Modular ejector pump for a fuel delivery device

Abstract

A modular ejector pump (1) for a fuel delivery device (39). The ejector pump (1) has a feed line (3) and a first nozzle (7). The feed line (3) is embodied to supply fuel (27) to the first nozzle (7). The ejector pump (1) furthermore has a second nozzle (9), which is arranged parallel to the first nozzle (7). The feed line (3) is embodied to supply fuel (27) to the second nozzle (9).

Claims

1. A fuel delivery device (39) for delivering fuel (27), the fuel delivery device (39) having an ejector pump (1) including a first passage ending in a first nozzle (7), a second passage ending in a second nozzle (9), the second nozzle (9) being arranged parallel to the first nozzle (7), a feed line (3) that supplies fuel to the first nozzle (7) via the first passage and the second nozzle (9) via the second passage, a bubble line (21), and an outlet line (31), which is configured to supply fuel (27) to a further ejector pump (33), and wherein the outlet line (31) is directly connected to the second passage at a location between the feed line (3) and the second nozzle (9); and a bubble section (23) for collecting fuel (27) at a venting device (25), wherein the bubble line (21) is connected to the bubble section (23), and wherein the first passage and the second passage are independent branches of the feed line (3).

2. The fuel delivery device (39) according to claim 1, furthermore having wherein the bubble line (21) is arranged at an outlet of the second nozzle (9) in such a way that fuel (27) is sucked out of the bubble section (23) to the ejector pump (1) during the operation of the ejector pump (1).

3. The fuel delivery device (39) according to claim 2, wherein a check valve (29) is provided on the bubble line (21); wherein the check valve (29) is configured to prevent return flow of fuel (27) in the direction of the bubble section (23).

4. The fuel delivery device (39) according to claim 1, wherein the first nozzle (7) has a first diameter; wherein the second nozzle (9) has a second diameter; and wherein the second diameter differs from the first diameter.

5. The fuel delivery device (39) according to claim 1, wherein the feed line (3), the first nozzle (7) and the second nozzle (9) are embodied integrally.

6. The fuel delivery device (39) according to claim 1, wherein the second nozzle (9) is embodied as a separate component part.

7. The fuel delivery device (39) according to claim 1, wherein the feed line (3) has a seal (35) on an outside.

8. The fuel delivery device (39) according to claim 1, wherein an end of the outlet line (31) is barbed.

9. The fuel delivery device (39) according to claim 1, further comprising a fuel reservoir, wherein the ejector pump (1) and a fuel pump (43) are arranged in the fuel reservoir, and wherein the fuel (27) collected from the bubble section (23) is transferred to the fuel reservoir.

10. The fuel delivery device (39) according to claim 1, wherein the second passage branches off of the feed line (3) before the first passage.

11. The fuel delivery device (39) according to claim 10, wherein the outlet line (31) branches off of the second passage downstream of where the second passage branches off of the feed line (3).

12. The fuel delivery device (39) according to claim 1, wherein the outlet line (31) branches off of the second passage downstream of where the second passage branches off of the feed line (3).

13. The fuel delivery device (39) according to claim 1, wherein the first passage and the second passage each orthogonally branch from the feed line (3).

14. A method for producing a fuel delivery device (39), the method having the following steps: supplying a modular ejector pump (1) having a first passage ending in a first nozzle (7), a second passage ending in a second nozzle (9) arranged parallel to the first nozzle, a feed line (3) that supplies fuel to the first nozzle (7) via the first passage and the second nozzle (9) via the second passage, a bubble line (21), and an outlet line (31) that is configured to supply fuel (27) to a further ejector pump (33) and that is directly connected to the second passage at a location between the feed line (3) and the second nozzle (9), wherein the first passage and the second passage are independent branches of the feed line (3); supplying a bubble section (23) for collecting fuel at a venting device (25); and connecting the bubble line (21) to the bubble section (23).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to a person skilled in the art from the following description of illustrative embodiments, which are not to be interpreted as restricting the invention however, with reference to the attached drawings, in which

(2) FIG. 1 shows a cross section through a modular ejector pump according to one illustrative embodiment of the invention

(3) FIG. 2A shows a cross section through a modular ejector pump for use in a saddle tank with a bubble section

(4) FIG. 2B shows a cross section through a modular ejector pump for use in a saddle tank without a bubble section

(5) FIG. 2C shows a cross section through a modular ejector pump for use in a simple tank with a bubble section

(6) FIG. 3 shows a cross section through a simple tank with a bubble section and a fuel delivery device according to one illustrative embodiment of the invention

(7) FIG. 4 shows a cross section through a saddle tank with a bubble section and a fuel delivery device according to one illustrative embodiment of the invention

(8) FIG. 5 shows a cross section through a saddle tank with a bubble section and a fuel delivery device according to another illustrative embodiment of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) All the figures are purely schematic illustrations of devices according to the invention or of components thereof in accordance with the illustrative embodiments of the invention. In particular, spacings and size relationships are not reproduced to scale in the figures. In the various figures, corresponding elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

(10) FIG. 1 shows a cross section through a modular ejector pump 1 according to one illustrative embodiment of the invention. The ejector pump 1 has a feed line 3, which can be connected to a feed pipe 5, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, for example. A seal 35, e.g. a circumferential seal, is provided on the outer circumference of the feed line 3. In this case, the seal 35 can ensure fluidtight sealing between the feed line 3 and a feed pipe 5.

(11) Via the feed line 3, fuel 27 is supplied to a first nozzle 7 and to a second nozzle 9. The longitudinal axis 11 of the first nozzle 7 and the longitudinal axis 13 of the second nozzle 9 are arranged parallel to one another. The housing 57 of the ejector pump 1 can be injection molded, for example. In this case, the feed line 3 and the first nozzle 7 can be formed integrally with the housing 57. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the second nozzle 9 is embodied separately from the housing 57 and hence separately from the first nozzle 7 and the feed line 3. This enables the second nozzle 9 to have a significantly smaller diameter than the first nozzle 7, for example, and hence to produce an optimum vacuum for sucking fuel out of a bubble section 23.

(12) During the injection molding of the ejector pump 1 and, in particular, during the production of the first nozzle 7, an opening can be formed, which is closed by means of a closure cap 55 or a closure ball. The feed line 3 supplies the first nozzle 7 with the working fluid, namely fuel 27. As the fuel 27 emerges from the opening of the first nozzle 7, fuel 27 is entrained or sucked out of the intake chamber 19 into the reservoir pot or into the first mixing duct 15. Here, the intake chamber 19 is provided on the bottom of a reservoir pot, for example.

(13) Moreover, the feed line 3 supplies fuel 27 to the second nozzle 9. As the fuel 27 emerges from the nozzle opening of the second nozzle 9 into the second mixing duct 17, a vacuum arises. In the immediate vicinity of the nozzle opening of the second nozzle 9, a bubble line 21 is provided on the second mixing duct 17. As illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bubble line 21 is connected to a bubble section 23. Here, the bubble section 23 can be part of a venting device 25 for equalizing the pressure in a fuel tank with the surroundings, for example. Owing to the vacuum which arises at the nozzle opening of the second nozzle 9, fuel 27 is sucked out of the bubble section 23 to the ejector pump 1 and hence into a reservoir pot. In this case, a check valve 29 is provided in the bubble line 21, preventing a return flow of fuel 27 from the ejector pump 1 to the bubble section 23.

(14) The ejector pump 1 furthermore has an outlet line 31. The outlet line is arranged downstream of the feed line 3 and upstream of the second nozzle 9. The outlet line 31 is embodied to supply fuel 27 as a working medium for a further ejector pump 33, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. This is appropriate, for example, in the case of an application in saddle tanks. In this case, the further ejector pump 33 can be arranged in a passive part of the saddle tank.

