Fuel system with pumping and filtering fuel module and flow housing for the fuel system

Abstract

A fuel module for pumping and filtering fuel in a fuel system includes a flow housing, and each of an electric pump, a first cartridge filter, and a second cartridge filter directly sealingly engaged with the flow housing. The fuel module is applied in a low pressure fuel circuit that feeds fuel to a high pressure fuel circuit to be pressurized to an injection pressure. Electronic closed loop control techniques for the pump are also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a fuel system for an internal combustion engine, and more specifically to a fuel module integrating a cartridge filter and an electrically driven pump. Background Technology

[0002] The fuel system is perhaps the most complex and sophisticated part of a modern internal combustion engine system. A typical fuel system can employ dozens or even hundreds of moving parts that typically operate at high speeds while enduring high absolute pressures and rapid pressure changes. In a typical diesel engine fuel system, it is desirable to significantly increase the pressure of the fuel stored in the tank in order to inject it into the engine's combustion cylinders. In some systems, fuel pressurization is achieved through a dedicated unit pump associated with or integrated into each of multiple fuel injectors. In other systems, a common fuel reservoir maintains pressurization to deliver fuel to each fuel injector in the fuel system as needed. Various combinations and variations of these two fundamental strategies for fuel delivery and pressurization are well known.

[0003] In any fuel system, it is generally desirable to limit debris in the fuel flow between components to prevent damage or performance degradation, especially for pumps and fuel injectors. To this end, most fuel systems are equipped with various filtration devices to capture particles introduced when fuel supply is replenished or generated in situ by the operation of the fuel system components themselves. In any case, multiple pumps and multiple filters are typically used, including fuel delivery pumps and at least one high-pressure pump, and the multiple filters require various lines, fittings, housings, mounting hardware, and other equipment for supporting and housing components for maintenance. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20160333834 discloses an example of a low-pressure fuel supply system using multiple fuel injection pumps. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect, a fuel system for an engine includes: a high-pressure fuel circuit having a high-pressure pump having a pump drive gear for meshing with a gear train on the engine; and a low-pressure fuel circuit including a low-pressure pump having a pump-electrically driven motor and configured to supply fuel to the high-pressure fuel circuit to pressurize it to an injection pressure. The low-pressure fuel circuit also includes a first cartridge filter, a second cartridge filter, and a flowhousing. The flowhousing forms a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet leading to the high-pressure fuel circuit, and a plurality of internal fuel conduits. The low-pressure pump, the first cartridge filter, and the second cartridge filter each engage directly and sealingly with the flowhousing and, together with the plurality of internal fuel conduits, fluidly connect the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet.

[0005] In another aspect, a fuel module for pumping and filtering fuel in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine includes a flow housing that forms a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, the fuel inlet being used to receive fuel to be pumped and filtered within the fuel module. The flow housing also forms an outgoing pump port and an incoming pump port, a first cartridge receiver fluidly positioned between the fuel inlet and the outgoing pump port, and a second cartridge receiver fluidly positioned between the incoming pump port and the fuel outlet. The fuel module also includes a first cartridge filter mounted in the first cartridge receiver and fluidly connecting the fuel inlet to the outgoing pump port; and a second cartridge filter mounted in the second cartridge receiver and fluidly connecting the incoming pump port to the fuel outlet. The fuel module also includes a pump having a pump-driven motor and attached to the flow housing such that the pump is fluidly connected to the outgoing pump port and the incoming pump port.

[0006] In another aspect, a flow housing for a pumping and filtering fuel module in a fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a flow housing body. The flow housing body includes a pump side having a pump-housing interface configured for pipeline-free installation of the pump and including a flat pump mounting surface, an output pump port surrounded by the flat pump mounting surface, and an input pump port. The pump housing interface also includes a plurality of bolt holes formed in the flow housing body for bolting the pump to the flow housing body. The flow housing body also includes a filter side opposite the pump side and having each of a first filter receiving portion and a second filter receiving portion formed therein. The first filter receiving portion is configured to receive a first cartridge filter, and the second filter receiving portion is configured to receive a second cartridge filter. The flow housing body also forms a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a plurality of internal fuel conduits. The fuel inlet is used to receive fuel to be pumped and filtered in the pumping and filtering fuel module. Multiple internal fuel conduits form separate fuel flow paths extending between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet, and are interrupted at the pump-housing interface, the first filter receiving section, and the second filter receiving section, so that the fuel flow path is continuous when the pump, the first cartridge filter, and the second cartridge filter are installed. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic view of a fuel system according to one embodiment;

[0008] Figure 2 This is a schematic view of a fuel module according to one embodiment;

[0009] Figure 3 This is a schematic view of a pump according to one embodiment;

[0010] Figure 4 This is a schematic view of a portion of a flow housing for a fuel module according to one embodiment;

[0011] Figure 5 This is a schematic view of a flow housing for a fuel module according to one embodiment;

[0012] Figure 6 This is another schematic view of the flow housing for a fuel module according to one embodiment;

[0013] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a fuel module according to one embodiment; and

[0014] Figure 8 This is another view of a portion of a fuel module according to one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0015] See Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a fuel system 10 for an internal combustion engine. The fuel system 10 includes a high-pressure fuel circuit 12 having a high-pressure pump 14 with a pump drive gear 16 for meshing with a gear train on the internal combustion engine. The fuel system 10 also includes a low-pressure fuel circuit 32 having a low-pressure pump 34 with a pump-electric drive motor 36 and configured to supply fuel to the high-pressure fuel circuit 12 for pressurization to injection pressure. The fuel system 10 can be configured in a compression-ignition internal combustion engine system, such as an engine operating on diesel fraction fuels; however, the invention is not limited thereto.

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, multiple high-pressure supply lines 18 extend between the high-pressure pump 14 and the pressurized fuel reservoir 20. Multiple fuel delivery conduits 22 extend from the reservoir 20 to supply fuel pressurized to injection pressure to multiple fuel injectors, one of which is shown as 24. The fuel injector 24 may be at least partially positioned in the combustion cylinder of an internal combustion engine for direct injection. In other embodiments, the fuel injector may be positioned for port injection, for injection into the engine intake manifold, or in another configuration. The reservoir 20 may be configured as a so-called common rail, which stores fuel at the injection pressure of all or some of the fuel injectors in the fuel system 10. In other embodiments, the fuel system 10 may be configured with multiple unit pumps, each associated with one or more fuel injectors or any of a plurality of other fuel system configurations.

[0017] The fuel system 10 also includes a fuel tank 26, with a low-pressure fuel circuit 32 fluidly positioned between the fuel tank 26 and the high-pressure fuel circuit 12. The fuel system 10 also includes a fuel module 38 for pumping and filtering fuel, and has a flow housing 40 forming a fuel inlet 42 and a fuel outlet 44 leading to the high-pressure fuel circuit 12. In most embodiments, the fuel tank 26 may be equipped with a fuel pre-filter. The module 38 may also include a first cartridge filter 50, a second cartridge filter 52, and other flow guiding, pumping, and filtering features, as further discussed herein. The first cartridge filter 50 may be a primary filter including a water separator, while the second filter 52 is a secondary filter. The first cartridge filter 50 is fluidly arranged between the fuel inlet 42 and the low-pressure pump 34, while the second cartridge filter 52 is fluidly arranged between the low-pressure pump 34 and the fuel outlet 44, such that the module 38 supports the first cartridge filter 50, the low-pressure pump 34, and the second cartridge filter 52 in a series filter-pump-filter service configuration.

[0018] Module 38, including flow housing 40, can also form a return inlet path 48 for returning fuel discharged from the associated engine to the low-pressure fuel circuit 32. The return or outlet line 30 is shown extending from the fuel injector 24. The return line 30 can extend directly to the inlet path 48 or the fuel tank 26 via any suitable piping arrangement. Those skilled in the art will be familiar with various strategies for discharging fuel from the high-pressure side of the fuel system back to the fuel tank or the low-pressure side of the fuel system. Another return line 28 extends from the high-pressure pump 14 and can similarly return fuel to the fuel tank 26 or otherwise return it to the low-pressure fuel circuit 32. Fuel supply line 46 extends from flow housing 40 to the high-pressure pump 14. In some known fuel systems, the low-pressure pump is directly mounted on the high-pressure pump. According to the invention, it should be understood that certain other components of the low-pressure pump 34 and the low-pressure fuel circuit 32 are not mounted on the high-pressure pump 14 and can be mounted in various other locations, including to a frame or housing, an engine housing, or other structures mounted to an associated machine system.

[0019] The fuel system 10 also provides control of the low-pressure pump 34, including closed-loop control, to provide the desired outlet pressure and / or flow rate to the high-pressure fuel circuit 12. In some cases, the operation of the low-pressure or fuel delivery pump may lag behind the optimal operation for supplying fuel to the high-pressure pump, particularly during startup, because the delivery pump operation is coupled to the engine operation. According to the invention, the low-pressure pump 34 can be accelerated or decelerated as needed to provide the desired pressure and / or fuel flow to the high-pressure fuel circuit 12.

[0020] For this purpose, the fuel system 10 also includes a control system 54. The control system 54 includes an electronic control unit 56, which is coupled to and controls various actuators in the fuel system 10 and receives inputs from various sensors. A track pressure sensor 58 may be coupled to the reservoir 20, and the electronic control unit 56 may receive a track pressure signal from the track pressure sensor 58 and responsively adjust the output of the high-pressure pump 14, for example, by changing the position of the inlet or outlet metering valve in the high-pressure pump 14, changing the displacement of the pumping elements in the high-pressure pump 14, or some other variable. The electronic control unit 56 is also coupled to module 38, including an electric drive motor 36 for the pump, and may change the pumping speed of the low-pressure pump 34 to provide the desired output to the high-pressure pump 14. The control system 54 may also include a pressure sensor 60 fluidly disposed between the second cartridge filter 52 and the fuel outlet 34. The pressure sensor 60 may generate an outlet pressure signal, wherein the electronic control unit 56 is configured to change the pumping speed based on the outlet pressure signal. In one implementation, the electronic control unit 56 includes a proportional controller. The proportional controller may also include a proportional-integral-derivative controller (PID). In one example, the pump drive motor 36 may include a brushless motor. In medium to heavy-duty diesel engine applications, factors such as the relatively high fuel flow rate from the low-pressure fuel circuit 32 to the high-pressure fuel circuit 12 can make the PID control strategy successful and advantageous. The electronic control unit 56 may include any suitable computerized control unit with a central processing unit, including, for example, a microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0021] Still referencing Figure 2 Additional features and details of module 38 are shown. The flow housing 40 includes a flow housing body 41. The discussion of the flow housing 40 and flow housing body 41 herein should be understood as referring to either of these interchangeable components. As described above, a first cartridge filter 50 is fluidly arranged between the fuel inlet 42 and the low-pressure pump 34, and thus can be understood as being arranged upstream of the low-pressure pump 34 to filter the fuel flow entering the low-pressure pump 34 from the fuel inlet 42. A second cartridge filter 52 is arranged downstream of the low-pressure pump 34 to filter the fuel flow exiting the low-pressure pump 34 to the fuel outlet 44. The flow housing 40 is also equipped with various features for mounting the first cartridge filter 50, the second cartridge filter 52, and the low-pressure pump 34.

