FUEL TANK FILLER NECK AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME
A filler neck assembly includes a funnel member having a tubular body defining a transition portion between an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a nozzle receptor disposed within the tubular body. The nozzle receptor positions a nozzle relative to the transition portion to create a suctioning effect that prevents fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere during fueling.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/615,485 filed on Jul. 8, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/998,113 filed on Nov. 30, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,459), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,103 filed on Dec. 3, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,330,893). The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the fuel tank filler neck connected to the gas tank of an automobile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONGas tank fuel systems with reduced gasoline vapor loss are becoming increasingly important in the automobile industry to reduce needless loss of fuel. The typical solution to this problem has been to reduce the diameter of at least a section of the fuel tank filler neck. Though this approach has been somewhat successful, it is limited because as the diameter of the filler neck is decreased, the resistance to flow of the gasoline is increased. The increased resistance causes the fill neck to become filled during vehicle refueling thereby blocking release of any pressure buildup and causing the fuel nozzle to shut off prematurely before the fuel tank is full. Another consideration in preventing the loss of fuel, is the permeability of the materials from which the fuel tank system is made. Fuel vapors escape by diffusing through the various types of mild steels of which components of fuel tank systems are typically made. This fuel escape is particularly apparent after the mild steel components have corroded to any degree.
Another disadvantage of the current methods of reducing gasoline vapor losses is that typically the end of the gas line filler neck is flared out in order to provide a sufficient diameter to accept the gas nozzle during refueling. These filler necks are often made by a process of repeated reductions and expansions of a seamed welded tube. Accordingly, there is an increasing tendency for the integrity of the weld to leak as thinner diameter tubes are utilized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA filler neck assembly includes a funnel member having a tubular body defining a transition portion between an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a nozzle receptor disposed within the tubular body. The nozzle receptor positions a nozzle relative to the transition portion to create a suctioning effect that prevents fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere during fueling.
The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
With reference to
One end of funnel member 8 is defined by inlet opening 10 which is attached to nozzle receptor 12. Gas cap 14 screws directly into nozzle receptor 12. Fuel tank system 4 attaches to automobile body 16 through opening 18. Movable cover 20 conceals gas cap 14 when the vehicle is not being refueled. The other end of funnel member 8 is defined by outlet opening 22 that is attached to elongated tube member 24. Elongated tube member 24 attaches to fuel tank 26.
During refueling gas cap 14 is removed and gas nozzle 6 is inserted into nozzle receptor 12. Fuel flows out of gas nozzle 6 into funnel member 8. Funnel member 8 induces a swirling motion in the fuel as the fuel proceeds to flow into elongated tube member 24. The swirling motion of the fuel continues as the fuel fills fuel tank 26. The swirling motion of the fuel created by funnel member 8, creates a suctioning effect that prevents fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere during refueling. The swirling motion of the fuel also creates a central void that allows any pressure buildups created during refueling to vent, thereby preventing premature shutoff of the fuel nozzle. Vent tube 25 connects to funnel member 8 at funnel vent hole 27 and to fuel tank 26 at fuel tank hole 29. Vent tube 27 allows displaced vapors in fuel tank 26 to be vented during refueling. The venting configuration defined by vent tube 27 may be replaced by a system that re-circulates the fuel vapor. Such system are known to individuals skilled in the art.
With reference to
Funnel member 8 is drawn and is therefore seamless. Funnel member 8 is provided with an cutouts 30, 32 adjacent to inlet opening 10 for attaching the nozzle receptor 6 to funnel member 8. Cutouts 30, 32 allow nozzle receptor 6 to snap into position via wings 34, 36 that protrude out of nozzle receptor 6. Because funnel member 8 is seamless, insert section 38 of nozzle receptor 6 is able to make intimate contact with funnel member 8 thereby creating a leak-proof seal via 0-ring 40. Funnel member 8 is attached to the elongated member inlet 28 by braised joint 42. Optionally, filler neck 2 may be coated with an anti-corrosive coating 44.
With reference to
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With reference to
The fuel tank filler neck of this invention may be made by a number of processes which includes eyelet/progressive stamping, eyelet stamping, progressive die stamping, transfer die stamping, and hydroforming. If the fuel tank filler neck is made of plastic, injection molding and compression molding are suitable methods for manufacturing the fuel tank filler neck.
The eyelet/progressive stamping method of manufacturing the fuel tank filler neck of this invention will now be described with reference to
With reference to
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A filler neck assembly comprising:
- a funnel member having a tubular body defining a transition portion between an inlet opening and an outlet opening; and
- a nozzle receptor disposed within the tubular body and operable to position a nozzle relative to the transition portion to create a suctioning effect that prevents fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere during fueling.
2. The filler neck assembly of claim 1, wherein the fuel from the nozzle is directed toward the transition portion.
3. The filler neck assembly of claim 1, wherein the inlet opening is larger than the outlet opening and the transition portion is disposed between the inlet opening and the outlet opening.
4. The filler neck assembly of claim 1, wherein the funnel member induces a swirling motion to fuel from the nozzle during fueling.
5. The filler neck assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sealing surface formed of the tubular body about the inlet opening.
6. The filler neck assembly of claim 5, wherein the inlet opening is rolled over to create the sealing surface.
7. The filler neck assembly of claim 1, wherein the outlet opening is barbed.
8. The filler neck assembly of claim 1, further comprising a hose bead formed about the outlet opening.
9. The filler neck assembly of claim 1, further comprising a hose, wherein the outlet opening is attached to the hose.
10. The filler neck assembly of claim 9, further comprising a vent hole formed on the tubular body.
11. The filler neck assembly of claim 1 0, further comprising a vent tube connected to the tubular body about the vent hole.
12. The filler neck assembly of claim 11, further comprising a fuel tank, the vent tube and the hose connecting the tubular body and the fuel tank.
13. The filler neck assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle receptor is disposed proximate to the inlet opening.
14. The filler neck assembly of claim 1, further comprising a hose and a fuel tank, the hose connecting the outlet opening and the fuel tank.
15. The filler neck assembly of claim 14, wherein the transition portion includes an elliptically-shaped junction between a first portion of the tubular body including the inlet opening and a second portion of the tubular body includes the outlet opening.
16. The filler neck assembly of claim 15, wherein the elliptically-shaped junction lies on a plane inclined at an angle to an axis of at least one of the inlet opening and outlet opening.
17. The filler neck assembly of claim 1, wherein the inlet opening has a diameter D1, the outlet opening has a diameter D2, and D1 is at least one and a half times D2.
18. The filler neck assembly of claim 1, wherein the funnel member is seamless and is formed from a single piece of material.
19. The filler neck assembly of claim 1, wherein the inlet opening and outlet opening are axially offset.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 12, 2008
Publication Date: Jun 5, 2008
Applicant: Shelby Enterprises, Inc. (Romeo, MI)
Inventor: Patrick R. O'Connell (Rochester Hills, MI)
Application Number: 12/029,855
International Classification: B60K 15/04 (20060101); B65B 3/18 (20060101);