Jet Pump and Filter Assembly Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production and assembly of fuel system components, such as fluid-driven pumps and filters, for vehicles with odd-shaped fuel tanks are difficult, costly, and time-consuming due to their complex nature and the need for precise alignment and integration.
Innovation Solution
A jet pump design featuring a main body and a separate jet component, where the main body is formed from non-metal materials and the jet from metal, with a unique inlet and outlet passage configuration that increases fluid velocity and pressure, facilitating efficient fluid transfer and integration with filters and pressure regulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fuel pickups and fluid driven pumps are used to move fuel from remote portions of the tank, then fuel transfer capability is improved, but the number of components and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel pickup function and fluid driven pump function into a single integrated assembly. The pump body directly receives fuel from the tank through integrated pickup openings, eliminating the need for separate fuel pickup components. This merging reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the ability to transfer fuel from remote tank portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a fuel pickup device and a fluid driven pump. The same housing that contains the pump mechanism also provides the fuel pickup openings and receives fuel directly from the tank, making the component universal and eliminating the need for dedicated separate pickup components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components like fuel pickups, fluid driven pumps, and filters are used, then functional requirements are met, but production and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pump body, pickup openings, and filter assembly into a single manufactured unit. The pump body is formed as one piece with integrated pickup openings, and the filter assembly is positioned within the same housing, reducing the number of separate manufacturing steps and assembly operations required.
Solution Approach 2:
While integrating components, the patent maintains functional segmentation by keeping the jet as a separate insertable component within the pump body. This allows the main body to be manufactured as a single piece while still enabling modular assembly of the jet component, balancing manufacturing ease with functional separation where needed.
3Productivity
If complex integration of jet pump and filter assembly is achieved, then fluid transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the filter assembly directly within the pump housing and aligning the filter outlet with the pump intake passage, the patent eliminates the need for precise external alignment between separate filter and pump components. The integrated design ensures proper alignment is built into the single manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump body is pre-formed with integrated pickup openings and passage alignments before the jet component is inserted. This preliminary formation of the body geometry ensures that when the jet is later inserted, the alignment requirements are already satisfied by the pre-configured passages and openings in the body.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The jet pump design enhances the efficiency of fluid transfer and reduces assembly complexity, improving the overall fuel system's performance and reducing production costs by allowing for easier integration with various fuel system components.
Implementation Method 1
a jet carried by the main body and having a jet inlet communicated with the inlet passage so that fluid flowing in the inlet passage flows through the jet inlet, and a jet outlet having a flow area less than the jet inlet
Data Source
AI summary
In at least some implementations, a jet pump includes a main body having a first inlet, an inlet passage communicated with the inlet, a second inlet, an intake passage communicated with the second inlet, an outlet, and an outlet passage communicated with the outlet and with the intake passage, a jet carried by the main body and having a jet inlet communicated with the inlet passage so that fluid flowing in the inlet passage flows through the jet inlet, and a jet outlet having a flow area less than the jet inlet and less than the inlet passage. The main body is formed in one piece and the jet is a separate piece of material that is inserted into the inlet passage after the main body has been formed.