Abstract: A fuel tank inlet assembly for receiving fuel during automatic vehicle fueling and a pump assembly for delivering fuel during automatic vehicle fueling and the combination thereof. The fuel tank inlet assembly includes a fuel conduit with a fuel exit for operative connection with a fuel tank and the pump assembly includes a fuel nozzle for operative connection with the inlet assembly. One preferred embodiment of the invention includes a positioning system which utilizes inductive triangulation to connect the pump assembly to the inlet assembly.

Abstract: A fuel tank inlet assembly for receiving fuel during automatic vehicle fueling and a pump assembly for delivering fuel during automatic vehicle fueling and the combination thereof. The fuel tank inlet assembly includes a fuel conduit with a fuel exit for operative connection with a fuel tank and the pump assembly includes a fuel nozzle for operative connection with the inlet assembly. One preferred embodiment of the invention includes a positioning system which utilizes inductive triangulation to connect the pump assembly to the inlet assembly.

Abstract: A decorative pipe protector that can be positioned around a copper water supply pipe to both provide a decorative appearance and protect the copper water supply pipe from corrosion. The pipe protector includes a trim tube extending axially between a first end and a second end. The trim tube includes an inner surface having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the water supply pipe such that the trim tube can be slid onto the water supply pipe. The second end of the trim tube includes an attachment portion formed along its inner surface having a reduced diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the water supply pipe. The attachment portion of the trim tube is sweat soldered to the outer diameter of the water supply pipe to provide a liquid-tight seal between the two components. The second end of the trim tube includes external threads that receive a water shut-off valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a plurality of workpieces in a tightly spaced array within a guide block. The apparatus of the invention includes an insertion head mounted to a robot assembly arm. The insertion head includes a pair of resiliently mounted gripper fingers that can be operated to pick up an individual workpiece from a supply station. The gripper fingers include a spring member that biases the gripper fingers into an engagement position. Once the workpiece has been acquired by the insertion head, the insertion head is used to alternately rotate the workpiece while applying a downward force to slide the workpiece into the defined location within a receptacle. After the workpiece has been inserted, the gripper fingers are moved to their retracted position to press the workpiece completely downward into the receptacle.