Retention plate for fuel pump module

Abstract

A fuel tank assembly includes a tank defining an aperture on a first generally planar surface. A plurality of retaining members extend outwardly from the first planar surface and are arranged generally around the aperture. A fuel sender assembly is disposed in the tank and adapted to mate with the first planar surface of the tank around the aperture in an assembled position. The fuel sender assembly defines a second generally planar surface. A retention plate is adapted to engage the plurality of retaining members and urge the fuel sender flange against the first planar surface of the tank in the assembled position. The retention plate includes a central body portion laterally offset from and adapted to substantially cover the second planar surface of the fuel sender flange in the assembled position.

1 . A fuel tank assembly comprising: 
 a tank defining an aperture on a first generally planar surface;    a plurality of retaining members extending outwardly from said first planar surface and arranged generally around said aperture;    a fuel sender assembly disposed in said tank and adapted to mate with said first planar surface of said tank around said aperture in an assembled position, said fuel sender assembly defining a second generally planar surface; and    a retention plate adapted to engage said plurality of retaining members and urge said fuel sender flange against said first planar surface of said tank in said assembled position, said retention plate having a central body portion laterally offset from and adapted to substantially cover said second planar surface of said fuel sender assembly in said assembled position.    
   
   
       2 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 1  wherein said retention plate includes a radial flange adapted to cooperate with said retaining members in said assembled position.  
   
   
       3 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 2  wherein said retention plate includes a radial wall extending between said radial flange and said central body portion.  
   
   
       4 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 3  wherein said radial wall extends substantially transverse to said second planar surface of said fuel sender assembly.  
   
   
       5 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 4  wherein said radial wall defines at least one opening adapted to receive a fuel delivery line and a fuel return line therethrough, said fuel delivery line and said fuel return line, respectively, communicating with said fuel sender assembly.  
   
   
       6 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 5  wherein said at least one opening is adapted to receive an electrical connection therethrough, said electrical connection adapted to connect with an electrical receiver arranged on said second planar surface of said fuel sender assembly.  
   
   
       7 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 6  wherein said central body portion defines a passage adapted to provide access to said electrical receiver and said electrical connection.  
   
   
       8 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 7  wherein said retention plate is rotatable between said assembled position wherein said retention plate engages said retaining members, and a release position wherein said retention plate is disengaged from said retaining members.  
   
   
       9 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 8  wherein said at least one opening provides clearance for said fuel delivery line, said fuel return line and said electrical connection, respectively, to accommodate rotation of said retention plate between said assembled position and said release position.  
   
   
       10 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 1  wherein said retention plate is comprised of stamped steel.  
   
   
       11 . A retention plate for securing a fuel sender assembly to an aperture defined on a planar surface of a fuel tank, said retention plate comprising: 
 a radial flange adapted to cooperate with retaining members extending from the fuel tank in an assembled position;    a central body portion laterally offset from and adapted to substantially cover said fuel sender assembly in said assembled position; and    a radial wall extending between said radial flange and said central body portion;    wherein said retention plate is adapted to couple the fuel sender assembly to the fuel tank.    
   
   
       12 . The retention plate of  claim 11  wherein said radial wall extends substantially transverse to the planar surface of the fuel tank.  
   
   
       13 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 12  wherein said radial wall defines at least one opening adapted to receive a fuel delivery and fuel return line therethrough, said fuel delivery line and said fuel return line, respectively, communicating with the fuel sender assembly.  
   
   
       14 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 13  wherein said at least one opening is adapted to receive an electrical connection therethrough, said electrical connection adapted to connect with an electrical receiver arranged on said second planar surface of the fuel sender assembly.  
   
   
       15 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 14  wherein said central body portion defines a passage adapted to provide access to said electrical receiver and said electrical connection.  
   
   
       16 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 15  wherein said retention plate is rotatable between an assembled position wherein said retention plate engages said retaining members, and a release position wherein said retention plate is disengaged from said retaining members.  
   
   
       17 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 16  wherein said at least one opening provides clearance for said fuel delivery line, said fuel return line and said electrical connection, respectively, to accommodate rotation of said retention plate between said assembled position and said release position.  
   
   
       18 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 11  wherein said retention plate is comprised of stamped steel.  
   
   
       19 . A method of assembling a fuel sender assembly to a fuel tank comprising: 
 inserting the fuel sender assembly into an aperture defined by a planar wall of the fuel tank, the fuel sender assembly including a fuel sender flange resting radially around said aperture on said planar wall of the fuel tank;    passing a fuel delivery line and a fuel return line through at least one opening formed on a retention plate, said at least one opening formed on a radial wall of said retention plate; and    securing said retention plate to the fuel tank thereby capturing said fuel sender flange in a secured position between a radial flange extending from said retention plate and said planar wall of said fuel tank, said retention plate having a central body portion extending substantially offset from and covering said fuel sender assembly in said secured position.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 passing an electrical connection through said at least one opening in said retention plate;    accessing said electrical connection through a passage formed on said central body portion; and    coupling said electrical connection to an electrical receiver extending from said fuel sender assembly.