tank will be drawn through the reservoir outlet and the water will be retained in the water separator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
149 words
A fuel system for an internal combustion engine comprising a pump operable to supply fuel to an associated engine, the pump having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, a fuel filter connected to the fuel inlet of the pump, a water separator through which fuel is supplied to the fuel filter, and a fuel reservoir comprising a tank having a base wall and side walls, a first pick-up pipe extending within the tank to adjacent the base wall of the tank and a second pick-up pipe extending within the tank but being spaced from the base wall of the tank, said pipes being connected together to a reservoir outlet, said reservoir outlet being connected to the water separator whereby when said pump is in operation fuel and water in the tank will be drawn through the reservoir outlet and the water will be retained in the water separator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
A fuel reservoir for liquid fuel comprising a tank having a base wall and side walls, a first pick up pipe extending within the tank to adjacent the base wall of the tank, a second pick-up pipe extending within the tank, said second pipe being spaced from the base wall of the tank, and an outlet, said first and second pipes being connected together within the tank and thereafter to said outlet, whereby in use, when the outlet is connected to the inlet of a pump, fuel and water in the tank will be drawn through the outlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
A fuel reservoir for liquid fuel comprising a tank having a base wall and side walls, a first pick up pipe extending within the tank to adjacent the base wall of the tank, a second pick-up pipe extending within the tank, said second pipe being spaced from the base wall of the tank, and an outlet, said first and second pipes being connected together within the tank and thereafter to said outlet, whereby in use, when the outlet is connected to the inlet of a pump, fuel and water in the tank will be drawn through the outlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
A fuel reservoir for liquid fuel comprising a tank having a base wall and side walls, a first pick-up pipe extending within the tank to adjacent the base wall of the tank, a second pick-up pipe extending within the tank, said second pipe being spaced from the base wall of the tank, a restrictor means disposed in said second pick-up pipe, and an outlet, said first and second pipes being connected together within the tank and thereafter to said outlet, whereby in use, when said outlet is connected to the inlet of a pump, fuel and water in the tank will be drawn through the outlet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
A fuel reservoir for liquid fuel comprising a tank having a base wall and side walls, a first pick-up pipe extending within the tank to adjacent the base wall of the tank, a second pick-up pipe extending within the tank, said second pipe being spaced from the base wall of the tank, a restrictor means disposed in said second pick-up pipe, and an outlet, said first and second pipes being connected together within the tank and thereafter to said outlet, whereby in use, when said outlet is connected to the inlet of a pump, fuel and water in the tank will be drawn through the outlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fuel system according to claim 2, wherein said first pick-up pipe and said second pick-up pipe are connected together within said tank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fuel system according to claim 2, further comprising restrictor means disposed in said second pick-up pipe.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-24 | 1994-06-25 | 1994-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-06-25 | 1998-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-24 | 2002-06-25 | 2002-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |