Automotive Type Patents (Class 220/86.2)
  • Patent number: 8517198
    Abstract: A vehicular fuel tank fuel filler orifice device that is provided with a fuel filler orifice in an upper wall of a vehicular fuel tank that stores ethanol fuel for an engine and a fuel filler guide tube extending from the fuel filler orifice to the interior of the fuel tank. A flame arrestor made of a metal mesh with a larger diameter than that of the fuel filler guide tube is mounted on the fuel filler guide tube. The flame arrestor covers a lower opening of the fuel filler guide tube for allowing a flow of the fuel but preventing the entrance of a flame. Using a flame arrestor, not only prevents a flame from entering a fuel tank from a fuel filler orifice but also smoothly carries out an exchange of fuel and air in the flame arrestor when filling with fuel, thus speeding the filling with fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Muto, Yasufumi Yokura, Shiro Kokubu
  • Publication number: 20130213963
    Abstract: A refueling assembly of an engine is provided. The refueling assembly includes a housing, a door positioned within the housing and a flow guide positioned within the housing and downstream of the door including an inlet in fluidic communication with the door, an outlet to flow fuel into a downstream filler pipe in fluidic communication with a fuel tank during a refueling operation, a planar nozzle seating section receiving a fuel nozzle during the refueling operation, and a contraction section positioned downstream of the planar nozzle seating section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Patent number: 8511341
    Abstract: A marine fuel backflow preventer and overfill alarm for use with marine vessels includes a housing provided for in-line installation in the fuel fill inlet line and directs fuel entering the a fuel filling inlet generally directly to a fuel filling outlet such that the fuel passes freely through the back flow preventer while being directed to the vessel fuel tank. The housing further functions as a reservoir for containing fuel which has accumulated therein due to over-filling and/or that has been carried into the housing via the fuel tank vent line. By providing a fuel containing reservoir disposed in-line the present invention thus functions to prevent unintended fuel spillage into the environment. The back flow preventer further includes an electro-mechanical float switch that automatically activates an alarm upon sensing the presence of fuel within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Gary E. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8511353
    Abstract: A fuel tank opening and closing device is equipped with a flap valve mechanism having an opening and closing member for opening and closing an inlet inside a tank opening forming member. The nozzle positioning guide mechanism has a first support mechanism of an opening peripheral edge of an introduction port of an insertion path of a tank opening forming member, a second support mechanism having an introduction guide surface formed on the top surface of the pressing member of the opening and closing member, and a positioning ridge line that has a curvature almost the same but slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fueling nozzle and which touches by line contact on the outer peripheral surface of the fueling nozzle at the insertion completion position, and a third support mechanism having a valve positioning member which regulates the degree of openness of the opening and closing member by touching the inner wall of the tank opening forming member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hagano
  • Publication number: 20130206758
    Abstract: A fuel filler pipe offering high anticorrosion performance and high fabrication accuracy is provided. Specifically, a tubular fuel filler pipe body 2 made of a plated steel sheet has a fuel filler port 2a at one end thereof, and is connected at the other end thereof to a fuel tank 10. A short cylindrical retainer 3 made of stainless steel is mounted into the fuel filler port 2a, and includes first and second tube members 5 and 6 each having both open ends. An inner circumferential surface of a portion of the first tube member 5 near an opening thereof at one end thereof includes an internal thread 5a threadedly connected to an external thread C1 of a fuel cap C. The second tube member 6 is inserted through an opening of the first tube member 5 at the other end thereof into the first tube member 5, and is joined to the first tube member 5 before the internal thread 5a by resistance spot welding Sw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: KEYLEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Miyagawa, Atsushi Nakasaki
  • Publication number: 20130206757
    Abstract: A structure for a fuel filler tube opening comprises: a fuel adapter (17) having a filler tube opening (15); a fuel lid (16) for closing an opening (13) formed in a vehicle body (27); and a protective cover (32) provided on an inner surface (31) of the fuel lid (16). The protective cover (32) is separated by the distance (d) from an insertion opening (24) of the filler tube opening (15) and surrounds the insertion opening (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihiko Nagai, Shiro Yagi, Atsushi Ohba
  • Publication number: 20130193140
    Abstract: A fuel tank opening-closing device has a tank opening forming member, a flap valve mechanism that has an opening-closing member, and an opening-closing activation mechanism that switches between the locked position and the unlocked position that does the opening operation of the opening-closing member. The opening-closing activation mechanism has a nozzle detection mechanism which has introductory push parts mounted on the opening-closing member and adapted to receive force of motion in the insertion direction of the fueling nozzle, and a lock member that is mounted on the tank opening forming member and that selectively shifts between the locked position and the unlocked position by engaging and disengaging with the opening-closing member, and a locking mechanism that moves the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position by being pushed by the introductory push parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hagano, Masaki Akagi, Chiaki Kataoka, Satoshi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20130186894
    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) comprises 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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Salzberger, Michal Sedlak
  • Patent number: 8490812
    Abstract: A fuel tank, in particular for a motor vehicle, has a filler neck for filling fuel into the fuel tank. It is important that a recirculation device having a tube element is provided, which tube element is arranged substantially coaxially with respect to, and so as to be axially at least slightly spaced apart from, the filler neck, such that fuel which is filled into the fuel tank through the filler neck flows as a free jet into an inlet of the tube element. The inlet is situated above a fuel level and the tube element is configured so as to generate an effect of sucking in fuel vapor as fuel is filled into the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz-Jürgen Geurtz
  • Patent number: 8490661
    Abstract: In at least one implementation, a filler neck for a fuel tank may include an outer tube attached to the fuel tank through which fuel is discharged into the fuel tank during a refueling event, and an insert. The insert may be carried by the outer tube and have a passage adapted to receive a refueling nozzle during a refueling event, a first barrier adapted to engage a refueling nozzle inserted in the passage and having one or more gaps through which fluid may flow between the refueling nozzle and first barrier, and a second barrier adapted to engage the first barrier to reduce the size of the gaps when the first barrier is engaged with a refueling nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: TI Automotive Technology Center GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan O. Leipold, Tobias Schanegg, Ankur Seth
  • Publication number: 20130175268
    Abstract: A filler neck insert to be removably attached to a capless fuel tank filler neck of a motor vehicle so that a source of pressure or a source of vacuum can be coupled to the fuel tank in order to test the fuel tank for leaks. The filler neck insert includes a hollow tubular body to be received through the open fuel-mouth and suspended within the throat of the fuel tank filler neck and a base extending across the tubular body. An adapter which is connected to the filler neck insert has an outer rim mated in surrounding sealing engagement with the base of the insert and an inlet tube connected to the source of pressure or vacuum. Accordingly, a flow path is established from the pressure or vacuum source to the fuel tank by way of the adapter, the insert and the filler neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory M. McCollom
  • Publication number: 20130168392
    Abstract: Present invention provides a fuel filler port preventing a flowing back fuel from overflowing from the fuel filler port. The fuel filler port includes a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member are provided from upward to downward direction in written order. The second member is provided with a plurality of guiding projections and a fuel outlet provided between the adjacent projections. Since an inner diameter of the first opining is equal to an outer diameter of the fuel filler nozzle inserted, the flowing back fuel hardly flows through a gap between the first opening and the fuel filler nozzle. The flowing back fuel is discharged to the outside of a fuel filler pipe via the fuel outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Asteer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Asteer Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8464764
    Abstract: A fuel system ullage float valve assembly is provided for fuel tank and fuel fill line. This assembly is located near the intersection of the fuel fill line entering the uppermost top section of a fuel tank. A ullage float valve assembly includes a cage enclosure having an upper collar, a plurality of leg members and a base, essentially forming a frame-like structure. The upper collar is partially inserted into, and nest within, the fuel fill line as it enters the tank. The leg members extend downwardly into the tank in a generally vertical position. The assembly also includes a buoyant float chamber, having a generally cylindrical base and a generally converging, conical upper section. The float chamber is buoyant and it housed within the cage enclosure, and is slididly movable within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Darren Milsom
  • Publication number: 20130146595
    Abstract: A tank connection includes a tank formed with a plastic wall having multiple thicknesses, a first thickness being substantially impervious to hydrocarbon permeation, the wall having an opening surrounded by an edge of the wall, a component secured by a weld to an outer surface of the wall, and seal substantially impervious to hydrocarbon permeation, contacting a surface of the component, and biased into elastic contact with said edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Russell R. Pearce, Daniel F. Cragel, Kenneth J. Kuenzel
