U.S. patent application number 11/465910 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for automotive fuel filling system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Martinrea Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Daniel P. Cunkle, David Gabbey, Sorin Stancu.
Application Number | 20080041492 11/465910 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39100244 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080041492 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gabbey; David ; et
al. |
February 21, 2008 |
Automotive fuel filling system
Abstract
An automotive fuel filling system which inhibits automotive
fueling from a smaller of two different diameter fuel nozzles. The
system includes a funnel assembly having a circular port adapted to
receive the fuel nozzle. A nozzle valve assembly includes at least
two segments and is disposed in series with the port. Each segment,
furthermore, is pivotal between an open and a closed position. When
all segments are in the closed position, the nozzle valve assembly
serves to prevent dust and debris from reaching the flapper valve.
A hook is attached to a radially inner end of each nozzle valve
segment and a cam is also attached to each nozzle valve segment
configured to provide a clearance between the end of only the
larger nozzle and the hooks upon insertion of the larger nozzle,
but not upon insertion of the smaller nozzle.
Inventors: |
Gabbey; David; (Pinckney,
MI) ; Cunkle; Daniel P.; (Jonesville, MI) ;
Stancu; Sorin; (Dearborn, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GIFFORD, KRASS, SPRINKLE,ANDERSON & CITKOWSKI, P.C
PO BOX 7021
TROY
MI
48007-7021
US
|
Assignee: |
Martinrea Industries, Inc.
Dexter
MI
|
Family ID: |
39100244 |
Appl. No.: |
11/465910 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/350 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K 2015/0483 20130101;
B60K 15/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/350 |
International
Class: |
B65B 1/04 20060101
B65B001/04 |
Claims
1. An automotive fuel filling system which inhibits automotive
fueling from a smaller of two different diameter fuel nozzles
comprising: a funnel assembly having a circular part, a nozzle
valve assembly having at least two segments disposed in series with
said port, each of said segments being pivotal between an open and
a closed position, a hook attached to a radially inner end of each
nozzle valve segment, a cam associated with each nozzle valve
segment, said cams being configured so that, upon insertion of the
larger diameter fuel nozzle into said port, the larger fuel nozzle
contacts each cam on each nozzle valve segment and pivots each
nozzle valve segment to said open position which provides a
clearance between an end of the larger fuel nozzle and each hook
and allows full insertion of the larger fuel nozzle into said port,
and wherein said cams are configured so that, upon insertion of the
smaller fuel nozzle into said port, the coaction between each cam
and an end of the smaller nozzle is insufficient to create a
clearance between the end of the smaller nozzle and each hook
wherein at least one of said hooks engages an end of the smaller
fuel nozzle and prevents full insertion of the smaller nozzle into
said port.
2. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a flapper
valve positioned downstream and in series with said nozzle valve
assembly and movable between a closed and an open position, said
flapper valve being biased towards its closed position, said
flapper valve being spaced from said nozzle valve assembly by a
distance such that upon full insertion of the larger fuel nozzle
into said port, said larger nozzle contacts said flapper valve and
moves said flapper valve to an open position.
3. The invention as defined in claim 2 and comprising a spring
which urges said flapper valve towards said closed position.
4. The invention as defined in claim 2 and comprising a seal
mounted around an outer periphery of said flapper valve.
5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said nozzle valve
assembly comprises at least three segments.
6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said nozzle valve
assembly comprises at least four segments.
7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each said nozzle
valve segment and its associated cam are of a one-piece
construction.
8. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising at least one
spring which urges said nozzle valve segments towards said closed
position.
9. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each valve segment
and its associated hook are of a one-piece construction.
10. An automotive fuel filling system which inhibits automotive
fueling from a smaller of two different diameter fuel nozzles
comprising: a funnel assembly having a circular port, a nozzle
valve assembly having at least two segments disposed in series with
said port, each of said segments being pivotal between an open and
a closed position, a hook attached to a radially inner end of each
nozzle valve segment, a cam associated with each nozzle valve
segment, said cams being configured so that, upon insertion of the
larger diameter fuel nozzle into said port, the larger fuel nozzle
contacts each cam on each nozzle valve segment and pivots each
nozzle valve segment to said open position which provides a
clearance between an end of the larger fuel nozzle and each hook
and allows full insertion of the larger fuel nozzle into said port,
and wherein said cams are configured so that, upon insertion of the
smaller fuel nozzle into said port, the coaction between each cam
and an end of the smaller nozzle is insufficient to create a
clearance between the end of the smaller nozzle and each hook
wherein at least one of said hooks engages an end of the smaller
fuel nozzle and prevents full insertion of the smaller nozzle into
said port, and wherein said nozzle valve segments, when in said
closed position, block the entry of debris into said funnel
assembly.
11. The invention as defined in claim 10 and comprising a flapper
valve positioned downstream and in series with said nozzle valve
assembly and movable between a closed and an open position, said
flapper valve being biased towards its closed position, said
flapper valve being spaced from said nozzle valve assembly by a
distance such that upon full insertion of the larger fuel nozzle
into said port, said larger nozzle contacts said flapper valve and
moves said flapper valve to an open position.