[0022] Still referencing Figure 3 , 45, 6, The flow housing 40 further forms: an output pump port 76, which supplies fuel filtered in the first cartridge filter 50 to the low-pressure pump 34; and an input pump port 78, which receives fuel pumped by the low-pressure pump 34 for supply to the second cartridge filter 52. The flow housing 40 further forms: a first cartridge receiving portion 51, fluidly positioned between the fuel inlet 40 and the output pump port 76; and a second cartridge receiving portion 53, fluidly positioned between the input pump port 78 and the fuel outlet 44. The first cartridge filter 50 is installed in the first cartridge receiving portion 51 and fluidly connects the fuel inlet 42 to the output pump port 76. The second cartridge filter 52 is installed in the second cartridge receiving portion 53 and fluidly connects the input pump port 78 to the fuel outlet 44. A low-pressure pump 34 is attached to a flow housing 40 such that it is fluidly connected to an output pump port 76 and an input pump port 78, and the low-pressure pump 34, the first cartridge filter 50, and the second cartridge filter 52 each engage directly and sealingly with the flow housing 40. The flow housing 40 also forms a plurality of internal fuel conduits, and the low-pressure pump 34, the first cartridge filter 50, and the second cartridge filter 52, together with the plurality of internal fuel conduits, fluidly connect a fuel inlet 42 to a fuel outlet 44. The plurality of internal fuel conduits, also discussed herein, form separate fuel flow paths extending between the fuel inlet 42 and the fuel outlet 44. The flow housing 40 also includes a pump side 70 having a pump-housing interface 72 configured for a pipeline-free installation of the low-pressure pump 34, and the fuel flow path is interrupted at the pump-housing interface 72, the first filter receiving portion 51, and the second filter receiving portion 53, such that the fuel flow path is continuous when the low-pressure pump 24, the first cartridge filter 50, and the second cartridge filter 52 are installed.

[0023] The pump-housing interface 72 includes a flat pump mounting surface 74, wherein both the output pump port 76 and the input pump port 78 are surrounded by the flat pump mounting surface 74. The pump-housing interface 72 also includes a plurality of bolt holes 80 formed in the flow housing body 41 for bolting the low-pressure pump 34 to the flow housing body 41. Figure 2 As shown, multiple bolts 82 can pass through the low-pressure pump 34 and are received in bolt holes 80. In some embodiments, the bolt holes 80 may be internally threaded. Figure 3 It can also be seen that the low-pressure pump 34 includes a flat pump surface 64, and a pump inlet 66 and a pump outlet 68 formed in the flat pump surface 64. A threaded bolt hole 80 is formed in the pump side 70, and the reception and retention of the bolt 82 in the bolt hole 80 clamps the low-pressure pump 34 to the pump side 70. Furthermore... Figure 4As shown, the pump housing interface 72 also includes: a plurality of sealing rings 88, each extending circumferentially around one of the output pump port 76 or the input pump port 78; and a plurality of seals 90, one of which is positioned within each sealing ring 88. Clamping the low-pressure pump 34 to the flow housing 40 compresses the seals 90 so that the low-pressure pump 34 can directly and sealingly engage with the flow housing 40 without any intermediate lines.

[0024] The flow housing body 41 also includes a filter side 71 opposite to the pump side 70 and therein forming each of a first filter receiving portion 51 for receiving a first cartridge filter 50 and a second filter receiving portion 53 for receiving a second cartridge filter 52. As described herein, each of the first filter receiving portion 51 and the second filter receiving portion 53 may be threaded such that the respective cartridge filters 50 and 52 can be rotated to engage or disengage with the flow housing 40, thereby forming the necessary seal with the flow housing 40 to guide fuel through the module 38 for pumping and filtration.

