Filters for use with fuel pumps and fuel pumps having such filters

Abstract

A filter ( 8 ) for use with a fuel pump ( 1 ) has a filter body ( 9 ) and a filter element ( 10 ) coupled to the filter body. The filter body is adapted to be attached to the fuel pump and has an opening ( 9 a ) for communicating with an inlet channel ( 3 b, 4 b ) of the fuel pump that opens in an outer surface of the fuel pump in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (L) of the fuel pump. The filter element defines a filter chamber ( 10 c ) that communicates with the opening of the filter body. The filter element extends along at least a part of the outer surface of the fuel pump.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A filter for use with a fuel pump, the fuel pump including an inlet channel which opens in an outer surface of the fuel pump in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fuel pump, comprising: 
 a filter body arranged and constructed to be attached to the fuel pump and having an opening for communicating with the inlet channel of the fuel pump; and    a filter element coupled to the filter body and defining a filter chamber, wherein the filter chamber communicates with the opening of the filter body, and the filter element is configured to extend along at least a part of the outer surface of the fuel pump.    
     
     
         2 . A filter as in  claim 1 , wherein the filter element extends in a circumferential direction of the outer surface of the fuel pump.  
     
     
         3 . A filter as in  claim 2 , wherein the fuel pump has a closed end in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the fuel pump, and the filter element extends along the closed end of the fuel pump.  
     
     
         4 . A filter as in  claim 3 , wherein the filter element has a substantially circular configuration and extends along substantially the entire circumferential length of the outer surface of the fuel pump.  
     
     
         5 . A filter as in  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the filter chamber is delimited by an outer surface of the filter body.  
     
     
         6 . A filter as in  claim 1 , wherein the filter body is arranged and constructed to be attached to the fuel pump in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuel pump.  
     
     
         7 . A filter as in  claim 6 , wherein the filter body is configured to receive at least a portion of the outer surface of the fuel pump including a closed end in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the fuel pump.  
     
     
         8 . A filter as in  claim 1 , wherein the fuel pump is adapted to be mounted within a fuel tank that has an insertion opening for inserting the fuel pump into the fuel tank.  
     
     
         9 . A filter as in  claim 8 , wherein the filter body is fitted onto the fuel pump from a side opposing to a bottom wall of the fuel tank when the fuel pump is mounted within the fuel tank.  
     
     
         10 . A filter as in  claim 8 , wherein an area of the filter element as viewed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuel pump is smaller than an area of the insertion opening of the fuel tank.  
     
     
         11 . A filter as in  claim 8 , wherein the filter body has a bottom portion that oppose to a bottom wall of the fuel tank when the fuel pump is mounted within the fuel tank, and further including a spacer disposed between the bottom portion of the filter body and the bottom wall of the fuel tank, so that the filter element does not contact the bottom wall of the fuel tank.  
     
     
         12 . A filter as in  claim 11 , wherein the spacer comprises at least one projection that extends from the bottom portion of the filter body.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a fuel pump having a longitudinal axis, an outer surface and an inlet channel, wherein the inlet channel opens at the outer surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fuel pump, and    a filter including a filter body and a filter element coupled to the filter body, wherein the filter body is arranged and constructed to be attached to the fuel pump and includes an opening for communicating with the inlet channel of the fuel pump, and the filter element defines a filter chamber communicating with the opening of the filter body and is configured to extend along at least a part of the outer surface of the fuel pump.    
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as in  claim 13 , wherein the filter element extends in a circumferential direction of the outer surface of the pump housing.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as in  claim 14 , wherein the fuel pump has a closed end in a direction along the longitudinal axis, and the filter element further extends along the closed end of the fuel pump.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as in  claim 13 , wherein at least a part of the filter chamber is delimited by an outer surface of the filter body.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as in  claim 13 , further including a fuel tank, wherein the fuel tank has an insertion opening for inserting the fuel pump into the fuel tank, and the filter body is fitted onto the fuel pump from a side opposing to a bottom wall of the fuel tank when the fuel pump is mounted within the fuel tank.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as in  claim 17 , wherein an area of the filter element as viewed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuel pump is smaller than an area of the insertion opening of the fuel tank.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as in  claim 17 , wherein the filter body has a bottom portion that oppose to a bottom wall of the fuel tank when the fuel pump is mounted within the fuel tank, and further including a spacer disposed between the bottom portion of the filter body and the bottom wall of the fuel tank, so that the filter element does not contact the bottom wall of the fuel tank.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as in  claim 19 , wherein the spacer comprises at least one projection that extends from the bottom portion of the filter body.