  • Patent number: 8459313
    Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] A gas fuel vehicle capable of detecting a gas leakage on the back side of a fuel fill port (inside of a vehicle body) extremely easily is provided. [Means for Solving the Problem] The gas fuel vehicle includes: a gas filling port that receives a supply of a gas fuel from a fuel supply device on the outside of a vehicle body; a communicating hole that connects the inside of the vehicle body and the outside of the vehicle body; a shielding member that shields the fuel fill port and the communicating hole from the outside of the vehicle body; and a gas fuel storage unit that stores the gas fuel supplied from the fuel supply device through the fuel fill port. A rod portion of a gas leakage detector is inserted into the communicating hole from the outside of the vehicle body, thereby detecting a gas leakage inside the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Iida, Keiichi Kondo
  • Patent number: 8448802
    Abstract: A fuel tank structure including a fuel tank, a fuel filler port device formed in a cylindrical shape and arranged in the fuel tank, and a flame arrester arranged in the fuel filler port device and disposed inside the fuel tank. A fuel bleeding opening is formed in a peripheral wall part of the fuel filler port device and an arrester peripheral wall part. A cylindrical ring disposed so as to urge itself against the peripheral wall part and block the fuel bleeding opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Hisadomi, Hiroshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8439421
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel lid apparatus may include a lid and a linkage assembly that pivotally attaches the lid to the vehicle. The lid may be movable about the pivotal attachments between closed and open conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ovidiu Cristian Mihai
  • Patent number: 8430140
    Abstract: A capless fuel filling system for a vehicle including a closure assembly that forms an iris arrangement that is rotatable to form a seal for a fuel filling tube or provide access to the fuel filling tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Flobal Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert G. Ognjanovski, David Ballheim
  • Publication number: 20130092290
    Abstract: One embodiment of an anti-siphon and strainer fuel filler assembly includes a fuel filler tube adapted for placement in a fuel tank opening, the fuel filler tube having a strainer structure positioned therein, the strainer structure including a cylindrical tube and a circular shaped end plate, the cylindrical tube and the circular shaped end plate each including a plurality of strainer structure apertures sized to prevent debris from flowing there through and into a fuel tank in which the fuel filler assembly is placed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Evan Waymire, John Loffink, Tim Barker
  • Publication number: 20130075395
    Abstract: The fuel tank opening-closing device has a tank opening forming member, a first flap valve mechanism and a second flap valve mechanism with a gasket GS. The tank opening-closing member includes: an insertion passage forming member including a passage forming main body for forming an insertion passage that connects the first opening and the second opening and for guiding the fueling nozzle from the first opening to the second opening, and a vent hole formed at an outer periphery of the first opening of the passage forming main body, a vent forming member having a gap with the insertion passage forming member at an outer periphery of the insertion passage forming member and disposed facing the vent hole, and a vent passage that connects the insertion passage with the outside through the gap and the vent hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130075394
    Abstract: A casing includes a container in which a float valve is disposed. When the float valve is closed, the casing keeps the float valve in a closed state for a relatively long period of time. A sub-float valve is provided below the container in the casing, and is closed by floating on fuel at the time of a turn of a vehicle or an automatic stop of first refueling. When the first refueling is completed, air in the sub-float valve is discharged, and the sub-float valve loses its floating function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: KYOSAN DENKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keiji SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8382187
    Abstract: An automatic gas cap actuator system (10, 10?) for automatic locking and opening of the gas cap (26, 74) of a vehicle's fuel tank is provided. The system (10, 10?) has a gas cap (26, 74); and a cap actuator (16, 20, 48, 48?; 72) actuated by a non-manual power source (12, 12?). The cap actuator interfaces with the gas cap (26, 74) via an interface (39, 76) in a manner so as to be able to impart relative rotation between the gas cap and a fixing element (20, 78), so as to draw the cap into engagement with the filling tube (34, 52), the interface and the gas cap being disengageable so as to permit manual use at the will of the operator. A remote controller within reach of a vehicle operator actuates the motor (12, 12?). In an advantage, the cap (26, 74) can be locked or opened both electrically and manually. Using the electrical unlock, the cap (26, 74) unlocks and opens without any necessary manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventors: Naim Guendouz, Walter Dysli, Marc Jeanneret
  • Patent number: 8376169
    Abstract: An anti-siphon installation assembly includes a spring, a retainer clip mounted on the spring, the retainer clip including a support surface adapted to support an anti-siphon device thereon, and a locator clip mounted on the spring, the locator clip including an outwardly extending arm adapted to contact the upper surface of a fuel filler neck opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, Evan Waymire
  • Patent number: 8371345
    Abstract: A structure for a fuel lid section has a fuel lid supported on a vehicle body via a hinge, a vehicle body recess openably covered by the fuel lid, a fuel filling opening placed in the vehicle body recess, and a cap-less mechanism provided at the fuel filling opening and enabling fuel filling operation without requiring attachment/detachment of a fuel cap. The structure also has an electricity conduction path extending from the fuel lid to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Sato, Shoichi Hokazono, Shinya Murabayashi
  • Patent number: 8371344
    Abstract: A refilling system for a vehicle including a body panel having a fixed opening, an adjustable refilling assembly partially enclosed by the body panel, the adjustable refilling assembly including a first port and a second port, the adjustable refilling assembly movable between at least a first configuration in which the first port is aligned with the fixed opening and a second configuration in which the second port is aligned with the fixed opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Doug Vandervoort, Grant A. Compton, Stanley Jay Novak, Brenda Johnson, Kirk Rasmussen, Marius Efstate
  • Patent number: 8371346
    Abstract: A refueling nozzle is inserted into a fuel filler tube of the vehicle, refueling is carried out in the normal manner. However, during retraction of the nozzle, when the nozzle is prone to drip, a specially designed valve is caused to open and a vacuum canister draws in a rush of air and captures the dripping gas. During normal vehicle operation, the captured fuel in the vacuum canister is drawn into the engine intake manifold to be burned through the engine and the vacuum in the canister is replenished for the next refueling stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Robert W. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8353322
    Abstract: In a tank system, a venting line (6) connects the fuel tank to an activated carbon filter, and a recirculating line (10) opens into a filler head (3). In order to prevent the penetration of liquid fuel into the activated carbon filter, to permit the seal to be checked by applying a partial vacuum and to provide a filler head which can be manufactured inexpensively, an insertion body (22) is provided which forms a funnel (23) which is adjoined by a neck (24) which accommodates the fuel nozzle, which insertion body (22) has, in addition to the neck (24), two vertical blind holes (31, 32), open at the bottom, and a transverse duct (33) which connects the latter, wherein the first blind hole (31) is connected to the recirculating line (10), and a float (40), which clears or closes off the connection to the transverse duct (33), is guided in the second blind hole (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fuel Systems GesmbH
    Inventors: Guenther Pozgainer, Thomas Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20130008533
    Abstract: An apparatus using fuel gas is provided, ensuring charge amount of a battery. The apparatus includes battery, fuel gas reservoir unit, fuel lid, open/close detection unit for detecting open/close state of fuel lid, fuel gas condition detection unit for detecting pressure and/or temperature being condition of fuel gas reserved in the fuel gas reservoir unit, communication unit for communication with fuel gas supply device, and control unit for, upon reception of signal notifying that fuel lid is in open state from open/close detection unit, performing dispensing communication to notify the fuel gas supply device, via communication unit, of condition of fuel gas having been input from fuel gas condition detection unit. The control unit stops dispensing communication when control unit has determined, according to signal received from open/close detection unit that predetermined time has elapsed with the fuel lid remaining in open state after starting dispensing communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi KATO, Koichi TAKAKU, Taneaki MIURA, Hiroyasu OZAKI, Saneto ASANO
  • Publication number: 20130008899
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel filler port device that is of a fuel tank for a straddled vehicle and that can utilize the upper space of the fuel tank without leading to an increase in size of a fuel filler guide tube. The fuel filler port device (60) of a fuel tank for a straddled vehicle is provided with: a fuel filler guide tube (61) that extends from the fuel filler port (53) provided to the upper wall of the fuel tank (16) to the interior of the fuel tank (16), and a flame arrester (62) that is disposed at the bottom of the fuel filler guide tube (61); and the flame arrester (62) is provided in a manner allowing a nozzle (N) of a fuel gun inserted from the fuel filler port (53) to be inserted lower than the upper end of the flame arrester (62).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Masaru Hisadomi, Hiroyuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 8347914
    Abstract: System for filling a tank comprising a pipe head and a fill pipe extending between the pipe head and the tank. The pipe head comprises a chamber with an inlet opening that connects to the atmosphere and an outlet opening that connects to the fill pipe and a stopper being movable between open and closed positions to open or close the access to the fill pipe, the head inlet and outlet openings being sized and arranged to allow introduction of a filling nozzle into the fill pipe through the pipe head when the stopper is in its open position. The fill pipe comprises or is preceded by a local restriction designed so that the cross section of the passage for the nozzle is substantially reduced to the outer diameter of the nozzle. A degassing connection links the fill pipe and the pipe head outside of its outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme)
    Inventors: Hervé Runarvot, Patrick Ganachaud, Mickaël Charrier
  • Publication number: 20130001226
    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: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Thorsten Breuer, Christian Scharping
  • Publication number: 20120318793
    Abstract: A breather 2 on a top of a tank body 1 is opened through a carbon dioxide permeable membrane 3 to an atmospheric air so as to take an inert gas containing plenty of carbon dioxide permeated through the membrane 3 into the tank body 1 by a negative pressure due to reduction of a fuel F in the tank body 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Noboru Uchida
  • Publication number: 20120312420
    Abstract: A filling port structure for a fuel tank includes a filling port member that defines a filling port, an open/close valve that opens and closes the filling port, a rotary member that attaches the open/close valve to the filling port member in a manner such that the open/close valve is rotatable between an open position and a closed position, a locking member that is provided in the filling port member and is movable between a locking position to lock the open/close valve in the closed position and an unlocking position to unlock the open/close valve, an unlocking member that moves the locking member to the unlocking position when pressed by a fuel gun, and a retention portion that holds the locking member in the unlocking position at least when the open/close valve is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chiaki KATAOKA, Satoshi YAMAMOTO, Masaki AKAGI
  • Publication number: 20120305555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drop separator for the bleeding line of a fuel container, comprising a drop separator housing that is connected to a space surrounded by the filler tube of the fuel container, preferably directly to the refueling channel of the filler tube, and at least two bleeding line connections, wherein the housing is divided by means of at least one partition into at least two separate gas paths, wherein a first gas path is designed as a gas inlet channel and a second gas path as a gas outlet channel. The gas inlet channel is closed on the end face by means of a lid and communicates via a passage of a surrounding wall of the drop separator housing with the filler tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Waldemar Nickel, Manfred Prueser
  • Patent number: 8322552
    Abstract: A fuel filler system for an automotive vehicle includes a filler pipe connected with a fuel tank and an interceptor mounted about an open end of the filler pipe, with the interceptor and filler pipe defining a generally annular contaminant collector having a drain extending from the collector. A filler cap closes both the open end of the filler pipe and the open end of the interceptor, so as to prevent ambient contamination from entering either the contaminant collector or the filler pipe. Removal of the filler cap from the filler pipe first causes venting of the fuel tank into the collector before a sealing condition between the filler cap and the interceptor is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventor: Shahid Ahmed Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 8281823
    Abstract: A refueling apparatus. The refueling apparatus having a combination float control module and fluid flow control valve for use in high pressure, high flow rate refueling systems. The refueling apparatus further having a fluid flow control valve module, a fluid level sensor module having a sensor, and a testing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Spillx L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mitrovich, John Byrne
  • Patent number: 8281825
    Abstract: A fuel filler port closing apparatus including an opening (44) of a filler neck or an opening (211) of a nozzle guide (21) securely and reliably sealed, even when a seal packing (325) sags, bends or deflects. Sealing is realized by a flapper (3) including a rotation plate (31) which rotates and flaps, and a seal plate (32) having the seal packing (325) moving freely in an up and down direction with respect to the rotation plate (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Asteer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20120228292
    Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel tank filler neck associated with a fuel tank. The fuel tank filler neck includes a fill tube for receiving a fuel-dispensing pump nozzle and a fuel conductor interconnecting an interior region of the fuel tank and a passageway formed in the fill tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: STANT USA CORP.