[0025] The flow housing 40 may also be provided with various ports for connecting sensors used in operating the fuel system 10 and controlling the low-pressure pump 34. The flow housing 40 forms sensor ports that are fluidly connected to one of a first filter receiving portion 51, a second filter receiving portion 53, or one of a plurality of internal fuel conduits within the flow housing 40. The fuel system 10 and module 38 also include sensors mounted in the sensor ports. In the illustrated embodiment, a first sensor port 47 is fluidly disposed between the second cartridge filter 52 and the fuel outlet 44. The flow housing 40 forms a second sensor port 49, which is fluidly disposed between the low-pressure pump 34 and the second cartridge filter 52. The fuel system 10 and module 38 may also include a first sensor mounted in the first sensor port 47 and a second sensor mounted in the second sensor port 49. Figure 2 In the illustration, a first sensor 60 and a second sensor 62 are shown mounted in a flow housing 40. Each of the first sensor 60 and the second sensor 62 may include a fluid pressure sensor. Each of the first sensor 60 and the second sensor 62 can communicate with an electronic control unit 56. As described above, sensor 60 can generate a pump outlet pressure signal. Sensor 62 can also generate a pressure signal, and the electronic control unit 56 can be configured to determine the pressure drop across the second cartridge filter 52 based on the pressure signals generated by the first sensor 60 and the second sensor 62. Additional sensor ports may be formed by the flow housing 40, and... Figure 5 The sensor port 45 is shown in the figure. The sensor port 45 can accommodate an additional sensor, such as a temperature sensor in some embodiments.

[0026] Figure 5 and6 Also shown are some of the internal fuel conduits formed by the flow housing 40 and mentioned above. An inlet conduit 92 extends from the fuel inlet 42 to the filter receiving section 71. A second conduit 94 extends from the filter receiving section 71 to the outlet pump port 76. A third conduit 96 extends from the inlet pump port 78 to the filter receiving section 53. The outlet fuel conduit 98 extends from the filter receiving section 53 to the fuel outlet 44. As described herein, another fuel inlet 59 is formed by the flow housing 40 and can contain fuel returning from the engine to the low-pressure circuit 32. It should be remembered that the multiple internal fuel conduits in the flow housing 40 form separate fuel flow paths. From Figure 5 As can be understood from the illustrations and this description, the installation of the first cartridge filter 50, the second cartridge filter 52, and the low-pressure pump 34 fluidly connects the various internal fuel conduits to ensure a continuous internal fuel flow path.

[0027] The illustrations of the locations of some sensor ports and internal fuel lines are illustrative only. Sensor port 47 is fluidly connected to the fuel flow path at a location where it is in fluid communication between the input pump port 78 and the fuel outlet 44, and is also fluidly connected to the output fuel conduit 98, as shown. Sensor port 49 is fluidly connected to the fuel flow path at a location where it is in fluid communication between the input pump port 78 and the first sensor port 47. The locations and fluid connections of sensor ports 47, 49, and 45 can be modified to connect to the fuel flow path extending from the fuel inlet 42 to the fuel outlet 44 at various other locations. For example, in some cases, it may be desirable to determine the pressure drop across the low-pressure pump 34 or across the first cartridge filter 50, and for this purpose, the sensor ports can be positioned to be fluidly connected to the fuel flow path at suitable upstream and downstream locations different from those shown. Other alternatives will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0028] Still referencing Figure 7 and 8 Additional details of the flow housing 40 are shown, including a sensor mounting interface 100 of the flow housing 40. A sensor assembly 104 is mounted to the sensor mounting interface 100, which includes a flat sensor mounting surface 102. The sensor assembly 104 may include a sensor body 106 and a plurality of sensors 108, each arranged on a sensor leg 102. The flow housing 40 forms a first sensor leg tube 112 extending from the sensor mounting surface 102 toward a filter receiving portion 51, and a second sensor leg tube 114 extending from the sensor mounting surface 102 toward a second filter receiving portion 53. Figure 7As shown, a seal 116 (e.g., an O-ring seal) extends circumferentially around the illustrated sensor pillar 110 and fluidly seals with the flow housing body 41. Also in the illustrated embodiment, each sensor 108 may include a filter identification or ID sensor to determine the filter type, manufacturer, or other information associated with the cartridge filters 50 and 52. The sensor assembly 104 may include appropriate circuitry for communication with the electronic control unit 56 and thus forms part of the control system 54. The sensors 108 may include magnetic sensors, radio frequency sensors, or other sensors configured to interact with magnets, RF tags, etc., when the cartridge filters are mounted, and are positioned by the design of the flow housing 40 and the sensor assembly 104 itself close to the cartridge filters mounted in the filter reception sections 51 and 53 for scanning and / or otherwise interacting with the cartridge filters.