(15) In FIG. 1, the dashed lines represent an excess pressure zone. The dotted line represents a suction flow of the fuel. Here, the arrows indicate the direction of flow.

(16) FIGS. 2A to 2C show different embodiments of the modular ejector pump 1 in cross section. The ejector pump 1 shown in FIG. 2A can, for example, be installed in a saddle tank with a bubble section 23, as shown in FIG. 4 for example. The ejector pump 1 illustrated in FIG. 2B can be used in a saddle tank without a bubble section 23. Here, the second nozzle 9 of the ejector pump 1 can be closed by means of a plug or of a stopper 59. As an alternative the second nozzle 9 can be embodied without a nozzle opening. In addition, the bubble line 21 can be closed by a closure element. The ejector pump 1 shown in FIG. 2C is suitable for use in a simple tank with a bubble section 23, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the ejector pump 1 in FIG. 2C has a closure element 61 or a closure region on the outlet line 31. It is thus not possible to supply fuel to a further ejector pump 33 in the illustrative embodiment in FIG. 2C, since no further ejector pump 33 is required in the simple tank.

(17) FIG. 3 shows a fuel delivery device 39 in a simple tank or simple fuel tank. The fuel delivery device 39 is installed in the fuel tank by means of a flange and is pressed against the bottom of the fuel tank by means of guide rods and springs, for example. The fuel delivery device 39 has a reservoir pot, which is filled with fuel 27 from the fuel tank via an initial filling valve 41. An electric fuel pump 43 pumps the fuel 27 out of the reservoir pot to a combustion engine 37, e.g. an internal combustion engine. In this case, the electric fuel pump 43 can supply the combustion engine 37 with fuel 27 via a filter 53.

(18) The ejector pump 1 according to the invention is arranged on the bottom or close to the bottom of the fuel delivery device 39. In the illustrative embodiment in FIG. 3, the feed line 3 of the ejector pump 1 is supplied with fuel 27 by means of the electric fuel pump 43. During the operation of the ejector pump 1, the first nozzle 7 allows fuel 27 to be sucked out of the fuel tank through the initial filling valve 41. Moreover, the second nozzle 9 allows fuel 27 to be sucked out of a bubble section 23, which is part of a venting device 25. In this case, a “quick connector” 54, for example, can be provided on a line which connects the bubble line 21 to the bubble section 23. The outlet line 31 is not required in the simple tank and is therefore closed with the aid of a closure element 61, as shown in FIG. 2C.

(19) A return line, in which a pressure limiting valve 49 is arranged, can be provided on a line between the electric fuel pump 43 and the combustion engine 37. A further check valve 47 can furthermore be provided on a line between the electric fuel pump 43 and the filter 53, preventing a return flow of fuel 27 from the filter 53 to the electric fuel pump 43.

(20) FIG. 4 illustrates a fuel delivery device 39 in a saddle tank. In contrast to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the outlet line 31 of the ejector pump 1 is open and is connected to a further ejector pump 33 on the passive side of the fuel tank. In this way, fuel can be delivered to the fuel delivery device 39 both from the passive and from the active side of the saddle tank. In this case, a restrictor 45 can be provided on a line connecting the bubble line 21 and the bubble section 23.

(21) FIG. 5 shows a further illustrative embodiment of a fuel delivery device 39 with an ejector pump 1 for use in a saddle tank with a bubble section 23. In contrast to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, no bubble line 21 is provided in FIG. 5. An additional ejector pump 63 is provided directly on the bubble section 23 and is connected via a restrictor 45 to a line connected to the outlet line 31.

(22) Finally, it is pointed out that expressions such as “having” or similar are not intended to exclude the provision of further elements or steps. Moreover, it should be noted that “a” or “an” do not exclude a multiplicity. In addition, features described in connection with the various embodiments can be combined in any desired way. It is furthermore pointed out that the reference signs in the claims should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of the claims.