Fuel tank filler neck check valve
US5660206A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/86372
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A filler neck of a fuel tank extends from the gas cap to the interior of a fuel tank, and a fill valve insert is positioned adjacent the tank-interior end of the filler neck in a tank/neck coupler construction. The insert carries a flexible valve to close the interior end of the filler neck, and the valve is designed and mounted both to flex open and bodily move downstream to both open and rapidly enlarge the valve opened passageway in response to rapid inflow of fuel to the tank, and to return and revert to a closed position upon cessation of fuel inflow. The fill valve insert is positively positioned and held in the interior of a threaded spout on the fuel tank and is retained and sealed against the filler pipe by a threaded collar screwed onto the threaded spout. In the event the filler neck is pulled loose from its frictional clamp fit in the tank/spout collar by vehicle crash forces, the tank spout will remain closed and sealed by the valve insert remaining retained by the collar in the spout to thereby prevent fuel spillage from the tank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.