Parker-Hannifin Corporation
Integral pump pressure relief valve

Abstract:

A fuel pump includes a cartridge removably received within a canister. The cartridge includes a motor assembly, and a pump assembly that includes a centrifugal pumping element and outlet porting from the centrifugal pumping element. The motor drives the centrifugal pumping element to generate a flow of fluid through a main flow pathway between a pump inlet and outlet through the outlet porting of the pump assembly. The cartridge further includes a pressure relief valve that is movable between a closed position and an open position, and defines a pressure relief flow pathway integrally within the cartridge from the outlet porting to inlet porting of the centrifugal pumping element. When pressure within the pump assembly exceeds a threshold pressure, the pressure relief valve moves from the closed position to the open position to permit a relief flow of fluid through the relief flow pathway. The fuel pump may be employed as part of an aircraft fuel system.