    Inventors: Cory J. Doble, Paul C. Wetzel, Jason M. Crawford
  • Patent number: 8261581
    Abstract: A device for dispensing washing agents has a body defined in which is a reservoir for a liquid substance that can be dispensed. The reservoir has a charging passage that can be engaged by a plug. Operatively set between the body of the dispenser and the plug is an articulated connection, provided for keeping the plug mechanically connected to the dispenser even following upon removal of the plug from the charging passage. Preferably the articulated connection is of a “hide-away” type and comprises a movable member to which the plug is constrained so as to present a number of degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: ELTEK S.p.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Cerruti, Marco Moro
  • Publication number: 20120217240
    Abstract: A capless refueling system is provided which utilizes snap-in attachment of a multi-stage valve assembly within a fuel pipe. The valve assembly includes a lower body portion and a cover independent from the lower body portion. The lower body portion and the cover are configured to be lockingly adjoined to one another. The cover is adapted to be adjoined to the fuel pipe. The system is sealed at a position above the primary shutoff valve thereby eliminating the need for a spring pin support bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert K. Dutzi, Bryan M. Miller, William A. Purdy, Stephen M. Sperando, Paul M. Sutenbach, Franco A. Cisternino
  • Publication number: 20120217239
    Abstract: A refilling system for a vehicle including a body panel having a fixed opening, an adjustable refilling assembly partially enclosed by the body panel, the adjustable refilling assembly including a first port and a second port, the adjustable refilling assembly movable between at least a first configuration in which the first port is aligned with the fixed opening and a second configuration in which the second port is aligned with the fixed opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Doug Vandervoort, Grant A. Compton, Stanley Jay Novak, Brenda Johnson, Kirk Rasmussen, Marius Efstate
  • Patent number: 8251109
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filler neck (1) for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle which has at least one tubular section (3) provided in the area of the filler inlet to receive the outlet pipe (4) of a fuel delivery nozzle. The filler neck (1) according to the invention has the distinguishing feature of at least one insert forming a constriction as a flame barrier, which encloses the outlet pipe (4), forming at least one gas passage gap (7), the gap dimension being selected so that any flashback is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Gebert, Axel Wagner
  • Publication number: 20120211489
    Abstract: A filler neck for the fuel tank of a motor vehicle has a funnel insert having a lockable flap with a lock, which is held by two elements which can each be pivoted about a pin. The flap is released only when both elements are pivoted to one side simultaneously by the filler tube of a gas pump nozzle. In order to open the flap with minimal actuating forces, the first element can be pivoted about a first pin and holds the hinge pin for the flap on its end far from the first pin, and the second element can be pivoted about a second pin and forms a locking hook. The two pins have a spatial distance from one another in the transverse direction and the two elements are loaded with respect to one another by at least one spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNA STEYR Fuel Systems GesmbH
    Inventors: Hubert WALSER, Dominik Steinmann
  • Patent number: 8235079
    Abstract: Provided are adapter caps comprising a housing having a top, a bottom an edge, and a hub at the top of the housing. A plunger is slidably disposed about the hub, and a plurality of lock fingers are pivotally attached to the housing substantially at the edge, the lock fingers being actuable, responsive to movement of the plunger. A guide including an inner circular wall and an outer circular wall with the inner circular wall having a passageway disposed therethrough is present at the bottom of the housing. A cap as provided is selectively attachable to a coupling fitting having a first passage through which a liquid may pass and a second passage separate and distinct from the first passage through which vapor may pass, to provide accurate fuel level readings of a reservoir to which the coupling is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Robert L. Schultz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8235078
