Automotive Type Patents (Class 220/86.2)
  • Patent number: 11584222
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a fuel inlet conduit configured to receive a fuel dispensing nozzle. The fuel inlet conduit opens to an inlet opening. A guard is configured to move back and forth between a blocking position that prevents insertion of the fuel dispensing nozzle through the inlet opening into the fuel inlet conduit, and an accessing position that permits insertion of the fuel dispensing nozzle through the inlet opening into the fuel inlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Martin, Roshini Venkatesh, Brent Edward Sealy, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, John Joseph Virga
  • Patent number: 11352920
    Abstract: An apparatus that improves the gas mileage of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle is disclosed that is comprised of an air inlet, a condensation chamber, and an air outlet that is connected to the vehicle's oil system through an oil filler port in the engine of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Lewis P. Bell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11338668
    Abstract: A tubular fuel filler pipe body is a blow molded body and is adapted to connect to a fuel tank at one end thereof. The fuel filler pipe body includes in an outer circumferential surface of another end side thereof an annular recessed groove. The fuel filler pipe body includes an opening of the other end thereof to which a nozzle guide is mounted. The nozzle guide includes on an one end side thereof an annular covering portion configured to cover annularly the outer circumferential surface of the other end side of the fuel filler pipe body. An annular rubber sealing member configured to seal between an inner circumferential surface of the annular recessed groove and an inner circumferential surface of the annular covering portion fits with the annular recessed groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Keylex Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Shiokawa, Atsushi Nakasaki
  • Patent number: 11305644
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tank of plastics material produced by blow-molding of a parison, incorporating a welding spout, of a shape projecting from its outer surface which has an edge configured to be welded to a corresponding edge of an attached part, the welding spout ending axially, on an inside of the tank, in a shape resulting from contact molding between the parison and a molding component, in which the welding spout ends axially on an outside of the tank in a shape resulting from contact molding between the parison and a molding component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Coing, Sebastien Jouie, Yvonnig Guezennec, Philippe Coulon, Andre George, Jozef Franko
  • Patent number: 11299039
    Abstract: A tank flap or charging flap arrangement, for a vehicle, includes a housing body and a tank flap or charging flap which is mounted on the housing body via a hinge arm so as to be pivotable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the hinge arm is received in a receiving space of the housing body and, in the open position, protrudes at least partially out of the receiving space. A cover is arranged on the housing body or the hinge arm and covers the receiving space when the tank or charging flap is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Andreas Schwab, Thomas Lechner-Watzlik, Julian Fischer, Andreas Stubenberger
  • Patent number: 11192447
    Abstract: A volume tank that houses a material is provided. The volume tank can include a first bulk head, a second bulk head opposite the first bulk head, a non-symmetrical frustoconical shell section, a cylindrical shell section and a transition section in between the non-symmetrical frustoconical shell section and the cylindrical shell section. The volume tank is configured to be coupled to a portion of a frame of a vehicle, and in a non-limiting embodiment, to a school bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: James M. Getter, Kassandra M. Williams, Xiaoting Liang
  • Patent number: 11155458
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for preventing overflow of urea water out of an injection hole of a urea water tank when urea water is injected into the injection hole. The device is configured to enhance the function of a ventilation flow path, thus efficiently relieving pressure in the urea water tank when urea water is injected into the urea water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Tae Yoon Lee, June Young Park, Jun Sik Lim, Sung Won Lee, Seung Hoon Choi
  • Patent number: 11148522
    Abstract: Systems are provided for an assembly for a urea tank system. In one example, coaxial tubes including an inner tube and an outer tube are used to separate a urea passage from a gas passage. An angled tube, which extends from a urea tank to a portion of the outer tube downstream of a filler head relative to a direction of urea flow directs gases from the urea tank to the gas passage. This decreases a packaging size of the urea tank system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alpaslan Acar, Mehmet Kalp, Okan Us, Ahmet Kamil Ergan, Bayram Ozdemir
  • Patent number: 11021052
    Abstract: A capless filler pipe closure is provided for a tank filler pipe. The capless closure permits a fuel pump nozzle to be inserted into the tank filler pipe without first removing a fuel cap form the outer end of the tank filler pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Stant USA Corp.
    Inventor: Paul C. Wetzel
  • Patent number: 11014444
    Abstract: A capless filler pipe closure is provided for a tank filler pipe. The capless closure permits a fuel pump nozzle to be inserted into the tank filler pipe without first removing a fuel cap from the outer end of the tank filler pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: STANT USA CORP.
    Inventor: Paul C. Wetzel
  • Patent number: 11007869
    Abstract: A tractor including: a traveling body having an engine; a post-processing device configured to purify exhaust gas of the engine; and a reductant tank configured to store a reductant to be supplied to the post-processing device. A pair of left and right fuel tanks are arranged respectively on left and right sides of a longitudinally midway portion of the traveling body. A tank-accommodation recess for accommodating a reductant tank is formed at a lower-front portion of one of the left and right fuel tanks. While the reductant tank is accommodated in the tank-accommodation recess, an upper front portion of the fuel tank and the reductant tank are aligned up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: YANMAR POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 10919379
    Abstract: A fuel tank includes a tank main body and a fuel filler neck. A breather hole is provided in an inner surface of the fuel filler neck. A connecting pipe opens to the inside of the fuel filler neck though the breather hole and extends from the fuel filler neck in the radial direction. The inside of the fuel filler neck includes a first vapor-liquid separation chamber therein that is partitioned from the tank main body and connected to the breather hole. Liquid fuel entering the breather channel is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10843554
    Abstract: In a fuel port forming portion that forms a fuel port, a portion of a peripheral wall located on a perpendicular lower side when a fuel supply device is in a mounting posture of being mounted to a vehicle formed as a convex drain groove from a corner portion at which an insertion-side open/close member for opening/closing the fuel port makes contact with an open base portion of the fuel port to an open end side of the fuel port. The drain groove is inclined in a horizontal direction such that the open end side of the fuel port is located closer to the perpendicular lower side than a corner portion side when the fuel supply device is in the mounting posture, to thereby improve draining function of the drain groove provided to the fuel port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hagano
  • Patent number: 10774939
    Abstract: A valve device includes a metal valve body defining a water passageway between an inlet and an outlet of the body. A valve seat of a different material than the valve body is insert-cast molded integral with the valve body. The configuration of the valve seat and the mass of the valve body surrounding the seat being sufficiently large reduces a chilling effect during molding such that a pressure-tight and waterproof interface is formed between adjacent surfaces of the valve body and the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Cla-Val Co.
    Inventors: Martin W. Pickett, Robert Lewis Ogden, Jr., David Rose, Robert Folk, Ryan W. Pickett
  • Patent number: 10748230
    Abstract: Systems and methods for mobile refueling by mobile fuel carriers of vehicles of approved users at approved mobile refueling locations. The system may include a server connected to a network and a database accessible by the server that includes approved refueling location information and approved user and user vehicle information, including vehicle identification fuel preference information. User computers communicate with the server via the network, the user computers sending refueling request information including user identification and vehicle location information to the server. The server sends refueling instructions to a fuel carrier computer having a user interface which allows updating of route information with real-time information pertaining to user requests and fuel carrier location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Booster Fuels, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Herbert Mycroft
  • Patent number: 10696153
    Abstract: A box and a lid that form a fuel filler hole or a charging socket of a car body, the lid including a lid mounting part, and a box mounting arm including a box engaging pin. An open/close spring is attached to the box mounting arm. The box includes a box body, and an arm housing part extending from the box body and including an arm guide that guides the box mounting arm. The box engaging pin of the box mounting arm of the lid is guided into the arm guide of the box and attached to an arm engaging part of the box, while the open/close spring abuts on a connecting point (a spring mounting portion) between an inclined part and a step part of the arm housing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Sasaki, Takashi Momiyama, Shinji Shimokawa, Masachika Aoki, Osamu Tokura
  • Patent number: 10615534