[0029] Industrial applicability

[0030] During operation of fuel system 10, low-pressure pump 34 is operable to pump and filter fuel from fuel tank 26 for supply to high-pressure pump 14 via fuel supply line 46. Fuel can be drawn from fuel tank 26 by operation of pump 34 through first cartridge filter 50, then delivered through second cartridge filter 52, and then discharged through fuel outlet 44. As described above, first cartridge filter 50 may include a water separator, for example, to collect water from fuel by gravity. Fuel supplied to high-pressure pump 14 can be pressurized to injection pressure, wherein high-pressure pump 14 is operated to maintain fuel pressure in reservoir 20 at injection pressure through appropriate adjustments based on operation of electronic control unit 56. Pressurized fuel from reservoir 20 can be injected into the combustion cylinders of the associated engine via fuel injector 24 and any other fuel injector. As described herein, uninjected fuel can be returned to fuel tank 26 via return line 30, or potentially directly returned to fuel module 40.

[0031] The control system 54 is configured to monitor the outlet pressure of module 40 and adjust the pumping speed of the low-pressure pump 34 in a closed-loop manner to provide appropriate fuel flow and pressure to the high-pressure fuel circuit 12. In some earlier systems, the operation of the low-pressure delivery pump was directly coupled to the operation of the high-pressure fuel pump and the engine. According to the invention, the operation of the low-pressure pump and the high-pressure pump can be separated, and the low-pressure pump 34 is actively controlled to avoid supplying too little fuel, too much fuel, or fuel at the wrong pressure to the high-pressure side of the fuel system. This capability, in particular, enables faster engine start-up because the operation of the low-pressure fuel pump is independent of engine start-up. Furthermore, it is desirable to observe reduced pressure pulsation and a smoother overall flow rate as engine speed changes. It is also desirable to integrate various components into a separate, independent fuel module for pumping and filtration on the low-pressure side to reduce the number of lines used to deliver the necessary fuel and improve packaging.

[0032] This specification is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made to the currently disclosed embodiments without departing from the full and reasonable scope and spirit of the invention. Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from a study of the accompanying drawings and appended claims. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items and is interchangeable with “one or more”. The term “one” or similar language is used when only one item is desired. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “has”, “have”, “having”, etc., are intended to be open-ended terms. Additionally, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part” unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Claims

1. A fuel system for an engine, comprising: A high-pressure fuel circuit, the high-pressure fuel circuit including a high-pressure pump having a pump drive gear for meshing with a gear train on the engine; A low-pressure fuel circuit, the low-pressure fuel circuit including a low-pressure pump having a pump-electrically driven motor and configured to supply fuel to the high-pressure fuel circuit to pressurize it to an injection pressure; The low-pressure fuel circuit also includes a first cartridge filter, a second cartridge filter, and a flow housing; The flow casing forms a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet leading to the high-pressure fuel circuit, and multiple internal fuel conduits; as well as The low-pressure pump, the first cartridge filter, and the second cartridge filter each engage directly and sealingly with the flow housing, and together with the plurality of internal fuel conduits, connect the fuel inlet fluidly to the fuel outlet. The flow housing forms a first filter receiving section and a second filter receiving section. The fuel system also includes a filter identification sensor assembly, which is mounted in the flow housing and has a first sensor post and a second sensor post extending toward the first filter receiving portion and the second filter receiving portion, respectively.

2. The fuel system according to claim 1, wherein: The first cartridge filter is arranged upstream of the low-pressure pump to filter the fuel flow entering the low-pressure pump from the fuel inlet; The second cartridge filter is arranged downstream of the low-pressure pump to filter the fuel stream output from the low-pressure pump to the fuel outlet; The flow housing forms an output pump port and an input pump port, and the low-pressure pump is mounted on the flow housing and fluidly connected to each of the output pump port and the input pump port; The flow housing forms a sensor port that is fluidly connected to one of the first filter receiving portion, the second filter receiving portion, or one of the plurality of internal fuel conduits, and the fuel system further includes a sensor installed in the sensor port.

