Automotive fuel filling system
An automotive fuel filling system which inhibits automotive fueling from a smaller of two different diameter fuel nozzles. The system includes a funnel assembly having a circular port adapted to receive the fuel nozzle. A nozzle valve assembly includes at least two segments and is disposed in series with the port. Each segment, furthermore, is pivotal between an open and a closed position. When all segments are in the closed position, the nozzle valve assembly serves to prevent dust and debris from reaching the flapper valve. A hook is attached to a radially inner end of each nozzle valve segment and a cam is also attached to each nozzle valve segment configured to provide a clearance between the end of only the larger nozzle and the hooks upon insertion of the larger nozzle, but not upon insertion of the smaller nozzle.
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I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a fuel filling system for an automotive vehicle.
II. Description of Related Art
All automotive vehicles include fuel filling systems to allow the fuel tank of the vehicle to be refilled. Typically, the fueling system includes a funnel which is dimensioned to receive a conventional fuel filling nozzle. The funnel in turn is connected to the fuel tank for the vehicle.
There are different types of automotive fuel currently in use. These different fuels include diesel fuel and unleaded gasoline. In accordance with industry standards, the diameter of the fuel nozzle for each of the different fuels is different. For example, the diameter of the fuel nozzle for diesel fuel has a larger diameter than the fuel nozzle for unleaded gasoline. Furthermore, the use of the wrong fuel in the engine for the automotive vehicle may result in destruction of the engine.
It is relatively straightforward to prevent a car which uses unleaded gasoline from being fueled with diesel fuel since the nozzle for diesel fuel has a larger diameter. In order to accomplish this, a port restrictor is merely secured to the funnel assembly and this port restrictor has a diameter less than the diameter of the diesel fuel nozzle. Consequently, it is impossible to insert the larger diameter through the restrictor opening thus preventing an unleaded gasoline system from being refueled with diesel fuel.
Unfortunately, the converse is not true. Instead, the fuel nozzle for unleaded gasoline is smaller in diameter than the fuel nozzle for diesel fuel. As such, with conventional fuel filling systems, it is possible to inadvertently insert the smaller diameter unleaded gasoline nozzle into the funnel assembly for a diesel fuel tank and to fill the tank with gasoline rather than diesel fuel.
In one prior art device, flexible latches engage and retain the fuel valve in a closed position. Upon insertion of the properly sized fuel nozzle, the fuel nozzle engages the latches and flexes the latches outwardly to disengage the fuel valve and allow the fuel valve to open. However, the prior art device incorporates only one door between the interior of the fuel funnel and the environment, which may permit dust or debris to compromise the seal on the fuel valve. Other systems use a one-piece secondary valve which necessitates more space to the primary door. A one-piece valve also creates a side load on the nozzle, which is not ergonomically desirable to the operator.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThe present invention provides an automotive fuel filling system which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously known devices.
In brief, the fuel filling system of the present invention comprises a funnel assembly having a generally circular port. The funnel assembly is fluidly connected to the fuel tank for the automotive vehicle and is adapted to receive a fuel filling nozzle.
A nozzle valve assembly having at least two segments is disposed in series with said port and preferably immediately downstream from the port. Each of these segments is pivotal between an open and a closed position while a spring or other biasing means urges the segments towards their closed position.
A hook is attached to a radially inner end of each valve segment. In addition, a cam is associated with each valve segment and these cams are shaped and located such that as a nozzle is inserted, the valve segments are spread apart. In the case of a diesel system, upon insertion of the larger diesel nozzle, the larger nozzle engages the cams, pivoting the valve segments sufficiently to provide clearance between the nozzle and the hooks which allows the fuel nozzle to be moved to a fully inserted position in the funnel assembly. In doing so, the nozzle opens a flapper valve downstream from the nozzle valve assembly thus enabling fueling of the vehicle.
Conversely, upon insertion of the smaller diameter unleaded gasoline fuel nozzle, the cams do not spread the valve segments sufficiently to create clearance between the nozzle and the hooks and at least one of the hooks on one of the nozzle valve segments engages the end of the nozzle and prevents full insertion of the smaller nozzle into the diesel funnel assembly. This, in turn, prevents refueling of the vehicle with the smaller nozzle since the flapper valve remains in a closed position.
A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
With reference first to
The funnel assembly 12 further includes a fluid port 22 in series between the ends 14 and 18 of the funnel assembly 12. This port 22 has a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the fuel nozzle 16 for the proper fuel of the automotive vehicle. Consequently, if the automotive vehicle (not shown) operates on unleaded gasoline, the port 22 is sufficiently small to prevent the insertion of a fuel nozzle for diesel fuel. Conversely, if the vehicle utilizes diesel fuel, the port 22 is large enough to accommodate the larger diameter funnel 16 for diesel fuel and thus is necessarily larger than the diameter of a nozzle funnel 16 for unleaded gasoline.