    Abstract: A charging socket cover for an electrically operated motor vehicle having a closing apparatus, a pivoting apparatus and a drive apparatus. The pivoting apparatus is driven by way of the drive apparatus in order to pivot the closing apparatus between a closed position, in which the closing apparatus closes an opening which is made in a vehicle body part of the motor vehicle, and an open position, in which the closing apparatus releases the opening and is arranged substantially behind the vehicle body part. The pivoting apparatus and the drive apparatus are configured to pivot the closing apparatus by way of a rotational movement about a rotational axis and by way of a translational movement parallel to the rotational axis between the closed position and the open position and/or between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gabor Herczeg
  • Patent number: 10525823
    Abstract: Disclosed is an inlet end piece for the tank inlet of a motor vehicle, having a closure insert arranged in an upper area of a pipe inlet, having a filling opening and a sealing flap which counter to the force of a closure spring by way of a gas pump nozzle is capable of being opened by pivoting, and is held in the closed state by the closure spring. The inlet end piece has an indicator means having an indicator area, wherein the indicator means in the case of a closed sealing flap is located in an inactive position in which an indicator area of the indicator means is not visible to the user, and in the case of the sealing flap being at least partially opened, the indicator means is displaced into a signal position in which the indicator area becomes visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Gerdes GMBH
    Inventor: Marc Stadelbacher
  • Patent number: 10513174
    Abstract: A vehicle lid device includes a housing provided with a fuel filling aperture portion; a lid opening and closing an opening of the housing; and a link member connecting the lid to the housing to be openable and closable. The vehicle lid device includes a base member capable of axially supporting the link member to be turnable, and a depressed portion provided in the housing and capable of receiving the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10507725
    Abstract: A filler neck housing arrangement for mounting on a body opening of a motor vehicle includes a housing body (12) which forms a passage opening for the insertion of at least one tank filler pipe. An annular sealing and holding body (10) is configured for holding the sealing and holding body on the body opening and for holding the sealing and holding body on the housing body. The sealing and holding body includes a first sealing member which, in the state of the sealing and holding body being held on the body opening, lies in a sealing manner against a surface (30) of a body part (28) bounding the body opening, and a second sealing member which, in the state of the sealing and holding body being held on the housing body, lies in a sealing manner against the housing body (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Uwe Kohlmann, Sven Cronau, Gunter Hins
  • Patent number: 10493842
    Abstract: An oil filler port of the capless oil feeder includes: an oil filler port main body made of a resin, a breather tube portion made of the resin, and a flap valve. The oil filler port main body has a tubular shape and includes a nozzle insertion port for inserting an oil filler nozzle at one end and a fuel feed port for supplying fuel to a filler tube at the other end. The breather tube portion is formed integrally on an outer side of a peripheral surface of the oil filler port main body and connected to a breather tube. The flap valve is foamed to be insertable from the fuel feed port, and is disposed inside the oil filler port main body to close the nozzle insertion port and is opened by insertion of the oil filler nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Sumitomo Riko Company Limited
    Inventors: Kazuki Hatanaka, Lin Jiang
  • Patent number: 10434872
    Abstract: A housing for a fuel filler opening or charge port of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The housing includes an attachment member integrated into a wall of the housing. The attachment member includes a flexible tab having at least one interface member and at least one overmold attachment surface. An overmold is positioned adjacent to the attachment member and at least partially covers the at least one overmold attachment surface. The overmold provides a closeout around the attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Matthew M. Stack, Omair Mustafa
  • Patent number: 10245943
    Abstract: A link connecting a lid and a base member of a filler lid structure includes first and second link members. At an opening position, a distance between a distal end of the lid and the base member is larger than a distance between a proximal end of the lid and the base member. The first link member swings about a first support portion in a direction in which a second support portion is moved away from the base member, when the lid shifts from a closing position to the opening position. A distance between a base support point at which the base member or the first link member supports a third support portion at the closing position and an end support point at which the lid supports a fourth support portion at the closing position changes when the lid shifts from the closing position to the opening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Mori, Masahiro Ogata, Kouji Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 10220701