3. The fuel system according to claim 2, wherein: The sensor includes a pressure sensor configured to generate a pump outlet pressure signal, and the fuel system also includes a proportional controller coupled to the electric drive motor and configured to change the speed of the low-pressure pump based on the pump outlet pressure signal.

4. The fuel system according to claim 1, wherein: The flow housing further includes: a pump side having a plurality of threaded bolt holes formed therein and receiving bolts for clamping the low-pressure pump to the pump side; and a filter side opposite to the pump side and having a first threaded cylindrical receiving portion and a second threaded cylindrical receiving portion formed therein and respectively receiving the first cylindrical filter and the second cylindrical filter.

5. A fuel module for pumping and filtering fuel in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: A flow housing forms a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, the fuel inlet being used to receive fuel to be pumped and filtered in the fuel module; The flow housing also forms an output pump port and an input pump port, a first cylindrical receiving portion for fluid positioning between the fuel inlet and the output pump port, and a second cylindrical receiving portion for fluid positioning between the input pump port and the fuel outlet; A first cartridge filter is installed in the first cartridge receiving section and connects the fuel inlet fluid to the output pump port; A second cartridge filter is installed in the second cartridge receiving section and fluidly connects the input pump port to the fuel outlet; as well as A low-pressure pump having a pump-driven motor and attached to the flow housing, such that the low-pressure pump is fluidly connected to the output pump port and the input pump port; The flow housing includes a filter side having a first cylindrical receiving portion and a second cylindrical receiving portion formed therein; The filter identifies the sensor assembly, which is installed in the flow housing and has a first sensor post and a second sensor post, the first sensor post and the second sensor post extending toward the first cylindrical receiving portion and the second cylindrical receiving portion, respectively.

6. The fuel module according to claim 5, wherein: The flow housing includes a pump side having a flat pump mounting surface; The flow housing forms a first sensor port and a second sensor port, each sensor port being fluidly arranged between the low-pressure pump and the fuel outlet; A plurality of threaded bolt holes are formed in the pump side, and bolts are also included that are received in the plurality of threaded bolt holes and clamp the low-pressure pump to the pump side; and Each of the first and second cylindrical receiving parts is threaded.

7. The fuel module according to claim 6, further comprising: A first seal and a second seal are sandwiched between the flow housing and the low-pressure pump, and respectively provide fluid seals around the output pump port and the input pump port. as well as A first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor are respectively installed in the first sensor port and the second sensor port.

8. A flow housing for a pumping and filtering fuel module in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: The flow housing body includes a pump side having a pump-housing interface configured for pipeline-free installation of the pump, and the pump-housing interface includes a flat pump mounting surface, wherein an output pump port and an input pump port formed by the flow housing are surrounded by the flat pump mounting surface; the pump-housing interface includes a plurality of bolt holes formed in the flow housing body for bolting the pump to the flow housing body; The flow housing body also includes a filter side opposite to the pump side, and has each of a first filter receiving portion and a second filter receiving portion formed therein, the first filter receiving portion being configured to receive a first cartridge filter and the second filter receiving portion being configured to receive a second cartridge filter. The flow housing body also forms a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and multiple internal fuel conduits. The fuel inlet is used to contain fuel to be pumped and filtered in the pumping and filtering fuel module; and The plurality of internal fuel conduits form separate fuel flow paths extending between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet and interrupted at the pump-housing interface, the first filter receiving portion, and the second filter receiving portion, such that the fuel flow paths are continuous when the pump, the first cartridge filter, and the second cartridge filter are installed. The housing body also includes a sensor mounting interface, which includes a sensor mounting surface, a first sensor support tube extending from the sensor mounting surface toward the first filter receiving portion, and a second sensor support tube extending from the sensor mounting surface toward the second filter receiving portion.

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