In a feed pump designed as a side-channel pump, an impeller is held so as to be slightly pivotable with respect to a shaft about an axis running transversely to the shaft. The impeller is thereby adaptable to tolerances of a casing. Rubbing of the impeller on the casing is also prevented as a result. The feed pump consequently generates a particularly low level of noise.
A multiple-channel, single stage, turbine fuel pump impeller, preferably for use with vehicle fuel delivery systems. The impeller includes independent inner and outer vane arrays concentrically disposed to one another and radially spaced apart. The inner and outer vane arrays respectively communicate with independent inner and outer pumping chambers, each of which receives fuel at an inlet end from a common fuel inlet passage and expels fuel at an outlet end into a common fuel outlet passage. Furthermore, the pumping efficiency and overall performance of the pump is increased by utilizing an impeller where each vane: i) includes a linear root segment and a curved tip segment, ii) has a V-shape that opens in the direction of rotation, and iii) includes a rounded surface or radius on a trailing edge, to name but a few of the attributes of the vanes.
A single stage, dual channel turbine fuel pump for use in a vehicle fuel delivery system, generally including a lower casing, an upper casing, an impeller and a motor. Both the lower and upper casings have a pair of concentric, annular grooves formed on their surfaces, where the two lower annular grooves are in fluid communication with a fuel passage inlet and the two upper annular grooves are in fluid communication with a fuel passage outlet. Rotation of the impeller causes a portion of the incoming fuel to be diverted into an inner lower groove and another portion into an outer lower groove. Once in the lower grooves, the fuel communicates with other parts of the pumping chamber such that it fills the upper grooves as well. Generally independent, helical fuel flow patterns are formed which cause the fuel to become pressurized as it flows from the inlet to the outlet. These helical fuel flow patterns allow for axial communication between vane pockets and corresponding grooves, but do not allow for radial communication.
