FUEL TRANSDUCER MODULE PROTECTIVE COVER
A fuel sending unit protective cover assembly is disclosed, for protecting the fuel transducer module mounted to a fuel tank. The protective cover is associated with a locking ring. The locking ring engages the E-ring permanently secured to a fuel tank, by rotational engagement of the locking ring with one or more tabs protruding from the E-ring. The cover body with a plurality of descending legs is configured to engage ascending legs on the E-ring. The cover body is configured to permit installation and removal of the protective cover from the fuel tank without removal or disconnection of fluid conduits and electrical wiring.
The present invention relates in general to a device for securing and protecting a fuel transducer module in relation to a fuel tank.
BACKGROUNDA fuel transducer module is a common element in a fuel storage vessel, such as a fuel tank utilized in a vehicle. A fuel tank is a vessel having at least one filler opening and at least one outlet. Because the fuel tank is often mounted deep within the structure of a vehicle, and hence, not readily accessible or visible to the operator, a fuel level sensing unit or transducer is typically installed in the tank to transmit, electrically or mechanically, an indication of the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Because each opening in the fuel tank presents the opportunity for spillage or leakage, it is desirable to minimize the number of openings therein, and accordingly, fuel tank designs may utilize a unified transducer module which includes conduits for fuel and fuel vapors. The module fits over or within an opening in the tank, and is secured to the tank by appropriate seals to prevent leakage.
In a typical mounting installation for a fuel transducer module, a “hard point” or anchor is permanently affixed to the tank. Typical of such attachment points is an imbedded or encapsulated ring, commonly referred to as an “E-ring” which may be molded into a plastic tank or welded to a metal tank. Such an E-ring typically surrounds a circular opening in the tank, and the fuel transducer module is engaged therewith. To hold the fuel transducer module in position on the tank in relation to the E-ring, a locking ring is provided which engages the E-ring and typically captures a flange on the fuel transducer module between the locking ring and the surface of the fuel tank. Typical of such installations is a fuel-sending unit and locking ring as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,463, issued to Seizert, et al., and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0021271, to Tratnik.
A typical fuel transducer module presents one or more electrical connectors, usually in the form of an electrical union comprised of a socket and a plurality of conductors disposed in each. The transducer module also typically contains one or more fuel conduits or vents which communicate with the interior of the fuel tank.
In recent years, vehicle crashworthiness standards have evolved which include regulations and engineering specifications designed to reduce the likelihood of fire or explosion in the event of a vehicular accident. In particular, a great deal of attention has been paid to fuel tank design, with due consideration to the positioning of the fuel tanks in vehicles, and the reduction of risk of damage to the fuel tank and its components in a collision.
Because elements of the fuel transducer protrude outward from the surface of the fuel tank, it is desirable that those components be protected from impact during a collision. As a result, guards have been developed to surround the fuel transducer module, thereby offering a measure of protection against damage to the components of the module during a collision.
Existing guards utilize either a stamped or drawn construction. These guards have a plurality of openings which allow electrical wiring and tubing to be connected from the vehicle in which the fuel tank is mounted to the fuel transducer module. The guards are typically mounted to the fuel tank or locking ring using threaded fasteners, such as studs.
The design of currently known guards, however, presents certain practical limitations during fuel tank assembly and repair operations. Attachment of a guard utilizing threaded fasteners is time-consuming, and the manufacture of locking rings containing threaded fasteners is expensive. Additionally, currently known guards require the removal of the electrical connectors, fuel and vent lines from the transducer during the assembly or repair process.
It is desirable, therefore, to provide a fuel-sending unit protective cover which can be easily attached to and removed from the fuel tank without the need for fasteners or tools, which is simple to manufacture and affordable, and which simplifies vehicle assembly and repair by being installable and removable without disturbing the electrical, fluid and vent connections between a vehicle and its installed fuel tank.
It is an object of the present invention, to provide a protective guard to surround a fuel transducer module, and to protect said module against damage from external forces.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide a guard which is easily formed from a single piece of material.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a guard which is easily and securely attached to a fuel tank and fuel transducer mounting ring without the need for fasteners, such as nuts, bolts or studs, and which can be affixed to a fuel tank without the use of numerous tools.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a guard for a fuel transducer module which is easily installed and removed from a fuel tank, while allowing the fuel transducer module to remain in place, and without requiring disconnection of conduits or electrical wiring harnesses from the transducer.
SUMMARYA fuel-sending unit protective cover is provided for protecting a fuel transducer module mounted to a fuel tank. The protective cover is associated with a locking ring. The locking ring engages the E-ring permanently secured to a fuel tank, by rotational engagement of the locking ring with one or more tabs protruding from the E-ring. A plurality of slots is provided on the locking ring to engage the tabs of the E-ring, and a fuel transducer module is captured between the surface of the fuel tank and the E-ring.
A cover body with a plurality of descending legs is configured to engage ascending legs on the E-ring. The distal ends of the descending legs are provided with feet, which, in turn, engage spring clips mounted to the ascending legs of the locking ring. The body of the cover is provided with a socket for engagement with an installation and removal tool.
The feet of the cover engage detents in the spring clips preventing unintentional rotation of the cover in relation to the E-ring. The cover and its associated legs are configured so that the legs do not interfere with the fuel transducer module when the cover is installed or removed.
The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
The environment in which the invention operates is depicted generally at
The fuel transducer module 20 body is typically cylindrical, having the necessary strength and thickness to provide sufficient mechanical support to the conduits 22 and electrical union 24 mounted to the upper surface of the module 20, as well as to the conduits 22 and transducer elements mounted to and through the bottom of the transducer module 20.
