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A system and method is provided for automatically priming a fuel system by bleeding/purging air or vapor therefrom. The system includes a bleed valve configured to automatically move between three positions in response to the pressure of the fuel in the system. When fuel pressure is in a first press

A system and method is provided for automatically priming a fuel system by bleeding/purging air or vapor therefrom. The system includes a bleed valve configured to automatically move between three positions in response to the pressure of the fuel in the system. When fuel pressure is in a first pressure range, the bleed valve automatically moves to a first-closed position for preventing fuel from draining to the fuel tank and thereby drawing air into the fuel system. When the fuel pressure moves to a second, higher pressure range, the bleed valve automatically moves to an open position for bleeding air out of the fuel system and into the tank, thereby priming the fuel system. When the fuel pressure moves to a third, still higher pressure range, the bleed valve automatically moves to a second-closed position so as to not interfere with the regulation of the pressure regulating valve.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A bleed valve fluidly connected to a fuel line for automatically bleeding air or vapor from the fuel line, the bleed valve comprising: a cylindrical valve body, comprising: first and second ends; a cylindrical chamber located between the first and second ends; an inlet formed in the fi

We claim: 1. A bleed valve fluidly connected to a fuel line for automatically bleeding air or vapor from the fuel line, the bleed valve comprising: a cylindrical valve body, comprising: first and second ends; a cylindrical chamber located between the first and second ends; an inlet formed in the first end of the valve body and fluidly connected to the fuel line; and an outlet formed in the valve body between the first and second ends; a cylindrical plunger slideably positioned in the chamber, the plunger comprising: first and second ends; an outer surface; a bore formed in the first end of the plunger and in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve body; and a passageway extending between the bore and outer surface of the plunger; a biasing spring disposed in the chamber, proximate to the second end of the valve body, the biasing spring configured to bias the plunger toward the first end of the valve body; wherein the plunger is movable in the chamber between first, second, and third positions, the plunger is in the first position when the passageway of the plunger is positioned axially below the outlet of the valve body, the plunger is in the second position when the outlet of the valve body and the passageway of the plunger are in fluid communication, the plunger is in the third position when the passageway of the plunger is positioned axially above the outlet of the valve body and the plunger blocks flow through the outlet of the valve body; and wherein the plunger is in the first position when the fuel pressure in the fuel line is in a first pressure range, the plunger is in the second position when the fuel pressure in the fuel line is in a second pressure range greater than the first pressure range, and the plunger is in the third position when the fuel pressure in the fuel line is at any pressure greater than the second pressure range. 2. A fluid system, comprising: a tank; a pump configured to draw fluid from the tank and provide fluid flow to the system; an automatic bleed valve, and a return passage fluidly interconnecting the automatic bleed valve and the tank; the automatic bleed valve configured to close when fluid pressure is in a first pressure range for preventing the fluid from entering the return passage, the automatic bleed valve configured to open when fluid pressure is in a second, higher pressure range for permitting air or vapor to enter the return passage and flow to the tank, the automatic bleed valve configured to close when fluid pressure is in a third, still higher pressure range. 3. The fluid system of claim 2, wherein fluid pressure is the fluid pressure at an inlet of the automatic bleed valve. 4. The fluid system of claim 2, wherein the fluid system is a fuel system for delivering fuel to an internal combustion engine. 5. The fluid system of claim 4, further comprising: a fuel injector, wherein the pump is fluidly connected between the tank and the fuel injector, the automatic bleed valve is fluidly connected between the pump and the fuel injector, and the return passage fluidly interconnects the automatic bleed valve and the tank so as to bypass the fuel injector. 6. The fuel system of claim 5, wherein the return passage bypasses a pressure regulating valve. 7. The fuel system of claim 2, wherein the first pressure range is between 0 and 5 psi, the second pressure range is between 5 and 30 psi, and the third pressure range is greater than 30 psi. 8. A bleed valve fluidly connected to a fuel line for automatically bleeding air or vapor from the fuel line, the bleed valve comprising: a valve body having first and second ends, the valve body comprising: a first chamber; an inlet formed in the first end of the valve body and fluidly connected to the fuel line, and an outlet, and a first plunger slideably positioned in the first chamber and having first and second ends and an outer surface, the first plunger comprising: a bore formed in the first end of the first plunger and in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve body, and a passage extending between the bore and outer surface of the first plunger; wherein the bleed valve is movable between a first-closed position, an open position, and a second-closed position; and wherein the bleed valve is in the first-closed position when the fuel pressure at the inlet of the valve body is between 0 and approximately 5 psi, the bleed valve is in the open position when the fuel pressure at the inlet of the valve body is between approximately 5 and approximately 30 psi, and the bleed valve is in the second-closed position when the fuel pressure at the inlet of the valve body is at any pressure greater than approximately 30 psi. 9. The bleed valve of claim 8, wherein the bleed valve is in the first-closed position when the passage of the first plunger is positioned axially below the outlet of the valve body, the bleed valve is in the open position for bleeding air or vapor from the fuel line when the outlet of the valve body and the passage of the first plunger are in fluid communication, and the bleed valve is in the second-closed position when the passage of the first plunger is positioned axially above the outlet of the valve body. 10. The bleed valve of claim 8, further comprising: a first spring element disposed in the first chamber, proximate to the second end of the valve body, the first spring element configured to bias the first plunger toward the first end of the valve body. 11. The bleed valve of claim 10, further comprising: a second plunger slideably positioned in the bore of the first plunger. 12. The bleed valve of claim 11, further comprising: a second spring element disposed in the bore of the first plunger configured to bias the second plunger toward the first end of the valve body. 13. The bleed valve of claim 12, wherein the bleed valve is in the first-closed position when the second plunger closes off the inlet of the valve body. 14. The bleed valve of claim 12, wherein the bleed valve is in the open position when the second spring element is compressed and the second plunger is retracted into the bore allowing fuel to pass through passage of the first plunger and the outlet of the valve body. 15. The bleed valve of claim 12, wherein the bleed valve is in the second-closed position when the first spring element is compressed and the first plunger retracts into the chamber closing off the outlet of the valve body. 16. The bleed valve of claim 8, wherein the outlet of the valve body is in fluid communication with a return passage. 17. The bleed valve of claim 16, wherein the return passage is in fluid communication with a fuel tank. 18. A method of regulating a fluid system, comprising: pumping fluid from a tank to the fluid system; preventing fluid from draining back to the tank through a first valve when the fluid pressure is below a second range; allowing fluid to drain back to the tank through the first valve when the fluid pressure is in the second pressure range; preventing fluid from draining back to the tank through the first valve when the fluid pressure is above the second range; and maintaining the fluid pressure at a value above the second range by utilizing a second valve.