    Abstract: A vehicle tank having a container and a pair of spaced apart baffle plates directly connected to walls of the container to define a swirl pot. The baffle plates have at least one orifice which lies spatially above the swirl pot, and within the swirl pot, the baffle plates have valves to allow an inflow of fuel into the swirl pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fuel Systems GesmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Gross, Bernd Kahler, Michael Schmid
  • Patent number: 10065495
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filler neck (1) for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle having at least one tubular section (3) provided in the region of the filler inlet (2) in order to receive the outlet pipe of a fuel delivery nozzle (5), and a flame barrier (4) which is provided in the tubular section (3) and surrounds the outlet pipe of the fuel delivery nozzle (5) in the inserted state, wherein the flame barrier (4) includes at least two segments (6) which are mounted resiliently in the radial direction of the tubular section (3), the diameter of the opening (7) in the flame barrier (4) for the outlet pipe of the fuel delivery nozzle (5) being smaller in the prestressed state of the segments (6) than the diameter of the outlet pipe of the fuel delivery nozzle (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Salzberger, Michal Sedlak
  • Patent number: 9855901
    Abstract: A fuel filler housing opening includes a segmented flange for attachment of a fuel filler housing. A fuel filler housing opening insert is provided, configured for attaching to the segmented flange. The fuel filler housing opening insert includes a body surrounding a central opening dimensioned to receive a fuel filler housing therethrough. The body may be dimensioned to fully overlay the fuel filler housing opening segmented flange. The fuel filler housing opening insert body includes one or more retainers configured for capturing the segmented flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert Reiners, Thomas F. Boettger, David Mahlmeister, Michael Rosebrook
  • Patent number: 9849775
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filler neck (1) for an auxiliary liquid reservoir for a motor vehicle, in particular for a urea reservoir, having a neck housing (9), which defines a mouth hole stub (10) for a filler nozzle (7) and a filling channel (11) leading into the reservoir, wherein a receiving structure for a filler nozzle (7) is provided within the neck housing (9). At least one venting path, which is of enlarged cross section, at least in a section or sections, and of chamber-like or labyrinth-like design, is formed within the neck housing (9), allowing a venting flow parallel and counter to the refilling volume to flow through the neck housing (9) during refilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Agnes Eberhardt, Ralf Kolberg, Stefan Lenz, Jaroslav Maglovski
  • Patent number: 9789760
    Abstract: A fuel tank structure for a saddle-ride vehicle for discharging fuel leaking out from a filler neck between a cover member and a fuel tank. The fuel tank structure includes a filler neck having a collar portion projecting upwardly from an upper surface of a fuel tank with a tank cap to seal the filler neck. A tank cover includes a cover opening portion into which the collar portion is inserted for covering the circumference of the filler neck. The tank cap has an extending wall portion for surrounding the outside of the collar portion and extending to a position below the cover opening portion so that fuel leaking from the filler neck is discharged through a clearance between the fuel tank and the tank cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Mizukura
  • Patent number: 9718350
    Abstract: A structure of a fuel door is provided. The fuel door includes a sector-shaped gear that uses a rotating shaft in conjunction with a hinge of fuel door, a first spring having a first end coupled to a housing and a second end coupled to the gear. The first spring applies an elastic force and rotates the gear in a direction that opens the fuel door. A latch is rotatably coupled to the housing by a hinge component having one end of the latch parallel to the rotating shaft of the gear. The latch has a first surface in contact with an exterior circumferential surface of the gear to restrict rotation of the gear and a second spring having a first end coupled to the housing, and a second end in contact with a second surface of the latch, the second spring translates the latch toward the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seong-Muk Lee
  • Patent number: 9656561
    Abstract: A door assembly for a charging port of an electric vehicle includes a housing accommodating the charging port and a door connected to one side of the housing. A link bracket is mounted inside the door, and a link portion connects the housing with the link bracket. A crushing portion removes foreign materials being introduced in a slot formed at the link bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gilsang Yoo
  • Patent number: 9631403
    Abstract: An actuation device for a flap mounted pivotably on a compartment, with a push-push kinematic, includes a first actuation part to be fastened on the flap and a second actuation part to be fastened on the component. The first actuation part engages with the second actuation part when the flap is moved from its opened position into its closed position, so that after a first stroke of the first actuation part in the direction of the second actuation part and a subsequent backstroke of the first actuation part, the actuation parts are held on each other in an arresting position. The arresting position is released by a second stroke of the first actuation part in the direction of the second actuation part so that the flap can be moved into its opened position, wherein the first actuation part and the second actuation part are disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Christian Beck
  • Patent number: 9616745
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuation device for a flap mounted moveably on a component between a closed position and an opened position, in particular for a flap mounted moveably on a housing of an automobile, comprising: a first actuation part and a second actuation part which are designed to engage with one another in a movement direction, locking means with a locking reception provided on the first or second actuation part and a locking element provided on the other of the first or second actuation part, wherein the locking element engages in the locking reception during engagement of the actuation parts and thus holds the actuation parts together in a locking position, wherein the locking reception has sufficient size so that in the locking position a relative movement between the locking element and the locking reception in the movement direction of the actuation parts and thereby a corresponding relative movement of the actuation parts in their movement direction with regard to one another is possible,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Christian Beck
  • Patent number: 9597955
    Abstract: There is provided a structure for a filling section of a fuel filler pipe which communicates with and connects between a filling port for inserting a nozzle of a filling gun and a fuel tank for reserving a fuel. The fuel filler pipe includes a straight pipe section which extends from the filling port to a fuel tank side and which inclines downward relative to a horizontal direction. The straight pipe section includes a capless mechanism section including a shutter to open or close the filling port. The straight pipe section includes on the filling port side thereof an end surface which inclines relative to a cross section of the straight pipe in a direction of a main body surface of a lid section closed that is provided on a panel member of a vehicle body. This structure realizes convenience in refilling and a compact size of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Ushigome, Takeaki Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9567779
    Abstract: A lid lock apparatus for a vehicle includes a housing, a moving member supported within the housing, and a biasing member to bias the moving member in a direction in which the moving member engages with the lid member, the biasing member including a coil portion wound in a spiral shape and arranged at a lower side of the moving member so that an axial center of the coil portion is in a skewed position relative to an axis of the moving member, a fixed arm extending from a first end portion of the coil portion to engage with the housing, and a moving arm extending from a second end portion of the coil portion to engage with the moving member, the moving arm being deflected in a circumferential direction of the coil portion relative to the fixed arm by a movement of the moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takumi Niwa, Toshihiro Kitamura, Hiroshi Ban
  • Patent number: 9433147
    Abstract: A gas powered walk behind mower is configured to be stored in a vertical position or orientation without leaking contained engine fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventor: Jacob J. Schmalz
  • Patent number: 9428046
    Abstract: An elastically averaged alignment system includes a first component having first and second alignment features, and a second component having third and fourth elastically deformable alignment elements. The first and second components are laterally slidably engageable with each other. The third elastically deformable alignment element is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage with the first alignment feature. The fourth elastically deformable alignment element is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage with the second alignment feature. Portions of the third and fourth elastically deformable alignment elements when engaged with respective ones of the first and second alignment features elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns the first component relative to the second component in six orthogonal directions by averaging the elastic deformation of the respective elastically deformable alignment elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Morris, Michael J. Wightman, Jennifer P. Lawall, Gordan N. Noll
  • Patent number: 9404446
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel vapor recovery system includes a compartment wall structure, a fuel filler tube and an air vent chamber structure. The compartment wall structure has a tube receiving opening and a vent opening. The fuel filler tube has a fuel receiving end located within the fuel filler compartment and a fuel tank attachment end located outside of the fuel filler compartment. The air vent chamber structure has a first wall located outside of the fuel filler compartment and a second wall extending from the first wall to an outer surface of the fuel filler tube. The first wall, the second wall, the fuel filler compartment wall structure, and the fuel filler tube cooperate to define an air vent chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Souichi Fujiwara, Brandon Michael Dawe
  • Patent number: 9393865
    Abstract: A misfueling prevention system for a vehicle may include an upper housing disposed at an inlet of a fuel filler neck, a lower housing disposed inside the fuel filler neck, supported by a hinge structure in the upper housing, and rotatable by a center returning spring disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing, a stopper spring and a stopper, the stopper being rotatably disposed at one side of the lower housing in a pin structure and rotatable by a contact with a refueling gun, and a flapper spring and a flapper, the flapper having one end rotatably disposed at another side of the lower housing in a pin structure and another end lockable in a recess part of the stopper and pushed to be opened by the refueling gun when released from the recess part of the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Myeong Hwan Kim, Bu Yeol Ryu
  • Patent number: 9340107
    Abstract: A support structure for a fuel lid attached by a hinge to a vehicle body is provided with an annular rubber seal, which is provided on the vehicle body to surround an oil filler port in the vehicle body. The rubber seal has a top surface and an inner circumferential surface. The support structure includes a contact plate provided on a back surface of the fuel lid. The contact plate contacts the rubber seal when the fuel lid is in the closed state. The contact plate has an upper surface contact portion for contacting the upper surface of the rubber seal, and an inner-surface contact portion for contacting the inner circumferential surface of the rubber seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Chiba, Akihisa Okada, Nobukazu Kato, Yasuhiro Hatta, Hirofumi Arima
  • Patent number: 9315099
    Abstract: Fuel fill apparatus for use with fuel tanks are described. An example fuel fill apparatus includes a body to removably couple to a neck of a fuel tank. The body has an opening to receive a fuel nozzle and guide liquid fuel from the fuel nozzle to a cavity of the fuel tank. A nozzle retainer retains the fuel nozzle in the opening. A positioner in the opening offsets the fuel nozzle relative to a central axis of the opening such that an aspirator of the fuel nozzle is positioned adjacent an inner wall of the opening when the fuel nozzle is inserted in the opening. The positioner maintains a fuel nozzle outlet opening substantially parallel relative to a central axis of the opening during a fueling event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: BRUNSWICK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sean Whelan, Anthony Slabaugh, Christopher Bostwick
  • Patent number: 9272616
    Abstract: A filler neck for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle is provided. The filler neck comprises a filler pipe with a longitudinal axis and a circular cross section with an inner diameter. The filler neck further comprises a blocking element that is arranged inside the filler pipe and extends only inside a circle sector of a circle concentric to the circular cross section. The circle has a circle diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter. The circle sector has an angle at the center of less than 180°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Breuer, Christian Scharping
  • Patent number: 9150100
    Abstract: A device prevents fuel mixing, for example, a different kind of fuel from being pumped into a gasoline vehicle or a diesel vehicle by mistake. The device can prevent unsuitable fuel from being pumped into a vehicle and can preclude a loss of fuel or a fire due to poor operation of a gas pump by a person who fuels the vehicle, by implementing a new type of mechanism for preventing fuel mixing which includes a lock that is disposed at the fuel-tank door of a vehicle and turned on/off in accordance with the inner diameter of a nozzle and a cap that can close the nozzle when a nozzle for an unsuitable kind of fuel is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jang Ho Kim, Nam Ki Lee, Bo Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 9150098
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel filler tube comprises: a fuel filler tube configured to fluidly connect a fuel filler adaptor with a fuel reservoir and having an exposed segment; an elastomeric sleeve at least partially circumscribing the exposed segment; and a rigid reinforcement plate at least partially overlaying the sleeve, the plate extending longitudinally along a circumferential portion of the exposed segment and shaped to approximate a contour of the exposed segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Souichi Fujiwara, Carrie Dubay
  • Patent number: 9102229
    Abstract: An oil filler neck is provided for a cylinder head cover that exhibits an oil fill opening with an oil droplet and oil mist protection device. The oil droplet and oil mist protection device has a lower partial area, an upper partial area and elastomer tongues. The elastomer tongues are arranged one over the other and spaced apart from each other in the upper partial area and lower partial area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Peter Scholz
  • Publication number: 20150136768
    Abstract: A fuel filler system for use in a vehicle is provided. The system includes a fuel filler tube, a locking bracket coupled to an inner surface of the fuel filler tube, and a closure device coupleable within the tube end and including an outer wall and a radially movable tab extending from the outer wall. The tab engages the locking bracket after rotation of the closure device from a first rotational position to a second rotational position to prevent rotation of the closure device relative to the locking bracket. The closure device further includes a web flexibly connecting the tab to the outer wall and a region of weakness defined in the web, such that upon forcible rotation of the closure device from the second rotational position to the first rotational position, the region of weakness facilitates separation of the web from the outer wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicants: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Hidekazu Nobata, Masaru Tomimatsu, Hiroyuki Hagano
  • Publication number: 20150114960
    Abstract: A capless fuel filler system that receives a nozzle includes a fuel spout, a deflectable latch carried by the fuel spout, a spring-loaded flapper valve and linkage connected between the latch and the spring-loaded flapper valve. The nozzle is received in the fuel spout and engages the deflectable latch to allow the spring-loaded flapper valve to be deflected by the nozzle. The system also includes a cover carried by the fuel spout, wherein removal of the cover allows receipt of the nozzle in the fuel spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: ALL SALES MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Steven A. DRINGENBERG, Timothy D. Manning, SR.
  • Patent number: 9016330
    Abstract: A device, system and/or method for dispensing a fuel additive to a fuel tank that employs a fuel additive delivery device secured to an opening of the fuel tank. The delivery device is fluidly coupled to a fuel additive reservoir. The delivery device includes a cap that automatically opens or closes fluid communication with the fuel additive reservoir. The delivery device also includes a bore defined through the delivery device configured to receive a fuel filler spout with a fuel passageway outlet positioned in the bore such that, as fuel passes through the bore and into the fuel tank, the bore is configured to create a suction at the fuel additive outlet to pull fuel additive from the reservoir, through the delivery device, and into the fuel tank with the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Gaylen W. Ercanbrack
  • Patent number: 9016499
    Abstract: An adapter for an oil filler neck and an assembly method for the adapter are provided. In an embodiment, the adapter includes an extension piece with a lower partial region and an upper partial region. The lower partial region has an outer bayonet cap guide that is adjusted to an inner bayonet cap guide of an oil fill port. The upper partial region has the inner bayonet cap guide that is adjusted to the outer bayonet cap guide of an oil filler inlet cover. An outer retaining ferule with an anti-twist device apron engages an outer edge region of the oil fill port in a positive and torsionally rigid manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Peter Scholz, Markus Luethen
  • Publication number: 20150102031
    Abstract: Present disclosure is a misfueling preventing apparatus discriminating a fuel filler nozzle based on an outer diameter of the fuel filler nozzle. The misfueling preventing apparatus includes a base, a first link arm, a second link arm, a flapper and the stopper. The first link arm has a first trigger projection. The second link arm has a second trigger projection. If the fuel filler nozzle of light diesel oil pushes the first trigger projection and the second trigger projection, the first link arm and second link arm swing to a direction to which the first link arm and second link arm open to allow the flapper rotates to open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Yoshida, Takami Ono
  • Publication number: 20150096983
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle-receiving assembly is configured to be operatively connected to a fuel fill line of a fuel intake system of a vehicle. The assembly may include a main outer body, a pressure relief member, and a seal member. The pressure relief member may be secured to and within the main outer body and may include at least one valve operatively connected to at least one relief passage. The valve(s) is configured to open to allow fluid pressure to be released through the at least one relief passage when the fluid pressure exceeds a pressure threshold. The seal member may be secured to the pressure relief member and may define a central opening configured to receive a fuel nozzle. The seal member is configured to sealingly engage an outer shaft of the fuel nozzle to prevent fuel from back-flowing out of the fuel fill line and air from passing into the fuel fill line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Melissa Moy, Stephen Sperando, Paul M. Sutenbach