12. The invention as defined in claim 11 and comprising a spring
which urges said flapper valve towards said closed position.
13. The invention as defined in claim 11 and comprising a seal
mounted around an outer periphery of said flapper valve.
14. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said nozzle valve
assembly comprises at least three segments.
15. The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said nozzle valve
assembly comprises at least four segments.
16. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein each said nozzle
valve segment and its associated cam are of a one-piece
construction.
17. The invention as defined in claim 10 and comprising at least
one spring which urges said nozzle valve segments towards said
closed position.
18. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein each valve segment
and its associated hook are of a one-piece construction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] I. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a fuel filling
system for an automotive vehicle.
[0003] II. Description of Related Art
[0004] All automotive vehicles include fuel filling systems to
allow the fuel tank of the vehicle to be refilled. Typically, the
fueling system includes a funnel which is dimensioned to receive a
conventional fuel filling nozzle. The funnel in turn is connected
to the fuel tank for the vehicle.
[0005] There are different types of automotive fuel currently in
use. These different fuels include diesel fuel and unleaded
gasoline. In accordance with industry standards, the diameter of
the fuel nozzle for each of the different fuels is different. For
example, the diameter of the fuel nozzle for diesel fuel has a
larger diameter than the fuel nozzle for unleaded gasoline.
Furthermore, the use of the wrong fuel in the engine for the
automotive vehicle may result in destruction of the engine.
[0006] It is relatively straightforward to prevent a car which uses
unleaded gasoline from being fueled with diesel fuel since the
nozzle for diesel fuel has a larger diameter. In order to
accomplish this, a port restrictor is merely secured to the funnel
assembly and this port restrictor has a diameter less than the
diameter of the diesel fuel nozzle. Consequently, it is impossible
to insert the larger diameter through the restrictor opening thus
preventing an unleaded gasoline system from being refueled with
diesel fuel.
[0007] Unfortunately, the converse is not true. Instead, the fuel
nozzle for unleaded gasoline is smaller in diameter than the fuel
nozzle for diesel fuel. As such, with conventional fuel filling
systems, it is possible to inadvertently insert the smaller
diameter unleaded gasoline nozzle into the funnel assembly for a
diesel fuel tank and to fill the tank with gasoline rather than
diesel fuel.
[0008] In one prior art device, flexible latches engage and retain
the fuel valve in a closed position. Upon insertion of the properly
sized fuel nozzle, the fuel nozzle engages the latches and flexes
the latches outwardly to disengage the fuel valve and allow the
fuel valve to open. However, the prior art device incorporates only
one door between the interior of the fuel funnel and the
environment, which may permit dust or debris to compromise the seal
on the fuel valve. Other systems use a one-piece secondary valve
which necessitates more space to the primary door. A one-piece
valve also creates a side load on the nozzle, which is not
ergonomically desirable to the operator.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides an automotive fuel filling
system which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the
previously known devices.
[0010] In brief, the fuel filling system of the present invention
comprises a funnel assembly having a generally circular port. The
funnel assembly is fluidly connected to the fuel tank for the
automotive vehicle and is adapted to receive a fuel filling
nozzle.
[0011] A nozzle valve assembly having at least two segments is
disposed in series with said port and preferably immediately
downstream from the port. Each of these segments is pivotal between
an open and a closed position while a spring or other biasing means
urges the segments towards their closed position.
[0012] A hook is attached to a radially inner end of each valve
segment. In addition, a cam is associated with each valve segment
and these cams are shaped and located such that as a nozzle is
inserted, the valve segments are spread apart. In the case of a
diesel system, upon insertion of the larger diesel nozzle, the
larger nozzle engages the cams, pivoting the valve segments
sufficiently to provide clearance between the nozzle and the hooks
which allows the fuel nozzle to be moved to a fully inserted
position in the funnel assembly. In doing so, the nozzle opens a
flapper valve downstream from the nozzle valve assembly thus
enabling fueling of the vehicle.
[0013] Conversely, upon insertion of the smaller diameter unleaded
gasoline fuel nozzle, the cams do not spread the valve segments
sufficiently to create clearance between the nozzle and the hooks
and at least one of the hooks on one of the nozzle valve segments
engages the end of the nozzle and prevents full insertion of the
smaller nozzle into the diesel funnel assembly. This, in turn,
prevents refueling of the vehicle with the smaller nozzle since the
flapper valve remains in a closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0014] A better understanding of the present invention will be had
upon reference to the following detailed description, when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference
characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in
which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary exploded view illustrating a
preferred embodiment of the present invention prior to insertion of
the fuel nozzle into the funnel assembly;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 1,
but illustrating the fuel nozzle inserted into the funnel
assembly;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an outside plan view of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary partial sectional view illustrating
a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the
operation of the present invention with enhanced hooks and the
parts removed for clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0020] With reference first to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the fuel
filling system 10 of the present invention is shown and includes a
funnel assembly 12. The funnel assembly 12 has an open outer end
adapted to receive a fuel nozzle 16. The other end 18 of the funnel
assembly 12 is fluidly connected to a fuel tank 20 (illustrated
only diagrammatically) for an automotive vehicle.
