Patent Grant
7926522
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid fuel filler system for use with an automotive vehicle. The filler system has a selectively employable sealing device for use with the outer portion of a capless filler neck.
2. Disclosure Information
Automotive designers have worked for some time to develop capless fuel filler systems eliminating the need for motorists to remove a separate fuel cap prior to refueling a vehicle. So-called “capless” systems generally perform well. However, in environments characterized by high levels of contamination such as dust, mud, snow and slush, as well as other types of road splash, it is possible for the antechamber extending between the outmost part of the fuel filler and the sealing door, which is pushed aside by the filler nozzle or other device, to become charged with contaminants which may then be permitted to enter the fuel tank of the vehicle when a fuel nozzle is placed into the filler neck. It would therefore be desirable to have an external closure plug to prevent the buildup of such contamination with vehicles placed in severe service. However, it is not desirable to design, tool and supply multiple fuel filler closure devices for any particular line of vehicles.
It would be desirable to have a capless fill system which may be used with or without an external closure plug, and without the need for any modification or multiple types of closure devices.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a fuel filler system for an automotive vehicle includes a filler pipe having a first end adapted for connection to a fuel tank, and a second end for receiving fuel. A capless closure device is attached to the second end of the filler pipe. The closure device includes a valve body having a combination fuel and nozzle passage extending therethrough, and a nozzle-actuated valve mounted within the combination passage. The valve has a sealing position and a filling position. An anti-contamination seal is mounted about an external portion of the fuel passage. According to another aspect of the present invention, the fuel filler system further includes an anti-contamination plug adapted to be inserted into the combination passage so as to sealingly engage the anti-contamination seal.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a contaminant drain is located within the combination passage at a position outboard of the nozzle-actuated valve. The contaminant drain also functions to prevent excessive vacuum from building within a fuel tank connected with the filler pipe in the event that flow through the tank's evaporative emission control system becomes impaired.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the anti-contamination seal includes an elastomeric ring molded upon the outermost portion of the capless closure device's valve body, about the periphery of the combination passage.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the anti-contamination plug may be lockable so as to prevent tampering with the fuel system.
It is an advantage of a fuel filler system according to the present invention that the system may be offered both with and without anti-contamination plug, without the need for changing the valve body of the capless closure device.
It is a concomitant advantage of a fuel filler system according to the present invention that the same system may be employed usefully in a variety of environments characterized by either high or low ambient contamination.
Other advantages, as well as features of the present invention, will become apparent to the reader of this specification.
As shown in
As shown in
Prevention of contamination intrusion into filler pipe 14 is aided by a contaminant drain including inlet basin 38, which is located within passage 26, at a position outboard of nozzle-actuated valve 30, but inboard of anti-contamination seal 34. Inlet basin 38 is connected to a drain line, 42, which allows contaminants to drop overboard to the exterior of the vehicle, so as not to build up in the space extending between door 32 and outer face 24 of valve body 22. Inlet basin 38 and drain line 42 also function as a vacuum relief to prevent unwanted vacuum from building within filler pipe 14, as well as within a fuel tank (not shown) attached to filler pipe 14.
Anti-contamination plug 46, which is shown in detail in
When anti-contamination plug 46 is mounted to valve body 22 as illustrated in
Although the present invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that various modifications, alterations, and adaptations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20090056829 A1 | Mar 2009 | US |