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When the valve segments 26 are in their closed position, the valve assembly 24 seals the port 22 and protects the flapper valve 40 from dust and debris.
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Conversely, as shown in
From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a simple and yet highly effective mechanism which prevents the fueling of an automotive vehicle with an improper smaller diameter nozzle. Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An automotive fuel filling system which inhibits automotive fueling from a smaller of two different diameter fuel nozzles comprising:
- a funnel assembly having a circular part,
- a nozzle valve assembly having at least two segments disposed in series with said port, each of said segments being pivotal between an open and a closed position,
- a hook attached to a radially inner end of each nozzle valve segment,
- a cam associated with each nozzle valve segment, said cams being configured so that, upon insertion of the larger diameter fuel nozzle into said port, the larger fuel nozzle contacts each cam on each nozzle valve segment and pivots each nozzle valve segment to said open position which provides a clearance between an end of the larger fuel nozzle and each hook and allows full insertion of the larger fuel nozzle into said port, and
- wherein said cams are configured so that, upon insertion of the smaller fuel nozzle into said port, the coaction between each cam and an end of the smaller nozzle is insufficient to create a clearance between the end of the smaller nozzle and each hook wherein at least one of said hooks engages an end of the smaller fuel nozzle and prevents full insertion of the smaller nozzle into said port.
2. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a flapper valve positioned downstream and in series with said nozzle valve assembly and movable between a closed and an open position, said flapper valve being biased towards its closed position, said flapper valve being spaced from said nozzle valve assembly by a distance such that upon full insertion of the larger fuel nozzle into said port, said larger nozzle contacts said flapper valve and moves said flapper valve to an open position.
3. The invention as defined in claim 2 and comprising a spring which urges said flapper valve towards said closed position.
4. The invention as defined in claim 2 and comprising a seal mounted around an outer periphery of said flapper valve.
5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said nozzle valve assembly comprises at least three segments.
6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said nozzle valve assembly comprises at least four segments.
7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each said nozzle valve segment and its associated cam are of a one-piece construction.
8. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising at least one spring which urges said nozzle valve segments towards said closed position.
9. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each valve segment and its associated hook are of a one-piece construction.
10. An automotive fuel filling system which inhibits automotive fueling from a smaller of two different diameter fuel nozzles comprising:
- a funnel assembly having a circular port,
- a nozzle valve assembly having at least two segments disposed in series with said port, each of said segments being pivotal between an open and a closed position,
- a hook attached to a radially inner end of each nozzle valve segment,
- a cam associated with each nozzle valve segment, said cams being configured so that, upon insertion of the larger diameter fuel nozzle into said port, the larger fuel nozzle contacts each cam on each nozzle valve segment and pivots each nozzle valve segment to said open position which provides a clearance between an end of the larger fuel nozzle and each hook and allows full insertion of the larger fuel nozzle into said port, and
- wherein said cams are configured so that, upon insertion of the smaller fuel nozzle into said port, the coaction between each cam and an end of the smaller nozzle is insufficient to create a clearance between the end of the smaller nozzle and each hook wherein at least one of said hooks engages an end of the smaller fuel nozzle and prevents full insertion of the smaller nozzle into said port, and
- wherein said nozzle valve segments, when in said closed position, block the entry of debris into said funnel assembly.
11. The invention as defined in claim 10 and comprising a flapper valve positioned downstream and in series with said nozzle valve assembly and movable between a closed and an open position, said flapper valve being biased towards its closed position, said flapper valve being spaced from said nozzle valve assembly by a distance such that upon full insertion of the larger fuel nozzle into said port, said larger nozzle contacts said flapper valve and moves said flapper valve to an open position.
12. The invention as defined in claim 11 and comprising a spring which urges said flapper valve towards said closed position.
13. The invention as defined in claim 11 and comprising a seal mounted around an outer periphery of said flapper valve.
14. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said nozzle valve assembly comprises at least three segments.
15. The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said nozzle valve assembly comprises at least four segments.
16. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein each said nozzle valve segment and its associated cam are of a one-piece construction.
17. The invention as defined in claim 10 and comprising at least one spring which urges said nozzle valve segments towards said closed position.
18. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein each valve segment and its associated hook are of a one-piece construction.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 21, 2006
Publication Date: Feb 21, 2008
Applicant: Martinrea Industries, Inc. (Dexter, MI)
Inventors: David Gabbey (Pinckney, MI), Daniel P. Cunkle (Jonesville, MI), Sorin Stancu (Dearborn, MI)
Application Number: 11/465,910
International Classification: B65B 1/04 (20060101);