Abstract: A capless automotive fueling system having a funnel with a port open to receive a fuel filling nozzle. A spring loaded valve is movable between an open position in which the port is open and a closed position in which the fuel valve overlies and sealingly covers the port. A shield is movable between a first position in which the shield overlies and covers the valve, and a second position in which the shield is laterally disposed to one side of the valve to permit insertion of the fuel filling nozzle. A motor is drivingly connected to the shield and, on activation, moves the shield from its first and to its second position. Alternatively, two latches engage the valve to retain the valve in a closed position. Upon insertion of a properly sized fuel nozzle, the nozzle engages the latches and pivots them to an open position.

Abstract: A capless automotive fueling system having a funnel with a port open to receive a fuel filling nozzle. A spring loaded valve is movable between an open position in which the port is open and a closed position in which the fuel valve overlies and sealingly covers the port. A shield is movable between a first position in which the shield overlies and covers the valve, and a second position in which the shield is laterally disposed to one side of the valve to permit insertion of the fuel filling nozzle. A motor is drivingly connected to the shield and, on activation, moves the shield from its first and to its second position. Alternatively, two latches engage the valve to retain the valve in a closed position. Upon insertion of a properly sized fuel nozzle, the nozzle engages the latches and pivots them to an open position.

Abstract: A spud assembly for use with a fuel tank having a body defining an interior chamber and having an outer periphery. The spud assembly includes a base attached to the outer periphery of the fuel tank and the base has a throughbore open to both the interior chamber of the tank as well as exteriorly of the tank. An elongated spud having an axial throughbore is movable relative to the base between a connected and an unconnected position. In its connected position, the spud is positioned through the base throughbore so that the spud fluidly connects the interior of the fuel tank to the spud. Additionally, when the spud is moved to its fully connected position, a locking finger on the base engages a lock abutment surface on the spud to secure the spud and base together. In an alternate embodiment, a locking ring is coaxially disposed over the spud and base when the spud is in its connected position.

Abstract: A fuel tank fill tube assembly is disclosed for use with a conventional gasoline fill nozzle. The assembly includes a fill tube having a first tubular and cylindrical main body with a predetermined inside diameter. The fill tube further includes an enlarged diameter inlet portion joined at one end to one end of the main body. This inlet portion has a second predetermined diameter which is greater than the diameter of the main body. Both the main body and inlet portions are coaxial with each other. The inlet portion is dimensioned so that the gas fill nozzle is insertable through the inlet portion and, upon insertion, a free end of the gasoline fill nozzle is positioned within the interior of the main body. Additionally, the diameter of the main body is configured so that, upon fuel flow from the gasoline fill nozzle into the interior of the main body, a liquid seal is formed by the fuel flow from the gasoline fill nozzle within the main body.

Abstract: A spud assembly for use with a fuel tank having a body defining an interior chamber and having an outer periphery. The spud assembly includes a base attached to the outer periphery of the fuel tank and the base has a throughbore open to both the interior chamber of the tank as well as exteriorly of the tank. An elongated spud having an axial throughbore is movable relative to the base between a connected and an unconnected position. In its connected position, the spud is positioned through the base throughbore so that the spud fluidly connects the interior of the fuel tank to the spud. Additionally, when the spud is moved to its fully connected position, a locking finger on the base engages a lock abutment surface on the spud to secure the spud and base together. In an alternate embodiment, a locking ring is coaxially disposed over the spud and base when the spud is in its connected position.

Abstract: A fuel tank fill tube assembly is disclosed for use with a conventional gasoline fill nozzle. The assembly includes a fill tube having a first tubular and cylindrical main body with a predetermined inside diameter. The fill tube further includes an enlarged diameter inlet portion joined at one end to one end of the main body. This inlet portion has a second predetermined diameter which is greater than the diameter of the main body. Both the main body and inlet portions are coaxial with each other. The inlet portion is dimensioned so that the gas fill nozzle is insertable through the inlet portion and, upon insertion, a free end of the gasoline fill nozzle is positioned within the interior of the main body. Additionally, the diameter of the main body is configured so that, upon fuel flow from the gasoline fill nozzle into the interior of the main body, a liquid seal is formed by the fuel flow from the gasoline fill nozzle within the main body.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermosetting thermoplastic tubes in a predefined shape having at least one bend. The apparatus includes an oven with an interior chamber which is heated to a temperature approaching that at which the tube thermally deforms. An elongated former has a channel dimensioned to receive the tube, and this channel has the predefined shape. A thermally absorbent coating is disposed only on a surface of the former adjacent to and extending across each bend of the former. This thermally absorbent coating locally adds the thermal energy required to reset the memory of the tube at the bend location. A conveyor extends through the oven chamber from an inlet end and to an outlet end of the oven, and the former is attached to the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermosetting thermoplastic tubes in a predefined shape having at least one bend. The apparatus includes an oven with an interior chamber which is heated to a temperature approaching that at which the tube thermally deforms. An elongated former has a channel dimensioned to receive the tube, and this channel has the predefined shape. A thermally absorbent coating is disposed only on a surface of the former adjacent to and extending across each bend of the former. This thermally absorbent coating locally adds the thermal energy required to reset the memory of the tube at the bend location. A conveyor extends through the oven chamber from an inlet end and to an outlet end of the oven, and the former is attached to the conveyor.

Abstract: A positive sealing inlet (PSI) valve assembly is provided for an automotive fuel tank fill tube. The PSI valve assembly includes a tubular housing having an interior and an exterior and this housing is fluidly mounted in series with the fuel tank fill tube. The housing includes a wall extending across the interior of the housing adjacent one end and this wall includes a through opening. A flapper valve is movable between an open and a closed position. In its closed position, the flapper valve overlies and closes the wall opening. Conversely, in its open position, the flapper valve is positioned away from the wall opening to permit nozzle insertion through the wall opening. The PSI valve is pivotally connected to a valve holder and this valve holder is mounted entirely within the interior of the housing. A spring is operatively disposed between the valve holder and flapper valve and urges the vent valve towards its closed position.

Abstract: An automotive fuel tank fill assembly for a fuel tank is disclosed having a fuel fill tube with a first end adapted to receive fuel and a second end open to the fuel tank. The fill tube includes a spiral indentation formed around its first end so that the spiral indentation forms both an external and internal thread at the first end of the tube. An inlet valve housing containing a normally closed inlet valve has an external thread. This external thread is dimensioned to threadably engage the internal thread on the fill tube while a latch and detent mechanism locks the inlet valve housing to the fill tube at a predetermined rotational position. Similarly, a mount housing includes an internal thread which threadably engages the external thread on the fill tube. The mount housing includes a locking tab which engages the detent formed on the fill tube at a predetermined rotational position of the mount housing relative to the fill tube.