    Abstract: A filler tube for a tank made of plastic for preventing an incorrect filling of the tank is provided with a permanent magnet, which is accommodated in a liquid-tight manner, and with a plastic holder for holding the permanent magnet. The filler tube of the aforementioned type for a tank made of plastic, which can be manufactured more easily, has fewer components and which can be mounted more easily. To this end, the filler tube is made of plastic and the plastic holder, which holds the permanent magnet, is directly connected in a liquid-tight manner to the filler tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Theodor-Heuss-Strasse 12
    Inventors: Frank Horlacher, René Koerber, Gerhard Mueller-Riederer
  • Patent number: 8225953
    Abstract: A resin-made fuel tank structure of a vehicle is provided to suppress the formation of a notch in a mounting portion of an insert portion on a tank body. The fuel tank structure includes a tank body. The tank body includes a resin material having fuel permeation resistance. The fuel tank structure includes an insert portion separate from the tank body. The insert portion includes a resin material. The insert portion also includes a mounting portion to mount the insert portion on the tank body and a fuel fill opening. The insert portion is configured to be mounted to an outer layer of the tank body. The outer layer of the tank body is configured to be in close contact with an end portion of the mounting portion of the insert portion. The outer layer is configured to bulge more outward and upward than the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Matayoshi, Akihito Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20120181274
    Abstract: A vessel for storing a fuel and/or operating medium for vehicles, in particular, for utility vehicles, having a filler neck for receiving a pump nozzle and a magnet configured to prevent erroneous tank filling. The vessel is formed from a plastic and has a filler neck holder formed in one piece with the vessel. The filler neck holder is shrink-fitted onto the filler neck. The filler neck has an annular chamber in which the magnet is captively accommodated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Erhard GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Fetzer
  • Patent number: 8220506
    Abstract: A structure for a fuel filling section of a fuel tank is obtained, in which valve opening pressure of a negative pressure valve, that opens a fuel filling port when a fuel tank interior is negative pressure, can be set independently of a valve opening pressure of an opening/closing valve that opens the fuel filling port due to insertion of a fuel filling gun. A positive pressure valve (50), that opens when the fuel tank interior becomes positive pressure, and a flap valve (70), that opens by being pushed by the fuel filling gun, are provided within a filler pipe (24). Further, a negative pressure valve (60), that opens when the fuel tank interior becomes negative pressure, is provided separately from the flap valve (70). A valve opening pressure of the flap valve (70) can be set without considering a valve opening operation when a fuel tank (10) interior becomes negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Aso
  • Patent number: 8220508
    Abstract: A fuel filling device that includes, but is not limited to a filling head and a filling pipe disposed between fuel tank and filling head, has a further guiding tube having a front end viewed in the direction of insertion and a rear end viewed in the direction of insertion, which is disposed inside the filling pipe, and the front end is disposed directly below the filling head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Dieter Rongstock
  • Patent number: 8215333
    Abstract: A fuel filler adapter for a vehicle including a rigid housing connected to the vehicle and having a fuel pipe opening defined therethrough; and a flexible plastic overmold formed to the rigid housing. The overmold includes a radial wall defining an aperture that is in registry with the fuel pipe opening, a drainage skirt at least partially encircling the aperture for catching overflow fuel, and an overflow channel disposed below the aperture. The overflow channel may be defined by the radial wall and/or the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryan Matthew Stokes, Michael E. Franz, Shawn Lee Tarr