With further reference now to
A locking ring 60 of the type utilized in the present invention is depicted in
The body of the locking ring 60 is further provided with a plurality of arcurate openings 80, each said arcurate opening 80 having a wide portion 82 and a narrow portion 84. The width of the wide portion 82 of each said arcurate opening 80 corresponds to the width of the tab extension 50 of the E-ring tab 46, so that the locking ring 60 may fit over the tab extensions 50 when the locking ring 60 wide portion 82 of the arcurate opening 80 is aligned with the tab extension 50 of the E-ring tabs 46. As depicted in
The fuel transducer module 20 body is formed with an annular lip 29 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the central aperture 64 of the locking ring 60. Accordingly, placement of the locking ring 60 over the module 20, and over the E-ring tabs 46 establishes the initial position for securing the fuel transducer module 20 to the upper surface of the fuel tank 12. In this configuration, the locking ring 60 is ready for rotation in the direction R.
From
To facilitate the rotational engagement above described, the locking ring 60 is provided with a plurality of cutouts 76 around its circumference which are designed to engage with a cooperative installation tool (not shown). This tool is provided with a plurality of engaging fingers and a central socket of the type adapted to engage a square drive ratcheting wrench. By placement of the fingers of the tool in the cutouts 76 of the locking ring 60, and by application of torque in the direction R, the locking ring 60 can be rotated conveniently into the locked configuration, after which the tool may be removed.
At this stage in the installation process, the transducer module 20 is secured to the mounting surface of the fuel tank 12 by the locking ring 60 and its engagement with the E-ring 40. With reference now to
Each foot 70a-c of the locking ring 60 has a heel 71, a toe 72 and a slot 74. Affixed between the heel 71 and the toe 72 are clips 77a-c, utilizing fasteners 69, such as rivets. The clips 77a-c are formed of a resilient material, such as spring steel. The clips 77a-c each have a spring element 79a-c formed therein. One end of each spring element 79a-c is provided with a V-shaped detent 75. Impressed within one surface of the V-shaped detent 75c is an impression 88. This impression engages a gap 78 formed in foot 106. At the distal end of each spring clip 77a-c an upward turned tang 73 is provided to allow engagement of a tool to lift the spring element 79a, if necessary for removal of the cover.
Complimentary to the locking ring feet 70a-c are cover element feet 106, each of which is provided with a ridge 87 and a guide 110. The guide 110 is oriented downwardly, and is configured to engage the outer circumference of the lip 66 of the locking ring 60. The guides 110, collectively, therefore, serve to guide and position the cover into juxtaposition with the locking ring 60. Each foot 106 has a ridge 87 formed therein. As shown in
To install the cover 100 in relation to the locking ring 60, the cover 100 is placed on the locking ring 60 so that the undersides of the feet 106 rest on the upturned lip 66 of the annular body of the locking ring 60, with the feet 106 of the cover adjacent to the feet 70 of the locking ring 60. The cover is then rotated in direction R, bringing the feet 106 of the cover into the slots 74 of the locking ring feet 70. This rotation also brings the feet 106 of the cover into engagement with the spring elements 79 of the clips 77. Further rotation of the cover 100 in direction R brings the detents 75 of the spring elements 79 into engagement with ridges 87 on the cover feet 106. Simultaneously, the guides 110 of the cover feet 106 serve to guide and position the cover 102 into alignment with the lip 66 of the locking ring 60. Once fully engaged, the detent of the spring elements 79 locks the cover 100 into the desired positional relationship with the locking ring 60.
In one embodiment, the upper section of the protective cover is provided with a socket 120 configured to engage a typical square drive ratchet-type wrench to allow the cover 100 to be rotated into locked relationship with the locking ring 60 by providing the necessary mechanical advantage to impart the necessary torque to the cover 100.
By virtue of the angular relationship of the legs of the cover 100, the cover 100 can be installed on and removed from the locking ring 60 without the necessity of disconnecting any of the electrical or fluid connections associated with the fuel transducer module 20.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention are provided for the purposes of illustration only, and not for purposes of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims:
Claims
1. In a fuel tank equipped with an embedded mounting ring for securing a transducer to said tank, a fuel transducer module protective cover assembly comprising:
- a locking ring removably engageable with said mounting ring, said locking ring comprising a plurality of slots oriented in a common circumferential direction in relation to the circumference of said ring;
- a plurality of spring clips adjacent to said slots; and
- a cover element comprising a body portion and a plurality of legs dependent from said body portion, each of said legs having a foot element dependent therefrom, whereby one of each said foot elements is engageable with one of each said slots, and whereby said cover element and said locking ring are secured in engagement by said spring clips.
2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said plurality of legs further comprises a first leg, a second leg and a third leg, said first and said second legs being substantially diametrically opposed on said body and said third leg disposed on said body between said first and said second legs.
3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said body further comprises a socket whereby an engaging tool is removably attachable to said cover element.
4. The invention of claim 1, wherein at least one of said foot elements comprises a ridge, wherein said at least one of said spring clips comprises a detent, and wherein said ridge engages said detent when said cover element is engaged with said locking ring.
5. A cover for attachment to an annular fuel transducer locking ring having a first circumference, said cover comprising a substantially circular body and a substantially cylindrical side wall having a second circumference and a substantially circular lower edge, further comprising at least one opening formed in at least one section of said side wall, said opening extending through said edge.
6. The invention of claim 5, further comprising attachment means for removably securing said cover to said locking ring.
7. The invention of claim 6, wherein said attachment means are spring clips engaging said lower edge and said locking ring circumference.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 20, 2011
Publication Date: Jul 26, 2012
Inventor: BURRELL STEWART CLAUCHERTY (JACKSON, MI)
Application Number: 13/010,369
International Classification: B65D 88/12 (20060101); B65D 45/00 (20060101);