Fuel tank filler neck with bypass passage
US5947153A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 26, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/86332
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved filler neck for a fuel inlet of a vehicle fuel tank has a bend communicating with converging and diverging portions which control the flow of fuel through the filler neck to ensure that fuel flows through and downstream of the bend without backing up in the filler neck and actuating an automatic shutoff device of a refueling nozzle received in the filler neck. The filler neck also preferably has a bypass fuel passage through which fuel flows upstream through the filler neck and out to the atmosphere if a predetermined maximum pressure is exceeded within the fuel tank to limit the maximum pressure within the fuel tank and prevent it from being damaged or rupturing. Several angled ribs in the filler neck housing guide the refueling nozzle for proper positioning within the filler neck. Other ribs also provide gaps between the refueling nozzle and the filler neck housing to prevent the refueling nozzle from sealing the filler neck inlet. Slots at the nozzle interface provide a vent area to prevent a vacuum from being generated in the filler neck even when used with a refueling nozzle designed to provide a vapor tight seal at the refueling inlet to prevent liquid fuel from b…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.