Fuel pump housing

Abstract

A fuel pump housing includes a body that has a bottom portion. A fuel filter is located adjacent the bottom portion, and contacts the body so that electricity, such as static electricity, is conducted between the body and the fuel filter. A ground connection dissipates, or limits, electricity in both the body and the fuel filter.

1 . A fuel pump housing, comprising:
 a body of an electrically conductive material having a bottom portion;   a fuel filter located at the bottom portion, and being in contact with the body whereby electricity is conducted therebetween; and   a ground connection contacting at least one of the body or the fuel filter to dissipate electricity in both the body and the fuel filter.   
     
     
         2 . The fuel pump housing of  claim 1  wherein the bottom portion defines a plurality of openings that constitute the fuel filter. 
     
     
         3 . The fuel pump housing of  claim 1  wherein the fuel filter extends over an opening that is defined in the bottom portion. 
     
     
         4 . The fuel pump housing of  claim 3  wherein the fuel filter is a film attached over the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel pump housing of  claim 3  wherein the fuel filter is a screen attached over the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel pump housing of  claim 1  wherein the ground connection is a single ground connection and is the only ground connection for the body and the fuel filter. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel pump housing of  claim 1  wherein the ground connection is formed by direct contact between the body and a vehicle body. 
     
     
         8 . The fuel pump housing of  claim 1  further comprising a connecting device extending between the body and the ground connection. 
     
     
         9 . The fuel pump housing of  claim 8  wherein the connecting device includes a screw and an electric wire. 
     
     
         10 . The fuel pump housing of  claim 8  wherein the ground connection is formed at a vehicle power supply. 
     
     
         11 . The fuel pump housing of  claim 8  wherein the ground connection is formed at a negative terminal of a fuel pump. 
     
     
         12 . The fuel pump housing of  claim 8  wherein the ground connection is formed at a vehicle body. 
     
     
         13 . An assembly, comprising:
 a housing having a body with a bottom portion, the housing having a fuel filter located at the bottom portion and conducting electricity to the body, the housing also having a single ground connection directly contacting one or both of the fuel filter and the body, the ground connection being adapted to contact ground in order to dissipate electricity in both the body and the fuel filter; and   a fuel pump held at least partially within the housing.   
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13  wherein the ground connection dissipates static electricity that is generated in the fuel filter. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 13  wherein the bottom portion defines a plurality of openings that constitute the fuel filter. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 13  wherein the fuel filter extends over an opening that is defined in the bottom portion. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 13  further comprising a connecting device extending between the body and the ground connection. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein the ground connection is formed at a vehicle power supply. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein the ground connection is formed at a negative terminal of the fuel pump. 
     
     
         20 . An assembly, comprising:
 a housing having a body with a bottom portion, the housing having a fuel filter located at the bottom portion to conduct electricity to the body, the housing also having a single ground connection that dissipates static electricity in the body and in the fuel filter, and the housing having a connecting device extending between the body and the ground connection to conduct electricity therebetween; and   a fuel pump held at least partially within the housing.