[0021] The funnel assembly 12 further includes a fluid port 22 in
series between the ends 14 and 18 of the funnel assembly 12. This
port 22 has a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the
fuel nozzle 16 for the proper fuel of the automotive vehicle.
Consequently, if the automotive vehicle (not shown) operates on
unleaded gasoline, the port 22 is sufficiently small to prevent the
insertion of a fuel nozzle for diesel fuel. Conversely, if the
vehicle utilizes diesel fuel, the port 22 is large enough to
accommodate the larger diameter funnel 16 for diesel fuel and thus
is necessarily larger than the diameter of a nozzle funnel 16 for
unleaded gasoline.
[0022] With reference now to FIGS. 1-3, a nozzle valve assembly 24
having a plurality of valve segments 26 is mounted within the
funnel assembly 12 so that the nozzle valve assembly 24 is fluidly
positioned in series between the funnel inlet 14 and outlet 18 and
preferably at or immediately downstream from the funnel port 22. As
illustrated in the drawing, the nozzle valve assembly 24 includes
four segments 26 (see FIG. 3), but it will be understood that fewer
or more nozzle valve segments may be employed without deviation
from either the spirit or scope of the invention.
[0023] Referring now particularly to FIG. 3, each nozzle valve
segment 26 is generally pie shaped and is pivotal between its
lowest position, illustrated in FIG. 3, and an open position,
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0024] With reference now particularly to FIGS. 3 and 5, a cam 28
is attached to each nozzle valve segment 26 so that the cams 28
face outwardly through the inlet 14 of the funnel assembly 12. The
cams 28 are configured such that, upon insertion of the larger
diesel nozzle 16, the nozzle 16 pivots the valve segments 26 open
and creates a clearance between the hooks 30 and the end of the
nozzle 16. Conversely, upon insertion of the smaller nozzle 16',
the coaction between the end of the nozzle 16' and the cams 30 does
not sufficiently spread the valve segments open to create a
clearance between the nozzle end and the hooks 30.
[0025] With reference now particularly to FIG. 5, each nozzle valve
segment 26 also includes a hook 30 at its radially inner end. The
ability to resist insertion of undersized nozzles is enhanced if
the hooks engage the inner diameter of the nozzle tip as shown in
FIG. 5. Rocking the nozzle may sequentially disengage less
aggressive hooks. Additionally, preferably the nozzle valve segment
26, cam 28 and hooks 30 are all of a one-piece construction.
Furthermore, any conventional means, such as a spring 32, is used
to urge the nozzle valve segments 26 to their closed position as
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0026] With reference now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a flapper valve 40
is contained within and fluidly in series with the funnel assembly
12 and movable between a closed position, illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 4, and an open position, illustrated in FIG, 2. The flapper
valve 40 is mounted downstream from the nozzle valve assembly 24
and in alignment with the nozzle valve assembly 24. A spring 42
(FIG. 4) urges the flapper valve 40 towards its closed
position.
[0027] When the valve segments 26 are in their closed position, the
valve assembly 24 seals the port 22 and protects the flapper valve
40 from dust and debris.
[0028] With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, upon insertion of the
properly sized fuel nozzle 16 from the position shown in FIG. 1 and
to the position shown in FIG. 2, the free end of the fuel nozzle 16
engages all of the cams 28 on the nozzle valve segments 26 and thus
pivots the nozzle valve segments 26 from their closed position,
illustrated in FIG. 1, and to an open position, illustrated in FIG.
2. In doing so, the fuel nozzle 16 is movable to a fully inserted
position, illustrated in FIG. 2, in which the free end of the fuel
nozzle 16 engages and moves the flapper valve 40 from its closed
and to its open position. At that time, normal fueling of the
automotive vehicle may proceed.
[0029] Conversely, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, in the event that a
smaller diameter fuel nozzle 16' for the improper fuel is inserted
into the port 22 of the fuel nozzle, the free end of the fuel
nozzle 16' engages all of the cams 28 on the nozzle valve segments
26, but not sufficiently to create clearance between the tip of the
nozzle and the hooks. Consequently, upon an attempt to further
insert the fuel nozzle 16' into the funnel assembly 12, the hooks
30 on the nozzle valve segments 26 which were not sufficiently
opened by the nozzle 16' engage the free end of the fuel nozzle 16'
and prohibit the further insertion of the fuel nozzle 16' into the
funnel assembly 12. At this time, the flapper valve 40 remains in a
closed position thus preventing fueling of the automotive vehicle
with the improper fuel.
[0030] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present
invention provides a simple and yet highly effective mechanism
which prevents the fueling of an automotive vehicle with an
improper smaller diameter nozzle. Having described my invention,
however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those
skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the
spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *